A good shop: Hannah Zakari

Image - Hannah Zakari

 When I was about eleven I had to write an autobiography, in my future I said that I wanted to own a bead shop, nothing has changed.  Whilst my career hasn't been as glittering as I'd hoped my dream of creating and having a space where I can sell my wares has never gone. The first shop my friend and I stumbled across in Edinburgh was the awesome Hannah Zakari, it was like a glimpse of the future, if I ever have a shop this is what I would want it to be like; interesting jewels, good stationery and quirky prints - heaven. Luckily they have amazing website, so until my dreams turn into reality I will be checking in to see what the future holds. 

All images  - Hannah Zakari 

Sparkle, snake and sequins

I have been so busy recently I feel like I haven't stopped, work and wedding planning seem to be taking over my whole life. Things were getting so mad I nearly forgot it was my birthday (it might be busy but it might be old age). Anyway I held off having wedding freak outs for a few nights to actually go out for some good dinners with friends and family. As I was putting all my gorgeous gifts away I realised how pretty they all looked together - can never go wrong with a generous dose of gold, snake and sequins.  Just so you know I don't often keep cakes in my shoe, this had gone a bit stale and kinda worked with all the other bits, the shoes were a gift to myself on sale in Zara I have wanted them since this early post and all the other items were presents, 29 is looking pretty good - thanks everyone!  

Recycled jewels

I used to be quite a dress maker, when I had the time I would quickly wizz up a skirt for the weekends shenanigans, no problem. As much as I still get enormous pleasure for using my sewing machine I find the quick results of jewellery making equally satisfying. I never throw a piece of jewellery away as I know that someday I'll be able to give it a new lease of life . This necklace I made up a few weeks ago is a perfect example of combining old bits and pieces and making them into something shiny and new (see previous example here). I hope you're inspired to do the same,

I begin by laying out all my materials to test out the colour palette - I find a mix of similar tones works best

Pots of beads - mix in beads from your existing collections

Thread, bead, twist and loop until you are satisfied with the overall look 

The finished piece, I added a long piece of ribbon so I can wear at different lengths. 

Vogue Illustrations

Images  - Vogue Italia

When I saw these delightful illustrations on Vogue Italia I went a little giddy - aren't they great? I love the way each one has a name and personality with outfits to match. When I was young whenever I read a book I would draw outfits to match the characters,  in someway these illustrations remind of that. I think Fanny* is my favourite, who's yours, Clara, Sofia, Fanny or Lily? 

Images - Vogue Italia

*stop sniggering

February blog of the month - Park & Cube

Image - Park & Cube

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this blog of the month thing, its kind of like being a gushing teenager...hmm might try something else. Anyway, I am sure most people read this blog but I only came across it a few weeks ago. I don't tend to read high fashion blogs as they always leave me feeling a bit flat but Park & Cube is a good one. Shini is a not only impeccably stylish, she's witty too, make sure you read posts and not just get lost in her fabulous photography. 

Park & Cube 

I should be so lucky

Image photographed* from Stylist

Tonight's Stylist was pretty cracking, an issue dedicated to fashion and Kylie, amazing! Here she is in a Peter Pilotto dress that I've been googling/dreaming about for quite sometime. 

*apologies for the bad photo, it took this on my way out

Valentine's Day: A little jar of love

I love Valentine's day but not for obvious reasons; you see red is one of my favourite colours and I'm a sucker for anything with a heart or two so when shops bring out their Valentine's wares I get a little over-excited. I brought these little heart lights a while back and have been keeping them lit up in a Kilner jar along with my other random collections ever since. Whilst I don't celebrate Valentine's day on principle I love this little nod to romance and think they look pretty sweet sat on a shelf next to this collection of iced roses I've kept since my engagement party. 

Glow

Roses 

Wire 

Lights and Lantern - Poundland, Kilner Jar TKMaxx

Afternoon tea: Hotel Missoni

It seems like a life time ago that I was sat in the lush surroundings of the Hotel Missoni but in fact it was only this time last Sunday. Whilst in Edinburgh my friend and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea with an Italian twist, considering what a tea addict I am I have never been out to a proper afternoon tea, the cost and the fact that you have to book about four years in advance always puts me off. Tea at the Hotel Missoni had none of these issues I did book but I think we could have turned up, it was delicious and perfectly portioned for two. Aside from the cakes the high light for me was all the design elements from the tea sets to the menu's and even the doormen's kilts everything had the gorgeous Missoni touch, whilst I certainly can't afford something the clothing range, tea at about £20 was a decadent but reasonable way to whittle away a few hours. If you are ever in Edinburgh I certainly recommend popping in. 

 Yum - selection of mini cakes

Scrummy - scones and Italian jam (of course I kept the jars)

A few cocktails to finish, not included in the tea but it would have been rude not to. 

Mini Adventure in Edinburgh

This past weekend one of my best friends and I went on a mini adventure to the wonderful city that is Edinburgh. Considering I love to travel, I have made very few trips to cities around the UK, I always put   seeing the sun and a foreign supermarket as a priority. However, I fell in love with the stormy skies and gothic buildings, it was so dramatic I made a resolution to go and see more of what the UK has to offer. We took advantage of cheap trains and hotels, using this deal and had a really wonderful time getting lost (our map reading skills were quite poor) and discovering a host of new things. Here are a few snap shots of the weekend.

Top - Some of the dark and moody buildings 

Above - Tartan scarves in one of the many tourist shops on the Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle at night

The window where JK Rowling sat and dreamt up Harry Potter 

 Afternoon tea at Hotel Missoni - full post to follow

Sweetie the Panda at Edinburgh Zoo

I have a couple more posts planned as I haven't even touched on the amazing shopping opportunities that Edinburgh has. 

DIY - Paule Ka ruffle necklace

This is a great DIY for anyone who has a stash of ribbons that need to be used up or needs an excuse to buy more (I'd be the latter). When I saw these Paule Ka pieces in this months Vogue I was instantly drawn to the interesting patterns the loops of perspex made and thought that they'd be great translated into ribbon.  What I love about this necklace is its potential, I can't wait to make more mixing different widths, patterns and textures, how amazing would a clash of prints and stripes look? Ah, I can't wait to make more, my ribbon radar is now on high alert for some interesting mixes, I feel a trip to VV Rouleux coming on. Turtorial below.

Image - Vogue

You'll need a mix of ribbons (I used taffeta, cotton and satin), beads, chain (approx 1.2m), needle and thread and some jump rings

Start by treading your needle and taking the first piece of ribbon. Fold the end over by about 2-2.5cm and fasten the thread. A little tip if using a synthetic ribbon singe the end with a lighter to stop fraying

Fold the ribbon to make 4 loops (you can do more but I found 4 to be the most manageable) and push your needle and tread through to fasten. Cut the ribbon at the end of the last loop (and singe)

Add a bead and repeat the process using a different colour ribbon.

Keep repeating until you have a mix of colours and textures running through. 

My ribbon section was about 20cm, decide on a length thats right for you and tie off your tread. Make sure your ribbons are sitting snugly next to each other.

Stitch a jump ring to either end of the ribbon and loop through your chain (mine was about 60cm doubled). And you're done. I hope you enjoyed making and have got the bug to make more like I have.

The finished piece, I have mine displayed on my dressing mirror, I smile everytime I look at it, and dream of wearing with a floaty maxi wafting around when the summer comes.