Finally!!!

Elle Decor has declared Navy Blue 2012's new neutral.

No more beige or black, it's Navy that will be featuring prominently in decorating schemes everywhere.
I think we here at Lily G have been inspired by Navy forever.
We love blue's in every hue but Navy will always be our colour de jour!!
And with Tanngerine Tango being Pantone's colour of 2012, we have a vibrant, exciting and slightly retro combinations to look forward to.
Embrace Navy today!

Diane Von Furstenberg

Ridgecrest Love Seat

Ginger Jars

Ralph Lauren Fabric

Tangerine Tango

Our star Navy

Love the Rug

Elegant head dining chairs

Blue kitchen wouldn't show up any 5 year old sticky marks

We can source side tables like these and love the wallpaper

Teamed with Orange gingham gorgeous

So fresh

Now you know what to do with all those pesky Hermes boxes lying around. . Yeah right

Quadrille Fabric on curtains lightens everything

Iman Fabrics for Unique

A rich and exotic range of fabrics has been developed by Iman for Unique Fabrics.

We have our waterfalls out on the floor and clients are loving them.  The colour's are so rich and saturated. Iman is such a classically beautiful and stunning lady. 

We can't wait to use the peacock fabric we have. Watch this space to find out what we do.

Happy Days

Oh, sorry I was a bit maudlin yesterday. I get that way on New Year's Day....all Phoenix rising from the ashes type stuff.
I have sooo much to be thankful for so I don't want anyone to think I'm not happy with all my many blessings.
My two boys and I just got back from Bali a week ago. Just mummy and her two little boys.
We had such a gorgeous time and I learnt that once they put down their games they really are growing up to be great little men.

Harry so protective of his little brother Emerson. It was lovely to watch. Also both of them so protective of their mummy, so cute.

We stayed at The Elephant Safari Park Lodge outside Ubud for the second week. The look on the boy's faces when an elephant came to collect us to take us to dinner!!

I highly recommend taking your kids here if you are in Bali it is amazing. The elephants are so well cared for and the grounds are spectacular.

What is Harry sitting on?

Hold on Harry!!

And Up we go!!! He loved this!!

Everyday we helped scrub them down and feed them.

The boys enjoyed it so much.

Harry and Emerson and their relaxed lady Nobby

Did Some reading on the holiday. These are some of the book's I was reading....

Water for elephants

by Sara Gruen

Very fitting seeing where we were. A very beautifully written book

Then I read Sara Gruen's other book Ape House which was good as well.

And because I was in Bali and it was topical I read the new book about Schapell Corby and her father.

Very, very interesting.  

What books can you recommend at the moment???

Somethings Got to Give

Well here we are, the first day of a shiny new year.

OK I know 2011 has been a very hard year for many people, me included. 

I have watched my business nearly go under in the flood and endured terrible personal loss while Queenslanders stood still in heartache as these water's seemingly consumed any chance of hope or happiness for the start of 2011.

My business, my optimism and my trust in others was heavily compromised through hurtful betrayals from people that I put my naive belief in.

I have watched my son Harry deal with his autism and have his little heart hurt over and over again from kids and their lack of understanding and plain cruelty.

The Global Financial Crisis, online shopping and the plain lack of consumer confidence has meant a very tough year for anyone in retail and I have watched MANY business's go under.

I have had friends go through terrible losses and their lives torn apart personally and professionally.

Basically this year turned out on whole to be a bit of a annus horribilis

So NO 2011 is not going to be missed.

BUT.....2012 is about getting up, dusting ourselves off and moving forward.

As long as we help each other and have hope 2012 will be the best year ever.

"Expect Great Things; Attempt Great Things" -William Carey, 1792

New Years Eve Wishes

New Year's Eve has always been a time for reflection.
Pondering the past year and what has or hasn't been achieved.
Looking forward to the oncoming year and making the resolve to follow through with the changes we would like to make in ourselves, family, lifestyle etc.

The top 10 Researched New Years Eve Resolutions are as follows:
1. Spend more time with family and friends
2 Fit in some personal fitness
3. Tame the bulge
4. Quite smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organised

Well I'm not sure what your new years resolutions will be but there's about 5 on that list which are going to be on mine. Don't smoke so at least I'm off the hook for that one.
Number 10 is basically my number 1, because I believe once I get my shizz together I'll be able to do 1, 2 & 5 more easily.

Are you getting frocked up tonight and hitting the town??
I had planned to have a little paartay but I've landed in a fluey heap and am no good to man nor beast.
So have some bubbles for me tonight and I will see you in next year!!!!
BTW 2012 is going to ROCK!!!

If I was going out I would be wearing sparkly stuff....Gold or Silver

Or lots of embellishment

And drinking Champagne ( I wish they would bring back champagne saucers)

Peep toe, sling back and sparkles Yes Please!!

What are your new years resolutions??

Inspiration for a new job

I have a beautiful new client who is a bit of a celebrity and lives in the hinterland of Byron Bay.
She and her husband are very busy in their job's and they have a gorgeous baby girl.
Their house sits on high in the hinterland and has magnificant views of the coastline and Ocean and they live in a virtual paradise.
The problem is that their home is a big mix of many styles having been renovated several times, the last one being about 10 years ago.
Think Ski Chalet meets Brady bunch home with a good old big timber deck tacked on.
The bottom floor is below ground level so there isn't much natural light coming through and the main room is in an attic annex but again with amazing views.
These clients are delightful and young and have the adventurous spirit that is needed when taking a big leap of faith. I am thinking Key West meets Retro beach house. Lot's of white base and pops of acid colour.
It is in very early stages and will take a lot of work re renovating and ripping out cabinetry, new kitchen etc. But like an overly excited puppy I can't contain myself.
Here are some shots that are giving me inspiration for this particular job. Some of these spaces may only have a small essence of what I am going towards, but it is the first start of the process.
Most of these gorgeous images are from Coastal living...love, love, love.

Click to enlarge and love the wallpaper in the bathroom

What I am loving at the moment.

Number 1 As this year comes to an end I am arming myself with all the arsenal I need to get my butt off the lounge and out into the world of personal fitness. I know, I know, WE all say it every year, but this year I mean it. I'm 42 in June and I've got to move it move it, before I can't find it, find it!!

Now my biggest issue is procrastination...you know the way it goes ...I haven't got anything organised, I don't have an outfit to wear, I can't possibly exercise today as it's a slightly azure blue sky not a sky blue sky etc etc.

So I eradicated all of these issues and have acquired the new gym membership and have left strict instructions with said gym to harass me if I am a no show.

I have the new trainers (as my dog ate my last ones...really he did!!) they came with the new membership so bonus on that issue.

And I have bought the prerequisite  new gym outfit.

So that brings me to my first thing I am loving at the moment....

I am loving that Lululemon has opened at the local Westfield at Carindale. They have brilliant Yoga and gym wear and I was waiting and waiting for them to open in Australia. I have always been a big fan and regularly shopped there when in Santa Monica in The States.

Here is what I have purchased for that ummm transitional stage....hides the bad bits and lets you move. Fabric is so comfortable like wearing pj's.

Nice baggy top over built in crop Yay!!

Very sucky in fabric holds it all up and in.

The pants have got great waist bands that are nice and high. So I'm set for excercise come 2nd of Jan!

 Number 2  One of my bestest friends and comrade in arms Sonya Driver  has been very clever and invented Australia's first Organic tan. I have known her for many years and she has had many ups and downs, but she has persevered and made her a dream a reality. Her product Eco Tan has gone international and she is an inspiration.
The colour makes me feel and look a lot healthier without all the mysterious nasty chemical contents that other self tanners have. Smells lovely, goes on like moisturiser and we can't keep up with demand at the shop.

Number 3 I am always loving Atlantic Pacific blog. She has quirky style and I wish I could look as groomed and well put together as her one day.

Number 4 In February is the annual Designer Bloggers' Conference in LA. I am going!!!

I am definitely loving that!! 

Other things I'm loving at the moment are
5. My ipad 2....kicks 1's butt
6. Inspirational, creative women that I am surrounded by.
7. My Children are always my favourite things of course but at the moment they are xtra fabulous.
8. The fact that 2012 is going to be bigger and better for everyone.
9. All my friends and family that have stuck by me and listened and encouraged through some very tough times.
10. All my fabulous clients that have inevitably become good friends.

What are you loving at the moment???