My happy place: The Southern Highlands

We spent the past weekend wandering around gardens and vintage shops in the Southern Highlands. Last autumn we visited Red Cow Farm in Sutton Forest. This weekend we returned to the garden to see it looking utterly different in a contrasting season.

The garden was pretty spectacular in autumn, with an abundance of golden and amber coloured leaves. But I am so glad we saw it again, looking impossibly lush with all its fresh springtime growth. 

Kate  x

Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

RED COW FARM

Thrifted

October is BUY NOTHING NEW month. I am currently on a year-long mission to refrain from buying any new clothing items; the only new items going into my wardrobe as of June 1st 2015 will be thrifted and gifted. It's working out fine, I already have more than enough clothes anyway- most of us do. The impact of cheap, fast, and disposable fashion on our environment and society is horrendous. The 'buy less, make it last' movement should be a standard mantra, but sadly it is not in our modern world where status and materialism reigns supreme. It is crazy, especially when you can find the things you need- or the things you think you need- through other avenues. Make do, borrow, thrift. Sustainability is everyones responsibility. In the FLOWER INDUSTRY too.

I have always loved thrifting for vases. Some of my best buys have been found in charity shops and on market stalls. I thought I'd put together a post to illustrate the beauty brought to my home through thrifted vases. I've chosen four of my favourites.

What: Vintage depression era glass,

Where: from a market stall,

Featuring: pink and blush ranunculus,

Cost: I can't really remember the cost of this one, but under $20 certainly, 

it was bought for me by my Mum a few years ago now.

See it filled with stunning roses HERE.

What: Vintage brass bud vase,

Where: from a collectables store in Robertson, NSW,

Featuring: my favourite blue hue of hydrangea,

Cost: from memory I paid $17 or $18 for 2.

See the pair of them filled with sweet smelling stock HERE.

What: Vintage milk-glass vase,

Where: a retro collectables store called S t o n e C o t t a g e in Berridale, NSW,

Featuring: creamy white ranunculus,

Cost: this was $15 (I got a small discount because I know the lovely owner).

See it filled with garden-cut spring blossom HERE.

What: Vintage milky-green agate vase,

Where: charity shop in Crows Nest, Sydney,

Featuring: may bush,

Cost: this was $13 or $14.

See it with blush tulips HERE.

It is also possible to create beautiful displays just with what is already in your cupboards, or growing in your garden, like I did HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and even HERE. 

Of course, buying second hand vases isn't saving the world. But applying this approach to all of the purchases you make, goes some way to ensuring that you are treading more lightly upon the earth. When it comes to flowers: choose in-season flowers, buy direct from the grower if possible OR take your snips into your garden to see what might be available, invest in good quality artificial flowers, avoid imported varieties which are sprayed with an array of chemicals in order to pass quarantine, take your vase along to a florist and ask them to create directly into it rather than wrapping your flowers in waste heavy packaging, and limit the flower food you use- clean water and freshly cut stems should be enough.

 Below are helpful links with information about sustainability across many aspects of everyday life:

GOOD GUIDE

THE TRUE COST

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

1 MILLION WOMEN

+1 Million Women (Australian Climate Coolers) 

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Links to love: October edition

An English garden in BLOOM.

I have pet and studio ENVY.

This is a FUN idea. But before you go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, THIS should be compulsory viewing. Succinct facts from the film by +1 Million Women HERE. Everyone should THRIFT.

I have nothing to say about THIS except, swoon! And some MORE!

THIS satire account is so on the money, it's scary. SO good!

Such pretty WEDDING INSPIRATION.

I am drooling over some of the furniture in this HOME. That bedside table...magnificent!

I could move into THIS SPACE tomorrow!

MASTER FLORISTRY at its finest.

 I would spend my life scouring flea markets and vintage stores if I could get a set of mis-matched dining chairs as wonderful as the set in THIS HOME.

Crushing on this WEDDING DRESS.

The anthropologist in me loves THIS.

A gorgeous BOHEMIAN STYLE elopement.

STYLING TIPS I am trying to employ in my 'fake it till you make it' approach.

ADORABLE.

What an ADVENTURE.

This is making me want to play about creating WREATHS.

I love this PLAN BEE seed idea. So important. So clever.

A RECIPE to try.


Kate  x



Styling & Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Jasmine: The Language of Flowers, part 3

September, when the smell of jasmine is carried on the warm evening air. My nose 'spotted' this flowering jasmine vine long before my eyes had a chance. 

Sensuality // beauty // grace // elegance // friendliness.

The smell of jasmine is particularly strong at night. Its fragrance is said to be an aphrodisiac, and a relaxing antidepressant. Jasmine oil is therefore used extensively in aromatherapy. Burning the essential oil of jasmine in Eastern cultures is considered to promote love, wealth, and prophetic dreams.

"No perfume without jasmine."

Kate  x

Styling and Photograph by M o s s & V i n e

PART 1

PART 2

Spring in our nest

It is finally spring! 

(Although a part of me feels like winter never really got going). There has been much talk of this being the coldest winter in years! But i'll admit, I didn't feel it. 

I spent much of May and June thinking, 'It can't be wintertime again already? It seems like only weeks ago that we were living in Canberra and snowboarding every weekend?!?!?!'

When I finally accepted a whole year had gone by, the snowfalls didn't arrive as further proof of the seasonal shift. We have only been up to the ski fields twice so far this season. Another trip is imminent. A third trip is necessary to validate the purchase of ridiculously pricey season passes. And to gather more muscari as they bloom in the lawns.

I digress! Back to spring. Here is what it has looked like so far...

Reading... QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Enjoying... Ranunculus season

Watching... THE HONOURABLE WOMAN

Planning... A February trip to Japan

Dreaming... About baking AN IRISH COFFEE CAKE

Trying... to eat a vegetarian dinner once a week, to buy only thrifted clothing, and starting a new exercise regimen.

Talking... all things cake, snow, Myers-Briggs, thrift shop finds, & new suits.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Covet

If it is not a sin, it probably should be. But I covet a whole lotta things...

Mostly antique furniture,

vintage kitchenalia, 

and

a never-ending supply of ranunculus.

I am beginning to put together design and decor ideas for a home*. Which sees me trawling blogs, instagram, and etsy like it's my job. Which it kind of is these days. 

SOURCE

I would love a kitchen with open shelves, styled with silverware, flowers, milk glass, and ceramic treasures.

SOURCE, SOURCE

SOURCE

An armoire would be fantastic. A beautiful piece of furniture, and so functional too.

SOURCE

SOURCE

I think I will be waiting a long time for the scientific discovery that allows me to have ranunculus in my home, all of the time.

Kate  x

*Tentative plans are afoot for a home in the countryside.

Links to love: September edition

Why are there pink magnolias on bare branches in winter, and white magnolias on glossy green trees in summer? This is the question I asked my Mum recently. HERE is the answer for all you readers who don't have a green-fingered parent close to hand.

My Dad gave me a sweet, mossy birds nest on the weekend. It makes me want to start a COLLECTION. (Only nests that have been blown out of trees, of course).

I am sharing this just for the CUTE FACTOR!

FIONA has given me a supreme case of wanderlust.

Aesthetic perfection HERE, HERE & HERE.

This is the SWEETEST idea, and perfect keepsake.

This was the INSPIRATION for seeking out my own milk glass vase. Success! If you are ever in the Snowy Mountains, stop by Stone Cottage, Berridale where I found the above milk glass vase that I promptly filled with white ranunculus.

I mean, seriously, RANUNCULUS make me stupidly happy.

THE MRS BOX just launched a new collection. Yes, I had to buy another one to join the one I was given for my BIRTHDAY. They are hard to resist.

A simple, fresh, spring MEAL I am itching to make/eat.

THIS new-born shoot incorporating flowers is beautiful.

This would be a DREAM COME TRUE to attend.

Wishing you happy spring days.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

In my nest this week

I bought a $5 bunch of erlicheer on Saturday, I split the bunch in two, plopped them into two matching vases and put them on each side of the bed. We're waking up intoxicated on the scent.

Could somebody please bottle it? I would buy that perfume, pronto!

I then spent the rest of the weekend internet window shopping on etsy. I'm lusting after so many things...

a hobnail milk glass vase,

a silver tray,

an antique letter press drawer,

an old garden sieve,

rustic wooden chopping boards,

vintage kitchenalia, etc etc.

I really cannot get enough of vintage kitchenalia.

Or the smell of erlicheer, it seems.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Links to love: August edition

This list is coming to you a day early because I am heading home to the snow for the weekend, and I think I might leave my internet connection behind.

THIS IS YOUR KINGDOM makes me yearn for the English gap year I never took.

This might just be the bouquet to END ALL OTHER BOUQUETS.

I'm undecided on THIS. It's cute but I'm not sure I could live with it forever. 

August has me excited for an influx of DAFFODILS. They liven up any space!

Again, this is from Catherine at A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE (I swear I read other blogs too), a SENTIMENT I actively try to live by. I guess that's why my kitchen drawer looks like THIS.

Also THIS SENTIMENT. I need to remind myself. I'm a bit of a 'collector'. Which is a perfect segue to...

Makes me want to begin COLLECTING STAMPS.

MAJESTIC, SERENE, BREATHTAKING, my ideal HOME.

It's CITRUS season.

I think I really, really want THIS. Is that pathetic? A grown up with a colouring book? It seems it is all the rage at the moment. Zen for adults.

Current instagram crushes? HERE, HERE & HERE.

And I just looove this hand painted bespoke wedding crest by the talented ARABELLAJUNE.

When we get a dog, I will be doing THIS.

WOWZERS! Such a cool project.

THIS  sounds like the perfect tonic after a long day on the slopes.

Help the HONEY BEES.

These guys really know how to do pretty SHOP FRONTS.

I love THIS. Congratulations to her.

My idea of beautiful FOOD PORN. I have ambitions to make THIS for Alex's birthday.

If you're self-learning photography (like I am), THIS page has very easy to understand explanations, illustrated with gorgeous photographs. I recently discovered Zoe's INSTAGRAM FEED. And I'm in love!

This months flower crush is the pretty little VIOLET. I took far too many photos of these ones that I cut from my Nan's garden recently.

And finally, check out THESE amazing photographs.


I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the first of the muscari in the garden this weekend.

Kate  x



Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Violets are violet: The Language of Flowers, Part 2

Roses are red,

violets are blue.

Sugar is sweet,

and so are you.

Violet  sweet beauty // modesty // faithfulness // 

"I return your love"

Zeus, who was in love with Lo, a beautiful nymph, sought to hide Lo from his wife Hera. He transformed Lo into a white cow so as not to arouse Hera's suspicion. However, when Lo wept over the taste of the coarse grass she was obliged to feed upon, Zeus transformed Lo's tears into sweet-smelling violets that only Lo was allowed to eat.

The Romans associated violets with innocence, they were often chosen as the flower to place on the graves of small children.

Gray, The Secret Language of Flowers, 92

An English myth tells the story of King Frost, who felt lonely in his harsh and solitary ice palace. Eventually, he decided to look for a pretty girl to make him happy. His courtiers found a shy girl called Violet and, falling under his spell, he relented and promised his people six months of milder weather. Violet pleaded with the king to allow her to see her people again, and since he loved her, he granted her wish to visit them each spring. His only condition was that she appear in the mortal realm in the form of a plant, coming back to her husband's icy home each winter.

Gray, The Secret Language of Flowers, 95

In France, violets became strongly associated with Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empress Josephine. She wore violets on their wedding day and on each anniversary Napoleon sent her a posy of violets. Josephine grew an assortment of violets in her garden, setting a trend in France. At her funeral, violets were showered down upon her coffin as it was lowered into the ground. after he had been exiled to St Helena, Napoleon asked to visit Josephine's tomb in 1814. He picked some violets growing around her grave and they were found in a locket around his neck when he died. Napoleon was nicknamed Corporal Violet or La Pere Violet.

Later Napoleon III chose the violet as his personal symbol. When he first met his future wife, Eugenie, she was wearing a violet gown and her hair was decorated with fresh violets. She held a posy of violets at their wedding and the flowers became the couple's special anniversary symbol.

Gray, The Secret Language of Flowers, 95

The Language of Flowers, Part 1 can be found HERE.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by M o s s & V i n e

Links to love: July edition

If you're on the mend from end-of-financial-year fever (or celebrations, like Master A  is), there might be some adequate tonic in some of these links for you. Brace yourself, this edition of links to love is loooong.

ICED FLOWERS, apt right now in the dead of winter.

I want ONE OF EVERYTHING.

And I definitely NEED one of these.

This might just be my DREAM HOME.

GARDENS GALORE.

Tips for growing ROSES.

TIMELESS  and beautiful.

CHELSEA IN BLOOM

What the search words 'moss' and 'vine' will return on PINTEREST.

Such inspiration grouped together at the AFAVOURITEVIGNETTEFROM7VIGNETTES hashtag.

Could KARA ROSENLUND please adopt me and teach me all that she knows?

I would plan a holiday just to visit THE WAREHOUSE AT WOODSIDE. If I could style vignettes half as well as this, I'd feel euphoric.

Cuteness OVERLOAD.

YES, just yes. Love wins.

Something I DREAM of doing.

If you like acoustic covers of mainstream music, BOYCE AVENUE is a sublime soundtrack for your cold winter days.

If ever there was an INSTAGRAM hashtag designed for moi? THIS is the tag!

And lastly, my very English family will appreciate THIS.



Kate  x



Just another friendly reminder, my links are CAPITALISED. Lower case links are not designed or embedded by me. You may or may not find them helpful. Thanks for reading Moss & Vine.

The tulip series

When they were tight and fresh, the colour of these tulips looked so promising, I had to buy them. Unfortunately that beautiful pink blush colour faded as the days went on. I have enjoyed their presence in my home none-the-less. Fading flowers also have a certain charm.

Day 1.

Day 3.

Day 5.

Tulips continue to grow even once they've been cut. It can be necessary to keep cutting the stems so they don't outgrow their vase (cut flowers should be re-cut every other day anyway), but just quietly, I love what I call the 'drunken tulip' look that happens when they start to tumble from the vase. 

How stunning can yellow tulips en masse look? VERY stunning.

My favourite variety of tulips? LA BELLE EPOQUE.

See them this spring at TULIP TOP GARDEN IN HIDDEN VALLEY.

Kate  x

Styling and photographs by Moss & Vine

Another reminder, my personal suggested links are CAPITALISED, lowercase links are not designed and embedded by me. You may, or may not find them useful.

Best, Kate  x

Thursday (holiday) flower throwbacks

"A garden isn't meant to be useful, it's for joy."

- Rumer Godden

It looks like a tropical paradise or a film set. It's not. I took this (above) picture in the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC. Put me in any city, and I will find public gardens.

When I lived in New Zealand for a year, my favourite place was the Winter Garden (below) in Auckland Domain. There is something magical about stepping inside a glass room overflowing with unusual plants and blooming flowers and creeping vines. A whole other climate exists inside. Temperate, tropical, sub-tropical, they're all wondrous places.

Purple delphinium, poppy pods.

Blue, white, and purple delphinium.

Foxgloves.

Kate  x

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN
AUCKLAND WINTERGARDENS

Just a quick note to regular readers of Moss & Vine. Links embedded in my posts that are suggested by me are now CAPITALISED, other links in lowercase that may appear from time to time are not designed by me. Use them at your discretion, they may be helpful to you, or they may not.

Best, Kate  x