My new shop crush, online store Hemia.

We create and look for things to make the senses smile, things to make your heart flutter.
You know, something to make you happy.
~

{found via where the wild roses grow}

Camera: Minolta x300 vintage slr. Lens: 50mm standard.
Film: expired 400iso fuji film from Four Corner Store

Last weekend was my blogs 4th birthday. I really can not believe it has been 4 years that I have been blogging. It has been an amazing 4 years and when I first started I couldn't imagine the things it would lead me too, the opportunities or the amazing friends I would make.

So here's to hopefully many more years blogging! Thank you to every single one of you that takes the time to read and comment and share. I want to give you all a big hug.

All the photos above were taken on my blogs birthday. We went for a drive up into the mountains exploring the country antique stores and opshops. I hope to be sharing more of my photos here as my camera collection expands!

x

Portraits of Brooklyn-based artist Sougwen Chung.
By Valerie Chiang.

photo via The Grates website

So not long after I blogged about The Grates' new album the interview turned up in my inbox. I feel so incredibly lucky that this blog has given me the opportunity to interview a band I love, own ALL the albums of and have seen many times live. I even run around the house singing 'Inside, inside, inside, outside' when my dogs are driving me crazy wanting to go in and out of the house all day. I'm sure that's not what the song is about but it's fitting!

I was curious to find out more about the creative process behind choosing an album cover and collaborating with Australian artist kill pixie.
-------

How did you come to work with Kill Pixie?

I'd stumbled across his paintings on the internet while we were writing the album, and really connected with them. When we finished the record and it was time to think about artwork, we asked if he would be interested in throwing a couple of ideas together for the cover.


Why illustration for the cover instead of photography? Do you feel there is a trend of illustration being used today?

We were thinking about using a photo for a cover for a while, but at the end of the day we come from illustration/design backgrounds and are far more interested in illustration than photography, and it's hard to pass up an opportunity to collaborate on a project with one of your favourite artists. There's a lot you can learn from working with other people.



What is it about the artwork that you think represents your new album?

I think Mark's art has a very careful balance of order and mania that struck us, and was definitely something we were thoughtful of when we were writing this album. It also fits nicely with the Secret Rituals theme.


How did you choose the final cover? Did the album artwork turn out like you envisioned?

After we asked Mark if he was interested in working on the cover, he submitted a bunch of ideas. They were all great, but the one that ended up being the cover seemed the most iconic to us. After that Mark reworked some of the drawings, but ultimately it was pretty close to the original draft he sent through.


Tell me about the process, were you guys involved or did you give the artist total creative freedom?

Apart from us picking this particular idea from the ideas he submitted, we didn't really have much direction for the cover. Though once we had the cover and back panel paintings completed we designed the logo, came up with the idea of having the main image float on a transparent sheet above the gridded paper and worked on the layout with Debaser.


The Grates use a lot of illustration in the album covers, web site and promos material. Is art a passion of any of the members? Can any of you draw or paint?

Yeah we're very passionate about illustration, and both really enjoy drawing. Every night after recording this album I would come home and draw to unwind, I think when you work on something creative for a living, it can be cathartic having another creative outlet that you don't rely on. It keeps everything in perspective.

Let down your guard.


photos - Reflections a series by Brittany Nichol Fabry
lyrics - Jose Gonzalez

I LOVE The Grates and I'm so excited to see their 3rd album is now here. Secret Rituals features cover illustration by Australian artist Mark Whalen (aka Kill Pixie) and as part of the album premiere you can watch a video for every track on the album, over at The Grates youtube stream.



I did work on an interview to accompany this post but The Grates never got back to me. Which is the second time I've been invited to interview a musician to no reply. I feel so rejected........ But Grates I know you've been super busy with the new album and wouldn't have time for my wee little interview...I still love you!

PSSST You can download their new song Borrowed Skin for FREE

Hope you are all having a nice weekend.
x

I'm a little late to blogging this as Nadinoo's Spring collection has been out for a while now. But better late than never! I love Nadinoo's designs ever since her very first collection.

This season is all about three different girls Pixie is the fun tomboy, Lula is the flirt, and Fleur is the starry-eyed flower child.

View and shop the collection at www.nadinoo.com

Butterfly a series by photographer Gloria Marigo.
~

This is guest post from Erika, originally posted on asuyeta blog. ~~

Do you love being crafty and creative, but sometimes hit a creative wall and have nowhere to turn? Here are 5 books that will help you jump over that wall immediately!

Actually, these books were some of my biggest inspirations for my AW2011/12 collection, which will be out next month!

PATCHWORK STYLE by Suzuko Koseki
Super cool Japanese craft style book with 35 simple projects for a cozy & colorful life.
Filled with a ton of inspiring images and super easy step by step tutorials.

FACEHUNTER by Yvan Rodic
362 images to get inspired by. The street is your catwalk says it all.

ZAKKA SEWING byTherese Laskey & Chika Mori
Another Japanese style book, filled with 25 projects that feature very inspiring images and easy, step by step tutorials.

Finde deinen Style (Find your Style) by Moewig
This book is a serious inspiration overload. Filled with styling tips from well know bloggers like Style Bubble, The Coveted, Sea of Shoes, and more. And the good thing, even if you don't speak German, you will love it, because its mostly pictures!

PRETTY LITTLE MINI QUILTS by Lark Books
This is a super cute book filled with inspirational mini quilts and step by step tutorials.

I hope you find as much inspiration in these books as I have.

♥ Guest post from Erika. Erika is the owner and designer of the independent fashion label asuyeta. You can follow her collection, inspirations and blog over at www.asuyeta.com

I finally got around to scanning more photos from my superheadz camera. I took these photos on my trip to NZ to visit Amanda. Remember the little blue camera from this packing post? It's currently my favourite film camera! So easy to use and I love the wide angle lens.

Hope you're all having a good weekend. What are you up to? I'm having a quiet weekend at home catching up on everything - like scanning!
x

Next month the Style Milk headquarters is moving and setting up a showroom. Soon you will be able to come visit our showroom and have a cup of tea and some cake with Jen! (more about that later). But to help with the move Jen and I are having our first ever stocktake sale with 30-50% off selected styles. Arabella Ramsay current season styles as seen in Frankie Magazine are on sale.

We also have Chip Chop!, Munster Kids Sale, Rittenhouse, Mini Rodini, Olive's Friend Pop, styles on sale too.

Happy Stocktake
xo Liss & Jen

PS. You can follow our facey page for special facebook sales, new designers and the opening of the new showroom!

Lately I've been admiring the photography of 19 year old Sydney sider Julia Trotti. Not only is she an amazing young photographer, already shooting fashion lookbooks, musicians and weddings...she is also willing to help out other budding photographers. Her blog is full of advice and help full articles such as 'shooting in RAW or JPEG', 'prepping for a shoot' , Creating and online portfolio and my favourite... every friday is free curve friday! I've already been trying out some of her curves on my own photos.

**Originally created for Leeloo as part of my guest posting series.