It takes two to tango

In the words of my hero and Queen of colour, Kate Spade, "It takes two to tango."

And today I celebrate my two years in Melbourne.

Two crazy years scarred by two massive false starts.

I may not have found my dancing feet just yet - I've tripped up, fallen, sprained an ankle or two, been stepped on by dancing partners, been judged unfairly, ripped skirts and got stage fright - but this year, with two years under my belt, I'm ready to tango.

Yes, it takes two to tango and it's taken two years to get here. It's not where I thought I'd be, it's not where I wanted to be. But I've still got my dancing shoes on.

Maybe next year I'll be ready for a waltz. 

Gifted

A quick debrief on my Christmas haul (because we all loved my annual wish list, oui?!) ...

I was a very good girl and Father Christmas was uber kind.

Look what he left under the tree!

Nespresso, Kate spade and my girl Sam. Nailed it, big man!

I was ridiculously spoiled by friends and fam and won't go into detail with a list of gifts but more than anything, above and beyond the material possessions, I'm very grateful for the time everyone gave me over Christmas - time with my niece and nephew, time with my grandparents, time with my friends and their new bubs, time with my pregnant gal pals, time with old workmates, time with my parentals, time with my godchildren and time with the bride. This is what I'll cherish from my two weeks home.

That, and the coffee ;)

I hope you all had lovely holidays and took time out to spend with loved ones.

xx

Did you hear?

 

Did you hear?

 

 How am I the last person to find out?

 

Kate Spade is coming to Australia.

 

Hello Sandra Sully with the late news.

 

I'm beyond excited, ecstatic, I'm lost for words.

 

She's opening her doors tomorrow . . . in Melbourne. Yes, Melbourne. Where I live!

 

After much anticipation, Emporium is throwing open its doors and welcoming a bucketload of international designers to our shores. Uniqlo, Zoo York and Brooks Brothers are just some of the big names to be settling into my 'hood.

 

So much fashionable fun to be had in Melbs of late. I haven't even been to H&M yet, and am still in 'tourist' mode whenever I walk through Zara's doors. But Kate Spade? My mecca, my safe haven, my happy place. Only 15 mins away from my office and home. Too much. I'm giddy.

 

Such good timing with my birthday only two weeks away. Friends and family, you know what to do.

 

xx

View from the floor

Getting fit isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I hurt my hip at bootcamp a month ago and have been at the physio ever since. She's given me stretches to do but I've been slack with my homework and with another appointment tomorrow, I was trying to fit in one last mega stretch in front of the telly tonight.

I'd gone for a run on the treadmill (again, in front of the telly) earlier this evening and by the time I got down to my floorwork, I found it incredibly hard to get back up. 

Ouch. I hurt.

Anyway, I looked up from the floor to see what I could use to help pull myself up with (what a wuss I am!) and was pleasantly surprised by all the colour in the room. A bit overcome, would probably be a better description, but it certainly looks like a happy space (if not incredibly messy!).

View from the floor. Yep, they're my stretches at the bottom of the photo. Fat lot of good they're doing.

I thought I'd take you through some of my favourite things in my living room . . . and then you can help me 'edit' it (in the words of Emma). It's all a bit cluttered and crazy at the moment - I've been collecting random bits and bobs since I bought my little shoe box four years ago but have failed to 'curate' a collection and instead, put things where I see a space.

Hmm, I have a lot to learn!

Now to some of the things I love . . .

The For Like Ever poster up the back on the right

I know, I know, I still have to find a home for it! And did you notice the little mini version on the tray? My workmates gave it to me in the interim while we waited to get my big one framed. So sweet x

My Kate Spade dessert plates 

In the pink box under the nail polishes. Gemmal, you spoil me x

. . . and Kate Spade tea cup and saucer

Feel like such a lady drinking from this, thanks Bree x

My cushion collection

It's slowly coming together, love love love my three newest additions care of Lill and Peach. Floral is really working for me at the moment

Fresh flowers

Bluebells from Granny's garden and a pretty bunch from a boy I went on a date with last weekend (I know, who said chivalry was dead?)

My Notting Hill print

Aaahhhh, London. Need I say any more?

My dupion silk lampshade

Stunning cranberry, navy and jade green check . . . gosh I need to paint that base!

My vintage vase

First purchase from Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things!

Bentwood chair

This has reminded me I need to put it back in the kitchen! It's one of four but we ran out of red spray paint and is the only one still in its natural state. Thanks for your bargain hunting skills JB!

Inspirational quotes

Love the framed hot pink one from Ad "There is nothing like a dream to create the future"

Coffee table books

Some people collect shoes but I go for coffee table books - cookbooks are my weakness followed by French inspired beauties

And that's just to name a few.

So . . . it's a mess, but a work in progress.

And a place I love to call home!

Any suggestions!?

Art of the dot

A girl after my own heart.

Kate Spade.

Maid to perfection

Love love love!

This hits all the right notes for me (five times a bridesmaid . . . and never one day a bride!)

And have you seen the his & her collection.

So sweet!

Shop the look here

Arm candy

Tried to master the art of arm candy at the polo on the weekend.

Shame I didn't try harder with the photography!

Woke up with them all still on Sunday morning. Classy.

Jealous much?

To my blog friends in the States, please indulge me . . . go visit your local Kate Spade sample sale and come back and tell me about all the bargains on offer.

Check it out

I'm excited!

Why oh why can't we have a store in Australia?

LOVE LOVE LOVE the latest Kate Spade Wedding Belles collection.

This professional bridesmaid (five times and counting!) knows a great wedding element when she sees it and gosh, how our lives would be easier if we had Kate Spade at our fingertips!

See the full collection here

Twirl

Kate Spade.

Stunning as always.

Happy Valentine's Day xo

Vid from katespadenewyork youtube channel

Yes, this could be love

Everyone has their style icon. And yes, I have a soft spot because we share the same name, but seriously, Kate Spade is ah-mazing. Pure class personified - and better yet, caught in print!

I've adored her since I worked in David Jones as a uni student nearly ten years ago and first came across her handbags in the 'posh' section downstairs. My fascination grew until I finally found myself on her home turf in NY, stumbling upon her store in SoHo, two minutes before closing time. They were literally counting the till and ready to flick the lights when Bree and I turned on our 'we've come all the way from Australia!' story and they let us have a quick squizz.

I was hooked.

Four years on from that NY love affair, I have still failed to save my pennies to indulge in a Kate Spade purchase. Pathetic, I know. But the gorgeous Bree knew how to satisfy my cravings (within our budgets!) and bought me the Kate Spade Style book a few years back. Gorgeous, the perfect gift. I've cherished it, handling it with great care and eagerly anticipating the day I can display it with pride in my Anna Spiro decorated house.

So, you can imagine my complete delight when the oh-so-geneorous and wonderfully styley Kelly presented me with Kate Spade's Occasions book last weekend. Bree too was rewarded and was blown over by her gift - the Style book. Together we were tickled pink to be thrown into the magical world of Kate Spade - so much colour, grandeur and sophistication. And to think, all we did was play Mum and keep Zara busy for a couple of hours!

My fave quotes from Occasions:

• Hospitality makes for infectious fun
• My feeling is that you should put your personal stamp on everything - the goal is to reflect your passions
• I love a place that has a hint of formality. Not a lot, just enough to make it seem important and special
• I never think of the people who are still with us at the end of the evening as the hangers-on, but as the true soldies of the night . . . and usually they're our closest friends
• Do plan some activities in advance, but be sure to leave room for spontaneity
• Q: How do you end a cocktail party? A: I'd hit the breaker switch and turn off all the lights and music (Andy Spade)

An absolute hosting goddess.

It just leaves Manners now - and I'm glad this has been left til last. I'd hate to think that someone thought I needed some tutoring in this department! Having said that, I think I know what will be top of my birthday list this year!

Kate by name . . .

Have you seen how cute the Kate Spade Christmas gift guide is this year? You HAVE to log on and check it out - all the little pictures are animated and have the most adorable sound effects. Check it out here.