Archive for June, 2009

I like to say that I don’t do mornings. Unless they’re lazy Sunday mornings, when I can linger as long as I’d like in bed, listening to the birds outside my window.

1-3. Modern Birdhouses’ Case Study Masters Series, honors the architectural pioneers who participated in the Case Study Houses Program. Ralph, after Ralph Rapson’s iconic Greenbelt House design; Richard, inspired by the Case Study Houses designed by Richard Neutra; J.R. was inspired by Case Study House #1, designed by J. R. Davidson and built in 1946. Find them at Modern Birdhouses. // 4-6. Eva Solo’s bird feeder, bird table, and bird box.

A few years ago, I bought a gorgeous uncut quartz ring by Pippa Small. I loved how the raw stone looked like sea-washed glass, which reminded me of growing up in the tropics. Pippa Small’s work is inspired by her travels and many of her collections were created with the intent of benefiting indigenous communities.

// 1. Pippa Small’s Charm Necklace with uncut chunks of emerald, aquamarine, tourmaline, kunzite and bird charm, from her Charity Turquoise Mountain collection. The range uses locally sourced gold and minerals, and helps raise money for the Turquoise Mountain School for Jewellry in Afghanistan. Image source // 2. Detail of Small’s necklace // 3. Pippa Small rings. Image from Ok LA, where her jewelry is available.

Self-proclaimed Dadaist, Tom Binns says that he may treat diamonds with remarkable negligence and then hold a piece of beach glass with great nobility. About his anti-conformist pieces, he has said, “Jewelry is always a treasure, and though it may not be made of gold and diamonds, it should still have that sentiment.”

// 4. Tom Binns’s necklace from his Beauty Without Cruelty collection, 18K white gold chains with violence- and devastation-free diamonds.

Farrah Dragon’s organic-looking jewelry is made with eco-conscious efforts. All metals used are either 100% recycled or obtained from socially and environmentally conscious sources. Gemstones are lab made, yet identical to indigenous gems.

// 5-6. Farrah Dragon’s crystal necklace, available at This Is Auto; beetle ring with lab emerald, available at Rose Ark.

Peace.

Bass Weejuns, at Opening Ceremony & Balmain S/S ‘09, image source.

I have a thinly veiled fascination for lace. As with all things so-pretty, I think lace is much more effective when kept in small doses at a time. I love how designer, Aurelie Bidermann, wears her gold lace cuffs with a simple vintage frock (watch the video at Style).

1. Photo by Thiemo Sander (styled by Laurence Alexandre, hair by Maxime Mace, makeup by Carole Lasnier) for Elle Magazine Oct ‘05 // 2. Aurelie Bidermann’s incredible gold-dipped, antique lace cuff, spotted at Chicintown. Pink gold version at Luisa Via Roma // 3. Maison Martin Margiela’s laminated lace clutch, on sale at ELuxury // 4. I believe in love at first sight. Givenchy lace booties. Although I’m almost more in love with the flat version // 5. Kulla’s recycled shutter room divider // 6. Anemone table and lamp of sandblasted glass, powder coated metal and bits of hand-made lace by Anna-Katriina Tilli and Mari Relander. Lamp available at Gnr8.

Jimmy Choo for H&M

In addition to shoes, the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection will include bags and women’s clothing. See full article online at the Wall Street Journal. Image source, tFS.

While Choos are some of the most comfortable heels I own, I’ve never personally braved an H&M designer collaboration launch since I hear they can my be pure anarchy. If this collection lands in SF, my curiosity might get the best of me.

I dream of Alexander McQueen. 1. Alexander McQueen’s elm tree-inspired dress from his F/W 08-09 collection. Image source // 2. Tree Bomb silk pillow from Ferm Living // 3. Bangle from Colette Malouf’s Gold Branch Collection, shown on a Black Forest Plate by Bodo Sperlein for Dibbern, available at Rose and Radish // 4. Branches wall sticker by Ferm Living // 5. Four Seasons Cups by Bailey Doesn’t Bark, also available at Etsy.

Tim Burton Directs Disney’s Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland is scheduled to come out next year. Helena Bonham Carter plays the Red Queen, with Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and someone named Mia Wasikowska as Alice. Best of all, Johnny Depp is in it.

Click on link for image source and to see an appropriately insane-looking Depp as the Mad Hatter.

Need a bright idea for what to do with that trashy novel once you’re done with it?

1. Table of books from designer Richard Hutten’s Layers series. Read more about it at Design Boom // 2. Original Genuine Bookshelf wallpaper by Deborah Bowness // 3-4. Atelier Bom Design’s lamps made from reclaimed books // 5. Pringle of Scotland shop window, spotted on a trip to Hong Kong last year // 6. Detail of Pringle shop window.

Whether tough like Tom Meyer’s tangled metal and pearls, or Lanvin’s sweet, ribboned version, with an irreverent take on the classic pearl necklace, no one will mistake you for Barbara Bush. Much respect to Michelle Obama and her Tom Binns.

1. Fallon’s Deadly Pearl necklace, Shopbop // 2. Thea Grant’s layered Water necklace // 3. Tom Meyer’s Tangle Collar, Barney’s // 4. Tie on Lanvin’s glass pearl and ribbon choker, Barney’s // 5. Antique pearls, rhinestones and hand-dyed ribbon necklace by Subversive Jewelry. Image source.

Or make like I do, wear the hand-me-down pearls, knotted then layered with your collection of old tangled chains. Grandma would be so proud.

Gap Design Editions 2009

Gap is releasing its Design Editions with the CFDA/Vogue fashion fund nominees, Alexander Wang, Albertus Swanepoel, Vena Cava’s Lisa Maycock and Sophie Buhai. As opposed to past editions, which had designers doing their spin on the white button-down shirt, this year’s collection is inspired by the classic Gap Khaki.

I’m prepared to like this collection. I’m quite fond of my Alexander Wang slouchy tees from 2007 and I’m a fan of Vena Cava’s referential patterns. In fact, the Vena Cava for Gap items remind me of a cardigan I own and a dress I had — which I gave to a friend since I bought the wrong size.

Image source.

ETA: Gap Design Editions. The tiny Alexander Wang shorts are much cuter in person, at least they were on my sis-in-law.