Missoni Accomplished

I've always loved colour - and maximalism - in both fashion and homewares, so it's no surprise I'm a big Missoni fan. 

I've been slowly building a little collection of towels and scarves over the years, so I almost wet my pants when I heard about their collaboration with Target in the US.

Of course I wasn't the only one - with their pop up store during New York fashion week being cleared out in an hour, the online sale crashing their website, and items appearing on eBay for astronomical prices.

How gorgeous is Margherita Missoni in their TV ad?

Anyway, despite some serious delays and a bit of a PR disaster (their social media team took a beating on twitter), my online order went through, and with the help of Parcel It On my package arrived today! (Target US don't ship to Australia - and Parcel It On are a package forwarding service that I've used before and can highly recommend!)

That's a lots of zig-zags! (ps - it's not all for me)

My verdict - the towels seem like surprisingly good quality - the cosmetic bags not so much. My favourite was a little zig zag knit dress - as soon as I put it on I had to do a little go-go dance - it's so 60's! I won't be wearing it head to toe like in the ad- mm well not outside the house at least.

Design Muse: Jonathan Adler

I recently purchased Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing which has reignited my passion for all things Adler!!

He's certainly partially responsible for popularising the pop brights / palm springs / ethnic clash / print happy / more is more look that I love.

Here are a few of my favourite Adler rooms - 

Hello zig zag rug..

 Hello blue buttoned lounge...

Hello moroccan octagonal table... and creepy Napoleonic bust... and pirate ship chandelier...

I think this mosaic table may be a future DIY project...

When I was in LA last year I was lucky enough to pay a visit to the Jonathan Adler store in West Hollywood - it was amazingly merchandised but the only happy snap I took was of the adorable shop dog Gabe.

Wah I'd love a French Bulldog. I'm not sure what the chooks would make of one though..

DIY Budget Designer Bedroom Curtains

When we were renovating our home last year - I was seriously unimpressed with the range of ready made curtains available in attractive prints. Most options I found were either far too feminine or unimaginably bland. for  Everything I liked was custom made - and way out of my budget. 

I especially loved the below curtains that hang in Black & Spiro.

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

So when I found a similar print fabric in Ikea - look at what I made...

Not bad hey?

Even though the printed Ikea fabric was fairly inexpensive, the block out backing from Spotlight and the curtain tape and rail kit added up pretty quickly so it certainly wasn't the cheapest option out there - but I knew that if I went with a budget ready made option I'd always be longing for something prettier.

It took a few hours in front of the sewing machine but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I think the next project is recovering those lampshades..

Deck Dressing Inspirations

Although I've been loving this cold snap over the past few days in Brisbane - these gorgeous terrace/patio/outdoor space pics have me longing for spring already so we can go outside and make the most of our new deck!

Domino via Maison Marigold

Alvhem via Apartment Therapy
 

Martyn Thompson for House & Garden 2007 via Apartment Therapy

Kathryn Ireland via Oliveaux

Williams Sonoma via Apartment Therapy

Third Nature Studio via Apartment Therapy

Coastal Living via Oliveaux

Ruthie Sommers via Oliveaux

The Black & Spiro Sale

So I popped along yesterday to the always highly anticipated annual Black & Spiro sale - and Anna didn't disappoint.

I made the mistake of being 20 minutes late and was met by a shop full of women clutching lamps and cushions, and their partners dutifully waiting outside. (Mr T joined took one look inside at the gaggle of ladies and soft furnishings and quickly joined them.)

There were plenty of bargains to be had - I was actually quite impressed by some of the markdowns - a lot of the larger pieces of art and furniture and even the gorgeous blue Peggy sofa that I'd lusted after here was discounted.

Alas I've got a deck to pay off so there were no pretty purchases for me - and to be honest the line for the register wasn't too appealing either. (Although it must be said everyone was very friendly and patient.)

But any non-purchase remorse was quickly soothed by an almond croissant at Bouquiniste.

For Sale - Nanna Blankets etc.

Who doesn't love a good Nanna blanket?

I'm selling the above blankets here, here, here and here.

You can pick up this snappy stool here.

Can you tell I love cane? This glossy little number is selling here.

d.i.g

I'm a total sucker for garden design stores - and one of my favorites is d.i.g. on James st.

Ornate garden sculptures aren't usually my thing but I think the catfish on this one make it a little more kitschy. A feature table of potted plants is such a good way to dress up a concrete wall.

And I loved these rustic light fixtures.

How amazing is this glassware stand?  You'd need a fair amount bench space though..

And I can never resist a tufted headboard.

Elephant lamp alert! Are elephants the new birds? This reminded me of this Elephant Accessories Roundup on Apartment Therapy

Deck-orating

I know I've still got a few more days until the deck is finished but of course I'm already mentally decorating the new space.

We've already got a rustic steel garden setting that will find a new home on the deck, along with some gorgeous blue and white striped deck chairs that will be neglected no more.

I've got an extra silver tolix stool from the kitchen that will probably make it's way outside also, and I've been lusting after these great tiled tables at Hamimi, or similar ones above from Temperature Design.

And of course the chooks would get a giggle out of a lovely pair of yellow Hunter wellies.

Ivy & Piper Issue 3

And it's another ultra pretty edition, with a great article on my fave design girl - Kelly Wearstler.

Find the newest issue here.

Jocelyn's Provisions & Magnolia Interiors

We made a delicious pit stop on Saturday morning.

Jocelyn's is possibly the prettiest bakery in Brisbane - and their cakes and savoury treats are amazing.

For birthday parties at my office we always order their Sour Chocolate Roulade - it's definitely a crowd pleaser.

But I have to say I'm pretty partial to their Orange and Almond or Carrot Cakes.

Whilst Mr Tchotchke was tucking into his mid morning snack (a very fancy sausage roll) - I snuck into Magnolia Interiors in their new premises across the way.

They've got so much more room to work with in their new store and some really gorgeous displays. Mr Tchotchke commented that even though he believes we're already severely "over-cushioned," he wouldn't mind adding the above octopus cushion to our collection.

Chook Baking Dish

Okay so of course this stood out in tonight's Peters Of Kensington newsletter.

At the totally bananas price of $4 - I'm a little tempted. It's a little red hen just like our Charlotte!

And surely if I also rounded out the purchase with the Carp and Duck varieties I'd just be kitchenware obsessed and a little less chicken crazy?