annown: June 2011

Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a good one. It's a long weekend here in Canada, and Andrew and I are hoping to take advantage of the lovely weather while it lasts. How about you? What are you doing?

(lovely photo by Rachel Whiting)

A Lucky Move

In a 19th century home in Malmö, Emma and Kenneth lived on the second floor and had just finished renovating their new jointly owned third floor apartment when they heard that the fourth floor apartment was for sale. Impulsively, they bought it unseen, and as the couple selling not only knew them well but wanted a quick sale, the deal went through immediately. It was a wild gamble, as they hadn't had time to sell their current apartments, but as it turns out it paid off — the fourth floor apartment was not only larger, but it was in great condition, too — the original fixtures and floors were all intact, so all they had to do was paint the walls white. Because they love their new space so much, they've kept the furnishings simple, with finds from flea markets and auctions or even items found in the basement — all offset by Kenneth's vintage tin toy collection. Happily settled now, they say that they definitely have no plans to move! More (in Swedish) here on Allt i Hemmet.

(photography by pernilla hed)

Smile

From Danish company Minimii — a dollhouse version of iconic designer Arne Jacobsen's own 1929 villa in Charlottenlund. Built on a 1:16 scale, the dollhouse closely replicates details of the original — and miniature versions of Jacobsen's furniture designs are also available to furnish it, too. Love. Via Phaidon | Edit.

And ...

... a very happy Canada Day to the Canadians! Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

(map of canada pillow cover by nicole tarasick on etsy)

Kyoto Rainy Season Hydrangea

京都紫陽花

It's time for the annual hydrangea blog.

The island of Honshu, on which Tokyo and Kyoto are found, comes alive every June at the outset of the rainy season with colorful varieties of hydrangea.

Now in the middle of the rainy season, the flowers have lost a bit of their bloom.

These plants were along a one-track rail line in western Kyoto. The two most common type of hydrangea - the big round bulbous type, and the more delicate type - were both hugging the Randen train line tracks not far from Myoshinji Temple.

© JapanVisitor.com

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New Lash Stylist Mascara from Maybelline

New lash stylist mascara from Maybelline New York with Adriana Lima supermodel

Born Free 3

Quick photo session at the Born Free 3 show.

Les petites choses|L'amour et la vie à New York

Picture taken and edited by me

One year ago in that moment I was picking up clothes and thoughts, being due to leave for New York City.
My summer there, was a reborn.
I've studied art, design and fashion in a summer school in the Upper East Side, I lived the city and its nights, I came back home with the suitcases full of photos, dresses and inspirations.
After New York everything changed.
In some months, I'll graduate in visual arts, then I'll take the first flight for a fresh and alive metropolis (I can't reveal wich one is right now).
Tomorrow I have my northamerican cinema exam.
I'm filling sheets of paper with coloured and illustrated schemes to fix in my mind what I've studied.
I can't wait my exam is done, so I can dedicate a full day to my summer, to write my book, take pictures and breathe.
//
Un anno fa in questo periodo stavo raccogliendo vestiti e pensieri in procinto di partire per New York City.
La mia estate lì è stata una rinascita.
Ho studiato arte, design e moda in una summer school nell'Upper East Side, ho vissuto la città e le sue notti, sono tornata con una borsa piena di foto, vestiti ed ispirazioni.
Dopo New York è cambiato tutto.
Tra qualche mese mi laureerò in arti visive, dopodiché il primo aereo disponibile mi porterà via, verso una metropoli fresca e viva, che ora preferisco non rivelare.
Domani, esame di storia del cinema nordamericano.
Sto riempiendo fogli di schemi colorati ed illustrazioni per fissare nella mente quello che ho studiato.
Non vedo l'ora di fare questo esame per avere un giorno intero da dedicare alla mia estate, a scrivere il mio libro, scattare foto e respirare.

Thanks for reading,

with love.

Sara Ottavia C.

Kim Kardashian: I think I was a housekeeper in my last life

Reality star Kim Kardashian admits she is such a neat freak, she doesn’t even like having people over to her home.

Kardashian appears on the cover of the new issue of SELF magazine, where she discusses her obsession with cleanliness and order.

“I’m the biggest neat freak at home. I don’t have people over for that reason, because I don’t like anyone in my space.

"I think I was a housekeeper in my last life. Sitting at home in sweats and cleaning out my closet would be a perfect night for me.

”

And when it comes to her beauty and fitness routine, Kardashian admits she is committed to making good decisions.

“Everyone has the power to make good decisions, whether it’s about your career or fitness routine. As long as you stay dedicated to something, you’ll see a change. If you’re committed, you can do anything!”

“Find the one part of your body that you love and accentuate it,” she adds. “For example, because I have a small waist, a big butt and thin legs, belts work for me. You have to know what looks best on your body."

Sweetness and Light

Love this botanic print by Swedish artist Lotta Olsson — so delicately beautiful.

P.S. Today's the last day to enter the great earrings giveaway from Lobo Luxe — you have until midnight (EST) tonight!

(via chest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

British Classics Go Modern
A new iPad app created by the British Library will make available a "treasure trove" of more than 60,000 19th century books. The paid-for app will be launched in full this summer, but until then a thousand titles can be browsed for free. Unlike e-books, the app uses scanned copies of original editions, which its creators say is the ideal way for readers to experience old books the way the original authors intended — including additions like pull-out maps and original illustrations. Download it here. Very cool.

From Brazil With Love: All About Tropicalia
Feeling a bit blue? Then listen to this lovely introduction to tropicalia, which first appeared on Brazil's music scene in the 1960s and is described by NPR as " ... a mix of blues, jazz, folk and psychedelic rock with a distinct local flavor." It'll definitely make a grey day a sunny one.

Why Supermarket Tomatoes Taste So ... Bleah
NPR's Fresh Air host Terry Gross talks to writer Barry Estabrook about his new book Tomatoland — an eye opening look at the tomato industry. Makes me appreciate all the more the delicious real tomatoes from market gardens — and seriously think about growing my own in pots, too.

Pool Into Museum
This is a great example of inspired conversion — a stunning 1930s Art Deco swimming pool in Roubaix, a small town in northern France, was closed in 1985 for safety reasons. Unsure what to do with the iconic building, the city, after consultation with its citizens, decided to convert it into a museum. You have to see the photos — it's just amazing.

Pendulum Sound Machine
Fascinating creation by Japanese designer Kouichi Okamoto, consisting of a record player, two plates, brass rods and iron. When played, it creates a delicate and random ambient sound rather like rainfall, the result of bumps on the record being struck by the brass poles, which in turn tap the plates. Hard to describe — but watch the short video to get the full effect. Via the fox is black.

Wimbledon Fashion Through History
Great Guardian slideshow of what women players at Wimbledon have worn — from the ankle-length dresses of the inaugural women's matches in 1884 to the high tech and high fashion ones worn today.

High Tech Dining
Check out this short video about the future forward Inamo restaurant in London — besides its sustainable interior design, the tables are interactive, allowing diners to choose meals (with an instant preview on your plate), play games while waiting, and even change the table cloth to suit their mood. Amazing. Via Andrew (thanks!)

Summer Vegetarian Feast
Saveur has put together a scrumptious menu based on what you'll find at the summer farmer's market — goat cheese, leek and zucchini galette, chilled green pea soup with fresh basil, tomatoes stuffed with brown rice and feta, spinach salad with oregano vinaigrette and peach cobbler. Yum.

(photo of the home of swedish decorator helene holmstedt by peter phillips for hus & hem. via nice room)

Sponsor Spotlight

Just in at the beautiful Lobo Luxe shop — the stunning handcrafted Dragonfly Necklace Belt by New Zealand artist Caroline Bassett. Featuring a gently textured dragonfly set off with aventurine and amethyst stones, this versatile piece can be worn draped once or twice around the neck, in lariat form or as a belt, fitting up to a size 14 (Australian) comfortably. A simple catch means that changing how you wear it is a snap, too. And to make it even more appealing, free shipping on this item is available worldwide until midnight of June 30 2011 — though lucky automatism readers are eligible for an extension, with free shipping until midnight of July 2 2011! Visit Lobo Luxe for details — and happy shopping!

Myanmar Model Girl, Zun Pwint Phyu's pretty fashion photos

Zun Pwint Phyu is Myanmar new face model girl. She is a just teenage girl, but she is really attractive and cute Burmese girl.

In the deep midwinter

In the deep midwinter, a woman is writing . . . and a new book is emerging.

In the deep midwinter, a woman is reading . . . researching the subject of ageing, with the help of inspiring elders.

In the deep midwinter, a woman is planting . . . garlic for the winter solstice, to be harvested in midsummer.

In the deep midwinter, a woman is growing . . . a hyacinth in a dark cupboard, away from the light.

In the deep midwinter, this woman is smiling . . . at how the imagination flares in the dark and silent days.

khmer star pho nymonineath

Dokudami

ドクダミ　蕺草

Dokudami (Fish Mint; Houttuynia cordata) flowers at this time of year in Japan. Dokudami, lit. "poison stop" is considered medicinal, acting as a mild laxative and diuretic as well as a general body cleanser. Some elderly Japanese people still make a tea from its dried leaves, though its medicinal properties are more highly thought of now in the west rather than Japan.

Few people in Japan now eat dokudami leaves in salad and the plant is less widespread than it was 25 years ago, though it has adapted well to most environments in urban and suburban Japan.

Dokudami can be found throughout Japan, China and Korea.