Mad Vibes

I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a huge ‘accessorizer’ per se, but I do have a pretty solid infatuation with the idea of daily, sentimental jewellery. A delicate chain, some semi-precious studs and a collection of rings are generally the most I can handle, and I never really switch up the pieces that I reach for: my nameplate necklace, Cartier ring, a couple of delicate heirloom diamonds and I’m usually good to go. At least, until, I came across Danish jewellery designer Vibe Harsløf – now I’m dying for more.

All of her designs are simple enough to complement any pre-existing ‘daily’ pieces, yet original enough to add interest and design value. In essence, it’s a wonderfully and characteristically Scandinavian brand, at a price point that allows both quality and experimentation.

I’m a June baby, so obviously I stuck to my birthstone and started out my collection with a pearl. I’m completely head-over-heels in love with this ring and haven’t stopped wearing it since I received it as a Christmas gift. Its simultaneous uniqueness and simplicity is so incredibly rare, and I’m still constantly struck by its pure beauty.

Next up – sneaker jewellery?? I’ve been on a pretty solid ‘sneakerhead’ trajectory (baby just got her first pair of Stan Smiths!!), so I definitely think this is something I could get down with. It’s an idea I’ve never seen done before, but judging from pics I’ve come across on the internet and the Vibe Harsløf instagram, it lends itself to an incredibly cool look. Perfect way to hit that sweet spot of masculine femininity.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a process to find retailers that stock a wide selection of Vibe Harsløf designs, but definitely check out Anthem Wares, Valley Demure, Far Fetch, Voo, or Nordkraft if you’re interested in picking up a piece.

!~BONUS~!

She apparently likes my nail polish heh

Enjoy,

x Syd

I Close My Eyes and Just See Pretty Colors

If you couldn’t already tell, I am a huuuuuugee fan of colour. When it comes to fashion or interiors, I try maintain a fair bit of restraint, but my attitude towards colour in art is definitely no-holds-barred. While I still love a good charcoal sketch or some monochrome-minimalism, I’m gonna take this opportunity to shoutout a few contemporary artists I feel have been using colour really well.

Canyon Castator

I first saw Canyon in this Bullett Magazine article a couple years back, and I instantly fell in love – I’m a huge sucker for visual artists who work with tattooing as a medium. He’s technically super talented, as judged by some of his earlier realistic pieces, but lately he’s been ripping out these crazy-bright, expressionistic mega-works – each one a total release of energy. His digital painting is great too, not to mention he’s a total babe (I told you I was in love…).

Andy Dixon

Another artist on the come-up for colourful figurativism is Vancouver-based Andy Dixon. Andy’s pieces have such a beautiful retrospective sensibility about them, and his total embrace of beauty and aesthetic pleasure is refreshing, given the general movement towards conceptuality in art. I actually had the opportunity to stop by his studio the other week, and can now confirm that his work is even more stunning in person. His newer pieces are also beautiful as ever.

Mogu Takahashi

I first found Mogu Takahashi through his Instagram account, where he posts his infamous ‘daily doodles’. While I love the images themselves, I think I’m even more taken aback by their casual presentation – there’s something so incredibly inspiring about seeing his innocent paintings presented in a chronological and consolidated way. Despite being perhaps the world’s biggest proponent of the art of curation, it’s incredibly beautiful to see an unfiltered collection of someone’s daily thoughts and inspirations. I’m mostly just jealous of his capacity for creativity, though…

Devin Allen

I’ll admit, this one is totally biased (Allen was my much-beloved art teacher in High School…), but this particular piece is honestly too beautiful not to mention. An apparent collaboration between the artist and a friend’s toddler, the subtle elements of abstraction add such a refreshing touch to the more traditionally-rooted Chinese painting style.

Enjoy!

x Syd

Love Like Denim

I recently caved and bought the January 2015 Vogue almost exclusively to see Kendall Jenner’s solo editorial. The spread left me super impressed at how eloquent of a model Kendall is becoming, but even more impressive were a pair of two toned, patchwork jeans featured ♥ . Ever since, my fascination with blue jeans has been completelyyy renewed, making my usual black, Topshop skinnies feel obsolete by comparison.

Even more excitingly, I feel like this current influx of denim is part of a greater 70s revival trend. Valentino’s definitely been playing with the look for a couple seasons now (check some Pre-Fall 15 pics below…), the Alexa Chung x AG collaboration plays in perfectly, and of course, Gucci’s SS15 bled a more bohemian, 70s cool.

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While I can appreciate a great collection or editorial with the best of them, my style is still pretty comfort-centric, so my focus has really been on finding pieces that combine quality and fit with more unique cuts, then playing with different tones of blue in my outfits.

Just wanna give a quick shoutout to my local Holt Renfrew for the triple markdowns – I managed to snag some $700+ Stella McCartney jeans for $140, and a Rag & Bone vest for around $50. Still don’t think I’m prepared to wear them together, but the jeans look so sick with a pale denim shirt and delicate jewellery, and the vest adds just the right amount of trucker-chic over a sweatshirt (it’s cooler than it sounds, I promise…).

Dressing like a dude is super fun… 10/10

Enjoy!

x Syd

Current Faves: Jan 4-10

Happy 2015! Unfortunately, I’ve started mine in a bit of a musical rut… Here’s some rediscoveries and current faves.

(“Judith with the Head of Holofernes” – Cristofano Allori, c. 1613)

1. Piledriver Waltz – Arctic Monkeys

Definitely in my top 5 all time favourite Arctic Monkeys songs. Super sweet, super dreamy, one of those tracks that makes my life feel like a movie (ultimate goal with any song, is it not?).

2. Norwegian Wood – The Beatles

My relationship with the Beatles is a pretty tumultuous one, but nevertheless, Rubber Soul always stands out as my favourite album. I also read a lot of Haruki Murakami, so there’s just no way I can’t love this song.

3. Satisfaction – Carl Dawkins

I’d heard this song a few times before, but the moment I really fell in love was when it was featured in the ‘A Brave New Love’ video series by the Kooples. This is my favourite clip – must see!!

4. Really Love – D’Angelo

Of course, I added this song again… It’s such a classic, don’t really see how I could get sick of it any time soon.

5. The Hunter – Slaves

Surprise, surprise, I used to be suuuuper into punk music. I’m also super into adorable, mod British boys, so when I saw this Fred Perry sponsored interview, I knew I could get down with Slaves. They just released the music video for ‘The Hunter’ and it’s awesome.

6. Blue – Uzi

Valley boy rap over a classic 90s track? I’m so down. Uzi’s accent totally cracks me up, and the music video is juuuust the right amount of fuckboi.

7. And The Beat Goes On – The Whispers

Who doesn’t love the Whispers?! Such a solid disco track, definitely a classic in my books. Also – check out the Pablo J and the Lobsterettes rework. It’s a relatively subtle electro rework, so the disco integrity is definitely not lost (also, it has a cool music video lolol).

8. Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

This is TOTALLY unlike anything I’ve listened to in the past two years… but I’m so down. Maybe it’s just because they’re from North London and I’m a total Anglophile, but this grunge-rock track has been my go-to for the past few days. Once again, this is a Fred Perry find.

9. Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac

This has totally been the week of Fleetwood Mac for me. There’s something so unassumingly cool about the band, and this song never fails to make me feel happy.

10. Workinonit – J Dilla

I finally bought Donuts!!! After years of downloading the odd Dilla track, I’ve finally begun to commit. Suuuuch a classic album, such a legend. So innovative, absolute genius.

11. Prototype – Outkast

This is probably my favourite song ever (pretty sure I’ve posted it before…). Such a beautifully simple funk song, always reminds me of cruising down DeKalb Ave back in Atlanta…

12. Bam Bam – Sister Nancy

This is my morning song. Nothing feels cooler than waking up, making a cup of coffee, and jammin out naked to this ultimate classic.

13. Blue Denim – Stevie Nicks

Brought on my a combination of my Fleetwood Mac obsession and the new promo vid for Alexa Chung x AG Jeans, this has been a huge hit for me this week. Makes me feel a lot more free spirited than I actually am…

14. Only One – Kanye West & Paul McCartney

This wouldn’t upload to 8tracks so it’s not on the playlist, but this has been another favourite of mine. Such a beautiful song with such a beautiful story behind it.

Enjoy~

x Syd

Bright Eyes, Blue Denim

Just a quick post to shoutout this amaaaazing promo for Alexa Chung x AG Jeans!!! Directed by Gia Coppola so no wonder it’s got such adorable L.A. vibes. Add that to music by Dev Hynes and this is a superstar collaboration.

Even more exciting than the promo video, however, is the collection itself!! So far the only piece I’ve seen is the denim mini dress Alexa has on in the video, but if that’s any indication of the overall mood, I’m totally bought in – I’m a sucker for a casual 60s look. Fingers crossed for a button front denim mini skirt, then I’ll just need a Bella Freud sweater and I’ll be well on my way to becoming the manic pixie mod princess I’ve always dreamt of becoming. lol.

Enjoy~

x Syd

Weak Messages Create Bad Situations

I only recently came across British artist David Shrigley as I was (yet again) scouring for photos of the magnificently reworked Sketch London dining room. I came for the 50 shades of pink, scalloped chairs, and marble chevron floors, but I stayed for the continuous strip of comical sketches that works its way along the two side walls.

A quick google search left me speechless at the sheer quantity and individual ingenuity of every single drawing Shrigley puts forth. The images are incredibly simple, hilarious, and yet seem to say so much about modern humanity. I can only imagine the encompassing effect of being confronted by so many of these “unfortunate” truths at once, but to my dismay, the night I had planned to go to Sketch back in June was thwarted by an abrupt Cartier incident… (long story). Thankfully, the artist has published a tonnnn of books, including a recently released manifesto, so if Amazon Canada ever decides to get its shit together, I’ll have my fill in no time.

A few faves…

My own lil Shrigley collection. Shoutout to ratchet wall art…

To anyone in Melbourne, there’s a free Shrigley exhibit at the NGV so please go take pictures for me! (I’ve been tracking the instagram tag religiously…)

xo, Syd