Beauty In A Book...

I was completely blown away when I opened my mail packages the other day to find some of the most glorious books - thanks to Penguin...
One in particular is the new book from Saskia at Grandiflora florists in Sydney called Grandiflora Celebrations. Those of you who know Saskia's work will know well that she is such an extraordinary artistic talent. Her floral installations are more artwork than anything else - and in this new book she profiles some of the celebrations that she has worked on over the past little while - everything from weddings, to fashions launches, dinner parties, big parties... even a funeral... I was so inspired that I spent the night pouring over these beautiful pages... If you're a fan on the Facebook page - then you can see a video post that I've done on the book - although the book is back to front (I'm sure that there's a way to film yourself so you're not back to front? Anyone?) - if you 'like' the Facebook page then you can access to these video link ups - which, by the way, for better or worse (!) I will be doing a little more regularly because there's nothing quite like a video link up to make us feel together... If you have any questions regarding design/paint/fabric/anything at all - then email me at email@shannonfricke.com and I'll answer any questions via video...  Happy days for you...

A Broci Update...

I had to share where my gorgeous organic broccoli (see post yesterday) - grown in my own  vege patch (very proud!) - ended up... Yes, the broccoli - did make it into the pot - and was lovingly turned into broccoli soup - which (much to my 11 years olds initial disgust!) was on the dinner menu for last night (accompanied with homemade garlic bread - made with sliced Jordans Turkish bread - just to keep things global...) I think this has to be the best, best, best broccoli I've ever tasted in my whole life. Its subtle flavour is just so edible that the 11 year old ended up finishing off a bowl and a half! Go the purple broccoli, I say, it's purely sublime...

Today....

Today is just so stunningly beautiful that I had to share with you a little snippet of my corner of the world... The skies are the brightest blue - and the air is filled with springtime flavours - the temperature is warming up so beautifully that I am beginning to turn to the swimming pool as a pass time possibility... And the vege patch? Well, the vege patch is in bloom with rocket, lettuce, beetroot and broccoli... Yes, this purple floret is indeed an organic broccoli - picked straight from the garden... I can see a lovely broccoli soup coming on - and a rocket pesto pasta... Ah spring is in the air... I hope that life is abundant and beautiful in your little nook today...
p.s the shed out the back is coming along all - do you remember the one? I'm planning on holding workshops here - namely our Follow Your Heart Seminar days... The shed looks rather blue here - but it is in fact, a soft, feminine grey... Joni our stonemason is building the entrance stairs as we speak - and this side view will play host to a picketed terrace framed with box hedge and some sweet smelling jasmine... It's all coming together now... Finally! Good things do indeed happen slowly - but when they happen, it's like beautiful music...

New Chintz...

I love everything that the clever people over at No Chintz get up to - their stores are like candy stores for creatives everywhere - with colour, fabric and lots of little beauties colliding into one big aesthetic.
If you're a No Chintz follower then you'll be excited to see that they have updated their website - it's slick, contemporary and very easy to navigate but best of all - is full of all of the colour and excitement that No Chintz is famous for... Check it out here.... and Enjoy....

A Colourful Journey...

 The Colour Society Conference

 The Beautiful Ecoco Store In Launceston

 Beautiful Women Who Love To Decorate

Decorative Creations

I've had the loveliest few days down here in Tasmania all - the weather is divine - and the spring flowers are in pure abundance, with blossom and magnolias everywhere! I had a lovely day at The Colour Society conference - where I was asked to speak on colour and in particular the language that we use to make colour more palatable and easier to digest for pass time decorators... Colour can be the trickiest thing to get right after all! Then, it was to the beautiful and totally sublime store Ecoco, owned by aesthete Di Loone for our inaugural How To Decorate in Launceston Workshop. What a lovely group girls attendeed - each with such a unique style and way of seeing things. The light and the environment in Tasmania informs so much of the interior design and general aesthetic - all the way down to the food. Thanks Di for hosting the workshop - and thanks so much to Erin, Liana, Di, Marylynn, Mel and Johanna for attending. It was very nice to meet you too. Tonight - I'm off to Black Cow - an modern institution here in Launceston for lovers of meat everywhere! I can't wait... My taste buds are bursting. And then tomorrow - (after a quick breakfast at Stillwater) I'm back to the farm to reconnect with my family after a few days away...

Thanks to Tasmania for the warmest of welcomes - I hope to be back real soon...

Sx

For all you lovers out there.

Anthropologie lovers that is... One of my favourite stores is reducing their shipping charges by half for orders to Australia until September 30th, 2011..and here are a few of my favourite things..

anthropologie.com

Pretty Bottles All In A Row...

terrain @ Styers

Have some old bottles lying around? Why not pretty them up with some blooms from the garden? I love a single flower stem in a dusty, old bottle... And clustered together in groups at different heights, makes for a lovely centre piece... Head to the Heaths Old Wares website for old bottles a plenty...

A Little Shabby Chic...

Loving the cover of Rachel Ashwell's new book - due for release in September...

NYC Styling...

'If I can make it there - I'll make it anywhere' - so says old blue eyes... Yes, New York, you're a wonderful town - and there are just so many Australians doing fabulous and creative things over there. In fact, it could be fair to say that it's an Australian aesthetic that's informing much of the magazine and advertising world of NYC right now. One such person whose influence is widely felt is the beautiful Marcus Hay. Those of you who've come across Marcus will know his work well, and know too that's he's such a dream of a guy... Here's some of his work for your viewing pleasure - you'll find more here...

Bloomin' Lovely...

I do love Bloomingville - that gorgeous Danish brand of goodness and loveliness for the home... Here are some bloomin lovely pics for your viewing pleasure...

NYC In Bloom...

I was on a hunt for flowers during my trip to NYC... And I wasn't disappointed... The flower markets are abundant with the most extraordinary array of flowers you will find anywhere - and if you get there early enough in the morning then you're sure to catch the best of the bunch... A little bit of jet lag and total time confusion meant that I was at the market super early this time - I wondered why there were so few people out on the New York streets when I made my way by subway up to the 28th Street market... Thinking that 6.30am was actually 8.30am will do that to a girl! But the early bird approach was worth it - as I came home with bucket loads of the most beautiful hydrangeas and lilacs - amongst others... You'll see a lot of hydrangeas in NYC - and in Newport too - they are delightful in pinks, purples and a colourful fusion... My NYC friends laugh at my fascination with this wonderful bloom - as they are so abundant over there, they're considered a bit of a weed! But nonetheless, I was overjoyed at every sighting...

Esmerelda and Ray Fall In Love...

I do so love Nadine from Art Piece Gallery in rural Mullumbimby - she has the most extraordinary eye and pulls together such diverse and creative exhibitions. This one, Esermerelda and Ray Fall in Love is just one example... How brave... How forward... How sublime... I guess that's what's so wonderful about living in the artistic hub of Australia - is that it draws the likes of some of the country's most extraordinary artists... The new exhibition at Art Piece is called Paper Trails and as always, is worth a visit... If you're visiting the area, don't forget to take a drive to Mullumbimby - inparticular to visit Nadine... She's so lovely and always up for a chat about art, life, the area...

Happy Weekend All...

Anthology Magazine

Friday, yes, it's Friday - and a lovely sunny one at that... Those of you who have traveled to Bangalow and Byron Bay when the sun is shining will know just how incredibly beautiful and soulful and free you feel as you tread across white sands, swim in aqua blue waters (yes, the water is warming up) - and eat the delectable local cuisine... And so, yes, I'm very much looking forward to spending the weekend up here in Bangalow - even more so, that the town has just won the 'Happiest Town In Australia' Award!
I'm also very excited because there is just one week to go before my final for 2011 Styling 101 workshop... As always, we have a fun day planned - with catering by the Harvest Cafe in Newrybar - including their freshly baked bread - baked onsite and with love, of course... If you feel a few days in Bangalow could be just what you're after - you're in luck as we still have spots left at the Styling 101 workshop... Head to shop here for all of the details and to book...
Happy Weekend All....