Satisfied Shopper

I am always on the look out for fabric sales, especially when they are at designers businesses! The very thought of mounds of fabrics, once carefully chosen and now up for grabs sends my heart racing! Zac from Z Sewing Services is having a massive cleanout and there are still MANY great fabrics, laces and trims to purchase. Every piece has a story and Zac graciously spent a few hours with me sharing his collection from around the world. If you are a fashion designer 'of sorts' it would definitely be for you. Here is the some of what I purcahsed today...

A gorgeous beige and black trim. I'm using it to glamorise lampshades.

An assortment of silks.

This pieces of denim screams little girls quilt cover!

Embroided silk for cushions...

Well worth checking out....

Z Sewing Services

915 Brunswick St, New Farm

3358 2822

Thea and Sami

Thea and I have just met through our blogs. I hadn't previously come across their lovely textiles business. They are definitely worth checking out at their blog or online shop - Thea and Sami. Here is one of their designs that caught my eye...Got to love talented Brisbane girls.

Michelle

News!!!

Well, I have news! News that has nothing to do with Divine Finds, but with Youth Excel (the other half of my life).

I signed a book contract today with the Australian Academic Press and I am going to the author of a new book written for mothers of teenage girls. We are still playing around with the title but I will keep you posted. So I am feeling a little pleased and a tiny bit overwhelmed with the schedule that may unfold! To keep in the theme of things, I've posted some gorgeous vintage books for you to enjoy!

Of course I headed to Style Court for some of these images! I also found some beautiful images on Design by Delight. I am dreaming that ONE DAY my book may end up on an old vintage bookcases like these.

Michelle

English Roses

It is cold outside today so there is nothing better than looking at English landscape. It makes our shallow winter so much more bearable! Shabby Chic has some amazing photos of her garden makeover. This one was my favourite. That rose vine is just stunning and who doesn't love an old bench seat.

Lounge Love

Alkemie's latest post "Turning a church into a home" is well worth a look. I don't think I have ever seen a church look bad when refurbished, but this one is gorgeous! These two lounges could come and visit my place anyday! I think they would feel quite at home!

Michelle

Coming Soon!

Before you read any further check out the tablecloth. I wish you could see more of it because it really was beautiful. Bronnie teamed it up with french bed linen which always works a treat.

I thought I would post a few more pics of the high tea Bronnie set up at Girls Night Out. I really love the way she used miss-matched china to create a three tiered plate. She really is clever. Her gorgeous table cloth reminded me of the one I posted a few weeks ago (you can find it under table settings). I have two cloths in at the dressmakers getting finished ready for my new shop display. I've gone with hot pinks which may progress to yellow as I get a little more game! Look forward to posting Divine Find's high tea set up soon and our new range of fun tablecloths.

More Divine Finds

Thanks to Vintage by Lou Lou for taking these lovely photos of my shop's current outdoor theme. I thought I'd post them and give everyone a look at what my shop looked like last week! I'll be trying to post a few more pics of the shop this week as it has changed yet again. I have found it difficult to keep up with taking photos of the shop, especially as it seems to be ever moving and there are some weeks it is less than perfect! I guess turnover is a good thing....just not always from a design perspective! Thanks to all my new blog followers, including the lovely Tania from Vintage Modern Chic. She has a great blog which is well worth a visit.

What an AWESOME night! The Girls Night Out update...

I thought I'd let these photos tell the story....

70 EXCITED ladies (and one pregnant one!) arrived ready to shop until they dropped.

But before they got started everyone enjoyed coffee and cake @ the WAC's coffee shop. Rumour has it that the orange and almond cake is to die for!

A special mention has to be made to Kimmy Dee who contributed a great giveaway of a $220 vintage dress from her shop Skirts Like These! Thanks also to Meisha from Pin Up Parlour who gave away some great hair accessories packs and all the other dealers who donated something for the night.

Thanks to the WAC's masterminds Megan and Sarah-Jane for allowing Girls Night Out to come to the Woolloongabba Antique Centre. They did an incredible amount of overtime to make this night a success. Here are the glamorous pair looking gorgeous as usual!

A big thank you to interior designer Bronnie Masefau for passing on her enthusiasm and passion for all things vintage. If you are looking for an interior designer LOOK NO FURTHER, Bronnie has to be one of the most experienced designers I know and you won't find anyone more lovely to work with. I have a few more of Bronnie's books Australia Vintage Living in my shop if you missed out on the night.

Thank you to everyone who (after a long day at work) came out in the cold again to join us. It was such a pleasure to meet everyone! I personally found the night so personable and relaxed. I think it was a real de-stressor for many women and I am so glad everyone enjoyed themselves so much. A special thanks to Lou from Vintage by Lou Lou, Katherine from The Old Boat House and Sandy from Sandy's Place for coming along and offering their support.

This is my little shop - Divine Finds. Thank you for everyone's beautiful comments and appreciation of my shop space. Thank you to everyone who treated themselves to a special something from my shop on the night. I really hope everyone enjoyed their purchases, especially Bronnie's mum who took home that Outdoor Trestle Table and bench seat!! (She made my day!!!)

Girls Night Out

It's 11.30pm and I have just got in from our Girls Night Out @ Woolloongabba. I must blog because it was such an incredible night and I have to tell someone!!! I feel like I am on a shopping high!!! I have been surrounded by women finding 'treasures' for their home. The energy and excitement was amazing. I found an absolute bargain glass cookie jar for $18! Thank you to all the ladies who brought trestle tables for their office desks or outdoor settings. Hubbie is getting to work on them tomorrow. Pictures coming soon but Vintage by Lou has blogged some already.

Michelle

A Sneak Peak for Girls Night Out

There is one more sleep until Girls Night Out and believe it or not I still have laryngitis! I'm in bed eating loads of chicken soup and praying to God I'm going to be able to speak tomorrow! I thought I'd do something constructive and post a few pictures of a lovely cane piece that will be available tomorrow night. I really love this piece and hope it goes to a great home. See everyone tomorrow...with or without a voice!

Michelle

My China Find

My last post inspired me to look at blue and white china and well I deviated just a little! Blue and white turned into turquoise and pink. I love looking at china being sold throughout the world on ebay. I love the feeling of buying from England itself (don't love the postage though) and waiting... waiting... waiting... for my purchases to arrive. It feels like Christmas cutting through bubblewrap and sticky tape and hoping to God nothing is broken. This gorgeous Shelley "Blue Empress" China, 1945-1966 really takes my fancy. It is taking all my willpower not to bid on it!!!
Michelle

PS Two sleeps until the big event...a few tickets left

Blue and white at its best

Verandah House just blogged about her love for blue and white. I do love it too, especially when there is an added flair about how it is put together. Love this photo...this is blue and white at its best to me.

Thinking Fashion

Fashion has never been so non-existant in my life! My wardrobe has taken a nose-dive since starting Divine Finds. I once enjoyed a leisurely shop in between appointments, but I haven't even been to the shops since starting the business. Although I'm not convinced I can pull off vintage, these photos are really tempting...and the closest thing I have come to shopping for a while.

This recent photo from Shelter is such a statement.

Modern Vintage in Melbourne featured this gorgeous bag.

...and Amelkie's recent post took my breath away. I love the colours!

I'm ready for a wardrobe makeover!

Michelle

PS. Bookings for Tuesday's event @ Woolloongabba Antique Centre closes Monday. Still some seats available. Look forward to meeting everyone!

Delightful Lights

I'm on the fly today trying to "get ahead" for next week (ha ha), so just a short blog featuring some of the chandelliers I adore. They are both totally different styles however they both carry a sense of grandure like only a chandellier can!

Thanks also to Katherine from The Old Boat House for her coverage of our upcoming event. Looks like you have some goregous things on ebay this week!

Michelle

Get the word out....Tues 18th GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Tuesday 18th is going to be our second showing of Girls Night Out with interior designer and author, Bronnie Masefau.

Can you help me get the word out there girls....!

7pm for a 7.30pm start

Woolloongabba Antique Centre

22 Wellington Rd, Woolloongabba

$15 per ticket

Bookings essential - limited places

What to expect: A one hour presentation by Bronnie Masefau followed by coffee and cake and all the vintage shopping you can handle.

They sure meant SALE!

Those girls at Black and Spiro sure know how to put on a sale!

When my husband asked, "Would you like to go to the Black and Spiro sale to buy a mothers day gift?" he had no idea I'd come home with the amount of stuff I did. I had no idea I'd come home with the amount of stuff I did!!!! But caught in a moment of chaos meets sheer buyers bliss I couldn't resist an absolute bargain! When I arrived home my husband very sweetly smiled and got excited about my purchases with me. Then he offered to pick them up that afternoon so I'd have them straight away (now I am bragging!).

This console caught my eye in the window....I was actually thinking of my sister when I brought it but it has founds its way into my bedroom and I don't think it will move for a while!

These vintage lamps were my buy of the day. $30 each! I am thinking of painting them green!

When they said sale they meant SALE. If you missed Black and Spiro's sale I have to say it was fabulous!

A big thank you to Anna and the girls for making my 'mothers day' such a fantastic one. Great timing! The memory of the day will stay in my home for many years to come.

Michelle

Trestles by the Sea

This trestle table would have looked so much better if I had of photographed it at the beach. I can imagine it standing grandly in the sand, being framed by a seascape of blue. Unfortunately the reality of the time pressured leaves it plonked amongst oodles of gorgeous things at the Woolloongabba Antique Centre. I felt like I had to at least surround this post with the notion of 'by the sea' even if I couldn't quite expand on the idea! Thanks to Beach Vintage and Veranda House for these totally fun pictures.

I am really proud of our new range of tables being developed at the moment - office desks, children's work stations (hot pink and navy blue and red!), dining tables and display tables! Looking forward to posting more pics soon and thanks to my new followers.

Thank you to all my new blog followers. It is lovely to meet you all and I appreciate your comments so much.

Michelle

Supporting the Next Generation

Youth Excel is a charity I founded almost 10 years ago! Oh my goodness time flysby!!! What started out as a simple endeavour to help teenagers transition to adulthood, has become a life changing journey. As a teacher by "trade" it has provided an avenue to make a difference in so many kids lives. Thank you to Ansvar Insurance and Dare Gallery whose ongoing sponsorship makes my job so much easier.

Today I spent the day with a group of graduating students who were participating in their makeover day. They are gorgeous, amazing, sensational girls who I hope really enjoy seeing their photos posted here! Thanks to the Napoleon makeup artists and volunteers who gave of their time to make this experience a great success. I had a great time!

Thanks to Style Magazine

YES...with two weeks to go 'Girls Night Out' is totally SOLD OUT.

I really wanted to thank Style Magazine for their recent coverage of Divine Find's FIRST exclusive shopping event. In fact, thanks to all the great media coverage that has gone into making the event a success. I hear 97.3fm are covering it this week which will be awesome.

Luckily we have been able to secure Bronnie Masefau (interior designer and author of Australian Living Vintage) for another showing of the event - Tuesday 18th. If anyone missed out, please feel free to contact me to book as tickets are selling quickly.

I look forward to posting some pictures of the gift bags, giveaways and stock exclusive to the night.

Michelle

My Secret Weekend Escape

I loved this photo of Venice so much I kept it on the computer screen saver for a while. It is so quaint and romatic. I can imagine this room featured below, hidden somewhere in those gorgeous houses. It looks like is a collection of various tenants treasures, each person layering their own personality to make a masterpiece.


I can only admire this room, that Beach Bungalow just posted, as a piece of art. There is so much to love about it...the combination of grand wall art and classic furniture is superb. That chaise is gorgeous. The sense that is has been 'thrown' together by one who is not trying too hard is refreshing. I really enjoy a room not looking a little 'lived in' and comfortable while still carrying a sense of strong style.