Fashion Friday: Lots of dots

I'm ready to wrap up what has been a busy week. How about you?

I visited Life Instyle this week and it was great to see all the different stalls and exciting new designs in kids and lifestyle products. I will share with you some of the products that caught my eye next week.

I wasn't dressed like this though. Oh no.. I chose the comfort of my flats instead.

My Sharon Montrose print arrived a couple of weeks ago and I am hoping to sneak in some time this weekend to hunt for the perfect frame. I can't wait to see it hanging in my home.

Have a beautiful weekend and see you next week!

Top: Witchery (a few seasons old)
Skirt: Asos (Available here)
Shoes: Tony Bianco (same shoes as last week only these are in white)

Anthropologie now ships to Australia

Somebody pinch me. Not only is Anthropologie finally shipping to Australia but their current catalogue is circus inspired.

I need to have a lie down. This is too much.

(Images Anthropologie)

Bentwood chairs

I have another little project I am working on. Or should I say big project? These chairs were found on eBay and they need a fair bit of work.

Yesterday my in-laws gave me a hand taking the seat covers off and sanding them. The wood is scratched up in quite a few places especially the legs. Next up we them need to repair them. A couple of screws are missing and the others could use a bit of tightening.

Then I need to decide whether to paint or stain and to recover the seats! I can imagine these looking beautiful after they are completed but I want to take care that I do a good job of them so I'm not going to rush these ones.

Important: Product recall

I received an email in my inbox today from Mooo regarding their custom puzzle pieces. I mentioned their product in a post here. The product has been recalled and it is recommended that this product be taken away from children as it can pose a choking hazard.

Here is part of the email I received today:

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recently brought to our attention that there is a potential child safety risk with the wooden peg on some of our products as they do not comply with the mandatory standard for Toys for Children up to and including 36 months of age. In addition to this we have identified a similar potential risk with the wooden puzzle base. For this reason we are conducting a voluntary product recall of our wooden puzzle products.

What are the hazards?
Wooden Peg: A potential exists for the wooden pegs to become detached from the product, which may pose a choking hazard to a young child.
Wooden Base: A potential exists for sections of the top wooden layer of the base plate to become detached from the product, which may pose a choking hazard to a young child. This relates to the raised section of the base plate inside letters such as: R, P, A, B, q, e, o, p, a, d, g, b, 6, 8, 9, 10

Please visit their site here for the full product recall message and instructions on what to do if you have purchased this product.

Fashion Friday: Rework

It's Friday! Time for another Fashion Friday post. I enjoy taking these photos. They motivate me to think about what I wear and to rework the clothes I already own. This skirt is actually a dress but I folded the top part down and tucked it in. I think I like it better as a skirt.

So, what do you have planned this weekend?

I have some homework to do, some projects to complete (staircase, I'm looking at you), chickens to play with (yes we have chickens!) and a little boy to smother with affection.


I am leaving you with a few images I styled and photographed today. To find out more about them just click on each one. There is a method to my madness ;)






Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for all of the lovely comments you have left me this week.

Oh and before I go! I have opened a formspring account inspired by Nicole and the BYW course I am taking. If you have anything you would like to ask me, please feel free to ask away here. It can be anonymous too and no need to register.

Top: Kookai
Skirt: It is actually a dress
Shoes: Tony Bianco
Belt: Little clothing store in Newtown
Crazy bag: Accessorize
Rug: Ikea

Mrs Lilien

All week I have been wanting to share with you a site I found full of the most colourful of colours and styling. Truth is, I wanted to find a chunk of time to sit down and marvel at all of her images again before I started writing this post.

Well, here we are and I'm delighted to share with you Mrs Lilien. I discovered her blog after finding her on the same 'top design sites' list that I was listed on. The list was put together for the Alt Summit held a few weeks ago (thank you ladies, my head was spinning when I found out).


Mrs Lilien's blog is witty, stylish, full of colour and her posts rhyme!! She puts together outfits, accessories and homewares and describes the type of person they would be suited for. Not long ago she put together a circus chic collection and you know how much I love anything circus related so I had to show it to you.


The lady behind Mrs Lilien, Kelley Lilien, describes herself as a designer and stylist extraordinista, and has just recently launched her official website. Her portfolio really is eyecandy to browse through.

(All images Mrs Lilien)

Inspired by Angie Hranowsky

Do you remember the kitchen I wrote about a little while back? The one with the tiled to ceiling splashback designed by Angie Hranowsky? I was browsing more of her work and came across her own home featured on her website and in Charleston Home Mag. It is always nice to see how designers live and as expected her home is picture perfect.



I'm very much inspired by her used of colourful patterned textiles and the seagrass wall covering is a great backdrop.




Her kitchen has a full glass tiled splashback too. I really like this look with the open shelving.



I didn't realise until I saw this last image that I have seen part of her home before. I was (and still am) drawn to the blue stripes on the wall in different shades, the red hanging mobile and the rug. A lovely little boy's room.

What caught your eye in these photos?

To see more of her home and her work, please visit Angie Hranowsky's website and if you would like to read about how she found her home and her renovations you can read the full article on the Charlestone Home Mag website here. Enjoy!

(Images Angie Hranowsky and Brie Williams for Charlestone Home Mag)

Visiting Porter's Paints

The weather has improved again and I spent today venturing outdoors visiting my favourite stores. I dropped into Porter's Paints because I heard about their new Bholu range of wallpaper and wanted to see it in person. Have you heard about this range?


The designs are created by local and internationally renowned designers and a percentage of sales will be donated to the 'Bholu Anganwadi Project' which, as mentioned in the brochure, "rebuilds 'Anganwadi's' (preschools) for slum children in under privileged communities in India."


Turns out I am a wee bit too early for the release into the stores which should actually happen tomorrow 17 February. If you are looking for wallpaper for a kids room, although there are adult designs too, I recommend having a look if you can. My personal favourite is the Mavis Monkey wallpaper for a kids room. There are more designs on their website which incidentally has undergone a redesign and worth a peek.


While I was in the store I purchased one of their fandecks. Being a colour nut, I enjoy flipping through the deck but what caught my eye is that each of the paint colours are hand painted so that you can see each brush stroke. I just love little special touches like this, don't you?

If you are not living in Australia with easy access to Porter's Paints (there is a stockist in the USA, China, Singapore and more), perhaps you would like to have a look at Bholu's range of textiles which are available in locations around the world. See the Bholu website for more details.

For Australian readers, Porter's Paints are running short courses so if you have ever wondered how to hang wallpaper or how to paint furniture perhaps you might like to consider one of their classes?

Shop update

Hello! Hello! Here we are, another fun-filled week. I started my interior design and decoration course last week and this is my first full week of classes so I'm going to be a busy bee but that's okay. I never really was the kind of person to sit still for long. The classes I've had so far are inspiring. My head is buzzing with ideas and I love soaking up all the information given to us.

Over the weekend I worked on updating my shop and you will notice a few new additions like these matryoshka dolls. I made one for a friend last year and love it so much I made a couple for the shop too.


I took some progress photos as their faces were being painted to share with you.


Also listed are the vintage chandelier prints in a variety of colours and with or without the word 'Vintage'.


A couple more hearts have made their way into the shop too. I am a little late for Valentines Day but hearts look beautiful in the home all year round.

Speaking of Valentines Day, did you celebrate it?

(Images me. All artwork available at ish and chi)

Giveaway winner

I can't begin to tell you how flattered I am with the response I received for my butterfly mobile giveaway. To discover that something I made with my hands is liked by so many others is truly overwhelming. You've inspired me to keep creating and for that I thank you.

The winner of the giveaway is...



Congratulations Laura! I hope you enjoy your butterflies. If you can please send me an email with your details I will post it out to you.

And thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who entered. Have a beautiful weekend my valentines!

PS: If you missed out and would really like a mobile, please feel free to contact me at viv [at] ishandchi [dot] com to discuss.

Fashion Friday: All dressed up

It is the end of another week! The sun has found its way out again and I am hoping the rain clouds stay away this weekend. I am not ready to let go of summer yet.

Today I am announcing the giveaway winner so entries into the competition are now closed. I even dressed up for the occasion. Inside this little handmade envelope is the name of the lucky winner. I am such a tease though and you will need to come back later tonight for the announcement. I am just awful aren't I?


Meanwhile I wanted to leave you with a couple of gorgeous cushions I purchased today. I couldn't resist the frills or the sparkle of the Eiffel tower and I think they look nice together here. Cushion ban starts now though.

Okay, see you tonight!

(I've had the items for this outfit for many years)
Top: A cheapie store
Skirt: Cooper St Clothing
Shoes: Nine West
Bracelet: It is a necklace my sister gave me as a gift that she bought on her trip to Greece
Cushions: inhouse habits @ Menai Marketplace

Renee Anne

There are many reasons why I enjoy writing for ish and chi and one reason is that it has allowed me to connect with some wonderful, talented people who I may not have come across otherwise. Renee is one of those people. Renee is an artist, illustrator and designer living in Sydney with a real eye for styling and photography. She is going places I can feel it.

When she posted photos of her home on her blog a few weeks ago I craved for more so I asked nicely (bat my eyelashes) and she was more than happy to open up a little more of her home to us. I am so thrilled to share with you here a few more snippets of Renee's home taken in her beautiful photographic style.







Renee also has an Etsy store here (do check out her new little buntings and wrapped tins.. so pretty!) and here for vintage goodies. You can also see more of her work and home on her flickr and blog.

Thank you Renee!

(Images Renee Ann)

Visiting ici et la

It seems I really have been inspired by my mood board. I was looking at it today and thinking 'You know, it would be really nice to have a couple deck chairs to lounge on'. One of the best places for deck chairs in Sydney is ici et la. I have been meaning to visit for a long while and after seeing Holly of Decor8's store tour I was all the more excited to make the journey today to the leafy streets of Surry Hills.

The store is a visual treat. If you are in Sydney or visiting Sydney this is one place to definitely check out. I loved looking at all their finds and imagining the perfect spot for them in my home. They have beautiful zinc letters, espadrilles, cushions, lighting and let's not forget the deck chairs of course.
The chairs come in a range of colourful striped fabrics. What I specifically wanted to see in person and share with you are their baby deck chairs. They are suitable for kids aged 2-6 and are also available via their online store for Australian customers. I spotted one at the front of the store being covered in bright fabric and I would have taken a photo but I didn't want to interrupt. I have such a soft spot for 'mini' furniture and regret not snapping this adorable deck chair up then and there. I'll have to make a return visit soon.

Okay, so have I convinced you to visit yet?

A big thank you to the lovely people at ici et la for allowing me to take these photos.

(Product image ici et la)