Back to School...

Last month I attended a great night at ‘The School’ in Sydney’s Rosebery. Stylist Megan Morton opened ‘The School’ a year ago to offer creative workshops and classes to peeps thirsty for some creative fun – you can see their class schedule here….


I booked in for
Kara Rosenlund's
‘Creating Vignettes’ workshop and it was SO wonderful to see Kara in action…she showed us how she styles her vignettes, her 5 main points to remember and she shared her story with us – what an inspiring lady!!
I adore her work… Kara’s beautiful home (hello gorgeous!!) is also featured in this months ‘Inside Out’ magazine!

here is Kara's Vignette that she created on the night - lots of texture and interest!

Beautiful props to play with ( note to self: find a vintage portrait painting) - afterwards everyone was allowed to play around and create some beautiful Vignettes....

a day or so afterwards we got a 'Thank you' email from Megan and 'The School' with an attachment of another stunning Vignette that Kara created to say thanks and goodbye to Sydney before she headed off back to Brisbane...sparkly fun!!

A Girl called Sujean

Its been a while since I’ve done a Creative girl post so today we’re heading over the pond to meet Sujean.

Sujean is a talented illustrator, book author and mum to a darling little boy!

I first came across Sujean’s colourful illustrations many years ago when I subscribed to the

 'Daily Candy' newsletter.

Each time Id get the newsletter in my inbox it would include a delightful illustration that just made me smile!  

This was way before blogs, Pinterest and even Facebook….gee I was probably just getting used to the internet?!

I think Sujean would be surprised to know how I observed, studied and gawked at her beautiful watercolour illustrations each week…

Sujean has worked with many exclusive clients and brands we all love, like 
Tiffany & co. and Coach,
and she has also illustrated many beautiful book covers.  
Sujean is also a published author and illustrator of the Birdie series - a darling children’s book  character.
Birdie is so fun and sweet!
   
As a mum, Sujean is also totally in love with her gorgeous little boy and sent me this fun photo of 'Sticker art' that her little boy decorated all over her legs!

Welcome Sujean!!

Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?

Witnessing my 3 year old son discover the world. 

Watching Spring finally begin to show itself and 

the Classic 'Little Golden Books' series.

Name 3 things you couldn’t live without right now? 

My family. 

Good coffee in the morning and good wine in the evening. 
My iProducts.

Can you define to us your personal style?

Non-fussy, comfortable but still a bit girlie.

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

Depends on my mood. 
Right now, it's black, white and red. Yesterday, it was turquoise and grass green...

What about a favourite Smell or Fragrance? 

The beach.

What do you love about your City/Town? 

I still consider myself a Brooklynite (even though we moved north in 2007).
I love that you get the city energy and creative spirit in a relaxed neighborhood. I currently live in Chappaqua, NY and have to say I love being in nature now too - especially with a child.

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

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it 

- Buddha

Thanks so much Sujean!
To see more of Sujean's beautiful illustrations head on over to her website  

Daisy

I've been hanging out for Baz Lurhmann's  'The Great Gatsby' , for what seems like ages!
With delays in the release date, a huge blow-out in the film's budget I'm hoping it will be nothing but spectacular!
I love how the Fashion world get behind Baz & Catherine's films - their creative vision and beautiful styling  should be celebrated.
The May issue of US Vogue features Carey Mulligan who stars as Daisy, I'm still waiting for my subscription in the mail, but I've spotted some of the beautiful images by Mario Testino on fashion blogs -  you can see the set  here at the Vogue site.

...I read 'The Great Gatsby'  a couple of years ago - such a fast read,  but I was on holiday...a  beach holiday so had lots of idle time.
I must admit as the story unfolded I found Daisy's character to be very shallow...still,  Gatsby is obsessed with her!
Im hoping movie goers world wide will be obsessed with The Great Gatsby!  

.....The last of the sunshine fell upon her glowing face with romantic affection....

Inspiration Now - Botanical prints

Beautiful, delicate Vintage botanical illustrations.
I adore them! 

What were originally technical and not artistic, drawings, they  look beautiful in the home.
Try second hand book shops or Etsy for book  plates or large botanical charts look great against a stark wall!

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney offer botanical illustration classes ...drawing from nature amongst the most beautiful surroundings -  How wonderful.

* images Top by
 Tine Ediger for HomeGarden.nl
Bottom via
Hvuitur Lakkris

Sun*Day

How fast does the weekend go by...

I had such a lovely Sunday - sublime weather after a wet (and chilly) Saturday.

We spent the afternoon at my sister's for a family BBQ to celebrate my Brother-in-law's birthday.

Good food

Great conversation

Smiles all around!

Wishing you all a great start to your week!

* images by me of my sister's garden...Winter is just around the corner so we're hanging on tightly to the last of the sunny days....

Etsy picks of the Week: Dreamy Blush

Happy Friday everyone!
I've been getting back into Pinterest and Etsy favourites lately -  marking images and items that appeal - so much visual beauty, wouldn't you agree?!
here are my Etsy finds for the week, inspired by this dreamy image.
Enjoy and have a great weekend!



Top image SweetMontana Tumblr (original source unknown)
* Shimmer Blush Pink Sequin Clutch by GiftShopBrooklyn
* Peach and Gold Dot Dish by Upintheairsomewhere 
*La Petite rose necklace by NestPrettyThingsShop

Frankie is in Town

Talented stylist and photographer Kara Rosenlund is in town with her vintage 'Travelling Wares' Caravan, Frankie!

Kara was part of The School's first birthday celebrations and drove down all the way from Queensland to teach her Vignette workshop and sell some of her beautiful wares.

Silly me forgot to book in before I left for the USA and the workshops sold out real fast,  but I was thrilled to find out there would be an extra class - tonight!
....and I'm going! (yayy!)


I'm looking forward to it.
Not too sure if its a hands-on styling workshop but I will definetley be taking  lots of photos
so look out for a blog post soon!

*images via Kara Rosenlund

at a standstill

at a standstill....
Ive been thinking a lot lately - always inwardly (as true introverts do).
Ive come to my blog many times the past week, wanting to post...post about lovely things.
But I hold back. It doesnt feel right.
Im at a standstill and my blog has always been a positive space for me - a place where I can share beautiful things, things that inspire and conjure happy emotions
but the past two weeks back from a wonderful wonderful holiday have been really tough.  I don't write about my day job often but its been the main thing on my mind lately
and causing me real grief.
Sometimes I think I shouldn't whine or complain and I know as a mum I'm very lucky to be only working part time but I've just been so unhappy there lately...its affecting my everyday!  ...it certainly has  me assessing and doing some soul searching about what I truly want from  life...

During our recent trip i was itching to blog, there was so much to see, to share all around - I had my (new) camera hanging around my neck every single day for 3 weeks!!... true!
....please dont think I only see the world in rose tinted glasses - I don't, but I guess I am a true dreamer...always trying to be positive and optimistic that life is and can always be great.
I also bought some beautiful supplies for my Etsy shop and hope to take some photos this weekend ...the sun is out today and I'm feeling in a better mood already!

* images during our San Francisco week (via my Instagram)

Catching up...
Hello friends!
Hello new week (and a time change!)
Ive been busy catching up on my taped TV shows....its bad enough that in this day and age we are so behind here in Australia when it comes to TV (and movies...and a few other things) -  Google search is just a keyboard away and I'm doing my best not to peek ahead -  I'm dying here...I don't want to stumble across any spoilers!
Especially for my beloved series 'Downton Abbey' ...are you a fan too?
I haven't even seen the wedding of Lady Mary and Matthew yet!?
...gahhh....I know!!...I'm so behind!

*images via Shadowcats tumblr 

Instant snaps

Instant snaps (from our recent trip)

We’re back!!...well we’ve been back 5 days already....(already??)

 I think it should be a mandatory rule that if you come back from an overseas trip you should be allowed to slowly and leisurely get back to a normal routine.

Wishful thinking -  nope, instead we went straight back to work commitments the very next day (not happy) , the boys went back to school (happily), I spent most of my week nights unpacking bags, laundry, ironing and packing away…. I still have some stuff in neat little piles on my bedroom floor ...

but WOW what an amazing trip and what a fabulous time we had...I was not ready to come home,

 I really wasn't.  

There was so much more to explore and see and taste and observe. 

I wasn't planning to be online much but Im new-ish to Instagram  and had a real treat snapping away on my phone and uploading, it was a fun way connecting to friends during our travels.

The real treat for Andrew and me, was to spend great quality time with our boys, we loved it, they loved it and it was fantastic to discover new cities, towns and tourist spots together as a family.

Someone at work asked me what was the best thing about my trip and I had to have a think about it but for me, it was just walking in new neighbourhoods and seeing how people live, how they go about their day to day.

...I love observing and imagining...

plus we got time to explore some beautiful shops, discovered we all love Chipolte and Mexican food and a real highlight was meeting my online friend Veronica and her family, for the first time - she is so lovely!! ....We spent an hour at the 'Neon Museum'  doing a fun tour - a colourful explosion of Retro Vegas 

and less than $3 a pop!!

Delightful postcards to frame, hang or prop up against your favourite things...

how cute are these?

adorable right?!!

available at andsmile Etsy shop 

a small but lovely 
Scandinavian Apartment
...it might be small but the light is abundant and hey there's a whole wall with room for lots of books and what could be better than that?
...I love the floral bomb wall paper in the kitchen too!
Delightful!

* to see more pics of this lovely apartment click HERE 

(Fresh) Chamomile
...Im not a huge fan of Chamomile tea...I think it goes back to my childhood when it was always offered if I had an upset tummy...
My parents and grandparents always drank fresh herbal teas - me? Im not really a fan, I prefer my black tea (bag) with a splash of milk.

I do however think fresh Chamomile flowers are so pretty - how lovely do they look all  bunched up together - fresh indeed!

*images by SheWhoEats blog

Vintage Style Icon: hey there Bridget!
I sometimes wonder who got the paparazzi going in the 50s and 60s...I know Marilyn Monroe would have caused a stir with her every move but on the other side of the pond, I'm sure it was Bridget - the camera loves her!!!...and I think she enjoyed getting her picture taken!

Her iconic look from the 60's always feels fresh...I love pinning images of the French beauty...  * images via my  'vintage life' Pinterest board

  

Inspiration Now - Tiles
Im loving the blue and white patterned tiles in this splash back!  It reminds me of the vintage Portuguese tiles with their intricate prints & patterns...
....there's so many tiles in all colours and styles to suit any look but these make me feel like Im in the heart of a Mediterranean village!

*images Top by Madeamano 
bottom via Skonahem 

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

...California here we come....

See you in 3 weeks my blog friends, stay safe and be happy!

I've scheduled some blog posts to pop up during my time away but truth be told, I've had a crazy busy week leading up to our trip and ran out of time, so its not very consistent...

(image of LA via Fashiontoast)

The Boyfriend Jean....

relaxed
soft...super comfy!!
I love how the boyfriend Jean can be dressed up or down to suit your mood...
Im definitely taking a pair with me on my trip tomorrow.

This great post shows you how to style up the Boyfriend Jean!

Kendi from 'Kendi Everday' styles up the Boyfriend Jean perfectly  like here, here and here!
her fashion blog is my go to site every morning - she's awesome!

*image via my style board on Pinterest *

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 

Crepes on Rue Tatin
....(two ways)
This cooking post was a fun collaboration with my  lovely blog friend Catherine, from 'Farmhouse Home'.

I recently read the book  'On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town' by
Susan Herrmann Loomis
and thought Catherine might enjoy the book so mailed it off to her.
After a few emails we thought it would be fun to do a little tribute post to author Susan's French adventure by cooking something from her website.
We decided on French Crepes - two ways...I chose sweet Crepes whilst Catherine made savory ones.
I had never made Crepes before- pancakes & pikelets many times but Crepes? ...nope - this was a first for me...I mean Ive eaten them many times especially during a week in Paris where they turned out to be the most perfect street snack on offer!!

I tried to get them as thin as possible but there's lots of fast hand movements during the process and I must admit the first two crepes (ok three...) were pretty bad - I binned them!
For the topping I made Peaches with burnt toffee cream - very satisfying!

Crepes - Recipe via
Susan Herrmann Loomis
Sweet Topping:
2 Peaches - cut into wedges
60g butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup thick cream
Melt butter and add sugar -  stir until sugar dissolves.   Keep stiring until caramel turns dark.  Add peaches and cook until they are a little softer, coated and warm.  Take off heat and stir in thick cream. Serve over Crepes.
To see Catherine's savory take, head on over to her beautiful food blog.