Vogue Japan Feb 2012 'Keeping The Faith' editorial...Ok so the extremely loud and brash Versace collection has been debatable. Some like it, quite a few don't (I was the latter). But after viewing this mash-it-up, every vibrant colour-clash works shoot. I may be re-thinking my ways. Love the leggings and the bouffant hair dyes are amazing!

I really don't think grilled jerk chicken or jerk chicken as a whole get enough rep as it should. No really, comfort food doesn't really get much better than this. Had this the other day, chilling on my friends balcony, listening out to the waves. Drizzled a bit of fresh lemon and home-made pepper sauce over the grilled jerk chicken and well...*swiftly, makes her way to the fridge.* AMAZING.

Dr. Martens x Swarovski Elements collection. A beautiful contrast between some classic kick-ass shoe collection and girly-girl, sparkle appeal -Nice touch.

Now people, I'm a bit of a photographic snob. Pictures always have to be of good quality in order for it to reach out to me. If a picture was intended to be grainy to cause an 'effect' then fine, but not because your camera pixels is just, well, crap. So because of this as much as I love my lil' Nikon Coolpix cam for taking pics of friends and family. Nothing beats the good old Canon, hands down.  So I decided to treat myself for Xmas and bought myself my very own Canons Rebel T2i and an extra 55-250mm lens for long distance shooting. Will be posting up some pics with my new cam soon!

Matt Wisniewski photography. I love his work! A definite conversational piece.

Denise Julia Reyton jewelery. One of a kind, original and yet fun collection.
 

Snapping away in his Brixton Studio (UK). Tyrone Lebon captured a few of his friends and loved ones for a non-invasive photographic shoot. I'm really feeling the natural elements and the awkward poses in these images.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and have a fabulous 2012 throughout .x.

N.EW BLOG OF THE MONTH: THE ART TYPE

don’t know about you guys but I’m useless when it comes to DIY art projects. (No seriously, you need to see me in action with a pair of scissors). So when I came across Sara’s easy, step-by step guide to creating fun, arty gifts, food and chic interior designs I just had to share some pressie ideas for the Xmas season.

Want something original, cheap as pie and exciting to create? Sara of the art type is definitely your gal. Read on! 

What are the 3 main things that inspire your creative flair on a daily basis? 

My surroundings, window shopping, and any obstacles that I may encounter. Whenever I have a problem, my first thought is “how can I fix or improve this?” That usually leads to some sort of creative project.

Where to shop online for a cool, savvy Christmas gift? 

I actually make the majority of my Christmas gifts myself because I feel like gifts should be personal and catered specifically to the people receiving them. I’ve given paintings, glass-fused plates, personalized coffee thermoses, etc. If I do buy a gift online though, I really like using Etsy or Ebay if I have a specific type of item in mind.

If you could (and really, really had to) define art into one sentence, what would you say art is?

Art is the product of limitless creative processes.

Scenario: Quick Sara, I need your help! I want to buy my guy an “I love you” gift this Xmas without coming across too soppy. What would you suggest me buying?

It depends on the person. My past boyfriends have always wanted paintings from me. I would usually do that coupled with something that fits their personality. For a music loving guy, I’d buy an I-trip or mp3 player accessories. For the nerdy Star Wars loving guy, a Yoda hat. I dated one person who liked this $1,200 designer watch and I found a replica of it for $20 at Burlington Coat Factory. I say figure out what they like and then brainstorm for cheaper/more creative ways to do that. 
 

Xmas stockings, sequins and fairy dust for your home or chic, minimalistic “err is it actually Xmas” scenery?

Honestly, I am a college student, so holiday décor funds (& space) are minimal right now, haha. BUT if I had the resources…you can bet my house would be crazy-decked out for the holidays. I have Christmas lights on the ceiling year round and I usually get a small lighted Xmas tree set up with hand-made ornaments. 

If you could write for an art-related magazine what would it be and why?

I haven’t really seen any art magazines that have impressed me yet. If Nylon had an art section in its magazine, I would love to write for that. Martha Stewart’s pretty great but I feel it’s too mom-like and I want to create edgier things.   

What’s your no.1 New Years resolution and how are you going to stick to it?

My New Years resolution is always the same. Live a good & happy life & reach beyond your potential in everything you do. It may sound cheesy but I’d much rather focus on bettering my entire self as opposed to losing 10 pounds or forcing myself to do things I wouldn’t do naturally.  

Tell us about your new found love for online thrifting?

Online thrifting is my life. I’ve actually been doing it for years but I posted recently about the website shopgoodwill.com. I think thrifting is amazing and everyone should do it. You save so much money and can find lots of great vintage things. My favorite pair of designer jeans actually came from Goodwill. I paid $5 for them and I love them more than any pair of pants I’ve ever owned. 

Now I know you like to DIY your party costumes. So what has been your best genius costume and what has been your “I’ll never wear that again, even if my cute, fluffy pet was held at ransom” costume?

The best costume, in my opinion, is a tie between my alien costume and my Absinthe Fairy costume. Both looked fantastic and were a major hit at parties.
Haha my worst costume…I would say Captain Jack Sparrow. My friends and I LOVED Pirates of the Caribbean when it came out so we dressed up as the main characters. While my costume did look awesome, I don’t think you could pay me enough to walk in public with a mustache and beard sharpie on my face again.

Describe the art type in five words.

Creative. Thrifty. Fun. Cute. Inspirational (I hope). 

Get some smarty pants ideas by checking out Sara's quirky and creative blog here, on bloglovin' here, twitter and make sure you follow her right away!

...HAVE A GOOD XMAS! Save some biscuits and carrots for me on Xmas Eve...and jus' cause ya did, don't expect any presents from Santress, it's credit crunch.

H.OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

So in true Christmas spirit I've come up with my own lil' holiday gift guide. Perfect gift for a special someone or just plain old spoiling yourself again (why not?) Check out the Lo-fi Micro 4-3 camera lens below -  Great for taking some pretty neat creative pics to impress your family and friends over Christmas. If your a major classic hip hop fan like myself or current, you need to have this collectors book: "How To Rap" added in your library. With the likes of artists: Clipse,Will.i.am, Public Enemy,  A Tribe Called Quest, Black Eye Peas mixed in for good measure you'll definitely treasure this! 
Majority of these goodies can pass as a his or her present...In most cases, the shoes are an exception.

Clockwise: Loreal Paris Colour Riche - golden splash// Bulova gold watch// Talib Kweli Gutter Rainbows album// Bonobo Black Sands// Topshop Lillie Cherry Trim sandals// Vera Wang Lovestruck perfume// Topshop Rhinestone & feather necklace// Lo-fi Micro 4-3 camera lens// David Gerstein collectors book// How To Rap collectors book// Laura Mercier sugar scrub.

C.ULT CRAVIN': COLOUR SPLASH

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...colour splash for the ear drum...

 Sergio Rossi SS2012 collection//

Claire Vivier (Aqua)//

Christian Louboutin maxi beads pumps//

David Downton illustrations//

KTZ AW2011 collection//

Technotronic 'Pump Up The Jam'

Pssstt!!...30% Discount off KTZ AUTU/WIN collection!

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N.EW FASHION ARTISTS: SACHIN + BABI

Ok, so I quite literally had to tear my self away from married co-founders and Presidents of Sachin and Babi's online collection, hence the brand name Sachin + Babi. Their crispy, classic, yet original unexpected designs simply calls out my name: "VIVA V COME BUY ME!" (And pretty much tempted to do so right now.)

For a two and a half year old fashion brand, borne of their existing 5 year old luxury home furnishings brand ANKASA Companies and ANK Embroideries, for some of the biggest fashion houses; they're evidently setting the pace for newer fashion designers to 'come wit' it' as they say out here in Jamaica. 

Growing up in India, Sachin’s family operated design factories and Babi deriving from a fashionably-conscious family; there is no surprise why they have cultivated a steady allied fan base of those who are searching for chic, Indian inspired exotic designs. Check out Sachin + Babi's SS2012 sneak peak below and check out their brand further here.

...SS2012 Sneak peak