Hertex Fabrics

Hertex Fabrics. Love their ads.

And, have you seen their wallpaper? The City Limits collection is pretty sweet.

Christmas Wish List

I know everyone else in the entire blogosphere is doing gift lists for Christmas. That's not really my speed but there is one thing I'd like to mention before Christmas, because I just think it's something special. 

Halimatu is a little company that is doing great things - making fabric products from around the world (starting with West African wax stamped fabrics) in a fair-trade and ethical way.

The clutches? Divine.

 

Halimatu was started by Alexis, who was inspired by her time spent living and working in Senegal, West Africa. While there, she fell in love with the brilliant colors and exotic designs of handcrafted fabrics, and came to understand the importance of this craft for the local men and women working to support their families.

The first Halimatu line, which features stylish/modern handbags and adorable stuffed animals (pics after this!) made from fair-trade wax stamped and hand-dyed fabrics from Mali, West Africa. The fabrics are purchased through the Hèrè Jè Project, in Mali. This organization takes women off the streets and gives them an opportunity to earn a fair wage, while providing them with an education, and counseling on family nutrition. 

Halimatu is dedicated to providing high quality products made from unique, fair-trade materials from all over the world. The goal is to create sustainable partnerships with organizations working to make a difference in struggling communities by providing artisans with a marketplace to sell their goods. 

Which is all good - plus the bags and the stuffed animals are to die for. 

So you still have some time to get something amazing for someone special (maybe a son? Niece? Godchild? Yourself?) this Christmas.

Congrats to Skinny laMinx!

Psssst! One more thing! How fantastic is this stop motion video from Skinny laMinx to celebrate her shop turning one?



Congrats, Heather! And well done to your team, your work is always beautiful :)

More Ardmore

A year ago I posted about the amazing work of Ardmore, an exceptionally talented and unique group of ceramicists based in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. Led by Fee Halsted-Berning, the group's work has grown from strength to strength and now has branched out into fabric, cushions and tableware. Such fantastic news, because if you are like me and unlikely to be able to afford these beautiful creations, maybe you could afford a swatch of fabric, or one special tea cup, for your home.

Aren't these just magnificent?

And here are some of the fabrics...

And my favourite? This one!

You can see the rest of the lovely things here (like this crazy and amazing couch)

 Have a wonderful, dreamy weekend!

What Inspires You?

What makes me excited is the colour in fashion right now - all the colour blocking and joyousness. Don't you think it's great? Another thing that makes me happy (and shouldn't fun things like fashion be happy?) is the profusion of African print out there. 

 For where the images came from, check out my pinterest board...

Soft Stones

One of the advantages of family coming to visit is the wonderful goodies they bring from South Africa with them. In the June/July issue of Elle Decor Ronel Jordaan's work was featured.

(Pics from apartmenttherapy, Jennifer Tetlow's blog, and Designer's Block UK.)

And these cushions and things are all interesting, but my favourite? These lamps. All together now: oooh. Wish they had had more pics but they didn't, and I couldn't find anymore online. The ombre colour is just gorgeous.

FEED

I was recently in  Godiva (obviously) getting one of their delicious chocolate shakes (perfection in a cup, you have to try them) and noticed these beautiful bags.

Handcrafted by women in Liberia, the purchase of a bag provides 10 school meals for children, which I think is one of the easiest and most effective ways to feed children, keep them in school and help them get a good footing in life. You can read more, and purchase a bag, here.

Under The Baobab

I was pleased as punch to discover Nikki via pinterest (these are her awesome boards) and even more happy to discover her blog, Baobab Telegraph. Like me, she is a girl from southern Africa living abroad, with her heart back on dusty, southern shores. And she loves fabric, design, art, the outdoors, crafting, interior decorating, photography... are we actually related!?

Friday Finds

Things I want to share this week.

These guys on Rose and Hudson



This little guy from here and originally found here



The cover design of this book (and I bet I'd enjoy reading it, too!)



This awesome cushion from Mingo Lamberti (click to see all the lovely detail).



Have a wonderful weekend!

Florence Broadhurst meets Kate Spade

I nearly jumped out of my chair at work today. I was looking around the ol' internets for some inspiration, when I discovered that Kate Spade has done a new range using Florence Broadhurst's designs. Oh, heavens!! I'm a big fan of both, so this is just up my alley.

Impressions of India

To kick off my new-found global freedom, I want to share one of my favourite things: Indian block print textiles. If you remember, a short while ago I made a headboard covered in a block print fabric (you can check it out here) and it's kind of being a catalyst to bring in more of that beautiful art form into my house.

Have you seen John Robshaw's textiles? Just glorious, glorious stuff but a wee bit out of my price range.









Also so, so inspiring is Emersonmade... not only are her clothes classic and chic, but I think she's really funny! Not to mention a gal (she's definitely a "gal", I think) who's hard-working and making things happen for herself. Anyway, I digress. Here's what caught my eye (from her hilarious blog)





I love the colours, the textures... the henna! I know she is making caftans (which are not really my bag) but also tunics, which are just gorgeous.



Those tunics are also a wee bit out of my price range, but I'm not sure if you've noticed if you are repeatedly attracted to (and sometimes buy) the same things over and over so, luckily, I had already bought a beautiful tunic from my favourite Indian import store, Adivasi, in Brattleboro, Vermont a while back. If you are ever in Brattleboro, I strongly suggest you pop in for textiles, clothing, those awesome lunch pails, jewellery and old Bollywood posters.



The other place I've come across for block print textiles is Rikshaw Design. The only bummer is that they doesn't have any king-size textiles... but they do have lots for babies, children and (woohoo!) lovely women's clothing.







My final stop on my Indian tour is West Elm (believe it or not!). Somewhere along the line I saw this video, and as a graphic designer and lover of all things fabric and block printed, I was mesmerized. The confidence! The lack of hesitation! I am in awe.



So I took a look at their quilts... and found it. I did a little shopping on Saturday and this gorgeous yellow quilt came home with me. Really, really light and soft, its perfect for summer.