70% pure

about last weekend

2012-02-14T12:02:00.001+01:00

another spectacular weekend in the mountains has gone by and has left me so incredibly grateful to be able to live in geneva (at least part time). this weekend we discovered megève - an instant favorite thanks to its fantastic slopes, breathtaking view of the mont blanc, easy access and lovely eateries. it was definitely as beautiful as verbier and les gets, the two other areas we've fallen in love with. i hope the weather stays this nice for at least another weekend of snow and ski fun.

fashion travels

2012-02-13T21:24:00.003+01:00

i was invited by the turkish embassy in brussels to attend istanbul fashion week - and i honestly didn't know quite what to expect. there weren't any turkish fashion designers on my radar yet, and i hadn't been to turkey at all. it turned out to be a few days filled with friendly people, organisational chaos, interesting young creatives, and gooooood coffee. here are my first impressions of my trip last week, and i can't wait to tell you more about a few cool designers i discovered.

inspiration board

2012-02-10T08:33:00.001+01:00

my home office is where i need to be inspired 24/7, so i try to fill it with interesting graphics and typography. from the covers of mast brothers' chocolate bars to an ever growing collection of note books and coffee mugs (filled with pens, cables, pins and rolls of masking tape), i try to keep the mess out of view and select only the nicest items to surround me every day.

random things i love in these pictures: one of my mugs says #1 boss-lady - a gift from a very talented (nd obviously very smart) intern // another one says i heart kiehl's, because i do // i use the boxes of my byredo scented candles to hold paperclips, staplers and such // the banner i got from banner banter mistakenly reads 'viita' but i rather like that // the geometric mobile by artecnica is a souvenir from new york // i had the nerd sign custome made by william dohman // my favorite notebooks are these, these and these // my chair is bulo's tab chair // and that's my boyfriend's artemide tizio

address is approximate

2012-02-09T08:51:00.000+01:00

just love this.

via auxpaysdesmerveilles

kinfolk

2012-02-08T07:46:00.000+01:00

lately i've been neglecting my ipad in favor of the stack of real books and magazines i'm trying to work through - but i gladly shoved them aside for a night when i discovered kinfolk. the foodie/lifestyle magazine has a beautifully made app, and its contents are downright inspiring. if you're allergic to the portland/brooklyn hipster 'tude though, don't go there. even for a fan like me, the articles seemed somewhat pedantic here and there. but the pictures - oh my. i want to go live in them.
kinfolk magazine

on tension

2012-02-07T09:38:00.001+01:00

eva malschaert's space divider 'on tension' invites people to reach out and touch - it, or each other through it. pretty nifty, but it's also rather beautiful.
via design for mankind

this must be the place

2012-02-06T08:00:00.002+01:00

came across this series of videos exploring the concept of home - and i love everything about them. i've actually been to the burger place in the film above and recognised some of the people - it's so nice to hear them talk about their cherished jobs (what about the guy who's been there for 59 years!)

via curiosity counts

unplug this weekend

2012-02-04T09:54:00.008+01:00

something i've been trying to do for quite some time now: unplug during the weekend. sometimes i can, sometimes i can't - but at least now not every weekend is filled to the brim with an overload of information. by the way, how cool is this student animation project by margaux le pierres?

inspiration board

2012-02-03T08:23:00.001+01:00

i can spend hours on end browsing through tumblrs, blogs and pinterest boards filled with timeless style, design and photography. if you're ready to get sucked into a vortex of black and white elegance, be sure to visit convoy, oliver heimann, my absence, the pursuit aesthetic and the often hilarious bourbon and pearls.

photograph harry benson // stripes and converse // porsche 911 // knoll bertoia chairs

espresso tasting

2012-02-02T07:59:00.001+01:00

i've been wanting to get more serious about coffee for a while now, so illy's invitation to discover its newly launched monoarabica capsules was a welcome excuse for me to finally attend a real coffee tasting session. diego allaix of the università del caffè di trieste (yes, there's a coffee university - how cool is that?) kindly explained to a small group of belgian foodies how to detect the different aspects of coffee's aroma. difficult stuff, you guys. basically i sucked at it, so i'll need lots of practice. and like i needed yet another reason to drink more coffee, of course the monoarabicas tasted delicious.

dressing the man

2012-02-01T07:26:00.001+01:00

the coolest presentation at fashion trade fair who's next was that of e-boutique dressing the man. in the mr. brown hall (chockfull of really nice menswear labels), they offered a threedimensional version of their website. every day, they put another item of clothing in the spotlight by incorporating it in three differently styled outfits. i love the concept, and i love their style.

images via dressing the man

polaboy

2012-01-31T09:09:00.004+01:00

this idea is genius. a giant, lit-from-within polaroid picture against my wall - yes please.
via @fionamandos

foreign inspiration

2012-01-30T08:30:00.007+01:00

last week i visited modefabriek in amsterdam and who's next in paris. they are not my favorite fashion trade shows, but they're still pretty interesting. besides, it's always fun to travel to another city, especially paris holds a special place in my heart.

instragram photos: coffee at the modefabriek press lounge with beautiful black balloons, an inspiring quote at who's next, flying bikes at merci, my favorite tea brand kusmi and the eiffel tower (far, far away in the mist)

of mice and men

2012-01-29T10:47:00.002+01:00

currently serving as a perfect literary alternative for whenever i don't feel like steve jobs' biography: this gifted american lit classic (thanks @hannonpablo), which i have yet to read for the first time. how beautiful is that cover, by the way?

video killed the radio

2012-01-27T08:11:00.000+01:00

i ended up on disco naïveté by accident, and i really didn't think i'd like it there. i love myself a bit of indie music from time to time, but i'm hardly one of those hardcore music buffs who know every obscure little band there is to know. somehow though, this blog presents exactly those bands, in a way that i find strangely appealing. it's all genres, all the time, for starters - which means there's some pretty accessible songs in there too. but more importantly - the blog's chockfull of music videos, and i simply can't resist those. ever since i can remember, i've been fascinated by them. my boyfriend jokes that whenever he wants me to keep calm or quiet, he simply puts on mtv. basically i'm a five-year-old. anyhow. i really liked the videos above during my first browsing session, but i'm sure there are more to come.
via disco naïveté

you + me

2012-01-26T21:03:00.003+01:00

I just really love this print by 00one i found over at cargoh.

rad and gripping

2012-01-25T11:34:00.002+01:00

my favorite office supply geeks from rad and hungry send out the coolest newsletters. today they e-mailed me a diy i am itching to try. now if i could only find some of those sweet neon rubber bands.
images by rad and hungry

blog discovery

2012-01-24T09:08:00.003+01:00

my latest foodie discovery: roost. unsurprisingly, it's a blog run by a food stylist and photographer - you guys know i'm a sucker for aesthetically pleasing blogs. but what's more is that coco only features recipes that fit the gluten-, grain-, lactose-, sugar- and starchfree diet she is following with her husband. interesting to learn about alternatives to some of the basic - but not always beneficial - ingredients in your average kitchen.
images by roost

refined inspiration

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000+01:00

my favorite section on refinery29 is my style, which basically does the same as the coveteur, the selby and such. but the fun part is the division per city, as it really shows the difference between l.a. and chicago style, for example. i think my ideal home would be a mix and match of those defining characteristics, but it would definitely include a bright living room space and a quirky library.

images via refinery29

helsinki

2012-01-21T08:43:00.001+01:00

i am really eager to visit helsinki this year, while it's celebrating its status as world design capital. from the looks of their annual season of light activities - this city doesn't kid around when it comes to art and design. also, i just found out helsinki airport is about the coolest airport in europe, offering everything any traveler could wish for, from wireless battery charging to free wifi, and some of the nicest lounges i've ever heard of.
images via season of light

infrared

2012-01-20T07:10:00.000+01:00

slightly kitsch, i'll admit, but at the same time hauntingly beautiful, in my opinion. these infrared pictures of hong kong were taken by yiu yu hoi for 16hours magazine.
via honestlywtf

back to back

2012-01-19T08:41:00.000+01:00

this book challenge is proving to be a bit more daunting than silly me foresaw. i guess if i really want to read 52 books in one year, i'd have to pick slimmer or easier titles. so that's not gonna happen. we'll see how far i get. in any case - i finished 'everything is illuminated' by jonathan safran foer and i absolutely loved it. it's very different from 'incredibly loud and extremely close', though the experimental story techniques and touching, unsentimental prose did remind me why i enjoy reading foer's work so much. next up: steve jobs' biography. i figured i couldn't stay behind on that one - but i'm hoping it's actually good. anyone read it yet?

arty farty

2012-01-18T09:00:00.004+01:00

finally got round to framing the lovely art work our friends brought us on their visit to geneva last year. i'm tempted to just let them hang out on the floor in the hallway. partly because i love presenting art as unpretentiously as possible, and yes, partly because i'm too lazy to bother with nails and a hammer.

about last weekend

2012-01-17T09:39:00.000+01:00

as my latest instagrams may have pointed out, last weekend kickstarted skiing season for me with an absolute perfect trip to verbier. the weather was incredible, the snow was impeccable, and everyone knows a cappuccino tastes best while sitting on a sunny terrace in the cold.

hello tokyo

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000+01:00

seems like i should be planning trips to tokyo, not california. these architectural projects convince me i would like it there. the first is the garden & house of japanese architect ryue nishizawa, second is the bloomberg pavilion project created by akihisa hirata at the tokyo museum of contemporary art, and third is the vista house created for a private couple by apollo architects & associates. don't you just love the geometric shapes and clean lines?
1 and 2 via todayandtomorrow, 3 via designmilk

airport love

2012-01-13T10:00:00.001+01:00

as a self-proclaimed travel geek, ideas like this one freak me out. in a good way. in a how-do-i-order-these-as-fast-as-possible-way. but perhaps i'll wait till jerome daksiewicz adds another few airports.
bru, gva and jfk, for example?
via thisiscolossal

zim&zou

2012-01-12T13:17:00.007+01:00

i love embroidery and paper art, so naturally i fell head over heels for the work of french design studio zim&zou. both examples above make me want to run to an art supply shop and get my creative on. how nostalgic do the spirographs make you feel?

a real book

2012-01-11T20:05:00.000+01:00

i love this video, and it's quite the reminder of why i love to read real books instead of tablet versions. there's just something about holding that heavy-weight, brightly colored hardcover in your lap.

via designmom and de standaard

in caffeine we trust

2012-01-09T17:37:00.001+01:00

coming down from my first caffeine kick of the year, this seems like a fitting moment to order one of these. i love when creative companies come up with new year's gifts like this. and i love infographics.
via the wonderful auxpaysdemerveilles

instafriends

2012-01-04T23:48:00.002+01:00

one of my favorite bloggers finally joined

instagram. i'm already addicted to her feed.

all images by bri emery

2012 challenge

2012-01-03T21:45:00.000+01:00

as far as new year's resolutions go, i have plenty for 2012. live healthier, balance life and work, enjoy life more consciously... you know: the usual. but this year i'd like to add a real challenge to that. a bit overconfidently, i proclaimed to read a book for every week of the year. admittedly, 52 books is a bit of a jump from the mere 15 or 20 i usually read in a year, so i'm not sure it's feasable. but i'd really like to try. i started off with jonathan safran foer's everything is illuminated... who's with me? #startinganonlinebookclub

an american in paris

2012-01-02T11:22:00.001+01:00

i was so bummed to miss tim burton's exposition at the moma in new york in 2010, and then again at the lacma in los angeles last year - as my travel dates to both cities missed the exposition dates by a couple of days or weeks. i've had the poster and the book ever since the exposition premiered, but now i'm looking forward to finally seeing it for myself in paris this year. can't. wait.

break time

2011-12-28T14:45:00.000+01:00

out for coffee. back in 2012!

happy holidays

2011-12-23T11:28:00.000+01:00

cheers to lovely warm days with your family and friends.

lifestagram

2011-12-21T14:42:00.000+01:00

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

gojee

2011-12-20T06:11:00.001+01:00

i'm always looking for inspiring food blogs or recipe sites, but i find most of what is out there very unsatisfying in terms of photography or layout. food is at least as much about how it looks as about how it tastes, is it not? so i was happy to discover the aesthetically pleasing gojee, a search engine for food and drink recipes. best functionality: searching according to your favorite ingredient (or the stuff you have lying around, if you're lazy like me).
via amrit richmond

startup quote

2011-12-19T09:06:00.000+01:00

currently loving the motivational-y startup wisdoms over at startup quotes. great way to start the week inspired (and i really like the layout!)

ace art

2011-12-15T09:13:00.001+01:00

i've had this video lined up to share for a while now, and my current state of new york nostalgia makes it seem appropriate to put it out there right now. unfortunately i didn't stay in a room at the ace hotel with one of dana tanamachi's chalk decorations, but i really like them. it wasn't until i saw this video however, that i actually started respecting them, too. girl puts in a lot of effort!

blog discovery

2011-12-14T05:38:00.002+01:00

i love the photography and style on gary pepper vintage so much, i wanna eat it. girl gets to travel quite a lot it seems, and she has a good eye for the extraordinary in every environment. plus, she met rachel bilson in l.a. that's probably something you should know about me: i adoooore rachel bilson. always have, always will.
pictures from gary pepper vintage

how about

2011-12-13T22:37:00.000+01:00

pretty much sums up how i am feeling right now. thanks @hannonpablo, for visualising my words, as usual...

kicktable

2011-12-13T10:10:00.002+01:00

an e-mail blast hit my inbox yesterday announcing the launch of brussels' concept kicktable. a coincidence, since all i'd been doing the entire day was discussing how tourism today is all about experiences. kicktable offers the opportunity to join in on typically local experiences, some of which i find particularly interesting. i'd love to hear the story behind samuel and chady's hopdog, for instance, or discover an original playlist over brunch. the idea is that you learn something, as well as meet likeminded people and support local businesses. i sure hope the initiative will spread beyond brussels sooner rather than later.
image via kicktable

gift guide, the sequel

2011-12-12T06:07:00.001+01:00

i had so much fun with the first one, i decided to throw a few other favorites of mine in the mix. and yes, that's lego in there. i have a certain blonde to thank for that newfound obsession.

from left to right, top to bottom: bono mugs design house stockholm / baker's guild scented candle byredo / scarf junya watanabe / vw van lego / ipad case proenza schouler

paplou

2011-12-10T12:48:00.003+01:00

for quite a while, i heard my friends pablo and manon talk about nothing else than paplou - the hasselt shop they were helping rebrand. finally, after months of getting ever more curious, i got to see the results of their efforts at the opening a few weeks ago. i seriously recommend giving it a visit, when you're in the neighborhood. it's chockfull of goodies old and new - i especially have a weak spot for pablo's selfmade guitars. don't you love the one made out of a vintage field bottle?
pictures taken with instagram for iphone, amaro filter

morrison me up

2011-12-09T06:05:00.001+01:00

all the reasons why i love me some morrison. one, it's belgian. two, it's knitwear done right. three, its shop in antwerp is rad. four, it collaborates with the coolest brands around the globe, including gitman bros. five, it sends out boss newsletters. six, they are offering free worldwide shipping. seven, they use the code 'funkenstein' to allow said free shipping (seriously, look it up. it could earn you an extra gift on top of your order). eight, they are a one stop shop for christmas gifts that'll earn you brownie and coolness points to last until next year.

my favorites: snowflake bearhat (super high on my wish list!) / frances navy rucksack ally cappelino / quantic navy scarf howlin' by morrison / scruff red socks howlin' by morrison

matter magazine

2011-12-08T06:23:00.003+01:00

in a media landscape where magazines are folding by the bunch, new ones do keep popping up. and they're exciting. i especially dig this matter magazine, which seems geared to men - so naturally it caught my eye. i'm not exactly sure though, why a magazine that 'records the ways in which new and developing technology affects culture, lifestyle, fashion, and the arts' should aim for a male readership. i mean, how interesting does that sound? surely there must be other women on this planet who could care less whether there's a dutch vogue (seriously? is that really necessary?), yet hoard magazines like monocle, apartamento and inventory, right?
right you guys?

via anothersomething

chrysta bell x david lynch

2011-12-07T06:47:00.006+01:00

it's not often that i come across music that speaks to me on quite so many levels as the collaboration between chrysta bell and david lynch. i wouldn't say i'm a die hard lynch fan, though of course i'm appreciative of him. mulholland drive was the first film to ever show me stories could develop in other ways than in the most literal one. and though i've still to actually see twin peaks, i do know the music. so it shouldn't come as a surprise to me that he's as mysterious and good in directing music, as he is in directing film. do me a favor: just watch the making of above. if that doesn't inspire you to go down the rabbit hole discovering chrysta bell and lynch's weirdly mesmerizing 80s synth music with the heart and soul of the blues, i don't know what will.
thanks fleur for dropping this into my facebook feed

gift guide

2011-12-06T06:37:00.002+01:00

i'm feeling a mix of sparkly glitter and cosy materials for christmas. in case you still needed some shopping inspiration for that girl in your life who is torn between dressing up and curling up (on the sofa with a stack of pancakes), i've taken the liberty to put together a little gift guide.

top to bottom, left to right: sweater j.crew / mouse flats marc by marc jacobs / gold necklace madewell / plaid shirts madewell / wool blanket best made / maple syrup noble

cappuccino

2011-12-05T09:35:00.001+01:00

i don't remember when exactly i became such a coffee addict. basically i blame starbucks for initially creating an addiction to flavored syrups, and stumptown for getting me hooked on real coffee. but perhaps that's just it - i tend to associate coffee with new york experiences. which reminds me; i miss new york.

pictures of a cappuccino at coffee & vinyl in antwerp

carryology

2011-12-01T06:25:00.003+01:00

in line with my newfound identity as a tomboy, of course i fall in love with a blog and webshop dedicated to men's luggage. carryology is the blog, undscvrd the place to be to get what you like. i have dibs on all the hard graft stuff - and on that kriss van assche for eastpak number.
images via carryology

maple leaf square

2011-11-30T06:27:00.001+01:00

united visual artists created two interesting art installations for the maple leaf square in toronto. that was back in 2010, and i had seen pictures, but i only just came across this video. i especially love the canopy - so beautiful. the bridge is an interactive play of light, which i think is an interesting way for people to literally engage with their city. i'd love for more of these installations to find their way into cityscapes.

tomboy style

2011-11-29T06:04:00.005+01:00

here i was thinking i was alone in this world. silly me. i'd never describe myself as a tomboy, but judging from what this blog categorizes as such, at least a part of me definitely is. feels good to know there are others out there who are similarly attracted to men's stuff. says lizzie garrett of her tomboy style blog: "i jumped around in the lifestyle journalism world and felt there was something of a void for a girl like me—i was always more interested in what my husband was reading. i love nail polish and earrings, but i also love sports cars, classic cocktails and duck boots. i wanted to start something that struck that same kind of balance." she has a book coming out with rizzoli in the spring, and i'll be needing one of those thank you very much.

discovered via 770 behind the line, images via tomboy style

american wood

2011-11-28T06:21:00.000+01:00

words cannot describe how badly i want to incorporate this wood into every interior i can get my hands on. i have a few projects running and i'm pretty sure i'll get it in somewhere. i can be very convincing. especially when it comes to century-old, authentic american recuperated barnwood. go on, read that sentence again. tell me it doesn't turn you on.
images by eeuwenhout

bicycle portraits

2011-11-27T06:25:00.002+01:00

there's something about bikes, isn't there? it's not just the fixie hype, it's more universal than that. in any case, this bicycle portraits project shows another side to bikes as i knew them: somehow more human, more interesting than the bikes that are plastered against the walls of scandinavian homes like design objects.

via the ever amazing miss moss

taste the font

2011-11-26T06:43:00.001+01:00

i love the idea behind taste the font: coupling the history of the world's most famous fonts to a taste or a dish. i wouldn't recommend any of the actual recipes, but i do love the way in which the typography is presented on the plate. it's giving me ideas for the table setting at dinner parties.

via @hannes_bhc

sous style

2011-11-25T06:34:00.002+01:00

dear god i think i'm in love with a website. it has great photography, lots of food and gorgeous, interesting men on it, so how could i not be? this pippa person, well she's a freaking genius. a photo editor at elle and brooklyn inhabitant, she launched sous style as the digital safe haven for 'a new generation of home makers.' she's basically like a younger, cooler version of martha stewart, or a more refined, sophisticated version of cupcakes and cashmere (one of my fave guilty pleasures). i'll stop the raving now. if you need me, i'll be applying for a job chez pippa.

via wolfeyebrows

i love paper

2011-11-24T12:12:00.001+01:00

part #583 of my neverending obsession with paper is the discovery of the makerie studio. they're geniuses. i especially love seeing artists like them getting interesting commercial assignments - it means brands are not underestimating their consumers and realize they appreciate cool, creative stuff like this.
via it's nice that

the blog works

2011-11-23T16:53:00.000+01:00

i don't usually blog about anything work related, but i can't help myself right now. i'm incredibly proud of the way in which partner-in-crime marie lemaitre and i have shaped our idea for a blogger seminar/workshop into reality. we wanted a stamp, we have a stamp. we wanted cool speakers, we have cool speakers. we wanted intriguing and exciting workshops, well, you get the picture. go check it out, if you like. that's six months of hard thinking and creative work you're looking at.

found muji

2011-11-22T08:27:00.003+01:00

so apparently muji is rebranding to 'found muji.' which is a good thing, because if you've ever visited one of their stores, you've seen them all, and the product offer hardly ever changes much. is this manoeuvre part of the trend for retail chains to try and appear more like personal, individual stores offering an experience? if so, i think i may fall in love with muji again, and i might welcome that belgian location after all.
via huhmagazine

a lot in a box

2011-11-21T11:05:00.002+01:00

i love these beautifully designed grow boxes. might give them a try next spring - if my little urban 'garden' doesn't make it through winter.
via designworklife's incredibly rad holiday gift guide (check it out!)

thea

2011-11-20T06:34:00.000+01:00

i really love these custom designed rose gold rings by belgian emilie duchene. i also like that, despite being heiress to a small fashion imperium, she set out to do her own thing. though i can imagine it helps having a bunch of luc duchene's boutiques to start selling her rings at. keep an eye out for the website, which launches on december 1st.

fly porter

2011-11-19T06:48:00.003+01:00

imagine an airline with a sleek brand identity, stylish stewardess uniforms, free access - no matter what you paid for your ticket - to cool lounges decked with imacs, no middle seats (ever!), and snacks that almost look too nicely packaged to actually eat. seems like canadian company porter airlines is something of an online phenomenon, gathering more design-oriented bloggerfans every second, and i kinda see why. they basically offer the feeling of flying first class, at the cost of economy. check out the article design sponge did on the creative genius behind much of it: neal whittington. brussels airlines, are you reading this?

phoneography

2011-11-18T13:47:00.003+01:00

not gonna lie, i was pretty proud when one of my snapshots was selected to be part of the first belgian phoneography exposition hosted by A&Gallery. i can't for the life of me figure out why they went for this particular one - i sent in others i thought were nicer - but i'm proud nonetheless. frigging stephan vanfleteren was part of the jury, ladies and gents.
and yes. those are my toes.

cabin porn

2011-11-17T13:21:00.004+01:00

i'm such a big fan of design-dedicated porn. have you tried googling stair porn yet? it's awesome. as is cabin porn, apparently. never thought i'd see myself living in one, but the versions on this blog make me reconsider. and of course the one on the new york highline is my favorite. did you really have to ask?
(p.s.: the lovely styleabaad and absolutelymrsk drew my attention to bookshelf porn - can't believe i forgot to include that one!)
images via cabin porn

all about eames

2011-11-16T06:13:00.007+01:00

i've got four words for you. james franco. eames. documentary.

so really, what's left to say but: hot damn. i need to see this film about my all-time favorite designer duo as if my life depends on it.

via huh magazine

keep it clean

2011-11-15T07:55:00.001+01:00

i have a new addiction and it's called totokaelo. not that they carry brands i hadn't heard of before, but it's the way in which they present them. check out the blog for some uberclean styling.
images by totokaelo

dan tobin smith

2011-11-14T07:07:00.002+01:00

more typographic arty goodness, this time from dan tobin smith. check out his other work here.
via thisiscolossal (a very cool art and design blog)

little dragon

2011-11-13T06:30:00.005+01:00

i just love this. thanks for pointing me in its direction, pablo!

fall feeling

2011-11-12T08:50:00.000+01:00

in my book, chicago based brand hound understands

perfectly what fall should feel and look like.

via wolfeyebrows

beans

2011-11-11T06:18:00.001+01:00

i think it's safe to say i have a bean problem. so needless to say, i need one of those coffeespot books the wonderful yves of nottooarty dreamed up. now if only he'll make one for chocolate, too.

typography awesomeness

2011-11-10T07:18:00.001+01:00

combining a few of my favorite things - greens, typography, masking tape, cookies and art that is part of everyday life - anna garforth has stolen my heart. i love nearly everything she does - and she does plenty. check out her site to discover more. oh, and of course she has an amazingly inspiring tumblr, too. naturally.

things to do

2011-11-09T06:45:00.001+01:00

i really want to check out the exhibition at graanmarkt 13, where three photographers approach their subject on a meta level.
gotta love it when they go meta.
image by aurélien mole

style notes

2011-11-08T07:20:00.000+01:00

i'm not always in the mood for spotting style inspiration, but judging by my pinterest feed, now is not that time. i adore the color scheme of the first pic, the twisted scarves in the second, and the combination of greys in different textures of the third. i especially love that all three manage to look thoroughly casual and yet sophisticated at the same time.
images via 1 / 2 / 3

island menu

2011-11-07T07:35:00.002+01:00

blogs like this one fill me with joy, until they don't anymore. tell me, is it just me, or is this whole 'getting inspired by a blog' actually pretty exhausting? thing is, i never really know what exactly it inspires me to do. should i get cooking more? should i move to tasmania - or at the very least travel there? there are so many things going through my head - it's almost paralyzing. in the end, i just reblog, pin pictures to my pinterest moodboards and end up buying pretty towels like the ones they use in their pictures. because bringing out the mastercard is just way easier than applying for a different nationality. in any case, be warned before you go check out the origin of these photos above. it's easily the best food and photography blog combined i've ever come across. it might inspire you to do stupid things. or, you know, nothing at all.

all images by island menu

instagram scarves

2011-11-06T09:05:00.001+01:00

these philippe roucou scarves over at reborn pretty much look like instagram snaps printed on silk. as such, of course, i need them badly. middle one is my fave, santa, but i wouldn't mind this one either.
via designlovefest

tattly

2011-11-05T07:56:00.007+01:00

i've been visiting the tattly website regularly every since i first heard tina roth eisenberg of swissmiss had something to do with it. it's basically a genius company, making supercool temporary tattoos for those who wanna mess around a little instead of committing to real ink. i've been pondering and debating which tattoos to order for myself - because come on, seriously, it's the raddest thing ever! but i never quite made my mind up - up until now. tattly partnered with the second coolest notebook brand (after moleskine naturally) in the world, fieldnotes. i ordered these babies before i could stop and really think about it, and i am eagerly awaiting their arrival! hustle up.

ivy league crew

2011-11-04T08:36:00.001+01:00

i love everything about this series over on nowness.com - the colors, the light, the atmosphere.

street keyboard

2011-11-03T06:47:00.001+01:00

i love timo arnall's flickr stream - especially since he seems to have an eye for things out of the ordinary. this street keyboard he captured in brussels.
via inspiremenow

winter inspiration

2011-11-02T11:22:00.000+01:00

i'm having a hard time adjusting to the reversal of daylight saving time, especially since i've been so spoiled with sunshine and good weather this summer. the only upside to the very final and real arrival of fall is the dresscode. i love layers, coats and cosy sweaters and am looking forward to delving into that part of my wardrobe. now if i could only supplant the fact that i won't see any sunshine for another six months...
images via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

barcelona impressions

2011-11-01T01:17:00.001+01:00

barcelona in #typography and #design. loved it.

two new

2011-10-31T13:16:00.000+01:00

magazines i'm looking forward to discovering: block and makeshift.

design in geneva

2011-10-28T18:12:00.002+02:00

what with all the traveling lately, i would almost forget posting my favorite moments of the past geneva design days. it's a small town, but it has great potential. i wonder why there isn't more visible design around.

pantonize it

2011-10-25T17:28:00.001+02:00

i wish i could have attended this class by jan van mol at crea genève... pantonizing the city sounds like exactly the kind of activity i would have thoroughly enjoyed. now if i could only get a hold of an affordable pantone color chart, i would be all over this project.

qubique

2011-10-24T06:54:00.001+02:00

i'm ready to get back to work, but to be honest, i'd love to hop right back on a plane and head to berlin for the inaugural edition of design fair qubique instead. sounds like an inspiring trade event - and as much as i love fashion fair bread & butter at tempelhof, i think the historic location will suit design and furniture much better as a background. i also think the organization is doing a very good job enticing visitors with extra activities and exclusive launches. it all sounds mightily interesting, so who should i follow on twitter for real time updates?
images via qubique

taking a break

2011-10-17T14:24:00.000+02:00

so it turns out southern europe is not quite done with summer yet. good news all around.

image via the natural world

style file

2011-10-13T06:17:00.000+02:00

sometimes i need a reminder that fashion doesn't revolve around fashion editors, style bloggers and catwalk pictures. i get it: it's about expressing your most individual self, as originally and authentically as possible. blah blah. i'm so happy whenever i find a snapshot of someone who looks impeccably stylish, who i can still relate to. now, let me just grab my hard graft macbook cover and my all stars, and i'll be right with you.

image via emma elwin

this + that

2011-10-12T06:05:00.001+02:00

i always said i'd never, ever get a tattoo. but i gotta say, that was before i saw the coolness of typography on your body. if i ever do get one - blame freja.

images via thepursuitaesthetic - another tumblr you might want to start following

golden oldie

2011-10-11T06:59:00.001+02:00

not a fan of the mania surrounding them, but you have to admit there's something about them. i still love this old shoot by steven klein for w magazine: much sexier than mad men could ever be.

frankenfont

2011-10-10T06:43:00.001+02:00

this project captured my attention: recreating the frankenstein story through typography. read more about the methodology here, and be sure to check out fathom's other - pretty cool - infographic projects, too!

via kottke

this + that

2011-10-09T13:09:00.001+02:00

i have to admit, tumblr and i have had our issues. i used to approach the platform like any other blog service, and i realize that was my mistake. once you accept the format as a purely visual moodboard, an actually pretty inspiring world opens up. that said, i still like my images with a little more context - but i'll gladly make an exception for douglas musiolik's average swedish guy tumblr stream. if this is what's on the mind of the average swedish guy, i'll take one.

time for barcelona

2011-10-08T06:50:00.007+02:00

as you read this, i'll be packing my things to head off to spain, and of course i had to get in a few days of barcelona. several online guides (like this one, this one, and - naturally - this one) have gotten me excited to discover all sorts of new spots that weren't there before when i last visited the city years ago.

pictures from the places we're planning to visit: tatiana kourochkina galeria d'art (with an exciting pietro ruffo exposition while we're there) / bar lobo / hotel praktik / casa paloma / bobby gin / cornelia and co / big fish / fastvinic / vinçon / lexington / mutt bookshop / bravo24

urbio

2011-10-07T06:56:00.002+02:00

so did you notice that when i tell you i'm obsessed, that's really what i mean? here's my latest green discovery, urbio. it reminds me of this and of this, but somehow i still feel attracted to the system, perhaps because it offers the combination of keeping stuff and plants at the same time? in any case, i love how this is a kickstarter project that shows serious promise - including funny videos and a good logo. so, shall i get in?

let it go

2011-10-06T11:33:00.005+02:00

'let it go' - it's been my mantra for such a long time now, and still i struggle with it. steve jobs must have, too. this article at the washington post is probably the most poignant and moving tribute to steve jobs i've read so far, and i think it really touches on the core of what he changed in the world - so much more than gadgets and technology.

in a twist

2011-10-06T07:29:00.001+02:00

yes, streetstyle can be inspiring. but have you seen this? l.o.v.e.
via gagventures

be still my beating heart

2011-10-05T08:15:00.000+02:00

you can keep your haute couture. i don't want a shiny new car. i promise to never covet another useless trinket or accessory again in my life, if i could have this small little thing. not much bigger than a shoebox, really. just a teeny, tiny east village apartment. okay? okay then.

via dornob

brooklyn love

2011-10-04T16:09:00.005+02:00

it doesn't surprise me that i want to go to every. single. new restaurant in brooklyn because they all just seem so damn cool. but i rarely see pictures of the food served that get me even more excited than the design. enter colonie, which i discovered over at petitepassport.com. it has everything i love: industrial design, a plant wall (my new obsession), great typographic elements and food that looks nothing less than delectable and refined. take me there please.
update: apparently my internet friends have come to know me well. lovely pauline, aka @petitepassport, actually suggested this place to me in a comment to yesterday's post - which i didn't read until a few seconds ago. what was it about great minds they say again, pauline?

live the language

2011-10-03T09:55:00.002+02:00

this genius campaign for international language center EF by gustave johansson makes me wish i was 18 again so i could go live in one of these cities for a while. i love how these videos convey the actual feeling of living somewhere - and the cool typography by albin holmqvist is an added bonus, of course.

go green

2011-10-01T07:04:00.010+02:00

i've been slightly obsessed with everything green and even remotely plant-y lately - pinning away like crazy on my greenery pinterest board, gathering ideas on how to make our antwerp and geneva apartments cosier, warmer and more welcoming with some oxygen-makers. i'm leaning heavily towards californian-like vegetation. our upcoming trip to l.a. probably has something to do with that, but as a rule, i find that palm trees, succulents and cactae have a cool, modern look.

1. the ever inspiring interior of brussels boutique hunting and collecting // 2. very cool cover of the new york times style magazine // 3. a vertical plant garden - seriously thinking of copying this // 4. the raddest view from a window ever

friday playlist

2011-09-30T14:10:00.002+02:00

the sun is shining outside, i've got a wedding to look forward to this weekend and i'm picking up the boyfriend from the airport in a few hours. none of the songs above are new or terribly surprising, but they are part of my ideal friday playlist.

2012 coming up

2011-09-29T18:26:00.001+02:00

it's that time of year again... i already went all out in the moleskine department for various agendas, but i'm still in the market for a wall calendar, and kinda have my eyes set on this one.

the new black

2011-09-28T06:17:00.005+02:00

i think i just did a little inner dance while i discovered the new black tumblr: the inspiration wall of graphic designer jordan gough, who also blogs about visuals and concepts at goffgough. that's where i stumbled across that incredibly inspiring video about type. needless to say, both sites are going on my blogroll.