Santa Berries

OMG these are too cute!!! I think I am going to have to make these for Christmas. Santa Berries from leannebakes blog - not only are they adorable they are too easy! Check out the recipe here! 

Country Style Christmas Issue

The Country Style Christmas 2012 Issue has hit the shelves and inside is the most gorgeous story on "Seasonal flower arranging"styled by our friends of AURA, Caris and Vanessa from Prunella, the masters of floral art in Kyneton, Victoria and photographed by the legend herself Sharyn Cairns. The photography & styling is just stunning!

Today I love Blue

Could these be any more amazing if they tried? I think not - today I am totally obsessed with Blue, these utterly divine shots by Hans Blomquist, see more of my Blue inspiration here. 

Ellis House

So not long now and we will be spending our weekends relaxing in the Country (well hardly relaxing, more like painting, gardening and decorating) and I can't wait! So over the past few weeks as well as trying to nut out the perfect paint colours, I have been busy out and about sourcing wonderful finds for the house. It is amazing what you can find when you start looking! As well as many other things I have been looking for the perfect dining table which will seat 8 for the last couple of months. We really wanted a simply styled French Farmhouse table, with character and history. I found a fantastic 19th Century English table 3 weeks ago, and wasn't sure so let it go - but it was passed in at auction so I tried my hand at auction bidding this week and I am now the very proud owner of a wonderful table with loads of history, which as it happens matches my gorgeous antique Japanese stool.

A Melbourne Gem harnesses Feng Shui

Shot by the incredibly talented Sharyn Cairns and Styled by the Guru himself Glen Proebstel - Houzz has featured my very own house on their website titled "A Melbourne Gem harnesses Feng Shui" 
loving the title!

Ellis and her husband met with a feng shui expert before they moved into their house. "She told us that the place had a great feeling, that it was a happy place. But she also pointed out the changes we needed to make, like changing door-opening directions and moving doors, so that we could keep the good energy," says Ellis. 

Head over to their website if you would like to see more. Thank you Houzz!

Ceramics - will I be any good?

Sometimes you just need to do something creative that's out of your usual day to day life. So for me it was Ceramics. Will I be any good? Or will I be as bad as I was at high school? I don't know I do still have the emotional scars of the clay jumping off my wheel and flying across the room in year 10! I like the idea of 3 hours of concentrating on this lovely piece of clay, with the thought that I may indeed create something gorgeous. Whether I do or not is yet to be decided but I am enjoying trying so far. So thank you in advance to the lovely Ilona at Cone 11 for her patience! If you are keen to learn the art of "throwing" check out her available courses at the Abbotsford convent here.

My super cool new Vacuum

Sorry for the lack of posts lately - I have been fortunate enough to be travelling for the last 3 weeks and as well as having an incredibly inspiring trip I had a very nice surprise on return! I arrived home to a very clean house (thank you very much husband!) I do believe that this was helped by our super cool new Ergorapido vacuum that he thinks is quite fun :) It impressed me no end by vacuuming up not only our dogs hair but his visiting friend who was a Golden Retriever! Task well done! I am very thankful to anything that not only encourages my husband to clean, it comes in a super range of cool colours so if your in the need I highly recommend! :)

Color Inspiration - Soft Aqua's

 

Today I have been finishing off story boards for a media request and as well as cleaning my office (thank you for the request!) I've got a new found love of soft Aquas' and a desire to paint walls in French wash...
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6, 7 & 8 above. 

Blue - my new addiction!

It seems strange after all of these "non" Blue years that I have developed a new love for the colour Blue. I believe that I am the last of the AURA team to have this love of Blue - and I have fallen hard. When you see images like this above and below it's easy to see why.

Tie dye - yes please!! And the wall below is gorgeous against the white, wood and the lovely must have chair. Both from here.

Dining room (I think I can do this? But would I have the time? Not sure but it looks good) and love the Grey rugs and ottoman with the strong blue in this lounge. 

Painted Mirrors

I've been inspired by painted mirrors over the Easter break, here's a couple of gorgeous ones I found. Loving the yellow pop above, I could do this (hmm well I think I can) from here. And the super large white beauty below from here. I am now searching ebay for that perfect piece to paint there looks like some good projects out there.

Jaipur visit

When we arrived home from India this trip I actually wondered if there was any possibility that I would be lucky enough, or brave enough, to ever live in such a marvellous, mysterious, yet confronting country. With every trip I see more and learn more. I am fortunate enough to visit India twice a year and this must have been about my 30th trip! But this trip was different, I travelled with Jess, our Aura Sales and Product Co-ordinator. What a fabulous trip we had, the excitement of seeing the very first samples of our new Spring/Summer 2013 collection being hand crocheted, printed and woven right in front of us. We travelled to Delhi & Bangalore and also to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan where I have only been once before on holiday with my husband around 7 years ago!

Entering into the old city in Jaipur (founded in 1727) through the gates is always an emotional experience, immediately inspired , this is a city like no other! Jaipur is known as "The Pink City" and the locals are required to repaint their houses a terracotta colour to ensure it stays pink! We had a great visit to the City Palace to see some jaw dropping hand carving and painting!

Then off to the Johri Bazaar, this gentleman was very happy (we believe because he totally over charged me - oh well :) after walking around the back streets lost for a while it was worth the assistance! Johri is full of Jewellery and textiles as well as amazing colours and smells!

Some hard bargining was done with these 2 fella's and we ended up with 3 beautiful cutwork coverlets to take home at a great price, hand wash all the way I'm afraid! Chai anyone!

  Our amazing rooms at The Royal Heritage Haveli above and below! 

 

We were lucky enough to watch hand knotted rugs and block printing - what an art! Such beautiful work and the colours just shone in the sun!

Now that we are home we are looking forward to receiving all of our beautiful new samples for our next AURA collection! And I will definitely be returning to Rajasthan...