Happy Weekend x

Friday again?? - I'm in Manila again this week for work, massive but incredibly rewarding project in the works for my 'day job'. Was supposed to fly home tomorrow but i'm here for another week. No probs, allows me another week to enjoy one of my favourite past times here in the Philippines - being a 'mall rat'. Greenbelt Shopping precinct which is about a minute walk from my 'home away from home' here is an absolute mecca of all things fabulous in the retail world. Snapped this pic on my walk through Greenbelt after work tonight - Neon window installation at Marc by Marc Jacobs, if only I could smuggle it back in my suitcase, this would look awesome on a wall in my loungeroom. Loving me some neon right now.

For more pics of my 'mall rat musings' - check out my instagram account @brownbutton.

Hurry Up Gatsby!

Darling Kate has posted the official trailer to Luhrmann's take on The Great Gatsby due out early next year. WOW WOW WOW. I'm not sure I can wait. And how "Catherine Martin-esque" is the teaser poster above. Thank goodness this year is flying, it will be Gatsby time in no time! Thanks for the heads up Kate xx

Chuck Bass Update

Ok. So remember when I introduced Chuck Bass to you back here. Welllll, turns out it was a pretty top kitty, so the breeder is keeping him (apparently they can do that..... ) - so I'd like to introduce to you Chuck Bass 2.0...... turbo cute, no? - We have a definite arrival date - June 16. So i've started preparing, and that's right folks, only the best for Mr Bass. So I bought one of these for him to do his, ahem, business in. I'm hunting for more luxury goods for my furry friend, if you know some good websites, please let me know! x

Happy but sad days

Happy Mothers Day Mums!, you are awesome, I'm in awe - I love your work. Blessed to spend the latter half of the day with my mum and 92 year old grandma. We also spent time with family as we remembered a great woman who was my great aunt who passed away yesterday. My grandpa's twin sister, times - they are a changin' as family stalwarts leave us. Lovely to think of her with grandpa and my great uncle, but remember the fabulous time we all had together. This growing up business and being an adult wears a bit thin sometimes, I'd like to be five with my rose coloured glasses on again please.

What better way to prepare for the week ahead by just escaping it all, and hang out in pinterest land. This kitchen? Ultimate happy place. Yes.

Giddy Up

Black Caviar is back in town tomorrow - I hope she wins! But surely the streak eventually ends? Enjoy it while you can. A good motto for life me thinks. Happy weekend friends x

image via tiny white daisies tumblr

How To Decorate - Shannon Fricke

I've long been a huge fan of Shannon Fricke's work and style. Her first two books are a staple in my collection so I was so excited to see her latest book on the shelves at DJ's the other day. I told myself I didn't need it- "Kimberlee, what about the approx $100 worth of design mags sitting by your bed at the moment that you haven't had time to even flick through yet...." - but as I was having a sticky beak through the book I got to the back and there in the suppliers/reference section under blogs was brown button.... Um Shannon, THANK YOU! What an honour. So of course, I excitedly bought the book, even told the poor shop assistant about how i was listed in the back, instagram-ed it and FB'ed it!

So I've managed to sit down with a glass (ok a bottle..) of red tonight and flick through the book, read some bits and pieces. It really is gorgeous. Prue Ruscoe did the photography. Best bit? all the images are totally inspiring and totally fresh and new, I haven't seen any of them before and it has me motivated to ensure I'm out of bed at a decent hour over the weekend to start sprucing up this still very bare home of mine.

Shannon has a new website as well and a gorgeous online shop. Thank you again Shannon x

"Nya" - that's "New" in Swedish

Megs and I are excited to receive our first shipment of the fabulous OMM Design goodies. This Swedish group have the most fabulous collection of quirky items for home and party, we are lucky to stock a few of them. I'm finding it hard to decide on a favourite - the 'DIY word banners' could be LOTS of fun, but these cute paper balloons have stolen my heart, love.

See more here.

Ivy & Piper Contribution

Thank you Elizabeth and Melanie for including me in the latest Ivy and Piper Magazine. It was a lot of fun curating a collection of my current favourite things. Thank you also to the incredibly talented Grace Murphy for putting up with the very un-photogenic me to get a current photo for inclusion in the article. Grace is a brilliant Adelaide based freelance photographer - if you need professional photos taken of anything and everything here in Adelaide you must use Grace. Contact me for her details. Meagan and I are looking forward to collaborating with her when we rebrand and relaunch Brown Button Trading in July. Speaking of which - grab yourself a bargain as we clear our virtual shelves for some exciting new goodies arriving soon. Visit the SALE section of the shop to purchase.

Polkadot Pantry Party

A thousand blessings and wishes to my darling friend Kate today - Happy Birthday.

What an incredible friend you are to all who know you. Big things are coming your way gorgeous girl, I just know it.

Mwah xxx

Images via Katie Armour Tumblr

Speaking of weddings....

Oh I love this - had never seen this particular image before... I try really hard not to get caught up in things such as the royal wedding - its not like I know them personally!?! - but its too hard not to. Happy First Anniversary Wills and Kate. xox

image  via This is Glamourous 

They "do"

Ok - well I managed to narrow it down to 19 photos, but I could have easily posted all 180 and you would not have gotten bored. How gorgeous are these photos? I have been blessed to attend many weddings for beautiful friends, but there are some unions that really take your breath away. Ali and Justin's was just that. Having met in Year 6 at school, they realised they were 'more than friends'  in their 20's and their wedding day was a beautiful celebration. Two gorgeous people promising to spend the rest of their lives together - amen to that! Penny's Hill in the McLaren Vale was the scenic location and whilst the weather wasn't that favourable, it did not dampen anyone's spirits. Emma worked with them on styling concepts (her "mr and mrs' canvas was a wedding surprise for the couple, she did it from scratch - how fabulous) - Roy's photography = magic. Fun wedding transport - see Kombis4u. 


Many thanks to Ali and Justin for letting me share beautiful pics of their special day - taken by Roy V photography.

Shop Pretties 'in situ'

How lovely is this image. My friend F pinned this on one of her pinterest boards and I thought those birdies looked familiar - we have them in the shop! Buy them here.

Burning Bright

Don't ask me how - but I manage to justify all my purchases while in the Philippines. It's either because you can't get it in Oz (HELLO kate spade, get your act together...) or its significantly cheaper there than at home. After living there for six month last year I managed to haul back a little stock pile of diptyque (didn't help my excess baggage situation, but sooooo worth it). Last week I 'treated' myself to a (malin + goetz) candle. "Otto" is what I settled on but their options were endless and wonderful - "dark rum", "tobacco", "absolute rose", "geranium leaf" and even "mojito" and "cannabis"

I had a little lunch soiree at my house last Sunday and 'otto' burned bright the whole time, delicious scent at at the end of the day it didn't even looked like it had been lit - a long lasting candle - I likey! x

In Australia? get yours at Mecca.

Urban Outfitting your home

Boo for the odd sized images but we all know I don't know anything about computers and the Internet etc so I don't know how to make them bigger and all the same size. But stay with me..... I'm loving how more and more international brands are embracing international shipping, because it really ain't that hard (you hear me Kate Spade????) - enter "Urban Outfitters" - I couldn't fit into their hip gear if I starved myself for six months, and I'm a bit old for it anyway... BUT, I'm loving their quirky and cool 'apartment' home wares. Fabulous quilt covers,

Cute cushions

Fabulous pendant lighting at an awesome price- we are thinking this will be finding a home in my new living room.

Mix and match cutlery - fabulous and fun

Love these band aids - I'd love to blame my next paper cut (being an accountant is VERY dangerous) on a ninja fight.

Thank you Urban Outfitters for shipping to Australia - I know not everything is available to us (ie furniture) but its awesome all the same x

New Fete

Please tell me you have flicked through the virtual pages of the latest Fete? If not, go here quick. Glamour and gardens - it's glorious.

Best Dressed

Without doubt - best dressed at this years Logies. In J'Aton. Perfect use of Neon. Asher Keddie - love your work.

Domino, Domino....

"Quick Fixes' is out in the States, but how do we get our little paws on one in Australia? I've been asked via the blog and I say 'good question', I wonder that as well? - Short of asking our darling blogger friends in the States to send us one over, anyone know who we might be able to source it from in Australia? I've contacted mag nation - hopefully they can come up with the goods! xx

What people are pinning...

My favourite 'pin of the day'. One of everything in the picture above for me please. Thank you!

image

Help!

So much about the image above to love - but the beautiful Eira wants to know where she can get her hands on the gorgeous bird print on the far left. Can anyone help?? She is currently decorating her home and this will be a very welcome edition if we can get our hands on it! xx

Hunger Games

Off to see Hunger Games tonight. Looking forward to seeing how they have translated the books onto the big screen.

Love the poster? see more 'minimal movie posters' here

Time to remember.

Wishing you a safe, relaxing, happy and peaceful Easter break. May we all remember why we have this four day break.... xox

With a little help from your friends....

I have fab friends. And on Sunday a few of us had a little soiree at the SFC to recognise my 33rd year. Emma super styled and I put on the food and drinkie-poos. Kate and Emma have captured it here and here. I think I've said it before - my frequent overseas travel has allowed me to set up a decent little spirits haul. Mojitos and Neroni's were had by all (Negorni's Pip style - with OJ, yum)- the whole reason I sought out the SFC was to have a big enough place to entertain. Its just me after all and 'the shanty' did me justice 99% of the time, and it was MUCH easier to clean.... I have good friends coming for Easter Saturday lunch and then special ladies for afternoon tea Easter Monday. The extra space to clean is definitely worth it.... xox