A very happy day...

Handfuls of buttons and an antique tin...that is the way I started my day.  The same kind person who gave me the muffin last week bought in her granny's button tin so that I could take a little scrounge through it.  I was allowed to pick any buttons I liked.  Yesterday was a rough day at the day job, but this morning reminded me that there are truly kind hearted people that totally erase the bad moments.  In the beautiful tin I found the exact blue buttons that my heart had made a silent wish for.  Funny how things like that just happen and often when least expected. 


Thank you for telling me what makes you happy on the post about the pretty muffin.  This week I would like to know what are you silently wishing for?  Buttons, something pretty, a peaceful, relaxing day or to see someone you miss.  Here is to hoping it comes true.

When are you coming to Durban?

For locals Mooi (cnr of Bulwer and Clark, Glenwood) has become the go-to for unique pieces, accessories, quirky, inspired South African items and vintage finds to rival your Grandma's house.  You can expect to always be greated with a smile by either Fiona or Lauren the creative powers behind Mooi.  If you don't live in Durban make sure that at some point you plan a trip and make sure it is close to the first Saturday of the month in order to catch I heart Market.









hello.




My day was made better by getting a little treat from someone dear at work.  A small gesture is all that is needed in an ever maddening day.  Yum and thank you.
What has made you happy lately?

My Inspiration this Week

The internet links us with new friends, inspiration beyond imagination and beautiful finds that really bring joy to a day.  Regardless of whether you can buy what you see or whether you just relish the visual beauty - your life is enriched by learning something new or sparking an idea in your mind which leads to fruitful inspiration.

This week I am looking towards:
Knock Knocking for perfect colourful combinations.




Skinny Laminx for a new purse.  My pennies will live a happy life the Cloud Birds design. 


I hope you find your inspiration this week.

My City


This week I got to experience so many different angles of Durban. Each element has its own feel and each area owns and represents a different form of inspiration.  Looking ahead at another week of my city as inspiration.
I like the contrast of these two buildings.  The one on the left looks like it belongs in another city...New York perhaps, but the stripe on the right reminds you just where you are...Durban.

diy embellished t-shirt

DIY
I seem starved for a little embellishment in my life. Many designers include an embellished tee in their collection at least once a year (3.1 Phillip Lim, Lerario Beatriz). It is easy to wear and comfortably elegant, with a mix of embellishments ranging from studs, stones, sequins and diamantes. There is of course a fine line between chic sparkle and looking like a rhinestone cowboy with a glue gun so shop carefully. Teaming nude with grey is what felt fashionably fabulous to me. I recruited a grey Mr Price tee and then hunted around a local fabric and haberdashery shop until I found the perfect pearly piece to diy with. The necklace like appliqué that I found was already in the right shape so it only needed to be stitched on. I can't claim all the fame for this little job though. I enlisted the help of sewing extraordinaire Danka from Black Butterfly. She stitch it on with in a subtle shade of cotton. There are some beautiful embellishments out there so get creative. They can be expensive so buy half a meter instead. Pin it on to get the right look before you start your sewing. Understated style that can go from day to night. Total cost about R100.
 I would love to hear about some of your diy projects so leave a comment and fill us in on some tips.

The Package Project on Frankie

Joyous delights!  The Package Project was featured on the Frankie blog.  Don't forget to sign up.  Thank you Frankie!

Lovely Stalls

I heart Market always has an array of beautiful and different stalls.  In the photo collage you can find -


Lisa & Jo for craft supplies with a twist
Mismatch Jewellery for individual and unique pieces
Moxie Made for quirky accessories
Confetti for vintage inspired, screen siren swimwear
Terry's Art for original works with a delightful edge
Savage Jewellery for clean design lines.  Look out for her brooches they add a bright sparkle to a dull day

Style at I heart Market

 

Vintage inspiration and quirky chic as sported at I heart Market last week.  These were a few of the looks I loved. 


Carmen is inspired by Matthew Williamson and Balmain.  She prefers market shopping and finding vintage inspired pieces.
Skye and Nike - enjoy boutique shopping and prefer vintage pieces too.  Clean lines with a quirky edge adds to Nike's inspiration and Skye in turn searches for unique interesting finds.  They both mentioned that they like the Project Range at Mr Price.

Danka teams Mr Price pieces with her own creations from her label Black Butterfly.  The essence of her look lies in the small details - brooches, stacked bracelets and interesting trims such as lace and buttons.


Pippa a stylist by trade shows her own personal style through vintage frocks as well as customising Mr Price pieces.  For example buying a t-shirt a couple sizes too big and recreating it into a dress.  Megan loves vintage and prefers to take the road less travelled with regards to shopping. 

The Fringe Arts

Last week saw me packing up some Cupcake Couture creations in order to send them off to Cape Town for The Fringe Arts at Spier Contemporary.  This is a really exciting step for Cupcake Couture.  Hooray!  Read all about it below.



From March till May 2010, The Spier Contemporary Exhibition will become Cape Town’s biggest temporary attraction in the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will be host to The Fringe Arts first project: The Fringe gallery store.

Spier Contemporary 2010, housed at Cape Town landmark, The City Hall, will be home to over 130 pieces of art, installations and performance pieces by artists from across South Africa. Furthermore, for this edition of the Spier Contemporary, Chantal Louw and Thessa Bos are curating an art and design store.

Louw, art historian and curator, and Bos, previously the commercial and cultural officer of the Netherlands Consulate General in Cape Town, form The Fringe Arts, an arts projects company. Louw and Bos have a keen eye for arts projects 'on the fringe', projects that manage to surprise and excite themselves and others.

Louw and Bos have commissioned pieces from South African emerging and established artists, designers and illustrators to compose a bespoke offering of art and design. Participants include furniture re-inventor Recreate, jewellery designer Philippa Green and surface designer Skinny Laminx. In addition, the store will feature art from Spier Contemporary finalists and fine art prints published and printed by Warren Editions.

Spier Contemporary was launched in 2007/08 as the largest biennale art competition and exhibition in South Africa.


14 March - 14 May 2010
Cape Town City Hall
10am - 6pm
Free admission

All details courtesy of The Fringe @ Spier Contemporary.

Just a few details of the products that were sent.  *Wish I could be there.

Market: 6 March

Corsages all in a row.  You can click on this to see all the details...like pearly beads, mirrored birds, vintage buttons and pretty ribbons.


Our lovely poster invitation designed by Nicole who is a new addition to the Cupcake Couture team.  Welcome - so happy to have you!

Tape Measure clips


New headband designs.  These sold well and I feel quite proud of them...like a smiling mum!

New product - framed corsages.  Perfect for a craft room.  Also new on the Cupcake Couture table - tinned tape measures - essential for a sewing queen on the move.


I heart Market was held at its new venue on Saturday - DLI Hall.  Lovely day!  I hope you like some of the Cupcake Couture products.  I will be posting more of the market as the week goes by so stay tuned.

Have you signed up?

Have you taken a look at The Package Project?
You can still sign up.
Please spread the word, post about it or share the link on your blog.  You can also put the button on your blog and add the link.  See above on the right for The Package Project logo.
Updates to follow soon.

What I wore...

Each week is filled with at least one favourite outfit.  Not always the most fashionable, but despite that it makes you feel like the proverbial million bucks!  I never hesitate to give a compliment... make someone's day by telling them when they look good, pretty or interesting, but be sincere.  You could make their day and what you sow you will reap.

Shoes from Mr Price.  Look out for the updated trend report on the Mr P site soon.

Cropped denim jacket from London. 
The Eiffel Tower charms used to be earrings from Miss Selfridge.

A little Cupcake Couture deer brooch.

An anchor pendant also from an old pair of earrings actually and one of my favourite tan belts from a sample sale.

The pattern of my floral dress which is actually a kooky, vintage skirt that I hoisted up to wear as a dress.  Smart thinking even if I say so myself.

Let me know if you like seeing what I wear and I might do more posts showing some of my outfits.  I love hearing which types of posts you like so speak up.
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