A corner spot

A simple desk to work away at in the corner of the room somewhere... a little inspiration from knick knacks and photos and books on the shelf above... there won't be any writers block at all.

Via BoBedre

Open day

What a beautiful day for an open day ; The Design Files Open house weekend starts today through Sunday, showcasing the designs & product & talent of premier Australian designers and brands.

I'm thinking of heading down to Hawthorn to check out some beautiful things for the home; that artwork is a start!  There is accessories, furniture, textiles, artwork and jewellery.

Get ready for the hits of colour for your summer home.

Nothing better than hunting for homewares right about now...

More pics of inside and out, on the link below.

The Design Files Open House

Photos Brooke Holm

Looking ahead to a local Spring...

Whether pulling together a new home or sprucing up your existing one, I'll bet you'll want to get your hands on some of the items from the new Country Road Spring/Summer catalogue.

Neon brights, bold prints, beautiful wood... bowls, mugs, linen and glassware that just sing of spring and summer and of shiny days coming your way.

Of course, there is the great new summer range too!  (Loving this relaxed stripey look below, and there is a little leather jacket that I've got my eye on).

Hmmm,... I'm always in need of something new to add to the collection...

All images Country Road catalogue

Next season

The other night I was casting my mind forward into Autumn/Winter.   I know, the sun is still beating down on us here; my tan (freckles melding into each other to form a somewhat brownish layer) is only starting to now come good; and the 2nd pair of summer sandals that I bought at sale time haven't yet been taken out of the cupboard... but nonetheless, I started thinking about updating the wardrobe with some key pieces for the next season.  (In my defence, the seasons around here tend to sneak up on you when you least expect it!)

And wouldn't you know it, just as I hit enter on the keyboard, there it was - the early answer to Autumn/Winter - by Country Road.   Oh, CR what are you doing to me.  I only just spent a small fortune during the summer sale in 3 of your stores, and now you're teasing me with a new range of beautifully styled, subtle coloured chic pieces for my wardrobe, my kitchen and my mini me!  What's a girl to do!  (I knew they'd be onto Autumn about now - happens every year around the same time!)

As I was saving pieces onto my desktop (for further investigation!), a bootie here, a parka there, a pair of jeans for hubby, some t-shirts for the little one, more bistro mugs and tea-towels... I wondered when the catalogue would grace my mailbox.  Like a sign from above, there it was rolled up in my mailbox this morning.  Call it what you will, Destiny, Fate, or Synchronicity... I call it - a home full of Country Road stuff.

Here are just some of the pieces that caught my eye this time around (because there is always something that I can't resist!) -

Box Print Top / Geo Print Pant

Edel Queen Quilt Cover & Pillowcases/ Harve Cushion/ Sheet Set/
Jorda Basket/ Hut Large & Medium/ Calder 9 Wall Frame

Arch Sugar Bowl/ Cantina Tile Jar/ Tully Salad Servers/ Bistro Tile Mug/ Bistro Strata Bowl/
Luka Bowl/ Cantina Large Tile Jug

Grid Stitch Knit/ Tucked Skirt/ Claudia Ballets

Star Cosmetic Bags

Brooklyn Ankle Boot

Faye Hip Bag

Trench Coat

Red, White, & Blue

Happy 4th of July to all the US readers - there's something soothing and strengthening about these three colours ...a little red, white, and blue colour-mix for the day ahead.

Photo via YellowsPhotography via FrenchByDesign

Tri colour interiors via ElleDecor

Totem Appliqued Cotton Clutch via netaporter

Cute jacket via JCrew

In The Schedule

Farewell old week and hello weekend- we made it through another busy week.  I've got some great reads for you to schedule in for this weekend, so get comfy and be transported on a fashion shoot with some serious haute couture gowns, glimpse inside a fashion stylist portfolio, listen to the models talk, enter a giveaway for a gorgeous fine art print from photographer Carla Coulson, and flip through the pages of the latest Adore magazine - phew,... I'm exhausted.  Here we go...

Sizzling...

+  Kristen Stewart photographed by maestro Mario Testino for the cover of Vanity Fair July issue.  And inside an editorial featuring Kristen wearing new season haute couture - va voom!  She might come across all too cool and a bit beatnik-ey but there's something haute in this chick when she's wearing dollars worth of couture for these pages -  I think it's in the eyes!  More images via Vanity Fair.   Here is also a video interview with Kristen about the editorial with Mario.  Aah, those gowns - if only for a day!

+  Stunning images from stylist Valentina di Pinto's portfolio - the shoot titled Springtime and captured through the lens of Tony Kim for Glamour mag.   More beautiful images here.  Valentina was recently snapped for Citizen Couture wearing the most gorgeous double breasted coat here - I want one!

Valentino  /  Giambattista Valli Fall 2012-13

+  Do you ever have a great idea only to find out days or weeks later that someone has already come up with something similar?  I hate that feeling... well how do you think someone as big as designer for a major fashion house feels?  Sometimes it really is just coincidence and that rule - 6 degrees of separation!  See more similar fashion at Into The Fashion here.

Coco Rocha wearing Yves Saint Laurent suit, Prada shirt, Lanvin bowtie- Photo Ben Hassett

+ Do you feel like you constantly have to re-evaluate where you're going or what you're doing?  You know, something like updating the 5 year plan to satisfy creativity, happiness, contribution and yourself?  We all have to do it right?  Well top models do this as well... Read an interview with Karolina Kurkova, Angela Lindvall, & Coco Rocha and their strategy after catwalk modelling  via NY Mag here.

Winter Light Montmartre  Copyright Carla Coulson

+ For all you Francophiles out there (I know it's not just me) - do you want to win this absolutely stunning 20x30 fine art print of Paris stairs bathed in light from talented photographer Carla Coulson that will transport you to Montmartre in seconds?  Yes I hear with gusto!... well you can if you enter this fabulous and generous giveaway over at Carla's blog here.    Oh my goodness, please pick me Carla, I have the perfect spot for this print on an empty wall... pretty please!

Julie Christie in Darling

+  Does your style favour Brooke Shields, Michelle Pfeiffer or Julie Christie or Jean Seberg?  W magazine lists classic actress in classic looks from the movies here.   

Or perhaps you fancy your perfect shape to be more turn of the century Edwardian lady of the house, or a 20's flapper, or 50's new look?  This interesting article sees 4 actresses try on some distinctly tailored pieces from these and other eras that gives them an insight on how one would actually move around in the pieces from a era gone by-  via More Intelligent Life, via Automatism.

+  If you're thinking of re-decorating this issue of Adore magazine has your white walls covered - whether you're into pastels, bronze, tropical, dark or neutral colours... the pages are jam packed with ideas to please.  It's definitely an art issue, interviews with artists, illustrators, designers, and decorators.  Oh, and they also have an Adore online store too - just to make it easier for you to edit the look!

Rita Hayworth 1939 / Photo Gene Kornman 

+  And finally, this weekend is also the Queens Birthday long weekend (I know she's a Taurus and really had her birthday at the end of April... but!)  its a long weekend here and it marks the opening of the snow season.  Now, if I were a skier extraordinaire the slopes would be perfect for the next few days if the recent icy blast of cold weather is anything to go by - but alas, this photo above perfectly fits my image in the snow....totally unco-ordinated!   

Have a good weekend and rug up!  brrrrr

xx

In The Schedule

Yep, here we are again at the pointy end of the week - what fun have you got planned for your two days at home?  Whatever you're up to, take some time to read through these lovely links...

+ A fabulously glamourous and intense editorial via Fashion Gone Rogue - kinda reminds me of the Serge Lutens campaigns for Shiseido in the 80's... Love those wine coloured lips. 

+  Channelling a certain Grace on the red carpet at Cannes perhaps?  More pics over at Style.com.  That seafoam Giambattista Valli gown on Diane Kruger is absolutely STUNNING!  And how beautiful is Ines De La Fressange - I love the addition of that ivy as belt.

+ An interview with Francisco Costa talking about his early years, his inspiration, the new range of Calvin Klein dresses for Macys and channelling that Brazilian laid back vibe and sunkissed palette via Tmagazine.

+  Check out these gorgeous headquarters of new homewares label Aerin..., yep, that's the influence of Aerin Lauder and her new venture into homewares, via AD.  Also take a look at the Aerin tumblr site here.  I think it'll be slightly glamourous don't you?

+ Talk about influential, a list of the 25 most influential female designers since, well since the beginning, via Fashionista.  I spy Coco, Madame Gres, Vionnet and the Mulleavy Sisters - pretty inspirational.

+ Seriously I will need more shelving at home to cater for the increasing number of Designer books being produced in just this year alone!  Alber Elbaz focuses on the minutae of the craft, the handiwork and all the work that goes into creating those ravishing outfits; a preview here via Fashionologie.

+  Love having the home filled with flowers but matching them to the right size or shaped vase is a bit of a struggle?  Well Gwyneth teaches us a thing to two about the right bouquet with the right vessel via her website  Goop.  Sounds so easy when someone else does it!

+  And just when you thought it would be safe to don one of the gowns featured above.... ta dah... a breakfast pizza - seriously, how good does this look!  Via The Kitchy Kitchen.  I think it has something to do with that sensational looking runny egg!

+ Finally, if you squint and tilt your head - this could be me wearing this lovely pinky/lilacy dress with those great heels (but probably not as tanned) - via Peony Park.  (Well, of course it's not me...)

Hope you all have an inspired weekend!

In The Schedule

Where has the week gone?  I can't believe it's Friday already... all that's left to do is some tidying up and get ready for the weekend.  Oh, and a run through of links I stumbled upon this week -

+  Through the eyes of Karlie Kloss, Rosario Dawson and Rene Celestin at the Elie Saab show via Fashion etc.

+  Taylor Tomasi Hill styling the Oroton show at this weeks Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney via Harpers Bazaar.

+  Anna Dello Russo designs an Accessories line for H&M - there's plenty a glitter here!  And a cute video where she calls herself a fashion victim and a guardian of fashion via here.

+  If you're planning a getaway to Amsterdam consider this cool guest house for a stay found via DailyDreamDecor.

+ Don't you just love the use of video as advertising / art ... this dreamy video featuring crystal objects and dyes - so pretty... via Nowness.

+  Over at LatteLisa  you will find a great fragrance giveway sponsored by Icelandic label Ella by Elinros Lindal.

ELLA Day is described by ELLA as a fresh and exhilarating scent, at once light, sweet and sharp. The scent has light notes of lemon and verbena, and a grounding base note of patchouli. Think lemons and the blue Mediterranean Sea. ELLA Day is a lively perfume for the modern, energetic woman who leads by example and charms without effort. (size 100 ml/3.4 oz)

ELLA Night is described by ELLA as a soft and sensuous scent, at once heady, sweet and hypnotising. It's the ultimate evening scent with notes of sweet almond, vanilla and cinnamon. Think deep red roses and dark brown fur.  ELLA Night is deliciously dramatic and seductive. (size 100 ml/3.4 oz)

This fashion house has a wondeful Slow Fashion Movement ethos which really appeals to me.    The brand is all about creating something in a "thoughtful way, causing the least damage to the environment", "empowering women" and encouraging "every member of our team to maximise ones potential in creating something extraordinary"... now if that isn't inspiring in this day of throwaway fashion and acquiring the lastest trends for the sake of it, I don't know what is. Follow the links to enter the giveway and then go to the brands website to pick out your favourite - the cape has my name written all over it!

Lisa Ho / Talulah / Ellery / Michael Lo Sordo

+ And finally, some excerpts from this weeks Mercedes Benz Fashion week... via here.


Have a lovely weekend.

xx

A Tree Change

Are you a tree change or a sea change type of person?    If you were able to leave your home in the city and pick somewhere to live, create, grow and flourish would it be by the sea or amongst the trees?

Ideally I would pick amongst the trees not far from the sea (or with sea views in the distance)!  I would want it to have so much space and light and quiet so as to revive & nourish me and also a wonderful space to create and work from.  The whole working from home thing is ideal for me.  So when I read this interview with Shannon Fricke (stylist, interior designer, author, tv presenter, homewares designer, blogger) via The Design Files over the weekend, I was instantly struck with envy.

Situated in the Byron Bay hinterland in NSW, Shannon works and lives on this farm which of course has been updated and decorated in a true Australian relaxed style where colour and light dance alongside each other beautifully.

A fabulous studio area filled with bright natural light is where Shannon works on her new homewares range, writes her blog from, meets with her staff, and generally creates from.  Workshops are also run from this studio space, so if you're interested and able to get there, Styling 101 would be my pick - imagine having your creativity inspired in this unique country setting.  I've seriously been coveting the studio space all weekend!

Shannon's website is absolutely gorgeous too - check out the bedlinen and range of ceramics; order the latest book, 'How To Decorate'; check out Shannon's blog; view some of Shannon's Design work and portfolio or book yourself in for a workshop.   (The 'Forever and Ever' Throw is my favourite.)

Shannon in her studio workspace / Image from Shannon's design portfolio / Image of the new bedlinen range