A passion for shoes .... [French Sole]

{Ballerina style}: I absolutely adore flat shoes, particularly the ballerina style, I found them so versatile and stylish. I wish I had a collection of these ballet pumps on a variety of colours and style, like this one that I spotted at the French Sole shop in Sloane street the other evening...

Broadway Market - East London

{Week-end at the market}: Saturday afternoon I went browsing at Broadway Market in East London. It was just a great day, bright and sunny with a nice breeze and, as usual, the market was buzzing with people. Here locals do their weekly shopping stocking up on organic fruit and vegetables, local farm produce and continental delicacies. At market there are also stalls selling crafts, hand made jewellery, childrenswear contemporary and vintage fashion. Surrounded by an array of shops, restaurants and galleries, Broadway Market is a great place to go shopping or simply enjoy a coffee in a village-like atmosphere.

Fabrications is a gallery/outlet dedicated to contemporary textiles and design by new
and established designer/makers, with a particular interest in recycling and Eco design.
Rebel Rebel is a design company specialising in flowers and dressing for corporate events parties, wedding and film TV.

Vintage furniture and fashion at Broadway Market

Boat-houses in London

{Boat life}: After spending a nice few hours at Broadway market, I took a walk along the canal and I was just amazed to see that even more boats are moored along Regent's Canal. I have always been fascinated by this nontraditional choice of household, a floating home in the middle of urban London..... I always wondered if I will ever be able to live in a boat and if so - how would it be? I think this is really a case of where the house reflects its owner, a lifestyle choice.

Pictures from here

Spring is here!!!

Enjoy your week-end! Spring is here! I will be heading to Broadway Market tomorrow morning, it should be a beautiful day, so I will tell you all about it on Monday.........same place!!!

Merci in Paris- A new Concept Store

{PARIS}:Boulevard Beaumarchais 111, an ex fabric factory is refurbished and turned into a 1500 sq meters concept store that promotes responsible consumerism. This Nineteenth century building is now home of Merci (Thank you), created by Marie-France e Bernard Cohen, founders of childrenswear French brand Bonpoint. Divided on several sections over three floors, some of the merchandise is donated by famous designers, writers and celebrities and it is sold accompanied by a Thank you note to the donors. The shop offers vintage and second-hand clothes, its exclusive own brand 'merci merci' along with cut-price designer wear (Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, Paul Smith, Forte Forte) and many more.

The aim of this new concept store is to promote a new way of shopping: minimise waste and donate to charities.

And as the word merci anticipate gratitude, a thank you goes to who has donated, to who will buy, to who has contributed with their experience and time towards the same scope: help others, especially disadvantaged children of Madagascar.




A vintage red Cinquecento carrying a 'MERCI' plate filled with lots of finds is parked outside the shop.

On the second floor the home section, Jasper Morrison per Vitra, Patricia Urquiola per Rosenthal, Paola Navone per Reichenbach are amongst some of the designer furniture brands available.

The library-style book section where a cosy caffetteria is also located. Writers,books critics and celebrities have donated some of their favourite books, which can either be read on the spot or bought for few Euros.

"Merci Annick" - The perfume bar, six fragrances of Annick Goutal are pored into generic bottles.

A vast choice of flowers, including Godefroy De Virieu and Virgile Desurmont creations

Pictures from here

Baroque Mood

{BAROQUE}: the word baroque is derived from the Portuguese word "barroco", Spanish "barroco", or French "baroque", all of which refer to a "rough or imperfect pearl".[2] In informal usage, the word baroque can simply mean that something is "elaborate", with many details, without reference to the Baroque styles of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Oxford English Dictionary

Decorating with colours

{COLOUR ETC}: Adding colour to a room with the use of textiles and few accessories can be a very effective way to decorate, and it doesn't have to be expensive. Just paint unused frames, chairs and other finds in white and then choose your favorite colour palette for your cushions and accessories.

{TIP}: The lamp is a repurposed wooden coat stand!

White furniture helps brighten up a small space and allows bright
colours to stand out well


Original details: Chinese lanterns decorate this contemporary bathroom

Right choice of colour for this Provencal bedroom

Pictures from here

Garden creative

{Inspirational garden}: The weather has been particularly nice in the past few days, which has made my visits to the local park even more enjoyable. There is one thing I miss at this time of the year: a nice little garden, a space where I can get my hand dirty with moving soil, planting, cutting grass ...

Ideally my garden would look very green and wild with touches of colourful flowering plants: lavender, hydrangeas and wild roses ....

Painted door and fences can transform the look of your garden

A garden retreat

Colourful candle holders decorate a tree

My favourite flower plants: wild roses and hydrangeas.

Antique Market S.Zenone degli Ezzelini [Northern Italy]

{Bygone Times}:S. Zenone degli Ezzelini (Northern Italy) on the third Sunday of the month about 50 exhibitors turn up in the local square - Piazza Rovero - to exhibit their collections: from books, to comics, vintage collectibles, country&rural antiques, for the pleasure of collectors and non. When in Italy I will join my friend Walter, treasure hunting in this local piazza, on which many times I had luck and always managed to leave with a little something. Despite its size, this market/fair offers a variety of objects to choose from, and I like the fact that it isn't strictly antique orientated, there can always be that vintage find or that bric a brac item that can capture my attention!

Photos courtesy of Walter Marin

Life

Photography: Cristiana Ceppas

Eagles soaring through the air

Flying along calm and smooth

Bothered by nothing, just flying

What men are we to see such beauty

The beauty of life, past and present

The small things are what matters

The clouds, the stars, the wildlife

So amazing, so wonderful

The small things are life

by Gary R. Hess

Nordic Style [Helle HØgsbro house]

{Copenhagen}:the house of Danish childrenswear designer Helle HØgsbro reflects her passion for vintage furniture that she reinvent by painting it with soft colours, cover old sofa with Marimekko or Osborne& Little fabrics and uses 30-40's fabric to make curtain and cushions.

Photos: Nathalie Krag - Styling: Anja Alfieri

Copenhagen shop Crème de la Crème à la Edgar ' is a secret look inside a children’s universe full of humour, warmth and an inspiring view on the world. It simmers with creativity, vibrant colours and exclusive products. The setting often changes to bring new visual stories to life, so it is always an experience to visit the shop'.

Crème de la Crème à la Edgar Kompagnistræde8 DK-1208 Copenhagen K Denmark www.cremedelacremealaedgar.dk