Loving a Little Leopard!!

Leopard print is all over the runways and has long been a favourite for all the top Interior Designers. Fashion and Interiors are becoming more and more in sync. Use your leopard skin sparingly to avoid going down that slippery slope of looking too.....umm tacky!! But am definitely getting myself a scarf or two and would love a couple of cushions to put in lily-g

Balmain

Stunning Balmain Smoking Jacket!!!

Oh the Gloves as a scarf!!! Would you??

Gorgeous and Bo Ho 

Transferred onto the street

YSL 1986

Riding anyone??? No one wears gum boots as good as Kate Moss

Louis Vuitton Print Scarf....Yes Please!! Definitely getting me one of these!

Gorgeous!!

Philip Stark Chair

Forget about the chairs.....How about that light fitting!!!! Can't see any of my clients requesting a glass sailing ship anytime soon!!! How to source?? 

Love this chair!!!

Just an accent

Aerin Lauder and her amazing leopard skin sofa!! Anyone have any leopard skin in their home??

When good leopard  goes bad..........

I

It's here!! headed under 'Shameless Self Promotion'

Well it's out!!! We had to wait and wait. Thank You to Catherine Shields and Simon Kenny for their brilliant work. My client Cathy is a bit in shock that her home is in such a beautiful magazine...on the cover no less!!! I think it looks gorgeous (but I could be biased.)

I know you have seen some of the photo's before but these are Simon Kenny's photo's and he's a wee bit more skilled on the camera than me.

Music Monday!

I've decided that although Monday's are tough to get into I'm going to start the week with a smile on my face and a song in my heart!!! This is the first 'Music Monday' I'll post some fabulous music and get the week off to a great start.
My first song is 'Songbird' by Eva Cassidy. My favourite song by one of my favourite singers off the soundtrack of one of my all time favourite movies.....Enjoy and have a gorgeous Monday!!!!

Pretty In Pink

I'm posting pink rooms today. Pink is my mood de jour because I have just finished watching the cult classic "Pretty in Pink" on dvd. Well I say it's a cult classic. Wow was I ever that young?? I remember wanting red hair just like Molly Ringwald's and being devastated when Blain stood her up for the Prom!!  Watching Pretty in Pink has put me in the mood for more good old 80's classics, you know Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, St Elmo's Fire and really anything with Rob Lowe in it. Might even do a John Hughes Marathon tonight if The Man Person can stand it.  

Well other than tripping down memory lane with Molly Ringwald, I have had a relaxed and chilled weekend with my boys. They have watched too much T.V and I have spent too much time on the sofa with feet up and vino in hand and it's been blissful for all concerned. We took a quick trip to James St and purchased fresh Prawns and some other provisions and my darling Man Person made me the best Prawn sandwiches with Chili aioli,  butter lettuce and avocado on fresh white bread (sorry multi grain just doesn't cut it when it comes to a prawn sandwich.) I have also spent too much time stalking some new bloggers and in the process have come across some hysterically irreverent blogs that made said prawn sandwiches nearly choke me when I laughed so hard.  Other than that haven't done anything but just BE.

Sometimes it's good to stop and smell the lack of purpose.

So onto the Pretty....First to pay homage to the movie....Classic and gorgeous and made every girl want red hair and every boy want to wear loafers without sox and have beautiful hair and impossible names..

Ahh Andie I thought her dress was hideous but always loved her hair.....Molly Ringwald made red hair, pale skin and freckles very fashionable

Blain, Andie and Duckie a.k.a Andrew McCarthy (whatever happened to him?) Molly Ringwald and John Cryer who you might also recognise from Two and a Half Men.

Ahh the quintessential bad boy Steff. I'm sorry he was my pick. Might recognise James Spader from Boston Legal. Just loved his voice and the laissez faire manner in which he dealt with everyone...To my shame.

Now the rooms!!! But tell me you don't want to go and get the movie now and watch it!!



I love the rustic charm tempered with the pink chairs and what a stunning combination with the red
rug...and it that a pig on the mantle???

Jonathan Adler room of course. All Whimsical and fun. Pink and Zebra is still going strong. I myself are starting to feel the love for some leopard print here and there. It is very cool and not so everywhere...YET!!!

Now I know this room by Windsor Smith has been around the block a couple of times (at least!!) But Where to start?? The Chevron, The blue Ikat? The stunning infusion of jade and all the unframed art so perfect!! A Grand room tempered with Jute and a Chandelier to add some bling!! It always lifts my spirits and makes me want to go get some really good gelato!!

This is Designer Ruthie Sommers home. It is crazy. I can't imagine having one grumpy minute in this room.

This gorgeous piece of magic is by designer Frank De Biasi! Can I tell you how much I love the deep green and gold of those (what may or may not be) lamps. They are stunning and just perfect. Loving the seahorses and the water nimph (every home should have at least two!!)
The scolloped book case and the fabric is what I like to call Nanna chic and it is perfectly juxtaposed with the slim line chinoise table and the geometric rug. Thank God they didn't over colour co-ordinate their books I am starting to get very very tired of books either colour blocked or wrapped in brown paper. Books are your friends don't be ashamed of them and cover them in brown paper!!

I just love these chairs and the cushions looks like a great place to have a long chat with friends, while man servant type feeds us gorgeous nibbley bits and bubbles (or tea for the healthy people)

Suzanne Kasler very feminine. Bit too for me.

This one is a little too pretty for me normally but it is soo happy and love the green of the plants and that sheep is just gold! Plus love me a sun room!!!

See you tomorrow.x

What do World Autism Day, Ralph Lauren & Sir Elton John have in common?

I have been overwhelmed by the kind words and support from Blog Land re my little "breakdown" blog I wrote about my gorgeous son Harry. I have had such an amazing outpouring of empathy and information shared with me regarding other mother's experiences with Autism and it has been so uplifting and just a huge weight of my shoulders knowing I am not alone. You know there is so much goodness and compassion out there in the world and it helps to re-affirm my faith in humanity.

Anyway Tomorrow is World Autism Day and Ralph Lauren has teamed up with Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) and will donate 10% of all profits made tomorrow Saturday the 2nd to ASPECT.
It is a day for awareness for this affliction which can occur in any child regardless of race, financial situation or gender.
And I am sad to say my invite to The Yellow Brick Road Benefit Dinner with Sir Elton John came a little too late and would be a lot too expensive to go to. Darn it!!!! This benefit was also being held in honour of World Autism Day so it is great to see such a growing collective consciousness happening globally.
Now get yourself to Ralph Lauren and spend up big (like we need an excuse!!)

p.s The Ribbon colour is blue so I'll be wearing mine with pride!!!

Polo Ralph Lauren Sends a Message of Awareness - Fashion - Lifestyle - Nine to Five

Holy Cow Batman We made the COVER!!!

Well, was perusing through my favourite blogs as I do when I am procrastinating at work. There on Table Tonics Blog was The Elle Decor cover which I love to death and blogged about a week ago and then House & Garden which I thought looked fresh and happy when I looked a closer I realised it was MY JOB!!!! (it's been a long day).  I knew we were in next months issue but had NO idea we made the cover!!!! I am a very happy girl!! Aaahhh the roller coaster of life!! One moment you're down and then you are up!!! At least it keeps it interesting! Going to go get myself some bubbles and eat something naughty!! 

Store bits and pieces

Here are some images of our new pieces in store.You can't see because of the reflection but I have got the most gorgeous chinese book ends in! They are sooo pretty. Love all the white temple jars in different texture, and my Joe Vinks table is perfect!

Here they are!! My new favourites!!
 

Sit back and relax on our gorgeous Pimms Chair with our stunning Gia Chandelier.

Going Green.

Simple Vignette. Loving my birds in store at the moment.

Our new chair and all our new pieces with lots of textures and natural elements. Great colours for Autumn.

 This looks much brighter in real life. The black and yellow look stunning together.

Style Icon Elizabeth Taylor

Very sad news today that one of Hollywood's greatest stars and legends has passed away. Elizabeth Taylor was a humanitarian, style icon, true movie star and had an insatiable passion for life. She could give the new generation of "stars" lesson's on how to do with in style!! Even when she was brawling with Richard Burton she did it with class. 

 One of my favourite movies Tennessee Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Paul Newman...."Mendacity"

I have long searched for a peignoir that looks like this because of how gorgeous she looked in. Oh and Paul Newman wasn't too hard on the eyes either!!

The love of her life Richard Burton.

R.I.P Elizabeth Taylor

My Son Harry

My heart is breaking for my son Harry and for me and we had such a terrible time yesterday.  Harry has mild autism. It is mild but significant enough for people to notice he's somewhat "quirky".
Harry of course has been blissfully oblivious to any problem and has floated through life in a Fae fairy sort of way, while mummy has watched and hovered for 8 years wringing her hands and exhausting all avenues in any attempt to help my son.

Yesterday my lovely big boy asked me the questions I have been dreading since he was 2. He is 8 now and is getting more aware of his peers. .So we were snuggling on the couch when he asked me quietly "What's wrong with me mum? Why don't I get invited to birthday parties? Why don't I have friends? Crack!!! That was the sound of my heart breaking !!  In the past I never thought about telling him...It was always my problem and his dad's never something to burden him with, he doesn't grasp things like that anyway. But what if it made a difference? I thought. What if making him aware of his issues (being old enough now) he might be a little more self regulating and try and curb some of his not so socially acceptable nu isms.OK I thought I would give it a shot

I asked him lots of questions about his thoughts and why HE thought he was different eventually I told him quietly and slowly that he had ASD and of course he didn't understand, so we watched some tapes some parents of other little boys had posted on YouTube (yes everything goes on You Tube!!) that also had high functioning Autism. The little boys were just like him....Imaginative, serious, earnest, complex, bloody hard to have a conversation with and struggling to fit themselves into a world that isn't too comfortable for them. 

He DID NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT and got upset. Ran off screaming and slammed the door. I guess if I was him I would do the same.

It's not fair to put labels on kids....but sometimes you have to...the schools want the labels, the government want the labels and as parents you need the labels to get the support your child desperately needs, so you can access the Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Child Psychologist and extra Tutoring and Special Education Teachers. You have to label your child. But I didn't want Harry to think I labelled him. I just wanted him to understand that there was a reason for his uniqueness and that there were lots of little kids like him. Maybe I did it the wrong way? Maybe too early I don't know...All I know now is I feel like I've spoilt something for him. Ruined some serenity he had. So now I am sitting in the shop and am supposed to be writing about new furniture but can't as I'm feel too heavily burdened with mother guilt. Perhaps that is why I am blogging about this..... usually I don't talk about it let alone write about it on such a far reaching platform ...and probably many people that know me will be very surprised. It's not that I'm ashamed or embarrassed as there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. It's just so personal and painful and close to me that it does not occur to me (usually) to discuss it.  

There are many different areas in Harry's life that are challenging for him and therefore also for me, but I have (as mummy's do) hitched up my belt taken big breaths and just forged ahead.  But the thing is sometimes mummy's fall down, they need back up and support from people that have been where they are and can say "hang in there." I want to know How to get the parents at school to invite the Harry to parties? How to get the kids to understand when Harry has a meltdown that it's not his fault...that he just can't cope with all the stress and anxiety that he has to calm himself by hiding under bean bags!??!

 I KNOW he is loving, caring, happy and a beautiful boy but how can I shadow him everyday and say to people "look how marvelous my son is!! and you would know that too If you would only take time to find out!!" Talk about Helicopter parenting !!!!

Anyway if anyone has any words of wisdom for me or advise It would be greatly appreciated. Because Harry's teacher just called me to say she wants an interview and the nanny just quit after 2 days (this is my 5th in a year) and mummy has fallen down again!!

Harry

Us

Bring on Winter

I am a winter girl and just love bundling up in big coats and boots. Somehow it is much easier to look elegant and stylish when there isn't sweat dripping down your face.
Even though we are a season behind the rest of the world (and don't have that much of a winter to speak of) we still embrace it as much as someone south of the equator can!! With that in mind I came across these stunning images by photographer Jaques Dequeker he does the MOST amazing photographs.
So here are some absolutely to die for fashion to put us in the mood!!!

Love this one absolutely gorgeous!!

 My favourite
 This is such a fantastic image love it!!

I must say these images put my snow outfits to shame!
Melinda x