Long weekend bliss

It feels like spring is in the air (a little tease before the cold front hits) and we have a long weekend ahead of us: bliss! Whether you are heading off to rock out with SA bands at Oppi Koppi, visiting SA's largest design and interior expo at Decorex, or planning on just doing your favourite weekend things for an extra day, may it be a good one!

Roof top entertaining is one of the things I miss about New York on weekends like these. My friends at BoBo recently held a Plate to Gate dinner a top a 40,000 sq ft rooftop farm in Queens. These pics not only make me nostalgic for endless NY summer nights but they made me think that rooftop farms could (and should) be part of every city with, well, rooftops! I'm inspired. Perhaps I'll go rooftop scouting in Jo'burg this weekend...

 

{This picture is magical, I want to get married again right there against the lights of Manhattan}

Oil spill-inspired fashion

Vogue Italia's August issue is causing quite a bit of debate. There is no denying that Steven Meisel's oil spill-inspired editorial with a realistic interpretations of injured and oiled animals is controversial. However, I do not see this as glamorizing a disaster. The more this disaster infiltrate our life (right into our fashion magazines) the better. While there is an element of "creating beauty out of tragedy" I find it refreshing when fashion (and other forms) go beyond the merely aesthetic, provoke debate and comment on society. How do you feel about it?

{See the full editorial on Refinery29}

Cool things in BLACK (with a spot of white here and there)

A typographical clock via here

'The Family And The Land: Sally Mann' showing at The Photographers' Gallery, London

A piece from The Intersections Art Project

Black on black playing cards via here

A book called Maison Martin Margiela via here

Don Draper's hair via here

A limited edition Two Tone Poster via here

Lead South Africa

Lead South Africa launched today - a campaign to remind South Africans of what we have accomplished, and to call South Africans to stand up for what is right so we can accomplish more. I think it is a great idea and hopefully garner the enthusiasm and passion of this country that we experienced during the World Cup.

"Our country has just finished hosting the biggest sporting event in the world and if there's one thing that stood out, it was our Ubuntu, our warmth and our leadership. The question on our minds is how to keep growing that spirit of unity and respect for one another. Lead SA is an initiative that aims to to remind us that it is in our power to change ourselves and our country, that we all have the ability to lead. It's up to you to Stand Up for South Africa and our future."

Watch the video and read the call to action.

Living rooms you want to live in

These pictures of living rooms inspire me. They are all very different but there is something about them that seems to reflect the essence of their dwellers.

{Domino}

I pretty much love everything about this room and it makes me want to paint my front door a bright red.

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Feathers and kids aside, I can imagine spending hours in this living room, curled up on that leopard print couch. I love the elegance of the high ceilings and chandelier contrasting with the bright walls.

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This room is in the same house as the room above. This family has a knack for creating comfortable spaces filled with beautiful things.

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This room just looks so peaceful and that window (!) is beautiful. 

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There is something so simple and beautiful about this space. The white shelves and wall are the perfect backdrop for books and pictures and things. And that chair makes the room!

NYC Subway gets wi-fi

Yes, you can soon log on while sitting on the 5 train on your way to anywhere. How cool is that! Read the full article here.

A new month

There is something refreshing about a new month - it is like a mini new year where you can collect yourself and focus on the next 30 days. July came and went amidst World Cup madness and I think August will be slightly calmer. My mantra for the month:

“That which you think becomes your world.”

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