La dolce vita

I (and some Anzu products in the pipeline) are very inspired by the whole style of La dolce vita at the moment, and I've been absolutely pouring over the new La dolce vita book I bought.

The interiors are glamorous (love the chandeliers, white blossoms and Vodka bottles on the side),

the parties decadent,

and the clothes utterly stylish (and still so wearable now).

All images were from this fabulous book, click here to get your copy (but be warned it's sadly expensive)

Paper chandeliers

Following on from my post I discovered all these paper chandeliers by artist Kirsten Hassenfeld.

I am now seriously tempted to make one myself, or rather I help and Jasmine makes it, because I'm not sure my talents will quite stretch to this! Are you reading this Jasmine?!

Crystals for the chandelier.

If you want something simpler this one comes with instructions. Click here to read more.

An Icarus light by Tord boontje

Flower light by Karl Zahn

and slightly different a Hot glue chandelier by Turkish artist Esma Pascal Turam, which uses a mix of paper and silicone. Click here to read more.

Images: via dailyserving.com, via blog.sub-studio.com, via artknowledgenews.com,via www.craftstylish.com, via rarebirdfinds.typepad.com, via Cubeme.com, via polymerclaynotes.com

Paper Art

I have always loved stationery, so it was natural for me to end up doing cards, and it never ceases to amaze me the beautiful things people do with paper. I know these Chanel pictures were blogged about a lot last year, but when I looked at them again today I still couldn't get over how beautiful they are.

Then from paper art to paper dresses..

The dress above was created by Zoe Bradley for London Fashion week,

and this recreation of Elizabeth 1st's gown was created by Isabelle de Bochgrave.

This stage-set style installation was created by NYC artist Swoon

and finally I am still coveting Sue Blackwell's book art pieces.

Images: Images 1-3 Chanel via Apartment Therapy, Chanel via foldingtrees.com, via www.meraforum.com, via palazzostrozzi.org, swon via definatalie.com, Sue Blackwell.

Houseboat

I love the idea of living on a houseboat, so I loved this houseboat that was featured in the Independent. How romantic is this?

I didn't know they could be so spacious.

Open doors leading out onto the river and tons of tropical plants. It looks more like Bali than the river Thames!

Pinks and purples

Having a real phase on pink and purple together at the moment and it seems to be coming through in everything I'm painting. Perhaps it started at the Chelsea Flower Show.

I absolutely love this Bonsai tree. If anyone out there would kindly like to buy it for me (along with someone to take care of it) it would be very gladly accepted!!

Office treats

As Helen is sadly leaving us, she brought the Anzu team some lovely treats - hydrangeas and sunflowers, and strawberries and cream...

Thank you Helen.

Earlier in the week the Anzu team had gone for a Mexican which was lots of fun. Spot the guy!

The tree museum

I just came across this picture recently of the newly opened Tree Museum in Switzerland - I thought it looked stunning. Looking at their website, www.enea.ch, I realised the man behind it also has a landscape architecture firm and I love their style.

Love the Vanda orchids hanging off the trees - wish I lived in a climate warm enough to do this.

Fun

Painting some designs for children. This is the Anzu lollipop card from the current range. Whilst looking for fun ideas, I came across this - the fun theory project.

I like these two best, but you can also see more here

Tilleke Schwarz

After my post last week, Helen said it rather reminded her of Tilleke Schwarz's work. I hadn't seen them before, but as grafikmag says I like the way she 'makes intricate pictrues with seemingly random narratives and freeform motifs that reveal more and more every time you look at them.'

You can read, buy and see more here