Happy Full Blue Moon In Aquarius August 20th 2013

Totally Crazy for Elise Dray

Bo Goia Dragon Earring in White gold, White, Grey & Black diamonds.

Bo Aigle Earrings, White Gold and White & Black Diamonds.

Hypocampe Ring , Black gold, Grey & Black Diamonds.

Bracelet Black Leaf, White Gold , White Diamonds & Onyx.

Bague Siamoise, Black Gold, White & Black Diamonds & Blue Sapphires.

Bracelet Peace Flower, White Gold & Black Diamonds.

Bague Hibou, Black Gold , Onyx , Black Diamonds & Rubies.

Bague Muguet, Black Gold , Black Diamonds & Red Sapphires.

Collier Aigle. Yellow Gold, Black & White Diamonds.

Bo Feuille de Latanier Earrings, Yellow Gold, Tigers Eye and White Diamonds.

Bague Serpentine, Rose Golds and Brown & Black Diamonds.

Bo Leaf Earrings, Yellow Gold, Malachite & White Diamonds.

Bague Papillion, Rose Gold & White Diamonds.

Bague Hippie Croix , Yellow Gold & White Diamonds.

As I was browsing for jewellery to drool over I stumbled upon a piece that made me blink a couple of times in rapid succession. What was this ? A Dragon Earring made of Black and White Diamonds.

I quickly researched this genius designer and fell totally in love with the world of Elise Day. Dragons, Wings, Leafs, Serpents, the Mythical World,  are some of her subjects for her pieces, yes we have seen some of these used before but the design is done in such a clever and beautiful way that I had such a hard time picking a few to chose for this post.

Based out of Paris her shop is located in 7 Rue de La Paix, How come I never saw it before! How wonderful to find someone as unique as her. Can't believe no one stocks her here in London and only one shop in the US.

Get on her website to see even more choice,

J'Adore Elise Dray xo

All Photos via www.elisedray.com

Sinatra's Twin Palms

One fine day in May 1947 Frank Sinatra walked into the office of Architect E. Stewart Williams  and stated that he wanted him to build him a house but it had to be done by Christmas, and wanted to be done in a Georgian Style. This style was not suited to the Palm Springs climate, so Stewart Williams presented him with two designs one in the Georgian style he had requested and another more modern, low built, that blended in with the Desert surroundings and colours.

Thankfully Sinatra choose this design and incredibly Williams built the House in time for Christmas, it was the family run firm Williams, Williams & Williams first private home commission and would become the house to set the trend for architecture in Palm Springs.

What a great history, would have loved to have been at one of Sinatra's Legendary parties in that house, as we all know that Dean Martin, Ava Gardner and all of Old Hollywood would come and stay, he would cut some of his records there using the wonderfully named Valentino Electronics of Hollywood.

The Twin Palms Estate as it was named can be rented, shame Frank Sinatra and friends don't come with the house, those were the days.

That's Life, xo

Sources via,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avU2aarQUiU

www.sinatrahouse.com

www.beaumondevillas.com/california/palm-springs/twin-palms/index.html

www.flickr.com

www.wikipedia.org

INTERMISSION

LUX AETERNA

A Journey of Light, from distant galaxies to small drops of water

3D Animation by Cristobal Vila

www.etereaestudios.com

Music Theme "The Gift" by Johann Johannsson

www.johannjohannsson.com

Duvet St Gallen , home Switzerland .

Gem Palace

Gem Palace Showroom

Diamond, Emerald and Gold Bib Necklace Magnifique

Mughal Sarpesh. 72 Carats of Emeralds, 110 Carats of Diamonds with a cluster of South Sea Pearls.

The back view of the Sarpesh is just as incredible as the front. Gold-Silver Lacework pattern with little diamond flowers.

Gold and Gem set Flower Bracelet Gem Palace via Harry Fane

Ancient Egyptian Inlaid Lotus Earrings with Turquoise Drops and Lapis Lotus Blossoms , with handcarved Carnelian Cabochon stones.

Gold and Rose Cut Diamond Bib Necklace Gem Palace Via Harry Fane.

Cabochon Spinel  ring mounted on Platinum and Diamonds. Gem Palace Via Harry Fane.

Diamond, Emerald and Pearl Lariat Necklace Circa 1930's

Indian Jewellery is one my greatest passions. These are from Gem Palace in Jaipur that was established by the Kasliwal Family in 1852. I hope never to be let loose in there as I may never leave.

http://www.gempalacejaipur.com

http://www.harryfane.com

Michael Aram

Fan Coral Sculpture

Tortoiseshell Shell Candle Holder

Fig Leaf Serving Bowl

Pomgranate Nut Bowl

Honey Pot with Spoon

All Photos from Neiman Marcus

We could do with a Michael Aram Shop in London. Love his work and they make great gifts.

http://www.michaelaram.com

Sebastiao Salgado talks with Benedikt Taschen about Genesis and his profoundly moving experiences of what he has witnessed on his journey through the lens.

  TASCHEN

INSTITUTO TERRA

Big In Japan : Kaikado

The History of Kaikado

Kaikado was established in 1875, shortly after Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world. With civilization came the import of tin plate from England. Tin was used for the plating of steel, and was considered a fashionable foreign-made item. In the Edo era, canisters made from tin were a commonplace means of storage for tea, as were jars made from china or earthenware. It was the company's founder, Kiyosuke, who first designed the tin tea caddy and made it into a commercially available item. His aim was to provide a well-designed, functional tea caddy capable of storing the type of tea leaves commonly sold by dealers. Showing sympathy for local traditions, Kaikado designed a product that would leave a lasting impression on the discerning Kyoto locals. A great many orders were received from tea dealers and hardware merchants alike. The tea caddies were tailor made to the requirements and needs of each and every store. In a time before the invention of the refrigerator, air tightness was key to maintaining the flavour and quality of freshly picked leaves for a period of one year.

Kaikado's tea caddies were a blessing in disguise to tea dealers, in particular in terms of their functionality. Before long, there was an increase in the number of stores supplying the tea caddies, in Kyoto and throughout Western Japan. A manufacturing process that involves anywhere between 130 to 140 steps, the hand-made tea caddies have virtually remained true to the designs established by Kaikado's founding generation. The die and mold used in the early years of the company is still in use today, whilst some shapes of tea caddy used 130 years ago are still in production today.

In 1916, the company was succeeded by Otokichi. The second generation, Otokichi was said to be the most able craftsman of all generations. The third generation, Hikojiro, successfully led the company through difficult times in which, preceding and after the 2nd World War, materials were scarce and tools also had to be sent away in the name of war. The period of economic growth that followed the war years, saw the advent of cheaply made, inexpensive tea caddies. Dissatisfied with this, the fourth generation successor, Shouchi, continued to make tea caddies in the traditional manner, at the same time developing a caddy made from copper. The fifth generation, Seiji, started producing tea caddies to sell to the general public and for this purpose introduced a portable caddy suited to the individual user. Seiji also developed a caddy made from brass. The sixth successor, Takahiro, developed a two-tiered tea caddy. He initiated the first ever collaborations with tea brands, and marketed his caddies abroad. Whilst maintaining tradition, Takahiro set his sights on the global market. Adding a new element per generation is a tradition that Kaikado has carried throughout its history.

Even as its horizons widened, Kaikado has made the same tea caddies it has always done. Doing away with excessive detail, the caddies are based on the pursuit of function. Their simple forms are overflowing with functionality. Each time a Kaikado tea caddy is handled, it develops a unique sheen specific to the type of material from which it is made. Witnessing the changes in color that develop over time will surely bring great joy to the person wishing to nurture their caddy over time. A tea caddy that has been filled with the memories of 100 years can be passed onto the next generation to treasure. With the hand-made materials and methods that comprise Kaikado’s selection of caddies, one can enjoy the expressions unique to each and every tin caddy, or the rapidly changing appearance of copper, or the mellow changes of color that make the brass tea caddies so unique. These qualities forming an important characteristic to its tea caddies, Kaikado have selected only materials with which this can be achieved.

The precision inherent in the hand-made process of the tea caddies is also unique to Kaikado. The double-walled construction guarantees excellent air tightness and will protect tea leaves from humidity whilst helping them to maintain their scent. In addition to being used for storing tea leaves, the caddies be used to hold a wide variety of foodstuffs. They can also be used to store English or Chinese tea, as well as coffee, spices, pasta and grain. We are confident that our customers will not only enjoy the long-lasting quality of our tea caddies, and the scents that arise with each removal of the lid, but experience the difference in function between our caddies and standard containers or boxes.

Having spanned 130 years of history, it is our wish to maintain the art of and passion for our tea caddies for future generations to enjoy.

Love the story of Kaikado, wonderful craftsmanship and design, you can have them customize your logo or any design on them and combine the brass, silver and bronze together, they are also useful for to store other ingredients like herbs, pasta and coffee. For more information and ordering please visit their beautiful site. Your kitchen would look magnificent with these caddy's gleaming. 

Utsukushii xo

Pictures sourced via,

www.kaikado.jp

www.designboom.com

Happy Winter Solstice

"In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me lay an an invincible Summer"

Albert Camus           

Winter Solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere between the 21st-22nd of December depending on your time zone. This is officially the first day of Winter, it happens when the North Pole tilts 23.5 degrees away from the sun, it is the longest night of the year. On a very good note, after this event the days will slowly get longer until the Summer Solstice!

Pictures via National Geographic, Flickr, Tumblr and Pinterest,

TODAY IS VISION OF SPLENDOR'S 2ND BIRTHDAY! 

Enjoy the show. x