New camera: corners of my home

Here are my first test shots using my replacement camera after my year old snapper died in a suspicious fall from the dining table. I am loving the results from this one, it just can't take a bad picture!!!

The detail it captures has always been beyond the capabilities of my skill/equipment... thank you Canon Powershot, will you marry me?
Love Nina x

Fashions on the Field: Black Opal Stakes day

The Fashions on the Field competitions first started in Melbourne over 40 years ago to entice more women to the racecourse, and now is a pinnacle event for every feature race meeting at Thoroughbred Park. Racing and fashion have always gone hand-in-hand and this season the AAMI Black Opal Stakes day is the place to be seen with some faaabulous prizes up for grabs (glam holiday in Paris anyone???)...

And who is judging? I hear you ask. Well since you mentioned it, three of Canberra's premier fashionistas: face of Canberra Racing Elkie Stuart, the divine Velveteen Libertine and hmmm... oh, it's me! How fun, so guys and gals, time to glam it up and show us your inner show pony !

We're judging Children's Racewear on Preview Day, February 22. And on Black Opal Stakes Day, March 8th... Classic Ladies Race wear ~Classic Mens Race wear ~Classic Couples Race wear

Glamour, style and key accessories are some important facets to include in your outfit, and please, leave your nightclub outfit at home! And for ladies after the prize, a hat or fascinator is an absolute must.

To be in the running, your look needs to be stylish and original, classy and a bit modest. Accessorise your look and glam it up. Check the Fashions on the Field webpage here for more suggestions, prizes and judging criteria for the day.

And inspiring my own look for Black Opal Stakes day, one of the images above, by my fashion hero, Akira Isogawa, stay tuned... Love Nina x

Handmade UPmarket: with Love

Following the fabulous success of Canberra's very first Handmade UPmarket, get ready for the next installment which promises to be even better! Themed "With Love" and with Valentine's day just around the corner, here are a few things you can expect to set hearts a flutter...

1. Tango & James nest cushions 2. Moyou laser cut earrings
3. H For Handbag Checkmate handbags 4. Millefiori original art
5. Alchemy Cordials Daquiri mix, hmmm6. Lindsay & Edmunds divine chocolates
7. Tango & James nest Flutter mobile 8. Rockstars and Royalty jewellery

Canberra's Handmade UPmarket is on Saturday 7th February from 10-6 at Albert Hall.

Operation Foundation: Napoleon comes to Canberra

Most women are concerned with choosing the wrong shade of foundation and Napoleon Perdis is determined to correct this makeup faux pas – even if he has to do it woman by woman across Australia. The Hollywood-based glamour guru is heading to Canberra Centre with his wit, his sable brushes and his sharp eye for colour.

Secure your place now for a rare opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the maestro and his expert team in March.

Let Napoleon and his crew select the perfect foundation, advise on the most flattering colours and customise a flawless look just for you.

Expect the Napoleon team to primp and pamper you, experience the latest styles from the runways and the red-carpet and receive limited edition gifts.

Book now for your personal appointment, a booking fee (redeemable on product on the day) must be paid in full prior to appointment.
Napoleon Perdis Concept Store, Canberra Centre
Saturday 7th March, 12.00-4.00PM Ph: (02) 6262 7511

Lovely!

Technical drama: I'm back

After a week of technical computery problems, we appear to be back to business here, I felt like I was missing a limb! And I broke my camera... sob.

Hope you had a beautiful Australia Day.
Love Nina x

Behind The curtains with: Nanette Louchart-Fletcher

I was grateful that when I contacted one of my favourite Canberran bloggers, after learning that her home is only a stone's throw away from mine, that she was so wonderfully hospitable. And after spending a blissful lunch and afternoon with writer of Rummage blog, Nanette, her Frenchman and their small people, we were rewarded with a tour of their gorgeous house, filled with travel memories, reminders of the Frenchman's homeland, curios and gratifying colour bursts...

Nanettes' impressive efforts in the garden are rewarded with amazing blooms, and always beautifully photographed for her new blog acacia et coquelicot. Reproduction vintage posters from the Frenchman's childhood town frame a peek-a-boo hole in the kitchen though to the playroom.

The look is all about colour, vintage pattern with a gypsy folk art twist. Nanette has a keen eye, putting it all together to create a warm and lively home for her family. In the craft room, the fabric stash is vast and colourful

Living with small people doesn't equate to a sacrifice in style, here Nanette has made her home fun and inspiring for her children, making quilts for the girls and displaying their gorgeous art in the hall - so pretty.

Check out Rummage blog for Nanette's humorous musings about life, design, motherhood, crafting, cooking and more and acacia et coquelicot blog, more centred about her journey to creating her French-Australian garden... love it!

Thank you Nan, love Nina x

Behind The Curtains with: Jodi Golding

Back in June last year, Interior Designer (and project manager for this gorgeous fitout) Jodi Golding let me in on her own DIY project in the making. And now the transformation from an empty shell to vintage/scandinavian inspired studio space is complete. After building it herself, with a little help from Dad, Jodi gives us a tour behind the curtains...

Fresh white walls and natural vintage timbers allow pops of fun colour to stand out.

Above left: on the top shelf is a fun design classic House of Cards by Eames. Clever storage is a must for staying organised, Jodi uses storage boxes from Kikki.K and Ikea on the floating shelves. The Ikea trestle desk is gorgeous and adds more storage underneath.

Above left: Hat Box, reels of linen thread and ink bottle are from Peppergreen in Berrima

Above right: Deborah Bowness "utility: filing" wallpaper, adds impact and ties in the beautiful collection of vintage suitcases Jodi has collected.

Wood printer block letters were a great find in Melbourne

The floating shelves and X bookends are from Ikea, the bookshelf felt animals are by D+, from Paperchain, Manuka.

"It really was so much fun to actually build it myself. After so many years of documenting and detailing building fitout works to have the chance to be so hands on was fun. Just to prove it I have attached a photo of my Dad and I in the midst of plastering. I have such an appreciation of builders now having done this small project. Some trades are positively horrible- like plastering and roofing!"

One of Jodi's favourite pieces is another mid century design classic, a Alexander Girard Wooden Doll, from the VITRA Museum. Just above her desk, Jodi has installed a wire for hanging inspirational images and sentimental photos, a great use of space.

Jodi custom designed the quirky door to her studio and had it built by Jim Bush, and just inside a hint at Jodi's humour, the mouse hole sticker is from Monkey Threads on Etsy.

Above left: Jodi custom designed the joinery with a sliding pinboard panel and additional pinboards above the bench - clever details! The chair Jodi chose is the Chadwick chair from Knoll, available at DeDeCe Sydney.
Above right: Offcuts from the wall paper were used on generic ring binders to give them the designer look, and that's the bookshelf felt animalsby D+ from Paperchain, Manuka again! so cute.

Lovely work Jodi, I just know you'll love spending time in there producing more brilliant design work!

Thank you for sharing this with us,
... and have a beautiful weekend, love Nina x