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?

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...

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.

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?!

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.

All the nice girls love a sailor

I'm really diggin' Mod Cloth's recent foray into nautical themed dresses! Not sure if I could actually pull any of them off, but it's fun to dream. I love that sailor look - perhaps harking back to my die-hard Sailor Moon fan days... yes I was that girl who still dreamed about Tuxedo Mask when I was 17.
What about you? Would you go for the sailor girl look in day to day fashion or do you think it slips into costume territory?

Sock it to ya

Oh you silly seasons... decide what you want to be already! As Kelly mentioned over at Made by White, in our first month of Autumn we've experienced a little taste of winter and then a fully fledged summer revivial. All of this (y'know, that little thing called climate change) makes it kind of tricky to anticipate what tomorrow's weather will bring... and thus whether a coat and/or umbrella is needed, or if the havianas and a cotton dress are all that's necessary. Well, pardon my french, but bugger it - I want an excuse to wear my new coat and boots! And although I'm on a self-imposed spending strike for the next month or so, I wouldn't mine warming up my tootsies, when the time does come, with these ridiculously cute (or just plain ridiculous?) socks I found via Sock Dreams. Giant pencil feet!

And don't hesitate to remind me that I was egging on Winter when I'm complaining mid-June about how stupidly cold it is...

If the shoe fits...

In my heart of hearts I really dislike Perez Hilton and everything he stands for. That somehow hasn't stopped me looking at his site every morning of my working life for the past 3 years. But today something good came of it... I stumbled across these sweet shoes, all while fulfilling my inherent need for trash and gossip.

You can buy them at Moxsie (along with a bunch of other cute stuff).
Perfect for an Autumn walk in the park I think!

Money, it's a gas...

I get the feeling 2010 is going to be an expensive year, but I can't complain because it's all of my own making! For example... I need root canal because I hid from the dentist for FOUR YEARS. Take my advice, don't do that.. it doesn't end well, painlessly or cheaply for that matter. Secondly I'm going to LA and NYC in July. Thirdly... I can't stop buying things on the internet, namely on Fridays.
Today's catch... and let me tell you, I'm not too remorseful about this one.

Check out Honey Bee Vintage's Esty for more cute, pants-free options!

Two heads are better than one

I love anything that is the "brainchild" of two best friends. I imagine it would be very nice to have a job that allows you to work on something creative with a close friend. Though for me it would be fraught with temptations- coffee breaks, long lunches, distracting conversations on what's happening in each others lives. But I digress. Lola&Bailey is one of those creative conceptions of two best friends. You've probably seen their ampersand tote bag and shadow puppet brooches in numerous magazines. Their web store also reveals other punctuation marks and letters on their totes and this lovely art deco looking jewellery. Well worth a look.

Old fashioned girl in a gingham gown

So Summer has up and left us with some pretty crummy Autumn weather. Never fear - Modcloth is brightening up my gloomy, Sydney Friday with fun gingham and stripes (my favouriteeee!)

These make me want to go on a picnic so badly - despite the crummy weather and ants. (I'm not a big outdoorsy girl, mostly because my bottom tends to always find an anthill on which to sit.)

Owen is always asking me to fix up his pants or re-sew a button... and I'm a pretty crummy girlfriend because I haven't done any of the above (to be fair, he's a pretty crummy boyfriend for asking - do it yourself!). Maybe I need one of these cute tins to inspire him? Doubtful. But I want it anyway...

Seriously, a dog wearing a beret? You had me at hello. But a dachshund no less? I'm sold. I want to buy this for Liz!

Anyway - HAPPY FRIDAY. I'm going home tonight to sew more donuts and hang out with my ma!

Japan-i-am

Reason #8349834 I wish I was in Tokyo with a heck of a lotta yen right now.

Found at Five &Ten (which was found via Hello Sandwich)

A vested interest...

Cute or what?! This is what is currently catching my eye on Modcloth... But I think it would look best with jeans... and yes, you know that story by now!

Pianos are cool, but lessons aren't.

I just love these slightly haunted looking pieces from Paula Walden. The black acrylic headpieces are amazing don't you think?

The "Haunted House" and "My Grand Youth" rings in solid sterling silver are my favourites and the pianio ring actually does remind me of my youth, since I did piano lessons for about 8 years (though you'd never be able to tell today).

The pieces are made in Australia and carbon neutral and you can buy them at the online store.

Friday's child...

I think I was born on a Friday (I'm too lazy to look this up) so according to that random poem, the one that everyone somehow knows but isn't sure how, I'm of loving and giving. Hmmm I'm not convinced but I will give you the gift of telling you what I'm loving this Friday.

Pinafores! Since I'm a Pants-Free-Zone, I'm a big fan of pinafores, tunics, jumper dresses - whatever you want to call them. I love that you can wear whatever you want underneath them to give them a bit more life and personality. Just last week I picked up this cutie from victoria 'n bird for a measly $75 AUD including postage... and it's handmade! It's pretty much going to be my new staple for winter.

(PS that isn't me. I wish!)

 If you know me at all, you would know my love for Tony Martin. He is, without a doubt, my favourite comedian/radio personality/geek/whatever ever (he even beats Shaun Micallef in my book of cool). So I was extremely glad to open my latest issue of Frankie and see an article dedicated to the man himself. Buy it, read it, and love him. And then go and buy one of his books for a good chuckle (Lolly Scramble had me laughing hysterically on a train... cue the weird looks from fellow commuters).

And finally - one of my oldest, sweetest friends is having a bub! She's due in April and I'm very excited for her baby shower on Saturday. I'm not giving away what I bought her on the odd chance she might be reading this, but I will show out the impossibly cute suitcase I bought to put the gift in.

 

Not just for bored housewives and hoarders

Shop Til You Drop magazine put me onto this one. Extolling the virtues of the TV Shopping Network in the March issue, they convinced me to go and check out the website TVSN.com.au. It’s quite fun! Here are some of my favourite things and of course they’re the most expensive things on there.

Extasia Bracelet

Timmy Woods Purses

Royal Albert Sandwich Tray

There's a bear in there... and a chair as well...

Despite my best attempts to run away from the Sydney rain, some ten hours up the coast, it followed me and turned Byron Bay in to one big puddle. Oh well! We made the most of the doom and gloom and headed to some bookshops and drank far too many milkshakes. No regrets on my end.

I spied a book in the cooking section with a gorgeous gingham spine (what initially attracted me to it) titled "She's Leaving Home". Inside is page after page of delicious recipes lovingly collated by Monica Trapaga (yes... that's right, the Play School presenter, friend of Big Ted and Jemima. I liked Benita most... but Monica a close second) for her daughter as she moved out of home. It is a sweet book to guide her on her way and keep her well fed as she embarks on her independent life. If you could hug a book and not look mad doing it, I'd want to give this one a cuddle (I may or may note have already... the cover is padded, I don't think this is a coincidence).

Each page is gorgeous - delicate illustrations, personal blurbs about each recipe, collages of photos and fabrics... my favourite is a page dedicated entirely to sandwiches made out of buttons and wool. It's probably one of those things you need to see to appreciate... doesn't exactly translate in words huh? Anyway, if you're in the market for a cookbook or a killer gift for a friend, I can't recommend this warmly enough. Now what's the time on the rocket clock? Please let it be home time....

Waiter, there's a rabbit in my whisk...

Hey Miss Liz,

These cute Modcloth whisks make me think of you. I think I'll send M some psychic message to buy these for you(along with something shiny and or baked and sugary) for Feb 14. Or hopefully M is reading the blog and can save me some seriously needed brain-power.

Love Em x