Cat People Magazine

i was on an aimless wander around instagram the other day when i came across cat people magazine's account. my happiness was immediate. cats! colours! pretty! cat people is a brand new bilingual (japanese/english) magazine which features interviews with and work by cat-obsessed artists, designers, photographers and writers. i'm in. if their instagram is this good, the magazine is bound to be pretty sweet.

David Callow

 

i just wanted to share with you some of david callow's beautiful work. david creates soft, interesting, gorgeous work and i am a big fan. david says of his work "I like to first think of what would be exciting to see then to find ways of making that vision possible." yes. awesome.

top tip: follow david on instagram for work in progress photos, which i love to see.

Recently

oh man, it's been two long months since i last published a blog post. i guess having a demanding full time job and also running a jewellery company and also moving to london and having a life is kind of time consuming huh. i miss sharing things. this here is like an instagram recap of the first 5 months of my year. i got engaged, i got a new job, i moved to london, and now i live here in a lovely flat with paul and gus and ruby and we're having a good, busy, tiring time. 

1. the day after we got engaged. 2. commuting to work, train views. 3. one of the many air bnb flats i stayed in 4. chinatown 5 + 6 gus in our new flat 7. the natural history museum 8. planes overhead all the time 9. best bagels in london 10. liberty on my birthday 11. tatty devine holi party 12. beautiful sky over peckham rye 13. local flirty cat, george 14. leafy leafy london.

all images from my instagram

New: Paper & Chain for Boys!

we've wanted to create a paper & chain range especially for men for a long time, and we kicked it off this week with the king vega. it's the same classic vega shape but a lot chunkier, heavier, and maybe even slightly more awesome. it's a really satisfyingly heavy piece of silver. although we've created this ring for men, we've already had enquiries about making them for girls, and i really want one for myself, so it may not be too long before an extra chunky girls' vega is available.

to celebrate the launch of the king of vegas (no, not elvis) we are giving away one of these rings over on the paper & chain facebook page, just comment on this post to be in with a chance of winning one which you can then give to a lucky boy, unless you are a boy, in which case you can keep it. the competition ends on friday, good luck!

by the way i'm sorry about the lack of posts around these parts lately, i've been a very busy bee with work, moving to london, bla bla bla. bear with me!

One Photograph

a young kate moss looking incredibly beautiful in this photo by kate garner.

A Little Thank You From Paper & Chain

naomi and i wanted to say thank you to our lovely paper & chain customers for helping us make our little jewellery company idea work out. get free shipping on your order with the code 'THANKYOU'. 

Three Floor

i love these refreshing designs from new uk label three floor. not only are the clothes super pretty they are actually really affordable too. pretty + affordable = my two favourite things. tops start at £33, and you can get yourself a dress from £68- not bad. 

seen via refinery 29 

all images from threefloorfashion.com

Wishing you all a..

i hope you've all had the best christmas and started 2013 off with a bang. i've had a pretty great couple of weeks. the best bit was just after i took this photo on new year's eve in edinburgh, my lovely boyfriend proposed to me, and i said yes. exciting times! 

i'm also starting my new job down in london as head of digital marketing at my flash trash next week so it's big changes all round. my flash trash is such a great site, so much gorgeous jewellery, so check it out if you haven't done so before. 

back soon with some more pictures from the last few weeks and if you want to see my ring which is perfect and designed by my boy and my best mate who also made it (oh my god i love it) it's right here.

One Photograph:

i'm in love with this photo by michael magin. 

Meghan Howland

these paintings by meghan howland are so beautiful they made me stop in my tracks.

all images by meghan howland

via booooooom

Gift Guide: Beauty

i love make up, and i love receiving make up as a gift, my mum always puts a bit in my stocking, (yes, i'm 26 and my mum still makes me a stocking, in fact it's one of my favourite things about christmas, she seriously makes the best stockings ever). here are some bits and pieces any make-up lover would be happy to find on christmas morning:

1. occ lip tar, this comes in so many great colours, i love this super bright pink, queen $16 2. illamasqua eyeshadow palette in empower £34 3. essie's winter collection nail polish in beyond cozy 4. i own a set of sigma brushes and they've served me well, this face kit would be a great present for a make up enthusiast 

5. stila set and illuminate baked powder trio £24 6. yves saint laurent rouge pur couture lipstick in le fuchsia £19.97 7. NARS the multiple in orgasm £29 8. i have this yves saint laurent rouge pur couture glossy lip stain in a bright pink, but i'd like to try a darker colour- this stuff is so good, it stains your lips but it's glossy at the same time, and it stays on really well. £22.50 9. clinique chubby stick £13.60 10. topshop lip crayon in secret party £7 - topshop make up is surprisingly good 

11. it will be of no surprise to anyone that i love this catseye tabby cat make up bag £10 12. clarins daily energizer wake-up booster £13.17 - i love this stuff, i've used products that claim they're going to wake me up before and this is the only one that's really worked. it smells so good and feels so refreshing! 13. clarins beauty flash balm £23.80 - this is another clarins miracle product, worn under make up this brightens up your complexion beautifully. 14. topshop nail polish in panther £6.50 15. topshop nail art pen in barbarella £6.50 

16. i love sparkly nude toned eyeshadow, in fact if i wear eyeshadow, it's unlikely to be anything else. bobbi brown sparkle eyeshadow £20 17. i'm always on a quest for the perfect mascara, aren't we all? maybe lancome doll eyes £21 will be the one. what's your favourite mascara? have you found the holy grail? 18. tom ford lip colour in crimson noir £36 - crazy price but i hear it's good. 19. becca shimmering skin perfector £33 20. chanel le vernis nail colour in pulsion, black satin and coco blue £18 each

I'd Wear This

peter jensen crew neck / auxo rings / topshop quilted bag / topshop patent toe shoes / asos trousers

Be Mine

i love these faceted signet rings by kerrie yeung.

Gift Guide: For him

time for another gift guide, this one is for the men in your life, tricky as they can be! whether it's your boyfriend/brother/dad/friend you're buying for, hopefully you'll find some inspiration here. i have two brothers, a dad and a boyfriend to find presents for, and i have to wrack my brains every year. socks, jumpers and smelly stuff anyone? life would be a lot easier if men liked make up and painting their nails.. or actually.. maybe not. 

one: ami flower beard print tshirt £65 at matches two: apc ribbed beanie hat £85 at matches three: brushed silver grandad watch £25 at asos four: lanvin interlocking cube cufflinks £215 at matches five: acne heart print tshirt £70 at matches six: paul smith stripe socks £18 at matches seven: nixon chronicle leather watch £250 at asos eight: apc 1987 olympics logo sweat top £115 at matches nine: lsa boris decanter £56 at red candy ten: acne scarf £110 at matches    

eleven: lanvin tartan wool high-top trainers £475 at matches  twelve: yves saint laurent leather wallet £155 at matches thirteen: peter serafinowicz a billion jokes £8.44 on amazon (i hear it's very funny!)  fourteen: acne flannel shirt £180 at matches fifteen: apc breton stripe jumper £185 at matches sixteen: handmade necktie $60 by fibrecraft on etsy seventeen: peace hand necklace $150 from verameat eighteen: ron swanson key chain $8 by peachy apricot on etsy nineteen: handmade neon pink concrete planter by daschund in the desert $19 on etsy twenty: robot salt n pepper shakers £10 at urban outfitters

twenty-one: concrete roller ball pen $77 by 22 design studio twenty-two: comme des garçons play tshirt  £63 at dover street market twenty-three: berlin black and white litho print $24 at line posters twenty-four: deus ex machina book $79 at saturdays surf nyc twenty-five: mackintosh dunoon hooded coat £688 at matches twenty-six: raymond biesinger bicycle pillowcase $30 from stay at home club twenty-seven: bleu de chanel eau de toilette £45 at boots (i bought this for my boyfriend last christmas and ohh it smells so good!) twenty-eight: scruffing lotion £15 by clinique

if you hadn't noticed, there are a few items from matches.com in this gift guide, and that's because this post is sponsored by matches, but don't worry- the love i feel for each piece i've chosen is very real! 

One Photograph:

an awesome photo by dianne tanner. see many more on her blog.

i also love dianne's tips on making it through these dark months.

Devon Smith

devon smith paints and draws the most incredible characters. she depicts all sorts of mysterious girls, full of attitude and emotion, and in such a delicate style. the beauty is really in all those tiny details.

it was really hard choosing just a few of her artworks to show you here! there are loads more to look at on her site. and you can follow devon on instagram too for great pictures of her work in progress. 

images by devon smith

Gift Guide: For Her

if you were to take one look at this gift guide and say "ismay, is this a gift guide or just a badly disguised wish list?" i'd say hmm.. kind of a bit of both? i love everything on this list and if some of these bits found their way under my tree on christmas morning, well, that would be okay. but i am trying to help you out too i swear, maybe you'll find something to get for your bff/sister/mum/girlfriend!? i hope so. oh and part two- for him- is coming soon. 

one: rosie sugden cashmere pom pom beanie £95 at matches two: mih jeans check shirt £98 at matches three: stella mccartney bra £50 at matches four: linen t-shirt from acne at matches £50 five: odette arrow cuff bracelet, silver $172 / brass $98 six: tuesday bassen nose ring holder $35 on etsy (i own this and it's the cutest) seven: grenson martha brogues £188 at matches eight: zoe & morgan sapphire and yellow gold ring £278 at matches nine: oysho tulle and lace jumpsuit £25.99 ten: tahnee lonsdale x mercy delta scarf at matches £140 (waaaant!) 

eleven: datter industries tiny golden hand necklace on etsy $50 twelve: hand painted astrological jewellery holder $29.50 on etsy thirteen: illamasqua matching lip and nail duo £26.50 on asos fourteen: zoe karssen eye print t-shirt £65 at matches fifteen: there is thunder in our hearts dip dye tote $25 fieldguided sixteen: weekend by maxmara necklace £55 at matches seventeen: nars limited edition warhol set £34.50 at asos eighteen: equipment blouse £220 at matches nineteen: iphone case by jenny vorwaller $35 at society 6 twenty: charlotte olympia moonshine bag £385 at matches 

twenty-one: alexander mcqueen make up bag £260 at matches twenty-two: cat printed tote bag by caitlin shearer $22 on etsy twenty-three: me and you pencils by knot and bow $12 on etsy twenty-four: polka dot and deer print socks £5.99 from oysho twenty-five: nike air max 1 €139.95 on inflammable (not available until january but worth the wait surely? so pretty!) twenty-six: topshop nail art set in silver £18 twenty-seven: glow cream highlighter £9 from topshop (this is the best highlighter ever, i recommend it to all my friends! it's the number one way to look healthy.. other than actually being healthy that is, and what a pain that can be) twenty-eight:  devon smith pillowcases $50 from stay at home club twenty-nine: auxo bracelets £20-25 by paper and chain thirty: mog cushion £41 donna wilson thirty-one: kittens. oh c'mon who wouldn't want to wake up to a cuddle from some baby cats on christmas morning? but they aren't just for christmas though you know, they're 4 lyf. 

p.s i know some of these pieces are a little pricey, but a girl can dream, right?

if you hadn't noticed, there are a few items from matches.com in this gift guide, and that's because this post is sponsored by matches, but don't worry- the love i feel for each piece i've chosen is very real! 

Recently

hi / ceramics by ita drew at the hereford art & crafts fair / watch c/o daniel wellington / the new 'hive' library building is quite cool / my cats are pretty / my batman print from mini & maximus needs a frame / light party / beautiful sad girls zine / i dread to think how many of these i've taken in the past month, thanks to a wisdom tooth infection. i've just had the bad boy out so here's to less sleepless nights! / a little self portrait / a little desk rearranging / nose ring holder by tuesday bassen / most awesome leopard coat from milk teeths / little auxo ring which i haven't taken off since we made it / gorgeous gus / decaf coffee with no sugar or milk, hmm / me again, hi. 

all images from my instagram

p.s thank you all for such lovely comments on the luna ring giveaway, the lucky winner has now been chosen. 

have a great weekend!