Rowan's Room # 7

Each time I think about posting a blog of Rowan's room I put it off thinking that it's not quite finished and  the reason why it's never finished is because I am always finding something that I just can't resist to adorn a wall or shelf or floor space.  I didn't start with a theme, I new the room would evolve of eclectic bits and pieces.  So let me walk you through.

The water colour  artworks are from Hoi Ann in Vietnam, a gift from my friend the artist.  If you have visited Hoi Ann you will recognise the Japanese bridge which is leading into the old town.  I have just added the crochet bunting.

My very own first camera the  Box Brownie

The book corner shelves are spice racks (Bekvam)  from Ikea

Jo Melrose Design cuckoo clock.  Mondo Cherry Around the world artwork.  Cushion from Ikea.

Kiwiana Busy Bee

Wall sticker company 'World Map', Antique globe mobile ABC Home NYC

German Goebel figurines, love their cute faces.  Family treasures.

Squeeky Lion, my own, made by Driclad in Cabramatta in the early 1960's

I have absolutely loved putting this room together, no theme just a collection of loved pieces, I don't think the room will ever be  finished, it will just keep evolving.

Rowantree Design "A sweet little blouse" #6

Yesterday I finished production of a blouse and two dresses, and I could not be happier.  Here they are ready to be snipped free of all the loose threads, and ironed.

Ironed and on the Mannequin. 

This is a new style for Rowantree featuring a high frilled collar and pin tucks.  

I love both colour ways i such a pretty floral. A feminine blouse that will sass up a pair of denims

Modelled by Rowan.  He was just happened to be here and I could not wait to see it on!

Fave Raves 'Children's Fashion in Paris' #5

It only seems like yesterday that I was strolling the streets of Paris loving up the effortless chic children's Parisian fashion.  It's an innate sense of style that one is either born with or without and it has become abundantly clear that most Parisian women have it.  Does that mean we don't! Well I have to admit that I haven't come across a denim pinnie with an applique of a babushka doll, cupcake or apple.  I can't remember seeing an Amy Butler fabric skirt, frilly bloomers or reversible sundresses.  


As most of you know I am extremely passionate about children wearing clothes that capture the essence of childhood and in Europe they design children's clothes that are simply elegant and evoke timeless style.  Forget your 'Rock your Baby' here.  So here in a rather long winded blog is a one day tour of my favourite children's boutiques in Paris.

Finding vintage in Paris.  A vintage shop that sells an eclectic collection of clothing, toys and accessories.  Don't be surprised if you find a piece of classic baby Dior in here or a scary old vintage Mickey Mouse.  

108, Avenue Ledru Rollin, 75011 Paris, France

Madame Bijoux

A  vintage/retro boutique. The owner Corinnne Roussilhe, has a great eye for vintage fabrics, bricabrac and furnishings. with a workroom/studio within the shop Corinne refashions clothing  for children and adults.  The shoes, bags and accessories are priceless in character. Vintage  Prada, Dior  and Christian Lacroix to drool over.

71 rue de Lyon Paris

With two vintage shops down  and mid morning approaching I head back to central Paris to shop my favourite French children's labels.

Alice of Paris

 Alice of Paris and has three shops around Paris .   I love and admire this small collection of stylish and basic French designs, all beautifully constructed  from lovely simple cotton fabrics.  Think smock tops and tunics in  floral prints for girls and boys shorts, shirts and pants in block colour hues of grey and beige.   A great representation of French children's fashion affordably priced.   

9 rue de L'Odeon 6e St Germain

Beautifully simple, it's the fabric that says it all.

Agnes b
A mainstay in the classic, chic Parisian children's fashion for thirty five years, this brand will feature in  every wardrobe.  Stripe tees and cotton cardigans are symbolic of the range that is modern and timeless A brand that radiates the French spirit.  

Timeless elegance.   French women love to dress their children in black with white accents.  

Bonpoint

This is the ultimate in children's clothing shopping as I walk through the store I admire a darling group of fashionistas  roaming around looking absolutely divine, and this is how they dress each day.  I soon realised that the 5 year old girl beside me was way cooler than I will ever be.  I was immediately overcome with "outfit envy" 

Front window display... heaven for a girl with a  love of vintage caravans (that's me)

Dreamy merchandising

Walking through the shop you will find quaint little areas styled to perfection.

Cubby house complete with activities to capture your child's imagination.  Shopping in Bonpoint is the ultimate experience for you and your child.

I have always been inspired by European Fashion, the simple lines and classic pieces, so it is a natural progression for my Rowantree collection to follow these basic principles.  I tailored smock tops and tunics for my daughters growing up and these days I am delighting in designing rompers, shorts and shirts for my grandson Rowan.  

My New Old Trike. #4

Although I didn't take up the buy nothing new pledge this month, I did happen upon a vintage shop on Parramatta Road in Stanmore yesterday.  How could I resist this little beauty? Just $20.00  Yep she's nice and sturdy, and will stand up to a huge amount of ramming around Nanna's garden.

Okay I think I have the hang of it, just sit here and hang on.

Yeppeee, I'm loving this.

Better take those corners a little slower.

Rowan is wearing Rowantree cargo pants and Rowantree 100% organic cotton vest in Denim.  

For enquiries please contact me. roberta@rowantree.com.au

After the Long Weekend #3

This is the view from my bedrooms french doors through the plantation shutters.  I love the huge Magnolia tree in my front garden and I wish my neighbours across the street would paint their chimneys!  Over the next month I will add a pic here and there from around my house and I would love to see yours.

As you can see the weather in Sydney is still dreary, and the thought of getting on with it after a long weekend is tiresome. Bother!

Well the Australian AFL and NRL are all done and dusted.  The Pies should ramp up the sauce next season and the Warriors have long packed their duffel backs and hiked it back over the ditch.  

On the bright side the sailor had a great race in Short Haul series  on Saturday and we enjoyed a fabulous and delicious lunch on Sunday.

I joined Blogtoberfest and have enjoyed meeting new blog friends and reading their musings.  I bought new music on itunes 'Boy and the Bear'  and I'm loving it. 

Whilst reading a KIWI blog 'Blackbird has spoken' this morning I came across a picture of a model vintage caravan.  I was in love with it.  I must confess I love the idea of vintage caravans and sometimes I think if I had one in my back garden how much fun I could have decorating it, being such a small space I could change the decor as I change my moods.....I could use it as a studio for listening to loud classical music, have tea parties and maybe allow my crazy poodles in once and awhile.

Model caravan.  How ketch!

Images via Cherish Maree Vintage 

I love this one.

Would you like tea or a gin and tonic?

Sunday Outfits and Blogtoberfest

It seems I wasn't the only person getting dressed up to go out yesterday.... As you can see I didn't do the boots, I thought these little ankle boots I bought in Paris added a bit of funkiness to the outfit.  

When any of the girls in my family go out it's a rule to text an image of the outfit, just to get the heads up!  Whilst I was busy getting my outfit together I got this text image of my youngest daughter Alexandra wearing her Park Life Music Festival outfit (I don't think she'll be too pleased about this pic on my blog, considering she hadn't quite finished with her look) .  Don't know if I can get my head around the pink Doc Martins, but then again with a lot of stomping around dancing in the mud, I get it.  (bet there not pink today)

Look at these cuties they were snapped at the Norton Street, Leichhardt yesterday wearing Rowantree Designs.  Lara is wearing the Alexandra Pinnafore, and the twins Isobel and Charlotte are wearing the layered Hannah skirt from the Let's Play collection.  Ashley is wearing her own ensemble layering blue floral, peasent style.

Blogtoberfest Day Two and I have already met a new blog pal Georgy G Design.  I loved reading Georgy's blog 'Shoes and Bags, where to put them'  I think we all have that probem.  I know I do!

Rainy Day Lunch

Two great reasons to leap out of bed this rainy old day.  Firstly, the sailor has asked me out on a lunch date. Yahooo! We are going to our most favourite lunch venue in Sydney.

'The Tilbury Hotel' in Woolloomooloo 

It's just got to be the best dining room in Sydney for  long lunches and we'll be starting with a glass of bubbles then a slow progression through the menu finishing with delicious dessert, a glass of sticky and why not finish the day where we started, with another glass of bubbles. Hmmmmmm.

I fling open my wardrobe and start pulling out the maybes. Oh Heaven's, rain might be falling out of it but I am determined to wear something colourful as a show of defiance to this bleak old day!

So this is it!  Trellis Cooper  

I love this dress, reminds me of long lunches by the sea in the Cinque Terra on the Coast of Italy.

Do I wear the turquoise beads and bangle combo from 'Dinasour Design'  with the suede anklet boots....

or the Yellow beads and bangle combo with the orange wedges......

I'll need a jacket...Not bad

This is it..Definitely this is it!  So how do I look?

Cropped jacket. 'Widdess' Ponsonby, Auckland.  Boots 'She by Chloe'.  Necklace and bangles. 'Dinasaur Design'. Doily. Hand made by Me.

AND SECONDLY 

I am doing Blogtoberfest so hop on over and read all about it or click on the button on the right hand side of my blog page.  One blog per day for the month of October, as I'm already one day late I hope this isn't an indication of how I will go......so on those hectic, frantic, I'm not going to get through the day days, I will promise you some gorgeous images and a few words.  

So come on over and join me No, No, NO, not for lunch but for Blogtoberfest!