visiting japan

Nara Park

Rose Festival, Hirakata Park

Shibuya

Mt Fuji

Nikko

Nikko

Silver Temple, Kyoto

Hello lovelies, I hope that you have all been well?  This has been a very, very busy year for us in the studio, so much so, that Mr H and I really needed a small break, to rest and recover, and to find ourselves again. We headed to Japan - somewhere we had never been before, but had heard so many wonderful reports from many dear friends who had visited. We spent most of our time exploring gardens, parks and the country side. It was beyond breath taking, we could not believe the sheer majestic beauty, it was indeed just what our heart and souls needed. A few instagram shots of our travels above (you can find a whole heap more under our instagram user name of bespokepress).

We would like to give a very heart felt thanks to our lovely Studio girls Yesha, Louise and Justine who did an amazing job keeping the studio running, and for understanding our need for a little escape despite our crazy busy studio days at the moment. Also a big thanks to Hayley and Aaron for their beautiful care of Miss Ruby Tuesday and our little home.

So now we are back and revisited and very inspired by our recent travels. I am thinking maybe a Japanese inspired pattern stationery line very soon...????

xox

bangalow snippets

Above are some Instagram snippets from our brief stop over in the adorable Bangalow on Sunday. We have been to Bangalow a few times and I simply adore it. Although I must admit the first visit I wasn't quite in the right frame of mind after jumping out of a plane and bursting my ear drum. All I seem to remember are tears and the chemist! However I am pleased to report that subsequent visits have been filled with a lot more love and wonder.

On our quick sunday trip we stopped in at my all time favourite "junk yard" shop Heaths Old Wares. It took all my might to only buy two purchases, although they were both great beauties and I have some wonderful plans for them! I had a quick chat to Heath as we follow each others blogs. It seems Heath doesn't keep up to date with his own blog (he is no doubt too busy sourcing all his amazing goodies for sale) and his wife is the blog wonder, but we had a good chat anyway! 

Talking of wonders, they had a whole heap of Printers type trays for sale - lots of people have asked us where we have found ours over the years. They can be almighty tricky to find, so if you are after some, quickly quickly, more details here.

Right next door to Heaths is one of my very very lovely stockists One Fine Day. Unfortunately we missed saying hello to the very lovely Eleanor as she has just recently had a very sweet little bubba. But I enjoyed devouring her shop and all her gorgeous papery products - I fought very hard not to buy half of the shop!

We capped off our little trip with a quick lunch at the iconic Fish Heads restaurant where the food was exceptional. As we had Miss Ruby with us we sat outdoors and the little lady played quite the flirt making human friends left right and centre.

Such a gorgeous little town, one of my all time favourites.

valleydale cottage

Hello friends! How was your weekend? 

We had an exceptionally lovely and indulgent weekend - We snuck off for a few days away down to the Byron Bay Hinterland for some much needed rest and relaxation. 

We stayed at absolutely gorgeous Valleydale Cottage which is situated on the most pristine 90 acres of rolling hinterland beauty 20 minutes from Bangalow. I stumbled across this little piece of gold via their Stayz Page whilst I was looking for a little getaway which would not only be perfect for us, but also for Miss Ruby Tuesday as well. 

I kept our destination a secret from Mr H and we were both blown away by the beautiful location, the amazing views and all the super sweet little touches which made us feel truly spoilt. The gorgeous cottage was decorated with fresh flowers, chocolates and chilled champagne awaiting our arrival, with a stunning view which took our breath away. Miss Rubes was also spoilt rotten with fresh water on arrival, doggy treats and a personalised name tag. So spoilt.

We spent the weekend doing a great deal of not much. Watching clouds roll across the valley from the outdoor spa, reading books by the fish pond and generally just taking life easy. With no phone access, no television and just the three of us, it was a truly special weekend.

Flicking through their guest book ( of which their were 8!!!) it seems that we will not be the only ones who will be going back time and time again. It was utterly, utterly perfect!

old friends

Ruby: Hey Nigel, How you been?
Nigel : Good thanks little red dog.
Ruby: You've grown a lot since last summer.
Nigel: Do I scare you now?
Ruby: No. well, maybe, just a little. You've got big horns now.
Nigel: Don't be afraid, it's me, your old friend.
Ruby: I've missed you.
Nigel: You too sweet friend.

snippets from the farm

hello 2012

We welcomed in the New Year with a cliff top barbecue upon the farms cliff top. With views out across the Mid West New South Wales wine region, a perfect sunset, laughter, much merriment - It was a beautiful country night to remember.

 Did you celebrate? I hope that your welcome to the new year was just as special as ours. xox

hello hello!

Hello hello! How are you all? I have missed our daily banter whilst we had been away!

We are now back from our holiday getaway. The surprise destination that dear Mr H organised was to Sabah, Maylaysia. It was truly spectacular, very relaxing and most certainly the break that we needed. With amazing sunsets, hot tropical days and whole heap of doing not much, it was a much needed escape to rest and unwind.

Whilst we were away the gorgeous Megan and Louise did an amazing job looking after the studio, where would I be without such wonderful women by my side? They truly are magic!

And how have you all been? Have you had any news? Please don't be shy to say hello!

xA

a break

Hello friends, this is the last blog post from me a a few weeks. We are currently on route to Perth for a family function and in two more weeks time we have another function to attend in Sydney. With all the who-ha which has been happening around here of late, adorable Mr. H has booked a surprise Asian getaway (the above photo is a little hint) between our two commitments on other sides of the country to go relax, rest and take a much needed break. We will be back in the studio from the 12th of September.

Whilst we are away business as usual will continue at the studio. The wonderful Louise is in full production mode at the moment and the amazing Megan will be looking after all the admin and design side of the studio. You can pop her and email at our usual email address, I am sure she would love to say hello!

See you again soon sweet friends!
xox

a most beautiful sunday

Two Golden Hours was so much more then just two golden hours, it really was whole golden day. A road trip with the most beautiful Louise, a drive through stunning scenery and bumpy laughs along dirt roads. Hellos with friends and a hearty lunch. Vintage browsing and many dreams of a future country life. Followed by an afternoon of gentle chats with cake and fruit picked fresh from the tree. It really was the most lovely sunday!

a visit to woodford

Late last week my ever amazing production assistant (and even more fabulous beautiful friend) Louise and I stole a sneaky afternoon out of the studio and went on a little road trip to Woodford for some antique hunting and much needed relaxation out of the studio.

Little Miss Violet came with us for her first ever antique hunt. She was quite mesmerised by all the pretty wonders - she is no doubt going to have her mums amazing eye and sense of style!

We stopped for a little coffee and cake break (oh so good) and a little impromptu photo shoot while eating our cakes. Such the prettiest girls - thank you for such a wonderful afternoon!

do you house swap?

Hello friends! Today I have a favour to ask of you. Have any of you ever house swapped before? We are currently researching this option for a 3 week holiday possibility this late August. We have been trawling house swapping websites such as Creative Caravan but would love to hear from you if you have swapped before, how you found the experience, or heck if you are somewhere far away and want to swap with us let us know!

bellingen vintage farmhouse

On our way back from the farm to Brisbane we stopped a few nights mid way in Bellingen. Having never been to this little part of the country before we were most excited to stop and explore. We booked 3 nights at Bellingen's Vintage farmhouse and we had a most grand arrival - the chickens jumped in the car and the previously mentioned Reggie & Lizzie who bleated our arrival into oblivion!

The minute we walked through the door it felt like stepping into a little piece of vintage heaven. White walls, soaring ceilings, a tonne of natural light mixed with just the perfect mix of vintageness - I was at home.

I must admit for those three days we didn't do much, without any internet or phone access (bliss really) - we read a few books, Ruby entertained us by trying her very hardest to befriend the sheep, we admired all the natural forests and perfect swimming holes and pretty much just put our feet up and relaxed. It was a beautiful way to end our country road trip.

To find out more about the farmhouse visit here.