A VIEW FROM ABOVE

Naoki Honjo, a japonese photographer that recently exhibited his work at Paul Smith's Albemarle Street gallery, in London, shows the world you live in from a perspective you've never seen before.
Taking photographs of natural sights or city scapes from high above, Honjo creates images that resemble miniature worlds where real people, trees and buildings seem like small pieces in artificially created model sceneries.
Also available in a book called 'Small Planet', Naoki Honjo's photography is a great example of how all art should be, truly refreshing and ironic.

( Written by Álvaro, Photography by Naoki Honjo )

TABLE MANNERS

People Will Always Need Plates, in addition to their London architecture themed collection, has a lovely range for pets called For All You Little Animals.

The bone china petware, made and decorated in Stoke on Trent, features illustrations of animal homes and is available in two sizes: 18 cm for dogs and cats, and 12 cms for smaller cats and others creatures such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

The bowls look better when empty - when you can see the design - so make sure your pet cleans up his/her meals really well!

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

GREENER COMMUTING

Being green, besides such healthy habits as using recycled paper or saying no to plastic bags, is also the way you go from A to B.
Apart from cycling, walking, or using public transportation, sharing a car is one of the most efficient ways to save the planet.
Zipcar, the worlds' largest network of shared cars, is a great solution for city dwellers who don't wish to own a vehicle: car usage gets reduced by half, fuel consumption decreases, and each one of these cars replaces 20 privately-owned ones.
Available in several US cities such as San Francisco and Chicago, and also London, our wish is that this great concept arrives in other traffic jammed locations.

( Written and Photographed by Álvaro )

COUTURE AT THE V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London features, from 22nd September to 6th January 2008, an exhibition entirely dedicated to the fascinating world of Haute Couture.

The Golden Age of Couture begins its retrospective in 1947, when Mr Dior launched the 'New Look', and ends a decade later, featuring the work of Paris-based couturiers such as the aforementioned Cristian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain and Hubert de Givenchy, and also of London-based Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies.

Illustrated with period gowns and photography, this post-war fashion tribute is a must for those ( myself included ) who revel in the Hitchcock-heroine look of that era.

Don't forget to also visit The Art of Lee Miller, a photographic retrospective of the life of the once american Vogue model, Man Ray lover and muse, and acclaimed photographer.

V&A at Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

CITIES ON FOOT

The best way to get around a city is definitely on foot... If with plently of time and energy to spare, nothing beats enjoying the views up-close, feeling a gentle breeze on your face, mingle with the locals and, of course, do a bit of leg-shaping exercise.
With this in mind, Chronicle Books has the most practical guides, City Walks, a small kit containing 50 cards divided by city area, with a map on one side and the proposed walk on the other.
Available in 16 versions, including London ( seen here ), Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Vancouver, and Los Angeles, it's a great way to enjoy a city like the natives do.
And for travelling with kids there's also two child-friendly City Walks on offer: the kids version of the New York and San Francisco guides.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

CURIOSITY SHOP

No one does british cool better than Paul Smith, so when in London, one of the first stops we make is at one of his many magpie shops.

Located at 9 Albermarle Street, Smith's Mayfair space is a true treasure trove for vintage afficionados, housing quirky one-off finds such as jewellery, art, objects and furniture, all sourced around the world and beautifully curated in an eye-catching gallery / old style ambiance.

Miles away from the mass produced plastic objects we see in most shops today, its selection is truly unique and personal - new life is brought into forgotten pieces, which after a little touch here and there, are transformed into highly desirable ones.

We absolutely love it, but even if one doesn't have an eclectic bone in one's body, this Alladdin's cave of a shop is definitely worth a visit for its curiosity factor alone.

Paul Smith at 9 Albermarle Street, Mayfair, London W1

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

NEW STOCKIST: PLACES AND SPACES

Our soft toys are available from a new stockist, Places and Spaces. Located in Clapham, South London, Places and Spaces is a beautiful shop where you can find, besides our little guys, lots of great furniture and accessories.

Places and Spaces at 30 Old Town, Clapham, London SW4

( Written and Photographed by Álvaro )

DAUNT BOOKS

We've arrived from a mini-break in London last week... Although the weather wasn't as gracious as we'd hoped for ( rain and thunder in July, anyone? ), London is always an inspiration with its elegant architecture, beautiful shops and museums.

Passionate about books, one of our favourite shops in The Big Smoke is definitely Daunt Books in Marylebone High Street.

A true treasure trove, besides the wonderful travel dedicated books, this Edwardian bookshop is a delight to the sight. Beautifully decorated with teal painted walls, vintage wallpaper, huge skylights, bright green lighting fixtures, and long oak galleries and staircases, Daunt has the old english ambiance down to a T.
Sprawled along three storeys - basement, ground floor, and galleries - the book selection is vast and conveniently organized by geography, so you can easily find not only travel books but also novels and other works regarding your desired region.
Besides the colourful display of books, you can also attend evening talks by writers.

Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High Street, London W1.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

FEMALE FORM

Natasha Law's work is at the same time delicate and intense, soft and empowering. The first time i had a glimpse of it was on the pages of british Vogue a few years ago - a red on white ink sketch featuring a woman from behind, so demure yet incredibly striking.
Her highly recognizable work, which portrays the female form in saturated glossy paintings and deceptively carefree illustrations, has since then appeared, among others, on solo exhibitions at Eleven in London and Voltz Clarke in New York, a few books, and commercial ventures such as Jemma Kidd's makeup range and accessories designer Beatrix Ong's shoe boxes.

Law, a mother of three and sister to actor Jude, works from her studio in Camberwell, South London, to which she sneaks off when the children are in bed. Since last year, the artist has added yet another dimension to her work in the form of Lou Lou and Law, a clothing brand featuring her trademark sketches on Ann Louise Roswald's clothing designs, and available at a few select shops.

( Written by Lola )

DAFFODIL CINDERELLA

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. Although not always in need of yet another pair, we just seem to fall in love with its sculptural designs, its colours and materials, and even the way they can effortlessly take you back to a bygone era.
As shoe designers go, not many are as gifted as british designer Rupert Sanderson.

In business since August 2001 and passionate for the craft of shoe making, Sanderson spends 4 months of the year in Italy overlooking the artisans’ work, making sure each shoe is a piece of pure perfection.
Always named after a variety of daffodil, his designs come in five toe shapes, and heel heights which range from 10mm flats to 10 cm stilettos. Far from trying to be fashionable, the emphasis is on simplicity, silhouette and elegance, something which makes him work not only for his namesake brand, but to be also highly requested by prestigious labels such as Margareth Howell and Jean Muir.

Besides the lovely designs of his current collection (soon to be replaced by the A/W 07 one), we’re in love with his elegant boutiques, the first opened in 2004, with furniture sourced by architectural salvage company Retrouvious. In addition to the heavenly shoes, you can also buy a piece of furniture, attend a tea party, and taste the home-made cake, a speciality in its own right.

If in London, be sure to visit Rupert Sanderson’s first boutique at 33 Bruton Place, Mayfair, or the recently opened at 2a Hans Road, Knightsbridge.

( Written by Lola / Photos courtesy of Rupert Sanderson )

SOAP OPERA

Opened in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason in London's Piccadilly, Fortnum & Mason is an instituion of all things gourmet that has seen 300 years of history and yet still remains very much alive and kicking.
To prove just that, the makers of some of the yummiest and beautifully packaged delicacies have launched a delightful line of bath products, Fortnum’s Toiletries, well presented in vibrant colours such as lime green, turquoise, warm pink and deep purple.
In two scents, Rosa and Grapefruit, the range consists of scented candles, hand wash, bath and shower gel, hand and body lotion, eau de toilette and, our favourite, a gift package of 3 soaps.

Heavenly!

( Written by Lola / Stills courtesy of Fortnum and Mason )

NEW DESTINATION - HAYMARKET HOTEL

Opened since the 1st of May 2007, this beautiful London hotel, located near Trafalgar Square, is the new top destination for true lovers of the best of british style.
Renovated by hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp, the Haymarket displays a wonderful array of colour, pattern and rich fabrics. All the 50 rooms and 2 town houses, designed by Kit Kemp, have their own style and colour scheme, and boost a truly homely feel.

Features like wooden chest drawers painted in delicious colours, sofas upholstered in floral fabrics, subtle stripy wallpaper on the walls and Bestlite lamps in all the bedside tables, make this central London design hotel the perfect haven for a well-deserved mini-break.

( Written by Álvaro )