retail detail - printemps

 

 

A respected blog reader has suggested that I dispense with my dating and relationship advice, and get back to my day job. And he even had a few ideas which he suggested I check out.

So Dad, I didn't know that you were on the mailing list for 'Printemps', the most beautiful department store in Paris, and I would have to say that I am somewhat impressed. And yes, you are right. The storewide displays created to co-incide with the release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland are amazing. The store has truly become wonderland, complete with a Mad Hatter's Laduree Tea Party. 

Catch some of the inspiration here...

Fancy a macaron croque en bouche anyone? Now I just need to get to the actual movie!!

Amanda xx

(And Dad, thanks for the link.)

still looking for mr right?

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that despite the wealth of talent available on the dating scene, some of you may still be looking for l-o-v-e.

I hate to be so blunt, but perhaps it is your technique that needs a little sharpening?

Never let it be said that I don't do my best to help.

The art of meeting men. Wow! Watch and learn. Have a giggle, throw a few drinks, and have a great weekend!

Amanda xx

(Thanks again Huffington Post)

playing dress-ups

 

 Today it was time to decide on the delectable Trelise Cooper kids collection for summer 2011. Hard to believe I know when we are only 3 days in to autumn 2010. I always feel a little over-whelmed and under-dressed when I visit Trelise's showroom! After all, it is a veritable mecca for anyone remotely interested in New Zealand fashion, and her team always look amazing. Even the sample sewers look as though they've stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine. I studied my Fashion Quarterly on the plane feverishly. All this and I'm buying kids wear! 

For those of you who don't know of Trelise Cooper, she is one of our most successful fashion designers. Her upcoming uniforms for Air New Zealand may be contentious, but no doubt they'll turn heads. 

Her kids' range is both pure fantasy & fantastical. Every little girls idea of the ultimate dress-up. (If you missed it, I blogged about her AW10 kids fashion week parade here.)

I thought you may like to see a few images of the dedicated Trelise Cooper kids store. A children's wonderland, from the life-sized blossom trees at the front, down past the 'tea party' where special fluffys are served in beautiful teacups with multiple marshmallows, to the dressing rooms at the rear. Each dressing room is different - one all mirrored, one a soft fairy dell, one an all out party pad with ultra thick, red shag pile covering all four walls and floor, and the one I'd like to take home - a padded cell, also red of course. But the centrepiece of the store, other than the clothes, is the glass storybook floor. On my last visit it was The Wizard of Oz portrayed in miniature beneath the glass that had everyone spellbound.

 

 

 

As Brunnel dropped me at the airport this morning, his last words were 'Don't buy too much'. He wasn't talking about the kids clothes...

After all, what is a girl to do when she is allowed to choose a few treats for herself from a line up like this!

Amanda xx

all the fun of the fair

 

 

 

I'm back! Perhaps a little worse for wear, but all in one piece, and with plenty of new ideas. I think that's possibly one of the best things about visiting the trade shows. Even if you don't necessarily find lots of new goodies, it is the perfect opportunity to pick up new ideas, look at how others merchandise, & get a feel for some new directions. And, as well as buying some special new treasures for the store, dare I say it, it also gives me an idea of what not to buy.  I often don't want what everyone else seems to think is fabulous. I'm still not sure if this is a good or a bad thing! But I have learnt after how ever many years, that I only ever buy the things that I love. It's my golden rule. And I have learnt to trust my instincts. I just have to hope that my darling Small Acorns customers will see things my way!!

And the nicest thing about a trade show, especially a boutique event, is catching up with the talented creatives, artists and makers behind some of the beautiful niche ranges we are fortunate to stock at Small Acorns. I'll have more for you about some of them later in the week. 

Now, it's time to catch up with some of your blogs! I've missed my daily fix!

Amanda xx

in bloom

 

 

 

My first foray into dahlia growing this year sees me rushing into the garden to check how my flowers are looking.  There have been a few setbacks! Bruno's penchant for chewing up the watering system hose deprived them of water, and then a plague of insects decided that the lush new growth was quite irresistible and set about chowing down. However, with a little love, a barricade, some worm juice, and some organic pest powder, I think my beautiful blooms will be late, but oh so worth the wait! My favourite is this amazing pink cactus dahlia, which I am picking and bringing inside at every opportunity.

I'm off to Sydney for a couple of days. It's trade show time, and I'm looking forward to some new inspirations and ideas. Plus of course a little market research and breakfast at Bills!

Amanda xx

moody blues

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

I love playing with soft shades of duck egg blue, especially when it borders on celadon. So easy to live with. Restful and calm, but not cold. I love that this colour can hold its own amongst whatever interior style takes your fancy - contemporary, upcycled, modern retro, modern vintage or classic with a twist.  So many moods (just like my ten year old at the moment!) - this is one moody blue!

Hope your week is off to a beautiful start.

Amanda xx

(Images Designers Guild, Appley Hoare, lakbdesign)

could this be mr right?

 

Amongst these hot possibilities there are some pretty good catches. If you're quick!

Plenty to go around it seems. Please let me know if things work out for you..., although I get the feeling they might still be out there.

Amanda xx
P.S Mike is mine!!!

(Thanks Huffington Post!)

retail detail - caravan

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a vintage lovers idea of heaven. And no I don't mean this as in an old lover. I mean it as in, a lover of things vintage.  Welcome to Caravan. When I'm in Napier I practically haunt this place. Though small, there is so much to look at, all artfully arranged, and beautifully put together, and for a magpie like me, there is inevitably something that goes home with me. Owner Julie Phillips sees beauty where others will overlook it. And her natural gift to tie together a myriad of styles and influences spills over and between, her shop and her home. Annual sojourns to India, and weekly trips to estate auctions, all conjure up the wonderful mix that is Caravan. Industrial pieces, old tapestries made into stunning cushions, glass decanters filled with olive oil and dishwash liquid because they're too pretty not to use. And those gorgeous old woollen blankets. (It is so sad that most of New Zealand's woollen mills have closed.) Julie's work is her life and style. Like me, she has never been into minimal decorating, and loves homes with a sense of history and personality.

This year Caravan closes in April, and Julie and husband Steve, will head off on another global treasure hunt. The plan upon their return involves both a pop up shop, and opening up their gorgeous old villa on Napier's hill as a bed and breakfast. The sort of b&b where you can perhaps purchase some souvenirs of the vintage kind to take home with you. Julie has promised to keep me posted on developments.

Amanda xx 

P.S The lovely old red lantern in this post, which many of you asked about, was a Caravan find a year or so ago. It is one of those kerosene lanterns that would warn you at night of roadworks. Before the days of modern hazard lights and reflector cones!

channel grazing

For almost the entire time I was away on holiday over January I didn't see television, and most of the time I didn't really miss it. (I say almost, because I did have to invite myself 3 nights in a row to my parents bach when Coronation St finally killed off Liam. And perhaps I saw just a little of the Melbourne tennis.) 

Now of course, I'm back in the city. The television here works, and is not snowy. And although I'm determined not to over-indulge, sometimes I do love to be a couch potato. All the new season series have either started, or are about to start. I've optimistically decided already, with the help of My Sky, which ones I'll watch (The Good Wife, Brothers & Sisters), and which I won't. And one that I definitely will be sitting up bright-eyed to see tomorrow night is The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, starring Jill Scott.

 

 

 

 

 

 Last year, when  it was screening in the US and the UK, and was all over the blogosphere I was so jealous. I love Alexander McCall Smith's books, and this series is about the cheerful, eminently sensible Mma Ramotswe, proprietor of Botswana's only female-owned detective agency, for the benefit of those who need help the most. According to Mma Ramotswe, there is no problem so great, it cannot be solved by a cup of bush tea. With Mma Ramotswe's infamous quick wittedness and infallible instincts, the audience are embroiled in the murky world of scandals, misdeeds and skulduggery that come to pass for life in Botswana. Filmed on location in Botswana, the set design & attention to detail is a visual treat.Click here for a great interview with set designer Melinda Launspach, which featured on Design Sponge last year.

So, 9.30 Tuesday night on Vibe. And then I'll get back to blogging I promise!

Amanda xx

(images Design Sponge, BBC, HBO)

a little loveliness

 

As was written, rather poetically, on the bag containing a baguette I bought earlier this week -

"Love is like bread, it needs to be made fresh every day"

Enjoy some loveliness on Valentines Day, and indeed, every day.

Amanda xx

(gorgeous works by Julie Arkell)