Ma.Sa.Ha - Imaginative & Sculptural Arrangements
What do you think is the reason behind the popularity of
image and information sharing social networks/apps? There might be many
reasons, but I believe that the most significant one is a specific quality of
the content. All successful and viral content shared on these platforms has the
element of imagination. We are interested in imaginative projects in almost
every field, projects that inform, inspire and push the line of impossibility a
bit further.
During our research we discovered Ma Sa Ha, a flower boutique
from Lebanon that creates arrangements and flower sculptures that are
imaginative, inspiring and refreshingly different.
A few examples of their work are displayed below. With
flowers only they created ceilings, floors, structured candleholders and sculptural
bridal bouquets. Each arrangement is surprisingly different and beautiful in
it’s own way, that’s exactly what makes Ma Sa Ha very interesting, the
possibility and diversity.
Candy Colors & Bubbles
Valentino and Stella McCartney, both inspired by the 60’s
and Andy Warhol, injected a pallet of cheerful colors in their resort collections.
In the photos displayed you’ll find Valentino’s floral tulle dress and
McCartney’s bohemian ambiance that would work perfectly together for an
afternoon signing party/gathering. White
flowers + colorful gown + bubbles = dreamy.
Fine Laser - Inspiration Board
Keswah - Kaftans
Keswah, a contemporary jalabiya/kaftan line by three ladies from Al
Ain has a lot of eye candy to offer (some of which you can buy *wink*). It
starts with the eclectic collection of ensembles overflowing with femininity,
modern shapes and traditionally influenced floral fabrics. I love how the abaya completes the look and
adds suspense. Now imagine a fishtail braid to compliment this look or a sleek
up-do to contrast it.
Finally, the collection’s gorgeous Look book! Rarely do we
find a ME photo-shoot that truly reflect the label’s ethos and style so well. The
photos are cultural and traditional in the background, flooring and sweet
bougainvillea flowers, they're unconventional in the choice of layout, color and
collage.
Much respect and best of luck to the team (and you on your shopping
endeavor *wink wink*).
Images via Khaleejesque
The Eames Couple
I read this a few days ago about the Eames couple, both infamous American designers with great contributions to architecture, and it drew a huge smile. An inspiring couple!
"when you look at pictures of Charles and Ray Eames one of the best things about this talented and innovative couple is that they really looked like they always had so much fun together."
"when you look at pictures of Charles and Ray Eames one of the best things about this talented and innovative couple is that they really looked like they always had so much fun together."
"did you know that Ray died ten years to the day after Charles did? Another lovely factoid is that they used to serve bowls of flowers to their dinner guests as a “visual dessert”."
Quotes and Images via MissMoss
The Story of Flowers & Dark Candles
I first saw this lush bouquet a few months (maybe a year+) ago on a Blackberry display picture, and you know how difficult it is to track sources there. So, I let it go until I stumbled upon the photos in icandy forever's image stream, and what delight it was! The bouquets color combination and pairing with the crystal vase is gorgeous. Variation in small details can make a huge difference in the whole arrangement, here the dark candles add subtle and beautiful contrast.
Images via icandy forever
Koh Samui Retreat - Honeymoon Inspiration
W retreat Koh Samui, is an hour flight south of Bangkok, but it’s light years away from the bustle of Thailand’s capital. The very zen hotel on this secluded island is also very sleek and modern. The lobby overlooks a stunning infinity pool in which seating lounges float. The whole landscape seems to be connected to the see. Imagine you two sitting there sipping on a freezing drink (or warm tea if you wish) and enjoying this genius design and beautiful scenery.
The retreat has 75 spacious private villas, all of which have a large plunge pool with views of the ocean or hillside greenery and an outdoor shower. In addition to all of this you can go snorkeling in the morning, take a bike and go on a picnic in the afternoon, and escape for a mid-night squid-fishing trip.
The final and incredible highlight is Whatever/Whenever Service, you can request whatever you want and have it whenever you want it: "We’ll make your special moment magical and transform your dreams into reality. Whatever you want. Whenever you want it (as long as it’s legal).”
Remarkable, we say.
Images courtest of W Hotels
Deco Night - Wedding Design
When considering wedding design we must ask ourselves: What is the purpose of this design? How should it function? We believe that wedding design should be beautiful, induce happiness and ideally be timeless.
Carousel of Life recently posted their latest wedding project Deco Nights, looking at the designs drew a smile it was exactly what it should be, beautiful and timeless.
All the flower arrangements had an elegant beauty, the colors were subtle, they were just right, you know that feeling? The tall candles, chandeliers, and candles holders complimented each other. The overall result was whimsical and harmonious.
Images courtesy of Carousel of Life
Beautiful Abaya, Beautiful Photograph
Slouchy’z, a young abaya and jalabiya line, excels in
juxtaposing fabrics of different textures and colors. In their latest
collection for S/S 12 they don’t only play with beautiful fabrics but they also
juxtapose the delicacy and femininity of their designs with a harsh industrial
environment. The idea is intelligent and the outcome is gorgeous.
Images courtesy of Slouchy'z
Curtain Threads & Crystals - Wedding Design
We were taught in design school that density and layering are powerful formal techniques. As students, we looked for existing examples of dense and complex designs, attempted to create such designs, and in despair we questioned the validity of this .
Our attempts were successful (sometimes) and our research yielded a few good examples, but our latest find shed light onto an extraordinary example of beautiful dense and complex design achieved by using two simple elements: thread curtains and crystals. The images below are screenshots of a stage designed by Worood. The layering of thousands of threads and crystals created a stunning 3D space of fairytale quality.
This is only the second Worood wedding we discover! Looking forward to more brilliant work.
Video courtesy of Worood
London Honeymoon Guide - Escapes 4/4
Our final section of the London Honeymoon Guide covers escapes. These hotel are not really in London, but they’re close and worth the
short journey! *WinkWink*
The Scarlet is an eco-friendly boutique hotel with beautiful
minimal architecture and stunning views of Cornwall. An ideal place to stay and
indulge all your sense with spa treatments, sounds of crashing waves, stunning
scenery, and delicious food.
Lucknam Park Hotel is
infamous for it’s scenic location, delicious food, and equestrian school. It is
the place for you if you’re looking for classic British luxury and sports.
The Turban
Revived fashion styles or items are always interesting because they become more than merely pretty objects, they represent a point in history and tell a story, they're time capsules. The recently revived item is the the turban. We have seen it more and more on our travels, great for casual outings and perfect for formal dinners. Keep in mind when packing for your honeymoon.
Below are two different applications of the style.
DIY Turban
Printed Walls - Wedding Inspiration
Remember our Printed Walls - Wedding Inspiration ? Well, we found an actual, but unrealistically beautiful, outdoor party with a small section of stunning printed walls and suspended chandeliers that took place in the UAE.
*Designed by Cherry on Top*
Touch of Gold - Inspiration Board
This board was designed by Dina Lutfi.
Dina Lutfi is joining us in
our search for aesthetic beauty in what already exists, and (design) potential
in what could exist in weddings and celebrations.
Dina is a talented
photographer and graphic designer, with a fine taste in everything urban. She was
born and raised in Saudi, studied Visual Communication in the American
University of Sharjah, and is now graduating with a masters degree in Art
Education from Philadelphia.
Image 1 Givenchy Resort 2011, Image 2 Marchesa Bridal Fall 2012 via , Image 3 Aennis Eunis via, Image 4 Miller+Miller via, Image 5 Golden Rose via, Image 6 Lantern via, Image 7 Golden Cake via,
Image 8 Gold Eyeshadow via, Image 9 Kotur, Image 10 Gold Chocolate Truffles via, Image 11 Elizabeth Anne Designs via, Image 12 Balmain RTW Fall 2010, Image 13 Miller+Miller via
London Honeymoon Guide - Shopping 3/4
In Part Three of our London Honeymoon Guide we reveal our selection of the coolest places to shop in London. Enjoy !
Darkroom is a contemporary store with an Art Deco vibe. They sell hand-made and one-off accessories for men, women and home produced by emerging designers from around the world.
Dover Street Market is an eclectic
store located in a historic building that spreads over 6 floors, with art
installations functioning as its interior decoration and well-designed items as
its merchandise.
“Divinely decadent”
House of Liza is not the usual dusty and random vintage store, it is a very slick and focused boutique with a fine collection of clothing from the 60’s to the 90’s. The shop owner, Goncala Velosa, is a costume designer who is interested in fashion as theatre.
Lara Bohnic’s store in London
stock’s a wide range of the designer’s classic and iconic jewelry.
“Liberty is the chosen resort
of the artistic shopper.” – Oscar Wilde
Established in 1875, Liberty
is a fashion landmark weaved into London’s history. The shop’s founder, Arthur
Lasenby Liberty, had a vision of what home wares and fashion could be, so he
selected individual items from his travels around the world to be sold in his
store. Liberty is still true to the founder’s vision, with a selection of
exquisite items from a round the world.
“Tim and Fiona Slack are
married to each other and to their love of creating shoes.” – The Cool Hunter
The Slack couple describe
their designs as modern classics with unusual combinations of colors and
textures.
With shelves of books
covering all the walls, Magma Bookstore is heaven for art and design book lovers. They stock contemporary visual arts,
fashion, photography, graphics, design, illustration, typography, advertising,
art and architecture, and original t-shirts.
If you’re a big fan of Monocle, as we are at the white connection are, you must visit The Monocle Shop in London. You will find products that reflect Monocle’s values and design aesthetics.
London Honeymoon Guide - Shopping
Set 1 via Darkroom
Set 2 via Dover Street Market
Set 3 via House of Liza
Set 4 via Lara Bohnic
Set 5 via The Style King
Set 6 via T & F Slack Shoe Makers
Set 7 via A Starred Hotel
Set 8 via The Fox is Black