Saturday 31 December 2011

Mary, Mary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

Aren't these utterly amazing?!
The first three images are from a series called Surreal Planes, of Mary Katrantzou's last season collection which have been photographed and then painted by Erik Madigan Heck.




Heck then created Florals for Katrantzou's current season collection.




Friday 30 December 2011

The Aurora

My lucky sister did an arctic biathlon for Kids Company in Sweden and saw the Northern Lights!


The aurora borealis in Sweden

Merry Christmas Lux Fix!

A while ago I did some sketches for the properly wonderful Lux Fix.
They have had amazing press & been featured in Elle Netherlands (with a big ol' picture of mine!) & Vogue.
So it seems this little lady has been getting around!
I'm loving the Christmassy theme Lux Fix has done with the other drawings, clever ladies.

Pat Butcher would love these earrings!





Thursday 29 December 2011

Fantastical Fancies

A Go-wk-maid
If these exist, then why can't unicorns?

Valentino, echos of Sargent

Valentino Spring 2012
I am longing to see Valentino's full campaign shot by Deborah Turbeville in Mexico and love the choice of Zuzanna Bijoch, Maud Welzen, Bette Franke, and Fei Fei Sun - brilliant casting.
And Oh! the hair!

It reminds me of some of Sargent's paintings, namely 'Cashmere' which is his eleven year old niece painted several times. I remember seeing it in a book in my school library and it literally sent my head spinning.
I'd not seen his work before and have remained in awe since. The man was a genius.
Cashmere by John Singer Sargent (1908)
And here are some more. Just because.
Fumée d'Ambris Gris (1880) 
A Parisian Beggar Girl (1977)                                                                  Rosina (1878)
A Venetian Scene (c.1880)
Leaving Church, Campo San Canciano, Venice (1882)
And Valentino's beauties elsewhere...
Freja Beha Erichsen at Valentino Spring Summer 2012 & Kate Bosworth at The Met Ball 2011


valentino.com

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Saving Face

I'm getting a head start and beating the post-indulgence dollop of guilt that unwittingly plagues us at New Year. My friend Tina told me the best new year resolution... do one thing every day that you don't want to do.
As little as I manage this golden nugget of advice, when I do I am amazed by how much I get done that I've been putting off. It's a goodie.

Well, on the Hit List today is sorting out my skin care.
I'm ridiculously lax and spend a fortune on pretty and sweet smelling potions and lotions that do squwat. My sisters' dermatologists advise not using water on their faces (as does Garance Dore's), & to stay out of the sun.
Cetaphil skincare also gets mentioned over, and over, and over again.




Other blogs that were singing it's praises recently were Into The Gloss and some of the ItGirls blogging for Grazia Italia. So, here's (hoping) to squeaky clean and baby soft skin.

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Jolly Jilly Cooper

Look what Tim brought for lunch on Boxing Day...

Champagne from Paradise!

Saturday 24 December 2011

Never Knowingly Under-Papped

Cripes, paparazzi's gone glamorous.
Look at what the lovelies at Grazia are gifting.



These are the La Sardina 35mm wide-angle cameras from Lomography with some wonderfully natty sardine tin case patterns. I'm lusting the Beluga, or the Czar for that matter, which are dipped in brass.


Snap it Up

The last day of my Advent Wish List coincides nicely with Stylist's ever wonderful giveaway.
I have a camera, I know. I don't have one small enough to pop in my coat pocket, let alone my bag. I would be one very happy lassie if Santa so desired or if Lady Luck was sprinkling some fairy dust.
Golly I hope so!


Neo-Classical Navajo

In September, before I went away traveling I did a shoot for Tina Sparkle at West Wycombe Park with the gorgeous Jessie Chaney photographing. They were channeling the Navajo vibe.

This is one of my favorite shots from the afternoon.
Tina Sparkle Spring Summer 2012


Friday 23 December 2011

Net-a-porter Pick of the Day

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at ten o'clock are peculiar moments to look forward to I admit. It's like getting photographs back from being developed 'in the old days'. There's a slight thrill before, and then either great excitement or a huge disappointment.

It was definitely the former this morning as net-a-porter pulled another triumph of an offering out of the bag (after an atrocious Wednesday morning).

All is forgiven, and I can get back to my daydreaming...



£570

£275

£280                                                                     £230

£1,540



£3,895


£500

net-a-porter.com

EJ - Mama, I'm Gonna Sing

Click on this link... It had me and my two year old cousin dancing around the breakfast table this morning.

Shortt's China

I went to drinks with the amazing photographer Kate Shortt this week. She's just back from a trip to Beirut but it is still her work in China that I find so spell-binding.

Shortt has such a warm personality. She is invited by the people in her photographs into intimate situations and she is able to capture unusual moments and situations. She's an incredible talent.




Grown-Up Friendship

Dear Santa,
Every year I leave you mince pies and whisky.
Every year you sweetly deliver me presents.
I'd say ours was a life-long friendship.
These bracelets would be a perfect way of showing it.
love from Leonora x
Lucy Folk gold Taco bracelet
£70


How Much is That Doggie in the Window?


Let me introduce these little angels... from left to right they are Dasher, Cupid, Prancer, Donner, Dancer, Comet, Blitzen and Vixen. They were abandoned at Battersea Dogs Home a couple of days ago and in need of a home.
The best present I ever had was my puppy when I was twelve. Please someone look after these divine things.

I think I am going to go and cry now.