Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Mirrored brooch (by Karissa Jade Designs)

My first DIY jewellery creation!


Inspired by a session with an unsuspecting stylist at Castle Towers on Saturday afternoon who insisted canary yellow must be the focal point of my ensemble.

It was my friend Anthony who spontaneously coordinated my entire outfit while on our last legs of a Christmas gift buying spree. I was provided with the full service complete with coat hanger holding, colour matching and running from store to store to find the perfect accessory. Hilarious? Absolutely! Gay? Actually, no. Not in the slightest. Just a wonderful guy.

I bought the materials from Spotlight and while putting them together was again surprised by another male friend who could be running a lucrative craft business from his very own room! Ben had pouches of Swarovski, metres of leather and wire, boxes of tools, hundred of crystals and various other bits and bobs hidden discreetly in his mysterious shelves and cupboards.

Me - "Do you have some spare mirror?"
Ben - "Yes"
"And a glass cutter?"
"Here"
"What about an angle grinder?" (Jokingly)
"Just a minute...in the shed".
(Hearty, thigh slapping laughter).

A stylish and joyous affair it was!

Thanks boys.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

French Style Glamour - right down the road!

I've recently learnt a very apt phrase to describe how one's perception changes our view of the world so much...'Yellow Jeep Syndrome'. This was what a friend of mine explained is when you have been shown something or perhaps are actively looking for something (example: new car) and suddenly it is everywhere!

Well since embarking on this journey I have found out that in the next suburb up the road from me, in North Richmond, is a Provincial French Furniture store called French Style Glamour!

Stunning display cabinet from French Style Glamour.

Cannot wait to see what other treasures lay therein. 

Even more uncanny is that the Drummoyne area, where I have worked for the last four and a half years, also has a similar store by the name of Vintage Glamour (merged with Parisian Flair). Spectacular chandeliers are just one of VG's claims to fame (they actually are quite the red carpet operation with their impressive PR portfolio). Again, another reason I believe I am French at heart - I have always been fixated on light fixtures. When shopping or dining out I never fail to notice and comment on the light features inside stores and restaurants. Hmmm, maybe I was born in The City of Love in another life?

Be nice to have this above the table for Christmas lunch!

4am start...but in Paris the sun only just set.

Sydney, Australia.

Unusually energised after work and unable to sleep because of my excitement about the new and improved me that I had spent the last few hours pondering and planning over Tim Tam stacking and cardboad box squashing, I was drawn like a magnet to my laptop. In search of an avenue to channel my creativity and enthusiasm, this blog is what I found.

Style Me Frenchy will document my transformation from crisis to class through fashion, fun and food while sewing together the squares of a patchwork path to my dream destination...France!

Then: A frightening walk on the dark side stumbled upon a girl, lost from years of mindless following, agreeing and succumbing; an identity chameleon.

Now: Inspired by the timeless, chic style and scrupulous yet effortless efforts of Parisian ladies, a woman has been deliberately discovered; an individual.

In the words of my little literary lover of a brother: We wait, we see, we conquer!

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone."
-- Coco Chanel