The Tailored Life

new adventures

2012-02-23T13:42:00.003+02:00

Life certainly has put a few forks in the road of late for me. Do to other writing commitments and exciting new projects I will no longer be posting here at The Tailored Life. Instead I've decided to return to the roots of blogging and keep an online journal instead.

When the fancy strikes I'll be sharing my work, thoughts, pictures and new adventures on my personal website, biancapackham.com. Feel free to visit me there or peruse The Tailored Life archives which will most likely be around until my domain registration comes up for renwal. You can also follow me on twitter @biancapackham.

Thanks for your support, comments and feedback up until now.
Au revoir!

the tailored nest: diy wall art

2012-01-17T19:25:00.002+02:00

Yes I know, it's been quite literally forever since I showed my face around here, but I do have good reasons I promise. You see changes are afoot and I'm trying to get a few things settled before I return to the tailored life and the world of blogging.

Ironically while I still have a ton to post about my whirlwind vacation and all the delightful goodies I brought home, I did somehow manage to find some time to head to Builder's Warehouse last weekend and finish a project that's been in the pipeline for, well, since the beginning really. I finally filled my blank dining room wall...

Using three styrofoam ceiling roses (they're normally used with chandeliers) and some double-sided tape I created a subtle sculptural wall relief. Total cost? Just over R400. I spotted this idea ages ago and after deciding against some really expensive framing for a beautiful print I brought home from Paris, this really was the next best thing.

I was always concerned that a large piece of colourful art would make this space too busy and so I opted to paint the disks in the same colour as the wall to create a gentler point of interest. The end result fills my blank wall perfectly without stealing the show as you walk in!

the tailored traveler

2011-12-19T11:00:00.000+02:00

It seems this post never made it onto the blog which sadly would have explained my absence! While most certainly belated I thought why not share what was probably the best travel decision I'd ever made? And so here it is...

In just a few hours I'll be jetting off for my wintery holiday abroad. With a few days in London and even fewer in Paris the husband and I are traveling light - like only carry-on light. Having lost our luggage on our honeymoon in Egypt (our last holiday together) we're taking no chances!

Armed with one carry-on and satchel each I'm keeping things minimal yet chic. What you see above is pretty much what I'll be taking with me in that very Longchamp bag at the bottom! Save for some unmentionables and toiletries, I'll be carrying just 2 ensembles for our weeklong holiday. If it doesn't fit in that bag its not coming!

And if by chance we grow tired of our tailored down attire we'll just head to the shops - it's already sale season there after all!

Until our return Au Revoir and Merry Christmas!

IMAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

day 12: mix & match a holiday ensemble

2011-12-16T10:51:00.000+02:00

At Christmas I always try to put a little holiday sparkle in my attire - it's really the only time of year you can mix a certain green and red to great affect. But the traditional Christmas colours aren't so summer friendly so I've pulled 3 mix and match looks using 2 vibrant festive hues. I've also added some neutral accessories to keep you from looking like one of Santa's helpers. And the best part? They're all available at Woolies - meaning you'll have just enough time to grab your favourite set while making a last minute grocery dash!

IMAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

day 11: rehearse your christmas feast

2011-12-15T09:32:00.000+02:00

For many tomorrow's holiday marks the start of their Christmas vacation and what better way to celebrate the year that was then with a dress-rehearsal festive feast! From slow cooked roasts to sauces and sides, everyone knows hosting Christmas lunch isn't for the feint hearted. So why not give some recipes a trial run tonight?

Armed with Good Housekeeping's December issue I'll be attempting a few dishes from their Classic Christmas Feast. They have everything from a classic Gammon to a contemporary twist on serving brussel sprouts. I'm most excited to try their cranberry stuffing balls! As I'll be abroad over the beloved holiday it's also the perfect way to break bread with the loved ones who I'd normally share it with. Besides, who says you can't celebrate more than once!

For a great selection of triple-tested recipes and last minute Christmas decor and gifts, grab a copy of this month's Good Housekeeping! It's also available digitally and in Afrikaans. Happy cooking!

day 10: make it a handmade christmas

2011-12-14T12:40:00.000+02:00

Now in my mid-twenties it appears weekend markets are the places to be and be seen. I've written about markets before but I hold a special place in my heart for seasonal fairs - and boy does Christmas have a lot of them! But today I won't be venturing far from my hood as I'll be braving the storm for a little retail therapy at the Designer-Maker Artisan Market in the Freeworld Design Centre.

In addition to handmade goodies there will be delectable eats, live music and a perfectly festive carols by candlelight in the adjacent Evangelical Lutheran Church of which all faiths are welcome to attend.

Entrance is free to both the market (which thankfully has organized a tent to cover the courtyard venue) and is open from 3.30pm - 9pm tonight and 10:30am - 9pm on Thursday and Friday.

For a sneak peek of who's exhibiting click here!

The Freeworld Design Centre is situated at 71 Waterkant Street on the fan walk. Market visitors will be able to access the carols by candlelight through the courtyard.

IMAGE: Source

day 9: eat, drink & be merry

2011-12-13T10:03:00.000+02:00

It's that time of year that most will be indulging in some sort of year end function or another. But for the self-employed a year end function seems a little silly. So instead of taking my lonely self out for a drink I decided a little cocktail party was in order! Last year I did just that and hosted my nearest and dearest at my Woodstock abode...

Finger foods were set out in a festive fashion with plenty champagne and vodka cranberry to wash them down. With these little shindigs presentation is everything - from flags to labels I have them all!

If my little tartan-inspired designs tickle your fancy why not give them a whirl yourself? Click on the following links to download you're very own printables!

Festive Skewer Flags
Festive Round Tags
Festive Food Labels

day 8: take a fairy-lit drive

2011-12-12T08:48:00.001+02:00

On December 4th the masses made their way down to Adderley Street for Cape Town's annual switching on of the Adderley Street lights. While I opted to skip the crowds on the opening night I will most definitely be taking a fairy-lit walk down there this week!

But if you're not based downtown why not seek out the festively adorned homes in a suburb near you! My sources tell me there are a few brightly decorated homes in Edgemead, Bothasig, Bergvliet, Pinelands and Plumstead. If you have any famously decorated neighborhoods in your area let me know - I'd like to take a little drive-by!

Just pop in a festive album (perhaps from my post last week) and take in the sparkle - free of charge!

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day 7: book a seat for a festive flick

2011-12-09T15:14:00.000+02:00

It's always a little weird when our favourite series has a Christmas episode and it's already April. While popular series take a few months to reach our shores, movies make the journey a little quicker - meaning we'll get to enjoy the holiday movies right along with the rest of the world!

Today animated film Arthur Christmas hits out theaters. The story follows Santa's youngest son (voice of James McAvoy) as he uses his father's high tech operation on a urgent mission. IMDB ranked it with a not too shabby 7.2 and it also stars the voices of Hugh Laurie, Eva Longoria, Joan Cusack and Bill Nighy to name just a few.

If you're feeling extra dedicated why not take a long a mix of icing sugar and cinnamon in a packet, it's the perfect festive topping for freshly popped popcorn!

IMAGE: Source

day 6: host a christmas cookie swap

2011-12-08T14:09:00.001+02:00

One of my favourite festive activities is my annual holiday cookie swap. Each year I have my friends bake a dozen or so cookies in their own chosen recipe and we gather for a day of tea, cookie sampling and exchanging. Not only does each guest leave with their fill of delicious baked goodies and healthy dose of girly gossip, but they also take home an assortment of flavours in their very own box of cookie all-sorts! It's a great way to try new recipes, sample others and stock up the pantry with after dinner snacks.

To make things easier I usually print out a tag for each cooke flavour so guests can see exactly what they're eating. And if you want to take it one step further why not have every guest bring their cookie recipe along with them. Make a copy for each guest so they too can whip up their favourites from the swap. Happy Baking!

day 5: fill the nest with festive blooms

2011-12-07T14:50:00.001+02:00

If brightly coloured baubles and plastic tinsel aren't your idea of a classy Christmas, then a potted Poinsettia is perfect for you! This bold velvety flower has become synonymous with Christmas and can make beautiful centrepieces, fireplace adornments or in lieu of faux trees and garlands. What's more they'll last long after the Christmas tree gets packed away.

With the festive season already in full swing you'll find Poinsettias in your local grocery store or nursery - I recently spotted some beautiful specimens at Woolworths and Stark Ayres.

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day 4: do the jingle bell rock

2011-12-05T10:42:00.001+02:00

Christmas jingles have been known to strike a bit of panic in the average gift shopper. Perhaps it's because they're already dodging shopping hoards, or coping with an endless to do list, that they make this negative association. Whatever it is I think it's a shame as shopping really isn't what Christmas is all about!

Christmas tunes however should never be confined to air-conditioned malls and I think every family should have at least one festive compilation on their music players at home. Taken out of the commercial environment and into the nest, Christmas albums are the finishing touch to a decorated home. It's also the perfect background filler to any holiday soiree!

While you can never go wrong with a few of the oldies, here are my top 5 picks to get you "rocking around that Christmas tree" from Kalahari.com!

1. Jingle Bell Rock: An Oldies Rock and Roll Christmas (R46.95)
2. Christmas with the Rat Pack (R80.95)
3. A swinging Christmas - Tony Bennet (R164.95)
4. Michael Buble's Christmas (R199)
5. Glee Christmas Album (164.95)

My top 5 are a perfect mix of old and new and are guaranteed to pull you out of that festive season madness. And if you spend more than R250, Kalahari will deliver your purchases for free - Happy dancing!

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day 3: build a house of ginger

2011-12-01T12:18:00.001+02:00

I don't bake much during the year but come December I always make time to whip up some gingerbread cookies - usually a few batches to keep up with hungry snackers. This year however I decided to challenge my novice baking skills and build my very first gingerbread house. And as you can see above I think it turned out quite well for a first attempt! This is how I made it...

My friend Taryn and I mixed up a basic gingerbread recipe which we doubled so that we could each make a small gingerbread cottage - we made 4 cottages and some cookies for sampling. You can try this recipe which we used or this one from Martha Stewart. We also mixed up some icing with the recipe here.

Once everything was mixed we rolled out our dough to a few millimetres thick and cut out our cottage shapes. For our cottages we used Martha Stewart's Snow Swept Cottage template - minus the chimney. I decided to take my cottage one-step further with a front porch inspired by this sweet little Catskills cottage I read about in the New York Times.

Once the cookies were baked and cooled we piped on our windows and doors. Instead of piping shingles I opted to use almond flakes which I adhered to my roof pieces with icing. Once the icing was dried we assembled each cottage in pairs (it's the only way as this is tricky stuff). We used the same icing to decorate and glue our cottages together.

Once my main house was assembled I added my front porch, complete with pretzel uprights. To hide a few of my gaps and blemishes I sprinkled desicated coconut over the roof and around the base of the cottage. And finally to finish off my little gingerbread cottage I added two bottle brush trees from my Christmas stockpile and a few cinnamon sticks for logs.

While this project took the better part of Saturday to complete I had such a great time doing it. Not only is the end result quite satisfying but the constant aroma of spiced cookies really gets you into the festive spirit. Having completed my first cottage successfully I'll definitely be a little more ambitious for next year's gingerbread creation!

For inspiration and ideas on making your own gingerbread house definitely check out this gallery - what people can dream up and create is truly amazing!

day 2: make it a season for giving

2011-12-01T11:50:00.001+02:00

Every December I make an effort to do a small clothing purge. It's a good way to keep our limited closet space from getting overcrowded and it's also a great way to contribute to a local charity and help spread the Christmas spirit. Two years ago I donated a whopping 11 black bags of clothing, linen and towels - but now that we've really tailored the nest we're making less reckless purchases. We're now down to just one black bag this year.

Each year I take my donations to Nazereth House, a haven started in 1881 by a small group of Sisters of Nazareth. They have a little charity shop where they sell the donated goods to help support their care of disadvantaged and/or vulnerable adults and children. The charity shop currently take a range of items including:

Towels
Bedding/linen/curtaining
Toys
Baby clothes and accessories
Men’s and ladies clothes and shoes
Bric-a-brac
Kids and teenagers clothing
Furniture, crockery etc
Books, puzzles etc

If you don't have any surplus belongings you can also help the Nazereth House initiative with cash donations or by volunteering. If you are able to visit them in person I highly recommend it. It's a truly remarkable oasis on the slopes of Devil's Peak. I always take the time to look over the grounds and soak up the quiet before I leave.

For more information on how you can help at Nazereth House, visit their website here. My annual visit has become a festive tradition and I hope it might become yours too!

day 1: deck the halls

2011-12-01T10:35:00.001+02:00

Nothing gets you into the Christmas spirit than a little Christmafication of the abode. This is one of my favourite activities in the lead-up to Christmas and I've been curating my ornament collection for a few years now. Sadly with the introduction of two kittens into our life in 2010, last year's Christmas tree didn't last a week. With our still relatively rambunctious duo still eying out my plastic baubles, I decided to keep this year's decor a little simpler. My beautiful collection will just have to wait until the cats no longer feel so enamored with them.

And so here's the nest in all her festive glory...

Even though only a 1/4 of my Christmas fare is on display this year I'm really happy with how it looks in our new nest - it's our first Christmas here and I think we're off to a good start! And before you ask we're still planning to make some time to clean the brass drum ;)

I know many of you will be hauling out your own Christmas fare this weekend so I wish you all some very merry decorating!

12 days to merry make: a festive countdown

2011-12-01T10:09:00.001+02:00

So it's that time of year again. The music is cheery, the stores are packed and the fairy lights are shining day and night. The festive season is my favourite time of year and I get into festive overdrive pretty much straight after Thanksgiving. It's my way of maximizing a time that always seems to fly by. For me it's not about the gifts but more about family and community - it's a season to cherish and celebrate with those closest to me.

In an attempt to spread the festive cheer beyond the nest I'll be sharing with you my favourite Christmas traditions. Because I'll be jetting off for a wintery Christmas abroad, there's exactly 12 weekdays for me to "get my Christmas on" at home. And so with that in mind I bring you The Tailored Life 12 days to Merry Make!

Stay tuned for the first day of festive cheer later today!

IMAGE: Source

for the love of... rifle paper co. stationery

2011-11-30T12:24:00.001+02:00

In 2009 I started a little stationery business called Lucky No. 9. As a long-time lover of paper, typography and personal events this first solo venture of mine seemed like a dream (one that in the end really wasn't). In the early days of my fledgling business I was inspired by a series of stationers from across the globe, in particular a talented illustrator by the name of Anna Bond. I watched Anna's delightful business grow from a home studio into what it is today - the oh so popular Rifle Paper Co.

While I've never been particularly good at this type of design, Anna's sweet illustrations and lettered text encouraged me to add a touch of whimsy to all my stationery designs. It's a quality I still try and incorporate in my client work today.

But like most of my idols, Rifle Paper Co. is only really available to those in the US. Yes you can order and ship an assortment of their paper goodies across the ocean (I have in fact inquired about this before) - but generally I tend to draw the line when it costs more to ship the item than to buy it.

So you can imagine how I squealed with delight when I spotted a familiar illustrated cover on a shelf in Exclusive Books over the weekend...

For just R132 I took home a set of 3 gold-foiled Rifle Paper Co. Botanical Notebooks. I can't express how exciting it is to finally own something from their range of beautifully crafted paper goods.

To read more about Rifle Paper Co, their beautiful products and humble beginnings take a look at their blog here. For now I'm off to make some very important notes!

the tailored nest tour: the living room

2011-11-23T20:41:00.001+02:00

I've been saving the most dramatic room reveal for last as it isn't quite finished yet. But with my annual tradition to deck the halls post-Thanksgiving (which just so happens to be today), I thought I better share some snaps of the living room before it's dressed in its Christmas finest! And so here she is...

This purple explosion is the first thing you see when you enter the nest and I'd be lying if I said it hasn't raised a few eyebrows. While I've always loved the colour, deciding to use it on ALL the walls (window frames, sills, door frames and skirting boards too) was definitely a brave decision. In fact I probably would never have considered it if I hadn't fallen in love with this beautiful room by David Kaihoi. His delightful space encouraged me to give it a whirl and boy does it make a statement!

Because our furniture is either black, white, perspex or glass, I decided it was time we gave it all a proper backdrop. What previously felt cold and uninviting in our all-white Woodstock home is transformed by the purple walls into something glamorous and chic.

My newly covered striped duo (the rest of the Art Nouveau set) add that perfect touch of French Boutique Hotel style while a little Fornasetti and mid-century modern keep it from becoming too frou-frou. This room is still missing a few things here and there (like some art on the dining wall and the right coffee table trinkets) but on a whole it's turned out better than expected.

And of course there's my beloved mini-bar under the staircase which I showed a sneak peek of here. It's here that the purple really looks its best with our black glassware and white lacquer shelves. Sadly all my cut-glass decanters are still empty but with Christmas parties just around the corner I'll be looking to stock up the bar soon!

I'll admit that this room isn't to everyone's taste and it probably isn't even exactly mine, but I've always played it safe and I love that this space is a true exploration of the unknown for me. While I'll probably never do it quite like this again I'm 100% happy with the way it all came together. It's certainly a room I'll never forget!

Now if I could only find that perfect piece for the dining room wall - it quite literally bothers me every day I look at it!

a match made in heaven: amber jones & sam & libby

2011-11-22T16:12:00.001+02:00

With the news that Amber Jones' limited edition Mr Price range was now in store I scurried off to my nearest branch to see what beautiful cheapies I could secure. While deeply disappointed to find only a handful of items on display I did manage to take home a little 50s inspired striped dress for just R129.99. I'm not sure what it was about this dress that I loved so much until I returned home.

In my teens my mom regularly traveled home to the States to visit friends and hit the familiar fashion outlets we'd frequent when we still lived there. One of her shopping trips resulted in a beautiful pair of Sam & Libby heels. Delicately adorned with leather flowers these shoes, while lovely, were rarely worn. Today I'm thanking my lucky starts for holding onto them for so long.

Paired with my latest Monsieur Price purchase it's as if they were separated at birth... I can't wait to take this new outfit for spin!

If you're hoping to add some Amber Jones to your closet you better hurry as stock is limited!

hope for the patio

2011-11-17T09:48:00.001+02:00

With the weather warming up we've been very excited about recent repairs to our patio. One of our major dislikes about our Woodstock home was the garden. While garden might be a strong word for the little courtyard and flower beds we actually had, keeping it up was a nightmare and in the end a lot of plants just gave up on us and died.

When we found the Tailored Nest we fell in love with the complex's communal pool and patios. Our little home opens right out onto the magnificent pool, a quiet oasis in the middle of Green Point. But our patio had been neglected over the years and needed some new paving and a coat of paint. Because our body corporate manages all outside areas it took awhile to get approval and so only last week did repair-work commence. While the slate sealant dried, the husband and I hurried off to the nursery over the weekend to fill our new patio with beautiful blooms.

While we're not quite finished planting, we did start to think about what sort of furniture we'd like to get so we can sit outside and enjoy this truly special space. Our neighbour has the most beautiful bistro set and I asked her where she got it - and so I came upon Hope Garden Furniture.

Based in Observatory Hope creates beautiful French-inspired cafe tables, chairs, benches and other outdoor lovelies. Each piece comes in a selection of finishes so whether you're after something rusted and weathered or freshly painted they'll have the piece for you.

While I loved every piece in the Hope catalog, these high quality pieces don't come cheap and so it seems I'll have to save a little longer to furnish our patio. But the quality and craftsmanship is evident and well worth the investment.

We're currently lusting after this little set below. Each rust and natural wood cafe chair is currently R999 while the rust cafe table is R2150.

For more information on Hope visit their website here. (All images from www.hopegf.com)

the new girl: zooey deschanel

2011-11-15T16:22:00.001+02:00

I started watching a new series recently called The New Girl. It stars Zooey Deschanel in the type-cast quirky role but so far I love it. In addition to the usually comedy a highlight of the show is Zooey's character's take on geek chic (she plays an awkward school teacher). Perhaps the reason why I love her character's look so much is because it's also authentic - it's the style Zooey has been wearing for years. Any girl who regularly pairs black tights with an ensemble is a girl after my own heart. The sweet above-the knee dresses and blouses are the icing on the cake. Looking back at pictures of Zooey from a few years ago her style has remained unchanged - a timeless look for an unusual beauty. Now if only I could still find opaque tights in Cape Town!

IMAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

for the love of... cake pops

2011-11-09T10:01:00.001+02:00

One of my greatest weaknesses in life is cake. But sadly I'm lactose intolerant so rarely indulge in something larger than a pathetic sliver. It's probably why I resign myself to the torturous viewing of television programs like Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes - I'm a sucker for punishment. But on a recent trip to my local Woolies I spotted a neatly packaged treat which I'd seen on the blogs and Pinterest for months now - Cake Pops! You gotta hand it to Woolworths, if there's a trend, they're gonna follow it. These bite-sized delights are perfect for parties and well just about any time of day really. I'm all for Kate Spade's new "Eat cake for breakfast" motto.

For just R29.95 you'll get 3 chocolate and 3 vanilla lovelies, each covered in a chocolate coating - sounds amazing right?

p.s. I did a little guest post over at Becoming You. Go check it out here!

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newbie adventures at the whisky live festival

2011-11-04T10:20:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I headed down to the CTICC for the second day of the Whisky Live Festival with the husband and beloved friend Rebecca Dodd. For someone that doesn't care much for the golden liquid I do find it quite ironic that this is the second time I've attended the annual event! But to cut a long story short I decided it was time I try something other than white wine and finally find something to put in those beautiful cut glass decanters in my mini-bar! So here's how this newbie whisky drinker fared...

We arrived at 6pm as this festival is quite popular and gets VERY busy. Knowing that we'd want to do a few workshops and private tasting rooms we set out to make our bookings straight away as space is limited.

Our first stop was the Schweppes "Power Zone". This 20-minute workshop teaches you the art of cocktail making with a few bartending tricks and tips. The best part about this workshop is that you get to make two delicious cocktails which you can enjoy at the end of the session. After much spillage and ice throwing I managed to create these two whisky-based cocktails, King Henry VIII on the left and Your Majesty on the right.

And as if it couldn't get any better, we left the Schweppes Zone with a coveted goodie bag. This year's goodie bag included a selection of bar essentials including two whisky tumblers!

After a quick stop at Jameson we headed to ~~Macallum~~ Macallan. I learned the most from this workshop which was tailored to help even the first-time drinker discover the notes that set whiskys apart from one another. After a brief history about Macallum we were guided through a series of scented tabs, each with specific notes commonly found in whisky. By combining certain notes and waving them in front of your nose (demonstrated by Becks above), you get a strong understanding of how to spot those unique scents and flavours in the actual whisky.

We did a quick browse of the other stands before heading to Glemorangie. For this tasting we were invited to try the various stages of whiskey production in their two cask process before combining them to form what the workshop host called our "own unique blend".

With warm stomaches and faces we decided it was a good time for a bite. The free R10 voucher in your voucher booklet doesn't go a long way if you're ordering anything substantial so we kept it simple, each buying a good old-fashioned borewors roll for just R15.

Our last stop for the evening was the Pick 'n Pay Whisky Pairing Zone. For this workshop we donned aprons once more and created three simple canapes. While probably not my finest work I was surprised how these simple ingredients could be transformed into something remotely professional looking! After completing our three canapes each was paired with a different whisky.

The Pick 'n Pay Whisky Pairing Zone was the last stop on our list as this little whisky-drinker had had her fill!

Tonight is the festival's final night in Cape Town so if you haven't been already get yourself to the CTICC as the doors open and give it a go. Tickets are R190 which are a little steep but you do get 12 tasting vouchers which, if you do our sequence of events, will be more than sufficient for the evening. There are however plenty of other stands and workshops which we didn't even get to so there's plenty to see and taste!

For more information on the festival as well as the upcoming Joburg leg click here.

the tailored nest tour: the boudoir

2011-11-03T10:59:00.000+02:00

Last night my husband and finally got round to repairing one of our bedroom lamps meaning the Tailored Boudoir was finally ready for its closeup! I kept the bedroom quite simple as it shares space with my home office (more on that soon), but it does feature some very special items which have been passed down to me by my parents.

Probably the most striking element of our bedroom is the striped Art Nouveau room divider which I've used as our headboard. This is just one of three matching pieces that I have in the Tailored Nest, each recently recovered in Hertex's Sing Sing fabric. Recovering the Art Nouveau peices has been a dream of mine for many years and I'm so incredibly pleased with how they turned out.

Nestled alongside the bed are two Chinese Buddah lamp bases which I've topped with simple black Thai silk shades. These lamp bases adorned my father's bedside tables for as long as I can remember and it seems only now I've come to truly appreciate them. I previously thought they were ugly! The lamps currently sit atop two fold-able perspex and chrome tables.

Every morning when I wake up I face my beautiful mirrored dressing table. I purchased it from @home when we moved into our last home and it's something I know I'll keep for a long time. On top of my dressing table are two glass and brass shell lamps. These vintage beauties once sat on my mother's dressing table before one tragically broke. Packed in storage for five years I hauled these out when we moved to the Tailored Nest and finally got around to repairing it. While the broken lamp will never look quite the same, I love how the pair look together and I'm so pleased to finally have them out on display again.

My dressing table currently serves two functions as a place to blow-dry and style my hair (in the mirror alongside) and to store jewelry and other small items. The Chinese Lacquer box that sits up top holds all of my jewelry and it's red interior and glossy black surface were the inspiration behind my red painted closet I showed a peek of here. Inside the dressing table I store my scarves, gloves, fascinators and other small accessories.

Because this is where I've placed my home office and mini-library, I spend most of my days in this light-filled space. My two beloved kitties often keep my company by making full use of the empty queen bed while I'm at my desk (which is just the the left in the picture above). I've just put the final coat of paint on my little home office so hopefully it will be ready for it's own debut soon!

the art of fashion: leigh viner

2011-11-02T10:06:00.002+02:00

I was searching for a particular fashion illustration the other day and while I didn't find what I was looking for I did happen upon the talented work of Leigh Viner. Perusing this Colorado-based artist's Etsy shop I discovered a series of beautiful fashion sketches and paintings - all perfectly a little feminine and abstract.

Leigh's artwork is printed on archival Kodak professional ENDURA paper and form part of a limited run of prints. Depending on the size, prices range from $15 for the smallest print to $105 for the largest. With shipping to South Africa just $8, this really is an affordable way to introduce some unique, fun and feminine art into your home - perfect for a dressing room or home office.

But Leigh's work doesn't stop at art prints, she's also a talented photographer and a series of equally beautiful photographs can also be purchased through her Etsy shop!

For more about this artist and her work visit her website here or her blog here.

IMAGES: Source