weekend boredom

I love my job. But we all have a second dream job we keep to ourselves...and mine would be to name paints for a big paint company (especially since a reliable source tells me this is done by the marketing department over free cocktails). While bored on the weekend I treated myself to some new watercolours at the local art shop, and what looked to me pink, yellow, blue etc, the labels stated they were actually Permanent Rose, Cobalt Blue, Lemon Yellow and Lamp Black. While doodling the below drawing I thought I could go one better and rename them myself with even sparklier names, however most of the ones I came up with I think I got from the Dulux catalogue I consulted when I moved into this apartment. Guess I should stick to my day job.

chalk it up to experience

There's something not quite right about a woman approaching 30 who still has a fondness for bunnies, but there you go, it's out of the closet- nothing is cuter to me than a little rabbit, from the white ceramic versions to the ones chasing eachother around the rim of a small dinner plate! And now there's a cute one peering at me from the surface of a chalkboard paint covered egg by Lisa Tilse, complete with it's own nest and chalk sticks. Find your own at The Red Thread, along with many other hand crafted delights.

Feltidermy

Meet Bluebell the Jackapole, handcrafted in felt, and some of her less fortunate friends who have fallen victim to 'feltidermy'. I'd like to tell you that no cute little fluffy animals have suffered for the sake of today's post but that would be a lie. However, Girlsavage is responsible! (and adorable)

papier mache magazine

I can't think of papier mache without thinking of the year 4 art class i had to do where we made masks of mythical creatures by layering newspaper and clag onto a balloon and painting it at the end...it took weeks and weeks as we had to let each layer dry. Never again. Now I have a totally new connotation for this lovely french phrase- by far the most beautiful online mag I've ever seen, and it's Aussie! Click here to experience the ethereal beauty of papier mache magazine, produced by The Convenience Store.

let's hear it for the girls

"Oh you pretty things, don't you know you're driving your mamas and papa's insane?" -David Bowie.

These ladies have been keeping me busy with the back page of Home Beautiful mag which i have the honour of illustrating each month to accompany the sardonic David Smiedt's column. After an afternoon doodling with a tube of water colour on my balcony i found that i now prefer to draw lines with ink rather than pencil these days.

get folksy with elizabeth prince

A few months ago I lost my wedding ring...i had to conclude it must have slipped off during a morning swim. But when it gets replaced I'll be purchasing one of Elizabeth Prince's ceramic dishes and keeping it on my bedside where I can put my rings when I run down to the beach for a splash before work or less glamourously, have to clean the bathroom.

On a much more important note, I discovered Elizabeth on folksy.com... you are probably all ahead of me on this one, but methinks it could trump Etsy the way Facebook did Myspace! Not only are there talented craftspeople selling their wares, just as much of the site is devoted to step-by-step projects you can do at home contributed by members free of charge, like this envelope cushion cover. I love the idea of people sharing their crafty secrets for free, it keeps alive the spirit of pre-internet craft.

plastic fantastic

Trying to match that glaringly hideous shade of Coles 'envirobag' green to any outfit is impossible. I've always objected to those bags which are made of plastic-pressed-to-look-like-fabric anyway (am I the only one to notice?) and which have been mass produced in such volume they can't possibly help mother earth in this lifetime or the next. If 'they' want us to re-use plastic bags, they'd have to be hand crafted, in trendy colours from scrap material by Susan Bilj. By making them precious we'd use them again and again...think cost per wear and forget flying that faux-green tote from the supermarket today!

do little, eat much

Craft that looks like food is like window shopping and not buying anything. Sometimes this can be strangely satisfying. Unless of course you have the palate for felt, in which case you would need professional help but at the same time be able to indulge in these little french macaroons by Dolittle Design!

pretty type books

What to do when sitting at home with a bung hip? (and you've already gone around the corner for a chai latte and watched Oprah)...search for cool fonts on the net. There is this one amazing font that has been eluding me for a couple of years now, but on my continued quest today I found some inspiration at a boutique book publishing house in NY that at least has some very nicely executed font based books to admire...visit them here.

mon chocolat chaud (my hot chocolate)

It's that time of year. Both when it starts to get cold here meaning chocolate is required to warm the body  (you can freeze to death even in Sydney without it I've been warned)...and when some lucky people head to the south of France. My friend Helen is heading to Provence on Friday so to ale my jealousy and have my own little piece of France I'm turning to the hot chocolate scented candle by Ambroise and Ambroisine (cutest website art), beekeepers from La Sarthe region in France, but thankfully available here in Australie.

cloth it up

Depending on your age you may remember Cloth kits, popular in the 70's and 80's. My mum made me a strawberry-shortcake character cushion with one.Basically it's a pattern with a printed design on it and all you have to do is cut it out and sew it together and look like an expert!

Well, like all good trends they're making a comeback, and like all good comebacks, there are famous designers involved! Clothkits in the UK have partnered up with Rob Ryan, People Will Always Need plates and others...make your own dresses, skirts, cushions and toys for all ages here

baker's delight

My lemonade scones are 'famous'...or so I thought, until I started sharing the recipe. Now add 'in' to 'famous'. For some reason they only work for me, but my obviously mis-measured instructions to friends (which I have passed on at many a bridal or baby shower...I shudder to think how many!) leave them with a pile of goop that no amount of King Island cream and raspberry jam can save. I'd like to imagine them being served to their other friends on these Whitney Smith cake stands, as they coo 'oh my, where did you get the recipe for these darlings?'

However, no scone of mine is worthy of these homespun-on-a-studio-pottery-wheel creations.

To my dear friend Crystal, my most recent 'victim' and the baking queen of my life...I'm dreadfully sorry, love!

Arnsdorf

This post is way overdue, a discovery I made whilst in Melbourne and one that makes me very proud of our aussie designers from my vantage point in London. Arnsdorf. In my opinion this label epitomises cool, not the sort of cool that compels boys to wear their trousers too low or the cool of  girls wearing vintage that should have been buried with their grandmas. Arnsdorf is sophistication. Simple lines, controlled palette but oh so edgy. The minimalism that is offered by the hugely talented designer Jade Sarita Arnott, is the kind that takes the best of modernism and fast forwards it right into the present. There is not an ill conceived piece in the entire collection, which, by the way, is called I think we could do great things 08/09. Clothes that would normally take balls to wear, like the often gimmicky jumpsuit, manifests itself here as a beautiful relaxed piece, oozing understated style.  I have pinched some of my favourite images of the Arnsdorf collection from their website. But to see the whole thing click here. I think I could do great things in these clothes, don't you?

Dreyolle

Whilst strolling through the streets of Paris I visited what can only be described as a bizarre taxidermy zoo.  Deyrolle is a shop cum gallery dedicated to "preserved" animals... which apart from the beautifully coloured beetles and butterflies from around the world, has a collection of animals big and small and has been around since 1831. Not really knowing what to expect but certainly not realising how confronting it would be I  wandered in and up the stairs to the first floor. A 7' bear welcomed me into the space and then suddenly i was surrounded by wild cats, birds in flight, majestic deer and even a giraffe and calf. All dead. The shop itself is in a grand turn of the century building with high ceilings and all manner of period details which whisk you back in time and make you feel like royalty (yes i do have a vivid imagination)  but the animals... Spectacular! I have to say that I am a fairly passionate animal lover, I don't for the most part condone wearing them. Mink coats and fox furs are not morally compatible with my values, though  I do wear leather shoes, so where does that leave a prowling lion frozen forever in motion? Or a display cabinet of glorious butterflies with pins in them? Well, I at the moment my french is not good enough to engage the shop assistants in a discussion of animal rights, so I have decided that to stuff an animal that died naturally is ok. To then put that animal in your lounge room? That's just personal taste. 

This little Parisian gem is a curiosity in the very least. . Click here to have a squiz at what i am talking about ... but for the english version you'll have to use the good old google translate tool. 

I nearly left with a lobster.

Right now London equals snow, slush, mud and puddles (yes the snow is beautiful).  Delicate shoes are not the answer ... not even sensible boots fare well in these conditions. The humble wellington is a must. Enter Hunter boots. This Scottish company has been making their classic boots since 1856 and are suppliers to Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family. Now the term classic tends to be a little over used in this day and age but in this case it is the only fitting description. Built to last their current design has not changed since 1955 but now we can buy them in a myriad of different colours. I just invested in the forest green but likes of Kate Moss an other celebs have been spotted wearing anything from black to silver, with a bit of red thrown in for good measure. London does not have a monopoly on rain and where there is rain... there should definitely be a pair of Hunters. God, this sounds like an ad, but I truly am a convert! 

Some hope for a sweet tooth

Well now it is my turn to send you a postcard from london and I couldn't think of anything more fitting than a moment of escapism from grim financial crisis and plummeting temperatures. The escape is a little sweet shop tucked off the main drag of Covent Garden called Hope and Greenwood. Stepping inside this little red shop is like walking into a fantasy world of the 1950's. Packed to the rafters with old fashioned lollies there really is something for everyone here. Pick up a box of rose and violet cream chocolates for tea with your grandma, or maybe oodles of strawberry cream fudge for a girls' night in, then again maybe it should just be a stick of great british rock to nibble on as you float out door past the theatres of Drury lane. I promise you'll feel just like Doris Day. Click here to visit their website.

other people's pixels

Illustrators, designers and photographers are like the catwalk models of the artistic world... because they require an impressive portfolio to get more work! However, unlike models, we don't have a team of helpers doing our mundane chores while we walk up and down a big plank in designer clothing! If you hate doing up your website as much as me, and just want to get on with the job of drawing, why not join many of the leading artists handing the job over to Other People's Pixels...solely providing templated portfolio sites for creative people,they are incredibly affordable, the design templates are chic and simple and all you have to do is upload your work. And if my favourite illustrator in the world (Kat Heyes) has signed up with them, I'll certainly be following suit next time I revamp my look!

half a cup of tea, anyone?

Ah, January...early morning swims before work, prawns dipped in aoili for dinner, renewed creative energies and slowly getting 'back into the swing of things'. Forgive me for getting very lax on the 'daily' part of this blog. The posts will be coming in thick and fast very soon, just winding back up like a little cuckoo clock. Some exciting news- Xanthe is off to Paris next week indefinitely so we'll be getting a good regular taste of our fave city!

Secondly...today's little find. It seems someone out there is able to produce something beautiful and intricate using a scalpel and paper without hurting themselves...i still have a lovely scar on my right thigh from trying to build a paper model on my bed in the first year of uni ten years ago, so, suffice to say, I am in awe of halfacupoftea's creations. Just don't attempt to do this at home!

italy- la biennale de venezia

One of Martino's recommendations was to visit the architecture biennale happening in Venice while we were there, called OUT THERE-Architecture Beyond Building. Set in the gardens at the bottom of the Venice, almost every country in the world was represented by their own pavilion (no-not ugly plastic tents but architect designed, almost permanent, freestanding buildings) to showcase concepts of future architecture, without being restricted to the idea of a building- much like haute-couture isn't really wearable on the street, the designs were imaginative and not constrained to the idea of actual buildings, but what a space could be if the architect were to think 'beyond building'. It was creatively unrestrained and almost overwhelming to see so many ideas and models trying to outdo one another in such a historical setting. The exhibition continued in the Arsanale area, an old military yard, where some of the bigger names like Zaha Hadid and Gehry architects were given room for large scale installations to show what they thought was going to happen next in architecture. We took loads of photos but here are just a few....!

Chile pavilion

British pavilion

Me walking through part of the Italian pavilion

Conceptual illustrations in the Arsenale

Me amidst Zaha Hadid's installation

My favourite model in the Australian pavillion

The exterior of the Japanese pavillion which was a white space covered in delicate pencil illustrations and filled with botanical arrangements.

italy- Martino Gamper

ITALIAN FAVOURITES: The smell and touch of buttery leather handbags in Florence, the taste of seafood marinara in the Cinque Terre after 6 hours of trekking the misty coastline, the train ride through Verona which brought to mind Romeo & Juliet as we witnessed a very old couple reunite with a kiss at the station, and learning to order a good cappuccino in Rome by simply adding the word 'Dopplio!' (Double shot!) I WISH I'D: Well, been born in Tuscany.

Now, may I ask, what have you made today? Me, personally, I made scrambled eggs with rocket and parmesan for breakfast...and my bed, 

I made that too. Well it is summer holidays after all. Still makes me feel lazy when compared to the efforts of genius Italian designer Martino

 Gamper, who made 100 chairs in 100 days...all incredibly made from other old chairs (including some designer icons!) and this is just one of his countless projects which have redefined those overused terms like 'vintage', 'reuse & recycle' for me and given them fresh meaning. I met Martino by chance on a train from Milan to Venice...he had a gorgeous tan leather bag and moleskin diary that gave away his identity as an in-demand designer and we got talking...with his tips we had an amazing time in Venice and Florence filled with many gorgeous design finds (see posts to come). Visit his site here and spend hours on there as I did...and most importantly buy the dazzling book! I think my favourite commission of his is this Berlino Bench. Not to travellers - DO talk to strangers...you never know who you might meet!

Barcelona- modern moments at Vincon

I know the current trend at the moment is hand made layers of love by talented crafts people, but not everyone can appreciate a doily the way they can a Kartell coffee table. I have a friend,Rosy, who unashamedly decked out her bub's new nursery with bold, bright and modern pieces from Top 3 Design, and she was the first person I thought of when I happened upon VINCON in Barcelona. VINCON gives IKEA some tough competition by taking the 'design supermarket' concept to a whole new level- same idea, but everything is an internationally recognised design piece...they even sell Aussie Charles Wilson's famous candelabra there, and the Aalto vase. Here are my top modern finds at VINCON, top to bottom: FLUM light and it's packaging, CORALLE children's toy, NOVOTAT firewood bag, PANTONE coloured notebooks, helmet cover and VINCON brand 2009 diary.

The thing I love best about it is that the terrace where outdoor furniture is on display gives you a very good, cheeky view into the neighbours' place- Gaudi's famous Casa MIla! So very Barcelona to have old and new and design all cohabiting happily.

barcelona- iguapop gallery & shop

After visiting Iguapop gallery and shop on C/ Commerc 15, Barcelona, you might come to expect amazing art, cool wall murals and friendly shop assistants to be part and parcel of your regular trip to a shopping mall- well, that's how it should be anyway! You'll not only find street fashions presented with due consideration, but amazing art in the attached gallery (Elizabth McGrath was exhibiting the day I visited-work pictured above), and the opportunity to purchase prints by Spain's best designers and graphic artists including Miss Van, Catalina Estrada and Jaime Hayon. Hola!

Miss Van

Jaime Hayon

Catalina Estrada

Barcelona- La Comercial- New Lladro

On Placa Comercial in the trendy area of El Born, is design store La Comercial. Stocked with everything must-have in the world of design, they are also very proud of Spanish design exports including none other than Lladro- only the cool modern stuff from their collection though! Forget the old fashioned figurines of twirling peasants mid-village-dance...I was blown away by their new porcelain candles (Mediterranean Beach was my favourite scent) and the Magic Forest Ring I want more than anything else in the world-  (who needs diamonds when you can have a ceramic bird perched on your finger?), which you'll be happy to know is available this christmas at selected Myer stores for $200, or online here. 

barcelona- loreak mendian

Barcelona brings new meaning to the words 'window shopping'. Barcelona does visual merchandising like nobody else. It's as thought there's a big competition going on for who can be the kookiest and most creative. So, I bought a cool tee by this label called Loreak Mendian, who also happen to be into amazing window displays...there are heaps of examples on their website along with their trendy but understated fashion line and amazing graphics projects. You must visit them here!

barcelona-ivo & co

BARCELONA FAVOURITES: Finally tasting xurros & xocolat in Spain, the worn, peach coloured buildings, developing a good taste for mojitos, walking up to 20km a day to visit Gaudi's architecture across the city, and discovering that every shop, restaurant and bar in the city doubles as a conceptual design space- incredible! I WISH I'D- had a magic suitcase that allowed me to bring large design pieces home on the plane...oh, the furniture in BCN!

First stop in the most creative city I've ever visited...IVO & CO. Placa Comercial, El Born, Barcelona. I never thought I'd want to don an apron and dig up a recipe for applesauce, but Ivo & Co, arguably the most beautiful home wares shop I've ever entered, had me thinking like a Stepford wife the moment I stepped inside. Retro, frenchy, vintage style home wares beautifully presented with a country feel. Plenty of gingham, linen, scrubbed back metal, bird motifs and white washed furniture. Stay tuned for my lomos of this treasure when I get them developed!

paris- christmas

I could start a whole new blog just devoted to amazing little spots in Paris, but we must move on to Barcelona next! In any case, the city had a special impact on me. To say goodbye to Paris I leave you with 1. A little illo I've done to pay homage to the Eiffel Tower which is currently lit up blue with sparkling stars. 2. The address to my favourite secret spot in Paris, a little bar with the friendliest people, intimate atmosphere and cocktails that are almost too pretty to drink: La Famille, 41 Rue des Trois Freres, near Abbesses metro station. 3. The perfect piece of Paris to give as a gift this Christmas, a Memo perfumed candle in Christmas Tree & Snowflake scent.

paris- le bon marche

Ever worked yourself into a state trying to find parking in 7 levels of a Westfield car park? Well, in Paris they do things a little differently. You stroll into any store off the street with your poodle, i kid you not. When the doors of Le Bon Marche were opened to us on Rue Sevres in St Germain, people were shopping inside with their tiny dogs, looking at the gorgeous design products on every floor. There is no horrid food court selling Burger King, but rather 'Le Grande Epicerie de Paris' selling deli delights such as Sonya Rykiel chocolate teddy bears. Here, my favourite design finds from France's most famous department store (all available online in the home and design section)...

Top to bottom: Iris Niewenburg china brooch, Driade Kosmo table centrepiece, Jose Levy perfumed candles.

paris- la cerise sure la gateau "the cherry on the cake"

When the cake gets cut in the office, we all like to eye off the cherry...but only one lucky person gets to eat it. You will feel the same elation as the cherry-eater when you check out this 'gorgoise' home ware label, which is the beloved baby of textiles designer Anne Hubert, found at Think & More on Rue St Honore, Paris. And guess what, they have Australian stockists! Forget about the impending recession, you need an illustrated tea towel now!

paris- american retro

It's not American. It's not retro. It's very French and in the present moment, so go figure! When I visited the boutique at 8 Rue des Abbesses (there are about 4 in Paris), i found lots of lovely black and white with bursts of colour, in a genuinely French interior. You can view the whole collection online here. And to any of you girls who live near this little gem chock full of goodies...please go in and find out the name of the handbag designer who does the multi coloured basket weave clutch bags in there...I am KICKING myself that I can't remember her name, despite repeating it over and over in my mind before leaving the store sadly without one (too exxy!) 

paris-get lost with louis vuitton

They say men don't ask for directions and women can't read maps. Add to this the fact that Paris doesn't have parallel streets but lots of angles and little alleyways that look like 'short cuts'. We were determined to fit in and be mistaken for real Parisiennes (see above for the look i was after!)...alas the combination of above factors meant we were always 'pulling over' in front of a lit shop window to pull out our enormous, betraying tourist map. It was actually while we were lost in St Germain that we stumbled on another gorgeous book shop selling the new 2009 edition of Louis Vuitton city guides. Small, designer, and full of maps and tips for the flailing traveller...can someone send me the box set please!!! So if you can't afford the LV luggage, these will at least have you jet set in every other regard, wherever you are going...just about every city is available here.