Careful in the Dark

Now that it's getting darker earlier I'm pulling out my little reflector badges and fastening them to my coat pockets. The ones I have are the classic flat plastic ones on a string, a bit like the cat's eye on a bicycle, and they glow as soon as the headlights of a car approach me in the dark. While I lived in brightly lit London I had no need for them but now that I live in a small town and walk everywhere, often along narrow darkened roads, I find them very useful for highlighting my presence to drivers.

Photo: Dagbladet.no

 

I admit that they don't look fashion-forward in any way, so I'm going to order one of these reflective tassels from Firefly to attach to my handbag. And probably a few to give away as Christmas presents. Finally an attractive reflector!

 

 

Photo: Firefly.com

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Novelties

Tine K, the Danish purveyor of pared-down homeware and fashion, has just launched a summer collection called 'Summer Novelties' with beautiful sun-bleached pieces to die for. My favourite picks? These two:

a nifty little 'basket pocket' in plain blond leather which you attach to your beach basket...

...like so. No more scrabbling around for your phone or ice cream money at the bottom of your (sandy) bag.

And this cane sofa, perfect for flopping on after an arduous day on the beach...

Lovely. Takk Tine!

The great thing about Tine K is that you can order from the online shop and have it delivered 'abroad', ie outside Denmark. Unlike many of the Nordic brands which I covet.
There are several retailers here in the UK who sell part of the Tine K range, but I haven't found anywhere in the London area that sells the full range. Online does.

All photos courtesy of Tine K Home

The thing about Yellow

is that it leaves me cold... generally. But then I found myself completely seduced by this beautifully simple little handbag in & Other Stories on Regent Street recently. Perhaps it had something to do with the beautifully creative styling of the shop, with a large display of mannequins standing in a field of glass bud-vases filled with anemones. I was enchanted and ever since I've started noticing yellow in a different way...

D-Ring Crossbody Bag £65. Photo: & Other Stories

 

Photo: Bonytt

Vintage kitchen units painted in yellow gloss and matte grey. One of the most striking kitchen photos I have seen - hats off to Synne Skjulstad for the bold choice. Click here to read the full Bonytt article.

 Photo: H&M Home

Pretty little trays and bud vases from one of my favourites: H&M Home, where you'll get 25% off online orders until the 15th March

Photo: Bemz
Fresh new fabric covers for IKEA Henriksdal dining chairs by Bemz, an ingenious firm that supplies covers in all kinds of wonderful fabrics for those chairs, sofas or beds that could do with updating instead of being thrown out

 Photo: H&M Home

Velvet, linen and cotton cushion covers by H&M Home

Photo: Isidore Montag

Floor-length dress from Giambattista Valli's SS2015 collection

Photo: IKEA Livet Hemma

This cute little 'Knopparp' sofa by IKEA

...which is of course inspired by Ligne Roset's 'Ruché' sofa below

Spring has sprung!

Gaga & Tony launch Christmas at H&M

Yesterday I was in the process of placing an order on H&M's website when it crashed. I suspect it was due to the phenomenon called 'Black Friday', as several other websites I looked at were frozen with a message saying something like 'too many shoppers! come back later! (please!)'. Anyway, this morning I returned to H&M to check out my basket, and when I saw the Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett photo I couldn't resist so I clicked on it. Love it. Particularly the kaleidoscope beginning when you view it on H&M's website, though it's on youtube as well.

http://www.hm.com/gb/magical-holiday