Saturday 10 August 2013

Daily inspiration


















Room to think

Maybe it’s the weather, or maybe it’s the jump-start to that list of summer goals I had in mind, or maybe it's just my hyper-organised inner-Virgo instincts kicking in again? 

God knows…

But at 11:38 p.m, I found myself happily bound to (what we know to be) 'The Big Clear Out.' 


Oh the domestic joys! Whether you think I am weird or not,  I do love a good clean (sometimes).

Sorting through things and getting rid of the chaotic randomness that enters my room on a daily basis is actually quite amazing. Not only does it give wing to my own creative spirit, it also helps to put my mind at ease. I feel free.


However, what my family don’t seem to understand (and nor do I to be honest) is how one day my room can be totally clean and tidy and the next….well, it can’t. I guess they are right in saying that having to clear out my room literally almost every other day, is just...well, quite unreal. 

My mum and dad have always told me that they have never known someone to constantly keep their drawers open 24/7 or sleep on a bed of sketchbooks, using pens as cuddly toys. Ops...is that not normal?


Anyways, whether one might view this all as a bad thing or not, I think it's great. 

It's so wonderful sorting through things which have built up over months and months. The discoveries you make and the memories you relive! 

For one, this evening I found my secret sticker stash from when I was around seven or eight. It brought such a sweet and honest smile to my face, but I had to be strict with my hoarder-of-a-self this summer, so I striped them down. It was for sure difficult for me to let go of this sentimental piece, but to keep this memory alive I snapped a couple of creative pictures to help free up my attachment. 

Hm...I think that photo method worked. Plus this little bit of sticker cuteness helped motivate me to start on that dreaded untangling of my big ball of jewellery. 

Oh my, do I have a collection of jewellery! Funny enough though, I don't even wear half of it, it's more for looking at or admiring - Gosh, sometimes I swear I'm a magpie!

Anyhow, after five hours of tidying and one bittersweet blog post, I still have more to do, so I better stop procrastinating and finish off what I started...I will be sure to update you all on the ultimate outcome!

Wish me luck...


Monday 5 August 2013

Ibiza is where the heart is

Ibiza holds a very special place in my heart. I can safely say that it has definitely become that so-called "somewhere I just have to visit every Summer".


And to my amazement, that time of the year again calls... 

So, we take off sailing the skies, on the road to party and somewhat paradise. 

Let me paint some pictures for you...


I cannot tell you how much my mum and I hit the Iberian ham dishes hard this trip. Forget about that petty-packaged Marks and Spencer Parma ham you tried back at home, here in Ibiza, it’s a different story.

First of all, it must be made with so much love and care. Thinking about it now, it seems almost impossible to create something so melt-in-your-mouth tasty yet so beautiful, you almost don’t want to eat the darn thing.

Each plate of Iberian ham that we had at each and every restaurant or stall in Ibiza, glistened. They were sliced oh to the most translucent of strips!

All I can say is that a happy dish of Iberian ham makes for a happy tummy and therefore a very happy mummy and me!










You will find us Ibiza-dreaming, wearing very cool pairs of sunglasses and experiencing the utmost beautiful stretch of colour as the Ibiza sky burns into a carnivorous orange flower at the bay of Benniras beach.



The tradition of this small bay-beach is to head down there on a Sunday - think unforgettable vibes and chilled-out beats of hippy bongo drums (not to mention the crazy, free-spirited individuals there...It is for sure a great people-watching experience too). 



Ibiza night life proved to be stuff dreams are made of. 

Never in my life had I seen something so heart-beatingly intense and magically real. For example, the entertainment at Ushuaia nightclub was beyond all expectations. Floating ballerinas streamed, soared, swept and leapt across the endless array of black night skies. Only moments later did I realise that the dancer herself was solely suspended from simply an amoeba of precariously bulbous balloons...Ahh!



The energy here on this island is incredible. And I know that I wasn't the only amazed one there...

For one, my brother seemed to be an extremely happy fella. However, this could be considering the fact that he was surrounded by the total, social buzz of dressed-up (or shall I say dressed-down) girls.



Coucou cat...





A healthy dose of partying and hair inspiration at Ushuaia...



The perks of being a jewellery designer...



Now you may call me sad, but over the past year I (embarrassingly) have had extreme withdrawal symptoms from Ibiza's notorious Hippy market. 

Luckily for me, my anxiety was put at ease after spending hours each Saturday morning roaming freely around the fast-paced frenzy of this sweet Summer space. 



Oh the things I saw...the things I bought! 

(Note to self: I must remember I'm on a student budget now...ops!)



My kind of ride...



Squat shot in Ibiza town at an artisan arcade of little works and perks.



Inspired by Ibiza's creative desserts...mmmm...



My own merry Harry Pottress on the way to visit the famous island of Formentera...



For years friends and neighbours have been urging my family and I to go and take a visit to the sleepy and cute island of Formentera. 

Formentera is only thirty minutes on the ferry from the port in Ibiza town and we wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so hey we thought, why not? Let's do something new for a change.

The ride there was somewhat bumpy as the boat jumped the waves of the dark ocean. But with some gentle music and the sun dancing on the surface like dotted diamonds, I was more than happy and ok. 

As we got off the ferry we were stunned. The flat island was surrounded by pine-dressed hills with their rounded heads almost touching the Formentera heavens. The beaches and waters were as clear and silky as ever, not to mention there was a never-ending strip of white sand that whispered and tickled our ankles.

However, I hate to admit it, but that was all pretty much to the island. Besides the serene views and yummy menus, I was a little disappointed with the little island as a whole. We drove to each town and the few recommended sight-seeing spots for the day but all seemed to be no-mans land. There was almost nothing to do but lay on the beach till sundown. 

Usually and almost always, I try to be as open-minded as possible and to see the beauty and adventure in almost anything, but this time round I felt a little let down. 

I hate the fact that I am so often just a little disappointed when a destination doesn't quite live up to my daydreams. But in this case, I felt entitled to. 

I guess I must be an Ibiza or a city kinda girl after all...No regrets though, I'm happy we did it! 

Now back to Ibiza...








Muma goose is always arriving in style...





Admittedly, my favourite thing about Ibiza is its people.

Their fearlessness and fiery personalities as well as their weird and wild rhythm is something I got to learn and love while I was out there. 

(Another note to self: learn to express myself more freely, Ibiza-style)  


The things you see here...





Unfortunately, all fairytales have to come to some kind of end eventually...So with a deep breath and my big eyes opened to the infinite possibilities and activities to do on this island of such stoic beauty, vibrancy and fun, I left with a heavy yet happy heart when heading back to the dreaded reality of London-town. 

Sooo...same time next year guys?