Ho! Ho! Ho!

Image: Revel in Mock Glory

I just wanted to wish you much joy and love at this happy time of year.

Thank you for being such an important part of my 2010 experience and stopping by Checks and Spots.

I'm taking a little breather and will back on 10 January.

See you in 2011...

x

Embroidered Portraits by Daniel Kornrumpf

Images: This is Colossal

Mind-blowing

Astonishing

Marvelous

Incredible

Beyond belief

Fascinating

Brilliant

Superb

Genius

All the over excited adjectives in the world, don't do Daniel Kornrumpf's embroidered portraits justice...

The Aromatherapy Co Winner!

Drumroll please! The winner of the The Aromatherapy Co pamper pack is Two Tuesdays.

A huge, heartfelt thanks to everyone that played along - especially all the new Checks and Spots followers!

Knock Knock Recovery Kits

This time of year, one of these wouldn't go astray...

This time of year you'd think I would have no need for one of these - but incredibly work is still flat chat. When will it wind down? I'd like to stop now, please...

This time of year, I certainly hope that no one needs one of these...

Images: Graphic Statement

This time of year, Dad needs one of these (as the poor thing was born on Christmas day)!

For all of life's emergencies, Knock Knock have the perfect recovery kit. Each slick design contains a remedy booklet, a bracelet, affirmation cards, bandages, metal charm and certificate of recovery.

It's just what the doctor ordered!

US $14; available online from Knock Knock.

Ps: Today is the last day to enter my decadent Pamper Pack giveaway from The Aromatherapy Co!

Beautiful Boy: Andrej Pejic

Image: Models.com

It seems that in 2011 we'll continue to see the rise and rise of Serbian-Australian model, Andrej Pejic.

His long platinum locks, angular cheekbones and full pout first had everyone saying, 'Hey, dude looks like a lady!' at the Paris mens shows in June. Since then he has booked editorials in Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, and appeared in Jean Paul Gaultier's SS11 campaign. Yesterday WWD also reported that Pejic has just wrapped up shooting Marc by Marc Jacobs' SS11 campaign.

In just a few short months, Pejic has swiftly challenged concepts of beauty - both male and female - and extreme androgyny.

What's your take on the 'femiman' look? Constructively controversial and challenging? Or just cross-dressing?

Ps: Don't forget to enter my decadent Pamper Pack giveaway from The Aromatherapy Co!

Muther of All Things

While the liquid beauty of the ocean has long taken pride of place in Australia’s collective identity, surf culture has largely remained a boy’s club. One label though that is recasting girls front and center is Muther of All Things.

No longer content to relegate girls as beach-lounging-towel-minders, this progressive new label encourages women to take on the ocean by fusing fashion, functionality and feminine design.

To see my profile piece and interview with Joceline Godfrey and Marisa Sidoti, the designers behind Muther of All Things, head on over to Broadsheet.

Five Alive Friday

Image: Booooooom

It's hard to believe that another week is almost done and dusted! Here's five links to lose yourself in until 5pm rolls around:

1. This Roald Dahl quote made my day.
2. In case you haven't received your Christmas card from the Kardashians, here it is! It's very Dynasty-esque, don't you think?
3. Top Ten lists reviewing 2010 are starting to roll in. Here's a rundown of the ten most retweeted tweets.
4. An egg style house? Yes, please!
5. For a good dose of the Friday giggles, head on over to Hover Hands.

Ps: Don't forget to enter my decadent Pamper Pack giveaway from The Aromatherapy Co!

The Aromatherapy Co Giveaway!

Image: Living and Giving

After my interview with Sarah Townsend, the inspiring founder of The Aromatherapy Co, she offered me a decadent Pamper Pack to giveaway to you dear readers. Hoorah!

Containing a Bath & Shower Gel and Hand & Body Lotion in Sarah's favourite scent (Orange and Jasmine), plus a Loofah Sponge - this sweet Pack is the perfect pampering indulgence.

For your chance to win:

1. If you're not already, become a Checks and Spots follower by signing up on the right-of-screen; and
2. Leave a comment below.

Entries are open to all and close at midnight Wednesday 22 December 2010 (AEDT). I'll then draw the winner randomly and contact you by email.

Interview: Founder of The Aromatherapy Co, Sarah Townsend

The Aromatherapy Co's 'Cotton' range is my favourite. I love the combination of kraft paper and doily motif in fresh tones.

It probably comes as no surprise that given the time of year, I've been shopping up a storm. One brand that keeps popping up on my travels is The Aromatherapy Co.

Initially it was the packaging that made me notice. But when I dug a little deeper, I realised that beauty is more than skin (or should I say label!) deep for The Aromatherapy Co. All of their home fragrance and body care products are natural and free from nasties like parabens, artificial fragrances, sodium laurel sulphate and mineral oil. Plus, they are ardently against animal testing and 85% of their packaging is recyclable - which earns double brownie points in my book!

In the quest to find out even more about The Aromatherapy Co, I tracked down their founder and director, Sarah Townsend to see what makes her tick and how she turned a passion for natural therapies into a booming brand.

Sarah Townsend, founder and director of The Aromatherapy Co.

My fascination with aromatherapy began when...when I was a child and I spent many hours in the garden gathering any herbs and flowers I could find. I'd then blend them to make all sorts of potions. Later on I studied famous herbalists and their practices to see how amazing nature is and all it has to offer.

I’m inspired by...my children

My top aromatherapy tip is...sleeping is a very big problem for many of us (including myself) and therefore I always have lavender essential oil and our relaxing blend beside the bed. I find a few drops on the pillow works wonders to send me into a deep restful sleep. Also tea tree oils is a must-have in your first aid kit, it really is a little miracle healer and can be used in so many ways as it is a natural disinfectant and great for dry skin.

I thought ‘someone pinch me’ when...Everyday I thank the universe for my family and friends, I am truly blessed.

The only way to juggle a young family and thriving business is...to be very organized and be surrounded by a fantastic support unit.

My favourite essential blend is...orange and jasmine. It is so revitalizing and regenerating for your skin and it always reminds me of summer holidays.

If I could turn back the clock...I would have stayed at home longer when my girls were babies as they grow so fast.

The 'Aroma Gardener' range.

I’m passionate about...the environment. We use recyclable materials in all our packaging and have done so for many years.

Most people don’t know that I...have a amazing father who has inspired and mentored me and is my best friend.

My favourite holiday destination...is our holiday house on an island in Auckland. It is my solace and where I do a lot of designing and creating.

My hope for 2011 is that...that the world starts taking global warming very seriously and starts making the difference that is so needed.

My golden rule is...always give back more that you take!

Psst! Make sure you check back in tomorrow as I have a deliciously decadent giveaway from The Aromatherapy Co up for grabs...

Bookmobile

Image: theshophouse on etsy

Sure, an ipad or Kindle is awfully handy, but you can't do this with them! Created by artist, Lisa Occhipinti, each bookmobile is designed as a sculptural object to emanate bliss.

Interestingly, Occhipinti's is set to release her first book, The Repurposed Library, in April 2011. The publisher says it will feature 33 projects that breathe new life into orphaned books and flea market finds - but aren't they missing the ironically obvious?!

From $US 68; available from theshophouse on Etsy.

Found via.

Boxing Kitten

Images: Boxing Kitten

1-2-3! It's a knockout!

A quick flick through Boxing Kitten's look book and I was down for the count. Designed by Brooklyn-based Maya Lake, Boxing Kitten's Resort 2010 collection is a perfect pattern-on-pattern, colour saturated mash up. In a style that Lake calls 'ethnic rockabilly' each piece embraces the boldness and uniqueness of African wax block print fabric. With celebrity devotees including Beyonce, Rihanna and Alicia Keys this relative newcomer is one label that's punching above its weight.

Available online here.

Five Alive Friday

Image: Strakss

Strap yourself in, and away we go! Here's five tempting links to inch you closer to the weekend...

1. The world's most expensive book, Birds of America, just sold for US$10 million at auction in London.
2. To tick off all the kids on your Christmas list, head on over to a fab site called Moo Said The Cow. I've done a lot of my Chrissy shopping over there...plus they have the added sweetner of 25% off all toys until this Sunday.
3. Check out this donut maker. As the great Homer Simpson would say, 'Mmmmmm, donuts!'
4. Plastic fantastic! Artist Bang-Yao Liu has recreated the city of Shanghai completely out of inexpensive plastic boxes and boxes.
5. The VERAMEAT jewellery label isn't just about statement pieces - it's a conversation starter.

Moleskine Mini Planner Stop-Motion

MINI PLANNERS from Moleskine ® on Vimeo.

Things have been a little crazy around these parts. The usual December madness of catch-ups, cocktails and cheer is in overdrive and things have never been busier (or more exciting) on the work front.

So, I thought the perfect tonic would be one part part frivolous and two parts brilliance. Created by Dutch visual artist, Rogier Wieland, this stop-motion for Moleskine Mini Planners might just be more sensational than the product itself....if that's at all possible when it comes to anything Moleskine related!

Is This Shade of Grey Acceptable?

Images: We Like That

Witty. Brilliant. Cheeky.

Street artist, Mobstr, has made my day!

What's Your Beauty Maintenance Routine?

Image: We Heart It

When it comes to all things beauty related, the older I get the more low maintenance I become. Anything that cuts out an unnecessary step is right up my alley!

Whilst it might seem awfully mundane, one little discovery that has been saving me effort in the personal grooming department is the Venus Spa Breeze razor. They say it's the first disposable razor with built-in shave gel bars. I say that it does a damn fine job of getting rid of peach fuzz on my pins, makes shaving cream redundant and the White Tea scent smells a treat. Oh, and you can pick it up at the supermarket...which is handy since I seem to spend half my life there!

It also got me thinking though about my beauty maintenance routine:

• I dye my hair red and get it trimmed every 8 weeks. Before I had a baby, this used to be every 4 weeks, but I certainly don't have the luxury of time anymore!
• Every 6 or so weeks I get my brows shaped. In between I tweeze every few days.
• I have this weird superstition that if I don't shave my legs before going out for a night on the tiles, then I'm simply not properly put together. So my legs are religiously shaved on Saturday nights....and if I remember, they might get a quick going over during the week!
• I get a full-on-the-works facial twice a year.
• Whenever I get out of the shower , I slap on a truckload of the Bloom Organics Hydrating Body Lotion.
• I exfoliate once a week with Ren's Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask and moisturise morning and night with their Vita-Mineral Radiant Day Cream.
• Forget manis, I don't have the time or patience to wait for them to dry. I do give myself a little pedi every other week though.

So, what's your beauty maintenance routine? When I see mine written down in black and white, it made me realise that even though I think I'm pretty low maintenance, a lot of time is actually put into keeping up appearances!

Five Alive Friday

Image: MY MODERN MET

Hey there, let's go! Here's five links to bide your time 'till 5pm...

1. The story of the real Steve Tucker (as in the public servant who wrote an email to 4,000 colleagues trying to find a girl he met at a party) has affected me so deeply. It's well worth making a cup of tea and spending five minutes reading this all the way to the end.
2. This week I've been completely and utterly obsessed with this song. Can't hear it enough. Can't stop dancing to it.
3. Surprisingly, American Apparel have changed their ad style to illustrations. Unsurprisingly, they still feature nudity.
4. beautyheaven have just released a nifty iphone app. Featuring over 50,000 product reviews and an incredibly handy glossary of ingredients, it is perfect for cutting through the b.s. and making informed beauty purchases.
5. Issue Seven of Curvy is out now. You'd be mad not to pick it up!

Interview: Silk Scarf Designer, Katrin Reifeiss

Katrin Reifeiss at Angkor Wat in Cambodia

I'm a little bit partial to taming my curls by tying them up in a silk scarf. But spend a bit of time with Katrin Reifeiss and you'll soon discover that there is much more to these seventeen inch squares of fabric...

Using the dye technique called shibori, Brooklyn-based Katrin, creates vibrant colour-saturated silk scarves. With 100% of profits from her current range being donated to The Silk Lab who helps women in Cambodia create social and economic security, Katrin's pieces are for so much more than hiding a bad hair moment.

Here's what Katrin had to say about her label and marrying fashion and philanthropy.

The Mood Indigo Set from Katrin's current range.

True style to me is...wearing what makes one feel beautiful. The most beautiful people are those that are nice, who love to laugh, have an eye for the unique and special and can take the high road in any situation. That is what true style to me is.

I’m currently inspired by...color, always inspired by color. For Spring/Summer 2011 I am loving red, orange, blue and purple. Nature. The Ocean. Travel. Shibori and resist techniques. People. Innovation.

Three words that describe my scarves are...handmade, beautiful, one-of-a-kind.

My proudest business achievement...will be when I open my own store!

Fashion and philanthropy are…a winning situation for both the customer and the recipient of the funds. Everyone receives something. I believe also that if one can help out whether it is volunteering their time - even one day a year - or donating funds, then they should do it.

My desire to give back to the women in Cambodia stems from...visiting Siem Reap (in Cambodia) in January of this year. I fell in love with the people and the place and thought if I could give back in some way I would like to. Through Elizabeth Kiester of Wanderlust - a store she opened in Siem Reap a few years ago and who I had the pleasure of meeting - I learned of ConcertCambodia.org and on their website 'discovered ' The Silk Lab Project. The goal of The Silk Lab is to create social and economical security to disadvantaged women living in Siem Reap through a fair trade, non-for profit business. What a perfect fit!

The Cleopatra Stripes Set from Katrin's current range.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is...follow your gut, be yourself, and just do it already!

I can’t live without...coffee in the morning, a good book, NYC and Paris, a great handbag, travelling and my best friend - my husband Tom.

I escape by...curling up in bed with a good book, watching Masterpiece Theatre on PBS, taking a walk through Prospect Park in Brooklyn or swimming in the Ocean.

Home is...wherever my husband and I are which is currently Brooklyn which we love!

In 2011…I'd like to see more common sense and sanity in the world. And for myself I would like to open up my own store where I can create and sell my collections and also give back to the local community anyway I can.

My golden rule is...smile.

From US $55; shop online at Katrin Reifeiss.