Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap! 

I recently joined in the 5th 'Great big Stitched Postcard' swap over at Beth's blog.  There was 250 people involved in the swap and the theme this time around was 'DISCOVER'.
This is the collage postcard I made to send to Heather in North Carolina.


Sail away from the safe Harbour
Explore
Dream
Discover....

I do hope she likes it!
Beth hosts the Great big stitched postcard swap quarterly so head on over here to find out more details!

 The Boho Kid....

Children are so lucky these days - so much thought and detail in their bedrooms, so much to look at, so much to keep them interested!
Im loving the use of wallpaper as a feature wall - it's not a huge commitment and it creates a cocoon feel within the room!
very cozy indeed!

The top room is a jumble mix of horses and butterflies and birds- a lovely mix of print, pattern and illustrations and it all comes together perfectly! i adore the woven rug and sweet little day bed...
the bottom room a little busier, a burst of Retro flowers!
Love it!

Vintage Beauty Style - The London Look

I loved this beauty story in the Spring issue of Lula magazine...
Make-up artist Lisa Eldridge recreated the makeup that was so popular,  1960s dolly look on British gal Edie Campbell.

The look can appear pretty dramatic but still looks fresh 50 years on....
do you like it?
I love the big eyes, coat after coat of mascara and  heavy eyeliner...the silky straight hair with a flirty curtain fringe - Get your Groove on baby!

The layout was a take on the  'how to...' beauty column that young English model Pattie Boyd (bottom) posed for in
'16' magazine back in the 1960's...

*images via Lula Magazine*

Soft & Pretty

Happy Friday everyone!

Finishing off the week on a pretty note!
Its amazing how certain colours make us feel, Im always drawn to soft shades, they just make me feel feminine and calm...its actually quite Gray outside and the wind is howling, Im longing for Spring!

Its been a busy week for us and  last night we celebrated my father-in-law's birthday with a family dinner.
Having his family come together for a feast is what pleases him the most - he had a permanent smile on his face!
In two weeks time his eldest Grandson will be getting married and the whole family is looking forward to the wedding!  Should be an awesome day - Happy times!
Have an awesome weekend everyone!
*image: from top - Vanessa Jackman, Print by EvaJuliet , picked flowers via Pinterest

Cooking For Julia Child

Last week I spotted over on Pip's blog that PBS launched a' cook for Julia 'campaign to celebrate her amazing life and what would have been her 100th birthday.

When Andrew and I visited my friend Melissa in Washington DC three years ago we got to see Julia's original kitchen at the Smithsonian - she was a very tall lady at 6'2 and her husband designed the kitchen and her cabinet size to suit her tall frame...so great!

Back to me cooking for Julia.
I decided to cook Julia's Braised Lamb Shanks for my family  - it took ages to cook but once the meat is nice and brown (butter) and the vegies slightly cooked (more butter)  - you can pop it in the oven and not have to think about it until hours later!
the house smelt good...comforting!
Julia's recipe says serve with rissotto but I boiled some brown rice instead.
Bon Appetit!
For more Julia Child recipes head on over here or head to your local library to borrow some of her famous Cookbooks.

*image - Julia Child in her Paris Kitchen before she became a household name

Inspiration Now - Flat Files

I always need more storage in my house especially for my craft papers.
A recycled Flat file dresser like this one would be handy...

Whenever Im flicking through decor magazines, the homes that sing out to me always have cool furniture pieces like this...
somehow the owners always  find these hip pieces on the side of the street, give them a lick of paint and voila!
Unique, usable and super cool!

Me?
I'm never that lucky.

*image via The Pursuit Aesthetic

Blog Girl

One thing that surprises  people is that I'm SO clueless when it comes to technology...my family and friends assume that because I have a blog and am active on social media sites,
Im some tech-head expert but sadly that is not the case! ... geesh I just got a smart phone this year and am still trying to figure out apps - is it really making my life easier?
Im still trying to work that out (..oh and remembering to charge and switch it on would help too!)

Recently blogger made some changes and that got me into a frenzy... my relationship with technology is slowly evolving.

Last month i got a brand new blog banner, my friend Suzanne makes lovely paper goods but is also a professional graphic designer so I enlisted her help and she made me a new banner that I totally love!!

But i want to learn more, I really do...I think its important to keep up with technology and I love blogging so much!
This little space -  my space in the big world wide web is one I'm proud of but to be able to tweak and change the look of my blog whenever I feel like it, to be able to take it to the next level and create something that expresses 'me' would be pretty awesome!

Ive been eyeing Jo's  online course 'Your Darling Blog'  design workshop and its one Ive wanted to do for sure!
Ive always admired Jo's blog and design work, I even featured her here 
Jo's course is full of great design tutorials, step by step instructions perfect for me as Im a visual learner, creative lessons and feedback too
 - I think this is just what my blog and I need!!

*image via Maire Claire

Millionaire’s Shortbread
Sometimes you need a little sweetness to get you going and these ‘Millionaire’s Shortbread’
bars do the trick!
Their name is perfect as these are Rich, Luxurious and Indulgent!!
… just like you’d imagine any millionaire to be.
A small piece goes a long way!
I added a little bit of salt to the caramel to get that delicious balance of salty VS sweet that so many of us seem to crave when reaching for a treat.
They really are yummy!

*recipe is from my trusted ‘Family circle Commonsense cookbook’ but Nigella Lawson has a great recipe on her website too!

a Retro yellow Kitchen!
I love this kitchen makeover, its so sunny and bright!  The dutch couple decided to keep their 1950s kitchen cabinetry but gave the whole room a new look with some new flooring and great use of yellow and white paint!
refreshing and a cheap way to update!
They also painted the back-splash tiles and used graphic patterned oilcloth on the benches!
What do you think?
images via Boligmagasinet

Out and About in Sydney
Last Sunday we went down to The Rocks for the Aroma festival 2012.  We try to go every year as its always a great day out!
We were lucky to wake up to a sunny Winter's day in Sydney! a gorgeous day!
We met up with my sister and her family and walked around taste testing delicious coffee - Australians sure love a good cup of quality coffee but there was also teas, spices and chocolate treats.

It was such a great turnout - people everywhere!!
My smiley niece Stephanie (above) absolutely hates having her photo taken, I dont know why  - she's gorgeous!  the only way i can take it is if I have my camera ready and then call her name...and quickly snap! ha! gotcha!
Lots of cute dogs everywhere....

Chocolate covered marshmallows and strawberries - these were for the kids...us adults enjoyed hot Churros and chocolate dipping sauce - yum!

and more cute dogs!  Charlie the black Puli demanded attention, he must have gotten photographed by hundreds of people that day!

it was crazy busy - this girl on her bike was chit-chatting away on her phone, oblivious to all the people  taking her photo, I joined in of course!
after a few hours and many calories consumed we headed on back to our car .....and back home we went!

A Girl called Illanique...

Food Glorious Food!  

Id love for you to all meet Illanique, a creative and talented Food stylist from South Africa.

I met Illanique over on Pinterest and adore all her inspirations and pins, she has an awesome eye for beautiful details and it can be seen in her styling work!

Welcome Illanique!!

Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?

I’m a real bookworm and a sucker for a pretty magazine.

International cooking magazines are my kryptonite but I get so much inspiration from browsing recipes, trends and décor ideas.

I love getting on Pinterest and finding new and exciting images – truly addicted!

Browsing small markets and antique shops also does wonders when I lack creativity and need some inspiration for photoshoots.

Name 3 things you couldnt live without right now?

My Blackberry, my dogs and coffee machine.

Can you define to us your personal style?

Keep it simple and feminine – I definitely go for the less is more approach.




Do you have a favourite colour (or colour combinations)?

Grey and Duck egg or Turquoise and Coral.




What about a favourite Smell/Frangrance?

If there’s one smell I would love to bottle it would be the smell of bread baking in the oven. As far as fragrances go I love those with citrus and flowery undertones like Mango Delirium or anything from DKNY.

 

What do you love about your City/Town?

Down here in Cape Town there’s hardly a day that we don’t see the sun.

Having so many cultures in one city means that you can drive 5 minutes into town and have a wide selection of local, Italian, Chinese, French, Mexican or Jamaican food. 

I live right at the foot of Table Mountain and only a few kilometers away from the winelands – the perfect spot to be in Cape Town.

I have travelled to so many different countries and even after all those amazing trips I still get emotional when I arrive back at Cape Town International airport.

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

'Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life “ - anon

Thanks SO much Illanique!!!   to see more of Illanique's styling work take a look at her beautiful website 

and Pinterest pins

All eyes on London
..have you been watching the Olympic Games?  We are enjoying the highlights at our house although the time difference is going to mean a few late nights.  My boys are old enough to sit and watch and appreciate the Olympic spirit. 
and what about the Opening ceremony!! it was so very british! i loved it.  
Im so happy for London! 
images - Tim Walker

Looks like its going to be a pastel Summer!
yes, it sure looks that way...all the shops are displaying clothes in the sweet powdery shades - is all so very 1980s to me!  (...been there done that)
Do you like pastels?
I think i prefer them in the home than on my body, how pretty is that table setting below?
Being a brunette I prefer to wear lots of primary colours  - black, white, blue, purple and I like to observe trends but I dont always follow them...I'm kind of unadventurous like that but anyway bring on Summer!  Cant wait!

 

 

images  one , two, three, four, five, six

Just a minute in July

Reading... 'The Country Life' by Rachel Cusk and next up I have ‘On Rue Tatin: Living and cooking in a French Town’, a recommendation via Pinterest

Listening... Stevie Wonder and catching up on some Podcasts from BYW2 course

Watching... Good Chef Bad Chef, American Pickers and Project Runway AllStars ( I already know who wins as we are SO behind here in Australia but still great viewing)
Buying... I just bought a vintage dress over on Etsy (so excited!!)  waiting for it to arrive!

Loving... Randel Plowmans new book ‘The Collage Workbook’ Sunshine during Winter days, Pinterest for inspiration (and time wasting)

Wanting... a getway!! even a weekend away would be great right now….

Images by me - stack of books, by my garden shed and playing with some new paper

A Lovely Package
I took part in the 'Lovely Package' exchange over at  Oh, Hello Friend blog - there were a few participants from Australia so thought Id join in too - its always nice to come home to some happy mail especially a lovely package waiting there to be opened!!
My swap partner was Caitlin and below are all the wrapped parcels I mailed out to her - I decided to go with a red white and black theme.
I also found a vintage 'Gigi' song book cover at my local old wares shop - love that film (1958 with Leslie Caron) so sent that along with everything!

 Etsy picks of the Week - Island Girl
... dreaming of warmer places
by the sea ...
Top image by Carter Smith * Sea Urchin Cuff by StarofTheSea * 1960s Palm Tree Romper by Revivalhouse * Vintage Woven Beach tote by WakeUpDelilah

Happy Bastille Day!!
for all of us Francophiles...

Joyeux le quatorze juillet !

Happy Bastille Day!

*croissants on the balcony - image via LivetHemma