Author Archives: gracienumber1

Bag Me Up!

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Do you know your handbag says a lot about your personality? I’m not sure what mine says other than I carry too much stuff around!

When I was working my handbags were mostly black to fit in with the business/corporate image; now I’m footloose and fancy free I can go wild and choose a bag with a colour that fits my mood—cornflower blue for calm days, hot watermelon for days I want to be noticed, and bright sunny yellow to lift everyone’s mood. And now, you don’t have to be millionaire to have a bag to suit every outfit—or mood—you just need to get acquainted with Sash & Belle!

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What’s the Fashion-Nation with Cooma?

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Fifteen year old Charly Thorn is showcasing her young and vibrant designs at Cooma’s FASHION-NATION event this Saturday.

Article from the Cooma-Monaro Express by Tina Zunic http://www.coomaexpress.com.au/ 

MOVE over Alex Perry and Collette Dinnigan, a new and upcoming Australian designer will soon be dominating the catwalks with her vibrant designs and bold statement pieces. Check out teenage fashion talent Charly Thorn who is designing bold and exciting pieces for ages 12 – 18.

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Coastal Charms at Eurobodalla!

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Travelling around the world made me realise what I miss when I’m away from home, and, call me nerdy if you will, but I still believe our south coast beaches are the best anywhere. Just a leisurely two hour drive from Canberra will take you down the Clyde Mountain to the seaside town of Batemans Bay, and yes, I actually like The Bay as it’s more commonly known.

Malua Beach, Batemans Bay

Malua Beach, Batemans Bay

With summer on the horizon Canberrans are starting to think about their summer break—usually from late December to early February, this is the time when there is a mass exodus from Canberra to The Bay. A large number of Canberrans own holiday homes at the coast and although it can be expensive to rent a place during the summer, out of season rentals are very reasonable. There is also a huge range of accommodation from luxury hotels and apartments, to cabins and caravans, and even houseboats on the Clyde River.

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Boy meets Girl—both meet pallets!

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Bringing back the glamour to old wood pallets

I’ve got two wood delivery pallets propped up against the side fence. They’ve been there for ages—and every time I look at them I say to myself ‘I could do something with those’ and if I were imaginative, motivated, crafty and all the rest—I could, but for now I’ll just be inspired by the gorgeous range of pallet furniture from boyandgirlco.

boyandgirlco

boyandgirlco

Partners in life Anita Jones and Carlo Angelo Malaca were dining one evening at Kitchen by Mike in Sydney and fell in love with the raw wood furniture, and decided there and then to completely change their life by adopting a more sustainable—reuse and recycle—lifestyle. After doing a bit of internet research on carpentry, they bought some basic tools, found some pallets, and created their first piece. Family and friends who saw the furniture started to place orders, then they started to sell to clients with a similar philosophy and who loved the raw handcrafted pieces. boyandgirlco was founded when Anita and Carlo went against the old adage ‘don’t give up your day job’ and quit their corporate environment.

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Canberra’s Beautiful Floriade!

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It’s time to celebrate spring! 

And what better way to celebrate in Canberra than with Floriade!

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Floriade is a festival of flowers on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and this year will run from 13 September to 12 October. As well as the gorgeous floral displays there’s food and wine, cafes galore, kids events, performing and visual art and artists, arts and crafts, and lots of fun! Floriade Nightfest includes spectacular illuminated displays inspired by Monet and Van Gogh, roving entertainment, night markets, and some great music and comedy in the Moonlight Lounge.

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A Final Stroll down Portobello Road

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Bargains galore and you don’t have to go to Notting Hill!

Quirky lamps at Portobello Road Market

Quirky lamps at Portobello Road Market

The final Portobello Road for 2014 will be held this Sunday 17 August at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston. There are only three Portobello Road markets each year and the event is always packed—both with stalls and bargain hunters, and the final hunt is now on for that quick bargain, quirky collectable or quaint antique.

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Warm and Cosy at Assemblage Project

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Popped into Assemblage Project on Lonsdale Street and caught 4 Minutes 33 designer Gemma in a gorgeous soft and snugly Wendy Voon cardigan/jacket. The soft grey jacket is made from 100 per cent pure Merino wool and can be worn a number of different ways—just turn it upside down for a whole new look! Gemma was also wearing a gorgeous black pendant by Canberra designer Andie Meredith—setting off another Wendy Voon piece beautifully.

Gemma of 4 Minutes 33 models Wendy Voon cardigan/jacket - photo by LFW

Gemma of 4 Minutes 33 models Wendy Voon cardigan/jacket – photo by LFW

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National Arboretum Canberra

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The devastating Canberra fires of 18 January 2003 not only took four lives, injured over 400 people, and destroyed 500 homes and Mount Stromlo Observatory in western Canberra, but also took out 70 per cent of Canberra’s pastures, forest and pine plantations, and nature parks. Ten years on in 2013, and the same year as Canberra’s centenary, the National Arboretum opened its doors to the public. Stretching over 250 hectares (over 600 acres) with views over Lake Burley Griffin, the Tuggeranong Valley, Molonglo and the distant Brindabella Ranges—the Arboretum commemorates 100 years of Canberra history, and standing on a site of one of the original pine plantations has also become a symbol of the 2003 bushfire recovery program.

View from the Arboretum over Molonglo to the Brindabella Ranges

View from the Arboretum over Molonglo to the Brindabella Ranges

The Arboretum also represents Canberra planner Sir Walter Burley Griffin’s vision for a place of trees, shrubs and plants for the purpose of conservation, preservation, education and display, and is home to 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world, and over 48,000 trees are growing across the site.

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Corr Blimey! Designer jeans made in Canberra!

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Truly … if there are two things women hate buying it’s a new swimsuit or a new pair of jeans—and I’m not sure which one is worse … but let’s take a look at jeans. First up there’s the colour—too light, too dark, too washed; then the fabric—too heavy, too stiff, too skinny; the length—full, capri, three-quarter; the ‘rise’—low, high, medium, and don’t get me started on the cut … I’m stressed already and we haven’t even made it to the change room!

But now here’s something different. Local independent designer Corr Blimey has designed a new line of women’s jeans from fabric sourced in Australia and made in Canberra. And not only that, but designer Louisa de Smet will work with you to make sure the jeans are a perfect fit!

Corr Blimey Strasse jeans

Corr Blimey Strasse jeans

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Want a butt like Beyonce?

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Get into ‘Bootylicious’ Foxers!

In Touch Magazine by Bobbie Thomas (image courtesy Foxers Australia)

In Touch Magazine by Bobbie Thomas (image courtesy Foxers Australia)

Someone once said that if you want to look great on the outside make sure you wear something comfortable, fabulous and sexy underneath! Only you know it’s there, and don’t it make you feel good! … I bet you just sang that.

Grey lace Foxers (image Foxers Australia)

Grey lace Foxers (image Foxers Australia)

Foxers designer, April Spring, took the soft waistband from men’s boxers, added the comfort of soft cotton, included a few buttons, bows, and lace, and voila … they’re now gorgeous, sexy (and comfortable) undies for women. The first samples were created in 2006, and the first production in 2007. Foxers are available in select stores throughout the USA and online through local distributors in a number of international countries including Australia; with the Australian distributor right here in Canberra. Continue reading →