A truly beautiful Minxy mix of charm, inspiration, practical advice, and pretty projects to simplify and beautify your life and home. - Jane Brocket, The Gentle Art of Domesticity
Frocks event in Coffs Harbour
If you happen to be in Coffs Harbour during the first week of January, come along to the Vintage Fashion Fair, where I’ll be locally launching A Life in Frocks. I’ll be talking, signing and selling books all day (and squeezing in a few days’ holiday nearby). Hope to see you there.
‘Tis the season
Kawaii kids' poncho
Ah, holidays… we just spent the morning lolling under an umbrella on Bronte Beach reading and snoozing, before scooting home for a lunch of salad and chilli prawns. Perfection. When it came time to leave, this is what I used to bundle up the wee one – my terry towelling poncho, which appears in Australian Women’s Weekly‘s January issue (out today).
To make your own, purchase terry towelling on the roll from a haberdashery, or chop up a large-ish towel for pool and beach visits… they’re especially useful for chilly early-morning dips. Click here for the instructions.
Christmas made simple
Easy ivy wreath
With work keeping us busy up until the very last moment on xmas eve, we’ve gone decidedly low-fi this year. A simple wreath made from ivy cuttings and stripy ribbon for the door, ham on order, a house full of flowers picked up from the fabulous CarriageWorks Markets on Saturday, and handmade stockings cobbled together from No Chintz remnants – need it be any more complicated?
As long as we keep the pancakes coming on xmas morning, Olive will be content. My biggest indulgences this year? A pantry full of cold-pressed olive oils, dukkah, pickles, exquisite condiments and the traditional drunken pud, plus a fridge full of champers and French cheese.
Hapiness is.
A handmade stocking
Gorgeous summer hydrangeas
Blow!
Harvey time
A felt watch for Harvey
We have two childrens’ parties today – Enzo turns six, and Harvey turns two. You might remember Harvey’s 1st birthday gift from an earlier post, but I’ve made him a felt watch permanently set at elevenses this year. What better toy for a wee one that any felt frippery?
Decisions, decisions
Fab fabric find
I found this metre-wide length of heavy vintage linen not too long ago at the Rozelle Markets, and am in two minds about what to do with it: a stapled wall canvas for the babe’s room, or a sturdy tote for me? A wall canvas would show off the unusual print, which has a fairytale feel, but a tote would be grand, don’t you think?
A sofa cushion’s another possibility… this may take some time.
Books to shape you
I am at home watching the Anne of Green Gables telemovie, in a fit of nostalgia, and it strikes me that this character is at the heart of me. From her hyperbole and drama-queen tendencies to a yearning for kindred spirits, Anne’s the childhood friend every girl who ever read the classic Lucy Maud Montgomery books longed for.
Halfway through reading the talented Kate Morton’s wonderful new novel, The Distant Hours, I am similarly transported back to the escapism and rampant book-lust of childhood… grab a copy now if you haven’t already; it’s a jolly good read – perhaps her best yet.
Kitty Collects
'Lucina' handmade clutch from Kitty Collects
Look at these gorgeous purses, all created by Amanda of Kitty Collects – the selection of re-purposed vintage fabrics is divine. I don’t think you could have too many of these, do you?
The Lowercase
Swan duvet cover set from The Lowercase
If you’re in Sydney you’ll know it’s cats and dogs out there at the moment, but rouse yourself from your cosy indoors haven and get down to 84 William Street, Paddington if you have the chance to visit The Lowercase’s pop-up boutique this week, or simply visit its online store.
Held in conjunction with Puddin’ Head and Attia, the cute weatherboad cottage plays host to some of the most original and stylish products available for xmas this year. Sustainable tableware, paper forms, contemporary artwork, gorgeous children’s lamps and designer bed linen… I’m angsting over a choice between the Snow Goose, Squirrel and Toadstool lamps, but the intricately embroidered bed linen sourced by clever Lowercase partners Tessa & Michael is playing on my mind also.
Rare vintage French children's book from The Lowercase
Snow Goose table lamp from The Lowercase
Toadstool lamp