As a child of the 70′s there are certain things that remain etched in my brain. My dad as an architect spent many a night at the drawing board, an actual wooden board propped up at the back by two bricks, with real paper rolled out onto it and a collection of rulers and pens that would rival my current shoe collection. You see in those days architects actually drew all their plans by hand, measured things using mental arithmetic and had to get out the ruler to draw straight lines. ♣ who would have thought……..

Our study at home also known as Dad’s drawing room/study, mums sewing room, the poodle clipping table, my brothers model making room, my (imaginary travel agent – when I was 8), my bedroom for a few nights (when I was about 15), my major artwork room in year 12 and the shelves where all our cookbooks lived, it was also a hide away for all of my dads toys of the trade. The left hand drawers next to his drawing board were always filled with pens, pencils, very fine drafting pencils also known as pacer pencils and lots of paper stationary and a great collection of architecture books from the 60′s and 70′s. While I spent most of the 80′s insulting my dad because he is the man who embraced exposed brick and wood together in the same place in a house. I now know that like most things, certain fashions come back. And like all fashion it usually comes from something in the past.

I always smile when I see posters depicting advertisements from the late 60′s early 70′s, record album covers and in a few cases famous postage stamps. It reminds me of those days in the late 70′s early 80′s where I learnt alot about design, the years and styles past and a snap shot into what was new and fashionable in an era where I wasn’t a twinkle in someone’s eye.. Its funny how these things come around…..♥

♥ Funnily enough I still have all my dad’s rulers neatly tucked away in my stationary drawers and his original set square ruler (giant thing that it is) hanging on my wall in front of this computer Im typing on right now. You see its the process that some like not just the final destination and as the older generation keep saying..

it reminds me of a simpler time….♥

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

www.dailyimprint.blogspot.com

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

June 2007

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

I’d just been to the Sydney Writers’ Festival and many publishers spoke about their imprints – ie, the publishing divisions within the “house”. I liked the idea of using this word for its other meaning too – leaving a mark.

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

I now have more hats than in my wardrobe. Deputy editor, real living magazine. Blogger, Daily Imprint. Contributor, Babyccino Kids. Mother to Mr Independent, Little C. And a writer – always a writer. I have so many notebooks filled with novels, poems, thoughts, dreams… not to mention scrapbooks filled with freelance writing work – travel features, film reviews and the like. Oh, and I’ve just started styling too!

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

Well, I’ve been a storyteller and dreamer for as long as I can remember, and come to think of it a decorator too! But work-wise I did work experience for a financial news company in the last year of my arts degree and was offered a job. That was about 11 years ago. Since then I’ve worked as a finance reporter, online news broadcaster, medico-politics writer/sub-editor and arts writer. About four years ago I joined real living magazine and now I’m the deputy editor.

What is the favourite part of what you do?

I love that every day is different. I love that I meet passionate people. I love that I’m inspired every day. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

How many hours a day would you say you work?

More than I can count! I don’t really stop.

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

Being made deputy editor of Real Living was a definite jump up in the air moment. Most days I pinch myself. I’m also always blown away with the people who agree to appear on Daily Imprint.

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

They tend to rotate. At the moment I’m loving my office husband’s newly created blog of his styling adventures -  www.mrjasongrant.blogspot.com; I love seeing what friend and former colleague Belinda Graham is up to at www.thehappyhomeblog.com and I’ve become hooked on Marcus Hay’s blog too – as I love getting an insight into the styling life in New York – www.marcushayfluffnstuff.blogspot.com

Who is your mentor and why?

Without a doubt, real living editor Deborah Bibby. If I can be half the woman she is – not only in terms of work, but style and her approach to life in general – then I will be a very happy person. She’s also very giving of her time and is always open and encouraging for people to pursue their dreams.

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

It would be Ernest Hemmingway – and I’d ask him if I could come along for the journey in St Germain, Venice, Africa and Cuba.

What is your favourite colour?

Blue in all its permutations – indigo, teal, turquoise…

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

I’m more of a live for today kinda gal. But I would love to be transported back to Paris in the 1920s and New York in the early 1960s – just for a week or two.

What is your favourite place in the world?

Walking along the sand on Bondi Beach at dawn, dreaming of New York City.

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

Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it! Let’s just say more amazing interviews, more behind the scenes, more of the good life in Bondi.

If you could be a super hero or cartoon character who would it be? (this one is just for s a bit of fun)

Top Cat

Emerald green is a strong regal colour, made up of two parts yellow one part blue. While it sounds easy to create the perfect emerald hue, it really is an art form. There are thousands of shades of blue and yellow and it takes the perfect mix to create the stunning and irresistible  green. Each week I write about a colour I love but for some reason emerald green has remained a favourite over the years and never goes out of fashion.

One thing I know first hand is that emerald gem stones have great meaning. As a child I remember seeing the most beautiful emerald ring on my grandmothers left hand ring finger. As she used to cut up my food I was always mesmerized by it. ♥

She still wears it today on occasion and I always smile and remember those days. I always thought the ring had special powers.

The emerald is the sacred stone of the goddess Venus. It was thought to preserve love. The emerald has long been the symbol of hope. It is considered by many to be the stone of prophecy. For some the emerald acts as a tranquilizer for a troubled mind. The emerald is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring.

Every wardrobe will usually hold at least one amazing emerald garment, as the colour tends to remain timeless and as a fashion piece always manages to stay in touch with current trends.

My interview with Natalie Walton has been one of the most interesting so far. While Natalie and I forged a friendship initially over a years worth of emails we finally met in person a few weeks ago. We picked North Bondi as our meeting place and had the company of her little boy (absolutely adorable) and chatted about how she manages to balance it all. We also talked of her up and coming projects and the day to day life of a deputy editor and how much she loves her work. Our Style Tree collage above is just a small snippet of the life and times of Natalie (deputy editor, wife, mother, friend etc).♥

♥ A must view is Natalie’s blog – www.dailyimprint.blogspot.com