made with love

Jenny of Wikstenmade has for long been a designer whose clothes I love. Simple cuts and lovely fabrics. Here are some pieces from her lastest collection.

Images: Wikstenmade

bloggirl no. 1

Hello. I'm Lauren and I live in Glenwood, Durban with my mister. I work as a copywriter and creative co-ordinator. It's nice to meet ya!

THE CLOTHES ON YOUR BACK
Describe your personal style: By day: Thrifted and vintage mixed with everyday basics. By night: Granny meets kid in a dress-up store.
One thing in your wardrobe you can’t live without: A pleated black skirt
Favourite designer: Miu Miu
Favourite brand: Topshop
Signature staple: A cardi, tank, and A-line skirt
Favourite accessory: My pocketwatch pearly necklace
Last purchase: A black maxi skirt - it's so comfy

LIFE AS YOU KNOW IT
What inspires you: Happy people who follow their hearts, songs, movies, blogs... Inspiration is everywhere
Must-haves: Cozy pyjamas and a cuppa tea
Influences: Too many to mention - bloggers, bands, photographers...
Favourite thing about your job: Everyday brings something new and fun
Hardest thing about your job: Can't complain at all. I'm lucky to have a job that I love so much
Biggest indulgence: Can't even think of one! Maybe my camera?
Guilty pleasures: Chocolate and South Park

FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT
Book you’re currently reading: About to start The Carrie Diaries, which a friend bought for me. Nice friend, eh?
Last movie you loved: Crumbs, can't even remember. 2 Days in Paris, perhaps
Items you keep purchasing over and over: Ivory foundation from Woolies
Favourite magazine:Lula
CD on repeat: The Kills
Bloggers you follow: Niotillfem, Elsa Billgren, The Day Book, and A Beautiful Mess

STOMPING GROUNDS
Favourite store: The Space
Favourite restaurant: Market
Best place to hear music: Camden Town
Favourite domestic travel spot: Cape Town
Favourite international travel spot: London
Places you love to go in your city: The I Heart Market, Antiques Cafe, and a couple of random thrift stores
Go-to shopping destination: Thrift stores
Favourite online retail shop: Asos

Thanks Lauren for being the first bloggirl to take part in my series! It was so fun hearing more about you. Now I wanna hear from all of you out there! Just send me a mail or comment... Do it now!

celebrate the years

So, I was watching Oprah the other day. She was talking to 'old' supermodels such as Cheryl Tiegs, Beverly Johnson, and Stephanie Seymour. Paulina Porizkova, who is one of my fave models from the eighties, had this to say: "Nothing ages as badly as a beautiful woman's ego". So true, but also quite sad. I mean, look at this woman below. One can see she was attractive as a girl, but I think she's just as beautiful as an older woman with her grey hair, red lips, and youthful, yet elegant outfit.

I really wish more of us would embrace the years that are given to us, and not bemoan every birthday. As Porizkova also said: "Ageing is a priviledge, not a birthright".

Image: That kind of woman

yes? no?

Alright, see this retro sofa? It's for sale for R4 000. It was recently re-upholstered. And it's the nicest one I've seen in a long time. And it's comfy. And one can push down the back to make it a sleeper couch. But is R4 000 too much? What do you think? Please comment and let me know. I'd really appreciate it!

deco-great

I bought this book from The Space today. I'm not usually a fan of decor books since there are so many decor blogs and mags out there these days, but I couldn't resist this one.

And then I went onto Vamp Furniture's blog and spotted this chair. It wouldn't look out of place in the homes in the book. Unfortunately, Vamp is in Cape Town, so the chair and I won't have any kind of future together.

Image: Vamp

brrrr, backpacks & blogger series

Hmmm. It's kinda difficult writing a blog post in bed because it is freezing cold and windy outside and the thought of getting out of bed is just laughable. It's also pretty tricky writing a blog post when a kitty has decided she wants to sit on your lap, blocking the laptop screen, because she is cold...

Anyway. According to Refinery 29, backpacks are back!

"Even if you've graduated from college, aren't a tourist, or are more apt to carry a spare pair of flats in your bag than granola and a canteen, fashionable backpacks for women are still a fine bag option. There's something so pleasantly insouciant about a sweet, feminine dress paired with a tough little backpack. Besides, it frees up your hands, keeps your shoulders balanced, and comes in a slew of fun patterns and shapes to keep things interesting."

Good thing I found these ones on Between 10 and 5's online shop. They are by Church, a local design company. I think I like the green one the most.

P.S. I am currently working on a blogger series that I hope to unveil/launch soonest. If any of you awesome blog girls and woman out there wanna be part of the series (it's about fashion, shopping, etc.), please send me a mail or comment below. Thanks!

Images: Between 10 and 5, Church

ag man

So Spence and Missibaba are having a sale. In Joburg. This weekend. Argh. I wonder if this Christopher Strong skirt that I've had my eye on for like ever and blogged about before will be on sale? Argh.

Image: Spence

work station

So I have a large trestle table (actually just a door resting on trestles) that I work at. Thing is, it takes up loads of space. Space our flat doesn't have. So, I am looking for a new table. It just needs to house my laptop, a small light, and some books. Something like this red one would be ideal. But of course isn't available in this country. And thus the search continues...

Image: Who knows. If you do, please comment!

like something out of a horror movie

The husband and I had a traumatising day yesterday. The reason? Cockroaches. I found like dozens living in the cupboard under the sink. I hadn't looked in their in a month or three, but didn't think I had any reason to. I mean, there was just old magazines, paint, a watering can, and camping chairs in there, right? Oh yeah. And maybe a bag of cat food that the cats didn't like and I had planned on donating to an animal shelter? Hmmm. That kinda slipped my mind... Let's just say cockroaches and cat food equals mucho amounts of smelly euweeness. Anyhoo, my mind is still a little frazzled from the smell of the bleach and disinfectant, so I'm just going to brag about this print I bought a while ago from Wolves. It's by Frank Weber and I think it's the coolest thing ever.

 Image: Lucky Pony

into the wild

So forests are great and all with their streams, trees, birds, and other creatures. However, they do kinda scare me. I think I am probably still suffering from post-traumatic stress after watching The Blair Witch Project ages ago. I would rather meet a bear than some crazy person in the forest. That's how bad it is.

Anyway, that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a pretty cool cabin and it does look super nice and peaceful in this little clearing in the woods.

This one is cool too.

But this is just plain scary.

And this is just plain beautiful.

And the last one, which may be my favourite.

Images: Between the Woods and the Water

patriot

So I was watching the Sama's (South African Music Awards) last night and one of my favourite musicians, Vusi Mahlasela, performed one of my favourite songs, Say Africa. Do yourself a favour and watch this video.

por favor

Do any of you super awesome American readers of mine want to ship these equally awesome Urban Outfitters stuff to me in South Africa? Alternatively, you could make a sign and protest in front of the Urban Outfitters HQ. The sign should read: UO FOR SA!! SA NEEDS UO!!

Images: Urban Outfitters

growing the brand (part 2)

I really am quite serious about this opening my own shop thing. I just need to find a space and win the lottery. I know I said I wanted it to look like Der Kleine Salon, but now I think I want it to look like Mohawk General Store. I know, they couldn't look more different. But I promise I don't have multiple personalities.

Images: Mohawk General Store 

adorn me

How insanely gorgeous are these diamond studs from Love, Adorned? I don't usually like gold, but it looks great with these colours.

Images: Love, Adorned

in the heat of the desert sun

My obsession with all things Native American/Cowboy/Great Wide Open-inspired continues...

Images: Wikstenmade, Style, Love, Adorned, A Desert Fete

material girl

Marimekko fabrics are wowee. Would love to make hundreds of scatter cushions with these...

 Images: Finnstyle

winter hibernation

It never gets very cold in Durban, which actually makes me a little sad. I am used to my hometown where the temperature usually goes below freezing at night. I do love curling up in bed with a book, big slab of chocolate, and electric blanket.

This looks like a great home to hibernate in during a long, cold winter...

Images: Skona Hem via My Scandinavian Retreat

le petit bébé

I visited a friend today who has an adorable 7-month-old baby boy. I love babies - they are so warm and squeezable. Sigh. One day...

P.S. Yes, I do know they get bigger and less cute, just like puppies and kittens.

Images: Bettina von Zwehl via A Cup of Jo

slim cropped pants

Where oh where in South Africa will I find pants with this kinda cut? If you know, let me know, please. I am obsessed with them.

Images: J.Crew