Elivnoe: June 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

{two lovely things: ruggedly refined}

. . . it's always interesting when one's tastes begin to change, however imperceptibly, and even if only for a moment . . . here, one has come to expect light and bright and a glittery glimmer; a dash of ornateness and maximalist tendencies -- and yet -- inexplicably drawn to the soft black leather and dark, heavy drapery of these rooms, rugged, and yet refined, beckoning and yet a little mysterious . . .

pools-of-light

{or perhaps it is lure of bright panelled walls and perfect pools of light?}

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{p.s.} recent two lovely things:
* books & blossoms
* gilded chalkboards & garden sheds
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* bar carts & blossoms
* books & bouquets
* a paris apartment & hermès
* secret gardens & on the terrace

{images: one - photography by pia ulin via head over heels; two - photography by bryan w. ferry of the blue hour}

{endless summer + a few things}

. . . despite being out of the office for most of the day yesterday, for errands and meetings {& time for dessert, of course!}, somehow, someway, there was an overflowing of inspiration, and if you're only just arriving or still catching up . . .

a f e w n e w & b e a u t i f u l t h i n g s:

* favourite five: jewelry design suzie gallehugh
* works of art: hand-cut carafes & matching tumblers
* places: in the kitchen
* all summer long: lovely, lovely lace

summer-ed5

{images: julija steponaviciute by nick dorey for goodwood, s/s 2011, telegraph magazine via oh fashion models & studded hearts}

Buffalo Check Dress

black or beige?

from ASOS

can't make up my mind..

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

{favourite five: jewelry designer suzie gallehugh}

In ancient history, glittering gemstones were thought to have enchanting powers to heal. Although gems were rare, they were precious because of the powers they were believed to have imparted to those who wore them, and kings and queens had gems set into their crowns in order to obtain their potency.

The mystifying qualities of gemstones do not only lie in their healing powers, but also in the ravishing beauty they exhibit. Opening a gift box to find glimmering jewels can sweep one away into a dream world befitting a monarch and make one feel like royalty in just an instant.

Suzanna Dai, the jewelry line of Suzie Gallehugh, takes the elegant and timeless jewels once reserved for queens and princesses and transforms them by adding a modern flair. With intricate embellishments and regal antique touches, Suzanna Dai jewelry takes a ride through history -- the glittering emeralds in the Jaipur Collar necklace may evoke an empress looking out her window at the Taj Mahal in the 1600s; the smoky topaz and shining black diamonds in the Windsor collection may sweep one away to a state dinner at Buckingham Palace; and the bold and breathtaking marriage of turquoise blues and greens in the Amalfi cuff draws from mosaics in ancient ruins in its namesake coast off Italy. It is clear, Suzie Gallehugh’s greatest influence in creating her pieces comes from the magnificent beauty of the world and its cultures.

Her sparkling collections, that have adorned the likes of model Elizabeth Hurley and is a favourite in the wardrobe department on the set of Gossip Girl {above}, can be found in luxury department stores like Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

As Suzie continues to jet-set the world over searching for the most exquisite gems, we were delighted to catch up with her and find out:

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{top five 5 favorite gems:}

1. green tourmaline
Green is my favorite color, and this particular stone comes in a shade of olive/apple green that I really love. My parents bought me a green tourmaline as a college graduation gift, and it is my favorite ring. I could just stare at the myriad shades of green in it forever.

2. freshwater pearls
In a way, I like these better than real pearls because of their imperfect shape, and they come in a variety of soft iridescent colors that can light up anyone's face. I have a strand in a shade of greyish lilac that is a great neutral and coordinates with most anything.

3. labradorite
I love this gem because of its opalescent glow. At first glance, it looks like a boring grey stone, but when you catch it in the light, it suddenly starts to glow in shades of indigo, turquoise, green, and yellow. I like it because it's so unexpected. I use labradorite beads in my Kathmandu collection.

4. pyrite
Pyrite is also known as Fool's Gold, but it's so sparkly and rich, that I don't care! It looks really cool when it's just a rough rock - it has a dull gunmetal glitter about it. It's really amazing when it's polished, though. It sparkles like hematite, but has a warmer, slightly yellow cast to it. I'd like to have a pyrite ring.

5. alexandrite
This is a really cool stone, which also happens to be my birthstone. Like the other stones on my list, Alexandrite isn't what it seems to be at first. In natural sunlight, it has a purplish-indigo glow, but under other types of lighting, it transforms into a purplish-pink. Sometimes it even glows greenish-purple. It's a very rare stone, and is therefore quite expensive. One day I'd like to add one to my collection.

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p r e v i o u s f a v o u r i t e f i v e s :

* artist: michelle armas
* jewelry designers: megan & moira flynn
* actress & writer: shiva rose
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist, part 1: denise porcaro
* floral stylist, part 2: denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré
* interior designer & architect: nina freudenberger
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* interior designer: tricia foley
* photographer: romina shama
* food editor & author: donna hay

~ laily

{table for two: campari-citrus sorbet}

. . . last week, it was vanilla yogurt popsicles, and this week, campari-citrus sorbet . . . summer is seeping into the hours and days with its golden rays and all one can do is feel the warmth on cheekbones and bare shoulders and stop for ice cream along the way . . .

c a m p a r i - c i t r u s s o r b e t
grapefruit, makes 1.5 quarts

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 cups grapefruit juice
1/2 cup campari

Mix the water and sugar together in a small pan over a low heat, bringing to boil until the sugar dissolves. Allow the simple syrup to boil for exactly 4 minutes (this will give the sorbet the best consistency). Remove from heat and cool (makes a little over 1 cup).

Combine the citrus juice and Campari and add 1 cup of the cooled syrup. Adjust to taste -- want to add a tablespoon or two extra syrup if you prefer it less tart. Remember, the mixture will taste slightly sweeter in liquid form than it does when frozen.

Freeze in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s directions {if you do not have an ice cream machine, they also make perfect popsicles}. After churning, allow sorbet to set in the freezer at least two hours.

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