a lily in bloom

Big news! Big changes!

2010-09-28T11:39:00.001+10:00

All year I've been hinting at some big changes which are coming up for me which I didn't want to disclose until our plans were more concrete. So now the time has come to announce that at the end of October I'm relocating from Australia to the UK!

I know, I know.... it's a massive move, but it's something that me and my little family are really excited about, especially my husband who has had a long distance relationship with his very close knit family for over 11 years now! Them's the breaks when you marry someone from the other side of the world!

Of course, such a big move means some big changes for my Lily and Cino too... so we are taking the downtime as an opportunity to revamp and revitalise the business! This will include an exciting new website with lots of product redesigns and exciting additions to the site!

It's a big job but we are really excited about the opportunities which lay ahead for us!

To all our Australian customers, we'll still be servicing the region and the new website will make it just as easy to order from us in our new location!

So on that note, you'll probably not see too much of me around these parts for a while as we have ALOT on our plate organising ourselves, but I'll keep you all updated as to the move and what date we'll be ready to relaunch the new site.

Watch this space!

How to fall in love with scarves!

2010-09-22T19:35:00.001+10:00

I was so inspired by these tutorial videos from Liberty of London! Suddenly I'm motivated to go out quick smart and procure a truckload of their divine silk scarves in order to don them every which way possible! Plus isn't the french shop assistant is just so bijoux?

Study up on your styling techniques by watching the other videos in this series:
The Chiffon Knot
The Bow Tie
The Plait

Nocturnal

2010-08-29T23:03:00.001+10:00

'Nocturnal'
(Graphite and watercolour on paper)

Beautiful boy

2010-08-29T17:11:00.002+10:00

Just a quick post to share this little portrait I did recently of my beautiful boy Jasper. He's totally my muse!

Pencil Tip Micro Sculptures

2010-08-17T10:48:00.000+10:00

Marvel at the skill, patience and delicacy in the craftsmanship of these amazing pencil tip micro-sculptures by Dalton Getty. I have a weakness for anything in miniature (case in point: my cupcake obsession!) so these certainly made me stop and gawk for a good few minutes!

Images via telegraph.co.uk

A few of my favourite stores {Sigma Makeup}

2010-07-31T17:18:00.002+10:00

Although I don't usually post beauty items, I've decided I'm going to start because in truth I'm a bit of a makeup junkie and I spend a lot of my time thinking about such items! So this store was something I had to share because I've been using these Sigma brushes for a few months now and they are so outstanding for the price and now I wonder how I ever lived without them!

If you've ever lusted after high end MAC makeup brushes you'll know that a full set of MAC brushes will set you back close to $500 (especially in Australia where we pay 200%+ of US retail prices... grrr, don't get me started on that!!). But as any makeup professional will tell you, the cost is worth it because their quality and range is so great, but not everyone can afford or justify the expense.

Enter Sigma Brushes! They have a range of brushes which are virtually identical to the industry standard MAC brushes yet the cost is a fraction! I stumbled upon Sigma from some of the many beauty gurus on Youtube who swear by the brushes, so have a look for some video reviews if you want more info.

I bought the Complete Brush Kit (including leather brush roll) and including postage from the US it came to about AU$120! Not bad for 13 professional brushes with the gorgeous leather brush roll. I have since gone back and purchased some extra individual brushes (my favourite being the F80 foundation brush which is amaaaazing!!) and still have a few on my wishlist because I find them highly addictive!

Check out Sigma's website here and get a free gift when you purchase $30 or more!

Launch my Label

2010-07-22T08:25:00.001+10:00

Let's face it.... the fashion and creative industries are some of the hardest to crack for individuals wanting to start up on their own. So any help a designer can get along the way they usually grab with both hands, feet and teeth and cling on for dear life!

So I thought I would share this great new little resource called Launch my Label, an initiative of Helen from Australian fashion network f.rock. By sharing her resources and knowledge she wants to give a hand up to some creative new Aussie talent who need some help in the huge feat of starting up their own fashion label.

And get in quick because for the launch of the new site they are giving a bunch of free gifts on the site such as free publicity and sales opportunities on the f.rock website and some great sales resources to boot!

Click here to view the video explanations of the initiative including more info about the free gifts:
Launch my Label Video
Fashion Sales System Video

So what are you waiting for? Your future awaits!!

Kitchen Mojo

2010-07-21T13:18:00.000+10:00

I totally bypassed the whole MasterChef phenomenon last year. People kept mentioning it in passing and I was totally oblivious, and uninterested for that matter, in the premise of the show. This year has been different however. I'm totally hooked, though in truth I'm only able to 'stomach' it (sorry, I punned) because we have Foxtel IQ which automatically records the series and I can watch it at my leisure sans the many ad breaks and gratuitous product placement!

Anyway, my husband will happily testify to a nice little side effect of my devotion to the show this year is that after a hiatus from creative cooking (sometimes you get stuck in a rut of your mundane 'weekday' meal cycles) I've finally got some inspiration and found my kitchen mojo again! Yay!

That is why I was so excited to receive this gorgeous chef's knife from the lovely people at buyster.com.au! It's a german steel forged chef's knife by swiss manufacturers Kuhn Rikon but the thing that really makes it special is the special teflon coated blade which prevents drag and makes slicing and dicing an absolute breeze. It even comes in a range of bright and funky colours but I think the black one is so sleek and understated.

Now, what's for tonight? Milanese style osso bucco with cauliflower puree and fresh gremolata... yum!

Light Bulb Love

2010-06-21T12:07:00.000+10:00

Check out this clever and fun lighting idea by Suck UK (available from http://www.buysterlighting.com.au). The laser cut giant wooden lightbulb (which houses it's cute little glass cousin) can be hung as a pendant or placed on the ground as a lamp, pervading a lovely textural and ambient light with the burnt lasercut wooden edges and interlocking lattice construction. Love it!

Pretty little things

2010-06-18T14:31:00.001+10:00

Mimco Cicada Comb

Check out the gorgeous little hair comb I picked up from the Mimco sale today... for a grand total of $11!!! I was also lusting after this watch but unfortunately it had sold out on me. Ah well...

They've got some great discounts, at least 50% off sale stock then until Sunday a further 20% off the already discounted prices, both online and in store (though a lot of the good stuff has sold out online so if you are close to a store it's certainly worth a look). www.mimco.com.au

For the love of cupcakes...

2010-06-17T22:33:00.001+10:00

Although I haven't been baking many cupcakes of late (for a few reasons like *ahem* waistline awareness and also just not having the leisure time to do so) of course I do still love them... the beauty of a cake in miniature still gets me going so for my fellow cupcake adorers here is my tribute to all things cupcake!

"Sweets" photographic print from alicebgardens on Etsy

Fig and Quinoa Cupcakes by cupcake legent Chockylit

Baker's Necklace from TheBumblingBird on Etsy

Cupcakes by Le Cupcake (via rocktheaisle.com)

Knit Knit cupcakes by Vegan Yum.Yum

KitchenAid Artisan Mixer

Handmade Cupcake Ring by joybeadworks on Etsy

So I finally splurged and got one...

2010-06-09T14:08:00.004+10:00

So I saw these BookBook's from Twelve South months back but I'd just bought a case for my then new 15" Unibody MacBook Pro so couldn't really justify the splurge and hence forgot all about it and moved onto my next lemming swiftly (as I so easily do!)

Then last month as an early birthday present I bought my hubby a new i7 processor 15" MacBook Pro and suddenly he's has hijacked the use of my Booq Vyper case to take his computer to work every day so of course this was the perfect opportunity to indulge the 'novel' purchase of a BookBook.

I was a little apprehensive, firstly the price... although the tag price (US$79.99) which is pricey but not too extortionate, but add the postage costs to Australia (US$43) and that bumped the price up to crazy. But on consideration I realised when you compare to the prices of soft neoprene sleeves in the online Apple store ($60+ and they provide no protection whatsoever!) that for a unique and clever piece of design it was actually not too bad. Each BookBook is made from hand distressed leather so no two pieces are alike and the hardback cover and soft velvet interior not only provides protection from bumps but also a clever and witty disguise for your highly prized cargo. Payoff for the painful postage costs was that it arrived at the doorstep a mere two days after clicking the 'buy' button so that cushioned the blow a little!

My other apprehension was the quality... it could be the height of kitsch hideousness if the quality was not up to par but to my relief that wasn't the case. My first impression on unwrapping it was the lovely smell of hand tooled leather! I got the classic black version and the exterior is lovely and distressed with stamped logos, stitching and gilt details which I love. The interior is plush and padded in rich red velvet with little elastic bands to hold the computer in place, you know your baby will be safe inside there!

Also, unlike the Booq Vyper, it cleverly allows you to use the computer whilst still in the case. The hinges will not flop open when laid flat (like the Vyper does) so the tension keeps it tight up against the back of the screen so that adds to the whole disguise credentials too.

Now I love my Booq Vyper (great protection and so low profile) which in comparison does seem a little more compact and easier to handle, so for certain times I would prefer it (crazy I know but mostly in cases when I'd be scared the leather on the BookBook might get damaged or scratched knocking round in a backpack or something). But the BookBook has not disappointed either so I would recommend it, but only if you have money to burn!

Robins on a teacup

2010-06-01T11:01:00.004+10:00

Robins on a Teacup, 2010

Pencil and watercolour on paper

Sorry for my recent neglect... we've put out house on the market and the whole process has been all consuming, leaving me with little time or energy for much else!!

Anyway, after all that I've really needed some new creative outlets so I thought I would share a little illustration I came up with in the last few days. I'm playing around with watercolour and pencil combinations which is a nice departure for me I think and am working on a few new series to introduce into some new stationery lines.

Anyway, lots of big news to share with you in the near future so keep posted!

Michelle Freer Jewellery Huge Sale!

2010-03-16T10:58:00.001+10:00

Heads up... It's sale time in my online jewellery store so get in quick to grab a bargain price on a range of my handmade jewellery, up to 35% off! Included in the sale are my unique acrylic and sterling silver snowflake range as well as some other gorgeous pieces too. Click here to start shopping!

P.S. Tell all your friends!

Year of the Tiger

2010-02-14T09:31:00.002+10:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all and to celebrate the year of the tiger I'm sharing this gorgeous illustration from Berkley Illustration.

Donna Hay Seasons

2010-01-29T09:07:00.004+10:00

My lovely husband gave me the Donna Hay Seasons cookbook as one of my Christmas presents so I thought I would share because it really is a lovely book! Not only is it filled with DH's usual mouthwatering yet approachable recipes but the art direction and design of the book makes it so enjoyable to peruse, from the toothy paper stock that it is printed on, to the beautiful landscapes and lifestyle shots which pepper the pages between the effortlessly rustic styled food images.

The book is divided into four sections according to the seasons, and each season is also divided into both savoury and sweet which makes the choice of recipes really diverse. This suits me to a tea because when recipe browsing I never know what I'm looking for until I find that something which captures my imagination.

See for yourself by browsing the pages here. You can also see a snapshot of some of the recipes here.

Oh I so want one of these!

2010-01-27T17:01:00.000+10:00

How gorgeous are these vintage book cases for macbooks!? What a shamelessly novel (pun intended) and fun little accessory. Available from http://twelvesouth.com/

Another New Illustration

2010-01-27T16:52:00.001+10:00

"Maya"

True to my word I have kept up my recreational drawing resolution for the new year and above is the latest addition to my "Archetype" collection. As long as I don't suffer a sudden onset of hand cramps and eye strain, I will update you shortly with any new additions!

New Year Illustrations

2010-01-19T10:54:00.004+10:00

"Geisha"

"Renaissance"

Welcome back for 2010, hope you have all had a revitalising break and like me are chomping at the bit to take on what the New Year has to offer! I've got a big year planned with lots of creative endeavours, big lifestyle changes and exciting travel plans, but I'll fill you in with details later down the line.

I thought I would share some illustration work that I've been doing over the holidays. It's so nice to have the chance to do some purely recreational creative work and being a graphic designer who works on the computer so much, it's really nice to spend time putting good old pencil to paper to see what you come up with! One of my New Year's resolutions (apart from the ubiquitous 'get fit' one) is to do as much hand drawn illustration as possible in my spare time.

Anyone else have some creative resolutions they want to share?

Snowflake Jewellery now on Udessi

2009-12-18T11:44:00.000+10:00

Check out the gorgeous Udessi Gallery for my some great last minute Christmas gift ideas including some of my new snowflake pendants now in the gallery!

Order on the website by this Sunday (20th December) and you have guaranteed delivery before Christmas (particularly appealing if, like me, you've had a glimpse of the mayhem at the shops this week and run for cover!)

Happy Christmas and new year to all and look forwards to new posts in 2010!

Pimp by Mac

2009-12-04T09:21:00.008+10:00

Just treated myself to a little early christmas present in the form of this gorgeous etched glass decal for my beloved MBP! Looks just like the custom laser etching you've drooled over except you can remove it any time and replace with a new one! Love it! Check out Lewa's other gorgeous wall, window, laptop and car decals in her Etsy shop.

Comfort Station

2009-11-30T10:29:00.000+10:00

Loving the work of London based jewellery designer Amy Anderson of London Boutique Comfort Station (discovered via Designers Block). These pieces feature the laser-cut pages of antique books, so pretty!

Willow Spring Summer 2010

2009-11-25T11:14:00.005+10:00

Feigning over the ethereal looks from Willow's S/S 2010 runway! Just divine!

Images: Vogue.com.au

Garden of Knowledge

2009-11-17T16:40:00.007+10:00

Check out this lovely work by Melbourne based photographer/designer Heidi Romano, images taken whilst volunteering at the School of Botonay - Melbourne University Herbarium. She captured the beauty, fragility and nostalgia of the specimens part of the catalogue.

Heidi is "absolutely fascinated by the timelessness and exquisite details of these specimens. Some were collected over a hundred years ago, and I often find myself dreaming about the adventures of the collectors, their dedication to chart where they found their treasures and leave behind a map of beauty and history."

Heidi's limited edition prints are available through her online store: http://talesoflight.bigcartel.com/

Cherish this Christmas!

2009-11-09T19:50:00.004+10:00

This week sees the opening of Artisan Gallery's annual christmas retail showcase "Cherish". The highly anticipated retail exhibition includes all sort of fabulous gifts with a difference - locally crafted jewellery, accessories, homewares, art and craft.

The showcase is to be opened by editor of Vogue Living, David Clark so be the first to see the range of work (featuring yours truly!) by attending the opening form 6-8pm on this Thursday.

If you can't make it then don't despair.... Cherish features at Artisan Gallery until 24th December.