Packaging Love: Freak!

Last week saw the launch of the new fragrance 'Freak' by cosmetic brand Illamasqua. They are the first brand to use the revolutionary technology of 'sensory cohesion' to draw in it's online prey (where the product can't be sampled) by it's unique packaging. This beautiful art deco styled fragrance bottle has being doing the rounds on the packaging blogs over the last couple of weeks but with ingredients such as Opium Flower, Poison Hemlock and aromas of Frankincense, I thought it the perfect end to October (Halloween). I absolutely LOVE it, especially the little silver snail!

I only recently came across the magical and haunting cosmetic brand (don't know where I've been!), the brainchild of brand strategy and design agency Propaganda. Four years old it recently became listed on the The Coolbrands List  for 2011/12. The influences behind the branding and products are the 1920s club scene and theatre, the aim, to connect emotionally with the consumer. Self expression is the key. 

You can read more about the fragrance at Propaganda or on the Illamasqua website.

Here is a taster of some more Illamasqua delights....

All images are taken from Propaganda.co.uk or Illamasqua.com

Know your masks from your movies?

How well do you know your scary movies? Answers on a postcard :-) I was having a look around Behance for Halloween inspiration and I came across this great print  from designer Adrian Pavic . Can you spot them all without reading the small print at the bottom? 

All images from Adrian Pavic's page on Behance

Happy Halloween! x

Mischief Moods: Halloween

I'd been planning an elborate moodboard of Halloween treats for quite a while and collected some lovely bits and pieces over the last few weeks to include, however, it seems to have crept up on me out of nowhere and it's already here, I can't believe it! I've been so busy that I've run out of time to put my lovely board together, so instead I am just going to share some of my favourite bits. 

Image 1: Vampire Bat Transfer from Etsy
Image 2: Spooky Halloween hearts from Etsy
Image 3-5: Barbara Hulanicki wallpaper designs for Graham & Brown
Image 6: Halloween Pumpkin Mug Emma Bridgewater
Image 7: Chocolate Skull from Hotel Chocolat
Image 8: Wooden letters fromSlippin Southern on Etsy
Image 9: Vintage Crystal Brooch from Not On The High Street
Image 10: Black leather Raven mask from Etsy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A sweet take on Lorem Ipsum

If you are a regular user of Lorem Ipsum text (as most of us designers are) you will appreciate this fun little alternative to the norm. How cute is this Cupcake Ipsum? I might try using it to sweeten up my clients and see if they appreciate it as much as me!

Design Love: Penhaligon's & JKR

Packaging and moodboard images from JKR blog. 

How fabulous is this bottle?! Just been having a snoop over at JKR and noticed they have been doing some lovely work with Penhaligon's recently. Firstly their new London Dry Gin inspired 'Juniper Sling' fragrance, launched this month. JKR designer Liz Stannard says “It’s about gin cocktails in the 1920’s, bright young things and art deco nuances.”I'm sure it smells divine as well:

Head Notes: Cinnamon, Orange Brandy, Angelica, Juniper Berry
Heart Notes: Cardamom, Leather, Black Pepper, Orris Wood
Base Notes: Brown Sugar, Black Cherry, Vetiver, Ambrox
(description from Penhaligon's)

Read more about it here. Well done to JKR for the brilliant work!

Images taken from the launch night from Lipglossing.com

JKR have also revealed their designs for the Penhaligon's Christmas Gift boxes. The brief was 'to charm with British eccentricity' and also to look beautiful while drawing the customer in for closer look. The inspiration is taken from Victorian dolls houses and revolves around the theme 'Hidden London'. 

Images from JKR blog

Aren't they delightful? The details and hustle and bustle could leave you looking at them for hours! For a closer look read more about it here.

Book Love: The Good Life

I don't exactly call myself a great chef but it is my love of books and their design that often draws me to a cook book rather than the interesting recipes it contains. I recently came across The Good Life (Panmacmillan), a great cookbook by Australian celebrity chef Adrian Richardson ( La Luna Restaurant). The book focuses on homegrown and homemade and has been art directed brilliantly by agency A Friend of Mine to reflect this. Everything about it is raw, rustic and freshly made. I love the way actual food and different mediums have been used to form fun, handwritten typography. The attention to detail even goes as far as the bookmark being like a gingham table cloth! 

One of the things I love most about books is their smell and I bet this one smells divine, just looking at it makes me drool!

Read more about it here. Buy it here. 

All Images from A Friend of Mine
Photography by John Laurie
Food & styling by Simon Bajada

Lovely buns!

Great to see food manufacturers supporting Breast Cancer.... I just came across this Danish bread bag from Kohberg on The Dieline....brilliant!

Image from The Dieline
Designed by Envision

Don't forget October is Breast Cancer awareness month. This Friday, 28th October you can show your support by wearing it pink.

Autumn foot fetish

Top Right: La Wesley by Mary & Clarks
Botton Left: Maros boots by Duo
Bottom Right: Ash Buckle High-top Trainers from Red Direct

Autumn is pretty much upon us I am finding myself going through that new season 'I've got nothing to wear' feeling. My old faithful Converse All Stars too frail to survive another spin in the washing machine, not yet cold enough to bring out the Uggs but a bit chilly on the toes for flip flops and ballet shoes I found myself in dire need of some Autumn/Winter footwear. 

I have to say I have been a real sucker for the promotional emails this week. Firstly came the one from Duo showcasing their 'New in' Marcos boot which I fell in love with immediately and had ordered my pair within 10 minutes of reading the email. They were delivered this morning and I am so chuffed with them... love, love, LOVE them! Can't wait to run through some Autumn leaves with these babies. 

The next email came from Clarks (I admit I am a fan of Clarks shoes, must be something to do with my age and the comfort factor!) announcing their new 'Mary & Clarks' range, their collaboration with Mary Portas. I was a little bit dubious but wanted to satisfy my curiosity and went to check them out when I was passing the shop yesterday. Oops, I did it again and fell in love...La Wesley Gold leather court shoes AND with comfort cushion under foot. How perfect for the party season and some heals I might actually be able to bare wearing for more than 5 minutes. These will be next on my shopping list when the next pay check comes in!

And, last but not least are the utterly gorgeous Metallic Pewter Ash Buckle High-top trainers from Red Direct. I've had a beady eye on these for quite a while and each month the email arrives reminding me they are there, looking more beautiful than ever nagging me to buy them. These belong down at the pub on an Autumn Sunday afternoon with the log fires burning, Roast dinners and good friends laughing. These might be one for my Father Christmas list I think. 

Right now I'm off to have a play with the 'Design your own' All Stars at Converse.

My own creation from Converse

So, what will you be wearing on your feet this Autumn/Winter?  

Le Chien et Moi, doggy chic!

Images 1, 2, 4 & 5 borrowed from Fabulous Places

On a girls shopping trip to Nottingham at the weekend I discovered probably the most amazing shop I have ever been to. Not only is it a lovely shop, but it's owned by a dog! (an extremely cute Basset Hound called 'Mulberry'). 

On entering the shop the dog bumbled over to greet us and promptly lay down on the floor to have it's tummy tickled. While wandering round the shop I felt a pawing on my leg and turned round to find the little dog sitting by my feet looking up at me and asking for some fuss. She obviously spotted a visitor with a HUGE love for dogs! 

Anyway, enough about the dog...The shop is called Le Chien et Moi. Designed like an old pharmacy and lined with vintage bookcases and tables it is filled with unusual and unique items. Vintage, recycled, handmade, whether for yourself, your house or a gift for someone else, you will definitely find it here along with lashings of nostalgia. I definitely recommend you take the time to visit if you are in Nottingham (it is a little bit off the beaten track) and make sure you are not in a hurry as you won't want to leave. If you aren't able to visit the shop, their rustic and tactile website is equally as interesting and cleverly designed by design agency Seismik.

Just a few doors up the hill from Le Chien is The Worm That Turned (great name and lovely logo which will be featuring in my Autumn mood board) a garden designers paradise. I'm not that in to gardening but I could be turned (no pun intended) if I spent long enough in this shop. 

Image taken from Three Sixty Six

Time to do some work and stop dreaming about shopping!!  

Oh WOW necklace!

Just shutting down for the day but had to quickly share this absolutely fabulous necklace just posted on Style Me Pretty. Photography by Aruna B. Photography. Oh my, I really, REALLY want it!

Image from Style Me Pretty
Photography by Aruna B.

Falling in love with a book

I recently came across the world of Pia Jane Bijkerk and what a wonderful world that is. I just had to order her gorgeous book My Heart Wanders. There was only one left in stock on Amazon so I took that as my sign that it was meant for me. When I returned from my weekend away it was waiting for me on the doorstep. I knew what was inside the parcel and couldn't open it quick enough. Well, it had me at hello! I wasn't expecting such a big hardback book but I am so glad that it is. Each page is absolutely beautiful and so captivating. As a memoir of Pia's travels through Paris, Amsterdam and Sydney, it is filled with details, inspiration, love and plenty of emotion.  It has touched my wandering heart and one day soon I will certainly be following it..........

Deliciously 'Naturalicious Skincare'

Recently I have started working on a lovely little job with Jade Castello and her new skincare range for adults and babies 'Naturalicious Skincare'. The products are all completely natural, made with active essential oils which are kind to the skin. They are so special because of their delicious aromas (natural vanilla and lemongrass being a popular one), so good you could eat them! The project includes website and packaging design which I will be working on shortly so watch this space....

BODIE and FOU Catalogue launch

The first explosion of excitement I am sharing with you is that the gorgeous and chic online french boutique BODIE and FOU have announced the launch of their first ever mail order catalogue which is out tomorrow. I find so much inspiration in their (sisters Elodie and Karine) modern styling for the home and beautiful, unique gifts. I've just signed up and can't wait for it be delivered to my door. I'll report back and share some pics soon..... xx

Image from BODIE and FOU: Le Blog

a BIG hello to blogdom

I finally got around to starting my blog. YAY! I've been very busy reading lots of lovely blogs ( Pia Jane Bijkerk, Eat Drink Chic, Simplesong, Poppytalk, Creature Comforts and Stylizimo to name only a few) which have really filled me with so much inspiration that I actually got a little bit (well actually more than a little bit) over excited and motivated to do something creative. Well, here I am! I've gathered so many yummy bits and pieces I am dying to share that I just don't know where to start, so in the meantime I just wanted to say hello, welcome and........