Sunday 13 October 2013

October 2013 Instagramy Post Part 1


I forgot to mention that I had gone to the Pearls exhibition at the 
V & A the other week.

Various pearls found from different shells.
For those who haven't gone yet, I highly recommend it.

It showed all aspects of pearls from the history, cultivation, 
artistic and historic elements.
Totem shields decorated with mother of pearl.

These photos were taken before I was told no photos were allowed! 
But they had they had somethings of note, for me anyway...
They had the pearl earring that King Charles I wore at his execution, the pearl necklace that Mary Queen of Scots wore just before her execution, and Marilyn Monroe's pearl necklace.
( Please click on link to see what those items look like if you are interested.)

Different sizes of raw pearls.
The official circus was in town as opposed to the one that is always in London.
Don't know why but it always makes me sad.
I can't explain it...

Was in the mood for auction shopping to nab a bargain at 
 They tend to film a lot of BBC shows there so it can be fun.

I won the following items.
Georgian style Victorian spiral library steps that need a good clean.

I got really lucky with these curtains. I am not too fond of the peachy color but I love the chinoiserie pattern on it.  An interior designer confirmed it was a discontinued GP & J Baker fabric.

Plus they were made by the old famous firm Charles Hammond that was a rival to Colefax and Fowler at one stage.  
The curtains need a good clean but they were properly lined and were even weighted.  To get similar curtains made would cost at least £2500.00 and I got it for £75! 
The only compromise is the color and I have to get it altered as they are about 3 meters long and figure out where to hang them.

I didn't win the following.
An original Asprey desk letter and pen holder from the mid 1800's.

I also didn't get a French 1800's silk screen that was badly damaged so must have been bought by a dealer.


My new neighborhood is like Eastenders, 
always something happening.
I saw a fox brazenly lying on my neighbors garden.
They have had bad press as they end up in children's bedrooms and going through the kitchen pantry...

This was the sign at the local florist.
I just thought, well if you know, go get 'em. 
Why bother with the sign? 
But I notice that in England when people get really mad, 
they write letters.

It is so Georgian in feel and I get some great antique and
 vintage books here.
Don't you just love it?

High brow to low brow.
Who in the heck designed these loo brushes?
The designer did not think the logistics through.


We may not be able to pinpoint the exact downturn in the Roman empire but I can safely say this might be the event that is the beginning of the end for Kate Moss.
Carphone Warehouse?
Gee whiz, I don't even get my phones from there.

The leaves are changing in the parks.

Why can't our hair turn gold and red instead of grey?


My Pavlovian fall flower is the cosmos.  This was the wild flower that grew all over the Korean countryside before it got massively developed and urbanized.

While I was in Kensington Gardens, I dropped in on the new Serpentine gallery/cafe that was co-designed by Zaha Hadid.
The reconditioned original building.
They built an extension and this is the cafe section.
I first walked around it to get a feel.
Then I walked in through the back.
It was oddly comforting to be inside and has a slightly cocoon effect.
Apparently, she lets a computer program do most of the wave modulations and then gets engineers to figure it all out.
I also dropped in on the gallery next door but it was one of those exhibitions where everything including the floor was part of the installation.


Love this feature in the Sunday Times.
Apologies if you already saw in on my instagram but
 I thought it was hilarious.  

Went to a friend's birthday dinner and the restaurant had amazing wallpaper. 
This chinoiserie stuff is following me around guys.

So I went to the de Gournay store to get a few pamphlets and 
they gave me this shopping bag.
I felt like I was 16 when I bought my very first lipstick and 
was so chuffed about the packaging.
Perhaps I am not so jaded after all...

 I have some other photos but will put those on my instagram as otherwise as I mentioned before it creates problems with the posts.
I know not everyone is on it - I am still just getting a hang of it.
Just a reminder that Mercury Retrograde starts on the 21st of October so back up any files and double check everything :)

51 comments:

  1. I wish my hair would turn red and gold instead of white and wiry...

    Hope everything is going well with you - I like the dinky little library stairs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes although I wonder if nature did that then we would be going to the hairdressers wanting it white and wiry due to human nature? I hope the stairs brush up well - that is what i am counting on! Hope the farm is verdant and lush ;)

      Delete
  2. You certainly do not strike me as jaded.
    Those curtains are the business and I like the colours, they would go with lots of things.
    have a good week Naomi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah I was definitely going through a phase but I can't let London toughen me up too much :) I hope the curtains are useful somewhere.. Have a great week too x

      Delete
  3. That looks like a bookstore I would like to visit. Also must note - fox!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had a stare off with a fox until i realized they could bite me so I let it win...

      Delete
  4. I love that they featured the earring King Charles I wore to his execution. Wow! That is a fascinating period of English history, I have to say. I have seen that Mikimoto necklace of Marilyn Monroe's, was it the choker that Dimaggio gave her? It's gorgeous! You are so lucky to have seen this exhibit. I love pearls! XO, Jill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They also had queen mary's necklace and her neck was soooo small - it could be my bracelet! And apparently she was 6 feet tall. Yes they had that mikimoto and it was such a clean simple classic - what i am aiming for...I adore pearls too xx

      Delete
  5. Love the pearls - tried on some $88K ones with Heidi on the w/e, x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw it on your instagram!! it looks amazing and suited you but then again for that much money it better do the dishes as well...x

      Delete
  6. Love your posts like this - you do such interesting stuff. Love your buys, especially the curtains - total bargain! You are so lucky to go to the auction houses with good stuff. Seriously, our stuff is borderline junk "antiques". Anything remotely ok goes for ridiculous prices.
    Love the pearl exhibition. Would love to go to it - can confirm that FF looked fantastic in her $88K pearls, but for some reason she was reluctant to buy them. One of our other travelling companions tried on a $230K strand - they were stunning... looked like marbles. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know about interesting but if there was sun and a pool you can bet your bottom dollar I would be lounging about like my life depended on it. But I have seen some lovely stuff you get at your local one but I suppose you know what to look for and are patient. The one I go to has predominantly dealers so only MOP like me overbid thinking it's cheaper than elsewhere. But I need to see the instagram of the $239 pearl necklace? Please tell me there were diamonds on it or something?! xx

      Delete
  7. I agree with Heidi, you do very interesting things and I love those little stair thingoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ta :) I hope to use those stairs otherwise I fear it might be a giant paperweight!

      Delete
  8. You always make me smile!
    Car phone warehouse? Hard times Miss Moss....
    V&A tomorrow I think! Thanks for recommendations x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you adam and eve it? Miss Moss Carphone Warehouse? Yes V&A tomorrow - was such a lovely little exhibition x

      Delete
  9. Love a good book store, and thanks for filling us in on the pearl exhibition! xo Caroline

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must check it out on your next trip as they also sell old postcards and prints as well xx

      Delete
  10. Yes, why can't our hair turn gold or red instead of grey? Unfair. Which is why we need lots of pearls to compensate for nature's favouritism towards trees. Love the library stairs and the curtains and the bookstore; a lovely day out, for me ; oh, and you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would love the exhibit but to be fair the pictures on the link are just as good as there were crowds and then the lighting and glare. I hope to model the stairs and curtains for you although I fear my bum might look big in them so maybe not. ;)

      Delete
  11. Love this post Naomi - still laughing about the loo brushes!! Your neighbour's garden looks like it could do with some work. Love the library stairs and curtains + nothing beats a quaint bookshop. The Serpentine Gallery looks very interesting. Have a great week. Jo xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isnt it the stupidest design ever?? Yes that garden is neglected hence the fox seems to lounge in that very one. Who knew foxes were that discerning but it worries me as their are kids in the next garden so I always yell a warning if I see it. Have a great week too Jo xx

      Delete
  12. I'm sure this pearl exhibition was really nice! I would have loved to be there :-)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was nice indeed but I want to go to Paris to see the Alaia exhibition! xx

      Delete
  13. I love those little library steps, and the curtains were a brilliant find. Just hang them and luxuriate in their beauty. That's my favourite kind of book store. I'm pining for city life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right I should just hang them and see how I like it and pat myself on the bargain. That bookstore is dangerous because I get suckered into buying books on which I have banned from getting more of. Move back to London Sulky!!

      Delete
  14. Your curtains look so pretty and what a great price! The spiral steps are so cute too. The Serpentine cafe looks really interesting!! I wish Toronto had more interesting architecture but I think people's tastes here are very conservative. I heard about the V & A pearl exhibit - if I lived anywhere near London, I would visit in an instant minute. Thanks for taking those photos!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yes cheaper than ikea! The new structure at the serpentine is really nice. You need to visit and see it. But also happy thanksgiving Louise!

    ReplyDelete
  16. A fox in the garden really ? haha ! It's like in the us with racoons, I always find it unreal !

    ReplyDelete
  17. It is crazy but there are so many foxes out here, they even hang out under cars for the warmth of the engine!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love how you explore London like a true tourist lol.

    I wish just writing letters was all that I do when I get really mad, I'd save myself a lot of trouble.

    Go get your chinoiserie wallpaper babes - get it out your system!!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ah..must make the most of London otherwise I would go crazy...but letters seem like the sign they ain't messing about! :p xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, that Zaha Hadid cafe looks really cool, I like the space-y feel! I thought exactly the same thing when I saw those toilet brushes!! How the fuck are you supposed to use them?!?!?!:D And the best part of the angry letter to the thief is "we know who you are" - then just write their name so they'll feel embarrassed.:)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Exactly, name and shame baby! But that cafe is really cool and feels great and adds a great texture to the park as a whole. Those toilet brushes...still freaks me out!

    ReplyDelete
  22. ok that fox is brazen but he's also totally cute and reminds me of every children's book i read. Also, did i know you were on instagram? Must find you!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Still a newbie and finding my way around tho!! Yes foxes seem cute until they come into ones house...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi again Naomi, I did see Blue Jasmine in August and really liked it. I'm going to write about it in my next post. I hope Cate gets an Oscar, the costume designer for that film too. And I did see that documentary on Chanel you mentioned, I think I own that one, if it includes the old braidmaker (who I learned from Claire Shaeffer has since passed away), I definitely own that movie and it is fabulous! XO, Jill

    ReplyDelete
  25. Well you have certainly had an interesting and varied October so far. The pearl exhibition has been on my list since I first read about it but I just can't seem to fit in a weekend in London just yet. I will make an effort to visit the café you mentioned when I'm there. What a fabulous design! We have regularly seen a fox in our garden often around the same time in the evening.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Naomi, again again, ha! Okay, I did my Blue Jasmine post, part musing on the costumes, part musing on what I would keep if I had my own financial meltdown. Looking forward to reading whatever you write on the movie. I know it will be a fun (and thoughtful) read! As for the Chanel braid lady, I think Claire Shaeffer said without one of those gigantic looms the braids are nearly impossible to replicate, and a lot of people simply do not have the patience to learn how she did it. Which makes me wonder if the knowledge will (sadly) be lost now that she is gone. Only the Chanel atelier knows for sure! XO, Jill

    ReplyDelete
  27. I always love these jaunts around town with you Naomi. I'm in awe of your scores at the auction. That fabric is gorgeous (I even like the peach). That cocoon restaurant looks like a unique place to nosh. Yes-why does the hair go grey? I would love some golden threads instead!
    Happy weekend doll!
    xx, Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is just soo stressful that I get in a tizz before and then I get buyers remorse and wonder if I over paid. sometimes easier to go retail but it paid off this time because it was cheaper than IKEA! xx

      Delete
  28. Looks like you've been having a great time! Hahaha, that sign...you know, one time somebody stole one of our plants along with the pot and those tiny walkway lights a couple of years ago. I remember looking outside from the office window and thinking that something was oddly missing.

    And I THINK I might have stood beside that exact bookstore! How funny. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Were you in Chiswick too? They have great riverside pubs there. It is a lovely part of town. My plants got stolen once - how weird is that - it was just a green bush too. Weirdos! xx

      Delete
  29. Nice post!!! I like your blog! would you like to follow each other?
    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

    ReplyDelete
  30. So much interesting in your post - as always. Just wondering where do you find the time to do/ go on all these exhibitions and places?
    My feet are stuck in mud, and I hardly find the time to turn my car towards the town twice a week.
    OMG, the toilet brushes, do people really buy something like those?

    ReplyDelete
  31. The architecture of the cafe is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
    xo
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your Eastenders neighbors are just fantastic, Rickaaay! I was hooked on that show. That cunning wee fox looks so sweet like butter wouldn't melt, we even had coyotes in our backyard, skunks galore and raccoons, creepy. That Vand A exhibit looks fabulous - very jealous

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love the curtains and a bargain price too dont you love that !

    ReplyDelete
  34. @miss b- you really musn't forget to see the Pearls at the V&A!

    @mette - I don't have a full time job so that does help!

    @Sharon - you would love the cafe - it is crying out for a fashion shoot.

    @ALW - foxes have the quality which is why they aren't yet extinct!!

    @Michelle - yes am quite chuffed about the bargain! Cheaper than IKEA :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. OMG this post Is beyond AMAZING:) love your blog

    Check out my new blog post and....

    have a lovely day dear

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis - inredning it's, Swedish for decor :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Naomi I am laughing about the toilet brushes still! Too hilarious and yuck!! Love your steps and the curtains. You got some gorgeous things. Must be so fun to do that in the U.K. Love to check out the auction houses and those charming book stores! Hey I so know what you mean about your first lipstick and getting chuffed about the bag!! I'd have that bag on display on my dresser for a while. It's gorgeous!
    xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for dropping by!