Fox and Beau

Sunday, 14 August 2011

Fox and Beau visit Melbourne - Our top places to go!

We under packed our suitcases and set sail to Melbourne. As we arrived, the weather was cold and Katie wanted to find somewhere to exchange money. Why? Because Melbourne is so different to Sydney that it felt like a different country! Contrary to the Melbourne/Sydney rivalry, we couldn’t wait to get walk our little legs up Brunswick and Chapel Street for some much needed shopping and “Fox and Beau” research.

Katie and I posing for our photo shoot.

First stop was Tusk Cafe, for some much needed shopping fuel. This place was amazing! With it’s outdoor seats covered in blankets and overshadowed in heaters, you really pick up on the Chapel Street Vibe.

Awesome vintage bike outside Tessuti Fabrics, Flinders Lane.

Stopping off for a coffee on Degraves St

Shopping along Brunswick St, Fitzroy is a treat! Must go places are Jasper Coffee, Meet me at Mikes and Zetta Florence paper.

Katies husband James was our amazing photographer!

We meandered through Chapel Street Bazaar and had to hold back on the temptation to buy a vintage corningware dish or these two old suitcases for $15!

After dinner we caught a swell jazz gig at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club (Australia's Ronnie Scott's I'll say!)

Lily Black's bar has amazing cocktails and a rather strange bike ornament on their front entrance.

You really value this city for what it is. Melbourne is a place you can get lost in. Every alleyway you walk down, there is something happening, something to look and always somewhere to eat! There are so many artists that really inspired us and we really took away some valuable ideas and trends that we can't wait to share with all of you! Stay tuned for our next "working" holiday. Hmmm... Where shall it be?

Thursday, 11 August 2011

It's Tea Time - The Best in the Business

What's the big deal about tea? A lot actually! Tea is the new coffee. I know that is a big statement but everywhere you go today there are High Tea's, Tea shops and Tea times! There are more flavours, and you are more likely to sit down and have a cuppa with nanna rather than a coffee, as they find it brings their blood pressure up!

Anyway, enough dribble and let me tell you some of the best teas on the market. I have had such a delight pouring cuppa's left right and centre for the past week!

First up is Clipper organic Tea. I have tried both the green chai tea & the peppermint teas and they are beautiful! You don't even need to add anything extra as the flavours are just divine by themselves. The tea comes in a pack of 20 unbleached tea bags and you can find them in most supermarkets around Australia.

I love the rustic and recycled packaging for Clipper' Organic Tea!

Another tea that is lovely is the Madame Flavour teas. Not only is the packaging cute and curtsy and the tea tags are initialed in Madame Flavour initials! The best part about Madame Flavour is that you can request a sample pack that comes with a personalised note!

Green Tea, Jasmine & Pear. So delicious with a hint of honey

White Tea with Rose. My nannas favourite!

They also come in a special large gift pack too!

Add a wedge fo lemon, a drop of honey, some ice and mint to make that perfect iced tea!

Monday, 8 August 2011

Patricia Urqiuola - On my wish list

Patricia Urqiuola, a Spanish architect and designer, is on my wish list. I wish I had a piece of her furniture, I wish I could meet her, and I wish I could tap into my own creativity with such success!

I love the way she has contemporary yet still approachable pieces. The colours that she use are so bright and vibrant and I really think if you had a piece of her furniture in your home not only would it be a fantastic feature, you would use it. Her work is creative, a little bit radical but also functional. It’s a balance that’s hard to find, and I just think Patricia’s got it right. Check out some of my favourite pieces from her below.

Sunday, 31 July 2011

A penny for your thoughts....

I adore stationery and am always on the look out for, amongst many other things, divine little notebooks. I couldn’t tell you what it is I manage to fill them with, scribbles and doodles, shopping and to do lists, every now and then a great idea(!) but I feel naked without at least one in my handbag. They are just so darn handy and when they are this gorgeous how can you refuse?

Too cute! As always the fabulous felt and wire shop has no shortage of fabulous options. Try this by Pinkerton Design

or this by Design Ignites Change

This little gem by Write to Me is available on made it here

And this too! click here to see more by Geritom71

Monday, 18 July 2011

Introducing Mandy Besek - Jewellery/Fanatical Colourist

How cool is Many Besek? I just so happened to click through her profile on Etsy and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this mass of colour/woolen/crazy jewellery! I think I have fallen in love. Have a click through her profile, and you wont believe the price of these fantastic creations. Yes, they are made in the US of A, but come on guys, postage isn't that expensive. Get on it!

Colourful Spindle Necklace

Crocheted necklace

Polar bear ring

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Hottie Bottie

Well, I'm not sure where you are in the world right now, but here in Sydney it's freezing (well, not actually freezing but cold, really, really cold) and all day at work I was looking forward to coming home and getting as snug as a bug in a rug. So this led me to thinking about my very own hot water bottle, which in turn got me thinking that if my hot water bottle is so awesome then perhaps, just perhaps there is a whole world of hot water bottle fabulousness to explore. Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you, for your snuggly winter cosiness, just a few of our favourite hottie botties!

Check out the vintage action at Heal's

A homemade goodie from Frankie Magazine

My very own hottie bottie from a few seasons ago at Peter Alexander

And this little gem by Mozi, available at Hard To Find

Monday, 11 July 2011

it's all about... wallpaper

I think wallpaper is just grand. I really do. It's a great way to jazz up a lifeless room. The best way to do it is only to wallpaper one wall! Too many walls papered = too overbearing! I have picked my top 3 designers of some of the best patterns and best quality wallpaper. Take a peek at what they have to offer. Give wallpapering a whirl! It'll be worth it. Oh, and make sure you have a spare hand, the glue can get a little messy! Only a little though...

Shaped vintage wallpaper from www.secondhandrose.com

Patterned floral vintage wallpaper from www.secondhandrose.com

Floral vintage wallpaper from www.secondhandrose.com

Wallpaper from camillameijer.com

My favourite wallpaper! www.catherinehammerton.com

Catherine Hammerton brings wallpaper to a new dimension! www.catherinehammerton.com

Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Pallet Love

Here at The Fox Trail we love clever design, and if you can combine that with up-cycling then we have a serious winner. May I introduce the everyday, industrial pallet! Pallet up-cycling to homewares is nothing short of awesome, I can't wait to knock up a handy little design myself. It's affordable and easy, with just a little bit of creativity and maybe a lick of paint look at the kinds of things you can create!

recyclart

webecoist

www.apartmenttherapy.com

Die Frau im Haus

Monday, 4 July 2011

Bike. Love. Yep.

If you don't own a bike, I suggest you get onto it! They are rad. I purchased this little number online (bikes.com.au) a few weeks back, and have turned heads in the street. Even the local German grocer followed me for three streets to find out where I got it from. He asked if I had imported it from Norway. I said yes. But what goes with a cool bike you may ask? I say fashion. All.The.Way. Below is a guide of the must haves when riding your pimped out form of eco friendly transport.