Sparkles Anyone?

One of my favourite Design Indaba covers... I'm not a girly-girl but I love frilly stuff. Now it just needs some sparkles and it will complete my happiness!

SA Design in the News

I picked up a copy of one of my favourite magazines this weekend, Livingetc, to find the first home featured to be of a Cape Town flat.



It's great to see Maria Koutsoudakis' hanging lamps and Haldane Martin's chairs looking so cool together. The clincher for me was that the owner of the place had made the shell chandeliers himself. Impressive, yes?

The Kindness of Strangers

Ah, you know how it can be... life is pretty busy, and you focus on your daily tasks and chores, and then, at times, when things are quiet, you get to reflect. Like over Christmas. This is when I get gifts and messages from home and really just feel that strong connection again. I was writing a post the other day that I haven't posted yet, and its about my favourite Design Indaba magazine cover... from when I was last in South Africa. Three years ago! I couldn't believe it had been that long! I am so glad that we are planning to go back for a visit later this year.

Not sure if Ann at She Wears Shwe Shwe felt the vibes, but I got an email one day from her, saying the new House & Leisure magazine is out and she'll send it to me. I told her that I know it can be pricey, so don't feel obliged. But today the package arrived! I am so touched and just so floored that someone I know only through blogging and a random email would be so kind as to send me something.



There's the mag, but ALSO! the loveliest Christmas card along with some shwe shwe! Oh, man! So cool! And Ann was right! This issue of House & Leisure is just overflowing with great SA design and art and homes. Good reading.

At Christmas, one of my great gifts was a huge piece of shwe shwe fabric that I was planning to make into a bench cushion (I have a bench at my desk because my dog insists on sitting with me while I work).



But I saw a bag I really, really liked and hoped to make with the leftovers. I think I'll use my Ann shwe shwe instead.



Thank you, Ann. You made my month :)

Gemsbok in Boston

As you've seen in other posts on this blog, the work of Leslie MacMillan captures Southern Africa beautifully, as well as other places.



Leslie's work also captures the spirit of people and pets. Right now, she has an exhibit of her work displayed at the Healthworks in Cambridge. If you're in the area, hurry. Its only up until February 2.

Cambridge Healthworks
Porter Square Shopping Center
35 White Street
Tel: (617) 497-4454

You could see some of her portraits...



or pets (hmm, does he look familiar? ;)

Did I mention...

I was spoiled rotten at Christmas time? I got this bag from the fabulous Ros. I love the pattern, but the label is what takes it over the top.

Gelderblom

Check out my post on 2modern about Louise Gelderblom's ceramics.



This image from UK Elle Deco, October 2005.

More Tidings

Another lovely gift for Christmas was some jewellery, from my folks. My mom was inspired by my now collection of skirts, so she got me something that reminded her of African beaded jewellry, so that my look would be complete when I wore my skirts.



Sorry about the pic, the camera is new and I'm still figuring out how to switch off the flash when I don't want it.

Anyway, the details on the clasps are lovely. The bracelet has a rose on it, and next to it, it says "be true". The necklace has got an embellished clasp and it has a little note that says, "believe". A bit schmaltsy, yes, but very pretty. It has a nice weight to it.

The jewellry is by Lana Stefancic, but I couldn't find anything more on her online. A pity, because her work is lovely.

Christmas Tidings

So, I really did get spoiled for Christmas. My good friend Ros came to visit, and she brought along some gifts from home. These skirts are from my mom, and my friend, Kim.



I'd fallen in love with shwe-shwe after seeing another South African's blog, and told my mom I NEEDED to get my hands on some! Kim helped my mom find some and they sent these gorgeous skirts! My fave is the blue, but I do like the stripy one and it's heavy enough fabric that I could maybe wear it on a warmer day in winter. Yipppeee!

If I Had a Dollar for Every Time...

I am a big fan of Skinny LaMinx. Her blogging keeps me up to date with the latest in South Africa and beyond, but she also has a great etsy shop that I like to plunder for gifts (nothing like a handmade something, especially handmade South African something for my American friends) when I'm not buying Carrol Boyes pieces (uh, those are a little pricier, so are reserved for special occasions!)



I even bought the red version of the Orla tea towel for myself (above) and it just rocks my kitchen! Her latest tea towel is one inspired by her post on the spoons in her house, which I blogged about months ago (check it out here) and it was a part of many, many blogs about spoons in many houses.



Now, if you buy her spoon tea towel, a part of the proceeds of the sale go to feeding a school child who needs a meal. You will receive a note explaining the spoon phenomenon and tell you a little more about how it all works. You can use this link to get more info.



Good thinking, Skinny!

The Man in the Spoon

Head on over to 2Modern Design Talk to see my post on Carrol Boyes.



I have a particular love of her work... the details that make each piece special. The weight of the pieces in your hand as you use them... and the character each design is imbued with. As a gift for the women in my wedding party, I bought them each a sugar spoon, and of course each spoon was as unique as the woman who received it.

Bigger Picture, viewed from below

Enjoy this shot from Thinking Picture.

I'm It!

I've been tagged by Caroline. So I've decided to do a little follow-my-leader and share my thoughts on the same subjects as her!



Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I would have loved a horse growing up but my doggies were great! My companions were called Lady, Sandy, Cuddles, and Tosca.
2. My favourite flower is a rose. No, heather! No, a peony! I just can't choose!
3. My favourite car is a Shelby Cobra.
4. I read Enid Blyton (Famous Five, Etc), and Roald Dahl (just like Caroline!), but to be honest anything I could get my hands on, I read
5. I never wear lipstick
6. If I wasn't studying to be a graphic designer I would import African arts, crafts and design.
7. I would love to go to India, just like Caroline.

I tag:

skinny laminx
sprayglue
she wears shwe shwe
fourwalls
empire collective
jezze
happy march

Inspiration

from the latest SA Elle Decor magazine that arrived in my mailbox a couple weeks ago. A little inspiration for Monday :)

Eggs and milk

Check out my post on 2modern today about some of my favourite furniture, from Egg Design.

Oooh!

I love the work of Cape Town artist, Senyol.



Check his blog to see more of his fabulous work.