Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Catching up with Prue Hufton from Olive & Clover

Today on our "Catching up with" series, we have the very clever and stylish Prue Hufton- owner and founder of the gorgeous online store, Olive & Clover.


You might recognise Prue from a recent article in January's Country Style magazine. Prue's family home, near Harden in NSW's south west slopes, was on display showing what talent Prue has for putting colours, textures and her favourite homewares together. She really does have a gift for putting things together and making them look so incredibly good and homely.

Prue's latest venture, Olive & Clover, is a lovely online boutique selling women's fashion, accessories and homewares, of which she runs from home. Having just opened almost a year ago, Prue has gradually been sourcing and adding to her store, filling it with beautiful and ecletic pieces that represent her style and personality- classic, sophisticated and fun! Stocking homegrown australian designers as well as some overseas ones too,  there are some truly divine items that will add some 'pizazz' to your wardrobe…and your home!

Prue's background is in interior styling and fashion marketing, so it's only natural that she has her finger on the pulse when it comes to undertanding new trends and styling. Her business offers styling advice and her showroom in Harden is open by appointment only. Otherwise, the convenience of online shopping makes it so much easier for us, and the rest of the world, to browse through Olive & Clover's wares. You can also find Olive & Clover at market days scattered around central and the south west slopes of NSW- so keep your eyes and ears open if you live in that area!


Prue writes a blog alongside her online store which is definitely worth a read. She writes regularly about new stock arrivals, fashion and style tips, homeware trends and country living. One post I particularly enjoyed was this one about the Art of High/Low Dressing. That is, the idea of combining a designer piece with a cheaper piece of clothing and still being able to make it look amazing without having to sell your house to fund your wardrobe!

It is also worth checking out Olive & Clover on Instagram and facebook  for regular photos and posts for inspiration on fashion and how Prue mix and matches o&c's clothing range.

It's no secret that Olive & Clover is one of my favourite online stores- its a place I go to, to drool and immerse myself in beautiful, classic and stylish pieces.

So, without  further ado ….here is Prue, answering some hardcore TMCM questions…..

1. How would you describe your personal style?
Feminine and sophisticated. But I always try to add a bit of fun to an outfit. I dont take fashion or style too seriously that's for sure. It could be a quirky necklace, or bright coloured shoes I will try to always have fun with my outfit.

2. What item in your wardrobe are you loving most at the moment?
My new "Flower Bomb" pants- they are so fun to wear. You can never have a bad day in something so bright and fun!

3. What inspires you?
 I do get a lot of inspiration from magazines and bloggers, but nowadays I find a lot of inspiration via Instagram and Pinterest. Instagram in particular, allows you to gain up to date inspiration from people the world over. People who you may not have heard of or been in contact with before. Locally, I get a lot of recipe inspiration from Local is Lovely by Sophie Hansen.

4. What beauty/fashion/decor items are you loving at the moment?
Beauty items- Cloud 9 Wand. Im thinking of embracing my hairs ability to create a wave all of its own. However, my hair needs a bit of help in creating a loose controlled wave, instead of the disheveled look it goes for on its own.
Fashion- A pair of black leather pants for winter. Not sure yet if they will be legging style or more of a loose boyfriend style pant?
Decor- rugs! We are currently in the process of ripping up the old carpet and some of the tiles in our house, exposing the beautiful floor boards underneath. With winter fast approaching we are going to be needing plenty of rugs. This one is currently on the top of my wish list!

5. Favourite piece on Olive & Clover site?
They are yet to arrive, but I am having my own vintage Kantha vests and jackets being made in India at the moment exclusively for Olive & Clover. I cant wait for them to arrive, which should hopefully be around April.

6. Ultimate travel destination and why?
Paris! Seriously, who doesn't love Paris? My husband and I travelled over to London a few years ago to visit some friends we have living there. We jumped on the train for a few days in Paris and it was by no means enough. We decided to ditch some of the tours of all the touristy things I had booked us in for and just spend our time walking the cobblestone streets and taking in as much of the atmosphere as we could. I can't wait to get back there one day.

7. What do you love most about living in the country?
I know this sounds cliche but it really is the best place to bring up children. From horse riding and motor bike riding every day after school- even my 3 year old can catch the bus to pre school has been a huge milestone and help our day to day lives. I guess I am lucky having my parents live in Sydney that we spend some of our school holidays up in the city, so the kids get to experience the best of both worlds.

8. What do you love most about your business?
Setting up and running my own online store has been something I have always wanted to do, but the timing was just never quite right. But now that the children are all growing up (the tricky toddler days are nearly behind us), things have just been working out as I had always hoped. I have always loved finding new and interesting products, and I have always loved finding unique fashion pieces to add to my eclectic wardrobe. People used to often say to me… can you take me shopping? or the next time you buy a dress can you buy two, one for you and one for me? This now gives me the opportunity to do that, and share my passion with women all over the world.

9. Five essential items for this Autumn/Winter?
A Vintage Kantha Blazer / Vest (of course)
Silk… anything!
Kimono Jacket
Great pair of boots
Warm woolly scarf.

10. Best styling tip?
A stripe Tee goes with just about everything.

Here are some of my favourite Olive & Clover pieces……


'Providore at Four' Blouse- so incredibly classic!

'The infamous & must have wardrobe item'……Saint James Stripe Tee

"Beach Cottage" Map Dress- fun, yet oozes so much style and grace!

Talitha Knit Wrap- OMG…..drop dead gorgeous!

Gypset Woolen Scarf- perfect for that cold winters day! How gorgeous are those pom poms??

Apple Dish- quite simply……cute!

Indigo Tweed Pot- perfect pop of colour on the kitchen bench filled with herbs!

Hopi Tray- see Prue's blog post here for a clever and fun way to add some art to your walls!

(All images from Olive & Clover website)

You can find Olive & Clover at the Milthorpe Markets  
this Sunday 6th April
8am- 4pm
Redmond Oval, Milthorpe
(Milthorpe is 3.5 hrs from Sydney and Canberra, 30 mins from Bathurst and 20mins from Orange)

If nearby, drop in and visit Prue and her lovely store!

Otherwise pop over to the website!!!

Special thanks for Prue in participating in our "Catching up with" series!

Until next time x









Thursday, 13 March 2014

March Love List

Some things I am loving this March…..


 The colour Indigo….forever classic, timeless and so very romantic….. (image source)


 Blue and white china (image source)- might have to go raid some antique stores!


 Indoor Greenery…..(Image source)


Back to my blue theme….Ive been eyeing off this Saint James Striped Tee
since last spring but with coming into Summer and the weeks of sweltering heat,
it got sideswiped to my wishlist for this winters wardrobe.
Available in navy/white, royal blue/white, red/white and black/white….
a good wardrobe staple for the cooler months!


I would so love to do this workshop, but motherhood duties come first…
another time perhaps. Details here.
Image- Original artwork of Lauren Merrick.


The beautiful and creative talents of Sydney stylist, Emma Duckworth. 
See Emma's blog for more details on her business, 
and you can follow her on Instagram- her photos are such a treat!
Or have a read of this great feature from Temple & Webster on her.


And finally, with cooler weather on its way, Im feeling the need to make soup and this one sounds delicious (and a smidge healthy too !)- Carrot Soup with Tahini and Crisp chickpeas

Enjoy your Thursday……

Thursday, 20 February 2014

Catching Up with Yvette from The Stylist Splash…

Today I would like to introduce you to Yvette Wilson who is the colourful and talented writer behind one of my favourite blogs- The Stylist Splash!

The Stylist Splash is a lifestyle blog where Yvette shares lots of great ideas and her finds on food, styling and decorating tips, interior design news, fashion, home living, kids stuff, just to name a few. I love how every day she has something new to read. Yvette has a real flair for styling and colour. Her photos are always a visual treat! You may have come across her in Adore Home Magazine, Inside Out magazine, Sunday Style magazine, Interiors Addicts Seven Vignettes and she even won a styling competition for Kiki K. I think this is definitely a blog to watch as Yvette's talents are discovered by all. 

So, some questions for Yvette…..

1. How would you define your style? 
I would define my style as contemporary with pops of colour 

2. Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?
Muuto wall dots and big rustic dining room tables with coloured chairs. 
Inspiration from The Block (Channel 9).  I am coveting all of them at present.

3. What is your favourite colour and colour combinations?
Fave colours are yellow and pink.  I adore yellow and grey together.  White, taupe and duck egg blue and currently loving coral, navy and gold together. 

4.Name three things you couldn't live without at the moment? 
Three things I could not live without would be my iPhone, lipgloss and my running shoes.

5. Your favourite room at home? and why?
My favourite room at home would be my home office space.  I can hide away in there away from the hustle and bustle and no one is allowed to touch anything so it always stays the way I left it.

6. Your ultimate job?
My ultimate job would be to own a little coffee gift shop and only run it in school hours. 

7. A quick summary of your blog "The Stylist Splash'?
My blog The Stylist Splash is a place where I share all the lovely things I come across in the world of design,interiors, kid style, cooking and lifestyle and just a place I can be creative and share what I love.

8. Have you a favourite designer/s that you seek inspiration from?
I have a few favourite designers.  I love Rachel Castle from Castle and Things.  Her colour and mantra to life are happy and bright and I always admire her work.  I love the work produced by Lovestar, those vases are to die for.  The Brown Trading Company for its bright, colourful homewards and gorgeous cushions

9. Favourite holiday destination? 
My favourite holiday destination is Noosa.  I love the relaxed, warm environment and the fact that we really have some beautiful beaches and resorts right here in Australia.


Below are a handful of Yvette's images - a mixture of her recipes, vignette's and home styling





So be sure to pop over and visit Yvette at The Stylist Splash…..
it always brightens up my day, and Im sure it will do the same to yours!


Wednesday, 14 August 2013

My UK Fashion flashback!

Yesterday I received in the post a catalogue from Boden in the UK.
It took me back several years to when I was living in England. Boden was one of my favourite online stores. Love the classic yet quirky style. And the children's clothes are gorgeous.






The two other stores I loved were Joules and The White Company.
Both sell lovely clothes and homewares.

Source-Joules


Source-Joules

I am a big one for shopping local, so you may ask yourself why I mention these UK sites. It's purely a nostalgic thing. I love flicking through and seeing the trends and whats 'hot' over there. I browse their websites and wait until sale time, and yes, I have occasionally bought some pieces. 

Now you must excuse me whilst I make a cup of tea and sit down to flick through 
and get my Boden dose!

Monday, 5 August 2013

Fly away with Birdsnest

Today I received a parcel of goodies I ordered from Birdsnest.

Birdsnest is one of my favourite online stores. Their service is AMAZING!!!!!
I can order one day and receive my parcel the next. What a great service when you live in the country.
They are wrapped with love and attached is a lovely handwritten note which makes you feel like you have just received a gift from a long lost friend.

The range of clothing and accessories is fantastic and I love how I can cheat and just look up the Style Guide and browse through the already put together outfits according to my body size and the occasion. Its brilliant for a time poor Mum like myself. Within half an hour I can find a complete outfit (or two). The website is easy to navigate and they even stock clothes for the kids and a range of giftware too. Finally...a flat express postage rate of $4.95 Australia wide and they have a 365 day return policy- how good is that??

There is a great article worth reading on Jane Kay- the founder of Birdsnest- Click here to see it.
Jane has been nominated for the Most Clickable Woman Awards. I think she has done a great job building this business up in a small country town and then going on to service the nation. I am a big fan of buying local however I don't feel so guilty with Birdsnest because I know Im supporting another country town just over the mountains! Well done Jane...you have my vote!

So if you haven't already discovered Birdsnest.....please do so....you won't be disappointed!



To check out this outfit and more click here


Please note- this post has been written without any influence from Birdsnest but rather written 
by a very very happy and satisfied customer!






Thursday, 1 August 2013

Some dreamy Jewels to drool over!

A piece of jewellery, be it the real deal or just costume, can really spruce up any outfit.
It also says a lot about your personality. 
Here are some pieces I came across which I love.
Its funny how they don't all compliment each other, 
but they somehow reflect a bit of me and what I like!



























Lobo luxe- Blush Image Earrings- $182


My favourite piece of jewellery is a gorgeous string of pearls given to me by my husband a few years ago as a surprise. The suprise was a gift in itself! These pearls are beautiful. They are just a smidge too long so Im thinking of taking two pearls off and making them into a pair of earrings.....just a thought!
A girl can never have too many pearls!

Have you a favourite piece of jewellery? What is it and why?...