The Virtuous Circle of a Happy Personality
A few weeks ago, I wrote about happiness and music but didn’t mention perhaps the most famously joyful work ever written: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, composed in 1824, which ends with the famous anthem “Ode to Joy,” based on Friedrich Schiller’s poem “An die Freude.”
WE ARE FINALLY back with the fifth instalment of our popular series, Talking Points, after a very long hiatus, and this week, we’re looking at the concepts of core values, false ideals, and hyperreality.
IT'S TURNED DARK and chilly and wet suddenly, and everywhere, I'm reading that September is everyone's favourite month. It's definitely not mine, but the closer we get to winter, the more I give in to the cosiness of the changing seasons and let myself begin looking forward to the holidays, which, amazingly, is less than three months away already.
WE WROTE about displaying figurative art and nudes in March of last year, but thought it was worth revisiting this topic again because the act of surrounding oneself with such works can provoke interesting conversations about artistic expression, the human form, and personal taste.
THIS INSTALMENT of 10 IMAGES features the work of Marco Valmarana. Born in Venice, Italy, Valmarana got his start working for Belmond as a lifeguard at Hotel Cipriani. After his studies, he took a different path, working in photography and social media.
Leo Costelloe (b.1993) is an Irish-Australian artist and accessories designer living and working in London. Costelloe graduated from Central Saint Martins with a BA (Hons) in Jewellery Design and works natural materials such as glass, shells, and silver.
THE LAST time we featured any wedding content here was three years ago. It's something that lifestyle sites used to do quite regularly, but for some reason, seem have to dropped from their regular stories. Perhaps it's because no one could get married during the pandemic years, or perhaps no is getting married anymore, or perhaps reading about other people's weddings is a bit boring.
THIS WEEK’S INTERIORS REDUX is also an Artist in Residence and At Home With feature, offering a glimpse into the home of American painter, sculptor and photographer, Edwin Parker “Cy” Twombly, Jr.
RECENTLY ON INSTAGRAM, we posted an English countryside cottage (above) that captured the imaginations of thousands. Many of you asked if it was the cottage from the 2006 Nancy Meyers film, The Holiday. It is not (although there are similarities), as Rosehill Cottage from The Holiday sadly doesn't exist, its exterior built from scratch in an empty field on a hillside overlooking the town of Shere.
THE RELAUNCH OF SHOP TIG
Shop TIG offers unique pieces from a global selection of independent designers and emerging artists. The concept for this space is to function very much like a gallery, showcasing a curated collection of the most beautiful things on the interwebs we could find, with a focus on design and craftsmanship. We work directly with makers, and as such, our inventory is sold on a rotating basis as pieces become available. We can’t wait to share with you the things we have always loved, as well as objets d’art newly discovered that will become long standing favourites.
OUR POPULAR Weekend Links series is currently on hiatus, partly because we’ve been sharing our stories and discoveries so generously in the weekly newsletter that these links have started to feel like an echo.
The art of gifting lies in finding those special pieces that feel both thoughtful and unexpected. As the holiday season approaches, we've curated two carefully considered gift guides—one for the men in your life, and another featuring elevated essentials for yourself or those close to you.
Discover thoughtful, unique gift ideas tailored for those who appreciate artful living, impeccable style, and culinary flair—perfect presents for everyone on your list this holiday season.
Cosy cashmere and a whimsical porcelain sculpture that's nearly too charming to give away; beautiful objets d'art and an incredibly chic brass lighter case; fine jewellery and fashion jewellery...
OUR POPULAR Weekend Links series is currently on hiatus, partly because we’ve been sharing our stories and discoveries so generously in the weekly newsletter that these links have started to feel like an echo.
The art of gifting lies in finding those special pieces that feel both thoughtful and unexpected. As the holiday season approaches, we've curated two carefully considered gift guides—one for the men in your life, and another featuring elevated essentials for yourself or those close to you.
Discover thoughtful, unique gift ideas tailored for those who appreciate artful living, impeccable style, and culinary flair—perfect presents for everyone on your list this holiday season.
SINCE WE’RE CURRENTLY featuring Karl Lagerfeld in our NEW SERIES, You Are What You Consume, we thought we might revisit this rather epic editorial the cultural icon shot for Harper’s Bazaar nearly ten years ago.
FASHION EDITORIALS
In their iconic song “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Queen asks a question that feels increasingly relevant in our digital age: “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” As we navigate a world where virtual reality and information overload increasingly influence our perception of reality, this question becomes more than just a catchy lyric—it’s a philosophical conundrum at the heart of our modern existence.
REVIVING a beloved series from our archives, we’re bringing back our curated collection of recent discoveries. Previously known as “10 Things We Loved this Week” and later evolving through various iterations like “(Five) Things We Love Lately” and “Things in my Saved Folder /001,” this edition offers an eclectic mix of cultural curiosities.
Many of you already know about Hyperreality, our weekly newsletter. Whether you’re new here or have been with us since the beginning, Hyperreality is a space that’s reminiscent of the early days of blogging.
The “tradwife” movement, which has gained significant traction on social media platforms in recent years, presents a carefully curated image of traditional domesticity that looks back to an idealised version of the 1950s.
A little glimpse of a typical London summer: fancy negronis on outdoor terraces, sailboats on the Thames, pains au chocolat, and the Tate; slow mornings and all the neighbours’ hydrangeas...
FOR QUITE some time, we had intended to visit Primrose Hill, the charming neighbourhood in northwest London nestled between Camden Town and Regent’s Park. However, it was the opening of a new bagel shop on Regent’s Park Road that proved to be the incentive we needed to finally make the excursion.
AS PROMISED, the follow-up to Part One, this second instalment is a photo diary of our life lately, turning leaves in Hyde Park, beautiful Mayfair in the rain, the Viewing Poing in Richmond Hill, a festive cheese shop in Bloomsbury, an insanely delicious "luxury donut"...
SHOP FINE ART PRINTS
Figure Study No.06
$34.00 – $223.00
Figure Study No.05 (Ballet Dancer)
$34.00 – $242.00
You & Me ‘Till the End of Time
$39.00 – $210.00
Figure Study No.07 (Reclining Nude)
$146.00 – $264.00
Figure Study No.04 (Paris)
$34.00 – $133.00
A little glimpse of a typical London summer: fancy negronis on outdoor terraces, sailboats on the Thames, pains au chocolat, and the Tate; slow mornings and all the neighbours’ hydrangeas...
While it has been a privilege to run such an inspiring and highly-regarded digital publication all these years, some of you who have been here since the beginning may feel a touch of nostalgia for the early days of blogging—the intimacy and sense of community.
