The Art Of The Asian Robe

While cruising one of my favorite blogs I was drawn to this wall of art. Included with the other great art is a framed piece from one of my favorites artist's, Vorakorn Metmanorom. A Thai artist who works in a number of mediums, but my favorites are his block prints. I have been buying and selling these signed limited edition prints since I started The Loaded Trunk.

His work has been influenced by Buddhist teachings, nature and his Chinese ancestry. This Asian robe series is stunning and shows the signs of an artist who has truly mastered his craft.

wall of art picture via anindiansummer-design.blogspot.com
Signed prints available on The Loaded Trunk

My Summer Migration

I am heading to Europe, specifically Spain, France, Ireland and England this July. I fly coach, so it is pretty no frills. It just means that traveling on a budget requires a bit more logistical planning. For buying trips, I often don't know where I am going to be staying, but this time things will be different. I'm on a real holiday (vacation) and I'll be with family and good friends for most of the trip. 

Regardless of who I visit or where and how I travel, there are some things I always make sure to pack for a comfortable journey.

{1} A pashmina. I never get on a plane without one. I have my favorites but this time I will take my linen striped one. We have a great selection of pashminas and scarves in the shop so take a look if you want something light and cozy for your own travels.

{2} Wax ear plugs. Whether it's a screaming child on a plane, or traffic and commotion on the streets you can hear from your hotel room, comfortable, noise-cancelling ear plugs are an easy solution to block out the madness. Slate.com reviewed some of the best ear plugs in the market and you can read about them here. The best ones, by Hearos, at only $1 a pair.

{3} Eye mask. I have my own and bring tea bags that I use just before landing to make me look like I am not the dehydrated exhausted wreck I usually am. Here's a roundup of some of the best sleeping masks by BestCovery.com....all for under $15.

{4} Wipes for my face and body. I don't wear a lot of make up so this makes freshening up so much easier. The Yes To™ line is really wonderful and the towelettes are especially nice.

{5} Altoids. I do brush my teeth in the itty-bitty bathrooms, but mints or gum are a must.  I have to have them. 

{6} Moisturizer, I love to treat myself Aveda. I've been a big fan of all their products for a long, long time. It all smells so nice, doesn't it?

{7} Magazines! Book come along too, but my New Yorker magazines pile up so quickly. I take a dozen or so and no matter how old, they always feel current and timeless. 

{8} The proper carry-on is essential and it must be totally organized so digging is at a  minimum. 

{9} A window seat. By plane, train or car, a window to rest your head upon is so much nicer for sleeping. Plus you can't beat the view from way up in the sky. I also bring my own mini feather pillow that I had made and that smooses to almost nothing.

{10} Water. Lately I've been using a Bobble water bottle. It can be brought through security at the airport empty and filled up inside. It has its own filter and you won't be adding more waste into the world with a single use bottle. So drink up and stay hydrated. It's no secret that water makes you feel better like nothing else!

Where are you traveling to this summer? Do tell!

A Closer Look at Kuba Cloth

Kuba applique cloth is a traditional royal textile from the Kuba kingdom of the east central Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the founding of the empire by the Bushoong people in the early 1600s, each new king would be responsible for introducing new patterns that were invented by, and named after designers, and was an honored achievement. Hundreds of royal patterns are known today and are collaboratively made.

Men weave raffia fiber on a loom and women applique cut shapes of raffia textile, tie-dye, or embroider fibers that are cut to create a cut-pile, velvety surface. The abstract shapes, arranged in bold designs, appear to be in a regular pattern, but actually embrace an asymmetrical composition. Similar patterns can be found on woven panels used in architecture, woven mats, and even carved wood objects such as court containers and masks. The British Museum has a wonderful example of a partially woven cloth pre-applique on a loom which you can see here.

The cloth was once only worn by members of the royal court for ceremonial events and would have been wrapped several times around the waist as a skirt, making the wearer appear larger than life as well as publicly announcing their status. Textiles are kept in the family treasury, used in gift giving, and presented at funerals for important members of the kingdom, and were traditionally used as currency.

Today, Kuba textiles are produced for local use, exported, sold to art collectors, and is heralded as one of the great international abstract art forms. To learn more about Kuba cloth and its history, check out the collection by The Metropolitan Museum of Art here. The Met shows various forms of the artwork, exhibitions and an art history timeline.

We have only one Kuba cloth in its original form as a textile in the shop. The others have been made into magnificent feather-filled pillows as you can see below. Click through to see the entire collection.

Teak Panel With Protection

When I go hunting for global treasures in Thailand, it's imperative that I go to the trusted craft and trades people who I have become close to and work with during every trip. Like many businesses, it's about relationships. Working with people you trust and you know respect and understand what is important to me when I make purchases. I like to buy local, fair-trade, and from people with a conscience. This can be tough to figure out when you are alone.

This Amulet Panel comes from the happiest guy I know in Chiang Mai. He is a hoarder, a collector and innovator. When I am in his work space, I begin by putting a pile together. It can takes hours. This is just one of the pieces I scooped up on my last trip. 

This particular panel is made from an old, teak window panel and adorned with Buddhist amulets. It measures 10.5-inches wide by 31-inches high and is about 4-inches deep. Mounted on a black stand, it will surely offer major protection and is an art object for any space. 

Amulets are serious business in Thailand! If you want to know more about them in general,

here is a link to some interesting information I found...

FAQs on Thai Amulets

summer mix-n-match

 Swim Stroke of Genius One Piece // Mod Cloth // $241.99

Green + Orange Awning Striped Cotton Moroccan Blanket // $259

Belted Sailboat One Piece // Lime Ricki // $55.50

Blue + Orange Awning Striped Cotton Moroccan Blanket // $259

Polka Dot Underwire Tank // J. Crew // $98-$100

Orange + Pink Awning Striped Cotton Moroccan Blanket // $259

River Island Color Block Chevron Swimsuit // ASOS // $42.43

Moroccan Neon Striped Throw // $168

These bright and super fabulous cotton blankets from Morocco are on my list of current favorites from the shop. On my trip to Morocco in December I met Nina in Fes and launched a wonderful collaboration to make these textiles. Every week she heads to the mountains to works with a group of women that weave each blanket. It takes several days to weave one blanket and we get to play with colors. Each in this first group has a dominant statement color and is accented with an equally bright contrasting stripe and fringe. The all-neon-yellow blanket has a great nubby tactile quality; its long fringe and stripes play beautifully against a neutral blanket. It was fun coordinating them with these one-piece swimsuits above – they're a perfect way to make your space and presence known at the beach or pool this summer!

Tray Service

I've got a serious thing for trays. They're so practical yet come in various styles and materials ranging from just plain beautiful to whimsical and fun. Metallic trays instantly makes whatever you're doing fancy; I tend to use them for fruit and cheese service when I'm entertaining. My makeup and cosmetics bottles are corralled on a lacquer one. And I have an array of plastic trays that get used for cooking or tucked under a planter to keep my flowers alive. Don't get me started on all the decorative things I do with them! What do you use your trays for and do you go for certain shapes or styles?

Mom

Meet my mother, photographed here on her 85th birthday. Most of those years, my mother spent trotting the globe; she is the quintessential entertainer and treasure hunter. We all gathered this year to celebrate her birthday. My brothers and I put together a book titled The World According to Mae and did what we do best ate, drank good wine and laughed and reminisced about my mother's full, rich and wonderful life. Happy Mother's Day!