Rachel Vosper - Part 2

Hello all, I am having a few technical issues while on holiday.

Will try to do a travel post but the internet and my equipment is not making it easy...

So here's one I made earlier!

I tried Rachel Vosper for the first time around Christmas time.

Shop exterior on Kinnerton Street,
one of the loveliest hidden streets in Belgravia.

I wrote about it in this post.

Shop interior,  I love her use of cornicing as shelves on the left.

I love and need candles around the house and was so excited to find someone to fill all the empty used candle jars with some new scents.

Sofa, settee, couch. Take a seat.

I was reading the New York Times and they did three different articles on the topic of sofas.

Rather pertinent timing because I am in the middle of trying to replace our sofa.

 I find sofa shopping harrowing - 
almost like shopping for a new pair of jeans.

  Its almost like getting a tattoo - 
there is a lot of commitment involved.

Last time I considered buying a new sofa was a few years ago.
A decision on my own would have been hard enough but to balance another person's opinion ( my partner's ) was just too tiring and causing arguments so I chose to keep what we had instead to avoid a full on blowout.

The first article was Analyzing the Couch.  
It discussed sofa price ranges and what the reasons were for that price difference.  It was an argument that transcended sofas and that applied to most things from sofas to shoes.

Last time I bought a sofa was in 2001.

 I was so proud of myself as I finally felt like an adult and 

it was not an Ikea sofa.

I felt very mature - as in matour - not machure, dahling.

I scoured the sales for ages but like an ex-boyfriend - 

it isn't something I would necessarily choose now.

Emmanuelle Alt - distinctly fashionable?

Emmanuelle Alt is the French Editor in large of French Vogue.

She only recently took over from Carine Roitfeld who was editor for ten years and stopped two years ago.  I say stopped because the circumstances of her departure are disputed. 

She says she resigned but the open secret seems that 

she got fired for unprofessional conduct.

Taken when Carine was still editor and Ms Alt was fashion editor .

Apparently, there was always tension between the two but 

I feel like that is one of  "those stories".

People have been saying that for years about Anna and Grace but they are still working together despite what it seems.

I guess because that's because you know who's boss.

She is the one of the king makers in the fashion world.

Re-kindle-ing my love for books

I am a bit of a Luddite.  

It might due to laziness, apathy, or age 

but my eyes glaze over when chattering about the latest gadget.

I still have the original iPhone - 

only because my brother gave me his one when he upgraded.  

Otherwise, I was quite happy with my Nokia.

RIP Nokia - you were a good phone and we had great chats.

He is also the one who ushered me into the world of the iPad.

He recently bought me a kindle for Christmas 

so I would "keep up".

He attempts to be my digital pulse on the world.

I like the kindle - for the obvious reasons.

Quite handy.  

I won't regurgitate the technical positives because 

to be fair I only heard blah blah blah.

Dear Victoria, please explain.

It's New York fashion week.

For civilians - it means bad traffic and jammed restaurants.

For fashionistas - this is like the couture playoffs.

For fashion designers - this is make or break time.  

There is pressure to out shine and set trends 

and make the headlines.

One who fits the bill is Victoria Beckham.

Have you seen her in the last few days for New York fashion week?

Victoria carrying her tote bag at NYFW.

  

Victoria carrying another of her new bags 

from her collection during NYFW.

But this looks weird or is it me?  

It's not a clutch bag - none of them.  

They both have handles so why on earth 

is she carrying her bags like that?

Nate Berkus through the AD Keyhole

I looked at this photo a few months ago in the Architectural Digest featuring Nate Berkus' home.

There was something that made me stop but I couldn't articulate or figure out what made me pause.

I kept a copy of the story as I am inclined to do and had another look and figured out what was bothering me. 

This next picture is what I call Pseudo OCD / Neat Freak

  Someone that organized would never put shoes inside past the hallway and into the inner sanctum of the home.  

All that dog poo and gum on the bottom of shoes. 

You put everything away but you hang your jacket on the chair?

 Come on Natey. 

You have gone through all that trouble 
so just put away your bag as well. 

This is stunning don't get me wrong but the vibe is really posh, expensive therapist who conducts group therapy sessions.  

Deliberate, slightly forced, calculated casual, clinical chic.

Finally have a chandler! Not the one from Friends.

As you all might have guessed, I really like candles.  

It is something I use everyday and I can't believe it has taken this long for me to find a chandler.  I like saying that word - chandler -  or otherwise known as a candle maker. 

Through a friend, I discovered Rachel Vosper - a proper artisan and chandler.  I love that in this day and age there are still craftspeople out there producing products in store.  She has the cutest boutique that would not have been out of place in London during the 1700's.  I took some pictures for those of you who might be too far away to visit her store anytime soon.

How cute is that - you can sit on the chairs while deciding which candle you want.

It is located opposite one of my favourite resturants, Salloos, and next to a cute pub.

She has an amazing range of scents that are distinct and her range of glassware is diverse and original.

The vessels themselves are beautiful and would make a lovely decorative addition to any home.

How beautiful is the long white one - perfect for the dining or coffee table.

Images taken from her website where there are more beautiful options with many unique scents.  
You can even design your own!

But what really sets her apart is her refill service.  

This is truly revolutionary.  

I know I have so many empty glasses once the candle is done.  

I think almost everyone I know including myself and most blogs I read have an empty Diptyque or Cire Trudon candle that doubles as a makeup brush holder.  But you only need so many utensil holders right?

I love glass as a material - I collect it in many forms.  

I have this gorgeous green whiskey goblet that I adore but as I don't drink whiskey I end up just looking at it.

I took it to Rachel so she could do her magic. 

Before the makeover but still pretty right?

This glass does not have a bad side.

So after a few days with Rachel - she turned it into a beautiful French Lavender scented candle.

I love that I had a big part in making this unique candle.  

Here it is - Voila!

She is so clever she used two wicks for more even burning.

Action shot - isn't the two flames pretty cool?

She really can refill most vessels - if unsure just bring it to her and she will let you know if she can make it into a candle or not.  She is so nice that she even refills empty candles from other brands so don't worry about bringing them into her. 

I have already decided on my next new candle which is this soup tureen!

Soup tureen from the Nil pattern collection from Hermes

I can't wait to show you after it becomes transformed. 
She is having a sale at the moment - 25% off candle refills until end of February so now is a perfect time to try! 

 If you don't live in or near London, you should find your local chandler and see if they can transform a piece in your home that is staying idle.

Enough pillows? Enough already.

Let's get back to basics.

Pillows actually have a utilitarian purpose.

They support our necks and backs. They provide a cushion and a padding so we are comfortable in our chosen stance.

They are not meant to constantly get in the way.

They do not exist solely for the purpose of bedroom photography shoots for magazines.

Why? Oh why, do they have so many rows of pillows on beds nowadays?

Everywhere I look - it's at least 4 rows of pillow!

Check it out.

And this is the guest room - you will be sleeping between Rows 3 and 4.

11 pillows! Including the one on the floor. 
Are you serious?

Is Octo-mom sharing her bed with all her kids or something?

Happy new year!

As part of my new year resolutions, I went to look up Martha Stewart's organizing tip of the day.

Martha says I should pack up my holiday trimmings so I will be thankful I did this time next year.

But I shall be rummaging through my cupboards looking for my decorations and untangling them next year like everyone else.

Look at how she is packing up ornaments like it's some porcelain auction at Sotheby's....

My post-Christmas clean up will involve repairing my liver from alcohol and straightening out my life.  But ditto the bathroom.

Wishing you all out there a fantastic new year! : )))

Beds in "bedrooms" is so last millenium

I am such a water baby, I could easily sleep here but are those side lamps really necessary?

Hey Swamp boys, Miss Havisham wants her bed back!

If Ikea made outdoor beds.

Swinging in bed taking on a wholesome dimension.

Why IKEA, despite all its faults, is still in business

I was trawling through the Boxing day sales hoping to nab a bargain either for my skin, wardrobe, or house and came across these.  They weren't even on sale...

It's bespoke! How ugly would you like it?

I actually want to keep the lights off so I can't see this.  

Happy Boxing day everyone - hope you get lucky in the sales!  

P.S. Don't go broke saving money folks...

Merry Xmas to all from Martha Stewart and me

Let me first say that I adore Martha Stewart.  She is what I really am but covered up under all the piles of books and the to do lists also piling up next to aforementioned books.  But she makes me laugh and I think I would never do half the things she said even if I was in prison.  ( no jokes please ) 

Christmas season is so hectic I can barely attend all the parties let alone do all the holiday chores.  But here is what we all should have done...

I was reading her December issue and wanted to share...

What do you mean you haven't built a replica of your house in gingerbread cookie form?

This is her country house!  She actually gave the recipe. Let me know if you want me to email it to you.

That chicken has a better blow-dry and highlights than Kate Middleton.

This is like that very old lamb roast recipe where it begins - first, chase after the lamb...

The real reason Martha keeps horses in her air conditioned stables - so their hair won't get frizzy.  Keep reading below and it will make sense.

               Just in case you have run out of ideas for genuine thoughtful presents you can't find anywhere.

Google suitable boxes for twenty minutes in Japan, get waxed gold paper, find a seal stamp and wax and presto! 

Merry Christmas everyone!  

The season is over and now we can stop feeling guilty that we haven't done all  of this...

Images via Martha Stewart Magazine

Dear Santa...

I have done nothing to deserve this but if you are feeling a little generous or if the elves mess up.

Kitty flat from Charlotte Olympia - will turn any dog person into a feline fan

Love the style of Alex Monroe.  Sweet and quirky all at the same time.

Hermes Double Sens bag - It's Reversible!

Duck feet lamp from Porta Romana - never get sick of this lamp.

So soothing to look at it.  Porta Romana is just lamp heaven.

Giulietta, amazing desginer with her Romeo satin gown, old school glamour and panache - available at Net a porter

Philips ReAura Laser skin rejuvenation - my skincare routine would be complete. At Space.nk

Burning the candle at both all ends

I remember when scented candles were really burgeoning as a perfumed home fragrance and replacing Glade sprays in the mid nineties. Since then, it has gone from luxury splurge to part of one's weekly or monthly shop.  I buy more candles than lip gloss now whereas it used to be the other way around.

The market has grown to such a point there are so many brands to choose from.  I just wanted to share with you the pros and cons of some popular brands at the moment.

Cire trudon

This is the mother ship.  Look at their wall display in the picture above - simple but effective.  The oldest candle making firm since 1643 that used to make candles for French royalty during their heyday in Versailles and Napoleon.  They blow everyone out of the water.  They use hand blown Venetian glass as seen in the picture below.  The vessel itself is of such quality with deep rich colors. I tend to use them as mini vases or utensil holders when the candle is finished.  The wax is so pure and clean that it burns evenly. You never get pockets of wax on one side with left over wax stuck on the other side of the candle.  The staff in their boutiques are very knowledgeable and teach you how to light and treat the candle for most effective use.  The scents are interesting and complex.  The only negative I can say about this is that it is very expensive at £60 for a standard sized candle.  This makes Diptyque look a bargain.  8/10, if it were cheaper it would be a 10.

 

Jo Malone

One of the earlier makers and I was a loyal fan of their candles.  I used to go to their original shop when it was the size of a small bedroom on Walton Street in Chelsea.  They were the pioneers of modern scents.  Beforehand, candles were either Jasmine or Lavender.  Lime, basil, and mandarin was groundbreaking.  So much so that it was the equivalent of Giorgio of Beverly Hills, CK One, and Ralph Lauren: scents that started out intoxicating but became so ordinary.  I feel that the firm has stalled a bit and are not being as adventurous but that is probably because it is now owned by Estee Lauder so they are just flogging a proven formula. But the scents are dependable and comforting.  The price point is in line with other luxury home candles but the wax is inconsistent.  Some candles burn evenly and clean while others dont and there is nothing more annoying that having wax on the side of a candle.  At £ 38, one does not want to leave a wad of wax on the sides of the candle!  But I must say I don't know anyone who would mind receiving this as a gift. 6/10

White company

This company really is the Boden of the homewares world.  It is dependable and just works.  The candle scents here on average are what one would expect.  They are middle of the road and appropriate for non special occasion home use; midweek stay at home in the evening use.  But there is one huge hit scent that I come to White Company for - Winter spray.  It is the sweetest, nostalgic and comforting blend of orange, clove, and cinnamon.  It is its most popular scent and never on sale - unless you have a voucher.  It comes in every conduit of scent possible - including Winter spray Christmas wreaths.  The candles are fine and do the job.  But at £ 20, one should not expect the rich release of scent that the more expensive ones have.  But I use this in conjunction with the home spray.  7/10

Diptyque

This brand has almost gone the way of Jo Malone.  They used to come out with some really original scents that were an olfactory sensation.  The fig scent, called Figuier was a huge hit.  People were going nuts over the scent. At one point almost every home I visited had this candle burning.  Recently, it seems they have realized they must constantly be innovative and have brought in new packaging and scents. Wax burns relatively evenly so less wastage.  At £38, they should not be resting on their laurels.  A dependable brand that whilst I may no longer buy as frequently unless I have my figuier craving, I always love receiving as a gift.  6/10

 

Yankee Candle

This is at a cheaper price point that the other luxury brands.  I must say that I think there must be some sort of colluding of prices on the luxury brands because most seem to be £ 38...But that is another story.  Yankee candle is an American brand and always come out with flavors that would make a great chap-stick or perfumes that 7 year old girls would adore.  It brings out the child in me and I light these candles with abandon and without guilt.  These are also candles that go on sale once in a while so I always try and bulk buy them when possible. Yankee Direct and QVC also have some special deals on them so try and catch them while they are on sale.  Cranberry chutney, apple cinnamon pie, blueberry milkshake anyone?  7/10