Gift Horse

YAY!! I met Kelly today - my wonderful benefactress who sent Gidget and I off to the Hannah Montana premiere. Moondoggie had his 5th birthday party at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre - or Frog Slide Pool as he calls it, and Kelly came up and introduced herself. It was so lovely to put a face to the name.

Gidget got her school book club forms yesterday and she has chosen to get the Miley Cyrus autobiography! Maybe Kelly will want to read it after we have to make up for missing the premiere?? I know you'll all be dying to know if it's as good as it sounds so perhaps I'll review it when I've read it!

Rise and shine necklace :: Pink confectionary treat for your neck

I talked with my big sis on the phone this morning and she asked if I could make her a necklace similar to the one I made for the English Dept. Fashion show a couple months ago:

She also really liked this Anthropologie necklace:

But... she wanted it in blush pinks and super soft fabrics for her sensitive skin. Voilà! Here are the results:

Countless, supple layers of blush pink silks, tulle, chiffon on hand dyed self tie ribbon. I rarely get to make anything for myself anymore... but I really hate to part with this one. Alas, my sister will get this one soon!
I'm thinking of listing this piece in my Etsy shop as a "made to order" number. Would this interest anyone?
Update: Made to Order listing is up in my Etsy shop HERE. Thank you, everyone, for your sweet comments!!

Friday Flowers {On Thursday}

I am posting my weekly Friday flower arrangement today {Thursday} as I am signing off a little early this week. I hope you have a nice weekend and I look forward to catching up with you all next week.

xx
Anna

I also love...

... anything from moderngoods. My favorite is this antler platter. Wouldn't this make a fantastic wedding gift for the bride & groom??

Go HERE to view the antler platter and go HERE to view more from this lovely line.

I love this dress

...I love it a bit too much. From HERE.

Recent Project

We worked around the client's existing bed head above and just added the lamps and bed cushions.

Here are a few snippets of a house I just finished working on. We re-used a few of the client's existing pieces and added some new pieces and lots of pretty fabrics to freshen up the home.

Today I Love...

I love this green and white gingham slip covered armchair with the lace trim detail along the bottom hemline. Such a pretty chair sitting on my favourite white painted floorboards.

Image - Country Home via Mary Ruffle

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Over at Stars Hollow I did a post that led to memories of this fabulous 80's film. It is such a ripper of a film that I had to post about it here too. Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Valley Girl were my ultimate movies while I was at school and I still get such a kick out of them every time I watch them. The Solid Gold dancers were a little before my time but I would have given anything to be on 'Dance TV'.

Happy Thought

Image 1 - Elizabeth Messina via Mary Ruffle

Image 2 - Kate Spade

Pretty House

Amanda posted this gorgeous house yesterday so I don't want to steal her thunder however, I do really love this exterior shot with the billowing sheer curtains. Isn't it gorgeous? You must go and see the rest of the house on Amanda's blog.

Image - Country Living Magazine via Swish & Swanky Blog

A Little Flower Arranging Spot

And just in case I didn't post enough images to get you excited about a flower shed yesterday, here's one more. Although I think this one is a little corner in a kitchen. I just love the mix of blue and white china, fresh flowers, old family photographs and the pretty little wall lights.


Image - House Beautiful via Mary Ruffle

I'm just giddy :: Shrug is done!

Remember that fabulous shrug that I adored from Christine's wedding? And then remember the trade with Elizabeth? I just saw a picture over on Elizabeth Dye's blog and I am just a little too excited about this one! Lovely soothing colors, soft layers... impeccably well-made. And oh... I can't even fathom the amount of time it took. Elizabeth... thank you!!!!! After this... you need a vacay!!!

It's making its rounds in the fashion world, but when I get it, I will never let it go. So dreamy, I want to sleep in it... so pretty, I want to wear it everywhere. Thank you, Elizabeth!! You are THE BEST!!!!!

A Flower Shed

One day I would love to have a flower shed in which I could arrange flowers and store all of my vases and baskets and garden things. In my perfect flower shed I would have a large sink, a large work bench, lots of shelving and places to hang baskets and buckets. I would also have a pretty spot for some lovely old chairs where I could sit and drink tea with a friend whilst I contemplated my next arrangement!! I must get this book above called Shed Chic as I am sure it would provide lots more inspiration for my little flower shed.

Image 1 & 2 via Belle Maison Blog

Glamorous Times

Following on from my vintage fashion posters which I posted last week...

I am very inspired by the style and grace of these women. Look at the beautiful dress Grace Kelly is wearing in the bottom image. I just adore the green and white floral fabric it is made in. On another note, look at the curved banquettes which are made in white painted lattice. There is just so much inspiration in these beautiful images.

Image 1 - Vi.sualize.us, Image 2 - Grace Kelly via Porchlight Interiors Blog

Introducing :: Naturals :: Vegan and Eco-friendly Twigs & Honey

I got a great comment on my blog the other day from The Veganista:
"I just discovered your designs. They're great! Perhaps you could do a couple of vegan designs with non-silk/feather accessories? I feel so inspired to put something in my hair!"
April 16, 2009 11:11 AM

I have actually already been making vegan and eco-friendly pieces in my collections, but I guess I never formally went all out. My past and current pieces have included cotton only and non-feather pieces, but I thought now would be a great time to formally create a line specifically catering to both vegan and environmentally conscientious brides and clients.

I'm happy to introduce Twigs & Honey Naturals, with the first piece, Fields:

Fields is made with hand cut and pressed hemp/organic cotton fabric (55% hemp, 45% organic cotton). It is attached to a gold plated wire comb. Lovely and stylish... modern and chic... vegan friendly AND it is made with environmentally sustainable materials! Hooray! I'll be dropping the first of the Twigs & Honey Naturals collection off to the English Dept. in Portland, OR today along with these other pieces:

Hair combs, belts, and a "Naturals" piece! I hear they are going quickly and are down to just one piece at the English Dept., not including this batch above. I'll be up in Portland to hand them off about 3-5pm today... head over quick after that to get a lovely piece!
More "Naturals" pieces will be available in my Etsy shop and the Twigs & Honey Online Store very soon! Please spread the word if you're a blogger... word of mouth is great too. ;) Thank you!

sei digital

Have you ever tried digital scrapbooking? If you want a quick solution to showcase your photos, you should give it a try. We want to give you a chance to test it out for free! You can create this digital layout at no charge by clicking on this link. We just added some new items to our trial downloads section. After you enter your basic information (you don't need a credit card number since it is free) the file will be sent to your e-mail.

You might be surprised to know how many different options are available for digital scrapbookers. For example, some people like to create a digital layout, print it out, add some 3-D embellishments & slip it into a sheet protector. Others use digital scrapbooking to showcase layouts on-line.

Above is what I did with the free trial download. It is amazing how much you can personalize digital layouts. One reason I love digital scrapbooking is I know the layouts are going to look good before I spend hours designing and sometimes wasting supplies. Don't forget to check out sei digital.

We love to hear from you. What do you like about digital scrapbooking? Do you have any tips for those who are new to digital scrapbooking? Do you have any great Mother's Day or digital ideas?

Friday Flowers

Here are some flowers I arranged this afternoon for the weekend. Thanks for visiting me here this week and for all of your lovely comments!! See you next week.

xx

Anna

I just love this board...

I just had to do a quick post on this lovely inspiration board I saw today over at Snippet & Ink blog. LOVE IT.

These soft, muted colors are everything I love. Calming. From HERE. Reminds me of this dress, yes?

The Artist

Yesterday I posted images of our new display at Black & Spiro in which we have a painting by a talented new artist we are representing.

Her name is Diana and she is a friend of my mothers. She has been painting on and off for years. She painted the painting below and gave it to us as an engagement present 8 years ago. She has been painting for family and friends mostly however, she recently decided she would paint a few of my vignettes.

A few weeks ago she arrived at Black & Spiro with the painting above of some pink peonies I had arranged in a blue and white ginger jar on the bench in our kitchen at home. I actually posted this image on the blog late last year and she loved it so much that she painted it. I instantly fell in love with the painting. One of our customers also fell in love with it and it sold on the very first day we displayed it.

Her second painting which I posted yesterday also sold on the very first day we displayed it. We are now awaiting delivery of painting number 3 with a couple of our customers wanting to be notified when it arrives.

Diana is so excited, as am I. I have always loved her style and I am just so thrilled that she has finally taken the step to allow me to have her beautiful paintings on display at Black & Spiro.



Diana gave us the painting above for our Engagement present and I have continued to love it over the years. I have it hanging in our kitchen at home above an old chest of drawers which houses my napery collection.

Laptop.... kaput

I have the WORST luck with laptops.
My "new" laptop was and is beyond repair... this happened Monday and all day Tuesday, I was completely without internet and computing capabilities. At the moment, it sits in pieces. I had to purchase/order a completely new laptop all day Tuesday and then had to work on trying to recover my putt-putt old hard drive... and then back up everything... and then download all my programs/drivers. Yuck. At this point, I've come to grips with the cost, but the time and sleep lost is the real stinker.

Long story short, I continue to be sorry for any delays. I have received a flood of inquiries this week and I am still trying to catch up on old messages. I am truly sorry if I have not yet responded to an email or convo. Please don't give up! I feel terrible about that! I am really hunkering down and pushing through as much work as I can everyday and I truly, truly want to work with everyone interested!!! Thank you to everyone for your persistence!!! It means the world to me!!!!
Annoying as it might be, please keep re-sending those messages... It really, helps me! I get buried each day with inquiries. Thank you for getting in touch again!!!! Sometimes, I will take names down for orders, but the details may take a bit longer to nail down (i.e. confirming design/color details), but rest assured, you are officially on the list and I'll get in touch! I will post an updated "in progress" list later this week.

Black & Spiro Today

Here are some photos of our new display at Black & Spiro. I am thrilled to have a painting by a new artist we are representing exclusively at Black & Spiro in the display. She will be painting some of my table vignettes in the future which is very exciting.

Catherine Martin's Vogue Living

I just received my copy of the latest Vogue Living edited by guest editor Catherine Martin {thanks for the heads up Amanda}. I am so excited about this issue. I have been trying not to open it up all day so that I can enjoy it without interuption tonight but it just keeps on beckoning me as it sits beside me on my desk. I think it's going to be one of the best issues of late.

I Love...

I love this beautiful collection of things. Maybe I love it because there are some pretty blue and white pieces and pink and white pieces {my favourite} or maybe because the collection is just so imperfectly compiled. I'm not really into a big matching set of anything. Yes, that's why I think it appeals to me so much...it's mismatch heaven!!

Image via Brabourne Farm Blog

**Reminder

Image 1 & 2 via vi.sualize.us

Happy Monday

Hope that you had a wonderful weekend. We wanted to thank you again for your comments when Maria visited us. From the feedback it looked like a lot of viewers enjoyed her inspiration sites. Sometimes it's nice just having eye candy and not having to buy anything. Just browsing through a few blogs can give you ideas on do-it-yourself projects, entertaining guests, picking up a new hobby... or just soak up a beautiful design. Whatever it is you like here are some of my favorite blogs to visit:

• If you like photography The Blog is Found is a wonderful blog about a husband and wife photography team that have the most amazing images.
• Jordan Ferney is a letterpress artist that has a lovely blog about entertaining, color palette ideas, letter pressed beauties and more.
• Inchmark is a blog created by a former senior art director for Martha Stewart, enough said. Look here for fun craft ideas, quirky books and baking recipes.
• A blog that I love to read through is Katie Did. If you have daughters or children in general you'll love it even more for crafts, patterns, blankets and other ideas to simply beautify your home and life.
• Bookhou is a couple's blog that have a home decor company. John and Arounna have such beautiful aesthetics. Their ideas are minimalist and timeless and their blog transforms their design process into everyday life tips and creations.
• The last one is my new favorite, Mer Mag. She is an amazing illustrator and artist and translates her ideas onto her blog in such a yummy manner.

I hope you like these blogs as much as I do. It's a wonderful way to get inspiration and create a lot out of a little. What are some of your everyday blog destinations?

-Dorthea

I won something! :: Thank you Elizabeth Messina

I've been admiring the new blog, kiss the groom, which is by the very talented photographer, Elizabeth Messina. All her work is just lovely! A few weeks ago, she had a giveaway for a book written by one of her longtime clients, Tori Spelling! I got it! Hooray! Thank you, Elizabeth! The book, sTORI TELLING, was also signed by Tori and her husband. Too cute!

I love this tri-fold card that Elizabeth sent in a vellum envelope.

Be sure to visit Elizabeth Messina's blog, kiss the groom. She posts gorgeous inspiration daily! I'm completely hooked.

Black & Spiro Today

I finally had all of the beautiful vintage fashion posters, which I purchased in Paris last year, framed. Today I had them hung in a cluster on a wall in our new display at Black & Spiro.

We used a silver bamboo frame on the posters with a white matting board. They look so beautiful. We have a total of 16 available for sale however, I think I am going to find it very hard to let some of these beauties go!!

I will be posting more photos of the display later this week, once the new curtains are installed, so do stay tuned.

PS. Notice the aqua wall they are hung on. I told you I was into aqua at the moment!!

I have been asked to provide pricing on the posters by a few readers. They are all $340.00 except for the LV one which is $480.00. Thanks for your interest!! Oh, and if you would like to see the full set available please email me anna@blackandspiro.com.au and I will email them all through to you.