Monday, October 31, 2011

Capturing moments of rugby history


It has been a good week since the All Blacks won the rugby world cup (yay!), and I cant help but suffer from the post rugby blues - a weekend without rugby? It felt so weird!
I watched this video in the weekend and it reminded me of all the emotions I was feeling at the time - the excitement and the nerves. What a day! What a game! What a result! 


The video is beautifully shot and definitely worth a view (even if you're not a big rugby fan.)


Posted by Carina / Citta Design team



We were out of the office last week shooting our product range for Winter 2012. Here is a peek at one of the colorful props we used...neon tape - isn't it cool!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Jewellery by Silva/Bradshaw



Loving this jewellery by Silva/Bradsaw, a duo who met at Industrial Design school and opened a studio in Brooklyn. They use refreshingly modern shapes, colours and materials and I was lucky enough to be given one of these pieces in the weekend. The Silva/Bradshaw portfolio also extends to a small but lovely collection of furniture.


www.silvabradshaw.com


Posted by Emma / Design Team

Friday, October 21, 2011

Chocolate and Hazelnut Meringue Cake



I found this recipe today... looks delicious don't you think? If anyone makes it this weekend can you tell me if it tastes as good as it looks in the picture??!!


For the cake:
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
6 large eggs, separated
340gms bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 1/2 tablespoons espresso (or vanilla)
1 1/2 tablespoons rum (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the meringue:
1 cup bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
1 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar



Prepare the cake:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a round cake tin, and line the bottom with baking paper. Set aside.
Whip the butter and brown sugar until pale and smooth at medium speed, for about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the bottom and sides of your bowl if necessary. Add the melted chocolate, espresso (or vanilla), rum (if using), and salt. Beat until combined. Transfer to a clean bowl and wash your mixing bowl thoroughly.
In a clean bowl beat the 6 egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form, this should take about 2 minutes. Fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining egg whites and pour batter into prepared tin, and bake 25 minutes.



Prepare the meringue:
Combine the chopped chocolate, nuts and cornstarch in a small bowl, and set aside. Place remaining 4 egg whites into a clean bowl and beat on high speed until frothy. With the mixer running, slowly add the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form, this should take about 8 minutes. Fold in the chocolate hazelnut mixture.


Assemble and Finish:
Remove cake from oven. Using a spatula, spread meringue mixture on top of cake using as little strokes as possible so as not to deflate the meringue, and return to oven. Bake until meringue is lightly browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer cake tin to a wire rack; let stand 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen, and release sides of tin. Let cool for about 30minutes before slicing and serving.


Posted by Carina / Citta Design team



Monday, October 17, 2011

You can leave your hat on...




Its not until you start looking that you realize how many different types of hats there are - Fedora, Panama, Cloche, Floppy, Beret, Cap, Boater, the list goes on...
Ive been doing a bit of online searching & my favorite finds are above. Whether you go bright & cheerful or lean towards the neutrals, you can't go wrong. 
I have a funny feeling that my hat collection may double in size this summer :)


Posted by Carina / Citta Design team

Friday, October 14, 2011

Cutlery Update

Sick of your boring old cutlery?  Why not spray paint the ends in interesting colours? Or, for a longer lasting effect, dip them in enamel paint...


Sania Pell did...


Posted by Imogen

Rob Ryan's paper cuts are amazing! And the book he is currently working on
(as seen in the video) is going to be an 'I need that' purchase.

posted by Carina / Citta Design Team

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Spotted!


On the Studio Home blog. Thanks for the post Julia! 

Monday, October 10, 2011

Barcelona Snapshot



I have just returned from a 4 week stint overseas, which included a week in the amazing city of Barcelona.
Days were spent exploring the city in search of Gaudi architecture, produce markets, museums and panoramic views, with evenings relaxing in cafes drinking Cava & Sangria, chatting to the locals and watching spanish tv.
We barely scratched the surface of Barcelona, but after drinking from the fountain in La Rambla, we are bound to return!


Posted by Carina / Citta Design Team

Friday, October 7, 2011

Caravan Cool




If you think caravans are for nanas, think again! This super cool caravan from Austrian company Mehrzeller celebrates design and function equally.


posted by Imogen

ETHEREAL BEAUTY

Check out these incredible net sculptures by Janet Echelman. Her colorful projects draw inspiration from ancient craft and modern technology, using machine and hand woven UV-resistant fibres and collaborating with local engineers and architects. Each sculpture physically responds to environmental forces like wind, water, and sunlight which makes them so magical and magnificent. Check out the rest of her work and their locations here.


Most words and pics borrowed gratefully from this awesome blog http://honestlywtf.com/page/2/


Posted by Amy / Citta Design Team

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Paw Justice, Louis & Citta Design



Hi!
Paw Justice ran a competition and the winning pet has become their mascot. The winner is Louis, a French bulldog - pictured above. Isn't he cute?!!

Paw Justice have produced a calendar which they sell to raise funds for the charity and Louis the winner is the first pet featured on the calendar with runners up also featured.

Louis, apart from becoming the mascot, will have a toy designed in his likeness by us at Citta Design and a portion of proceeds from the sales of the toy will be donated to Paw Justice.
Imogen, our senior designer, is busy designing the toy which will be available around Feb/Mar next year.