Over the next few weeks I’ll be creating some special window displays in bookstores and boutiques across the city, in celebration of the release of My Heart Wanders. I’m thrilled that these gorgeous stores have all been so enthusiastic about the idea of a ‘wandering window display’, inviting me to come and play in their windows. While in Melbourne last weekend I created two window displays which I’ll show photos of soon, but seeing them in real life is always better, so if you live in Melbourne, please head to Coventry Bookstore in South Melbourne, and Avenue Bookstore in Albert Park.  If you live in Sydney, please keep your eyes on the shop windows you see here in this post, and in a couple of weeks time (when I catch my breath!) I’ll show you lots of photos of the making of each display…

Thank you Shearer’s for making My Heart Wanders one of your books of the month!

Also I have added more events to the blog sidebar on the right, including one at newspaper taxi in newtown, one at little paper lane in mona vale, and a special event at Velluto’s – all of which are guaranteed to be lots of fun, I do hope you can join us. Please click on the links for more details.

I have two windows to create tomorrow (hmm, which ones do you think? I’ll reveal locations on twitter as well as snapshots as I work), so I will have to keep this post short & sweet. I will try not to keep you in suspense of how my book launch went on Friday night, as well as the fabulous fun I had in Melbourne over the weekend, for too long. But I will be off to Brisbane on Thursday to help Kylie finish the prep for Saturday’s launch, so I will most likely not get to show + tell you all the details of all the events until next week. I hope you can wait ’til then.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been coming out to say hi, joining in the fun to help celebrate the release of My Heart Wanders here in Australia. It’s a wonderful welcome back to my home land, I couldn’t have wanted for more – you are beautiful,  merci beaucoup mes amis.

xx

I realise there is much to share & tell as it’s been an incredible few days, but for this moment right here, right now, I just wanted to post these pics I took at callan park today, while looking for inspiration for tomorrow’s wandering window displays (more about that in the next post). I found it in the form of a tree with the most exquisite silver and speckled brown leaves scattered on the ground below. It was a magical sight. I spent a blissful half hour gathering a basketful of leaves. Thank you dear tree…

wow, it’s really happening: Today My Heart Wanders is being delivered to bookstores across the country. And the official book launch here in Sydney is tomorrow night at Ariel Books in Paddington. Have you rsvp’d? If you plan to come, please make sure you email or call Ariel (02 9332 4581) to let them know as I’ve had word that they will be checking names at the door. Party on, people! This is going to be fun. (PS don’t sit at home and watch the royal wedding, come and hang out with us instead! It will be the place to be).

In more exciting news, the latest country style magazine is out on newsstand shelves today and features a very special article I wrote about Australian artist Greg Hyde (do you remember my post about him on the lovely bloesem some years ago?), and how a visit to his mud brick home five years back inspired me to listen to my heart which lead me to move to Paris, then Amsterdam, and then to write about the journey which is, My Heart Wanders. It seems magical when you look back and realise how certain events and occurrences lead you to where you are today, non? Back then, if someone had said to me that I would end up living on a houseboat in Amsterdam, with a French man, and be asked to write a book about it, I would have said “you’ve lost your marbles”.

I will tell you more about the article and the shoot next week, but for now, I hope you can locate a copy of the magazine to read it at your leisure. Victoria Carey, the editor of Country Style, will be coming along to the book launch tomorrow night to say a few words.

Meanwhile, I have to get on with the preparations for magnolia square for Saturday! Above is a sneak peek at what I’m making. And in my usual style, I’ve left the whole ‘what to wear’ to the last minute, and am dashing out the door to go and find myself a vintage dress.

Hope to see you tomorrow night at Ariel!

xx

PS musicians wanted! I’d LOVE some acoustic & instrumental music at the launch tomorrow night, but all efforts to locate a band free for the night have failed. If you and a friend play the guitar or violin, or the likes, and would be happy to play some lovely sweet music while people mingle tomorrow night, I’d be forever grateful.

PPS I took these photos with my iphone, using instagr.am with tilt shift and the new brannan filter.

The other day I had one of my whimsical, spur-of-the-moment ideas (for past examples, see here, and here): it occurred to me that a few people in Melbourne may not be able to stop by to say hi & buy a signed copy of the book while I’m styling away at magnolia square on Saturday, April 30th as they will be working during the day. It also occurred to me that after such an event, I will most likely feel like an apéritif, while I wind down and chat with new & old friends.  So I thought it might be a good idea to have a little casual gathering in the late afternoon. I’m delighted to let you know that gathering will be at the very gorgeous empire vintage in albert park, from 4:30pm. There is only room for a few people though – like, ten, tops – so if you are one of those people who will not be able to come along to magnolia square earlier, but still want to meet up & get your hands on a copy of my heart wanders – all the while perusing Lyn’s amazing boutique & sipping something sparkly – then just send me an email.

When: 4:30pm, Saturday, April 30, 2011
Where: Empire Vintage, 63 Cardigan Place, Albert Park
What: apéritif & mingling

If you’d like a little peek inside Lyn’s shop, check out photographer Jillian Leiboff’s beautiful post featuring photos from her recent visit.

I love Melbourne. It’s one of those cities I always come away from feeling inspired. I’ve only been a handful of times in my life, and the last time was at least 5 years ago now, maybe more – however long ago it was, it’s been too long. So I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take My Heart Wanders to Melbourne for a very special book launch event with Magnolia Square on April 3oth. For those who may not know already, Magnolia Square is a curated market place showcasing an amazing group of artisans and designers from around the country.  Each pop up market place has an event styling theme, and this one is ‘paper & thread’. I’ve been invited to style a space within the premises based on this theme, with inspiration from my book:

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“Pia Jane Bijkerk will join us from 12 midday on Saturday 30th April where she will create her own lovely space, expressing a little glimpse of her special creativeness and chatting candidly about her work, life on a houseboat and of course, signing copies of her book.”

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Exactly.  I am absolutely dying to meet as many creative Melbournites as possible while there – I’ve admired so many of you from afar over the last few years of being abroad, it’s time we meet, don’t you agree? Oh, please say yes.

When: 12 midday, Saturday, April 30, 2011
Where: Malvern Town Hall for Magnolia Square
What: styling, signing, chatting

This is going to be so much fun! Thank you lovely Nic at Magnolia Square for inviting me.

For more details, please click here.