+ Cade Martin

Hi there,

Mid-week already! I hope your week has been going well.

All is good here, it is still raining but I try to think of all the positive things that rain brings -

One of the best things is that it encourages us to stop rushing. We become extra conscious of running here and there, most of the time unnecessarily. Rain like we have been having gives us an opportunity to stop and ponder, wrap up warm and spend time together indoors - and then there's the open fire, the warm hot chocolates, the board games and the extra snuggles from the kids - hmmmm rain... not that bad at all!

Cade Martin

The photography of Cade Martin is the perfect place to ponder on days like today. Have you seen his work? Maybe you spotted him when he was a guest photographer on cycle 14 of America's Next Top Model?? You really should check out his portfolio, his work is beautiful!

I've chosen some images to share with you here from a commemorative book produced by The Washington Ballet titled 'Wonderland'.

"Wonderland gives readers an intimate look at the TWB dancers, providing rare glimpses of life backstage, and hopefully, a better understanding of what it means to be a performing artist."

Cade's collaboration with creative and art directors Design Army brings together a series of images that are undeniably-breath-takingly-beautiful. - My fave? The second one pictured below from Peter Pan, featuring dancer Jonathan Jordon... take a peek:

(images from Cade Martin, quote from The Washington Ballet)

NOTES:
visit Cade's website
visit The Washington Ballet's website
buy Wonderland

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Have a wonderful day!

See you tomorrow! xxoo

+ Madeleine Stamer

Hello!

It is proving to be hectic day here in alphabet-land... how is your day going? I hope all is calm at your place : )

I've been waiting and waiting to share our next guest with you, so no chit chat today, let's just emerge ourselves in some illustrative goodness...

Madeleine Stamer

Way back in February whilst visiting The Design Files I was reminded of the work of Australian lovely Madeleine Stamer. Lucy had posted a great set of photographs from Madeleine's home. Madeleine's home is a whole other story so when you've finished here jump over to The Design Files to see Lucy's post. In the meantime, let me fill you in...

"Madeleine and her brood live close by but at a safe distance from the sunny sands of St Kilda beach, Melbourne. Madeleine is a land lover who has a respectful admiration and slight fear of the ocean.

She is a proud mother of Wilhelmina and baby Ada and loyal wife to Karl. She is a daydreamer and an avid bird watcher or ‘twitcher’ as some like to say and she is inspired by life’s simple daily pleasures. You will often find her staring at birds from her window or attempting to draw them..."

I absolutely adore Madeline's work. With influences like kaleidoscope patterns and folk traditions like Mexico's Day of the Dead, Madeleine's work is intricate and beautiful. And my fave? Oh it is hard to choose! For now, I'm going with the first one below, but I'm sure I'll change my mind as I browse even further into Madeleine's portfolio - enjoy!

(quote from Madeleine Stamer, images from Madeleine Stamer and The Design Files)

NOTES:
visit Madeleine's website
visit Madeleine's store
read Madeleine's blog

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!

See you tomorrow! xxoo

Miller Goodman

Hi!

Here we are coming out the other side of this alphabet*nine! can you believe it? We've already been back three weeks! Time goes so fast.

Shall we get started?

Miller Goodman

David Goodman and Zoe Miller are the creative force behind Miller Goodman. Committed to function with the highest design principles, David and Zoe are producing beautiful, sensitive New Classics in the children’s market.

The Miller Goodman collection includes books, artwork, blocks and accessories. The series of blocks 'ShapeMaker' shown first and second below was awarded the Winner of a gold award at the 2009 Practical Pre-School awards. - and deservedly too - check them out!

(images from Miller Goodman)

NOTES:
visit David and Zoe's website
visit David and Zoe's store

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Thanks so much for stopping by, it is lovely having you here : ) Are you set to head into the second half of this alphabet tomorrow? I hope so!

See you tomorrow for N!
xxoo

Lorena Barrezueta + Millamella + Ninon + My Owl Barn

Hi!

I'm back in the swing of things... : )

I have found some time to put together the letters for this week. Thank you so much for your patience...This time of year is proving difficult to keep under control (and to schedule!) as our calendar fills to the brim... anyway, we'll try to take it one day at a time....

Are you ready?

Lorena Barrezueta

I definitely have a 'thing' for colourful crockery at the moment. Maybe it is my longing for warm summer days that has me drawn to these fresh watermelon hues...

Lorena Barrezueta's Gourmet Collection "reintroduces the ubiquitous disposable tin food container in fine porcelain as a was of addressing our perceptions of quality, value, and high-end design."

(images and quote from Lorena Barrezueta)

NOTES:
visit Lorena's website
visit Lorena's store

Millamella

There isn't much info around about the clever lass that produces these fab melamine plates from etsy store Millamella...there are so many great plates to choose from.. you should jump over and check them out...

Can you imagine a picnic set full of these lovelies?? - divine!

(images from Millamella)

NOTES:
visit the Millamella store

Ninon

I couldn't resist these softies from Ninon - so adorable and so full of personality! Tania Patritti has been making things with fabric for seven years... her little monster sketches eventually partnered up with her sewing and in 2004 her project of "les monstrìs" was born.

I'm sure you'll find one you love...cute! cute! cute!

(images from Ninon)

NOTES:
visit Tania's store
read Tania's blog

Oh Owl, I love you..

If you are partial to a bit of Owly goodness, then you are going to adore My Owl Barn...

You name it... if it has an owl on it, in it, or somewhere close to it, the lovely Shivani from My Owl Barn will know all about it... you've got to check out the Anthropologie purses she wrote about recently - just gorgeous!

(image from My Owl Barn)

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one small voice...

I was so excited to read on the Small Acorns blog this week that one small voice can bring about big change...

Last week, Amanda from Small Acorns, wrote about a large format store here in NZ carrying a copy of an Orla Keily duvet set...low and behold... the post got twittered and the tweet was noticed by one of Amanda's followers, who just happened to be both a journalist and an Orla Kiely fan...and guess what?? To cut a long story short, the said Duvet Sets have been pulled from the shelves - nationwide!!!

I think this wee story is so amazing. It is a fabulous example of the power of the internet, and the power of one person's voice - yay for small voices! and boo for designers who blatantly rip off other people's work! - well done Amanda!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

See you Monday! xxoo

Memaké + Mary Kate McDevitt + Modish

Hi there,

here we are in sunny Gisborne : ) The flight up was great, the boys loved it. It is so nice to be 'home'. The boys and I have lots of visiting to do today, so we should get started... ready?


Memaké

A couple of weeks ago I found a new (well, new to me) magazine at our local book store. The magazine is called 'Green - sustainable architecture and landscape design'. Green is an Australian publication that contains all the latest and greatest in sustainable and earth-wise choices for your home.

It was on the inner pages of issue 10 that I discovered the Porcini Stem from Adelaide design house Memaké.

I think they really are quite beautiful.

"The Porcini lighting range grew from a subtle exploration into the elegantly simple form of the mushroom. A series of organic shapes and forms were reinterpreted to form these beautifully crafted and sustainable pieces."

(images and quote from Memaké with thanks to Green Magazine)

NOTES:
visit the Memaké website


Mary Kate McDevitt

There's nothing like wee reminders to keep you on your toes - whether it is to remember to pick up the ingredients for dinner, or to 'Seize the Day', it's always good to have somewhere handy to jot these things down.

Luckily for us,

Mary Kate McDevitt not only makes 'handy' but she also makes 'darn cute'! Producing this super fun collection of Mini Goals Chalkboards and Illustrations.

To-Do's never looked so good!

(images from Mary Kate McDevitt)

NOTES:
visit Mary Kate's website
visit Mary Kate's store
read Mary Kate's blog

I am excited to include Modish in our wonderland today...

"Modish (pronounced: mode-ish) is a daily design and style blog run by editor, Jena Coray. Launched in April 2006, Jena's focus has been to help bring awareness to talented emerging artists and designers. By sharing her favorite handmade & vintage goods, art & photography, fashion & design, she supports the most innovative, independent and sustainable products in the marketplace, all the while, sharing some inspiration and eye-candy along the way. "

What more can I say? Head on over....

(image and quote from Modish)

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We are off to have lunch with friends, I'm really looking forward to a catch-up : )

See you lovelies tomorrow xxoo