the buying season, part two...

update... I mostly get my Green & Blacks from the food section of David Jones Department Store, they seem to have a good range most of the time...

the buying season...

At the end of this week I will be making one of two buying trips that I make each year. As you can imagine, these trips are one of the highlights of my job and it's great fun... and a lot of work.

I love that there are so many elements that go into making a buying trip successful. That some of these elements I can control and others I can't.

This post by Alison got me thinking about the hidden aspects of my work. About how the work I do before a trip is integral to the final outcome. I've also been thinking how similar the process is to that of making a piece by hand. It starts with an idea, a pattern of sorts, is informed by many outside influences, the old and the new. Although I have a vision of what the final work might look like, in reality it will probably be quite different... but the threads of the original design will still be evident.

The hidden work begins for me at the beginning of January, thinking about the season that has just passed... about what we did well, about where we can improve. Thinking about colour and form and trends, about what our interpretation of these things might be. Making notes in my little books about desired items, textures and ideas, visual signposts for the journey that will follow.

And on the ground the seen work begins, absorbing the vision of others, putting together orders, making actual selections for the season ahead. Trusting my instincts. Balancing the essentials with an element of surprise. Making sure I find the things I know for certain that we need, the things that our customers expect to see. And all the time watching for the unexpected because it is these pieces that help us create a story that's all our own.

And, if I'm lucky, I'll finish in time to go shopping...

on friday...

Lately I am captivated by the thought of living life slowly, with simplicity and intention. So when this book arrived at the shop yesterday, I couldn't resist!

Skye Gyngell writes so beautifully about cooking with the seasons, her words and recipes are an inspiration. And it's the little details that I love about this book... it's perfect size, the matte finish of the pages, the three ribbon page markers (yes three!), the extraordinary photos and the fact that it looks so wonderful on our dining table with my Shannon Garson bowls...


A year in my kitchen by Skye Gyngell and photography by Jason Lowe is published by Quadrille (isbn184400337x)

six things...

The lovely Liana tagged me to reveal six things not yet mentioned about myself, i was so relieved that it wasn't the weird things meme and that i wouldn't have to discuss the matching pegs...

So here goes (apologies to those of you who already know these things.)

#1 I used to sing in a band, fleetingly, seems like such a long time ago now. I have always loved to sing and one of my greatest childhood experiences was being part of a school choir. Our teacher was so wonderful and she imparted such a love of music to us all, it was a great gift.

#2 On the rare occasions that I am home on my own, I like to listen to my favourite music really really loud. The last time it was Stereolab "Mars Audiac Quintet"

#3 We have a fledgling collection of Dinosaur Designs pieces. I've always been a fan, stamp-boy was convinced after we visited the retrospective together a few years ago.

#4 I'm not a morning person. 3191 makes me wish I was.

#5 Last year I was on the local news in a story about the benefits of counselling for young women with breast cancer. I can't say enough about how counselling sessions helped me to cope with my experiences in the last year. I have learned things that will guide me for the rest of my life.

#6 One of the reasons the blog has been so quiet of late is that we are quite busy toilet training Miss A. It's going very well but I feel like I'm at the potty every five minutes! The big-girl bed is next, our baby is growing up!


You can see that I got some of Liana's wonderful vintage knitting needle bracelets for Christmas, love love wearing these!

Happy weekend friends!