Blog

Gorgeous greys...

Today is a super gloomy, rainy day here in Cape Town, so the blog post for the day seems particularly fitting - and it serves as a great reminder that grey is gorgeous! (it's easy to forget when you have to struggle against the wind and the rain and kiss your suede shoes good bye en route to a morning meeting.)

Behold! A small selection of some of the fab grey items found on the site:

So much of pretty! Banish those gloomy thoughts and embrace the grey - happy shopping!

Under R250? Yes indeedy!

If you're looking for beautiful things on a budget, Hello Pretty has you covered. This gorgeous minimalist necklace is handmade from polymer clay and is perfect to accessorise your winter blues and greys. (Ooh, I made a rhyme!) You can get yours from Doeksisters here.

We featured this necklace in our newsletter this week, along with a curated collection of gorgeous items under R250. There's a new theme every week, so if you'd like to be kept in the loop, sign up below!

Our fancy pants photoshoot...

Hello Pretty photoshoot with The Dollie House

Recently we've found ourselves being asked more and more for team photos, and since we are all often scattered countrywide (and sometimes even world wide!), we decided to go the whole hog and get some professional kiekies taken.

So, after deciding to take the plunge came the next daunting step. *Cues backing track* Who you gonna call? (I'm so lame. I know.) Anyway, we called on The Dollie House. Knowing the standard of their work and having seen the results first hand in the shoots they had done for sellers (including A Ring To It and Bow Peep), we were confident we were in good hands.

They were just the best. Since we're all kind of awkward people and are fairly camera shy, they prescribed a glass of wine before hand - a prescription we were thrilled to fill! I mean, what's better than tarting up with your gal pals with a glass of bubbly in hand? (and Scott. Shame. To quote Harry Goldenblatt from Sex in the City, it's his lot in life to be surrounded by women. And to pour the wine.)

We got all fancied up and trekked through to Bottlegger Coffee Company in Sea Point, who were most kind and accommodating, and the Dollies made us laugh so much and feel so comfortable that we didn't feel like awkward posers for even a second. (Look, this doesn't come easily to any of us. None of us are ever going to make it as schmodels.)

After a quick costume change we shot off to Green Point Park, where we upset a security guard because we were clearly too old and too heavy to be clambering all over the jungle gyms - we managed to convince her that we would be lightening fast, although the "too old" part became glaringly apparent when we had to untangle ourselves from those same jungle gyms. The knees guys - they're the first to go.

And then finally, we zooted off to catch the sunset from Signal Hill. It was gorgeous, our faces ached from laughing, and we ended the day feeling pretty darn excited about life. Thank you so much to the Dollies for making us look good in this amazing shoot - we were thrilled with the photos.

Cute nê?

Follow this awesome couple on Instagram here and here - they're so lovely, and take photos that make you want to visit cool places and learn to cook amazing things.

Pretty Personal with Jessica Binns

Charming Jessica from Hector & Bailey is much like the designs she produces - whimsical, gorgeous, and with a really interesting story behind her! We decided to find out what that story is.

Pretty Personal with Jessica Binns

Products shown:

Country scene - Upcycled tapestry cushion

Annie - Upcycled table

Church - Upcycled tapestry cushion

Hector & Bailey coaster pack

Hello Jess! Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello there. I moved to Durban from the UK two and a half years ago. It was a spontaneous decision which is totally unlike me, but love was involved, so I'll say no more... I started Hector & Bailey, my interiors company, back in London and it only seemed right to bring it to South Africa to give the company a chance here. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.
And the UK's loss is SA's gain! How did Hector & Bailey come into being?

Hector & Bailey was the outcome of a very sad situation. In 2009, amidst the depths of recession, the architectural company I worked for went under. I decided to take my chances as a freelance interior designer and go it alone. I had 10 years experience under my belt, so I thought it was worth pursuing. I'm very glad I did, I've been out of my comfort zone ever since, but that's what keeps me on my toes. So in conclusion, Hector & Bailey is my silver lining.
That must have taken guts. What inspires the H&B ethos and aesthetic?

I love to seek out unwanted items and nurture them into the best they can be. Everything - like everyone - has the true potential to be utterly wondrous, and I adore being part of that process. My influences tend to lean towards colour, however I'm currently embracing my neutral side. You can't fail to be inspired by the flora and fauna that reside in this country. I am also crazy mad for cats and the odd G&T too!
We could be sisters! Cats and G&Ts are basically fuel for Team HP. Tell us a bit more about the wonderful things you make and remake?

The upcycling and product ranges from Hector & Bailey began when I moved here. I had spent far too long in front of a computer and wanted to be more hands on, plus I needed a reason to work outside and soak up the beautiful African sun! So I set to work transforming furniture from our garage. This grew to upcycled cushions and lights and then on to product design of cushions, perspex planters and coasters. I like to keep busy. :) Aside from the retail side, my day job is interior design & decor. My work has taken me to places as far as Mozambique - I love the diversity this industry has.
I believe your mom is also very talented. Did that play a part in your story, do you think?

My mum is an extremely creative lady and has been a firm role model in my life. I think my emotional responses to beautiful, well made, ethical items is a trait I picked up from her. There has to be meaning behind things, whether it's the process of how it was made to the history tied up in that one item. Emotion plays a huge role in design, I wouldn't have that any other way.

Absolutely right - and gorgeous design is one of our favourite things (along with cats and G&Ts of course). You can see Jessica's latest treasures in the Hector & Bailey Hello Pretty store, and stay in touch on Facebook and Twitter.

Frankie Spaces Volume 2

We were recently surprised by an awesome present in the post, all the way from Frankie magazine!

As long time fans of this gorgeous craft bible, we were soon oohing and aahing over their latest issue of Spaces in amongst the shredded packaging (think birthday girl at the gift table).

257 pages of beautiful spaces by super creative people - these aren't the super styled interiors you'll see in an edition of Vogue Living though. They're actual, real homes, carefully crafted with love and over time, and reflect decor as unique as the people that live there.

Each detail tells a story, which makes this all so much more special. Not only do I want to pack my bags and move in - I actually want to be besties with the owners, hang their art in my lounge, and talk about foreign cinema over hazelnut lattes on a Saturday morning. (Truly - they don't know it yet, but they're all my spirit animal and we're meant to be bff's. Every single one of them. I'm not crazy.)

They sent us some beautiful professional photographs of the issue and of some of the content that does it quite a bit of justice. Grab a cup of something and just sink into their prettiness. AND, while you're at it, there are two totally swoonworthy videos about featured homes, here and here. Watch them, really. You won't regret it.

Then once you're done mentally revamping and refurnishing your entire house, order yourself a copy - it's gigantic, beautifully printed, and basically belongs on your coffee table: http://www.frankiepress.com.au/shop/frankie/spaces-volume-two