Over a cuppa with... other bloggers

I was lucky enough to go to Alt Summit in Salt Lake City this year, (huge and fabulous blog conference if you don't know it).  It was so inspiring to be surrounded by other bloggers and creative people and I wanted to keep the momentum going at home in Sydney.
So I have rounded up every blogger, future blogger and blog lover I know and we are going to get together tomorrow, over a cuppa, and get to know each other off line.

I can't wait!  I made these I shared a cuppa with... notes so we can all remember who was there.  I have a feeling that this year is going to be all about connections and collaborations, and where better to start than with the lovely people you know already.
Watch this space...and if you are keen to meet up too drop me an email and I will let you know when we are meeting next.

over a cuppa with...emma of my bespoke chair

Have you ever wanted to design a bespoke piece of furniture?  Something just right, that nobody else has, the finishing touch for your home?  Hop onto My Bespoke Chair, I think I have found just what you need.  

My Bespoke Chair was created by the charming Emma Viega-Malta who we will be getting to know over a cuppa today.  Emma is an artist and designer who has a successful business creating unique commissioned paintings for both business and homes.  When Emma moved to Sydney in 2011 this business expanded to include designing co-ordinating fabrics to upholster bespoke pieces of furniture.  Wanting to offer her unique fabrics and service to a wider market, like many media savvy designers, Emma took her ideas online.  My Bespoke Chair was created, a fun interactive design tool which allows you to style a chair of your choice in endless combinations, until you get it just right, then order it online.  Choose your chair, select the fabric and trim combinations, create an unique piece just perfect and just for you.  See some of my faves below the Q&A.
Like Emma herself the collection is stylish and classic, but always unexpected, and lots of fun.  
Lets get to know Emma a bit better!

The Barcelona and Swan chairs are my favourites, but making the fabric choices is hard.  To make it easier My Bespoke Chair is offering a free fabric sample service, choose three fabrics and swatches will be posted out to you to try out in your rooms at home.

Go on, have some fun, play designer for a bit and see what you can create.

best of...over a cuppa with...

I thought I would share a few of my favourite posts with you while I am travelling to Alt SLC.
I thoroughly enjoyed doing mini Q&A's with the ladies at both Sirens Swimwear and Ivy & Piper.  They are fresh and funny, creative and talented women who have started wonderful brands.  I hope you enjoy getting to know them over a cuppa just as much as I did.   To read the mini Q&A's click on the pictures below.

I have been wearing my siren costume all season and loving how I feel in it.  Its not to late for you to go online and become a Siren too.  Pictured above are the: New Classic in Black, Miranda in red stripe, Buttercup in yellow

There is not much the talented design duo from Ivy & Piper can't do.  I have been enjoying their fabulous free online magazine this year, I always look forward to it arriving in my inbox.  And featured above are a few of their fabric and wallpaper designs: Looking Glass, About Town, Chinoise Soiree Black

I look forward to introducing you to some other lovely people in 2013.  If there is anybody you would like to meet, or you think I should, please let me know.

over a cuppa with.....sirens swimwear

Back in the Old Hollywood Glamour days starlets laughed in the face of size zero.  They had bums and boobs and thighs, and the best photography and make up ever.  Curves were celebrated and admired, desired, flaunted even.  
Self styled as Ava Gardener meets Nancy Ganz, Sirens Swimwear is taking the beach back to glamour.  Gorgeous fresh fabrics, hidden flattening and supporting tricks, and a style choice for every woman.  Just add red lipstick, confidence and smile, and tadaaa! you can be a Siren too.
Clockwise from top left: 1. Aren't these two gorgeous!   The delicious Sally and Margie, wearing their Sirens designs, and totally capturing glamour, fun and confidence.  2. Ava Gardener wears a sunny yellow bikini and red lippy.  Get the look with Ruched Bikini in yellow check. 3.  Miranda in red stripe.  4. New Classic in green spot.  Visit the website to see the full Sirens range.

Since my second baby, and starting my fourth decade, I am more curvealicious than I used to be.         My blue check Siren from the first season was a boost for my post baby wobbly tummy confidence last summer.   Its still gorgeous but I am going to be looking for a companion at the 2012 Collection launch tonight.   I will get back to you with the inside story on the show, but for now, please meet the designer Sirens themselves -  Sally and Margie.

Thanks for playing Sirens.   Aren't they gorgeous?
Right!  Beach anyone?  Where's my red lippy.

Over a cuppa with.....Ivy & Piper

Let me introduce you to two wonderful ladies and an online treat.  The talented Elizabeth Raptis and Melanie Parker from Ivy & Piper seem to be able to design anything: interiors, colourful fabrics, homewares, pajama's, an online magazine (this is the treat), is there nothing these two can't do?

via Ivy & Piper: I&P head quarters with I&P designed chandelier, Elizabeth and Melanie, extract from the mag

Their designs and magazine are super stylish, classic with irrepressible freshness.  This is how I imagine they are in person too - like champagne with a twist of lemon zest, full of life, full of fun.   

Their pages brim with energy, a mix of interiors, fashion, homewares, jewellery and art, all the lovely things that catch their fancy.  And I love the online format, it reads better than other ereaders I use, and its very interactive.  So you like that necklace?  Click - and you are through to where its from, effortless.  Its meant to be an inspiration and it is, and did I mention that its free?

So what's next?  September sees the launch of a new online store featuring one of a kind finds as well as their own designs.  I can't wait to see it, and where do they find the time?  With all this creative whirlwind going on Elizabeth took time out to answer a mini Q&A.  Her answers made me laugh, yes - full of life and full of fun.  Thank you Elizabeth. Enjoy.

  

Our new website rocks my world. You can shop our beautiful homewares and read our latest magazine for delicious interior inspiration from around the world. We are constantly adding new products and designs to the store, from our in house Ivy & Piper line to vintage one-of-a-kind pieces, so it’s very exciting to see our range grow.