Thursday, March 31, 2011

Emma W.



this post has been a long time coming. its not kiwiana, but it is about an outstanding kiwi.
we have this friend who never fails to blow our minds. she inspires me to be a much better friend. she has a 'don't take no for an answer' attitude when asking if there is anything she can do to help. she celebrates people. she is sincerely the most encouraging person i have ever met. seriously.
you know who you are, Emma!
in fact, my special friend mari and i would have a little competition before going to an event that Emma would be at - how many steps can we get into the room before Emma announces 'beautiful ladies!!'. we love it!
i tease mark about the fact that Emma has sent me more bunches of flowers than he has. and last week, when were having a really hard week, she dropped off a series of meals and organised another lovely friend to also drop dinner around for us. when times are tough, meals say love. we felt LOVED up.
usually, due to my cynical nature, i am suspicious of naturally up-beat and encouraging people. ha. but Emma is so sincere and consistent, there is no way you can spend any time in her presence and not feel like you're the shiz.
so, Emma, THANK YOU!!!
it's official - the sun shines out of your ass!
love you.

who else has an Emma story?



Thursday, March 10, 2011

crown lynn. love, pure love.

i have to show off my new favourite! my new dinner set - isn't it glorious?! well, new to me at least - i believe it is actually from half a century ago.

my love for crown lynn only began about 18 months ago. tut tut. don't make my mistake - it will be gone by the time you realise you cant exist without it. my kids will be raised to love it, whether they want to or not. though, i doubt something born from this body could not love crown lynn unconditionally.

there is an incredible book, written by local collector, valerie monk, that i consider to be pure womens porn on the subject of crown lynn...so i wont go into detail. this amazing company was started in NZ in the 1800's. it was the depression that led to it expanding into crockery for armed services. some vases, some egg-cups, sigh. a silver lining to the period of the depression in God's own.. 

this set is called 'sonata'. i bought it off a friend of mine recently, who incidentally sold his house to Sir Tom Clark, the brains behind crown lynn. Sir TC bought it because he loved how they had displayed their g-i-g-a-n-t-i-c collection of his beloved babies in there.

say hello to my new baby, sonata.














p.s. the other day, whilst out on a serious charity-store binge, i came across this design. i had never seen it before, it was well priced, so obviously i had to make it mine. no choice. i have since discovered it was made by crown lynn for english pottery legend, alfred meakin. it is from the set called (i believe) 'parisian cafe' or 'parisian cafe scene'. interestingly, the bottom of the cup is stamped with the alfred meakin post war mark. that was 1945 onwards. yet, the saucer has the very standard 'made in new zealand' crown lynn stamp.


i have a special place in my heart for this little ensemble after my recent romp around paris with my bosom-buddy. love you mari day.
live long and prosper.
melissa-jade xxx