I love reading other people's blogs. It is not only a way to discreetly enter into people's lives and satisfy the most basic need of us, social animals, of comparing and confronting ourselves with others' existence. It is also a reliable and bottomless source of information and a learning and often revealing experience.
Just for example, thanks to Sai Tenere un Segreto? I got to know this online channel (in which the author of this blog is part of the presenters' team), which gave me the opportunity to have access to some decent Italian television, partially synonym of national pop culture, which I would otherwise miss being 2000km away. [I have still to work out how to synchronise my satellite dish to catch Italian channels. If out there anyone has got any clue about it, please come forward. Many thanks.]
Reading Superqueen's blog is better than reading Vogue (or even Vogue Italia!).
Reading LovelySalome's film reviews is better than watching the films themselves (well, maybe I am going over the top here, but I do find her style extremely fluid, accessible and logic as she tries to seize the most interesting and less-obvious angles of them).
Always for example, from Appunti di stile, blog structured like a lifestyle magazine, I got the link to Nigella's rich collection of recipes.
From Damina (@ Piccolo Mondo Antico), I learnt about the existence of the most haunted
Party animal version:
Same face!
In the same style is this see-through umbrella with a bell shape, a useful item for windy days. I personally own one and love protecting myself from the rain, wind and indiscreet looks by hiding my head behind it without the risk of bumping against a road signal. It also takes me back to an umbrella I used to possess as a child, conveying a nostalgic sense to this purchase.
Below is a romantic blouse by Lulu Lame in white Broderie Anglaise and Swiss dot adorned by silky black ribbons. It can be purchased by this arty online shop: Le Train Bleu.
Let me drive your attention to the sheer and shiny white chemise wore by the models above and below, a must-have for any wardrobe. It is a basic piece which can be used as underwear; as a sexy top combined with a contrasting black or coloured bra; or half concealed under a jacket or a camisole.
Colourful socks are to me a statement of attention to the detail. This leopard print in shocking pink is ironically coupled with sexy heeled shoes for a Lolita look.
I have an undeclared passion for butterflies, and this butterfly umbrella below is just lovely. I used to own a lady bird umbrella based on the same principle, but instead of the wings, the eyes were the protrusion of the cap. The present one is designed for kids, but the straight handle makes it suitable also for an adult (the usual kids' umbrellas' curved handles are usually too small and uncomfortable for the grasp of an adult’s hand). In the same theme is a white tee in soft thin cotton by Chibi, other basic item of each respectable wardrobe, whose back is stormed by little vibrant butterflies. Exquisite, except for the price: £65.
If you are after a more grown-up style, what about this electric blue top ornate by a giant blue rose, as shown below, sported with a simple pair of jeans and silver flat pumps (always below) for a sophisticated ensemble finalised by a butterfly patterned umbrella (this time designed for adults) in the tones of blue and pink (see further below)?
Digression: blue or black roses are generally very sought after type of flowers for their mysterious and gothic component. However, although scientists are trying to create a proper blue rose, they do not exist in nature as such. There is no such rose with a true blue or a true black colour. Black roses are generally a deep, deep red whereas blue roses are typically purple.
For a more casual style, I have selected a lovely knitted grey jumper in Egyptian cotton displaying the iconic and universal symbol of television. I do think that grey is a powerful colour: in between white (which is in fact light) and black (which is in fact absence of light), it can have infinite gradations and always enhances the colour you coalesce with.
The black dungaree by Diesel, as seen below, is to me the ultimate classical item for a relaxed guise. I love dungarees and find very hard to find one in the high street shops. However, Hermes and Iceberg (amongst others) presented lovely white dungaree skirts and shorts at the prêt-a-porter catwalk for spring/summer 2006. It can be effortlessly associated with a pair of brown leather gladiator sandals (my highlight of next season). A pair by Ninewest is enclosed below. Alternatively, with a thick jumper and thick tights, it could also be wore during these cold months with a pair of Trippen shoes, whose more eccentric models are listed below for your admiration.
Trippen shoes are expensive hand-made shoes created by two German designers. Their unusual shape and first-quality leather are their distinctive features. If I would easily wear the first two knee-high and ankle-high boots below, I am not sure I would put on the more extreme designs of the last two knee-high and half-leg boots, because I find the former too masculine and the latter too aggressive for my mise. But I wanted to show them anyway to demonstrate what the creativity of the designers behind Trippen can accomplish: these two models are named "Penna", in Italian "pen", and their shape is in fact inspired to a stylo. Genial!
I will conclude this busy January with a Brazilian party here and then will spend the rest of this cold weekend tucked in the hope to recreate my perfect domestic weekend before facing another busy month.* My diary in February: Steve's 30th birthday party at Zensai, a two-days work trip to Bristol, the Anna Piaggi's exhibition with Leila, Edward Scissorhands' dance performance at the Sadler's Wells with Dan.
*By grouping up my log in months (instead of breaking it down into days or weeks), it seems I want to wish away this year already, but in fact I want it to be a very good year... and I will do my best. ; )
In detail, for the quirky shape of the lounge we chose an olive/brown fabric sofa, whose seventy’s rigour is softened by the big cushions replacing the back of it (see drawing below). The minimalist look is completed by the brown/black bookcase and side tables whose coldness is mitigated by the natural straw stool and rug. In lieu of the curtains, the idea is to overlap the three panels (white, dark blue and white with floweral decorations as shown below) to create a stratified effect. 
For the dining area we opted for a warmer look and chose a rectangular Indian wood table surrounded by hupholstery chairs with high backs. The table's veined shade and intensely shiny tint made it the best candidate to be the protagonist of this area of the room.
The bedroom sees the combination of black/brown, white/grey and baby blue tones. The low leather brown/black bed is associated with the horizontal black chest of drawer and with the dark brown Venetian blinds. This choice is partially practical: low furniture conveys a sense of space in this small bedroom, and the dark blinds allow oversleeping in the morning. ;o ) The severity of the brown/black is counterbalanced by two more classical and *romantic* pieces: the white/grey wardrobe and bedside table. Whereas the retro style chair's, walls' and quilt cover's light blue aims to convey a contrasting and lively effect to an otherwise dull bedroom.
This is only the *basic* look for our flat. Personal effects, plants, paintings, frames and special objects, such as my vintage English telephone and my Buddha sculpture, will give the final touch to make it unique and special.
P.S. I really would love to replace some of the cheap furniture I listed above (like the coffee table or chest of drawer) with some vintage Danish wood or original '60s pieces, but we have to take into account the limited space we have at our disposal and we don't want to overload the flat. However, I was recommended quite a few shops in Camden and Holloway Rd, as well as on E-bay, which I will certainly check out, and, budget permitting, I may change the interior design accordingly, to make it even more exclusive. ; )
UPDATE: It is ironic to think that when I first landed to this country, I applied for a bank account at Halifax and I was refused. Three and a half years down the line I got a mortgage from the same bank. L'ironia della sorte!
