Sounds like a good plan for the weekend

{Via here}

Have a good one everyone!

Mini masterpeices

I find these mini sculptures on the tips of pencils fascinating. The artist is Dalton Ghetti, a carpenter by trade, who said he "wanted to challenge myself by trying to make things as small as possible. I experimented sculpting with different materials, such as chalk, but one day I had an eureka moment and decided to carve into the graphite of a pencil." He uses a sewing needle, a razor blade and a scuplting knife to create these pieces and, unfortunately, he has never sold his work (I would love one of these curious objects to add to my collection of curiosities). The longest he spent on one piece was two and a half years which was a pencil with interlining chains. But most peices take several months.
See more of his work and read about it here.

Banksy in Africa

Works by the legendary street artist, Banksy, have been spotted in Africa. Apparently the artworks were done earlier this year in Mali stretching from Bamako to Timbuktu, possibly Cairo too. My fave is the zebra one. There was speculation that is may have been an admirer but the appearance of the images on his site pretty much confirms that he was here. How cool is that.

{Via the brilliant Between 10and5}

No. 5, "Put your nose down and pay attention to your work."

Season 4 of Mad Men has just started in the states amidst lots of buzz. I have only watched the first two seasons but can't wait to watch Season 3 (yes, I am always a little behind in TV shows) and to delve back into the world of the '60's (the fashion alone makes it worth it).

For Mad Men fans out there:

• Click here for a montage of every Mad Men pick up line
• Click here for the Mad Men rules
• Click here to Mad Men yourself (yes really)
• Click here to see what brands have jumped at the chance to be in the show
• And click here to see a match made in heaven: Mad Men Barbies!

Now ladies and gentlemen, I shall abide by rule number five, put my nose down and pay attention to my work.

Where in the world

I think every house should have a map somewhere - it's the easiest way to have the world (or just a part of it) at your finger tips! I was looking through old books and came across a beautiful map that was folded up between the pages. I am so excited and can't wait to get it framed! I will post pics once it's up but in the meantime take a look at these:

{World map available from National Geographic}

I do love this one from National Geographic

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A fun way to map your travels is to place a drawing pin in the places you've been

 

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 I used to have a map like this in my office in New York. Obviously with not as many pins. This is inspiring!

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Globes of all sorts are fascinating. My mom collects vintage globes and the collection looks wonderful together.

A collection of globes at the Partners and Spade opening I went to in New York last year

{Above map available from here}

Old maps of Africa are also intriguing especially since the names of the countries have changed to often. This is a map of the Country of the Hottentots, towards the Cape of Good Hope, from Kolben

{bespoke map heart via here}

Maps can be used for wrapping paper and cards - imagine this as an invitation to a party in some exotic location

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Maps, maps and more maps. I find the shops that sell them are usually as equally interesting as the maps themselves. Imagine a whole wall of map wallpaper! 

Ah... one day I shall travel the world!

Lego flash

And I am back with the LEGO in the form of memory sticks! So much cooler than the standard gray thing that you usually end up using.

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Randlords by day

There seems to be a lot of interest in the new Braamfontein hot spot, Randlords (see here and here). I received these pics of the bar via email so thought I would share. Just look at that view!

Something to make you laugh...

{Click here to watch}

Have a fun weekend!!!

New York, I am missing you today...

{Untitled 2008, Tim Barber via here}

Bookday

I haven't posted about a bookshelf (here and here), library, bookstore or book for a while. It's amazing how the World Cup took precedent over everything (and rightly so I say). Considering that I have my monthly book club tonight it's appropriate to do some book-related post. I came across this unusual bookshelf yesterday. While it wouldn't look good in everyone's living room, in the right place it will be a stunning statement maker!

 {Via here}

Champion T's

Two- top local designers and two design students designed crests for Umbro that represent South African football culture. I love the way they soaked up the World Cup gees and incorporated all sorts of distinctly local details.

 

TwoShoes Design explains that their emblem represents soccer as a uniting force for our nation. The 11 stars represent each player on the team and the 11 official languages of our country.

Mingo Lamberti (love their T's: check them out here) took inspiration from makarabas and used shapes that are typically found in the African cultures to give it a vibrant, African feel.

Vega students Lauren Smith and Nikita da Silva drew inspiration from other SA artists, urban hair salons , shweshwe fabrics and stitching designs.  

{Click here for more info}

World Cup views from Randlords

Ok, I know the World Cup is over but I couldn't resist posting these pics from the night of the final. We watched at Randlords, a bar on the 22nd floor of a building in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. It was breathtaking seeing the sunset set over the city of gold, with Soccer City in the background. While we were envious of the lucky fishes at the actual game, it was exciting being close to the stadium - energy literally emanating all around, choppers flying low, fireworks going off and a mad rush of gees in the air. Now that's Ayoba!

 

{Soccer City right in the middle of the pic}

Breakfast at Tiffany's

That little blue box has such romance around it and it is almost as desirable as the contents inside. I said ALMOST. My experience with a Tiffany's blue box was on a summer Tuesday in one of my last few weeks in New York. My best girl friend and I had decided to spoil ourselves and go and purchase something from the iconic jewelry store. Once you step inside those famous doors the experience is more akin to department store frenzy than an elegant purveyor or sparkly goods. Nonetheless, I shall always treasure my gold heart locket and it's little blue box. Anyway, Tiffany's is extending its brand beyond jewelry and is releasing a collection of women's handbags in September. They are paying tribute to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's with "Holly" clutches. Now, I wonder whether those will come in large blue boxes?

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The Legacy of the World Cup

Read this interesting article about the effects of the World Cup on South Africa.

Winter wonderland

TopShop has just brought out their Autumn/Winter 2010 catalog. While temperatures in the Northern hemisphere are soaring and I am sure no one wants to think about felt, fur and triple layering just yet,  it is perfect timing for us in the Southern hemisphere! So let the new looks inspire your winter wardrobe right now! So gorgeous and cosy - and I just want to get my hands on one of these coats right below.

Happy birthday Madiba!

 Nelson Mandela with Graca Machel at the World Cup closing ceremony

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Today one of the world's greatest leaders turns 92 and the world is honoring him by celebrating Mandela Day. The idea is to pledge 67 minutes of your time to a worthy cause to represent to 67 years Mandela spent honoring others. What an amazing individual. It is inspiring hearing the stories of how others are dedicating their time today - We haven't decided what we are going to do but we will think of someway to do our bit.

Make a wish

“I’m always wishing. Even in non-eyelash moments.”

 - Felicity

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HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

251,303 blog posts today

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It sounds nerdy but I find The Worldometer fascinating. It shows real statistics updated in real time so you can literally see how many emails are being sent, how many babies are being born and how many days left to the end of coal. It shows everything from world population to the environment. Be a nerd, take a look: The society media stats are pretty interesting and the food stats are shocking.

Park n Ride Khumalo and other names

With the sister's baby on the way, potential names are flying about. Perhaps they should follow the Zulu tradition of naming their child of an event at the time of birth. The maternity wards of hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal are currently filled with new babes born during the World Cup and bear names that are testament to this. Here are some of the new names recently recorded by nurses:

* Offside Mchunu;
* Argentina Sibiya;
* Vuvuzela Mhlongo;
* England Nkosi;
* Soccer City Mthembu;
* Cameroon Vilakazi;
* Striker Hadebe;
* Italy Buthelezi;
* Midfielder Zwane;
* Denmark Ntombela;
* Red-card Mbatha;
* Brazil Khuzwayo;
* Coach Sibisi;
* France Kheswa;
* Goalkeeper Sithole;
* Parreira Mthethwa;
* 2010 Dlamini;
* Jersey Magubane;
* Substitute Shandu;
* Ball Skhakhane;
* Stadium Gumbi;
* Kick-off Shabalala;
* Park n Ride Khumalo;
* Half-time Hlatshwayo;
* Tickets Ngubane;
* and Kaka Zuma. 

{Via here}

Watch this

This World Cup closing highlights tribute by BBC (thanks Dean!) will bring tears to your eyes, goosebumps on your arms and a smile on your face as you remember all the magical moments of the World Cup! Well done Spain. And well done South Africa -the world loved us!

{Click here to watch}

Mandela Lives

A painting by South African artist Yuill Damaso depicting a dead Nelson Mandela painting has sparked a lot of controversy. An interpretation of Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp", the painting shows Mandela surrounded by prominent South African political figures and is currently on display at Hyde Park Shopping Centre. According to Damaso the painting is meant to highlight Mandela's mortality as a way of humanizing the historic figure, who survived apartheid and the Sharpeville Massacre to lead his country into becoming a desegregated democracy. However the ANC is up in arms and calling the painting disrespectful and insulting. I tend towards the artist's side in this case as I don't think the painting is disrespectful. Besides, art should probe convention, encourage debate and make us question how things are represented in society.

Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp"

Damaso's reinterpretation of the classic

Read more about it here.

Empire State

And the Empire State building lights up in Spain's colours in celebration of their 2010 World Cup victory: love it!

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