The Everygirl features Megan Gonzales {maemae paperie}

One of my 'go to' reads for inspiration are the career features over at The Everygirl.

Not only are they an interesting look into the careers & development of a tonne of inspiring gals from many different fields, but the photography is just to die for! I drooled over every single one of these images in their feature on Megan Gonzales of MaeMae Parperie!

As a small business owner myself i find these stories very inspiring!

Corban & Blair + Mothers Day

I love stationery! And one of my first loves was Australian brand Corban & Blair -  an avid diary writer,  i would go to David Jones every year & buy one of their leather wrap journals, then used their notebooks as travel journals & framed special pictures in their box frames. Last week i heard that this mothers day Corban & Blair are giving you the chance to win this amazing piece of Aboriginal art by Aborigional elder Aunty May. Head over here for the details....

Aunty May is one of nine women co-founders of Euraba Indigenous Artists and Papermakers co-op. Euraba specialises in hand-made paper at their mill in Boggabilla, in Northern New South Wales. The paper is then used to create artworks and a range of paper products. Gillian Corban, the co-founder of Corban & Blair, first met Aunty May in 2007 when she took on a business mentoring role within the community. I was really interested in this as i love aboriginal art and I was lukcy enough to be given the oppoutunity to ask Gillian Corban a few questions about this inititive & her thoughts on mothers day

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Gillian on the right with her cousin & business partner Amanda Blair

How did you become involved in the Euraba Indigenous Artists and Papermakers co-op?

I was assigned to them as a mentor through the Australia Council 5 years ago. I did this in a formal way for 3 years now we maintain the relationships we have built up.

What has working with the aboriginal community taught you?

That education, knowledge, contacts, curiosity, taking risks, getting out of ones comfort zone is the way forward for them and for us. I have met some wonderful people both Indigenous and non- indigenous through this process. It has been a humbling experience and have learned heaps and made some very important friendships.

How do you relate this work back to Corban & Blair?

We have collaborated with Euraba on products, they have bought our frames to display their work, we have used our contacts to sell their art work, we have supported their business initiatives and we have both made new contacts as part of our relationship.

What is your pick of the Corban & Blair range for mums this mothers day?

A Native Flora or Colour album - I would fill the first few pages with photographs of my mum over the past year with a little letter stuck on one of the pages acknowledging her and her long life- she has just turned 87 and still plays golf!

The Flora Collection

Colour Albums

 If you could give any gift for your mum this mothers day what would it be?

Good health for the next 10 years.

I also asked Gillian a bit about starting & growing the business and will post that interview this friday along with a giveway of some goodies from Corban & Blair!

New chevron calling cards @ Made By Girl

Saw these goooorgeous new calling cards that Jen has in her shop at Made By Girl they only went up for sale yesterday! With my 'side work' increasing by the day i think i may just have to make a purchase :) I have always loved Jen's stuff & infact hers (along with apartment therapy) was one of the first blogs i ever discovered & inspired me to start my own! Plus you gotta admire a chick that has made such a successful business doing something she (& we) loves! aaahhh now i feel all inspired!

Complete Pad - the best of the rest!

Settle in for another looong list of all my favorite items from Complete Pad

Tube powder coated side table $500

Baha side table $370

Bordeaux Aluminum side table $405

Moroccan side table $520 (love!)

Hudson Twig Table

Churchill Mirror

Framed Silver Fence Posts $655

Framed woven shield $410

(another favorite of mine!)

Handmade paparazzi Riccio wall hanging.

This has to be my absolute fav in the shop - i saw it in the flesh at Bronwyns studio & it is to die for!

Unfortunately its a bit out of my current budget at $2515 but oh so stunning!

Framed Red Sea Coral 

Customized bus scrolls $699

Maroc wall Panel $405

Needle Coral $385

Berkely 3 Tier Stand $235

Pewter Ice bucket for a wow factor at your next party $1190

Turntable in red or black $380

Wall Mounted Animal Skull $380

Aluminum Mannequin $870

Focus Black Tripod Lamp $420 

wow...$420...that is a steal for such a great piece!

Stamford dome shaped desk lamp $325

Cruz Table lamp $215 (locking up wallet as we speak)

Edi Lamp $380

Bird of paradise velvet pouffe $105

(....wallet thrown off balcony for my own good)

Ill take a blue & pink one...going to retrieve wallet....

Cow Hides $675 (love this grey!)

Fire Pit $580

wow.....i think i have seriously just assembled my complete pad....

now where did my wallet go.

For those that missed the first post go check it out (posted yesterday) & go check out Complete Pad a Sydney based online homewares store that clearly has the LOT!

'Complete Pad'

I know ive said it before, but i have to say it again! When i started this blog i dont know what i expected, but i never thought id come across people though it who i found so inspiring or that id actually meet up with them! 

One of these people is Bronywn Poole - she became a follower of my blog a few weeks ago & little did i know she was also the owner of an online interiors store called 'Complete Pad' that had a facebook fan page i was a member of. Over a picture of Kelly Wearstlers Imperial Trellis fabric we traded comments & realised not only was she a follower of my blog, but that she worked only about 1km down the road from me! So we met up or lunch! 

I found her so inspiring - only in her early 30's she started her own successful interior design business Touch Interiors straight out of university & has now added an amazing online store called Complete Pad.

She has a ridiculous amounts of amaaaazzzing furniture, homewares, accessories & lighting all at trade prices! You can buy single pieces or with their help you can purchase everything - the 'Complete Pad'.

So - here is my 'edit' of my favorite pieces from the online store! And im telling you, this was one hard post to put together, there are so many great items in her store - yes its a long one but it really could have been twice as long. Head over to the shop & you'll see what i mean!

Provence Oak Headboard $1210.00

Equator Ariya Bed (Queen) $2615.00

Maroc 4 Poster bed (Queen) $2835

.....this one is a SERIOUS favorite, it also comes in white....swoon!

French Farmhouse table $1210.00

Oriental Sideboards

Industrial Bakery Sideboard $1120

Embossed Silver Metal 2 Door cabinet $1520.00

Industrial Cabinet with 20 drawers $1475.00

Manhattan Library..YES PLEASE!

Primitive Kauri Pine Table $2835

Paradise 2 Cross Dining Table $1465

Bermuda Bamboo Divider $380

Bis Oak 2 Seater Love Seat $1570

Bis Ornate Day Bed $1935.00

(another serious favorite!)

Infact they have so many good pieces im going to do a second half to this post tomorrow with lighting art & accessories! Would you believe this seemingly huge online store is run by Bronwyn & 3 girls (hi girls!) out of a little sandstone cottage in sydney.

Lets support a small Aussie business - i hope you'll all go check it out!

http://www.completepad.com/