Paisley St Claire

I'm taking a break...

I'm going to take a break for a little while and be a responsible wife and mother. Have a good weekend and I'll be back again soon.
Love,
Paisley

Sweet print by Isa Form.

What a Menagerie!

My husband has a squirrel obsession so I am always on the lookout for adorable squirrels. When I discovered this little beauty I was even more excited to find out he had friends.
These pieces are all part of Jonathan Adler's  Menagerie collection. The Squirrel is actually holding a little ring box, the Whale is a jug and the Turtle is a box. Prices range from US$65 to U$250. There are more animals in the Menagerie so head over to the Jonathan Adler website to check them all out. I'm putting the squirrel into my wishlist, we'd love to find a cosy spot for him in our house.

Dwell Studio

Dwell Studio is an American company making beautiful soft furnishings. Their baby products are adorable. I think they have a real cosy, homey feel to them.

Clockwise from top: assorted wall art from US$88, pillows US$39 each, soft blocks (set of 6) US$37, oval crib set US$360.

You can buy directly from the Dwell Studio website or check out their list of worldwide and online retailers. In Australia, you can buy online at Kido Store.

Linnet: Minimalist Heaven

Unfortunately, as a result of my designing and blogging, I have discovered that I am no good at being a minimalist. I have a compulsion to make things as bright and colourful as possible. I had half hoped that my blog would be as elegant and design focused as a lily in bloom or Another Shade of Grey but I can never choose just one picture for the post, I need to have many, and then I put big colourful headings on everything. Its interesting to discover your true style when you allow yourself creative freedom.

As a tribute to minimalism, I'm introducing you to the Japanese store, Linnet.

See, other people would have chosen just one of those pictures for the post.

Linnet is a fabric store in Kyoto specialising in natural fibre products like linen, wool and organic cotton. Most of the fabrics are made in Japan with a few imported from Italy  or the UK.  Their online range includes linen, cotton and wool fabric, ribbons, lace, buttons and linen thread. The imagery is exquisite. Visit the Linnet website for more details and products.

Young Me - Now Me

There's only one thing funnier than looking at someone's daggy baby pictures and that is to see them pull the same pose now. At Color Wars you can join in the global game of Young Me - Now Me. Some fantastic examples are below:

I'd love to recreate the photo of me aged about 6, wearing a bright blue tracksuit, rainbow coloured knee and elbow pads, rollerskates and a stackhat. Hot!

If you're not into self-humiliation pop over to the Color Wars website and waste some time laughing at other people. I particularly love the ones where they've got their parents (obviously now in their 60s or 70s) to help recreate the photo.

This hilarious find via Daily Candy.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

I'd have to rate Marc by Marc Jacobs as one of my favourite labels. This collection is particularly appealing, featuring bold bright colours and retro styling.

These pieces are all easily wearable, fun and are relatively affordable. I'll take one of everything please!

Marc by Marc Jacobs is available online at Neiman Marcus (who I'm shocked to discover has only just started shipping to Canada), Net-a-Porter, and lots of other places.

Tory Burch: Red, White & Blue

I'm using this colour palette for the new collection I'm working on, so I was immediately drawn to these gorgeous totes by Tory Burch.

Lovebird Totes by Tory Burch, available in red, blue and yellow, from Shopbop.

Stationery Style: Lily & Cino

Today some elegant stationery from Brisbane label, Lily & Cino.

Lily & Cino also offer a personalised stationery service where you can choose your own wording and colours from their extensive selection. I think a personalised letterhead set would be a lovely gift for newlyweds.

Lily & Cino are currently working on their website, so in the meantime you can buy from their etsy store or find out more on their beautiful new blog a lily in bloom.

New Hair Buttons in the Shop

These hair buttons have just been added to the shop.

Click here to view all the Hair Buttons.

Mothers Day Ideas - part four

Today I'm giving you my best Mothers Day idea ever. My own very easy recipe for homemade pancakes.

Ingredients:
1 cup of self-raising flour
1 egg
1 cup of milk
a little sugar (couple of tablespoons)

What to do:
Put flour and sugar into a bowl and give it a mix. Make a well in the centre and  crack in the egg. Start mixing, working the flour in from the sides as you go, start adding the milk a little bit at a time. Once its all mixed in give it a good beating.  Let it stand for a little while while your frying pan heats up. Little bubbles should rise to the surface.

Grease your frying pan, I use an oil spray because its easy. Getting your pan to the right temperature is important. It depends on your stove and the frying pan. I always do a little test pancake to make sure its right. When your pan is ready pour some batter into the centre of the pan. I only ever do one pancake at a time - that way they will all be cooked uniformly and will be nice and round. When little bubbles start popping all over the pancake its ready to flip it over. When the other side is cooked get the pancake out - only ever flip once. Keep your pancakes in a stack while you are cooking them so that the stay hot.

Gobble them up with butter and maple syrup. Yummy. This recipe should make about 5 or 6 pancakes. If you want to make more its easy to double the quantities.

What I'm really hoping for on Sunday is a sleep-in.

Mothers Day Ideas - part four - Coming Soon

I'm deferring my final Mothers Day Ideas post until tomorrow. I have something special planned but I can't do it today. Please check back tomorrow.

Mothers Day Ideas - part three

We're going all out for mum today with some decadently luxurious gift ideas.

Left Column (from top to bottom): Matte Satin Caftan by Oscar de la Renta, Lancome Set - Secret de Vie Collection, Feathered Satin Slippers by Victoria's Secret, Stola Leggera Unita Wrap by Loro Piana,  Prada Set - Infusion D'Iris Coffret.

Right Column (from top to bottom): Small Scented Candle by Ginger & Smart, Small Blue Topaz Half Moon Enhancer & Bead Chain Necklace by David Yurman,  Eau de Parfum Prada Gift Set , Gauffre Flap Wallet by Prada, Petite Albion Prasiolite Earrings by David Yurman,  Pique Vesta Robe by Joelle by La Perla.

More luxe shopping at Neiman Marcus,  Ginger & Smart and Victoria's Secret.

Mothers Day Ideas - part two

Books are a fabulous gift idea. They last forever and are non-fattening. Click the picture to see a bigger view.

Left Column (from top to bottom):  Couture Interiors by Marnie Fog, Dirty Little Secrets from Otherwise Perfect Moms by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile,  Infinitely Beautiful: The Dessau Worlitz Garden by Thomas Weiss, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile,  Andy Warhol published for the ‘Andy Warhol’ exhibition organised by the Queensland Art Gallery and The Andy Warhol Museum, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

Centre Column (from top to bottom): Papunya Painting edited by Vivienne Johnson, To Each His Home Inspired Interiors as Unique as Their Owners by Bilyana Dimitrova,  Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous A Nutritionist's Guide to Living Well While Living It Up by Esther Blum,  Brenda Kinsel's Fashion Makeover 30 Days to Diva Style! by Brenda Kinsel, Palm Springs Weekend: The Architecture and Design of a Midcentury Oasis by Alan Hess and Andrew Danish.

Right Column (from top to bottom): The Outdoor Living Room: Stylish Ideas for Porches, Patios, and Pools by Martha Baker, Robin and Lucienne Day: Pioneers in Modern Design by Lesley Jackson,  Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects by Amy Butler, Patio: Garden Design & Inspiration by Jamie Durie, Cartier by Hans Nadelhoffer.

Books from Chronicle Books, Amazon and Queensland Art Gallery Store.   

Mothers Day Ideas - part one

With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, I thought I'd devote the week to some gift ideas. Everything today comes from Fjorn Scandinavian.

Clockwise from Top Left: Blue Fluted Full Lace Coffee Cup from Royal Copenhagen,  Klippan Candy Apron  in Lotta Glave fabric,  Royal Copenhagen tea pot, Floral Lamp by Bengt & Lotta, Lido Chairs by Skagerak Denmark, Black Fluted Half Lace tea cups by Royal Copenhagen, Calendula towels by Ekelund Weavers, Handblown Crystal Barn Owl by Oiva Toikka. All from Fjorn Scandinavian.

Design a Dr Martens Boot

A little while ago I posted about the DIY Converse shoes (see here). Well, I've found more DIY shoe fun! Dr Martens are running a competition where you design a boot, either the 8-hole (1460) or 14-hole (1914), everyone votes for a winner and then it is put into production and shipped all around the world.

Here's the one I whipped up in a couple of minutes just using the design tools on the site.  Its an homage to  my youth, when we wore cherry red docs, rode freestyle pushbikes and BMXs and listened to Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

You can upload your own artwork. I'd love to see a Helen Dardick or Jenn Ski Dr Marten boot.

Got to the Dr Martens website and have a play. If you'd like to vote for my  'Radicycle' boot click here.