Five Friday Faves

Lovely penmanship.

An interview with my favourite food blogger, Molly from Orangette.

A study of peacocks.

I love all of Casey's outfits.

Love the willow fencing in this garden.

I've just found out I've won tickets in the ballot to the last day of Wimbledon - how exciting! I think I'll be able to see the Ladies Doubles final. Have a great weekend - it looks like it's going to be a scorcher here.

Photo via Flickr.

Through her Eyes at Layers of Meaning

Today is my final post at Layers of Meaning's Through Her Eyes series. Click here to see who my favourite bloggers are - guess which one inspired my arrangement above. Thanks for having me to take part - it was lots of fun!

London love: Little Doodles

London illustrator Little Doodles has an Etsy shop selling these adorable bird drawings. These three sum me right up: Tea bird, Blusher bird and Cupcake bird (I've just discovered a cupcake shop in Covent Garden which is just a little too close to my office). She has a blog, too.

Wednesday workspace: Selgas Cano architects' office

Would I still get lunchtime cabin fever if my desk was near a fantastic glass roof like this one? An architect's office (of course.)

Yellowgoat design

I absolutely adore the jewellery from Hong Kong-based Yellowgoat Design - with quirky designs such as the cup 'half full half empty' earrings, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to resist. Today my favourites are the the cloud headband and the gentleman's collar bracelet.

Do you remember these felt corsages from A Alicia Accessories? Well, Yellowgoat is hosting a giveaway this week, where you can win a white corsage brooch - click here to enter.

I've just had a look at A Alicia's shop again, and I spotted these bows - I think they might be just the thing to jazz up the plain navy jacket which I've worn every day for at least the last month.

Folksy finds

Recently I've been perusing Folksy more often, looking for British inspiration. There is a much smaller selection than on Etsy - and therefore less of note - but at least I'm sure the designers live in the UK and I like to support local designers (I don't find the 'shop local' feature that useful on Etsy either.)

I think more British designers are starting to sell their work on Folksy, so over the last few months I've seen the standard start to improve. I'm going to aim to compile this Folksy finds post once a week and see how I go.

Items, from top left: porcelain button by Sea Urchin, reclaimed bobbin spool from Sam Samson, gocco printed exercise book by Aleximo Croissant, typewriter card by Hello Monkey.

Abigail Ahern

Well, design afficionados must have seen the rounds of Abigail Ahern's London house many times (there are a few pictures here), so I was intrigued to see some shots which feature her signature look (currently dark and moody greys) but didn't look like her London home.

Then I discovered it was her sister's home, a willing recipient of an Ahern makeover. I love dark grey walls (depending on what light comes into a property) and I think it looks very classy and cohesive when the skirtings, radiators and picture rails are painted the same colour.

Also, 'wallpapering' a whole section of the bedroom with bus blinds looks very striking. What's your feeling about bus blinds/old signs if it's somewhere you've never been? I don't think I would ever buy a sign of a bus route which I didn't have any affiliation to - I'm a South London girl and I think plastering my walls with East End routes wouldn't be quite appropriate.

Photos by Graham Atkins Hughes.

A bank holiday excursion

A trip to the Hampton Court Food Festival.

Lots of lovely food sold from eye-catching stalls - including Chocstar, a renovated Scottish ice-cream van, selling delicious chocolate goods made with Willie's Cacao including brownies, truffles and ice-cream (and in winter, hot chocolate with chilli, which I would love to try) - she's touring California soon, so watch out!

Her next-door neighbour was Perfect Burger, selling tasty burgers from a refurbished 1953 Airstream trailer.

Then, pretty packaging to make me part with my shopping allowance for the day.

Nudo olive oil (those featured are extra virgin and mandarin olive oil) and Bellevue Tea.

After a Chinese tea demonstration, my friend and I took a stroll around the grounds.

Yesterday a friend told me that there was very little which could make her happier (in that moment.) I felt exactly the same when I found out that today is the day that 30 Rock Series 2 is released on DVD in the UK. I read some excerpts in The Times on Saturday and I am so excited! If only I had that DVD in my greedy little hands, that would be the perfect end to what has already been a great weekend - but I will have to wait (Love Film, I hope you're on standby.)

PS We had two free tickets (at £15 each) and we gave them to a family with three children who were just buying theirs. They did not even say thank you. Sorry - not very blog-worthy but I just couldn't believe it.

Catherine Hammerton

Catherine Hammerton is a London-based designer who specialises in wallpaper and soft furnishings. This is a screenshot from her website - doesn't it entice you in? I love this kind of collage.

Her website sells these beautiful cushions - I love the combination of floral designs, birds, and graph paper-eque squares, all on silk viscose. Silk pillows are on my aspirational to-have list - aren't they supposed to stop you getting wrinkles? Does anyone have any circumstantial evidence to convince me that's the case? (it's a little late for me anyway.)

Have you noticed how stamps make an appearance in these designs?

Stamp-less but nonetheless special, the below pillow is my favourite. At £99 I don't think this is the kind of purchase where I would actually lay my still-mascara-ed head - but seeing as how they are hand-embroidered with Swarovski crystal and antique lace, I don't think it's that kind of pillow. I can't decide which is my favourite bit - the lace appliques, the bird, the ink spots or the tiny letter in the left-hand corner.

I actually don't think the photos do these products justice - they come with a feather pillow and a floral patchwork design on the reverse.

There are lots of gorgeous images of Catherine's commissions and other work on her website - it's brilliantly designed and a dream to look through.

Tea of the week: a mismatched collection

via Daydream Lily.

Five Saturday Faves

A card catalogue of love.

Why does Portland have the most beautiful shops?

Lots of lovely uses for cake stands (I like the one with the flowers.)

A celebration with sparklers...

Love the idea of this Sunday supper club.

Hope you are having a fine weekend, wherever you are. It's supposed to be sunny here, and I'm hopefully going to the Hampton Court Food Show - I love train journeys out of London (even if it's only 20 minutes away.)

Photo from Flickr.

London love: Chelsea Flower Show

Some photos from the Chelsea Flower Show, happening this week.

Chelsea pensioners survey James May's plasticine garden (in literally their own backyard.)

Beautiful flowers in some of the many show gardens.

Others enter into the spirit of things - Emma Bridgewater pottery, and a local bicycle tarts itself up for the occasion.

All images from Flickr, from top here, here, here, here and here.

Wednesday workspace

Sometimes all you need for a perfect workspace is a pencil and paper and a well-lit window. Photo from here.

A very exciting discovery

Today at lunchtime I took myself out for a little walk. I didn't have a definite plan - I just wanted to walk outside in the sunshine and escape from my desk.

Well, as I walked aimlessly along (ok, perhaps aimlessly towards Top Shop), I suddenly noticed that there is another stamp shop beside my office - this one only two doors away! Who knew that central London was such a mecca for stamp collectors? And that their facades so seamlessly blend into the background (the other shop is across the street, but I've been walking right past this one every day and not seen it.)

I couldn't resist, and bought these lovely stamps for less than the price of a cupcake. They have so many things going in their favour; the green chevron design, the cherry orchard pattern, the fact that they were posted in Scotland (the most beautiful country in the world), that they reminded me of when 1/2 pences were still in circulation, a posted date from when I was a young slip of a thing - and even that they came in a bag advertising an upcoming stamp exhibition (put it in your diaries, lovely readers.)

I could go on (about how the stamps were classified into categories like lace (!) and how there is a beautiful cabinet exhibition displaying old letters) but I appreciate that not everyone is a serious stamp collector like me.

If you'd like to see who I love, then check out today's post at Layers of Meaning - it's the third installment of the Through Her Eyes series. It's been fun taking part, and there are some lovely bloggers taking part, so it's definitely worth a look.

Maine and Manor

I've just discovered this new Etsy shop, Maine and Manor. I love the really bold designs, and the colours Johanna, the designer, has used.


These toy stack cards would make a great thank you card for children's gifts, don't you agree?


I've been getting a bit carried away with small things recently - so these mini cards are my particular favourite - I love the colour, and the 'shadow' effect of the graphic (plus I'm still holding firm to my opinion that Americans have prettier handwriting than the British, confirmed by the handwriting which is just peeking into this shot...)

Take a look and let me know if you agree...Oh, and Johanna has just started a blog too.

Mostly tiny flowers

On Saturday I had a photo shoot for a new initiative which is coming soon. I went a little bit over the top with flowers in small receptacles.

Eventually I had to call a day on the flowers - I didn't want them in every shot (there may be too many already, and they are too seasonal) - but it was fun finding lots of little containers. My favourite is the tiny little eggcup which I bought at a charity shop last week.

Tea of the week: Domestic Construction

Teacup lighting, from Brooklyn-based Domestic Construction. Spotted over at Conversation Pieces.

Five Friday Faves

Some productive tidying - I love how these shelves are styled (especially the shelves which hang off picture rails, and the accordian!)

I'm still obsessed with other people's car boot sale finds (this blog has a cute header, too.) More bargains to drool over here...

Lovely honeycomb-inspired post.

Oh my - adorable button cookies.

Did you know there is a 'good mail day' Flickr pool? - my dream come true.

Have a happy weekend everyone. I have a four-day weekend, so I'm happy already!

Flickr photos from here, here, and here.

Style resolutions: Erin from Reading my Tea Leaves

This week's style resolutions are from the lovely Erin of Reading my Tea Leaves. Her 'week in objects' posts are always inspiring, and she's just started a series featuring beautiful images of her downtown area. Make sure you have a look at her blog, if only to see her lovely blog header (which I've mentioned before - but I still love it!)

Thanks Erin for taking part.

Style resolutions: Erin from Reading my Tea Leaves

Q: What is your favourite recent design find/achievement?

A: Recently, my favorite design find is a little vintage letterpress tray that I have hung up on my wall to hold all of my earrings. It’s my favorite because it feels so useful!

Q: Do you have any design/style ambitions you want to achieve by the end of the year?

A: In just a few months, I’ll be beginning graduate school and moving to a new state, a new city, and most importantly, a new apartment (yikes!). I’m admittedly a bit of a homebody - I don’t have to stay in one place very long, but I do have to feel cozy while I’m there - and so I like to get settled pretty quickly. Defining the space that I live in as a reflection of who I am is a really important exercise for me.

In my academic work, I tend to look at how spaces have changed historically - how people have lived, where they have lived, and what they have chosen to live with, over time. Living in a time when the consequences of human impact on the environment have been made very clear - I like to think of my style as something that reflects a consciousness of this reality. My biggest ambition for this year is to focus on ways that I can make style choices that are sustainable. The easiest way for me to find sustainable design is to look back to vintage basics, to identify pieces that have personal significance for me, and to find comfort in simplicity.

Q: Which are your favourite style blogs?

A: Currently, I am completely and utterly enamored with the work of Pia Jane Bijkerk. I find her style to be refreshing and comforting at the same time. I also love Ellie of Mint - her work is simple and clean, and her blog is always inspiring.

Treefox badges

I want one! Cross stitch badges from Etsy shop Treefox.

London love

Felt corsages from Etsy London seller A Alicia Accessories, Story Deli (off Brick Lane) from Flickr, Routemaster bus signs from London Transport Original Signs (a slightly tricky website to navigate, but much much cheaper than anywhere else selling these.)

A London bicycle

This guy made his girlfriend Leonie a bike, using spare parts and by having the frame professionally sprayed (in pistachio! - the perfect bike colour.) She is one lucky lady, don't you agree?

Also, I'm taking part in the second installment of Layers of Meaning's Through Her Eyes series today - head over there if you would like to read a story from my childhood - and see my cute child photo.

Plumo

Plumo has been on my secret shopping list for at least five years. It's a mail order company, based in North London, and it's the perfect place to buy gifts, for friends, and gifts, for yourself.

They have really unique stock, most of which you won't have seen elsewhere, and a mix of furniture, homewares, clothes, and jewellery, a lot of which have quite a French feel. It's worth signing up to their mailing list and waiting for special offers - they often offer extra discounts and free shipping, and there are usually substantial discounts during their sale periods.


At the minute they are offering a 10% discount and free shipping - it might be the time to order this skirt which I've had my eye on, and for a special treat (because I so often deprive myself otherwise) I am thinking about one of these coin purses, all unique as they are made from vintage scarves. Their clothes are expensive but mostly I disregard them anyway, as they're the type of clothes which suit tall, tanned blondes (not me, and they're not my colours.) So one clothes purchase from them in five years wouldn't be too outrageous.

Wednesday workspace

Four words to sum this up for me: big clock, fantastic view.

via Living Etc.

Before & after: Meg's coffee table

I love looking at before and afters - I live vicariously through other's achievements, and feel inspired to get on with some of my own projects.

Here's Meg's hall table (there are more crafty projects on her aptly named blog - Meg Gets Crafty...)

Before: an eBay purchase.

Afterwards: a lick of white paint, some Marimekko fabric and a new drawer knob, from this eBay seller. If you look carefully you can see how perfectly it matches the fabric - she must have been so excited to find it!

Of course, it helps that the after shot has Meg's newly refurbished white floorboards to set it off - but I think it's a great result!

Green possibilities

I love this photo as I've really been getting into the outdoors recently - after two years, I'm only now starting to think about the possibilities for my garden. This green sofa might be a bit much to look at everyday - but it looks perfect here.

Photo via Graham Atkins Hughes.

Brown Button Trading

Have you seen Kimberlee's new shop, Brown Button Trading?

Just a few of my favourites: these colourful tumblers, this glass cannister (perfect for a sophisticated bathroom), and these innovative Blackboard stickers.

I've been reading Kimberlee's blog for ages, before there was even a hint of Brown Button Trading being in the works, so I'm very excited about her new initiative (I've felt a great affinity to her, as a fellow number-cruncher...) The shop is based in Australia, but she will ship anywhere.

My weekend's shopping list

What I considered buying but didn't:

Sunday (at the car boot sale):

- a lacrosse racket (because does anyone actually know anyone who has played it, apart from in Enid Blyton novels?)
- rusty binoculars
- old hairdressing scissors
- a pink powder compact
- some old bone dominos (which I wish I had bought.)
- a large wooden cog.

What I did buy (on Saturday, in local charity shops as well as an antiques market.)


- an old corkscrew
- vintage buttons
- embroidered napkins
- Polaroid film X 2
- an eggcup
- an old gardening encyclopaedia
- a metal bird
- lots of bits of fabric

Next weekend I have a photo shoot for a project I am working on. As usual, I've left everything to the very last minute. Am I the only who does this kind of thing? I think I'm going to have to take Friday off work. As you may be able to tell from the motley collection above, I haven't quite figured out how to create a cohesive look yet.

Funfair teacups

I'm going through a bit of a Flickr phase for tea of the week - I contemplated having a week off from posting random photos of teacups, until I saw these teacups with a twist - giant funfair teacups! It's been years since I went in one of these (or to a funfair in fact) - how about you?

Five Friday Faves

Plans for the perfect sewing cupboard.

Lace-inspired fences.

Love the light in this bedroom.

Pretty Paris postcards.

A Polaroid roundup.

Have a lovely weekend.

Photo via Flickr.

Envelopes

Another thrilling point about my visit to the stamp shop was that they had a pile of this book on the counter. I've always loved Royal Mail, so it's amazing that this book has been out for a little while and I haven't seen it. Don't you feel happy just looking at the cover?

Which is your favourite envelope? I think mine is the dot-to-dot design. All of the envelopes were successfully delivered to their destination. One lunchtime, when I'm stressed out by spreadsheets not adding up correctly, I'm going to hop across the road and buy one as a quick pick-me-up.