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.

Celebrations

This is gorgeous - makes me think of so many amazing ideas we could have done on our wedding day - but our day was perfect - this can be for someone else's special day :)

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.

Escape to the Country - it was worth the wait!

So it has been a bit of a journey over the past year, with a lot of trips to the country for husband and I but it was worth the wait. We are finally the very proud and excited owners of our new country escape, beautiful barn and all!!!

I can only thank my very supportive and patient husband (and AURA team who have had put up with me and live the dream) for coming on this life journey with me.  Oh and thanks in advance for the huge amount of painting that he may have to do later in the year. I have been told very loudly that he doesn't like gardening!

My husbands pride and joy "the barn" every man needs a shed! Without the barn I don't think he would have let us buy it. But I have to agree it is rather gorgeous. Watch this space, I am looking forward to sharing our adventures when the work begins! Lots of painting, decorating and veggie planting ahead.....

Channeling Constance

Last weekend I was lucky enough to have a day out with Mum in the country. We set off to a fabulous flower workshop called "Channeling Constance" at Prunella, our lovely friends in Kyneton. As well as being expertly guided in our creative arranging we were given a background on Constance. 

Constance Spry is one of their ongoing inspirations, an amazing woman who started her first flower shop in 1929, back when only men arranged flowers. She caused a sensation in fashionable society with her natural flower arranging in unusual containers and objects, using not only flowers but plant materials unheard of at the time; including weeds, grasses and ornamental kale! Constance created the flowers for many a royal wedding as well as being commissioned in 1953 to set the scene with floral creations at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. 

On 3 Jan 1960, she slipped on the stairs at Winkfield Place and died an hour later. Her last words were "Someone else will have to arrange this" now thats one cool lady! 

A special mention of Mums gorgeous creation above! And mine below!

Its all about Coral!

I am very inspired by "Coral" at the moment!

Check out all of the links to these gorgeous shots here.

Annie Smithers Garden Tour

Recently we where lucky enough to meet the wonderful Annie Smithers and be taken on a personal tour of her very inspirational working Garden in Malmsbury, country Victoria. The garden grows up to 90% of the produce used in her 2 restaurants. Since the tour I have been propagating my own seeds and working on making our own home garden into a "tiny" version of a kitchen garden....

Above is Annie in action on her very much loved red tractor! And below fabulous images of her acre of kitchen garden. 

 

Beautiful Carrots above, I have high aspirations for my home garden now!

Could this be the most beautiful Radicchio I have ever seen??? I think so!

Total Fennel envy!

Wondrous meters of berries! Annie also produces stunning jams and preserves from her gardens produce. 

Annies very elegant French Toulouse Geese slightly camera shy but absolutely stunning with their "fluffy" feathers on show. So if you are a keen home garden like we are then I highly recommend giving Annie a visit and getting your hands on her fabulous new book, which is full of recipes using the gardens produce and also a very inspiring read.  

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. 

Stone cottage in the Country

Could this be it! Our country getaway?? Hubby and I have been searching for about a year now for a special little place away from Melbourne and this could be the one! Well I'm not sure really but I'm hoping as I have been dragging him around country Victoria since last August looking and finally a lovely example of Bluestone history is for sale. How amazing it would be to have a getaway to go to that is indeed a special part of history. I believe this lovely little stone cottage must have been built around 1860/70s. Off for another drive now - fingers crossed!

Inspiration for the day :)

Thanks Helen :) 

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...