Nigella Lawson's Flourless Chocolate Cake, sprinkled with blueberries an icing sugar
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
Tea and Creativity!
I was desperate to find a tea leaf basket, like the one in the photo below. Somehow the basket for my large teapot went missing. I asked in countless homeware shops only to be told they didn't sell them.
So there I am, sitting in a cafe in Vancouver earlier this year, all rugged up drinking tea. As I chattered with the waitress I asked her if she knew where I could buy a basket, like the one in the teapot she'd just put down in front of me.
It was a busy morning and she got called away from our conversation to wait on another table. On my way out she passed me a small white paper bag and said, "For you from me. Problem solved. Besides, we have plenty."
She'd given me, not only the basket out of the teapot that had been on my table, but a gorgeous memory. I think of her act of kindness every time I fill that metal basket with tea leaves and use my white teapot.
She wasn't creative in the artistic sense, but creative none the less. Creative in thought and action towards another human being.
Perhaps tea and understanding are magically linked. Maybe making, serving and sharing a cuppa' with someone brings out the best in all of us. I'd like to think so!
Enjoy your creative journey, Jules
The Clutch Is Back!
I've rediscovered the Clutch Bag.
What I need to take when I go out has changed. And so has my bag! Phone, Credit Card, Keys and some Cash is all I require when I want to travel light. Okay, and a lipstick!
I'm leaving my pens, notebook, iPad, copy of a book I'm reading and the other things I tend to accumulate in a much bigger handbag. The clutch is the ultimate grab and go bag!
The clutch in black textures and tones
Vintage diamante clutch bags
Don't wait for after dark to give a diamante clutch an outing. Try a diamante bag with jeans and a T-shirts for day.
And the great thing about the Clutch Bag, they take up very little storage space.
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
Finding A Kinder Tide!
This image of Meryl Streep, which turned up on my Facebook one day, is stuck to the wall beside my desk. If I'm ever having "a moment" as we all do at times, doubting my creative abilities, I read what Meryl had to say on the subject.
These words never fail to encourage me. I will add however, that I think who ever wrote this intended "show less" to be "no less". Still, it's a great message.
Watch out for the rips and deep water in life. We all deserve a kinder tide.
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
The Devil's In The Detail!
These black suede shoes have been my dancing partner at dinners and parties for 20 years. Although I don't wear them anymore, I just can't bear to part with them. Why? Because one of these days I'll give the buckles on these shoes a new home.
I love to get creative remodelling, reusing and recycling any fashion item whenever possible.
Oh' the fun we've had!
I'm always on the lookout for a pair of buttons, earrings, broaches or shoe clips, anything that I can use to change the profile of a shoe.
Pearl earring, diamante broaches, black button and a gold shoe clip
You can use anything you like to take a shoe from "standard" to "statement".
Plain suede pumps
A touch of bling!
Patent pumps and a slingback
Glamming up the patent shoe
A shoe with toe detailing is an easy way to give any outfit that extra something.
These little gems are from Zara. The devil's in the detail.
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
Hidden Talents!
I've loved the "Red Bar Coat" from the Dior Autumn/Winter 2012 haute couture collection, ever since I first saw it. The colour and the cut of this garment is pure magic!
Rarely, do we get to see what the "behind the scenes people" actually do, when it comes to many creative occupations. Those incredibly talented people who work alongside the, award winning chef, top selling author, highly acclaimed singer, actor, musician or fashion designer.
Haute couture designs are made by the one person, from beginning to end. To be able to watch the seamstress who cut and hand sewed this beautiful garment is pure pleasure.
Click HERE to watch The Making of the Red Bar Coat. Here's to all the "behind the scenes" people!
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
A Little Or A Lot!
A broach, a ring or a 1960's handbag - just a little touch of vintage.
A skirt, a dress or a fabulous textured coat - take it up a notch and wear the total look.
Twisting Vintage, a Vintage Clothing and Accessory shop in the Southern Highlands, south of Sydney, has some of the most stunning vintage items you will find anywhere. It's a place I've been to many times. For anyone who loves to look at, touch and wear vintage, stopping by is a must if you can.
Gillian Herne, the owner of Twisting Vintage, is passionate about the business she's created, owns and works in. And her knowledge about the beautiful vintage she sells is unsurpassed. Another example of what I call, Creative Business - taking something you're passionate about and turning that passion into something you love to do.
The shop is full of wearable fashion from the 1950's through to the 1970's.
Stunning vintage broaches and earrings.
A rack of knee length coats and accessories. Garments are selected for their quality and uniqueness.
A little of a lot. The choice is yours.
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
30 Days, 30 Photos!
I've set myself a Creative Challenge. To take just one photo each day in November.
Why just one photo?
I was thinking, if I restrict myself to just one photo a day, it might help me to consider my subject matter, composition the light and angle of the photos more carefully - rather than take 15 photos, most of which I delete. Why don't you join me?
Here are is one of my most favourite things to photograph. I saw these beautiful flowers at my grocers this morning. Happy Friday!
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
Horsing Around With Headwear!
Guess who's gearing up for the Melbourne Cup?
For those outside Australia, every year on the first Tuesday in November, the country celebrates the running of our most famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup. Held at Flemington Race Course in Victoria, this 3200 metre thoroughbred race has been run since 1861. It's a fantastic excuse to get with friends or work colleagues, frock up and have a champagne.
What you wear on your head adds to the fun. Here are some ideas.
A blast of orange works wonders with black
Gone are the days when everyone conformed to the one look. There are so many beautiful ways to interpret headwear - the classic hat, a fascinator or a single flower. There's a more recent trend towards head jewellery with tiara's and diamante combs.
Flowers and feathers always combine well
While designer millinery can cost hundreds, even thousandsof dollars, creating your own unique head piece can be fun and inexpensive. Check out discount stores such as Target, Kmart or Big W for hats and fascinators. Lovisa does beautiful flowers, clips and headbands. I discovered the red flowers, feathers and a headband in a discount store last year, which inspired my Spanish-themed head piece below. A treasure trove of goodies can be found in stores such as Spotlight. Come on - find your inner milliner!
Click HERE for a short video full of fabulous creations to inspire you. Which one do you love the most?
My 2016 creation - 3 flowers, 3 sprigs of feathers, 1 headband and a few stitches
Head jewellery is perfect when you don't what anything too heavy or big
So, wherever you are on Tuesday 7 November this year, I hope you have fun! And when someone tries to remember who won last years Melbourne Cup, you can tell them it was "Almandi", ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.
Enjoy your creative life, Jules
Oh, just before I go......I found this fantastic book in my bookshelf this morning. I'd forgotten I had it. Looking though the pages, a historical trip down fashions' memory lane, only confirmed my belief - life should be a celebration!
5 Tips For Rebooting Your Creative Energy
If you're like me, you're asking yourself where has this year gone. Energy levels can start to really wane by October.....and I mean REALLY WANE! And we haven't even hit the end of year holiday season. This is the perfect time to stop and reboot your energy levels.
TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
Here are 5 things I do when my energy levels are low and I need to find my mojo again,
- Sleep more. Sounds simple but it can make a huge difference.
- Spend some time alone. When did you last have some time to yourself to do exactly what you wanted to, even for a day?
- Visit a place of inspiration. For me, it's an art gallery or book shop. What's yours?
- Restock the fridge with food that will nourish your body.
- Initiate a daily ritual you love - and stick with it. A morning walk, a run, music, yoga, freshly brewed tea or coffee, taking one great photo each day or keeping a journal.
It's easy to forget to care for ourselves when we're busy caring for those around us. Happy rebooting!
Enjoy your creative life, Jules