LadyLikes

Please Hold

2022-03-28T08:00:00.047+00:00

I STARTED THIS BLOG OVER 12 YEARS AGO, and have since lovingly filled it with the many works of film, art, fashion, and culture that lend inspiration to my work and life. The practice of collecting visuals and writing essays has not only shaped my taste, but also my outlook, as I integrate what I like with how I live.

Over 12 years since my first blog post, I pause to face a challenge that has been looming for quite a while now: How to evolve this blog while preserving its soul? I’ve fortunately undergone enough metamorphoses over the lifespan of LadyLikes to have proudly fashioned my world, refined my craft, and exert my influence among and beyond peers. It’s time for this platform to do the same.

And so for the first time since the conception of LadyLikes, I take a thoughtful break to explore how this body of work could evolve, to better reflect how I share my vision today. Thank you for taking part in this carefully curated adventure. Stay tuned, and know that sharing my world with you will always stay close to my heart. See you on the other side!

Stay in touch xo

@ladysanpedro

That Sweet Snooze

2021-12-22T09:30:00.048+00:00

DIANA SPENCER DOZING OFF AT A PARTY IN 1981 is all of us at the end of 2021: ready for a snooze. This year has thrown many things our way; some of them comforting, some surprising, though mostly confusing and exhausting as we attempt to carry on with a pandemic still in our midst. Remember when we thought it would last three to four weeks?

While we've had some scientific wins, the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report lists new and imminent societal threats including youth disillusionment and the erosion of societal cohesion. In spite of this, we end the year with a collectively historic achievement of having streamed Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" over one billion times on Spotify. For emphasis, this Christmas is when we've played the song over a billion times!

What a joy to find that we are still a cheerful bunch in spite of things. Thanks Mariah! If this is what it takes to boost societal cohesion, should we be working towards the next big Christmas hit?

Whether all you want for Christmas is trivial or consequential, I hope you are indulging in your favourite playlist and getting some good quality sleep. Seasons greetings and sweet dreams!

Diana, Princess of Wales at the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1981. Image from vogue.fr

That Painterly Nature

2021-11-24T09:30:00.056+00:00

I FIRST MET ROSANNA AT A ROWDY EAST LONDON PUB, on the evening of the Euro 2020 Final. It wasn't quite the scene in which you'd expect to meet the creator of such delicately designed homeware, but there we were, cheering the night away among avid football fans.

Since then, I quickly became a fan of Rosanna's craft, with its painterly details and uplifting aesthetic. The Rosanna Corfe range comprises sustainably-produced textiles and tableware: cushions, throws, trays, and coasters featuring Rosanna's own hand-painted artwork. My favorite item is the Croc Monsieur woven throw, which is a truly iconic piece depicting a playful crocodile placement print on a beige front, contrasting teal reverse, and made with recycled cotton.

Launched in a year of lockdowns, Rosanna's line is as inspirational as its conception, offering a joyful outlook inspired by nature. Here, Rosanna shares her creative process, and how she stays motivated as an artist and entrepreneur.

LSP: What inspired you to start your own line?

RC: Having time last year during the first lockdown to focus on my own designs and just experiment and paint for fun for the first time in a very long time. It was then my brother who suggested trying out some of these designs on homeware products. Starting my own sustainable textiles / homeware line featuring my own prints was something I had always wanted to do, but didn't think I would have time to do anytime soon. When I then had this extra time during lockdown, I trialled the throws to begin with and once these received a positive response it was motivation to keep going and expand into more products.

LSP: You’ve designed different types of products since launching. Do you have any favourites?

RC: Difficult one but I do love my throws, not only were they the first product to launch on my website but it’s really satisfying to see my designs on a larger scale and also in something that is both a piece of art and functional. I love how the throws translate my painted designs and brushstroke so effectively into a woven tactile item. I really wanted them to preserve the painterly quality from the original artworks and was amazed by how well they achieved this.

LSP: Describe your process. How do your sustainability standards impact or influence your craft?

RC: I very much start with the artwork first. Often my process starts with an idea, composition or sometimes just a colour palette in my head, then comes a lot of experimental painting trying to get this idea onto paper. It usually takes many attempts for me to get an idea just as I envisioned it, but it’s also when making these attempts that I often discover new and exciting processes. A few of my favourite artworks have been somewhat ‘accident’ experimental pieces that have led me on to new ways of creating.

Once I have a design or artwork I like, I focus on what products would best display it. My sustainability standards hugely impact what the products are that I create. Often, I’ll have an idea for a particular design on a particular product but when researching it further, realise that currently it’s not feasible to create this in a sustainable way. Fingers crossed in the future as more businesses focus on being sustainable so this will become less challenging.

LSP: How do you stay motivated as an artist and entrepreneur?

RC: It’s often a bit of a balancing act to stay motivated and inspired as an artist whilst not neglecting all the other aspects that come with running a business. I’m still continuously learning the best ways to stay motivated but having a rough routine and making sure to take breaks when I need them is particularly key for me. I also live for a to-do list and write so many every day, I don’t think I could get much done without them.

Staying inspired is also a fundamental motivator for me and there are so many brilliant, inspiring online resources now as artist / designer, from the V&A online archives to even Instagram and Pinterest. I’ve found Instagram in particular since lockdown, has been an amazing tool in terms of connecting with other creatives and gaining inspiration. I also love looking back at my own previous designs and seeing how my work has evolved and is continually developing. This is a big motivator to keep going as I’m excited to see what I’ll be creating in the future.

LSP: What advice would you give to aspiring creative entrepreneurs?

RC: To not overthink or get too stuck in developing your style too early on. Experiment, have fun and enjoy the process. Focus on creating something you love and the rest will follow.

Rosie at work, the amongst woven throw, and amongst coasters:

Autumn 2021 saw the release of Rosanna's first tableware collection, in five color versions of her popular Amongst botanical print. Perfect for holiday entertaining!

Croc Monsieur Recycled Cotton Woven Throw, Set of 4 Amongst Round Coasters, Wishful Pink Recycled Cotton Woven Throw, Black Amongst Round Tray, and Amongst Recycled Cotton Woven Throw by Rosanna Corfe. Shop the line at rosannacorfe.com

These Poetic Lakes

2021-09-24T08:00:00.003+00:00

POPULARIZED BY THE ENGLISH POET William Wordsworth and the rest of the group that has come to be known as the Lake Poets, the Lake District is a region in North West England famed for its beautiful lakes, forests, and fells. The district is Wordsworth’s hometown, which he returned to later in life, and in which he wrote some of his most notable poems.

In the Lakes, Wordsworth saw the aesthetics of nature as being but one of its many admirable features. While he wrote about nature's beauty with enthusiasm, he also contemplated its relation to the human experience, pondering such topics as mortality and the loss of childhood innocence through “meadow, grove, and stream…” along with other natural representations.

The poetry that drew visitors to the Lakes, ironically became, in Wordsworth’s opinion, the very same thing that destroyed what made it special. In spite of this, he penned a travellers’ guidebook to the region, heralded for its relationship to Romantic literature, as well as its influence on 19th-century geography.

“The Guide is multi-faceted. It is a guide, but it is also a prose-poem about light, shapes, and textures, about movement and stillness ... It is a paean to a way of life, but also a lament for the inevitability of its passing” described Wordsworth’s biographer Stephen Gill.

Learning about the guide after my own visit to the Lakes makes me wish I had read it beforehand. But alas, what better excuse is there for simply paying another visit!

I loved: morning runs and evening walks by the banks of Bowness-on-Windermere, driving a boat at Ullswater, and swimming at Buttermere.

Lake District, Cumbria. lakedistrict.gov.uk

That Wild Lounging

2021-08-19T08:00:00.050+00:00

IT WAS ON THIS PARTICULAR SUMMER that I went wild swimming for the first time, which naturally drew me to Rachael Gan's Wild Lounging illustration of a young woman floating in a lake. The illustration forms part of the artist's Summer Series: nine digital illustrations created in summer 2021.

I consider the series Rachael's first body of work reflecting artistic perspective and personal style. Having had the privilege to witness her begin to dabble in illustration, and eventually develop into an illustrator, the collection feels very much like a debut, made with all the buoyant feelings of summer no less.

Here, I chat with Rachael about her craft.

LSP: What inspired you to start illustrating?

RG: I’ve always loved visual art - going to galleries to admire art and discover new artists. And,in my every day realm, appreciating the aesthetic and cleverness of artworks and illustrations in books and magazines.

The turning point in my illustration journey was lockdown 2020. Prior to then, I’d dabbled in art through weekend and evening classes but I identified as more of an art appreciator than a creator. During the lockdown, I found (like many of us) that I had much more free time at home. And with that time, I was motivated to draw more, and create original artworks. I also took a course in Enhanced Illustration through Central St Martins. The frequent practice helped me grow my skillset and confidence to the point where I now think of myself as an illustrator and creator.

LSP: Do you have a favorite medium to work with? Any styles and subjects you gravitate to?

RG: In terms of mediums, I love painting with watercolor for its looseness and unpredictability. I also really enjoy drawing with ink pens. You can’t pause for too long when you’re drawing with ink since it will pool, so the lines are always very fluid and elegant. My other favorite medium is digital - illustrating on an iPad with an apple pencil using Procreate (software), there are just so many possibilities!

In terms of subjects, I gravitate to scenes that evoke joy. The Summer Series of prints I just completed were based on my own excitement this summer for warm days, particularly following our challenging winter lockdown in the UK. With the summer series, I wanted to create scenes that evoked a nostalgia for summers gone and joy for summers to come - with brightness, serenity as well as intrigue.

LSP: Describe your process. How has this differed before, and since the pandemic?

RG: My process is still changing. However, right now, it involves: Deciding on the subject of the illustration. Finding reference images and collaging them into a mood/inspiration board. Then, I’ll roughly draw a few different compositions for the subject, and select the one I like most for the underdrawing of the actual illustration.

Once I’ve decided on the rough composition, I’ll set a target date for completing the work. And then it’s quite an organic process. I’ll draw, paint, and create to complete the work by that date, making decisions and changes as I go. Deadlines help me focus, so I like to set myself timelines even if they’re somewhat arbitrary, both for my own work as well as client commissions.

Lastly, I’ll refine. With a physical work, there’s a limit on the number of tweaks I’ll make once the first pass is done. With digital works, I may continue to tweak for weeks (or months) after.

LSP: How do you stay motivated?

RG: As a new illustrator, I’m still experimenting and working out my style. Setting goals helps me stay motivated. I’ll say to myself "This month, I want to make an NFT." or "Next month, I want to create a large mixed media work." And then I’ll work to do it, often watching lots of youtube/skillshare tutorials to learn techniques, and looking at other illustrators’ work for inspiration and alternative perspectives. I love seeing what other artists and illustrators are creating, both in galleries and on instagram. My social media usage has gone up a lot since I became an illustrator.

LSP: What advice would you give to new artists?

RG: Try all the mediums. Create often. You learn the most through doing. You’re not going to love everything you make. This is advice I also often give myself.

Wild Lounging, Some Sweet Things, and Beach Days 2 by Rachael Gan. Shop the prints at rachaelgan.com

That Seaside Thrill

2021-07-26T08:00:00.002+00:00

I CAN NEVER QUITE DECIDE WHO FASCINATES ME MORE. The talented Tom Ripley, with his dexterity to deceive, or the reckless but captivating Dickie Greenleaf, with his luscious looks and lavish lifestyle. How I feel about each character remains unchanged since first seeing the film in the 90s. I rewatch it over two decades later to find myself still enthralled by both Tom and Dickie's flair for amorality.

Of course, Anthony Minghella's touch makes it all attractive. Filmed in various villages on the Italian islands of Ischia and Procida, the fictional Mongibello provides a sumptuous setting for the sun-soaked thriller based on Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel. Casting helps too, with some notable performances by Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, and Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Marge Sherwood as the perfect sweetheart and foil to Tom and Dickie's darker personas.

Although I consider René Clément's 1960 film version as one of my all-time favorite films, in part for starring Alain Delon, Minghella's adaptation entrances me just as well. The main characters are both truly vile, and yet both characters, in both films, demonstrate the deceptive powers of beauty and affluence.

There is no question as to how The Talented Mr. Ripley earned its way into summer film lists everywhere. See it for a bit of suspense, and plenty of splendor.

The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1999. Directed by Anthony Minghella.

This Monochrome Summer

2021-06-18T08:00:00.130+00:00

IN JAPANESE ART, BIJIN-GA ARE PICTURES OF BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, usually rendered in woodblock prints predating photography. Many contemporary artists from all over the world put their own spin on the genre, including Japanese illustrator and 1980s icon Ichiro Tsuruta.

Born in 1954 in the Kumamoto Prefecture, Tsuruta majored in graphic design at the Tama Art University in Tokyo. Hyperrealism was the trend at the time and he proceeded to create artwork in the style.

Tsuruta achieved fame in the late 80s when his work sparked a “Cosmetic Renaissance” through advertisements for Japanese cosmetics brand Noevir. Over the next decade, Tsuruta's bijin-ga found themselves on national TV and in Japanese publications, eventually too in international galleries.

With a focus on female beauty, Tsuruta's illustrations naturally feature the face, but also place an emphasis on hands and accessories. As such, I found them fitting inspiration for my own content with British jewellery brand Estella Bartlett.

My take on Tsuruta's fashion portraits:

It's my second summer styling for Estella Bartlett, and what a lovely year it's been, working with delicate pieces in shifting trends. Ichiro Tsuruta's Monochrome Summer, with its bare arms, white accessories, and over-the-shoulder gaze, provides the perfect mood for summertime styles in the city.

Illustrations by Ichiro Tsuruta, tsuruta-bijinga.com Photos by Lady San Pedro. Shop the pieces at estellabartlett.com

That Sculpted Space

2021-05-18T08:00:00.003+00:00

I WAS ALREADY A FAN OF ABSTRACT SCULPTURE when I visited the Brancusi studio in Paris, but doing so inspired me on a new level. Just a cartwheel away from the Centre Georges Pompidou, the art gallery is an exact recreation of the artist’s atelier, where he lived and worked from 1904 until his death in 1957.

The studio houses a collection of over a thousand items, including 137 sculptures and 87 bases. Among them are the elegant Tête de Narcisse, the highly geometric Colonnes sans Fin, the abstracted golden Leda, a few Mlle Poganys, and a number of Le Coqs.

While the sculptures are notable works on their own, their meticulous arrangement within the studio heightens the experience of them. Brancusi actually stopped creating sculptures towards the end of his life, instead focusing on how the works are grouped in their spaces. He called them “mobile groups” and revised their positions daily, resulting in a studio that served not only as a place of work, but a work of art in its own right.

Brancusi's influence in my own home:

My own flat increasingly reflects Brancusi's influence, through primitive carvings, and vases inspired by abstract sculpture. I don't re-group them daily as Brancusi did with his works, but I reposition them often enough to derive new experiences from their arrangement.

Atelier Brancusi, Paris, centrepompidou.fr Photos by Lady San Pedro.

That Strong Staple

2021-04-28T20:00:00.150+00:00

DEVELOPED FOR SOLDIERS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR, the trench coat transcended its original purpose to become a timeless and fashionable wardrobe staple. Cinema reflects the fact, with countless iconic characters wearing the garment through film history.

In Robert Benson's 1979 screen adaptation of Avery Corman's Kramer vs. Kramer, Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman both appear in trench coats at different points in their story of separation. The wardrobe choice feels significant, as the film touches on gender roles and the rights of women, juxtaposed with the rights of fathers, as well as the inherent hostility of custody battles.

Particularly for Streep's character, Joanna is first seen packing her trench coat rather than wearing it. She is only shown wearing her coat once she returns to town, having regained her lost self esteem. Kramer vs. Kramer almost treats the garment as a symbol of strength, that both characters draw upon through their difficult experience.

I first saw Kramer vs. Kramer in a Screen Art class back in university. I loved it then, and I love it now, for its low-key artistry, touching themes, and brilliant acting. Might I also mention the superb styling.

The trench coat as a staple in my own wardrobe:

This spring, I acquired a new trench coat to see me through the volatile British transition into summer. Though I wear it with much less symbolism than the characters in films do, the piece is ever iconic, and gives the appearance of strength. Strong ladies represent!

Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979. Directed by Robert Benson. Trench coat from whistles.com

That New Formula

2021-03-24T09:00:00.034+00:00

THIS MONTH MARKS MY LOCKDOWN ANNIVERSARY which means I have been living, playing, and working from home for most of the past 12 months. In London, we are currently on our third lockdown, with restrictions eased in varying degrees last summer, and briefly before Christmas.

It's an uneventful anniversary, and appropriately so. But it is in no way insignificant. A year ago this month, I shared in the collective fear, shock, and panic that overtook the world, expecting the worst, and watching them materialize in the seasons to come. Fortunate enough to stay in good health, I quickly missed the pleasures of the city, the people in my life, and the day-to-day experience of leaving home to co-exist with other individuals. I continue to miss these.

"They always say time changes things but you actually have to change them yourself." riffs pop art pioneer Andy Warhol in his autobiography The Philosophy of Andy Warhol. What has changed since the first lockdown? For me, I've had to redefine things: freedom, success, friendship. Where freedom was previously about mobility and the absence of commitments, it has become the capacity to choose my responses and reactions. Where success was decked out in glamor, it has become centered on physical and mental health. Where friendship was fostered by the sharing of life's experiences, it has become the sharing of life's inexperiences, because well, it's all one big blur sometimes.

On the practical side, I've also redefined what it means to eat well and dress well on the daily. I've swapped out lavish recipes with quick-prep choices, and integrated workout wear with working from home. The new formula comprises ingredients I can throw together, and clothing I can stretch and lounge in, accessorized with on-trend jewellery. I've never been more comfortable.

Whether like me, you are on your lockdown anniversary, or already savoring post-lockdown freedom in your part of the world, know that any time is a good time to redefine aspects of your life. And once you get around to it, I hope it makes you feel more comfortable and free.

Textured Ear Cuff, Hoop Earrings with White CZ, Snake Chain Necklace, and Horseshoe Hinge Necklace from Estella Bartlett. Shop the pieces at https://estellabartlett.com

These Figural Feelings

2021-02-25T09:00:00.112+00:00

ALTHOUGH THE BASIC EMOTIONS CAN BE REDUCED to just four: happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, scientists have found as many as 27 categories of emotions including very specific ones such as aesthetic appreciation, craving, and entrancement. It goes without saying that lockdowns and pandemic events elicit many of these emotions, in combination and in succession, even more so than pre-pandemic circumstances do.

How poetic in fact, to recognize the many nuances produced by our neurophysiology.

When I came across Rokas Alelunias' posters, I felt delighted to see my own myriad of emotions visualized, in a style that sparks my own aesthetic appreciation. Here, I speak to the artist about his work; the posters he started making out of boredom, and developing a more personal visual language.

LSP: What motivated you to start designing daily posters?

RA: To be honest; stress and anxiety. I just needed something to do to calm my mind.

LSP: Your posters reflect a few different art styles, what is your inspiration for these styles?

RA: I really love trying and learning new things, and if I see something really interesting I want to emulate, deconstruct the process and ideas behind it. I think at first it was more about doing and learning, but over the years some of the styles transitioned to my own visual language that is more about expressing what I feel and what is meaningful for me, different ideas - different styles. I am really interested in lino-printing, wood printing, cut outs and I usually dwell into Greek mythology, Biblical stories, figures and forms.

LSP: Do you have a favorite artwork that you made?

RA: I don't have the ones I love, but there are some that I hold really dear to me, because of the certain things that happened in my life at that moment.

LSP: How has the Covid pandemic impacted your creative process? Were there any changes?

RA: It's a little bit harder to find new and interesting ideas, because it's been quite a while since I meet people in real work. Lately, I feel like boiling in my own sup - the same ideas swirling around and nothing new. It's hard to find things that would really inspire me.

LSP: What advice would you give to new artists?

RA: I don't have one, but thinking about, maybe it would be something like. You do you. Be honest to yourself and make decisions that feels right for you. It's definitely a bumpy road ahead, but if you trip you won't regret it.

Diva, Love Sick, Self-love, and Willpower by Rokas Aleliunias. Shop the posters at casualpolarbear.com/posters

These London Strangers

2021-01-21T09:00:00.011+00:00

FROM THE VERY FIRST SCENE OF A CROWDED LONDON STREET, Jude and Natalie in slow motion, Damian Rice singing a cappella, I was captivated. I was a teenager when I first saw Mike Nichols' Closer, long before I would be living in London, or experiencing the messy, confusing, exhausting, but ultimately exciting nature of adult entanglements.

Based on Patrick Marber's 1997 play of the same name, Closer is a series of dialogues between four characters, whose chance encounters lead them into obsessive and unhealthy relationship patterns with each other. Set in London, the film emphasizes the rarity of romantic closeness, by juxtaposing crowded scenes with moments of intimacy. "Hello, stranger." says Natalie Portman's character when she and Jude Law's character first meet. In a sea of anonymous faces, your stranger stands out.

Closer has always been a favorite film, but even more so these days as I better relate to its themes, and miss the pre-pandemic London that I love. Seeing familiar streets with unmasked commuters, the theatre with its intermission crowds, galleries on opening night with urbanites and roaming wait staff; I feel nostalgia for what used to be "my normal" before quickly becoming "the new normal". And nostalgia for people who used to be "my stranger" before quickly becoming strangers again.

Watch it for: the memorable dialogue, the timeless costume design, Jude Law in the early 2000s. Love it for: the fairly accurate chance encounters, and the messy, confusing, exhausting, but ultimately exciting entanglements they inspire.

Closer, 2004. Directed by Mike Nichols.

That Forward Gaze

2020-12-30T09:55:00.534+00:00

PREDICTING THE FUTURE HAS FASCINATED writers, artists, scientists and pseudo scientists alike throughout history. The rest of us, we love it too. From actual predictions taking form (like Mark Twain imagining The Internet as early as 1898) to trend-driven forecasts (like which haircuts will be in fashion two seasons from now) the ability to gaze forward gives a comforting heads up to whatever is coming our way.

If only all futures could be predicted.

The year 2020 is testament to the limitations of the practice. With little warning, we watched predictions lose relevance in all areas of human life. While social media has grown too sophisticated in predicting which ads we need to see at any given point in time, nobody had forecasted banana bread becoming the gastronomic hit of lockdown.

With futures uncertain, how do we face them? I suggest three approaches in ways I know how.

1. Face the future

LIKE A DESIGNER

In a 1972 interview, Charles Eames was asked "What are the boundaries of design?" To which he responded "What are the boundaries of problems?" Design at its core is simply problem-solving after all, and designers rarely settle on a first draft. To design and redesign keeps us actively moving towards a solution.

2. FACE THE FUTURE

LIKE A PERFORMER

Before pursuing design and art direction as a career, I spent many years in theatre, and trained in classical song and dance. One thing I learned on stage is that you can never predict mishaps. They happen when they do. A performer's mastery of the material and their own talent, allows them to improvise to save a scene. The show must go on, so must we.

3. FACE THE FUTURE

LIKE A ROMANTIC

My nearest and dearest know how much I enjoy romantic extras. All the flowers, wine and books, candlelight; ordinary situations are transformed with romance, lifting even the drabbest of days. I used to imagine what I would do if I were ever imprisoned, and I imagined I would sing, write, and learn languages. In lockdown, I did just that.

There's no fully knowing, only hoping, that 2021 will bring brighter days. Stay safe, stay informed, and most of all, stay adaptable. There is no limit to how many times we can redesign our lives, and there is definitely no limit to how much romance we can fill our lives with.

Happy New Year! Lots of love.

These Great Waves

2020-09-27T08:30:00.006+00:00

THE NORTHERNMOST OF SEVEN BAYS that make up Broadstairs beach in Kent, Botany Bay is a cinematic experience just two hours from London St. Pancras by train. Golden sand and chalk cliffs take you worlds away from city life, and on a particularly windy day like the day I visited, dramatic waves remind you of just how strong and beautiful nature can be.

Watching waves felt poignant to me this summer, acknowledging that they are in fact calm waters simply disturbed by wind. The stronger the disturbance, the bigger and more magnificent the wave.

Embracing disturbances isn't easy, as they are, by nature, unpleasant and unwelcome occurrences. It's worth remembering to pause and watch the waves they create in our lives and ourselves, to see the great, unexpected, sometimes frightening, and often beautiful surges.

Botany Bay, Broadstairs, Kent

That Afternoon in Paris

2020-08-20T09:00:00.011+00:00

MY INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK OF AGNES VARDA, Cléo de 5 à 7 didn't just rekindle my love for French New Wave film, but rather reinforced it. Playing out as if in real time, the movie follows two hours in the life of Cléo, as she waits for her medical exam results. Paris sets the scene for her turmoil; at times suppressed, at times expressed with melodramatic flair.

As a pop singer, Cléo turns to theatrics and triviality to cope with her anxiety. She sings, she shops, she cries. We see a bit more dimension to Cléo though, as Agnes Varda gives her moments of introspection, and reveals her warmth through existing and new relations.

I think of Paris with some sentimentality these days, having visited the city right before lockdown. It was a beautiful, blissful, and now distant pre-pandemic memory. I'm no pop star but like Cléo in the film, I too employ triviality to deal with challenges. But just like Cléo, and any woman at that, I also turn to connection and introspection to get by.

Even when reality starts to feel like a film narrative, it's good to remember that we can overcome not only our challenges, but also our archetypes.

Cléo de 5 à 7, 1962. Directed by Agnès Varda.

That Closeness

2020-07-22T08:30:00.011+00:00

AN INSTANT DOSE OF ALL THE FEELS. Olivia de Recat's Closeness Lines Over Time hit me with so much nostalgia and sentimentality, conjuring moments and memories with the people of my life. For pet owners, the very last diagram goes straight to the heart.

A writer and cartoonist living in Los Angeles, Olivia co-writes and illustrates for The New Yorker's column Dating Material, which offers a playful yet insightful take on modern dating. From knowing "where you stand with Jeff" to breakup location ideas, the cartoons are light, relatable, and just like dating, sometimes bittersweet.

Beyond the column, Olivia's work feature elsewhere in The New Yorker, and on her delightful instagram account @drawingolive. Grab a beverage, go for a scroll, and find your own thoughts and similar experiences visualized. Relationships can be so entertaining.

Closeness Lines Over Time by Olivia de Recat oliviaderecat.com

This Blossoming Style

2020-06-27T08:30:00.001+00:00

LIKE ANYONE WHO'S EVER BEEN A TEENAGER, I'VE GONE THROUGH a few style phases, not excluding ones inspired by the Spice Girls, and a little bit of Paris and Nicole. Do I regret it? Not at all. They were fun times, however experimental. In more recent years, I've streamlined heavily, editing down to a capsule wardrobe in a minimalist palette. Blacks, whites, neutrals and denim dominate my closet, and my accessories are limited to pieces in a select handful.

This summer, I've had the pleasure of making a small but impactful tweak to my personal style as an Estella Bartlett ambassador. A British brand purveying the daintiest of accessories, the label creates whimsical charms and dreamy pieces. My favorites at the moment are the Lucky Six Pence necklace and Granulated Huggy earrings, both in gold.

Being adorned with these makes me feel a little bit more romantic, and somehow a little bit more youthful. My teenage self would be so inspired.

Estella Bartlett Lucky Six Pence necklace and Granulated Huggy earrings, estellabartlett.com

That Fictional Flourish

2020-05-31T08:30:00.061+00:00

WHAT IF COLONIALISM HADN'T OCCURRED? Artist Toyin Ojih Odutola imagines a union between two fictional Nigerian families, depicting their aristocratic affluence in a world untouched by the transatlantic slave trade. Created in three chapters between 2016 and 2018, the series features members of the Emeka and Omodele clans, united through the marriage of their titled sons.

Large-scale portraits and still life in charcoal, pastel and pencil offer a sumptuous experience of Ojih Odutola's narrative. The rich palette and complex mark-making bring to vivid life what is imagined, creating a world and identities that feel organic to the figures.

Apart from the luxurious imagery she creates, I am an instant fan of Ojih Odutola for her accomplishment as a young female artist. A Nigerian-American rethinking the traditions of portraiture and storytelling, she has been featured in Forbes' 2012 list of 30 notable individuals under 30 for art and style.

Drawings from To Wander Determined by Toyin Ojih Odutola. Images from whitney.org

That Magnitude

2020-04-16T09:00:00.027+00:00

IT WAS DURING THE HEIGHT OF LOCKDOWN THAT I DISCOVERED the works of Ansel Adams and what a timely discovery it was, naturally, for someone who has been confined indoors in the city. The majestic mountains and vast landscapes possess such grand scale, such power and freedom. You can't contain monuments of this magnitude.

Known for his black-and-white images of the American West, Ansel Easton Adams was dedicated to the environment in more ways than one. As a photographer, it served as his muse, captured in his preferred "pure" photographic style of sharp focus and full tonal ranges. As an environmentalist, he advocated for conservation, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980 for his efforts to expand the National Park system.

As an individual, various anecdotes portray Adams as a friendly, down-to-earth character. The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite collects these accounts from everyday folk, giving a personal glimpse at the man behind the camera. Knowing about his good nature is endearing. It's lovely to behold beautiful things by nice people.

Moon and Half Dome, Point Sur, Storm, and Half Dome from Glacier Point by Ansel Adams. Images from anseladams.com

This Light

2020-03-31T08:29:00.000+00:00

Clocks moved forward in my part of the world over the weekend, signalling the start of British Summer Time. My favorite time of year. An hour in advance of Greenwich Mean Time, it allows evenings to have more daylight hours, until later in October when the clocks fall back.

On a typical year, we wouldn’t be quarantined at home, missing out on the pleasures of springtime. But as this is no typical year, I find myself in a constant pendulum of hope and despair, burning bright and burning out on a daily basis.

At this very moment, I am thinking about light as a marker of time. The sun rises and sets, and days pass, waiting for no one. Daylight hours lengthen and shorten, and seasons pass, whether or not we are ready for a change.

Columbus left the Old World by chasing the light of the sun. We too, leave old ways of living every day; these days more actively than ever. Whether you are doing your part on the front line or from the sofa, remember that positivity can be just as contagious.

Shine a light where you can.

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If like me, you love and miss dining, there’s no reason not to dine at home. Sylvia Fountaine’s Feasting at Home is my current go-to.

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And if like me, you love and miss ballet, or you are curious to try, English National Ballet provides online classes tailored for the home.

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I Wish This Was by Candy Chang, Nurse at Work from Art UK, Jane Fonda with Cat by Genevieve Naylor, Linda Cavalieri by Fornasetti, Schwenk by Fairfield Porter, Private Dancer Brigitte Bardot by Giancarlo Botti

That Eye of Love

2020-01-16T09:00:00.000+00:00

PHOTOGRAPHED IN TWO FRENCH CITIES, a year apart, photographer René Groebli's honeymoon photoessay feels very much like it may have been captured in a single hotel, over a single weekend. Dressing and undressing, with a dash of empty, communal spaces, the scenes provide an intimate glimpse into Mr. and Mrs. Groebli's private, poetic Paris and Marseille.

Published as a book entitled The Eye of Love, the collection of 25 photographs isn't meant to document, but rather to convey atmosphere, emotion and sensuality. Considered among the elite of Swiss post-war photographers, Groebli's work ranges from tender to exploratory, spanning nearly eight decades of capturing and compositing images.

I love how natural and artificial light in the shots suggest a feeling of being in a space and time warp, of day and night blending together. Honeymoon bliss.

The Eye of Love by René Groebli, renegroebli.ch

This Festive Frenzy

2019-12-12T09:00:00.000+00:00

THE HOLIDAYS IN LONDON WERE SHORT BUT SWEET with only 11 days to pack in festivities before my trip to California. The glamor girl in me savored multiple opportunities to wear silk and sequins, drink bubbly, catch a live orchestra, and best of all, spend time with the people who have made London life so delightful over the past year.

The city itself is glorious, come rain or artificial shine. Nearly five years in Britain and I've discovered that bad weather only gravely bothers those who are already gravely bothered to begin with. To steal words from British novelist Amelia Barr, "It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it."

Check out more merry moments on Insta stories under Festive.

That Modern Appeal

2019-11-20T09:00:00.000+00:00

BEST KNOWN FOR PROVOCATIVE PAINTINGS THAT CHALLENGED ACADEMIC TRADITION and marked the start of modern art, Manet's work is also characterized by what critics have dubbed as superficial: fashionable portraits, lush still lifes, and à la mode scenes of French gardens and cafes.

While more trivial in content, the paintings are no less extraordinary. And by offering glimpses of Manet’s elegant lifestyle, the works are distinctly modern. “Many of his later paintings are of extraordinary beauty, executed at the height of his artistic prowess—despite the fact that he was already afflicted with the illness that would lead to his early death. These works sparkle with an insistent – perhaps even defiant – sense of life." explains Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

I particularly love the pieces with pale, creamy tones against cocoa-colored backdrops. The strong contrast paired with painterly strokes gives emphasis to Manets chosen items of beauty.

Branch of White Peonies and Secateurs, Luncheon in the Studio, and The Guitar Player by Edouard Manet, wikiart.org

That Aperitif Trio

2019-10-15T09:48:00.000+00:00

SOMETHING I MISS SINCE LEAVING SOUTHERN EUROPE is aperitif culture, fostered by personal and professional friends alike. Before lunch, aperitif is lovely on a terrace, usually sun-dappled and poised for people-watching. Before dinner, aperitif was usually at a rooftop bar, art gallery, or street-level terrace minus the morning sun.

Introduced in France in 1846, an aperitif is an alcoholic beverage served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. By the 19th century, it became popular in Italy and all across Europe as a staple at fashionable cafes.

Aperitifs today commonly include wines and spirits such as Dubbonnet, Lillet, Aperol, Campari, and Martini, served on the rocks or mixed as cocktails. I find that what makes the culture so lush goes beyond the beverage though, and toward the style that envelopes it. The conversation you bring, the outfits you wear, the location, and even the barware, all define the vibe, which varies across different cities and neighborhoods.

As an homage to aperitif culture, Argentine designer Augustina Bottono created the Calici Milanesi Glassware Trio. Comprising a martini glass, wine glass, and champagne coupe in rippled borosilicate, the set was inspired by the architecture of Milan; a city that loves its aperitivo.

Calici Milanesi Glassware Trio by Augustina Bottono, agustinabottoni.com

That Decadence

2019-09-30T08:00:00.000+00:00

I STARTED THIS BLOG IN JULY OF 2009, to rid myself of a budding addiction to shopping. I had a large wardrobe. Fortunately, blogging proved a productive alternative to retail therapy, leading me to discover things that would shape my personal and professional aesthetic.

Ten years and over 900 entries later, I find myself influenced by the works of art and design I've been lucky to behold. They've inspired me to become a minimalist, a Londoner, an aspiring ballerina, with a history of lifestyle blogging in Barcelona, and launching shoe designs in Milan.

For sharing in my blog and life's adventures, I am grateful to have you here. It's been decadent!

Over 900 visual souvenirs from film, art, fashion and travel:

To celebrate ten years of blogging, I've handpicked ten visual collections of things I adore.

SEE THE COLLECTIONS