Ben's Vessels

 

We're well overdue for some ceramicness. Today I have the lovely work of Ben Fiess to share with you. Below: Large Jar in Speckled Surf, USD $100 here, you must pre-order however. Using custom glazes and a unique 4-part construction, the jar closes with two cork plugs and a contrast-colored rubber band. Measuring 6" tall x 3.5" wide. 

The Icing's on the Wall

No, really. I'm not kidding. This is no ordinary mural art. Made entirely from edible blue paint, white sugar tiles, and icing, Shelly Miller recreates these beautiful azulejo style historical murals. Delicious! Shelly Miller of Montreal, I heart you.The murals have been installed in several ports, including Monteal, and Salvador, Brazil.

 

 

 

 

Bags of Fun

This lady is totally nuts. Nuts about handbags. Nuts about designing them and having bags be pieces of artwork in and of themselves. She even has a bag in the shape of a nut. Inés Figaredo is a lawyer turned designer, and I thinks she has a great sense of fun. Certainly not conventional, her designs feature a foot, skull, hen, walnut, and basically anything else under the sun that takes her fancy. All beautifully crafted. Check out the video below as Inés’ Big Girl Face Bag is being made.

Bottle It

I'm a huge fan of up-cycling and think what Gareth Britzman in Lincoln, Nebraska has come up with for all those old plastic bottle is just genius. A designer by trade, Gareth filled hundreds of plastic bottles with coloured water to create a beautiful tropical shade canopy. The result is a flowery rainbow art installation that has a thousand applications. 

Meow Meow for Me.

Thursday. And I have fallen in love with this Meow Face Cat Cusion by Beneath The Sun. I don't have a pet. This could be my pet cat. I'd call him Mr Meow. 100% Cotton with polyfill stuffing, machine washable. Measures: 45cm width x 35cm height. AUD $45. And if you're not a cat lover, there's a much of other lovely things on their site to fall in love with, take home and name.

Put a Pin in it

Stunning work today by photographer Philip Karlsberg with his editorial work for Plaza Magazine. Taking pin art to a whole new level Philip show us our fave celebrities in a very minimal, yet instantly recognisable way. All wearing sunnies that giving them the final touch and bringing them to life.

 

 

 

 

Designer Mail

I love stamps and fashion, so I'm thrilled that The Royal Mail has combined the two in this series honouring ten top fashion houses of England. They include Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eye in the skyline

 Last night Mr E and I decided it was high time we checked out the new Eye. We see it from our front window at home, but have been a bit slack making the journey across the river. The Eye is the home of the Film Institute of The Netherlands, the Dutch center for film culture.

 Last night we caught the ferry over from central station and went to watch Hugo in 3D. Which was pretty good. It's a kids movie, but has a lovely story and great graphics, with seeing, especially in 3D.

 The setting is stunning, set on the banks of the river Ij.

 After the movie we had drinks and then dinner on the terrace which was just beautiful. Lovely way to laze away the evening.

 Some shots of the interior. Loved the light fixtures.

 Continuing down the other side of the Eye, to a lovely open park area by the riverbank.

 Watching the sun set over our house.

 

The Eye Film Institute Netherlands: IJpromenade 1, 1031KT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Tel: +31(0)20 5891400 Bookings online.

Tri-Winning

This weekend I attended second Annual Kentucky Derby Event Amsterdam. It was a wonderful night of champagne, hats, and roses, hosted by the divine Ms W and the charming Mr H. And although the place was packed Mr E and I wanted a horse to run in the race and after a few lost bids, we decided to go for Bodemeister. Sounded Dutchy, and the Trainer is Bob Baffert...which is pretty close to 'Rafferty' (my surname), and that was enough for us. And guess what? We came in second!! And, not only that, we both won Fashion on The Field! Tri-winning. Charlie Sheen, eat your heart out. Already looking forward to next year!

Pekka Amsterdam

Pekka is here. Launch exhibition tonight 6pm – 11pm at Guns & Butter: Lauriersgracht 11, 1016 RD Amsterdam. RSVP: launch@agentpekka.com

Van Diemen's Land

Today a film from Rapha shot in my homeland, Tasmania. "Rapha is proud to present Van Diemen's Land, the first ride from the Rapha Continental 2012, featuring a short film, words and photos from Tasmania. The Rapha Continental 2012 will feature unique rides from across the globe: Europe, the UK, Japan, Asia, Australia and, of course, North America." Nice. Thanks to Ms Stephanie for sharing it.

Orange and Gold

Another Queen's Day has come and gone. I think this was the best ever. Mr E and I were up early, and with my little granny wheely cart set off for the big treasure hunt! We are experienced flea-marketers, and my eagle eyes soon spied some bargains. We dropped off our cargo twice! Our loot for the days contained a lot of records, comics, picture frames, 50's bunting flags of the North Pole 1958 (amazing) and another place I can't remember now, kids puzzles, vintage kids dress (for the attic), a metal fuss-ball man, a painting of a nude, a small 50's shelf, some fabric, another trolley (oh yes, needed to carry the frames!), lovely 60s hat box for my jewels, ...and what else? Hmmm, that might be it. Good treasure. Tummies were also satisfied with Burger Bar burgers, beer, ice cream, and copious amounts of poffetje's. Delicious. Also saw this incredible Dodge, below. I still can't believe the Dutch weather decided to give us a day of glorious sun sandwiched in between all this crappy wind, rain, and thunder. Thank you, weather gods. Just magic, walking baout the city I love with the love of my life on one arm, treasure in the other, sun beaming down on us. All in all, best Queen's Day ever.