Camilla

Continuing on the happiness theme, here's another colour heaven - and one that delivers images of wafting around on yachts slurping cocktails in the sunshine with all the beautiful people!

I love Camilla.  Her designs are wild, yet wearable.  I've worn the same dress at night, then the next day, tucked into my pants to run around in and twisted at the neck to make it look completely different.  And now, deep joy, there is a diffusion range!  Cheaper and hand wash which makes shopping more justifiable than ever.

All pics - Camilla

Online shopping at Hush

I'm gradually giving away my London wardrobe - of late, I've been mostly to hot to wear anything but shorts and lightweight dresses.  In winter though, our hose at the top of a hill, looking out to sea, is absolutely freezing.  This year, we will be bending to a nice new gas heater but I'm also planning to make sure I have nice warm clothes to wear too.

I've found shopping in Sydney quite difficult.  In the city, girls are far smarter than London.  Locally though, its a bit more beach culture and everything is so expensive.  There is a local Bassike store in Avalon which has seen my credit card on occasion - but as has everyone else, and its only a small town and sometimes a vest top is all I need ...

Australia has yet to fully embrace the internet shopping culture.  Although it is growing, I find the shipping costs expensive and delivery times much longer - I'm still waiting on a sweater I ordered from Country Road over 10 days ago and now I don't want it!  Even shopping from the groundbreaking Next Catalogue (remember that?!) in the early '90's was within 4 days and with Net-a-Porter offering a shipped parcel within 48 hours to Australia, the competition I'm sure will no doubt shape up shortly.

In the meantime though, I've actually found it cheaper and quicker to buy online from the UK.  I know this is not great on my carbon footprint but I do buy responsibly, always asking where and how things are made - something I can't do in very many places in Australia.  I'm deeply upset at the demise of my favourite, Baby Ceylon, and will treasure the brightly coloured dresses I have from there forever.

For basics, I am very fond of Aussie-girl-turned-Brit, Mandy, who stocks excellent, well-made basics - dresses, jumpers, trousers and pyjamas at Hush.  The summer range has just hit the site and I got my order in yesterday as things usually sell out fast.  Although most of it is on back order, I'm fairly sure it will be here before the Country Road jumper.

And I know the clothes will fit right in here as I notice the catalogue shoot was done right up the road in Palm Beach's very own The Boat House!

* Pics from Hush

Emery et Cie tiles

I love High Road House in Chiswick for lots of reasons. It was close to where I used to work, and also close to where my brother lives so I've had the chance to visit on many occasions. The interior, like many of the others in the group was designed by Ilse Crawford, whom I think is wonderful. And the best bit of all is the tiled floor in the restaurant that is like a patchwork quilt.

I've spent a long time trying to find the creators of the tiles and I've cracked it! They are the work of Emery et Cie, and, amazingly for those of us who live in different climes, you can choose your own colour ways from a brilliant range.

They also have a wild range of tiles called 'Zelliges' which are made from clay only from Fez. They are rough and ready with lots of colour variations and imperfections which make them so beautiful. I'm also lusting after some gorgeous paint which I won't be able to get and some excellent wallpapers.

So, that's the bathrooms and the kitchens sorted then!

This lady loved them so much she's covered her whole house (and her outfit!)

Shopping: Tescos smartphones

Im not keen on Tescos. Even less so the 'Tescolisation' that is happening all over our planet. However, I do think this is a very clever idea.

Knowing that the locals in Korea are time starved, the store posted photographs of real ailes in railway stations. Consumers are able to purchase the products by scanning them with their smartphone, using the 'dead' time whilst waiting for a train. When they get home, TaDa! The shopping is delivered.

Rather than Tesco's there are loads of things Id like to be able to do this with. What about ordering a coffee, or a pizza to greet you at the other end.

Shop: Wardrobe by Wilkinson-Wyke

A biased bit of blogging here but not without some satisfaction. I have a dear friend Soraya, who has a knack of always finding something gorgeous where others fear to shop and who delves into her deep and magical wardrobe and adorns herself with something beautiful and stylish in a way that the rest of us can only drool. Until now, she's used her talents for friends who need something spectacular to be sourced. I've been on at her forever to turn it into a business and now it seems my nagging might have worked! Finally she has done it!

So (drumroll please...) ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you....

Wardrobe by Wilkinson-Wyke.

Soraya specialises in Art Deco and early 20th Century pieces - clothing, accessories and homewares. Happy shopping!

Greetings from the White House

There are some benefits to endless-Bladerunner-death-scene style rainfall here in Sydney.... The decorator who promised to come in September called to say she was on her way and has spent the week painting and now our 1970's style ski lodge ceiling is no longer. Our brown wooden window frames now match the white clouds amongst which, due to our elevated position, we now sit.

I've also been able to crack open the boxes of books that I haven't seen for 3 years and still smell of Primrose Hill and the Japanese plastic toys, so loved by beloved. And whilst we've still got a very long way to go, its all starting to feel a bit like home.

So here then are some of our corners. Our eating corner with our Gary's table, the Star Wars print we bought in Nelly Duff on Columbia Road and some of M's own paintings. Some of the aforementioned books and the 70's coffee table and white vases I bought once upon a time for the black slate fireplace in Holland Road - filled with pretty white blossom that is another benefit of the winter here.

Shop: Ras shoes

Been on a bit of a shoe fest recently. One of my findings is the lovely Spanish shop, Ras, who sell perfect pumps, clogs and boots that smack of the shoes you lusted after, when you were 12 and on holiday with your parents.

They have one outlet in Paris and their online shop appears to sell overseas.

Shop: Renaissancelife.co.uk

Pretty and rather unusual necklace from Renaissancelife.

Shop / cafe: Petersham Nurseries

Yes I know its much blogged about. I'm not even sure these photos are much cop but its always on my regulars list and it never fails to disappoint. This time, it was a visit with my sister and her 8 month old daughter, who gurgled in her chair as we sat in the courtyard eating courgette pasta and drinking rose-flavoured Fentimans lemonade. After that a lust around the shop and a drool over the plants that I can no longer buy, followed by a quick lap round the Thames walkway outside.

Shop: Baby Ceylon

90 percent of my wardrobe has been purchased from Baby Ceylon over many years, mostly in a variety of shades of blue and green and each piece still gets a mention. This year I'm lusting after the Avalon red dress which must be a sign.

Baby Ceylon

12 Portobello Green Arcade

281 Portobello Road

London W10 5TZ

(there are other stores too and worldwide posting from the online mail order)

Tel: +44 2088298968

Home: Nice wallpaper

My experience so far is that wallpaper is quite expensive in Australia, or its my excuse anyway to look for nice patterns for our new home, whilst Im away. I'm thinking of this wallpaper for our boy's room. Whilst Sydney Harbour is a long way from Whitby's which is the inspiration, we have the same seagulls I recon. Thing is, I can't decide what colour!

'Whitby' wallpaper from Mini Moderns

Shop: Suzannah

I parked outside Suzannah whilst visiting Cliften Nurseries, one of my regular haunts for pot plants. Suzannah is Suzannah Crabb who was once a trend forecaster but now makes beautiful tea dresses to order, from her shop in Maida Vale. She now also makes wedding dresses, of which I'm on the hunt.

Suzannah Boutique

6 Bristol Gardens

London W9 2JG

Shops: Fabric in Portobello

On the hunt for fabric for the cane sofa that I'm reviving, I've visited two of my favourite West London fabric stores. The first is Warris Vianni, where, many moons ago, I bought the cream fabric for a sofa that I loved, which now lives with my friend Jess in Brighton. This shop stocks beautiful textiles, bed spreads, cushions and shawls, many from artisans in India.

The second shop, The Cloth Shop, is stuffed to the gills with all manner of fabric, linen, gauze and cotton. Also war time blankets and the odd bit of camping gear.

And its hard to mention West London fabric without mentioning the infamous Temptation Alley which stocks pretty much anything you could ever want if you were going with 100 feet of a sewing machine. Worth a visit for the experience alone.

Yes they post, anywhere apparently

Shop: Monicaandjoe.co.uk

Hooray! Another good online fashion shop that posts to Australia.

Set up by a pair of ex-fashion buyers to showcase their favourite European brands. Thank you, I don't mind if I do!

Shop: Kokon Tozai

My beloved collects toys. Small Japanese dolls in plastic bottles, china rabbits, little kissing dutch kids, anything really that is bright and ever so slightly unusual. Out shopping with my sister then on Golborne Road couldn't say no to the brightly coloured Pluto which was made in 1962. After an earthquake in Macedonia around that time, the Americans apparently sent lots of toys and he had been wrapped in tissue ever since.

From the same collection, I bought my nephew Pinocchio, with strict instructions to his mother that he be placed on a high shelf with no Sharpies to hand.

What a great shop though - housed in an old oxblood red tiled butchers, a marble counter runs from one end to another, filled with treasures. China, jewellery and antique lamps. There are also hand crocheted shawls and spectacular sparkly clothing which is the mainstay of what they do.

This part of Portobello is still my favourite and whilst the shops are changing slowly, places like Kokon Tozai are welcome. There's still not a chain in sight.

Kokon Tozai

86 Goldborne Road

London W10 5PS

Tel + 44 208 960 3736

http://www.kokontozai.co.uk

Dont stop til you get enough!

So, Mark Tuckey has opened a new homewares shop in Avalon. Perfect furniture, perfect goey stuff, perfect bags, etc etc. Yet another reason to not have to leave, ever. I'll take it all, thanks!

Santa's grotto in Sydney

Making mince pies wearing a bikini is all very lovely, but I think its natural to miss home at certain times of the year, especially Christmas. London does Christmas so very well - twinkly lights, indulgent shopping trips to Liberty and Fortnums, and this year even crisp weather and snow.

Its a rainy Tuesday and after too many cups of tea, I decided to take a walk to Redfern and visit the Seasonal Concepts shop, run by the very talented Ken Wallis.

The shop's motto is 'delight the eye, cheer the heart' and my, how it does! Stepping into the shop was like entering Toyland with a (very young) santa, sitting behind the desk at the far end next to a full size giraffe. A massive Christmas tree, filled with vintage glass decorations, brings back memories of a childhood, I wish I'd had if only plastic hadn't been invented! Roses, peacock plumes, dolls and other Christmassy paraphernalia sit on a long table, with jumbled up seating, just like you'd have at home if only you could. And a wonderful modern tree made with knitting needles and balls of wool shows you that you can create something fabulous with a bit of imagination. Something Ken has in sackloads!

Seasonal Concepts

122 Redfern Street

Redfern 2016

02 8399 2435

All things bright and beautiful

This is a totally biased blog but I'm so in love with this shop that I had to brag about it! My new but already very dear friend, Nic has opened a fabulous new shop on Bronte Road, called 'Better World Arts'. She asked me to help her last week with setting up the shop, and I had a wonderful few days wallowing in all kinds of gorgeous things and being allowed to play.

The name suggests perfectly what she stocks, which is everything fair trade, thereby allowing you to shop with a continence. She could very well have called it The Happiness Store - with all that eye-popping candy on the walls in pinks and oranges, blues and greens. There are original paintings by well known, and not-so, aboriginal artists. There are also rugs and textiles produced in collaboration with artists and weavers. Also baskets and bright hand painted jewels, along with hanging space for perfectly formed Christmas decorations. Prices are more Waverley than Woollahara. In fact, all my christmas shopping done in one hit. Can't say fairer than that!

Better World Arts

254 Bronte Road (next to the Post Office)

Waverley 2024

Toy shop for foodies

Now that Spring has gone all summery, my food thoughts have moved to light, fluffy things, ideally that I can cook and the children can scoff when they get home from school without too much mess.

I had my eye on a tart, which required a large, frilly edged pan, and so I had chance to go down to Chefs Warehouse again to purchase. I love this store. Its stuffed full of amazing things that you never thought you’d ever need but surely I could just make room for some pastry trays? Or what about the paella tin the size of my living room? Not only does it sell tools, but also carries a small amount of specialist but of course essential ingredients such as pomegranate molasses, and smoked paprika.

Chefs Warehouse, 111-115 Albion Street, Surry Hills 2010 Tel +61 2 9211 4555

Mitchell Road Antiques

Lazy Saturday 'doing' markets. Orange Grove in Lilyfield, followed by coffee in Rozelle (sitting next to Cate Blanchett, who is utterly gorgeous). On the way home, we stopped at Mitchell Road Antiques. Two floors of warehouse, stuffed with antiques from all eras. The top floor operates as a shop, with better quality and more expensive, stock. The lower level runs as a silent auction between Saturday and Tuesday, and we rooted around amongst fascinating pieces of old Australiana. M found the exact china of his family childhood, and we came away with a fabulous deckchair for our roof garden.