Old Skool Spook

Happy Halloween everyone! This year we've had quite a few little monsters at our front door, which is more than last year (it was dead quiet around here, har har). There was a Frankenstein, a few princesses, some just plain old scary monsters, a fairy, Tinkerbell, a bumblebee, Spiderman and some others. I'm glad the teenagers didn't stop at my stoep because I didn't want to have to tell them that they are too old for trick or treating.

My best story from tonight? Our new neighbours upstairs left a note on their door that said, "Sorry! No candy - baby sleeping, please do not ring doorbell". Interesting that they are a bunch of single grad students!

I thought it would be fitting tonight to share some pics I took last summer down on Cape Cod, in one of Barnstable's oldest cemetries, Lothrop Hill Cemetery. Some of them are just beautifully made, and others have become more beautiful as the time passes and the lichens grow.

On Pitch

If you are lucky enough to be in New York in the next month, make sure you stop by RH Gallery to see Paul Edmunds' exhibition, Pitch.



If you're like me, and a bit slow when it comes to contemporary art you should watch this video. Why? Because Paul talks about how his work correlates to music (true! I can almost hear the sounds) and that made me "see" the work more easily.







Also because if you are a designer/artist/been in an art class you will laugh because he talks about erasing pencil with bread, and you will gasp because HE USES A MECHANICAL PENCIL (I strongly object, although I draw the line *cough*cough* at sharpening with a knife).

Joburg Photowalkers

When I was at university I took an amazing photography course in an area of Johannesburg called Newtown. I learned a lot. About photography, myself, Newtown and also the wonderful people I did the course with. So I only have admiration (and some jealousy!) for the Joburg Photowalkers - they get together every month and, as their website says, "explore Joburg through a lens, one photo walk at a time".

Beautiful photos (there's even some of Newtown! The first one is the old Park Station in Newtown, right behind the buildings where I developed my first film.)



















You can like them on facebook and see all their photos, or find out more on their website. I encourage you to click on the images to see them larger, and each photo is titled, with the photographer's name.

House Stalking

I'm taking a leaf from one of my favourite blogs, desire to inspire, and sharing some house stalking. I love this house (I've been calling it the Marlin House) right near picturesque Christmas Cove, Maine.



Literally up the street from a small harbor, and some of the most beautiful coastline in Maine, its a catch (*cough*cough*). It's got that old, comfy house feeling going on, y'know, like visiting the summer house that's been in the family for generations. Great for feeling relaxed and totally not caring if you still have sand on your feet when you walk in.







Well priced at $265,000, it can be yours. Check out more here. Just be sure to invite me over next summer!

Fall in New England

This really is the best time of year around here. 2011 has been especially kind - we've had warm days, crisp nights, and lots of sun. The colours have been glorious, so I thought I'd share some of what I'm seeing around Boston, not only in terms of the autumn display but some great Halloween decorations too!









And now for the scary variety! Be sure to look for the bats in the fourth image.













PS: A big thank you to my friend Andrea who took the beautiful pic of the purple 'mums!

Florence Broadhurst meets Kate Spade

I nearly jumped out of my chair at work today. I was looking around the ol' internets for some inspiration, when I discovered that Kate Spade has done a new range using Florence Broadhurst's designs. Oh, heavens!! I'm a big fan of both, so this is just up my alley.

Debut

It's funny to me how things never happen in isolation - a couple week's back I wrote about Fable wines, and then last week Debutant, from De Kleine Wijn Koop (they have google translator on their site), shows up on The Dieline.



With a spellbinding design by the talented peeps at Fanakalo (read more about them here), it made one of my American non-wine drinking work buddies say, if he were to drink wine it would be this. Indeed.

Click on the image to see it bigger and marvel at it's awesomeness.

What Women Want

Women can make a difference in this world. We have proof: three Nobel prize winners this year.



I strongly believe women are an under-used, under-utilised and sometimes abused resource in our world. Thanks to Ansie, I have an exciting opportunity to share.



Today, more than 600 million girls live in the developing world. Approximately one-quarter of these girls are not in school.
Adolescent girls are uniquely capable of raising the standard of living in the developing world. It has been shown: she will reinvest her income and knowledge back into her family and her community. As an educated mother, an active citizen, an ambitious entrepreneur or prepared employee, a girl will break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
That is the Girl Effect.
Yet, despite her proven potential, she is more likely to be uneducated, a child bride, and exposed to HIV/AIDS. Less than two cents of every international development dollar is directed at her.

If this moves you, you can do something. Go to the Girl Effect website and see how you can be someone who helps a woman make a difference.

Knysna by the Sea

I spent one of my favourite of all time holidays in Knysna - how could I not? Being on the water, good food, beautiful forests near by, boats, trains and going to Featherbed and having the best fish I've ever had. The only thing that would've made it better was if I stayed at this house that I spotted on House & Leisure's website this week.

















I love the black exterior, corrugated iron roof and walls inside, the wood panelling, the lived-in feel... it looks like bliss.