Author Archives: topbird

1. My Secret Sydney with Mr Jason Grant

   September 23, 2014 10:32 am 5 Comments

   

   Welcome to a brand new series on Wee Birdy, “My Secret Sydney”.

   I launched My Secret London back in 2008, asking local insiders and taste-makers to open their little black books and spill their favourite secret London shops, cafes, restaurants and places to relax. Not surprisingly, it’s one of the most popular series on Wee Birdy!

   Ever since I moved back to Sydney, I’ve been waiting for the right time (and person) to launch the local version.

   And who better than Mr Jason Grant, super-stylist and all-round rather nice chap, who just happens to live in Bondi, Sydney’s most famous beach suburb.

   

   Mr Jason Grant at Bondi. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Jason has just launched his second book, Holiday at Home, so I took the opportunity to ask him to open up his little black book and share his favourite Bondi spots with Wee Birdy readers.

   Jason, how long have you lived in Bondi? Would you ever want to live anywhere else in Sydney?
   About four years – once you have lived in Bondi, it’s pretty hard to want to live anywhere else in Sydney – I love being close to the ocean and nature and also close to one of the world’s best cities.

   

   Bondi beach. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Tell us a bit about Bondi homes and gardens. What makes them unique?
   It’s totally Australian style and my style; laid-back, relaxed and casual.

   

   A peek inside Jason’s Bondi home. Photography via Mr Jason’s Grant’s Instagram.

   

   A vignette in Jason’s Bondi home. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Jason’s kitchen. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Venice in Bondi. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Santa Barbara in Bondi. Photography via Mr Jason’s Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Manhattan in Bondi. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   What’s the best thing about living in Bondi?
   The beach.

   

   Bondi beach. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   What’s the one thing you don’t like about Bondi?
   I love everything about Bondi.

   

   Bondi Pavilion. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   North Bondi Surf Club. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Bondi lights. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Bondi beach. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Bondi’s Festival of the Winds. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   What are your favourite shops in Bondi?
   Yellow Bungalow and Girl & Graaf.

   

   Yellow Bungalow. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Yellow Bungalow. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Yellow Bungalow. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Yellow Bungalow. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Books at Girl and Graaf. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Flowers at Girl and Graaf. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Girl and Graaf. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Are there any good op-shops in Bondi?
   St Vincent de Paul in Hall Street is always worth a look.

   Where is your favourite place to get a coffee in Bondi?
   For north Bondi, Porch and Parlour and Panama House for south Bondi.

   

   Porch and Parlour. Photography via Mr Jason’s Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Breakfast at Porch and Parlour. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Drinks at Panama House. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Cold pressed juices at Panama House. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Where do you go for lunch in Bondi?
   Harry’s Espresso.

   Best for dinner and drinks in Bondi?
   The Corner House or for an occasion, Icebergs Dining Room.

   

   View from Icebergs Dining Room. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Pavlova at Icebergs Dining Room. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Where would you take a first-time visitor to Bondi?
   Straight to Icebergs pool.

   

   Bondi Icebergs pool. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Bondi Icebergs pool. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Bondi Icebergs pool. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   

   Bondi Icebergs pool. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Do you have a favourite spot in Bondi?
   I love to swim at Icebergs pool and we often take our dog Sophia to Marks Park.

   

   Jason’s Boston terrier, Sophia, at Marks park. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   What’s the best souvenir to take home from Bondi?
   A magic Instagram shot!

   

   The ultimate Bondi souvenir. Photography via Mr Jason Grant’s Instagram.

   Click here to a Wee Birdy map showing all of Jason’s secret Bondi spots, with full contact details and opening hours.

   Thanks for sharing your favourite Bondi spots with us, Jason!

   

   Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $45.

   Jason’s wonderful new book, Holiday at Home, is out now. It’s just like peeking inside his personal scrapbook, filled with inspirational images, amazing finds and practical advice on how to feel like you’re permanently on holiday – in your own home.

   You can find more of Jason’s finds on his Instagram account @mr_jason_grant, and you might like to add his excellent blog, mrjasongrant.com to your bookmarks.

   Tell me: do you have a favourite spot or shop in Bondi?

2. I Need Your Help! Vote for Wee Birdy

   September 19, 2014 12:41 pm 4 Comments

   

   Want to hear the exciting news?

   I’m a finalist in the 2014 Blogster Awards, which apparently means I’m one of The Top 160 Australian Internet Stars (capitalisation not completely necessary).

   Yay for Wee Birdy! I’m in pretty fine company too – check out the full list of finalists here. Collectively, it all makes for some darn fine blog reading.

   Now here comes the needy part.

   If you’re reading this post, hopefully that means you like Wee Birdy. (Oh god, I really hope I’m not a “hate read”.)

   So I would be super-grateful if you could head over to Pedestrian now and vote for Wee Birdy in the 2014 Blogster Awards.

   Here’s my profile page, where you can read some rather profound things I have to say about blogging, my top three favourite blogs, and the One Thing I’ve Learnt in the Last Year. Oh, and you’ll also find out which Gif I think best describes me.

   Just look for the grey VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVE BLOG! box to the right of the blurb about me. And like me! Please?

   Oh, and see the “Please Like Me” poster above? I made it for you to pin/download and print-out/stick up on your office wall with washi tape for passive-aggressive co-workers to read…

   Thanks beautiful birdies! You just made my day.

   Tell me: what do you think of the GIF I chose that best describes me? Which gif best describes you?

3. Birdy Pick of the Week: Scotland Decides

   September 18, 2014 7:36 pm 4 Comments

   

   Scottish British Feathered Friends, AU$37.56, from Holly Over the Moon’s Etsy shop.

   As most of you know, this here wee blog hatched in London in the summer of 2007. It first took flight from the kitchen table in our flat on Kingsland Road in Haggerston, East London. I wasn’t very impressed with Kingsland Road when we first arrived. But I grew more fond of it over the years, especially when I discovered that it was an ancient Roman road (probably following an even more ancient and well-trodden track) leading north out of the city.

   I like to think of Wee Birdy as proudly born and bred in the UK. I’m also proud of my own Anglo-Celtic-Saxon background, with my ancestors lying in graveyards from Cornwall to Glasgow.

   England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales. Inside, outside, inside, out. (Did you sing that at school?)

   But here I find myself today, writing from Sydney’s bushburbia, far removed the excitement (and obvious tension) as Scotland decides its future. (Rest assured I’ll be glued to the interwebs tonight, awaiting the news.)

   I’m so grateful to my loyal UK readers who have stuck by me over the past seven years, so this week’s birdy pick is for you. It’s by Cardiff-based illustrator Suzanne Carpenter, and you can buy her delightful prints (birds! on a stack of mugs!) from her Etsy shop.

4. Just Out: Hide & Seek: The Architecture of Cabins and Hide-Outs

   September 16, 2014 6:32 pm 9 Comments

   

   If you’ve ever dreamed about getting away from it all and hiding out in your very own (architect-designed) cabin, you may very well find inspiration in this utterly beautiful new book from Berlin-based publishers, Gestalten.

   

   

   Hide and Seek: The Architecture of Cabins and Hide-Outs follows on from where predecessor and best-seller Rock the Shack leaves off: an array of beautifully designed cabins, hideaways and summer homes that are far removed from the madding crowds. Here, the owners of these hideaways seek to embed themselves in their natural environments, using both traditional and innovative architecture to achieve their ultimate dream: a grown-up cubby house.

   

   This book resonates particularly strongly with me, as we recently moved from a two-bedroom flat in Sydney’s inner west to what I call our “treehouse” in Sydney’s northern suburbs, perched amongst the trees on the edge of a gully.

   We’re still finding our way as we navigate taking on a rather interesting property with five levels perched on a bunch of poles and a backyard that resembles a rainforest. But we love the idea of having our own hideaway, and the change from inner-city living couldn’t be more dramatic.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   All of the homes stunningly captured in this book offer an alternative to urban living, and yet, considering the trend for creating a sense of “retreat” at home (via the likes of rain shower heads, ‘parent retreats’, spa-like bathrooms and the “outdoor room”), it’s also a roadmap for urban living.

   

   Hide and Seek: The Architecture of Cabins and Hide-Outs, edited by Sofia Borges, Sven Ehmann, Robert Klanten, Published by Gestalten, €39.90. Also available from Amazon and UK Amazon.

5. Wee Find: Orla Kiely X Clarks AW14

   September 6, 2014 8:38 pm 12 Comments

   

   British designer Orla Kiely’s second collection of shoes for Clarks has just arrived, and they’re the perfect combination of retro 60s styling with big-time comfort.

   If you fancy getting your hands, er feet, on a pair or two, you had better move fast. These wee beauties aren’t going to hang around for long, with their London Fashion Week pedigree and high street prices.

   

   Orla Kiely X Clarks Dora shoe, £110, from Orla Kiely.

   The capsule collection consists of six different styles in different colour ways. The attention to detail throughout the collection is signature Orla Kiely; think punched holes, contrasting trims and 60s-inspired oversized buckles and buttons.

   Combined with the comfort of Clarks Plus cushioning and leather inner socks, these kicks look like they’ll go the distance in your winter wardrobe.

   

   Orla Kiely X Clarks Dotty shoes in Ochre, £120, from Orla Kiely.

   My top pick is the super-versatile Dora shoe loafer, £110, which combines patent and faux pony leather with oversized button details. They’re are also available in black and ochre.

   I also like the Dorothy Mary Janes, £110, which have sensible mid-heels and punched hole details. The navy patent shoes are particularly lovely, but they also come in a dark brown and black.

   

   Orla Kiely for Clarks Dorothy Shoes, £110, from Orla Kiely.

   You can see how well the shoes work with Orla Kiely’s retro-inspired, girlish fashion collection for autumn/winter 2014. I’ve featured some of my favourite looks below – purely for your weekend viewing pleasure.

   Featuring a colour palette of typical autumnal shades of browns, rust and moss green, the occasional pastel (via pale pink, lemon and dove grey) adds an unexpected twist.

   This season’s new love affair with high-waisted, slim-line cropped trousers is also evident throughout the collection. Be inspired by the way they’re styled for Orla Kiely’s look book and wear them with a heeled Mary Jane, tights (or knee-highs) and a fitted sweater or cardie.

   If you haven’t tried on a pair of high-rise, cropped trousers or jeans recently, you might want to give it a go. I reckon you’ll be surprised by just how good they look!

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   Tell me: are you an Orla Kiely fan? Which shoes are your favourites?

6. Coming Soon: Missoni for Target Australia

   10:32 am 4 Comments

   

   Are you ready for the biggest Designers for Target Australia collaboration yet? If you haven’t already heard, Missoni is coming to Target Australia next month.

   I’ve often whinged about missing out on all the amazing US Target collaborations, and when we went on holiday to Hawaii earlier this year, I made a beeline for the nearest Target store. Yep, I went to Target. On holiday. In Hawaii. We actually went out of our way to to make the stop, on the way back from a trip around the north coast of the island. The Peter Pilotto designer collection had just dropped in store, and I wanted to check it out. It’s really not as crazy as it sounds: US Target really is that good.

   I was miserable when US Target collaborated with Italian fashion house Missoni back in 2011. I was in the throes of early motherhood, and remember breastfeeding my newborn in the middle of the night, lit only by the glow of my laptop as I clicked through the 400-piece-strong lookbook. Check out the full 2011 Missoni for US Target lookbook here.

   

   Some of the pieces from the 2011 Missoni for US Target collection. Image courtesy of WGSN.

   Missoni’s iconic ziz-zag designs adorned everything from bath towels (yum) and baby onesies to swimmers, ties, luggage, scarves and a bike, and with price points ranging from US$3-US$600. Amazing, I thought. (Do I sound like the Gruffalo? I’ve been reading that book quite a lot lately.)

   So if the 2011 Missoni for US Target collection is anything to go by, we can expect a diverse and affordable range here in Australia. So far, Target Australia have confirmed that the collection will include footwear, dresses, bedding, bikinis, dinnerware and beach towels.

   The Australian collection is naturally smaller, comprising of a total of 220 pieces. The following videos feature Angela Missoni talking about the exciting new collaboration with the Aussie Target team.

   The Missoni for Target Australia collection goes live in-store and online on the 8th of October, 2014.

   Tell me: are you excited about the Missoni for Target collection? And would you go out of your way to go shopping at Target if you were on holiday in Hawaii?

7. Shopping in Sydney: VFNO

   September 4, 2014 7:00 am 10 Comments

   

   Have you been to Vogue Fashion’s Night Out before? I went to the very first one when I was living in London, and had a grand old time shop-hopping, champagne sipping, canape-nibbling and gallivanting around the West End in some kind of retail frenzy. Fast forward five years and one major move, baby and two houses later, I’m heading into the city for my first Sydney VFNO. I’m taking my friend Bel along as we’re both in need of a little cheer and a girls’ night out.

   There are hundreds of stores, brands and retailers getting involved in the festivities, so to help you navigate your way through the shops, I’ve come up with my top 10 Sydney VFNO must-dos. Click on each brand name link for all the VFNO details.

   1. Dinosaur Designs
   Meet designer Louise Olsen at the Strand Arcade store, as she launches the Dinosaur Designs/Toni Maticevski collaboration. Enjoy a glass of Champagne, and when you spend $150 you’ll receive a complimentary Wishbone Bangle valued at $55 (one per customer).

   

   Dinosaur Designs/Toni Maticevski collaboration. Photography by Jasmine Maher.

   2. David Jones
   Enjoy the spring flower displays, catch a fashion parade on the 1st floor of the Elizabeth Street David Jones store (including Jets by Jessika Allen at 5.40pm), then head up to the 7th floor for a drink and bite to eat at the food market, Graze & Groove On Seven. There will be a Crystal Head vodka bar, a Miss Chu pop-up, Raw Bar, Pepe Saya with their “posh chips”, Rach & Ruby NY Deli Sandwiches, and Serendipity ice-cream. I might just stop here.

   3. Dermalogica
   Stock up on skincare essentials with 10 per cent off all Dermalogica purchases, plus a gift bag for all visitors featuring TONI & GUY Hair Meets Wardrobe products and a Moonlight Cinema pass.

   4. Sportscraft
   Visit the Westfield Sydney or Sportscraft QVB stores for drinks and cupcakes, then have your portrait taken by their photographer. Get 20 per cent off all full-priced pieces and an Estée Lauder gift with any purchase of the ‘Vogue Loves edit’ of the Sportscraft collection.

   

   Sportscraft’s spring 2014 campaign. Photography courtesy of Sportscraft.

   5. Georg Jensen
   Celebrate Georg Jensen’s 110 year anniversary with champagne and canapés at Westfield Sydney and QVB. Try on the new season collections and once you are styled, have your photo taken for your chance to win one of the new Archive bangles.

   6. Essie’s pop-up salon at Priceline
   Buy any Essie nail product on the night from Priceline and receive a free spring collection nail colour (valued at$16.95) or care product (valued at $17.95) of your choice. Essie’s nail specialists will also be on hand for primping and nail care advice.

   

   Essie summer 2014 nail colours. Photography courtesy of Essie.

   7. Topshop
   Get 20 per cent discount off everything instore at Topshop and Topman. Go in the Fashion Raffle and get complimentary hair styling with purchases of $100 or more.

   8. The Corner Shop
   Enjoy some bubbles and get $50 off every time your spend $250 in store at The Corner Shop, including Isabel Marant, Kenzo, Chloe Boots, IRO, Aquazzura, ALC, Yves Salomon, Celine Eye-wear and many more. Every customer who makes a purchase on the night also goes in the draw to win a $1,000 VIP shopping experience at The Corner Shop. The first 50 purchases also receive a free gift from Shu Uemura.

   9. Adriano Zumbo Patissier
   Take a pit stop at Adriano Zumbo Patissier in the QVB for the blink-or-you’ll-miss-it raspberry vodka crème brulee Zumbarons, created exclusively for VFNO.

   

   Raspberry vodka crème brulee Zumbaron. Photography courtesy of Adriano Zumbo.

   10. H&M Pop-Up
   For just one night, Sydney will finally have the opportunity to shop the new H&M autumn/winter 14/15 Studio collection. Head to Pitt St mall and look for a verrrry long line.

   Check out the full line-up for Sydney over at Vogue Fashion’s Night Out website and Facebook page. You can also plan your own itinerary on the Plan My Night page.

   

   Vogue Fashion’s Night Out Sydney. Illustration courtesy of Vogue.

   Tell me: are you going to Vogue Fashion’s Night Out? What city are you in and what are your plans?

8. Airbnb at IKEA: The ultimate sleepover

   September 3, 2014 4:00 pm 8 Comments

   

   When you were little, did you ever wonder what it would be like to get locked up in a shop for the night? On Sunday night here in Sydney, three families did exactly that at IKEA’s Tempe store. Can you imagine?

   The families applied after spotting a rather unique listing on Airbnb, which apparently caused a bit of a stir around the world.

   Now if we were having a sleepover at IKEA… well, I can just about hear the sound of neurons firing in my three-year-old son’s mind. As some of you already know, we’re currently renovating our home, and we’ve spent quite a bit of time at the big blue box. And Mister 3 is rather fond of IKEA. Loves it, in fact. I think the cinnamon buns might have something to do with it. That, and the opportunity to explore a plethora of what he considers play houses, complete with opening drawers, swings and sofas he can sit on! Excitement!

   But back to Sunday night, where I had the opportunity to do a bit of exploring myself. Three different “homes” with their own unique style and themes were created within the Tempe showroom. IKEA’s interior design experts worked on the rooms, which were themed ‘Rustic Charm’, ‘Modern Elegance’ and, with the help of Bondi-based Airbnb host Claire Ferguson, ‘Inner City Living’.

   

   The ‘Rustic Charm’ bedroom at Airbnb at IKEA. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   

   The ‘Modern Elegance’ bedroom at Airbnb at IKEA. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   

   Airbnb host Claire Ferguson styling the ‘inner city chic’ accommodation at Airbnb at IKEA. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   

   The ‘Modern Elegance’ bedroom at Airbnb at IKEA. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   I loved the children’s ‘outdoor’ tent set up, complete with with candlelit lanterns, mosquito nets and a teddy bear. I also had a snoop inside the families’ welcome baskets, which included slippers, a torch and dressing gown. A beautifully-decorated long dinner table was set up in the middle of the aisle, awaiting the arrival of a traditional Swedish Smörgåsbord (and yes, meatballs and salmon were on the menu).

   

   The kids’ quarters at Airbnb at IKEA Tempe. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   

   The dinner table setting for Airbnb at IKEA. Photography by Wee Birdy.

   In the morning, the families were woken by puppies jumping on the duvet, a string orchestra and a gourmet breakfast in bed. According to a national survey, these are the top three ways Australians would like to be woken up. Puppies! Violins! Breakfast in bed! Sounds good to me.

   

   Waking up to puppies in bed at Airbnb at IKEA. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   

   A string orchestra for breakfast, please. Airbnb at IKEA. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

   Tell me: would you fancy a sleepover at IKEA?

9. Book: Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant

   7:00 am 3 Comments

   

   Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $45.

   Mr Jason Grant is Mr Stylist Extraordinaire. He’s also Mr Bondi. And his second book, Holiday at Home, is an homage to Australian living. A veritable feast of inspirational ideas on how to give your home a holiday makeover, it’s a fantastic angle for an interiors book.

   After all, who doesn’t want to capture that relaxed holiday glow in their own space at home?

   

   Decorate your walls with holiday snapshots. Image extracted from Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books. Photography by Lauren Bamford.

   

   Fill your kitchen with plants. Image extracted from Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books. Photography by Lauren Bamford.

   Jason has styled for many Australian and international magazines including Inside Out, Belle, House and Garden, Real Living, Vogue Living, Australian Country Style, Elle Decoration and Livingetc. He’s also created a signature collection with Murobond Paints.

   

   Easy entertaining at home. Image extracted from Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books. Photography by Lauren Bamford.

   Lauren Bamford’s photography beautifully captures Jason’s roving eye for detail and inspiration.

   It’s like looking through the eyes of an experienced stylist on a fun road trip, pointing out colour palettes in a vintage caravan awning, finding inspiration in an art deco surf club, and spotting the perfect op shop find at a sleepy coastal beach town.

   Accompanied by tips on how to work these pieces and ideas into your home, it’s a cheery book you can dip into time and again.

   

   Feel-good colours, shapes and textures. Image extracted by Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books. Photography by Lauren Bamford.

   I love Jason’s trademark style for creating a killer vignette, combining natural elements, found objects, vintage finds and designer pieces. There is nearly always a pop of yellow. He’s rather fond of yellow, which is rather apt, considering this book is all about how to bring holiday sunshine indoors.

   

   Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $45.

   Get more inspiration by following Jason’s adventures on Instagram @mr_jason_grant or on his blog mrjasongrant.com.

   Images extracted from Holiday at Home by Mr Jason Grant, published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $45. Available in stores nationally from September 1.

   Tell me: how would you like to work a holiday vibe into your home?

10. 5 Ways to Decorate with Flowers & Tape

    September 2, 2014 9:09 am 14 Comments

    

    The days are getting lighter and longer and at home, the pile of firewood has started to gather dust. Outside my window, the kookaburras and tiny wrens are cleaning their feathers and getting busy with their nests. I’m starting to sneeze. Spring is here in Australia.

    One of the best things about this time of the year are the flowers, with some of my favourite blooms popping up at my local florist. And here in bushburbia, the streets are a riot of fuzzy yellow wattle.

    

    Decorate your walls with sprigs of spring flowers and Typo tape. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    So when Typo sent me a bunch of their new craft tapes from their Made by Typo range, I finally put some of that Pinterest inspiration to work and came up with a few different ways to use their tape to decorate with flowers.

    

    Typo’s On a Roll tapes. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    From parties and special occasions to cheering up your work space, here are five ways to decorate with flowers and Typo’s On a Roll tapes.

    1. Frame a Flower

    Picked a single bloom on your way to work? Turn it into an instant work of art by sticking it on your wall with some tape in a contrasting colour or complementary pattern. I used Typo‘s adorable birds-on-a-wire tape to stick a single pink ranuncula bloom on the wall.

    Next, I covered an old broken frame with Typo‘s wide geo-print tape and stuck it to the wall with Blu-Tack. But you could also stick the tape directly on the wall as it peels off easily without leaving a mark. I know it’s not the most practical way to use a flower (no water and all), but it’s a fun and easy way to cheer up your workspace for the day.

    

    Frame fresh blooms on your wall with Typo tape. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    2. Create an Instant Vignette

    If you like displaying flowers in a group, one of the best ways to pull the look together is to have some kind of visual link between the vessels you use. In this vignette, I taped glass bottles with different patterns of decorative tape from Typo, using aqua as a contrasting colour to pink and to pull it all together.

    It’s not the most original project idea, but it’s a good one for parties or special occasions where you don’t necessarily have vases or vessels to match the colour theme. Best of all, you can just pull it off and create a different look next time.

    

    Create a co-ordinated vignette using a few spring blooms, glass bottles and Typo tape. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    3. Create a Wall of Flowers

    This is a nice idea for a wedding or baby shower, or any other time you need to quickly jazz up a plain wall for a party. For a strong decorative look, use just one type and colour of flower, and stick them in a random design using tape in a contrasting or complementary colour.

    In my project, I used the birds on a wire tape from Typo to pull my design together. Just make sure you keep the flowers in water and tape them to the wall just before the event. Spritz with water to keep them fresh. Typo’s tape easily peels of the wall without leaving a mark.

    

    Decorate your walls for a party using single fresh blooms and Typo tape. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    Decorate your walls for a party using ranunculus and Typo tape. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    Purple anemones look striking with a contrasting Typo tape in yellow. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    Create a riot of colour on your walls using spring blooms and Typo’s tape. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    Tape fresh lavender from the garden to the wall for a cheap and easy decoration. Smells great, too! Photography by Wee Birdy.

    4. Decorate Your Windows with Flowers

    A nice spin on the wall of flowers is to use your windows as a beautifully back-lit backdrop to add co-ordinated colour and decoration for a party. I was inspired by Holly Becker of Decor8 to create this look using ranunculus and purple anemones. I really love using Typo‘s tape-measure tape with fresh flowers for a scientific specimen look, which is very on-trend. Holly’s new book, Decorate with Flowers, is out now and you can buy it from the Wee Birdy GREAT.ly shop.

    

    Make a statement at a party with ranunculus taped to a window. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    Decorate for a party by taping individual spring blooms to a window. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    5. Decorate with Art and Flowers On Your Wall

    In this project, I taped Gemma Jones‘ sweet vintage children’s prints to the wall, alongside a single ranuncula. I tied it all together using Typo’s aqua lace pattern tape.

    In the second look, I taped the Flying Saucers print by Peskimo to the wall, and created a wee vignette by using the same tape on a glass bottle with a few pink ranunculus.

    

    Use matching tape to tie together Gemma Jones’ prints with a single bloom. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    

    Use Typo’s tape on both Peskimo’s Flying Saucers print and the glass bottle of ranunculus. Photography by Wee Birdy.

    Tell me, have you decorated with flowers and tape before? Which look is your favourite?

    Disclosure: Typo sent me a range of tapes and craft materials, however I was not paid for this post.

11. Birdy of the Week: Donna Wilson for John Lewis

    August 31, 2014 4:30 pm 3 Comments

    

    Donna Wilson for John Lewis baby duck intarsia knit jumper, £18, from John Lewis. Photography courtesy of John Lewis.

    Hurrah for UK designer Donna Wilson and her gorgeous and affordable new babies and childrenswear range for John Lewis.

    As a long-time admirer of Donna’s handmade aesthetic and her wonderfully whimsical creatures and characters, I’m thrilled to see her expand her reach beyond the design niche and straight into one of the UK’s biggest department stores.

    Well done to John Lewis, too, for having the foresight to collaborate with Donna on a mainstream collection for kids. The range features many of Donna’s inimitable hand-drawn illustrations, folky characters and warm and bright colours.

    “I don’t really buy into the idea of ‘blue for boys, pink for girls’, so I did my best to design the range for John Lewis in bright and fun colours, and to keep it quite flexible and unisex,” she says.

    

    Donna Wilson for John Lewis baby stem print bodysuit, £10, from John Lewis. Photography courtesy of John Lewis.

    Donna has also maintained her commitment to responsible and ethical manufacturing by using suppliers based in Europe.  “It means we can be sure everything is of the best quality and made in fair working conditions,” she says.

    The Donna Wilson childrenswear collection is available exclusively at John Lewis stores throughout the UK and online. Unfortunately the collection doesn’t appear to be available for worldwide shipping, however John Lewis offers a specialist export service. It could be rather pricey, though.

12. Make: A Crochet Basket

    August 30, 2014 8:13 am 4 Comments

    

    How to make a crochet basket tutorial via Tuts+. Photography by Wink.

    Looking for something to make this weekend? If you’ve got basic crochet skills, you can easily whip up a two-tone crochet basket with the step-by-step tutorial over on Crafts & DIY Tuts+.

    This free crochet pattern was created by Dutch crochet super-star Marinke Slump (aka Wink from A Creative Being), and it’s a really quick and easy project to make.

    You can also adapt the pattern to make larger or smaller baskets, which is handy if you want to make a matching set of them. You could try using a different tonal shade for each basket for a graduated ombre look.

    

    How to make a crochet basket tutorial via Tuts+. Photography by Wink.

    

    How to make a crochet basket tutorial via Tuts+. Photography by Wink.

    Tell me: do you like to crochet? If you want to learn how to crochet, head over to Tuts+ for a full series of tutorials for beginners.

13. Frock On Friday: & Other Stories

    August 29, 2014 11:21 pm 3 Comments

    

    A-line silk dress, £95 from & Other Stories. Photography courtesy of & Other Stories.

    Today’s frock comes from & Other Stories, the latest fashion brand to emerge from the H&M group, with stores in London and other major cities in Europe.

    As a fan of H&M’s big sister brand COS, it’s not surprising that I’m quite taken by & Other Stories, which is just over a year old and caters to a more up-market shopper. The prices aren’t quite as low as COS, but considering the quality, fabrics and level of detail in the individual pieces, the prices are really very good.

    I’ve had this dress bookmarked for the past couple of months, for various reasons. I like the softly tailored shirt-dress effect and feminine silhouette which falls to the knees. The pointy collar and drape-effect detail in the skirt adds interest without distracting from the overall elegant look.

    

    A-line silk dress, £95 from & Other Stories. Photography courtesy of & Other Stories.

    It also comes in a fresh white print version.

    

    A-line silk dress in white print, £95 from & Other Stories. Photography courtesy of & Other Stories.

    Unfortunately the brand doesn’t offer shopping or shipping to Australia, and there’s no word from the H&M camp on whether it will be opening stores in Australia. Hopefully this changes soon. The first option to pop up when you search “& Other Stories” on Google’s Australian home page is “& other stories australia”.

    Tell me: do you shop at & Other Stories? And is this dress a yay or a nay?