via a desert fete

Oh yes, I am no where near having a white Christmas here in the southern hemisphere, particularly as I'm currently nursing a little sunburn, but I couldn't resist this gorgeous image found via a desert fete.

Well, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas?

I would normally would excuse my absence by saying that it's been frantic, but finally the opposite, it's been nice to slowly wind down the year.

For Christmas, I refrained from getting all flustered (as I have in previous years) stayed calm and pulled off a relaxed lunch for my loved ones in the back yard. Let's hope I keep this in check for next year..

yes still here

via absolutely beautiful things

The festive season has got me in a tizz. Should make more of an effort being that it's our 1st Christmas in the new house but I have just re-hashed last years deco's. And I'll be wandering around aimlessly at the last minute in search for my Kris Kringle gifts.
Festivities kick off this weekend; the work party do tonight, late lunch and drinks with the girls on tomorrow and JD's extended family get together on Sunday. Have a good weekend!

happiness is in a slice of cake

As mentioned here is my hodge podge attempt at cake flags, forty minutes of ganache -ing resulted in this. Oh well, it tasted better than it looks.

ask and you shall receive

A glorious weekend of clear skies and sunshine.

We ventured to a local farmers market and bought some fresh produce ; crisp asparagus, home made porcini ravioli, locally smoked trout, vine ripened tomatoes, a bundle of purple organic garlic (I am a selfish garlic feine), broad beans and these native flowers.

Much time spent in the garden, trimming trees, clearing dead fern stumps along the side of the house. Our first magnolia flower bloomed. And the herb garden is going crazy, much thanks to the weeks rain.

I'm going to attempt a Herriott Grace style cake for JD's sister's belated birthday celebrations. Wish me luck.

hello summer, are you here?

via oh joy

What strange start to the summer it has been. Hot cold wet sunny muggy rain.

No major plans for the weekend which I am rather excited about. Perhaps an attempt to get into the festive mood I know I'll regret not being more organised this year..

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

wish list : the tolix

via seesaw

I've been eying of some tolix chairs forever. In that time they seem to have crept into every Melbourne cafe - Done to death but still I love them so. I was thinking of some extra chairs for outside... Hmmm, perhaps the stool for the spare room lamp table. Oh decisions. Fads fade but true love is forever.

scout + catalogue

via ink + wit

Ha, I know I wasn't gone for too long. But my posts have always been sporadic. Some days, donuts, zilch, nothing. other days some nice findings.

Like these beautiful accessories by Scout & Catalogue on etsy. I have yet to plunge into the online shopping world of etsy. Certainly browsed but not as yet purchased. I fear it open up a massive gateway, which could get me into all sorts of trouble.

interior love

via rue magazine

Hi there,

Not much to report.

Just enjoying the lovely sunshiney days we've had.

Still tossing up whether to go to the Queensliff Music Festival this weekend... I think it'll be a last minute call. I'll let the weather decide for me...

Take care! Be back, soon (ish)!

via design sponge

Loving Deborah Bibby's laid back coastal home featured on Design Sponge today.

happenings

via loveology pintertest

:: baked my first cheesecake (banana!)

:: started a succulent garden

:: dinner, drinks and key of the sea album launch in St Kilda - boogieing past my bed time to the cat empire
:: kicked off my summer workout with a leisurely bike ride (note to self : leave the scarf and cardi at home when riding along side hardcore lycra cyclists)
:: cooked a Sunday roast inspired by stephanie alexander & masterchef - adding a broad bean mint and feta salad (note to self: broad beans are fiddlely)

I love this fresh light living room - beautifully edited with a hint of aqua, navy nauticals and nice texture.

via english locations

I fell in love with this kitchen when it made the cover of livingetc some years ago... Whilst tidying the ikea expedit shelf in the lounge room - I came across the magazine, so I did a quick google search and thought I'd share.

lounge room love

via norske interior blogger

shades of grey

via from scandanavia with love

elephant in the room

via decofabulous

The big black elephant, that is the television...

I don't love that it's the central focus in our lounge room, but it is, what it is. So just bookmarking a way to display / disguise.

why, hello there

via it's mary ruffle

Yay it's the weekend and hello sunshine!

I'm going to lay on the lush green grass in the back yard with a friend, some magazines and an ipod.

Never mind I'll be dopey with drowsy eyes, rubbing my itchy nose and sneezing like crazy with severe hay fever. Anyways, happy weekend!

Happy Halloween

via bliss

Halloween has never been a big thing for us, the odd party here or there but having previously lived in a block of apartments - we've never got amongst the neighbour halloween festivities. During the week some kids slipped JD a note as he was taking in the rubbish bins.. "Excuse me mister..." they quipped and enclosed was a balloon for us to display on the front gate if we wanted to participate in the trick or treating on Sunday. How can I resist? So now off to buy some candy!

lucky boy sunday

via seesaw designs

Simply adorable woolies and softies by Lucky Boy Sunday

interior love

via real living

I love the natural earthy tones and geometric patterns in this home featured in real living last month. I spied with my prying eyes a lovely kelim ottoman in a shop in Mornington last weekend..

the weekend

:: more cushions - finally used the Ink & Spindle fabric from ages ago

:: went to the relocated Tyabb packing house - I prefer the cold & dingey old one

:: Mornington and lunch at DOC

:: a bike ride a round the neighbour hood

:: rosemary mushies on crusty bread & fetta for Sunday breakfast

:: coffee and newspapers on our new our door setting - Yay!

:: met up with a friend for an italian lunch and gin tonics in the warm afternoon sun

waiting for the calm

via daydream lily

my week has been deliriously busy leaving me completely exhausted.

here's to a relaxing low key weekend.

plain & simple

via lotta agaton

Sorry, not much happening.

Just scrap booking a few bits of loveliness.

via ffffound

via from scandinavia with love

the weekend: made and bought

This weekend I went wandering..

I window shopped and shopped in many lovely stores, here and here and here.

I found inspiration at the Fabric Shop; my purchases should keep me preoccupied for a while.

I finished a couple of cushions, although they're not looking so crisp and new - some one road tested before I had a chance to snap them. Funny, I've never been much a pink person but they I think they'll go nicely with the greys and inky blues ones still come.

i like

via bride & wolfe

This would make a lovely home for my dust collectors

blues and greens

via i lay my hat and wish to stay :: arthur's circus

flat out

emma cassi via daily imprint

How's your week been?

Mine has been manic. Goodness we're only half way.

I've squeezed some small sewing projects in after work, in my tired state. Not a good idea, it's looking terribly messy. A job for the weekend I suppose.

Forecast for the rest of the week: scattered showers - Blah!

interior love

via hus & hem

finders keepers

tara donne via design is mine

Some pottering about the house.

Replaced some more lights - what a difference a simple pendant and shade makes. We removed the dusty broken heater from the dining room and cleared out the fireplace. Now to place perfectly cut logs of wood or nestle candles decoratively - as you do when it's Spring... Well, I guess when winter rolls around we'll be set!

JD bought me a squeaky old blue bike on ebay.

He has visions of buying two or three knock about ones for us and friends "cruise down" to the beach.

On Sunday, I snuck off to the Finders Keepers market. I dragged a friend out of bed to come along (thanks SW). None of my own pics of the market to share but check out The Design Files wrap up - too many talented people, cuteness overload.

the weekend

via solid frog

Tonight, a quiet night in.

A friend has lent me the box set of Love My Way - 2 episodes in and I am completely in love with them all. We don't have Foxtel (cable tv) which is probably a good thing.

Some spring cleaning - council rubbish collection. Lets hope I don't go wondering and bring road side rubbish home. I spotted a pallet on my way home yesterday... Hmmm, so very tempting.

vignettes

via craig wall photography

interior love

via rue magazine

Adoring every corner of Victoria's home