The Concise Dictionary of Dress

I managed to catch this exhibition on its last day, and it was a truly magical experience. Held at Blythe House in Kensington, where the V&A keeps its vast archive, you are given an insight into a building not usually accessible to the public. The fact that you had to leave all your belongings in the reception, be given a photo ID, and have to be guided by a 'chauffeur' who opened locked doors in the maze of the building and who wasn't allowed to speak to you apart from handing you cards for each exhibit, just added to this unique experience.

I love archives, collections, boxes and libraries, and you were able to catch glimpses of 'sleeping' objects from the past, labelled and catalogued and stored in temperature-controlled units. My favourite moment was the opening of one of the huge lockers to reveal a beautiful wax wall embossed with imprints of the hanging garments (yet the garments were completely clean), and I loved the semi-translucent resin sculpture on the roof.

All images are from jotta magazine - the only place I could find decent photographs, which adds to the whole mystery of the event!

Breakfast Leopold-style

A magical breakfast experience at Boulevard Leopold B&B (see my earlier post here) where the food is brought out one by one in flea market-sourced glass bowls, china plates and stainless steel teapots. Freshly made fruit salad, natural yoghurt, homemade bread and croissants, eggs and cereal, jam and honey - each in its own individual and quirky container.

Lots of ideas for what to do with my own eclectic collection of car boot purchases (just need to invite a group of friends round for brunch at the weekend!).

Creative wasteland

An ongoing 'live' photo shoot perhaps, or maybe a discarded installation? A surprise find as we walked down a street in Antwerp....I love the contrast of the lilac chairs against the lush green foliage and the brightly painted graffiti walls.

My dream apartment

This is the gorgeous apartment we stayed in during our trip to Antwerp - we spent the first hour (and many more after) just running around staring at everything and taking a hundred photographs. One of the most inspiring parts of our inspirational trip, and we didn't even have to leave the flat!

The 19th century town house is owned by a fashion designer and chef couple who travel the world collecting antique furniture and flea market finds to fill the 3 rooms and 2 apartments at the Boulevard Leopold guest house. Many more posts to come.....

Birthday flowers

Spoilt! My favourite tulips and a beautiful (and on-trend!) South African bouquet.

Using new skills

Some photos of a cushion I made for my friends wedding - Liberty fabric patchwork and personalised with their names and date of their special day. Not bad for my first attempt!

Brussels snapshot

24 hours in Brussels on the way to a work research/inspiration trip to Antwerp. Didn't find a lot of creativity in the persistent rain except some yummy lemonade with fresh mint and huge mug of hot chocolate. Stayed in the Hooy Kaye Lodge - a 17th century merchants house with stripped-back minimalism, antique wooden furniture and gorgeous textiles.

Chocolate box

How could I resist a chocolate making workshop for my friends hen party?! An afternoon of sticky fingers, gooey tables and way too much tasting. I love the way the table gets gradually more messy as we get more involved, yet the chocolates end up looking pretty good when all packaged up in bags and bows!