Fly us to the moon

Anzu heart balloons card

Flowers In The Snow

A couple of weeks ago we posted a blog on the kimonos in the snow. We were really inspired by the floral silk fabrics and the cherry blossom sprinkled with snow.  

It's always so lovely to see flowers peeking through the snow like these snow drops.  A sign of Spring.

There's something enchanting about the frost on the flowers which can create beautiful and unusual forms.  

The ideal setting for a Winter fairytale.

A cotton field. It looks like snow!

Don't forget!

Only 20 days to go to Valentines. Discounts available on bulk orders, hee hee.

Our favourite - the Anzu scarlet typewriter card

Roma

The new Anzu for Harrods Roma candle is now in Harrods Bed and Bath!

A long time ago I was in Rome. It had just rained but was a warm, sultry evening.

Walking along the wet cobbled streets, the air was full of dewy, green scents and night flowers. The rain had woken all the flowers and fragrance and the atmosphere was sensual and mysterious. It was a vivid memory that I wanted the latest Anzu candle to evoke.

Mossy and fresh green scents

Heady iris notes

The sultry drama of La dolce vita

Sensual violet notes

The romance of 'Roman holiday'

A perfect Roman evening.

Kimonos in the snow

Monday this week was Coming of age day in Japan, a day when all those who have reached the age of 20 over the past year celebrate, attend speeches and go to temples. Girls all wear furisode, a style of kimono with long sleeves and spend a long time at beauty salons getting ready.

This year it snowed, resulting in the most romantic and poetic images, of fake fur wraps and flowery silk kimonos against a backdrop of snow laden cypress trees and falling snow.

Getting home in the zōri sandals must have been tricky in the snow, but commuting that day must have been fun!

Bibliophile

Piles of books and lots of pattern inspired the latest Anzu range of patterned cards. Above our new Kimono heel and books card. So, in honour of this I thought I'd post some images of dream reading areas.

Although I do always love a grand castle type library, really my favourites are rather more cosy.

I absolutely love this bookcase in Ireland, which leads to a secret room.

So cosy - if the books don't accidentally get burnt, lounging in front of this with a favourite book would be a lovely way to spend a rainy Sunday.

Nigella Lawson's home library. I also have had to resort to piling them on the floor, but I think it looks homely.

Great lighting and a more sedate tone would make this library the perfect room for study or work.

Love the sheer scale and modernity of this.

A library that opens out onto outside would also be lovely, or a treehouse reading room! What would your ideal library look like?

Blue and gold

I have always loved the combination of blue and gold. Above shown to fabulous effect - the Randolph Hearst swimming pool.

This Victorian castle ceiling was inspired by those wonderful medieval paintings which actually used ground lapis lazuli for their paintings.

It also looks amazing in jewels whether it is this Yves Saint Laurent ring or this rough cut piece. We have also used it as inspiration for a number of Anzu illustrations, as we have turquoise and gold. This is our turquoise and gold necklace card, and Josephine's necklace limited edition print.

Beautiful antique embroidery.

Blue lace with gold bangles as seen at Marchesa.

New Year inspiration

Would love to add some new touches of decoration to the Anzu studio. Something new and inspiring for the New Year. I love this hand-painted wisteria above.

and the silver and purple.

Definitely want to add in some greenery (the crochet curtain is nice too).

The studio is quite minimal at the moment, so a bit of pretty desk clutter and

plenty of artwork, objet, and flowers

and macaroons on each desk!