As the Easter break comes, so does the end of the first quarter of the year. (can you believe it!) And what a year it has been so far.

We have been updating The Style Tree ♥ over the last few weeks and it is almost complete. Most of the updates have been behind the scenes so you may notice a few days where no posts appear. This is all to do with what’s happening behind the scenes of the site.

The good news is while the easter bunny is playing in the pages of my pantone book and Im full of chocolate eggs, The Style Tree ♥ is having the final touches of its mini make over completed.

There are some amazing stories and interviews coming up and a look at the newest section to be added to the site. Industry News.

Where you can find out what’s happening in the industry locally and around the world.

Please remember to subscribe so you can ’stay in the loop’ on The Style Tree ♥

My most recent obsession is decorating with vintage and modern plates. Ive been spending many a weekend searching the world for plates.

Its not easy when you have a very specific look in mind, and want all vintage unique and one off numbers. But when I really looked I found that my ‘brilliant and unique’ idea was really an idea that many other like minded designers had. So in my burst of creative energy collecting and researching I managed to rustle up my own mood board for the project at hand. Im officially obsessed and soon to have my collection hanging in the new and revamped living room.

I will be sure to post an image once complete to my satisfaction….♥

The Book of Love is a novel by Phillipa Fioretti.

‘Travel from Sydney to Rome in a whirlwind of vintage dresses and daring actions in this romantic comedy debut by Australian author Phillipa Fioretti.

An enchanting and stylish adventure about a Roman holiday gone wrong’. ♥

Before I go into the interview with Phillipa, I want to have a minute to explain how important this book has been to me personally. As Ive mentioned in other book reviews prior to this one, Im not normally akined to the writings of fiction. In fact I believe I can be quoted as saying ‘I just don’t read fiction- ever’, Id prefer to watch a movie.

Well this book has changed things, who would have thought. I recieved a forward copy of The Book Of Love as I plain and simply fell ‘in love’ with the cover. A shallow statement yes, but truthful. On seeing the cover I thought ‘well a lot of effort has gone into the beauty and detail of the cover so I can only imagine what is written’.

So after receiving my copy I unwrapped it to find this magnificent cover and an even more beautiful delicately illustrated and coloured inside sleeve.

In a nut shell the book is both riveting funny in part and keeps you reading for hours. Heres a short run down of what takes place…♣

Lily a queen of style in retro clothes, and Robbie, her boyfriend, run a second hand book shop in Paddington, Sydney.

In a shipment of old books from Nairobi, Robbie discovers a rare french book of ancient Roman erotica. With only four copies in existence, and valued at twenty million dollars, he is determined to sell it despite Lily’s suggestion to return it to the French government.

Days later , William, a dashing Russian employed by a London fine arts firm in London to retrieve stolen artworks arrives at the shop. Robbie refuses to hand over the book, and disappears, taking his and Lily’s life savings with him. And well, the rest you will have to read and find out. ♥

Interview with Phillipa Fioretti ♥

What is the name of your business/businesses/blog/website/Book?

My book is called The Book of Love.

For the blog I use my name, Phillipa Fioretti

When did you launch your business/businesses/blog/website/Book?

I started the blog a year ago and my book is published this month by Hachette Australia. There’ll be a couple of launches for the book, but the blog started very quietly  – with a cup of tea and fumbling attempts at HTML. I love blogging and the freedom it brings. I roam all over the place garnering images and ideas for it. I’d like to develop the site a bit further, but that requires a little more technical knowledge than I have now. I’ll get there, however!

How did you choose your name for the business/blog/website/Book?

My blog, phillipafioretti.com.au, is where people can find out a little more about my books and other activities, they can comment and browse through posts connected to writing, creativity, food, mythology, shoes, Italy, poems, vintage clothes, art images and more. It seemed logical to use my name to group it all under.

The title for my book refers to a rare book of ancient Roman erotica that is stolen and turns up in an antiquarian bookshop in Sydney. Lily, who owns the bookshop, and William who is after the book, get caught up in love throughout the book. So it’s a two-for-one title.

What is your current position/career? (where?)

I’m a writer and I work from home.

How many years have you been operating in your field/career?

I’ve been writing for four years and blogging for one.

What is the favourite part of what you do?

Retreating into my imagination

What did you study if you did, if not what other jobs have you had?

Archaeology, Anthropology and Philosophy in an Arts degree, Sculpture in a Visual Arts degree, and Museum Studies in a postgraduate diploma

Where are you located?

In my study – with the door shut.

How many hours a day would you say you work?

Between 4 and seven, depending on the day – during school holidays I tend to get less done because that study door just keeps getting opened.

What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?

I love writing stories, and discovering that I love it has been hugely exciting for me. And of course, let’s not forget being offered a two-book contract by a major publisher. One of the best things about being published is working with people who know and love your book and want to help develop it. That makes it live, as opposed to being shut away in the bottom drawer for years. Friends and family can get a bit glassy eyed when the ‘book’ subject comes up!

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?

The Sartorialist – because I like to see how real people put themselves together, Zodee – because they sell Omsa Italian hosiery and a blog called Little Augury. I find this a fascinating blog, it’s American and the blogger describes it as ‘truly eclectic. It may be interior design-my life long career. Style, design, architecture, social history, with talk about what links them all.’ I spend quite a bit of time there, browsing and exploring links.

Who is your mentor and why?

I don’t have a mentor, but I have had people in my life who have influenced me in positive ways. I’m fortunate to have parents who love to read, and who love to ‘look’ – by that I mean, in art galleries, museums, picture and photography books, films and magazines. And my partner is an insanely hard worker and has demonstrated to me what can be achieved if you put in the effort.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’d like to meet Maria Callas. I’d ask her about life and men, love, creativity, happiness, career and everything in-between.

What is your favourite colour?

I am drawn to blues and greens, but I also have a small fetish for rich earthy browns and ochres. I can’t wear earthy colours but they always catch my eye.

What is your favourite era – design &/or fashion wise?

Berlin between the wars

What is your favourite place in the world?

Anywhere I’m having a laugh with friends.

What is your goal for your business/blog/book in the next 12 months?

For my book – I hope it sells very well and readers enjoy it. I’m working on the sequel at the moment and feeling a little sad I’ll have to say goodbye to my characters once the sequel is finished. My goal beyond the sequel is to develop another group of characters with whom I can get passionately involved in and who beg me for a book of their own.

For my blog – I’d like more interaction with readers, and I’ll be continuing with posts on the themes in my books, and on all things that catch my eye and contribute to my writing life.

If you could be a vintage dress or outfit – which one would you be?  (this one is just for s a bit of fun)

Years ago I saw a photo taken in the nineteen thirties of a woman wearing a turban and a silk satin devore jacket in eggplant and chocolate shades with mandarin sleeves and I thought it was the most exquisite creation I’d ever seen. It whispered style, decadence, sensuality, and I wanted it badly.

But as I can’t have it, I’ll be it.

What are you watching on Tv or reading at the moment? (either or both)

I’m reading Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore and really enjoying his ear for Australian slang and banter. Police, like nurses, have this laconic black humour, so much of it is dark, quick and clever – I love it.

♥ Available at most book shops around Australia and online – April 2010.

The Hachette Book Group – Hachette Australia : www.hachette.com.au