"The kitchen isn't always the heart of a WASP home; more often, it's the garden shed." - Assouline
"One of the hippest and most beautiful destinations in the world, the chic Hotel Il Pellicano, located on the Argentario, is a hangout for many from the design, fashion and art worlds. With photographs by the great chroniclers of yesteryear glamour, John Swope and Slim Aarons - who captured the likes of Emilio Pucci, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Britt Ekland and Susanna Agnelli relaxing here - as well as recent pictures by Juergen Teller, one of the most influential fine art and fashion photographers working today, the book presents three artful perspectives on this modern-day dolce vita. A visitor's note by Bob Colacello and a full history of the hotel by Bronwyn Cosgrave explore Il Pellicano's illustrious legacy and its continuing seductive allure." - Violette
"The authoritative fashion history of the roots, growth, and offshoots of the quintessentially American preppy style. Preppy offers the first definitive and in-depth volume on preppy fashion, exploring its evolution from its pragmatic origins and presence on elite Eastern campuses in America to its profound influence internationally and metamorphosis on the runway. For the first time, the preppy story is told completely and beautifully with iconic and never-before-published archival and editorial photographs and personal snapshots from the original Ivy elites. Exploring all facets of men’s and women’s preppy fashion, this vibrant volume is replete with photographs and vintage ads illustrating the iconic elements of prep: from Oxford shirts, khakis, and Shetland sweaters to Peter Pan collars, madras pants, and Lilly Pulitzer tropical blooms." - Rizzoli
Megan owns Summerland, which is an amazing store based in Portland. Summerland stocks wonderful things I've never seen available to buy before, like incense in every Zodiac sign, scents that smell like leather and violets, hair tonics, banners that spell out things like MAGIC SURROUNDS, and beautiful dresses by Karen Walker and TBA. As well as cool vintage finds - shoes, bags, jeans. I spend ages on her site doing imaginary shopping, so it was nice to hear what else she's into. Stevie Nicks forever.
1. Big Sur - My first trip to this magical stretch of California coastline was over the summer during my honeymoon. We stayed in some very rustic cabins set in a tiny canyon with a private deck nestled in the redwoods. The only thing to do there is eat great food, soak in all the beautiful views and maybe spend a leisurely afternoon reading in the Henry Miller museum.
2. Mazzy Star/Hope Sandoval - The minute I put on She Hangs Brightly I am immediately transported to my teenage room at my parents house. I would spend hours listening to their albums over and over while painting or just zoning out like a typical 15 year old. I thought (and still think) Hope Sandoval is one of the most beautiful people to ever exist. They are coming out with a new album after a 15 year hiatus, #1 thing to look forward to in 2012!
3. Dive Bars - Don't get me wrong, I like a well crafted speciality drink in a thoughtfully decorated bar with extremely flattering lighting once in a while but most of the time I am content in an all American neighborhood dive. The kind of dark bar with a jukebox, stiff drinks with the scent of 30 year old tobacco lingering in the air. One more important component: a really good hamburger.
4. Harney & Sons Paris Tea - I originally bought this tea because the tin is so pretty and was pleasantly surprised! This is the tea that got me to cut my coffee consumption in half. It is perfect in the afternoon with milk and a spoon full of honey. I especially like it served in a tall bistro glass to up the Parisian vibe.
5. OLO Fragrances - Heather Sielaff is an olfactory genius! She creates the most thoughtful and intriguing scents, all hand blended from precious essential oils that are often sourced here in the Pacific Northwest. My personal favorite is Lightning Paw, a warm blend of bergamot, vanilla, jasmine, patchouli and wood. She also makes an incredible argan oil Hair Tonic that has transformed my unruly tresses.
6. Norwegian Forest Cats - I don't think I have to explain this one much, just look at the photo! Giant fluffy viking kitty friends with big bushy tails and a robust meow. The best!
7. Wild Heart Tote - I have a special spot in my heart for this collaborative tote between Fieldguided and Summerland. I had been a fan of Anabela + Geoff's minimalist totes with carefully chosen lyrics from some of my favorite songs and was thrilled when they agreed to create a special design just for the shop. Of course I had to pick a Stevie Nicks song and "blame it on my wild heart" is too perfect, especially with the soft pink ombre dye.
8. Salvatore Ferragamo - There's nothing more elegant than those little gold and grosgrain bows. I'm not sure how it happened but at some point I started collecting vintage Ferragamo pumps, they are so comfortable and one of the only shoemakers I've found that make shoes in my size (10.5 AA, what a curse!). The quality is amazing and you can get great deals on vintage styles on Ebay and Etsy.
9. Baby Goats Dancing - My heart is full! I am now spending all my spare time researching how to have one or two of these little guys at my new house.
10. Peonies - The ultimate flower, in my opinion. I try to have fresh flowers in my home whenever possible, they have great energy and always manage to cheer me up. The soft pink blush of a peony is the most romantic color in the universe.
I got turned on to Estelle Deve's work via My Chameleon. I love it. It's so organic looking, handmade, inspired by various natural things like paleolithic rocks. I got Estelle to write up a few of her favourite things, and I hope I get to meet her in person one day soon, cause we've got super similar taste (and a taste for red wine in the park...)
1// Summer. There is no other time I love more than Summer. Sun on my skin, picnics in parks, going for swims, walking barefoot.. Nothing beats that! My dream life would involve a bit of Spring, a loooong Summer, a little Autumn and more Summer again. I usually tend to escape Winter as least for a month or so every year or I just get in the saddest mood…
2// Shoes. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a slight (understatement!) addiction/obsession with shoes. Especially if they're Dries Van Noten.. I have an "ultimate" list of all the shoes I'd like to own one day and every season the list keeps getting longer and longer… It's quite ridiculous really… I'm actually trying to refrain myself at the moment as I end up having absolutely no clothes to wear and not enough feet for all the shoes I have.
3 // Denim shirts, stripy tops and grey t-shirts. Another obsession of mine. I never seem to find any clothes I like in stores and if I do, it usually belongs to one of the above categories (that, or it's some very very expensive crazy thing that probably no one else would seriously consider buying). The stripes I started wearing as a "French" gimmick to make my friends laugh years ago and has now ended up as my go to item. I just can't get away from them..
4// my grandfather's watch. It makes me feel all grown up. I love the gold dial, the stained leather wristband and the fact that it rewinds itself with the moves of my wrist. It loses five minutes everyday and if I don't wear it for over 24hours it completely stops. It is absolutely unpractical, but I'm in love.
6// 3.1 Phillip Lim. I usually spend most of my clothes budget at Acne, but Phillip Lim has been giving them a run for their money lately. He does such simple and elegant everyday clothes using such great fabrics. I really like his accessories also. It's a shame his designs are so hard to find in Australia… I'm saving my pennies and when the sales start, I think there will be a bit more Phillip Lim in my closet. Oh.. and those two looks from his SS12… I want everything!
7// Making mix cds (and receiving them). I still remember making mixtapes for the boy I was in love with at primary school: the hidden love meaning behind every song, the hours spent picking them and making them all flow together, the drawings on the cover and the excitment when handing it in. None of this has changed and I love them even more now that everything is all about new technologies: I love the giving and receiving actual objects, tangble proofs of love. My boyfriend had my heart at the song above which he put on his first mix cd.
5// Oud Immortel by Byredo. I had been alternating a million of mens perfumes over the last few years without ever founding something that was completely "me". Then I stumbled upon "Oud Immortel" and I found everything i had been looking for all along. It's strong and fresh, without being overpowering.
Weirdly enough, I went home for European summer and when I got back a few weeks ago, quite a few of my friends said they had missed my "smell". So I guess it was a good fit..
8// Ancient Egypt. I've got a strange fascination with all things Egyptian. I think it all started while being really into Indiana Jones as a kid, and redeveloped over my holidays which were mainly spent by the pool, ready about Egyptian mythology, or visiting every museum with an Egyptian exhibition I could find. My little brother also recently moved to Egypt to become a scuba diving instructor, so it's all a bit too much not to be intrigued. Hopefully, I'll be making my way there in person sooner rather than later. I've been joking around that if I didn't make it as a jewellery designer I'd start uni again and become an Egyptologist.
9// Drinking Pinot Noir with my friends (even better if it's whilst sitting in a park).
I don't want to boast, but my friends are pretty awesome! I'm not quite sure what I'd do without them. I feel so lucky to have met such amazing individuals, who I can share everything with, be it laughs or tears, and who keep inspiring me, day after day. They're the ones who really make Melbourne my "home". I spend most of my free time hanging out with them, and sharing a bottle of Pinot Noir while discussing the meaning of life (or.. clothes/boys/work) has become quite a ritual.
10// Love. Because there's no better feeling than being in love and being loved.
One of the most charming films I have seen in a long time, I am a little embarrassed that I hadn't already watched Mon Oncle. "A delightful satire of mechanized living", the film follows carefree Monsieur Hulot and, by contrast, his uptight and socially conscious sister and brother-in-law, living a machine-like existence in their mechanical (yet incredible) home. It feels eerily relevant today, even though it was released in 1958, and if you haven't seen it already, you should - it's immediately gone into my film top five. Everything is a joy, from the pack of dogs running free in the opening and closing scenes, to the cheeky children whistling at strangers, to Hulot's awesome swing coat - and yes, the incredible ultra-modern, stark lines and interiors of Hulot's sister's home, dubbed Villa Arpel. Fashion factoid: Raf Simons presented his recent Jil Sander collection on a runway set inspired by the interiors of that house. (Also, he played 50 Cent's Candy Shop).
My Chameleon is one of my favourite online stores. Giselle, the owner and buyer, has a great eye that aligns perfectly with what I love. Delicate jewelry, glossy patent brogues and loafers, plenty of shirts, easy dresses and interesting, independent designers. I've picked up a few pairs of Opening Ceremony shoes, a beautiful Thomsen shirt and a Benah cuff I wear every second day. Giselle has shared some of her favourite things with of us, from a go to album to haunts found on buying trips in Europe.
1. Aegean Sea / Greek Islands - I travelled there in July and cannot wait to go back. Sitting on the back of a scooter, exploring the coast and spending most of my time barefoot was so liberating.
2. Traditional Craft - Crochet, Jacquards and Handloom fabrics. In one of the small towns in Greece, I stubbled across a little old lady sitting at a handloom machine, talking on her mobile and smoking a cigarette weaving this beautiful wool fabric.
3. Worn in custom made leather sandals, my friend gave me, from St Tropez - they have been everywhere with me and the more they age the lovelier they get.
4. There is no way I could part with my shirts - they are definitely my lets-make-life-easier piece of clothing. Put a cotton shirt with anything and you add that little bit of cool.
5. Polish photography by Lukasz Wierzbowski - Such a lovely man, his ability to capture the personality of a woman is inspiring. One of his beautiful photos is appearing on the cover of our first issue of our keepsake poster to be released in November.
7. Stand up Paddle Boarding - last summer this was my weekly must, so I am now looking for a bamboo board to buy for summer. Being out on the water, in a bikini with friends while getting a work out - it is perfect.
6. Tourist - Discovered this magazine a couple of years ago and I keep going back - they cover everything from literature to photography, music and of course fashion including personal visual diaries. I always admire the art direction in their fashion editorials, it has an authentic quality about it.
8. Buying trips in Paris / favourite stay at Relais Christine / Favourite lunch Salade St Germaine at Les Deux Magots - poached chicken with green beans and curry sauce - unbelievable. Finish off with a visit to the antique stores in the backstreets of Paris.
9. Chromatics last album, Night Drive (2007) - can listen to this anytime - sultry disco, I say.
10. Ed Moses - born in 1926, this LA abstract artist creates work that I think is beyond our time - his range is amazing.
