Do you have a handbag fetish, a common affliction amongst many of us!  Always on the hunt for the perfect one to carry you and your belongings through the days.  One of the perks of buying for morris brown is being able to order one ( or two…) extra  every now and then for us!

Here are a few lovely handbags gracing us at morris brown at the moment: pop in and see if any suit you!

Comes with a detachable shoulder strap...

Stylish...

Funky!

The divine Nancybird: need we say more...

Over the shoulder weekend bag, available in two colours...

Beautifully detailed leather bag...

And this one? Sold!!!

With summer well and truly upon us, I am craving summer shade.  Although our house is old, we do lack big shady trees.  We have been busy planting to make up for this, but there are a few growing seasons to go before we can enjoy the rewards of our labour.  Here are a few ideas that we have seen lately, that are inspiring us…

Diggers Club at Dromana, a great frame for growing vines on

A quicker fix than waiting for those trees to grow: this could be covered in wisteria or grapevines within a few years, and with an old table underneath, could inspire thoughts of long Italian lunches…

At Paul Bangays own garden near Daylesford, he too, is planting for the future.  In years to come, this fabulous table will have its own umbrella of plane trees to provide shade for the lucky people sitting beneath them, enjoying the superb view.

imagine the feasting under this arrangement...

Beautiful grapevines instantly cool you: this one is at the iconic Cliffys of Daylesford…

bliss!

An old seat covered in lichen invites afternoon snoozes and reading sessions!

we have an old garden seat at mb Healesville waiting for the right tree to come along!

Finally, at the beautiful Musk Farm, this gazebo is just waiting for a jug of Pimms to be enjoyed…

Perfect for summer cocktails!

Do you have a shady spot to relax?…

All set?

Apologies, I am not sure where this image came from, but it is lovely!  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Christmas themed table like this…

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all your loyal support in 2011.  We hope you have a fabulous, and peaceful festive season with your loved ones, and a great 2012.

Its time to sit back, relax and enjoy!  Roll on the plum pudding…

Checking his list...

A statement we hear vey often at this time of year!  It seems like the whole world has gone mad for Kris Kringles, or Secret Santas.  Book clubs, workplaces, schools and families all seem to be embracing the idea, with a few variations on the theme.  My favorite so far has been the family,  where  two presents are purchased for the one person: you buy an expensive gift, ( $100) and and $5 gift to balance it out!  The $5 present is the one most sort after! So, where did it all begin?

Mr Google tells us that Kris Kringle mainly  originated in Germany, and also in America, many, many years ago.  Secret Santas were also popular in Ireland, while in Europe, there were many localised versions.

We have put together some of our favourites, but there are lots more choices in store.  We hope it helps to ease a little of the anxiety…

beautiful, textured birch cross

Gorgeous, happy notebooks!

fat birds...

great vases: BYO agapanthus!

For a special KK...

See you soon…!

We are famous!!! Well, not exactly, but our gorgeous magnets have made it into the herald Sun Home magazine this morning:  very exciting!  Yeah…

Fun magnets, big and small birds and tiny rabbits...

mmm...

It’s how many days until Christmas?  Better get my skates on into my favourite shop, morris brown: great presents, beautiful decorations AND they gift wrap.  Perfect!!!

PS I am heading to Heathmont with my friend, the frog below, is popping up to Healesville!

hop to it!

Do you pick flowers from your garden?   What do you put them in?  Do you have a place in the garden dedicated to just picking, or a collection of vessels…

All lined up, ready to go...

Because you never know which one you might need…

These little sweeties run out the door at mb, perfect for both little and big girls to show off garden treasures in

Perfect for dianthus, or rosebuds...

Old teapots, cups and jugs are pretty special

the perfume is divine

look at all the textures in this bounty from Jens’ garden…currently gracing the counter at Healesville

gorgeous!

Old mason jars are beautiful both empty and full.  We have some beautiful old ones currently in store.

isn't the colour of the glass beautiful!

This is where I pick from, although I do move around the garden, depending on whats available

have a nice weekend!

We love to visit gardens, the higher the hedge the more we like to peer and dream of what could be behind it.  Each year the Australian Open Gardens Guide book is given as a Fathers Day present and it is dutifully pored over and discussed at great lengths, as to what we would like to visit.

Because our garden is a young country garden, we are always keen to have a wander through something of a similar nature.Next weekend we are spending time with friends and visiting three such properties in the Alexandria District.  One of these properties belongs to the dynamic Georgie Leckey and her family.  You may know Georgie as the lady behind the gorgeous Heatherly Designs, known for the beautiful bedheads she designs and makes.  Look at the beautiful space she and her husband have created around their family home…

meadow garden

Lush plantings around the house

No garden is complete without a faithful companion!

Gorgeous place for relaxing

Looks great, doesn’t it!  Cant wait to be inspired…but, there is more: not only does Georgie run her design business from an old woodshed, but her husband actually has a rather large tea plantation on the property as well.  I for one, had no idea tea was a crop that could be grown in Australia, let alone over the hill in the Acheron Valley.  Follow the link to Two Rivers Green Tea Company  and have a peek yourself.

There will be opportunity to sample the tea, as well as partake in a little retail therapy with a produce stall, held by the Alexandria Primary School and garden teas served on the lawn.  And if that isn’t enough to tempt you to follow the Maroondah Highway over the hill and into the lush Acheron Valley ( passing morris brown in Healesville on the way of course!)  there is also a Paul Bangay Garden open just up the road also!  Bliss…

Footnote:

Here is the link to the delightful ATTUNGA  Farm Garden, the Paul Bangay designed garden…

Do you like sheds?

There is an honesty in their structure, and the thought of the secrets they may hide is alway s exciting.

Here are some local favourites…

old woolshed

hayshed

shed in the paddock

cute shed

modern sheds

Maddens Rise Winery

lovely shed and setting...

The Red Shed, Medhurst Wines