The Old Suitcase - updated

Here's my lovely old suitcase again - this time, i updated it with a (much needed) re-lining of the bottom section.

I know, I know, it's the Orla Kiely wallpaper again! But i have loads left and i'm detirmined to make good use of it.

Good no?

I made this! Perpetual calendar

I made the mistake of going to Aria and Twenty Twenty One just after new year; two amazing furniture/decor shops in Islington that gave me a bad case of 'The Want' for everything in there.

Mmmm...Eames rocker (or the RAR, if we're being particular). I want.

Luckily (I guess) most things are so expensive it would involve a re-mortgage to pay for it anyway, so actual temptation is limited.

However, i saw this little beauty. Its the Max 365 Calendar by NAVA. And I wanted - really wanted....but I couldn't justify. At £47 for something you'd use for years, it's not too expensive, but I had other pressing things to pay for (you know, bills and stuff), so i walked away.

But me being me, i decided it wouldn't be that hard to make my own version. And so I did. Not being a designer or in possesion of a printing press, it involved good old cutting and sticking, and some patience (try printing out and cutting out all those numbers. I nearly went mad).

And here it is - total cost approx £6. It's a bit 'homemade' looking, but that's what makes me love it so.

Nice, no?

The Old Suitcase

There's something about old suitcases. I love how they look, and i love to imagine where they've been - holidays with loved ones, weekends away, trips to remember, to forget - I really wish this one could speak. It is an Ebay find that i plan to use for storing my jewellery. I wonder who the initials belonged to....

I'm planning on re-lining the case to with new fabric or paper; hopefully giving it a new lease of life without taking away it's character. I'll keep you posted.

Inside: Mara and Justin's quirky character flat

Friends of mine recently invited me around to their new flat for brunch - Mara and Justin had moved in just before Christmas, and were just settling in. Mara had let me know that it was a little 'quirky' and full of character. I knew it was a good idea to take my camera...!

Located in Belsize Park (gorgeous area - gave me serious house envy), they live in an upstairs flat in a converted house. And what a house! Every nook and cranny was filled with visual delights - Mara and Justin have impeccable tatse that blends perfectly with the amazing original details of the property.

Lovely church pews make for a more interesting way to sit at the dining table.

Justin's record player.

Great light from the original leaded windows.

Justin's lithographs and some art owned by their landlady.

The kitchen might just have been my favourite area. I love old kitchens from the 50's and 60's. Not always the most practical, but they make me want to put on a pinny and bake a cake. This oven is to die for - and i've been told it works really well too.

Original William Morris wallpaper - sigh.

And to top it off, they live opposite the iconic Modernist Isokon building, home at one time to Agatha Christie and Marcel Breuer among others. What a view!

Oh - and the brunch was lovely too.

I made this! Fascinator 3

I've been at it again - here is another fascinator, here modelled by my gorgeous friend Claire. Beautiful, no?

The Joy of Charity Shops: Ornate table mirror

I spotted this little beauty - shown here reflecting my beloved wallpaper - in a charity shop in Croydon. I've wanted a table mirror for ages, and was about to get a new, souless (and knowing me, cheap) one, when this one caught my eye. £5.99? Yes please...

I'm back!

Apologies - i've been away from the blog for a while and have been lax in keeping it up; something that will not happen again in 2010, i promise.

There have been all sorts of flat-related woes: a leak from the flat above causing water to drip through to my lounge, a leaky roof in the bedroom causeing an unsightly damp patch, arguments with my management company regarding the upkeep of communal areas....argh! I'd started to forget how it can be nice to have your own place! Perhaps i should've shared via the blog, instead of weeping and convincing myself i'd bought a money pit (i've not, but i am prone to melodrama).

So new year, new start - and i plan to fall back in love with my pink door on the first floor again. Promise.