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
Afternoon, Madam – how can we help?
Someone had better snap up this American pharmacy / haberdashery shop fitting quicksmart from DuckEgg Blue Quintessetial, for I’m a-pining away for it (no pun intended). Perhaps I could explode the kitchen wall to make room? My dream house contains one just like it.
The dead will have their day
Day of the Dead pendant from Polli
I’ve long had a penchant for many things Mexican… Frida Kahlo, bright woven rugs, burning hearts and Day of the Dead curios (not to mention burritos – ay carumba).
Hence a visit to Holy Kitsch recently. And a fondness for the above pendant in the new Polli range. I admire how designers Tess & Maja manage to both complement the old range and offer something new to love with each season’s range – too clever.
And click here to see the Day of the Dead print I created some time ago.
Mexican wares from Holy Kitsch
Feeling Frida: Joanna rocks a Polli lace & kohl gold collar
Kerri-Anne craftiness: a retro apron or two
If you knew Suzy
I visited Mornings with Kerri-Anne last Friday, showing viewers how to make my favourite apron pattern, Miss Suzy Homemaker from The Crafty Minx.
For simplified instructions on how to make an apron with a Valentines-inspired heart detail, click here, and make a date with your telly on Friday 18 March – we’ll be whipping up a cute shopper bag next time (and if you’re interested in the gorgeous rose-printed fabric above, I bought it at Duckcloth. They also happen to be having a fabric sale and offering free delivery at the moment).
Over and out.
She's a sucker for roses
All wrapped up: a gift for Angelika, Saturday night's dinner party host
Finally! Tepee & poncho instructions for you
New & improved tepee in AWW's October 2010 issue
Many apologies to those of you who have been asking about the instructions for these Australian Women’s Weekly projects. I had to re-learn some fiddly technical procedures before I could update the media section. I’m a luddite, really (do luddites tweet? maybe not).
Click here for the tepee and here for the poncho – enjoy!
Hardware & Haberdashery at The Society Inc.
I’m planning on heading here this week to see the latest incarnation of The Society Inc. and pick up one or two crafty wares. I always find a treasure or two to bring home from each visit.
The Fleurville Trilogy
The first book of The Fleurville Trilogy
Between 1857 and 1869, the Russian-born Comtesse de Segur published 20 novels – all of them bestsellers. Her repertoire included fairy tales, cautionary tales and later adventure stories about perfect little girls and brave little boys who gambolled in the grounds of the chateaux in whose refined confines they lived.
My friend Lou gave me these gorgeous-looking books for Olive recently – how inspiring to hear Australian Stephanie Smee discovered they were out of copyright, and thought to bring them to a whole new generation of readers by translating into English.
The Fleurville Trilogy – published by Simon & Schuster.
Show us your royal wedding sampler
Wills & Kate 4 eva, yah?
How can you not love a royal wedding? The princes and princesses, the pomp, the ginormous jewels? And the romance (naturally). I’ll be watching, big box of Kleenex at hand. It’s been a long time between drinks.
Here’s a sneak peek at UK mag CrossStitcher‘s royal wedding sampler, designed by Jacquie Pearce and on sale in next month’s 22 March issue (#238). It also includes a full alphabet and calendar so readers can adapt to their own wedding date.
Rah, rah – wave your Union Jacks, girls.
SOWSEW
Kelly Geddes photography, available through SOWSEW
Love the philosophy of this new Australian website, SOWSEW, which will grow brilliant as more people use it:
“Helping people to reduce their risk of creating waste and loss from expensive investments in fashion clothing and accessories. We aim to make available great opportunities for recycling fashion, and to keep everyone moving forward in style, hopefully without breaking anyone’s budget!”
Recycled Burberry coat-dress
Recycled Vivienne Westwood skirt on SOWSEW
The divine Victoria Room
I’m having a little love affair with all things Victoria Room at the moment. My thinking is that if only I could make it there once a week, life would remain ever-rosy.
Firstly, I’ve acquired a copy of sweet treat-extravaganza High Tea at The Victoria Room, with plans to prepare at least a few of its delicate beauties sharpish – starting with the Deluxe Lemon Slice. Heaven on the home-front.
Secondly, they have a range of fabulous events coming up, including the Mad Men & Martinis night on Thursday 24 March. I’m so there.
To be Joan or Betty? That is the question.
Details:
The Victoria Room is throwing an ultra glamorous Mad Men soiree to celebrate the introduction of its new Martini Trolley. There will be prizes for ‘best dressed in vintage’, so frock up and channel the lovely Betty Draper in your prettiest full circle skirt. Shop for vintage fashion on the night at Coco Repose’s pop-up boutique and learn how to master the Mad Men look with the help of expert styling advice.
Our award-winning mixologists will be paying homage to fashionable 60s cocktails. Think Vodka Gimlets, Manhattans and of course the Classic Martini. A special Mad Men bar menu will also feature on the night. Shrimp cocktail anyone?
To make a booking please call reservations on 02 9357 4488 or email michael@thevictoriaroom.com.
Jill Jones-Evans & Joe Gambacorta's mini-masterpieces