HAPPY 4TH JULY

The Creative Duo Anndra Neen

Annette and Phoebe Stephens of Anndra Neen Via Dossier Journal

Anndra Neen Collection via Fallow

Coral Necklace via Couturelab London

Hiroshi Suzuki via Adrian Sassoon London

Shell Choker via Couturelab London

 Pieces by Modernist Jeweller Art Smith 1917-1982

Anndra Neen Birdcage Brass & Alpaca via Milk Made

Tequila Shot Spiking The Sun via Chris Knight

Anndra Neen Clutch via Fallow

Aztec Inspired Patters at Balmain

Trojan Horse Anndra Neen Show

Anndra Neen Telescope via Shop Grey Area

Hiroshi Suzuki via Adrian Sassoon

Anndra Neen Cage 2

Andraa Neen via Erin Jeen

Pre- Colombian Nose Ring

On my Birthday I received a beautiful piece from Anndra Neen,  I wear all the time and get so many compliments.I had seen the pieces before and really admired them, there is a native and modern feel about them which marry together exceptionally well.

You can see their influences of their own culture, the Beautiful and stylish Sisters Annette and Phoebe Stephens were born and raised in Mexico City where they have their pieces made in their workshop by artisans , Mexico is known for its ancient craftsmanship especially in silver, but these pieces are not made out of sterling silver which would weigh a ton and be extremely expensive, Anndra Neen collection is made of Alpaca a alloy metal that is coated in silver , it is light but yet has substance and has a beautiful finish to it. So much better than feeling like you have a ton of bricks around your neck.

The sisters have a very mixed and creative cultural family , their grandmother was a well known artist and their grandfather was a avant-garde composer, so they grew up a home filled with creative people. The influence of these collections come from all their travels especially Japan where their idea was born into fruition, the Japanese are gifted with creating incredible work with silver, but you can also see their inspiration of Pre-Colombian , Tribal , French Medieval Armour and Modernist jewellery as I have shown in some of the pictures.

Keep it up ladies and Viva Mexico  xo

You can buy Anndra Neen at www.couturelab.com which based out of London and ships worldwide.

This is Not A Hippie Bag

 One day a lovely friend of mine walked in carrying an incredibly beautiful piece of work, a handbag with such beautiful fabric and detail that I had to ask her where in the world she found this, from a designer in LA she said, you have to look at her collection you won't know which one to pick. Am not a big handbag person, but am into craftsmanship and unique pieces that have a story.

Fast as flash I looked her up, Simone Harouche a wardrobe stylist had been over the years collecting 19th  dowry textiles, to antique tribal costumes, wall hangings, beading, coins, Afghan bridal jewellery and more from countries such as Nepal, India, Morocco, Peru, Pakistan and Egypt.  With such a exquisite collection she was inspired to create for herself a handbag made out of some of these findings, the bag was so eye catching that a friend saw it and commissioned one for herself and from there the orders started to come in, thus the line Simone Camille was born. 

All the bags are handmade and unique so you will not see anyone wearing the exact same one as you they come in different shapes and sizes, I always stopped when I wear mine, these are not your average Hippie Market bag, more like luxury Bohemian.

Have a look at the Website on where to buy and a huge array of choices, perfect for the summer,

I Just love xo

Photos via ,

www.simonecamille.com

www.c-a-n-o-p-y.tumblr.com

www.sisterhimalaya.tumblr.com

www.earth-age.blogspot.co.uk

Namibia by Sebastiao Salgado

visionofsplendor.com

Francis Sultana Vision's

London Based Maltese Interior Designer Francis Sultana has created a elegant line of furniture. With his incredible vision which he honed at the wonderful David Gill Gallery over 19 years working there, his line is made with great attention to detail , clean lines and luxurious fabrics. Modern but yet traditional, the crafstmanship of his pieces stand out in this world of mass market furniture.

His collection can be viewed at David Gills former gallery on Fulham Road London. You must go and visit.

www.francissultana.com

Divine xo

P.s David Gill has moved to his new  gallery to Mayfair, also wonderful and on another posting will do a piece on him.

All photos via Francis Sultana website,1stDibs and Robb Report.

Arrivederci Capri

Caesar Augustus Hotel Anacapri, what a view!

And another view from my hotel

Charming Saints protecting the houses

Hats off Capri Tiberio Hotel

La Terraza of a Private home

Via Tagara

Colour Burst

Back streets of Capri

Beware Jewellery Galore Everywhere..love all the gold on tanned skin.

Leaving La Fontinella with the little yacht called Rising Sun in the background..

Crisp and fresh Italian Rosé

Caesar Augustus Anacapri gorgeous hotel .

Carthusia Parfumeria di Capri, great gifts .

Beautiful staircase at The Capri Tiberio Palace decorated by Giampiero Panepinto

Sunset drinks at la Piazzetta

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda on the Arco Naturale Trail

The view from Punta Tagara

Il Riccio Dessert Room..heaven

Yumm

Full moon view from my balcony

Wonderful invite for the opening of Faraone Mennella’s jewellery shop in Capri.

Now back home , am feeling blue after the magical time that I had in the Isole delle Sirene called Capri. I can hear their call, myth or not, just as Roman Emperors Caesar Augustus and Tiberius did amongst many many others.

You are hypnotized to eat like you have never eaten before thinking you will not eat again after your last amazing meal in one of the wonderful restaurants, and guess what? Hours later you are hungry again and running to another restaurant...so Capri is a lot about its delicious and fresh food , but the good thing is that you have to walk everywhere there are no cars on the island, as its a maze of narrow paths.

There are amazing walks like the Arco Naturale trail, but make sure you wear comfortable shoes on this one, we didn't it thanks to my spacey local friend who forgot how long the trail was. Should have paid attention to the receptionist of the hotel when she looked at us in horror when we left the hotel, we climbed over 400 really huge and steps on our hands and knees after having all ready walked 45 minutes in espadrilles and wedges for her, oh and I was wearing a dress ...wanted to kill her by the end we were soaked in sweat with makeup running down our faces, branches in our hair and it was dark by the time we got the to the restaurant Il Grotelle, but don't let that put you off...its spectacular the walk in running shoes and shorts. We did laugh and almost cry too... and then I had a huge plate of spaghetti Aglio e olio and lots of wine to calm my self.

 Yes eating is the favourite sport here and crazy romantic or challenging walks...but the best walks are done around the shops, Linen shops, handmade sandals, jewellery galore, cashmere, scents and more. You know you are in Italy when the men's shops are better than the women's ones..

At sunset there is always amazing outdoor concerts, classical, Neapolitan, or even Kazakhstani , you can hear the music flow all over Capri, it is so beautiful, or the outdoor cinema to watch old Italian movies. Also visiting or staying in Anacapri is essential, very different to Capri, the air is cooler, crispier and the views are spectacular. Its like being in the countryside of Capri. My favourite thing to do there is go to the Caesare Augustus hotel for sunset drinks, just heaven..I will stay there for a few days next time, want to get know this part of the island better and with that view!

Or if lazy just hire a boat to take you around the island stopping off to swim in beautiful bays, look at incredible boats anchored of the island or got to one of the beach clubs to hangout and yes eat again and even day excursions to Positano or Nerano.

I could go on and on, obviously I love Capri as do many others. Thank you my friend for giving me a wonderful holiday in your childhood island. Can't wait to go back, I can hear the Siren's call..

Till we meet again xo

All Pictures taken by Vision of Splendor.

Acrylicious

 Modern Acrylic Designs by Alexandra von Furstenberg

1970's Lucite Game Table via 1stDibds

Pair of 1950's Lucite and Wood End Tables via VandM

Lucite X Chair with Clint Greggory Cushion via VandM

Triangle Lucite Lamp with Zebra Shade by Clint Greggory via VandM

Set of Albrizzi Ice Buckets via VandM

1960's Lucite and Black Patent Leather Dinette Set via 1stDibs

Shades of red and pink Screens by Emmanuelle Moureaux

Kodachi Aroma Sticks Stand by Emmanuelle Moureaux

"There Is No Chair"  Red Chair Quan via Jia Moderne

1970's Italian Lucite Candle Holders via 1stDibs

Acrylic , there seems to be so many different types of names for this plastic , Lucite being my favourite,  something to do with the quality and colouring and how wears with time, that is why I leave the technical data to the experts.

What I do know is that here are so many beautiful ways to use this material as shown above, I always like Lucite/Acrylic for its light but yet durable quality. The way it reflects light and seems to be complimentary to finishes like brass, leather , wood to name a few, or Just with bold colours that offset strong lines in a modern design. It inspires me, maybe ill contact one of these designers to customize something for me.

Plastic is fantastic xo

Resources.

www.alexandravonfurstenberg.com

www.1stdibs.com

www.emmauelle.jp

www.jiamoderne.com

www.vandm.com

  INTERMISSION

David Bowie is back, and cool as ever! My previous post I mentioned his Exhibition at the V&A  here is his first single since 10 years. 

David Bowie's The Stars (Are out Tonight)

Starring no other than Tilda Swinton, perfect casting. 

Let The Music Play

Edition10 Headphones via Ultrasone

Edition8 Headphones via Ultrasone

Organic Harmony Sculpture Speaker via Shape Audio

Momentum Monoblock Amplifier via D'Agostino

Soprano Music Maestro Trunk via Pinel et Pinel

JAMBOX Wireless Speaker Big Sound Small Package via Jawbone

Sovereign MKII Turntable via Origin Live

Bight Stingray Earphones via Molami

BeoLab 5 Speakers via Bang & Olufsen.

CrystalDock via Calypso Crystal

Krystaline Niagara Glass Speakers via Waterfall Audio

Shagreen I-Case Music On The Run via Pinel et Pinel

Megaphone Speakers via en&is

Pleat Black & Gold Napa Leather Headphones via Molami

Eklipse Music Multi System via Sonoro

Endorphin CD Player via Pathos Acoustics

Yes that is a real size iPod! iNuke Boom via Behringer. 10,000 Watts weighing 700 pounds. Now that's what I call an iPod dock!

Happy Listening! xo

La Citroen 2CV par Hermes

Celebrating this weeks up coming Hermès exhibition in London, I got inspired to do a few posts on the world of Hermès and some of their collaborations.

In April 2008 Citroen 2CV celebrated its 60th Birthday during the Paris Motor Show, to mark this special event they collaborated with Hermès to design a made to measure outfit for this lady.

The 1989 2CV 6 Spécial, painted in tan brown , the interiors outfitted all in the instantly recognizable Hermès Tan Leather with that perfect stitch.  The seats are upholstered in Hermès beige cotton canvas and natural leather. As a finishing touch, the bonnet and interior trim at the rear of the vehicle also feature Hermès cotton canvas.

Elle est si belle! xo

Photos via ,

www.hermes.com

www.citroen.com

Farewell Baroness Thatcher

Baroness Thatcher in 1974 by Terry O'Neill

October 13 1925 – 8 April 2013

"Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country." 1979, the year she became prime minister.