{Zooey Grossman's 2012 lookbook for Planet Blue}

"She said "hello mister, pleased to meet ya"... She smelled of daisies... She drives me crazy."

Angus and Julia Stone 'Big Jet Plane'. Just because there's always some Australian hippie song stuck in my head.

{Non-tree Christmas trees}

So to be honest, I really don't have much to say in this post (for once, right?), because these images are pretty self-explanatory. I actually was just reminded that I wanted to share these ideas from Holly's blog today over at decor8. Year round, I collect images I come across online and organise them in my folders, awaiting their time to shine on my blog, or whatever project I might take a notion to start working on.
These are just some of the alternative Christmas tree ideas I had on file, here just in time for Christmas! So, for any last minute-decorators who want to try something a little different this year, while still maintaining the traditional 'Christmas tree' shape and want to use your regular lights and ornaments, please take a look! And think outside the... eh... tree.
Happy decorating.*  Happy memories.*  Happy Christmas.*

(via Bldg 25 Blog)

(via Bldg 25 Blog)

(via The Jubille Tree Company)

(via Poppytalks)(via Wonder Forest)

(via Sweet Paul Magazine)

(via Poppytalk)

(via Terumii)(via Inthralled)

(via Anthropolgie)

(source unknown)

This is actually one I snapped a few weeks ago in Brown Thomas here in Dublin. I mean, if you don't have a whole tree made of Louboutins this Christmas you're just lame. :P

(via Anthropolgie)

(source unknown)

(source unknown)

(via Poppytalk)

 

{Home Tour: Iris Apfel}

When a 93 year old woman who has dedicated her life to an industry often regarded as superficial and reserved  for the wealthy and fabulous comes out with a little gem like this" Don't get plastic surgery: "I think if women put some more of the time and money they put on their heads in their heads, they'd be better off." I immediately think "she's the kinda chick I want to learn more about". In fact, I've always had a huge amount of admiration for any woman in the creative industry who succeeded in spite of the patriarchal tone of the age. I could easily turn this blog into a dedication to successful women in fashion, film and music, and my fascination with how their talent and passion was enough to get them media attention. Oh, nostalgia!

Instead, I wanted to share with you all a home tour of Iris Apfel's Manhattan apartment, though not for the faint-hearted. As you can guess for her iconic fashion sense, it seems Iris Apfel follows a "more is more" approach. This is a much more blinged-out, floral patterned and Italian-crafted version of your granny's attic; full of all sorts collected over the years. But isn't that what makes it so wonderful and interesting?? No? Just me?

(All images Architectural Digest)

{My Favourite Homeware Hotspots in Dublin}

Just in time for Christmas...

Avoca

My happy place. Granted I want a lot of stuff, but this is one of the only shops I go into where I want EVERYTHING. This chain store started as a woolen mill in 1723 and is now hailed as Dublin's finest treasure trove for Irish-designed clothing, beauty products, food, kitchen equipment, books, homeware and gifts for all ages. With its infamously gorgeous cafe, deli and foodhall as well as it's amazingly creative store design, a visit to Avoca is more like a day trip than a shopping trip.

Artical

Nestled in one of my favourite places in town, the beautiful Powerscourt Town Centre, this little gem really strikes the balance between modern and retro, ornate and simplistic perfectly. It has a slightly Scandinavian vibe (although I've never been anywhere in Scandinavia so that might not be very accurate?) and would be a perfect place to find something for the men (plural. Oh, what a little minx I am!) in your life.

Industry

As you can guess from it's name, this store is a purveyor of the finest of vintage, upcycled and new industrial style furniture. Although this style has become trendy in the mainstream in recent years, a piece from Industry is no fad, it will always be beautiful in its own rustic, edgy way.

Decor Furniture Gallery

If you've walked up Wexford St., you'll probably know this as that store with the giant Buddha statues, old school chairs and flying monkeys on display. And this is why I love it.

Designst

Tourists take note; a handcut, Rob Ryan-esque map of Dublin is going to be a much more loved gift from the Emerald Isle than novelty Guinness memorabilia or overpriced Leprechaun hats. In fact, any of its modern Dublin-inspired art and stylish craftwork would make a gorgeous gift for anyone.

The 3rd Policeman

Dangerously close to my apartment, this is probably my favourite vintage store I've ever been in (and there have been a lot). I don't think I've ever made it 5 yards inside the door without finding at least 20 things I want. Much of their stock is sourced in France, and unlike some vintage stores, is the perfect balance of elegant and dishevelled. A haven for leather luggage, industrial style lighting and old hobby-ware such as cameras and wooden fishing nets as well as an amazing selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women.

DunnesHome

I've written about my love of the Carolyn Donnelly range here, but if that's not your thing, DunnesHome's other designer collaboration with Paul Costello is more classic, simple and just a little bit more masculine and is a real crowd pleaser. DunnesHome's own range has really improved in the last few years, so if you haven't been in a store in a while, you will probably be very pleasantly surprised.

{Emily & Meritt for PBteen}

Despite living in Ireland, I always keep one eye on foreign companies for inspiration, and really, just to see what's out there. As a budding designer I think it's important for me to familiarise myself with what large chains, accessible and affordable, are doing to influence trends in interior decorating. One of my favourites is Williams-Sonoma, Inc. which operates its foodies' dream of a namesake, as well as Williams-Sonoma Home, West Elm, Rejuvenation, Pottery Barn and its subsidiaries Pottery Barn  Bed & Bath and PBteen.  Yes it's a lot, but I regularly website-hop from one to the other, loving what I find.
One of my absolute favourite things happening in the world of design right now are designer-high street collaborations. Not only in fashion, but from Stella McCartney for Addidas to Alice Temperly for Filofax, it's nice to see our old reliables getting that extra special touch. When I heard that Pottery Barn's adolescent-aimed PBteen had teamed up with fashion designers and stylists to the likes of Emma Roberts, Jessica Alba and Vanessa Hudgens, Emily Current and Maritt Elliott I was excited to see what they would come up with. Designing teens' bedrooms can be tricky (probably like everything when it comes to teenagers! Says me, at the wise old age of 23..). They have to be grown-up, without being boring, and fun without being childish, as well as catering for whatever phase, craze or school days are taking precedence. I think this new collection hit the nail right on the head. It's current, without being too trendy, whimsical and just cutesy enough. Most importantly, it's adaptable and will grow with the teen (probably a lot more gracefully that any One Direction polyester duvet cover, to be honest).

The designer duo were recently featured on Elle Decor.com, demonstrating how to add some personality and organization (yes, you can have them both!) to your vanity area, which I loved. I read some of the comments (reading comments on the internet; always an uplifting experience) and a few people felt the feature's look is a little too flea-markety and mismatched. Both of which excite me greatly, so this may be a tad biased.. but surely a livable, usable space for all your different bits and pieces is going to look a little jumbled? This is what a livable space is like for most people, so unless you want to hide everything you have away, organizing and categorizing your stuff into cute containers and trays is crucial for a harmonious space. I like to think of the home as a bit of a "This is Your Life" exhibition, and I love to see some personality in decor. NOTE; "Personality" means favourite old hardbacks, photographs and treasured objects- NOT a mess of trash, dust-covered, forgotten-about products and the last six months worth of supermarket flyers. That's just being messy. And there's a difference.