The DB Files » Shopping

The Perfect Diary!

diane — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:46:52 +0000

As my obsession with paper goods doesn’t end with holiday cards, I’ve begun my search for the perfect diary. Nothing makes me feel more on top of things than a morning glance at my well-planned day. I know, I know, I have electronic calendar on my iPhone and my laptop. But something about a candy-coloured, leather-bound book can really make my day every time I look at it.

I’ve gone through quite a few diaries, and I’m getting a pretty good idea of what to look for.

For the upcoming year, I was looking at three different diaries:

Kate Spade – While the illustrations are gorgeous, I’ve had a diaries with spiral binders before, and they didn’t really work for me. They were a bit too large for my bag, and the pages often fell out.

Smythson – The leather is beautiful, and of course, monogramming is always a plus for me, but this diary was out of my price range.

Debrett’s – I was attracted to the leather cover, and all the goodies included: A shopping directory, travel info and guides to fitness, music, and websites. I ordered it two weeks ago, and it arrived today (all the way from London!). It turned out to be even better than I expected.

I also bought the Debrett’s Etiquette for Girls, and I’m looking forward to flipping through it tonight.

Holiday Greetings

diane — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:59:13 +0000

I have always had a bit of an obsession with personalised stationary, and holiday greeting cards are no exception.
Each year I try to get them out early or at least on time, but this doesn’t always go as planned. In my search for cards every year, I’ve come across a few gems. My favourites would have to be:

-Mr. Boddington’s Studio

-Kate Spade’s holiday card collection

-And fellow blogger Anne Harwell (Annechovie)’s Etsy store

I’m Back

diane — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:07:42 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts. The past few months have been a blur.
I was totally unprepared for all the work to come my way… It’s been fantastic, and now that I’ve got my systems in place and some desperately needed help I’m back on track.
The New Year will be filled with lots of exciting things for DBI. One project is the DB Home range and on-line store. Soon to be completed and up and running. Please join our newsletter, twitter or subscribe to our blog for all the details.

Great Blog and a Freebie too …….!

diane — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We love reading blogs and none more so than Kimberlee ‘s Brown Button. Her daily (and often quirky!) musings always leave us happy and sometimes moved. Kimberlee is an accountant by day and shows her creative side through her blog. ( you will have to get out of that office one day…. You are way too talented and clever with words to devote all that time to figures!)
Brown Button has recently opened a shop (online of course) which houses a collection of all things Kimberlee loves. Make sure you have a look – there is sure to be something you will want. There is no better time than now as she is offering free postage until the end of the month. Be quick and let us know what you bought! Congrats. Kimberlee!

A Rose by any other name….

diane — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Melbourne is full of fantastic shops and not all of them can be found in the centre of town. We love Rose Street in Armadale with its delicious coffee (if you pull up close enough to Treat’s window you can order your cappuccino without getting out of the car…….!)and stylish shops and restaurants. Rose Street Trading Company is at the centre of all this activity, with two shops. One has beautiful clothes and accessories and the other houses an amazing array of gifts, lamps, books, jewellery and all things stylish. Either way, which ever shop you go into you will have a wonderful retail experience. They also offer a complete interior design service – definitely a one stop shop. We stopped by today and took a few photos to temp you.

BIG APPLE HERE WE COME…………….

diane — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We wish! If only we were in NYC this week end we would be sharpening our elbows and pushing our way into DOMINO’S sale of all their props used in their stylish shots over the last couple of years. What a time we would have!! Wouldn’t it be amazing to snap up a treasure from this sadly departed magazine. So, we are not in NY this week end so we can stop the fantasizing…….sigh!

Thank you Erin at Elements of Style for the heads up on this!

Let Them Eat Cake

diane — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Photos by Coco Throsby via The DBI Files

One of my very stylish customers gave me beautiful flowers and this gorgeous cupcake from Let Them Eat Cake as a little thank you! It is almost too good to eat… Thank you Ruth from The House With The Red Door!

Photos by Coco Throsby via The DBI Files

MA Belle goes Shopping

jan — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

As you must all know, I am so thrilled to represent Rubie Green here in Australia.
I was fortune enough to meet Michelle when I was in New York back in July.
We hit it off immediately; She is simply amazing. Michelle is incredibly talented and down to earth and has a great sense of humor.
Check out this video of Michelle at Calypso home in New York, sharing her design secrets with us.

Urban Maison

diane — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Here are a few things that I spotted on my new favorite website: Urban Maison. I have to confess, I am an online shopper from way back, There is just something about shopping around the world from the comfort of my bed. I think: How M. Proust! (Or as my daughter often reminds me: very Gray Gardens.
I can imagine myself resting on this insanely beautiful green velvet day bed.

My other two favorite pieces are a stylish Napoleon III chaise lounge circa 1860, as it reads: would be a great way to relax with a G&T! Check out the Les Indiennes fabric I want to redo it in.

Also love this very elegant 19th century Louis XVI armchair reupholstered in this fabulous Of the Young and The Restless fabric.

Hand in Glove

diane — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Madova of Florence is proud to be the only shop in Europe that produces and sells leather gloves exclusively (made in its factory just steps away from the shop). They also make gloves for labels such as Bergdorf Goodman, Burberrys, Neiman-Marcus, Gucci, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue just to name a few. Madova gloves are butter -soft and come in a spectrum of amazing colors with linings of silk, lambswool, or leather.
The staff was very helpful, and with just one look at our hands knew exactly what size would be the perfect fit!