the god of ordinary things

For the past hour or so, I have been quietly sitting with my laptop, lost in the world of photo images. My husband saw me quietly working away and said 'Enjoy it while you can.' You might recall I was leaving for the dentist on Monday. Well when I got there turns out altho said husband was sure my appointment was for 3:25, it was really 2;25, and I had to reschedule. Yes, I'm walking back in the snow today, for 5:15.

While I'm sure no one has died from two shots of novacaine - have they? - in case this is my last post, I want it to be about Toby Jones, whose work is shown here. He lives and works in Sydney, Australia, which immediately has captured my imagination, as my musician brother has been there many times and believes I would love to live there, because of the swimming and everything.





I love the way he has taken the most ordinary household objects - a band aid, the little plastic fish that the soya sauce comes in with take away sushi - and cast them into the most unique pieces of jewellry. (And while we're at it, how DO you spell jewelry? Neither word is right).









Photographed these at the Robinson Pfeffer press day. I loved the way they presented everything on a light box: these images remind me of Man Ray photograms. Oh! And my friend Stephanie, of Style Odyssey, had just tweeted a day or so before that she believed she was a knight in a past life 'because of my obsession with chain mail'. That struck a chord with me. I remember my grandmother, Anna, from Russia - who I never met, she died right after I was born - she had the most beautiful chain mail purse, which I hope I have tucked away safely somewhere here in London. I'm fascinated with chain mail and I love this bracelet and fingerless glove.

You can buy some of Toby Jones' pieces at OKI-NI, altho much of it is sold out. Hopefully, he's in Sydney as we speak, making more. Or if you get really stuck, check with the lovely folk @ Robinson Pfeffer.



I could spend hours lost in his website: and ironically, I was going to frame all these photos in black, as I've done here - before I realised that was the design of his site.

Now off to get some more metal in my mouth. It costs extra for white fillings, so I shall be wearing my jewels in my teeth this holiday season.

like some kind of crazy DIY

Jennifer spotted these sunglasses with her keen Crusader X-Ray vision at River Island's press day. 'It's like some crazy DIY project, where you just glue everything on', she said and that seemed the theme of the day. What fascinates me is the crossover influence from people like Shini, who took an ordinary vintage pleated skirt and turned it into something extraordinary with the use of one or two cleverly placed, tiny gold ordinary household safety pins, or Moschino (at My Wardrobe's unbelievably wonderful press event) making a beautiful collar of gold - very Nerfettiti - using the same safety pins.

Shini's gorgeous buttery soft palest salmon pink biker jacket is by DLUX. In case you were wondering.

The excellent seared tuna nicoise was at My Wardrobe, as was the top necklace with coins (sorry I forgot who made it and they're moving offices today! It's made of real coins, some even seem to have Jewish stars on them) but I do know the bracelet, above 2nd from last shot, is by the wonderfully talented Lucy Hutchings, represented by Robinson Pfeffer and available at My Wardrobe soon (some of her other designs here). And back full circle to Jen in another wacky pair of sunglasses from River Island, and the most gorgeous sixties inspired minidress, also by Moschino, also at My Wardrobe (coming soon: this is for spring - but I'd wear it now!)

Shini is wearing: Pink leather biker jacket from LUPHIA (it's on sale - only £42!), shoes from Zara, pleated dress - which she DIY's with pins for that effect - by storets.com.

Thank you for your lovely Thanksgiving wishes and comments yesterday! How was your Thanksgiving, if you partake? Our was lovely, like a little Alice in Wonderland tea party Thanksgiving: everything in miniature (roast garlic chicken: turkey for two people, and a cat, seemed excessive) apart from the stuffing. You can't make a small amount of stuffing and besides, why would you want to? Stuffing is such an amazing invention. It's like DIY: throw everything you love together, and bake.