A new beginning...

Anne and I finally met yesterday to have a chat and catch up. We've both had some time to think over our lives and our business and things will definitely be changing.

There's a lot to be said for timing. I was saying to Anne I wish we'd met in our twenties before we had mortgages and children to contend with. Whatever happens and we will be making some hard decisions in the next few weeks and months, Anne and I will remain friends and an ongoing partnership of some kind will prevail.

We met each other almost a year ago and I can definitely say it has been one big adventure!

It's been a while...

Happy New Year everyone. It has definitely been a while. Christmas and the New Year have certainly been busy with events - both man-made and natural disasters not withstanding. Our thoughts are with anyone who has been affected by the floods in Queensland and Victoria.

Anne and I have both had some time to think and reflect over the summer and will be meeting soon to discuss where to from here. I've previously mentioned the challenges of running a small online business from home with young children and limited time and money.

I'll keep you posted on what happens...stay tuned for now.

Peace, Love & Happiness

It's Christmas time. I love this time of year as much as it's been a mad rush to the finish line.

It hasn't always been this way. I've had more than my fair share of forgettable Christmases. Christmases where I've been without a job or in an unhappy job, Christmases where I've fought with my family, or been alone or in an unhappy relationship and even a Christmas where I was homeless (my hubby and I were in between houses and lived with my in-laws for a period of time).

And that's why I value happiness at Christmas even more these days. My wish for everyone this Christmas is for peace, love and happiness no matter what your religion or cultural background. If you live in a peaceful country, enjoy good health, the love of family and friends, have a roof over your head, clothing to wear and food on the table, then life here on earth is the biggest present of all. I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Wish list

I've worked out what I'm wearing and it's none of the dresses I mentioned the other day. It's a little vintage dress I picked up when I was up north on a holiday earlier this year. I had forgotten all about it. I discounted the red Vixen dress as I need a slip to wear under it and it's more evening than day.

Everyone's putting out their Christmas wish list. Mine's been the same for a while now - a pair of Art Deco bedside tables, an Asian antique cabinet for our lounge room and an Art Deco floor lamp. I am more than a little obsessed with all things Art Deco. In my next life, I would be re-born as Anna May Wong - an Asian film star from the 1930s.

Return to Edun

I've mentioned Edun before - the ethical label created by U2 singer Bono and his wife Ali Hewson in 2005. I'd noticed that they'd both been featured in a recent Louis Vuitton ad supporting the Cotton Conservation Initiative in Uganda but what I didn't realise was that LMVH Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey had actually taken a 49% stake in the brand.

Serious money and recognition that ethics sell as the luxury conglomerate adds Edun to their stable of labels. It gives us hope that there is a future and a market for sustainable fashion.

A Green Christmas - Take 2

I discovered a fab new site today called Eco Christmas Trees. You can hire a live potted tree for Christmas and afterwards, it's re-planted back in the ground. Such a great idea. We've gone with a plastic tree as I've been having dilemnas about cutting down a live tree every year - it seems such a waste as much as I love the look and smell of a real Christmas tree.

I've also got to mention Chadstone Shopping Centre. I'm not generally a big fan of shopping malls but this Christmas, they are supporting the Australian Conservation Foundation via their 100% biodegradable gift cards - a percentage of their sales being donated to the ACF. They've also mentioned this in their 'Green is the New Black' print advertising campaign.

La Dolce Vita

Every year around this time, I start dreaming of living down at the beach. We don't have a beach house but we'd love one. It's been interesting getting to know who's who in the design world. A lot of our contemporaries have made the sea or tree change and I think it's such a brave move. Anne and her family have not ruled out a tree change in the future although I would miss her being so close to me.

It's inspiring to hear about people doing more with less, growing their own vegies, buying at their local markets and shops and giving their kids the opportunity to grow up in a beautiful environment away from the craziness of the city and suburbs. I mentioned Kim Kneipp from The sustainable stylist a little while ago who now lives in Daylesford and in the mean time I have also made another friend. Crystal Leahy is a Singaporean ex-pat married to an Aussie and now living the dream life down on the Mornington Peninsula. She has a fantastic blog called the crystal bawl (so funny!) accompanied by her beautiful photography.