Breaking Design News

Anna Spiro of Black and Spiro and my Blogging friend (Absolutely Beautiful Things) will be featured in the May 2010 issue of Canadian House and Home Magazine! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. It will be so wonderful to read about someone we have all come to know and love over the last few years. (In other Design/Packaging news.....Wasaga Beach Coffee, the certified organic & fair-trade coffee that I branded is a hit here in The Beach!) Tastes delish too. LPxo

Mod Vic Style

Victoria Day (in French: Fête de la Reine), colloquially known as May Two-four, May Long, or May Run, is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before or on 24 May, in honour of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign's official birthday. It has been marked since before Canada was formed, originally falling on the sovereign's actual birthday, and continues to be celebrated across the country on a fixed date and in various fashions, also being considered an informal mark of the beginning of the summer season. Trust me, you know it's the beginning of summer here in Wasaga Beach because thousands of party goers invade the sandy shore.

Victorian Style looks like this and described very well by BBC here. Mod Vic Style is everywhere today as old homes are renovated and interiors updated. Mod Vic Style is ever present in the craft (31,000 items on Etsy) and design world too.

And you thought May Two Four was just about beer. (it starts...right...now!)

Victorian Flickr Images and Modern Victorian Flickr Images

That's So Fricke

Chandeliers in vans. Now that's a new idea. Spotted by Shannon Fricke in Paris. That's So Fricke.

That's So Fricke

Liberty Post says: "That's So Fricke"

Click on the pretty picture.

My Perfect Blogger

Does this image look familiar? This photo is famous. It's not that it is The Swan House. It's because it is 'My Perfect House' of our beloved blogebrity friend Villa Anna. She has decided to take an extended hiatus from blogging. I say, 'please drop by her blog today and give her the love'. If she feels the 'love' then maybe she'll stick around long enough to realize she is a valuable voice in the blogosphere.

That's So Fricke

Her words. Her way. Her creativity. Her Ideas. Her inspiration. Her Book.

The Power of Transformation. That's So Fricke. (Photo: Prue Ruscoe)

Blue Sydney November 14th

It's not blue because I'm leaving Australia. It's blue because it's World Diabetes Day and that's very, very, very important to me.

Australia Week Grand Finale: Pia Jane Bijkerk

My week featuring Australia would not be complete without a post about one of my all time favorite artists, bloggers, photographers, stylists, authors...friend. Pia Jane Bijkerk. Have you seen her post on the Sydney Symphony? And why you ask, would a woman living on a boat in Amsterdam do a post about that? Well it's simple. She's Australian!

A little about Pia…
Upon finishing her BFA in film and photomedia some ten years ago, Pia established INDIGO artefacts, a homewares and furniture boutique on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. She spent four years sourcing unique artefacts from around the world, as well as providing an in-store interiors consultant service for her customers, specialising in natural and organic alternatives for the modern home. The store was featured in various lifestyle magazines and local newspapers, and had a customer base that stretched to Europe and Canada. In 2001 she established INDIGO Teahouse in the same suburb, a gourmet café catering to the local business crowd. Running the two businesses as proprietor and manager proved… exhausting. Tired & rundown at a ripe 24, Pia made the heart wrenching decision to sell up shops. And after some well-needed time off, she edged her way into the world of styling. Keeping in line with her love of interiors and handmade products, she takes great delight in sourcing and shooting the best of the best for her clients while still remaining resourceful with natural choices coming first. She currently divides her time living and working between Paris, Amsterdam and Sydney. She is a dedicated humanitarian. (Hear Sydney here and here)

Pia has touched my heart in so many ways. She is a wonderful musician (tissue time) and a giving Blogebrity. You will find her talent overflowing and seeping from your computer screen into your soul. She has a charismatic magic about her. I believe that she is destined for greatness.

Pia, Thank You ever so much for writing about Australia Week. Big Canadian Bear Hug!

And so long Australia, until I can visit you for real (or until I get an unexpected & delightful invitation, project or job offer)