THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...
Hey there. It's the weekend. Yey.
I've spent my Saturday doing things that I love most. Lounging and shopping and planning and organizing. I bought a desk from Ikea (hooray). I finally have my own office space. Seriously, I'm so happy about this I cannot tell you. We're going to swap the top that we got for a bigger one. It's basically two easels with a plank of wood on top. So good. I got the idea from Ms Shini Park (thank you). I also lit this Happiness aromatherapy candle for the first time. I got it from Target when I was in the US at Christmas and was waiting for a slightly symbolic moment to light it. The formation of my 'office' seemed a fitting occasion. I'm super excited to relaunch a more work/organizational lifestyle now that I have officially taken on a role at HPR London as their in-house digital consultant (cracks open champagne). I'm so excited because I love Harriet (the founder) and I cannot wait to work with her alongside brands I adore like Paul and Joe, Kyle Hopkins and (wait for it...) Charlie May.
Okay that's all from me. Hope you're having an awesome weekend. xx
p.s. how cool was my Grandfather (bottom photo posing next to his car)? Love.
Featured: River Island wedges and sunglasses, Iconemesis iPhone case and Kafka Metamorphosis by Tank Books. Desk and chair from Ikea.
MY ALAÏA LAMP
It's not everyday you come across a lamp at Ikea that channels the aura of a certain Tunisian-born couturier....
But the Torna does just that, I swear it's the reincarnation of the perforated Alaïa clutch. Sadly, it's probably best that I don't tuck it under my arm during fashion week (can you see me standing awkwardly in the courtyard juggling this lamp and proclaiming: 'Oh dahling, it's the latest from Alaïa' No? Me either). It did cost 79 CHF instead of 790 though and I thought the resemblance was just too good to pass up. I set my heart on putting together this lamp on my own - no help from my hubby. In the process I learnt that any o'l rat can put something together from Ikea. Having an extra pair of hands around to help balance wobbly pieces though is much advised - it would have made the process much easier. I just about lost it towards the end when the panels were refusing to fit in.... an hour later and I had destroyed my minty manicure trying to piece this little monster together but I came out triumphant. The heavens opened, the cherubs danced around my head and just like that the Alaïa lamp was born.
LITTLE SURPRISES AROUND EVERY CORNER...
It all began just before Christmas... I was on the hunt for a cute little somethin-somethin to take with me to the US for my nieces and nephew. You see, I've learned I must come prepared with little gifts to give them at the airport because how sad would it be to have to say 'no' when they eagerly ask, 'did you bring me something?!' And, while chocolate always work well - toys work better.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."
The wise words of Willy Wonka rung in my ears as I explored Einzigart. Upon entering I knew I had hit the mother of all jackpots. You're immediately greeted by a wall lined with tubs, each filled with old-fashioned wind up toys. Enter further and you'll find shelves of little toys - slinkies, robots, and rockets abound. It's like stepping into the toyshop of your childhood dreams. That is, if your kid-self knew what sort of toys were good for them. No plastic crap here but you will find temporary monster tattoos that instantly transform your hand into a puppet. They're cool for adults too.
Don't let me misrepresent the place though because it's full of pretty awesome design-led knick knacks for grown ups too. Hello! Did you spot the Jil Sander lookalike paper lunch bag? Third photo from the bottom on the right, incase you missed it. Plus, there are tons of fancy light fixtures, candles, chairs and stationary. Oh, they even have erasers shaped like all your favorite animals. What's not to love? The icing on the cake: the prices are totally reasonable. Trust me, in Switzerland that's saying a lot.
p.s. Not sure what it is about Zurich but have been finding interior design shops way more interesting than the fashion ones.