25 Dec 2013

Happy Holidays!

♥     M E R R Y     C H R I S T M A S     &     H A P P Y     N E W     Y E A R     !    

If you do have time, go hop over to our twin site, La Baguette Magique, for a nosey and to find out what I've been up to over the last couple of days! Talk of festive spirit, you got it >> sugar-coated! May 2013 end on a high note for you and I will catch up with you soon, stay tuned!


16 Dec 2013

Darcy the Flying Hedgehog!

In pure Attack of the Cute style, here is our latest crush, who goes by the name of Darcy. But please don't let the name fool you... There is a spike or two to it! Yet once you've pictured which Darcy we're on about (no ladies, not that one!), you'll get the gist of it! Darcy rules the show on his Instagram page, all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun, striking candid moody poses halfway between fashion glossies and Alice in Wonderland, with a smattering of humour, a touch of quirk and a splash of originality, and all under the photographic craftsmanship of self-proclaimed "Hedgehographer" Shota Tsukamoto.

We have My Modern Met to thank for this introduction to the candy-coloured, rose-tinted, pastel-hued world of Darcy, and we are sold to his cracking charm! Who needs Christmas as a cheer-up when you can just gaze at your heart's content at photos such as those! Enjoy!




Photographic source: Instagram.

February 2014 update: Sadly little Darcy passed away earlier this year. His book is a testimony to his life under the limelight, and his instant Instagram success!

1 Dec 2013

YSL Music Legends

Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Chuck Berry >> These musicians are living legends, and we'd be forgiven for calling them family. They are somewhat part of the furniture like grandad's rocking-chair or mum's favourite ornament. And when back in late Summer, YSL approached them as part ot its Saint Laurent Music Project, conducted by photography maestro Hedi Slimane in the form of a classic timeless tribute, a generation of fashionista freshers were about to (re)discover them - and we've happily joined the bandwagon!

Jerry, B.B. and Chuck... We have grown up with those guys playing somewhat in our background without realising it, making themselves familiar to us, weaving the soundtrack to our lives in all sorts of funny and weird ways: either by us rummaging through an older relative's record collection, or hearing their music as part of a movie soundtrack, or their names being mentioned by younger generations of musicians as musical legacy to Rock'n'Roll and Co. Their repertoire is a piece of Americana anthology.

The story even goes deeper, through a fond respectful attachment to the guys (regardless of whether we actually know much about them or listen to their music). They're household names, subliminally ringing a bell in our subconscious. Even if we are no music connoisseur, song titles like 'Great Balls of Fire' by Jerry Lee Lewis, 'Three O'Clock Blues' by B.B. King or 'Johnny B. Goode' by Chuck Berry are bound to - at the very least - ring a bell.

Those music legends are now in their late 70s to mid 80s, and when sadly they pass away, they won't just die, they will enter a form of immortality in the arcana of fame, remembered like Elvis or Sinatra, immortalised in the collective psyche. Those guys were meant to stay, not fade away. Like a classic YSL tuxedo.


Mr. Jerry Lee Lewis, Nesbit, Mississippi, August 15th 2013, wearing his Saint Laurent Classic "Teddy" Tux (pict source)
Mr. B.B. King, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 8th 2013, wearing his Saint Laurent "Le Smoking" (pict source)
Mr. Chuck Berry, Saint Louis, Missouri, September 7th 2013, wearing his Saint Laurent "Teddy" Tux (pict source)

16 Nov 2013

Something Pink for the Weekend

@MirabelleDesign's retweet of fashion brand @Aeropostale nicely sums up what I wanted to say to you, my friends! So then, do have a good 'un and back on soon!
P.S: Might as well have a browse at those fashion items, while we're at it!

6 Nov 2013

J'Adore a Ristretto!

I might be on about TV advertising, and yes Christmas might be creeping up on us, but please let's give Toys 'R' Us and Coca Cola a rest. No disrespect here, but I'm aiming off a tangent away from our kids and teens towards an adult audience with a penchant for elegance and self-indulgence packaged up in timeless style with a deluxe proposition neatly delivered in an experiential mini-film.

Basically we come to the realisation that Christmas is hinted our way when one or both of those household stars sashay into our lounges uninvited (although we'd dream to invite them to stay!) and steal a minute or two of our precious viewing schedule, via the primetime advertising slot that interrupts our favourite programme. Yet - big difference - we don't mind an interruption of such a calibre. And bingo, those two have been teleporting their charms across our TV sets for a few seasons now, with each new season a revisit of the theme without a sign of fatigue in sight!



Ladies, when our easy-on-the-eye suave suited and booted modern Cary Grant a.k.a. Mr Clooney pops round for a presto Nespresso tête-à-tête for our TV eyes only, all our senses get magically awakened (am I talking taste buds?), even if we are no Clooney fans! In a world of swags, how can we resist the charm of such a true gentleman, I wonder?

Our slightly paranoid other halves know darn right we're not swooning over the latest shiny gadgets that come with the latest version of the Nespresso machine but eh they can comfort themselves with Christian Dior's commercial right here (I'm thinking of my dad who just so happens to be Charlize Theron's biggest fan!). Who can fault such excellent taste?



P.S: A great excuse to revisit the great 'Heavy Cross' soundtrack by Gossip!

5 Nov 2013

I Wanna Be Ador(n)ed!

We've heard that Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, while the only rock some chicks care about is the one they wish to wear on their wedding finger, while some would rather spend their Breakfast at Tiffany's, feasting their eyes on dazzling gems rather than forlornly sat at their local Starbucks in a tête-à-tête with their daily mochaccino-donut combo. So be it!

Mirabelle likes it easy, freestyle, free-spirited and way way cheaper (how about $22.00?) with no compromise on style and kudos. And the effect from those little facets adorning the Parvati's Cuff bracelet from Pondicherry is guaranted to rock you more than Queen or Her Majesty's crown jewels - in our opinion! Would you agree?


2 Nov 2013

Up Close and Italicum

As both an amateur botanist and photographer currently living on a Mediterranean island, I have been blessed with getting up close and personal with those emblematic and characteristically fragrant ground-covering straw-coloured flower clusters from the asteraceae family, and nicknamed "the curry plant" in reference to their characteristic fragrance. The plant in question is called Helichrysum italicum and is commonly found on sunny exposed rocky coastline hillsides where vegetation is typically short and sparse and where sunlight is aplenty. This is what helichrysum italicum looks like:



Over the last twenty years helichrysum italicum has become a mainstream ingredient in the French skincare/ beauty and perfume industries. The flower has virtually become the flagship anti-ageing ingredient of L'Occitane. The common French name of the plant is Immortelle (no translation needed) and this will give you an idea of the mystique and slightly divine aura surrounding this element of the floral world. The flower is immortal because it never withers, even once it has been picked, and its fragrance lasts.

Thankfully helichrysum-picking has been regulated and a strict protocole has replaced the decimation of its wild populations. Nowadays the Immortelle is mostly sourced from cultures. However pockets of erradication are still encountered each Summer in the wild with unscrupulous pickers out there making a quick buck with no respect for biodiversity.

L'Occitane's Divine Extract
Casanera's Oliu di Mare (Monoï d'Immortelle)

The oil extracted from helichrysum italicum benefits the skin in many ways under its many formats, as anti-wrinkle moisturiser, serum, spray-on oil extract or floral water, calming and anti-inflammatory ointment for chafed and sunburned skin. Let's bear in mind that helichrysum is photosensitive, which means that using it in the sun may encourage the appearance of sun spots.

But let's be honest, what brought me to pen this post with a potted history of helichrysum was as an introduction to this amazing macrophotographic image I spotted in Co.Design! Talk of the WOW factor and a creative tangent! The image below is part of a selection of "colorized psychedelic images of the microscopic worlds all around us" shortlisted by the 2013 FEI Image Contest, and ohh don't we dig this! You guessed it - this amazing futuristic manga-looking view is no other than that of a "Helicrysum Flower with Pollens" (magnification: 652X!), by one of the contestants, Riccardo Antonelli.

'Helichrysum Italicum Flower with Pollens', photography by Riccardo Antonelli, via Co.Design

The finite is indeed an important component of the wonders of the world, and magnification unveils worlds that are truly magnificent! Be sure to marvel some more by checking FEI's image gallery, either via their own website or via Flickr. This way you'll find out about Marcos Rosado, the 2013 FEI Image Contest Winner for his stunning "Acacia Dealbata (Yellow Mimosa) Flower about to Open":


25 Sept 2013

The Wool Journey by Artist Owain Kirby for The Herdy Company

We came across some beautiful designs commissioned by The Herdy Company, a "sheep-friendly" UK lifestyle retailer. The lino-cut illustrations were produced by lino-cut illustrator Owain Kirby, who relate the four main stages of the wool process, otherwise referred to as "The Wool Journey". Herdy then produced a Wool Journey porcelain mug set, tea towel and a tote bag as a commemoration.


Source: The Herdy Blog, by The Herdy Company. Here's the story from top down: (1) "from sheep on the fell side being gathered and clipped, (2) the wool being graded and then sold at auction, (3) then scoured, carded, blended, spun, (4) and finally knitted by hand, woven into cloth or home furnishings, or tailored into clothing."

17 Sept 2013

Rock the Casbah with Ethnic Interiors!

Mirabelle has a thing for modern interiors that incorporate cleaned-up pared-down period features, with ethnic touches to add interest and relate history. Those bring a tamed version of the world's natural habitats and cultural heritage in the form of statement wooden artefacts, stone sculptures, complimented by the use of other organic materials like rope, jute, sisal or hemp. These are the kind of interiors we feel at home in. Welcome in!



Sources: Ethnic touches from Portugal, Greece and Spain: (1) 'A Beautiful Home in the South of Portugal' (the holiday retreat of French designer Jacques Grange), via The Style Files, originally from Marie Claire Italia. We note the statement azulejos (tiles) that typify Portugal, Spain, and Central and South America. (2) 'A Renovated Greek Fisherman's House', via The Style Files, photography credit: Lefteris Miaoulis. We note the whitewashed walls contrasting with the wooden ceilings. Check out more ethnic interiors from Baobab Interiors (+ Pinterest). (3) 'Loft em Barcelona', via Casa Très Chic, originally from Micasa. We note the scalloped terracotta ceilings, a trademark of southern Europe, also found in the sought-after 17th- and 18th-century palazzi of Bastia, Corsica. (4) Aghia Sophia House by Aiólou Architects. We note the monumental wooden ceiling, and the traditional Greek touches (whitewashed surfaces and blue-painted doors and window-frames). Be sure to visit Aghia Sophia's dedicated blog to follow the fascinating step-by-step construction project. Besides this, Aiólou Architects have been involved in other interesting projects like the Mani house project (Greece), as reported by My Paradissi.

5 Aug 2013

Belle and Butterflies

I spotted this amazing gif animation from the latest article to date by the fabulously cool Gala Darling and I thought of you, how it would brighten up your day like it did mine. The article itself is highly inspirational and is an invitation to surrender to the magic of the forthcoming new moon in Leo, please make sure you read it, it will pique your curiosity!


Source: Gala Darling, via Sephora.

4 Aug 2013

The Coolest of The Cool

If there is someone in your life right now who is a one-of-a-kind effortlessly cool, unique and charming kindred spirit whose company you enjoy and who enjoys yours back, someone who's right up your alley in terms of personality, common interests and drive, someone with whom you can be yourself and who takes you as you are, makes you feel good about yourself, makes you smile and laugh and blush and who's kinda special, someone you can talk the day away with and the day isn't enough... Well, if you just don't know how to show them your appreciation, just forward them this post. A picture is worth a thousand words and ten words on a picture are worth ten times more! Carry on enjoying that great time together!


Source: via The Life of Polarn Per.

30 Jul 2013

Wild, Free and Beautiful

Beauty found in the wonders of nature is even more beautiful, more captivating, when it isn't captive, only captured by the photographer, when it is out there in its natural environment, free and minding its own life.


Source: Pictured above is Hildur, an adult male lion, out and about in the Serengeti savannah. Photography by Michael Nichols, and featured in National Geographic as Photo of the Day 30th July 2013.

22 Apr 2013

Cali Love - Gone with the Surf

In our northern hemisphere, Summer is now hopefully a sunray away... Yet when Spring is footstepping its way into our lives after Winter's dragged-out affair, we need to conjure up some feelgood imagery in order to get into the Summer mood...


Source: Pinterest.

25 Mar 2013

The Pan-American Highway

Now if you are pursued by rampant wanderlust like Mirabelle is at best of times, you want to take the road less travelled (by the conventional tourist), the road that clocks on and off shy of 30,000 miles, from the ice sloes of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to the Southern tip of Patagonia, Argentina, a colonialist's dream, an adventure writer's vision of voyage, a stretch of tarmac interspersed with dusty bumpy roadtracks, and cinemascope landscapes as far as the eye can see... The world is a stage to those of us who choose to give their life the starry role it deserves.


Sources: (1) Cass Gilbert took on the crazy challenge of riding his mountain bike from the Northern Terminus of Pan-American-Highway Prudhoe Bay (as shown here, with an oil pipeline by the roadside) to the southern tip of Argentina, via Cuba. Follow his incredible journey on While Out Riding. (2) 'The Pan-American Highway', Mountain Drive to Quetzaltenago, Guatemala, by The Fuller Family blog (24/02/2011). (3) 'Arica Y Parinacota, Chile, Pan-American Highway', by thejourney1972 (South America addicted), via Flickr (07/06/2009).

3 Feb 2013

In the Mood for White Interiors: Guest Edition

Dear readers, Mirabelle is delighted to offer you our very first guest edition post! On this occasion, we are really proud to team up with our fabulous friends from the Arcadian Home blog, based in Chino, Los Angeles, California! Enjoy!

Hello, everyone! It's Mari here from Arcadian Home blog, a beautiful place to find lots of decorating inspirations, including table decor, wall art and lovely lighting fixtures. I'm so excited to be visiting Mirabelle Design Inspiration with a guest post about white rooms. Mirabelle inspired me to share my take on white spaces when I read her post called "In the Mood for White Interiors". Here are eight images we hope will inspire your very own white interior dreams. Please enjoy!

White Room

This vintage dining room is lovely in white. I love the row of small framed mirrors above the antique sofa that serves as banquette seating for the table.

White Room

A contemporary white bedroom is accented in black. The massive ornate chandelier is an unexpected glamorous choice to combine with sleek contemporary lamps at the bedside.

White Room

More mirrors adorn the wall of a white dining room. This time they're much larger and mostly unframed. Greenery adds its fresh appeal to the light and airy space.

White Room

What a cozy and inviting reading corner this is! A contemporary floor lamp is perfect for reading on cloudy days and after dark, white the skylight allows plenty of natural light to stream in on sunny days.

White Room

In a dining room dressed in white paint from floor to ceiling, a paper lantern turned pendant lighting is pretty above the table. I love the look of mismatched wood chairs with the Eames modern white ones.

White Room

This pure white hallway with a gallery of empty picture frames is one of my favorite white spaces. A black chair sits atop a black rug to create an interesting contrast.

White Room

What an unexpected look this is with simple drapery panels that create a canopy of sorts at the foot of the bed. The dainty antique chairs in soft brown contrast so beautifully with white surroundings.

White Room

And lastly, here's an "almost" white attic getaway. The pale gray walls and furnishings in a lovely creamy hue combined with pure white overhead give the illusion of an all-white room. It's altogether appealing, don't you think?

Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 What do you think of these white interiors? Leave us your thoughts below and be sure to visit our website for more home decor, lighting, and interior inspirations!

31 Jan 2013

January Blues

January never claimed to be a joyful month, but it doesn't deserve all the bad press either! In our experience, January is full of promise and subdued joy just waiting to be discovered by those who take the time to be observers! The stress from the end-of-year festivities has cooled off and a brand new year has brought excitement, personal motivations and resolutions.

In our northern hemisphere we gain an extra hour of daylight between Christmas Day and 25th January. Meanwhile in our warmer regions the earlier floral messengers of Spring, namely narcissi and daffodils, start coming into their own.

January is still a time to enjoy those richer dishes, indulgent desserts and comfort food at large (bend those resolutions once in a while!), from homemade waffles served with rich hot chocolate, to family-sized pots. It's a time to be homely, snuggled up in a mohair wool blanket on the sofa by the fireplace, with a good book and good sounds. It might be a time for reflection and instrospection but as for the proverbial "January blues", the only type of blues we know about is purely colour-related, and being the optimistic kind we like to keep it that way!


Source : (1) Pastel Swirl Cake, by Sweetapolita, via Flickr.

19 Jan 2013

The Little People by Jean-Joseph Renucci

Welcome to 21st century Lilliput! Here two worlds cohabit, that of the tiny folks in scenes of work or play set against the life-size mundane objects of our human daily life, including the iconic tub of Nivea tub and the gas cooker. In this installation, the tiny lives are magnified to take over the full scale objects in a fascinating exploration.


Source: (1) 'Meet Me at the Ballpool', (2) 'Dancing Cream' and (3) 'Hell's Kitchen Part 1', all part of the 'Domestic Paradise' series by Jean-Joseph Renucci.

14 Jan 2013

Typewriter Notes

The typewriter, awesome bit of kit whose easily-recognisable clickety sound has punctuated many a film noir, detective story, cop drama and court drama. Creator of suspense as much as va-va-voom down the typing pools of WWII, the typewriter, object of desire, despise and derision, where stories were told and plots unfolded by the Graham Greenes, Agatha Christies and Hemingways of this world... The typewriter, trapping fingers, eating paper, jamming, being hurled abuse at, thrown across rooms in fits of tantrums. The unimitable slightly smeared, slightly dirty typeface, enemy of the purist and of those trapped by dogma...

 Now available from an app near you.


Source: The Virtual Typewriter.

12 Jan 2013

Plastic Fantastic?

Following on our extremely popular Caught in the Pacific Trash Vortex post that highlighted social activist Chris Jordan's plea about the seabirds from the Midway Atoll, Mirabelle was contacted last month by the designers of an interesting educational infographic that really drew our attention further on the damage caused by the 'fantastic' yet pawned invention that is plastic. We have great pleasure in sharing this catchy bit of information with you.

As a beach babe living on the coast, Mirabelle is faced with the downside of plastic on a daily basis, so we thought we would even drill the awareness message further by adding an advert that also caught our eye. In our view, packaging as a whole needs a total rethink and overhaul, and the plastic supremacy needs to be toned down drastically. Plastic manufacturers/ suppliers and their immediate Fortune 100 clients are to blame, but then again it is up to the end consumer to "vote with their feet" and shun plastics for more sustainable less pollution-prone alternatives that will be less likely to end up back into the food chain. Folks, let's make this work and let's be smarter in 2013!

Sorry, Blogger won't allow picture to zoom in!


Sources: (1) OnlineEducation.net. (2) Concept Ad WWF, by Eric Eykhout, via Behance: "Plastic litter from all over the earth ends up in the ocean, gets caught up in ocean currents and has created a giant swirling mass of 7 million tons of toxic debris dubbed 'The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.' The waters in this immense area contain 6 times more plastic than plankton, a primary food source for fish, marine mammals and ultimately affecting humans as well."

Additional Resources: Find out about professional surfer Kyle Thiermann's mission to help reverse plastic pollution effects on 'surfers paradise' coastlines across the world, via Surfing For Change.

Interesting update (18/07/2013): Two scientists manage to break down phtalates (soft plastic components), using bacteria! (via TED Talks).
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...