Happy New Year - I’m hoping it will be an interesting one for all of us…As it’s still so fresh and clear, laid out before me, I’ll say my aim is to tread carefully on 2012. Enjoy it, be good to it, achieve in it and continue the mission to live each day with happiness on my mind.
On a smaller scale - this photo makes me happy. The styling - just…wow.
xBlanaid
When surrounded by the same problems, still and repeated, perhaps it’s time to question my own role in it…finally and without self-preservation. Removing any defensiveness.
I’m happy to continue trying to grow but am definitely frustrated that I would be so blind to my own role in situations at times. How and ever. Now I ask myself, if it is not absolutely clear that the other person is completely at fault, if there is even a small doubt, then there must be blame and responsibility on my part. Am I the trigger, or do I wade in half way, say the wrong thing and cause reaction? Does my lack of understanding cause frustration, or my lack of trying to understand from any other point of view than the effect it would have on my own life or feelings? A learned behaviour.
Difficult questions, but necessary. Most definitely necessary.
xBlanaid
You know the moment when you suddenly fall in love? I had such a flash lust when I saw the work of Irish illustrator and fashion designer Kitty Moss. Firstly - her nom de plume is pretty perfect. Secondly, her illustrations are stylishly accomplished, and finally - the clothes. SWOON. The clothes. I love the characters she has created, Maud and Minet, with as much affection for their look along with their own names. Above are the illustrations, below is some of the collection and in between, beneath here, are Kitty Moss’ own words. Read and see more at Maud & Minet, and buy prints online >here<
“I am a designer and illustrator based in Dublin and I go by the name Kitty Moss. I studied Fine Art and then Fashion. I have just started a label and hopefully it will grow and evolve…
It is based around two characters Maud and Minet, Maud, is a stylish ghost and Minet is her loyal floating cat. The idea is that I document this lady as she glides ghoulishly through the veil of our world floating through parties and the media merry-go-round. It is both a homage and a playful satire on the fashion industry.
Maud is my muse and I am channeling her through illustration but also through Fashion Design and I have made a collection inspired by her.
All the garments on my site are available made to order and are all hand made from the finest of silks, leathers and hand dyed wools. Each piece is unique to the wearer and embedded with the spirit of my muse, a spirit that is spookily sweet, darkly romantic and playfully poised.”
xBlanaid
Following on from the last post, I went on a little etsy tour - I LOVE this jewellery from ChainChainChained . I shall be making some purchases.
I’ve added the pieces I love to Pinterest >here< so each image will link directly to it’s place in her etsy store.
xBlanaid
I could not love the jewellry situation on the arms of the Oracle Fox anymore, or the dress and accessories on this shoot from Foam magazine.
Must start buying.
xBlanaid
Currently loving intricately pale rooms, chevron rugs and wire organisers and the chair.
xBlanaid
Back in 2009 I did a post about ‘the most beautiful wedding invitation of all time?’ - so here is it’s distant cousin. This image comes from the recent nuptials of David Lauren (son of Ralph) and Lauren Bush (niece of George W and who will now be know as Lauren Bush Lauren.) It made me say ‘ooooh!’ - it’s original, though yes - nostalgically so… and it is beautiful. Of course, that is aided and abetted by the incredible gown and lovely faces.
xBlanaid
1. I actually have most of these things on the beach - time to get out the white paint…
2. the hair - the hair. Can anyone name the blogger? Amazing.
3. the font.
xBlanaid
This blog is slowly becoming an occassional travel diary. My apologies, but I’m either flat out working or getting gone. My determination to be outside at least five weeks out of fifty two is on track. For one who never travelled much at all, this year I appear to be constantly planning the next trip.
All the clichés are true - it is important for my little tiny mind to get away. I come back rested, inspired and ready to work. That, of course, could also be down to the perpetual guilt of the self-employed person who has to quantify every hour away from work. Whichever - it’s good to get gone and get back.
xBlanaid
Andrew Clancy just spent a year in New York, filming the smallest of details of his day to day life; exchanged glances, secret jokes, the thrill of winning, the morning stretch of a city that was slightly resting, never fully asleep.
He captures the lifestyle, the movies in the park, the culture, the talent, the days filled with beauty and the night time beats. So elegantly shot, so perfectly edited, so suitably put to the incredible sound of James Vincent McMorrow. It makes me want to be there, now.
Watch it >here< and please do share it. Not for any commercial reason, just because I really think it should be…
xBlanaid
In so many ways there are so many levels in living. There is always something else to achieve; create more, talk more, talk less, look better, be motivated, relax more, your side of the court, my side of the court - the space between the two and everyone else’s court along with it all.
It’s why it’s so difficult to appreciate what you have succeeded at, because as soon as you conquer everything that needed to be done in order to reach the plateau of the current level, all you can see is the looming side wall of the next one…
Then again, if it was easy, it would be quite boring.
To the next challenge.
xBlanaid
I am constantly torn between all white and too much.
xBlanaid
…right now I am loving all of the above.
1. overloaded.
2. fish plait.
3. the table.
4. the sheer.
5. white paint chair.
6. effortless.
xBlanaid
Things are changing, hence the silence. I saw this quote and thought : I need to read this every day for the next while.
xBlanaid
The only way it can be the end of the world is if it is actually the end of the world. Everything else can be survived and learned from, help you thrive and grow.
Yes, all just words, the cliché of the end of the world, the seemingly hollow promise of growth. Regardless, you can survive. If you ignore the rest, please remember that .
xBlanaid
image via ffffound
I adore this belt. It’s pricey - but I mean it when I say I adore it like a false-god-belt. The styling in the lifestyle shots is pretty amazing too.
Sold >here<
xBlanaid
I quite like these prints by Therese Sennerholt, particularly the larger versions and especially styled in this manner. Beautiful styling work.
Buy the prints >here<
xBlanaid
A couple of ‘blue but not in that way’ snaps from that time I went to Lovebox. The actual Lovebox photos are now waiting to be put up this week.
From the top clockwise, Notting Hill doors and displays, a slick car, an amazing vintage jewellery shop near Portobello, and one photo from Lovebox - the beautiful Nico getting thrown in the mud.
xBlanaid
I am in love with my customised skull t-shirt from The Silver Factory, which we are now stocking in Shutterbug. Cameron, the 16 year old owner, designs, cuts and screenprints all of the t-shirts himself. He’s hard-working with a great business mind, so I’m thrilled to be his first stockist.
I ‘borrowed’ the shoes from our main in-store stylist, Brid. It’s actually quite amusing that she thinks she’s getting them back… ; )
T-shirt : €20.00 regular or €26.99 customised, The Silver Factory at Shutterbug. (can be ordered online!)
Levis shirt : €29.99 Shutterbug
Shorts : Mens jeans from Penneys cut up.
Shorts : Tights cut up
Belt : River Island mens
Shoes : Brid’s, from River Island.
xBlanaid
This jacket blew my mind - to die for…is that too noughties an expression?
I found a smaller, unpainted version of one of these chairs a while ago - and then I saw this photo. I shall be painting mine immediately.
Apologies for the silence, I have been somewhat under the weather.
xBlanaid
I love this concept. Popshot Magazine - “a bi-annual British based arts publication that champions contemporary poetry and illustration” recently launched ‘The Print Shop’, which they descirbe as ” an opportunity to bring beautiful and affordable illustration prints to the walls of visual art/illustration lovers around the world.”
Basically, after working with 100 illustrators for their magazine, they decided to take six of the finest illustrations from the past two years and turn them into collectable art prints. Each illustration is Giclee printed, produced in limited edition runs of 150 and measures at a very large 550mm x 675mm.
You can find out more by visiting >here<. I particularly like the work of Esra Roise, who’s work many of you may recognise. The opportunity to own a giclee print of hers for £45.00 plus p&p is quite appealing!
xBlanaid
Our store Shutterbug will feature on TV3’s ‘Xposé’ tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm. The fashion slot, presented by the lovely Angela Scanlon, will feature some of our stuff modeled by Lauren Bejaoui, who we use on our Asos boutique too.
We’re very excited here in the studio, and very grateful for all of the support that we’ve received. Honestly, it sounds disingenuous but it is genuinely very overwhelming.
xBlanaid
Image by Ciúin Tracey.
Too many layers but how and ever. Pile them on, take them off - the weather is, at best, erratic. I can’t complain though - I do like layers. Most of the stuff is from my own shop, Shutterbug, but I do now dress mostly from there. It’s about as convenient as you can get. : )
Lace kimone : £30.00 Topshop
Cropped lurex : €7.95 Shutterbug
Black BDG t-shirt : €5.00 Charity Shop
Leather shorts : €40.00 The Beauty Spot, Dakota
Spandex leggings : €12.95 Shutterbug
Hat : €24.99 Shutterbug
Rings : €9.99 each, Shutterbug
Black coat in the top photo : Topshop
xBlanaid
This time last week I was covered in mud at the Lovebox festival in London. This event, (the music, not the mud )is quickly becoming the highlight of my year - it’s just too much fun for serious. While on a day-after, fake-energy buzz, we wandered toward Portobello, the promise of Humming Bird cafe red velvet cupcakes being the main trigger for the wander. I became slightly obsessed by the flowers along the way, although the beautifully decrepit door was found in Stratford.
xBlanaid
1. The sign on a lifeguard’s station, Venice Beach.
2. Loungers in the pool, Las Vegas.
3. I became slightly obsessed with motels while in L.A.
4. This is the UV decoration on the roof and walls of a toilet in Venice Beach. No light but these squiggles.
5. Signage in Vegas.
6. Elegant graffiti in Downtown L.A.
xBlanaid
..but if I was getting hitched - I think my effort would be a mix of these two styles. What a dress by Alexancer McQueen, and you can’t beat simple flowers in a deconstructed hair-do…
xBlanaid
…remind me of there.
xBlanaid
More images, and more on the way!
1. The fascia of a restaurant in Manhattan beach.
2. The tiled floor of a hotel in L.A. (I’ll be back with the name…)
3. Street art in Downtown L.A.
4. The Mar Vista Dry Cleaners - nice typography.
5. Technically Las Vegas - the whole ground floor was covered in these tiles.
6. Sunset - Manhattan Beach.
7. The wonderful marquee signage leading to the amazingness that is Venice Beach.
xBlanaid
Some b&w based art & graffiti I spotted out and about with himself in L.A. - it is such an amazingly creative place beyond the glamour of the celebrities, models and such like. There is art, incredible art, literally dripping off the walls.
xBlanaid
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