Grandmothers

This photo means so much to me: it's of my darling grandmother Edna (centre) and her two beloved sisters, Josie and Gwen. I don't know how to date it, but think it'd probably be about the late 1930s or early 1940s. Grandma never liked smiling into cameras, so she looks a lot more severe here than she ever was. I miss her everyday, but am so lucky to wear her engagement ring as my own.

London Transport Posters

My friend V put me on to these posters which are entries in the London Transport Museum's cycling illustration competition. The entrants were asked to draw the links between "cycling in the capital, environmental issues, health and fun." Love the diversity between entries: each is such a different take on the city. Enjoy!

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Invisible Tree House

Have you seen this invisible tree house yet? Made in Sweden, it has six mirrored sides to blend in with the forest almost seamlessly. (Edited to say: thanks Ali for the heads-up!)

Sandrine Estrade-Boulet

I love some innovative street art and these installations by French artist Sandrine Estrade-Boulet are just incredibly cool. (The last one is dedicated to the Pal!)

All images via here.

Some more good news

I found out on Friday that I have been officially awarded my PhD, and will graduate later in the year!

It has been a really long road, and I'm so happy and relieved.

Thank you for all your encouragement over the years. You're the best readers ever. xx

Elisa Strozyk

These papery and wooden installations by Elisa Strozyk make my heart melt. Above, is a pendant lamp and below is a rug.

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Porcelain Plates Wallpaper

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This wallpaper is pretty out of control. The only thing that would annoy me is the close repetition of the plates, but otherwise, heavenly. Reminds me of my recent tea party swoon.

Antlers Oh My!

OK, so I don't like the antlers. But the rest of these rooms are delicious. Delicious, I tell you! (The one below has my bedside table lamp, too...)

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Whedon-Love

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I have written before about how much I love Joss Whedon's filmmaking. This beautiful image is inspired by the series Firefly (which was later followed up with the film Serenity) and it is just superb. If you haven't seen the series, just find it. Now.

New Glasses

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So, these are my new glasses! I was a bit trepidatious about buying them (and now wearing them) but am really enjoying them so far. Glasses say so much about your face that I struggle to find ones I can be happy with for a whole year or, let's be honest, three! I now have a few pairs on the run together, so the more choices, the better.

Blu's Big Bang Big Boom

This short film by Italian street artist Blu is extraordinary. Using all kinds of media, Blu explores consumption and environmental destruction in the most interesting of ways. A bossy addendum: You must watch all the way through - it's totally worth it.

Have a lovely weekend - see you Monday!

Typography

One of my favourite things to do on holidays is to take photographs of signs, doors and little creatures, which makes for interesting holiday snaps, but probably an annoying travel companion. This site of typography hit me hard, and lets me indulge in other people's beautiful type-obsessions.

All images via here.

New Vase Arrangements

So the new vases arrived and they're just beautiful! I spent a bit of time re-arranging my Singer table with some new bits and pieces, and put fresh yellow daisies in the vases which were a present from some lovely friends of mine.
The second test-tube vase is in the kitchen for now - so happy with how it looks. What do you think?

All images by me

Carved Crayons

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These carved crayons blew me away! Even though I have no truck with (don't you love saying that?!) sport and these are world cup related, they transcend all of that with their super cuteness.

Crimped? No Sireee, this is Stenciled and Dyed!

These amazing hairstyles from Angelo Seminara look like they've been crimped - but no! They've been stencilled and dyed. Amaze. Totally amaze.

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Pothole Gardens

In an attempt to highlight the poor state of Britain's roads, Pete Dungey makes pothole gardens. I think they're so beautiful - tiny little oases in a sea of bitumen. Perfection.

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Read More Books

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I know, I know. It's a bit rich that I'm telling you to read books on a blog. But I do love the printed word, and I try to get offline as much as I can to read. And now you have a pretty incentive, complete with mug of coffee for the full-stop.

Slowing Down

It's been a hectic week and I found this photograph inexplicably soothing. Tins? And flowers? Yes please.

Urban Outfitters

When JT told me that Urban Outfitters have free shipping on orders over $150, I may have, ahem, taken advantage of said offer. These two little vase sets crept into my shopping cart, and I'm crossing fingers and toes that they arrive in one piece. Imagining them sprucing up various little corners of the tiny apartment. Will take photos once they arrive!

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1900s Russia

These images of pre-Revolution Russia just blew me away. It's hard to imagine that less than twenty years later my own grandparents were born. This was a world which had seen no world wars and by the looks of it, was a pretty fertile small economy. (By the way, is it wrong to fantasise about this guy's fabric collection? He colour-co-ordinates! A pre-Revolution dreamboat!)

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Teapots and Cups of Tea

Image via here.

This photo made my not-so-inner collector nerd gasp with delight. So many little plates and teapots and cups of tea! If grown ups had tea parties, this is what they'd look like.