i found this gorgeous wooden postcard at kitsch kitchen the other day and had to have it, it now sits above my desk and ever since i bought it, the sun has been shining bright!
Amsterdam is an overwhelming, overflowing creative melting pot. And whenever I get the chance I like to give the pot a bit of a mix and see what surfaces. Then I carefully extract it, analysing and scrutinising this new found beauty for all our benefit, right here under the roof of the (blog)house. So what have I found for us today? The very fresh, very funky, and very very hip, MIR jewellery range…
You’ve all guessed why I love it so – designer Mirjam de Haan takes her inspiration from nature. And with this new range she has looked to the sea, with cuff bracelets that look like silver-dipped coral, pendants in delicate leaf shapes, starfish and seahorses.
“In a world where mass production is the norm, MIR prefers to retain the delicacy and sensitivity of handcrafted pieces. MIR jewellery is handcrafted to the highest standards.” Designer Mirjam de Haan
There are two ranges, the prêt à porter which includes the gorgeous coral piece you see above, and haute joaillerie which includes one-of-a-kind designs like this exquisite smokey quarts pendant on smokey quarts bead chain, featured below…
The range includes chunks of amber set on delicate bead chains, a jaspis pendant which I adore, turquoise rings and cute charm bracelets. Click here to view the full range on the just launched website.
This new range from MIR is so fresh on the scene that it has barely hit the Dutch docks. It has been featured on fashion shoots for Gala and La Vie En Rose (above), and I have no doubt you will be seeing these stunning pieces in more of your favourite magazines throughout the year, all over the world. I myself will be featuring some of the range in a shoot next week and will be sure to show you what we create. That’s if I can remove it from my own neck and arms and ears. Habit of occupation. I love my job!
All images courtesy of MIR . For stockists, click here.
From mysterious tropical islands to the golden quarter of vintage-chic boutiques in Paris… here in the (blog)house you know I like to take you with me everywhere I go. And since it’s been a busy week for all of us, I think we all need a Friday afternoon treat. This time I am taking you to one of my favourite little finds in the maze-like backstreets of Le Marais…
image from The Style Files, teapot and bowl in store at Le Souk.
I had the pleasure of meeting a fabulous fellow blogger in the flesh for the first time on Friday night. Danielle from The Style Files and I finally got a chance to get together for some champagne and bitterballen in Amsterdam, it was such a fun night, we have alot in common so we were busy chatting the whole night through. Danielle is as inspiring in real life as she is on her blog and I am looking forward to our next outing together, thanks again Danielle for a wonderful evening!
In other news, I have some fantastic posts lined up for this week, including taking you with me on an exclusive tour through one of the most gorgeous little boutiques in Paris that I happened to photograph last year for a story – I’ve noticed you are all crazy about a certain fashion label and I know just where to find it in Paris. I also have an exquisite new jewellery line to showcase, and although the designer is not new to the fashion industry, this will be her very first debut in the blogosphere. And next up: the judging panel for My Heart Wanders have been busy making their selections this weekend and I’m about to reveal the first round of submissions so stay tuned!
Before I completely wind down to becoming a sloth for a day (that’s my idea of a glorious Sunday), I would like to tell you a little about one of my favourite suppliers…
I speak of the fabulous Iittala, one of the major driving forces of Scandanvian design: “Iittala objects are design essentials stripped to their core; the pure union of function, form and quality that demonstrates our core philosophy of lasting everyday design against throwawayism.”
Where ever I am working in the world I have always used Iittala amongst my props when I am in need of fine glassware – their work is classic & contemporary, elegant and refined, and whatever we are shooting be it an aperitif or a platter of petits fours look ravishing held within an Iittala piece. This week I had the pleasure of visiting the Amsterdam store to pick up some supplies. It’s a beautiful store and the service is impeccable. For last week’s shoot I decided on their Tapio and Aarne glassware range…
I was so pleased with the results. And I love their philosophy – very inspiring for aspiring designers…
