A Magazine Moment

The Design Files

2012-02-16T17:20:00.006+10:30

I don't take compliments easily, I am not often happy with the work I produce, always seeing where it could be better – I can thank my perfectionist mother for that character trait! But today I'm happy because one of my favourite blogs, The Design Files, featured a story on Annabelle and me and our new magazine fête. I still can't quite believe the author of the site, Lucy, would be interested in our little project that we're producing from Adelaide in South Australia.

And today, we launched our new website. This was not without its problems. Only days ago we decided to cease work with one web developer and employ another after weeks and weeks of ongoing problems with the first. We've ended up paying twice to have our website built but we wanted to be sure it was right - right from the start. I designed it to be simple and in keeping with the fête ethos. I'm not sure if it's the weeks of stress leading up to today or the pure relief that the site is actually up, but for today, I'm pretty happy with how things are working out.

Fête Issue One 2012

2012-02-10T08:48:00.002+10:30

Here is our first issue of Fête for 2012. I hope you'll like it and help us spread the word if you do. Please visit our Facebook page and like us too if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate your support.

Taking Pictures

2012-02-04T17:26:00.004+10:30

Today I took some photos for a beautiful homeware store that they will be using on their upcoming website. I actually really enjoyed it but I did feel rather peculiar being the photographer as it's not something I do often. I am far more adept at being the designer sitting behind a computer screen using other people's photographs.

It is something I'd like to do more of though - practice makes perfect I guess.

Show Pony

2012-01-08T15:24:00.005+10:30

My sweet little pony, Nat, got very sick just before Christmas. At 22 years old, I feared the worst for her but by some miracle, she had made enough of a recovery to accompany her little rider, Poppy, to the country show today.

After countless shows, being primped and preened for most of her life, Nat's earned her retirement and only gets prettied up once or twice a year now for special occasions.

Down on the Farm

2012-01-08T13:52:00.005+10:30

Recently I celebrated my birthday and one of loveliest gifts I received was from my very good friend Jeannie and her husband Damien who gave me a box of produce from their farm – herbs, eggs, garlic, potatoes, zucchinis – a real bounty. My mum gave me a beautiful black-washed trug which was the perfect partner for these homegrown goodies.

Jeannie and Damien live on a beautiful property near Macclesfield about 45 minutes from Adelaide CBD. They have done so much work on the place, having almost finished a much-anticipated extension to their home. After a long-overdue visit this morning to see the new house I was really taken with Jeannie's vegetable patch that she lovingly tends. It was so full of different fruits and veggies, everywhere I turned there was another surprise. I love how she has incorporated old gates and farm equipment within the garden. It was also great to see the pencil pines that I gave Jeannie for her birthday a few years ago looking so healthy. Lots of rain this year has ensured good growth but Jeannie surely has a green thumb or two.

Jeannie's a graphic designer like me – we went to the same high school all those years ago and then went to Uni together to study. The logo for her business, Cultivate Design, reflects her love of the land perfectly. Please do visit Jeannie's blog if you have a moment, I hope she'll share many more pics of her property as it evolves.

Christmas Wishes

2012-01-04T20:00:00.008+10:30

Good grief, what a whirlwind Christmas I have just experienced. A poor sick little pony leading up to the day, lunch for 26 on the day and then we hosted a party on the 27th - which is the epitome of insanity – to celebrate my birthday. If it's any indication of just how chaotic our festive season was you won't be surprised to learn I only decorated the tree on Boxing Day – and very sparsely at that!

Many years ago I made the tree decorations using found seed pods. I was shopping at the local supermarket and noticed all these beautiful little pods on the ground under the trees – some variety of Acacia I think, native to Australia. I returned one Sunday afternoon and spent a couple of hours collecting them. Goodness knows what any passers-by must have thought. I then drilled a tiny hole into each one of the them and then strung them together, punctuated with a gold bead every so often. I was addicted and couldn't stop making these blessed things – I found the larger seed pods that I used for the mantel garlands in the parklands which coincidentally is now only five houses away from where we live.

I don't decorate with them every year but this year, teamed with some fairy lights they were quick and easy and I was happy just to have something up! I also like the idea of celebrating Christmas in an Australian way minus the snowflakes, the reindeer and the frosted windows – yesterday was 40 degrees for heaven's sake!

Billie had the right idea, she's lounged around pretty much the entire time and no, we are yet to eat the pudding – it's still hanging from the mantel. I wonder if it will keep until next year?

Birthday Boy

2011-12-19T17:41:00.003+10:30

Yesterday we celebrated my adorable nephew's third birthday. My sister threw him a little party with fairy bread, homemade pasties and lots of sweet treats. I made the cake which was topped with toffee crumbles. He had a ball and made us all laugh with his funny faces and dress-up antics. I feel so lucky to have him and my niece in my life.

Thank You

2011-12-11T14:31:00.006+10:30

What a crazy few days it has been. The response to our new project, fête, has been fantastic – more than we could have hoped. Thank you so much for all your lovely emails and comments, we both really appreciate them.

Here is the recipe to the mincepies in our Special Issue. They are so very delicious, I'm sure you'll love them too. Annabelle and I pretty much ate the whole tray in this photo not too long after they were shot. Official testing of course!

Please let me know if you can't read the recipe and I can email it to you.

It's Here

2011-12-09T12:03:00.002+10:30

It is with much excitement Annabelle and I have launched a special issue of fête - just in time for Christmas. We really hope you'll enjoy this taste of what's to come in the new year with the first of our bi-monthly online issues releasing in February 2012.

It Must Be Fête

2011-11-30T21:52:00.004+10:30

Yes, I can finally reveal the project that Annabelle and I have been working on is a new magazine we have named fête – a celebration of all things entertaining and party related. I don't know about you, but we are both seriously time-poor but still want to celebrate the good times in life in a simple, easy but beautiful way. fête will show you how easy it is to make your next event just a little bit special without all the bother.

Yesterday we launched our press kit which we've sent out to prospective advertisers. We've had such a positive response already it's been really encouraging. We're just two girls with a crazy idea, it's nice to know others share our yearning for a simpler, less complicated – but no less beautiful – life.

The beautiful photographs in the press kit were taken by Jessie at Follow Studio and Scott & Alia from White Wall Photography and we couldn't be happier with them – they totally sum up our whole ethos.

We will be releasing six online issues a year and one speccy printed annual later next year. Our first mini 'teaser' issue will be released on the 9th of December which is just around the corner so please keep an eye out for it.

I do hope you'll let us know what you think, and please like us on Facebook to hear all our news – when we find the time to post that is!

Back to Work

2011-11-19T11:29:00.007+10:30

Yesterday Annabelle and I worked on the first of our photo shoots with the lovely Scott & Alia from White Wall. It was nice to get back into the swing of things. The shoot went really well and we had a great day laughing and sharing stories. They are two of the most generous, driven people I am ever likely to meet.

These are shots I took of the beautiful servingware we had at the ready, lent to us by Annabelle's sister, Amelia and her brother-in-law, Adrian. I actually met Annabelle through Amelia as we were friends long before I knew of her little sister. Amelia and Adrian own Danish Vintage Modern and Country Life Antiques and travel around the world sourcing product for their shops. Seriously, their home is something out of a magazine, every corner crammed full of the most amazing pieces. One look at the servingware in these photos should give you an inkling.

A First Encounter

2011-11-07T21:25:00.005+10:30

We've been reading up and apparently it's best to expose a puppy to as many different experiences as possible while they're young and impressionable. This afternoon we took Billie to the beach – her first time. It was so funny watching her negotiate the soft sand, pick up seaweed and sea sponges and then tentatively enter the water.

We are blessed with the most beautiful coastline, I'd forgotten how nice it is at the beach, a mere 20 minute drive away. Even though it was warm, it was overcast so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Overall, a very rewarding experience – for Billie – and me.

A Great Partnership

2011-11-02T17:07:00.004+10:30

Had a great day yesterday with Annabelle doing some styling/photography work. It was so nice to work together again after our little break since leaving the magazine. We're a great team and despite the odd clash of wills, we work remarkably well together.

Our new business venture is another step closer to reality. We've been working hard on all the background business set-up which takes a frustratingly large amount of time. I hope to reveal all very soon but it's not too far away and we're both very excited.

What a Difference

2011-10-29T19:01:00.005+10:30

What a difference a little time and a lot of rain makes - we only planted out this part of the garden a couple of months ago. Now the hydrangeas are in bloom, the lobelias are bursting with colour and the trees are in leaf. It makes me happy every time I look outside.

The temporary fence is to keep Billie out until we get a proper one built. John and I both decided it was way beyond our capabilities to erect something strong enough to withstand a dog so we've decided to hire a contractor. I kind of like this little make-do though – it's quaint – and she hasn't worked out how to get through it yet.

She is growing up so quickly. We want her to stay sweet and small forever. She is such a lovely dog – especially with her crazy ears – one sticks up and one flops down now!

Sunny Days

2011-09-27T10:48:00.004+09:30

What could be better than eating breakfast outside on a warm, sunny morning? Um, nothing. After a few too many puddings over winter (and a few too many kilos to show for it) I'm back to starting the day with a bowl of homemade muesli, poached apricots (what I have left from last summer's bounty) and the first of the season's fresh blueberries. Hopefully I'll be able to fit in to my jeans again soon!

Our Little Billie

2011-09-25T18:37:00.001+09:30

Last week we welcomed a new member to our family – Billie – an eight week old Staffordshire Bull Terrier bred by our friend Amy. Since Molly died earlier in the year the house has been terribly quiet and very lonely and John has been yearning for a new dog. She is a dear little thing and John is smitten.

We had a terrible scare yesterday when she suddenly became very sick and we had to rush her to the vet. She spent the day on a drip and they were quite worried about her for some time. Today she is back to her normal playful self – we suspect she ate something she shouldn't have.

She has already well and truly found a place in our hearts.

Green Fingers

2011-09-12T14:19:00.005+09:30

After reading the Country Farmhouse blog, I was full of inspiration and convinced John our postage-stamp-sized courtyard garden was in desperate need of a mini-makeover. To complement the row of box hedge I planted about six months ago, we planted a heritage-variety quince tree, murraya, lavender, lobelia and my favourites – hydrangeas.

Baby Shower

2011-09-11T23:23:00.005+09:30

Today I went to Emma's baby shower. Most girls I know have a friend or a relly throw them a shower but my friend Emma – who until recently worked with me at the magazine – decided that with all her spare time she'd organise her own. And boy did she do it well! It was so beautiful, my photos really don't do it justice. Knowing she is expecting a boy, and not wanting a traditional blue shower, Emma opted for a woodland theme with gorgeous ginghams and little forest features. Annabelle and I arrived early to help her set up – she is heavily pregnant after all – but really, she had everything well in hand so we had a lovely day enjoying the delicious food she had prepared.

The Eclective

2011-09-11T23:15:00.006+09:30

John's business, The Food Business, exhibited at a local bridal fair called The Eclective this weekend. I put the stand together for him – given I have a bit more free time now! I was given a strict budget so I based the theme on bakeware, bought some lovely cake tins for veggie displays (all in complementary colours of course) & napkin holders and used a cookie cutter for a business card holder. The fair was at the Queen's Theatre, a fantastic old building right in the heart of the city.

Spring Has Sprung

2011-09-01T20:43:00.001+09:30

Spring is here at long last. The trees are in blossom and the sun is shining. Just perfect for a bounce on the trampoline with my sweet niece.

Today marks a new chapter in my life. I have resigned from my position at the magazine and am about to embark on a very exciting new venture. Lots to do and so much to think about – can't wait to tell more!

A Different View

2011-08-28T11:24:00.006+09:30

Have you ever made a decorating decision that you lived to regret?

A couple of weeks ago we finally got around to hanging the multitude of frames I have been collecting for months and months. I envisaged an interesting gallery-style wall of pictures running down the length of our long hallway. It was easy enough to hang them, didn't take long at all. But I'm not loving the end result, in fact it is making me feel quite anxious.

What I didn't take in to account was the fact our hallway is so narrow you can't really stand back to view the pieces. Instead, every time I look down from one end of the house to the other, I am confronted with a heavy mass of black, all different widths and angles that looks quite messy and disorderly... not at all what I had in mind and quite distressing for the obsessive compulsive kind that I am. And don't even get me started on having to straighten them each time I walk past!

I quite like the view from our bedroom, looking into the hallway but I guess that's because I can see the artwork from a distance.

Well, they're staying there for now. I've been at him for so long to hang them, John would never let me forget it if I told him I wanted them gone. Not to mention there are now two million holes punched into our lovely old walls. I'll just have to learn to live with them.

Beauty and Sadness

2011-08-14T15:16:00.012+09:30

This morning I, like many other people in Adelaide, attended the Ban Live Export rally in Elder Park. Despite it being the most glorious, sunny day it was difficult to enjoy it as I looked around at the many placards and banners people were holding showing horrific scenes of animals as they lay helpless in the Indonesian slaughter houses. I don't know about you but I don't do well with images like that – I instantly teared up and was overwhelmed with such shame knowing that we allow this to happen. In a futile attempt to stop crying I took a little wander around and climbed the steps of the rotunda. What a beautiful structure. I am embarrassed to say I have never really taken notice of it before. In typical Victorian fashion, it is highly decorated and ornate. A little bit of beauty amidst a sea of sadness.

2011-08-06T18:12:00.006+09:30

Colour Study
I prefer to decorate with neutrals. I work with colour so much at the magazine (Annabelle forces me against my will most times!) I like to surround myself with a calm palette at home. Having said that, I glanced over at our messy kitchen this morning and saw that John had put an empty bottle of wine and a pot on the trusty Ikea stool, obviously needing a place to plonk them while he made dinner last night in our matchbox-sized kitchen. The casing on the neck of the bottle is the most divine orange – not garish or gaudy like orange can be – it's soft and complex. And it looked so perfect against the olive green of the bottle, our grey wall behind it and the dense black of the cast iron. I just know I'll use this combination again soon, somewhere. Thanks for the inspiration Kooyong.

2011-08-02T20:24:00.004+09:30

Free For All
Thanks to the damn possums that live in our roof, our lemon tree has been decimated to the point of destruction. The buggers have eaten almost every single leaf. In a drastic measure to save the tree John cut it right back and picked every single fruit from its bare branches in the hope it will put all its energy into growing leaves.

There's only so much one can do with a million lemons so I've put some of them in a bucket on our front fence so the neighbours can take them. I do this with all manner of things, including things I've bought in haste (and hate before I even get them home), magazines I've finished reading, even kitchen stuff I don't like anymore. I like to think of it as recycling.

I just hope my bucket and sign don't get pinched!

2011-08-02T20:23:00.001+09:30

Bistro by The Food Business EOM
At the end of each month (EOM), John holds a degustation lunch at the Bistro. August's lunch was held in conjunction with Talinga Grove so each course featured olives in some way. It was a glorious, sunny day – just perfect to enjoy lunch overlooking the River Torrens – or so I'm told. Pity John was cooking and I was there taking photos!

2011-07-26T18:00:00.006+09:30

Congratulations
I am so very proud of my husband, John, who last night picked up Event Caterer of the Year and then the pinnacle in catering awards, Caterer of the Year, at the SA Restaurant and Catering Awards. He and his partner Cindy, together with their amazing staff at The Food Business – who are family to us – work so hard and thoroughly deserve this honour.

These are some pics I took in one of their kitchens a few weeks back.

The hands in the photos are John's - gnarly, scarred, burned and calloused. When you look at his hands, you realise the reality cooking shows that are on telly don't paint a true picture of the incredibly hard work required to be chef. It is a really tough gig.

Winning these awards kind of makes up for the fact I get to see John about 20 minutes a week... kind of.

2011-07-17T16:56:00.012+09:30

Two Birds, One Stone
I bought this sweet cast metal bird some time ago now but haven't managed to find a home for him until today. Now he sits inside one of the gazillion shadow box frames I have lurking around also waiting to be homed. Got a bit of a bird thing going on now...

The bottle print is from Etsy seller Dear Colleen – it reads 'I would rather have Champagne than real pain' – pretty much sums up my life. I love the patterned Ashley G print in the background – it's supposed to be hung vertically but I prefer it sitting horizontally. The large etching is by Barbara Hanrahan, a well-known South Australian artist. This was one of the first things John and I bought as a couple over 20 years ago. I love that Eve is this commanding figure surrounded by many fabulous animals and insects but Adam is a puny little figure right at the bottom, even smaller than the dragonfly. John doesn't like that. Ha!

And this is my attempt at starting a bar. Well, actually I started it a while ago now but am yet to open most of the bottles. The gin gets a good old work out though. Hendricks is my fave.

2011-07-16T20:27:00.007+09:30

Pink
I am not a pink person by any stretch of the imagination, – never have been – but when I walked past these chrysanthemums I just couldn't resist them. It wasn't until I got them home I realised they reminded me of a pattern I designed for my sister's baby shower stationery. My sweet niece is now five years old and her favourite colour is pink - of course!

2011-07-01T17:43:00.005+09:30

New Acquisition
I bought this Bonnie and Neil tea towel last weekend with a view to hanging it in the lounge room – it's too beautiful to wipe dishes, that's for sure. Tacked it up today, not sure whether to frame it or not. I have a frame addiction with a million of the blighters waiting to be hung in the hallway so probably best to do that first.

2011-06-26T12:39:00.006+09:30

My Modest Collection
Oh how I love these little pots. Mostly Victorian – all from the UK – they're next to impossible to find here in Australia. I love their miniature proportions, the detail in the typography, the simplicity of shape. My very modest collection – consisting of about eight pieces – is destined to grow as I cannot get enough of these little beauties.

I used them in a story in the magazine a while back. In fact, they were my inspiration for this story.

The River Torrens

2011-05-29T18:58:00.001+09:30

Bistro by The Food Business EOM

2011-05-29T18:38:00.004+09:30

Bistro by The Food Business

2011-05-22T12:12:00.005+09:30

Practising my food photography. I'm lucky John cooks some pretty amazing food.

My Marthas

2011-05-22T11:55:00.001+09:30

Courtney and Justin's Engagement Party

2011-05-19T19:55:00.000+09:30

Molly

2011-04-30T18:15:00.002+09:30

This is a portrait of our beautiful old Labrador, Molly, who died earlier in the year. I commissioned it from Kate Pugsley and she did such an amazing job at capturing her spirit. Losing Molly was/is really tough, she was part of our family, but this portrait gives me some comfort. I've put it near the back door where she used to sleep, overlooking her favourite spot – the catfood bowl. Each day as I pass it, I speak to it as if she were still here. I think it's a nice way to remember her.

Making Muesli

2011-04-30T17:50:00.000+09:30

Lemon Biscuits

2011-04-30T17:48:00.000+09:30

Jasmine

2011-04-30T17:47:00.000+09:30

My Treasured Collection

2011-04-30T17:44:00.001+09:30

My View From Bed

2011-04-30T17:41:00.001+09:30

The White House, Daylesford

2011-04-30T17:15:00.001+09:30