Pretty Peculiarities

French animal collection

2012-02-09T22:23:00.000+01:00

I got some late wonderful christmas gifts when we came back from South Africa, I thought I would share some of them. These are a bunch of lovely looking French animals that are staying with me now.

I think some of them will have to move into some nice frames eventually, it would be wasteful to just let them live in a drawer. Aren’t they just adorable?

dreamy dresses from Secret Squirrel

2012-02-08T21:03:00.000+01:00

Found these beautiful dresses via this beautiful blog today, from Australian label Secret Squirrel. They’re all from the new collection called Art Class, and I want them all.

This one is my absolute favorite, it is pure perfection.

floral interlude

2012-02-07T21:58:00.000+01:00

Even though the temperature is not as bad as a few days ago, it’s still very much bleak winter outside. So apart from staying warm it’s vital to be surrounded by colours and the hope of spring. Hence this floral interlude of what I’ve brought home recently to perk myself up. This weekend I’m gonna have to get a new batch, I just can’t get enough of tulips!

Vintage Yates

2012-02-06T11:56:00.000+01:00

I’m gonna kickstart the week with some excellent graphic design from Vintage Books, specifically a bunch of beautiful titles of Richard Yates. Their website desperately needs some new design and functions too, it is horrific in my opinion. But maybe I am just being a bit Monday-morning-grumpy?

I love love love these, so brilliantly simple and yet efficient. Simply perfect. It makes me wonder why I have never read Yates? Seems like a big mistake on my behalf, that surely must be rectified as soon as possible.

Work well done, Vintage, even with a bad website. You got me. You got me good.

The Decemberists art

2012-02-04T18:48:00.002+01:00

It’s been a while since I did a post on the excellent graphic design of The Decemberists, so here’s a little catching up on that. Since I’ve got a thing for more geometrical shapes right now, these are the ones I love the most right now, and they are all available for purchase in their store. First one is by Nate Duval.

Second one not credited.

Third one by Heads of State.

Fourth one by B Methe.

Last one not credited. Hope you are enjoying them as much as I do!

Lisa Congdon knows winter

2012-02-03T14:26:00.001+01:00

I suspected the mild winter we’ve been having up North was too much to hope for to last (although I “cheated” spending 5 weeks in South Africa ...), and now Winter is here. Winter with a capital W. The revenge of all mild temperatures and snow free sidewalks. It’s not Arctic temperatures down here in Stockholm though, it stays around -10 so far, but up north they have to handle temps down to -40. Somehow we manage, and try to see the positive side of things this time of year: at least it’s getting brighter with the snow. And also we are getting more minutes of light by the day.

I am trying to feel optimistic about that, but mostly that this work week is almost over. And in honour of my Northern heritage, and this cold season we have to survive every year, I want to share some lovely winter related artwork from brilliant illustrator Lisa Congdon. If you happen to stay in or be visiting Portland, OR, she’s got an art opening tonight at Land Gallery together with Trish Grantham.

Be sure to visit her Etsy shop too, there are some lovely deals there on prints and other goodies. When (and if) we get a bigger apartment, possibly somewhere (not too) far away in the future, I would love to get my hands on a few things from there to make some walls more beautiful.

I’m gonna go see First Aid Kit live tomorrow, and it sure will be fantastic. The rest of the time I will most likely spend drinking tea under a blanket. Stay warm and enjoy your weekends everyone!

Japanese vintage poster

2012-02-01T10:52:00.000+01:00

Source

Searching for 1920’s graphic design inspiration for a book cover, I found these Japanese vintage posters instead. It’s not gonna help the book, but they got me in a good mood, which in turn will help me be inspired for the rest of the day! Ergo: win win. Enjoy the beauty!

Source

kokeshi cuties

2012-01-31T22:43:00.000+01:00

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

2012-01-30T14:53:00.001+01:00

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!

2012-01-29T00:28:00.000+01:00

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

2012-01-27T13:46:00.002+01:00

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

2012-01-26T20:34:00.001+01:00

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

2012-01-25T16:39:00.002+01:00

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

2012-01-24T21:53:00.000+01:00

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.

Charlotte Trounce

2012-01-23T22:01:00.000+01:00

Stumbled upon talented British illustrator Charlotte Trounce today, and fell in love with her speculative book covers. I would publish them in a heartbeat if I worked at Penguin, or maybe if the publisher I work for published these authors I guess. Hmmm, maybe I can do something about that ...?

I am working with our fall list’s covers right now, which is agonising and stressful and makes me doubt most things daily, but every season is like that, and it always falls into place in the end. I’m not designing them, mind you, I’m just the project and production manager of them. It’s still the best part of my job! No pain, no gain, huh?

fine Durban finds

2012-01-22T17:16:00.000+01:00

So I’m back in Stockholm, with full access to internet again, and there sure is a lot of catching up to do after being away from most of it for almost 6 weeks! I’ve got a long list of things I wanna share here, and didn’t really know where to start, but then I thought I’ll just start anywhere. And anywhere turned out to be sharing some nice shopping finds I did in Durban. Although my husband claims I’ve got enough bead jewellery to last me a lifetime, I don’t agree! So I got some new pretty bracelets at the NSA Gallery shop.

This one has got my fave colours, so obviously it will go with half my wardrobe. The beautiful fabric it’s lying on is a gift from a friend. It’s a piece of Furoshiki, a Japanese gift wrapping fabric. I love it!

Got some shoes from Bata, very retro 50’s looking with a little wedge heel. Was looking at shoes everywhere, but in the end I figured it would be a bit silly to get more summer shoes, seeing that the Swedish summer is so short. I’m really glad I got these though, they are so comfortable and cute.

This red number wrinkles very easily, but I really like it just the same, because of it’s simplicity. I think it’s got that perfect everyday look, but could also work for a formal occassion with the right accessories.

This dress is my best purchase I think, and I’ve got my husband to thank for it! We went to a mall (Pavillion), and as we started to walk around there was a partial powercut and half the stores had to close for about 1 1/2 hours. We walked past a store I’d never been to, and he suggested we check it out since so many of the stores I wanted to go to were closed. And there it was, waiting for me, this lovely black and white thing! It looks a bit boring and plain just hanging like this, but it looks really nice on. Fortunately we had one party to go to, so I got to wear this pretty dress once already. I’m thinking it could work with tights and a black turtleneck underneath too, because the fabric isn’t too thin. So I don’t have to wait too long before I can wear it again.

Here’s a little cute top from Mr Price, surprisingly (to myself) one of very few things I got from Mr Price this time.

Another cute little top, this one from The Hub.

I’m in love with this pattern!

And finally a nice teal top with a “faux peter pan collar”, from The Hub. With the buttons in the back it reminds me a lot of some vintage blouses I’ve got from the 60’s.

Now I just need to wait and wait and wait for summer, or at least spring to come to Sweden, so I can use these nice new things!

presenting close-ups

2012-01-09T15:53:00.000+01:00

Here are a few close-ups from my lovely package I wrote about yesterday. I really love this cute little zebra brooch!

Not to mention how much I love this bottle of olive oil from the family farm, I find that pretty amazing. I guess because I’ve never known anyone with a family farm, but just getting strawberries or fresh herbs from someone’s garden is one of my favorite things. And I hope one day I will be the lucky owner of a small piece of garden or land where I can grow a few things myself.

Oh, I should’ve saved a few of the biscuits for another cup of coffee, they were so delicious!

Package Project 2011

2012-01-08T15:15:00.001+01:00

So I have received the package from my super partner Rochelle in the Package Project, and it was a treat to open I tell you! Right now my internet connection doesn’t want to cooperate with me and load more pictures, but I promise I will post more as soon I get it sorted (or am back in Sweden). I did however manage to post some more over at Flickr, which I’m new to by the way, so I hope I did everything right ... Check it out here. This lovely collection of personal and thoughtful gifts consisted of really yummy bisquits (yummy, because I already ate them ...), hot chocolate (which I’m saving for one of the many cold Swedish winter nights left), a cute Christmas ginger bread man (will definitely hang the little sock up for Christmas next year!), a beautiful tea towel (goes perfect in our kitchen), lovely luminaries (can’t wait to try them out for a braai next summer), a gorgeous “bling-y” necklace/bracelet from a local design market (soooo cool!), a tiny adorable zebra brooch (too cute this little fella, and a great add to my ever growing brooch collection), and finally something as fantastic as a bottle of organic olive oil from Rochelle’s parents olive farm!

Thank you Rochelle, it was way more than I could’ve hoped for, and I really hope you’ll enjoy what I picked out for you as much as I am enjoying this!

For the rest of you: sign up for the next Package Project, it’s totally worth it!

new beginnings

2012-01-06T10:20:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year everyone! I am still too lazily wrapped up in my holiday to go back seriously to blogging yet, but thought it would be approriate to check in and let you all know I will be back some day. Turns out the ocean is actually better than internet on a sunny day in South Africa, how freakish is that?! Anyways, I know a lot of people are back to work on Monday, so I hope you all enjoy this last weekend of freedom before it’s back to the grind. I still have another two weeks of chilling, but I won’t rub it in ...

Hope you achieve everything you set out to do in 2012!

Merry Christmas to one and all!

2011-12-23T16:41:00.001+01:00

Sorry for the silence, it’s just been too lovely to be on vacation with no musts other than seeing family and friends and eating lots of delicious food most of the time! Sometimes I guess you don’t even realize how much you need this downtime until you experience it for real, and it’s been a while since the last time. Not that browsing blogs and updating here ever feels stressful, but it’s still pretty nice not doing it for a while. I also love being back in Durban! It’s been a bit too hot the last few days, but today was just perfect with cloudy skies and slightly cooler winds. So this is just a quick post to say “howzit”, and also to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS! I’ll be back next year, if not sooner, but can’t promise anything ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-12T09:52:00.001+01:00

In just a few hours we are on our way south again! Even though I am not too good with the heat that awaits us, I will sure be very happy to get more daylight and see lush greens and flowers everywhere. And it will obviously be amazing with a five week holiday together, meeting up with family and friends and getting to cuddle with our three cats and one dog! Yes, it will be very nice indeed. I am not sure when we will be online again, but I guess that would be a normal part of a holiday, to stay offline? Eventually I will be back for sure, and in the meantime, if you don’t hear from me before then: have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year!

christmas is in the tiny details

2011-12-09T20:28:00.001+01:00

Today I ate my christmas food for this year, and it was quite delicious. Being a vegetarian, or pescetarian actually (I just don’t like that word really) the traditional Swedish christmas spread doesn’t really excite me if I don’t get to cook myself. Although I love all the different kinds of pickled herrings and smoked or cured salmons, having this food once a year is quite enough for me. Now I’m gonna enjoy our small christmas decorations one last weekend, while we pack and sort out everything at home for some guests that will stay here while we are away.

Check out my tiny little santas, aren’t they the cutest? The little doily is from my grandmother.

This pretty little table cloth is a thrift store find I made a few years ago, and the perfectly matching candle holder we find at the tiniest flea market I’ve ever been to a few weekends ago. It only cost 10 kronor (about 10 rand)!

Here you can see the candle holder a bit better, very 60’s indeed. We’re doing the advent lighting with the candles, that’s why one candle has been lit.

Without a christmas tree one must take what one’s got if one wants to hang up some tiny decorations, so that’s what I did!

behind the scenes

2011-12-08T00:00:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday I got to take part of a photo shoot for a book that’s coming out next year. It was very exciting, even though I was mostly just admiring everything, like all these incredibly beautiful things mostly from the 1920’s. I wanted to secretly smuggle most of this into my bag, and silently leave the set ... I didn’t stay for the whole shoot, because we wanted the rather young model to feel as comfortable as possible in front of the camera, with no strangers around. So I don’t know what got used in the end, but I will show the end result later on.

Pretty pretty shoes! Too narrow for the model though, but they might have been used in the setting.

Lovely hairbands with feathers. Oh, I truly love the 1920’s, it’s the best kind of glamour I know.

Hat pins that could actually be used as murder weapons, which led to them being forbidden. Shame on such pretties! But I guess good too, and since I never wear a hat, what would I do with them?

This mask is not vintage, but very handsome and fancy still.

This was just for props, a vintage camera from the 1920’s, so incredibly beautiful! What a handcraft. Supposedly it still works, but the photographer had no film for it. She used another gorgeous one from the 50’s though, apart from a modern digital one. The book is mainly set in the 1920’s, and the final picture will be hand coloured to really look the part. I can’t wait to see the end result.

This is what the camera looks like folded out, just look at the mechanics! Amazing, I say. Nowadays no tech stuff seems to last more than a couple of years, this beauty is almost 100 years old and still working.

early christmas gifts

2011-12-07T20:59:00.001+01:00

I have a very good friend who shares my passion for vintage, amongst other things. Not surprisingly we like gifting each other thrift store finds, and since me and the husband are spending the holidays in Durban we did the christmas gift exchange early this year. I got a big thing and a small thing, and the big thing very perfectly fit in to my little christmas decoration in the kitchen window.

It’s a beautiful wooden box for treasures and keepsakes, with the prettiest handpainted flowers.

And hidden inside was this darling treasure! A small, intricately decorated golden cat pin. I love it!

Being from the cold part of the world, I find it difficult to get into the same kind of christmas spirit when we’re in Durban, so I’m trying to suck the most out of it now. Of course the best thing about the holidays is to not be working and getting to spend quality time with the family, which we will do plenty of with my husbands family that it’s been way too long since we saw last. I am very much looking forward to that for sure!

Christoffer Pettersson

2011-12-06T12:39:00.001+01:00

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to get to work with this brilliant illustrator for a work project, and I just wanted to share some of his latest updates. His name is Christoffer Pettersson and I think he is one of the best ones out there right now.

All pictures belong to Christoffer Pettersson.

cushion covers to covet

2011-12-05T17:17:00.001+01:00

A bunch of awesome cushion covers from webstore Envelop, too many to choose from! I have decided to wait a bit before I get some anyway, maybe I will find the perfect ones in Durban? In just one week we’re on our way south and I cannot wait! There are so many things and so many people I have missed in my second hometown, it will be great to see everything and everyone again. Not to mention how great it will be with a 5 week vacation ... Unbelievable.

book cover of the day

2011-12-02T14:25:00.001+01:00

I don’t know how much I would actually cook from a book like this, seeing that I have a hard time following recipes and I can’t say I’m that into American food to begin with. That feels like a risky statement to make though, and I guess it’s mostly based on prejudices I have about American food in general, that is what makes it to my part of the world too. I much prefer other cuisines to American. Anyway, this post isn’t at all about the food really, it’s about the wonderful graphic design of this book cover. It is designed by Mucca Design and published by Rizzoli International, and I still want it just to feel the weight of it, and look at the equally well designed inside pages and pictures.

Dreamy dresses from StutterinMama’s

2011-12-01T15:53:00.001+01:00

I am slowly getting in the mood of heading south in about a week and a half, when we’re going down to Durban for a long, well deserved vacation with my husband’s family and all our friends there. Although this autumn has been unusually mild, and still is, it will obviously be a big difference from 5-10 degrees to 30-35 degrees. I like being able to wear tights and cardigans and coats with my dresses and skirts, but it will be nice to just throw a cotton dress on, slip my feet into sandals, and be ready for the day. Here are some beautiful 50’s summer dresses from StutterinMama’s Etsy shop I wouldn’t mind packing. Floral print in turquoise and purple.

I love this colour combination like mad! Green and turquoise striped cotton dress.

And predictably there’s a red and white gingham dress in this mix.

This somewhat tropical leaf print dress in green is just lovely.

Finally an adorable white cotton dress with heartshaped flowers and a nice corset waist.

Desirable Dada’s Diamonds

2011-11-30T15:06:00.001+01:00

Dada’s Diamonds is a Swedish jewellery designer par excellence, with really unique and wonderfully imaginative theme based designs.

This double brooch is from Friday’s Collection (Robinson Crusoe), and it’s called Polly’s Shadow. I saw it live yesterday on a colleague, and it looks fantastic in real life! I got slightly jealous to be honest ...

This is Tea Time double brooch from Wonderland collection (Alice in Wonderland, obviously!).

Brooch from That’s Amore collection. I must say I really love the mix of metals.

Another brooch from That’s Amore. Would look great as a tie pin, don’t you think?

Wonder charms earrings, so very sweet indeed.

Seashell earrings from Friday’s Collection.

Darling Wonder Charm Rose earrings.

2011-11-29T12:56:00.001+01:00

Sara Berner is a very talented Swedish designer and I am craving her china series Parken from Designista. They come in my absolute favorite colour combination: turquoise and red, with different variations, and adorable illustrations, mostly of animals. I think maybe I shall have to start collecting this series for myself.

What breakfast wouldn’t be better with some sandwiches on this plate?

What oatmeal wouldn’t be tastier in this bowl?

What coffee wouldn’t wake you up better in this cup?

What tea wouldn’t be more warming in this cup?

Okay, I feel like I’m starting to sound like Goldilocks or something, I guess you get the point by now anyway: I LOVE these items.

Clarice Lispector

2011-11-28T16:52:00.001+01:00

I must admit I had never heard of Brasilian writer Clarice Lispector until I stumbled upon these remarkably beautiful book covers last week. I would very much like to change that and get my hands on all four of these pretties, that are designed by Paul Sahre. I think I shall have to dive into his work some more too, will get back on that at some other time.

This kind of design makes my heart flutter.

Clarice Lispector was quite remarkably beautiful herself. Photo by Bluma Wainer.

Sägen porcelain jewellery

2011-11-24T13:24:00.011+01:00

Sägen is a Swedish designer of vintage porcelain jewellery that makes really dreamy pieces. I have seen her things in stores for years, but so far I have never been able to decide which of all the wonderful things I should make mine. There’s just too much to choose from! This is just a tiny selection of everything that appeal mostly to me this Thursday in November, be sure to check out the whole store for more eye candy. Cherry Blossom necklace above.

Red and white rose necklace.

Maxim necklace. Original porcelain designed in 1969 by Stig Lindberg, one of Sweden’s most important designers in the 20th century. If you’re curious to see how the original cups and saucers look, check this Japanese auction site.

Salix necklace. Original porcelain also designed by Stig Lindberg in 1954.

Gretchen earrings, English porcelain.

Faye necklace.

Petal Pink earrings. This new design (i.e. not vintage porcelain) also comes in brown.

Yoko necklace, inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms. This is not made from vintage porcelain, but this design might be my favorite as of right now. I just love it!

Yoko earrings. These come rather high up on my Christmas wish list, in case anyone was wondering (hint, hint).

wear that book

2011-11-23T16:43:00.002+01:00

I’ve got a lovely and colourful book/dress combo for you today, with a Swedish book and a South African dress. I’m hoping this dress will still be in stores for another month or so, until I can hopefully get my hands on it. I really like it a lot.

Kauniste, excellent Finnish design

2011-11-22T15:47:00.011+01:00

I am a huge fan of a lot of Finnish design, both old and new, and recently stumbled upon the textile company Kauniste. They are a fairly new collective of young Scandinavian designers, and I am very impressed by their work so far. Check their website for retailers if you want to get your hands on these beautiful goods. Above is a pretty tote bag in Metsä fabric, designed by Norwegian Bjørn Rune Lie.

A pillow in the same fabric. This print is very Scandinavian, if you ask me!

Totebag in Sokeri fabric, designed by Hanna Konola. I love this print so much! I want a dress in this print.

I also want these pillows for our lounge.

Sokeri comes in pink too, in a tea towel.

Gentlemen birds tea towel, also designed by Bjørn Rune Lie.

2012 fish calender tea towel, looking very 50’s. Designed by Matti Pikkujämsä.

2012 cat calender tea towel, also very 50’s looking and completely adorable! Also designed by Matti Pikkujämsä.

Finnish alphabet tea towel, designed by Leena Kisonen.

uncommonly cute

2011-11-21T13:30:00.006+01:00

I will probably be the last one to get an iPhone, or similar, but if and when I do, I will be sure to get one or all of these cute shells from Uncommon. Since I don’t plan on getting an iPhone anytime soon, I think Uncommon should make something else with these designs too, like totebags, or purses. Or just prints. I’d get them. Especially this one with owls, I love this one. Well, in fact I love all of them, I’d probably get them all.

Japanese cherry blossoms. Very kawaii indeed.

Colourful acrobatic heron.

Japanese sushi theme. Maybe this is the most kawaii of them all!

Supercute Yeti in the woods! Which one would you get?

300 particularly pretty penguins?

2011-11-18T10:59:00.014+01:00

This is my 300th post! I did plan to host a nice giveaway in celebration of that, and I will, it’s just that I’m running a little behind with everything at the moment. There is not enough daylight in a day in this part of the world, I tell you, and not enough hours in a day as it is. Not a good combination. Anyway, the giveaway will come before Christmas, that’s a promise! As for now, the celebration will be a post with even more particularly pretty Penguin Classics covers signed the amazing Coralie Bickford-Smith. I could have posted one beautiful Penguin cover every day on this blog since the start, I believe there are that many and probably more, but I guess it’s more interesting with a bit of a mix, don’t you think? This clothbound classics series I want surrounding me all day, every day. As wallpapers, clothes, jewellery, in frames, on book shelves, well you get the point. The first five are new titles in the series, the rest are older, and I might have posted some before, but they sure deserve a second post. And third, and fourth. Enough words for now, enjoy this eye candy for now, and enjoy your weekends!

thank you Pocketchange

2011-11-17T22:19:00.002+01:00

I was just contacted by a kind person at Pocketchange, a website with various content, mostly consumer friendly, and a feature called Best of the Web. Of course I was very flattered to be considered for this particular feature, and happily said yes to doing a short introduction of my blog. You can see my little spot here. Here’s a shout out of thanks to Pocketchange for sharing my little corner of the great big web.

The Package Project 2011

2011-11-16T13:02:00.003+01:00

I am so excited having been partnered up for The Package Project hosted by Cupcake Couture. My partner is Rochelle, an architect from Johannesburg, and she’s got a beautiful and inspiring blog called Worded Reflections. I have already started getting things together for what I hope will be a desirable mix of personality, seasonality, practicality, and nationality, with a dash of pretty peculiarities as well! Gift shopping and making is after all one of my favorite things, so this is a project designed for me. Only downside is that it mustn’t be too heavy or fragile, since it needs to travel a long way by mail, so I have had to ignore a few great ideas because of that.

Once the package has arrived safely to Rochelle she will post about it on her blog, and I shall of course blog about her package for me. I can’t wait! I will also be back in South Africa by then, am very excited about that since it’s a year and a half since I was last there. I have missed it a lot!

The Paraders vintage

2011-11-15T10:42:00.009+01:00

Via the Rosapina Vintage blog I just found a really good Etsy vintage shop called The Paraders. Right now there is also a lovely giveaway you can enter and win a $50 giftcard to spend on either one of these treasures or any of the other nice items in the shop. First is a 70’s shift dress in a rather amazing 50’s inspired print.

Or possibly a spectacular 50’s full skirted dress in purple and brown with a DRAGON print! I am in love with this dress for real ...

A perfect little 60’s summer dress in a very unusual lime gingham with white flowers, too cute!

This stunning 50’s full skirt dress in pink rose pattern would be perfect to wear to a wedding or any other formal party. Or just out to a fancy Sunday brunch I guess, sometimes you have to make the occassions, not wait for them!

Another cute 60’s summer dress in a green floral print on white.

Lastly a great everyday dress, a 60’s geometric textured print in peach. This I would easily wear to work quite often, in fact this dress reminds me of a somewhat similar dress I have, in mint green. That dress is too warm for summer, but now is the perfect season for it for sure. I think I shall have to wear it tomorrow.

bead obsession

2011-11-14T16:12:00.003+01:00

This is my latest obsession since Friday. It seems I am not able to stop once I start ... But a person could have a lot worse addictions, right? I will show some results eventually, possibly, for now it’s just for my own personal relaxation. I can highly recommend it to anyone who’s feeling a bit stressed out and likes working with their hands.

explosives in my heart

2011-11-13T21:11:00.002+01:00

This autumn has been one of the best in many years when it comes to concerts, and I have been truly spoilt having seen such a beautiful selection of favorite bands in just a matter of weeks. PJ Harvey, Loney Dear, Gillian Welch, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes all made me very happy, and tomorrow night I will see Explosions in the Sky, for the second time. I c-a-n-n-o-t wait!

wear that book

2011-11-11T12:54:00.005+01:00

Happy 11.11.11. everyone! Here’s a new little collection of book-dress-combos to feast your eyes on before the weekend starts. As usual I have big plans for all the things I should get done the next two days: Portrait Project and Package Project are just two of many I’m excited to get started on since I now have got my partners for them.

Am also preparing for a little giveaway here since I thought it’d be nice to celebrate my 300 post coming up next week, so stay tuned for more details on that.

If this wasn’t enough, we’re also hoping to finally take a trip to IKEA on Sunday to get some more stuff for the home restyling, and also some Christmas stuff for the family down South.

Best get to bed early tonight to restore some energy before all this ... All the dresses are from Modcloth and all the books are from Penguin Classics.

desirable books from Gestalten

2011-11-10T16:25:00.006+01:00

Gestalten is one of the best graphic design publishers out there, that at least I know of. I wouldn’t mind living in a Gestalten library to be honest, although I would never sleep because there would be too many things to read and admiringly look at. I can imagine worse things, really. Here are a handful of goodies from their graphic design section I will gracefully accept as Christmas gifts, or just as gifts in general. Cutting Edges: Contemporary Collage. (By the way, I wonder when my triangle obsession will be over ...)

Arabesque 2: Graphic Design from the Arab World and Persia. After last week’s discovery of Homa Delvaray this looks particularly interesting.

Supersonic: Visuals for Music. A new collection of cd covers, record sleeves and concert posters.

Naïve: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design. With a cover by Pietari Posti, my Finnish favorite, I simply must get my hands on this book!

This looks like such a fun book, Playful Type: Ephemeral Lettering and Illustrative Fonts. If you follow the links you can check out spreads from all the books on the Gestalten website. Warning: It will make you want the books even more though, so beware. It might lead to excessive consumption, and I will take no responsibility for that.

Folio Society beauties

2011-11-09T13:32:00.003+01:00

Folio Society has got some new beauties available, and I am drooling as usual. Although I don’t love fairies in general, I do however love pink, geishas and cats, so The Pink Fairy Book is high up on the wishlist for that reason alone.

Floral perfection for First Love by Ivan Turgenev, and a colour combination I feel utterly drawn to at the moment.

pretty modern penguins

2011-11-08T13:54:00.006+01:00

Honouring the 70th anniversary of Virginia Woolf’s death, Penguin Classics are publishing a series of beautiful hardbound copies of some of her major works. I think they all look very distinguished and dapper!

Karin Broos, extraordinary painter

2011-11-07T11:05:00.015+01:00

When I was younger (i.e. a teenager) I couldn’t really understand the point of photo realistic art, when there were photos. In fact I didn’t much care for any kind of realism in art, film or literature. During my early teens I pretty much thought Salvador Dalí was the only artist worth looking at. Today I can still appreciate surrealism, but mostly in literature, and when it comes to art I am so much more drawn to realism now. I guess as a teenager you see the world as a surreal place, where most things don’t make any sense, at least I did. And now as a grown-up you know that reality is both a reassuring and scary place, where both comfort and darkness can hide in the same spot, just underneath the surface of a seemingly perfect place.

When I saw the amazing paintings of Swedish artist Karin Broos, I immediately fell in love with them. Apart from being masterfully done, I am mesmerized by the feeling of belonging and utter solitude that I think her work depicts, the very duality that constitutes life. There is a show with her work at Sven-Harrys Konstmuseum until November 2oth here in Stockholm, I need to go there NOW.

All work belongs to Karin Broos.

ModCloth wish list

2011-11-04T10:58:00.007+01:00

So, is it too early to start wishing for christmas gifts? I think not, and here are a few goodies from ModCloth I wouldn’t mind finding in mine. Bookstore Betty Coat is just perfect, not just because of the name, although that is certainly great too!

Twist and Sprout Dress is in a colour I’m starting to feel more and more drawn to the more I see it, and this dress would surely be a good way to introduce it to my wardrobe.

It’s Gonna Be Bouquet Dress would be just perfect for that New Year’s Eve Party I probably wouldn’t go to, since me and my husband prefer to stay at home and watch movies on that particular evening. But a girl needs to look pretty just staying at home too!

Even though this is called Shamrock the Party Dress, this is a perfect work dress in my opinion. Or going out for Sunday brunch, or making Christmas lunch, or going Tuesday shopping.

This little Mod for You Dress is just too cute! I think I’ve been fairly nice this year, so please Santa, will you bring me at least one of these pretties? You know soft presents are my favorite, and we are practically neighbours after all.

hommage to Homa Delvaray

2011-11-03T14:08:00.012+01:00

I am thrilled to have discovered a new designer today, via Creative Roots, from a part of the world I know little – if anything – about when it comes to comtemporary culture. Homa Delvaray from Iran is a young female graphic designer of posters, cd’s, book covers, etc. Her portfolio is one of the most interesting and beautiful ones I’ve seen in a long while. I am not gonna go on about her talent too much, but I would suggest you head over here to read an introductory article about her instead. And of course visit her own website to see more.

All pictures belong to Homa Delvaray.

White’s Books pretties

2011-11-02T10:53:00.008+01:00

Yesterday I found some new wonderful classics book covers via Booklicious, from White’s Books. The mastermind behind them is brilliant graphic designer David Pearson, who has worked for Penguin Classics. These are simply fantastic, cloth bound, printed on acid-free paper, with printed endpapers, coloured page tops and marker ribbons. A work of art.

vintage wallpapers

2011-11-01T15:19:00.006+01:00

Being slightly overworked at the moment, I’m lazily just gonna reblog these lovely vintage wallpapers from Graham & Brown via Design*Sponge. As usual I would want the whole setting with furniture and everything! This first 50’s one, Rock in Mink by Hemingway, would definitely go well in our lounge, or rather how I picture it will look one day when all the pieces are there. If that is ever possible, I guess once you feel you’re done with something at home, you sort of find a new interest and start all over again.

This rather busy 60’s style, Loopy Lines Rock-A-Billy Blue, could work nicely in our kitchen, although I would prefer a more teal or olive shade.

This one is called Do the Stretch: Mean Mustard Cult Movie, and I can picture it in our small entrance hallway.

For this one we would ideally have a bigger apartment, with a proper master bedroom, where this beautiful 30’s art deco inspired Deco Diamond Enamel Green would suit best. I would of course also have a huge closet, and this mannequin to showcase a new dress every week. Yes, indeed I would.

Helene Schjerfbeck

2011-10-31T16:00:00.010+01:00

Today I wanted to introduce a female Finnish artist that I really like: Helene Schjerfbeck, 1862–1946. Don’t want to say too much about her, her artwork pretty much speaks for itself I think. And by no means do I want to say I look like a painting, but this first portrait does resemble me just the same.

All artwork belong to Helene Schjerfbeck.

dreamy dresses from Moddie

2011-10-28T13:04:00.008+02:00

There’s a new vintage online store around, with some really nice goodies for grabs. Be sure to head straight over to Moddie, unfortunately only available in Swedish right now, but send them an email and ask if they deliver abroad if you find anything you really want. The prices varies a lot, and it’s definitely vintage, for thrifting you need to go elsewhere. Much like the sizes of the pieces I desire the most, the pictures here are really small, so sorry about that. Head on over to the original source to see them better. This orange beauty is my favorite.

Pink babydoll cutie.

My second favorite, anything red with white polka dots will grab my attention!

Pink with Peter Pan collar.

Classic white and blue mod dress.

Lastly a real gem from the 60’s, incredibly pretty aqua blue with white floral pattern.

I’m going for my first clothing swap tomorrow, am trying to not have any expectations at all so as not to be disappointed if all the other people showing up are tiny girls and nothing will fit me. Could be a lot of fun though, and I get to see the amazing vintage dress exhibition at the museum the event is being held at, for the third time, and now for free! So that in itself makes it worth it.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

saving the day

2011-10-27T16:37:00.002+02:00

Some days I just want to look at pictures like this and go back to sleep.

Emma Löfström’s magical universe

2011-10-26T13:41:00.008+02:00

Looking for new local graphic designers for work, instead I found a really talented illustrator: Emma Löfström. Her work is absolutely amazing, and I’m looking forward to following her career, that I am sure will be long and prosperous. This first beautiful tiger picture is a print available for purchase in the Swedish Save the Childrens online store, and all the profit goes to their work. I am seriously considering getting it for myself for christmas.

balloons

2011-10-25T21:33:00.003+02:00

I am insanely tired, but just had to post this beautiful pillow I just saw here. I love it! I have a shower curtain in almost the exact colours as these, but without balloons. I was gonna say they would match, but I don’t intend to keep pillows in the bathroom, so I guess not, after all.

Okay, I said I was tired.

Modernista covers

2011-10-24T12:07:00.004+02:00

Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple, as in these rather splendid looking soft cover editions of Marguerite Duras. Published by Swedish publisher Modernista, designed by Lars Sundh. I love ’em!

Orla Kiely goodies

2011-10-20T16:11:00.008+02:00

I was inside an Orla Kiely store when visiting London in April, and loved everything but felt a bit intimidated by the prices. I would never spend that much money on clothes or accessories. But here I can at least afford to admire some of their new dresses, that are really quite something. Maybe H&M could make some cheaper copies, or would that be unethical? The Wool Check Dress is my favorite of the bunch. Simplicity at it’s best.

Garden Bird Fairisle Dress is pretty amazing too.

Printed Silk Crepe Collar Dress with peacocks! Available with long sleeves too.

Birdie Wool Jacquard Panel Dress in turquoise.

Wool Jersey Double Pocket Dress in charcoal.

Wool Jersey Collar Dress in olive.

There are some rather gorgeous coats too, but I just wanted to share this supercute raincoat to round things off.

Jennifer Collier: pretty paper art

2011-10-19T11:34:00.014+02:00

Via Black*Eiffel I found a pretty talented British paper artist called Jennifer Collier. Being a devoted paper enthusiast I just fell immediately in love with her works, especially since they also incorporate two other big passions of mine: typography and handwriting in old letters. Some of the items, which are all handmade one offs, are available for purchase in her shop and she also does commission work. First up is a beautiful and fantastically detailed typewriter, priced at £950.

Super 8 camera for £170.

Teacup with spoon, £55, and milk jug, £35.

Adorable music dress, framed, £250.

Map tie, framed, £95.

Map SLR camera, £140.

Postcard SLR camera, £140.

Milk jug, £35.

Document kid gloves, framed, £190.

Binoculars, £40.

And finally some crazy cute Music brogues, £50, or framed £95. I would really like one of the framed items, they are all so unique and would fit in so well in our home. Maybe I shall have to treat myself to an early Christmas gift ...

All pictures belong to Jennifer Collier. If not linked to the store, I found the pictures on her main website.

Luca Barcellona: I take a bow

2011-10-18T12:56:00.015+02:00

Okay, so I know I rather frequently use the term genius and brilliant about stuff that I really like. But this time, when I say that Luca Barcellona is a genius, I have never meant it more. The art of calligraphy is not practiced by that many nowadays, and to find this brilliant, brilliant man is sort of a revelation for me, to be honest. It is incredibly inspiring, and it almost makes me want to take a leave of absence from work and just dive into it myself. Preferably with Mr Barcellonas guidance. This is just a small selection of the work from his magical pens and brushes, I can’t stop looking at them, it is just too beautiful for words. See lots more and the man himself in action here.

So there you go, I take a bow, in utter awe of this amazing artist. Thank you Luca Barcellona, I am your devoted fan from here on after.

All pictures belong to Luca Barcellona.

dreamy dresses from Mrs Pomeranz

2011-10-17T11:12:00.005+02:00

The Etsy store Mrs Pomeranz that make custom made vintage style dresses have added some new very dreamy designs, for anyone with excellent taste and a rather big bank account. As I have just invested in this winter’s much needed vacation in Durban, South Africa, I shall not be investing in one of these. But I sure can dream about it! Shirtwaist cotton dress is first on the list.

Shirtwaist tartan cotton dress is on top of the list. I just love this one!

Checkered shirtwaist woolen dress would be just perfect for any winter closet, but especially mine.

There are a few really pretty coats also, this one is a checkered 1920’s inspired lovely creation.

And lastly a gorgeous green 1940’s inspired coat that totally would complete my winter wardrobe, in case anyone was wondering. I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing to start the week lusting over such unobtainable objects. I guess we shall have to wait and see.

superb sunny sunday

2011-10-16T19:55:00.016+02:00

The weather has been lovely all weekend, and today I went for a long walk to get the most of it. On days like these I just love my hometown so much, and autumn is definitely my favorite season of them all. Prepare yourselves for a romantic nature overload, and the most beautiful bursts of colour!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekends. As usual I feel it’s been too short and I didn’t do half the things I planned to, but that walk sure was worth the most and it made all my stress just melt in the sunshine. I hope we can get a few more weeks of this now!

book cover of the day

2011-10-14T15:49:00.002+02:00

The weekend is just about here and I want to spend the whole weekend on the couch under a blanket watching bad tv and eating snacks. Maybe catching up on some reading too, and hopefully some sketching and even calligraphing. This beautiful book cover from Penguin is truly inspiring for all of that.

Have a nice lazy or productive weekend everyone!

wear that book

2011-10-13T09:34:00.008+02:00

I’m gonna start today’s round of Wear that Book with a poster, not a book. All these dresses are also vintage, and available for online purchase now, should anyone be fortunate enough to have the exact right measurements (if you sense a tone of bitterness in there, it’s because there is ...). Just follow the links and get your hands on these beauties before anyone else does! First up is a 1950’s dress from Dear Golden Vintage, and I am just in love with this one. I can’t stop staring at it, wishing I would have found it maybe 10 years ago, when it probably would have fit me. Oh, well. The beautiful Decemberists poster is designed by Spike Press.

Next up is another cute 1950’s dress, this time from Clever Nettle, an online vintage store I often go to for inspiration. The book is from Faber Poetry Collection 2010.

This adorable 1960’s dress is also from Clever Nettle, and the colourful book is from The Folio Society, a most wonderful place for any book and design nerd such as myself.

Last of this little bunch is a burst of light teal with a 1960’s wiggle dress á la Joan Holloway from Clever Nettle, and a gorgeous book cover for Knopf designed by Jason Booher.

So get dressed and start reading everyone!

Tom Davie

2011-10-12T13:28:00.012+02:00

Via Typography Daily I got to experience the genius of American graphic designer Tom Davie this morning. As he writes on his website: “The mission is simple: produce well crafted thought-provoking work in a variety of mediums.” That he has done, and then some. I’m in awe. This is just a small selection of poster designs, some are available for purchase in his shop. If I had the ability to chose and commit to that choice, I would get one right now. But I shall have to wait a bit, or get them all at once.

All pictures belong to Tom Davie.

portrait project over at lucky pony

2011-10-11T16:02:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I signed up for a project I couldn’t really resist, over at the Lucky Pony blog. You’ll get a partner that you will make a portait of any way you want, and they’ll make one of you from a chosen picture. I need some kind of kickstart to my drawing again, because I haven’t done anything since my beardy obsession this summer. There are some more of those pics up on Tearoom Books though, if you wanna check it out. Read more details about the Portrait Project right here, and make sure you sign up for it! No skills necessary!

Daren Newman

2011-10-10T12:44:00.013+02:00

Daren Newman is a British graphic designer and illustrator with some insane typographical skills, if you ask me. I could easily wear his designs as tattoos on my entire body.

All pictures belong to Daren Newman.

Adam Hill, you are brilliant!

2011-10-07T10:00:00.016+02:00

Yesterday I stumbled upon a brilliant graphic designer from Cape Town, South Africa: Adam Hill. I could use every superfluous adjective in the book to describe how I feel about his portfolio, but I don’t want to exhaust you before you’ve seen for yourself. So here you go, and you’re welcome.

I LOVE this so much, I just want to finish with that! Have a nice weekend everyone!

All pictures belong to Adam Hill.

Matti Klenell

2011-10-06T10:18:00.006+02:00

I saw a little note in the paper this morning, promoting a new exhibition with glass works by Swedish designer Matti Klenell. Since the exhibition is called Kokeshi, I was obviously keen at looking him up, and I was blown away by his design. I can’t say I know anything whatsoever about glass design, or contemporary furniture design either, but I guess I should start somewhere, and why not with Matti Klenell, who clearly is a name to keep track of. I love these pieces, inspired by the Japanese Kokeshi dolls, that I also love.

These beautiful birds I have actually seen before, not knowing who designed them, since they are made for Iittala. I really like that they are elegant and cute at the same time.

For modern design, not looking retro for once, I’m really liking these lamps. They would go really well with the new look I’m aiming for at home.

These statuesque glass urns are majestic somehow, I really like them a lot, but don’t know why.

Finally these tea light candle holders just makes me happy! Obviously you’d need a whole group like this, they would at least cheer me up every time I looked at them. Don’t miss out on all his work that can be seen on his website, there’s plenty more brilliant design where these gems came from. I’m a fan as of right now.

All pictures belong to Matti Klenell.

happy birthday

2011-10-04T20:35:00.004+02:00

Happy birthday to myself! Here are some items from Ruche I might treat myself to, should I be so inclined. Dolce Vita Indie Dress in Deco Print.

Derbyshire Empire coat. I’ve got way too many vintage coats already, but this is so nice!

These shoes actually got my name, so I guess it’s a given I should get them, no? Chelsea Crew Jenny Oxfords.

I don’t wear these kinds of necklaces that often, but surely if I had one this pretty I would start to. Purple rain necklace.

look at my feet

2011-10-03T16:25:00.003+02:00

Just before I left for the book fair I found not only one, but two pairs of shoes during a lunch break. Sometimes the best things are found in a hurry! I had tried on a pair of shoes in a store, but left them behind since I found them a bit expensive. When I went back with the hope of them being cut down in price some more, instead I found these cute little pink and beige things, for only 350 kronor on sale. They are super comfortable and I really like them!

After that purchase I just ran into a charity shop across the street, because I saw a rather nice chair in the window and wanted to check out the price of it. Once inside I thought I’d just take a quick look, even though it’s not one the best shops. Much to my own surprise I found a pair of great shoes, IN MY SIZE! I’m using capitals, because this has only happened once before. Usually every shoe I’ve ever liked in a thrift or vintage shop have been at least a couple of sizes to small, and it’s not that I have freakishly large feet. Anyway, I really love these shoes and their very old fashioned look and wood heal.

They only cost 150 kronor and are in reasonably good condition, and I will do my best to take care of them. I suck at taking good care of shoes though, don’t know what’s wrong with me. Maybe it’s because most shoes hurt my feet, and makes me angry with them. Or maybe it’s just that I’m lazy and don’t like the smell of shoe polish.

wear that book

2011-09-29T11:25:00.007+02:00

It’s been a while since I posted some book/dress combinations, so here’s a whole bunch of them to catch up. First is a lovely yellow pair with a dress from Sivletto and book from Penguin Classics.

Second porcelain inspired outfit is from Emily and Fin, with another Penguin Classic.

Third is a delicate combination of Ruche dress and one of the most beautifully designed Penguin Classics covers ever, by Coralie Bickford-Smith.

Fourth up is another dress from Ruche and a book from Vintage. I really love these muted colours!

Finally a dress from Trashy Diva with a Penguin Classic. This would be a different dress for me since I rarely wear blue and never yellow, but I would love this dress just the same!

penguin presents for myself

2011-09-28T21:06:00.004+02:00

I treated myself to some Penguin presents at the book fair, because they are so lovely and it was get 3 pay for 2! Impossible to resist for a Penguin junky like myself. I did resist to get a thermos, a water bottle and some other things though, I figured these were the most usable things. I will be generous and let my husband chose one of the key ring or the card holder, since clearly the lost girl luggage tag was made for me.

Funny thing is, I don’t really like orange on anything else, well except oranges and carrots I guess, but Penguin is the big exception in my life.

book dreams

2011-09-20T14:41:00.009+02:00

As I am preparing to get ready for the book fair that I leave for tomorrow, I just wanted to make a wish list of the books I’m lusting over right now. They must be mine, eventually, some of them sooner rather than later. First up is Wildwood by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, that has been released now.

The art of McSweeney’s is a must have for a McSweeney’s buff like me. The cover art, minus the red circle, I actually have as a poster on the wall over my desk.

This book I saw live in London at the book fair there, but the books unfortunately weren’t for sale. I have been wanting it ever since.

Vee Speers Birthday party was for sale at the Photographic Museum here in Stockholm, but I didn’t get it the last time I was there, which I regretted afterwards. Surely it will still be there when I get back.

Do I really have to explain that I need this book? Well I do.

Via this blog I discovered this great book yesterday, with letters to and from Edward Gorey and his friend Peter F. Neumeyer. I need that one too. And I also want it, badly. Since I can never get a handwritten letter from Edward Gorey myself, at least I should get that book. I’m just saying.

Ok, so I will be back next week, since book fairing doesn’t really allow for any activities outside the book fair.

two perfect blankets

2011-09-19T22:02:00.002+02:00

Just found this perfect wool blanket from the online store Fine Little Day, I love both colours equally. A way bit on the expensive side, as wool blankets tend to be, but maybe with a birthday coming up I might treat myself to just the one, just the same. It is perfect after all, and it will last a lifetime.

Also check out the owner of the store’s own home at Design*Sponge. She’s got an alien looking cat and wicked 60’s wallpapers!

i want candy

2011-09-18T10:42:00.003+02:00

One of my favorite purchases of late is this candylike bracelet. I have worn it every day since I got it, because being this colourful, obviously it goes with everything! Found it in a Fair Trade store, and the beads are actually coloured nuts from South America. I am thinking of getting at least one more, since the colours differs a little bit and I just love it so much!

I have also gotten some rather candylike earrings from H&M, and find myself wearing these more often than anything else right now. But I do feel tempted to eat them every once in a while!

Jumperfabriken autumn 2011

2011-09-15T12:33:00.008+02:00

Some new really cute autumn pieces from Swedish designer Jumperfabriken. This cotton tartan dress is my favorite of them all, she’s called Boel.

This is Elvira with a million dots and a belt and adorable little white buttons.

Lena comes with stripes and strings.

Vilhelmina is available in red and black.

Dina is already red and black and casual with pockets.

Finally the cardigan Ullis in pink or beige, will keep you warm and stylish during winter with merino and alpacka wool.

Yes, I want them all, I really do.

Lizzy Stewart: ships and landscapes

2011-09-14T10:05:00.007+02:00

I have written about super talented British illustrator Lizzy Stewart before, but I am gonna do it again, just because she is that good. Today I have chosen to show off some ships and landscapes. Enjoy.

Autumn has definitely scared off the last remains of summer now, and we’re having the first real storm here. The first days of autumn, with grey heavy skies and rain whipping at you from all sides, always make me think of pencil drawings. That’s what it feels like, walking in a pencil drawing filled with tiny rain lines in all directions. I can’t wait for the other part of autumn, the part that I love the most: with icy blue skies and fiery colour explosions all around. Give me that now, please.

All pictures belong to Lizzy Stewart.

brilliant idea

2011-09-13T16:28:00.004+02:00

It could be the use of a Penguin Classic, but I really love this bedside lamp!

Such a brilliant idea designed by Suck. I want one, yes I do.

wear that book

2011-09-12T09:47:00.004+02:00

One of my favorite book covers this year, from Melvillehouse Publishing, and gorgeous dress from Toast.

This dress is also from Toast, and the book from Penguin Classics.

shades of grey

2011-09-11T16:01:00.004+02:00

With the biggest event of the year in my business coming up, the only book fair in Sweden, I tend to panic a little bit about what to wear for four days and nights. Because obviously I don’t own enough clothes already ... Anyway, I found this lovely striped cotton dress at Salvation Army, for only 105 kronor, and I fell in love with it.

I think it’s a 50’s homemade dress, but that’s just a guess. It’s rather big, but with a belt it works just as it is, so I might not have to take it in at the sides.

I’ve got a thing for greys right now, and got another grey dress this week, this one from Etc. It was on last chance sale, so I only paid 200 kronor for it, original price was 700.

I really love the simplicity about it, although this is also a bit on the large side (only one size left), and it will be a bit more tricky to take in. I am actually considering taking it to a professional seamstress, for once, but we’ll see.

greetings from Radio

2011-09-09T12:58:00.012+02:00

I was just introduced to excellent design studio Radio, based in Cape Town, South Africa. I would like all of these as posters on our walls at home, I just love everything about them. Can’t wait to see the rest of the South African provinces coming up as postcards.

My other hometown, Durban, looking as green and lush as it is! We’re going down for at least a month in winter, when summer will have hit the Southern hemisphere in full. It just makes more sense that way, I mean in general. Why suffer through another horrid Northern winter, when we do have the luxury of having a Durban home too?

All pictures belong to Radio.

romantic poetry

2011-09-08T10:43:00.009+02:00

Faber & Faber are publishing a new series of eight hardback poetry books including Byron, Clare, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Shelley, Blake, Burns and Keats. The beautifully designed covers are made by Miriam Rosenbloom, and “draws inspiration from the classic designs of Josiah Wedgwood (who had strong links to the poets from the Romantic period) and references the historical origins of the poems themselves. Inside each volume is a set of glorious bespoke endpapers, created especially to point towards the historical technique of marbling.”

I can only say: job well done. Well done indeed. Here is a short interview with the talented designer about the books.

fauna friends posters

2011-09-07T15:26:00.003+02:00

Found these pretties via Design*Sponge and am thinking about getting my hands on the Koi fish poster, designed by Julian Baker. They are available for purchase here, at $25.

These cuties are also designed by Julian Baker, who seems to be a very talented designer indeed.

Loom rugs

2011-09-06T14:58:00.010+02:00

We are looking for a new big rug for the living room, and maybe a few smaller ones too, so I’m searching for inspiration wherever I can find some. I definitely hit the jackpot at Loom Rugs from Australia. I guess the disadvantage is that I won’t be able to get them, but that is quite often the case, since most big, and beautiful rugs tend to come at a rather big price as well. Enjoy these beauties just as eye candy!

A to Z Archipelago

2011-09-05T10:55:00.016+02:00

Yesterday some links took me to the very inspirational site CreativeRoots, where I discovered this graphic design project from Indonesia that just blew me away! A–Z Archipelago is a decorative font, inspired by Indonesia’s rich and diverse heritage. Each letter captures a piece of Indonesia’s cultural patterns. The side project took over 10 years to complete by Agra Satria and his colleagues. Read more about the project via dgi. Now check it out and be amazed!

I NEED to get my hands on this book, it is one of the most beautiful graphic design books I have ever seen. Everything about it is just perfect, you can tell it is the product of love and hard labour by some seriously talented and passionate people. I thank them for sharing it with the world.

Pretty Peculiarities

French animal collection

dreamy dresses from Secret Squirrel

floral interlude

Vintage Yates

The Decemberists art

Lisa Congdon knows winter

Japanese vintage poster

kokeshi cuties

pretty paper extraordinaire

owl overload!

magical mystery walls

spring candy from Swedish Hasbeens

i see triangles

Durban in my heart

Charlotte Trounce

fine Durban finds

presenting close-ups

Package Project 2011

new beginnings

Merry Christmas to one and all!

christmas is in the tiny details

behind the scenes

early christmas gifts

Christoffer Pettersson

cushion covers to covet

book cover of the day

Dreamy dresses from StutterinMama’s

Desirable Dada’s Diamonds

Clarice Lispector

Sägen porcelain jewellery

wear that book

Kauniste, excellent Finnish design

uncommonly cute

300 particularly pretty penguins?

thank you Pocketchange

The Package Project 2011

The Paraders vintage

bead obsession

explosives in my heart

wear that book

desirable books from Gestalten

Folio Society beauties

pretty modern penguins

Karin Broos, extraordinary painter

ModCloth wish list

hommage to Homa Delvaray

White’s Books pretties

vintage wallpapers

Helene Schjerfbeck

dreamy dresses from Moddie

saving the day

Emma Löfström’s magical universe

balloons

Modernista covers

Orla Kiely goodies

Jennifer Collier: pretty paper art

Luca Barcellona: I take a bow

dreamy dresses from Mrs Pomeranz

superb sunny sunday

book cover of the day

wear that book

Tom Davie

portrait project over at lucky pony

Daren Newman

Adam Hill, you are brilliant!

Matti Klenell

happy birthday

look at my feet

wear that book

penguin presents for myself

more from Pietari Posti

book dreams

two perfect blankets

i want candy

Jumperfabriken autumn 2011

Lizzy Stewart: ships and landscapes

brilliant idea

wear that book

shades of grey