Weekend Links

Here are the links for this weekend, they're a mix of art, fashion, food and literature and a little in between. I hope you have a good weekend. I'm off to work on an artist profile + interview that will be posted some time tomorrow. Enjoy wherever you are and check out this cafe in Aix-en-Provence, called Les Deux Garçons where Picasso, Cezanne, Camus and Zola used to frequent. And yes, the coffee was perfect... as always in France.

1.  The changing face of Etsy:  Can Rob Kalin Scale Etsy?

2.  Tina Fey on her new book:  Bossypants

3.  Short interview with Garance Dore on Jay-Z's new blog Life + Times

4.  How to protect yourself and your smart phone:  New Smartphone Security Apps 

5.  Why Fukushima is not yet over:  Hanging by Your Fingernails - The Fukushima Meltdown

6.  Persian Delight:  An Intimate Persian Feast

7.  Meet the White House Chef:  Cooking For the Commander In Chief

8.  Carine Roitfeld interview at Fashionologie 

9.  Read about the Hong Kong Art Fair sponsored by Lane Crawford

10.  How to Read Poetry Today a Book Review

11.  Fashion for Japan Fundraisers:  New York For Tokyo in T-Magazine

12.  Art in The Guardian:  Joan Miro at Home in Exile

13.  The Guardian's World Literature Tour:  This past week, Poland

14.  My Grandpa booked a trip to Egypt and now this:  Clashes erupt around Cairo's Tahrir Square

15.  20 Odd Questions with Vivienne Westwood

Eternamé Earrings at Lane Crawford in China

If you ever have a chance to visit Hong Kong or Beijing be sure to stop by the Lane Crawford department store for me.  From what I have gleaned online it's an impeccably curated retail space with unique pieces from designers all over the world.  These beautiful earrings from Eternamé designed by Sarah Besnainou had me converting Hong Kong dollars in my sleep.  I wish I could have them in every colour; I love their shape.

Of course, it was not surprising to discover that the fashion director for Lane Crawford is Sarah Rutson whose style and good taste has often been captured by the likes of Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist as well as Tommy Ton from Jak & Jil.  This photo below is from the former.  Now, if only we had some good weather so we could emulate her style.

The Sartorialist

Prints from Sweden by Therese Sennerholt

I came across these prints in a magazine, which one?  I can't recall exactly.  I know I should have written it down to give proper credit but in any given month I go through and read at least a hundred, so trying to keep track of all of them is difficult. Sometimes I jot them down but most of the time I don't.  Later when I come home I have to make sense of it all and end up giving myself more stress.  But what can you do?  I love doing research; it's my favourite part of this blog.  There's nothing better than finding a new artist or writer, or a photographer whose work you admire (at least in my mind).  It never ceases to amaze me how talented people are.  That's why I have journals and journals full of names and galleries, as well as shops and writers and designers everywhere.  You can't enter a room in my home without running into one; and they are all overflowing with information. How I sort these out is a miracle.  That's why it sometimes takes me a bit to post because I'm usually trying to decide between so many different ideas. What I know for sure is that I will never run out of topics to write about.  Anyway, when I spotted these prints from Swedish designer, Therese Sennerholt, I was immediately drawn to her aesthetic and sense of humour.  Take a look for yourself...

I hope my karma will improve eventually but for now I can only pray.

I agree, people who appear normal need a vice or at least a very good martini.

I'm not much of a chocolate lover but I sympathize with those who are; I have a similar predilection for sashimi, tea and poppy-seed cake. 

I think everyone should have this print posted in front of their desk for a little motivation.  The words remind me of that Madonna song which was so well written:

What are you waiting for?

Nobody's gonna show you how

Why wait for someone else

To do what you can do right now?

Words to live by.

What ever happened to Spring?

It might be bright and sunny outside but everything is still covered with snow where I live.  I cannot stand it anymore; for some reason this winter seems especially long.  I dream of the days when I can play tennis again, but that might be a while longer.  Anyway, I managed to find this photo from Jak and Jil which I love because it represents everything that Spring should be:  fresh and light, with subtle hints of colour and the ushering of the colour white in fashion.  And the model couldn't have been any more perfect; just look at her features.  If you zoom in you'll see what I mean.

Today seems more like a Sunday to me.  And after all the hard work of the past week I've decided to bake a pumpkin cheesecake and watch The September Issue as a small reward.  I've heard mixed reviews, but I think it's always better to find out things for yourself.  Besides, I'm interested in seeing the dynamic between Grace Coddington, the creative director of Vogue, and Anna Wintour. I bet that the behind-the-scenes footage that go into the making of the magazine will be fascinating. 

Beautiful Necklace Finds

If these pieces make you want to take out your credit card please don't blame me. They are all so unique that I wish I could have each and everyone of them. I have to admit I've always had a weakness for good jewelry design having once considered the profession myself. And when I look at these lovely necklaces I am reminded once again why I appreciate this area of design so much. The creative possibilities are simply endless.

Odette New York

This beautiful Petal Necklace above in Gold Vermeil was designed by Jennifer Sarkilahti, an artist and jewelry designer from Brooklyn, New York. I really like the softness and textured quality of this piece; it has a nice organic shape to it too.  To see more work from this designer you can visit her Etsy shop or her website at Odette New York. 

And what do you know, this gorgeous Giant Silver Dandelion necklace from Swedish designer Anna-Karin Hallström from Black Daisy Designs sold out two days ago on Etsy.  Just my luck.  For some reason I always seem to pick items that sell out right before I have a chance to write about them.  Anyway, this piece was made to order so hopefully the designer will replenish her shop soon enough.

Black Daisy Designs

This 13 Silver Nugget necklace made from sterling silver is from Julie Nolan a designer from Brooklyn, New York.  It's simple and playful all at the same time.  I also like how these little clusters of silver hang on a long 16" chain.  You can read more about Julie Nolan and her jewelry on Etsy.  I have to add that I love this photograph, I think the background goes so well with the jewelry piece.

Julie Nolan

I can't get enough of this Finger Print Necklace from Alejandra who is the designer behind 2212 Jewelry from Buenos Aires, Argentina.  It's stylish and über feminine.  I only wonder if it's possible to order your own fingerprint to be designed on top. 

2212 Jewelry

While this necklace below might be called a Glacier Necklace, I don't know about you but all I can think of is Cheerios. But in a good way.  It's both adorable and modern and made from recycled African glass.  You can also find it on Etsy from designer Cassie's Shop Clementine.

Shop Clementine

Made from liquid porcelain this Mama Camillia necklace comes from Wapa Studio in Israel.  It is designed by Ady Shapira who is as talented in jewelry design as she is in ceramics. I really enjoy anything white and like many of the other necklaces in this post it has organic written all over it.  But then I've always preferred natural, fluid lines and shapes versus anything remotely geometric.

Wapa Studio

Here is a pretty necklace from another Israeli designer this one from Etsy shop Rio Rita.  I love the little granules on the perimeter of the necklace and all their different sizes.  The pendant is a good size too and the convex shape balances the design very well. The textured quality of the chain is a nice bonus.

Rio Rita

If you like the use of bronze in jewelry then this Eternity Necklace from Peaces of Indigo is for you.  It has a great shape and texture and there is also something quite subtle about its design that I find really appealing.  To see more designs from Dawanna Young you can visit her Etsy shop or read about her on her blog.

Peaces of Indigo

If you're looking for something different and unique you can't go wrong with this large rose necklace from Blue Serendipity by Jill.  I think there's a reason it's called Je t'aime; it's full of romantic sentiments.  I'm also a big fan of the contrast between the white and burgundy colours. 

Blue Serendipity

This emerald green Tulip Drops necklace below is simply gorgeous.  I like the addition of white pearls just below the petals; it gives it a nice touch.  The piece hails from Singapore and is designed by Maddy whose work is also available on Etsy from her shop Marolsha.

Marolsha

And how about a Creamy Butter Swirls Necklace from Paris-based designer MiniCyn.  I like the shape of this, though I'm still struggling to figure out what it reminds me of, definitely something edible.  If only it was made of chocolate.  I love the delicate quality of this piece. 

MiniCyn

This curved Matt choker reminds me of a graphic brush stroke.  It is designed by Australian designer Melanie McCleary whose work is available on her Etsy shop Anthaus.  This is a really elegant piece of jewelry that is both sophisticated and chic at the same time.

One of the reasons I'm really attracted to this Drop Trio necklace from Lauren Haupt Jewelry below is that it reminds me of one I already have.  Or at least used to have before one piece unfortunately fell off.  If I don't fix it I will have to find a replacement. I first found it on Lauren's Etsy shop, Local Library and I love how it is classic in its design and also charming in shape and size.

Local Library (Etsy) by Lauren Haupt Jewelry

I didn't realize when I started to write this post that it would become an all Etsy cast.  As you can probably tell I'm quite enamoured with the site.  I think there is an incredible amount of talent on there that's just bursting with creativity and waiting to be discovered.  I have plenty more jewelry designs to show you, from Etsy as well as other sites that I uncovered recently but I will have to post them in a bit.  For now, have a good weekend.  I'm off to work on an artist profile/interview that should be up shortly... 

Movie: The Song of Sparrows

If you're looking for a sweet and funny comedy this well-directed film by Persian director Majid Majidi is simply charming.  Beautifully set in the Iranian countryside it is a story as much about family as it is about the contrast between city values and the simplicity of rural life.  It will make you laugh; it will certainly give you something to be optimistic about, and it might even make you want to become an ostrich farmer.

The hero of this movie is Karim who works on a farm to support his wife and three kids.  After losing one of the ostriches he is entrusted to take care of he is quickly fired.  It is around this same time that Karim finds out that his daughter requires a new and expensive hearing aid.  By chance while he is visiting Tehran he ends up working as a taxi driver to earn a living.  It is here, that the combination of financial pressure and his seemingly first confrontation with the wealth of the city, that his good nature quickly channels into an increasingly hostile and unethical one.  It takes an accident for him to finally realize the nature of his ways and the endearing and creative ways with which his kids are trying to help him.   

And The Heart Says Forever

I thought I would post something uplifting today in light of what's happening in Japan.  Regardless of where you live, these events are going to affect you in one way or another even if only economically.  And while I work on some hopeful prints of my own, in the meantime, I hope you enjoy these heart-inspired designs.  The first one is a mug designed by Jen Ray available from her Etsy shop Corduroy.   Ne sois pas triste means, do not be sad, in French.

Next is a ring called Heart Dance designed by Nafsika from Greece who also has a shop on Etsy.  This is such a lovely design, I think it would make a great gift for anyone.

These earrings are from designer Jeanine Payer who has a penchant for writing poetic quotations on her jewellery. How can you not like these?

And I just love this necklace from Pat Falcão a Brazilian designer whose work is available from Colette.  The shape of the hearts has an almost graffiti-like quality that I think is really unique.

This pretty necklace, also discovered on Etsy, is from Minty Fresh Fushions.  I love the touch of copper here, I think it's such a nice contrast to the silver. 

A Poem by Fernando Pessoa

This Morning I Went 

Out Very Early

This morning I went out very early,

Because I woke up even earlier

And had nothing I wanted to do.

I didn't know which way to go,

But the wind blew hard toward one side,

And I followed in the way it pushed me.

So has my life always been, and so I would like it always to be --

I go where the wind takes me and I don't need to think.

I feel so bad for the people of Japan...

I'm not even sure what to write today.  There's been so much damage in so little time.  How does a country recover from something like this?  And to think of all the people who have been swept away that haven't even been accounted for.  So sad...

© Big Hug Studio

Chic Jewelry

Remember that jewelry post I promised to write?  Well, it's finally here.  After weeks of research, I have amassed roughly 200+ jewelry pieces which are currently saved on my desktop.  Needless to say, I will have to post them over the next few weeks, maybe months.  Here is the first batch starting with a pair of beautiful Ginkgo Biloba earrings in emerald green from Aurélie Bidermann.  If you think they look rather organic it's probably because they are real ginkgo leaves that have been dipped in gold and then enamel.

I don't know about you but I think this ring from Hervé Van Der Straeten looks more like a sculptural piece to me than jewelry.  The craftsmanship is simply impeccable.  Straeten who was once a jewelry designer for Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix now also designs accessories for the home.

Although this bracelet from Isabel Marant is now sold out (sorry) I thought I would include it anyway.  I love red accents as far as jewelry is concerned and this is nice to look at even if only for inspiration.  Maybe if you're lucky you can find it somewhere online.

If you're seeing or reading this post for the second time, you'll  notice that I have changed the Eddie Borgo bracelet to another one from his collection.  It was bothering me all weekend and I decided that I had to change it.  I guess you could say I am somewhat addicted to the edit button on my blog.  But anyway I think this one below works better with this post.  I still chose one of his non-geometrical inspired pieces, because that's generally what I prefer in jewelry.  And I like the mix of gold and black here. 

Jeanine Payer is a San Francisco-based jewelry designer who often uses text from writers new and old to engrave her jewelry work.  These teardrop earrings, available both from her website as well as Barneys, feature a quotation from Henry David Thoreau.

I have a lot more pieces to show you, but I thought I would start small with these six pieces.  And I can't think of a better item to end on than this adorable little elephant necklace from Aurelie Bidermann; just seeing it made me smile.  I hope you like it as much as I did.  I will have more for you later.  Take care for now.