Moments of Beauty

Floral Portrait. Elisabeth Erm by Camilla Akrans for Dior Magazine #5, Spring 2014.

(via pinterest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Earthy and Ethereal
Take a tour of a beautiful apartment in Maintz, Germany, recently redesigned by Studio Oink. Minimalist and airy, it has an ethereal quality that can perhaps be partially attributed to its interesting owners, a fashion designer and a priest. That's the apartment dining room above, incidentally.

14 Wildly Successful Women Who Were Late Bloomers
Feeling stuck in your current job? Find inspiration in the lives of 14 women who hit their career strides later in life.

Empire of Dust
Fascinating series by photographer Amélie Labourdette of the abandoned building sites of Italy. Slightly surreal.

A Fresh Perspective on the Psychology of Scent
Jessica Hannan of Berlin-based perfume brand Apotheke explains her emotional approach to scent — and develops a bespoke fragrance especially for AnoOther magazine. Fascinating.

Taste-Testing the History of the Hamburger
Fun article that recreates the culinary history of the hamburger — impress your family and friends with interesting facts (such as what went into the ancient Roman version of a hamburger) at your next barbeque.

Face Masks For Every Skin Type
Manage acne breakouts and other summer skin woes with this helpful list of face masks for every skin type — normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive, aging and an all natural option, too.

Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
Simple to make, this lovely cake features fresh berries and is the perfect summer dessert. Definitely making this — and it would be equally as good with fresh strawberries or blueberries, too.

(photo by studio oink)

The Sensual World

The stunning Copenhagen home of Rupert Peter Landendinger is truly feast for all the senses — extensive travel and 25 years in the fashion industry has given him an extraordinary eye for art and design, music is ever present and his passion for scent has resulted in RPL Parfums, his own line of home fragrances. A beautiful, cultured space. Love. More here on Bo Bedre.

(photography by kristian septimius krogh)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.


6 Homes With Daring Wallpaper
Get inspired with Dwell's tour of six homes that are unafraid of a bold look on their walls.

The Off-Duty 50: A Guide to Spring's Best
A list of 50 great things to capture your fancy this spring. Artichoke recipes, secret island day trips from Stockholm, Elsie de Wolfe, lawn games — totally random and fun reading.

The Designer Who Brought the Caftan to Britain
Interesting slide show and article about Thea Porter, the bohemian designer who dressed Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and Faye Dunaway — and whose boho chic clothing is still avidly collected today by Kate Moss, Julia Roberts and Nicole Richie.

The Greatest Cookbooks of All Time
Epicurious is currently assembling a top ten list of the greatest cookbooks of all time, based on consultations with a panel of chefs, cookbook authors, food writers and home cooks. Follow the link to see the frontrunners.

10 Fragrances for Tomboys
Nylon selects 10 unisex-friendly scents for those who prefer to smell like a campfire rather than a cupcake garden. Some intriguing perfumes here.

The Rare Fruit Collector
Watch this 4 minute profile of a rare fruit collector and instantly feel good that the world contains people like this. Wonderful.

Sonia Delaunay and Fashion
A new exhibition celebrating the work of artist Sonia Delaunay opens this week at Tate Modern — have a look at this slide show at AnOther magazine, which focuses on her lesser known fashion and fabric design. What a brilliant creative mind she was.

50 Free Online Courses for Creatives and Entrepreneurs
Great list of links over at Design Boom of free online courses by reputable education providers offering a huge range of topics, from design/creativity to scaling a business, negotiating contracts and raising finance — and some fun ones, too.

Ribollita
A wonderfully hearty Italian soup, ribollita is traditionally made with day-old bread, cannellini beans and vegetables. Julia Busuttil Nishimura shares her recipe on The Design Files for the dish she fell for while studying in Florence years ago.

(photo via heijden hume)

Handmade Holidays

Give your home a delectable holiday aroma with lovely homemade simmering spices — recipe here.

(via how sweet it is)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

A Modern Gallery/Home in Antwerp
A 19th century building was merged with a 1970s one to create a combined home and art gallery in Antwerp, Belgium. A space that's playful and colourful fun.

The Jet-Set Era in Pictures
Lovely slide show over on Vanity Fair featuring vintage photos of the golden age of travel, including shots of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra and others looking amazingly glamorous while flying. Looking at these photos makes me rather miss those days when one dressed up to travel.

My Top Five Perfumes
Josephine Fairley, author of the just released book The Perfume Bible, reveals her personal fragrance favourites. I'm really liking the sound of Tom Ford Café Rose.

How Crossword Puzzles Are Made
Professional crossword puzzle writer Matt Gaffney describes in detail the process he goes through for creating a crossword puzzle. This would be a fun thing to do for a gift — making a personalized puzzle for a loved one or friend.

London Fashion Week: Spring 2015 Best Moments
W magazine has put together a slide show of highlights from London Fashion Week.

Erwin Blumenfeld's Studio
Slide show of highlights from the show Blumenfeld Studio: New York, 1941-1960, featuring the work of fashion photographer Erwin Blumenfeld, best known for his extraordinary art-influenced covers for Vogue.

50 Romantic Books for People Who Hate Romance Novels
Excellent and at times offbeat list over at Flavorwire of books that offer an absorbing love story with a literary bent, featuring titles by such authors as A.S. Byatt, Kazuo Ishiguro, Italo Calvino, Jeanette Winterson, Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway among many others.

Carrot and Coriander Soup with Cumin and Orange
With the evenings growing chillier, a warming soup like this one by Drizzle and Dip is the perfect way to warm up at the end of the day.

(photo via nomad)

Atelier: Line Kay

Today I'm admiring this lovely series by photographer Line Kay — exquisite styling, too.

Giveaway Winner!

I'm very happy to announce that the randomly chosen winner of the sumptuous Tealight Tower from The Mystic Masala is number 3 — Shannon! Congratulations to Shannon and thanks so much to everyone else who entered, too. xo

(photo by me on instagram)

Giveaway!!

I'm very excited to offer a truly lovely giveaway today from The Mystic Masala! Based in Vancouver, Canada, The Mystic Masala offers 100% natural and ethical exquisite aromatherapy products based on the beauty and wisdom of Ayurveda. For the giveaway, you'll have a chance to win a fantastic Tealight Tower — a set of 12 soy tealight candles made with 100% pure essential oils — based on your dosha. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below with your contact info and your dosha (find out which one you are here) before Friday, July 18 2014, 12 midnight EST. A randomly chosen winner will be announced on Monday July 21, 2014! Good luck!

(photo by me on instagram)

Simple Pleasures

Fresh flowers. Love this still life by Anne of The City Sage featuring a wonderful mix of roses and kumquats — gorgeous colours and textures.

(lovely photo by anne sage on instagram. via pinterest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2013
Great wide ranging list of fiction, poetry and nonfiction — perfect for inspiring ideas for gift giving (either for others or for yourself) for the holidays.

Scents and Sensibility

Intelligent Life magazine invited six writers to imagine how they thought various literary characters would smell — all for charity. This intro to the project gives a few tantalizing hints of what the final results will be. 

Once a Movie Theatre, Now a Gym
This is amazing — the NY Scout website recently discovered a stunning 1920s movie theatre palace in Brooklyn that was converted into a gym. Wow.

The Junk Drawer Project
A fascinating exercise in urban archeology, The Junk Drawer Project features photographs people's junk drawers, accompanied by a short interview with them about it. Great idea.

The World's Most Exquisite Libraries
And while we're looking at beautiful public architecture, have a look at this slide show of gorgeous libraries from all over the world. A bibliophile's dream.

Neanderthals Organized Their Homes
Interesting — a recent dig in Italy has turned up evidence that Neanderthals organized their living spaces into distinct areas, just like their supposedly more sophisticated human cousins. Via Archaeology.

12 Great Music Docs
Nice round up of 12 music documentaries that are a must see for serious music fans. Friends of mine have recommended the docs Looking for Sugar Man and Sound City in particular as well worth seeing.

Pear Recipes
One of my absolute favourite fruits — I definitely indulge in a lot of pears at this time of year. Check out this lovely selection of sweet and savoury pear recipes over at Martha Stewart, including Pear Tart Tatin, Watercress Pear and Cashew Salad, Cranberry Pear Crisp and Roasted Pears and Sweet Potatoes.

(photo via the style files)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Ten Great Films Set in Autumn
With the changing leaves at their colourful height over the next few days, it's the perfect time to revisit some great films featuring this most beautiful of seasons, from Hitchcock's Technicolor The Trouble With Harry to Wes Anderson's Rushmore.

Bergman's Dreams
Check out the lucid dreaming world of director Ingmar Bergman in this fascinating video essay from The Criterion Collection.

Sugar Series
Got a sweet tooth? Then you'll enjoy Emily Blincoe's series of photos featuring colour coordinated and neatly arranged candies. Delicious.

Top Ten Lost English Words
Author Mark Forsyth rediscovers ten lost English words that really deserve to in common usage today, from snollygoster to wamblecropt. Wonderful.

The Healing Power of Scent
Last year, Anita Bhagwandas suffered the loss of one of her closest friends. In this beautifully written piece for Stylist magazine, she reveals the role fragrance played in recalling precious memories.

You Can't Rule Memphis Minnie
Blues singer Lucinda Williams writes about how the life and work of early Delta blues performer Memphis Minnie inspires her.

Thomas Edison's Talking Doll Disaster
Always on trend, in 1890 prolific inventor Thomas Edison designed talking dolls for the Christmas shopping rush — ones that contained disks with the voices of real girls. Sadly, most were damaged in shipping and ended up with demon voices that terrified their small recipients. Fascinating story of a rare Edison failure. (via The Morning News)

Butternut Squash Pancakes with Maple Butter
Here's a delicious way to use up leftover pumpkin or squash from Thanksgiving — pancakes!

(photo of mark tuckey furniture design via the design chaser)

Giveaway!

I am thrilled to be hosting a lovely giveaway from the Paris-based company Mi-Septembre, which specializes in exquisite scented sachets for the home. Hand-made in France, the sachets are the creation of Olivia Graffeuille, a former winner of the Prix Découverte at Maison&Objet magazine. For the giveaway, Mi-Septembre is offering their beautiful Coco Blanc Sachet, a subtle mix of star anise, cinnamon and clove packaged in a white wide loomed linen sachet that's fastened with a knot of dark cord and a coconut shell button — all presented in a charming gift box. Such a delightful way to subtly scent a dresser drawer or linen closet! For a chance to win, please leave a comment and email address below before 12:00 midnight EST, Monday August 27, 2012. A winner will be announced on August 29 2012. Good luck!

P.S. For a chance to win the equally lovely Nacre Pouch from Mi-Septembre, visit automatism on Facebook here.

Simple Pleasures

A delicately elusive perfume. Lately I've been wearing a little rose oil — what scent do you like?



(lovely art by lucile prache from her etsy shop lucileskitchen. via field & sea)

Sponsor Spotlight

Enjoy the sunny outdoors in style this summer with Black Rooster Decor's lovely Rochelle Arm Chair. Endlessly versatile, its clean industrial lines mix well with both traditional and modern pieces. Chairs are in stock, and there's a little bonus for automatism readers, too — order now and receive 15% off until June 1st 2012! Just enter code SUMMER2012 at checkout to receive your discount. Shipping is free within Ontario and best rate shipping to the US is offered, too. Outdoor entertaining just became more fabulous!

Add a pretty touch to your warm weather wardrobe with the delicately lovely Eternal Pendant by Shauna Mayben, from Lobo Luxe. Made from 100% upcycled sterling silver, upcycled perspex and freshwater pearls, this unique double sided piece offers two looks in one, giving the wearer lots of versatility. Shauna says of her work: "The items I make are of high quality materials and manufacturing using traditional craftsman techniques insuring stability, durability and a long life of wear and tear. Each piece therefore becomes an artistic, one of a kind collector’s item. My items also have an intellectual narrative telling a story…it’s not just a bauble to adorn."

With the onset of long sunny days and mild evenings, perfumes begin to feel a little heavy — this is when the lighter scents of colognes come into their own. Add a delicately fragrant finishing touch to your summer routine with the lovely Jasmine Grandiflorum Spray by Lunaroma Aromatic Apothecary in Burlington, Vermont. Made in small batches especially for Small Equals using only the purest ingredients, this light and flowery scent is the perfect size to tuck into your bag, pocket or your car for a refreshing spritz whenever desired. For an extra treat, try the Coffee/Jasmine Facial Elixir, too!

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

How to Steal Like an Artist
Austin Kleon offers brilliant advice on how to do good creative work. Utterly inspiring and a highly recommended read. Via kottke.

Killing Orson Welles at Midnight
Zadie Smith reviews The Clock, a 24 hour long film by Christian Marclay created by editing together clips of movies in which clocks appear. Love the idea and would love to see it, but don't know if I'd last through the whole thing ...

Top 10 Fairy Tales
From 2005, but still interesting reading — Joyce Crick, winner of the Schlegel Tieck Prize for her translation of Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams, also freshly translated and edited the classic fairy stories of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, called Selected Tales. She chooses her 10 favourites here, with intriguing commentary as to why she likes them.

Which Colours Should You Eat?
New York City-based artist Tattfoo Tan has come up with a brilliantly visual way of making sure you're eating right — his Nature Matching System represents 88 common fruits and vegetables as blocks of colors. You can also download the screensaver — not only will you have a pretty background, but it'll be a daily reminder to eat your veggies!

A Girl and Her Room
Photographer Rania Matar has an interesting project — she documents teenage girls in their rooms, from the USA and from the Middle East. Fascinating cultural contrasts — and some unexpected shared interests, too. Via The Morning News.

Orange Blossom Season
It's the season for bitter oranges, and their distinctive scent can be found in a variety of perfumes — follow the link for a little bit of history and how to find one that's right for you. Via The English Muse.

TRADhome
It's out! Make yourself some tea and settle down for a browse through the lovely first issue of TRADhome, the inspired online magazine collaboration between Lonny and Traditional Home.

Asparagus Casserole
Spring means asparagus (yay!), and though I usually like it prepared simply, this classic asparagus casserole is an intriguing alternative to the usual grilled, steamed or stir fried approach — the kind of thing my great grandmother would have served at her afternoon bridge parties.


(lovely room by Jennifer Post Design via EclecChic)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Grace Coddington: Creative Indeed
Great piece about the legendary Grace Coddington — creative director of American Vogue and a force in fashion for nearly 50 years — by Julie Kavanagh, Grace's assistant in the 1970s and a friend ever since.

Writing Sheds of Famous Writers
Love this recent post on Re-Nest about the writing retreats of such authors as Virginia Woolf, Roald Dahl, Mark Twain and Dylan Thomas.

Kinetic Wave Sculptures
Lovely video of sculptor Reuben Margolin, who creates extraordinary techno-kinetic wave sculptures using a wide range of materials — from wood to cardboard to found and salvaged objects. An elegant fusion of art and science — and just stunningly beautiful.

A Nose For the Past
Wonderful profile of perfume designer Olivia Giacobetti, who creates scents from memories. She created her first perfume — Petit Guerlain — when she was just 23, and her clients have included Diptyque, L’Artisan Parfumeur, Hermès, Fredéric Malle among others. I love her poetic descriptions of her art. Via The Browser.

Kiss Me Quick
The French flirt with strangers but won't talk with them, Americans will happily chat with strangers but won't touch them, and the Brits refuse to do either. A playful look social interaction across three cultures.

3,000 Years of Warrior Women
Guardian Books has a great slide show of highlights from the new book Warrior Women: 3,000 Years of Courage and Heroism by Rosalind Miles and Robin Cross, a guide to history's heroines — released, appropriately enough, on International Women's Day.

Bubble Wrap
Having a stupid day? Pop some virtual bubble wrap and feel instantly better! Click manic mode for extra pop.

Pita Bread Pizza With Fresh Mozzarella
A quick pizza recipe that uses just a few quality ingredients (fresh mozzarella, dried tomatoes, black olives) that all add up to a delicious whole. I'd consider adding a bit of pickled eggplant, too.


(lovely photo by Joe Schmelzer)

Simple Pleasures

Cinnamon — a warm, aromatic and soothing spice that goes so well with winter food and drink.


(lovely photo by Cindy Chae via room 369)