Saturday 31 October 2015

The Home of.... Natasha

The Scandinavian Home of Natasha
Sheepskin throws and Abstract Art in The Scandinavian Home of Natasha
The Scandinavian Home of Natasha

The Scandinavian Home of Natasha


The Scandinavian Home of Natasha

The Scandinavian Home of Natasha

Icelandic Sheepskin in The Scandinavian Home of Natasha


All Images by Emily Katz

 I have been drooling over these pictures of a Copenhagen apartment found via Emily Katz' blog Magic Dream Life. They are images she took during her recent Macrame workshop Tour of Europe, whilst staying with her friend Natasha.

I love the huge open space and wooden floorboards. And that green goose neck lamp is just stunning, it would be so dreamy to snuggle up on those sheepskins and read a book under that lamp, with a big mug of coco :)

For more images of Emily's travels visit her blog here  to see Emily's Portland home tour visit here



I will be announcing the winner of the Inkkas Give away this evening..... around 8pm GMT.... So get those entries in... Good Luck

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Etsy Focus: Linen Bedding...

Linen Bedding on Etsy :Linen Tales In Bed
Softened Linen Pillow case : House of Balthic Linen Etsy

I don't know where my obsession with Linen sheets has come from but aren't they just divine? Linen is the perfect material for bedding, it is soft, quick to dry (an essential in the winter for those of us without tumble dryers) and there is no point Ironing it..... it will always be nice and creased :)

The three companies that I am most impressed with on Etsy are : Moo Shop, House of Baltic Linen and Linen Tales in Bed. All three companies are small in size, offering handmade quality items, at prices that match or cheaper than the high street mass produced versions

Linen Duvet cover and Sham set Moo Shop on Etsy

Saturday 24 October 2015

INKKAS Give Away...

Inkkas Classic Collection: Give Away

 I am mega excited about this give away... not only because i love hosting give aways but because I havent done one for ages!!!!

So we have made this one a great one......... Teaming up with New York based , small business and ethical shoe company INKKAS :)


During a 2012 backpacking trip across Latin America, founder Dan Ben-Nun met local artisans making sneakers from authentic textiles. Dan immediately fell in love with the concept of using authentic textiles and working with local artisans and launched the Inkkas brand to create footwear that brings the world together.

The Inkkas company is founded on the principles of fair trade and global philanthropy. Inkkas are crafted with respect for the environment and the people who make them. As part of the OneShoeOneTree project Inkkas plants one tree for every purchase. In partnership with TreesForTheFuture Inkkas is helping reforest the world and provide sustenance for local populations in developing countries. 




Since May Inkkas have had a pop-up shop in Brooklyn and have just launched a kick starter campaign to get permanent store.... so they have a great collection of shoes and boots (including the fabulous  at special kick starter prices over on their website.....

To celebrate the launch of the kick-starter campaign they are offering one lucky Moon to Moon reader the chance to win a pair from their Classic Collection  including the my favourites The Blackbird Hightop

All you have to do to enter is ....

*  Head over to INKKAS , and browse their collection with a cuppa, 
*  Come back over to Moon to Moon and then leave a comment below with your favorite pair.... easy!

There will also be a chance for extra entries over at Instagram on the Moon to Moon account...


The lucky winner will be chosen on Halloween Evening... good luck


To learn a little more about the ethos of Inkkas please watch the moving video below

Friday 23 October 2015

Meditation: Lakshmi Candle Holders....

Lakshmi Meditation Candle
Lakshmi Votive Candle holder

I have had my eye on these beautiful Lakshmi Votives for a while and fillanly found myself one in a charity shop in Glastonbury a few months ago. They are beautiful, but roughly finished (which i like) and really heavy. Lakshmi, goddess of Luck and Prosperity sits in the middle and there is room for a large tealight in the center. These lamps are originally used at the Diwali festival of light.

Although I do meditate in the summer months there is something extra special about a candle lit meditation session when it is dark and cold outside, and these are great and reflecting a warm glow off the bronze Lakshmi.

Although a few often pop up on eBay you can also buy these from happinez.

Lakshmi Votive Oil burner via Instagram

Tuesday 20 October 2015

The (Artist compound) Home of.... Ben Nuhn








Ben Huhn lives in a beautiful artists compound in Austin. From his home he has spent the last 2.5 years making Tie Dye tents that have been inspired by the landscape. The first tent was created for himself for Austins Psychfest and business has grown from there...

"Artist Andy Coolquitt built the compound in the mid 90s as an expansive studio/artist commune/performance space/living sculpture/party place in what was still a very gritty East Austin.  These days there are anywhere from 6-9 people living here in three houses and three camper trailers with a central kitchen building we all share. I’ve been at the compound for almost 4 years now. Before I was living in a little house on 5 acres along the San Marcos river and commuting 40 minutes into to Austin for work five days a week. A couple co-workers of mine were living at the compound and one of the trailers became available.  The long commute was really wearing on me so I jumped at the opportunity. It’s proved to be a very inspiring place to live.  Andy’s work ethic is something I really aspire to emulate – he’s pretty much working in his studio from sunrise to sunset every day."

To see more of Ben's Tents visit his webpage FeelingGroovy




Images 1-7 + interview text Free People Blog
Images 8-10 Feeling Groovy

Sunday 18 October 2015

Czech woman that paints flowers in her village

Czech Woman painting her village with flowers

Anežka Kašpárková  is a grandma in her 80's who has been painting beautiful ultramarine blue flowers in her village for generations. She has painted many homes and even the inside and outside of the local chapel. The paint only lasts for a couple of years so Anežka is kept busy. She only ever uses this blue as she says it looks expensive an is of good quality

What a lovely lady.....I wish she lived by me, my house could do with a spruce up.

If you like this post check out Mia Farrow painting her dressing room, and George Harrison & Patti Boyd painting their home Kinfawns


Friday 16 October 2015

Add some colour with Peruvian Tassels...

Peruvian handwoven camino de mesa and tassels
Peruvian tassels from Urban Outfitters 2014
Peruvian Tassels from Gunn and Swain
pom poms made and worn by quechua women on the floating islands of lake titicaca in peru
These Peruvian Tassels are great aren't they? They are perfect for using as curtain tiebacks of for adding a pop of colour by simply hanging off some shelves or bathroom mirror. I have some similar which i have hung in Alex's nursery (he is 16 months is it still a nursery?)

The use of tassels—for adornment and ceremonial purposes—goes back almost as far as Peru’s history.  In ancient times, tassels were symbols of power.  Not only were they used to designate social standings, they were also used to honor and label mighty warriors.  The most powerful warriors would be layered with the most tassels, and have the tallest tasseled headdresses (much like the function of a birds plume).

perutasseledalpaca

Even today, tassels are used for labeling purposes in Peru, especially with livestock.  Forget branding, the Peruvians “tag” their alpacas with a specific tassel in the ear—these tassels not only designate the village and the owner, they also serve to distinguish male and female alpacas from a distance (because the different genders have different functions).

Italic text from 'Say it with tassels' to read the full text and more images of Tassels in Peru visit the original article here

Thursday 15 October 2015

The Home of........ Alice of Forestbound


 Isn't this home just so beautiful and tranquil looking? Everything is just so simple, but just so gorgeous. That black lamp in the second photo really has won my heart!

The home belongs to Alice owner of my latest favorite discovery Forestbound. Forestbound make really beautiful bags and T-shirts....


Forestbound is a small operation based out of Fringe Union in Somerville, Massachusetts. We do it all ourselves here in the studio - the designing, cutting, sewing, shipping .. it all takes place under one roof. 

We used found and salvaged textiles to create our unique line of tote bags and carryalls, Forestbound Originals. We do this in hopes of bringing a piece of history back into the spotlight with every new item we create. Many hours are spent scouring the Northeast for the storied textiles that we use in our bags. And many more hours are dedicated to thoughtfully and carefully reworking these materials into something new you can use every single day.

Our ESCAPE Canvas Utility Bag line is inspired by the many perfectly worn-in, vintage canvas tool bags that we have uncovered at flea markets and estate sales throughout the years. With this line we hope to create timeless, go-to pieces that pay tribute to all those beautiful canvas bags from days of old.

 To see more of Alice's beautiful photography and the original post visit the forestbound blog here

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Justina Blakeney X Loloi



I was a bit late to catch onto this one but the lovely Justina Blakeney has teamed up with Loloi to produce a range of rugs and cushions, and as one would expect from Justina, they are beautiful, bright and bohemian!

The range , which will be launched at this weekends Highpoint Market will feature 12 rug designs and 17 pillows.... I am personally already obsessed with both rugs above and those fluffy colourful looking pillows (in the bottom right of the top picture).... I can't wait to see the official launch

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Recipe...... Immune boosting Vegan Harira...


I discovered this Vegan Harira recipe in a newspaper supplement about 10 years ago and make throughout Autumn and Winter to boost my immunity and clear away colds...... working in a hospital i need all the help i can get. The soup contains Saffron which is a super disease presenter, anti-depressant and great for digestive health, Chickpeas (Garbanzos) which are full of Iron, and calcium , and  Coriander (Cilantro) which helps reduce blood pressure, aid digestion and help with menstrual symptoms.. among others

This is a really delicious, tasty version of the Moroccan soup which usually contains meat... this recipe is quick and very easy to follow. It does require canned chickpeas not dried as you also need the liquid!

All the ingredients and measurements are in England, English, but i am sure google can translate if needed.


Recipe

1 large bunch coriander
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 onion, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
2 sticks of celery, finely sliced
2 teaspoons Cumin
3 x 400g can chickpeas (including liquid.... don't discard)
Generous pinch of saffron
1 dark vege stock cube
400g of tomatoes, roughly chopped (sometimes i use the hand whisk to blend them up)
Juice of 1/2 -1 lemon (depending on how citrus-y you like)
Tobasco
Salt and Pepper

It is also nice with a little flat leaf parsley added at the end, but this is optional

1) Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and fry onion until browned. Add the garilc, celery and cumin and fry for another minute

2) Add one can of chickpeas (with the fluid), and the saffron, crumble in the stock cube and heat until bubbling gently, stirring to disolve the stock cube- about 5 mins

3)Add the remainning chickpeas and fluid with an extra 250ml water, leave on  gentle heat for about 25 minutes

4)Add the chopped or blended tomatoes, 2/3 of chopped corrander, lemon juice, tobasco and salt and pepper, stir for a minute then remove from the heat

5) Garnish with the remainder of the coriander, and serve with slice of chunky bread

Monday 12 October 2015

Hibernate: Vintage stoves.....



It is a dreary cold, wet and windy evening here in the South West of England, so here are some beautiful vintage stoves to 'warm your cockles' as my grand-pa would say!