toot toot

Nothing beats Brio when it comes to train sets. It is SUCH a shame it is so hard to find in retail outlets and another media-inspired train set is everywhere you look. Why can't it be the other way around? Brio is just beautiful - simple, wooden and natural. It is worth the effort to find if you wish to build up a wooden train set collection for your child.

Images: Brio

decal decal on the wall, who is the fairest of them all

Decals. People either love 'em or hate 'em. I am a lover. Here is one I came across today that I absolutely love.

It's from the Wall Sticker Company's Signature Range by designer Fi Fy Fo Fum and is called fairground. S.W.E.E.T.

Images: Wall Sticker Company

Lets get creative

I have a daughter who loves creative projects. From gluing to cooking to drawing to crafting to building - give her a creative task and she will generally embrace it with 100 % passion and enthusiasm she seems to have for everything in life. God love her. Sometimes, as working mother, I can run out of ideas of what we can do - especially on those long, wet, rainy days. I am not a naturally crafty person, as much as I would love to be . I try my hardest to come up with ideas involving toilet rolls, ice cream buckets and other household items but they never seem to quite work and Miss Chatterbox just ends up looking at me with eyes that say "Oh MUM, what on earth are we doing".

One of my best friends introduced me to Seeding, a gorgeous New Zealand company who creates different kits designed to encourage a child's creativity. From create your own tutu to create your own wooden puzzle to design your own birds house to paint your own dolls house - these beautiful yet simple kits allow curious minds to explore and create. Fantastic. A far more useful gift than a plastic toy which will get used for 5 mins and then sit at the bottom of the toy box gathering dust.

Images: Seedling

Revolution is the only solution

High up on my Christmas wish list would be ANYTHING from the Seletti - Trip Furniture range. Having gone into the new Seletti store in Darlinghurst and seen the Pois (polka dot) 3 drawers (pictured above) in person - I am so pleased to report, they are truly as amazing in the flesh as they look on the world wide web. Have a look at Seletti's 2010/2011 collection here. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Images: Seletti

Beautiful evening

I truly love orange skies. As a fan of darkness and not bright light (yes I know - I am strange), orange is the perfect hue for me. I would quite happily live all the time with this type of natural light and not pure daylight. Does that make sense? And does that make me half vampire? Quite possibly.

My latest obession - Pantone Hotel

Okay, so I can't say visiting Brussels has ever been particularly high on my Bucket or Must do list. However I can categorically say it most definitely is now- purely because of the fascinating, slightly quirky yet oh-so chic Pantone Hotel. A colour lovers paradise, this hotel uses a backdrop of white to make the saturated colours within it truly explode. From 'Earthy and Rich' to 'Fresh and Eager' take your pick from a range of moods and feelings which are subsequently matched with a corresponding Patone colour. Interestingly, it is not ridiculously expensive with rooms from €109 per night making it affordable to people like myself if I ever happen to be passing through Brussels. I. WANT. TO. GO. NOW.

Images: Pantone Hotel

RIPE - International School of Colour and Design

Unbelievable. One word to describe 'RIPE', iscd's annual student exhibition. This not only applies to the amazing student work on display but the fantastic vibe in the room - full of supportive, encouraging people so proud of achievements of the students. The overwhelming applause and cheering each time a name was called out as an award winner totally sums up the ethos and culture of iscd. The gorgeous Clare Patience, Deputy Editor of Inside Out officially opened proceedings before a range of industry awards were handed out, reflecting the long standing associations and credibility iscd has with the design industry.

Awards were presented by Porters Paints, Murobond, Wattyl, Dulux, Resene, No Chintz, Lilly and Lolly, Mokum Textiles, De Lorenzo Tiles, Designer Rugs and Fred Hosking to name a few. Each person making a point to congratulate iscd on their longevity, relevance and contribution to design education.

Check out the wonderful iscd student work here.

counting in the garden

Miss Chatterbox and I are constantly having tea parties. In fact, we have two tea party sets. An 'everyday' set, for use when Mr Laid Back is around (who whilst being rancho relaxo is an 18 month old boy) and one we use for 'best' - when it is just the two of us. Both of us love using our imaginations and inviting a vast array of soft toys and other 'friend's - creating wonderful menus of treats and goodies.

I came across this fabulous tea set by the amazingly talented Kim Parker as part of her Counting in the Garden range. An internationally acclaimed artist, textile designer and author, Kim's signature floral style features throughout her range of rugs, dinnerware, giftware, bedding, bath, stationary and wall art - stocked throughout major department stores around the world. As an associate of Prue Royle and The Heartful Travellers, you will have the opportunity to meet Kim on their Colours of New York Tour in April 2011.

Images: Kim Parker

getting my inner city on

Sometimes I just have to get out of the 'burbs. Whilst I love the peace and quiet, there are moments I just feel the need to get my 'inner city' on. This morning was one of those occasions. Down one child (Miss Chatterbox) with Mr Laid Back more than happy to sit in the pram and watch the world go by I jumped at the opportunity to pound the pavement of Surry Hills. I love this area. The people, the lifestyle, the shops and the food. I often daydream about moving back here but then reality kicks in and off we trot back home to the leafy Lower North Shore.

A quick stop in Aero saw me find these cute EnviroSax's - perfect to roll up and keep in your bag for wet swimming clothes/quick trips to the supermarket and a bargain at $10 each. I thought they were really cute and practical!

Images: Aero Plus

build a boat

Looking for a project the whole family can get their teeth stuck into? I came across this company through Ivy's preschool and absolutely love the concept. The Balmain Boat Company creates flat packed, ikea inspired boats that can be put together in around 4hrs-a perfect family exercise for the upcoming holidays. Once completed the boats can really be sailed across the seven seas or simply used to create a myriad of imaginative games in the backyard. Entrepreneur's Andrew Simpson (Vert Design)and Nicole Still (Drink Digital) began The Balmain Boat Company earlier this year with a mission to make parents and grandparents look like legends. Anyone can build a boat.

Images: The Balmain Boat Company

summer? Where are you?

HELLO Summer? Where are you? Please come back. We have sandcastles to make, icecreams to eat and afternoon naps to take. We miss you.xxx

Terrace POPS

I was so lucky to go to the launch of Terrace - the latest project between stylist extraordinaire Paul Joseph Hopper and long time friend Bianca Moore. Stocking an eclectic range of beautiful outdoor products from Europe, Mexico and Australia, Terrace may just have the gift you are looking for this Christmas.

Images: Terrace Outdoor Living

the heartful travellers - colours of new york - april 2011

A trip to take your breath away. Go behind the scenes of vibrant New York with Prue Royle and The Heartful Travellers. Discover art, design and fashion in the city that never sleeps on this amazing 8 day tour. Departing April 2011, this tour will give you exclusive access to experiences you would never see on your own. Places on the tour are limited ...for more information, join Prue and The Heartful Travellers for a Manhattan Cocktail on Tuesday 14 December @ 6:30pm. RSVP here

qube.recruit.consult

Amazing office space of qube.recruit.consult owned by my good friend and mentor Karen Lance. Going against the traditional grain, she has developed a corporate space that truly POPS - vibrant, inspiring and unique. Just like her.

Coast and Country Living Summer 2010