petite

Yesterday Hannah and I popped in to the corner shop's free tea salon. It was fun to sit around with a few people I haven't seen in a while, share some biscuits and drink a few cups of tea (Chinese chai!). I couldn't resist having a peep at the new Isabel marant jewellery either, there were some simple pendants,  lot of feathers and some little tusks but what I loved most of all were the bracelets and necklaces adorned with the little puffball from last season. Rohan got me the pink beaded bracelet for Valentine's day this year and I thought it was such a nice match with the mottled blue/grey beaded one that I just couldn't resist! 

I'm also in love with this double heart bracelet by Sydney label Petite Grand. I like the images of designer Tanja Kovacevic in her Elizabeth Bay home studio, she hand-makes all the delightfully simple and delicate pieces and I just love how she has arranged the jewellery with homewares. 

This piece in particular reminds me a little of my Lyie Van Ryke heart bracelet. A friend got this for me in Paris for my 16th birthday and I haven't taken it off since. I have a soft spot for little silver hearts...

Also the latest page from my sketchbook, perfume wishlist!

1. My new IM bracelets, 2. My perfume Illustration, 3. A photo of my jewellery draw, 4. Tanja Kovacevic in her studio, 5. Petite Grand bracelet, 6 &7. Tanja Kovacevic's home studio.  (Petitie Grand photos by Rachel Kara)

click

I just finished a project I have been working on for the past few months, a website for the lovely Amy Kaehne. This was my first ever web project and it proved to be lots of fun! 

what i think about when i think about paris

        

My friend Hannah recently returned from a lovely summer holiday in France. I have been counting down until my holiday (6 months away!) and love hearing friends experiences whilst overseas. Hannah ate at some amazing looking places (you can have a look on her blog) and picked up a few little goodies (remember my obsession with delicate jewellery?). 

I was lucky enough to have her bring me back this knitted cotton/linen sweater from COS. I am a regular visitor of their website even though it's impossible to get outside of Europe. You can imagine how happy I was to hear they still had this guy and that it was 50% off! 

I have been making a little list of eateries I must visit in Paris. Rose Bakery is the top of the list, I have had their cookbook for six years now and I can't wait to try their famous carrot cake!! There are a few others I have bookmarked in my Time Out Paris guide but I have also been enjoying the travel photos on thank you, ok and miss little lime's Paris guide.

p.s. Thanks Han for the salted caramel chocolate - my own little piece of Paris!

1. Rose Bakery from thank you, ok, 2 & 3. Rose Bakery recipe book photographed by me, 4 & 5. Paris guide by miss little mime, 6 & 7. COS AW11/12 lookbook,  8. COS sweater, 9. French salted caramel chocolate both photographed by me. 

mood

"The Geometry of Pasta shows you how to develop an instinct for matching pasta and sauce. We explain how to team up pasta with sauce to maximise taste and texture and to turn you from an average into a great pasta cook."

1. The Geometry of Pasta and Luella's Guide to English Style. I received both of these of my birthday and they both became instant favourites.

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan.

I wanted to read Jane Eyre before seeing the film and the book really grew on me, I think I am one of the lucky few who didn't have to read it for high school English. I haven't read any of Charlotte's work before (I think Emma will be next) but Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights is one of my favourites. I can't say I love Mr. Rochester as much as Heathcliffe but given that Michael Fassbender is playing him in the new film, that may change. 

I decided to revisit Bonjour Tristesse as a means of escapism from the cold, winter days. 17-year-old Cecile's summer spent in a villa on the French Riviera is both beautiful and tragic. I still can't believe this was published when the author, Francoise was only 18. 

3. Drawing things I like.

4. Revisiting Influence by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. There are so many amazing interviews in this book and after a discussion with Hannah I re-read it for the third time. This spread is from the interview with interior designer David Collins. If I ever go to London I plan of visiting the Blue Bar he designed in The Berkley Hotel. 

5. My bedroom ceiling.

6. Treasured moments spent burning my Penhaligon's lily & spice candle and drawing/reading.   

All photographs and illustrations by me.

olo

I found this lovely blog work.place while I was supposed to be doing homework. Run by Portland-based photographer Carlie Armstrong it looks at the workspaces of local creatives.

These images are from OLO, a fragrance line created by perfumer Heather Sielaff. I love the simplicity of the little vials and the fact they are hand-made with love in her home. I'm putting the violet/leather fragrance on my beauty wishlist. Sounds interesting, no? 

please and thankyou

I love fine jewellery so much at the moment, and cuffs and crystals and rose gold. 

I read an article a while ago about an artist who drew all her purchases in an effort to cut spending. So whenever I feel tempted by something I draw it instead. This is a page in my moleskin that has grown over the past two months, I'm sure my little book will be filled up by the time we leave for Europe. 

6 months to go!

ocean views

tea for two

a drawing i did of two rabbits drinking tea for the corner shop's tea party events. miss shades favours a lapsang souchong while jeans-and-top alternates between orange pekoe and sencha. smashing.

paris match

i've never been a huge nike fan, or basketball sneaker fan (i was always more into adidas) but i really like these new stitchless hyperfuse air force 1's - i think it's the all-over solid colour. nice.

via BRND

space

This is the little table in our living room where Rohan and I like to sit and work on new drawings. At the moment we have a lovely bunch of Hyacinths and a Penhaligon's lily & spice candle keeping us company, perfect for brightening up chilly winter days.  

true glitter

The previous Miu Miu campaign I could take or leave, but this is actually adorable.

Hailee Steinfeld by Bruce Weber for Miu Miu Fall 2011.

Images from fashiongonerogue