Parrots, Piggies & Pups Getting Married- The Karen Mabon 2019 Spring Summer Collection

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World of Kitsch readers will recognise the name already, as every season I love to share the fresh designs from the talented, young, Scottish designer Karen Mabon who’s silk scarves I just adore.

 

 

The new Spring Summer 2019 Collection doesn’t disappoint, with Karen’s unique style playing out through themes as diverse as the golden age of travel, marathon training, and dog weddings!

 

 

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I think it’s the rich colour palettes Karen Mabon uses, combined with the luxury of the 100% Italian silk used for the scarves which make them so distinctive. The designs are drawn by hand in Karen’s London studio, and then made with love in Lake Como, Italy.

 

You can shop the collection now, and shipping is free. 

 

It’s also worthwhile following Karen’s Instagram for peeks at future collections and designs. 

Deck the Walls With Paws So Jolly- Cat & Dog Print Wallpaper from MuralsWallpaper

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You may be a cat person. You may be a dog person. Are you enough of a cat or dog person however to ever consider wallpaper themed after your furry friend?

Without seeing a photograph of that product, your immediate reaction would probably be, of course not, no, that sounds like a kitsch nightmare from the 1970s’ or 1980s’.

These wallpapers by MuralsWallpaper however are kept in quite a sleek design with each print focusing on one tone from the colour palette, and simple, clean outline drawings of the cats and dogs.

 

The papers would work really nicely as a kitchen or utility room feature wall for sure. 

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These murals offer a tasteful surface design option that allows everyone to incorporate cat and dog wallpaper into a room and not have to sacrifice the stylish, modern look of the home. 

 

Pair the pet murals with beds, scratch posts, food bowls and toys to fully furnish a pet's very own space in the home to sleep, play and eat.

 

Prices start at £30 per square for this range, and the rest of the MuralsWallpaper site has a vast range of interesting prints to choose from including photorealistic murals.

 

He-Man, Masters Of The Universe Movie Gets First Official Licensed Toy Launch Since 1987

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Fellow 80s’ child. How many times have you watched 17%-Rotten-Tomato-scored movie ‘Masters of the Universe? The 1987 box office classic starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, a pre-Friends Courteney Cox as random Earth Teenager, and Frank Langella in what should have been an Oscar nominated role as the whole entire production carrying Skeletor.

 

Well, my brother and I watched Masters of the Universe quite a lot. When I say quite a lot, I would estimate more than fifty times. At least enough times that on a Sunday afternoon we would sometimes go into our Gran’s back garden and recite Skeletor’s dramatic monologue from the final act from memory.


My brother texted me last night with the news that figures from the movie are being made, they have just been revealed at a toy fair. You can watch a video by Pixel Dan about them here.

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There are four figures (the fourth is Karg), modelled on the original 1987 William Stout production art, with the faces based on the actors from the final movie. You can pre-order on the Super7 site with the set of four figures coming in at $140. It’s fairly pricy, but each has to be handmade, which is why it costs so much more than regular figures.

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If you aren’t enough of a MOTU super fan to spend that kind of money on figures, but want to show your love, Super7 still has some fun merch at lower prices which you can shop here. There are t-shirts for $30, cute blind boxes with He-Man and She-Ra figures for $4, and drinking glasses with the classic figurines printed on them. 

There are also a selection of reproduction classic figures on the old 80s’ style packing for $15 each, so some reasonably priced things to choose from apart from the $140 set of movie figures! Thanks to my brother for the tip off for this blog, and help with the info. 

Samyang Ramen Fire Noodle... Make-Up Line?

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I am a Samyang noodle addict. The super hot ramen noodles are famous on the web after becoming a viral trend on YouTube for mukbang uploaders and regular vloggers alike to try and finish a bowl of their deadly hot tastiness.

They come in more than half a dozen varieties, hot, double hot, cheese, carbonara and even a version you serve ice cold, but my favourite is the gold pack with a classic curry twist.  

I get my Samyang noodle supplies right here in Belfast, from Lee Foods Oriental Supermarket. They have a huge range of ramen noodles of all varieties.

Imagine my surprise however when one afternoon online I stumbled upon a Samyang Noodle make-up line. 

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South Korean’s quirky and innovative brand TonyMoly had partnered with Samyang to release a range of very cool make-up, including foundation, lip tints and blusher, all based on my favourite spicy hot noodles. I had to buy something from the range for the packaging alone, a foundation compact that came in a ramen noodle cup. 

The press-foundation compact comes with a refill too, which is in the ‘sauce’ pouch. I just love that the chicken mascot is printed on the pad.  

TonyMoly can be found in the U.K. at Cult Beauty, but they don’t stock the Samyang range, as it’s an older line. You’ll need to shop around places like eBay, where I picked up mine for around a tenner.

The Fashion World Loses Karl Lagerfeld: A Look At His Quirky Designs Inspired By His Favourite Muse- Choupette His Cat

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Your very own cuddly Choupette

Your very own cuddly Choupette

 

 February 19th 2019, and we have just heard that fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld has died after a recent period of illness. He was a name known to the likes of myself, who has a passing interest in fashion but certainly couldn’t name you the heads of most fashion houses, and probably would get stuck half way through being challenged to even name ten such fashion houses themselves.

 

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Karl was the creative director and head of design at Chanel, another household name for even us high-street label wearing types. His iconic trademark look in his later years of swept back silver ponytail and sleek dark shades is as legendary as Anna Wintour’s bob. 

 

Another ‘trademark’ of Karl in the last decade would be his love affair with a little white cat called Choupette. 

 

Given to Mr Lagerfeld as a Christmas gift in 2011, he fell so in love with his furry companion that he claimed in a 2013 interview with CNN that he wished he could marry her,  saying, “There is no marriage yet for human beings and animals.. I never thought I would fall in love like this with a cat”. 

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It followed suit that many Choupette themed fashion items and accessories came to life, as his cat-muse inspired hats, handbags, and even a makeup line. (Click any of the tiny pictures to see the detail)

 

Whilst the famous handbag might be the most lusted item from Chanel, being a crazy cat lady myself, I think I would love a Choupette.

RIP Karl. 

No Bouquets Here- Guns, Knives & Emotional Blackmail? - Disturbing Valentine’s Cards of Yesteryear

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I’ve featured vintage Valentine’s cards on the blog on previous February fourteenth’s, but this year how about some really strange ones?  

 

From threatening to throw yourself off a pier with a stone tied round your neck and a gun held to your head (see the skunk card centre, top row below), to knife swallowing, fire swallowing, and more guns than I care to mention - vintage Valentine’s cards were pretty hardcore. 

How about that one in the centre above where he’s just casually running over his Valentine with his car? You can click on any of the cards to enlarge for a closer look. 

The threats don’t end there! Below, this Valentine reminds you that you can run, but you can’t hide, because he will break down any wall! Not to mention the final card with some flat out clubbing. Different times indeed. 

Happy Valentine’s everyone! 

Valentine’s Day CAN Be All Year Round With a Gift Subscription to Ben Cameron’s Pin Badge Club

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So I was a little slack and forgot to blog Valentine’s gift ideas like I said I would, but hopefully this nifty little idea will make up for it.

You often hear the refrain this time of year, “Valentine’s Day is just one day, you should show your love all year round!”.

That doesn’t have to mean a £60 bunch of two dozen, long stem, red roses every fortnight. I’ve found this cute little UK based subscription box that’s just £7 a month including postage, that will remind your loved one you are thinking of them every time it drops through the post box.

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It’s Pin Badge Club by illustrator Ben Cameron. You may recognise some of his doodles as they have been being shared over social media for years now, you’ll definitely recognise his simple, yet delightful and joyful style.

 

Subscribing to Pin Badge Club will send your Valentine a monthly pin badge and stickers. There is also Ben’s Etsy store, but given that it’s now 11th February I would say it’s a bit late to order anything and have it arrive in time for Valentine’s. So a card & some chocs & letting them know they are expecting a Pin Badge surprise could be the best option!

 

Tatty Devine, Choose the Original, Cult, Statement Jewellery for Your Favourite Fashionista on February Fourteenth - World of Kitsch Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019

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Kicking off my guide to Valentine’s Day for 2019, here’s a quick whizz over to visit a classic British brand that everyone should have one piece of.

 

Tatty Devine’s jewellery mostly comprises of laser cut acrylic necklace and brooch designs, with the odd wooden style now and then. 

 

There is also homeware and bags, although you’ll only see those about once or twice a year, whereas as of 2018 they were producing around three hundred new jewellery offerings to choose from. 

 

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‘Tatty’ is actually twosome Rosie & Harriet, who started their brand making guitar plectrums into jewellery, then making acrylic name necklaces, which you can still buy today on the site. Tatty Devine necklaces have been made for & spotted on Jessie J, Kelly Osbourne and Dawn O Porter.

The current Tatty Devine online store is a literal treasure trove, of which I’ve picked the most ‘Valentine’ and ‘love’ themed, but other collections on sale right now include, ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘Astral Haze’ as well as collaborations with other designers and museums.

Lastly, if you are shopping for a gift, it can even be a one stop shop- there are greetings card for £3 too!