Misfits

Check out THIS amazing collection of stills from The Misfits. The final finished film by both Clark Gable Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller was also involved in the making of the film - the dynamic on the set must have been incredible. 

In my parents house there is a very large framed picture of Clark Gable which I used to gaze at as a child - I've liked him for a very long time, the epitome of 'dream man'.

You Rang M'Lord

Over the past few weeks I have really been enjoying watching You Rang M'Lord - a fabulous sitcom made by the BBC which ran from 1988 - 1993.

It has been the show to get me through these past few rainy weeks of so called summer. The characters are brilliantly developed - thanks to Mr Perry and Mr Croft the legendary sitcom writers of the era (most famed for Dads Army). My favourite is Ivy the naive but sweet maid, played by the wonderful Su Pollard.

The story centres on the tale of the family upstairs - the Meldrums, and the servants downstairs. The tales of the working class folk and the rich, who are all as ridiculous as each other! It can be farcical and very funny, but the mixture of  heart with cynicism is why I love it so much. 

What's more, as the show is set in the 1920s / 30s it hasn't dated, speaking of which - the costumes and set are brilliant.

Jubilee Things!

There are lots and lots of things I love about the jubilee... but I especially like all of the limited edition packaging that's around at the moment. Regular household things are suddenly a lot cooler. I really like the reproductions of the 1952 packaging as seen on kellogs boxes and Heinz tins.

Classic Training

So I've really been getting into vintage shopping and I've become obsessed with Doris Day - so much so that I dressed as her for a fancy dress party a few weeks ago, french pleat and all!

I came across this brilliant website which is filled with lots of traditional, ladylike tips for living in the modern world. In the about section Mariah states: 'I’m always searching for ways to bring old-fashioned class to my thoroughly modern life' This is like an online version of live alone and like it! Check out Quite Continental Charm Schooll for some great advice, such as giving a hostess gift, to wearing pajamas and drinking more gin!

(All images via Quite Continental.)

Spring is Never Far Away..

A lovely bunch of freesia's to celebrate spring...

I love an understated bunch of freesias, the perfect spring-time flower. Buy a bunch for someone else, if you can, as they stand for last friendship, pureness and grace, (my Mum bought these...) check out the new dyptique Le Langage des fleurs web page...




(Top two photos my own, illustration linked to Dyptique.)

Sofia Coppola's Hotel

... well, her Dad's hotel, but she has her own room. You can really see a lot of her films in this beautiful space, namely, the soft colours and tranquility. The courtyards and large windows are filled with romance and the place is filled with sophistication.
Amazing. It's in the Coppola family's hometown in Italy and the building is a transformed 19th century palazzo. Imgaine how fabulous summers spent here would be... ahh.




(Photos found in WSJ magazine)

Vintage Shopping in Berkhamstead

Home and Colonial is 'one of the UK's most attractive and innovative antique and interior shops.' And, yes it's certainly a very attractively laid out vintage shop. The mid-century furniture is especially cool. There's a nice cafe on the top floor too, so you can stop for a cup of tea. None of the goods especially caught my eye, apart from a beautiful art deco chair.

This place is worth a visit, but it's far from perfect. There is too much 'vintage style' items for my liking. Pretend art deco lamps for the same price as a real one are not my bag. Like lots of vintage shops, the stuff is grossly over-priced. I recommend going for browsing purposes only, great for a Sunday afternoon!

Stockholm Design and Light Fair

On the last day of our trip to Stockholm we went to the Design Fair, which provided us with wall-to-wall inspiration and was a real treat for the eyes!

The main themes which attracted me were amazing bright prints, natural materials and plants, pops of colour and stylish designs. There was a spirit of interpretation and reinvention.

There was very much an 'inward, outward' vibe going on and I noticed nods towards modern design and global innovations mixed with traditional Swedish aesthetics.









(Photos are once again via lovely Cara, found here)

Stockholm

I've left my heart in Stockholm.

It is one of the most beautiful cities I have been to, if not the most. We were staying in the bohemian area of Sodermalm (aka Soder) which was excellent; an area filled with lots of cool shops, cafes, bars and people.


Stockholm is set over 14 islands, and the vast amount of water in the city created expansive views and at night the houses and buildings by the waters edge reflected and twinkled in icy water. The days were short, but the light of the city reflected in the snow and the bars and cafes emitted an inviting candlelit glow come nightfall.


The people:
It's true. All the Swedish people we saw were beautiful. I fell in love with a different beautiful man with every step. What's more, every Swede I came into contact with so lovely and pleased to talk. Everyone was upbeat and generally happy.


The Style:
Amazing. I want to dress like a Swede (and I'm going to try to.) The street style was beyond cool and seemed to encompass the whole Stockholm attitude.
Colours were muted and cuts were clever. It's all about the layers and Swedish women seem adept at putting together a very modern silhouette. Broadly, I found it more dynamic than British style and more androgynous. Like Stockholm itself, it seems that dressing is all about pairing innovation with tradition. Typically, COS slouchy jumpers and Acne chiffon will be worn with a vintage handbag and iconic red lipstick.
And the boys all had the best style. It was a uniform of rolled jeans, cool boots, a big coat, a thick jumper, a beard and a little woollen hat. Their hair was also neat and their faces beautiful. Like I said, I fell in love constantly.


The Galleries:
We went to the Moderna Museet and The Museum of Architecture which are housed inside an old power plant on a small island. We boarded a ferry which was fun and upon arrival enjoyed taking in the beautiful island with fantastic views and boats moored in the ice. The island was very peaceful and the museums were great.

Fotografiska is a must see. It's a an old customs house on a Quay close to Soder. The exhibitions were brilliant and the photographic exhibition space is the best I've ever visited. It's a destination in itself, with a lovely cafe/bar on the top floor (where I had the most amazing carraway seed bun.) It's open til 9pm every night which meant it was a great way wind down on Friday evening after all our site-seeing.


The Hostel
Skanstulls Hostel, a stone's throw from Soder comes highly recommended. It's cheap and very comfortable and attracts all sorts of young cool types. Spending time in the communal kitchen and dining area was fun. There were also scented candles, free tea, coffee, pasta, muesli and Internet access. What more could a girl want?

I seriously want to live in Stocholm. It's so stylish, creative and generally enjoyable. I found I gelled with this city better than any other, including London.. which I love. Stockholm just has better vibes. I cannot wait to return!


PS: COST - nowhere near as expensive as I was scared into believing. I bought some great clothes, both new and vintage for tiny amounts. I didn't pay more than £5 for a beer, despite visiting some seriously trendy bars. The food was pricey, but good value as the quality was fantastic. Travel was brilliantly easy and very cheap - far, far cheaper than the London Underground and vastly superior.

All photos taken by my lovely friend Cara, who can be found online.. here.

Yayoi Kusama at Tate

I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern for months now, and it certainly didn't disappoint. It's probably one of, if not THE most exciting exhibition I've ever been to.

I recommend that everyone go, especially so that they can take in the amazement of the Infinity Mirror Room. At first it's disorientating, but once you have your bearings and trust the space you start to look into infinity. You feel like you're floating in outer space.

The brilliant polka dot living room scene was described by The Guardian as being 'far from joyful,' I have to disagree. The room is like a fabulous disco, it's how Kusama views the world; it's weird, and brightly coloured, absolutely bizarre; totally vibrant and surreal - just like her life.



(The photos are all via The Guardian, and yes, that figure lurking about the place is me.)