Handmade Living Gift...

not gloating at all but,

I WON this amazing book over at My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia!!!!

Miss Kristin has drawn my name as the winner and I couldn't be more pleased.

As I am not very lucky when it comes to giveaways, I never expect to win and usually just leave a comment in the giveaway posts as a supportive sort of thing...but I won.

For those of you that don't know of this book it is a must have/get. Tania McCartney is a fellow Aussie and creative that has a loyal following of crafty people who find lots of inspiration from this amazing Woman. Not only is this book full of gorgeous images, but it has loads of amazing things to make and I can not wait to get it. I have recently joined as a follower of Tania's blog and have been enjoying reading it of late.

To find out more about this book head over to Kristin's blog to see more.

Thanks Kristin...what a Christmas gift =0)

Ness xx

oh by the way, what do you think of the new logo at the top? It is the new shop logo. I wanted it to have a simple look and seeing I love old typewriter fonts so much, thought this would be fitting.

At Home With Country - C&R's Book Review and a winner!!!

I am so honoured to have been asked by Christina Strutt and her wonderful crew to review her 5th book, At Home With Country. I did feel very nervous doing this, a a little like I was handing in a paper at school (except everyone gets to read it not just the Teacher!). So, when the beautiful book arrive the other day and I managed to pry it from my Mum's hands, I sat with pen and paper and started to write. Then it struck me, what was I doing, this book is amazing!!

Christina was a Stylist at Vogue before starting her very successful fabric company Cabbages & Roses!!! This book doesn't need a review, it speaks for itself.

So, I just immersed myself in it, coffee and cake in hand and soaked up every beautiful country image...this is where I stopped...and thought.
I love country, and so many people say they are 'over it' and it has been done to death...yeah, the mass produced country style with ducks in hats and mice and wheat in the kitchen etc...not this country style - THIS will never die or be done to death. The real country home is full of comfortable, beautiful, practical pieces. Lived in, loved in crumpled, washable fabrics - you know the stuff....and Christina has shown this perfectly. Not only is this book a journey through gorgeous homes, but different styles of homes all with a 'real country' feel. It is a look that can fit anywhere, from an 11th century home to a loft in Manhattan, a house boat to a English cottage...and when done well, will never date.

This brand is stunning regardless!

The whole way through you are taken on a visual journey with the C&R's range of stunning fabrics and shown how versatile florals, stripes and checks can be.
I loved that there are references with each home as to the name of the fabric, and a sample section at the back to see the ranges together and how they all work together.

The homes Christina has selected are beautiful and this one called "Bridgehampton Cottage" shows the C&R's fabric so well. The white walls give the fabric center stage and it goes so well with the antiques and quirky vignettes.
This is what being at home with country should be about. Casual, yet thoughtful arrangements that will be moved frequently, nothing that is overly precious and all having a function.
I was extremely happy to see that my favourite designer Tricia Foley's Manhattan Loft and her equally stunning Long Island home made an appearance. I also loved the Langton range of fabrics she has used in both homes.

As my scanner was playing up I couldn't get an image of the Paris Rose fabric Tricia used on this sofa in her loft, but you will just have to buy the book and see for yourself as well as Christina's stunning and so homely "Brook Cottage", where the Cabbages & Roses label was started. Her amazing tent is something to be bookmarked for future reference and the first time I had ever seen her tent was also the first time I had seen the C&R's fabric.
If you are looking for an inspiring book, something to look at over and over again, then At Home With Country will not disappoint - I promise you! =0)

Thank you so much for letting me review your book Christina, I LOVE it!
{all photos by Edina Van Der Wyck for Cico Books}

NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

let's get straight to it!

According to Random.org, the winner of the fabulous shopper tote and amazing scented candle, both by Cabbages & Roses is.....

http://thewickerhouse.blogspot.com

Congratulations Emily. If you could send me an email with your details please, I will get your goodies out to you =0)
...and thank you to all who entered.

Ness xx

C&R Book Review and a recipe...

Firstly I wanted to say thank you all for your lovely comments and emails about our $5 sideboard. It was very nice of you all.

Next I wanted to tell you about this as I cant contain it any longer.

I have been asked to do a book review for Christina Strutt's amazing new book...

At Home With Country.

The photo at the top of the post is a sneak peek at the book...it looks amazing and I am now awaiting my hard copy in the mail. Every day I have been checking the mailbox in anticipation of this book. I have Christina's other books and they are just beautiful. If you don't know who Christina is or have never seen any of the Cabbages and Roses fabrics, you are in for a treat. They are all based on vintage prints and have a faded quality to them which is so pretty. Christina's outdoor area which looks like a huge canvas tent has been in my favourites file forever and the interior of this space is superb.

While I wait on the postie to deliver this gem I have been looking through the Cabbages & Roses website, and found these...

This French grey set of drawers is circa 1870 and is just perfect. There are so many beautiful pieces on the C&R website and if I was able to, I would have them all!

Especially this stunning Armoire which is circa 1890. It looks wonderful filled with Christina's fabrics which are also on the site.
But, I would be happy with one of her deckchairs to remind me of Summer. As soon as I have the book I will be sure to give it a thorough going over and will tell you all about it...I cant wait!

After yesterdays post I have had lots of emails about the recipe for these Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins I made, so here it is....I never put all of the following in, especially the butter and sugar, I always use less and put loads more raspberries and white choc in instead =0)

170gms (about 1/2 cup) of Caster Sugar

2 eggs

200gms Butter

2 cups of sifted self raising flour

80 mls of milk

1/2 cup of Raspberries

1/4 cup of white chocolate chips

Method

-----------

1. Whisk eggs and sugar until thick

2.Add butter, flour and milk

3. add raspberries and chocolate

4. Stir gently until just combined

5. Spoon into muffin trays and press extra choc and raspberries into top.

6. Bake in moderate oven (about 180 C) for about 30 minutes or until golden.

Easy! Enjoy.

Ness xx