Lovely Amsterdam

I'm back from beautiful Amsterdam and thought I would share some of my shots with you, it was my first trip and hopefully not my last. Have a lovely weekend! 

The Design Files Open House

I visited the Design Files Open House on the weekend, along with many other excited shoppers, and it was hard to pick a favourite - but it has to be this stunning umbrella from Basil Bangs called Chaplin Stripe. This would be perfect out on the front deck for summer! Hmm will Hubby let me buy it - lets see :) 

Prunella in Country Style

What a fabulous surprise when I got home to my new subsciption of Country Style magazine (thankyou to by beautiful Mother!) And opened it up to a lovely story on two very talented and creative ladies, a white ago I visited their gorgeous store Prunella in Kyneton and met the very passionate Vanessa, I have been googling country properties ever since. For my last post on the store click here. 


This is not a huge store but it is just so beautiful I was lost for words when i entered, this story is very inspiring and the styling by Mr Proebstel and photography by Ms Cairns is to dye for (like usual).

The interior of their store above and below. Does make you hope that someone special will bring you flowers home tonight (hint!)

Get yourself a copy of the Sept issue so you can read this lovely story if you are considering a Tree change like myself, and because it is a great issue and is fast becoming my new favourite magazine. 

London calling!

So here I am in London town, just as bustling as usual, I am currently trying to write while siting in a very trendy bar at St Martins Lane hotel listening to a lovely african man play the drums to very cool music - so excuse any mistakes it is loud in here but they have wifi!

I think I have been walking around dreaming of the sunshine in Stockholm today as it is 18 degrees and raining here :( 2 days shopping, first day was an adventure in Islington and Shoreditch but one wrong turn and a dodgy map and I ended up discovering the estates of Hackney - 30 minutes of walking later I finally found a bus to take me closer to where I was meant to be! I have been mastering the london buses this trip!

Above are a few shots of the stores in islington, a gorgeous store called "Loop" specialising in very impressive knitting yarns and patterns, I was blown away - the girls where so nice and it could even make me think about picking up the needles again! The store next door named "SMUG" a small and unique homewares collection with a cool name in a very cute pedestrian walkway full of antique stores. And then the super cool store of Abigal Ahern, a moody black store with oversized items and lushly coloured flowers - stunning! 

Second day out and about and I started off with the elegance of Harrods! a store that somehow manages to be perfect and beautiful each visit even with the hundreds of thousands of tourists who flock through it each year. How I'd love to see AURA in Harrods (you may be seeing a pattern here:) Now if you have some spare cash below are a couple of gems worth considering, a big rock of Amethyst at 22kilos and a giant Pyrite from Peru weighing in at 100kilos and on sale for 10,999 pounds! Only at Harrods! 

The new Paul Smith kids collection on display in Harrods windows, it is amazing to be able to travel the world and see all of this wonderful retail! Harrods and Oxford Street definately defies the suggestion that retail is slow - these stores are so busy its crazy! 

Anthropology in The Kings Road - how I love Anthropologie - this store is amazing, always inspiring and fresh - each time I visit I am just overcome - strange I know but there isnt much else like it in the world really and this Kings Road store is fabulous, I could just stay in there and admire all day! 

Above, is a wishing pond in Anthropologie and below a lovely display of green ceramics in a garden rotunda I guess youd say. Now I dont know any other store with their own pond??

Another bus ride and the window of the Regent street store above (sadly closed - 8pm is just too early in a city with so many stores!!) anyway very sore feet and on to my ridiculously cool hotel past the beautiful Liberty store and a few happy tourists and locals in Soho- every night in London seems like Friday night! 

Hard to say goodbye to a beautiful hotel like this! So until next time good old London town now on to the most romantic city in the world for some more shopping! x

AURA hits the lingerie dept in MYER

A couple of shots from our lovely Visual Merchandiser Tanya in Sydney this week, our Satin Sequin cushion cosying up to a punk chic in the Myer Lingerie section - loving the boots and the hair!

And abit of AURA Love in Sparkling Grape, nicely matched back with the soft purple in the boots - cant help but love the little frill socks peeping out! Nice work Myer.

Zara finally here

Well the day has finally arrived that Zara has blessed us Melbournites with her presence, heres a shot taken in the city today of the crowds looking pretty excited and looking like they dont mind abit of a wait! With the newly renovated Myer and David Jones and now Zara - there's 3 good reasons to start shopping in Melbourne city centre again! 

Bike ideas

I've been doing abit of research lately on a new bike, after managing to sell my mountain bike on ebay so now I have the exciting challenge ahead of finding a new one. Looking around I have found out that ladies bikes have definately become a total fashion statement of style! What to ride? There are seriously some stylish bikes around and some are really built for looking lovely over speed - I fancy abit of both to be honest. Above, I'm loving the pearlescent Aqua Blue of this beautiful Neorealista a sporty Italian hand made bike from the Bella Ciao collection, and below the luxury cromed Moscova bike! This could be just a touch to "show off" for me.

Below is the Pilen Special, looking lovely in cream, "Pilen bikes are about Love - of bicycle riding, of the craftmanship, of the materials and of the people who own them". 

This beauty below is the Victoria Balloon from Velorbis - "the most prestigious two wheels you will ever own" the Victoria comes with these very cool brown Fat Frank balloon tyres, and luxurious brown leather accessories, a beautiful brooks saddle, handle trims and mud flaps. With a swan like shape it is stunning and i do fancy those leather satchels - made in Germany, this would definately set me back a few bob!

And my favorite at the moment is definately below, the Electra Ticino - I have been googling for weeks and if looks are anything to go by this beautiful lady is the winner - i'm loving the diamond shaped frame and the cool graceful vintage design but still looking very sporty. I think I will head out this weekend for some test riding to make a decision. Now I just have to be able to find one to ride? But dont worry you will never see me doning the lycra on this baby!

Anthropologie Earth Day Windows

Take a look at these beautiful shots from Anthropologie's store windows to support Earth Day. Made from the most amazing coloured corks. With sustainability in mind of course - they have transformed their windows into fabulous art during April. See more here to admire their brilliant work!

Prunella - Flowers make you happy

Above and below, gorgeous colours and styling at Prunella, Kyneton Victoria. I love the little bud vases and the green glassware, as well as the sign - Prunella - flowers make you happy - oh so true!

 Stunning dark walls below, help the foliage sing in the store.

The deepest dark walls and the most inspirational styling, that's what we found at Prunella, a florist in Kyneton that I can only describe as simply scrumptious. A few weekends ago my husband and I were out and about in Kyneton, Victoria and came across this little oasis of colour in the country. Prunella is more than just a florist it is a treasure trove of lovely objects styled in perfect harmony - truely beautiful. Sometimes things that are small and special are oh so much more perfect - Vanessa and Caris your lovely store took my breath away - Congratulations. Tracie x