Saturday, December 3, 2011

My Own Private Letter to Santa






Dear Santa,

About a month or so ago, Ford kindly lent me their brand new Ford Focus Titanium.

Did you know, I've never owned my own car? When Matt and I met, he had a car, and as we fell more and more madly and deeply in love, it became apparent that his car was a gift with purchase. I got the benefits of a car together with a new boyfriend. Win: Win.

Since returning to working in an office, we tend to borrow my MIL's car during the week, so that I can drive, instead of spend 1.5 hours x 2 travelling 24kms. It's a blessing that we are able to borrow her car, but you know Santa, I can't help but feel life would be so much simpler if we had a second car.

When Ford contacted me and asked if I'd like to drive their new car for a week - I very promptly responded that I'd be a fool to turn this opportunity down.

Santa, I'd be pretty chuffed if you popped the zippy new Ford Focus down my chimney. Though we don't have a chimney, so I'm happy for it to be just parked in our driveway. 

Santa, this car is the shiz.

You see, it parks itself, which is an additional gift when you're trying to slip into tiny spaces in say - Surry Hills or Paddington - and you can say: "Look ma, no hands" quite literally as it reverses into that spot.

It has voice recognition. Heated seats (which when I was driving, I put on so Matt felt like he'd wet his pants all of a sudden - naughty Lexi!), a sun roof, which Tiny sampled (above) and a roomy boot. Just look at that boot full of groceries. What a sweet ride! OH! Not to mention the fact that it has a keyless ignition. So you walk up to the car with your keys in your handbag, it senses you're in the vicinity et voila - it opens the doors. And you hop in, you can start your engine. No more rummaging through your handbag - which is BRILLIANT when you have smalls in a busy carpark. Straight in, no stuffing around.

I even boasted to Matt that, for the first time in my life, while driving this car, I felt sporty. Me? Feeling sporty? Holy cow.

I zipped around in that car all week long. Manufacturing reasons why I needed to drive it. Truly. I loved that car so much. I'm still pining for it Santa. In fact, I whizzed and whizzed around in that car, and even after a full week of whizzing, I still had a quarter of a tank of petrol. That baby corners like it's on rails.

Excuse me Santa, but does your sleigh offer that kind of fuel economy? Didn't think so. 

So Santa, what I'm thinking about is the Ford Focus for Christmas. Red Candy.  

Love, 
Lexi

FYI: this is not a sponsored post. Ford lent me the car. I drove it. I loved it. I wrote about it. I'm still pining about it. Santa, bring back my sporty wheels! 

Helmut Newton: Polaroids


When three of our favourite things; Helmut Newton, instant film and Taschen coalesce in the catalogue of photographic and fashion genius that is Helmut Newton; Polaroids we tend to find 'our happy place' as those ads for Sky TV say. Taschen have released the catalogue of hitherto unseen Newton images to accompany what is surely a wonderful exhibition at the Museum fur Fotografie in Berlin, Germany but if you can't make it to that then don't worry, the catalogue is on sale now, just in time for Christmas. Perhaps the most intriguing thing when leafing through the beautifully reproduced pages is the feeling that you are somehow privy to a little behind-the-scenes peek into Newton's shoots themselves. A must have for all Newton fans. Now, the good news is that we have ONE copy of this amazing catalogue to give away to Black readers and fans. We'll be giving it away over on our Facebook page and Taschen will mail it to the winner, no matter where they live in the world.

Helmut Newton Polaroids Exhibition
June 10, 2011 - May 20, 2012
Die Helmut Newton Stiftung im Museum für Fotografie, Jebensstrasse 2, 10623 Berlin, Germany


Left: Thierry Mugler, Monte Carlo 1998
Right: Cigar Industry, Milan, 1997






Left: Paris Match, Monte Carlo, 1985
Right: Yves Saint Laurent, Paris, 1991

The World Is YOURS Andy Henry!


THE WORLD IS YOURS - PART THREE from yours on Vimeo.


Here at Black we're big fans of Andrew Henry's YOURS label. His first collection of cutting edge footwear was released a while back to much-desired drooling or a quick throwing down of the credit card by a broad selection of sneaker freakers. The good news is that his second collection was launched recently at ONE Limited and Henry has made strides (or should that be stripes?) in every part of the design and construction process. Check out this snazzy clip made on an utterly suitable two-wheeled form of transport somewhere near the aforementioned store. Nice work Andy!

Bazaar rules my world




Black #15: Preview

We are printing early next week so let's publish a few images from Black #15. No rhyme or reason as to these choices. Random is the word. To our deeply valued contributors - we love and adore...

Photo: Christopher Morris Fashion editor: David Bonney
Hair Gavin Anesbury Make-up: Nicole Thompson
Model: Jemma Baines. Jemma wears: shirt by Sara Phillips,
bra by Ellery,  gloves by Prada, bag by Rachel Ruddick..
Photo: Chadwick Tyler  Fashion: Michelle Cameron
Hair: Shin Arima Make-up: Valery Gherman
Model: Gertrud Hegelund
Gertrud wears: Alexander Wang



Photo: Greg Novak Fashion editor; Rachael Churchward
Make-up by Amber D. Hair by Jason Chong-Li
Model: Ella at Clyne
Photo: Karen Inderbitzen-Waller
Fashion editors: Rachael Churchward and Karen Inderbitzen-Waller
Hair: Shontal Healy Make-up Shirley Simpson
Model: Dasha at Vanity Walk
Dasha wears: Swimsuit and rope harness from Kate Sylvester archive,
skirt by Helen Cherry,leather glove by Taylor,
 sunglasses by Henry Holland for Le Specs,
sock garters worn on arms by Julia De Ville 


Photo: Michael Schwartz
Fashion editor: Andrew Holden
Hair: Roberto Di Cuia
Make-up: Carolina Dali
Model; Maja at Women NY
Photo: Paul Empson
Fashion editors: Rosanna Passaluca
Hair: Tobias Sanger
Make-up: Tina Rovanien
Model; Tanya D at Marilyn Paris
Tanya D wears: Top and skirt by Miu Miu

Photo: Russ Flatt
Fashion editor: Rachael Churchward
Hair: Kevin Murphy
Make-up: Shirley Simpson
Model; Rosie at Nova

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Swoon...

If you're:
a) a Ryan Gosling fan
and
b) an interiors fan

just like me. Then you're going to be loving this.

Apartment Therapy's homage to everybody's favourite hottie, Ryan Gosling - Outfit to Home. Swoon..

Say you're inspired. Say whatever you want. Just be sure to bookmark it.

This one's for you MM.

By Popular Demand - Christmas Gift Ideas: Under $20

Ok so here we go peeps. It's the 1st day of December which always sends a shiver up my spine. Only 24 sleeps until Christmas, and my golly, my goodness, my gosh, am I excited? You bet your shizzle.

If you're looking for some ideas for under $20 - well start here my friends!

You're welcome.
The happiest cloud pendant - Georgie Love $18 (and free gift wrapping - ahoy!)

Vintage wooden painted toadstool letter holder - Poppet in the Post $12
Today I'm Bigger kids tee - Well Spotted $20 (sale)

Ridley's Classic Table Quits Set - Lark $19.95
Bloom Butterfingers Shea Butter Hand Cream - Adore Beauty $16
Matchcarden - Townhouse Pink - Notemaker $7.95
Little Garden Bookplates - Poppies for Grace $9.50
Dupe Chique Metalica thongs - Dupe (from the makers of Havaianas) $14.95
Big bow headband - Hoot Kid $13.95
For big or little kids - monkey brooch - Handmade Romance (boy that Evie - she's clever) $20
Honest boy pencil sharpener - Raw Space $15.95
Science Lab Crucible (cute for jewels or salt) - Vintage & Nostalgia $5.50
Enough? What's next? What am I looking for next? Send me my next secret mission.