At My house
ive been feeling a little bland lately, not much to blog about really
...i am looking forward to tommorow as its my day off...the boys are back at school so i can have a few hours to myself, maybe I'll grab a coffee and a cake at the local Italian bakery, i took the boys there the other day - the traditional sweets are always SO good!

Ive also got to finish a wedding order for a lovely Melbourne bride - she'll be using the birdies to wrap around their invite and matching birdy tags for her party favours! Weddings are always so wonderful, we have two family weddings coming up early next year - cant wait - i love weddings!

anyway fingers crossed the weather will be warm tommorow so i can do some laundry and dry it outside.
How was your electiricity bill last quarter?
ours shot up like crazy - winter heating and overuse of the clothes dryer...not good!

hope you enjoy your day!
for more 'At My home' posts head on over to lovely Lou's blog.

the inside on the outside....

i love the idea of creating a perfect 'hanging out area'
in the garden - an extention of inside living, on the outside...this is very common in Australia although my garden is a little small to host such a relaxed area....
....maybe in my next house?

we're still house hunting, its a frustration process as the housing market in Sydney is so hot right now - you dont get much for your money and our hopes of finding what we want within our budget is quickly fading!

Top image: Eric Boman
Bottom image: Amy Neunsinger

Blogtoberfest - Day 7
for the love of floral...

ive enjoyed posting daily for Blogtoberfest this week - hope you're enjoying my random posts- more to come!
I actually wrote a list of what could be future blog posts, do you do this? plan ahead?
or do you sit at your computer with no idea what you'll blog about then start typing away...
and voila! out pops a blog post?
either way works right?

Today its all about florals, these gorgeous images have that Nanna-chic vibe happening - I love it!

*images

Top: Domino magazine

Middle: Polly Wreford

Bottom: Chris Everard

Etsy picks of the week: Red white and Blue...

Top image by Nick Scott * Old Airmail style cotton tape by Marchare *

Sailboat on Navy & white stripe pillow by Mazizmuse * Voyageur by Blancucha

Mid-Century delight

tonight im loving these vintage illustrated advertisments by Swiss born

Lora Lamm - aren't they fantastic??

who needs fancy details? these are a standout!

at my house....
so I joined in with Cathy's Blogtoberfest as I do every year - the deal is to post daily for the month of October, im not off to a good start though as ive already missed out on 2 days posts.

ive been busy organising my new kitchen so do hope she'll forgive me! haha...

geesh its amazing how much 'stuff' we accumulate - i went through everything!
i have 5 boxes ready to donate to charity....plates and platters and mugs.. so many things i even forgot I had!!
I mean, how many champagne glasses does one really need? you'd think we're partying at my house every night!
i sometimes wonder why we are SO wasteful!??
we need to surround ourselves with all this 'stuff' - does it really make our life better, easier, prettier??
we hardly ever use everything, its such a shame!
this is not the life i want!
my new kitchen has the much needed household basics and i feel so much better about it!

now i just want to declutter the whole house! im on a roll here....

i also forgot to post my September giveaway winner - Congrats to Bailybellecreations - yayyy! i will be in touch soon! Thanks to all my lovely followers!!

for more 'At my house' posts head on over to Lou's lovely blog

*images of my new kitchen - i love poking head around the corner just to stare at it...haha...and Ive been drying glassware...very exciting (not!)

Sweet Island Life...

is anyone else super excited to see the film 'Eat, Pray , Love ' - its just been released here in Australia!

i love going to the cinema and this is a film Im really looking forward to seeing on the big screen!
I read the book a couple of months ago, i enjoyed it SO much, i couldnt put it down....
it made me think of my own experience moving overseas to the tiny island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus.

I was 21, wanderlust had kicked in after a brief holiday visiting Europe and the last stop being my parents homeland, Cyprus.

Meeting my huge extended family and being totally smitten by this magical island, i packed up and six months later moved to the other side of the world!

The plan was to stay for a year but I ended up living there for five years (...time flies when you're having fun!)

....i guess it was my own 'Eat, Pray, Love' journey.

I didnt stop eating thats for sure, the local food is delicious. Wherever you go people urge you to 'eat eat' ...breakfast alone would consist of a huge spread - Tachini rolls, Ricotta pie, fresh figs, Watermelon, bread and Hallomi cheese, strong coffee - i had no idea how the local girls kept the weight off as the first couple of months I kept gaining! haha

It was hard adjusting to a new island life, a slower paced life was different to what I was used to, the day broken into two with a long lunchtime siesta.

Life was easy going with strangers greeting you whilst walking down the street, I miss that relaxed lifestyle now and I keep all the lovely memories in my heart - i made lots of close friends whom I still have now, email making contact much easier!

I guess being in the early 90's with no internet,

no email, no social websites, i made more of an effort to get out there and socialise, it was easy to meet new people all the time!

We'd catch up for an afterwork swim, or late drinks, clubbing to the wee early hours every weekend...it was a perfect place to be in your 20's - beautiful clean beaches, long hot summers, partying, busy cafes, tourists everywhere, such a lively atmosphere!

- so many memories!

I still missed home though, I missed my friends, my beloved sister and my parents .. I wrote a lot of letters, sent a lot of cards and I had people visit too - I felt very very 'Australian' so far away on this little island in the Mediterranean.

*Images by Ben Watts for Madison magazine*

Etsy picks: A Colour Called Greige

Top image Russian Vogue *

Linen Rickrack by Petitsdetails

Smoky Quartz Pear Briolette Earrings * by CarthyJewlery

Letter Canvases - Classic by Beachchik

Style Icon - Natalie Wood
one of the most beautiful ladies of old Hollywood...
her life cut tragically short by her mysterious drowning at only 43 years of age...so young!

7 things
The lovely Jessica of gorgeous blog Oscar and Ruby has tagged me to list seven things about me...here are some very random things!

* I like to do my housework listening to tacky (but great!!) music like The Carpenters greatest hits, Tina Arena songs of love and lost, Soft rock from the 70's.....

* This Friday im going to meet style queens Trinny and Susannah!!!!
Im at stage 2 of a makeover competition! Gahhh!!
im super excited...a few people have said i dont need a makeover which is highly flattering ( thank you lovies ) but everyone loves a good makeover right?!
Wish me luck, I shall keep you posted.


* id love to learn how to play the piano...its never too late to learn something new is it? i already know how to read music thanks to highschool music class, i played the flute back then but i was not very good!


* On my days off i live in jeans and boring T-shirts which is kind of sad since i adore fashion....(yes! i need a makeover!) im sure the mums at the school think i have no other clothes heehee

* The last movie i watched was 'Down with Love' which was on TV last night - silly fun...last month I saw 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' twice in one week - i love it SO much, i could easily watch it again tommorow if i felt like it!!

* Indulgence for me would be a thick slice of Baked Cheesecake....yum!! actually i think i enjoy any baked treat...turnovers, tea cakes, fresh bread...

* After cleaning out part of my craft room (its a slow process...) i realised i have SO much stuff!!! Ughhh! so ive placed a ban on myself - no more craft supply purchases - i need to use up what I already have.

Some lovely Spring images found via my Flickr favourites - have i told you how much i adore Flickr?? its an instant source of inspiration for me!

Im going to tag
Melinda at Paperklip
Jess at Epheriell Designs
Deb at Two Cheeky Monkeys
- have a go if you like and
Happy Monday to all of you!!!

A Girl called Chelsea...
Im so thrilled to feature Chelsea in my new blog series about creative woman.

Chelsea's blog frolic!
is one of my absolute favourites! its fresh, inspiring and always features something beautiful...
Apart from her gorgeous blog, Chelsea is also a freelance floral and prop stylist.
All the images here have been styled by Chelsea - stunning, dont you agree?!!


Please meet Chelsea!
Chelsea, what is currently inspiring you?
Simple, rustic English style. Gardens.
Homemade food.


Name 3 things you couldn't live without?
Burt's Bees Lip Balm, Good food, and fancy scented candles.

Chelsea you always have such beautiful features on your blog, can you define to us, your personal style?
Cozy.
Comfortable. Timeless. Simple. Utilitarian.
Design is wonderful and although I am constantly aware of it, it takes a backseat to comfort. It's hard to put a label on everything that catches my eye. I am a bit of schizophrenic when it comes to style.


What is your favourite colour (or colour combinations)?
I've always loved navy blue for clothing, and pink for decorating!


Do you have a Favourite Smell/Frangrance?
Lilacs!


What do you love about your City?
Portland is like a very small town with friendly people and lots of opportunity for outdoor recreation but it's also got all the perks of a big city like great food and fabulous concerts and museums.

and lastly, do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us?
I've always loved this quote from Gilda Radner:
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
Delicious Ambiguity.

for more of Chelsea, head on over to her beautiful Blog , Twitter page and Facebook page

Image Credits - All images styled by Chelsea Fuss Top image photographed by John Valls Next three images photographed by Lisa Warninger

A busy day...
Not having a kitchen is making me fat!
we had takeout Pizza for the second time in 4 days! Shhh..dont tell my mother as she did offer to cook up something to bring over but I told her not to worry, we'd be fine and then I made a quick call to our local pizzerea...im just tired, ive had a busy day
and i want my house back in order!

Tommorow is even busier!!
The kitchen guys are coming back, im off to work, my father goes into hospital for Sinus surgery, Andrew will finish work early be there to see him awake, I finish work - pick up my mum, head on over to the hospital - in the meantime my inlaws will be dropping off and picking up the boys....I wont see them until late in the evening - i have no idea whats for dinner tommorow??
....phew! exhausted??
yeah me too...

Images from Domino Magazine - seems like whenever i spot gorgeous interior images, they are from the now defunct Domino mag...so sad!

At My House
Its Monday again...I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

we had no set plans and it was great to let the weekend unfold....Andrew took the boys for a little morning bushwalk at Wolli Creek which is just down the hill from where we live, they were excited about their little adventure and it gave me the morning to myself. Lovely!!

i made the effort to walk to the dry cleaners, yes, I walked and it was much more enjoyable than having to fight for a car spot - the weather was really lovely anyway and I enjoyed stretching the legs...
once home i found some spare time to play around with my camera. Im doing the 'Blogging your Way' e-course which is run by Holly and Leslie - im loving it so far, its making me think deeply and im really inspired..we even get homework!

if they offer it again next year, definetely enrol to do it, you wont regret it....

i created a spring mood board and tried to capture the feel of my Saturday morning - what do you think? it was fun!
I think i still need to learn a bit more about my camera and what it can do!

Have a FAB start to your week everyone!

For more At My House posts head on over to Lou's blog!

Etsy picks of the Week: Feeling the Blues
i wonder if Blue is the most popular colour of choice? It wouldnt suprise me if it was...
some associate it with sadness and feeling down but I see it
as endless summer sky, sweet little blue birds, lazy days in loose denim and pottering around barefoot,
my boys use a lot of blue in their artwork...i think most kids do as its a colour that really appeals.
for me it evokes calm and serene moments.
..something i need more of in my life!




Top image from Prada Fall 2011 show*
Oasis Bracelet by Realisationcreations *
Girl In Chair 2 by Belafontesbunsa
* Snail Brooch by Mamaslittlebabies ( i always appreciate a slow tranquil life and whats slower than a snail....bliss!)

Stylish New York City
I cant believe this time last year Andrew and I were pacing the streets of New York City....what an exhausting trip haha... we did SO much in two weeks!
The vibrant city energy sucks you in and takes you for a ride - uptown...downtown
...we were all over it!
i ♥ NYC!

... still cant believe a whole year has passed us by already?

Some beautiful vintage fashion images taking in New York City, who can resist the stylish backdrop of Manhattan!










Top image by Norman Parkinson
Middle Image by Nina Leen for Life magazine
Bottom image by Tom Palumbo

At My house
We have benchtops!
Yayyy!
Our new kitchen is starting to take shape now... we went with super sleek ceasar stone benchtops in a shade called 'Nimbus' - im loving it so far!
next up is
Plumbing,
Electrical connections for the new oven
and then the panels and cabinet doors can be installed, looking good! looking good!!
and to finish it all off - new subway tiles in crispy white!
we went to 5 tile shops on Saturday but im glad to have finally found what we were after.

Apart from kitchen excitement we had a lovely weekend - cant believe how fast Monday
comes around again! ?
I also took part in Gracie's
'Just beacause you're lovely' swap, i love taking part in craft and gift swaps - its always nice to receive happy mail
so I tried to make my parcel look pretty for its journey over the seas to Chicago, USA!!

For more 'At My House' posts check out Lou's lovely blog!!

A Girl Called Rodellee.....

Its that time again! Time to meet another creative girl.

This fortnight i want to introduce Rodellee , who runs a gorgeous online Vintage clothing shop 'Adore Vintage'

She seems to find the best vintage pieces and then styles them up to look even more amazing!

Im also a huge fan of her blog, i get SO inspired by her all posts

that I check in almost daily...

Im thrilled to have interviewed Rodellee for my blog series on Creative woman...

Welcome Rodellee!

What is currently inspiring you? - 1960s French films + music, Clara Bow, and the book "Sex With Kings" by Eleanor Herman, an absolute must read! There are so many women in history I must know more about now as a result of reading this book!

Name 3 things you couldn't live without right now? - Coffee, iPhone, and my "new" vanity, a gift from my mother-in-law from the 1930s.
(me - sounds fantastic, i hope you'll share it with us on your blog!!)

Rodellee, your love of fashion is so passionate, can you define to us, your personal style? - It's a bit granny and a bit French. I often get told by friends (and friends of friends) that I remind them of their grandmothers in their stylish pasts. I really enjoy mixing the very old with the not so old (early 20th century paired with the 1960s). Throughout the years my clothes have definitely gotten more "beige", I can't seem to get enough pretty and delicate cream and nude colored blouses!

* Favourite colour (or colour combinations)? - Nude, tan, camel, white, navy, and black.
* Favourite Smell/Frangrance? - Lollia Eu de Parfum - Lavender and Honey - It's so soft and lovely with a bit of sweetness and powdery after notes.

* What do you love about your City? - How diverse it is! I was a bit perplexed about moving to Los Angeles, I definitely got suckered into the perception that it was going to be a bottle blonde, skinny minis, dog eat dog kind of place and I thought oh goodness, where am I going to fit into this chaotic label obsessed city?

And I moved here and it wasn't like that at all!

That world does exist, but it's easy to avoid and only in certain pockets of LA. There are so many little shops to visit (plenty of beautiful vintage boutiques for all budgets!), tiny art galleries where the owners are super nice and have their pets in tow, tons of restaurants to satisfy any foodie, and plenty of culture that extends past what you would expect if you watch a lot of television.

I recently went to the L.A. Food Truck Festival which was amazing and something you can't really do anywhere else yet.

Finally, Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us?

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye. - The Little Prince.

To see more of Rodellee

head on over to her

gorgeous online shop

Adore Vintage

or to her

Blog for inspiration

and behind the scenes and Twitter

for shop updates!

* All images by Rodellee ( what an amazing apartment right??) *

Rustic Fireplaces

im loving the way the mantels below are decorated - a little bit shabby and a whole lot of chic!

We have a fireplace in our formal lounge. Its not a working fireplace but its still the focal point of the room.
Think i might need a little update.....


*top image by Mikkel Vang and styled by Sibella Court for Country Style magazine

*Bottom image by Michael Luppino for Country Living USA