It's a bunny thing

I'm a tad obssessed with bunnies. I can watch Youtube clips of bunnies doing inane stuff for hours. And I had been eyeing off these lovely artworks by Kozyndan at Outre Gallery for quite a while. After visiting the Kozyndan website I realised I could buy the posters for US$15 online (must take advantage of that strong Australian dollar!) so now I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of even more bunnies to my home. yay!

More french than fries

When I saw these tres adorable totes from Chip Chop, I knew I had to have one. I'm that annoying person who drops french words and phrases into their conversation for no reason whatsoever. I especially love saying random words that have no relevance just because they're fun to say. Bibliotheque anyone?

The age old debate is over and it ended in overalls

The werewolf vs vampire discussion is getting seriously tired by now. I'm pretty sure most of us are sick of feeling slightly guilty over being attracted to a 17 year old boy in a tank top, or alternatively Cedric Diggery with white makeup and a poor American accent. Personally I've been too busy watching what the grown-up vampires have been getting up to in Bon Temps to give werewolves a second though. Well that's until someone introduced me to Alcide Herveaux... Warning - Total fan girl moment approaching

Eric Northman? I seriously couldn't care less (blasphemy for anyone who has seen Ep 9 of Season 2 of True Blood...). This girl is fickle, but it's Team Alcide all the way.

As a side note, don't you think Stephen Moyer must be pissed? Each season he is superceded by someone hotter which is a shame because the man looks hot with a tan.
As another side note - Terry Bellefleur has my heart for life.

Shameless self promotion

Teapots have unexpectedly become a big part of my life in 2010. One turned into thirty and it's been simultaneously fun and stressful... a little more of the latter maybe. I promised myself I'd get organised and branch out a little more when I got home from my US jaunt. Er... six weeks later I'm still as disorganised as ever but I've actually posted some new teapots!

This one is pretty darn simple but I think it's cute seeing as we're on the brink of all the good stuff Spring has to offer.

You can have a looksee at the rest... here!

Pretty, pretty please

Why is it that the more I try and save money, the more I want to spend money? All these gorgeous things are coming out of the woodwork, flaunting their cuteness and urging me to buy them. And sadly (or gladly, depending on how you look at it) I cave in pretty much every single time.

The latest thing to catch my eye was this gorgeous polka dot plate by The Storybook Rabbit (aka Kelly from Made By White). I didn't even consult my conscience or my budget on this one. As a result it's now in my happy little hands. No regrets here, it's even better than I imagined!

Money changes everything

Just how crazy is it to shell out $350 on a dress you can't try on? This is the internal war I'm currently waging with myself over this dress from Posh Girl Vintage. I've looked at it every day for a week and I just can't decide.

It's perfect! Just awfully expensive...

My song of the week.

Home, sweet swinging home

Oh how I wish it was possible to get Urban Outfitters furniture sent to Australia. I would come home to my converted warehouse apartment with exposed brick walls and original floor boards, mix myself a martini and sit on my mid-century rocking chair with J D Salinger book. How neat!

When I grow up I want to be...

I'm a bit of a wedding tragic you see (and I'm not the engaged one... go figure) so I'll often wander over to Once Wed and check out the amazing weddings they feature. This one particular wedding caught my eye - Max and Margaux's wedding styled/crafted by Ashley Meaders. It's bright, relaxed and so fun - all the things I think a good wedding should be. The photography by Our Labor of Love is equally amazing. Again, let me lament the fact that all this cool stuff happens... in the northern hemisphere.

All her little details are so sweet - like these teabags with little hearts...

And the swing? Well the swing is to die for.

So in summary, when I grow up I want to be Ashley Meaders! Being able to make such gorgeous things for a job? Yes please!

Source of fun...

Hello there!
I've been a little absent because I took myself overseas to LA, San Francisco and New York for a few weeks. So I'm back feeling refreshed and inspired - nothing like a few weeks of summer warmth to make the remnants of Sydney's winter a little more bearable.

I was a particularly slack traveller and took hardly any photos (save for about 10 of the Kwik-E-Mart in Universal Studios...). My lovely dad was actually in San Fran before me and scouted out this amazing paper shop - Paper Source - for me and was even kind enough to get a quick photo.

How amazing is their window display?! If you look closely they're made up entirely of envelopes - so quirky yet resourseful. The shop was a crafty girls Mecca, I literally thought I was going to implode with inspiration. We left with only a few bits and bobs, including this very fun wreath flower kit mum bought for us to make.

I'm a little frustrated that we don't have anything this exciting in Sydney. Paper Source offers up inventive and original products at reasonable prices which is something we're really lacking here. They even offer classes! I'm green just talking about it. And something else that was really refreshing? The shop I went in was manned by two young and trendy guys. Love it.

In summary - check them out here!

What is a marmot anyway?

Got to love this ridiculously chubby marmot eating a cracker. I wasn't kidding when I said I was bored at work you know.

Amuse me Mr Shark

These new pendants from Made By White are made with layers of perspex and laminate which gives them a 3D effect and means the little little pieces inside move around when you shake them, such as the snow flakes in the forest and the contents of the sharks belly. Distraction and amusement while you're bored at work, like I am now.

Building blocks to my stomach

I'm firmly of the opinion that the world should be made of Lego - I think we'd all be much happier! For instance, if I had my sandwich in this cute pink lunchbox I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be feeling so glum on this miserable winter day.

Animated

I love animation. It's more powerful, for me personally, than live action could ever be. I guess it's the ability to make the impossible possible because you aren't restricted by that little thing called reality. I've spent the last hour trying to describe the feeling I get when I'm watching a really incredible animation and I just can't put it into words. So here are a couple of my favourites and maybe you'll understand. My only request if that if you're watching an animated movie that's not in English... use subtitles! Forget dubbing, it ruins a movie's carefully crafted feel and makes it sound like Claire Daines or Billy Crystal. Yuck.

The Triplets of Belleville - just take my word for it. Amazing.


My Neighbour Totoro - this movie has my heart, forever and ever. I literally feel my heart flutter when I watch it.


Coraline - the right mix of creepy and crafty (plus Dawn French always wins me over)


The Missing Key - Jonathan Nix (still due for release)


Just a note on this one - Jonathan Nix almost made me pack up my life move to Melbourne and study animation. He doesn't know who I am nor that he inspired this in me, but back in 2006 when he spoke in our lecture I was so inspired that I considered changing my entire life based on his work. I don't have a speck of this guy's talent so I didn't follow through but his movie "The Missing Key" looks incredible. He was working on it back in 2006 and it's still not out so you could definitely say this was a labour of love. From what I remember he was drawing/painting every still himself. This movie is due for release in 2010 (I believe production pushed it back from its 2009 release date) and I can't recommend highly enough that you hop to and see it when it's out!

And of course the one where it all began... Sailor Moon.

Going somewhere?

Well maybe your tote is. This Apple and Bee bag makes me want to climb inside and mail myself somewhere exciting... if only I was so small.

All the colours of the rainbow

I'm not exactly fashionable - with a figure like mine (all hips and thighs) it's just not feasible! So I'm never really taken in by catwalk fashions, magazine spreads or designer fashion.

But there is one designer who captured my heart so completely, so even if I was interested in any of the above, there simply isn't any of my heart left!

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada isn't a sleek or elegant or sexy - but my god she is so FUN!

Her clothes are so loud and kooky and just plain silly at times (see the egg dress). When you break it down she has a pretty simple design aesthetic - bright colours and simple shapes. But somehow it's carried off with such panache and bravado! I mean how many designers shun black in favour of bright pinks, yellows and oranges all in the one outfit? I think fashion should be fun and should make you smile... Chanel doesn't tend to make me giggle. Beware - picture heavy...!

Over time I've tracked down four pairs of her shoes and these green ones (scuse the awful picture... this was a few years into their life and they look a bit grubby) will most likely hold their place as my favourite pair of shoes ever, despite their departing into shoe heaven. Agatha's goods painfully impossible to find here in Australia and expensive to boot, but I love wearing my heart on my sole. Get it? Oh okay - too cheesey huh?

You had me at molten

It's so hard to get out of bed on a rainy day like today, and even harder to force myself to stay out after work rather than running straight home to my snuggie, but the lure of tapas and wine is also hard to resist.

Who can say no to duck & shallot pancakes; zucchini fries; pork belly; bread & butter pudding with lemon curd; a big, warming glass of pinot noir from the Mornington Peninsula and molten chocolate fondant? Needless to say, I'm very looking forward to my next visit to Firefly in Neutral Bay.

I'm missing you like candy

I was so taken by this Liechtenstein inspired candy packet I found in Thai Kee IGA in Market City last night that I ignored the $5 pricetag and bought them anyway. Sure they're really just super sour War Heads that are actually kind of uncomfortable to eat for the first few minutes. But when I saw the comic strip of instructions on how to eat on the back, the rest, as they say, is history.

I wouldn't necessarily advise buying these unless you like shrivelling your face up like a lemon and exclaiming "Oh! Powerful Candy!". They remind of the early ninties and washing my War Heads under the bubblers at school because I couldn't handle all that sourness. So why did I buy these? Damn Gruen Transfer. I bought three fun new Kit Kats too! But I'll save those for next time...

I've always wanted a pet panda!

If you love pandas and puppies, then click here.

This post is brought to you by the letter...

Love these letters from Urban Outfitters (who now ship to Australia!) - particularly the red one with the lights!

Marie Antoinette was on to something...

I love parties! I think I even like planning more than I do attending. I love the anticipation and organising every last detail - which is ironic when you consider how incredibly disorganised I am.

But parties are different - they involve lists, hand-made invitations and lolly bags - all things I'm rather fond of. Oh and cupcakes, I'm very fond of those.

So you can imagine my delight when I recently stumbled upon these cupcake kits by Meri Meri. Holy crap they're cute huh? I think these would need to be reserved for really special parties with really special people who appreciate really special things. But which ones to pick?!

A walk-on part of a background shot of a movie I'm not in.

I'm aching to see this movie! I bought tickets to see it at the Bondi Open Air, but for some reason I've long chosen to forget I didn't go - I think I double-booked myself, as I'm prone to doing. It's nothing to do with popularity, but entirely to do with disorganisation (my middle name, as you have it). Have you seen it? It looks really cute and quirky, and let's be honest you can't really lose where Alison Janey is involved.
I'm also kind of excited to see Scott Pilgrim vs The World. It looks so ridiculous and nerdy. I've moved on from my Michael Cera love and am firmly in geek-love with Jason Schwartzman instead (listen to Coconut Records...AHHH-mazing!)

This weather gives me the Wellies!

What is with all this rain?!?!? For someone who loves to wear ballet flats so much, the flooded streets of Sydney present so many complications. The water is constantly flowing over the sides of my shoes and making the leather soggy (and not so pleasant smelling) and the lack of tread on the soles of my shoes means I'm always slipping and sliding. Hello gumboot! I bought a tres cute pair of gumboots in New York to trudge around in the snow, but I don't know if they translate to Sydney. What do you think?
Wellies Online stocks some wellies with serious personality. Adore the toile and stripey ones. So cheerful for such miserable weather. They make me want to do some puddle jumping.

But she makes me feel like roller skating...

No one has ever called me graceful. I know I've mentioned it before, but my inability to remain upright and injury free is an every day battle. Just yesterday I was running for the tram when I was suddenly sprawled flat on asphalt - palms grazed, eyes watery yet stockings miraciously un-laddered. Other memorable splats involve me carrying a tub of yoghurt and a punnet of cherry tomatoes past the cafe in Town Hall, only to end up on my bottom with yoghurt everywhere and cherry tomatoes gleefully escaping.

So all of the above considered - why on earth am I even considering buying these?!

Catch of the Day has these cute little skates for $34.95. I have no idea if that's a good deal or not, all I know is I want them. But let's be realistic, I'm going to need wrist-pads, elbow-pads, knee-pads and possibly shin-pads if I want to get out of this unscathed. Somehow the visions I had of gliding along the Glebe boardwalk are fading into memories of failed attempts to ride bikes and painful falls at Skate Plus. Maybe I should give the skates a miss...

Wait.... email I just received from Oh about my yearning for skates "You can’t have those. It’s for your own good. When you can walk down the road without losing skin then we can think about it.". Well now I really want them.

It doesn't get better than home now does it.

I still live at home with my parents in one very messy bedroom (actually I'm sleeping in the spare room because I can't fit on my bed with all that crap... another story for another day). While attempting to clean my room for the 18th time this year my mother said "You really need a house for all your things". And she's right! I have no intention of moving out anytime soon because I love living with my parents. But I wish I had an entire house to fill with all my things... but I have a feeling it wouldn't be long before all my things would magically expand so much so that I'd need another house. A house full of these goodies... (Modcloth you have a lot to answer for. How will I ever afford NYC?)

Peas in a Pod - Salt & Pepper Shakers

Love Heart Chopping Board

Flowerpot Measuring Spoons

Oh... and I think maybe a Hey, Emmaline! teapot might feature too... (wink wink)

Me and my cousins and you and your cousins...

I'm not sure what's cuter - the gorgeous red polka dot cupcake stand my amazing aunty bought me or the very sweet looking cupcakes adorning it?

Okay, wait - I think this chief cupcake decorator out-cutes them all.

It was so much fun helping my little cousins decorate the cupcakes I quickly baked on Mother's Day morning. I took the cheat's option and bought a tub of Betty Crocker ready-made frosting and simply split it in half colouring one lot pink and the other blue. They then used some little marshmallows, musk sticks and fruit tingles to finish them off. Strangely enough they were more interested in decorating than eating - clearly not my children (I don't have any, for the record).

This made my day...

Only one month to go....!

Because I'm a girl who lives with a boy.. (ii)

Here is yet another item that my boyfriend doesn't understand. A geisha matryoshka set purchased from a market in Kyoto. So cute I had to buy two sets and give one to my fellow girl called e. Their smiling little faces and rosy cheeks make me happy everyday.

To market, to market...

This weekend is important for two reasons -
1. It's Mother's Day - don't forget to spoil your mama rotten! If your's is anything like mine, she well and truly deserves it.
2. The Finders Keepers Markets!

If you live in Sydney I strong urge - no - insist that you get yourself to Carriage Works in Eveleigh to check these markets out this weekend. The market is full of the best and brightest up and coming designers and artists Australia has to offer... like for example the lovely girls over at Made By White.

Personally I've got my eye on their gorgeous Wooden Collar necklace. It's so intricate and sweet and a complete steal for $55.

So what are you getting your mama this Mother's Day? I can't tell because she reads my blog!

Sweets for my sweet

I've been drowning in teapots lately - you won't believe what a little mention in a newsletter can do for business! But no complaints here, it's been exciting to actually try and sell something I've made.. and for people to buy it! You can always check out my Made It store here. Shameless plug much?!

Suffice to say the girls called e have been busy - me with my teapots and Liz with her amazing engagement party! I'm so excited to see how it all turns out. I'm having visions of an Amy Atlas styled extravaganza.

(Imagine found at Amy Atlas)

Seriously, whoever thought of the idea of a dessert bar has my heart for life.

Why do you let me stay here?

Guess who just bought two tickets to see She & Him at the Hollywood Bowl in July? Yes - that would be me! They're supporting The Swell Season which will be pretty magical I think. And all for the sum of $40 USD. What?! As if we'd ever get such a sweet line-up here in Australia, let alone for that kind of price (okay admittedly they aren't GREAT seats but I'll take what I can get). Taking my darlin' mama with me so it will be great!

I've been preparing by watching some She & Him live videos on YouTube and Zooey looks like she's concentrating so hard when she sings. I think that it's kind of cute that she's so seemingly nervous!