If you’re in Australia, you may have noticed that Sorbent has given tissue boxes a long-overdue makeover. I don’t know why it’s taken so long for tissue box design to move beyond the realm of generic stock photos of tulips, puppies and pandas, but I welcome the colourful new print and pattern designs.
The new designs also caught the eye of super-clever Australian crafter, Lisa Tilse of The Red Thread, who took the tissue boxes and transformed them into rather-gorgeous origami cards and notebooks. You can find the step-by-step tutorial over on Tuts+.
Marimekko’s iconic ‘Unikko’ print has turned 50 – and she’s never looked more splendid. Last week, I popped along to the Sydney flagship store for the 50th birthday celebrations, which was a suitably colourful and cheery event with the over-sized poppy print making an appearance on just about every pot, pan and pouff.
Marimekko Unikko 50th celebration, Sydney Flagship store. Photography by Caroline McCredie.
Marimekko Unikko 50th at the Sydney Flagship store. Photography by Caroline McCredie.
Architecture in Helsinki at Marimekko’s Sydney Flagship store. Photography by Caroline McCredie.
There were boys serving blackberry-infused Champagne in stripes (swoon), Architecture in Helsinki djing in stripes (double swoon) and a delectable array of Finnish-themed culinary delights, courtesy of Café Paci (raspberry-topped fairy floss: triple swoon).
Marimekko Unikko 50th celebration, Sydney Flagship store. Photography by Caroline McCredie.
Marimekko Unikko cake, Sydney Flagship store. Photography by Caroline McCredie.
Me, right, and Belinda Barnard. Marimekko Unikko 50th celebration, Sydney Flagship store. Photography by Caroline McCredie.
I’m rather charmed by the back-story of Unikko, where this floral print, a classic example of mid-20th century design, almost didn’t exist.
Back in 1964, Marimekko’s founder, Armi Ratia, decided that the company would never print a flower pattern. In rebellion, designer Maija Isola created an entire series of floral prints, including Unikko. She managed to changed the head honcho’s mind, and in doing so, created an icon which is emblematic of ’60s pop art, flower power and female feistiness. Bravo.
The 50th celebrations have taken off around the world, with the poppy print proudly emblazoned on all manner of planes, trains and automobiles, and naturally, a hashtag #Unikko50.
Since Unikko blossomed in 1964, she has been reinvented in over 80 colourways. To celebrate her 50th year, Marimekko has released a limited edition anniversary collection of tableware, fashion and accessories.
I’m still rather fond of the original colours, but the striking black and white tableware has caught my eye, capturing the spirit of Unikko while serving her up as a fresh and bang-on-monotone-trend new design.
You can find Marimekko’s 50th Anniversary collection of Unikko in-store and online.
Marimekko Sydney 66 King Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel. +61 2 9299 0372
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 10am-6pm Thursday 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday 11am-5pm
Tell me, do you have a piece of Unikko in your home?
Once you’ve learnt how to make a simple wire loop, you will be able to make a variety of geo shapes, including a pair of circles, heptagons and hearts. Head over to Tuts+ for the full step-by-step tutorial and make something gorgeous to wear this weekend.
This is my favourite kind of trans-seasonal dress. It’s easy to wear, super-comfortable and it’s got sleeves. You can just throw it on and it will take you just about anywhere.
If you’re fan of this kind of sleek and minimal dressing, COS is the place to go. It’s my all-time favourite high-street store and I’m keeping my fingers’ crossed that parent group H&M will open a store in Australia later this year. Preferably in Sydney. Pretty please?
I’ve always been rather fond of a relaxed-fit frock. No waistband! Ahhhh… relaxing to work in, fun to run around in, and easy to dress up or down with jewellery. Slip into a pair of Birkenstocks or clogs and you’re off!
I also love that the fabric looks like denim chambray (v. on trend) and the V-neck at the back of the dress adds interest to the simple design and offers a glimpse of flesh.
A word of warning about the cut *assumes serious-but-empathetic face*. While I love to prance around in a bit of a sack dress, I have to admit that it’s not really doing my size 16 figure any favours.
By all means, do as I do and dress for comfort, but for those of us who have bigger busts, bellies and bums, this probably isn’t the most flattering look. Sure, it skim all of the lumps and bumps, but if you’re after something that suits your figure, go for a more tailored look that creates definition in all the right places.
Big-busted girls, in particular, need to be careful wearing a loose-fitting sheath, as it creates a bit of a visual shelf on your upper half. It can make you look top-heavy and bigger than you really are. I find that a statement necklace works well to create a visual distraction from said shelf, but you may like to avoid this cut and style altogether.
Do you love a bit of a sack frock? Would you wear this dress? How would you accessorize it?
If you’re after more inspiration, check out my other favourite frock picks here.
I have a confession to make: I am terrible at sending cards on time. Look, I have every good intention of sending cards on time, but somehow I always end up shuffling to the post-office with my shame-faced belated greetings. It’s embarrassing. Something’s gotta change.
Enter (and download) the super-delicious Card Lust app. Scroll through the gorgeous artist-designed cards and text, email or share your love and greetings on social media. It’s almost obscenely easy. So much nicer than a text with a frantic line-up of over-used emojis. (I still can’t resist a smiling poo, though,)
New to Card Lust’s line-up is a rather unique collection of beautiful yoga-themed cards.
“This is going to sound a tad Portlandia,” says Card Lust creator Felicity Loughrey, “I got the idea for yoga cards after a family yoga class at Brooklyn Boulders – an enormous indoor climbing gym that has Saturday morning family sessions.”
“The class was so brilliant I wanted to text all my friends. I wanted a yoga-themed note to share the news. I then started thinking that yoga teachers might want to use cards to connect with students. Maybe friends would want to use the yoga-inspired Card Lust notes to text their girlfriends.”
She had me at Portlandia. The four new yoga cards feature whimsical watercolours of various yoga poses by Elspeth Tremblay, a Philadelphia-based illustrator.
Send a touch of zen or a note of namaste to your nearest and dearest.
Have you popped into Freedom recently? Or had a look at their latest pieces online? The folks at Freedom recently got in touch and invited me to have a gander at their autumn/winter 2014 collection. Then they asked me what exactly I thought about it. On camera. Here’s what I had to say…
In short, I really, really loved it. Loads of easy, accessible and reasonably priced furniture and homewares to give your home an instant update. I really did talk a lot about my favourite pieces, especially the beautiful hand-made blue ceramic vases, which remind me of mid-century Italian Bitossi ceramics. They had to edit out a LOT of talking.
And if you think this is a sponsored post, you are mistaken. Since moving into our new house, I’ve spent an awful lot of time in various furniture and homewares shops. And one of those stores is Freedom. My husband has muttered something about setting up camp in there.
See the two baskets in my Top 12 below? I’ve bought up several versions of each basket in varying sizes and colours. I swear, they’re awesome for storing toys. That round flat yellow basket contains my son’s train tracks and Thomas the Tank Engine trains.
Those four blue cushions right at the bottom? The ones with the on-trend shibori print and expensive-looking velvet fabric? And the matching blue bedspread? Bam. They will soon be finding a home on our new bed. Well, they’re on the ‘must buy’ list anyway. And Freedom’s Moroccan rug, which has emerged as the hit ‘design’ piece this season, is exceptionally well priced.
And yes, I paid for them all myself. I just thought I might share my latest shopping secrets with you…
Tropical Bird is one clever wee bird. Designed by South Korean design studio Matter & Matter, it’s essentially a vessel that once filled with coloured pencils or pens, mimics the feathers of a bird.
If you’re a bit of a bird nerd, you could try imitating different kinds of birds. Fill it with blues, yellows, white and black, and you have an English blue tit. Prefer an Aussie galah? Go with pinks, greys and white. Or if you’re more of a pencil nerd, go tonal and fill it with a single hue.
Endless fun, but the genius really lies in the simplicity of design.
KRW79,000 (AU$82.40) from 29CM.
In my other job as editor of Crafts & DIY at Tuts+, I was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Autumn/Winter 2014-2015 collection to commission a DIY top. One of the pieces in the collection, a rolled-neck loose jumper, caught my eye. Featuring a scattering of confetti-like studs in a delicious palette of colours, it really popped.
The inspiration for the DIY: Chanel AW14-15. Photography by Style.com.
Talented crafter and Tuts+ instructor Mette Jakobsen loved the look too, and came up with a genius step-by-step tutorial on how to embellish a plain white top from COS using a very simple technique: nail-varnished studs! All you need is nail polish, glue and studs. It’s amazingly easy with no sewing!
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you seen the photos of Chanel’s Autumn 14-15 supermarket runway set? Do you like making or up-cycling your own clothes?
Today’s frock is from ASOS, who know a thing or two about turning out on-trend pieces at kind-on-wallet prices. This red crepe dress is an updated spin on the classic pencil dress, with an elasticated waist that creates a beautiful drape-y effect. It also looks a lot more expensive than AU$88 (£45).
The soft folds around the front and back flatter the figure, and the sleeves provide coverage for the back of your arms. (So many of you ask me about frocks with sleeves!)
The V-neckline is also flattering on just about every figure, and it’s particularly favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge.
This style is perfect for trans-seasonal weather and there are two handy pockets – great for mums who seem to collect a variety of Lightening McQueens, tissues and Autumn leaves (or is that just me?).
It’s the kind of easy-to-wear frock that you can just throw on and go with minimal accessories, as the vibrant red hue, draped details and shawl-like effect at the back combine to create their own sense of drama.
It’s available in sizes up to AU/UK 18, and there is also a black maternity version. Nice one, ASOS.
Tell me, is this dress a yay or a nay? And do you also look for dresses with sleeves?
Textile wall hangings are enjoying an interiors renaissance right now. I like to think of it as a modern interpretation of those ’70s ‘brown crafts’ (think brown, cream and orange macrame owls and shaggy weaving), with all manner of yarn, thread and fabric manipulated into magnificent new creations.
Australian design label Stampel (aka the multi-talented Andrea Shaw) has made a (colourful) mark in recent years with a hand-crafted collection of products ranging from wooden jewellery and vases to cushions and wooden artworks. Playing with pattern and colour, the pieces are both fun and functional.
But it’s the kaleidoscopic wall-hangings that have really captured my attention – and imagination. Andrea manipulates organic cotton/hemp fabric with a wild and wooly combination of hand-dyeing, embroidery and fringing using yarn remnants.
They pack a punch and they’re not for the beige and faint-hearted, but I just can’t stop looking. Utterly mesmerising. They’re the ultimate statement piece for a lonely Dulux Natural White wall.
If you’re a fan of Australian TV show, Offspring, chances are you’re just as interested in fictional protagonist Nina Proudman’s style – and the stuff that fills her gorgeous Fitzroy abode.
I happen to know this is true because my blog post from 2012, Get the Look of Nina’s Apartment, remains one of the most popular and highly-searched posts on Wee Birdy.
When I’m not binge-eating on tear-stained Tim-Tams, I can’t watch the show without taking furtive note of some of Nina’s particularly nice pieces, especially that amazing baby tree lamp on her bedside table by Melbourne design studio Pierre and Charlotte.
You’ve got to hand it to Offspring‘s brilliant production designers, who have created a highly desirable inner-city warehouse apartment, one that looks lived in and ‘added to’ over the years. The combination of vintage and industrial furniture is spot-on for this kind of warehouse look, and the addition of feature pieces by independent Melbourne designers (many of whom are based in Fitzroy) is a beautifully authentic touch. This is a stand-out Australian production that showcases the latest in Australian design.
With the premiere of Offspring’s fifth season airing tonight, we’re introduced to Nina and Patrick’s baby Zoe, and with it a world of baby clothes, toys and furniture. We glimpsed the nursery at the end of the last season, and, along with a sneak peek of the first episode, I’ve compiled an update on how to get Nina’s apartment style, focusing on baby Zoe’s nursery and wardrobe. I consider it my public service duty for the day.
As featured in the image above:
1. We saw Nina’s dad carrying a load of baby things in the finale, including a crochet baby blanket. Get the look with this granny square crochet rug, AU$89.39 by Lacasadecoto.
2. A large paper pendant lamp hangs in Nina’s living room. Get the look with this REGOLITpendant lamp shade, AU$6.99 from Ikea.
3. We see Nina’s brother assembling a Stokke Sleepi Mini cot for Nina’s baby in the season four finale.
4. I spied a striped monkey soft toy on the floor of the living room in season five. Get the look with Alimrose monkey toy rattle in red stripe, AU$27.95 from Silly Moo Moo.
5. It couldn’t be Nina’s room without an owl, and she’s updated her bed linen with a hand-screenprinted ‘Hoot’ pillow case by Melbourne-based homewares brand Feliz, AU$39.
6. Spotted on the floor of the living room, Zoe’s play gym of choice is the rather stylish Treetop Friends Activity Gym, AU$75.
9. Bed linen by Fitzroy-based textiles designers Spacecraft has featured on Offspring in past series. Get the look of Nina’s fondness for a throw cushion with Spacecraft’s necklace acid yellow cushion, AU$130.
10. This sweet Stella Crew Jumper, AU$59.95, is also worn by Zoe Proudman in the first episode of season five.
11. Zoe’s nursery features a bright geometric orange rug. Get the look with this very reasonably-priced symmetric floor rug in orange, AU$299 from Freedom.
Notice something a wee bit different? Ah yes, I have blogged. But look! It’s a new-look Wee Birdy! After a long time coming, I’m delighted to relaunch Wee Birdy with a new logo, masthead, user-friendly navigation and brand new content. I’ve retired the Flash header and birdies from 2007 and stepped into 2014 with a cleaner design. What do you think?
I really hope you like it. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I’ve got some exciting content planned with new wee finds, amazing shops and some rather delightful city guides.
So, what have I been up to? If you’ve been following me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter, you’ll know that I’ve been busy working for Tuts+ as the editor of Crafts & DIY, and we sold our small inner-west Sydney flat and bought a pole house in Sydney’s bushburbia. Our three-year-old calls it ‘The Treehouse’. He’s also started pre-schoool this year. And we’re renovating!
It’s been a busy time, but I’ve been sharing all my news with the Wee Birdy social media community. I particularly love Instagram and scrolling through everyone’s day while I’m having a cuppa. It still cheers me to scroll down the screen and see what someone is having for breakfast in Glasgow, what my musician friend is up to in a recording studio in Atlanta, the latest piece of jewellery a clever friend has created, and the countless pics of the chaos, messiness and joy of parenting. Usually pics of piles of unwashed laundry.
So, what’s new? As you can see, I’ve added design, interiors, beauty and fashion to my navigation, and I’ll be spending more time blogging about my favourite finds, looks and style. I’ve also been travelling and I can’t wait to share all some of my favourite finds from New Zealand and Hawaii.
Did I mention that we were moving? Well, we did it. We’re in our new home. The stockings are hung, the tree is up and we’ve strung a few Christmas lights. But the rest of the house is in chaos, and we’re now at around the 12-week mark of our Big Move from Little City Apartment to Big Bush Home. So I’m a wee bit tired.
Please forgive me for the tardiness of this post, but I just couldn’t face Christmas Day without posting my annual round-up of my favourite Christmas crackers. I know, it’s a bit mental. But after seven years, I think I can call it a tradition?
A few of my favourites have already sold out (hello, lovely Anthropologie and Liberty print crackers, et al), but the thing GOOD thing about posting so late? SALES! DISCOUNTS! DEALS! Most of these little beauties have already been reduced, so if you haven’t got your Christmas crackers sorted, go forth and start pulling. So to speak. Or buy now and stash for next year!
p.s. Can you spot the Michelin-starred cracker? See the answer below…
1. Single dog cracker, containing three gourmet dog biscuits, £7.95, from Crackers UK.
4. Bespoke limited edition box of crackers, each containing a hat, joke and a selection of gifts, £45 from the Michelin-starred Petersham Nurseries (not available online).
6. Box of six ‘vintage pudding’ crackers, each containing a luxury item such as a money clip, keyring, letter opener, mini make-up brush set, glasses case, pouch, as well as a hat, snap and joke, AU$65 from Papier D’Amour.
10. Harrods box of six ‘vintage design luxury Christmas crackers, each containing handmade bespoke headgear, joke and trivia booklet and a superb individually wrapped gift, such as silk handkerchief and cufflinks, silk scarf and scarf pin, leather passport holder and mobile phone case, mirror compact and blue crystal earrings, leather USB and pen set, crystal drop earrings and bracelet, £599, from Harrods.
11. John Lewis set of eight ‘Merry Christmas Crackers‘, each containing a gift such as clothes brush with mirror, folding scissors, mini stapler, bottle stopper, tape measure with keyring, wire egg cup, padlock, placecard holder plus hat, snap and motto, from John Lewis.
12. ‘Conscious Blessed Bee Crackers‘, each containing a bottle of organic, bee-friendly seeds, one of twelve blessing cards, a hat and a snap, £22.95.
13. Box of six ‘luxury gingerbread crackers’, each containing a gift such as marbles, pencil site, die, mini whisk, cookie cutter and egg cup, silver or gold foil paper hat, joke snap, £32 from Nancy and Betty Studio.
15. Set of six crackers using a mix of papers hand made by women in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal, each containing a gift, an old Christmas recipe and hat, £35 from Toast.
16. ‘Rainbow wallpaper rosette crackers’, each containing a snap, hat and motto as well as a gift such as packets of seeds, a little sack of marbles, recycled aluminium star biscuit cutter or tiny grater, £6.50 from Sarah Moore Vintage.
17. White gloss Christmas crackers, each containing a selection of tempting treats ranging from Ilia beauty goodies to Rococo chocolates, £65 from the Conran Shop.
19. Box of six ‘Holly Fulton Crackers’, each containing a paper hat and joke and a specially commissioned miniature leather-bound notebook, embossed with the Holly Fulton motif, £85 from Fortnum & Mason.
20. ‘Hand Marble Christmas Crackers’, each containing a gift such as Lacqua Nail Polish Pen, Ilia Lipstick, L’Atelier Du Vin Bottle Stopper, Macon et Lesquoy Brooch, Warman Silk Knot Cufflinks and D.R Harris Lip Balm, £85 from The Conran Shop.
21. Giant Cherub Cracker, containing everything you need for a complete carol concert, including eight xylophone keys with mallets, handbells, percussion instruments, a conductor’s baton and eight numbered hats. Each person is assigned a hat that corresponds to their xylophone key, and then the conductor, guided by the numbered score, points to each person when it is their turn to play, £75 from Fortnum and Mason.
22. Box of eight ‘Children’s Christmas Crackers’, each containing a joke, a paper hat and a felt finger puppet, £10 from Fortnum and Mason.
23. Box of 12 eco Christmas crackers, each containing useful little kitchen or gardening tools, making them ideal for keen gardeners and cooks. Jokes and tips, recipes and hints are also included, £36.95 from Selfridges.
24. Box of six ‘Terrific Tipples Crackers’, each containing a miniature bottle of alcohol such as Somerset Cider Brandy, Brecon Special Reserve Gin and Irish Single Malt Whisky, as well as a joke and paper party hat, £50 from Fortnum and Mason.
26. Turquoise & Orange Christmas Crackers by Pentreath & Hall, each containing a hat, snap and joke along with one of the following prizes; herb seeds, a wooden spoon, nail brush, star cookie cutter, dice, pack of marble, golf ball tees, plant labels, from Ben Pentreath.
28. Mix And Match Christmas Crackers, each containing a special gift such as Malin &Goetz Travel size toiletry, Macon et Lesquoy Iron on Patch, Merchant & Mills Tape Measure, Golf Ball Joke, Puebco Marker Pen, £65 from the Conran Shop.
Phew. So there you go. My annual cracker round-up for 2013. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I think The Conran Shop has come up with some beauties this year, with hand-marbled papers and exquisite gifts. I’m also loving the rainbow Sarah Moore Vintage crackers.
Which one is your favourite?
Disclosure: Some, but not all, of these links are with affiliate programs, which helps to support Wee Birdy. Please note that affiliate links do not influence my edit of lovely things. I don’t put crap on Wee Birdy, yo.
Origami notebooks from tissue boxes tutorial, via Tuts+. Photography by Lisa Tilse.
Origami notebooks from tissue boxes tutorial, via Tuts+. Photography by Lisa Tilse.
