just because....quote

ready for the weekend.....

What have you got planned for the weekend....? Are you going somewhere nice? BUT like always, have you left the packing until the last minute ???ahhhh!

In fact, thinking about it, do you even have something to put your clothes in ??

Maybe you do...BUT maybe it's not quite right - perhaps your current bag is a little too small to squeeze everything into comfortably or perhaps it's a little too cumbersome??

After all, you are only going away for a night of two....

What you need, without a doubt, is the perfect weekend bag - stylish, just the right size and unique...and I think I have just the bag for you!

Miahziga the creation of a dear friend, has some great bags all of which are hand made using top quality argentine leather.

- Size 63cm by 40 cm but bags can be made to individual spec. too.

- No two bags are the same. NB: coming soon the leather/cow hide combination

- Cost $250 usd + postage

COMING VERY SOON (I am going as fast as I can!) is Lala Moon's online boutique where you will be able to purchase all sorts of lovely things!

Have a lovely weekend!

For futher info on Miahziga bags - drop me an email or join the facebook group.

blue green, green blue.....

Blue with green or green with blue??? It does require you to play a little with your imagination.... but try it! You might like what you discover.....

Here are a series of images which combine blues and greens - the tones are different and some are more striking, others more modest... There is the overwhelming sense of nature, the blue representing the expansive seas and the green, vegetation..

Get experimenting!

Images taken from penick, Australian magazine Country Style, shannonfricke and decor pad.

just because....quote

wish list........shepherd's huts

Who said you had to travel a long way, to get away??!

I love the idea of having a shepherd's hut as my hideaway - and it needn't be more than a few meters from my front door to give that sense of escapism.

Historically of course, the shepherd's hut offered a very different type of escapism, allowing the shepherd sanctuary from the driving rains and freezing temperatures as he tended his sheep for long periods of time. Widely used throughout England and Wales in the latter centuries the hut was a basic structure with a corrugated iron roof and windows either side to allow the shepherd to keep an eye on his flocks. It would have been simply furnished with a small stove to keep him warm.

Today the choice of decor and style of hut is all about comfort and part of the fun is deciding how you would like to put your personal touch to your new home BUT at a cost...... Sadly, they are not cheap.

For further information have a look at The Shepherd's Hut Restoration Company, Plankbridge based in Dorset the setting for Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd... or Artisan Shepherd's Hut who have some stunning ideas.

If your budget doesn't quite stretch to purchasing your own hut but, you like the idea of escaping and experiencing a couple of nights under the stars there are various places that now offer this getaway - In Devon you can stay at Sellerswood Farm, near Lyme Regis on the coast or why not try Hill Farm which is in Southam, Northants.

Images borrowed from Hill Farm, Artisan Shepherd's Huts, Cotsworld Shepherd's Hut and Plankbridge

wish list........all things ikat

The ikat influence is everywhere at the moment. I would hedge a bet that it is one of the only textile forms which feature as regularly on the catwalk as it does in the world of interiors right now.

The word “ikat” means “to bind and originates in Uzbekistan. It is an ancient way of creating designs in fabric by resist-dyeing the threads before the fabric is woven. Traditional Uzbek ikat cottons are often dyed in lively and engaging motifs representing the village life and beliefs of the people. Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige.

Ikat, an ancient technique has been very popular through out the interior design world - used in upholstery, soft furnishings and a whole range of accessories it is a great way to add colour to a space without going overboard.

On the catwalk ikat has seen a revival and it has featured in the Gucci, Matthew Williamson and Dries Van Norten 2010 Spring/Summer collections, to name but a few.

The following are great places to source all things ikat - Madeline Winerib, John Robshaw Interiors, Uzbek Crafts, Jayson Home & Garden and at the moment Anthropologie and it's sister brand Urban Outfitters have some superb ikat products.

The Ikat china, featured here can be sourced at LA's home decor boutique Distant.

One word of warning - It is very much quality not quantity that counts with ikat- Ikat touches are great, but over doing the ikat theme will leave you feeling decidedly ill!!!

Images taken from the following : designmyway, designspongeonline, blog.thefind and harpers bazaar.

just because....

take me away.........

Photography is something I would love to do more of... but sadly, I just don't think I am cut out for it....

The intention is there. My camera often accompanies me, but inevitably it never leaves it's pouch.

I admire those who snap away and capture the moment where ever they are.....

Today is one of those days when I feel like being lost in a series of photos - imagining and dare I say it dreaming of being whisked a way to a place like Filicudi, one of 8 islands of the north east coast of Sicily.

Just from looking at these images you can feel the sea breeze in your hair and smell the sea air... The crispness of the decor, the simplicity of the design, the use of colour to add that finishing touch.... I'm off. See you there!

images courtesy of Adriano Bacchella

wish list........T

Louis Vuitton 'Pochette Nightbird' bag

Christian Louboutin ' Hola Lita' sandal

T is for Thursday, tribal and tassels....

A lovely friend kindly bought with her a stash of foreign glossy mags when she flew in to Bs As last weekend... I am in heaven as I browse through all the spring editions. It seems that tassels are still 'in' in a big way and that there is a lot of tribal influence in the Spring/Summer collections.

If $$ were no object then I would buy in a flash -

i) the Spring/Summer 2010 Louis Vuitton 'Pochette Nightbird' bag - with it's Indian style adornment adding a touch of the 'exotic' to the luxury brand. Whilst not particularly big - 7.1" x 10.6" x 1.2" it is very fun!

$2240 usd

and then ii) these 'Hola Lita ' sandals by Christian Louboutin with gold platted, red and leopard print leather.... grahhhhhhh!!

$465 usd

first image courtesy of UK Vogue (May 2009)

just because....quote

wish list........

i LOVE the Bona Drag ballet slipper

refinement to .....

ATTITUDE

Ballet is refinement with a CAPITAL 'R'...and for quite sometime now, the ballet slipper has been the choice of many a fashionista who likes to be well turned out, chic for a better word...

French Sole led the way, adapting the original ballet slipper (Capezio) into something a little more street savvy. They continue to be the market leader although there is now strong competition from the likes of Pretty Ballerinas and on the high street there are brands galore.

You either love them or hate them.

I love them... and sooo, I was very excited by my recent discovery - a ballet slipper with ATTITUDE!

Available from Bona Drag - who have taken the original Capezio ballet slipper and adorned it with silver studs. COOL!

Bona Drag meaning 'nice outfit' is a Californian based online store with a curated collection of ladies flair and general trinkets from independent and hard to find designers - have a look...

$45 usd /pair in black or original nude tone

Today is the festival of Holi in India....WOWWWWW!

photos courtesy of Poras Chaudhary

frida kahlo.....

The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo should be an example to us all. ESPECIALLY, on a Monday morning when we struggel to get out of bed or just can't be bothered to make any effort at all. In the latest edition of German Vogue (March 2010) a stunning Claudia Schiffer appears as Frida Kahlo, monobrow et al. Have a peek...

From a very young age, having contacted polio & followed by a road accident, Frida suffered from great pain and illnesses. In her relatively short life (1907-1954) she underwent 35 operations and for much of her life she was bed ridden. It was this boredom and frustration that led her to paint and even in the most painful moments her turnout was impecable; wearing gold filigree earrings, colorful necklaces, embroidered shirts, flowers in her head...She bore Mexico all over her and not for a second did she lose her intriguing expression or her colorfulness.

Her work is stirring and the colors of Mexico in general are intriguing, expressive, and rich - cobalts, indigos, yellows, turquoises, reds, fuschias, mustards, avocados, terracottas.

Here are some images inspired by Frida. They depict how colours can be fused together to bring a beautiful vibrance to your wardrobe or your home.

Sometimes we're feeling down, tired and sick, and the last thing we feel like doing is worrying what to wear and about make-up,.....but sometimes that is all we need to feel better and to put a spring in out step… Happy Monday!

images borrowed from - frida kahlo official website and German Vogue (March 2010).

just because....quote

wish list...all things suzani

Today, was supposed to be all about suzani 'cushions' but alas I can not limit the post only to cushions when there are so many other beautiful creations using this exquisite technique.

The term suzani means 'needlework' and in particular that of the exquisite silk thread embroidery panels made by women in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries. An antique and decorative tribal textile suzani is synonymous with these region's glorious embroideries.Traditionally the embroidery work began at the birth of a daughter and continued, with the help of family and friends, until the bride's dowry was complete.

In recent years the use of suzani textiles in upholstering has produced fabulous showcase items of furniture, with the more common place wall hangings and soft furnishings now regularly used by the world of interior design.

Ok, so the suzani trend is not new to interior design trade BUT alas I love it!....

These items are not cheap but Ebay stores Desert of Suzani and Great Silk Road should be monitored closely as bargains can be found!

An antique suzani work will be mega $$$ but then, if one considers the amount of detail and labour that goes into creating these beautiful items, you can understand why.

images taken from - jayson home interiors, casa sugar, furnituredesign.com & yurdan.com

cushions from wisteria, madeline winerib and uzbek crafts - $$ vary!

just because....quote

wish list...

I wait in anticipation for news from my man on the ground in Jaipur, ref. the block prints I have designed.. will they work? can my ideas translate from the drawing board to reality ok??

There is a limit to what I can do via the internet and telephone and sadly, it wont be until I am in India in May that I will really know and can get to work...

I have spent hours researching block print textiles and in the process have come across some amazing designers. One of my current favorites in Mary Mulcahy and her company Les Indiennes .

Les Indiennes range of textiles, soft furnishings and wallpapers are created using the ancient art of Kalamakari. Sun bleached naturally dyed cottons are hand-blocked with carved wood dyed in ayurvedic dyes derived from plants, roots, earth and rock.

One of things that I applaud is that Les Indiennes has never set out to industrialise or change the ways things are done in India. Les Indiennes provide fair trade employment for 50 families, raising the standard of living for the entire community.

Be inspired by the images.

Her website is thorough with a great on-line shop. For now I can only refer you but with time I hope to be able to source everything for you!

My dream is that one day Lala Moon will be able to give Les Indiennes and the like a run for their money... Yet I will remain indebted to them for giving me the inspiration and vision for moving forward with my ideas... Thank YOU!

www.lesindiennes.com (USA with shipping)