Happy Thanksgiving

Masculine Edge

1. Craftsman 1470pc Professional Tool Set

Ferrari via GQ

Kitchen via Erin Martin Projects

Tom Dixon Lights

Miles Redd Kitchen

Todd Romano Living Room

Italian Style via The Sartorialist

Men's Dressing Room

Tom Kundig Pool and Gym via AD

Martin Gee Apartment

Office Source Unknown

1938 Alfa Romeo's Lungo Touring Coupe

Gio Ponti Blue Diamond Living Room

Denver Art Museum North Building by Gio Ponti

Gio Ponti

Francisco Costa Apartment Via AD

Miles Redd Bedroom

Mad Men's Don Draper

Pinstripe Arm Chair via Inside Man Apartment Therapy

1963 Aston Martin DB5 via GQ

Pinstripe and Silver Via Apartment Therapy

Douglas Friedman Office Space

Roman & Williams Living Room Elizabeth NYC

Roman & Williams Black and Caramel Kitchen Elizabeth NYC

Roman & Williams Office NYC

Hank Azaria Dressing Room via AD

Hank Azaria Office/ Games Room Via AD

Kitchen via Apartment Therapy

AMC's Rubicon TV Show

Rakovsky Loft via Anima

Restoration Hardware Aviator Office

Ryan Gosling via GQ

Tom Kundig Living via AD

http://www.nowness.com/media/embedvideo?itemid=2515&issueid=2183

INTERMISSION

Elephant Polo : The Kings Cup

VIA NOWNESS

www.nowness.com

Swimming Pools

Hotel Caruso Amalfi Coast Italy

Anantara Hotel Thailand

Tirta Ening Como Shambhala Estate Bali

Sol de Occidente Costa Careyes Mexico

Sol de Oriente Costa Careyes Mexico

Tuscany House via Architectural Digest

Wakanasa Como Shambhala Estate Bali

Pantai Lima Estate Bali

Villa in Key West Florida via Architectural Digest

Sonoma Valley California via Elle Decor

Ibiza House via Elle Decor

Venezuelan Villa via Elle Decor

Las Ventanas al Paraiso Cabo San Lucas

Source Unknown

Inspired by the rainy June day here in London , wishing I was swimming in one of these pools on a hot summers day.

http://www.careyes.com

http://www.hotelcaruso.com

http://www.pantailima.com/

http://www.cse.como.bz/

http://www.lasventanas.com/

http://www.anantara.com/

http://www.architecturaldigest.com

http://www.elledecor.com/

Dashi Namdakov: A Nomad's Universe

“I would like to understand Buryat and Buddhist tradition rationally, yet I believe something within me knows it better than I do." Dashi Namdakov

Dashi Namdakov lives in the South Eastern part of Russian Siberia near the absolutely magnificent Lake Baikal, the world’s cleanest and biggest fresh water container - one of the Worlds Natural Heritage Sites. The local people Buryats believe the Lake to be sacred.

Dashi was born in 1967 in a small Buryati village near the Russian Chinese border. His father was a well-known craftsman in the village who was famous for his versatile abilities to make things with his own hands furniture, metal handles and even carpets. His wood-carved sculptures of buddhist gods and tangkas (Buddhist icons) were installed in monasteries. So, from early childhood the kids learnt different skills through helping their father.

This is the atmosphere Dashi has grown up in and by the time he became a young man he had a good command of various manual skills. But at the age of 15 Dashi suddenly got very sick and for 7 long years no doctor could heal him. The boy was near the death's door.

Finally the parents found themselves at a shaman who found the cause of the sickness. It was the negligence that people show to their roots, their predecessors and their names. She made her ritual. Incredible enough but the pain stopped instantly. And 7 days later Dashi was in another city looking for a job. That shaman predicted that Dashi would see a huge success due to his ability to observe the beauty of the surrounding world and to recreate it in metal.

He moves to Ulan-Ude, Buryati central city and starts his carrier in the workshop of the locally well-known sculptor G.Vasilyev. In 1988 Dashi is admitted to the University of Fine Arts in Siberian Krasnoyarsk city. This is where Russian famous artists Lev Golovnitsky, Yuri Ishkhanov, Azat Boyarlin and Eduard Pakhomov taught him the academic art.

After graduation in 1992 Dashi returns to Ulan-Ude. In the year 2000 after his first personal exhibition in Irkutsk it becomes clear that a new star was born in the world of arts. The exhibition came as a furore to the art establishment. The first exhibition was followed by other successful venues in Russia and other countries.

The mysterious images often haunt Dashi during nights when the consciousness is in transition to another world inhabited by celestial creatures and spirits. Dashi scrupulously renders these visions to the paper for him not to forget - and then the night dreams are imprinted in bronze or silver.

Dashi's sculptures belong to other, remote worlds where the man and the cosmos are one, where every single thing is an integral part of the universal construction each having its own individual place and yet constantly reincarnating. This is the oriental idea of the world seeing beauty in the fragile harmony of things and fearing to break this beauty with an awkward move.

This is why old shamans talk to the spirits and heal people in Dashi's world. His old warrior does not look barbaric at all rather he is tired and wise. However one feels that his wisdom does come from a lot of pain. Knowing the real cost of the victory the warrior becomes wise and thus more humane than anybody else. Dashi's women are sensual but shy in the oriental manner. Looking at a wild fallow deer how can anyone fail to see a beautiful girl? If one takes a close look at the world around he must be able to see its beauty.

"The Creator is wiser than you", - say Dashi's sculptures.- "If you take the world as it is its secret beauty will come out to you".

"My Grandpa was a very gifted story-teller. He knew a lot of legends and stories about Buryats. And I remember them with my bones, inwardly. This feeling is very strong and more on subconscious level. I would like to understand Buryat and Buddhist tradition rationally, yet, I believe, something within me knows it better than I do. My teacher at the Art School was Lev Golovnitsky, a very fine and good Russian sculptor. And he helped me to appreciate and understand the art of sculpture and world tradition. And I am a student of Michelangelo and Bourdelle, Bruegel and Old Japanese art. And I am also myself. " (Dashi Namdakov).

Text above from Halcyon Gallery,

I have always been fascinated by Nomadic Tribes and the lands of Mongolia , Siberia, Russia and central Asia. Especially their traditions and mystical faiths of Shamanism and storytelling. Dashi Namdakov has managed to capture all of these things and more in his incredible sculptures, paintings and jewellery design. This is is his first solo show in the UK, The collection includes 45 sculptures and drawings created by the artist over last 12 years and showcases the artist’s extraordinary craftsmanship and highly original style which combines traditional spiritual imagery with present day realities, make sure to also go and see this and the sculpture in Marble Arch. Out of this world.

Thank you Halcyon Gallery for bringing us such a magnificent talent,

16th of May-7 July 2012

Halcyon Gallery

144-146 New Bond Street

London

Photos sourced via,

www.halcyongallery.com

www.dashi-art.com

www.khankhalaev.com

Nour El Nil

Nour El Nil " Light of The Nile" , just the name on its own makes you want to run and book one of these beautifully decorated Dahabiyas , which were historically built to carry Royal families . I was doing research on Nile Cruises for the perfect boat for a private party and stumbled upon this gem of a fleet.

Nour El Nil has a choice of 4 Dahabiyas, Meroe , Malouka , El Nil and Assouan. They are similarly decorated but are of different sizes and cabins. You sail at a slow pace lounging on one of those elegantly stripped cushioned beds on the upper deck watching the Nile unfold before you, visiting the magnificent temples and docking on beaches for a swim.

Am sure with the renowned Egyptian Hospitality a trip with Nour El Nil would never be forgotten.Enjoy exploring their site , as they say in Egypt Inshallah (god willing) you will be soon voyaging on the splendor of the Nile.

NB. The owner of Nour al Nil is an accomplished writer whose wonderfully titled book "A Winter on The Nile: Florence Nightingale, Gustave Flaubert and The Temptations of Egypt" Would be a great companion on your journey or at home.

All pictures via www.nourelnil.com

Jewelled Splendor

Marisa Berenson New York 1970 Photo by Bert Stern

Violet Desert via Sister Himalaya

 Venus Necklace by Fabio Salini

Yellow & White Gold Ring by Carrera Y Carrera

Indian Ceremonial Hair Piece via Vogue Gioiello

Cuff Bracelet by Jaipur Gems

Choker by Anmol Jewellers of India

Peacock Brooch by Jaipur Gems

Matthew Williamson Peacock Skirt

Revelation Sapphire and Diamond Earrings by Jewellery Theatre

Sapphire and Diamond Ring by Tiffany's

Blue Waterfall by Sister Himalaya

Art Deco Waterfall Earrings by Cartier

Photo by Fabrizio Ferri Vogue Italia 1989

Gold and Mother of Pearl Earrings by Fabio Salini

Black and White Diamond Mosque Ring by Sevan

Zebra Diamond Brooch by Jar

Pearl and Diamond Necklace Source unknown

Diamond , Pearl and Gold Ring by Sylvie Corbelin

Gold and Black Mosque via Sister Himalaya

I love Jewellery!  No need for an explanation or a story, the pieces speak for themselves.

Bling it on xo

Some Sources

www.vogue.it

www.fabiosalini.com

www.sisterhimalaya.tumblr.com

http://www.nowness.com/media/embedvideo?itemid=2120&issueid=1987

Through A Glass Brightly directed by William Snieg for Nowness.

The Splendor of Motu Tane

" Never before had I seen waters the color of the rainbow or like fireworks, springing right out of some maddened imagination, or from Gaugin's own palette. Waters the color of bronze, of copper, gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, pearl, jade, emeralds, moonlight or the aurora borealis. The stars themselves seemed to have fallen to the sea, scintillating brilliantly on the lagoon's surface, in bright sunlight, who could find the right words,what poet images,what painter even colors , to describe the scene? I give up."

Paul Emile Victor, a French Explorer's impression on seeing Bora Bora for the first time from the cockpit of an airplane in 1958. He retired to Bora Bora and lived in Motu Tane.

Motu Tane island lies across the channel from Bora Bora, owned by renowned french make-up artist François Nars with interiors by Christian Liagre. This stunning island can accommodate up to 20 guests and is rented to only one party of guests at a time.

The island has all that you would expect, a chef to cook divine and fresh meals, in the garden under hundreds of coconut tress, beach barbeque's, torch-lit dinners and Tahitian feasts with those incredible dance groups. Snorkeling the crystal clear waters to discover the phenomenal array of colors, local massages with the unforgettable fragrance of Monoi oil, paddle board, windsurf and even for those who can't bear to live without there is a gym and flat screen tv's in the rooms.

From the pictures you can just use your imagination on how unforgettable this place would be. I would just stare at the the beauty all day long, swim,eat, sleep and have a big perma smile all day and night. One on my list of places to see, still have not done Polynesia and this would be just perfect, anyone interested in renting it? The only shock is the price but understandably, its a trip of a lifetime, see the website for more info.

Bon Voyage xo

Resources,

www.motutaneisland.com

www.narscosmetics.com

www.vogue.com

Native Americans at at Glacier National Park, Montana c.1910

via reddit

In the Mind of Siggi Eggertsson

Iceland

Iceland Detail

Stamp Mural Reykjavik

Iceland

"The Master" Little White Lies Magazine

Control

100 Pieces of Havana

Iceland Detail

Berlin

Brummel Eco Issue

Brock

Brock Close up

Peter & The Wolf

Some Type of Wonderful Poster

Iceland

Icelandic Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Typographer & Artist Siggi Eggerssson's work makes me smile, not only is he extremely talented, but his work is fun and imaginative. Love his repetitive geometry but softened with rounded shape, you could think that his work was vintage in some aspects but yet the colours are so vibrant and modern that makes it all come together to such a great effect.

One to watch xo

siggieggertsson.com