The Global Shortlist

I was recently delighted to receive a copy of the 5th edition of 'The Global Shortlist' from Mr and Mrs Smith.

'The Global Shortlist' is a travel guide listing 30 most stylish boutique hotels around the world handpicked, reviewed and compiled in a lovely coffee table book by travel experts at Mr and Mrs Smith. In case you are wondering if this has anything to do with the infamous movie with Angelina and Brad, the answer is 'no'.

Conceived long before Brangelina, Mr and Mrs Smith is a boutique hotel specialists representing the coolest, sexiest and most intimate places to stay around the globe. I have always been a fan of boutique hotels and was naturally excited to find out about so many stylish and unique places introduced by Mr and Mrs Smith through 'The Global Shortlist' . The information is presented in a relaxed and interesting way with tons of alluring photographs that is bound to set you packing for your next holiday. Each page directs you to the best shops, best day trips and other things worth getting out of bed for like the secret advice you would get out of a trusted and well-travelled friend.

One place that I got to know of through this book and would love to visit one day is Castello di Vicarello , Tuscany.

Comprising of six suites, this 900 year old mediaval stone castle is set on a Tuscan hilltop among olive groves. I long to sit in one of their two infinity pools which offers unforgettable panoramic views of the valleys of Tuscany.

According to Mr & Mrs Smith, one should prepare to put on weight in this place as Aurora (the owner) cooks up a daily-changing menu of authentic homegrown, home-made Tuscan cuisine, served in the candlelit flower-filled courtyard in summer and by the fireside in winter.

Cooking classes and wine tasting can also be arranged at the hotel's kitchen if you are up for such domestic activities, besides hunting, fishing and horse back riding offered in nearby places.

And if you are looking for somewhere else unique to stay in Italy, La Mienervetta situated off a cliff in the Amalfi coast of Italy promises a stay (or view) you will not forget.

I love the clean visual lines with splashes of colour shown in these pictures. As evident, the view from your bed in this place is to die for. There are lots more recommended boutique hotels such as these in The Global Shortlist so if you are looking for a unique place to stay, you know where to turn to next time!

'The Global Shortlist 'is available here and here. Each copy of the book comes with a year's free membership with Mr & Mrs Smith that allows you to enjoy special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through them. Simply flash your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page.

Debi Treloar

Some gorgeous interior spaces photographed by Debi Treloar (via oh joy). I love the blurring of in and out in the images below.

Airspace

I found out about this amazing site today called Airspace today via Luphia. Airspace helps source for fantastic locations for film and photography. If you are looking for inspiration for a space, this is the place to go. They have everything neatly categorised according to style and type.

Before you enter, make sure you have enough time to stay cos it won't be easy to leave. Some of my favourite images below...

Stamps celebrating 20th-century British design

Britain’s Royal Mail has issued a set of ten stamps celebrating 20th-century British design classics. After seeing these stamps, I suddenly have a strong urge to start collecting stamps. Seriously! (via Dezeen)

Custom Cookies

Create cookies with personal messages by following this recipe at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories here!

Le Petit Atelier de Paris

I simply love these clay objects hand made in the workshop of Le Petit Atelier de Paris.

Chocolate film

Yum! Have you heard of this before? It is called cholcolate film and it makes your pictures turn out a beautiful chocolate tone. I love it! There is also sepia and blue. I should ask shutterbug about it.

(above) chocolate, sepia and blue (via Fairyfaye'sfinds)

La Cerise Sur Le Gateau

Some gorgeous French-made linens and styling found on“La Cerise Sur Le Gateau” (the sherry on the cake). (via Haute Design)

Writing pad

I would love to write a love letter or will on this writing pad. (via Debi van Zyl via ffffound!)

Claerwen James

I have to admit that I am not a fan of portraits as I find them too literal and direct. But I couldn't help gasping at the beauty of these artwork by Claerwen James when I saw them at Layer's of Meaning. Claerwen has a doctorate in Cell Biology from the University of London. While Science was her first love, she enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Arts after realising that painting was the centre of her life.

The colours, mystery and beauty of the expressions captured by these still portraits are beyond words. More of her work can be seen here.

Collective Housing in Tokyo

This is a collective housing project by Sou-Fujimoto which should be completed by now. It is located in the centre of Tokyo on a 143 sq m plot of land. Made of wood, it is designed so that you experience the house like it is a mountain. How fun!

Bibs by Ethic Garden

Adorable bibs by Ethic Garden. I love how the bibs are superimposed with the beautiful sky as the background.

Aliette

Gorgeous prints by Aliette, a graphic designer from Paris. You can purchase her work from her etsy shop here!

Children's illustrations by Tutti

Gorgeous illustrations by Tutti, a graphic designer and illustrator from Tel-Aviv (Israel). The style of her drawings reminds me of illustrations from vintage children story books from the Ladybird series. Do check out more of her work at her etsy shop here.

pencil calendar

The pencil calendar consists of 12 color-coded pencils to indicate the seasonal temperature and the days of the year printed along the whole length of the pencil, allowing each day to be sharpened off. Designed by, and available for sale at, Mytton Williams design

Things I miss

I miss ballet...very much.

(photos by Tim Evan Cook)

Gee beauty

I love the simplicity of this packaging from a beauty salon in Toronto called Gee. (via)

Textile jewelry

Gorgeous textile jewelry by talented Argentian artist Maria Sol Marsico. Do check out more amazing work from her flickr page.

My Best Friend's Wedding (part II)

I had blogged about helping to do the wedding invites for my best friend Elaine's wedding here. These are some pictures from the wedding to share. (above) Elaine and her then fiance (Chee) dashing around Singapore to run errands the day before the wedding.

(above) These were some corsages I made from lace and ribbons for the wedding party. As you can see, the colour theme of the wedding was black and cream which we carried through all the decor.

(above) Reception table which I helped decorate. The birdcage with message written on tags was an idea I came up with just the day before when the bride realised she didn't have a wedding book for her guest to write their well wishes on. Representing a new home for the newly weds, the birdcage also doubled up as a centre-piece on the reception table. Each guest could write their messages on as many tags as they liked to attach onto the cage which was painted a goth black.

(above) Wedding programs. The wedding program was 16 pages long and we compiled everything into a mini booklet held together by a black grosgrain ribbon and handmade paper embossed with the couple's initials on the front cover.

(above) wedding confetti

(Above) Wedding favours. And for wedding favours, we had jars filled to the brim with candy that guests could dig their hands into. Sadly, my 2 year old had to be bribed with one of these before she agreed to walk down the aisle as the flower girl. Here is a pic of her leading the wedding entourage with a chuppa chup sticking out of her mouth. The sugar rush put her on high the entire wedding service.

(Above) My 2 year old daughter, Vera, acting as the flower girl with a chuppa chup sticking out of her mouth as we led the wedding entourage down the aisle.

World's Most Creative Work Environments

I saw this pic at the coolhunter under the call for submission for the "World's Most Creative Work Environments". I am so in love this idea although I wonder if one could get a little looney working in a cylinder... Does anyone know where this project is?

Stunning Hairpiece

Don't you think this hairpiece is simply stunning and romantic? I really think it will be gorgeous on a wedding entourage. You can also request to have these made smaller. (via laceandtea)

Retro-yummy skates!

These retro rollarskates are just too yummy. oh I do miss rollar skating...reminds me of my growing-up years.