Vintage Home Inspiration

Just taking a break from the madness of wedding orders and neverending emails.  The kids are both having an afternoon nap so I'm feasting on a little bit of eye candy.  Here's what I've been pinning lately on Pinterest.  I definitely have a recurring theme going on here - turquoise, teal, shabby, repurposed, touches of yellow and orange....Feast your eyes on this....x

Source: decor8blog.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: vtwonen.nl via Christall on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: husetvedfjorden.blogspot.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: dottieangel.blogspot.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: tisaneinfusion.blog58.fc2.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: stylehandler.blogspot.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: le13zor.canalblog.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: dietcokeandasmoke.tumblr.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: housetohome.co.uk via Christall on Pinterest

Source: craftberrybush.blogspot.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: thefishermanscottage.blogspot.com via Christall on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Christall on Pinterest

"ALL ABOARD!" - Enosh's train party

My eldest little dude turned four a few months ago, and since he is MAD about trains he wanted a 'TRAIN' party (of course).  He inherited the 'obsession with the rail' from my Grandad (it skipped two generations and landed on Enosh - in full force).  Those two have so much fun together, doing a bit of trainspotting and riding trains in all shapes, forms and sizes.  I've been exposed to enough Thomas the Tank, Chuggington, NZ Rail Scene, British Rail Scene and Marcus Lush's 'Off the Rails' to last me a lifetime (Actually, I really enjoy Off the Rails! Great for a well told Kiwi history)

Anyway, here it is folks, put together by moi.....TOOT TOOT!

Vintage cream bottles with retro paper straws -  both available in our store of course!
www.maisyandgrace.co.nz

The child height party table - constructed of an old door sitting on wooden chairs - covered in fabric, and all very safe and stable!  Paper bunting, party food (before the hot food came out)

Paper bunting - made from coloured card and old railway calendars

Paper cups covered in black and white pictures of steam trains - made for very cool holders for the shoestring fries!  Here they are waiting to be filled on the luggage food station 

The train cake - Mummy cheated, the only part of this train that is cake is the middle wagon!  E for Enosh, 2607 for his birth date - his own personal train number.  Wooden 'bridge' sitting on short Agee jars.

The man himself

Sweet party food, and carrot sticks for good measure

Little cupcakes - bit rough but enjoyed by all!

Popcorn boxes filled with popcorn for the movie!  Made from coloured card and old bingo tokens

Fruit kebabs and train cookies :-)

Hope you enjoyed!  The kids sure did, and the beauty of my husband being a primary school teacher - he took care of all the entertainment, no sweat - yay!  And I got to have a good catch up with the mums :-)

Christall x

A 1940s Vintage Love Affair

I couldn't go past this beautiful 1940s vintage inspired photo shoot all the way from Lina at A Stunning Affair in Los Angeles!  I first saw this shoot featured on Hostess with the Mostess and I was thrilled when the lovely Lina herself was flattered that I wanted to feature it here.  I'm sure you will agree with me - it is just stunning, and I LOVE all the pretty details.  From the wood type blocks, to the pale blue enamel pitcher.  This is a wedding shoot, but my goodness, I can see this kind of setting created for any number of occasions - garden tea party, baby shower, engagement party, 40th Birthday....any excuse really to recreate this style!  

Are you loving the vintage typewriter, calligraphy, woodcut type & vintage camera like I am?!!!

Preserving jars & vintage lace.  A bit of rustic, whimsy and elegance - works perfectly

Look at the pretty table setting!  Love that old ten pin!

"Sweet love"

I LOVE the old enamel pitcher, actually I love everything about this 'soda station'

Incredible detailing on this cake!

Hanging jars with bunches of loose flowers is super dooper pretty

Gorgeousness in a drawer

Who loved this as much as I did?!  To be honest, I was drooling a little.  I hope someone wants me to create something like this for them oneday. Come on, I know you're out there somewhere.  Surely there's a good reason to put on a party like this!  Call me!

Christall x

– Photographer: Krista Mason Photography
– Event Planner: A Stunning Affair
– Floral Designer: Peony & Plum Floral Design
– Hair Stylist: Kutting Room
– Invitation Designer: Shannon Vetere
– Dress Designer: Winnie Couture
– Cake Designer: Fantasy Frostings
– Linens and Coverings: Premiere Party Rents
– Equipment Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals
– Calligrapher: Calligraphy Katrina and Maison du Papier
– Makeup Artist: GraceMakesPrettyFace
– Personal Stylist: Nunn Better Design

LISTEN TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER

It all started at my Grandparents house. Lots of significant things in life seem to start there. Perhaps it's the rooms full of hoarded memorabilia, old dolls prams and "stuff", or the peeling bright blue paint of the tongue and groove, or the red guard's van (yes that's a real life train caboose) in the backyard, that trigger an explosion of ideas. Or perhaps it's that this early 1900s bungalow, formerly my great Grandmothers house, is "home". It is an eclectic treasure trove of family memories, always with a hearty meal at the ready, a cup of tea and a good yarn.

Anyway anyway, that's another story for another time. So, what started at my Grandparent's house then? Not only my first creative venture when I was 8, and my life changing venture at the age of 20, Hapene Flax NZ Ltd. But the beginnings of Maisy & Grace, and the exhibition that came forth from what I would call a journey of self discovery - when rummaging around at the family 'home' I found things belonging to my Grandmothers, and great Grandmothers, and I was drawn to rediscover life as these women had lived.

What I found out about them inspired me. Their stories were real. Their living was simple. Times were tough and they were tougher! All completely different women, of completely different origins - yet their blood runs through my very veins, and in some respects, has made me the person I am today.

"Whakarongo ki to Kuia - Listen to your Grandmother" pays homage to four incredible women who have gone before me, who have influenced me in ways they could never know, and who I live to make proud.

Finding all these darling artifacts of old gives me goosebumps (not in a spooky way!) - my mouth literally waters, and my heart does flip flops - it's like I've been whipped back to the early 1900s and I can smell the kerosene and the lavender and the mothballs and the rose scented pillows.

Anyway, enough rambling, on with the show. It takes you back to washing by hand in the bath tub, making bread, high tea, preserves, simple food and long summer days in the garden. It's romantic but honest. My love affair with the things of old has begun. And long may it continue.....

(Well, this has been my very first blog post, and I'm having a little trouble with the images - I wish Blogger had a bigger 'window' to work with! Maybe Blogger does and I just haven't worked it out yet. So, I will publish this as my first blog EVER, and will share the actual exhibition with you in my next post. But here is a little sneak peek - I managed to get these images on the page in the right place yahoo!)

"Tartan Harakeke" - Homage to Nana Rata, of a Maori mother & Scottish father

Until next time, keep warm and happy (lots of cups of tea help)

Christall x

Exhibition photography by Ange Jordan-Earle Portraiture