kokeshi cuties

I am absurdly predictable, I know, but I just couldn’t resist getting a few more Kimmidoll things at Exclusive Books in Durban. The first time we visited, I did my best to look the other way as to not notice the piles of new stock they had. But the second time that trick didn’t work. I only got two things though, but one of them actually gave me 12 new kokeshi dolls! I am quite happy with that, and I think they shall keep me happy for a while now.

All of them together on a cute little totebag, perfect when I just run out to the store and only need a wallet, phone and keys with me. A need that husbands and boyfriends will never understand, because they always have pockets.

Also got another small kokeshi doll, that I intend to hang on my everyday bag as my very special charm.

pretty paper extraordinaire

A friend sent me a link to The Makerie Studio, and I am left breathless looking at their work. Some info from their website: “Julie Wilkinson and Joyanne Horscroft are The Makerie, a creative collaboration producing unique three dimensional paper sculptures for both commercial and artistic purposes.” I will not say anything else, but leave you with some pictures of their beautiful craft, which I am sure don’t do the original pieces justice, but what can you do? I would rather look at them online, than not at all. And then go home and look at my washi paper and get to work myself! Ha, I wish my hands were this clever ...

owl overload!

Check out all this lovely owl stuff from Paper Source, I am loving it! Amazing apron.

Glasses.

Tote bag.

Gift wrap.

File folder holder set.

Magnet set. If I wasn’t on a consumerism diet, I think I would order all of these tonight! I wonder what it is about the owls that makes me – and so many others obviously – love them so much?

magical mystery walls

Stumbled upon this beautifully and cleverly designed jewellery “case” today. It’s made by the very talented illustrator and designer Annika Bäckström, and it makes me want to go home and look at things differently, see what I can make use of in my home in a new way. I use plastic placemats pinned on the wall for my earrings and necklaces, as a very inexpensive way of keeping them at display. Simply because I feel that I forget the things I don’t see, which in turn makes me buy too much stuff ... This will change this year! At least I will aim for that, it’s always easy to make statements like that just 3 weeks into the new year. Let’s focus on Annika Bäckströms clever design instead!

She has used parts from an old typewriter as hangers. I have always loved the letters from old typewriters, and still regret not buying a gorgeous piece I found in a thrift store once, just because it weighed too much. Oh, well, I’m sure it made someone else happy in the end.

Forks are used for rings! Very pretty.

 

I don’t feel quite at ease with “slaughtering” old books though, but if the result comes out this nice I guess I could make an exception. And I have honestly bought books second hand just because they had beautiful covers and binding, so that would be a good way to get some more use out of them. Food for thought!

Lastly I just had to include this picture too, with the most magical wallpaper I have ever seen, from Minakani Walls. I would put this in a bedroom though, just imagine the wonderful dreams you would have surrounded by these walls.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

spring candy from Swedish Hasbeens

Okay, so that time of the year is here when stores are starting to show off lovely spring and summer stuff, and up here in the North we’ve still got at least 2 months of winter left, possibly even more. Winter has been rather mild so far, and no snow in Stockholm: until the first day we got home from South Africa. Not fair, if you ask me. But I guess I shouldn’t complain, since I did get 5 weeks of summer in the middle of winter. Anyway, Swedish Hasbeens has done it again, designed the most desirable beauties you could ever imagine. I think if I don’t buy anything for the rest of winter, maybe I can ge a pair for summer?

You can check them all out here, and see some more styles and loads of different colours too. Be warned though: a severe craving will set in for sure.

i see triangles

I am still very much drawn to triangular patterns, lately I’ve spotted these nice things. Skirt from Gorman, found via Miss Moss. I also love love love the triangle patterned bag and clutch in their winter collection, that I can’t find on their website though. Maybe just as well, as I am determined to go on a shopping diet for a while right now.

Placemats from Swedish warehouse Åhlens.

And some plates to put on top of them, from the same store.

This room is simply amazing and I could just move right in and be happy! Wallpapers from Minakani Walls, originally found via Miss Moss again (I adore her sense of style, and her blog is probably the one I am most addicted to).

Durban in my heart

Just wanted to share some lovely moments and sights from our long stay in Durban. First up are some pics from a visit to Park Rynie, down the South Coast. It was so beautiful, and extremly crowded, which you wouldn’t know from seeing these pics.

 

 My pretty Pixie girl in her favorite sleeping spot: on a tray on top of the fridge in our house.
 

Magical evening sky.

Cutie-pie Milou, hoping he’ll get a treat if he waits patiently enough.

My favorite Missy, with her signature stare always following me around wherever I go. I love her to bits.

Nice piece of contemporary art on the Beachfront.

More Beachfront art, this piece a bit more temporary.

Oh, the marvellous Indian Ocean, I will never grow tired of watching it.

This is our new little friend, Freddy, a true fighter with a constant scratched nose, but all he wants is love and to sleep really close to you, preferably on top on your stomach.

Supposedly the biggest Hanuman statue in South Africa, maybe the world? It sure took us by surprise when we arrived to Chatsworth and saw it the first time.

Driving downtown Durban.

 Even more Beachfront art.

I miss it already, but I will always come back, again and again and again.