Not just paper.. CREATIVE paper!

Pulp Creative Paper has captured my heart. Their Christmas items are gorgeous, like these beautiful little paper angels and the little snowflake card. All their other stock is amazing too. Wrapping, lighting, journals, gifts galore. Coveting this set of pink heart doilies.

Good things come to those who whinge

I think I've ranted and raved more than enough about the limitations of living in Australia, also known as the other end of the world...where Martha Stewart is an unknown quantity and flavoured Kit Kats cost $6 a pop.

Look, ultimately the good outweighs the bad but when I saw that Target in the US had an entire range of Orla Kiely homewares I was more than a little jealous. I searched high and low for a way to get my hands on some, but short of paying with my first-yet-to-be-born child, it just wasn't going to happen. Fast forward one year and what do you know? Myer is stocking a (very limited) range of Orla Kiely!

I nabbed myself the queen quilt set and matching pillows... check out how cute the packaging is!

So moral of the story is this - good things come to those who whinge.

Woman with a parasol

I wish there were more opportunities in day to day life for me to carry a parasol. Sometimes, when it's sunny outside and I would prefer not to put greasy suncream on, I just think a parasol would make my life a bit easier. Not to mention make me look as pretty as a Monet painting. I suppose you could always carry one on your wedding day, like these very pretty options from Pink Frosting.

Speaking of weddings, this site has had me in stitches for the past 15 minutes- Wedinator.

Smells like teen spirit... or cinnamon toast?

Oh boy, I'd love to wake up on December 25 and find one of these in my stocking. These Demeter frangrances are pick-me-up perfumes that smell exactly like the names suggest they should. Can you imagine smelling like waffles? Some of the product names sound delicious... some not so much...Funeral Parlour?! No thanks... Cinnamon toast? Much better!

Thicker than water...

I've been fascinated by the Kennedy family for a long time. I specifically remember my brother's Year 10 assignment on the assassination of JFK and me, 13 at the time, pouring over every article I could find on it at the time.

After watching Grey Gardens a few months back and reading about Ted Kennedy (particularly the Chappaquiddick incident), it reignited my interest in America's first family. Trawling through second hand book shops I chanced on Laurence Leamer's book - The Kennedy Women. It is over 1000 pages long but I cannot for the life of me put it down.

(I'm kind of freaking out at how much Bobby looks like Owen... second from front)

Like most people I'd heard of the Kennedy curse... but I thought it was mostly in relation to both JFK and Bobby. I didn't know that before their assassinations, two of their siblings had already died... or that another had undergone a lobotomy in her early 20s. Nor that their father would bring his mistresses along on family holidays or that JFK battled illness his entire life.

The Kennedy family makes for good reading... you don't need to embellish or exaggerate because their lives really were that bizarre and intriguing. They weren't perfect, so many of their decisions and actions make you cringe with disappointment and regret. But they loved each fiercely, protectively. Most of all they loved each other above all else and I think that is pretty special.

PS I can find no credits for these pictures... so let me know if it's a problem :)

Hang me on your wall...

We're quickly approaching that time of year stuffed to the brim of family, friends and annual traditions. For me it inevitably involves Peter Combe's Christmas album and a day set aside to decorate the tree with my Ma, Pa and brother dearest.

I stumbled across NieNie's tradition of creating new silhouettes of her family each year. Although she creates hers in April each year, I think Christmas is a great time to stop and capture your family for posterity and reflect on the year that was. It would also make for a pretty rockin' gift when teamed with some great frames. They look so regal and elegant!

Click here for a great tutorial on how to make your own silhouettes - easy peasy!

Remember the days by the old school yard...

I'm so excited to be going back to school.... style school!
I tend to get a bit blog obsessive... and in the last month or so I discovered the wonder that is Red Velvet Art, namely Elsie Flannigan.
You know how there are some people out there who are just so damn cool that you wish you were them? Well, sometimes I wish I was Elsie.
Come on - she makes amazing crafty goods, has a cute muso boyfriend and a wardrobe I would literally kill for (you heard me...)
Look at her! She's so freakin' cool!

She even mananges to make hanging up her stockings look fashionable... so who better to learn style from?

I've just signed up for Style School - six weeks of fun and quirky projects.
Best homework ever!

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