Blaise Castle Hamlet

Blaise Castle Estate is near where I've been living in Bristol. When the caretakers of the estate retire, they're invited to live in this small collection of 9 English Cottages named Blaise Castle Hamlet which dates back to approximately 1809. Designed by John Nash, each cottage is slightly different in style.

Photography students, tourists, newly weds, etc. come to the "Hamlet" to be inspired, to capture history, to experience a bubble of traditional English design, or have their first photos as a new couple in an old world.

Of course, being a photography enthusiast, lover of everything historical, designer and tourist at heart, it was a MUST see.

It's easy to escape here; the day dreams come rolling in while walking around the "Hamlet".

El.

TOAST

No No, I'm not talking about the breakfast vehicle for jam or butter... this is my newest UK fashion obsession. I was introduced to Toast like this: "Oh my goodness Elisha, these boots... oh my, these boots are SOO you!" Thank you to that dear friend for introducing me to a pair of boots that are far outside of my budget at £195.00 (what a cruel trick)!

I fell for them in an instant...



Toast's Lace up Boots; photo from www.toast.co.uk

Check out the Toast website for the full SS11 collection, it's beautifully simply and elegant.

Xo
El.

"I'll be Good"

This beautifully done cover of Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" was introduced to me months ago and has yet to leave my repeat list... if you haven't heard it yet... you're welcome!

Now "[take] a shot of tequilla before doing it"...

Lissie rocks it...
El.

Chitty Chitty BANG BANG

I recently took a leap into the Fringe world and came out with a BANG!

I love it but have to admit, already need it cut (verging on slightly too high maintenance)....although, I'm really enjoying how I can do practically nothing with my hair and somehow it still seems to have a style??!

Exactly what I needed after months with my long and somewhat lifeless do. Which somehow needed more work than a thorough bred on show day and never once looked like it deserved a blue ribbon... 

Me with a Bang; Bristol, UK

...El.

Dramatic Negative Space

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is an incredible place and I love wandering through the galleries of Sculpture... luminously beautiful sculptures rising up around me, its hauntingly gorgeous. Much of which still BAFFLES me that one man or woman could carve such immense pieces of stone or bronze into such soft and gentle works of art.

Here are a couple of my favorites...


Stone Sculpture at the V&A; London, UK; Photo By El. K. B.



Bronze Sculpture at V&A; London, UK; Photo By El. K. B.

I chose these particular two to show you (since the list of my favorites is ridiculous) because of the shadows they cast. The lighting in galleries is always at its ideal but these two really got me thinking...

Are the shadows of freestanding sculptures, like the two above, similar to the negative space of a painting or photograph? Does it speak to the viewer just as much as the main subject?

I found the shadows quite ominous and beautiful which added so much to the drama of the work. That in mind, does the "surface area" of a sculptural piece extend from the confines of the stone, bronze, clay, etc. and encompass the surrounding area from the rays of light landing on the sculpture to the walls in which the shadow is cast?

Intriguing...

Hugs,
El.

Victorian Lantern Love

Bussling London's China Town near Queens Theatre; London, UK;
Photo By El. K. B.

When I spent a weekend in London (while on my way to see Les Miserables... INCREDIBLE!) I took an unexpected stroll through China town.... while VERY busy... it somehow remained calm and easy to navigate... not to mention beautiful! The combination of the Chinese Lanterns and the classical (and, in some cases, decaying) Victorian architecture was an amazing contrast of textures, colours and shapes... I couldn't tear my camera from my eye!

Lanterns and Victorian Architecture; London, UK; Photo By El. K. B.

Lanterns and "decaying" architecture; London, UK; Photo By El. K. B.



Purple Lanterns; London , UK; Photo By El. K. B.

It was a nice treat to stumble across London's China Town before sitting down to an amazing evening at the theatre!

What a dream life I do lead :)

kisses,
El.

Camden Town

A while back I took a trip to London, just for the day, to hang around Camden Market.... I have yet to share some of the photos I took there... Camden is a medley of beautifully designed clothing and crafts, photography, and some of the best food I have ever tasted!! Not to mention, some of the most incredible people watching I've ever partaken in and some VERY interesting store fronts...

Store front One in Camden; London, UK; Photo by El. K. B.

Store front Two in Camden; London, UK; Photo by El. K. B.

Arches & Catacombs in Camden; London, UK; Photo by El. K. B.

Stables Market signage in Camden; London, UK; Photo by El. K. B.

Juicy stand in Camden; London, UK; Photo By El. K. B.

For those of you that have followed me for a while and followed me previously on the blog I wrote for Livtona Interior Design back in Victoria, I have a certain lens love affair with brick walls...

Bricks in Camden; London, UK; Photo By El. K. B.

hugs,
El.