Party Feet

Warm weather = party season, and thanks to the early arrival of Summer, my social calendar is already in full swing.

For me, the party season means I can flaunt pretty summer dresses and a hot pair of killer heels. However, a night out is often cut too short when those heels literally kill me with pain and I have to pull out a pair of daggy rubber thongs.

Not only do the thongs ruin my outfit, they're also bulky and dirty and then I have to hold onto my heels because they never fit into my evening bag. Thanks to Sydney Industrial Designer, Michelle Chung I now have a fantastic solution!!

Chinelas by Michelle are the sexiest pair of foldable flats I've ever seen - perfect for this little socialite!

These little inventions come with a massive range of features:

• Despite the delicate appearance, the outsoles are tough enough to wear every day on hard surfaces like concrete and will protect feet from glass and other hazardous.

• Chinelas by Michelle are small enough (just 240 grams) to be tucked into your handbag, gym bag or carry-on luggage. So small you can even keep them in your back jeans pocket!

• Chinelas by Michelle are the only foldable shoe on the market that folds outwards with soles that can lock together; avoid touching worn, dirty soles!

• After swapping from heels to Chinelas by Michelle, The satin pouch transforms into a sling to carry your heels home in.

• A zip pocket inside the pouch is the perfect place to stash your cash and a lippy, meaning you can travel light and just take the pretty satin Chinelas pouch out and about instead of a handbag.

• Available in a range of tempting colours such as silver, ruby red, classic black and plum purple - something to go with every outfit.

• Priced from $39.95, they are affordable enough to ensure more wear out of your heels, and save on cab fare getting home to ease aching sore feet!

You can buy them now from http://www.chinelasbymichelle.com/product.html

I can't wait for my pair to arrive!!!

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Limelight - Margaret McAteer (Screen Printer)

Lipstick

On a recent trip to Tasmania, I visited an artist run cooperative called Inka Gallery. I fell in love with many of the artworks in the store especially the amazing screenprints created by artist, Margaret McAteer. Margaret's use of bold colour, vintage images and tounge-in-cheek political humour really struck a cord with me so I'm very happy to be profiling her today.


How did you become interested in screen printing?
I grew up in Sydney and there were a lot of posters (mostly) screen printed, plastered over building and renovation sites in the CBD and these fascinated me.


What inspires your work?
People inspire my work and this leads me into politics. I have been interested in politics ever since I can remember.


How effective is art used as a tool to communicate a political or environmental messages?

Art can be very effective in communicating political views, this becomes obvious if you look at old posters from all over the world. If you add humour to it I find the artwork is more successful in getting its message across.
I am currently working on an exhibition using nursery rhymes, fairy tales and politics.


Do you have a favourite artwork?
I don’t have a favourite artwork but I like to collect books on posters , both present day and historical for inspiration. Historical advertising and political posters can be simple, bold and very clever.


Price Range?
It varies depending on how many prints are in the edition. I produce my political posters in small editions. The price ranges is $100 - $200.


Where can we purchase/see your work?
It is only available at the Inka gallery in Tasmania, and can be purchased through the gallery directly or via our website: www.inkagallery.org.au. Examples of mine and other artist artwork can be seen on Inka's website.


Do you have a favourite retail shop in Hobart ?
I don’t really have a favourite, I like Inka Gallery as it exposes me to many different art forms and artists, but I will also go into any jewellery shop.

John, Margaret and Dorothy Bendigo 1952

To view more of Margarets artwork or purchase a print please visit http://www.inkagallery.org.au/.


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I Love Colour

I love the happy feeling you get from a home splashed with a kaleidoscope of colour. This house was featured in Real Living (Christmas 2009) and I was very impressed by the bold use of colour especially in the kids rumpus room. I've always loved floor cushions and the use of gigantic floor cushions to make a low seated sofa is wonderful idea.

Daul a Beauty

* I've just found out (21st November 09) that Daul Kim took her own life today. May she continue to light up the heavens like she did the camera. ox


I was perusing the November/December 09 issue of RUSH when I was blown away by a photo shoot with Singapore born model Daul Kim.

Daul Kim was definitely tapped on the head by the beauty wand when she was born. A stunning and engaging model with an ability to envelope the camera with her quirky charisma.

The photo shoot is a brilliant example of how magic can be created when a talented photographer, model and stylist work in harmony. Credit definitely needs to go to Beau Grealy (photography) and Stevie Dance (Fashion Editor).

The November/December issue of RUSH is still on the stands and I’d highly recommend grabbing a copy to view the full photo shoot with Daul Kim.


All images from Rush magazine. See more details http://russhmagazine.com/russh/home.html

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Swedish Design

How does Sweden, a small country on the other side of the world create so many effortlessly cool and creative individuals?

Camilla Engman is just one of these creative Swedes. She’s a talented illustrator, paper artist and painter. Her artwork is playful and it makes me smile. I love the way she layers her designs with interesting characters, patterns and colours.

Her designs are created from home so it's not a wonder her house and work space are fun and relaxed - see the images by clicking this link http://www.sharesomecandy.com/workspaces-camilla-engman.html

To see more of Camilla’s work, visit her website or you can purchase her designs via an online shop and Aussie company Third Draw Down has commissioned one of her art works for their signature tea towels.

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Limelight – Sanaz (Sanaz Designs)

I met Sanaz about 5 years ago and was immediately captivated by her vivacious personality.
Sanaz’s love of design and fashion has always been apparent so I was very excited when she made the jump and started her own label “Sanaz Designs”.

From humble beginnings as an accessory brand, Sanaz Designs has grown very quickly into a fully fledged fashion brand. Her range is sexy, comfortable and flattering and I am always greeted with lovely comments from complete strangers when I wear one of her designs.
Today, I’m giving you an insight into the girl behind the brand.

You've worked in fashion for a long time but what made you decide to start your own business?
I’ve worked in fashion for ten years and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I have always been passionate about fashion and can see the positive impact it can have on your self-esteem.

I have spent years styling people and helping them create feelings of amazement they didn’t even know they could feel about themselves through fashion.

So why did I start my own business you ask? Why not?! I can’t think of anything else that I could offer more passion and love toward. I now have the pleasure of creating beautiful pieces of fashion that transform women from the mundane into the new and exciting.

Fashion is fickle, how do you decide on a new range?
Fashion is fickle and I don’t always conform to all of it’s dos, don’ts, trends, or colours. I find my inspiration through women, life, love, culture and art. Then take the time to meticulously interpret what I hold to be beautiful and elegant, in the most practical and yet luxurious ways.

Fashion may be fickle, but beauty and elegance never fades.

What would you like your customers to gain from your designs?
I’d like my customers to gain a slice of seamlessly stitched elegance and beauty, which acts like a key unlocking their inner potential.

A piece of fashion they can treasure through the times like a dear friend who has shared with them many special moments, but has yet many more to come.

Hot pick for Summer?

My hot pick for the summer has to be the Bella Dress….
If this dress could talk, everyone captivated by it would hear sexy, flirty, feminine and exotic sweet nothings gently wrapped up into warm air caressing their ears, brightening their eyes and leaving its image behind long after you’re gone.
Now that’s hot!

Where can we find you?
Markets:
Rocks Moonlight Market, Paddington Market, Manly Steyne Markets, Manly Market.
Events: Fashion Weekend, Nov 12-15th.
Store Stockists: Belinda’s Store, Yamba, Blossum & Co, Grafton - Cauchois & Calo, Collaroy – Cauchois & Calo, Mosman - Dea Lopes, Mosman - Emporium Bellingen, Bellingen – Hawks General Store, Orange – Mary & Me, Dubbo – Saliba, Dee Why - Savvi Galleri, Coffs Harbour – Surreal Life, Manly – The Boutique, Kempsy – The Boutique, Taree.

Price range of items?
Prices ranges from $55 for an antique brass cage pendant to $399 for a lace evening dress.

Your favourite retail therapy is?
What isn’t my favourite form of retail therapy?

I have to confess that I love retail therapy in all its forms. Fashion, shoes, jewellery, bags, accessories, cosmetics, décor and well even food. I am a consumer in every sense of the word, however I would rather buy one magnificently, beautiful, quality item of great grandeur than ten lesser quality items to the same value.

It goes with out saying that I love nothing more than fashion therapy! I particularly love pristine kept vintage, one off pieces, all things unique, individual, heart felt and of course items which are beautifully crafted with the utmost quality.…

I love treasure hunting and this for me is very therapeutic!


If you’re inspired by Sanaz’s work, support her by visiting one of her retail outlets. If you want more information on Sanaz Designs visit http://www.sanaz.com.au/ or join her
facebook fan page

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Print and Make Yourself (plus FREE 2010 calendar)

I’ve always found making paper dolls, origami and other paper crafts very therapeutic. I love the challenge of folding a crisp, straight line or using scissors to cut around a corner without damaging a perfect curve.

It’s for all these reasons that Mibo print-and-make-at-home projects caught my attention. http://www.mibostudio.co.uk/

Based in the UK, Mibo specializes in surface pattern as well as a range of cute as a button DIY paper projects.

“Wise Guys” and the new “Christmas Creations” can be purchase for £1.50 - £3.50. The instructions and templates are sent to your email ready to download and print. The projects are guaranteed to keep you entertained for at least 5 mins! I love the end result -





Mibo has also produced a 2010 calendar with gorgeous illustrations for each month of the year. It can be purchased for only £2.40 http://www.mibostudio.co.uk/#/mibo-deluxe-calendar/4536426928






And because they’re nice guys, Mibo is also offering a FREE 2010 year-at-a-glance that can be downloaded from their website http://www.mibostudio.co.uk/#/2010-calendar-details/4536336646 - Thanks Mibo, you rock!

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Reuse, Recycle and Make Sheep?

While we are debating over Emission Trading Schemes, Global Warming and other environmental topics, designer Jean-Luc Cornec has solved one environmental landfill issue – recycling old telephones and cords.

The Museum of Communications in Frankfurt is the current home for these intriguing and cleaver “Telephonic Sheep” sculptures! Check out their feet!!!

I love one bloggers comment "maybe this is where optic fibre is spun from!"


...there's always one black sheep in the family :)

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Friday Freebies

Happy Friday everyone!! What better way to head into the weekend than with a funky freebie.

I discovered the delightful Amy Moss and her blog “eat drink chic” a little while ago and immediately fell in love with her style. It was like she was reading my heart with every image and blog she was posting.

Amy is a talented graphic designer who not only shares stylish ideas with the world but also creates the cuteist free DIY projects for her avid audience.

Some of my favourite projects are listed below which you can download for free from her blog http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/archives.cfm/category/free-stuff.

Sister Act

I have always been surrounded by handcrafts. My Nan’s impeccable needlework leaves most people in awe and my mum was a full time artist for most of my life.

It’s not a wonder I felt a strong connection with Lizzie Fortunato Jewels, a label run by USA twin sisters Elizabeth and Kathryn Fortunato. They produce beautiful accessories that are influenced by their grandmothers craft skills. Their accessories are incredibly unique and feature a range of embellishments and detailing that has a wholesome, handmade feel whilst screaming unique style.

Some of my favourite pieces from their website are listed below. To ogle at more of their work visit http://www.lizziefortunatojewels.com/collections/



I love how the little flags on this necklace stand to attention and take hold of any outfit




Since cutting my hair short again I can't live without a headband..... these examples are super funky





I love the little bows on this necklace.... how pretty

They can also do rock star chic...... studs are back in girls!

They make a plait look so cool

All images from Lizzie Fortunato Jewels http://www.lizziefortunatojewels.com/collections/

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