25 Feb 2013

Where Is Your Muffin?

Cappuccinos and muffins are perfect for Mondays. What about a Coconut Cappuccino Muffin? I know, there is no time for baking on the first day of the week. However, having a look at this picture, makes the troubles of a Monday look less bitter. Have a wonderful week! 




20 Feb 2013

Norman Parkinson's Century of Style


It is amazing how Norman Parkinson was able to mix humour and glamour in his pictures. In the 40‘s, he revolutionised  British fashion photography, making it more dynamic. 




He used to say that he was a craftsman and not an artist and remained until his death (1990) one of the foremost British portrait and fashion photographers. 




2013 marks the centenary of Norman Parkinson’s birth and the National Theatre is celebrating it with the exhibition Lifework: Norman Parkinson's Century of Style.

National Theatre
Upper Ground South Bank
London SE1 9PX 

1 March – 12 May 2013 (closed 31 March and 14 April. Mondays 1 April and 6 May, open from 4pm) 
Free

15 Feb 2013

Habitat and the democratisation of design


There are many reasons, why I like Terence Conran. One is the importance of his work to England and Europe.  When he opened his first interior design shop, Habitat, in London in 1964, he revolutionized interior design in Britain. 

Terence Conran and the directors of the first Habitat, photographed for the Sunday Times by 
Terry Donovan in May 1964. I particularly love the hairstyles.


Terence was in the right place at the right time. The political and economic stability in Europe created opportunities for new markets. 


Habitat, Montparnasse, the first shop in France, September 1973

The business expanded quickly, in less than 10 years there were 18 branches of Habitat around the UK and with those he single-handedly brought stylish internationally influenced furniture and accessories to the high street, making them affordable to more then just the wealthy. 


The Charles and Ray Eames Chair became a classic. It was introduced in 1971.


Habitat transformed millions of homes in the sixties and seventies. Its interiors were much simpler than hitherto, with Scandinavian, French and Japanese influences. Some design furniture that Habitat introduced became classic pieces like the Robin Day Forum Sofa and the Charles and Ray Eames Chair.



The Japanese Paper Lantern was introduced in 1967 and became very popular. 

These days Habitat doesn’t belong to Terence Conran anymore and last year, it almost disappeared from our high streets as 30 of its stores went into administration. Consumer habits changed and the retail brand failed to keep up. 


Simple product advertising that ran to The Times diary page.


However, it is impossible to deny the impact Habitat caused in middle class homes in earlier days. Habitat democratised good design. 

Pictures from the book Terence Conran, A sort of autobiography

11 Feb 2013

Make Great Use Of The Attic!


When I was a child, the attic of our house was used as a storage. It was a kind of magic place as we children were not allowed to go there (probably because the Christmas presents and other secrets were hidden in that room).




Nowadays, many owners have started to explore the beauty and romantic feeling of the top floor, converting it into wonderful ambiences. After all, the attic is a inspiring room!




First and foremost, space is a luxury these days. Creating an office or a guest room in the attic is a clever way of enhancing space in your home.




Attics can also help control temperature in a house by providing a large mass of slowly moving air. In recent years many attics have been insulated to help decrease heating costs since on average. Uninsulated attics account for 15% of the total energy loss in a typical house. 



Make great use of your attic! Image sources via my Pinterest board: Attics

8 Feb 2013

Spring has already arrived!

I went to Manchester centre city yesterday with the impossible mission of finding any gloves left. Although it is still wintertime, the shops have already started selling the spring collection and there is nothing left for the next cold months. And then the temptation: cheerful fashion in soft fabrics, announcing that weather is a state of mind. Here I am, there is a beautiful new dress in my wardrobe, waiting for sunshine to be wore... Would you like to see the new tendencies? I am just showing you some of my favourites labels at the moment:


Max Mara Spring Collection  2013 

I particularly find amazing the blue tone of this Max Mara dress. The orange bag looks great!


Michael Kors


Pinko is an Italian brand, which is fresh and elegant at the same time. You can find it at Harvey Nichols in Manchester. 


Pinko


The espadrille reminds me my adolescence in Brazil during the eighties. By the way, the style was revived in the 1980's due to the success of the american series Miami Vice - Don Johnson, the main character used to wear it.

Michael Kors

I adore Hugo Boss, specially Boss Orange with its hippie style. It reminds me a lot of Brazil - the way Brazilians dress themselves. 

Boss Orange


What about you? Which are your favourite labels? What are you wearing this spring? I hope you enjoy this post.