Wednesday 31 August 2011

Sassy Sounds and Choir Boys

I adore the sassy sounds of Sydney Songstress Lanie Lane. Her debut album is set to be released in late October 2011 and is a must have on my October wish list. Her latest single 'Aint Hungry', was produced by the great Jack White (love him) and together with her debut single 'What do I do', this album will be a perfect start to my summer playlist.

About Lanie Lane

There are very few men who can sing in falsetto and still sound incredibly sexy. Dougy Mandagi, of The Temper Trap is undoubtedly one of them and the other would have to be Pat Grossi of 'Active Child', whose heavenly vocals are attributed to his earlier days as a Choir Boy.

His single 'Hanging On' is so beautifully haunting, but the chills it will send down your spine are extraordinarily soothing. This song is certainly a contender in my top 10 for the Hottest 100 this year.

About Pat Grossi

Tuesday 30 August 2011

One Eyed Blink

Couldn't help myself. Latest addition to my tea towel collection brought to you by Etsy


A Whole Lot of Alessi


When it comes to appreciating wedding presents, my Kitchen Aid (yes, in Almond) would have to take the cake! Gifted so generously from my beautiful friend & fellow blogger- Nicole, I'm sure she fulfilled HALF her lifelong fantasy of owning one by seeing the joy it brought muah!

Another marital gesture that also brought me great joy was our Alessi Kettle with bird shaped whistle. Designed by Michael Graves in 1984, the kettle is patented to its aesthetic qualities. Much like my beloved Kitchen Aid, it is one of those gifts, that will always remain timeless, so practical and so god-damn good looking!


Sunday 28 August 2011

I'm a sucker for all things equestrian - and this jumper is no exception....

Available from ASOS...I'll take one in each colour!







Friday 26 August 2011

Excitement and Impulse - The journey of a Tea Cupper

Some people collect coins, some collect bugs; some collect Pokemon cards and others just collect dust, but when it comes to me, I’ll search high and low for the most pretty of antique tea cups and saucers.

So today when my friend (and boss), Lesley suggested we begin our Friday Fun Day with breakfast at one of her favourite cafés, Chapels on Whatley, which just happened to serve tea in AND SELL antique tea cups, I almost lost my shit.

To my pure delight (never mind the paranoia felt by my credit card) not only was our English Breakfast served in a beautiful, quaint tea cup and saucer (coupled with a mismatched creamer and sugar bowl), but we were sat next to an open wooden shelf, filled with heavenly Wedgwood and Royal Doulton Tea Sets. Suffice to say my friends, the rest is history. I left this darling new café with a full belly, a weary credit card, a spectacular addition to my tea cup collection and a glittering smile!

Until an hour later when I strolled into David Jones.... A store I KNEW had 30% of the price of the brand I'd just so willingly handed over my 'life savings' for (only because I had been seen ogling a set of pretty little ice cream bowls just one day earlier!)

So once again, even through years of making the same mistake, my excitement and impulsiveness prevailed and my otherwise very practical brain is left but only to mourn the loss of 30%.

Until.....said brain put it’s practicality into play (finally) and within seconds twisted this otherwise dire predicament into the justification (that looking back on seemed only natural) and purchase of another addition to my collection! This time, with 30% off. Well done brain finally, you cotton on, took you long enough.



Chapels on Whatley

Thursday 25 August 2011

Nutcases

I'm sure that back in the good ol' days, Nanna Norma's modest laundry didn't possess the abundant array of cleaning and washing products that are commonplace in today's households. Why do young domestic goddesses of today feel it is so necessary to douse our clothes (and subsequently our skin) in so many harsh chemicals? Are we that much dirtier these days? Don't answer that...

I recently found out about Fair Trade & Organic
Nutcases after a quick pop-in visit to Maz and Baz's place (aka Mum and Dad). Mum approached with a little trial pack of these goodies- gotta love a freebie! Now I must admit, I've always been a bit of a sceptic when it comes to things my Mum endorses (magnet earrings do NOT suppress your appetite), but I thought I would give these little Nutcases a go. Derived from a tree called the Sapindus Mukorossi, they produce a berry-like fruit which is encased in a shell. When the shell of this fruit is dried, you get Soap Nuts! Mother Nature's fantastic little invention for washing clothes, hair, carpets- well just about anything! The question was, would my clothes actually come out clean... and smell nice? Peanut butter and nutella aren't exactly my fragrances of choice.

Verdict in. I am absolutely delighted to report, that after completing 3 loads of washing this morning (including my husband's stinky soccer gear) the clothes came out clean, fresh and quite frankly, smelling..... just FAB!


 
- 100% Natural so no reactions for sensitive skin or allergies

- No chemicals means your grey water can go straight in garden

- Being fair Trade means you needn't worry about where they are coming from

- Suitable for all types of washing, from Nappies to Delicates

- Hot or Cold water

- Front or Top Loader

- New or Old machines

- Hard or Soft Water

Check out the
Kussen web page for Perth Nutcase stockists!

So Much Pun

So Much Pun

Wednesday 24 August 2011

9 till when?

When you grow up thinking your going to be a pony, to be told by your Year One teacher, Mrs Wilkinson that you cannot ever be a pony (I never said it was a long lived dream), you know your career is heading down an unknown path and your just skipping haphazardly along it.

After spending 5+ years in tertiary education you would think I would come out of it with more than a thorough knowledge of how to create 62 dishes from a packet of two minute noodles (no mean feat), a general idea of anatomy (very general) and a caffeine addiction. Somehow I expected to breeze through uni quite glamorously, not unlike a slightly less hierarchical episode of Gossip Girl. There I was naively thinking that regardless of what I studied (a decision made whilst in a drunken post-exam haze, two days after the application form was already due), I would come out the other end feeling intellectual, accomplished, full of ideas and passionate about where I was heading. WRONG!

After completing a degree, working in retail, changing study paths, completing a Masters and obtaining a job based on said qualifications, you would think I was well and truly sure of what I was doing and why. Yet I am left with a yearning that I should have thrown caution to the wind and “wasted” a few more years of my youth traveling around Europe like the other 50% of Gen Y, before following my passions. But is there really a career out there where I can take advantage of my ability to knit one kind of stitch in a straight line, love puppies and bake a mean carrot cupcake? If so, my cover letter is enthusiastically filled out and in the post, complete with pretty recycled stationary and hand made stamps… In the mean time I will continue with the humdrum of the coffee fueled nine to five – at least it got me the white picket fence xx


Spring has sprung the grass has ris, I wonder where the birdies is?

Spring is just around the corner and as well as it being a beautiful time of year, it's also a wonderful excuse for a picnic! Now, considering people like us don't like to do things by halves (and quite enjoy crafty projects), I have compiled a fail safe, pictorial, picnic directory to ensure your first picnic of the season is the most memorable.   

Step 1 Invitations: Invite your girlfriends to an afternoon nestled amongst the flowers the old fashioned way, with hand made invitations.  
Instructions available at Eat, Drink, Chic

Step 2 Baked Goods: Now the invitations are out of the way, focus can shift (finally!) to the most important part of the picnic planning...what to bake? The Cake Mistress has it sorted with Katherine Hepburn's Brownies.


Step 3 Beverage Selection: Whilst you're still feeling slightly crafty (and perhaps want to out-do the friend who turned up to the last shindig with something so amazing even you were impressed) dress up some glass bottles ($2 from IKEA) with these awfully cute labels and fill them with your favourite beverage!
Instructions available at Eat, Drink, Chic
Step 4 Minor Practicalities: What's the use of scrumptious food and delights of the liquid variety if you've not got anything to carry them in!? So before you dust off your old tattered picnic basket (but trusty, I'm sure!), check out these Eco friendly picnic boxes by Boxsal




Step 5 Prettifying your location: And finally, before you send your gorgeous invitations, bake Ol' Katherine's brownies or pack your beautiful home made 'fruit' drinks into your environmentally friendly picnic 'boxsal's', be sure to re-visit Caroline's post 'To Picnic' for some decoration, inspiration!


Tuesday 23 August 2011

Straight to the top of the Glass


Next time you find yourself perusing your local flea market, antiques fair or Nanna's cupboard, don't overlook the glassware. Australian glassware is set to take off in value over the next few years. As far as collectibles are concerned, glass is where it's at!

Australia stopped producing glassware in the 1980's. In other words, the kitsch transparent goods your Nanna already has are no longer replaceable.

Can't wait to get my mitts on some 'red glass'!

Monday 22 August 2011

Oh! the Places You'll Go

Even as an adult, Dr Seuss is still one of my favourite authors.

No matter what readers learn from Dr Seuss's books, they will most likely learn it in rhyme. Although his poetic talents receive less notice than others due to his notorious limerick writing style, he is in fact a very powerful poet. His books are predominately aimed at teaching children how to read and think, but cleverly convey messages about the environment, confidence and even politics.

So on that note, I thought I'd share with you a few verses of my most favourite Dr Seuss book... a book which most of my girlfriends will have received from me at some point in their lives, whether it be through breakup's, new jobs or even their wedding day!




Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!


You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go...


Oh! The Places You’ll Go!


You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.


You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.


Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.


I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.


You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.


And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)


Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Saturday 20 August 2011

Got Milkd?

There is one thing guaranteed to get me through a day, and it is surprisingly..neigh disappointingly hard to come by in Old P Town (Perth). The humble coffee bean seems to have so many Perth Barista's stumped. Whether it be bitter, burnt or bland, a good cup is hard to come by!

One sunny morn' whilst walking with friends of the four legged variety, I stumbled across a line of fellow bleary eye'd 20 somethings on Angove St, North Perth. A line?? On a Saturday morn? What the Jesus could possibly have a group of people lining up on Saturday morning? Free vodka perhaps? A bus to Melbourne? That's all I could think I would possibly line up for. Alas it was coffee...I had walked past Milkd many a time, preferring to perch my derriere outside the Urban Pantry, purely due to aesthetics. But could I really risk bucking the the latest trend? God only knows what I was missing out on. I would likely end up a marginalised, ridiculed warb! I couldn't risk it. I lined up and Milkd did not disappoint. Using essenza coffee (an arabican blend) which is roasted daily, giving the beans a shelf life of no longer than 12 hours, my skinny latte was smooth, rich, strong and just the thing I needed to kick start my morning!




Friday 19 August 2011

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Happy birthday to my Granddaddy Longlegs

I phoned my Grandad today to wish him a very happy birthday and at 80 something, he's still got the best sense of humour I've ever known.

Right before we hung up, he left me with this joke, which even though he's told me since I was little, it still makes me giggle:

"How do you make a sausage roll? Push it down a hill!"

So instead of spending this Saturday crafternoon with  my young, old ladies - I've decided to pack up my craft basket and pop over to see my Grandaddy Longlegs and Nanna Norma. Our crafternoon is sure to be full of love, Nannas famous lolly jar and lots of Granddad jokes! Oh! and this lovely project made from $2 store frames and pretty paper.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest


Tuesday 16 August 2011

Kitchen Aids

This has been on my (and my boyfriends) wishlist for some time now. My baking world will be close to complete once this angel enters my life.

The Kitchenaid Mix Master in 'Almond'

Pretty Things

Embroided Paper
Looking for a unique and personalised card? $2 cards from your local IGA on your way to the wedding/birthday/engagement party just not going to cut it this time? Well arm yourself with a sewing needle, some thread and give this project by Karen Ruane a go.

Cute Herb Garden
Tea anyone? Cute, practical and delicious!! Don't forget to poke holes in the tins for drainage.
Picture courtesy of Apartment Therapy
Yarn Holder
A great way to store and dispense yarn/wool/ribbon for your next crafternoon.

Picture courtesy of Pintrerest.

DIY Egg Carton Lights
Simple? Check. Cheap? Check. Green? Check. Beautiful? Double Check! Get the step-by-step tutorial from Apartment Therapy.
DIY Pearl Light Pendant
Recreate this beauty for a special occasion or just a touch of fancy! Get the step by step tutorial from Design Dazzle...easier than you think!

Baking Playlist

My excuse for baking this weekend has been the awful weather. Being not only a food lover, but a music lover just as much, my baking routine always starts with the creation of a new play list. This weekends 'Baking Playlist' consists of only three artists. Angus and Julia Stone, Gotye and Bob Dylan.




Now if you can tell me a better way to bake than watching the rain fall, whilst listening to the blissful tunes of those talented musicians, then I will gladly give it a whirl!

The Armenian Nutmeg Cake

1 cup self raising flour
1 cup plain flour
2 cups soft brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp bi-carb soda
110g butter (room temp)
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
 
Line a round cake time with baking paper and grease the sides with butter.
Sift flour and nutmeg into a bowl and then add sugar
Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs
Spread 1/3 of mixture over the base of the cake tin
Dissolve the bi-carb soda in the milk & add to remaining crumb mixture & mix
Add the beaten egg to the mixture and mix well
Pour the mixture over the crumbs in the base of the cake tin
Sprinkle walnuts over the top
Bake in a moderate oven for 35-40 mins
Stand in tin for 5 mins before removing
Best served with great friends and a hot cup of tea.
Nanna Norma will be proud.

Vintage Fair

Not sure what to do in Perth this weekend?? Why not head down to the WA's largest Vintage and Collectors Fair: Treasured Craft Creations, in conjunction with the Polka Dot Vintage Fair at the Claremont Show Grounds. 20 - 21 August, $6 entry with the chance to win $2000!




Dream big

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been known to romanticise things that most people would consider normal or perhaps even mundane. This is not to say that I always dreamed of being a Princess (recent ‘Royal Wedding Fever’ excluded), but more along the lines of having a guilty pleasure for the simpler things in life.

My Mum’s favourite story to retell is my dream of owning a beautiful store, full of beautiful things, in a beautiful town full of beautiful people. She says I would explain to her in great detail, the items I would sell in my store, the name of the white shaggy dog who would keep me company, the location of my home in relation to the store (an old character style apartment on top of the store of course), the beautiful meals my adoring husband would cook for me, the stores my friends would own around me and last but not least, my mode of transportation…. The ‘Granny Bicycle’.

This simple vintage bicycle would take me anywhere I wanted to go. Its cane basket would carry all the things I needed for the day and I would set out on my adventures (white shaggy dog and adoring husband in tow).

Well now we can all have a piece of this little dream, with the help of Papillionaire.







These beautiful vintage bicycles are a dream come true and to top it off, the people at Papillionaire seem to share my love for the simple life, with their philosophy being: “to create bicycles for the urban lifestyle.  We buy milk on the corner, swim at the municipal pool, and live amongst our friends, in neighbourhoods; cultural, vibrant, modern.  And we get around on a Papillionaire.”

And if you stay tuned, I might just let you in on a little secret about the progression of my dream...

Monday 15 August 2011

Brolly Dollys

These vibrant umbrellas from mother and daughter team at Brolly Dolly's are sure to put a spring in your step next time the heavens decide to open!


My fav brollys are pictured below... Sunny umbrellas to brighten the darkest of days and have you singing in the rain in no time!










Galleria Sunflower Bloom


Galleria Red Daisy


Galleria Dahlia

Smitten with Smeg!

On the Birthday, Christmas and Valentine wish list!! The masters at Smeg have kitsch design down to a 't', especially with these little beauties. Available in 12 deliciously pastel colours.


The Good Store

The Good Storekeeper’s name is Marshall Martin. After university, he was a shop assistant in the famous Mills Record Bar Fremantle, and was then a broadcaster with ABC radio.

Both these occupations presume that life can be a wide-ranging and interesting experience. He couldn’t work out why so many other places presumed the world was dull. Not co-incidentally, heaps of people seemed to be stressing over presents for their friends. Marshall figured that if shops were doing their job, they'd assume an interesting and diverse world. Buying presents would then be easy, and fun to boot.

Photo and information courtesy of http://www.thegoodstore.com.au/

The Good Store was born on 1st August  2006 - My first visit was on the 14th of August 2011...

I first drove past this striking store about four months ago on the way to a dinner with friends. However, being the ever punctual person I am, I put my shopping and gift buying pleasures aside in respect of my fellow diners. After spending about an hour in the store yesterday I could quite honestly say, I should have skipped dinner.....

Located at 363-367 Albany Hwy in Victoria Park, W.A

One for the Mums

Once in a while you stumble across a wonderful product and think ‘Why on earth hasn’t this been developed sooner?’ This happened this morning when my lovely Mum explained what these Super Mums have created.

Going by the name of ‘MummaBubba Teething Bling', a great friend of my family's has begun a website selling the revolutionary teething products which have been designed to be worn as jewellery by the teething baby’s Mother.

The idea for Teething Bling was created by 'SmartMom's' in America, who noticed how much their babies loved pulling, mouthing and playing with their jewellery. So they decided to create jewellery that looks great but was safe for their babies to play with. These very Smart Mums have thought of everything, the materials used are non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher safe!

Teething Bangles

Teething Necklace (Mother of Pearl)
  
 Teething Necklace 

Organic Teething Ring -
Made from Maple Wood


Organic Teether
For more information, please visit their facebook page.


Photos and information courtesy of Mummabubba Teething Bling

Sunday 14 August 2011

Aging and Beauty

A few quotes to remind us that aging gracefully can still be beautiful (and this is coming from the cosmetic nurse!)


'Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty- they merely move it from their faces into their hearts.' ~Martin Buxbaum~


'You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen. But if you are beautiful at sixty, it will be your soul's own doing.' ~Marie Stopes~


And for a little giggle....


'I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want- an adorable pancreas?' ~Jean Kerr~


'Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head.' ~Garrison Keillor~