Sunday morning at the beach

It was so hot over the weekend, there was nowhere else to be but on the beach. And so we all (two little nephews, a brother, sister and brother-in-law, and a husband) paid a visit to the sand and surf. I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday morning!

I want to go to Iceland so bad right now!

Who's with me?! Hope you all have a good weekend dreaming of travel...

Thanks Loobylu for sharing this video!

Front facing books - who would've thought?

I'm probably behind the times, but this is a great idea from homelife - books facing forward on a shelf!  Kids books especially have some very cool artwork that often gets lost. What a lovely way to brighten a wall!

I think this is something that could definitely work in any room - I have so many books I want to show off. Mental note already taken for future house interior type decorating activities.

Image source: homelife

I *heart* ...gorgeous family photos

I just love love love love this photo of my nephew and brother-in-law.

My sister and her family are about to head off to live in New Brunswick, Canada - hence the accumulation of all things Aussie - including the pictured Akubra. She's also started a blog called Snowballs and Lamingtons which I'm looking forward to reading.  Not looking forward to them leaving though. *sigh*

Image source: Snowballs and lamingtons

Paper love on Valentines Day

Can I just say that I am newly enchanted with a website called upon a fold. I had no idea you could make such a variety of cute and just plain cool things out of paper!  Here are a couple of my favourites.

This garland of hearts would be perfect
hanging on my wall today - Happy Valentines Day!

I almost wish I was made of paper so I
could play this paper grand piano

I love the idea of these paper wish boats  - you write your wish
on one before sailing it off into the wide blue ocean.
What would you wish for?

The changing seasonal landscape depicted in this
harmony concertina is just beautiful.

Image source: All images are from uponafold.com.au

I *heart* monkeying around

My sister makes sock monkeys and I have this one sitting next to my bed. I love his retro stripey vibe and cute little face...

Have a good weekend everyone - make sure you get up to lots of mischief!

Latest design trends from London

Does anyone else think that this wooden lighting fixture using local English materials by Faye Toogood and wicked ceramic fruit bowl (made to look like cardboard packaging) by Sara Ivanyi, DesignMarketo shop, are super cool? Both are from London Design Festival Trends and are in the latest Inside Out magazine.

Image source: Homelife

Bloomers are back

I couldn't resist these gorgeous Country Girl bloomers made by Wild Things of Noosa. How cute would these look on any little girl you know?  I have a brand new niece (5 weeks old) and although she is way too small now, in about 18 months I can just see her waddling around all ruffled up in bloomers like these. *Insert doting Aunty look here*

Image source: Wild Things of Noosa

Tra la la - Kondalilla Falls

Last weekend we went for a bushwalk and discovered the Kondalilla Falls in the Sunshine Coast's hinterland. It is such a lovely place.

Next time we go back, I'm definitely taking a picnic lunch...

It would be so romantic if our lunch could be
in this Cath Kidston Cherry Picnic hamper.

...and wearing togs (i.e. bathers/swimmers/cossies!) to take advantage of the sweet rockpool at the top of the falls.

This Seafolly two piece is so cute.
Definitely wearable for a weekend picnic
on top of a waterfall!

 

What are you planning this weekend?

Oh Chai!

A couple of days ago I visited the Chopping Block cafe in Buderim (Sunshine Coast, Queensland) and was served up this fabulous Chai latte. I'm sure you understand why I couldn't resist taking a photo. My hot drink experience was delicious, made on real Chai tea (not syrup) and I'm already planning my next trip back. Nice one Buderim!

Image source: Amy's iPhone 4

I *heart* wellington boots

There's a great big cyclone (called Yasi) headed for the North Queensland Coast - and he looks a little scary!

After talking to my Aunt in Townsville (which is right in the path of the storm) this morning, I was thinking that a lot of people would probably do well to invest in a pair of wellington boots.

Actually we are all a little on the rainy side this summer in Queensland so I could do with a pair myself! Check out this gorgeous selection - I'm a little in love.

Although not wearable, these arty eco wellies by Jennifer Collier
are made from recycled tea bags and are gorgeous!

Who DOESN'T want hot pink wellies
by EmilyHannah

I challenge anyone to disagree that these are the
cutest short wellies ever seen. (Wellies online)

And how I feel about these wellies (also from
wellies online) is written all over them!

Whimsy on your table

Next time I have friends over I would love these whimsical 'Kimono' tea light shades (from Polli) or delicate porcelain votives (from sunnyLIFE) on my table.

Inside or out they would add a little bit of magic and atmosphere to the whole affair. Perfection!

My Australia Day

I love Australia day.
It's pretty cool having a day on the calendar just to celebrate being Aussie - wherever we happen to be in the world.
This is what my day is going to loook like (26 January)...

A beach breaky BBQ with friends...

...cricket on the TV...

...pavolova... 


...and a mandatory afternoon snooze. 

 Happy Australia Day!

Image Sources: All images by Amy. Photo 1. Taken at Hervey Bay Queensland. The white wooden boardwalk to the beach was so picturesque.  Photo 2. Taken at the Brisbane Ashes test match.  Nothing as Aussie as a day at the cricket... Photo 3. Delicious and yum! This delight was made by friends of ours...it was amazing.  Photo 4. Taken at Australia Zoo. This guy just looks so zoned out - I'm a little jealous right now...

Here's to a lazy weekend

To those who have had a frenetic week - here's to a lazy weekend. And if you can find a spot of sun - soak up every bit you can! That goes for those who are in Winter and those in Summer - we could all do with a good dose of Vitamin D (being very sunsmart of course if you are in the warmer months of the year...).

Image source: Amy's iphone using Hipstamatic.  This was taken at Australia Zoo - I was quite envious of this Roo's lifestyle.

I *heart* pretty pretty jewellery

I am loving the gorgeous soft vintage feel of the pretty trinkets by Japonicas. I actually requested the Love as deep as the ocean necklace for Christmas and guess what I'm now wearing around my neck?

Image source: bluecaravant.net

What you need on your desk

Love this keyboard note idea from Little Dot. How often when you are sitting at the computer do you think of something that has to be done and then forget to write it down?

The long strip of notepaper is perfect for jottings and the watermark details are quite gorgeous. I can just see my productivity go sky high with something like this on my desk!

Image source: Little Dot. I found these guys via Frankie Magazine. 

Queensland floods

Well for Queenslanders last week was a little crazy, with more than 75% of us affected by floods. We were very lucky and weren't inundated like some people, but we are thinking of those who are going to have to rebuild their lives with everything swept away or covered in stinking mud.

It's been so wonderful to see how people are pitching in to help, whether it's donating money, volounteering time to help clean up, or running appeals to raise funds (like the BrisStyle handmade ark appeal, the Wild Things of Noosa hand made auction and the Australian Disaster Relief Shop on Etsy).

Our thoughts are with you Queensland on this long road to recovery.

 

Cute Old World gift tags from AusDisasterRelief

Love the style of this shoulder sling bag from acreaturestrange
(part of the BrisStyle Handmade Ark Appeal)

Any creative new year resolutions?

As a new year resolution (made today in fact) I've decided that I'm going to learn how to screen print. 

And then I'll spend the rest of the year working on my technique (on textiles and paper) and hopefully making very cool things like these birdy cushions by Justine Ellis as found on Print & Pattern.

I'll post my progress here..and with you as witnesses I'm sure to stick to it...right? What are you doing creatively this year?

Image source: Print & Pattern

Irresistible 2011 calendars to ring in the new year

I love the vertical look of this letterpress calendar from mooninjune.

This sleek and very stylish mid-century modern letterpress calendar is designed by pistachiopress.

 

This magnetic beach house calendar by seahorse is so cute and perfect for the summer holidays! Or if you are in winter it could remind you of warmer times...?

If you like the unique drawn by hand look, this calendar from Mai Autumn is a bit gorgeous. 

And this handmade Mino-Washi calendar from Hiromi paper is simply adorable and would sit quite nicely on my wall.

Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas from Australia

It's Christmas eve and we are about to trek off to spend time with my family over Christmas. There will be two little nephews running around all weekend, LOTS of food, bucketloads of fun, and a mountain of love. I'm looking forward to it.

I saw these cute Australian themed cards on Jam Tales.  Love them and wish I'd found them earlier!

Have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are in the world.  May it be filled with all sorts of love, extra peace and oodles of joy.