inspire*inspire

Fishtank Festival

They say ' Time flies when you're having fun...'
Well I must be having a real ball then, because I don't know where the past few months have gone...
To be fair, I have taken on myself some big projects with huge responsibilities...
The best project I am currently involved in is the interdisciplinary urban arts festival Fishtank, for which I am curating a fine art exhibition.

  

Fishtank festival offers something for everyone, with live bands, short film, acoustic music by candlelight, stand-up comedy, talks and of course the art gallery. We also have a bar, a cake stand and will be having a BBQ on Saturday.

So if you're in London this weekend, I do reccomend coming down to Brick Lane and taking part in the hottest festival in town!

See you at Fishtank!

Jonathan Adler

Hello Lovelies! Thanks for visiting this semi-neglected blog even when my posts have been reduced to once in a blue moon... I must say, I miss blogging regularly, but since I always put my heart and soul into everything I do, my studies have really taken up the majority of my time and energy over the last couple of months. But it is totally worth it!

I love the course and I love my new friends and I love how much I learn every single day! The only thing that could make me happier at this point is finding more time to blog...

Well, with the first term finishing in just a couple of weeks, my overall feeling is that I'm getting better at handling the workload, so *fingers crossed* next term will see me devoting more time to inspire*inspire! So watch this space :)

In the mean time, I shall leave you with these brilliant games and Hanukkah essentials from Jonathan Adler:

 

Also, to check out what's on SALE click here.

Enjoy!

Lille

This post should have been published on Friday... But with the last couple of weeks being so packed full of events and activities, I feel like I've been working against the clock to try fulfill all my obligations.

Still, Mr.inspire and I managed to clear our Thursday out and hop on the train to France, to spend the day in the lovely city of Lille.

image: Larazoni

I was incredibly surprised and inspired by the place and people of Lille. Although it had that wonderful European feel shining through,  there was also a invigorating fusion of old and new, local and foreign and traditional and modern influences.

image: Little_Break

We especially enjoyed walking around Vieux-Lille, the old part of the city, Where you can find gorgeous patisseries, boutiques, galleries and magnificent architecture.

image: inspire*inspire

One of the great surprises we came across, while exploring that district, was the design gallery/shop, Sr77.

The lovely owner and curator, Stephane Rochaix, has managed to create a stylish yet welcoming space, where you can happily explore the best of design goodness.

image: via Sr77

With pieces by Spanish design maverick, Jaime Hayón; luxurious home decor by Hella Jongerius and Arik Levy; and colourful gift items such as Pantnone mugs and Wallepaper city guides- this gem of a shop is a 'must visit'!

 

We concluded our day trip with diner at the Berliner restaurant (recommended to us by Stephane, of Sr77).

The place has a real Berlin-chic to it, with vintage furniture and a wall full of graffiti and 'street art'.

The menu was pleasantly surprising, and the food was fantastic.

images: youropi.com

Not your  typical French experience, the Berliner offers fusion cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly (and English speaking) staff.

I highly recommend it!

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Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the giveaway winners.

Dream playhouse

When I was a child, the world was my playground. I grew up on a farm and was free to roam around the fields and orchards (I guess that makes me free range...?!)
I didn't have a playhouse, nor did I need one. I was always climbing trees and hiding in the overgrown grass with my cats, dogs and various other creatures I would find and bring home (hedgehogs, snails, tortoises etc etc).

Back then, the world was a bigger and safer place. But nowadays the majority of us are confined to much smaller spaces and for children that often proves to be a real problem.

Well, help is at hand with two brilliant playhouse designs that would keep any child busy and happy:

Borgen (castle) is a beautiful split-level corner-playhouse, by Swedish company Vera Vera.

Dreaming spires willow playhouse, by Judith Needham, is handmade in the UK from sustainable materials. The design is magical and can accommodate adults who may be invited for the occasional tea party.

Don't you just wish you were a kid again?

Dora Designs

Cute gift ideas from Dora Designs. Yet another creative British company, seen at the Top Drawer spring exhibition last week. Their range of products include Doorstops, draught excluders, paperweights, collectibles and even fridge magnets. All based on animal characters.

I was quite taken with the cute rabbits, but check out their gallery for more designs.

 

All images by Dora Designs Ltd.

Dora Designs products can be found online at: yourlifeyourstyle.co.uk
in the shops: Lakeland Ltd, John Lewis, Fenwicks, Fortnum and Mason and
Garden centres: Wyevale Garden Centres and Dobbies Garden Centres.