dry my eyes so you won’t know

“Batwing Tunic” by indie designer Liza Rietz – www.lizarietz.com

“Tonight” Lykke Li – www.lykkeli.com

Magic Mushroom

A magic mushroom floppy hat to bring a smile to your face and make all your awkward dreams come true! By quirky designer "Obey My Brain"

Alice in Wonderland

For those who loved Alice in Wonderland as a child, you will be thrilled to know that a new version is coming out in 2010! I think it looks absolutely exquisite and dreamy. It stars Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, who as we all knows nails the eccentric characters so well! I still dream that there is such a thing as Willy Wonka/chocolate factory and the six-year-old in me knows that Wonka and I would be the best of friends. Here is the trailer…

next week I will put together of some of my favourite products from Etsy that have Alice in Wonderland aromas! Stay tuned!

Buying Trip

Hello all! I did a little disappearing act, no? I was struck by the flu and as soon as I was feeling a little bit better, off to the City I went, to do some chores! I managed to do some stock-take sale shopping too…

Perth Craft Projects

Spotlight (a massive Australian craft store) was having a 1/2 price pattern sale, so I picked up quite a lot that I have been eying off for a while. Now, I just need to learn how to sew properly! They also were having a 20% off everything sale, so I got some cobalt-blue cotton yarn for a scarf and clean-cut, floral retro-fabric.

Wardrobe Shopping

Some new pants! I love it’s detail. I still have to learn to love it’s three quarter and skinny-leg style. If I don’t, they will make a great pair of shorts. I have finally got peep-toe white shoes. They were the last pair, and crazily it was in my size (11) and *not* wide fitted for my slender feet. They are leather and the heels are not like being on stilts. I  bought 4 shoes in total. Not photographed are my three new cardigans – they were about 70% off from Myers. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw them, as I have been looking all year for a maxi/boyfriend cardigans that LOOKS LIKE ONE on someone who is 5’11. Actually, everything I got was all less than 50% off the original price. I tend to only buy clothes when they are on sale as 1. most of my money goes towards Cocoa Pod and 2. it makes me feel a bit better knowing that people aren’t overly profiting on sweat-shop made things. Still wish that my whole wardrobe could be 100% indie made. How cool would that be?

Cocoa Pod Offline Supply Buying

Green table cloth for new designer-market display – it goes with Cocoa Pod’s logo perfectly! Brown box that I will re-construct to be a chain and white dispenser. Bulk tissue paper, box samples for new Cocoa Pod branding/packaging. Not pictured are some paper drawers, sketch book and pens from Office Works.

Australians: how to spend your stimulus money

Buy: Locally handcrafted, from Australian Designers.

The perfect way to instantly and directly get the money to Australia, is by getting something (or things that are) truly amazing and original…

More places to find AUSSIE work:

1. www.madeit.com.au

2. www.leeloo.com.au

Thanks, Kevin Rudd! (*cough* for giving us some of our tax money back *cough*)

Roaring 20s

A friend’s new hairdo inspired this post… I just adore the 20s and 30s – the clothes and the music. The clothes were asymmetrical and contrasting: a boyish silhouette is such a contrast with the feminine appliqués and silks. Was the 20s fashion ahead of it’s time or are we just simply being inspired by it today? I am forever studying the fashion in the 20s, and will be posting quite a lot about it in the future. Today I am leaving you with a fantastic Australian artist,  Samantha Battersb, who is also inspired by the same era…

MOTL Market

Well, I left for Bunbury on Friday afternoon, quite stressed because I was unwell all week (I was cool as a cucumber before I was unwell!). The drive was really pretty, similar to going to Perth, but a lot of mountains – loved the dimension. And as soon as we arrived to Bunbury I felt instantly ‘unstressed’, it must of been the sea breeze! We first spotted the hotel that hosts MOTL, then we checked out the beach and went for a walk in town. Not that they were open, but it looked like there was some lovely boutiques there. The coffee strip looked appealing too. I noticed a Gelato place and had to buy my favourite ‘crazy raspberry’ sorbet;  no artificial colours or flavours. I spotted their window. It had posters on it. The girl who served me was sweet, so I asked if they would be interested in putting up the MOTL poster. The lovely gentleman said yes and that he had heard of MOTL. Apparently his friend was going to have her flowers there. He said she is very lovely and I will certainly meet her! After that, I went straight to my motel and did all the last minute touches, readiness for the next day; Saturday –  the market day! I noted when I first arrived that I couldn’t see any flower stores whilst I was setting up my display.

*my display after the morning rush…  looks a bit messy*

Some of the lovely experiences of the day:

1. My first sale went to a Grandmother. She was quiet and understated. She looked like a special soul who generally spoils other people, while she lives a modest life. But on Saturday, I was so flattered that she picked a special necklace for herself from me! This was a warming start to my day.
2. There was a group of three lovely ladies. It looked like a mother and her two daughters in their twenties. They couldn’t decide what to pick and went past my store perhaps 5 times until they had someone special for each of them. They were so bubbly and cute.
3. My first metro-sexual guy sale, who purchased something for himself. This market really intrigues me.
4. A lovely well-traveled lady who bought something special for her daughter-in-law in Vancouver, Canada.
5. I got to meet other designers and artists! (You know who you are!)

And another lovely experience was a gorgeous (in personality and looks) woman who was SO in tune with my work, it was so special to meet her and I was very flattered. She spent, maybe… 20 minutes in my display and I enjoyed learning about her. When she decided on what to get, she mentioned something about her own creativity. She mentioned flowers. Flowers?? I asked her if she was “such and such”, having in mind I could be making such a fool of myself, but she said yes!! How amazing is that? I hope one day that we will cross paths again soon.

I look forward to my next market.

Secret Garden

A gorgeous cuff, lovely shoes, and a lacy parasol in shades of beige/tan is what I am currently lusting for at the moment. The cuff is designed and handcrafted by Leslie Janson, the shoes are elegant but not shy of practicality; with it’s petite heel, and as for the parasol, well…  just because. Now that I have convinced you how wonderful they are, you can now buy them for me. :p

The Coolest Pet Beds

Aren’t these pet beds fabulous? They have so much character yet full of simplicity. I can completely imagine them in my imaginary dream-home, yes! Mmm… a dramatic-coloured feature wall with floating shelves, various other things and this. My only question is – does the cute kitten come with it too? They are handcrafted by Brad and Ashley Reynolds, the artistic spirits behind Vintage Renaissance.

You Are Invited To:

We are thrilled to announce that Cocoa Pod has been chosen as a vendor for Made on The Left – a fabulous market that showcases top quality West Australian designers! Be the first to see items from our Autumn collection!  If you are from West Australia, why not make a road trip to Bunbury on Easter weekend and support handmade! I would be so delighted to meet you!

pics hosted by: flickr.com