Townmouse

Baby Shoes

I didn't do a lot of shopping in Hong Kong, despite it being a shopper's mecca.  I did, however, fall in love with the most exquisite pair of baby shoes I've ever seen.

If they were in any other colour I could probably have resisted them.  But they were in the most perfect shade of steely blue, the only pair like it in the store, and the perfect size for Adelaide next winter.

They are seriously divine, and far too good for any child to actually walk in, so they will be perfect for her pre-walking stage.   At all other times, they will look adorable sitting on an armoir shelf in the Townmouse studio.

I have a few scraps of this sky coloured cashmere left.  Enough to put together a little matching pram coat.

The shoes were definitely a purchase more for me, than for Adelaide. 

Perhaps they'll be too good for her to wear at all. 
 

Over all too soon

Hong Kong was lovely.  Lovely because we slept in, ate lazy breakfasts, wandered around the city with no fixed address in mind, enjoyed the fabulous view of the harbour from the bathtub, and revelled in days without deadlines.

That's the best thing about holidays - having nowhere to be, nothing to do at a certain time and falling into days that just find their natural rhythm.

On Saturday night we caught up with friends who live in Hong Kong.  They took us to the China Club - a fabulous place by David Tang, the man behind Shanghai Tang.

 

I LOVED this place.  It had wonderful old-world charm.  We started with champagne on the rooftop while fireworks played out across the harbour, and then enjoyed dinner in the room pictured above.

The walls were covered in a wonderful collection of contemporary art, and we also got a glimpse into the divine library, which is used for private functions.

 

It was definitely a highlight of the weekend.

As was high tea at the Peninsula Hotel - something that several friends had suggested as a 'must do'.  I confess to loving the odd scone, so was happy to take part in this ritual.  I love a country that knows how to brew a good pot of tea!

Photos from flickr.

Summertime treat

It's a lovely summer's day here.  We've been making frozen berry yoghurt popsicles.

These are the scrapings from the bottom of the ice-cream maker.  Such a lovely colour.

Blend 250 grams of raspberries.  In a separate bowl, whip 2 egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Slowly add 2 Tablespoons of Caster Sugar until glossy.  Add 250 grams plain yoghurt, then the raspberry puree.  Pour into popsicle moulds (or mix in an ice-cream machine first for a lighter texture).

Romantic getaway for three?

This week Will and I are heading up to Hong Kong for a weekend getaway.  We are looking forward to a few days of relaxing and quiet time together.

 

We're staying in a too-cool-for-school hotel that is quite well located from what I can make out.  Friends have given me a few tips on where to go and what to do, plus I've picked up a Luxe guide to the city.  I haven't been to Hong Kong since I was 16.  After a frantic November when Townmouse kept me very busy (and earned me some travel money), I'm looking forward to a little down time.

Oh, and did I mention baby Adelaide is coming too?  (I'd miss her too much anyway if we left her behind.) 

If anyone has anything crafty they'd like me to seek out and blog about, or some generally great shopping tips, just say the word.  I love a mission.

Photo from here.

Drizabone sale

The other week when Townmouse got together with Drizabone for a little sale, it was just a precursor to the real Drizabone sale that starts tomorrow (Wednesday) evening with a family and friends night.

Here's the low-down:  Townmouse blog readers are welcome to pop along to the family and friends pre-sale evening, between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesday 25th November.  The address is Botherambo Street, Richmond.  The sale is then open to the public on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday between 9am and 4.30pm.

You can get wonderful merino active wear like the garment above for $40.  This is perfect for skiing and they have some fabulous colours.

I picked up this wonderful distressed leather jeans jacket for next to nothing.  So head on over to Richmond if you want to grab a bargain. This is a true warehouse clearance so prices are great.

Sydney sojourn

Wow, the last few weeks have flown by.  Last week I had a girl's weekend in Sydney with Adelaide and my mother.  It was a work trip - I had a stall at the annual Lindesay House Gift Fair in Darling Point.  Adelaide and Mum had some bonding time together.

With four children and a husband who travels frequently and without warning, markets are not something I've tried to fit into life of late.  However, I couldn't say no to Lindesay - a fair I really enjoy each year.  This is the fourth year I have taken part, and it proved to be the most successful year to date.  In fact, I came home with my bags considerably lighter, with enough room for a few purchases of my own from fellow stallholders.

A stall selling linen from Eastern Europe tempted me with oven mitts and apron in this lovely grey stripe that will be perfect in my stainless steel and white kitchen.

This block printed and hand stitched quilt from India will be light as air to sleep under this summer at Flinders.

And look how the humble string bag is greatly enhanced by a Liberty button from the lovely Giotta from Miss Beba.  Giotta has a keen eye for detail and great style.  Her stall was opposite mine and gave me plenty of lovely things to look at during our three days at the fair.  She's also a lover of Liberty prints like me.

Happiness is..

I recall reading an article about happiness.  The gist of it was that it can be the little things that make you happy, like cleaning out a cupboard or finally doing a task you've been putting off, more than the lotto win or the new car.

And I must agree that I always have a spring in my step after completing my quarterly tax statement, or when the kitchen bench is clean.

To that end, I'm hoping by Thursday lunchtime I'll be absolutely ecstatic.  I've spent the last two mornings packing up my stock and setting it up for a HUGE SALE at the Driza-bone warehouse in Richmond, Melbourne.  I now have empty drawers in my comptoir.  I'm hoping they remain empty, that I clear all my stock and don't have to bring any of it back to the studio.

In order to achieve this happy state I have heavily discounted all the stock I've grown tired of.  That means there are selected tees and bodysuits from $10, tops and bottoms from $15.  I've also bundled up lots of skirt and top sets at great prices.  Just because I want to declutter my studio.

So if a bargain makes you happy, head over here for the details.

(Image courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Too good

I think this fabric range was designed just for me.  Yesterday I dropped in to Amitie and found myself face to face with a very pretty range of fabrics in a perfect French red and naturals.

Adelaide, I think you're going to need a red coat next winter.  The top fabric I think I will make into something smocked with red thread.  The others, well I'm not sure yet.

I spent at least 30 minutes looking over the fabrics.  It was too hard to decide which ones I liked best - they were all so lovely.  The only thing to do in such a situation is buy a fat quarter of all the other favourites - which I did.

I wasn't planning on it, but it seems now I'm making another quilt.  So tonight when the house is quiet I think I'll pull out all my quilting books and look for a pattern.

But for now, I'd better get back to work to pay for my fabric purchases.

When the cat's away, Townmouse does play

Will is overseas for work at the moment.  When he travels I tend to spend a lot more time playing in my studio late at night.

I didn't make a start on the aforementioned shirt, as I got distracted by the sudden urge to draft a bloomer pattern - as you do.

The pattern is very simple.  No centre seam, which I think is so cute.  It has an elastic waistband at the back, and shirring at the front.

This is a very versatile garment.  Ideally the bloomers are underwear (and this pair will be perfect to cover a nappy under this dress), but look sweet with a simple tee and cardi for more casual days.  They would also be very comfortable to sleep in and make gorgeous pyjama bottoms for little girls.

I'm thinking about...

... making a shirt for Adelaide in this fabric if I find the time tonight.  I've always loved little girls in blue - it's my favourite colour after all.

Right now she has blue eyes so the colour suits her.  Max's eyes changed from blue to green at 18 months surprisingly, so Adelaide may not always be a blue-eyed girl.

I just love this provencal print.