Affordable lovelies...

While out and about I picked up these very sweet little ornate turquoise dishes from Target for only $2.95 each! Perfect to display some little flowers and soaps in my bathroom :)

I also found the sweetest brand of stationary and gifts at my local cards shop called Kimmidoll.


I had to buy the pencil case for all my new rendering equipment, but with their adorable extensive range I'm sure I'll be purchasing a few Christmas stocking fillers for my daughter :)

(please click to enlarge)

A circus themed little boys room...

Some people despise themed rooms but I actually don't mind them. Inspired by the new range of wallpaper and rugs by designer extraordinaire Catherine Martin, introduced to me by Shannon Fricke and Home Beautiful magazine, I have become so smitten with her Circus Silhouette range I couldn't help but put a virtual inspiration board together for a proposal to my sister. My pregnant sister and her husband already have one 2 yr old son - Zach!, and we all just found out last night at a family dinner they are expecting a second son! *YAY*

Unfortunately my own son is now 11 so I doubt I could convince him to allow me to attack his room with my new found love lol. If I were to design a circus themed boys room this is how I'd do it -

Example one: I would paper one wall with either the red or the blue CM circus design and paint the remaining walls white.

Example two: Like the images, I'd paper all the walls the CM circus design and corresponding stripes design.

Example one: I would use a stripe design fabric for the window treatments such as the Alvine Smal fabric from Ikea or another along the lines of this stripes fabric from Pottery Barn kids.

Example two: I'd use a plain primary coloured fabric.

This absolutely GORGEOUS circus silhoulette design rug also by Catherine Martin to coordinate with the wallpapers, sourced through Designer Rugs would go in both example rooms.

(realestate.com)

For both example one and two the bedding would be a very similar pattern to the window coverings and I would choose perhaps a black iron or timber bed.

It's at this point I get to show off the AMAZING work of Kris Langenburg of Mystico Designs.

Kris is yet another extremely talented artist and fellow francophile who specializes in wall murals and handpainted wall hangings. I was blown away as I toured around her site at all her stunning whimsical designs and I was thrilled to see she even had a circus themed wall hanging you can have custom named. This would make such a wonderfully personal feature in my circus room. Check out her new blog as she takes us on a journey of her life, loves and work through her storybook eyes :)

For both example one and two I love this Hensvik bookcase from Ikea and I would probably attempt to paper the back with again either the circus silhouette or stripes design, however opposite colours to the walls. I would then fill it with with some must have accents such as...

A carousel...

A jack in the box...

And of course what childs circus room would be complete without Dumbo!

Finally, one last detail I thought would make a great addition would be a rocking lion as opposed to the traditional horse. I can just picture the little tacker riding away and roaring his lungs out lol.

Now as I am only a student I welcome constructive criticism. What do you all think of my virtual boys circus inspired room? Yay or Nay? lol

Another year older...

Twas my birthday yesterday and I wanted to show off a couple of yummy pressie's I received from my sweet husband and gorgeous children.

When SH asked what it was I wanted for my birthday I immediately piped up and said "A bottle of Chanel Mademoiselle!" before he barely finished the sentence hehe and can you believe this is my very first bottle of Chanel? Don't ask me what took me so long lol. I guess I have my favourites and tend to stick to them. This incredible fragrance is definately now my new favourite scent. And it's pink too! I'm so thankful, I couldn't have wished for anything more :)

My beautiful babies also surprised me with handmade cards and these exquisite hot pink roses - courtesy of their dad :)

Haha I'll never make it as a stylist LOL ;)






That evening a few close friends and family and I had an AMAZING meal at our local pub, which is actually more like a resort these days after their extensive renovations. I had a lovely evening, with fantasic conversation, a bunch of laughs and little too much champagne lol. Thank you dear friends for your cherished gifts and wonderful company. I will remember it always :)

Tis the season to glam it up!

It would seem I'm not the only one going through a "glamour" phase at the moment. This morning I woke to a very exciting trend alert email from thehome.com exclaiming Feminine glamour is all the rage. We don't mean cute cottage frills, we're talking sophistication and opulence with sumptuous fabrics, trims and beads, embroidery and family heirlooms. "Everything at the moment seems to have a skirt, a tuft or a pleat", and I LOVE IT!

Stepping out for the day I then discovered the september 08 issue of Romantic Homes magazine has a front page feature on vintage glamour and 77 ways to get the look. Needless to say I went away with this tucked under my arm ;)

Sitting back in front of my computer, the front page of my new mag reminded me of a shop in Sydney I ADORE and visit everytime I'm in the area.

From the website - Specialising in chandeliers, "Vintage Glamour" offer a diverse selection of vintage and rare antique chandeliers which can be seen in both stores, mainly from France, Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe, and the middle east. Our antique furniture range consists of Original French and European armoires and beds, Louis chairs, French architectural pieces, as well as italian toleware & florentine furniture.

Vintage Glamour and their new sister store Parisian Flair are run by a husband and wife team, Maritza and Paul. Two lovely people who are always willing to go above and beyond with any inquiry or request you may have.

Unfortunately I'm not yet in a financial position to furnish my whole house with their exquisite wares however I have bought some gorgeous boudoir chairs and accessories for my daughters room from this heavenly store.

Following are just a few examples of the ultimate in glamour and luxury Vintage Glamour has to offer.

This will be my next bed however I'd prefer plain painted timber.

I reeeeally want one of these too-die-for venetain mirrored dressing tables!

Even some of their smallest items are treasures to be cherished.

I also LOVE this custom made French style lettering.

For more eye candy please visit their website and extensive range of opulent goodness.

Vintage Glamour

Embrace your feminine side and have a lovely weekend :)

Wheels and doll baby...

I was so excited when I saw this article in the latest Home Beautiful magazine about This brilliant designer and her Parisian inspired home.

Wheels and Doll Baby was best described by urban walkabout as, World famous for its posh-punk, Parisian scruff meets old Hollywood style, this boudoir-like boutique is a hotspot for those with a penchant for high glamour laced with a rock'n'roll attitude.

Established in 1987, growing up as an "80's rock chick", during my teens and early 20's, this was my favourite place to shop. I LIVED in my WADB basic logo tee with ripped jeans and laced up boots. Oh how times have changed, I'm now the epitome of a classic soccer mum and wear my non ripped jeans with a hoody and lace up sneakers lol, although I still can't live without my leather jacket ;)

After seeing this short but fabulous article about WADB's designer, owner and founder Melanie Greensmith's stunning opulent home in Perth I was instantly reminded of some good times and how thrilled I am to see this glamourous boutique survive and thrive the test of time.

It also reminded me of how much I truly love opulent sumptuous design which has helped me decide on the way in which I want my bedroom to go. I don't just want pretty, I want glamour and romance and elegance and I want one of those screens! lol I will go for my original idea of damask wallpaper and layer it with beautiful artwork in ornate frames, sumptuous fabrics and furniture with gilt, patina and mirrors.

(image from Vogue Living via Wheels and doll baby )

This gorgeous image above is from another article about Melanie's sensual Perth residence. Look at the exquisite tufted furniture!



(article from Home Beautiful september 08 )




These are some of the cute garments from WADB. The top maybe a little too revealling for me but I LOVE the Antoinette skirt.



I also love this peek-a-boo 3/4 top from the La Clementine range. So French, so chic!

The famous Wheels and doll baby basic logo top. I really need to get me another one of these, it is such a classic.

This is the WADB Sydney flagship store.

For International stockists visit this enticing website,

Wheels And Doll Baby

I am head over heels in LOVE!

Today I took myself off to my local designer curtain and upholstery store to search for fabrics and to my complete surprise and sheer delight I found out they also stock wallpaper. Now I know I'm 2 years late but I almost squealed when I discovered this breathtaking fabric & wallpaper called birdcage walk by Nina Campbell. I remember seeing the image below online through the Osbourne and Little website thanks to the wonderful Shannon Fricke :), but I couldn't imagine how stunning it actually is until I saw a large sample. The fabric is even more beautiful. I ordered some samples and I CAN'T WAIT till they arrive and I add them to my inspiration board. I absolutely HAVE to make something with this fabric, it's just too gorgeous to ignore.

Now I have a problem though. I originally wanted a subtle wallpaper to give a little pattern and texture to the wall and layer it by hanging some beautiful artwork over my bed. Now I'm so in love with this birdcage wallpaper I'm thinking about using this as my feature wall which means I will be unable to hang my artwork. I took a large sample of the paint I'm also using and it matched perfectly. Oh what to do?!

Here are some other samples I have ordered. I have a feeling the top one will be too green.

This paper is called Alyssa and it is a favourite. I just hope it comes in a duck egg colour.

I haven't ordered a sample of this one but I think it's gorgeous.



This paper is a little more on the contemporary side but I'm broadening my horizons a little lol.

(Sophia wallpaper http://www.sandersonfabrics.co.uk/acatalog/Monsoon.html)

I also had to show this image of another stunning wallpaper I found. I don't want my little girl to grow up too fast but this is the kind of pattern and colouring I would love her teenage room to look like , and it even bears her name! hehe :) I love the mix of rose pink, gold, cream and the silvery paper. So classically feminine, traditional and yet still you could encorporate some contemporary pieces.