Valentine's Week

Work until you need no introduction, says Bonang Matheba. I believe that and I believe it applies to every profession. So I am taking that statement to heart this Valentine's week. And speaking of heart, I think it could be a good idea to indulge in some self love for women this week. Check out what Essays of Africa says about it.

And if your'e gonna indulge yourself, my advice is to start with jewellery--wear it while you are alive and at least you can say you have little valuables to bequeath to your daughter when you die. Of course, you could just buy pretty costume instead...try StellaDot.

Also, if you are thinking about getting something for a girlfriends then this is a sweet update on your grandmother's potpourri. It's available at Candle Delirium.

Also, I know everyon wears red on Valentine's day but this spread from Architectural Digest and Bonang's outfit  is making me thing sumptuous green.

Easter on the Brain

I've always felt that purple is the colour of Easter. This week, everywhere I look, I see purple. I think the internet is sending me subliminal signals to anticipate Easter. I have no speacial plans for Easter yet but my friends are coming to visit and I have to get planning. Anyhoo, here's what interested me this week:

The pretty bag by Kate Spade, Japan which I feel sells far prettier stuff than Kate Spade, New York.

The story of this Australian artist who is 105 years old. It's never too late to pick up a hobby. Loongkoonan started at the age of 90.

I have hair envy and am actually thinking of getting some unusual colour in my hair and I love the matt nail polish too. I am all over pinterest looking for a new hair style.

This origami-looking thing is wall art from Acanthe.

The colurful room was shot by Nicolas Mathues for Elle Decoration which is not the same as Elle Decor.

Finally, Christies advises on signed jewellery, which of course is more valuable that unsigned jewellery. It's a great read if you are thinking about starting a jewellery collection.

'Tis The Season: Hostess Gifts

Cressida Bell is a discovery I made about two plus years ago. She is a great designer of pattern, and is versatile with her illustrative paint work. She designs and paints fabrics, cakes, lampshades, throw pillows and laundry bags. You will find great hostess gifts at her online shop. This year I may give phone cases or wrapping paper as hostess gifts.

Zaaf's World

 

You are misled by Western media a lot. Of course, you might have figured this out by now. Every time I go to Africa I have to thank God for the opportunity to travel and to see the world for myself and I am happy to be able to form my own opinions. Take Ethiopia, for example. When most people think of Ethiopia they think famine or starving children. But Ethiopia is actually a country that is doing well and which has smart young people so ready to take their country to the next level. There is a great construction boom happening, there is all sorts of entrepreneurship and small businesses just waiting for an investor. I mean Ethiopia has good wine...yeah wine, who knew? Another major example is ZAAF, a wonderful leather goods and accessories business founded by the young and energetic Abai Schulze. Ethiopian leather is a valued commodity and so she is smart for combining her talented design sense and taking Ethiopian leather to the next level. I love her designs. I visited her shop while I was in Ethiopia last week. I wish this talented entrepreneur all the success in the world. Check out ZAAF collection online. 

Gentleman's Quarters

It's not someone's home. It's an ad. campaign. Wesley Hall. Once again I'm drawn to green and that 70s-looking damask on the side chairs works too. Makes for a nice inspiration for a gentleman's quarters.

Just One Look

 

 Source Traditional Home Magazine  

 

This is the home of Kevin McLaughlin the founder of the clothing store J. McLaughlin. I'm not into their stuff (it's too Lands End and far too white for me) but I am into their home--lots of prints, ethnic-looking patterns, beautiful, lush colour and strongly on the side of traditional.  It took just one look at the spread in Traditional Home Magazine to convince me that the family that lives here is warm and open-minded. And I like that. But I just do not get that from their clothing line---on their website, even the black model looks white. I guess you can't please all the people all the time.

Swimsuit and Lingerie: Eres

I am not at all about Valentine's Day. I won't depress or disturb you with the details. But, it will suffice when I say that major cynicism may come your way around the 14th of next month. But  I am definitely for its spoils. When Frederick's of Hollywood won't do (and it mustn't at a time like Valentine's Day) maybe you can try Eres.

The New Year Fugue

Gah! It's going to be a hard week mentally. I am trying to climb out of the fog. Are you there? It's that after-holiday fugue that is getting to me--lazy, drowsy, food depression. But I am trying to climb out of it. I found some things that fascinate and I found somethings that I take pleasure in laughing at.

 

Let's start with the mean me first: What in hip-hipsterness is happening here? I am not likely to ever be drawn to the hipster set with their pinky (signet ???) rings and overly groomed beards. So sue me. I am laughing at this spread put on by JCREW. Cannot wait for this trend to be dead and buried!

Next: I am fascinated by Yves Behar this week. Behar spearheads Fuse Project which is a design firm with a mix of contemporary-looking/new-age design products from technology-lifestyle gadgets to mundane furniture. I don't like any of it, honestly. It's too Scandinavian-austere and Swiss-boring for me. But I love the energy portrayed in his Instagram.

But the Fuse Project's stuff gathers appeal, you know---even if I think a lot of it is basic. Where are we on the value of talent and hard work in a world where product appeal depends on how much likes and follows you can get on social network or who your friends are? How much of design-success is based on luck and access and how much on talent? I like some of the designs on Fuse Project and others just seem pointless to me.

Listen,  I want to tell you that I could be a millionaire if I had the money. I am sitting here reading people's new year's resolutions and am wondering where to focus my efforts. Does unobtrusive hard work matter in 2016 and going forward? Well, maybe never mind. Am gonna climb back into pajamas and bed. Am on what I call work-vacation this week.

Inspiring Decor: Aerin Lauder

I fell in love with this room four years ago. And I feel I will love it forever more.

 

I love Aerin Lauder's taste in home décor. That photo is a shot of her Wainscott Country Home. And I love her home and beauty collection too.  

 

 

I particularly like that each piece in her home décor collection is so focused and properly edited so that you can always find a throw pillow or two to mix/match and be offset by a lamp or coffee table tray.

 

 

Some of  my favourites: the circle weave raffia clutch; the blue shagreen picture frames and tray; throw pillows and Becher table lamp; and I am quite curious to know how that "wild lilac" lipstick will look when set against my skin.

 

Images from Vogue, Aerin.Com and Aerin Lauder's Instagram

Window Shopping: European Interior Decor Shops

I rarely regret moving to Belgium. Except, I miss a weekly "no appointment needed" mani-pedi from my corner manicurist. And the sun. I miss customer service. And I do miss American consumerism. Scandalous! Some people think it is a negative and I don't think it is. I think it drives innovation. And I think it makes for the growth of small businesses. I say this because I simply miss how great the shopping is in the U.S (good price and variety). I wondered whether I could find online businesses with great design, style and function in the UK and here on the Continent. I went on the hunt and I have become adept at window shopping. I share my finds with you.

 

 

This sideboard from Portobello Street works as a nursery addition because it's high enough to change a diaper and great for storing diapers, ointments and things. The wallpaper (above and below is from Studio Ditte in the Netherlands)

 

 

 It would be fun to update a pantry or kitchen shelf with a bit of decorative whimsy: the wallpaper would go nicely on a pantry wall or would be lovely as the lining in a kitchen cupboard. The ice cream bowls are from Anthropology; the chameleon platter is from the UK's Lou Rota; the cutlery from Seletti in Italy; and the dishcloth is from the South of France and is available at Ensoleilladesas--all would put the quirk in entertaining.  

  

 

  

Piero Fornasetti  channeled his obsession with Lina Cavalieri, the Italian opera singer, into his designs. Now his dishes are on walls all over the design world and the face of Cavalieri is now on  Fornasetti lamps, furniture, scented candle jars and carpets.