"Craig Waddell" ~ The Australian Modern Day Monet!

"His work is exquisite" ..... Craig Waddell, an Australian artist, whose talent makes me think of a modern day master, has an uncanny way of bringing the subject to life through his medium ..... I have just had the privilege of acquiring this beautiful oil on linen piece called "Magnolia" and she has reached her home nestled in amongst the drapes of  the coronet ....

This piece has a life of it's own and I feel like I want to reach out and pick the bloom and put it in a vase ... such is the ability of the artist to convey a life .... the texture of the painting is incredible .... thick, rich oils delicately layered on a linen base .....

I found this piece through Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane and Edwina was amazing in her communication with me as I bought this piece without seeing it ... but I knew it would be perfect.  Edwina described it as "raspberry ripple ice-cream" and so it was!

Craig's work is a must see and though most of these works from his collections have been sold there are still a few left and he also has a new collection which he is launching ....

the richness, the depth and the genius of his work is outstanding! 

www.craigwaddell.com

www.edwinacorlette.com

"Delicious, Divine and Delectable ~ Delizie"

Delicious, Divine and Delectable ..... a perfect description for a local restaurant of ours that brings a little piece of Europe to Rockhampton, Queensland .....

I recently had the pleasure of dining at "Delizie" and it is heaven .... John and Gianni cast a magic spell which makes you feel like you could be anywhere ....

John removes the cover of the sweetest treats ....

this function had an Australian theme with a touch of France .... the macarons were flavoured "vegemite" and "ovaltine" ..... two iconic Aussie favourites... I was a little apprehensive but John insisted that I must imbibe before reaching a verdict.  Stunning ... absolutely stunning the vegemite macaron was delicately flavoured with our favourite yeast extract and was a perfect  partner to the sauvignon blanc ..... savoury and then follow with an ovaltine creation ... sweet, but not overly so, and perfect ...

and here is the gorgeous Tilly who always knows  a good macaron .... enjoy

Congratulations John and Gianni .....  you have created a little piece of heaven for us ...

On Eagle's Wings

It has been a very sad week for our family ..... Andrew's Dad, Captain John Russell, passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease .... John is pictured above holding Georgiana as a baby...

John had just had his 80th Birthday.... a truly "gentle man"

Rest in Peace John, you were a remarkable and humble man who loved his family above all else .... we know God will carry you on eagle's wings ... with our love and greatest respect always...

Andrew, Frances, Alexander, Dominic and Georgiana ...

Sunday Afternoon ~ Christopher Farr and Vogue Living

It is Sunday afternoon here and it is very overcast and grey ..... so I thought a little pop of pink would be perfect .... I have just had these Christopher Farr cushions and lampshades done for our bedroom and they are so beautiful ....

Then I am just loving these pages in the latest Vogue Living Australia .... fabric and wallpaper on the left by Thibaut and then this gorgeous image of luxury textures .... all the roses are divine .... and the green is so fresh ....

I hope you have a beautiful Sunday .....

love M.A. the 2nd

Kimono Blossom ~ New Designer's Guild!

This is the beautiful new collection from Designer's Guild called "Kimono Blossom" .... it is gorgeous with painterly designs and a fresh palette ....

I just love the sofa with the checks and the white back and the rug ...... stunning ....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone ...... wishing you all a gorgeous evening filled with love and laughter ..... I just had to show you the gorgeous new collection for Louis Vuitton ..... the colours are exquisite ....

I hope you get to eat some of these ..... Marie Antoinette style ......

and maybe open something like this .....

or eat some delicious Laduree .....

or sample a little of everything with your love ....

and definitely savour a sip of this and toast what makes the world go round ...... 

Happy Valentine's Day .... and all my love to my valentine, Andrew ....

best wishes M.A. the 2nd .....

Hollywood Regency Style "Pied-a-terre"

Keeping on my theme of Hollywood ..... this stunning apartment is owned and designed by the very talented Melissa Warner of "Masucco Warner Miller".  Melissa calls it her L.A. "Pied-a-terre".

The colours, the lightness, the textures and patterns .... everything is gorgeous!  I especially love the tufted sofa and mirrored coffee table.....

absolutely exquisite ..... the contrast of dark flooring and white painted furniture with the relief inlay front ...

perfect breakfast setting ....

perfect vignette ......

images from http://www.housebeautiful.com/

interior designer melissa warner of http://www.massuccowarnermiller.com/

"Chronicle" ~ With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

This week-end our eldest son, Alexander, was one of the actors in the new film, "Chronicle". 

Directed by the very talented Josh Trank, who we met in Sydney a couple of weeks ago, this film is incredible.  I know people will say "proud mum syndrome" and that is okay but the performances of all the actors especially, Michael B Jordan, Dane de Haan and Michael Kelly, were extraordinary.  This film with a modest budget has tugged at the heart-strings of people who want to feel in touch with what they are viewing ..... where they walk away feeling somehow changed by the experience ....

The final 30 minutes puts you on the edge of your seat and the world of inner city Seattle comes crashing down ..... there is a loss of control which leaves you feeling like you are on a roller-coaster and that there is a force that needs to be contained .... something which is unexplainable and ultimately beyond our control .....

Alexander congratulations from all of us ..... we are so proud of you ...... we have just found out that "Chronicle" has surpassed expectations and has topped the box office for this week-end and is the most viewed film around the globe.  Now I have to say good-bye to my next son, Dominic, who has been accepted into drama school studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Acting and may well end up in L.A. like his big brother ....

HOllyWood here come the Russell BOYs ..........

love M.A. the 2nd

"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