A red bird at Christmas

When I first moved to America, I remember going for a walk just after Christmas time, and saw this fiery red flash of colour fly by me on the dreary grey day.  I actually managed to get a few pictures, but nothing close up so I could see what type of bird this was.  I hadn't really thought about that day until now, when I was searching for my book-club's book for December to download on my kindle.  There on the front cover was the red bird - a Cardinal!

As I was searching through Etsy for some gift ideas just now, I came across this beautiful painitng by lauracarter.  It looks just like I remember that day, the red berries, and this beautiful red bird!!

Whimsical Winter

 Ah, the Northern Hemisphere Winter is truly here.  Whilst I know that it IS November, the Australian inside me keeps thinking it is May or June.  Hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner when it feels so cold!

It is, however, a lovely change, and I am enjoying all things winter - hot chocolates, new winter jackets, and this cute Etsy print of a whimsical little birdie sitting on an apple branch!

Have a wonderful week, wherever you are in the world!

Sweet Swivel Seat

Have you seen the new IKEA catalogue for 2011?  It's full of great ideas and inspiration for the home.  The other day we were at Ikea, and I found the perfect chair for my office.  It was really comfortable, suitably ergonomic, and of course, how can I go past the cute birdy design?  I looked online a few days ago, and sadly, couldn't find it.  So I was thrilled to see it in the new catalogue and online today!  Right then, off to Ikea...

Every tropical drink...

...needs a tropical-themed glass!  Made by Scarlet Macaw, these gorgeous "tropical birds hang from hand-painted branches, keeping cool in the shade of their colourful jungle". 

I actually saw them in person last weekend and these pictures just do not do them justice.  They are an exquisite piece of glassware, and one discovery to irresistible to pass up! 

Champagne anyone?

(Via Anthropologie)

Dream Mixer

I have searched high!  I have searched low!  I have searched here, there and everywhere, but alas, could never find the kitchen mixer of my dreams.... Until now!

Drum-roll please *drum roll*

Meet the award-winning Anna Raff - Anna - you have done it again!!  You have devised the "right attachment" for my old kitchen mixer.  Your magnificent imagination, creativity and ingenious artistic skills are a fresh, new inspiration! 

I was thrilled to find out that I could buy my very own digital print of this beauty at her Etsy shop here!  I bought my copy today, which I will frame and put up in my kitchen!

(Via Ornithoblogical)

What's your twitter background?

For those of you out there that love to tweet, have you thought about (or do you already have) your own twitter background? 

I was inspired by Mama Magpie's twitter page, and decided to google 'twitter backgrounds' to see what I could discover.  I found these photos pictured above from social identity.  

Personally, I'd love something unique from Anna Raff from her Ornithoblogical collection!  I think she'd create the perfect water-colour twitter-themed bird!

I also found Fresh ID that I thought had some really creative ideas.  Don't you like being able to customise and personalise things that you use, just to give it that unique spin?

Proud as a peacock

I took this photo outside Maggie Beers' farm shop in the Barossa Valley (South Australia) last week. How beautful is this peacock? I was trying to cajole him in to fanning out his tail (just a little), but he just shook his feathers and stared down at me from his perch on the wall.

Happy Father's Day!

It's Father's day here in America today!  I found this on one of my favourite blogs this morning, "Daddy-O" by Anna Raff.  Such a cute portrayal of a father-son moment!  Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Anna Raff's Ornithoblogical: day 156: pod

Loving this blog by Anna Raff - especially today's post - Ornithoblogical: day 156: pod

She is also on Etsy here.

Love Birds Cake Topper

How cute are these two little love birds made by RedLightStudio from Etsy for a wedding cake topper?

Cute birds galore

I've just been looking around for some creative inspiration and came across a delightful blog by New York designer and illustrator Anna Raff called Ornithoblogical. Daily she posts a bird related image and I love them all - especially love this hen...

IrrOWLsistible Photo

My husband recently retweeted this photo by romain guy - I think this is an absolutely incredible photo! 

Cute little birdy

I am loving everything cute and birdy at the moment!  How cute is this little birdy necklace from FreshlyFig from Etsy? 

So Tweet...

Maybe it is because of Twitter, or maybe they're just so darn cute, but I'm loving anything with birds and owls at the moment!

You're So Tweet Notecard Set With Darling Birds

From ChrissyWatson on Etsy - 12 A1 Blank You're So Tweet Notecard Set With Darling Birds

Just Darling!