Ish & Chi

The circus comes to Peter Alexander

2009-11-10T08:20:00.000+11:00

Peter Alexander's catalogues are always fun to look through, don't you think? His latest one is adorable and circus themed which you know is right up my alley!

Above are my picks. Check out the full range here.

Meanwhile let's talk Christmas shopping. I know, I know it is still November! I can never manage to get my act together until the week before Christmas. Nothing can tempt me to start earlier - not the store decorations that are already out or the pre-Christmas sales. Not even my local post office that has been counting down the days to Christmas for a few months now.

When do you start your Christmas shopping or have you already started?

(Images copyright Peter Alexander)

A glamorous greenhouse

2009-11-09T06:34:00.001+11:00

I came across these images from Country Living a while back but I've been thinking about what to do with the large chandelier so I dug these images up again to have another look.

I've been spending lots of time in the garden lately. How nice would it feel to unwind after a day of gardening in a glamorous space such as this? One can dream I suppose.

Tell me about your weekend. Was it a relaxing or busy one?

(Images Country Living)

Free hugs

2009-11-06T20:00:00.002+11:00

Oh look! Bright and cheery. Exactly what I need right now. I was given some bad & thankful good news today about someone dear to me. The bad news turned into good news so no need to worry! I'm just incredibly thankful it all turned out okay.

This weekend I'm going to spend it hugging everyone that is dear to me and maybe even people I might meet for the first time this weekend. I'm going to be like that free hugs guy.

Take care friends and see you next week!

(Beautiful images by Catherine Ledne r. More of her work that are sure to make you smile can be seen here.)

Frills, feathers, sequins & dots

2009-11-05T21:20:00.004+11:00

I confess. I've been shopping over at ASOS today. When I shop online I tend to fill up my shopping cart full of goodies I like from a site and then whittle down the items slowly. These are currently sitting in my shopping cart - some I would love to own and wear and others I just like to look at.

Have you got anything in online shopping carts right now?

All Images ASOS.
Top row: ASOS Wiggle Hem Dress, ASOS Vintage Style Sequin And Beaded Outline Butterfly Headband, ASOS BLACK Feather Cape.
Bottom row:Reiss Akira Button Detail One Shoulder Silk Top, ASOS Iridescent Feather Clutch, Reiss Nyasia Feather Jacket With Belt

Melbourne Cup

2009-11-03T21:51:00.004+11:00

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I missed the Melbourne Cup this year. They call it "the race that stops a nation" but it didn't stop me. I was pottering around the house and just lost track of the time. I forgot to bet as well. It's probably a good thing though because I never win.

Did you win or have you ever won at the races?

(Images by photographer Chris Colls found here)

Paper lanterns and pom poms (+ shop update)

2009-11-02T21:30:00.003+11:00

Today I'm enjoying paper lanterns and pom poms clustered together as shown in these beautiful rooms and the colours are just lovely. I never thought I would be but I'm really into tangerine shades at the moment which is why I chose this tangerine coloured fabric to make a nice new Butterfly for my store.

And look! Flowers from plants in my garden that I haven't killed yet!!

Back to pom poms, I decorated with them for my son's baby shower and they are really simple to make. Instructions can be found here. I'm thinking of making a few to hang next time we have friends over for dinner just for something fun.

Hope your weekend was lovely and relaxing.

(Images Design*Sponge, Swish and Swanky, Ish & Chi)

Red stripes

2009-10-30T06:00:00.002+11:00

I was browsing through Carl Bengtsson's photography and couldn't keep my eye off this image.

Image left Carl Bengtsson.

The stripes reminded me of the wallpaper Catherine Martin used in her child's bedroom so I dusted off my old issue of Home Beautiful and browsed through Catherine's beautiful home again.

Image Home Beautiful October 2008

This is the bedroom I am referring to which also inspired me to use her circus wallpaper in Robert's room. It was nice to see it again.

While I'm seeing red stripes, here are a few other ways of using them in your home aside from walls:

Image found here

Image via Apartment Therapy

Image via Patricia Gray

Image Coastal Living

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the last few days of October.

Alex Perry for Designer Rugs

2009-10-29T12:01:00.005+11:00

Anthi

Baso

Bibelo

Ipografi

Nisaki

Palati

Psaraki

Rhodes

Oh how exciting! The designs are beautiful and I like that the rugs have been given Greek names paying homage to Alex Perry's Greek heritage. If only I could make room in my house for the Palati rug. I would need the dress to go with it as well of course.

(Images Designer Rugs)

Happy 1st birthday Robert!

2009-10-28T08:43:00.004+11:00

This last year has been amazing, tiring and fun. Every day I am learning something new about you and about being a mum. You love to explore, cruise around furniture, climb, jump and sing. One of my favourite moments with you is when I sing you a lullaby and you lie on top of me with your ear pressed to my chest listening to the words. Or when you jump up and down in your cot when you hear me approaching and then we both jump up and down for a while until we're laughing so hard we fall. Thank you for bringing out the big kid in me again.

It is a blessing to watch you grow and change and learn new things and I love that our home is full of your toys. It feels so alive. Happy birthday my little one. I love you more than I can even put into words. When you wake up from your morning nap, let's celebrate!

The circus party

2009-10-27T08:01:00.008+11:00

Thank you everyone for enduring my talk about the party. It all turned out well despite the rainy weather. I'm so grateful for everyone who came and for braving the weather for us! Here are some photos.

The setup

Signs I made for the games.

Duck pond game.

Skittles game and winning tickets that could be claimed for a prize.

Mystery box game. There was a hole in the right side of the box that kids put their hand into to guess what was inside.

Kids used their winning tickets to claim a prize

Activities poster I made for the party.

Costumes beside the photo booth that guests could help themselves to. We had some really fun photos taken. I'm planning on having them printed and sending out to guests along with a thank you note.

A few of the adults wanted a bag too. The party brought out the big kid in all of us!

I made it!

For entertainment we had:

Two clowns who entertained both the kids and the adults
Face painting - my friend did an amazing job!
Another friend performed magic tricks and made balloon animals.
My sister read the kids fortune just of fun
We had lots of games - pass the parcel, duck pond, mystery box, skittles, pin the nose on the clown, guess how many smarties in the jar (the winner won 1237 smarties!)
Guests had silly photos taken at the photo booth. Thanks Carolyn for the idea. It was a hit!

We almost had a hiccup with the food but we pulled it off in the end thanks to my parents and inlaws who are much more experienced than I am at throwing kids parties.

The birthday boy cutting his cake with his godfather.

Happy birthday baby boy! Your actual birthday is tomorrow and I'm going to smother you with 1000 kisses (sorry). I love you.

The circus is (almost) coming to town

2009-10-22T22:34:00.000+11:00

The party is this weekend. Forecast = rain periods. Boo.

We still have food to buy and a couple of things to organise. Most importantly though, I can't wait to spend the day with my little man.

I'm heading off a little early this week. Have a fun weekend and see you next week!

(Photography by Laspata DeCaro. Models Jessica Stam & Gabriel Aubrey. Images found here)

Kids series

2009-10-21T19:47:00.007+11:00

Love love love (yep, that much) the children's series Amanda of Swish & Swanky has put together. These are some of the images Amanda has posted that have made their way into my inspiration folder. Which is your favourite?

LOVE: The lanterns

LOVE: Framing children's artwork

LOVE: Hand painted murals

LOVE: A stylish place to do homework

LOVE: Large blackboard and ABC cut-outs

Amanda has also posted some beautiful nursery tours which I'm really enjoying and today she posted Robert's room which you can see here. I'm so honoured Amanda asked me to be involved. From both Robert and I - thank you!!

(Images Real Living, Home Beautiful, Real Living, Desire to Inspire, Living Etc via Swish and Swanky)

Prizes

2009-10-19T21:55:00.003+11:00

Hi there! Did you have a fun weekend? I spent it with the family as well as making a total mess in the studio in preparation for the party. Lots of fun.

Hope you had a fun one!

Apartment Therapy feature

2009-10-17T08:46:00.001+11:00

Did I say I was leaving for the week? I'm back for just a tick.

Beth Zeigler of Apartment Therapy asked if she could write about my use of decorative paper in my home and I gladly accepted! I didn't realise how much wallpaper and paper I have used in areas around my home until saw the images together in one post. Click on over and have a read.

Thanks Beth!

Birthday cake

2009-10-16T19:17:00.006+11:00

Looks like I will indeed be making Robert's first birthday cake. My mum found an old Woman's Weekly recipe book full of birthday cakes and she gave it to me to flip through to see if there is anything in it that I like.

I'm thinking of making the number '1'. I know it's not circus-themed but it looks easier to make than the clown recipes and I would hate to ruin the cake by being over ambitious.

Oh and guess what! In the comments of this post I mentioned that my mum once made me an amazing piano cake for my birthday which I still remember to this day.

I found the recipe in the book! I remember being so proud of it and gathered all my friends around the table to see it. I had just started piano lessons so this was a very fitting cake. I hope one day Robert is proud of what I make for him too.

Have a great weekend and see you next week! But before you go, please share, is there a birthday cake or a birthday party that sticks in your mind? What made it memorable for you?

Pretty papers

2009-10-15T21:19:00.004+11:00

I was walking past Ruby Star Traders the other day and like a magnet I was drawn in. I was like a kid in a candy store. I walked out with a collection of pretty papers - each on sale at $2 or $3 a roll. I wish I had walked out of the store with one of their inlaid bone furniture or the lounge covered in the same fabric as the bird print pillow I own. Next time, maybe?

I'm thinking of using the tiger print paper to fix up this old desk for Robert to use one day. Perhaps to cover the top of the desk or the drawers. If I don't do anything with the desk soon I fear my husband will put it out for the next council pick-up.

Do you collect pretty papers? What do you use yours for?

Guest spot at Simply Grove

2009-10-14T21:58:00.003+11:00

Hi guys! I'm over at Simply Grove today. Kirsten asked me to fill in while she is away (thanks!). The mood board I created above will make more sense if you pop on over to Simply Grove and read the post.

See you there!

Shop update: New designs

2009-10-13T10:35:00.000+11:00

I've been a busy girl. Available here.

Fashion: Jumpsuits

2009-10-12T21:32:00.006+11:00

This lady here has discovered that, despite all of the clothes that are taking up space in her wardrobe, she has no clothes to wear. None. My husband thinks differently though (and he's probably right).

We spent the weekend out and about and I just could not be bothered dressing in anything other than jeans and a daggy jumper. I would swap my clothes for my son's in a heartbeat if, you know, I could fit into a size 0 and I was male. He's been given some really trendy outfits.

I'm thinking if my clothes were practical and comfortable and perhaps even stylish then I might make more of an effort.

I found myself looking at jumpsuits because they look comfortable. The ones I'm looking at have no belts, buttons, sparkles, ties, fan-dangled thingies that my son can get his hands on and try to rip off. But I just don't know how I feel about wearing jumpsuits. Would you? Wouldn't you?

(Image found here)

Today I bookmarked...

2009-10-09T20:36:00.006+11:00

...these coffee tables for my dream home - the Hollywood regency style one.

What have you bookmarked?

See you next week!

(Images Tonic Home, 1st Dibs)

Birthday party planning

2009-10-08T22:13:00.006+11:00

Just dropping in quickly to let you know I've been busy planning my son's circus party today. I tried to order a birthday cake for him and the cake people told me they couldn't do it because they are all booked up with wedding orders. Hmm, maybe I should make one myself. Above are the party plans so far.

Speaking of weddings, the lovely Bonnie has featured my big fat wedding over at Amour Amour. Pop by and have a look if you get a chance. Thanks Bonnie!

Images found (clockwise): Baby's Got Style, Giggleberry, here, Party Lily, Tankom

Wallpapered furniture

2009-10-07T21:26:00.005+11:00

I have been chatting with a reader who found me via the Real Living feature and sent me a link to Bryonie Porter wallpapered furniture - thank you! I'm loving the eye candy. More here.

Also, big thanks to Handmade News for featuring my studio on their site last week!

Zig zag rug

2009-10-06T09:17:00.006+11:00

It was a long weekend here and despite the weather it was a wonderful few days devoted entirely to our son. How was your weekend? What did you get up to?

We took another trip to Spotlight (uh oh) and as well as a whole bunch of party goods for our son's first birthday (planned purchases) I also brought home this zig zag rug (unplanned).

I wish it didn't have the tassels but the pattern is lovely.

It comes in other colours but my favourite is this olive/yellow colour which suits the bedroom.

Size: 140 x 200cm
Sale price: $59.95 for members. Not sure how long the sale lasts for though.

Did you make any unplanned purchases over the weekend?

Two chandeliers become one

2009-10-02T20:12:00.001+10:00

You know how I've been looking for a chandelier for the bathroom after the one I bought was too big? Well I was driving along the road the other day and... Can you guess how this story is going to end?

Yep - a roadside find. I didn't purposely go rummaging for a chandelier but it caught my eye and I had to stop to have a closer look. I actually picked up two dusty chandeliers. They were not quite the shape I was looking for but hey, I'm not complaining! Each chandelier was missing crystals but I figured I could combine the best of the two to make one complete chandelier. And that's exactly what I did.

One of the two dusty chandeliers.

Only one of the two chandeliers had this part which sits inside the bottom tier of the chandelier.

A bit of elbow grease and patience to repair the hanging crystals and above is the end result. One new chandelier built using the best parts of the two chandeliers found.

Here it is hanging in the bathroom. The sun was going down so I took this shot quickly.

I gave the newly built chandelier a good clean and it now sparkles. My friend installed it for me last night (thank goodness it works!) and yeah - I'm pretty happy with it.

Total project cost: $0

(thanks to my lovely friend)

While I'm on the topic (and I hope you don't find it icky), have you found something either by the roadside or something someone wanted to get rid of and you've now brought into your home and given it a new life? I'd love to hear about it. Also, thank you for all your comments and emails this week. It has been so nice to hear from you. Have a happy weekend!

Real Living feature

2009-10-01T21:57:00.006+10:00

(Four pages of the seven page feature)

Hi guys! Is it Thursday already? This week has gone by fast for me. I really must thank you for all your kind comments regarding the Real Living feature. I'm really thrilled with it and am blown away with the interest you have shown in my home, blog and work.

Some readers wanted to see images of the article so here are a couple of the spreads to give you a little peek. Do check out the mag when/if you can to read the article and see more of the photos if you'd like to.

Also, I've ticked off one of the items on my to-do list regarding the laundry makeover. Can't wait to show it to you tomorrow!