Bloomin' Bustacular

So last weekend was BUST, the independent craft fair and it was fabulous! My lovely friend, I shall blogname her, 'Ink' (as she's a fantastic illustrator) and I arrived in the nick of time to get a free goodie bag each - bonus!

Hawkandfallow's stall with Pure Harte was a sight for sore eyes, beautiful displays of handmade cards, lace collars, vintage crockery, handmade dresses...so many delights!

There were rows and rows of stalls all selling handmade, customised, vintage inspired treats, Ink and I went round at least 3 times as there was so much to take in but eventually we pur-chased....

I bought this gorgeous notebook designed and made by Kali Taylor Mittman.

Each notebook had a different colour lining. I loved how the back of the bicycle is on the back of the notebook...ah simple pleasures!

I also fell deeply in love with a huge amount of Dan Hillier's pieces and after circling his stall several times.....

settled on the 'stag gentleman' on wood.

P.S My goodie bag was full of business cards,

sweeties, a brooch and a brilliant magazine called 'Oh Comely' which I am yet to properly sit down with but from the first few flicks feel we are going to become great friends.

Dinner with HawkandFallow...

yes, I've hopped on the Hipstamatic trend train.

Last night I was at HawkandFallow's house for a spot of (delicious) dinner and a good old yarn.

I was very excited to be allowed an exclusive sneak peek at the GoRgEoUs wares she will be debuting at the latest Bust Craftacular. What a treat! They are all so incredibly beautiful that I couldn't help but touch everything. I was like a lickle gal in a sweet shop of delectableness.

I shan't spoil the many surprises she has up her embroidered sleeve as you must put in an appearance on Saturday (York Hall, Bethnal Green, 12-7pm) to see for yourself but I took a couple of pics to tantalise your crafty tastebuds.

Envelopes made from 1940's catalogue pages protecting greeting cards made from vintage rent cards and playing cards, tied together with pretty ribbons.

Bottom - Notebooks made from Victorian programmes.

Me and The Big One went to the last BUST (just before Christmas) and returned laden with amazing and beautiful objets du désir....most were gifts.....a gift for me, a gift for someone else, a gift for me....

"Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sharing the Love....

Thanks to HawkandFallow I was watching and singing and dancing to this again recently. So I thought I'd share the love. I'm looking forward to her new album having had her last one Metropolis: The Chase Suite for a while now.

Retro-Fabulous!

Finding my Home Style

I had been in my old flat for 6 years, it was mine and The Big One's first home together and it was my second home after being a drama student.

When we moved in we furnished it with basics, whatever we could afford and a lot was hand-me-down. When we left to move into this new flat I wanted to start replacing our basics with items of style....but what was my style?

I started paying serious attention to art and furniture in an attempt to identify my inner interior designer. I have roped in my good friend HawkandFallow, whose personal domestic style is one which I highly admire, as a non paid interior design consultant. A couple of vague emails later I identified it, the concept which encompasses all I want to achieve in this new space.

Urban Poetry

I love the contrast of sleek, modern pieces against vintage chic. For me a few well placed period pieces inject warmth and homeliness into the stylish yet sometimes cold contemporary items I am drawn to.

I love things that have a history, that are unique and thrifty - I love a lot of Ikea's collections yet I don't want a home that anyone can buy, I want an atmosphere that only me (and my consultant) has created.  Quirky pieces that I picked up here and there. My wardrobe is made up of stories so why can't my home be?

Luckily for me HawkandFallow got it and she promptly started searching for images that we can communicate a common Urban Poetry with.

I'm excited!

Here are a few things I have found that will make up my cyber mood board.

So far they all work....right?

“"Style" is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma."

- John Fairchild