Mexican flowers

Sunny days, armfuls of flowers and lovely Mexican embroideries. Have a great day! Above Anzu's Otomi flower cards

Braziiillll!!

The World cup is not far away, and if like me  you are planning on football parties but are not into 'football decor!' why not turn your house into a tropical Brazilian paradise for the duration of the cup

Think beach style and rig up a gorgeous lounge area in your sitting room. With overlapping rugs and lots of loungy cushions for people to crash out on.

Think of the colours of a Brazilian street and you can't go wrong. These streamers would also work a treat too

Then pile it up with lots of plants and palms. I love this outside seating area as photographed by Brazilian photographer, Tuca

Even just one will give that holiday feel. Isn't this room gorgeous?

Throw in a hammock for good measure

Then turn on the large screen tv, mix up some Caipirinhas (recipe here) and put on some crazy samba music (link here) and you're good to go! (Anzu illustration above)

Roses and champagne

Wedding season is well underway. We love the Anzu wedding card above, hand-decorated with Swarovski crystals and some of the beautiful table settings we've seen, but who says they have to just be for weddings?

Magical lanterns hanging from branches,

candle light and cymbidium orchids,

silverware and intense purple flowers,

yellow roses and treats,

rose garlands and champagne coupes,

grey feathers, creamy ceramics, and dusky pink roses.

Images: Anzu, via Pinterest, unknown, via constance zahn, via constance zahn, via decor rosa.

Artistic journeys in Japan - part 2

In Kyoto, I also tried writing sutras at Kenninji temple. It overlooked a garden and was meant to be a meditative exercise. For me, however, unfamiliar with kanji as I am, it required a lot of concentration. I really enjoyed it and it was a revelation.

Whilst in Tokyo, I visited this exhibition of sutras in the Nezu museum. I loved the combination of deepest indigo paper and gold ink in this Sutra from the Heian period (12th century).

The art of Shodou (literally the way of the brush) plays a large part in Japan's cultural heritage. Lavishly decorated Sutras historically were an essential part of devout Buddhism, and resulted in the most stunning work. The Chikubushima Sutra above is decorated with drawings of plants and animals, and also dates from the Heian period.

The Lotus Sutra above dates from the 12th century. The illustration has no relation to the subject of the Sutra writing. Rather the calligraphy is seen as a decorative form in its own right and as a religious offering.

Grand hotel style

I've always loved vintage hotel style, and the Wes Anderson film Grand Budapest hotel film did not disappoint. Here's how to get that vintage style at home!

Parisian perfume company Nose have teamed with hatmaker Larose to produce these items for sale in their Nose shop in Paris

Vintage luggage note-cards, available from yours truly Anzu!

I love my Raffles hotel key-ring, partly because it's too big to lose! Available from their gift shop in Singapore.

The Paris hotel boutique shop has great pieces of hotel china and silver, simply click here to visit

Sakura!

"In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger" Kobayashi Issa

At the first glimpse of Sakura, these girls had headed out for a drink in their yukata under the blossoms, otherwise known as hanime

"The cherries' only fault: the crowds that gather when they bloom" Saigyo

Romantic moonlit strolls under a red parasol through Sakura in the rain

I loved the way the blossom looked against the green-blue river and the pine trees in Arashiyama

Even the tube gets the full Sakura treatment

Artistic journeys in Japan, part 1

Whilst in Japan recently, I was very lucky to be invited to a studio for a kimono fitting. Unfortunately I can't post all the pictures here is a little glimpse. Each kimono is hand-painted and takes 2 months to paint by master artist Mr. Michio Ito at Sakura Sajiki.

This particular art of silk painting has existed since the 8th century and is famous for its use of distinctive colours. Featuring cherry blossoms in mist, crescent moons, dragons and temples, Mr Ito's designs were just so beautiful and utterly romantic.

Back in Kyoto, I watched another artist creating pieces with this technique. Fascinating!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

This post full of Japanese blossoms is especially for my Mum, Patricia. An amazing, wonderful Mum.

Above our Anzu Tattoo Rose card

Huge Magnolia tree, Kyoto. Never seen Magnolia like it.

Cherry blossoms, Kyoto

Sweeping cherry blossoms over the river in Kyushu

Magnolia blossoms

Anzu Tattoo Swallows and blossoms card

Falling camellias in the rain

 Plum blossoms

Hope all you Mums have a wonderful day, Anzu x