Driving into work part 2

Uh oh... Everyone warns me against vintage cars. Carlos told me that there are two happy days in the ownership of one - the day you buy it and the day you sell it. But recently I am getting very tempted by this Rover.

These Rover cars were nicknamed Aunty Rover after the war because everyone thought they were frumpy but I love the look.

My Dad suggested I go to work in this instead:

Set off down the Thames each morning. At least there'd be no traffic but I'd better watch out for the Perch and Seals.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen's funeral today and a sad, rainy day.

The dress that McQueen created for Bjork's album Homogenic, photographed by Nick Knight.

Alexander McQueen was just truly inspired. What I loved about McQueen was the exquisite attention to detail,

the stunning show-stoppers he created (this took my breath away when I saw it sashay down the catwalk - it moved so beautifully)

the way he would combine ethnic and often tribal influences with true British style (would love to have something from this Widows of Culloden collection)

and sharp Savile Row tailoring. I loved the Hitchcock influence in 'The man who knew too much' collection.

Even his invitations were an inspiration (original images on heavy card and beautiful paper). And not least the drama and sets of the catwalk shows, which were always so striking and original - above is a still from his 'The girl who lived in a tree' catwalk show.

Alice in Wonder Room

Just some snaps from my iphone but I like the Selfridges Alice in Wonderland display that they have in their windows and their Wonder room at the moment. Such a great theme though...

Anzu's Kreativ Blogger award

Thank you so much to Brigitte Garnier for nominating the Anzu blog for the Kreativ Blogger award!! What a lovely surprise! As part of this I now have to write 7 'interesting' things about me - uh oh! so check back later this week and I'll be sure to have attempted to have done that. In the meantime click here to visit Brigitte's blog

Train dining

On Friday I was rather naughty and took the day off and went to Bob Bob Ricard for lunch. I love the train decor, the Japanese fine papers used for wallpaper

and especially the button to call for champagne!

It's almost as much fun as Le train bleu in Paris

I'd also like to try afternoon tea on the Orient Express

Maybe Cary Grant might turn up!

But if not it certainly looks more fun than this carriage below - can you believe this spartan offering is actually the Queen's bedroom on the Royal train?

Pictures courtesy of Telegraph, Felix Clay, blogslexpress.fr, Arnaud Frich, Orient Express, unknown, Daily Mail

Tiny houses

Amazing to see the different houses people live in across the world, and the tinyhousesblog.com is a revelation. The houses above with the incredible view are in the Andes.

This one is in Shepherd Bush and is one of the skinniest houses in Britain at just 5'6 wide! Wonder what the rooms are like

See more here

Bowie to Bowie

As you might know if you read this blog regularly, Jasmine in the office loves impersonating David Bowie. She also loves guinea pigs..

From the Takkoda Pets Rock Calendar

Happy Chinese New Year!

and Valentines Day. Hope you're celebrating in as much style as this Manila party in 1959, photographed by James Burke

Image courtesy of Life magazine, by MDash blog

Femme fatale

I came across this photo of Dorothy Dell on the film noir photos blog, and couldn't resist doing a post on the femme fatale.

'Any man with half an eye should be able to see that those two women are riding this train in search of victims'

Marlene Dietrich as Shanghai Lily/White flower of China and Anna May Wong as courtesan Hui Fei in Shanghai Express.

Johnny Farrell: 'I thought we agreed that women and gambling didn't mix'

Ballin Mundson: 'My wife does not come under the category of women, Johnny'

From Gilda starring Rita Hayworth

'Deep down, I'm pretty superficial' Ava Gardner

My illustration of the quintessential weapons of the femme fatale, featured on an Anzu card.

'Find a man who's interesting enough to have a dinner with and I'll be happy' Lauren Bacall.

Find out which femme fatale you are in this silly fun quiz here Somehow I ended up being Peggy Cummins from Gun Crazy!!

Sao Paolo guide

If you haven't had the chance already and are planning a trip to Brazil do check out our guide to Sao Paolo in our City guides section, written by our very own Brazilian Ryma. Above is my Brazilian fashion inspired illustration.

Whilst you're there you could also pay a little trip to the small fishing village of Trancoso and stay at the Uxua Casa Hotel

Choose from nine different houses to stay in... I want to go! Click here to see more.

I also love the look of this place in Ubatuba, called Fazenda villa rica (below)

Click here for more information And if you do go, please let me know what they're like!

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo is one of the most inspiring places I've ever been to. Set in silver birch woodland, and with it's rich history of art and literature that was created there it is quite magical.

I always love the idea of artists collaboratives such as the Bloomsbury group and the Abramtsevo group captures my imagination too. Mihail Vrubel (work above) and Ilya Repin painted there, Chekhov based the Cherry Orchard on life there, and

fantasy buildings such as this one filled with Owl motifs and carvings or the chicken leg house (based on a Russian fairytale) were built there.

Artists worked and relaxed together and it looked like an idyllic life. To find out more information click here

Chinese New Year and Valentines

Chinese New Year and Valentines fall on the same day this year. Celebrate by sending one of our Valentines or Chinoiserie cards, eating some lucky noodles (said to represent long life - I especially like the lobster noodles in Mandarin Kitchen, London), sending fragrant bouquets of plum blossom,

and wearing red (this Roland Mouret Chimaera dress is available at brownsfashion.com). For more ideas on how to celebrate Chinese New Year, click here!

Plum blossoms image photographed by Carol Gilbert