Monkeying Around

It’s been a busy, busy work week for me, so let’s continue the trend and take a look at this amazing workspace in Cape Town, as seen on House & Leisure's website. Its where Monkey Films live. Here’s their online home (click here)











I mean, I work with some pretty amazing people but I think our workspace could look a little more awesome, please!

Right, now we’ve got all jealous about how someone else works, let’s forget it! It’s the weekend! Turn off that computer! Go enjoy yourself! You deserve it ;)

On Blue Pool Road

One of my favourite blogs to read is Blue Pool Road - its the record of inspiration by Peggy Wong, a designer with a great eye. Every post is so carefully considered and beautiful.







She just got back from travelling. I could lost for hours in her pics.













Such an inspiration for anyone, especially other designers like me.

I See It In the Clouds

As I say ad naseum, the awesome thing about the internets is the people you meet. Or, in this case, those you reconnect with.

After writing about Frances last week, she got in touch with me and told me about a project she is doing besides her photography. She has a little etsy shop. There isn't much to buy but what she sells is not little at all.



I think it would look beautiful with anything. Love it.

Thanks

I'm absolutely in love with the work of the Rifle Paper Co. All delightfully beautiful and unique. This is the cherry on top - gorgeous illustration with a foiled Thanks.



And they have puppies! And mermaids! And stripes! Check out more here.

Frances Janisch

So, a million years ago when I interned at Elle Decor SA for a blink of an eye, I happened to work with the talented photographer Frances Janisch. Frances is Stateside like me, now, and continuing with her fabulous work.





















And Frances also has a blog, where we can get a daily dose of her yummy food photography.

Spotted in Lonny

While reading Lonny last week, I came across this home. Loved it. How could I not? It a fabulou beachy vibe.



It also had little surprises in it - photos above the desk, of Cape Town, by Beth O'Donnell.



And a Zulu Mama chair.

Cousins

I love this pic from this month's Vogue - yes, there are four beautiful women in four beautiful dresses, but don't you wonder what they're saying to each other?



The article didn't live up to the photo. But I did enjoy this article (and the photo was beautiful, too!)

One Kings Lane

If you're an interior decor nut like me, and live in the US, I'm sure you've already signed up for One Kings Lane... I've only bought one thing from the site but the daily inspiration is a fantastic addition to my inbox, everyday around noon.







These were for sale last week, so are gone already, but I do love their nautical and dramatic aura. Feels like there must be a story behind them... I would hang in them in my island getaway (if I had one!), a la India Hicks style.

What the World Holds For You

Something we all need to remember, when Monday mornings seem glum, we need that extra cup of coffee, and maybe we need to think back and remember our childhood dreams.



Thank you Lana, your blog is always inspiring and uplifting.

Cape Town in Lonny magazine

Spotted in the new Lonny Magazine... not sure how "get the look" is connected to the location. If they'd done a small bit of research, they would've known South African water is perfectly good to drink.



Have a great weekend!

Bionic Man: Oscar Pistorius

I look forward to reading the Style section of the New York Times every week, and so today was a special pleasure when I went online and saw these eyes looking back at me.



It's Oscar Pistorius, South African sprinter. And bionic man, if you keep reading.



Oscar features in the new Thierry Mugler fragrance campaign, which highlights Oscar's unique feature - he runs with prosthetic blades as he was born without fibulas in his legs. There has been a bit of controversy surrounding Oscar, if you haven't already heard about it. He wants to compete with able-bodied athletes but there are concerns that those amazing blades would give him an unfair advantage.

Well, that may all still be up in the air but two things are for sure: good for Thierry Mugler for widening the net of how beauty is represented in the fashion world and the media, and boy, do we South Africans produce some good looking individuals.

Read the article here, where I got these images.

Missing Missibaba

If you're familiar with South African design, and with my blog, you may have noticed that I've never blogged about Missibaba. Well, its because I really try to blog about stuff I love, I don't blog about things just because they're South African. And you see, Missibaba makes wonderful stuff, its just not quite my taste.

But the other day I came across this post on Babazeka, and it got me to go to their website for the first time in ages. And I saw this bag. LOVE IT.




Gorgeous! So go over to their website and take a look, you might find something that you love, too. Or their etsy store... I'm not sure I have the $525 for the bag, but I can enjoy it from afar. Sigh.



Do you like stripes? You may like this one too!

It's Beautiful on Design*Sponge

Look what I spotted on a Design*Sponge sneak peek the other day... isn't that Heath Nash's It's Beautiful Here? Look! On the right, the hooks...



That's right! Awesome South African stuff, just popping up everywhere. You can read what I had to say about Heath Nash over here, on 2modern.

Albertus Swanepoel for Target

A while back I missed him at the gap, but hopefully I won't miss Albertus Swanepoel for Target in October. Not sure what he's going to offer, but the hats won't be more than just under $20. Not bad.








Pic from Forbes, his collection for Stetson and Gap

Mrs O in South Africa

What did I love about Michelle Obama in SA? A lot, but this most of all - her and Desmond having some fun.

Mix and Match

Here's something for the beginning of the week - I've printed it out and hung it at my desk. Reminds me of sun salutations, not just because the words are similar, but the intention behind both ideas.



Salutation to the Dawn
Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of beauty
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow only a vision
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.
- Kalidasa, Indian Poet

Its from My Salmagundi, which I'm sure will be making appearances again.

From Cape Town

From Dispatches From Cape Town.

Have a great weekend, everyone!