An Evening with Holly Becker

Well I'm a little late in the day with this post but better late than never hey? I'm sure you have all heard by now that Holly Becker launched her new book 'Decorate Workshop' a couple of weeks ago.  The launch was hosted by Anthropologie on Regents Street (London) and I my friend Trinske (from Nordic Rose) and I were lucky enough to attend. Holly invited her BYW students to join her for a tea party (or rather a fizz and cake party) before the event. It was a great opportunity to finally meet Holly and other bloggers who I've grown to know so well 'virtually' over the last year. You can't beat meeting someone in person and they are all so friendly. I have to admit meeting Holly I felt a little bit star struck...well she is a star isn't she?!

It was such a fun and inspiring evening. Who'd have thought a bunch of bloggers could make so much noise! After the initial chit chats and plenty of cake (and boy were those cake slices big!) we sat down to an evening being entertained by Holly and her special guests Will Taylor from Bright Bazaar who interviewed Holly about her book and also American stylist James Leyland Day who spoke about his tips on styling your home. We learnt how Holly took a very personal approach to the book and used her friendly and down-to-earth teaching skills which she does so very well to get her readers to get to know themselves and style from the heart. 

Holly ended the night by signing copies of her wonderful book for us all. It really is lovely. The french fold jacket opens up into a fantastic poster of all Holly's favourite things which, as you can see below is now in pride of place above my desk.

I will do a full review on the book a bit later, I can't wait until I have half an hour to sit down and read it properly. In the meantime you can view an exclusive extract of the book here.

I also wanted to say it was a real honour to meet theses lovely ladies, Tiffany from The Curiosity Project, Anna from Betty and Frank, Charlotte from Anknel and Burblets, Yvonne from The Yvestown Blog, Kirsty from Me Plus Molly, Louise from 30's Magazine, Sinead from Crafty Fox Market, Gabs from Ink Paint Paper and Caroline from Trend Daily. There were lot so of others too but I'd be here all day if I listed them all. I hope to meet everyone again very soon. I am amazed how friendly and welcoming the blogging network is and really glad to be a part of it. 

All in all a fabulous evening. Thank you Holly for inviting me and also all your inspiration and for teaching me just about everything I needed to know to get to where I am now with my blog! I will cherish your book and hopefully one day soon I will have a new home which will need some Holly TLC. 

The Fabulous Fab UK

I have to say I am really loving Fab UK at the moment, they are introducing some cool things (and emptying my bank balance!). How clever are these book hangers from Old and Cold? I love books and have a desire to display every book I've read/own much to my boyfriends horror (he hates clutter!). I wonder what he'd think if I started hanging these around the house?!

I just received my first package of MT Washi tape from them, think their packaging is really striking and loved the thank you card. For now I think I'd better stop looking or I'll be broke by Christmas!

Book Love: A Vintage Tea Party

I just came out of a meeting and popped in to Oliver Bonas to pick up a Birthday present when I just happened to stumble upon the most amazing book which got me drooling in more ways than one! It’s not new to the book shelves but it’s the first time I've seen it and it got purchased to go straight on mine….after I have read it cover to cover and given it a photoshoot so I can share some of it’s beauty with my readers. 

The book is ‘The Vintage Tea Party Book’ by Angel Adoree and she invites you to join her on a journey to create the perfect vintage tea party... 

It’s beautifully designed with handwritten typography (one of my favourite fonts Lady Rene) mixed with doodles and seductive photographs. The ingredients are just as creative, for example Raspberry Soup, 24 carot oysters, a Salad Cemetery, Saffron & Tea shots, Bunting Butties, Rose petal sandwiches and Lollipop Jam Rolls. 

...and it’s not just about the food, it is interspersed with ‘how to’s’; make hair pieces, pinnies and aprons, decorate chinaware, candle making, style your hair and it even includes the history of the Union Jack (if you are interested)!

I'm organising one of my best friend's baby shower this weekend and it's not surprising that it has a vintage tea party theme. Some of these yummy ideas will definitely be featuring. 

Book Love : Good enough to eat!

As you can see I haven't been very active on my blog lately, mainly down to being completely snowed under with work. I can't complain though because I am working on some really lovely little projects and I am reminded just how much I enjoy the job I do. 

Another great thing about being so busy is that I am doing lots of mood boards and hunting around for inspiration which means I come across lots of lovely and exciting things.  I will be taking advantage of my first free weekend in months and dedicating some much needed time to my poor neglected blog by posting lots of delightful things I have found. So watch this space!

Today I found this good enough to eat book, Eat Me: Appetite for design by Victionary (it's been out since September, how did I miss it?!!!). It looks like a wafer biscuit, with a bite taken out,  and is filled with loads of tasty ways of using food in design. It includes a showcase of case studies from product designers, packaging and branding experts, entrepreneurs and artists. 

"EAT ME takes out a slice of modern life where food has been taken as the medium to promote social interactions and ginger up every day life"

All images are courtesy of Victionary and Dezeen Magazine

As a avid lover of books, design AND food, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Sadly it doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK BUT, woo hoo! I just discovered that Dezeen Magazine are offering a giveaway of 5 copies to their readers. If anyone knows anywhere I can get a copy please let me know, just in case I'm not one of the lucky 5 Dezeen readers :-)

Notebook Love : New Year, new notebook

So a new year starts again.....I don't know about you but I am a great one for writing lists, keeping notes and jotting down ideas. I have a small obsession with notebooks (and that is an understatement). I have a whole shelf in my bookcase with empty notebooks/journals I have bought because I love the look, feel and smell of them. If I added up the amount of money I spend on notebooks I have fallen in love with and just HAD to buy  (which I never use), I think I'd feel a bit sick! 

Anyway, what better time than the new year to start a new notebook to fill with my resolutions and fabulous ideas for 2012. Below are a selection of some of my favourites.

Happy New Year readers and blogger friends. Wishing you a fantastical and inspiring 2012!

'I believe in pink' notebook  *  Loewe notebook boxset

Amanda Ross Field Notebooks

Sparrow Nest Script notebooks

Notebooks designed by Pearl Lowe

Paul Smith Notebook - Liberty

All from Anthropologie

Have A Cupcake Journal * Rob Ryan Notebook - Liberty

 Floral Pip Studio notebooks  *  Monogrammed notebook

Large chucky wrap leather journal  *  Liberty crafted leather journal

Found on Etsy

What a great idea to customise your own Kraft Moleskine notebook with rubber stamping. I could get quite excited about this! In fact I've just found the Moleskine Artists Marketplace. Think I'm a bit behind with the times. Here are a few more I found on Etsy...

1. Marie1204   2. Finest Imaginary   3. cozyblue   4. Etsy Artist   5 & 6. Jacquelyn Vaccaro
7. Diana Parkhouse   8. Shoofly   9. Punkrawkpurl   10. Coloriffic Cupcake

Book Love: Secret Garden of Embroidery

I've just been flicking through the new November Anthropologie catalogue and came across these gorgeous embroidered Penguin Classic book covers by Jillian Tamaki. You can buy them at Anthropologie. I think they are beautiful and love the colours in the Secret Garden cover.

Book Love: Signed by Pia

One of my first posts on here was a review of the beautiful book 'My Heart Wanders' by Pia Jane Bijkerk. Well Pia has just announced that for November only she will be sending signed copies of her book to anywhere in the world. So for those of you who fell in love with the book via my post, visit Pia's online book boutique and get your copy. She is also signing her other books, Amsterdam: Made by Hand and Paris: Made by Hand as well. Thank you Pia, just in time for Christmas!!

Book Love: The Good Life

I don't exactly call myself a great chef but it is my love of books and their design that often draws me to a cook book rather than the interesting recipes it contains. I recently came across The Good Life (Panmacmillan), a great cookbook by Australian celebrity chef Adrian Richardson ( La Luna Restaurant). The book focuses on homegrown and homemade and has been art directed brilliantly by agency A Friend of Mine to reflect this. Everything about it is raw, rustic and freshly made. I love the way actual food and different mediums have been used to form fun, handwritten typography. The attention to detail even goes as far as the bookmark being like a gingham table cloth! 

One of the things I love most about books is their smell and I bet this one smells divine, just looking at it makes me drool!

Read more about it here. Buy it here. 

All Images from A Friend of Mine
Photography by John Laurie
Food & styling by Simon Bajada

Falling in love with a book

I recently came across the world of Pia Jane Bijkerk and what a wonderful world that is. I just had to order her gorgeous book My Heart Wanders. There was only one left in stock on Amazon so I took that as my sign that it was meant for me. When I returned from my weekend away it was waiting for me on the doorstep. I knew what was inside the parcel and couldn't open it quick enough. Well, it had me at hello! I wasn't expecting such a big hardback book but I am so glad that it is. Each page is absolutely beautiful and so captivating. As a memoir of Pia's travels through Paris, Amsterdam and Sydney, it is filled with details, inspiration, love and plenty of emotion.  It has touched my wandering heart and one day soon I will certainly be following it..........