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My Mum - by the St Barts Team

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday and we here at St Barts are taking the time to reflect on the special things that made our mothers unique, unrepeatable and the most important female role models in our lives. 

Originally conceived as a public holiday in America in 1914 through the campaigning efforts of Anna Jarvis, Mother's Day is about honoring the place of the mother in our society, and more personally, our lives.

It is interesting to note however, that celebrations of mothers and motherhood have occurred throughout history for thousands of years and we are particularly intrigued by the flamboyant figure of Cybele (or Mountain Mother) in Greek mythology. 

She was a wild woman by all accounts, a protector of cities and towns - arriving in a carriage led by lions, to raucous music, ecstatic dancing and much wine. Her mastery of the natural world and her vivid forceful nature are strong and powerful reminders that motherhood can mean much more than being a mere attachment to apron strings...feisty, funny, tough, cuddly, determined, tired, driven, rebellious, soft and more - she may be mum, but she is a woman too. 

Here, in the memories and reflections of our own mothers' is proof of the mighty feminine! 

Olivia Squillari - Marketing & Graphic Design 

Mum -  Kim Squillari

Kim Squillari

In her 20’s my mum was...partying till the a.m in Kings Cross

My mum’s style is...bohemian Byron style or everything black!

She taught me...that there is a big world out there and food is the way to a man's heart.

I love the way she...dances with her arms in the air.

Everyone who knows her says she...has a huge heart and loves a boogie!

Priya Gravesting - Brisbane Store
Mum - Audrey Bowie

Audrey Bowie with Priya and family

In her 20’s my mum was... a missionary in India before marrying my father in her mid 20’s.  They went on to have 4 children, 3 girls and a then my brother who was severely handicapped all his life.

My mum’s style is...Classic, loves black, white, lace and pearls!

She taught me...That a Princess is not here to be served but to serve others.

I love the way she...has our whole extended family over for amazing Indian lunch every Sunday.  It’s a long standing tradition.

I’ll never forget the time she...gave the Eulogy at my brother’s funeral.

Nicole Grimsdale - Marketing & Southport Store

Mum - Annette Grimsdale

Annette Grimsdale, end right, with family at her sister Vicki's wedding (second left).

In her 20’s my mum was...young and beautiful but struggling emotionally and financially as a single mother with my brother. She met the love of her life, my dad, in her late 20's (he was 29 years older than her and a successful film and TV director) and never looked back.

She taught me...to grow up! My mum doesn't believe in blaming others for things they may or may not have done but to take responsibility for your own life, however hard that may be sometimes.

I love the way she...entertains. My mum was and still is a great hostess. She holds lots of dinner parties. Back in the 70's and 80's they included many empty bottles and guests lingering to the wee hours. These days it's more sedate but she still plans her meals with imagination and sets the table with real panache.

She cooked the best...Beef Rendang. Dry, spicy, flaky.

I wish I could live with courage, loyalty and pragmatism like she does.

Fiona Allan - Office Manager
Mum - Valerie Bailey

Valerie Bailey, graceful globe trotter

My mum's style was...classic, tailored and elegant

She taught me...how to entertain, shop and laugh!

I love the way she...made our childhoods so special. I have such warm, loving memories of home cooking, horse-riding, holidays, shopping, parties and picnics...and lots of love.

She cooked threw the best...dinner parties.

She loved to...travel the globe.

Happy Mother's Day 

SB Book Club - Fashionable Selby

Ever wondered what the work and home spaces of some of fashion's most creative and inspired designers and stylists look like?

Todd Selby does. He spent two years travelling and photographing people who "live and breathe clothes and shoes and hats and jewelry" and put the images together in Fashionable Selby, a new book to hit St Barts.

We've long been fans of Todd's cool blog, The Selby, and the eclectic, eccentric interiors of the people he loves to shoot. It makes us feel a little more in touch with the world of those in the know. 

Less about staged interiors and more about how people live, his work is always fascinatingly spontaneous and fluid - interjected with irreverent illustrations and hand written interviews with his subjects.

Genius. 

Fashionable Selby is available online (hipster mum alert! perfect gift for Mothers Day) just click here

Meeting with Cherie and Nareen from Marmoset Found

Many people dream of starting their own business based on their passions but not so many realise it. Cherie Slater and Nareen Holloway of Melbourne based homeware wholesalers Marmoset Found have done just what they talked about as neighbours and friends, sharing coffee and bonding over their mutual love of homewares and interiors.

Cherie, who worked in health but who always had an eye for interior design (her husband is an architect) and Nareen, who was a fashion buyer, took the bold step to start their own business in homeware wholesaling after agreeing that they were seeing the same stuff everywhere and wanted to find new and beautiful pieces to bring to the market.

It is no small feat to take your career destiny in your own hands, especially with small children added to the equation, but Cherie and Nareen booked their first flights 3 years ago and have travelled ever since, working alongside artisans and crafts people in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan,  The Philippines and India.

At St Barts we have just unpacked our first delivery of Cloud Ceramics from Marmoset Found and couldn't be happier with this gorgeously wonky range of bowls, platters and vases and plates in muted shades of grey, taupe and moss.



Can you tell us a bit about Cloud Ceramics - where they come from and how they are made?

Each piece is hand cast in Vietnam - a country with a rich history in ceramics spanning thousands of years.We collaborate with a small family run business and decide on a colour palate for each season. 

They look so fragile - are they able to be used everyday?

They might look fragile but they are fired at a really high temperature and are dishwasher and microwave safe. They are actually really sturdy; we both use them as our every day dinnerware. We wanted to create ceramics that were beautiful, durable and functional. All the colours mix and match - so you can collect them over time and have an eclectic but cohesive range.

You travel the world constantly sourcing new and lovely things for the home - any tips on what's on trend now? 

There's still a strong emphasis on mixing everyday pieces with artisan, handmade and one-off treasures from your travels. Its an egalitarian approach to home styling that lets you have the Ikea shelving unit - let's face it, they are practical and well-designed - but mix them with something that is more personal and has a story about you or the place it came from.

Cloud Ceramics now available at St Barts stores and online www.st-barts.com.au

Brisbane Fashionistas Stay Up Late - Did You?

It was a perfect balmy Brisbane evening, curb-sides were turned into mini open air bars serving tropical cocktails as great tunes played over speakers from DJ's dotted along the strip, fashionistas promenaded in their finest threads as all the shops kept their doors open  for the annual James Street and Marie Claire Up Late event last Thursday.

At St Barts we kept the French bubbles flowing and the vibe buzzing as we previewed Lisa Brown's gorgeous new Spring Summer 2014 range.

Lisa herself was instore offering style advice and plenty of giggles as her infectious and friendly personality won everyone over. There's still time to pre-order your own piece of covetable Lisa Brown glamour from the lookbooks - just pop into the Brisbane store and ask Donna, Pria, Laura, Nicky or Sophie to help you out.

It was such a fun night and so great to see so many of our lovely customers enjoying the offers and atmosphere of the event - we can't wait to do it all again next year!

My Luxe Lifestyle Secrets - Lisa Brown

With her distinctly feminine and romantic clothing designs, it’s hard to believe that Lisa Brown is a tomboy at heart.  Born in Maitland NSW as the youngest of 6 children, Lisa was a skateboarding, rugby playing, surfer-child. 

Facing financial hardship after a bold life change, Lisa’s creative energy was realised as she customised op-shop and vintage fashion finds to dress herself. Soon people started asking her about her creations and so, the inception for Lisa Brown the fashion label was born.

The success of Lisa’s label is the determined pursuit of good design and quality of make – she produces clothing women want to wear, and importantly, clothing that suits a woman’s body.

Now living on the Gold Coast with her family, it seems Lisa has the perfect work/life balance – surfing in the morning, doing a job that is her passion and relaxing in the evening with the people she loves.

 What’s the first thing you think of in the morning? 

I usually check what the surf is like; it’s the best way to start my day

I’m happiest when: 

There are plenty of things that make me happy. When I’m surfing and designing, when the creative juices are flowing.

from top: Steph Gilmore, Leo, Lisa, Isabel Marant spring

If I weren’t a fashion designer I’d be a: 

Pro surfer (Steph Gilmore)

Who was your teacher and what did you learn?  

I have been taught mostly from observation and working various jobs.

What star sign are you? 

I’m a Leo.

What role do you think fate has played in your life? I decided to leave my home town and a secure job and move to QLD, I had no money to buy luxury clothing, so I had to draw on my creative side. I started to recreate op shop items by cutting and dying and then finally taught myself to sew and haven’t looked back since. So being financially poor for a sometime was a positive...would you call that fate?

Tell us something we don't know about you:

I’m very much a tomboy; I can do 3 x 360’s on a skateboard in a row.

What are you most grateful for?  

My two healthy girls and a great lifestyle.

Do you have a signature dish? 

Lychee red duck curry 

I have a style crush on: 

Isabel Marant especially her spring lookbook styling.

What keeps you grounded? 

My Children, my work colleagues, failures and coming from a large family of 6 children I don’t think they would allow me to get too big for my boots.

What keeps you motivated?

I don’t give up easily; I think it’s just something inside, a determination that keeps me motivated. Also seeing my clothing on such a diverse mix, that inspires me to keep creating.

How do you relax?

Having a surf in the morning and a red wine in the evening.I have a great lifestyle and don't feel the need to travel far to relax.

Lisa will be joining us this Thursday, April 3 between 5pm and 9pm at our Brisbane store for the annual James Street Up Late fashion event. Come join us for some bubbles, fashion and one-night-olny great offers. We will also be exclusively previewing her Spring/Summer 2014 range. 

St Barts Brisbane is at 6/31 James Street Fortitude Valley.  

Mid-Week Meditation - Ageing Gracefully

Image: blog.annavedeneeva.com

Working in St-Barts we are privledged to meet many beautiful and spirited women every day. What we find encouraging and uplifting in particular is the style and grace we see across the spectrum of ages - we are lucky to have as customers women in their 20's through to their 80's and even 90's. Charming, irreverent, quirky, classic, understated, flamboyant, vivacious, serene - but always authentic and carrying themselves with great good style. 

On Our Radar - Chinese and Mongolian Antique Cabinets

There's nothing like a beautiful cabinet to display your precious things on and we are enamored with how unexpectedly fresh these antique Chinese cabinets we found on Pinterest look. We always had this kind of versatility in mind when we bought our collection in Beijing last year, to re-envision them into a modern aesthetic. The literal China-as-theme-decor was never our intention - already Alissa has styled some lovely white cabinets in the stores with chunky pastel Mud ceramics, white linens and smooth oak chopping boards. The look is chic, organic and refined, like they would be at home in a Provincial kitchen.

We are so excited to be launching our majestic one-off Mongolian and Chinese artifacts and cabinets, hand-picked from our recent travels (to see our snaps click here) - every piece has a history unique to itself and the mark of supreme craftsmanship.

Interior-wise, as the pictures above show, the possibilities for cabinets are endless. In classical surrounds, dining rooms and grand hallways, to modern apartments, industrial spaces, in kitchens, bedrooms and even bathrooms. They are the perfect platfom to display your collections, keepsakes and treasures.

In her book Things I Love (buy it here), interior stylist Megan Morton discusses the history of using cabinets to display personal objects - otherwise known as 'whatnots'. She tells how it began in the Regency period when 'clutter loving' Victorians would pile their best plates, cake stands, tea caddys and Wedgwood greenware onto fruitwood cabinets, thereby proving to visitors their taste and social status.

Here's a small glimpse at some of our artifacts and cabinets:

"No matter how sure you are you don't want a whatnot, I reckon every home, no matter how modern, should have one...at the end of the day, you need an important and sacred place where you, too, can show and play with the things you're naturally drawn to."
- Megan Morton

To view the complete catalogue of the Majestic China collection visit our Southport and Newfarm stores and our design showroom in Burleigh at 13/110 Kortum Drive Burleigh QLD 4220.

Gather & Share - Chicken with Peppers

A one-pot meal that's full of flavour is a mid-week must-have for any busy cook's repertoire. Here's one that's got us heaving out the Le Crueset, warming up the oven and smacking our lips in anticipation.
It comes from the gorgeously photographed homage to Italian heritage, Limoncello and Linen Water (buy it here), by the always wonderful cookery writer Tessa Kiros.

The book is not just a cookbook, but a tribute to the role of women in the family and in our lives.

"Many years ago, a mother would teach her daughter how to keep a home using a doll's house as an example. The daughter would learn how to make sense of it all and keep order through the various rooms. She would also be taught the art of hospitality, the times of year of celebration, how to decorate the house and, eventually, how to keep order and make sense of her own home." 
Tessa Kiros

Chicken with peppers 
by Tessa Kiros from Limoncello and Linen Water

3 Large capsicums (peppers) 2 red and 1 yellow
1 Whole chicken, skin removed cut into pieces
10 Whole garlic cloves unpeeled
3 Fresh bay leaves
3 Rosemary branches
100g Good black olives
4tbsp Olive oil

Method: 

1: Pre-heat the oven to 180°c/gas 4.

2: Halve the peppers, remove the seeds and chop each half into about 4 rustic pieces.

3: Put in a 30 x 23 cm casserole dish and add the chicken, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, olives and olive oil.

4: Season with salt and pepper and turn it all through with your hands. If it really is too tight to turn, mix in a large bowl and return to the dish. Cover with the lid.

5: Put in the oven and bake for about 1½ hours or until the chicken is cooked through and soft and the peppers are gorgeous.

6: Take the lid off and bake for another 20 minutes or so to give some blush to the chicken.

7: Serve warm, with bread. Bread here is essential. If the skin of the peppers is starting to come away and it bothers you, just slip it to the side of the plate.

Friday Fashion - Tartan

Images clockwise from top left: Harpers Bazaar, Tales of Endearment, Elin Kling, Tales of Endearment

Putting multiple checks together in one outfit might be something best left to the bolder fashionistas among us - but we are seriously considering giving it a red hot go, as Lucy of our Southport store is often heard to exclaim. (Infact, Lucy has already snapped up the Odd Molly tartan pants we've got in for Autumn).

Tartan and checks never really leave the fashion radar. Lately though we have seen them layered with each other; a quality of fabric and integrity of texture the necessity to pull this look off. Think pure wool and flannel, cashmere and silk. 

Our Odd Molly tartans have a great zip detail at the ankle and are slightly cropped, perfect for our milder winters. 

As is the way, this trend has travelled off the catwalk into interiors. Expect to see some great herringbone chairs in St Barts soon. 

Gather & Share - Individual Carrot Cakes

Autumn has come a-creeping through the gaps in the morning doorframe. Only yesterday we were flinging the covers off in fitful sleep, too hot to dream. Now we are waking with a small but perceptible brr. It's the season of poetic wandering through transforming landscapes. Of preserving and baking. A gentle turning from the outward thrusts of summer.

At St-Barts we are stocking up the bookshelves for this time of inner inspiration. We believe in community and friendship as the metaphorical sunshine for the darker seasons of our souls and nothing encapsulates this better than in the sharing of food. And so we are collecting recipes and will post them on this blog in a new regular section Gather & Share.

Top of our baking list are these individual carrot cakes from Share - The cookbook that celebrates our common humanity. The recipes come from women living in war-torn countires in which the charity Women for Women International operates. Also in the mix are recipes from renowned international chefs. 100% of the publishers profits go to the charity - now that's a reason to celebrate. Share is now available online or in the St-Barts stores.

Individual carrot cakes 
by Marco Borsato 

“I believe in and have seen the resilience and power of children, in spite of all the terrible experiences they have been through. In my work with former child soldiers, I see valuable knowledge and potential, which gives me great hope.” Marco Borsato

Prepare 15 minutes | Cook 30 minutes | Makes 12

250g light muscovado sugar
200ml vegetable or sunflower oil
3 eggs, beaten
300g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons ground mixed spice
500g carrots, finely grated
finely grated zest of 1 orange
200g walnuts, chopped
250g sultanas or raisins
For the topping
175g icing sugar
200g full-fat cream cheese
1–1½ tablespoons orange juice finely grated zest of 1 orange

Method:

1: Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Grease and flour 12 × 175ml pudding basins (or a 12-hole muffin tray) and place a disc of non-stick baking paper on the base of each. Place on a large baking sheet.
2: In a large bowl, mix the sugar and oil and beat for 2–3 minutes, before adding the eggs and combining well. Sift the flour and mixed spice into the bowl and mix.
3: Stir in the carrots, orange zest, walnuts and sultanas until just combined. Spoon the mixture evenly between the pudding basins and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until a skewer placed in the centre comes out clean. Turn the cakes out onto a rack and allow to cool.
4: Meanwhile, make the topping. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl, add the cream cheese and beat until combined. Gradually add the orange juice until the mixture is of a spreadable consistency. Spread evenly over the top of each carrot cake,sprinkle with the orange zest and serve.

For more information on Women for Women International, visit www.womenforwomen.org

Salt Water Sandals - Chic Feet

It seems too crazy to be true, but it's fact - these are leather sandals that can be machine washed. More importantly, they're super chic and extremely comfortable.

The Salt Water sandal has been a cult classic in the United States for 70 years and have gained a huge following in Australia recently. We love the story of how they were originally made (for children) from scrap leather off military boot production during wartime shortages in the 40's. This leather had been treated to withstand all conditions - including getting wet.

Practical for salt water frolicks (as the name suggests) yet stylish and effortless with summer dresses or a rolled up jean. Comfortable and durable, they've been spotted on fashionable feet from the Hamptons to Paddington.

We've got them in tan, black, white and gold.

Welcome to the club.

On Our Radar - Layers Of White

New York Fashion Week, Spring 2014 and everyone was talking about the prevalence of white. Crisp white layered upon itself, or variants of white, cream, pale golds, silver, in various weights and fabrics all worn together yet still creating the over-all feeling of white. Accents of brown and black broke the spell, a focus on tailoring revealing the beautiful bones of the garments.

It got us thinking about interiors. How a white foundation to a room can be built upon to suit many styles. From minimal, modern and masculine to gently opulent and ecclectic depending on the personality creating it.

Images sourced from Harpers Bazaar and Pinterest

We love a white interior best when luxed-up by earthy wood, gorgeous linens, hides, glamourous chandeleirs and lashings of warm, natural light.

Shop the white look at www.st-barts.com.au or by clicking the links in the descriptions below.  

1: Light fandango 2: Round cowrie shell mirror 3: Pineapple arm chair 4: White linen cushion
5: Dimple glass lamp 6: Cowhide rug

Lisa Brown - AW14 Instore

You're lucky we even managed to send this collection to the shop without buying the lot for ourselves. Lisa Brown A/W14 is now in Brisbane. We love everything, where to begin? Draped jersey pants in gold and black have an amazing architectural edge - worn with a simple white t-shirt and boots and it's the easy kind of style that speaks volumes without shouting. And the Moroccan print silk was too beautiful to limit to one piece... 

Limited sizes mean you have to be quick but after that you'll have a fashion lifetime to enjoy. 

Brisbane St-Barts is shop 6/31 James Street, Fortitude Valley. 

Friday Fashion - Head Scarves

Colourful silk scarves from Andeol and Johnny Was are hanging like so many jewels on our racks right now. Tactile, beautiful, delicate, compelling. But how to wear them? Word on the streets of Europe is to tie them on your head, as a casual kind of turban - great with short hair or framing messy buns.This is a look we'd love to rock right now.

Free People and Maison Scotch - First Drop!

QUICK! Before they sell out!

Our favourite Americans, Free People, and those chic Amsterdamers, Maison Scotch, tick all our fashion boxes and have just hit the racks of our Brisbane and Southport stores.

Free People speaks to our bohemian, relaxed, gypsy soul. Like a sunset gathering with old records and a cold beer, Free People clothes are for the sartorial beach lover, the hipster hippie.

Maison Scotch are the cool and edgy counterpart in our fashion repertoire. Not afraid of simplicity, Maison is chinos and shirts, masculine tailoring, but always with a spin. Whimsical and yet understated, slouchy yet refined - like a city roof party sitting on a milk crate drinking Moet. Which girl are you? We fancy being both.

Radiant Orchid - Pantone Colour of The Year 2014

Purple is a vegemite of a colour, dividing people into camps of love or hate, but with this year's Pantone colour being revealed as Radiant Orchid  - a warm brew of fuchsia, rose and purple - a universal appeal just may have been found.

Love Never Ends - A Valentine's Story

This story has got us all weepy. We had to share. Happy Valentine's Day friends, may love guide your days.

Special Delivery

"My sweet husband, John, and I were married for 46 years. Each Valentine's Day, he'd send me the most beautiful flowers containing a note with five simple words: "My love for you grows."

Four children, 46 bouquets and a lifetime of love were his legacy to me when he passed away two years ago.

On my first Valentine's Day alone, 10 months after I lost him, I was shocked to receive a gorgeous bouquet addressed to me...from John.Angry and heartbroken, I called the florist to say there had been a mistake. The florist replied, 'No, ma'am, it's not a mistake. Before he passed away, your husband pre-paid for many years and asked us to guarantee that you'd continue getting bouquets every Vaneltine's Day.' With my heart in my throat, I hung up the phone and read the attatched card. It said, 'My love for you is eternal'."

-Sue Johnston, 68, Houston, TX

image: House Beautiful

Treat Me On Valentine's

because it's just nice to get a little something 

From top left: Shell rosette heart, LK Israeli multi-coloured earrings, brass keepsake box, Samantha Robinson teapot, Bonnie and Neil red floral cushion, Bonnie and Neil cockatoo cushion, LK Israeli cobalt earrings, Maison Scotch lace camisole

All available instore, Bonnie and Neil,  Samantha Robinson and brass box also available online at www.st-barts.com.au 

Gather & Share: Spaghetti Alle Vongole

February, and summer holidays are close behind us but a long way in the distant future.

We are dreaming of a food memory from some summers ago, Malta, on the deck of Gillieru restaurant at the 5pm sunset hour.