Photos // Kinfolk Volume 8

I posted briefly about my love of Kinfolk yesterday, so I thought It would only make sense to share some snippets from the new issue. Last week I finally managed to get hold of the new issue after not realising that It was actually released back in June (... ??? I know how did I miss this!?!). All I really want to say however is that Volume 8 is ridiculously inspiring, I know I say that all the time but It truly is. This issue is focused around Japanese culture and it really gives you a glimpse into there beautifully simple lifestyle. I've been flicking through this on and off for a few days now and each time something new seems to catch my eye. Since reading this I've also now developed a strange interest in Ikebana, which up until the other day I had never even heard of. Its a Japanese form of flower arranging and it involves you combining three elements to represent heaven, earth and man. The key to it is simplicity therefore you only need a few materials. There's something about the whole process of this that I find really inspiring (after all I do have an obsession with floral arrangements!), and Its definitely something I would love to experiment with in the future. Of course Kinfolk wouldn't be complete without its stunning visual photos essays (Escape to Kamakura is really quite something) or its too good to eat recipes (Cherry blossom macaroons with black sesame anyone?).

As always I would definitely recommend that you have a quick glance through this magazine if you get the chance, because I'm almost positive It will captivate your interest.

I just quickly wanted to post this as I thought you might all like to see the sorts of things inside this magazine, if you haven't already. I must dash now though as I'm currently finishing off some illustrations / Starting to draw up some exciting new designs for something I'm working on ... oooh its all rather exciting!

Today's Playlist: SOMEBODY SWEET TO TALK TO // She & Him, HIGH HOPES // Kodaline, FOR YOUR LOVE // Josh Record, TOWERS // Bon Iver, HIGHER LOVE // James Vincent McMorrow, and OLD PINE // Ben Howard.

Photos // My Sin, My Soul. Lo-lee-ta

Today I thought I'd share some items that I've been obsessing over for the last month or so. I actually got all of these items back in may when it was my birthday, yet never actually got around to posting about them. (I procrastinate ... A LOT!) However I'm still madly in love with all these items , so I figured it was better late than never!

Lolita //
I'd been wanting to read this book for what seemed like forever, especially since I'd heard so much hype about it. I'll admit however that I was a little sceptical at first about reading this book as I was worried that the controversial subject matter would be seen as less serious than it is today (it was wrote in the 1950's after all). Once I started reading it though I realised that I need not of worried because even though the main character (and narrator) Humbert is a paedophile, the book still presents the issue as being every bit a repugnant as it is today. I must add though that this book is a disturbing read, you will more than likely feel yourself being disgusted and yet sympathetic towards your narrator. Despite all this I still found this book to be ridiculously beautiful and compelling. Nabokov manages to make every sentence so full of a richness that flows through your mind like poem you want to savour. Its easy to see why this is considered a literary classic and I definitely would recommend this to everyone... although I'm aware It perhaps not everyone's cup of tea!

Kinfolk Volume 7 //
 Kinfolk is possibly one of the most beautiful and interesting magazines I've ever read. If like me you love simple minimal design and the feel of crisp matte paper (that smells amazing ... OK I'm weird!) then you will lust over the pages of this magazine. The one in the photos is volume 7 and I have to say I found this issue particularly inspiring. It was an ode to ice cream (I know it already sounds great.) and was full of beautiful photo essays such as the Parker Fitzgerald one (There's a glimpse of it above.)  which is called floral scoops. Honestly combining flowers and ice cream together is like complete visual perfection. I only wish I thought of that idea! As I type this however I'm currently sitting next to volume 8 which is dedicated to Japanese culture, so if your interested you should definitely check it out.

Paperchase Scrapbook //
Who doesn't love a scrapbook? Honestly? I have so many; In fact I'm pretty much obsessed. I perhaps use this scrapbook more like a sketchbook, but hey when it comes to creativity I'm a firm believer that there are no rules. I'm going to let you all in on a little secret (or perhaps not that much of a secret depending on how well you know me!) but I'm with out a shadow of a doubt completely and utterly obsessed with brown paper. It all started a couple of years ago ... and well I still have a problem. If something has brown paper inside of it or even on it (yes I'm talking packaging now!), I am more likely to buy it ... yep I really do have a problem. So back to the scrapbook, when I'm not lusting over the paper inside of it like some crazy person, I'm filling it with art, midnight ramblings, and all sorts of inspiring things. I might show you one day ... maybe?

Tim Walker Pictures & Tim Walker Story Teller //
I have two words for you ... truly magical. I can't even begin to describe to you how inspiring I've found these two books, It would be impossible to fit it into small paragraph like this one (Individual post anyone?). I first discovered Tim Walkers photography back when I had just started college and I remember spending hours lusting over his work on my computer screen wishing so badly that the world could really look like one of his photographs. Sadly for us it doesn't, however the fantasy and imagination that he manages to conjure up will forever make me smile. I feel as though I should mention that these two books are enormous, in fact I struggle to even lift them (weakling alert!), although that hasn't stopped me endlessly flicking through the pages in constant amazement! Seriously everyone who likes photography needs one of these books (or at least needs to flick through one).Trust me you will never let your camera leave your hand afterwards!

If you actually managed to read through all my ramblings above, then congratulations because honestly If I was you I would never of made it!

(note to self: must try and write less next time.)

Today's Playlist: LOLITA // Lana Del Rey, OFF TO THE RACES // Lana Del Rey, HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME // She & Him, DIAMONDS // Ben Howard, Sense // Tom Odell, and BONES // Josh Record.

Photos // What's The Time, Mr Wolf?

Did anyone else use to make a wish on these as a child? Or perhaps like me you used to use them whilst playing "Whats the time, Mr Wolf?" (does anyone actually remember that game other than me?!). I used to love watching them flutter across the sky, little did I know at the time that I was actually spreading weeds; although weirdly I have always found weeds rather beautiful. I actually took these photos whilst "attempting" to film a shot for a little video I'm working on, its nothing special more of an experiment really. I've always been interested in  filming short little videos yet up until recently I'd never really given it ago...sadly so far I've found out that I'm perhaps not the best at it!

This is perhaps the shortest post I've written so far which perhaps makes a refreshing change. I honestly just quickly wanted to share these photos as I weirdly quite liked them ... again perhaps another refreshing change for me! As I type this I'm currently waiting for a second coat of paint to dry on some plant pots (why Pinterest do you have to give me these ideas all the time?!?! ha!) ... I'm pretty sure once they are done I'll be planting succulents in them as I'm still currently obsessed (... again, thanks Pinterest!).

Today's Playlist: BETTER THAN THAT // Miles Kane, DO I WANNA KNOW? // Arctic Monkeys, THE  AGE OF UNDERSTATEMENT // The Last Shadow Puppets, OUT OF CONTROL // Miles Kane, FLUORESCENT ADOLESCENT // Arctic Monkeys, and TELEPATHY // Miles Kane.

Photos // Making The Impossible Possible.

I have a confession ... I'm a little bit obsessed with instant photography and have been most of my life. It all started when I was little, I can remember being bought a Polaroid i-zone camera for Christmas when I was 7. It was the first camera I'd ever owned and I'm pretty sure in that moment I fell in love with photography. Of course at that age I was awful, but I can in fact remember going around taking photos of everyone who visited our house that Christmas. In fact I can remember later that year when my little brother was born taking photos of him in the hospital just so I could take them to school the next day. I spent the whole day showing anyone who walked past me whether they wanted to see them or not! Being the impatient person that I am, I loved the quickness that instant photography provided me. To me there was always something so magical about watching my photos slowly appear in front of my eyes, and what with us now living in such a digital age I recently started to miss having those moments.

Last year I was determined to get hold of a Polaroid P600 camera as I felt my camera collection was in desperate need of one. After browsing eBay for the whole of 5 minutes (yes it was that quick!), I found one going ridiculously cheap and it was virtually brand new.Once it arrived I was faced with the dreaded task of hunting down the film, which as we all know isn't the cheapest. Since Polaroid stopped making film for this camera back in 2008 (although you can find some of the old stock online!), I decided that my only option was to test out a pack of The Impossible Project film that I'd been hearing a lot about; honestly I'm so glad I did.

The Impossible project in my eyes, keeps dreams alive. They keep creative possibilities alive. I love everything thing that they stand for and I'm amazed at what they have managed to achieve so far. Unfortunately you only get 8 exposures in a pack instead of the traditional 10, but I'm sure I can live with that. And also there is no longer the ability to "shake it like a Polaroid picture" so to speak as you aren't supposed to shake this film. I guess its just a small price to pay for being able to use this camera. In all honestly this film is a whole different take on the old Polaroid system, but is still amazing none the less. Every photo has a beautiful quality to it even the ones that go wrong; I like to call those happy accidents. What I love the most however about The Impossible project, is the determination of Florian Kaps, Andre Bosman, and Christian Lutz (the founders), to not allow the extinction of analogue instant photography. They've created a film that can stop thousands of cameras just sitting around becoming useless and obsolete. They've invented a whole new way of photography which like many others I'm thankful for. After all they did make the impossible possible.

Today's Playlist: OUT OF THE BLUE // Julian Casablancas, SLOW ANIMALS // The Strokes, YOU'RE GONNA GET IT // Miles Kane, I WISH I WAS A GIRL // The Vaccines, FULL CIRCLE // Half Moon Run, and GROW OLD WITH ME // Tom Odell.