In the window: What's the Buzz?

So, you'd be forgiven for thinking the windows might be a little dusty around here.

Truth is we've been busier than ever filling the store with new releases and old favourites and would love for you to press your nose up against the glass and take a look - we promise not to make you sneeze!

In the Window: KatyJane Designs

Press your nose against the glass today and meet the adorable fill-in invitation range from KatyJane Designs.

Aren’t they just so reminiscent of a perfectly simple, carefree childhood?

Imagine if you might that the window today is strung with paper chains made from vintage children’s books. There is an old-fashioned trike, probably a red wagon, definitely a spinning top and a jack-in-the-box. There is a party table laid with Nanna’s finest embroidered linens mixed up with some fun contemporary tableware. There is a row of paper party hats. There are paper bags filled with 5c sweets from the corner store – milk bottles, teeth, spearmint leaves, cobbers, conversation hearts – and tied with these tags. There is homemade lemonade in glass bottles with stripey paper straws. And a beautiful, simple birthday cake – homebaked, of course - perhaps vanilla sponge with strawberry jam and fresh whipped cream.

And if this window were wired for sound there would be giggles for sure – happy kids without the need for a jumping castle or magician to direct their party play.

We remember birthday parties like these – and we want that for our own children. Thanks KatyJane Designs for making old so very new again.

To herald their arrival in our store, we are giving away a delightful KatyJane Designs pack of 12 fill-in invitations + party bag tags of the winner's choice. Just leave a comment here and let us know which design you love the most and a prop you might use to theme the party.

The winner will be randomly chosen next Monday 8th March, 12.00pm AEST.

International entries are welcome, however please note prize will be shipped using Australia Post Standard International Mail service.

In the Window

(image via flickr)

Oh, how we dream of having a little store made of bricks and mortar. Just the other week I was doing a bit of sorting and came across a notebook from many years ago where I had made a few dreamy sketches – a visualisation, something to plan, something to look forward to. And even now our business is born, and growing, and teaching, and changing, the little store of our dreams still looks uncannily like that one in my sketches.

It has a little scalloped awning out the front, an oversized painted door, floor to ceiling glass windows. It’s walls are hung with ladders of gorgeous gift wrap. Colourful ribbons spill from their spools just waiting to be touched, measured, perfectly matched. Boxes and bags in every imaginable colour are stacked in pretty rows according to their hue. Neat piles of the most beautiful invitations seek to be a part of a special celebration. There is a cosy lounge where customers, our friends, flip through our favourite books and mags for inspiration. It is modern and fresh, but at the same time nostalgic. We serve cupcakes daily. There are, of course, pretty garlands dancing from the ceiling. Oh and a permanent lolly buffet!!

If you ever see a little store (preferably in Brisbane) that might one day look like this, be sure to let us know.

In the meantime, we will pretend this space is our floor to ceiling glass window and invite you to press your nose up against it anytime to see what’s in the store.

Back tomorrow with our first peek In the Window.