Once upon a time I smoked and wore lipstick and carried a clutch when I went out at night. These days, I walk out the door with a credit card slipped into my iPhone case, and that’s it. If I were to bring back the evening bag, Katrin Langer’s hand embroidered clutches are the perfect size for my pared down necessities. Plus, they’re just so charming and dainty. Now, how to choose just one?
On days when you feel like hiding inside a giant teacup, I suggest you put the kettle on, and take a trip down the rabbit hole that is Lissy Elle‘s weird and wonderful imagination. The Canadian photographer takes those inexplicably surreal moments we all have and turns them into beautiful images filled with emotion that is as alien as it is familiar.
As much as I appreciate the ultra-modern, streamlined kitchens that grace the pages of Dwell, there’s something about the warmth and character that bursts out from every corner of a cluttered, mishmash of a kitchen that I just cannot resist. A cup of tea and a well-buttered scone at Indian Knight’s kitchen table is pretty close to my idea of bliss. This gorgeous cocina in the Madrid home of Carolina Herrera de Báez –– the designer’s daughter, and the creative fragrance director of the eponymous brand –– is pretty blissful, too. The beautiful crystal decanters and silver sugar bowls; the mix of prints on the cushion, table cloth and tiles; photographs and flower seeds stuck to cabinets; I love it all. Now, I’m not sure how she pulls off dinner for ten in this tiny kitchen. But, I bet she does it. And I bet she does it with aplomb.
Many years ago, I went to a Francesco Clemente retrospective at the Guggenheim in New York. I remember loving his work, especially his portraits. Exaggerated features on beauties like Alba Clemente and Jerry Hall, are a signature of the Italian-born artist. The Unskilled Worker is another artist I love, perhaps because her portraits remind me of Clemente’s. The features are large and exaggerated, and any flaws and quirks (like pimples or over-sized specs) are highlighted rather than hidden. “I like to create imperfections and warmth I feel is missing,” the artist (who is anonymous) told Dash Magazine. “I’m looking through thousands of images a day, mostly of an unattainable idea of beauty. Why can’t girls with spots look happy? A combination we’re told can’t exist. The unskilled way is messy, a little bit gnarly and closer to the truth, I hope.”
Trust Manish Arora to create the most perfect Mermaid dress. Who knows if Arora –– “king of kitsch” –– had mermaids in mind with this gorgeously embellished dress, but all I see are pink fish scales glistening in the bright runway light. This is just the dress for a cocktail party around the pool at The Setai in South Beach. Just don’t fall in. Who knows what might happen to your tail.
Every now and then, I come across a collection that I can only say, “holy moly” to. That’s what I wrote to my friend Bianca last night when she e-mailed me a link to some outrageously gorgeous dresses and tops and skirts designed by Aussie label, Romance Was Born. There’s a black and white print in the collection that reminds me of the designs we see on ancient Greek pots and a blouse with sleeves as large as lamp shades. It’s all so fabulously over the top. Yes, sign me up.
Every now and then I get the urge to throw a pot, occasionally at a wall, but mostly on a wheel. I’m not sure I’d be any good at it, but I love the feel of cold clay in my hands, and I’m pretty sure I could manage a pot. Besides, imperfections add charm, at least that’s what I would tell myself. I really like the work of Australian ceramic artist Sharon Muir. Her pieces are pretty close to perfect, actually. And the bold black and white graphics are so punchy against the richness of red terracotta.
I came across this Eisenstaedt photograph for LIFE magazine and it made me want to do a forward roll. And so I did. The good news is I still can. The bad news is that I’m as stiff as an iron rod. I need to join a stretch class, and this one here looks just my speed. Rose Dor Farms was a “reducing” school for women in upstate New York in the 30s. I’m not sure how far these gals got, but I like their sense of occasion.
Somewhere in my childhood I ate off large green lettuce leaf plates. I don’t remember at whose table I was sitting, but those plates are so vivid to me. I would love to get my hands on a few, and fill them with raspberries or radishes, or any other colour that looks great with green. It was Dodie Thayer, the Palm Beach pottery queen, who made them. They’re so peculiar looking, and so very fabulous, don’t you think?
There’s a rooster and a tiger and two cats in our living room. There would be a wolf too, if Antimo hadn’t decided to sit on it. They’re made of papier machee by HAY Denmark, and each one was a gift from our friend, Olivia. Today, I’ll be hanging them on the wall –– a menagerie of oddball looking creatures –– to add just a bit more eccentricity to our home.
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