Blog Hop - My favourite handmade

Holiday Tradition

I'm super excited about the Etsy Greetings Team Blog hop.

What a perfect way to follow the links and learn all about everyone's Holiday Traditions...

Id have to say mine would be baking.

having the house smell of baked goods during the festive month is always wonderful!.

I always find time to make shortbread and fruit mince pies to offer when visitors come by.

I also love Greek Christmas biscuits Kourabiedes.

It can be a little dangerous having them in the house as I can eat SO many!!

...and who can say 'No' to Chocolate Truffles and Rum Balls.

This year im planning to make some Mini Bundt cakes - these are made with olive oil and are light and moist.

Wrap in brown paper bags with red ribbon - an adorable gift for your collegues or neighbours!

Mini Bundt Cakes

(makes 6)

Preheat oven 180 deg. celsius

3 eggs

1/2 cup caster sugar

1 Tblspn orange zest

1 tspn cinnamon

1/2 cup olive oil

2/3 cup self raising flour

pinch salt

1 tspn baking powder

blend all ingrediants and divide evenly in Mini Bundt cake tin. Bake for 20-25mins

click on the arrows to see previous posts and then click on the next arrow to see more Holiday Tradition posts!

Vintage Summer Style

Tommorow's forecast is for a hot hot day...

Summer here we come!

some of my favourite vintage style icons showing off their

Summer Style...

a hat and a smile,

a pretty head scarf

and a sexy bustier.

Marilyn Monroe

Romy Schneider

Elizabeth Taylor

all images from Pinterest

Inspiration Now - Beautiful Custom Print set

How pretty are these prints!?!

...so darling!!!

Personalised Nursery Artwork from LeoLittleLion

The LBD

Today I'm super happy to be Guest blogger over at Desha's

FUN & FAB blog...

Desha is doing a 'Focus on Fashion' series so my post is all about

'The Little Black Dress'

Go say Hi to Desha!

One Room Wonder

I was thrilled to see one of my Flickr friends Theresa featured in the 'Ikea Family' catalogue and website.

Theresa's space looks so organised so even though its only one large room, her set up of specific zones where she can work, eat, relax and sleep is perfect!

Her light filled studio apartment is just gorgeous.

You can see the Ikea article here

and visit Theresa's blog here

I cant believe I haven't blogged since Monday!
its been one of those weeks...
my mind is constantly 'on' with mental lists of thing to do, to complete, to organise
and nothing got done!

my little Neo got chicken pox, I had to stay home to look after him - he drove me crazy!!
He needed rest but I think he thought he was on holiday all over again, like being at home sick was a treat!....I felt like I was repeating the same thing over and over
'No, you cant watch cartoons all day'
'No switching off the TV does not mean you can have your Nintendo DS'
....ughhh how do other Mothers cope?? ha-ha
some days i feel like I have no idea about parenting - I constantly feel like I'm talking and winding myself up for nothing - who is listening?
actually I think I am turning into my own Mother! ....

Neo was sent to bed early last night, I mean the boys normal sleep time is 8.00pm but I could tell he was worn out so after dinner off he went - no complaints and in 10mins he was sound asleep....
Peter played Chess with Andrew and he beat his dad - he's getting really good! (he goes to Chess class every Thursday and loves it) so I got to craft a little whilst watching some decor shows on TV...bliss!

Happy Halloween

So no, I havn't received any Halloween party invitations in the mail

but if I was going out on this ghoulish night Id be going for the Corpse Bride look!!

creepy....

Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

* images

Top - Sebastian Faena

Bottom - Carter Smith

Etsy picks of the week -

The Dark Queen

We don't really celebrate Halloween in Australia but the past few years we've had some kiddies stop by for 'trick or treat' or lets just say 'treat(s)'

so today i stocked up on sweets, chocolates and lollies...just in case!

Top image by Carter Smith * Black Lace Elizabethan Ruff Collar by RagDolliesMadhouse * Emptiness Curiosities Necklace by MadTeaGarden * Black Glassware Tumbler Set by cherryrivers

Having fun with Pinterest

im still enjoying Pinterest - so many great images to save, so many inspirations, creative rainy day projects, baking and making ideas, home decor dreams...

here are some 'hey this goes with that' moments I had whilst pinning!

*all images via my pinterest page

Guest Blogging over at Jess' lovely blog today.

Vintage Botanical Prints

come on

by to have a look!

Botanical Book plate via ShavingKitSupplies

Cereal bars

sweet, sticky and drizzled with dark chocolate - whats not to love about these yummy cereal bar?

...so when your kids turn up their nose at the cereal box in the pantry add some ingredients and turn it into the perfect treat.

In a large bowl

3 cups cereal (i used Cheerios) and add

1/4 cup sunflower seeds - mix

Melt 2 cups marshmallows with

2 Tablespoons butter

in the microwave (

i did 30 seconds on high and then another 30 seconds on high)

Pour over cereal and nuts.

Mix well

- spread on a lined baking tray and leave too cool.

Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips and drizzle over cereal - cut into squares, wrap in waxed paper and pop into their lunchbox.

Etsy picks of the week

today Im guest blogging over at Sally's lovely blog - come on by to see my Etsy picks of the week!!

Top image by Nicole Bentley
for Australian Vogue

A Girl called... Charlie

I'm delighted to introduce another creative girl so lets head over to England to meet Charlie!

Charlie specialises in creating stunning

hand-crafted bridal hair accessories for her label 'House of Istria'.

Welcome Charlie!

Can you tell us what us currently Inspiring you?

I have so much that inspires me every single day. Playing with my fabrics and laces and ribbons.

Changing seasons.

Cities- memories of Paris, Tokyo, New York.

Sketchbooks. Coffee. My family. Quotes. Light. Cameras. Long walks along a cold seafront. Dreams of the day and of the night. Notebooks. Horses. Car boot sales. Decaying houses. The Bible. Intelligence. Forests. Overheard conversations. Cafes. Bookshops. Love.

What three things couldn't you live without right now?

God, my husband, books

.... although they aren't 'things' so I'll add a camera, a notebook and coffee.

Can you describe your personal style?

Im a typical Libran so it changes often from one to another.

Generally, anything a little eclectic, dreamy, whimsical- and then a big dose of something or other to add glamour or a bit of toughness or surprise.

If I wasn't nine months pregnant I'd quite happily live in floaty vintage dresses; currently, you're more likely to find me in my dressing gown.

Do you have a Favourite Colour or Colour Combinations? I love White. As for colour combinations,

Metallic gold, bright pink, black and white stripes.

Eggshell blue, bright white.

Black and white

Turquoise and gold.

What is your Favourite Smell?

My favourite scent is Chanel No5. My Nan bought me my first bottle; I always return to it.

I also like very masculine scents, woody, spicy. I have Matthew Williamson candles at home; they're amazing.

What do you love about your City/Town?

I live in Cheltenham, a pretty regency town in England. I love the history of it; the stunning period architecture, the ornamental parks, and they way we are surrounded by beautiful Cotswold countryside. I love looking at the decorative Juliet balconies, and sweeping entrances to all of the grand old houses.

Do you have a Favourite Quote you'd like to share with us?

I have so many....
'Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage' - Anaïs Nin

'Wheresoever you may go, go with all your heart' - Confucius
'Anyone who lives within their means suffers a lack of imagination' Oscar Wilde

thanks SO much Charlie!!

To see more of Charlie's beautiful pieces head on over to

House Of Istria , Blog,

House of Istria Etsy Shop

Twitter and House Of Istria Facebook page

Emerson and Ryan's House

A while back I posted about Emerson, the girl behind the label 'Emerson Fry'
love the clothes,
love the clutches and fabric flowers,
love Pedro,
their cute little pup,
Emerson's styling and Ryan's playful photo direction

and now a peek into Emerson & Ryan's gorgeous home!
what can I say....
sigh ...just stunning!!

images found on (The Nest)

Colour Combination: Purple & white

Do you like Japanese Washi tape?

I bought some when we were in Hong Kong recently

.... pretty shades of Purple (love my purples) with a teeny tiny white flower print - sweet!

inspired by this lovely lady, I ended up making some tags.

Cute!!

I like they way they turned out!

next up - cup cake toppers and note cards...im on a roll ( washi tape roll)

Top image - Tia Borgsmidt,

Craft images by Me

Gift Tags available in my shop

Vintage Beauty - Nena Von Schlebrugge

(also known as Uma Thurman's Mother...)

long limbs, feline eyes...sultry face.

(all images via google image search )

making me smile today....



Actually, its been making me smile all week!

The latest *Bespoke* Zine - Issue 4
with my illustration on the Cover!!

*Bespoke* is a quaterly Craft zine
edited by Jess and
made by the handmade community, for the handmade community chock full of crafty goodness!

to buy a copy visit here

*image via Rachel of LovelyClusters