Styling by Coty Farquhar

Vintage French Fabrics with a Touch of Red

2012-01-25T03:41:00.002+11:00

European Antique Vintage textiles, hand woven grain sacks, homespun line thistle cloth and hemp rolls, French ticking French fabric, French textiles, linen and hemp mangle cloths and more..

I have been looking for a few samples and a little inspiration
for one of my Styling designs
and early last year I came across a fabulous lady selling amazing Vintage European fabrics
whilst I was out and about sourcing some upholstery fabric for a client's chair.

I pop over to her often to see what she has.... and it's always a treat!

Would you like her address?

I tell you....It's a bit like giving away my Grandmother's secret recipe,
I love most of her stock and she always has surprises.

I just LOVE the faded red AND the vintage grain sacks,
I love the stripes and the plaids, the red hand-stitched monograms,
the linen and hemp colours.

Yes.... it's just a positively perfect mix.

Antique Vintage European Textiles
The Textile Trunk
Please, don't forget to mention my name when you meet her.

European Antique vintage textiles hand woven grain sacks homespun line thistle cloth and hemp rolls french ticking french fabric french textiles linen hemp mangle cloths

Wishing you all a very creative week xx Coty

F o l l o w C o t y F a r q u h a r o n B l o g g e r

F o l l o w C o t y ' s P i n t e r e s t b o a r d s ''I'm new to pinning...and' What fun!!

F o l l o w C o t y o n T w i t t e r

F o l l o w o n F a c e b o o k

Pen and Ink - Monkeys and birds! Beautiful..........

2012-01-16T18:16:00.007+11:00

Just beautiful!!

Pen and Ink drawing by Emma Pfeiffer

Artwork by 18 year old Australian girl...Emma Pfeiffer

Inspired by a photograph of Emma's Grandmother and also the fabulous 1960's wallpaper in the family country home, where this will now hang.

Emma, who we have known since she was a little girl, a little girl who loved being surrounded by her animals, dogs, rabbits, horses and more (and I think she still does). Recently, Emma casually walked into the room with her father where I was reading a book in their country home carrying her school artwork which was rolled up and tied with ribbon. Her dad said, Coty...would you like to see Emma's
school artwork? As soon as it was opened and laid out on the floor I also fell to the floor on my knees in awe.
Oh my Gooooooooodness, Emma!!

This is special... I had no idea you could draw like this!

I love the details of the flowers and nuts and I love the way the monkey is teasing the bird and the brave way Emma has drawn right over the top of her Grandmother face. Which reminds of a wonderful french mask.

This was Emma's artwork for her final school year.
Yes, she is only 18 years old
and about to travel and explore the world.

But before she goes!

I have my order in ..... a portrait or..maybe two, one of Thomas and one of Bec as children to which Emma will draw from my old photographs.

and for me....

maybe something romantic.... a beautiful deer

with a few amazing looking birds with long feathers sitting in the antlers?

What do you think? anything is possible!
Isn't that a nice thought!

Emma and her older sister Harriet are both incredibly creative,

they're planning many wonderful changes for their family home.

Both keen restorers and decorators... and.... at such a young age.

I suggested to Emma recently, after seeing this drawing, that

she paint or draw a wonderful scene on the walls of one of the upstairs bedrooms at their beautiful country home.

Who needs 'French toile' wallpaper when you're this clever.

Emma Pfeiffer above,

Please email me if you would like to contact Emma for private or corporate commissions.

I would be absolutely delighted to pass on your details to her.

She is also about to travel to the USA and stay for a couple of months.

Do you need a beautiful painted wall in your home?

or a wonderful illustration for your business?

Wishing you all a wonderful and creative week ahead,

xx Coty

Lunch in the Highlands!!

2012-01-12T12:00:00.002+11:00

I hope you're all having a relaxing break over these Summer holidays.

The weather is perfect here in the Southern Highlands, not too hot....it is almost like Autumn weather.

Wishing you all a creative day!

xx Coty

Tablesettings

2012-01-07T20:43:00.018+11:00

The magnificent hydrangeas at Fountaindale Grand Manor

Today I was photographing more 'Christmas in July' images inside the Manor

but I was drawn out into the garden.....

From the front gate and all through the beautiful old gardens

the hydrangeas are in full bloom right now.

I was completely overwhelmed at the sheer size and colours of these beauties

and they where everywhere.

It must be that wonderful Robertson soil!

or is it the mist?

I just had to share them with you...... xx Coty

Images - Coty Farquhar January 2012

Fountaindale Grand Manor, Robertson - Christmas in July 2012

The Southern Highlands of NSW Australia

2012-01-05T17:47:00.002+11:00

Here we go! 2012 ...... and I can't wait for what will happen this year.

It will be special! I know that for a fact!

We have just returned home from this beautiful 'bit of Australian heaven' above,

one of our dearest friends invited us and a few others to stay and celebrate the beginning of the new year

and I couldn't think of a better way to start the year than looking out over the countryside
hearing the little lambs in the paddocks, dining on the veranda each evening

and spending time in the company of such lovely friends.

Happy 2012 my beautiful friends
May it be blessed with everything you need.
xx Coty

Festive Table Settings.......................

2011-12-21T19:08:00.012+11:00

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.

.................................................The Dalai Lama.......

This is my simple religion.

There is no need for temples;

no need for complicated philosophy.

Our own brain, our own heart is our temple;

the philosophy is kindness.

The roots of all goodness

lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.

Table scaping........table setting,
one of my most favourite past times...

and it wouldn't be Christmas if we couldn't go overboard
with our decorations......
I have a special special Christmas wish to everyone from
Susan's Table scape Thursday in the United States.
How wonderful to meet so many like minded friends who also
collect china, love tableware, Affordable Accoutrements and love to decorate their tables.

I was recently asked to give a talk about...guess what? ....Table settings and display for Christmas for a Charity Supper at an Antique Emporium called Dirty Janes in Bowral to help raise money for the 'The Black Dog Institute' a charity for people suffering from Depression.

So I had a great time making up all the decorations and with the help of my daughter Bec,

we styled and set up four tables. With fabulous old tinware, French baskets,

an old wired (fake) Christmas tree decorated with little mince pies ...and more.

and what do you think of the little hen in the wicker basket

sitting on her eggs ...oops I mean ' Christmas baubles'

The main part of the decorations this year are my Christmas 'Angels'
which are now on display in my shop window this week,

I have been collecting little old dolls over the year,
some broken, most worn and tattered......
so I repaired and redressed them in little tissue outfits
with lots of ruffle and then added some vintage baubles and little bits of Christmas bling......

Since I've had them on display in the shop window this week I have had
a couple of lovely 'old' ladies giving me their 'old' dolls to dress up and add to the collection.
They're now dressed and in the window....
So....If you're coming through the Highlands, please drop by and have a look.

Wishing you a Fabulous and Creative Festive Season,
xxxxxxxx Coty

From my heart to yours.........

2011-12-19T17:09:00.001+11:00

Flowers scatter fragrance, trees offer fruits in plenty.

No one brings wealth when he is born or takes it with him when he dies.

Whatever riches one has accumulated have to be freely shared with others.

Instead of learning the lessons they teach, man pursues his own sense-cravings and his urge for fame and authority over others.

Contentment is the most precious wealth.

Greed brings misery in return.

Contentment alone can lead man towards the goal of Divinity.
....................... Sathya Sai Baba

Baby Bells of Christmas

2011-12-18T21:20:00.001+11:00

The most powerful thing you can do to change the world,

is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people and reality,

to something more positive.....and begin to act accordingly

Shakti Gawain.. Creative Visualisation

My Christmas Gown - Red, Romantic and a little bit Regal!!

2011-12-06T23:58:00.002+11:00

Some Enchanted Evening.....

To dress for a Christmas party here in Australia is easy as it's Summer and often very hot!!

But today is a little different, I have been invited to a Winter Christmas Party in the USA,

(Well, it's a Pretend Christmas Splenderosa Style 'blog' Party)

A beautiful formal Christmas Party with a very special group of girls !
To be held at Tina's home from the blog The Enchanted Home

The question, what would you wear Coty if you attended a glamorous

Christmas Eve party and what would you bring as a gift for the host?

I would be dressed in Red....

Red, of course, I absolutely love red at the moment!!

Little slippers (from Paris) adorned with jewels,

A full length taffeta heavily embroidered skirt.

A beautiful long coat just like

this one above handmade by Mariano Fortuny's, it's hand painted paper of course!

and lots of perfect little coloured jewels, fake or real,

I don't mind, as long as they're rich in colour!!

and my gift to Tina, our host ........ a miniture Icon - Mother of God

perfect for Christmas and perfect for her beautiful home.

_____________________________________

Christmas in Australia is in the middle of Summer and

it's very hot and so we often eat outdoors, swim all day

and enjoy wonderful seafood and salads.

Recently I was asked to design a four week event ...

'Christmas in July' in the Southern Highlands,

It will be held next year in July 2012 so that we can too celebrate a cold winter's Christmas here in Australia with hot puddings, traditional cooked turkey and more,

whilst (hopefully) looking out to a snow covered countryside.

Click on the pictures below (that I have put together) and have a little look see at Fountaindale Grand Manor in Robertson, a beautiful old historic building

where I will be spending much of the next seven months preparing for this event.

Meet the Creative Director!! Yes, me!!

You're all invited, there will be a Christmas Ball, Vintage exhibitions,

shopping, dining, entertainment and so much more.......

It's a good thing I love Christmas so much!!

and also..........

This Friday night, the 9th of December, I am giving a special presentation at the fabulous

Emporium and Antique Market,

Dirty Janes Emporium in Bowral.

I will have a few Christmas displays set up,

some tablesetting ideas and a few other fun Christmassy things to show.

Please come along if you're in Bowral, it should be fun!

All proceeds go to 'The Black Dog Institute'

xxxx Coty

Adorable Pink - Flowers, pink fabrics, pink prints, pink skies, en more....

2011-11-17T10:54:00.001+11:00

Hi everyone, ....pink!!! yes pink, it seems I'm surrounded by pink everywhere I look,

I have pink flowers on my desk, pink roses in our garden,

I found these gorgeous old pink vintage cards recently,

My mother's pink blossom tree in her front garden, here !! isn't it fabulous,

You know it has never blossomed like this before, never!!

My very special 'pink' rose chintz tea setting which was

a gift from all the girls when I left Vogue Entertaining Guide years ago,

along with some other table setting goodies....... they knew me well!!

I love my pink grapes, my pink French hat, should I go on?

Oh yes, I will!! I bought 12 little pink Christmas trees this week,

Why twelve? Well why not! They're bright and beautiful and I will

show you them soon.

Have you seen our universe lately, WOW!! I look at it every night
both up in the night time sky, plus via Google Sky,
Look at these amazing planets, they look like space ships on there way to earth, don't they.

All these table setting images I photographed recently in my Mother's garden, you know it was actually raining very softly, but it didn't matter at all,I love working in the mist, I just had to watch my camera lenses.

I have nearly finished the Garden book photography that I have been working on all year, can you believe that's 12 months since I started it. Now we get into the wonderful design side. And my book,

well, it's certainly not going to make it to the shelves this year,

there's only so much a girl can do!! right??

Also, I have been asked to be the Creative Director for a HUGE four week event here in the Southern Highlands next year, I have been locked away in my Studio designing and creating it for the past month!! I photographed all last week for this event and the website and it will be launched tomorrow. I will be presenting it tomorrow to a very special group of people.

I can't wait to share it with you next week.

Also, I will be giving a talk on Christmas table settings and fun things to do around the home at a local Antique Store 'Dirty Janes' here in Bowral on Friday evening December the 9th, it should be fun, so come along for a glass of champagne if you're in town. I will post more on this in the coming weeks.

You know how much I love Tablesetting Parties, especially Susan's!

and I always visit Beverly for Pink Saturday,

and here in Australia I get so inspired when I drop in on Good Life Wednesdays at Sarah's home.

Bee Bon Belle is showing a beautiful garden here in our town called 'Whitley'

and last week my very talented friend Harrison Howard sent me

an email with his beautiful prints. They're on special this month!!

All I want for Christmas is......

Have a wonderful, exciting, fun and creative week my gorgeous friends,

xxxxxxx and hugs Coty

2011-11-16T12:27:00.000+11:00

Sorry I haven't been around for a while,
I have had to slow down my blogging posts for a little while
as I needed to spend more time with my family, clients and me!!
Life's been busy, some good ....some not so good!
it has been a extraordinary year!

I've missed you all so very much,
and...I look forward to catching up with all the news,
and.....Thank you for your beautiful notes.

xx Coty

.

2011-10-13T10:41:00.003+11:00

For only two weeks a year my beautiful apple tree blossoms.

It's the most wonderful old tree in my little cottage garden

and as I look out from my back room now

there are only a few tiny little blossoms left.

Last week I had such a wonderful time creating this setting.

It's very me, white elephants, my white china,

white shells and some of my very favourite pieces

all together on my table surrounded by blossom.

LINKED IN WITH: TABLESCAPE THURSDAY
Southern Highlands, Blossoms, Australia, White Elephants, Apple trees,

Quality First and Always.......Andrew Farquhar - "Le bon Dieu est dans le detail".

2011-10-04T18:22:00.005+11:00

Last month I joined a fabulous group of women for a blog party called 'By Invitation Only' created by Marsha Harris at Splenderosa in the USA. Today, again I'm joining in and the theme and inspiration for our post for this one is from Vicki Archer from French Essence and Tish Jett from A Femme d'Un Certain Age .

Please visit Marsha and all the girls on the list as well there are many new guests this month, one being my great friend Lisa Porter from The Lisa Porter Collection.

and it is.....

Gustave Flaubert, the French writer best known for his novel Madame Bovary, is generally attributed with the saying, "Le bon Dieu est dans le detail".

Over the years this expression has morphed and changed but the simple message remains the same...and that is… that whatever we do, should be done thoroughly and to the very best of our abilities. The details are what make all the difference...

Immediately, I thought of my husband Andrew,
then the next day, I thought more about this quote and Andrew still came to mind!

Then today as I started this post, Andrew is still the only person that I know
that has a very close relationship with fine details in every aspect of his working life.

......and there is a twist to this story, read on and you will see at the end. 

Quality First and Always is Andrew's company motto, it always has been...

Attention to every detail....

It is the way he sees his work and his life.

Over the last 28 years Andrew has employed

hundreds of people and trained many

apprentices, many who have won awards and have gone

on to run their own successful workshops.

From many staff to only one these days, Andrew is still as passionate about training apprentices and now, one day a fortnight Andrew runs classes from his workshop, because he believes that traditional skills must be passed on, or they will be lost forever.

Only last Thursday, Andrew was announced 'Trade boss of the year' and

also Andy McMillian, our one and only apprentice was announced

'Apprentice of the Year' for our region. Well done Andy!!

and well done my darling....

I think Andrew has now trained over ten of the

'top apprentices of the Year' for Australia over the years

as well as many runners up and winners of work skills and woodworking competitions. It costs a fortune to train young people nowadays and just when they're

at their peak, they leave.....with the need to spread their wings.

We often talk about how the French wood-working apprentices over the centuries would train with a Master Craftsmen and never leave that workshop. They in turn would train their apprentices. Sadly, in Australia our system is not set up for that today, people can leave their job with a couple of weeks notice.

We often hear that our apprentices 'are' training young apprentices and passing the skills on and I know that make Andrew happy.

Andrew's workshop ....'Farquhar's Furniture' .....Maker's and restorers of traditional furniture, is always filled with the most amazing pieces that are in production, sets of dining chairs, beautiful carved bedheads, clocks,

bookcases and cabinets built from the ground up,

and the many work benches are filled with

carvings, polishing, upholstery and amazing restoration.

I went through some of Andrew's photo albums (and there a many) this morning and picked a few of my favourite pictures of his work and his apprentices. It's a little sad to look at some of the photographs as it brings back many memories of past employees, some of who have passed on. Andrew, had uniforms for all his men, aprons with their names and perfectly run work areas. Now, it's different, everything has changed with the business, it's much more relaxed...smaller and better.

Andrew as passionate if not more about his designs, the details and the quality of his work as he was when I met him twenty years ago. The huge jobs still come in......but they just take a little longer to produce.

Andrew wasn't well recently (and he is never sick) and I suddenly had a scary moment of 'what if'? It does make you stop and think about things!

The most wonderful thing happened yesterday.

There is an old shed in the rear lane of my shop

and it has been the home to an old man for five years or more,

I never see him, he leaves early in the morning

and comes back late at night. He's homeless!!

Recently some horrid kids threw bricks into the side walls

and completely ruined it.... I called the police to let them know,

but, a homeless man, is just that, homeless,

He was gone!! and I was worried for him!

It's been a very cold winter here in Australia.

Yesterday, when I arrived at my studio the shed looked different,

so my daughter, Bec and I snuck up to have a peak in,

Bec, said, I think he's back and living here, holes in walls and all !!

He had moved all the broken bits of walls

around his bed to shelter him from the cold.

Then, we saw him!

Andrew and I walked up to say hello and talk with him,

He was old, a bit weathered and he had very friendly eyes... and his name is Alan.

Andrew and I decided we would fix the wall for him.

Well, Andrew really did all the work with the help of our son Thomas,

I watched and chatted.

We had some corrugated iron at the workshop

and all I can say, is that I love Andrew,

after working all week long, helping a friend move house,
and not feeling very well lately, he's always happy to help someone.

Not only did he rebuild this man's home,

He matched all the old bits of iron pieces together beautifully

to keep with the original look........ 'an old shed'

He also went inside and repaired some the internal walls,

and he added a few coat hooks for the walls,

I didn't go in....

But, all I could hear was Alan laughing!!

so.....to conclude this (very long) post

from the above Gustave Flaubert quote...

'that whatever we do,

should be done thoroughly and to the very best of our abilities'

Whether it is a hand made piece of furniture

a wall for a shed for a homeless man,

My Andrew always, always gives his very best.

and that's why I love him so....

White tables, white flowers ...........and a little peace is on the way

2011-09-22T09:59:00.002+10:00

I'm showing a few of my shots this week from some old blog posts from a couple of years ago,

Just because!

Just because it's that time of the year again with Spring, beautiful light, warm days...

Just because I love white,

and because I 'love' white flowers,

and because...I haven't had a spare minute this week to do anything,

or to edit any of my recent shoots yet.

Where is time going? Can you believe it's the school holidays again?

My garden is just exploding at the moment....

My Clematis vines below (from last year) is a mass of buds this morning.

Between Naps on the Porch

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring Day, xxx xCoty
I'm joining today with Tablescape Thursday....Welcome to Everyone

and don't forget

if you're in Sydney this weekend,

The Peace Angels

Hyde Park

Sydney

6.30pm

See you there!!

A special Spring table setting for an exciting new website - Inforum Group, Sydney, Created by two clever friends of mine, Jenny Garber and Fiona Coogan

2011-09-15T11:01:00.011+10:00

About a month ago my beautiful friend Jenny Garber called me

to tell me about an exciting new business, Inforum Group, she and Fiona Coogan (below)

where about to launch in Spring. I have known both Jenny and Fiona for over

25 years, Jenny and I worked together at Vogue and Fiona and I have

interlinked with our careers over the years as well.

INFORUM group is a company providing a forum concept to educate, enlighten and expand the knowledge of women in the workplace with a range of captivating speakers who will inspire, entertain and fulfil many of the personal and professional areas of interest in women.

I was absolutely delighted when Jenny asked if I could

be a part of the launch of their new site with a special spring setting.

From Inforum........Best of the Best link....
Coty Farquhar is a Creative Director, Photographic Stylist and Author of the incredibly beautiful blog www.cotyfarquhar.blogspot.com

We asked Coty for her inspiration for a Spring table setting and luckily this was just as the blossom trees were in full bloom near her home in the Southern Highlands. Coty says:

‘Flowers and table settings are my absolute passion and living in the Southern Highlands of NSW for the last twenty years I think I know just about every single flowering tree here.

It’s just like a wonderful fashion parade right now as Spring has arrived with all the grand ‘old’ ladies (trees) bursting with blooms. Our gardens, parks and countryside are blooming with the most wonderful colours and flowers after many months of rain. I can honestly say I love nearly every single flower there is and to work with them as a stylist is a blessing. Lucky are those that celebrate their birthdays at this time of the year as setting a table under or near a blossoming tree is amazing. Seize the moment, set the table and bring out all your lovely pieces, fill everything with cuttings of blossom, sprinkle the petals over the table, gather your loved ones and breathe in the sweet smelling perfumed air under an old blossom tree.
Bon appétit, Coty’

I styled this setting for Inforum, a relaxing table for two under this wonderful tree at my parents home in Moss Vale. I'm photographing this afternoon in a wonderful old garden in Burradoo here in the Southern Highlands where the Crab apple trees are bursting.
I wish that you where all with me on what is a fantastic warm Spring day.

The beautiful frosted glass above with the blossom was a gift from my
amazingly talented friend Minna at Blomsterverkstad in Sweden.
Minna came to our home for lunch a couple of years ago when she was visiting Australia.

Welcome to everyone visiting from Table scape Thursday in the USA. and Pink Saturday with Beverly
I can't wait to see all your Autumn settings over there,
Spring here, Autumn there - My two very favourite seasons.
Wishing everyone a wonderful day, Namaste, xx Coty

Drop on over and visit Jenny and Fiona at Inforum,

become a member, stay connected......I know there is so much more coming...

s n the Porch

Playing with diamonds, gemstones and other precious little things

2011-09-10T21:35:00.002+10:00

Well, I just couldn't help myself, I was planning to show you

some fabulous Bvlgari and other precious jewels that are being auctioned next week at

Sotheby's in Melbourne, Australia. instead I got a little carried away (above) with

these little beauties and their amazing colours and so turned my post into a flower garden.

I love my computer artwork programs,

anything is possible!

What do you think?

Of the beautiful flowers and jewels , not me!!

Images from Sotheby's Melbourne. Some jewels are from previous Sotheby sales,

most will be auctioned next week.

When I was a fashion editor - 80's style

2011-09-09T13:37:00.002+10:00

This is one of my old fashion styling shoots from the 80's

and I remember it so well like it was only yesterday.

This was one shot of many for a television commercial for Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre.

This beautiful model was visiting Australia from the U.S.A. and I remember using her for quite a few jobs, however, I can't remember her name, maybe you know her? I dressed her in a long black pleated taffeta skirt and a white organza shirt, which was to die for! the shirt was adorned with little tiny organza flowers. (You know I have been in love with flowers for a very long time)

and just look at those puffed sleeves!!

The hair, the jewels......Soooooo 80's What do you think? Do you remember?

Photographed by my beautiful, beautiful friend David Hadden

Happy Friday Everyone,

xx Coty

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Pretty pieces for the table that I grew up with - My Mother's china

2011-09-08T11:00:00.005+10:00

Everything is so pretty at the moment with Spring, even my studio as it's filled with

blossoms and flowers ready to be photographed.

These are few of my favourite things that I grew up with as a young girl.

My mother collected very romantic and beautiful figurines and china

and I remember the wonderful weekend parties when these tea cups where set on Mum's table along with home made cakes and treats for our relatives and friends that came to visit.

I don't know about you, but I can't find the time

these days to entertain on a Sunday afternoon.

I have washing, cleaning, gardening, shopping

and the odd client's job to complete.

Subscribe to Styling by Coty Farquhar, A flower a day by Email
Linked in to today with Tablescape Thursday
Tablescape Thursday

Click here to see the new blog party that

started this week, I'm sure you will certainly

know many of the girls.

Today I'm joining a wonderful group of women around the world for the launch of a new blog party hosted by Marsha Harris from Splenderosa. We were all given a quote by William Henry Channing (1810-1884) and asked to each create our post in our own way. It's such a wonderful quote it will be fascinating to see what everyone does.

2011-09-06T17:55:00.005+10:00

To be connected is to be a part of something wonderful,

to be part of a group,

to be a part of a family, your own family or a soul family,

is to be loved.

But, the most important thing I know is

to be loved...... you must love yourself,

without that you cannot love anybody.

Love is in all of us, it is what we are made up of,

without it we wilt.

Let it flow, give it away everyday,

build a ring of love around yourself and walk in it where ever you go,

it will flow into everyone you pass by and it will fill a room when you enter.

The more love you give the more you get,

Ten times more comes back to you.

We all share our blogs, our thoughts and our emotions with each other,

some days wondering who it is that visits.

It doesn't matter who they are,

what matters is that we are all connecting our lives together.

Thank goodness for the Internet as it has brought so many together.

Thank you Marsha for bringing us all together today, when I received your

email and the quote, I thought, yes! that's me, I think like that, well I like to think I live like that. I do try!!

I listen to the birds and the little ones talk, I believe that the wealthiest people

in this world are the ones that have love and give love.

I try to live quietly, to share my work, to give help when needed.

and not to want or wish for more than I need.

I meditate each day, I pray, I teach, I share,

I try to heal and offer help where I can

and I love to smile and I love to get smiles back.

Ever since I was a little girl I have known that I was different,

It's taken most of my life to understand why,

now I know why,

My children have taught me,

The new children in our world are so wise,

so blessed and filled with light.

I have learnt more from them

than anyone.

Listen to them, they speak from their heart,

that's the only way they know.

I'm sorry, this is a particularly long post and thank you for reading down this far.

I'm proud and honoured to be a part of this new group.

Namaste xx Coty

Click here to visit Marsha at Splenderosa

for the new party

'By Invitation Only"

and then to visit all these gorgeous girls.

Greet Lefevre from Belgian Pearls

Fifi from Fifi Flowers

Vicki Archer from French Essence

Tish Jett at A femme duncertain age

Yvonne Pratt from Stone Gable

Charlotta Ward from Space for Inspiration

Catherine Robinson from On Cashmere

Tina from The Enchanted Home

Renee Granier and Angela Foster from Under Spanish Moss

Mona Thompson from Providence Ltd Design

Annie Bouterse from Plumsiena

Karin Jansky from La Pouyette

Cecilia Gonzalez from Desde my Ventana

Deborah Peterson from Dumb wit tell her

Dustjacket Attic

Shari Miller from Little Blue Deer

Lisa from Amid Privilege

Christina Fluegge from Greige Design

Jacqueline Mumford from Home Biba

Janell from House of Fifty

My inspiration for this post today came from the work of photographer Baron

I dedicate this post to Baron and his wonderful work.

I have always been inspired by his images. I have treasured for many years three of his books covering his work from 1935 to 1950. He photographed

every famous ballerina and dancer there was at that time.

Margot Fonteyn, Alicia Markova and Rene Jeanmaire just to name a few.

Baron was born in 1906 and took up photography when he was 29 in Monte Carlo.

What a wonderful time he must have had surrounded by such creative people and dancers.

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A parade of Camellias - Let the judging begin!

2011-09-06T11:29:00.001+10:00

The Camellia flowers are covering the trees this year, I drive past

a beautiful old tree near my home and there is a carpet of dark red flowers under the tree, I just want to stop and pick them all up.

I do wish they would last a little longer.

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Heavenly Hydrangeas - Close up and perfect

2011-09-04T23:27:00.002+10:00

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Miss Magnolia's hat - Millinery inspiration

2011-09-03T22:00:00.003+10:00

Magnolia and blossoms - Photographed in Burradoo, NSW

I would wear this magnolia flower to races, wouldn't you?

A Flower a Day

2011-09-02T22:00:00.005+10:00

This beautiful white Camellia is from a grand old tree in Bowral, the perfect Chanel flower.

Here we go! It is now the second day of Spring and it's so exciting.

As we wave good bye to a very long, cold and wet winter.

A winter that has seen too many sick days for my friends and family

with far too many visits to the hospital, it's time to spring into some fresh new things.

I'm really looking forward to a new start.
I'm still working away on photography and books,

but, I have been reviewing many things in my life recently

and I am looking forward to a wonderful 'big' Spring clean.

A Spring clean of my 'life'

Sometimes you just have to let go.

Let go of personal possessions,

relationships and things that

no longer have a purpose in your world.

So, I say!! Let go and get going!!

I am also giving myself a bit of a challenge,
Which actually started yesterday.
Everyone needs a challenge!

Since I live in a world surrounded by flowers.

I have decided to post

'A Flower a Day'
and what better time to start than Spring

I received this comment a couple of years ago

I wanted to thank you soooo much, everyday no matter how stressful and fast my life may be (working realtor, mother of three, etc...)
I open your blog and reaches my soul...

_________________

If my work can touch your soul, then 'my' soul is full.

I'm not a writer and I'm always at a loss for words when I post,

but I have thousands of images that I would love to share.

Some days there will be no words.

Other days, maybe just a thought, a quote or something that may inspire you.

I hope you visit me and also share ' A Flower a Day' with those you love.

Some of my flower shots you may have seen before over the years,

most will be new and I will still be posting my usual stories along the way.

Wishing you all a wonderful day,

Namaste, Coty

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2011-09-01T16:31:00.000+10:00

Wishing you a wonderful Spring Day!
.............or Autumn Day........depending on where you live.
xx Coty

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My Southern Highlands Corporate Events design and display at the RSVP Events Expo at Darling Harbour, Sydney 2011 ........ Nominated for Best Large Display!!

2011-08-25T10:52:00.006+10:00

Styling, designing, creating and producing

a corporate stand for an Expo at Darling Harbour, Sydney

Hi Everyone!! I know have been away for a while, well, away from my blog. The last three months have been very unusual for me, trying to plan my days and weeks was quite simply impossible. A little like having a new born baby, every time I planned something, someone would need me. It is great to be needed!! but you have to let go of some favourite things to survive, thus my blogging time was not to be mine.

The good news is....Spring is here (in Australia), it's lovely and warm today, the air smells beautiful, the birds are back in my garden frolicking in the blossom trees and it's time for a wonderful big Spring clean in my life.

Big changes are happening in our universe and the world,

Can you feel them? I can!! xx

As promised, here is my display at the RSVP Expo at Darling Harbour this month in Sydney. Last year I designed, styled and produced a display for my client, SHCE...Southern Highlands Corporate Events and I won best display for a small stand, so this year.....they went bigger...much bigger!! and ....I was again nominated for best "Large" display, however this year I came second, congratulations to Decorative Events who came first.

I designed the style of the stand last year and it took me well over a month to prepare, produce and make everything. My brief was...Coty...we need to include everything, everyone and all that we do here in the Southern Highlands within one 6 x 6metre stand for a two day event.

I had to include hotels, restaurants, our golf courses, Sir Donald Bradman - Cricket, Bong Bong Horse races, dining, wineries, fly fishing, relaxing, entertainment, sports, events and also the many different sponsors and members of SHCE. Wow!! so much to put into one stand.

My job was to entice and invite the corporate industry of Australia to head our way....to the Southern Highlands of NSW.

and to of course try and design something completely different!!
That was my brief to myself.

Something that would attract everyone to our stand
and a stand that would be remembered years down the track.

The stand was larger than last year, but still not that big. I had to include a bar area for wine tastings, a seating area for meetings, a entrance from every angle and it had to flow. I decided that I would make everything clear, clear perspex walls, clear 'ghost' furniture, a clear bar, clear clothes, clear everything!!! It was completely transparent!

Even my flowers were clear. It was great fun making everything out of perspex, cellophane, glad wrap, thick plastics and fabrics. I now have the best collection of clear fabrics in my studio. The only touch of colour was silver.

I was amazed at how many wonderful things I found over the months that were clear.

Some of these shots are in my studio showing the making of all the outfits and props and the rest are at Darling Harbour Convention Centre for the installation. Andrew, my beautiful Andrew directed the construction with the help of our apprentice Andy. My Thomas had also planned to be there with us, unfortunately the morning we where leaving for Sydney with all the trucks and cars packed he was taken to hospital, where he stayed on a drip for a week. (Don't worry, he's fine) but I wasn't!!

I created little settings through out the stand and of course I had to have my tablescape setting. This I want to share with my favourite table setting party in the USA Tablescape Thursday . A complete tablesetting with clear food, a glass pudding, clear baby cup cakes, bowls of clear food and more ......all clear.
See below, I added frosting over my cakes using very thick clear hair gel and many a visitor was seen dipping their finger into the icing to see what it was!!

It was actually quite hard to photograph my stand as everything was clear and showed all the stands in the background. What do you think of my beautiful girls fishing? I wish I was fishing today.

Above: Miss Bong Bong, dressed for the horse races, complete with a clear handbag, clear hat and lots of clear bling!!

My great friend Simon Lee from Airstar (see my blog story here) supplied a massive 3metre wide balloon made from soft parachute fabric to which I added my client's logo. The balloon gave the stand the most wonderful soft light and it could be seen from all over the convention centre. It looked absolutely fantastic, Thank you Simon!!

I didn't want little spot lights or wire everywhere on my clear stand so the balloon was perfect and it floated for the two days above my stand.

I needed to have characters, mannequins to create my scenes, so once I knew what each person was doing, off I went to Sydney shopping for the right model. I hired all these great mannequins from Wendy Atkins at Mannequin hire in Sydney. I had six girls and two boys. The funniest thing was when I started to unpack the bodies from all the huge boxes it caused havoc with all the tradesmen working at Darling Harbour, there where naked women everywhere, legs, arms, heads and bodies all over the place. It was like a puzzle trying to put them all together. Sixteen different legs in one box, arms in another and body parts everywhere. There was nearly an accident with a fork lift driver as he went past. I did try to cover up the girls as quickly as I could.

Above: Relaxing under a brolly.....I fringed a clear umbrella with soft plastic and dressed her in the cutest little sundress made from a clear rubber bath mat, complete with bubbles.

It was a great success!! I had so much fun putting it all together and a friend sent me an email/ newsletter from a visitor at the show.

"RSVP best so far! ...........There were lots of good displays a few really were a waste of space

but for me the best display was Southern Highlands regional display,

Professional, Swish and the transparent walls made it work from all angles."

My job was done, my design worked!! I was completely and utterly exhausted and it was time to head home to my beautiful Southern Highlands.