I was hoping to share this with you before it opened, but i was heading to Joburg for a mini break, attending a family wedding which I will share with you later. But here it is, if you haven’t been already, here is the Poetry press release on the new Poetry Store just opened in Cavendish square.

“In yet another first for Cape Union Mart, the family-owned business with a reputation for value and quality (who also launched the popular Old Khaki stores and a new kiddies range called K-Way Kids), this month sees the company opening its first unique women’s lifestyle stores called Poetry.

The first of many to follow, the first Poetry stores open at the Cavendish Square Shopping Centre (Cape Town) and the Garden Route Mall (George) in early December 2008, with more to follow nationwide during 2009.

Highlights for consumers at the Poetry stores will include the unique and eclectic mix of everything from cashmere jerseys and dresses to handmade soaps, biscuits and cushion covers. The stores carry a range of jewellery, exclusive body products, once-off home ware items (photo frames, glasses, napkins, door knobs from India and more), as well as Wonki Ware from George.

“In the past, Cape Union Mart was known predominantly as a men’s store,” comments Cape Union Mart Marketing Manager Evan Torrance. “It was only in recent years that we started to actively target women shoppers with clothing and merchandise designed specifically to meet their needs. We soon realised that there were surprisingly few destination stores for women that stock exclusive and unique items that offer unique, value-for-money products. Radical growth in our women’s areas was apparent from the word go and our research confirmed that a real opportunity existed for us to target a specific segment of women who are well-read and well-travelled.”

Launching the stand-alone Poetry stores was a natural progression for the group, according to Torrance. “Despite the many large retailers offering merchandise for women, few offer unique merchandise. That’s where Poetry has a distinct advantage by not offering garments that are mass produced. Poetry has a refined exclusivity to it, which makes it very appealing. Poetry will offer small, limited runs of a particular product that often can’t and won’t be repeated.”

Martine Vogelman, the fourth generation to join the Krawitz family-owned business, says that Poetry was founded by a small group of people who share a real love for making things that inspire the imagination. “We carefully source, design and select products from across the world with an eye for the smallest details, a passion for old-world craftsmanship and a desire to see shopping elevated to an activity where customers don’t just find novelties, but rather experience a journey of personal discovery.”

She says that when shopping at Poetry, one will be as likely to find an Indian hand-beaded picture frame as a hand-painted floral sconce based on a 1940’s Italian original. “Everything will seem familiar, but you won’t be able to place anything either. Shoppers will experience a feeling of comfort combined with an overwhelming sense of excitement. Everything is old, but everything is new. That is the world of Poetry,” she concluded.”

For more information, visit www.poetrycollection.co.za.

Check out Design Sponge’ Bar Stool Round Up . It’s filled with design inspiration and there is a bar stool for everyone! See more here.

So along with the wonderful Shelley - Anne Mitchell who I learnt a lot from, we helped put together the Edgars Fashion Media day where by Edgars presents their winter trends to all the magazine editors. Our task was to mix old and new, and to create “lady like” themed sets and “Rock Chic” themed sets to showcase the trends. After suppliers letting us down on a Friday afternoon before a Monday set up and the black south easter that hit Cape Town for those few days, I think it came together nicely!

Morning of day 2 at Lightbox studio.

Afternoon of day 2 set up.

Show Time!

Thanks to Id Solutions again for loaning us so many sexy chairs.

Thanks to Prop House and Setscapes for all their help and to the fantastic Peninsula Runners for all their help with deliveries, carrying, moving etc. There are lots more people to thank, like Miro from Edgars for organizing all the set copy at the last minute. Contacts baby, contacts. But I will do another post when I get the professional pics back from Matthys Van Lill. Have a good weekend everyone!

White lounge, Style-Files; dress, Makool loves you; Victoria Ghost Chair, Conran; Clock, Elle Decor; ring, Ida Elsje

My next client I am shooting for often has me sourcing chairs like this. I loved this photo off Snippet and Ink. Kathryn has put together lots of stunning new mood boards and has posted so many beautiful images. So worth a visit!

I posted some behind the scenes pics a few months ago of the Home Office and Pens shoot I did in my flat for Strictly Business. Here are the final layouts.

I went to the Id Solutions sale about 2 years ago and found such a gem amongst gems. A beautiful stainless steel ,wood top, tall round bar table and my husband and I sit round it most nights over looking Cape Town. It has made one of our favourite spots, I hope you find something that brings you just as much joy! It’s worth a look, we got it for a steal!

Well it’s turned out to be an exciting Friday afternoon, or a successful one at that. My husband passed his Google exam, has his mix on Vinyl Frontier 5FM tonight, I am possibly doing my second event, a new venture of late , lots more projects before year end and I have the Cavendish Gift Guide in my hands!

YAY! The Cavendish Gift Guide came from printers today. I will post finals this w.e.!

25 days till I have a new sister inlaw! Can’t wait! Loved this wedding moodboard from Snippet and Ink.I promise I am not being biased due to the Kim Gray pic on the bottom row. It really is lovely! I am wearing the black version to the wedding

It’s gone to print! Can’t wait to show the rest!

Loved this website! May Eden and Eden not tempt you to break your bank account.

Naomi at Id Solutions always makes my day and saves the day sending me beautiful chairs like these for shoots. Thank you Id Solutions.

And then she takes them back from me ;(