New York New York

It has been a fun week and a very busy week.  On Wednesday night we went to the Matchbook magazine launch here in Soho which was hosted by Rita Konig, John Derian and Lela Rose.  It was so great catching up with Katie, Jane, Fallon, Ashlina, Alaina and Michelle Adams. 

On Thursday night we caught up with Patricia van Essche at Balthazar also in Soho and tonight we had drinks with Heather from Habitually Chic here at The Crosby Hotel.  We also ran into Kathryn Ireland in the lobby this afternoon.  It was so lovely to see her again and I told her how much I loved the house she decorated which was featured in the latest World of Interiors magazine.  It is divine.  I actually spent the entire flight over here pouring over the article...truth be told!

Today we visited Elizabeth Bauer at her beautiful store and met her cute dog and chatted with her about decorating and she told us she is opening up a store in the Hamptons over the Summer with her mum which sounds very exciting.  Her store is so beautiful and full to the brim with things I loved.  All of the photos above were taken at her store today.  I have felt such a connection with her work ever since Lonny did a story on her a while ago.

In amongst all of that we have scoured and fossicked and found some amazing things for Black & Spiro.  I can't wait for everything to be delivered in the coming months.  It really has been such an inspiring and invigorating trip.  Now I can't wait to get home to see my boys who are apparently missing me immensely...not to mention how much I am missing them!!

xx
Anna

February

Happy February.  Today I found these beautiful vintage letters at Paula Rubenstein in Soho, New York.  I placed them in the snow on a table in the courtyard at our hotel.  What a contrast to January which we wrote in the sand at the beach and decorated with shells just last month.  For me February is about getting back into the swing of things.  It's also the month we celebrate love.  Here's to a wonderful and productive February!!

Overpacked

I seem to have a rather persistent problem when it comes to packing a suitcase and that is I completely overpack.  Every single time I just can't help myself and the worst thing of all is that my carry-on luggage could be compared to everything 20 people would need for a 2 week holiday.  It is just ridiculous. 

However, after hauling my usual 10 tonnes of so-called 'I can't live without' luggage on a 20 hour flight from Brisbane to New York a few days I ago it was quite humorous to read an article by Amanda Fortini in the New York Times this morning in which she proclaims her obsession with the overpack too. 

I was comforted by the fact that she too has packing anxiety and as her friend kindly puts it - 'It's like you're traveling by ocean liner.  Will you be accompanied by a porter?'  I WISH I could be accompanied by a porter.  Usually my husband is around and has in the past helped me lug large seashells in my carry-on luggage from Hawaii and cushion covers, mirrors and a painting from LA but this time it is just me and my carry-on and let me tell you it is exhausting running for a connecting flight with 3 heavy bags.  I have vowed and declared that on our return flight next week I will only be bringing 1 bag into the cabin with me and the rest will be checked in.  It will be interesting to see how I go.

It is snowing here in New York which is quite amazing as this time last week I was swimming in our pool with Harry and Max in 30 + degrees.

Happy Weekend

Have a fantastic, colourful and happy weekend!

image source unknown

Matchbook

I have been a follower and admirer of Katie Armour's blog, The Neo-Traditionalist for quite sometime.  She is always coming up with the most stylish things.  So when I found out she was starting an online mag with fellow editors Jane Lilly Warren & Fallon Hogerty I was very excited.  Yesterday the girls launched Matchbook which no doubt many of you are already aware of.  I was thrilled to be included as above and I loved the interview on Rita Konig.  I think they have succeeded in creating something a little different and I can't wait to finish reading their launch issue tonight. 

Today

Today I collected together a little group of mismatched, brightly coloured fabrics for some cushions for a client's sofa.  I never tire of putting different fabric combinations together and I always try to make sure each client has a different combination so as to keep their look unique to them.  Lately I have been so inspired by fashion and the combinations of different fabrics fashion designers have been using in one outfit.  I love the way Easton Pearson mixes fabrics and incorporates beading, frilling and special details in their designs.  The top image is actually a collection of Easton Pearson dresses from 2008.  I like the colour combination used in those 4 dresses and would love to create a room scheme using this image as inspiration.

image 1 - jane roarty stylist

Just a few pictures I love to begin the week...

image 1 via haute rummage, image 2 via julia, image 3 via aged & gilded