R.I.P Elizabeth Taylor

Today the iconic beauty that is Elizabeth Taylor passed away. Farewell. Surely she is the most beautiful and sensual woman who ever lived? Those eyebrows! 'The most violet eyes ever seen," that's what people said, though they just looked intensely blue to me. If you've never seen her act watch 'Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf,' a drunken, bitter professors wife, it's her finest hour.

rainy day dream away

[via Studded Hearts]

The weather is dreary at the moment and I can't wait for the sun, sun, sun; even if it is Britain, there's something nostalgic about our summers...

Maypoles, wild flowers, bunting, afternoons spent lolling in the park, bicycle rides along country lanes, dipping your toes in the lake and a whippy ice-cream with a flake in hand! Roll on the summer times.

all about layers

You know, I really wouldn't mind (as much) trekking out in the fierce winds round Manchester today, if I wasn't so board of my threads. I can imagine layer upon layer of mixed fabrics: capes, jackets and jumpers all combined in one with flashes of bright colours. This long coat is from TenOverSix, a vintage store in Los Angeles. 

ikea food styling: Hembakat är Bäst

Whilst treating myself to some interesting images I came across these on Trendland. Once again, Ikea's sheer brilliance, have created their own cookbook and have roped in the help of Evelina Bratell to style it and Carl Kleiner to shoot it. I'm not sure if I'd get full off it, but it's so pretty and colourful.

designer profile: Ashish Gupta

[all images via Ashish UK]

Ashish Gupta's fusion of Western and Eastern cultures results in eccentric and unique collections with a mix of sportswear and high octane glamour, what breathtaking craftsmanship. He has a great eye for colour and fabric proportions, teaming comfy knits with sparkle and bold pattern. The beautiful, handcrafted pieces are all manufactured in-house at his factory in India; I'm sad to hear this. Ashish has also collaborated with my favourite high-street fashion store, on a 'Ashish for Topshop' casual range.

ooh la la

What lady-like optimism, energy and playful romps through the city streets of Paris.
The Miss Dior 'Cherie' campaign, directed by Sofia Coppola.

[via google images]

A girl with a beret and ribboned Dior boxes- because it's so charming to shop the Avenue Montaigne on a bike. Or the pastel balloon bouquet lifting 'Cherie' high above Paris which puts the ending of Le Ballon Rouge (1956) in mind. It's for chic, grown-up, fuschia-pink wearing big girls. Le irony, le insouciance, le charm, le tounge-in-check... chesnut trees, vintage magazines, the girl with white cyclamen and balloons. Bridgette Bardot 'ye ye song.'


The perfume was launched in 205 by John Gallinao. He cities his inspiration from Stevie Wonder's 'My Cerie Amour,' and a vintage gown from the Dior archives called 'Cherie."
Pinks, pastels, soaring and with a 1960s French pop-girl soundtrack- what's not to love.

le ballon rouge

[see film here]

A short film by Albert Lamorisse. I am smitten over this film, based in 1950's Paris. It is the most charming little film- the architecture, the old cars, the Parisian children in their vintage school clothes and the adorable French boy with his trousers hiked up and shirt tucked in. It brings a smile to my face.


"Le Ballon Rouge tells a simple tale of childhood innocence, completely untainted by false sentimentality. It is a short film, which manages to avoid dialogue mostly, and it has a surprisingly great deal to say about human nature, showing both the best and worst of humanity in a modern parable that speaks to everyone, whether five or ninety-five."

James Travers, 2001

just a dash of yellow

It's been a while since any mention of yellow. So to celebrate another rainy day in Manchester, here's some yellow to brighten up my day and colour your home...

[via the hunt Beautiful]

[via design*sponge]

[via Live.Like.You]

[Graham & Brown wallpaper via good with style]

granny chic

[via wood & wool stool]

[via trash fashion]

Ingrid Jasen, out of the Netherlands, makes adorable stools from reclaimed wood and covers them with crotchet squares. Delightful. Meanwhile at London Fashion Week, Henry Holland is also making a case for 'bring back granny' in his A/W 11 collection, with combinations of bingo, crotchet and budgerigars. Okay, it doesn't sound sexy but Henry Holland you make it work.

Also found this pair of granny square leggings whilst flicking through a magazine, from 'Romance was Born.'

[New Yorker Magazine]

conjunct: Ingrid Baars

[images via Ingrid Baars]

I find some of Ingrid Baars' work rather disturbing at times, despite this, there is a sensuality about them, with soft light and nudity. Her montages are pure brilliance, she uses blunt, conjunct shapes, with mixtures of monochrome and bold colours, almost flashing across the surface of the image. Very 'Dadaesque,' even an element of Francis Bacon flickers to mind at times.

pop-up colour board...

[Kate Spade's pop-up shop via my daily]

As my tutor Rachel Kelly mentioned,'it is vital to talk the industries language.' Think colour boards, fashion and textile trends. In review of that here's some inspiration, pop-up style...

This Kate Spade's pop-up store in London, mixes a great colour palette with busy salon hung paintings in bright pops of colour with clean furniture.

aix en provence

[image via Jacquiline Price]

English artist Jacquiline Price took a South of France trip and took pictures of doors. She's my kinda lady! This is what I dreamt of today whilst walking the rainy streets of Manchester. In response to this I will begin my own collection of doors. Watch this space...

splash & dash of yellow

[via obsession mia]

Yellow makes everything better 

my universe: Rob Ryan

[via Pinterest]

Rob Ryan's work is simple, straight forward, what you see is what you get. I love the narrative within his work; it tumbles head first into romance. His imagery comes from a quirky narrative world filled with ribbons, birds, women in dresses and the most unexpected couples; a place where love is triumphant and modernity stays at bay. Maybe people relate to his work because of this romantic element? I guess love is a thing we all aspire to receiving and giving. Love is something we all hunger for deep down.

the star shine all day too

[via Etsy]

Every night at the same time

I go outside to look up at the moon.

I hold it tight and think of where you might be,

a thousand miles away looking up at the same night sky,

I feel you in my heart thinking of me.

This same moon that looked on my parents

and on your parents that there ever were,

looks down on us now still sharing it's light.

These same stars and this same sky 

hang over both you and I.

In my dreams and in my heart

 they help us feel less apart.

Rob Ryan

strangeland

[via Snapshot Fiction]

greening our cities

100 Union Street, Urban Orchard...

Images © Lowri Drakley, 2011

Images © Lowri Drakley, 2011

My trip to the London Festival of Architecture opened my eyes to the reality of enhancing our urban environment and sparked food for thought on my dissertation question, 'The Evolution of Garden Design, its Effects and Importance upon British Society.' Throughout South Bank, there are ongoing community projects restoring elements of the wilderness back to the city, improving the urban space. 


As I made my way from Southwark to London Bridge station, I stumbled upon a community urban orchard. Protected by three walls, with an evocative train-line running overhead; a space filled with apple, pear, cherry and quince trees, blackberry bushes, strawberry plants and buzzing with interested passers-by and local residents relaxing, pottering  and socializing in the bright sunlight, what a fantastic sight. It was great to see people coming together and creatively getting involved with their surroundings.