Schmoozemuse

Brick Lane E1 ব্রিক লেন

2012-06-16T23:04:00.000+01:00

Jewellery Box

2012-06-12T21:48:00.004+01:00

I created a new board on my pinterest today called 'Jewellery Box', so I can add things that I know I would wear, but also what I admire and wish I could have!

I've found myself wearing mostly gold for the last few years (my grandmothers wish), and so happy there are finally so many designers out there now who are creating beautiful, creative gold pieces. When it comes to my jewellery, I'm not too bothered about following trends. It's really important how each piece makes me feel, and how I connect to it.

KJ's Laundry - 74, Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PW

KJ's Laundry are one of my favourite Independant boutiques in London. I remember when they first opened, and now six years later, they still leave me with the feeling they buy their collections for me. When I popped in I wanted to buy everything! You can create the perfect capsule wardrobe or just add a few pieces that you know you can invest in. I've picked some of my 'need it now' pieces from their jewellery collection...

Loved these Viv&Ingrid necklaces!

Viv&Ingrid Small Gold & Peach Coral wrap hoops earrings - £75

Vivienne Tiny Studs - £45

Catherine Weitzman, Small Starfish Necklace - £75

Turquoise statement necklace.
Found and repinned from pinterest.

Dominique Lucas at www.culturelabel.com

Love www.culturelabel.com! An online store that showcases fashion, jewellery, art, design and more. They describe themselves as a 'creative department store', and that they are! And you know that you are making a positive contribution to the Art world. I loved this gorgeous hand sculpted owl ring by Dominique Lucas.

Image: culturelabel.com

Dominique Lucas, Yellow Gold Owl Ring - £322

Happy Jubilee Weekend!

2012-06-03T11:38:00.000+01:00

Image: http://theyearzero.tumblr.com

Red, White and Blue

2012-05-29T20:13:00.000+01:00

Yes, The Diamond Jubilee is a week away...and hopefully you've got everything sorted out for your party (panic and mayhem set in yet??!)...the bunting, the tableware, the menu..but wait...haven't you forgotten about the most important person in your life?!

Yes, I'm sure your furry friend will be joining in the fun of it, getting utterly spoilt by all your guests, dipping into the leftovers and, well, if they are anything like Le Cat, they'll find a quiet little corner and most probably snooze for the day!

As we all know, we're a pet loving nation, and the Queen herself wouldn't have anything less for her Corgi's, so here's a few fun things I found to share!

Elizabeth the Catnip Mouse
By KrafyKats UK, www.etsy.com

Image: etsy.com, Mouse - £3.00

Diamond Jubilee Dog Bandana with Corgi Wearing Crown
By DoggyDesign, www.etsy.com

Image: Etsy.com, Bandana - £5.91

Purrly Queen Cat Bowl
By Molly & Berts, www.mollyandberts.com
(They also have a 'Purrly King' too!)

Image: Molly&Berts, Bowl - £20

Collar and Lead with Heart Tag
By Jingo Dog, www.notonthehighstreet.com

Image: notonthehighstreet.com, Lead - £30

China Butterflies

2012-05-25T10:46:00.002+01:00

I have fallen in love with these china butterflies made from reclaimed fine bone china saucers from www.lightly.com.au. I came across them as I whizzed through Clerkenwell Design Week in Farringdon, London the other day...Just so pretty!

The Other Art Fair

2012-05-17T21:03:00.003+01:00

I went to an inspiring art exhibition last Sunday. 'The Other Art Fair' was housed in what almost looked like a secret hideaway, tucked away around the corner of the University of Westminister, on Marylebone Road, London. Here, up and coming artists sold their work directly to the public, prices starting from £50 onwards. It was an energising experience, where gifted unsigned artists got the chance to introduce and talk directly about their art and vision to people who were there to buy or have a casual wander of curiosity. A yearly event, 'The Other Art Fair' is targeted to both art lovers and the not so in-the-know but who have a chance to possibly just buy something they are drawn to.

A 'free' interactive art wall
for visitors

There was such a diverse range of artists' and their work there, from fine art to abstract, prints to sculptures, all with one thing in common...sharing their thoughts about their work on a personal level. I will definitely go to The Other Art Fair again next year. You get the chance to talk one to one with the artist of whom's work you would actually want to buy, and after all, the artist I'm sure would want you to keep it for life and build memories from it.

I thought I'd share three artists' work with you of which caught my eye amongst all of the gifted exhibitors.

Keira Rathbone, Typewriter Artist.

Follow her on facebook or/and Twitter

The unconventional approach that Keira takes with expressing her art comes in the form of a typewriter. She creates beautiful and intelligent art works, all 'drawn' from the simplistic keys/letters of a typewriter. In today's modern age of technology, going back to an almost forgotten tool such as a typewriter and creating images that are inspired by people and her surroundings is creative and inventive. There was much hustle and bustle at Keira's stand at The Other Art Fair, people were intrigued as was I.

Keira Rathbone, at her stand in The Other Art Fair

Kingly Court
Image from Keira Rathbone's facebook.

Rosie Emerson, Photographer and Artist.

www.rosieemerson.co.uk

Follow Rosie Emerson on facebook or/and Twitter

I was taken aback by the strikingly beautiful works of Rosie Emerson. Stunning imagery of elongated forms of the female body. What is evident is the femininity and power within the works she creates, some almost mystical like. Rosie's works have been sited in many major publications such as The Independant, Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, and the fashion world have embraced her for her 'Alchemy' portfolio (2011), in which she had collaborated with Jewelry designer Annoushka Ducas. Rosie works through different mediums, such as, ink, collage and acrylic.

Rosie Emerson's stand at 'The Other Art Fair'

Kate Moss, acrylic and collage on paper
Image from www.rosieemerson.co.uk

Kate Knight, Artist/Painter.

www.kateknight.org

Follow Kate Twitter

Kate's work really oozes depth and beauty. She works with watercolours and gold imitation leaf on paper, and produces stunning pieces that are thought provoking and uses the most vibrant colours such as deep purples and blood red, all connected at 'aiming to express the aesthetics of desire, sex and death, descriptive as well as recalling the memory of the body.'

'Flight', Kate Knight.org

'Encrusted Blackened Heart XVI', Kate Knight.org

London Love

2012-05-13T09:08:00.000+01:00

With both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics just around the corner, it spurred me on to share some London/British based inspirations with you to get into the spirit of things..Not quite the red, white and blue stuff, but there's no shortage of that out there for your Jubilee party!

Hunter Jones Vintage - 'Central London Map', a personal favourite (I own one!), a limited edition print exclusive to Hunter Jones Vintage, by illustrative artist Kiosk berlin, available to buy on www.notonthehighstreet.com in Black, Red or Grey. Other than prints, Michael & Michael at Hunter Jones Vintage source the most beautiful vintage finds, and lovingly restore and re-invent vintage furniture. They have a beautiful store in Rye, East Sussex, where they house their collection.

Hunter Jones Vintage - Central London Map print
Available to buy on www.notonthehighstreet.com £39

Rory Dobner is a fascinating London based artist. Mugs, in fine whitebone china, found at www.roostliving.com. Apart from taking on interior projects, Rory also pens intricate illustrations, and his now infamous alphabet ceramic tiles. You can find more Rory Dobner pieces at Liberty.

www.roostliving.com - Intricate Mug, £15

Claire Brewster a London based artist (originally from Lincolnshire), hand cuts old maps into beautiful creations like the one below. She creates framed work and installations, and is about to exhibit some of her work at Mind the Map exhibition from the 18th of May, 2012.

www.clairebrewster.co.uk - 'We are Seeking the Source' Hand cut map of London, £800

www.heartsandhens.co.uk - I love that this small hanging heart is in black and white.

HeartsandHens.com - Vintage Union Jack £3.50

Images - see linked photo captions.

Le Cat

2012-05-11T17:53:00.003+01:00

So after around five weeks of rain in London....I think somebody's happy....

Le Cat, lounging in the much needed sun light....

Simply be Cos

2012-05-09T23:00:00.001+01:00

Maybe it's be Cos (see what I done there? Ha! :) I spent a year in Stockholm, that I drift towards more subtle yet stylish designs, but there's something about Swedish labels that are not only trustworthy (not in the boring sense at all), but you know that you are investing in a timeless piece.

With a flash of eye popping colour amongst mostly muted, minimalist tones and design, Cos (Collection of Style), one of the five sister labels from the H&M group, really are becoming the true leaders of affordable fashion on the high street at the moment.

Offering affordable, ready to wear designs (Women, Men's and Children) here in London, (oddly opening in Stockholm after!) and expanding internationally, they are flying the Swedish fashion flag and going from strength to strength since 2007, and so if you didn't know about Cos, where have you been right? Their latest opening is in Milan - yes my jealousy creeped up as I watched my Twitter feed in a frenzy last night with people attending their Press night!

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of some of their designs and opt for basics elsewhere at a cheaper price point...if you want quality (as you deserve!), you will see that Cos are passionate about thinking fabric, detail and investment pieces to fill your wardrobe. The mantra 'Less is More' rings true, and yet they also excite with their more innovative and trend led designs.

And if the H&M brand weren't spoiling us enough with Scandinavian cool (think Cheap Monday, Monki, and Weekday), it seems, as reported last month, we will see '&OtherStories', the luxurious new label from H&M, set to launch in 2013! Can't wait!

Until then, I'll leave you with my picks of the week....Simply be Cos....

Photo: Cos

Cotton Panel Top

Sheer Patch Pocket Shirt

Matte Cuff

Photo: Cos

Tiles that make me smile

2012-04-29T09:25:00.000+01:00

So you know when you buy just one little thing...and it sets off this frenzy that you neeeed to have more in your life. It used to be shoes for me. I would love a pair, and have to have them in at least two other colours..oh and scarves/shawls...my trips to India since a teenager have done that. I have shelves in my wardrobe dedicated to them, and vacuum packed (large) bags stored as I just don't have the room!

Well, the other day, I popped into my local secondhand store, and I was drawn to a small, pretty tile. It was the femininity, the simplicity of the bird and it also reminded me of a henna design that made me smile. It also goes perfectly with some blue glass bottles I brought home from Spain a few years ago. Think I'm on roll!

Blue Bird Tile 29 pence from a thrift store

As seen on www.salvagesisters.co.uk love this blog and tile!

Owl, Kenneth Townsend

I need this in my life...

2012-04-26T06:30:00.000+01:00

A jump from my usual grey options, if I only buy one bag this Spring/Summer, then it has to be this green satchel from UK based The Cambridge Satchel Company . At a steal £74, it's worth investing in more than one..after all, they have an array of neon colours for SS12 and I can't resist the Graphite Grey it's a-calling!

For a personalised touch, they also offer an in house embossing service too!

Follow them on Twitter @CamSatchelCo

The perfect SS12 range

Graphite Grey

Through the looking Glass

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000+01:00

Meandering through my weekly online shop, I came across www.glassboutique.co.uk based in Brick Lane, London. A smaller store within the online market place, holding sixteen brands for both men and women, Scandinavian labels sit comfortably with Parisian, US and British brands. There is a simplicity and effortlessly understated cool to their handpicked choices with guaranteed staples in your wardrobe and being a smaller business, they don't compromise on their customer service, as I experienced when I gave them a call to enquire about something, they were friendly and the 'can do' attitude came across, which is imperative these days within such a competitive market.

Right now, they have an amazing Mid Season sale - up to 70% off! And their shipping costs are low and affordable too - as a bonus, Standard Delivery within the UK is free with orders over £40. Get in there quick, there are limited sizes, but fret not, newness coming in within two weeks.

It's always important to support the smaller boutiques and Independents, and that includes online. I'm excited to see what's to come with Glass Boutique...for now, I'll leave you with my fave pieces!

Follow them on Twitter: @glassboutique

YMC Womens Military Boot in Rust Was £221 Now £85

Libertine Libertine, Pipe in Stripe £45

YMC Michela Jumpsuit Navy, Was £212 Now £159

Penfield Tee Vintage, with Floral Chest Pocket Detail £35

Mens - Triwa Watches Nevil Havana in Orange £185

A nod to the visual past..

2012-04-22T17:20:00.002+01:00

I love stumbling across old photographs, especially one's of family. I can spend hours going through albums..and although the present digital world and the instagram takeover makes it so easy for us all to snap our moments and memories, there was nothing like the anticipation and thrill that came with processing or receiving photographs, as though it were a gift.

My Aunt, 1967, Mumbai, India.

London Fashion Week Street Style, Location: Somerset House

2012-02-17T15:23:00.001+00:00

Why Grey?

2012-02-08T12:31:00.000+00:00

I have always been drawn to grey. Every year the thought 'I'm going to add some colour in my wardrobe' immerges, but not much materialises from it, and I 'end up' (well, want) mostly grey pieces..mixed with white or black!

I stumbled across this a while back on a lovely blog www.conversationpieces.co.uk as I was looking for ideas to garnish a grey wall (no surprise there!) where I was living in Stockholm last year. It was a sign in a shop window in Islington..but I am going to have it in my future home for sure...

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Hötorget

2011-11-30T05:30:00.000+00:00

Location: Hötorget
Name: Marcel Pacheco

Marcel, an art student, loves life, art and music, in particular genres such as hip hop, samba, bosa nova, and jazz. Born in Sweden with Brazilian heritage, his beautiful hair is difficult not to swoon over! His style inspirations come from old movies and Japanese animation films. In Stockholm, he likes to shop at Beyond Retro, Weekday, Myrorna, Stockholm Stadmission and vintage stores.

Style is unique and personal, with fashion often being overpowered by the seasonal trends, and so Marcel tells me "Everything is subjective, creativity comes in any form" which explains why his favourite quote is by Pablo Picasso: "Ah, good taste! .... Taste is the enemy of creativity".

Jacket and Sweater: Vintage, Shirt: Dressman

Boots: Dr.Martins, Jeans: Junkyard.se

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Gamla Stan

2011-11-23T05:08:00.001+00:00

Name: Alexis Cordova
Location: Gamla Stan

Born and raised in Sweden to Chilean parents, art student Alexis aspires to be a body modification artist. He sees his body as a blank canvas, and just as his artwork, uses this as a form of expression. He loves 'difference' and 'individuality', all of which defines his style.

Jacket: junkyard.se, Hat: Cubus, Jeans: Cheap Monday, Shoes: Converse

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Gamla Stan

2011-11-16T05:43:00.001+00:00

Name:Petra Wranning-Thörn
Location: Gamla Stan

With her delicate, angelic features, no one would think Petra played it ‘Punk’ in her style past! She prefers to be more feminine these days, steering toward elements of old Hollywood glamour and the ’70′s. She is also inspired by old family photographs, vintage and her parents clothes from the 80′s.

Scarf: H&M

Necklace: Mothers' from childhood

Dress: Weekday, Coat: Monki, Bag: vintage, Boots: Vagabond

Check out Petras' friend Alexis next week!

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Rådmansgatan

2011-11-03T17:12:00.000+00:00

Name: Per Hanefjord
Location: Rådmansgatan

Film director and Screen Writer Per is casually and effortlessly stylish. His work takes him all over the world, so he likes nothing better than to spend time at home, a 'homebody' as he describes himself, when in Stockholm. His Fall/Winter palette represents a blend of colour and textured harmonies - the refined and timeless cord blazer, the classic Trilby and lifting it all together with one of this seasons' key colours, orange and blue checked shirt. A 'Heritage' look for all to be inspired by.

Jacket - vintage, Shirt - Encore, Trousers - Dr.Denim, Boots - New Territory, Trilby - from LA, USA

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Sergels Torg

2011-10-24T12:42:00.000+01:00

Feather Earring - Glitter, Glasses - Åhlens,

Androgynous

Edgy

Creative

Names: Ted Holmberg and Paula Thulin Spudic

Student hairstylists Paula and Ted both have a flare for mixing vintage with
high street, and are wearing something that their mothers wore in a
past decade – (Ted – glasses, Paula – shirt).

Jeans - Weekday, Bag - vintage

Hat & Headscarf - H&M, Blazer - V

Hat - Handsbutiken, Scarf - Gina Tricot, Coat - Monki

Jeans - H&M, Bag - vintage, Boots - Timberland

Stockholm StreetStyle, Location: Bondegatan, Södermalm

2011-10-14T05:26:00.000+01:00

Location: Bondegatan, Södermalm

Names: Kristina Edell and Andree Di Pisa

Kristina travels to Tokyo or Hong Kong for her essential style picks and online stores such as Ebay.com and Etsy.com. Andree's choice of stores are Acne, Grandpa and Beyond Retro.

For more of my Street Style articles go to http://yourlivingcity.com/category/stockholm-street-style/

Kristina is wearing:

Kristina is wearing: Jacket: vintage Top: www.etsy.com Trousers: Ahlens Hat: from Tokyo Bag accessories: from Tokyo, Japan Bag: www.etsy.com Shoes: Caliroots Watch: from Hong Kong .
Andree is wearing: Jacket: Urban Outfitters vintage Shirt: Ebay Trousers: Acne Hat: Bjorn Börg Shoes: Whyred ‘Sandqvist’ Bag: Grandpa

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Gögatan, Södermalm

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000+01:00

19 year old student Julia, gives a nod to the people around her and the Swedish bloggers for her style inspiration. She loves to shop and other than the brands she is wearing she includes Monki, Weekday and vintage finds amongst her ‘go to’ style buys. With her Fall ’11 short hair, 90′s inspired ‘Flatform’ shoes and the ‘all black is never enough’ mantra, she states youthful, style and confidence.

Black dominated the runways for Fall again, but that’s ok,we don’t mind, as although wearing all black can sometimes look heavy and drained, Julia shows that mixing the textures creates dimension and focus on each piece worn. Stockholmers’, you never disappoint on the style stakes…’

Jacket – Vintage
Shirt – Gina Tricot
Necklace – Lindex
Skirt – H&M
Boots – www.have2have.se

Stockholm Street Style, Location: Gögatan, Södermalm

2011-09-30T06:34:00.000+01:00

Pretty Charlotte (from Norway) is a Business Communication student, here in Stockholm. Charlotte perfects the 2011 Autumnal palette of deep teal, a darker shade of emberglow and chocolate brown. With the weather turning, Charlottes’ next Autumn/Winter buy will be a poncho, but for now she’s excited to wear her new jacket from Swedish brands’ ‘Hope’ and scarf by ‘Acne’.

Shirt - Urban Outfitters, Jeans - Mango

Bag - Gina Tricot, Bangles - Bianco

Boots - Mango

Watch - Guess

Earrings - Arts and Crafts

Stockholm StreetStyle, Location: Rådmansgatan

2011-09-15T19:16:00.000+01:00

Name: Guo Yang
Location: Rådmansgatan

A newcomer to Stockholm, Guo from Beijing, is an artist, photographer and graphic designer. He plans to exhibit his own work here in the capital and Göteborg. Guo's previous clients include from Vogue (China), Elle (China) and I.D magazine to embassies and political leaders; he has even interviewed the former British and German prime minister's!
As well as embracing the many fashion labels in China, Guo likes to wear brands from Japan and South Korea, and also European designers such as Paul Smith, Miu Miu and Bosa Magine. However he has discovered some Swedish labels since being here such as Acne, Odeur, Nakkna and H&M!

Who he's wearing:
Shirt: Floral shirt - 'Paul Smith', White Shirt - 'Louis Vuitton'
Trousers: 'Xiang' (designer from China)
Shoes: 'Dior'
Blazers': 'TK' from Hong Kong

A new kinda 'Post' - the old skool way

2011-08-30T12:28:00.006+01:00

I, like many, have been suctioned into the social networking bubble of wishing someone a 'Happy Birthday/Grattis' or another greeting of sort, as a simple post on Facebook/Twitter and the rest. These days that seems to suffice, and 'just is' the way we operate, which is thoughtful in these busy times I guess, and brings a smile to my face, but I used to be a 'post-er'...that's the generation I come from. I used to spend ages in a card shop, picking out the 'right' card for someone.

Getting a letter or card from somebody you know is always appreciated, and to give somebody a thoughtful card, that you have spent time choosing, is equally as rewarding. And sometimes, when I see what I know is a funny card by it's picture, but don't yet understand the Swedish punchline, it's just not as much fun giving it, even after I ask the sales person or a Swedish friend 'what does that mean?'.

So when I stumbled across FikaTown, a 'Boutique Greeting Card' company based in Stockholm, it got me thinking, (and got my guilt surfacing), that I need to get back to sending cards. Especially now I'm in Stockholm, and all of my loved ones are not!
That doesn't mean that I won't stop greeting online or by a phone call, a lot of my friends and I have an unspoken rule of not sending cards anymore, (like a comfortable silence) and that's ok, (or at least I think it is??!!)...and to be honest I don't have many of my friends' addresses anymore (oh gawd I'm digging a deeper hole than I need to!!!). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I am going to try and make more of an effort!

Fika Town cards are perfect for those who you know in Stockholm...or a Swedish friend or loved one abroad, and actually if they're not Swedish, it gives them an insight into your Swedish world!
They've hit the nail on the head when it comes to spotting the things we first notice about Stockholm, a play on cultural happenings and keeping it simple and humorous with their designs.

The cards come in six different collections:
'Fika', 'Style', 'Wedding', 'Stereo', 'Birthday' and 'Baby'. Pretty much covers the niceties of life. I love how positive and fun their company seems to stand for. Their website www.fikatown.com is clean, easy to get around, informative, and makes you smile. They can even personalise your cards if you get in contact with them. These are a few of my faves....

Wedding Collection

Fika Collection

Stereo Collection

'Fika Town' Stocked at the following stores in Stockholm:

NK Department Store, Design Torget, R.O.O.M, PUB

AND on their online store on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fika-Town/204239666257308

Oh and I did mention their new London collection didn't I....here's a few...