Paisley St Claire

Settle in and get cosy... I'm coming back

Its been a long time with no blogging and I'm feeling a huge lack of creativity in my life. It's all wrong.

Good blogging takes up time. Just slapping up a picture and saying 'I like this' is not enough to make a blog vibrant and interesting. And while I feel I have very little in the way of spare time, blogging makes me happy. It forces me to seek out beautiful objects, art, fashion and the amazingly creative and clever people who dream up these things.  Not enjoying beautiful things (even if it is just being able to look at them on a blog or in a magazine) makes one's life boring and bleak. So we don't all have time (or perhaps the talent) to make a glazed pottery bowl, knit a cushion cover or make our own earrings, but we can appreciate those that do.

I'm going to get out of my dreary, uncreative rut and I'm going to start by blogging again. I know a lot of people enjoyed reading my blog and I am really flattered by that. I hope that you will get into my blog again, write comments and say 'Hello'. It feels good to be back.  

Insanely fabulous rug by Sonya Winner.   

By the way, I've just come back from Japan so I'll probably bore you with my holiday pics first. :)

Today I'm loving...

Today I'm loving... these lace porcelain bowls by New York based, Hideminy. If I could afford them, I'd buy the whole stack.

Today I'm loving...

Today I'm loving... the Anthropologie mix and match bedding viewer. Just click on the swatches to see what the sheets and quilt covers will look like together. Cute!

The Spun Chair

Just because we're grown ups doesn't mean we don't like to act like a kid sometimes. I think designer Thomas Heatherwick must have had this in mind when he came up with the Spun Chair. Produced by Italian design house Magis, the Spun Chair, looks and acts like a giant spinning top. If you want to see it in action, check out the video here. It really does look fun.

Today I'm loving...

Today I'm loving... these salt and pepper shakers by Korean artist, Daniel Jo. Available here.

Today I'm loving...

Today I'm loving... these 'Kirie' clocks by Decoylab. Very pretty!

Bomb Design's European Mobile

For those dreaming of a European holiday (and let's face it, who isn't?), this mobile by German company, Bomb Design would be the perfect thing. Just looking at it would keep you motivated to save those pennies so you could visit each of the icons. One day... sigh.

Helkatdesign

The Union Jack theme in homewares has been around for a while now, but these hand-printed cushions by UK operation, Helkatdesign are really lovely. I like their use of muted colours and layered imagery. Shop here. 

Vintage Coasters

I believe that one of the secrets to holding a fantastic party is the attention to details. Its the little things that can make everything come together nicely.  I found this round up of vintage coasters and hostess sets on etsy. Imagine if you were having a retro themed party or using a set of these to co-ordinate with your colour scheme. Cute.

These coasters would also make great gift tags by just punching a hole and writing your message on the back. 

Clockwise from top left: White & Pink, Orange & Pink Flower, Brown Owl, Strawberry Set, Union Pacific, Purple Vase Set, Mid Century Sets, Pennsylvania Dutch, Hot Pink Flower, Partridge in a Pear Tree, Cockerel.

Gomitolo Clock

Did you ever think there would be a clock with a removable washable cover? The Gomitolo Clock by designers, Carlo & Benedetta Tamborini for Italian design firm, Diamantini & Domeniconi comes in a whopping 90cm diameter size. Its probably a good thing that it has a washable cover because I'm sure everyone would want to touch it. Available from nest.co.uk here.

Dolly Blake

I was so happy to recently discover UK-based online boutique, Dolly Blake. The owner, Caroline Jones has curated a lovely selection of homewares, gifts and outdoor accessories mostly created by British independent designers. Everything is so charming and homely. Love it. Shop here.

Sweet Cookies

Have you ever seen cookies like these before? Very clever and I bet they taste good too. You can order your own customised Sweet Ambs' cookies from their etsy shop. They would make great party favours.

Bakelab

Wow. Yum. Bakelab.

Literally drool-worthy site here. Via Daily Candy.

Perch!

Super sweet little jugs by Perch!.

Cicada Studio

This fabric by Cicada Studio would make perfect cushions for the sofas in my 'one day I'll redecorate my house' lounge room. If you're not crafty, you can buy ready made cushions from their store. Visit the Cicada Studio website for more details. In the meantime, I'm bookmarking their website in my Renovation Folder. One day...

RE-markable!

Can you believe how beautiful all these things are?! They all come from the one store - RE in Northumberland, England. But don't despair, you can buy online at their website. I adore the cushions and the green American milk glass.

Uncommon Home

Simple, modern, functional and affordable - check out the clocks and other home decor at Uncommon.

Nice Package

Beautiful packaging and gift wrapping supplies from Nice Package.

Time for a cuppa

I've been a bit quiet this week because its been a little on the crazy side here. From scouring the stores for book covering supplies (felt like I was a victim of 'The Great Contact Shortage of 2010') to adjusting to our new 'getting up early' school routine, its been just a little tiring. Don't get me wrong, I am very glad that school is back but it is definitely time for a cuppa. A cup of tea from this lovely Kat McLeod tea set would really hit the spot. Available at the Heide Store in Melbourne.

Happy Weekend!

Today I'm loving...

Today I'm loving... these dachshund bookends from Jonathan Adler.