The Trad Pad

Shelley owns and operates Avec Amour at 1569 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Melbourne has been declared one of the most liveable cities in the world - one of the main features of this liveability is the ease of getting around.

Avec Amour features shabby chic, French Provincial and traditional decor. It is home to lots and lots of pretty things, vintage and new. As well, for her loyal customers Shelley has a decorating service styling clients homes to make the most of their Avec Amour purchases.

Shelley is often accompanied to the shop by FootFoot and Trixie who sit on large faux fur cushions and get lots of cuddles from customers.

FootFoot: formally named Lord FootFoot BraveHeart the Celtic Warrior. He is an eleven year old miniature Fox Terrier. FootFoot is a petrol head. When a car leaves The TradPad he has to go too. He is a brave lad but a lover not a fighter. He is thought to be a reincarnation of Joe, Brigid’s late husband. FootFoot and Brigid have a thing going on, they sleep together, and generally look out for one another

Trixie: formally named Princess Trixie Wigglebottom from that long line of Wigglebottoms mentioned in Debretts. She too is an eleven year old Fox Terrier but is not related to FootFoot. Trixie is in to indulgence in a big way. Generally, Trixie is believed to be the reincarnation of Phyllis, the mother of Brigid and grandmother of Shelley. This is based on hard evidence. Just as Phyllis had to start the day with a cup of tea and bread and butter so Trixie drinks her tea out of Shelley’s bone china tea cup and eats her bread and butter from white Maxwell & Williams china.

Rose the SpartaCat. Rose was born on Melbourne Cup Day 2003. Rose came to The TradPad as a pet for FootFoot who loves cats - although the cats don’t always realise this. He is now 1 year and 9 months old. He was supposed to be a girl but - he is a boy. If he could speak English rather than Cat, he would undoubtedly sound like Russell Crowe. As well, he certainly has 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.

In the beginning, everything was formless. Then with creative actions and words, something beautiful came into being. It is hoped that The Trad Pad will be like that. Please participate as we talk about life and style and the beauty, form and function that make it all worthwhile.