Problogger comes to Sydney

Today I headed into town to attend the Sydney ProBlogger session, my first ever!
It worked out well actually as I had to do an extra day at work last week and so managed to have today off without having to chip into my precious Annual Leave ( this girl needs a real holiday soon!)
I didn't really know what to expect but I have seen the #pbevent hashtags around my favourite social media sites and I know bloggers always have loads of fun at blogging events.
...always a good chance to network although I need to work on that....
I booked in for the Olympus photography workshop in the morning and that was a real eye opener as my own camera is an Olympus. I learnt SO much!
I can see less time editing photos in the future - my camera has SO many cool features I didn't know anything about!
I also got to meet Emily (gorgeous Instagram feed) whom I've known online for a while now and another familiar blogger/crafter, Angie of GnomeAngel.
Its always a highlight to meet bloggers after chatting and connecting online!
Darren  from ProBlogger talked about some of the issues facing bloggers, how to stand out in the crowd (millions of blogs out there!! eeep!!), how we can try to fill a gap in the blogging world, and see what you can offer that is different.
Lots to think about!
we also had 3 lovely bloggers chat about their blog journey.
JJ from 84thand3rd - a food blogger , food stylist and photographer and also
a recipe developer. JJ also hosts #EatFoodPhotos over on Intagram each month - totally up my alley!
Next was Suz from Paleo network and she was working as an Accountant in the corporate world but is now a full time blogger doing what she loves the most!
We also heard from Sharon Farrell, a makeup artist who is a beauty blogger on YouTube and her tip was when it comes to YouTube videos its ALL about the light...very important! YouTube bloggers are brave (in my eyes!!) haha I cant ever see me on YouTube!

The day went by real fast and I ended my day buying a new lipstick and enjoying an almond milk cappucino before heading back home to pick up Neo from school.

*image from my Instagram and #7Vignettes challenge - March15

Afternoon walk about...

Today we thought we'd head to Broadway to this Malaysian restaurant for lunch...its not fancy but has a great family atmosphere,  there is always a queue outside though and today
was no exception so we decided to scrap those plans and have lunch in the food court at Broadway shopping centre.
Who says you can't get a good meal in a food court?  
I had a delicious combination Noodle soup made just for me...cheap and filling and really flavorsome!
We are so lucky we have so many food choices in Sydney, I love that!
The boys were happy with Sushi and Subway rolls...and Andrew had a gourmet sandwich.

Afterwards we decided to beat the shopping crowds and go for a walk around Glebe.

I love Glebe with its village atmosphere, eclectic mix of shops and cafes and stunning homes from yester-year...its a Sydney surburb I always recommend to visitors when they want to explore...
we walked for ages and headed down to Blackwattle Bay for a walk around the foreshore ..we promised the boys an ice-cream on the way back to the car just to stop them whinging!
...I needed a coffee so it was a good chance to stop and buy one too!

some more Glebe walks
found   here and a Glebe guide here 

* photos taken by me

Shop Unique!!

its all happening in Sydney peeps!
there are so many ways to shop unique, support the makers, the movers, the shakers!
here are some cool events coming up

Unwrap Etsy at David Jones, Elizabeth St, Sydney  Dec 4-7
more than 40 makers and lots of fun workshops and a Makers studio too  All details here

Etsy at The Rocks Village Bizarre - its the 5th week this Friday and some amazing Etsy sellers lined up for this Friday and then two Fridays to go, 12th Dec and 19th Dec,
until this great event ends (boohoo) - check it out, lots on...see something, buy something, eat something!

The Finders Keepers Market  Dec 12-13 $2 entry fee
This year 'Sew Make Create' is also hosting some popular classes, Im planning to attend this one 

the 'Hard to Find'  Pop Up Showroom is still on at 5 Hickson rd, The Rocks - until Dec 14
all info here

Foodies Delight!!
a Christmas Fare Market will be held at Hyde Park Barracks on Dec 18 - locally sourced treats.

* image via Jasmine Dowling

Etsy Pop Up Market

Tomorrow night I'm having a little Etsy stall part of  'The Rocks Village bizarre'
so much happening down at
'The Rocks' and they are predicting a scorcher of a day tomorrow so who wants to head on home after work??
...come on down...
Say Hello!

There will be 8 Etsy stalls as well as loads of yummy food, music, art installations and of course the high energy DJ/Dancer
Peter Baecker (he was a huge hit last week!!) - you can check it all out here
I've got a variety of Greeting cards and Gift tags to offer...I've been a busy gal making things!

Organised Chaos....

I sometimes don’t like the mess that results in a great crafty session especially when I’m still in a ‘work in progress’ stage and I have no intention of clearing anything up as yet.
I' lucky enough to have a crafty work area set up in my house but for some reason I like to bring all my supplies into the family room and work there…its my organised chaos!


I’m preparing for the ‘Rocks Twilight Market’ which will be part of ‘The Rocks Village Bizarre’.
 – it starts this Friday night and should be awesome!!
There will be different Etsy Sellers every Friday night for 7 weeks and my stall will be there on 14th November so things are feeling a little frantic!!

Ive only experienced a stall at School held Market so I’m feeling this might be a tad busier…ohhh don’t want to get nervous now …fingers crossed I’ll be organised, on track and will and slowly getting there.

Spring Fling

With Spring finally here I'm looking forward to spending lots of time outdoors.  Spring always gets me in the mood to 'do' things - spring clean, go on a picnic, visit a new cafe...I thought it was be a nice chance to collaborate with the lovely Catherine and Mel to feature something 'Spring' related on our blogs today.
On Saturday I headed to 'Ramsgate Farmer's market' with my sister.  I love how Farmer's Markets are so popular now, they seem to be popping up in many suburbs each week.   Its not just a trend - I really think people becoming more aware and informed about where their food comes from.  We also want to eat well ...i know I do - more real food! less of processed stuff please!
Not only is visiting the Farmer's Market a chance to shop from local farmers and buy food that is in season, its a perfect way too discover foodies with a real passion, making and selling some interesting and tasty things!
The 'Farmer's Market' has been up and running a few years now - its my sister's local market and everyone seems to know her as she's there every Saturday!
The produce is always excellent, there's the Cheese guy (French and cute!) who also makes the best yoghurt (so good!)  a few butchers, lots of fruit & vegetable stands...there's the juicers and cake bakers. Older locals offering some delicious treats from their homeland and the hipster raw food sellers selling healthy alternatives...oh and great coffee on offer too!
Its a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning - with the warmer weather I hope to visit the Farmer's market more often!

Please go visit Catherine's blog 'FarmHouse Home' and
Mel's blog
'Armoire, Pegs and Casserole' 
to see their Spring inspired blog posts...

Fresh, crisp
Fruit & Veggies in all sorts of wonderful colours!

Sydney Etsy meet up....

Last week I went along to the Sydney 'Etsy' meet-up hosted by Aussie Etsy Admins, Courtney and Jennie  - it was a school night, I was buggered after work and my new long train commute
but I managed to get my mum to look after the boys until Andrew got home -  I'm so glad I did go as I got to meet some new Etsians and had a really enjoyable evening!
The catch up was held at the 'The Wild Rover' in Surry Hills, daggy me walked straight past it...well I wasn't expecting a private door of what was an old shirt-making factory ( from when the Rag Trade was booming in Surry Hills).
I wish I had taken more photos but the bar was moody and dark (not sleazy and dark...phew!) but here are some lovely products from some creative and passionate Sydney Etsians that hung out the other night!
(L-R) * Black Arrow candles *  Chase Fate *  AntiPastel *  Zest&Lime *  Me and Tex * MissWrightDesigns *

Brunch at 'The Grounds'

Hoorah! School holidays are over, my boys went back today and so life gets back to normal for all of us...big smiles here!
The past week was crazy busy, we had Year End Financials to prepare and it was super hectic in the office with our team working way past home time to meet deadlines.
On top of all the work angst, I had that mother-guilt going on, as I felt SO bad that the boys were home and I hardly spent time with them.
Phew! that's all over...   done and dusted (for another year at least) a few more reports need to be prepared but at least I wont be a stress-head this week!

Today I went out for brunch with my sister in law and a cousin who is visiting from Cyprus.
We headed to 'The Grounds of Alexandria' ...I've been there a few times before and know how busy it can get so I did have a plan B in mind just in case...
surprisingly, we got a table straight away although it was jam packed with people (Tuesday at 10.30am? ...do people not work? ha!)

I ordered up big time because I wasn't planning to eat again until late tonight...my breakfast burger was so filling and delicious ...the food is always so tasty.

 'The Grounds' is such a unique place to hang out - a coffee roaster, cafe and kitchen garden - I love it there...oh yeah the coffee is really good too so that's an added bonus - tops!!

I took some pics with my mobile phone so they're a little hazy but those pastries looked so wickedly good...and fresh baked bread for sale...
outside there are blooms for sale, a pig and a couple of baby goats (cute! but where were the chickens?)
and in the evening you can try the 'Potting Shed' on the same grounds...
its all happening in Alexandria...!

* images by me

Etsy PopUp Shop - Sydney

Yesterday whilst my boys went to the movies, I got the chance to visit the Etsy Pop-up shop here in Sydney
…its so beautifully curated!



What a great chance for the peeps of Sydney to see a small sliver of what the wide world of Etsy has to offer.

Etsy is my go-to place for things unique, creative and functional But also made with thought, love and care…
The pop up shop closes up on the
12th December so in just 3 days time…so if you’re a local or work in the city cbd, don’t wait – just go check it out!

Etsy Pop-Up Shop
74 Castlereagh St
Sydney

visiting Koskela

Mel and I visited Koskela's Sydney showroom after the Horses Birthday Fete , a couple of months ago.
The industrial space flows on from Megan Morton's studio and 'The School' as well as
 'Kitchen by Mike' restaurant which opens up into the courtyard.
Its very impressive!
I couldn't wait to visit again and so when I heard they were hosting a Beci Orpin exhibit, my sister and I went along last week.
What I love about Koskela is the unique and innovative designs and fun, funky colours in some of their pieces. Such a gorgeous selection of furniture, artwork and accents...
My sister and I fell in love with a beautiful dining table, pillow cushions...we ohhed over the rugs and spent ages looking at the huge selection of cookbooks, art books and coffee table books.  I want to go back and buy some enamelware for my kitchen!
We ended up having brunch at Kitchen by Mike - huge slices of sourdough with fresh ricotta and honeycomb and fantastic coffee!
So good!

a long weekend...

What a gorgeous weekend we had!
Catching up with friends
Catching up with family too, perfect weather and it was the
'Labour day' long weekend so it was wonderful not to have to go into work today...
...instead we headed down to Garden island to see the War Ships which was part of the International Navy Fleet review.

Lucky, I got tickets last week because they sold out real fast and I knew the boys would enjoy it...there was people everywhere and we ended up going on board HMAS Sydney, HMAS Darwin and a Japanese War ship.
If you know me you'll know Im not a fan of war or even glorifying war so unlike my boys I was not thrilled to see the guns, bullets, rockets and all the latest defence technology so instead I took a lot of photos of the colourful flags and sailor's ropes & knots! ha-ha..
...a great day out!

ABCD Social

Last week I attended the 'ABCD Social' Winter warmer event - a seasonal catch up for Artists, Bloggers, Crafters and Designers organised by Stephanie and Lisa - its always guaranteed to be a great night and a fantastic way to meet new creative people and get inspired all over again!
One of the wonderful things is the Goody bag which we get to take home and is full of lovely things, lots of yummy things to eat too (they didnt last long at all!).
I especially love going through all the business cards.  Ive taken some photos of some to share with you....linky love - click away!
Neutrals:  Ginger Elliott * Love what You found * Milk & Honey photography * Polli * Bondville *
sew craft cook *

Mixed: Kim-Marie Williams * Dudley Redhead * Jambo Chameleon * MeWe Design *
South by North *  Lee Mills - Just Like Martha (yummy Rocky Road - thank you!)  * InKognito Surface Design *

Fun!: Scoops Design  * Dudley Redhead 

Vintage Style : Baked by Valma (such yummy Rum Balls - thank you!) * Anastasia Christou (hey thats me!)

All the Pretty things ( below): Earrings & ring by MeWe Designs * button love (thanks Sally) from JamboChameleon * Fabric Tag and hair pin by Sophie Conolly Design.

Beautiful tags by InKognito Surface Design






















Screen printers: Saffron Craig * Prints charming










Hand printed fabric by 'do a bit' * Greeting card Kit by twospoonfulsofsugar *  gorgeous Greeting Card by Flower Press

Giddy Up!

Last Saturday I spent a few hours at Megan Morton's 'The School' at the 'Horses Birthday Fete' Sydney is so lucky to have such an awesome venue like 'The School' ... interesting creative classes, clever teachers and Megan Morton is such a wonderful host!
it was even more special as I had organised to meet Mel there - I've been a reader of Mel's blog, 'Armoire, Pegs and Casserole' for a while now and so when I heard she was in town visiting family, it was a perfect chance to catch up!
It's always nice to meet a blogger in real life - Mel was so warm and lovely just like I imagined she would be!
It was great to talk about the blogging world, blog schedules and bounce off ideas, we're both so happy to be part of the blogging community that's for sure.
...So back to the 'Horses Birthday Fete' - such a visual treat!
The goods on offer were fantastic - James Gordon's paper sculptures were so beautiful - this is the paper chandelier he created for the event.
Beautiful linens and art prints, patterned cushions and lovely Home Decor.

I adored Sylvie's stall 'The Lost & Found Dept' so many lovely things from yesteryear styled beautifully...I loved Sylvie's world map skirt so much that I asked if I could photograph her!

* pics by me including  a quick selfie of Mel and I*