Plenty of action going on behind the scenes here guys. Exciting times.

I mean, where do I even start with this?

Lucy Feagins from The Design Files is one of my blogging heroes. A fellow Australian, she consistently publishes high quality original content, supports her local and international design community and produces incredible projects like the one above.

Together with The Project Agency, Lucy staged a pop-up house shop filled with 75 products from local artists and designers. She’s just released this amazing film that takes us through the project and that you must see. </gush>

P.S. I was so lucky to be interviewed along with Lucy in this book called Conversations with Creative Women. Check it out here.

One of my new years resolutions was to tidy up my work-at-home act.

Somehow I’d let my morning routine become the following – wake up, check iPhone for emails, get coffee, sit at computer. Notice something missing there?!!?!

It’s bizarre but by putting a little bright pink/red lipstick, a new top and my new favourite Clarks shoes on in the morning and I feel like a new woman and like I’m taking my business more seriously. Strange huh?

1. Jeans by J.Crew
2. Striped top by H&M
3. Desert boots by Clarks
4. Bright lipstick by Bloom

What are you wearing working from home these days?

Top right image source.

Do you work from home? I do.

When I first started working from home I LOVED it. Every morning my husband would leave for work and I’d have our one bedroom apartment in Brisbane all to myself. I laughed at the idea of work/life balance – I didn’t need any balance – I loved what I was doing! I could see my desk from nearly every room in the place but that was ok.

I’m still working from home here in London. Our apartment is nearly the same size as our Brisbane place but not open plan. I’ve got a big white desk in the living room near the window that I spend most of my time working from in the evening. We’ve got a library on the estate that I use too when I need a different environment.

Occasionally I take my little laptop down to a coffee shop but until I upgrade my main (big, bulky) laptop I’m confined to a place with a desk and a power point.

I’ve been looking into co-working spaces lately. The novelty of working from home is wearing off. The spaces I work in are gorgeous and I’m really lucky, but - I miss working with people!!

Do you work from home? What’s your setup like? Do you wish you did? Why? Let us know in the comments below!

Image source.

P.S. Have a question you’d like answered or just want a second opinion? Tell me about it and if it’s suitable I’ll publish it for a Monday biz chat session.

P.P.S. Paris was so lovely and SO FREEZING – avg. temp was -7. Not so fun to stroll around in!

Hi guys, I’m off this week! Will be taking my prints to Paris, doing some research and gaining some inspiration!

We’ve also got more guests staying with us to show our local perspective on London. No more landmarks!

I would have loved to have prepared some posts for you to read but finishing up client work for a week off has left me no time. These things happen!

Hope you have a great week and meet you back here next Monday for some biz chat, brand inspiration and tips for your business! Some great interviews are in the pipeline too!

Images source: London & Paris prints by Blanca Gomez.

The temperature is supposed to drop next week so I took the opportunity to get out in the sun today.

I’m taking next week off to wander around Paris and enjoy London with two very special guests who arrive on Saturday.

There won’t be any posts next week but I’ll no doubt be tweeting pics and updates if you want to follow along here.

Thanks so much for joining in on the blog this week.

If you subscribe to the mailing list the Exclusive Edit will be popping in to your inbox today (there’ll be no newsletter next week). By the way – did you like my ‘insights from January’ email? I had some great replies to it so I think I’ll make it a regular thing.

Have a great weekend everyone!

It’s the start of February and my thoughts are turning to nice things I’d like to fill this month with – a mix of home, work and play.

Some things I’m sure will stay on my wishlist but others might just fit in my suitcase for when I go home and so past the test. Sadly, probably not this one.

1. Veg soup cards by Wit Shop
2. Digital SLR by ? (do you have any recommendations?)
3. iPhone case by Red Tile Studio
4. Collection a Day book by Lisa Congdon
5. Madewell Spring Collection
6. Outdoor chair by Éléonore Nalet

What’s on your wishlist for February?

As if we weren’t inspired enough by all the great business cards collected at Alt Summit – I came across an easy and affordable way to add gold edges to your business cards from one of the attendees and it went and topped everything.

Camille Styles contributor Chanel Dror is the lovely lady behind this business card DIY. This clever blog is one of my favourite finds of the week. Also, can I just say you need to check out the entire DIY category for simple, quick gorgeous ideas.

Hello weekend project, it’s nice to meet you.

Party-Ready, by BHLDN from BHLDN on Vimeo.

BHLDN has been catching my eye for a while now but this video is what made me choose it for today’s Brand Love.

One of my favourite subjects at uni was video production and editing*. I’ve had some ideas for using video for Stevie and Three but in the meantime I’ll watch and learn from how BHLDN use video to promote their brand. It’s pretty great right?

You can learn more about BHLDN here, check out their Vimeo channel here and shop here.

P.S. Check out their blog too – it’s a great example of combining media with marketing. I especially love the ‘shop this story’ buttons. Clever!

*Way back in 2000. How on EARTH was that 12 years ago?!

Ah/ew, pricing. It’s not easy is it? I haven’t met anyone who has got it right first time (did you? I want to hear about it in the comments! Tell us your secrets!).

Right now I’ve got three lovely long term clients each with a dedicated period of time each week (e.g. I work for client #1 2 days a week, client #2 has 1 day a week etc). I charge a daily rate and invoice them monthly. It’s allowed me to schedule my time for my own projects and know that at the end of the month I’ll have x amount of income.

Every so often I dabble with the idea of creating a menu of services. I do like the idea of packaging services for smaller projects – projects with a clearly defined start and finish. For now though I feel like working regularly with a handful of clients on a long term basis is the best for me (and them/their results).

We’d love to hear your experience – do you charge per hour, per day, per job or do you have a service package with fixed rates? What has worked for you? Are you still looking for the best pricing solution?

P.S. Have a question you’d like answered or just want a second opinion? Tell me about it and if it’s suitable I’ll publish it for a Monday biz chat session.

Image source.