Stuart Membery Blog

Well, we can all now keep up with my friend Stuart Membery as he has just started a blog! How exciting. Oh and our latest container of Stuart's furniture is now in store at Black & Spiro....just in time for Christmas. There are some lovely new pieces so make sure you pop in for a visit before it is all gone again!!

Click HERE to visit Stuart's blog...

xx

Anna

Parties Flowers & Installations

I think that summer wind may have swept me away last week. I just realised that I haven't posted since last Monday. It is amazing how time flies. This week has seen the installation of a few gorgeous pre-Christmas jobs, Harry's school Christmas pageant, a friends surprise 40th Birthday party and a summer garden dinner party which Brad and I hosted at our home last night with a few of my lovely clients and friends.

I filled the house with fresh flowers including my first Peonies for the season.

The garden looked so lovely and green. I'm so glad the drought is over here for now.

I also filled the house and verandahs with lots of candles. I must thank my friend Stuart Membery for organsing a rush delivery of the oval rattan placemats from Indonesia and also to Brad's dad for painting them for me in that pretty green which I chose to go with the napkins and cushions on the chairs. We had such a lovely night. I think it was the beginning of the festive/party season as Brad and I have a few more exciting parties to attend this week...Christmas really is such a wonderful time of year!!

PS. I promise I won't let that summer wind sweep me away this week!!

xx

Anna

The Summer Wind

Yesterday at home whilst enjoying the company of family, the first hint of a summer wind stopped me in my tracks. It's that warm summery wind that reminds me of happy times at the beach or by the pool on holidays with family and friends. I also think of Frank crooning in the moonlight...

The summer wind, came blowin' in from across the sea

It lingered there, to touch your hair and walk with me

All summer long, we sang a song and then we strolled that golden sand

Two sweethearts and the summer wind

Like painted kites, those days and nights they went flyin' by

The world was new, beneath a blue umbrella sky

Then softer than, a piper man, one day it called to you

I lost you, I lost you to the summer wind

The autumn wind, and the winter winds they have come and gone

And still these days, those lonely days they go on and on

And guess who sighs his lullabies through nights that never end

My fickle friend, the summer wind

The summer wind, warm summer wind, the summer wind

I'll leave you to ponder that and some beautiful images to remind us of the beautiful summer days which lay ahead.

image credits -

Black & Spiro Christmas

Here is our Christmas display at Black & Spiro which we installed today. I collaborated with talented Brisbane artist Sue-Ching Lascelles to create this installation. Sue made all of the amazing animals and wreath and screen in a mixture of paper and fabric....she is very, very clever!! We conceptualized the design with Mexican otomi textile as our inspiration. Unfortunately these photos aren't great so if you are in Brisbane, make sure you pop in for a visit. We'd love to see you...

Pine Cones

Whilst driving Harry to school this morning I spotted a few pine cones on the side of the road in a little spot along the way. I know pine cones are much more of a winter Christmas thing but I think I might stop in the morning and collect a few as I love the idea of mixing them with a few lovely baubles in a big bowl just like this image above!

image via interior divine

Blue & White Christmas Ornaments

Aren't these the perfect Christmas ornament for the blue and white lover! They are handpainted Delft porcelain by Harriet Damave. Click HERE to purchase.

Pretty Poppies for Grace

Look at these lovely invitations by Poppies for Grace. Wouldn't they be perfect for a Summer garden party...

Weekend Arrangements & Tidbits

I spent my entire weekend pottering and arranging things. I recently read a comment on a blog post from a reader saying how tired they were of vignettes. I can actually see where they are coming from as there really has been alot of vignette talk of late but I must say I personally could never tire of creating vignettes. It's so relaxing and almost therapeutic for me arranging flowers and vases and family treasured bits and pieces on tables in my home.



Going out into my garden early on Saturday morning was a real treat. I took my secateurs and went to work cutting some beautiful foliage from some of the tress in my garden which I arranged in vases for the house.

Over the weekend the boys and I visited my cousin Ben and his gorgeous fiance Phoebe as they moved into their beautiful new apartment yesterday. I went to work immediately helping them with a few bits for their new home. We quickly sorted out a furniture placement plan and then went down to Black & Spiro and collected a few things to pretty up the space. They have a moraya hedge in their courtyard so we cut some and arranged it in a vase which we placed in a vignette on a table in their lounge room.

It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful cushions, a few accessory pieces and lamps can make such a huge improvement.

As we left the apartment this afternoon my Aunty Jane {Ben's mum} handed me this AMAZING book. She picked it up this morning for me. It was the perfect gift. She knows how much I am enjoying my garden and this book certainly is right up my alley as it showcases so many beautiful gardens in the same style as mine...well, the same style I hope my garden will be one day!!

I had such a great weekend. I hope you all had a great weekend too...

xo
Anna

Boys Christmas Gift Idea

Personally, I'm not the camping type. But, being the mother of 2 boys I thought these fun sleeping bags and teepee could be a great Christmas present! I thought it would be lots of fun setting something up like this in the garden for a kids sleep-over! The sleeping bags come in adult size as well as child size!

Sleeping bags from Anorak

Backyard Teepees from Reform School Rules

Tis the season...

Fun personalised Christmas signs

Pretty Christmas gift boxes

Fresh Christmas trees at Dural Christmas Tree Farm

Bec & Jude Christmas Stars

Reform School Rules Decoration Embroidery Kits

Christmas really is creeping into my thoughts. I have found myself on websites looking for Christmas wrap, cards, decorations, gifts. So, I will advise you all to prepare yourselves for an onslaught of Christmas goodies from me. I'm so into Christmas this year! I'm excited!!! Here are a few things to get you excited too...

My Weekend at Home

Ever since we've moved into the homestead {the term our family and friends use when talking about the house} we just don't seem to want to leave. Weekends are spent here with lots of family and friends dropping in for a swim and for lunch. This weekend was no different. Whilst pottering around the homestead this morning I rearranged some of my blue and white things in the cabinet in our kitchen. I must say I think I really am turning into my mother now...should I be concerned? I haven't used one bit of pink in this cabinet which is such a refreshing change for me.

Whilst Brad was standing in the kitchen this morning preparing lunch for our friends I couldn't stop looking at his navy check shorts and immediately made the decision to get our new dining chairs made in navy and white check. I have been trying to decide on a fabric for our new dining chairs for a while so now, based on Brad's shorts, the decision has been made!

We seem to have a standard menu for kid's at the homestead....sausages on bread with tomato sauce. It's so easy and it seems that most children will eat sausages on a bread roll.

Whilst enjoying a bit of sunshine around the pool today I also enjoyed looking at my orchids which have just bloomed.

I also tried to enjoy a few moments reading one of my gardening books around the pool but Ned just wouldn't leave me alone.

It seemed that all he wanted was my hat.

Ever since we have started swimming in the pool over the last few weeks Ned has been angling at diving in and today he did it. He dived in and then we just couldn't stop him from diving in. It was very funny, I must say.

How was your weekend?

xo

Anna