CRAFT FIND OF THE WEEK

not by the hair of my finny fin fin

We love ceramics - maybe because neither of us can throw a pot, know much about glazes nor can apply decals neatly to paper let alone clay, or maybe it's just because ceramics, particularly domestic ware, has such obvious connections to food, and therefore eating... and you all know how partial we are to a good feed. We also love good coffee, especially when it comes with a sweetie on the side on matching china. We also both have a particular penchant for blue and white stuff so it's really not too surprising that with glee we snaffled this little place setting for two up in disbelief for a measly $4 at the local op-shop... yes people $4.

We were even happier when we turned them over and found they were Arabia, which of course is made in one of our favourite icy craft and design locales (and home of the moomins), Finland. Now if anyone out there speaks or reads Finnish (Brigette!) can you tell us what the hell "Arabia Lasitteen Suojamma Koriste Dekoren Skyddad av Glasyr Ali" (which is the complete text on the bottom of the plates) means? We're dying to find out.

New York fashion week. Part 4.

I guess, this may be the strangest thing when a Russian living in the UK is using looks from New York fashion week to create a French theme. But well, I was inspired and decided to do it, just for myself. The looks are very different and to me, they represent all kinds of women - young, sexy, sensual, sophisticated, chic, but what they have in common is that all of them are very feminine.

1. Tracy Reese. 2. Nanette Lepore. 3. Diane von Furstenberg. 4. Stephen Burrows. 5. Jill Stuart. 6. Chado Ralph Rucci. 7. Luca Luca. 8. Bibhu Mohapatra.

Photo source: style.com

New York fashion week. Part 3.

1. Ports 1961. 2. Ruffian. 3. Rachel Roy. 4. Brian Reyers. 5. Hervé Léger. 6. Oscar de la Renta. 7. Tommy Hilfiger. 8. Ralph Lauren.

Photo source: style.com

SHOW OF THE WEEK

just dreamy...
Two of Australia's best and busiest multi disciplinarian arteests have come up with yet another brilliantly crafted collaboration that continues their four year odyssey into the nexus of craft and art. Melbourne's Ghost Patrol provides the illustrations while Hobart based Cat Rabbit works her magic making three dimensional companion pieces - both artists finding inspiration in the secret night life of softies. The works range in scale from wall mural to miniature, all meticulously rendered whether in pencil or cloth - and you know how much we love our craft 'well done'. While we are continually bowled over by Ghost Patrols work (on pages and paste ups all over town) this time it was Cat Rabbit's sculptures that blew us away, brilliant extensions of Ghost Patrol's illustrated works that simultaneously managed to maintain her own signature style and show just enough sinister underbelly to stop on the right side of kawaii... What a welcome change in an increasingly saccharine softies scene!

Definitely one to stay up for - we can't wait for their next adventure.
While You Sleep until March 8
Gorker Gallery
395 Gore Street Fitzroy.

New York fashion week. Part 2.

Every woman needs an LBD. It's a live-savior. It's a security blanket. It's an answer to every fashion dilemma. You can dress it down with a pair of ballerina pumps and a tote, you can dress it up by pairing with some beautiful sparkling sandals and a timeless clutch, or you can create a business lady look by adding a pair of black high heels, a smart handbag and a classy simple watch. And sunglasses, or pearls, or a hat, or a scarf. One dress - million chic possibilities.

Choosing an LBD is like choosing a life-partner - if it does not feel right, nor make you feel feminine, happy, strong, confident and sensual, it's not for you and it's better to keep looking.

NY fashion week offered such a great choice of LBDs, any fashionista would feel spoilt and definitely find "the one", just for her - classy, girly, sexy or rock-chic... anything you can think of, it was there.

1. Calvin Klein. 2. Chado Ralph Rucci 3. Behnaz Sarafpour. 4. Brian Reyers. 5. Jill Stuart. 6. Hervé Léger . 7. Hutson. 8. Bagley Mischka

Photo Source: style.com

HARVEST OF THE WEEK

little red Finally after weeks of the hard green balls on the tomato plant mocking us in the garden as we watered and then again as we walked past with yet another punnet of store bought tomatoes, they all decided to ripen at once... leaving us with a weeks worth of menu items based around the mini love apple and a big old bowl of slightly 'overdone' leftovers.

So if anyone has a delicious and idiot proof recipe for tomato chutney, there's a free jar in it for them!! Oh and it's also a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Master Maxwell, six months old today and already showing some serious attitude!

New York fashion week. Part 1.

I am always very excited about fashion weeks. It's a show, it's a kind of art and it's gives so much inspiration and many ideas for playing with the clothes and looks.

To sum up the highlights of the New York fashion week I have picked a few themes, which I called "Lady Chic", "A few lives of LBD", "A la française" and "Touch of Gold". The Lady Chis is my favourite because it is more "me" and really shows what I love. In my opinion, these pieces are timeless. You can just picture them now and 10 years later, still beautiful, stunning and feminine. I just adore how designers play with luxurious fabrics in rich autumn colours wrapping and draping them around beautiful statuesque figures showing off every curve of a female body. It's just so sensual.

1. BCBG Max Azria. 2. J. Mendel. 3. Tommy Hilfiger. 4. Bagley Mischka. 5. Victoria Beckham. 6. Donna Karan. 7. Carolina Herrera. 8. Oscar de la Renta

Photo Source: style.com

BLOGS WE LOVE part 1

star of stripes

The ladies of HML have their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to craft, art and design - Beck takes a great photo -Ramona has trouble getting things in focus. Ramona is just finishing a knitted cardigan - Beck can't read a knitting pattern to save herself . We often turn to really great blogs for inspiration and help. One of our all time faves is

Kris's Color Stripes

Kris is a Italian artist and designer who takes beautiful images and then breaks them down into colourways. Ramona finds this particularly helpful as she struggles with palettes all the time. On occasion she will copy Kris completely. This laundry bag that was part of last years xmas gift frenzy wouldn't have turned out half as sweet without Kris's guidance! It's a great blog just to dive into to refresh your eyes, which we all need from time to time...

SHOWCASE OF THE WEEK

famous fiveSuper hip east brunswick store Five Boroughs is showcasing the ample talents of Kyle de Kuijer and Eduardo De Lucatwo for the entire month of February. Eduardo is a sculptor who has created a rotating 1m high ferris wheel for the space, mighty impressive we say. Kyle (who's work you might have last seen in the great And Collective publication A Place Tells a Story) has done his bit for both our eyes and the environment, mounting all his illustrations in recycled frames. Top job fellas.

Five Boroughs
345 Lygon Street, Brunswick East.

Tuesday to Saturday.

Love, passion, fashion

Unfashionable pleasures of life

I spend my afternoon, such a dreamy, sleepy, quiet and transparent moment of time, in my kitchen, preparing creme caramel and listening to one of the most beautiful albums I've even owned, Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni (her first music "baby"). True, there are always exception for anything and here is the one when a beautiful model can have everything - beauty, brains, talent and sensual mystery. If you even want to please your soul, then listen to this CD, have some beautiful creme caramel and enjoy a quiet moment of simple and yet exquisite pleasure.

The inspiring Katrina at Belsize Square online fabric store has a fine idea. All crafters can create and donate a handmade item to the Victorian Fire Disaster Relief. A beautiful way to reach out to our neighbours who have lost everything. A small softie, a knitted scarf, even a quilt (the ladies of HML are planning simple cot quilts as we speak) can help people rebuild their family history. This is just such a lovely idea we though you all should know about it. Katrina has very generously also offered $20 gift voucher for all those items that reach her before the end of February.

Don't you wish you were a princess?... or... Dolce & Gabbana create modern fairy-tale again.

Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers... ~Susan Polis Shutz

VALENTINES SHOW OF THE WEEK

get your rocks off...

A quick word before we get into the pretty stuff. Just letting you all know that the Richmond Vetrinary Clinic in Church Street Melbourne is the drop off point for anyone wanting to donate goods or money for the animals injured in the bushfires, they need just about everything from bandages to chook feed, so if you have some spare kitty litter, cans of dog food or a spare collar and lead get on down and donate.

Just in time for Valentines day Pablo Fanque presents Anna Davern's new project Rocks. In another great pop twist on contemporary aesthetics by one of hml (and Australia's) favourite jewellers, Anna has printed pictures to steel using a sublimation method and says of the works “I’ve used the technique to create oversized fake versions of traditional styles of jewellery. It’s kind of an homage to one of the initial tenets of Contemporary jewellery which was to react against the use of precious materials. These works are also an alternative to the real thing at a time when the real thing may no longer be affordable.” We love a big rock, especially when it's plastic, although we've also been known to sport ridiculously bad, oversized cubic zirconias as well, but printed steel, who'd have thunk it. Clever lady that one.

Who said diamonds are a girls best friend.

Rocks by Anna Davern
3 - 14 February 2009 @ Pablo Fanque 1 Oxford Street, Paddington Sydney.

Little dolls for big girls

When there is an inner child in you, no matter how old you are, you've got to look after her and treat her with respect and occasional pretty presents.

I have been looking at Harajuku Lovers for quite a while, since I saw them in one of the fashion magazines. It was so long ago I don't even remember, which one (ops, blond moment!) And today, finally, I decided to treat myself because this way I will a) have a doll b) have a doll that I can easily hide or proudly display if I want to c) have a nice new perfume.

So, this is the one I've bought. Her name is G and she is the pretties one, in my opinion.

Never one to get lost in the crowd, G leads her crew in a white, corseted top and a blue miniskirt á la Alice in Wonderland. Quirky, unique, and undeniably cool, G is the leader of the pack. Her scent is an oriental, fruity, gourmand fragrance with notes of fresh coconut, jasmine, and cotton woods.

Notes: Mandarin, Coconut, Apple Skin, Jasmine Sambac, Freesia, Magnolia, Coconut Cream, White Sandalwood, and Cottonwoods

Style: Tropical. Sunny. Distinctive.

She has friends called Love, Lil' Angel, Music and Baby.

Love
Sweet, caring, and free-spirited, Love is always off in her own little world. Stepping out in a cute, striped mini-dress and fashionable red kicks, Love wears her heart on her sleeve, or rather, in her hair! Her scent is reminiscent of a floral bouquet.

Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pomelo, Peach, Bamboo Leaf, Watery Peony, Living Hydroponic Lace Rose, Jasmine Sambac, Nectarine Blossom, Creamy Paperwhites, Egyptian Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, Musk, and Blond Wood.

Style: Tender. Romantic. Sensual.

Lil' Angel

Lil' Angel is a woman who is compassionate and caring towards others, but is no saint. She sports a classy, yet sexy, schoolgirl outfit complete with a plaid pleated miniskirt, white knee-highs, and shiny black Mary Janes. Her scent is a citrus floral with notes of pineapple, candied violet, and lollipop accord.

Notes: Raspberry, Cranberry, Blackberry, Pineapple, Pear Blossom, Violet, Rose, Lollipop Accord, Hinoki Wood, and Crystal Amber.

Style: Colorful. Sassy. Sweet.

Music

Always looking to make someone laugh, charismatic Music has no qualms telling it like it is! Stylin' in a smocked sailor outfit and black lace-up boxing boots, Music marches to the beat of her own drum. Her scent is a fruity floral with notes of pear, sweat pea, and sleek wood. Notes: Clementine, Pear, Jasmine Sambac, Sweet Pea, Honeysuckle, Vanilla, Skin Musk, and Sleek Woods.

Style: Sparkling. Juicy. Magnetic.

Baby

One bat of her lashes and Baby has all the boys in the palm of her hand! Pretty in pink, Baby steps out in a short baby doll dress and sweet Mary Janes. Her scent is a powdery floral with notes of white rose, orange flower, and white musk.

Notes: Freesia, Bergamot, White Rose, Orange Flower, Tiare, Jasmine, White Musk, Soft Woods, Heliotrope, Vanilla, and Violet.

Style: Fresh. Clean. Soft.

For more information and loads of cute pictures and videos visit Harajuku Lovers official website. Oh, it's good to be a girly girl!

Source: www.hlfragrance.com

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

chocolate chip off the old block Thom likes nothing more than being a quiet obeserver when the HML kitchen staff go into full swing. He can't be a taster yet but if he is anything like us he'd soon make short work of these chocolate chip cookies

This recipe - albeit basic and a little bit old fashioned - is absolutely idiot proof and perfect for the short attention span of both mother and child - grand total of 10 min prep and 15 min in the oven and then hey presto the perfect morning tea (to be honest - one cookie is quite enough, I couldnt manage a second let alone a third)

now if we could just have a nap...

CRAFT FINDS OF THE WEEK

plenty of junk in the trunk...

The blessed relief of the cool weather yesterday allowed the ladies of hml to venture outside with their little folk for the first time in what has seemed like an age. To be honest we probably all needed a distraction from our mounting dispair at the overwhelming destruction of the weekend. We have been heartened however to once again to see people Australia wide open their hearts and wallets to try and make things a little easier for everyone involved. Our thoughts and well wishes are with you all.

Now while we love a little retail therapy to be honest we didn't really have the stomach to spend up when others were doing it so hard, but we did happen upon the local op-shops and didn't feel too bad about buying from a charity.

Beck has been collecting cross stitch pieces for some time now (among many other textiley things, much to the architect's annoyance) with the idea of making a quilt by winter for their new bedroom. Of course this will eventually mean having to do more than just shopping for other peoples craft, but in the meantime she's well pleased with these fantastic finds.

She was especially happy to have picked up some large linen tablecloths with big centrepieces and multiple embroidered edges, because being a time poor and somewhat lazy crafter this will mean less patching and therefore less work later on... genius!

Although she's collected a reasonable little stack over the past few months, she is by no means an expert quilter and so is bound to lose some in translation... So, if any of you out there have unwanted cross stitch or embroidered piece-work laying around your house, studio or fabric pile - you know where to send them!

Oh and if you are in the market for more fetching finished pieces of embroidered goodness then look no further than Cottage Industry, miss penpen has (as usual) managed to come up with an array of excellent products from her own substantial collection of other peoples craft, including the tea-cosy and new maisy blouse, we think they're terrific.

Natalia Vodianova for Guerlain

I just saw these ads and found myself staring at them as if they were pieces of art. For a moment there I forgot how to breathe. Natalia did it again. She looks beautiful, stunning, sensual... Just unforgettable.

Source: guerlain.com