Outdoor bliss

After debating for the past 10 years about the square brown patch of grass in our backyard that is "ripe for a makeover", we're finally going to create a garden that can become an outdoor oasis where we can read and play. We found a great garden designer to work with us who is about to begin drawing up the design. She doesn't use CAD as she likes the creative freedom using pen and paper. Her drawings are incredibled detail and it doesn't require alot of imagination to visualise how our garden will be transformed.
Similarly artist John Pastoriza-Piñol brings that same level of detail to his paintings of rare and unusual plants. Most of us will never see these plants in the wild but he captures their beauty and elegance and brings them magically to life. Watercolour "Arisaema griffithii" http://www.botanique-art.com/index.php

Stamp of approval

Yesterday one of my colleagues loaned me a book "Groundswell" and she handwrote her name on the inside. There was something charming about it. I recalled as a child using a rubber stamp with my name printed on it and proudly stamping it inside all my books. Lettergirl creates handmade personalised stamps with the most realistic handwriting.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20627646

Keeping calm

Anya Hindmarch raised the "Keep Calm and Carry On" slogan to new heights with her shopping bag. Littlebrownpen on Etsy has created a great reinterpretation of the slogan on a calendar you can print yourself. There's a cute version for women and men.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21120640

Freshly baked goods

I love on the weekends when I take my little girl out in the pram for a morning stroll and pick-up a fresh almond croissant and cup of hot mocha. I love the smell of crisp, freshly baked pastries. Thanks to Pattycake for creating this great t-shirt. http://skreened.com/patty/fresh-baked-goods

Divine dressing

This is the image the Bendigo Gallery used to promote this fabulous exhibition using it on gift bags, bookmarks and brochures. It exemplifies the simplicity of the gorgeous fashion of the period. http://www.bendigoartgallery.com.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=42&h=0

Footloose and fancy free

Summer has finally arrived in Melbourne. I'm painting my toenails and kicking up my heels in style with these gorgeous Funkis Swedish clogs. http://www.funkis.com/online_shop_sandals_high.htm

Simply sublime

I recently travelled to Bendigo, a small town a couple of hours north of Melbourne, with my mum, husband and 20-month old toddler to attend a fashion exhibition titled: The Golden Age of Couture - Paris & London 1947-57. http://www.bendigoartgallery.com.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=42&h=0 This is a collection from London's V & A of some of the best examples of haute couture from the period including suits, day dresses, evening dresses and accessories from Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Balmain, Hardy Amies.
The tailoring, fabrics and designs are sublime. I rarely wear an evening dress but as soon as I saw this dress it took my breath away. I could imagine myself draped in the chiffon and floating into an elegant soiree. Evening dress by Jean Desses, chiffon c. 1953.