And a very merry Christmas to you...

Now get off the computer and go enjoy yourself! Love Nina x

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Perempuan, who is expecting a new bub in February, and also has 17 month old Amara to share the prizes with! (Drop me a line lisa {at} barrettnet {dot} id {dot} au to claim your prize, I can drop them to you tomorrow if you like!

Thankyou for the supportive emails and comments regarding my previous post, I am very keen to hear from any interested contributors! Love Nina x

Canberra's Got Style-iversary

Wow can you believe it? A whole year full of style in Canberra! With nearly 230 articles so far, Canberra's Got Style turns one today!

Some of you may have noticed a bit of a slow down in in the frequency of my updates and I feel I should explain that although a showcase of Canberra's style seems a tough niche, I have found no shortage of fabulous subjects to bring to you. Rather, my availability to continue the style hunt is getting to be tricky (I am the full time carer of 2 pre-school age boys!) It's not an excuse, just the life I live in my shoes! So with this in mind, coupled with my own creative desires to pursue, thoughts passed of a curtain call for Canberra's Got Style right here {gasp}.

However, that said, a possible way forward will be with contributions from volunteer style hunters willing to share their pics and findings with us all. So if you love Canberra too, get around town and have the ability to find and share style please drop me a line at lisa{at}barrettnet{dot}id{dot}au (I already have some 'assignments' in mind for the keen) I'd love to keep it going and embrace some change! How 'bout it?

What are your thoughts? Love Nina x

Giveaways and a Green Christmas: In style

I'm so in love with these beautiful Earth-friendly gift cards and tags by Earth Greetings from Canberra's Brindabella Baby online store...

Brindabella Baby also stock organic, sustainable and ethical products for mums and babies...

"The range at Brindabella Baby is focused on environmentally sustainable alternatives to the products in most department stores. With a preference for WAHMs (work-at-home-mums - or aunts, or dads...), or sweatshop free commercial manufacturers when a WAHM product isn't available, you can be sure that you are supporting ethical means of production.

And just for the lucky readers of Canberra's Got Style, a giveaway just in time for Christmas...

From the divine Emma of Brindabella Baby, a pair of fabulous organic cotton Babylegs (leg warmers - can also be used as arm warmers if mum wants to pinch them!) and the completely useful and good Charlie and Lola tome "Look After Your Planet" by the ever styling Lauren Childs (sigh, love her work!)

And to add to the prize, I'm going to include a mobile, inspired by the stylings of Charlie and Lola and these gorgeous birds by Spool (spotted here), made by moi using completely extraneous but gorgeous fabric scraps from my collection.

So, Canberrans, to be in the running for this giveaway, just leave a comment below and tell me about the little person you would be giving them to. And if Brindabella Baby were to open a physical shop, where is your favoured location?

The winner will be chosen on Tuesday morning 23rd December and I will deliver the prize (to a location in Canberra!) myself, now go for it, love Nina x

Notions of fashion design

A week since showing their collections on the catwalk at the NMA, CIT's fashion graduates have just closed an exhibition of the highlights from the event. Fashionact notions 2008 showed us 11 of Canberra's newest breed of fashion designers. Here are some of my faves...

Above: Beau & Arrow by Tegan Kennedy. Love love love the colours and layering - her whole collection works so well.

Above Left: Sebastian's Sister by Francesca Altenburg. Above Right: Andie, by Andie Meredith

Above, and below left: Kiri by Kiri Davis. Interesting details, femme silhouettes and Bridget Bardot styling.

Above Right: Hunter by Sara Wurcker, lovely hand painted fabrics

Congratulations to all 11 graduating designers, I wish you every success!
Love Nina x

Cuuute: on Allbids

This little cutie is on Canberra's online auction site Allbids...

Ending tonight, the "Vintage Antique White Rocking Horse with Padded Seat" is currently going for only $26, what a too-cute Christmas prezzie for a little one, gorgeous!

Christmas gifts: Exquisite Craft ACT

Exquisite is the haven of the hand-made. Available for a limited period in the lead up to Christmas each year, this sumptuous display brings together a collection of objects straight from the studios of local and regionally based artists. With Christmas getting closer, finding that special gift is no longer a chore ... visit Exquisite at Craft ACT.

Exquisite is an exhibition showcasing the diverse talents of local and regional practitioners. It's also your one-stop gallery-shop for perfect Christmas gifts. A 'cash-and-carry style' exhibition means all work on display can be taken home at the time of purchase.

Enjoy a range of beautiful and unique items, featuring craft and design for every budget, from one-off collectable works, to functional and wearable objects designed from ceramics, wood, glass, textiles and precious metals. Find perfect gifts for giving, 'tis the season to spoil yourself, family and friends.

The exhibition continues until Saturday 20 December 2008 in Craft ACT's Gallery 1, Level 1 North Building, Civic Square. Craft ACT is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 12noon to 4pm.

Nina needs a breaky

Mamma Ribena is in town, and we will be touristing etc.
Back soon with more fabulous style next week,

Love Nina x

Ps: check out my brand new and gorgeous Tango and Jame store on Etsy (in the side-bar).

Papercuts never looked so good

I've been spending far too long these last few days cruising around on Etsy and checking out the clever Canberrans we have on there. Tamara showed us her extremely cool Florence Broadhurst Gnome back in January, but just have a look at what she's up to now...

"I've been creative for as long as I can remember, trying my hand at many different arts and crafts. However, it was a year spent in Denmark that opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of papercutting, which the Danes call papirklipning. This is a craft that takes great concentration, precision and a steady hand because a simple slip can ruin hours of work.

My favourite time of the year is Christmas. I guess it has something to do with the special food and making an effort to catch up with friends and family. And the decorations, of course! (handmade only!!) So it's only appropriate that the first items I've listed in my store are Christmas ornaments. I hope you enjoy looking at them (and maybe purchasing a couple!) as much as I've enjoyed making them."

These amazing papercut ornaments are so perfect to pop inside a Christmas card for someone special... check them out now at Tamara Designs on Etsy... just beautiful.

Bringing IKEA to Canberra

Here's a little something sure to make a large portion of Canberrans I know rather ecstatic... a new service to male Ikea accessible to Canberra...

Bring it Home - you love Ikea, we bring it home.

"Frustrated at the thought of Ikea never opening its doors in Canberra, best friends Michael and Loyzek decided there must be a way to bring Ikea products to Canberra.

While they loved the stylish and budget friendly cost of Ikea products, travelling from Canberra to Sydney to buy Ikea products made Ikea shopping very time consuming and expensive."

"Ikea is a 'cash and carry' business so it meant that they couldn't order online and they needed to travel to Sydney to pay for the products. If they purchased bulky items like furniture, and didn't have a large enough vehicles available they were up for hefty charges for delivery."

So Michael and Loyzek came up with the idea to provide an affordable, door-to-door delivery service for Canberrans that love Ikea, saving them time and money.

The first Ikea trip goes on December 13, just in time for Christmas! Woohoo! Order online here.

Brilliant, now off to make my list and check it twice!

Now that was a REAL market!

I'm not sure that anyone could have dared dream the gob-smacking success of Canberra's first Handmade Market, held on Saturday. Despite the rather inclement weather, the crowds streamed in and most were well pleased to finally find style at a market filled with only handmade goods.

That's me and my almost empty stall (image by Ink & Leather)

Every stall holder I spoke with enjoyed record sales, many selling far more than anticipated and some ran out of stock! I personally had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and feedback from shoppers who loved my work. I was particularly excited to have so many readers come and chat - it's absolutely brilliant to meet you and I hope you had as much fun as I did!

And because I was so run off my very impractical pointy shoes and was unable to take my own photos, with many thanks, our photos come via The Riot Act and the lovely Grant from Ink & Leather.

A crowd shot from my own vantage point (image via Riot Act)

Even the outdoor stalls enjoyed a roaring trade (image via the Riot Act)

One of my favourites: Florence Broadhurst-y goodness Canvas Wall (image via the Riot Act)


And the sun even made an appearance! (images via the Riot Act)

A huge thank you and congratulations to event organiser and superwoman all-round, Julie Nichols - what a coup for you. How about we blow that up the skirts of a few pollies!

And to quote a perfect stranger who quipped "Now that's how a real market should be!" Welcome to Canberra Handmade, I can't wait for the next one in February!!! Yahoo!

Don't Miss: Handmade [up]market tomorrow!

I may have casually mentioned this already, but... Tomorrow sees the gathering of over 50 very talented designers to showcase @ the first Handmade Market ...

1. Unique and fabulous home slippers by Karmen Sega 2. Gorgeous jewellery by Sinead Buckney 3. Urban Threads for kids, t-shirts and amazing printed dresses 4. Beautiful felted goodies by Heartfelt 5. Sassy handbags by Tango & James 6. Stone jewels by Epiphanie 7. Too cute kids clothes by Littel Angel Little Devil 8. Va va voom handmade lingerie with a difference by Bombshell 9. Julie Nichols design jewellery 10. Another sassy handbag by Tango & James

Handmade: Canberra's UPmarket Saturday 22nd 10-6pm at Albert Hall, Commonwealth Ave (next door to the Hyatt).

Gift wrapping will be available from 11-3 on the day. A $2 donation to MND will be all it costs.
Giving Tree there will be a giving tree set up in the foyer of the hall. To make a contribution, just buy a gift from any retailer at handmade, grab a tag from the tree and place them together under the tree. Gifts will then be passed onto charity.

ATM Remember there is no ATM at Albert hall.
Handmade is wheelchair and pram friendly.
Free entry & Parking.

Come and say hello to me, I'll be spruiking my wares inside the hall, up on the stage... and buy something handmade!

See you there, love Nina x