It's raining cats and dogs

Cats, precisely fluffy grey/black cats, are my newly discovered passion - one of many. Everything started with Gizmo. He was our neighbours' cat, but would freely visit our flat. He was boisterous, playful, soft and smelled good. One day Gizmo was taken away in a basket. My heart sank. The memory of his departure still saddens me. My only consolation is that he now lives in a bigger house with a garden where he can catch butterflies. Then I saw George who resembles Gizmo a lot. George lives in California with her owner Gabbi. And a few days ago I bumped into a black cat near my house - a smaller version of Gizmo. I started jumping up and down from the excitement and snapped a photo of him. So, Loftino & I are hopeful that one day we will be able to find a Gizmo/George/mystery cat lookalike to add to our newly formed family.

Gizmo

George

Mystery Cat 

 

A designer who share a passion for cats is Paul & Joe. Judging from my wardrobe, you can tell I am a big fan of her younger line {Paul and Joe's Sister}. Not only a kitten is in the logo, but they appear everywhere. I like when they make a pattern - such a subtle fun touch!

         

 

  La gatta  {by Gino Paoli}

C'era una volta una gatta
che aveva una macchia nera sul muso
e una vecchia soffitta vicino al mare
con una finestra a un passo dal cielo blu.

Se la chitarra suonavo
la gatta faceva le fusa
ed una stellina scendeva vicina vicina
poi mi sorrideva e se ne tornava su.

Ora non abito più là
tutto è cambiato non abito più là
ho una casa bellissima
bellissima come vuoi tu.

Ma io ripenso a una gatta
che aveva una macchia nera sul muso
a una vecchia soffitta vicino al mare
con una stellina che ora non vedo più...

Ms Foxy

I met HER again. From the bus stop to my house I meet a variety of creatures ranging from rats {cringy!}, squirrels, mystery cat {separate post coming soon} and HER, Ms Foxy. She is beautiful and royal with a full tail, red coat and penetrating eyes which look human. I am also incredibly frightened by this force of nature as I am aware she can be extremely sly and unscrupulous.

I  may get this tee from Lazy Oaf to demystify my fear. Ah!

P.S. I love the red lipstick contrasting her chestnut hair.

Lazy Oaf tee seen on Wee Birdy

Meet Veja & Tom's Shoes

Being the design conscious nerd I am, I couldn't embrace a brand only for being eco or socially responsible. As well as being ethical, it has to be made of quality materials, have an appealing cut or design and, possibly, an unexpected twist. I have recently bumped into more and more ethical brands combining sustainability and hip look. Veja  and Tom's shoes are two of those. 

I bought my first VEJAS in Paris back in September and did not regret paying the full price tag of 80 Euro or thereabout. They have been glued to my feet since. I was set to buy them in white and green but got them in charcoal {see right column, fourth row below} which I wear with everything - from denim to tailored trousers to city shorts to dresses. I love their retro look and the fact that they are like wine: they get better with ageing.

So, what's the story behind VEJAS? They are made in small Brazilian communities, and the French company's mission is based on three principles:

1. Using ecological inputs
2. Using fair trade cotton and latex
3. Respecting workers’ dignity 

They come in a great variety of colour combo and textures. List of stockists can be found here: http://www.veja-fairtrade.com/  

TOMS shoes are the epitome of casual look and, in my opinion, look oh-so-sexy on men. I am particularly fond of espadrilles as they remind me the Italian summers in the old days. My dad and I used to own the same pair in bright yellow!  

Tom's shoes' story always makes a tear fall down my cheeks. The premise could not have simpler: "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One". When we were in Mozambique back in June, all the children of Guludo were so fascinated by my shoes. They, understandably, have a thing for shoes as their feet must be aching from walking all day on hard surfaces. Read here why shoes are so important for children.

Again, they come in a great variety of colours and prints. The only reason why I haven't gotten one pair for myself and for my better half {apart from financial reasons} is because I am always nervous of having to pay duties and taxes for international shipping {they come from US}, and the UK stockists never have a good supply. 

My quest continues. 

Check this blog out for eco-fashion events around Europe.

Meet Edun & Ciel

Edun and Ciel could not be more different companies: the former is a celebrity duo enterprise {Bono and his wife Ali's} while the latter a one woman mission {Sarah Ratty's}. But they both share the same philosophy of professing themselves *ethical*.

Edun is a socially responsible fashion line selling beautiful clothes {*income*} while fostering sustainable employment in developing countries {*outcome*}. Ciel goes a step forward adopting only environmentally friendly textile, namely Peruvian alpaca in winter and organic cotton or silk in summer. As well as being a great fabric {thermal, insulated, modern, natural, cool and breathable}, alpaca's wool is available in 36 different natural shades. Alpacas are shaved every 18 months, and their yarn is hand knitted by a family of Peruvian farmers.

This business model is, in my opinion admirable, but, again, the transportation issue we have already acknowledged being one of the main causes of carbon emission, is not tackled. The other two main unsolved problems are the shortage of organic seed to supply demand and the large amount of water needed to wash cotton. Pressure should be put on the local governements to invest money in plants, and only those rain-fed countries should be targeted for cotton plantations. Trust and hope is put in intelligent fabrics {e.g. fish skin!}, but the GM cotton remains a big unknown and a potentially dangerous tool to control the market. 

I appreciate a business will always struggle to be 100% ethical on both fronts {social and environmental}. Edun and Ciel have proved that being pragmatic and pick & choose a path to follow with integrity is already a revolutionary attitude. Public consciousness is indeed changing, and the big fashion houses have shown a seam of heart. Sustainability is IN this year – see Lagerfeld catwalk show or Gucci's ethical initiatives. The question is: will be OUT next season?

"I'm from the country, darling. I hear all this talk about organic farming and the environment and things, and I'm all for it. But there must be a certain sophistication, so it's not used as an excuse to let things go to seed."

Karl Lagerfeld 

Photos from the top: Edun dress and Ciel Alpaca dress

Globetrotting in Style

These luxury handmade suitcases by Globetrotter Ltd are a dandy alternative to Louis Vuitton's signature travel set.

The Hello Kitty version is nifty and ironic. Her face, covered in ribbons, shouts *it's me, it's me not*. A bit like Magritte and his pipe: Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

My Milky Toof

A friend of a friend posted a link to this blog on Facebook. So, I curiously took a peek. I started laughing and can't stop giggling. Such a funny {and kinda creepy} story! Each post is a story board chronicling the adventures of these two cute Milky Toofs {ickle who is tiny and Lardee who is fat}. Because of my newly discovered obsession with cupcakes, my favourite episode has to be Little Chefs. I have posted a few images below but please please please read the full story from their blog as the fun is in the details and captions. 

Xmassy Finds

Someone reminded me this morning that Xmas is only 38 days away. And my Roman holiday is only 15 days away (yippie!). And today is my dad's birthday! Happy Birthday, DAD!

WeeBirdy, my new London shopping bible for quirky things, introduced me to the lovely Mibo's designs. I picked two Xmassy themes for you:

These cute DIY Xmas creatures could be used as place names for a Xmas dinner party.

This 2010 planner with flowers resembling baubles and poinsettias is a freeby you can download from their website.

Kirtan Experience Report

A candlelit room with wooden vaulted ceilings and arched windows was the perfect setting for our evening of kirtan. On stage, a cello, a harmonium, various tablas, tambourines and karatal hand cymbals, and two great voices: Dave Stringer and Narayani Jennings.

 {Dave Stringer's Band}

After an introductory hymn performed by Dave, we chanted four mantras in Sanskrit with intervals of meditative silence, anecdotes and poetry. The solemn sound of kirtan (originally a devotional chant in the Hinduism tradition) was injected, in turn, with blues, rock and jazz notes.

 {Jason Kalidas}

Everybody fully enjoyed the night freely dancing, meditating and chanting from the heart. From an external western eye, we may have looked a bunch of modern hippies – and maybe we were, at least for one night. It was a liberating, exhilarating and, above all, fun experience. I woke up the next morning with a smile.

 {Narayani Jennings}

I am so glad Narayani is based in London. I have added her to my Facebook contacts and I will no doubt go and sing with her again.

 
{Clumsy snapshot taken with my Blackberry}

Below is one of Dave's performances from You Tube. BUT be aware that it is nowhere as charming and involving as the live experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BXj1dX-4Hs

For those interested and based in London, kirtan is played every Saturday at 6.30 at Triyoga London.

Bhajan: Bolo Bolo Submil Bolo

 Om Namah Shivaaya Om Namah Shivaaya
Bolo Bolo Submil Bolo Om Namah Shivaaya
Jhootajataamey Gangaa Dhaari
Trishoola Dhari Damaru Bhajavey
Dama Dama Dama Dama Damaru Baja
Goonj Uthavo Nama Shivaya
Om Nama Shivaaya (4x)

{Sing, sing, everyone in worship of Lord Shiva

Bow, surrender to Lord Shiva

Sing, sing, everyone in worship of Lord Shiva

He bears the Ganges in his twisted locks of hair

He holds the trident, his damaru (drum) plays "Dama Dama"

The atmosphere echoes with Shiva's name

Bow, surrender to Lord Shiva (x4)}

Photo credit: Dave and his band from Dave Stringer Facebook Fan Page; Jason and Narayani from Narayani Facebook album

Jewels of London

Primrose Hill is one of the cutest neighbourhood of London. Hidden behind the chaotic Camden, it is still the best kept secret from tourists. It is a village with bohemian houses, independent shops, friendly restaurants and a hill with a lovely skyline. The Primrose Hill Gallery is an unmissable spot: it offers lithography from modern art masters at competitive prices. It is here that my husband got me the Matisse lithography.

It is also very posh, but not as ostentatious and conspicuous as Chelsea. - at least not in appearance. The wealthy locals paradoxically like the simple life, one they could get much cheaply elsewhere {see Italy, for example} where organic food, independent shops, green spaces and a community feel, in other words good quality of life, are the norm and not a premium luxury.

The difference is, of course, that in Primrose Hill you enjoy the priceless added value of being in the middle of London hustle and bustle without hassle. Besides, you have the largest yoga centre in Europe at your doorstep: Triyoga. It is here that I have been practising my yoga, almost every day, for the last five years. So, it's an area I call *home* in inverted commas.

The same Saturday I had my yoga teaching training interview, which took place in a tiny kitchen-turned-office, I also visited the new Primrose Hill Museum of Everything which literally looked homemade. At the entrance we were welcomed by a box-office and an old tea mug used to collect offers. The museum has been heavily endorsed by the celebrity crowd of Primrose Hill and thus it's free. I felt like visiting someone's house. There is a homely and homemade feel throughout {a narrow corridor and small rooms dotted around}, until you get to a door opening into an spacious warehouse-type of space. The museum hosts paintings, sculptures and installations by disadvantaged artists, either disabled or outcasts, from all over the world. A DIY cafe with homemade cakes and tea on offer concludes the visit.

A whiff away from the museum is the Primrose Hill Bakery which specialises itself in cupcakes. Its look of a fifty-style kitchen also made me feel at home.

Primrose Hill is also linked in my imaginary to a melancholic circumstance: the death of Sylvia Plath. It was the winter of 1963, and London had never been so chilly. A young lady lived as a single mother with her children in a rented a flat at 23 Fitzroy Road she had recently moved into. In the morning of 13th February she stuck her head into the oven. She was only 31 years old.

Sylvia Plath and the Worry Bird by Justin Fitzpatrick is a painting I saw at a friend's of friend's exhibition last year. It totally fascinated me.

"I would face him, and say simply: I am sad that you are not strong, and do not swim and sail and ski, but you have a strong soul, and I will believe in you and make you invincible on this Earth."

Passage from Sylvia Plath's Journal

Photo credits: Hill of Primrose Hill by Art of the State;  Primrose Hill Bakery from Flikr; Flower shop from Flikr; Panoramic view from Primrose Hill by Panoramic Earth.

Vintage Find :: Butterfly Sequined Top

It's hippy, party friendly, comfy, a classic vintage piece from the 70s/80s. 

I am seriously contemplating getting this blue/black/silver vintage top: 

 

Vintage tops seen on Etsy, Ebay, old Vogue, Nelda's Vintage Clothing.

A birthday, a saturday, some friends