A new...Barbie Doll *blush*

I am not the girl to dye her hair blond, puff them up and feed with bubble gums. I was not the little girl to own a huge series of barbie dolls and houses and clothes and shoes and ...well, ken dolls for them.

But I was the girl that squeaked with glee (yeah, not a pretty sound... it wasn't :P) when barbie got a whole new makeover, new hair of all styles and colours, new professions, new designer clothes and generally, a much less pink and much more colourful approach!

I don't own many barbie dolls...the ones of my childhood succumbed to their wounds after days, months of violent acts carried by my siblings (sob sob). My first collective Barbie was the Incas princess...this one was left kind of chewed and without her royal jewellery after an attack by my dog (sob sob x10). My latest wish to own one of those beautiful new colourful barbie dolls came to life a few days ago when my mother gave me one! (hurray hurray!!!)

It's from the Basics collection. A collection of 12 very unique dolls, each one wearing a little black dress and each one with her one special personality (just listen to me, I sound like a psyched 15 year old! )!

See them all here! http://www.barbiecollector.com/BarbieBasics/2/ 

                                                                                       

And this one belongs to me now :)

                                                                                              

Isn't she "a doll"? :P I picked her because she seemed to have the strongest personality of all, now she stares at me from the edge of my desk with her enticing smile! :D I reckon she looks like me a little (yeah, you wish little Kelly...)

For the record, There's a sticker on the bgox that writes "This doll is not a toy but a collective item. Not for purchase to ages below 14"! Yeaaaaaahhhh! Thats 1 for me 0 for anyone who thinks I'm too old to buy Barbie dolls! (let's just forget the fact that I'm 10 years older than 14...).

Do you think this is the start of an actual Barbie collection of my own?? I do hope so... :) I'm such a geek! 

Till next time, Love and colours! K.

Things to Love about Summer!

Hello! It's been a while, huh?

I won't make excuses about being busy :P You see, I've undergone a mild case of in-between-eras-depression...that means that the last 5 weeks I've been moving from my bed to my pc and vice versa, the only productive activity I've managed to do is trendspotting :P This is why I have quite a few things to kick-start myself again, and quiiiite a few things to introduce you to! There are so many things I love about summer anyway!

• My Mom's Lemonade! 

It's the best medicine against the drowsy hot afternoons...especially when the lemons come from our own lemon trees...yummy!!! 

                                                                                     

• Yellow color in general

The colour of the sunlight, lemons, golden sand and happy thoughts! :D Yellow walls, and yellow fabrics, yellow vases and sunflowers, they all bring a fresh breeze of the new season in our homes!

And I must admit the result is stunning!

                                                          

• A Fashionable Find! 

How many times have I missed dressing up my dolls? Only if I where to do it at this age, I'd want the latest trends available and a lot of different dolls to model for me! 

Thankfully I found Looklet to be as creative as I want! It's a great site where you can dress up the model of your choice and chooseher pose,the background, the effects to create your very own fashion editorial!!! Yeah, I know...I'm already addicted... :P 

                                   

• Summer a Provence! 

Or, to be more clear, french country style clothes, florals, stripes, natural textures, broderie anglaise...mmm...summer bliss ^.^

 

btw...see? told you i'm addicted to looklet!

• New Blog Find! Hello Sandwich (?) ! Well, hello to you too!

This find is only 2 days old and I'm really impressed by the girl already! Hello Sandwich is a lovely blog run by Ebony Bizys, a talented graphic designer/ artist who comes from Australia but is moving to Tokyo as you read...lucky heeeer! Her blog is a collection of inspiring thoughts and pictures, her portfolio and diary at the same time, I just love it!

I'd write more but a cloud of midday heat has captivated me and I'm feeling totally drowsy...it's probably high time to bring out the fans, and have a siesta (oh, lovely lovely summer)

I do want to know what do you love about summer, any new design/ fashion/ internet crushes? Summer's the perfect time to fall in love...or lust, after all! 

Happy last day of spring! I'll be back tomorrow with many many new colours...

K.

Paris Travelogue II aka Nothing Is Forever...

I'm terrible at keeping a schedule...but what am I saying? You've probably figured that out already! Anyway...It's been a month since I've returned from Paris and my "travelogue" is still in the works...I've decided I'm closing this matter today, I simply have too much going on my mind...so much that I'm left stunned and unable to do anything :P

These are the last photos of Paris I'll be showing, they represent things I will never again find there. No monuments, no classic art, no museums...instead we have light installations, shopping windows, christmas decorations, bubbles!





The Nomiya Restaurant atop the Palais de Tokyo. I'll only be there until August 2010....never to come back...Impressive design, amazing views of the city (eat your steel heart out, Eiffel Tower!)




Oooh! And a view of the Tower itself, from Nomiya Restaurant...



The Champs Elysees Bvd all lit up for X-mas...I hope they use the standard yellow lights next year (i just like them more, they're kind of warmer I think...)


A tiny Christmas-tree-grove on the courtyard of Pantheon! :)



Christmas presents decorations at the heart of consumerism (of which I declare myself a victim), Galleries Lafayette (pff...as if they'll have the same decorations next year!)




Christmas shop windows...I reaaaaally reaaaaally loved these!


As a genuine Taurean my heart flutters at just the sight of these...mini cakes and petit fours at LaDuree...*deep siiiiiigh*


A huge bubble making man outside Centre Pompidou...that was really something!!! I swear he could have enclosed me in one of these (but no...he didn't)


And one man that will be there as many times as I go...my dear Fred, a true friend and caring landlord for as long as we were there! We would be lost without you, thank you! ^.^

More colours of my world until next time....until then, you go ahead...
put some splashes of colour in your life, you'll be surprised at how the universe reacts to it! K.

Steampunk style revelation...am I the last to know?

A few years I found myself spending almost all of my spare time playing one particular PC game and another few years later obsessing over its' sequel!

This is actually pretty funny because I'm known to only bother (drool,rather) about the Sims series and it makes sense. I'm a very busy person, I have lots of hobbies and don't care much about PC games, the Sims is almost like an inspiration and creation tool for me and of course it has it's entertainment advantages as well (that's whatever separates it from 3ds max :P ).





But this one particular game...an adventure game, Syberia (and it's sequel) had me glued to my desk for days and days. I blame it on the mystical, victorian, somewhat retrofuturistic atmosphere that Benoit Sokal and the rest of the Microids company team created.

Notice the Art Nouveau architecture? It's my favorite historical art genre.You'd think that with my love for Romantic, Art Nouveau, Japanese style and design I have a very complex taste but they all link with each other in many ways. One of them, is the "Syberia" style itself.




So...for years and years I've been hooked to this new (for me) style but I could never quite find a word to describe it perfectly, I could only mumble about it for hours,trying to define it!




Some days ago, my eye stopped on a word amidst the text of a random site. "Steampunk"...steampunk? Sounds pretty...what it is?? Yeap...it was what I've been looking for without knowing what I'm looking for! hehehe

Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. (source: wikipedia)


As an online window shopping junkie I had to go and search Etsy (what's with me and this place?? :P) just to create the perfect steampunk outfit (the need to create the perfect steampunk adobe -always with a touch of my individual style- will be satisfied through the Sims 3, I'll be sure to post it and upload it soon).

By the way...I don't like to advertise but I appreciate all things handmade and believe in supporting freelance crafters all over the world, that's why I post finds from Etsy and not some other online store (if you know any other online stores like this please tell me).


Very "Aviator" style outfit, I love the little cape. Creator: whiteapple



A great way to adopt the style without looking "costumey"! I just love this t-shirt!
Creator: blackmirrordesign



Another amazing find, a beauuuutiful jacket/shrug, I'd wear it with pretty much anything...
Creator: blackmirrordesign





Speaking of Jules Verne...isn't this totally "20.000 leagues under the sea" reminiscent???
Creator: chinookhugs



"I just murdered a watch" wrist cuff! no...that's not it's name, that's just me being silly-happy :P
Creator: edmdesigns



Last but not least...how would I ever begin an adventure without my brass goggles???? O.o
Haha...I'd wear it as a headband easily though! Creator: ProfMaelstromme

There...my love for steampunk style is out....I can sleep now. :)

Back with nore colour...and a design orientated post. K.

The Sweetest of Finds...(and how to get your colour back)

What's with me and I can't see the Colour lately??? Well...I guess it happens sometimes even to me! Remember the "mean reds" mentioned at "Breakfast at Tiffany' s" by the ever-so-graceful Audrey Hepburn? That's what's been happening to me the last few days and I'm still striving to get it out of my system.

Audrey, as the lovely Holly Gollightly, may find taking a cab to Tiffany' s to be helpful but there's nothing as delightful as such, close to where I live. That's why I had to (once again) escape into the world of my favorite online shop to do some windowshopping and cheer me up a little! :)

This time I was looking for a sugar shot, a sweet escape, a mouthwatering dessert assortment...but without any of the actual sugar and calories of the real thing.


So...here you go, the most delicious, tiny, cute, diet friendly, suitable for diabetics, will-never-let-you-down desserts, all handpicked by me (and it was quite a difficult decision to make, if I can say so myself!!!)





What I love most about polymer clay sweets is that sometimes they look even better than the real thing!!! Mint Donut Ring with Sprinkles by BabyLovesPink






I've never had such a rich sundae but I can almost smell the different flavors just by looking at this! Ice Cream Sundae Ring by kacchan





I'm a sucker for Oreo cookies and this one is the most realistic fake (lol) I've seen!
Mini Oreo Cookie Ring by BabyLovesPink





Have I mentioned I love charm bracelets? Have I also mentioned I love cupcakes???
No?! Well...i do! Sugar High Charm Bracelet by MossyOwl




This one is actually a ring...a yummy chocolate truffle ring! Chocolate Truffle Ring by kacchan





A brownie necklace??? Sure, if you'd love for someone to bite into your neck ( "New Moon"'s giving me weird associations) Chocolate Brownie Necklace by mishibu





A golden heart cookie pendant...it even opens up so you can put photos or hide secrets inside! :)
Heart Sugar Cookie Locket by skybluebunny






Another beautiful,chic and simple charm bracelet with the tiniest vanilla ice cream cone!!!
Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone by skybluebunny






Last but not least my top two picks... I'm actually going to buy these asap.

I think you already now my love for french macarons. So, naturally...I can't resist a tiny little jar with colorful macarons inside!!! French Macarons Rainbow Bottle Necklace by puffpastry






My No1 pick is this cute teacup ring because of the amazing detail, and it's strawberry scent!!
Purple Scented Teacup Ring by Candychick

There you go...the sweetest finds from Etsy!!! I think I have some of my colour back now.
I have to say...as these at all handmade, I am stunned by your work guys (mostly girls actually :P)!!!

I'll give it a try and make a few tiny sweets of my own but you...you are great at this!!!

*big applause*


When I have my first attempts ready, fresh out of the oven, I'll be sure to post picks here (please don't compare, I'm a mere mortal :P)

Until next time...(you bet it'll be sooner than later!) keep it colourful! K.D.

Ten steps to the Belle Epoque Fantasy aka Etsy Vintage Finds

The last few days I've been feeling a little melancholic, a little theatrical and very very fragile and feminine (no...not in a good sense!)

To turn around the "damsel in distress" picture in my favor, I had to "bury" myself in
Belle Epoque fantasies and a few of my favorite vintage finds from Etsy.

If I'm going to be a damsel in distress I better be in the right era to do so (and properly accessorized too!)

Here are ten steps to my Belle Epoque Fantasy


1) To saw on my coats and jeans,cute as a button buttons! Vintage Buttons from ButtermilkSky





2) To wear around ivory neck, Antique button and vintage lace necklace by sparrowsalvage




3) To protect my delicate hands , Crocheted Gloves by vintagevalise





4) To have an exclusive "oh so chic" tea party in my garden, Antique teapot by Jannyfay




5) To properly try the homemade jam, Antique Sterling Silver Spoon by Jannyfay






6) To taste the homemade pastries and sweets, Green Carnival Glass Dish by BazarBcuz






7)To stylishly drink my way into oblivion ;) ,Whiskey Depression Glass by Jape






8) To ,not exactly fight, the tears that are coming, White Linen Handkerchief by dishyvintage







9) To prepare by putting on the most amazing dress, Helene wedding dress by Leanimal






10) And to finally set sail for the stars, Royal Traveller train case by RetroLane


Of I go then...when I come back (and it won't be long),
I promise to bring new,exotic colours with me! K.

Doe Deere aka any young ambitious girl's mentor!

Hello!
Today I have something very special for you..I'll introduce to you Doe Deere (in case you don't already know her...which i highly doubt) aka Xenia!





She is an inspired young woman that has been involved in dance music, fashion, modelling, make up art and is currently known for her make up company Lime Crime! Doe moved from Russia, to New York City when she was just 17 and after facing many difficulties she now is the proud fairy Godmother to any girl out there seeking highly pigmented, insanely coloured and deeply inspirational eye shadows and lipsticks!





Her blog has been ,for the last year that i've been reading it ritually every day, an immense inspiration to me, a self-esteem boost, a manifestation to individuality! Her make up tutorials transformed me from an insecure college student, to confident Interior Designer (wannabe :P).




I love her eye shadows, but I haven't bought any lipsticks from her yet, I'm awaiting for her Holiday expansion pack and hoping for a bold golden one actually!
Her cosmetics are a nightmare to those who fear colour but a heavenly rainbow for me and hundreds of others who have been craving for something other than a 1000 "different" brown eye shadows!





For about one year, Doe has been part of my support system at times when I lose faith to myself, I see her more as a friend than a cold-blooded business woman because that's how she treats her readers! I have to say though, as a very satisfied customer of hers, I was dissapointed and frustrated to read various defamatory posts about Doe and her make up.




My experience, as a customer was very pleasing, the products I've ordered arrived after only one week, beautifully and carefully packaged even containing a small thank you note from Xenia herself. The eye shadows steal the scene each time I wear them and I'm planning to order a few more soon.




In her blog you can see her video- answer to the defamatory rumours, and most importantly... her fabulous posts about fashion, make up, women talk, creativity and much much more!!!



I'll be back with even more colour tomorrow!!! K.