Pinspire for colour

I'm getting a little colour inspiration tonight.
Its one of those quiet nights at home (not complaining at all...).  The TV is on but nothing to watch, hubby is reading...the boys are now asleep.
...I've jumped onto Pinterest to see what is inspiring people, what people are pinning and what is standing out for me!

Colour creates a mood within us - we shouldn't neglect the power of colour and what it can do!
here are some of my pins teamed up to create lovely feelings
Top: soft, cozy, quiet, minimal ...gentle  * Middle: bold, punchy, zesty, crisp...fresh
Bottom: unwind, boho, independant...free
* all images via my pinterest

Life in colour!

So yesterday I coloured my hair a deep pink...it was meant to be a purple shade actually, but anyway it turned out very vibrant.
Last time I went a little crazy with hair colour was about 20 years ago when I thought I might look good as a red head.
Well that didn't work out well haha and so its been many shades of brown ever since...
Playing with hair colour is something I don't do often, and so I'm finding it all very amusing (and a little uncomfortable)
but back to the vibrant pink hair ( you can see me here) it was for a very special occasion,
'The Worlds Greatest shave'  , which is an annual fund raiser for Leukemia -  the event is so popular now that they changed the rules to allow hair colour and cut as well.
When it comes to colours in general, I'm a safe bet - I stay on track.
a few honey highlights are my Summery hair change...when it comes to clothes, I  stick with Black, White and neutrals like Gray...I consider 'Navy' to be my favourite colour.
That sounds kind of drab
doesn't it?
When ever I do wear something colourful I get a whole heap of compliments which of course, feels wonderful.
Like a warm hug.
You would think this would prompt me to wear colour more often. ha!…I must admit I'm not really drawn to colourful clothes when out shopping.
I do love colour so much - I always wonder why is it that I don't experiment with colour, print and pattern as much?
I'm not one to make sure I stand out (especially with the wrong choice... how safe I am?)
but I admire others that do make that bold statement.
How can you not admire that? Colour is wonderful!
I think the only way to wear or embrace colour is...just do it!
Dont hold back.

* all images via
My styleboard on Pinterest

Pulling colours....

On Saturday we headed to Newtown for a quiet Vietnamese dinner...I love walking along King St with its interesting store fronts and window displays.  The Gorman shop had their Summer 2014 catalogue on their front door so I'm glad I took a copy because I spent some relaxing time yesterday pulling colours from their bright clothing range!
I asked my Neo to help me sharpen my pencils and I got 'whats in it for me mum?'  little bugger...I told him a hug and 'favourite son' of the day...he smiled.
I keep saying I want to experiment with colour, crafting ...even drawing...its just finding that time or setting aside the time because there will always be something else that needs to be done right?
so yes, I think I need to slot some time each week just for creative play and see what comes of it...

Pulling colours from the prints and patterns of the Fashion images created a few nice colour combinations - perfect for future crafting adventures!
To see Gorman's latest looks head on over to their 'Summer 2014' page - gorgeous!
They even have a cool competition happening right now so take a look!

my Etsy picks of the Week

Happy Friday!
I'm home today.  There is no place I'd rather be, the sun is shining outside, I have all the windows open and the cool breeze is just wonderful.  Lots of laundry has been done, and I'm planning to bake a cake real soon...its one of those days where I can potter about and not feel rushed.
Here are my Etsy picks of the week - Stellar beauty...star quality...
I'm really loving these beautiful intense, vivid blue finds...
Grouped together, blue has a deep mystical feel...Celestial wonder...

Top image
Nicole Bentley for
Marie Claire Australia
* Blue Agate Coasters by VagabondQueen *
Aqua Aura quartz Crystals by iLoveLotus  * Save the date double sided Card by HooplaLove * Golden Blue paper bowl  by Djaliforyou *
Goldstone sterling silver ring by noblegnome *
Planet necklace by
BeautySpot

a touch of gold (just a touch..)

Have you noticed how Gold is suddenly everywhere?

I love how trends be start out slowly...featured by those taste-makers and trend setters we love to follow - we saw sprinkles of gold/brass on blogs and in magazines late last year but it suddenly seems to have taken on really fast...
its a very luxe and sophisticated look.

...Im not a huge fan of metallics but when featured in small doses or on accent pieces it actually looks very beautiful!

Is it too late to jump on board?
What do you think -
Timeless or too Trendy?

*Images
from top - Lauren Conrad *Recently the blog * Stephanie Sterjovski  * Boligliv *
Emily Henderson for designLoveFest * BHG

Inspiration Now: Black and White prints

Happy Friday friends!

I was looking at my Pinterest pins last night and found some some black and white themed images that I had pinned the past week...

Im feeling the inspiration of this timeless colour combination.
When used with prints, splatters, dots, splotches...it all looks very interesting.
I read somewhere that your Pinterest boards are a visual resume...i guess this would only work if you pin images that you really love.
Its great to see what you (or others) visually collect.
Pinterest is a beautiful reference and inspiration tool for me!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead - it was my 14year anniversary this week and the hubby and I are going on a cinema date tonight to see 'Wolf of Wall street' looking forward to zoning out for a couple of hours into another world - love going to the movies!
Im also going to join in on Laura's February challenge - 30 minutes exercise each and everyday for the month...its not hard and Im sure I can spare 30 minutes from my day to devote to my body?! fingers crossed!




Top image: Let it Be
Middle image: Rebecca Atwood's workspace
Bottom images: Zoey Grossman photography for  'For Love & Lemons'
and splatter ink background from my 2014 Art journal (yes! I started an Art Journal)  - by Me!

  

Colour of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Pantone has revealed 'Radiant Orchid' to be its Colour of the Year 2014.
Firstly, let me say Im thrilled for this shade - it's so gorgeous!
Its a very clever choice for Pantone to make,
as it would be perfect for the fashion and beauty industry, I can see this colour being incorporated in many future wedding parties, its strong yet feminine and would be fantastic in interiors and home decor.
I can just imagine product designers everywhere working with this beautiful colour for new designs to entice us all!


Radiant Orchid is an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, it inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health.
It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”
         - Pantone press release

What do you think?
Do you like it? 
I'm a huge fan of any purple shade from deep dark aubergine to the palest lilac... this is right up my alley...beautiful!



*Images
Top via Bright Bold Beautiful Middle via Kathy Kuo Home
Bottom (L-R) Style is Eternal, Nothing but delicious (recipe here ) and colour chip via Pantone

Dreaming of White...

I've been eyeing lots of Winter White blog post in bloggy-land lately.
Im loving it!  The Northern hemisphere is getting colder...and everyone is getting excited about Winter coming and Christmas just 19 days away!
As a little girl I always dreamed of a White Christmas - snow falling softly outside (just like in the movies) twinkling lights, hot cocoa and Santa arriving in his warm red suit.

Still, I love our sun filled Christmas season
...December in a hot climate means the beach, loose clothing, flip flops and Santa arriving in his board shorts!
We too can have a
White Christmas Summer style!

Winter Whites vs Summer Whites

images from Top -  1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6

Nail it!

I think I'm the only girl who hasn't jumped onto the 'Nail Art' trend...I'm seeing nails everywhere both online and off... I love my polka dots, stripes, prints and patterns -  just not on my nails please.
Am I boring? maybe...time poor?! probably...
when it comes to nails, I'm  just not into experimenting.
I have never tried acrylics, gel tips or shellac -  I'm actually a little afraid of nail salons and the horror stories of hygiene (or lack of...) especially when there are salons popping up everywhere - my tiny suburb has 5 salons and they are always so busy,  I can't even communicate with the nail technician - we just smile and nod...the whole experience freaks me out so my visits are few and far between.
...but  I do love the look of manicured nails.  I look at people's hands all the time.  I take notice.
We use our hands so much, when talking...expressing, holding, touching...
I prefer my own nails shorter and filed neatly,  and I love hand moisturiser ..I'm obsessed with moisturised hands!

How lovely are the nail colours here ..the matte silver metallic is just 'beaming'  - these are not my hands by the way (or legs...) but what a gorgeous shade!  Im inspired!
As for the blue green colour combination..very chic.
I like it - Summer perfect!

*images via Pinterest
Top - Whitemarch 
bottom - Refinery29

Colour crush - Pastel Spring

Happy Friday friends.
I hope you have some exciting plans for the weekend!

Today I'm home with my boys and two of their friends.
They are currently outside playing ball in our tiny garden (boys are SO loud!) - they've already kicked the ball over the fence a couple of times - lucky my sweet neighbours are patient and kind enough to throw it back over - I'd probably ignore it and get on with my day...ha-ha oh I'm not that mean but being home with young kids sure can test you!

I thought today I'd showcase some colours that Im loving right now - Spring time pastels...soft blues, white, coral and a pop of yellow...
Ive been slowly trying to finish a watercolour chart so once thats done I can start to play around and experiment with more colours!
...and now its time for an afternoon coffee, I might even head outside in the garden and enjoy it under the tree hoping the boys ball wont come my way!

Images
From top - Fjeldborg * James Geer for Jason Grant via SFgirlbybay * Kerry Cassill journals  * Anna Peters

Etsy picks of the Week: Monotone

After the recent fads of ombre and colour blocking, Monotone now seems to be the trend of the day ...but did it ever really go away?
Im loving this crisp palette of black, white and silver gray for this super cool
work space - its the perfect inspiration for my Monotone Etsy picks of the week

Top image via
Bodie and Fou * aquamarine ring by JamieJoFisher * vintage nature book by MousetrapVintage * dont grow up print by Vapor.Qualquer *
Good Morning New York skirt by Marinaasta *
Sterling star necklace by
foxandthefawn * Leather pouch by CosmosBits

Creative collaboration

During the recent Blogsociety event, Sally, Suzanne and I were chatting how we hardly find time to work on personal projects or to just create, experiment and play with our crafty tools – no restrictions, no boundaries – just inspiration!

…and so an idea was planned and a little collaboration discussed!!

Sally put together a colour story on her blog ( you can see it here ) and this was a prompt for me to create something - she did warn me that Id find the colours a little tricky since she knows I love soft, muted tones.

I started...and stopped - stuck! Suzanne suggested I was thinking about it too much and she was right so I then delved into my box of vintage papers and set out to create a collage.

Inspired by Randel Plowman and his wonderful wonderful book 'The Collage Workbook', I used one of his techniques and this is what I made...

I then cut the collage in half and created two Greeting cards... Paris vs Australia!
What do you think?  too safe?
too boring?  too weird looking? ...its funny that it still has a soft tones even though the chosen colours are quite bright?...anyway it was fun to play with paper!
Suzanne - you're next!!!

Early Spring
Lilac beauty....

The transition to a new season always seems so slow so this trip to California was perfect timing.
We've headed straight into Spring, one of my favorite seasons.
Its like a
re-awakening!
....people just want to get out of hibernation and into the fresh air.

Beautiful fresh flowers in pretty shades always makes it feel like Spring has finally arrived!

*images via DreamyWhites

Vignettes challenge - Round 3!

....so I wasn't sure if I should join the third round of the Vignettes challenge over at instagram - we are leaving for our 3week vacation on Friday, and I should be ticking off my 'to do' list, I should be packing, clearing out the fridge and getting my life in order before our escape....

....couldnt help myself!

Challenge 4 - Colour Palette

Blue, Pink and a touch of Silver....

you can see all my Vignettes here 

Emerald City

I love, love that Pantone has chosen 'Emerald' Green as its 'colour of the year 2013'.
Pantone describes the shade as a lively, radiant, lush green
and I'll just add
elegant, sophisticated and
timeless to that too...

Growing up, green (along with brown) was never a favorite colour..
but now I find I'm mostly drawn to deep moody shades - Purples, Navy, Grays...ha! what does that say about me?
What about you?
Do you like Green?
It can be a little intimidating but look how beautiful those green chairs are in the top interior image?  they sure have presence - a stand out as is the elegant girl below....

Images
Johann Alexander Stuetz
A Fine Fashon Frenzy

Colour Combination:
Coral + Cream + White

From Fashion layout to greeting card, I love these little challenges I set myself...I made this on Monday when I was at home relaxing.
Crafting and creating is one of my favourite ways to wind down, how about you? What really gets your heart and mind relaxed?
I actually have a lot on right now - November and December always fly by for me.
Ive booked in to do a Christmas market with Melinda - Im grateful to be sharing a stall with her as Ive never done a market before and Im trying to build up enough stock - wish me luck!
Im also working on two orders - when it rains it pours!! but I love it anyway so bring it on!!
I also hope to have some Christmas goodies up in my shop real soon!

* image by Carlotta Moye