"Grandiflora Celebrations"

One of my favourite books is an absolute gem called "Grandiflora Celebrations" by Saskia Havekes with photography by Andrew Lehmann.

For us Aussies we know and love the much lauded Saskia Havekes of "Grandiflora" who has gone from strength to strength..... based in Sydney but conquering the globe ....

This beautiful tree was constructed by Saskia and her team from Grandiflora for the launch of "Fairfax and Roberts" new collection.  Fairfax and Roberts is Australia's oldest bespoke jeweller established in 1858.

It is absolutely stunning and the concept is ingenious ....... it is pure magic ..... evoking the look of a flowering cherry tree .... "a magic faraway tree" ......

this exquisite setting was for a private birthday dinner for 200 ..... egg-shell pink, white, aubergine and forest green ....

this gorgeous setting was for a garden party in Sydney ..... Saskia's work is extraordinary and leaves me feeling overwhelmed but in a good way!!!!!!  Such talent and such beauty ..... the book is published by Penguin/Lantern and is a visual feast that keeps giving every time you open it ..... create your haven of enchantment through this exquisite book!

photos by me of the book "Grandifora Celebrations" by Saskia Havekes and photographed by Andrew Lehmann

Our Belated Christmas Cheer and Happy New Year!

I know that I am so incredibly, ridiculously late with this post but suffice to say things have been hectic and also unreliable.  I really do need to get a computer genius to overhaul the system!  I nearly didn't post and I certainly didn't get many photos of our table or tree as it was such a busy, crazy time but I hope this will do ....... these are my beautiful Christmas ornaments which are actually made out of silk and I popped them in a pink bowl with delicate strings of silver sitting below the Laurence Amelie artwork .....

I love wrapping Christmas presents and always add as much as I can!!!!!

These decorations I love as well as they pull in the Manuel Canovas Louis sofa so beautifully ......

bottom of the tree ...... Christmas bliss ......

I had fresh peonies for the kitchen on Christmas Day ....

Three little elves !!!!!!!

Alexander thought the occasion called for champagne and we all agreed .......

tasting the plum pudding that I cooked with my mum ..... it took four hours to boil in the cloth ..... YUM!!!! perfect with fresh cream, custard and a dollop of ice-cream .... it is a very old recipe from my mum .....

Happy New Year and a wonderful 2012 to all of you dear friends ..... I feel a great year coming full of joy, surprise, excitement and most importantly of all, love!  I am going to post pictures on my other blog http://wwwcoastal.blogspot.com/ about our holiday in the sun ......

hugs and best wishes

Frances xxxxx

Happy 2012!

Happy 2012!  I am very frustrated as it has taken me 3 tries to post a belated Christmas/New Year post so this will have to do.  Nothing uploads and then when they do they take forever and then suddenly the images are gone.  Never mind I will keep trying!  This was New Year at Hayman Island on the Great Barrier Reef.  Note to self ~ an old Irish saying "I will not be overcome by adversity!"  Cheers and Happy New Year!