{at the shops: nallik by jean balke, new york}

. . . always adore a perfect juxtaposition -- vintage & modern, old & new, simple & ornate -- and what could be better than rough-hewn, natural elements paired with delicate chains and glamorous gold?

nallik, a word borrowed from the inuit language, cannot be translated directly, but means protection and nurturing in a loving way; according to designer jean balke, the "Inuit people appreciate that we are all connected to each other and our surroundings. They respect the environment and know it contains everything we need to live."

balke, who grew up in germany, lived in helsinki, london and san diego, currently resides in nyc; before she began designing jewelry, she worked as a photographer and art director, and has travelled to over 45 countries, drawing inspiration from the people and landscapes she has experienced along the way; the result is this utterly perfect mix of rock & refined . . .





















{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn
* mrs. press, australia


{all images from nallik}

{spring things: closet organization}

. . . must confess, have been avoiding re-organising the closets for spring & summertime, for it is rather a monumental, somewhat overwhelming task, and shoes seem to be overtaking the place, making mornings quite a flurry, and so, a little inspiration before it begins . . .













{images: suzanne rogers by jake rosenberg for the coveteur via studded hearts}

{favourite five: artist photographer romina shama}

It is true that a picture can convey a thousand words through just one still image -- but what if that image is so divine it simply takes your breath away and there are no words?

Romina Shama is a Swiss-born, Egyptian-Italian fashion photographer and film director whose works will leave you utterly speechless, for she does not merely photograph her subjects, but rather, it would almost seem that she is illuminating their thoughts. Romina, who lives and works in Paris, combines the raw beauty of natural light along with the classic style of an analog camera to produce a strikingly delicate and cinematic effect in her photos. Her photography leaves us wondering about the romantic daydreams of her subjects and makes us long for the heavenly, dream-like escapes portrayed therein.



Having studied film in addition to photography at Central St. Martin's School in London, Romina and the work she produces have undoubtedly been impacted by aspects of cinema. This week, we asked her:

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{what are the five most intriguing ways the study of film has influenced your photography?}

1. Roland Barthes wrote: "... an image produces death while trying to preserve life". This very feeling is exactly what attracted me to photography. I started thinking that in avoiding life, I may be able to portray it. I started focusing on capturing "absence", or the "let go" feeling in all my subjects and landscapes. I decided I wouldn't "take" them.

2. There's a cinematographic feel to my photographs and a very photographic feel to my films. They are linked. Together they help me avoid the fact that we perceive time as linear.

3. Films that are made for the sole purpose of creation inspire me very much. To me, they make time feel dimensional. Sometimes, they make me want to capture every frame of them.

4. The timelessness of great films.

5. The fact that I always wished I could pause life and rewind it at times.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* interior designer: tricia foley
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell
* fashion photographer & illustrator: garance doré

~ laily

{images: all photography by romina shama}

{favourite five: camille eddera}

There are very few things in a woman’s wardrobe that withstand the test of time, trends and life’s changes. It is for this very reason that Los Angeles-based French designer, Camille Eddera, set out to create elegantly refined, timeless pieces that become treasured family heirlooms. "Eddera", which means “ivy” in Corsican, is the inspiration behind many of Camille’s pieces.

Camille, a former model, attended both the French National Institute of Gemology and the esteemed Ecole Du Louvre in Paris, where she was selected as one of fifteen students to have the unique privilege to study under Adalbert Smoliar, the head jeweler for Van Cleef & Arpels. To this day, Camille recalls Smoliar's sage advice and still does everything the way she learned in Paris, before graduating as a bijoutier-joaillier and gemologist. While in Paris, Camille also worked for two of the world’s most prestigious names in jewelry: Boucheron and Chopard.



Each beautifully handmade piece Camille creates integrates classic details found in Parisian flea markets with elements of graceful modernity, incorporating the most stunning arrays of 18k gold vermeil, white topaz, aquamarine, tourmaline, green onyx, sparkling topaz and turquoise. Camille's pieces are adored by a loyal following, including stylist Rachel Zoe, Marion Cotillard, Victoria Beckham, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Camille officially launched her own line of jewelry, Eddera, in January of 2008, and the rest is history . . .



This week, she sits down with us to share the:

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{top five most fascinating things about the jewelry-making process}

1. There are only 9 ways to set a stone. Eight of these were created during ancient Egypt! Egyptians were way ahead of their time...

2. Diamonds aren't actually that rare, and shouldn't be that expensive. The company De Beers owns basically 99% of the diamond mines and they only release a certain amount of stones each year to keep the prices high. We could all be covered with diamonds if it weren't for these people.

3. Rubies and Sapphires are kind of like non-identical twins. They're both Corundum. The red in the ruby is caused by the presence of more chromium. Most sapphires are heated up in order to have a more beautiful color. Oh, and when they tell you "This is a pink Sapphire", it's basically a marketing term. You think that a Sapphire is blue so you get the impression that you are looking at something rare. If you were looking at a pink Ruby, you would think "hey, that's not a very good Ruby since it's not red but pink." I know, it's sad, but it's the truth! It broke my heart when I found out, and I have a gemologist degree.

4. The only new way to set a stone was created by Van Cleef & Arpels, sometime around 1930 and is called "the mystery setting". The stone paving procedure uses no visible claw; basically, you don't see any metal in between the stones, it's invisible! I've been (unsuccessfully) trying to create a new kind of stone setting for the last 15 years. If anyone has any idea, call me!

5. You can see how good a jeweler is when you look at the back of the piece of jewelry. A true master will make the invisible as beautiful as the rest!

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* designer: rachel ashwell
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway

~ laily

{style inspiration: plexiglas clutch}

. . . if you have been reading for a while, you will know about a certain fondness for lucite, whether in heels {here & here}, chairs, or anything else, and so, it is no surprise that have fallen head over heels for charlotte olympia's pandora plexiglas clutch with its beautiful gold flower clasp. . .



. . . and imagine it at the office, for pretty correspondence cards or vintage fountain & gold engraved pens; in the powder room, to hold lipstick, glosses and shimmery blushes; and of course, as an impossibly chic and ultra-modern clutch, perfect for afternoons at le musée d'orsay, and evenings in heels and tulle . . .

{charlotte olympia pandora plexiglas clutch, net-a-porter}

{style inspiration: beautiful details}

. . . can never get enough of detail shots {an all-time favourite being this one}, and whether soft leather gloves and geometric bangles, french structured handbags and gold vintage watches, there is something about the intermingling of these beautiful little details that seems to say so much . . .

{p.s.} & while we're on the topic of clutches, day & night


{photography by garance doré via a glamorous little side project}

{style inspiration: portfolio clutch}

. . . often prefer totes and structured handbags with shoulder straps to keep hands free for checking emails and picking up bright spring bouquets, but now that it is officially spring, can not help but be drawn to this undeniably elegant and impossibly chic leather portfolio clutch, with lovely details like an envelope flap and gold clasp, and especially in this stunning shade of orange . . .

{p.s.} also comes in black

{image: from park & cube, clutch from asos}

{storage inspiration: on display}

. . . and while we're on the subject of storage inspiration, have completely fallen for the wonderfully simple idea of using a metal rail meant for the kitchen, for belts and midnight blue velvet clutches, debossed leather handbags, and even a pair of favourite shoes . . .

{image: photography by annaleena of hem}

{how to: braided brass hex nut bracelet}

. . . have always adored bracelets -- gold, silver, sequined, leather, or extravagantly adorned with diamonds or swarovski crystals, but never could imagine that a few things from the hardware store -- a little twine and a few brass nuts -- could be transformed into such a stunningly elegant and impossibly chic fashion accessory . . .



{you will need:}
3 strands of twine cut into one yard pieces, 18 small brass hex nuts



{steps:}

1. gather the 3 strands of twine and tie a knot at the top, leaving about two inches of slack

2. start braiding

3. at about an inch of the way down, you’ll begin braiding in the nuts

4. before you braid the far left strand over the middle strand, thread on a nut, push it against the base of the braid, and crossover; depending on the thickness of the twine, you can wrap tape around the bottom tips to prevent the twine from fraying



5. keep your thumb at the base of the braid, holding the nut in its place

6. before you braid the far right strand over the middle, thread on another nut, push it against the base of the braid and crossover

7. again, hold your thumb tightly against the base of the braid, keeping the nuts in place

4. thread another nut onto the far left piece and crossover



9. repeat the steps, by threading the rest of the nuts to the outer pieces of twine before they are crossed over

10 & 11. thread, cross, thread, cross

12. finish the bracelet with another inch of braided twine and a knot



the bracelet should wrap around your wrist at least two or three times; trim it to your liking



mix with silver and crystal for a rock 'n refined look and you're set xo

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{all images & instructions (with edits) from honestly . . . wtf via refinery 29; layouts by this is glamorous}