Today.

Today we picked the last of the lemon crop and boy does it feel deliciously like spring out there.  We'll possibly turn these into lemon juice ice cubes ready for baking or drinks because I couldn't bear to see them go to waste on the tree.

Things have been ongoingly slow for me around here - I have a good excuse, don't worry, and I've decided not to pressure myself into posting or creating and just to enjoy life as the weather slowly warms up.  It's the way I like it at the moment and is quite honestly, just what I need. 

Making me happy...

Flowers that seem to last forever on my dining table, cheering me up in this cold snap.

Making me happy

My potted baby lemon tree has finally produced a nice crop of lemons. I purchased this plant about 4 years ago at a show, and he's finally looking very happy this year, thanks to some citrus food last Spring. We've been watching these babies grow for about 6 months, and as soon as the weather turned cold - voila! Nice plump yellow lemons. I'm yet to sample, so really hoping these lovely forms are nice and juicy. Lemony baking here I come...

A bit of this and a bit of that.

I'm all cut, ready to piece and looking forward to the next step in my holiday quilt.

Other than quilting, I've been doing a bit of pattern testing (more on that later), having a daily dip in the ocean, enjoying this coffee and watching this series (oh my, it's good, please don't make me wait too long for season two).

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

Vera Wang Spring 2011

 I've been around the web searching out lots of wedding finery of late - my little brother is getting married!  So, to my soon to be beautiful sister-in-law here is some amazing inspiration for you!  Gorgeous new Vera Wang bridal wear for Spring 2011 is popping up everywhere.

Here are my two favourites:

The Freya Dress (exceptional colour!)

And this beauty is the Farrah dress...oh so lovely!  I love the sheer shoulder piece over the bodice.

To see more of this beautiful collection head over to Vera Wang.  You won't be disappointed.

More market finds

A short trip to Rozelle Markets last weekend was well worth it.  It was a gorgeous day and probably the most stalls I've seen there ever.

In addition to the child's abacus, I picked up a few more toys including this lovely wooden alphabet train and also a bunch of vintage fabrics.  I could have been there for hours, but we were time limited, so that was probably a good thing for my wallet!  I did see a gorgeous old box brownie camera and some beautiful vintage furniture that I had to leave behind.  

There's a few more images of me having a rummage around here.

[special thanks to Karen for the market images]

More heartache.

Interrupting my regular posting today to remember the people of Japan.  It's just heartbreaking news that seems to be worsening by the day and I really have no words that really express how I feel about this.    If you'd like to donate, you can via the Australian Red Cross or here.

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Alternatively, you can buy a print like this one by Rob Dobi.  All proceeds are going to the relief effort.

More prints and ways you can help here.

Wow.

Now this is some amazing stitching.  What brilliant work by Yuko Uemura of PataPri, that is a truckload of the most perfect french knots ever.

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{via Charlotte's fancy}

Calico & Ivy, Sydney

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Last week I popped in for a visit to this lovely store.   A fabric lovers heaven, and even better without kidlet in tow!  I spent quite some time gazing and drooling over fabrics, and couldn't help but walk away with some gorgeous liberty sample packs.


Isn't this new seasonal print gorgeous?  This top print is by Lauren Child (of Charlie & Lola fame - one of my all time favourite kid shows) and well deserves a chance to become a liberty classic I think!

Sarah was just lovely and very helpful, it's so refreshing being served by someone who loves what they do.  Congratulations girls, the shop is looking fabulous!  I'll be visiting again soon (as long as I can afford to!).   See a few more pictures here.

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Two teapots

I can't stop gazing at my new little teapot picked up for cheap at a Garage Sale a few weekends ago. It's nothing amazing, but I like it.

 I also scored this cute little white ceramic vase.  Perfect for my roses in the bathroom.

And of course, Miss Ellie also insisted I also take a picture of her teapot and blog that too.

A little snoop.

Playing along with Kirsty today for a little snooping...

Here are the contents of the top of my linen press.  Yes, I don't have much cupboard space in the kitchen, and no beautiful display cabinet, so here some of my odd bits of glassware, vases and stuff.  I certainly need them up high with a 2 1/2 year old around these parts.

Of note:

• The cute white teapot I picked up at a garage sale last Saturday for about $1.50

• The Christmas star table candle (right at the back) that got missed and didn't get packed away into the Garage in January.  [quite frankly, I can't be bothered to open the tightly sealed boxes and put it in it's rightful place]

• The chandelier-lampshade tea light holder thing on the left which I fell completely in love with and have two of and went to a lot of effort to find and purchase, only to have candle wax spilled all over them one dinner party [*sob*].  They'll never quite be the same.

• The opped vintage punch bowl complete with glasses and ladel.  A prized find. 

I hope you enjoyed this snoop.   Feel free to join in with the us and show us your place.  Add your link at Kootoyoo.

Purple

It's all about purple around here at the moment.  Purple drink bottle, purple spoons, purple clips, purple t-shirts, purple play dough and purple pencils.

Today we're making up a new "twirly skirt" to dance in.  Yes, it's purple (and it's also using up a little more of that vintage polyester I needed to deal with).

Special thanks to Toni from Make it Perfect as well for her lovely feature of a little red ribbon on her blog today.  See it here.

Nice.

Finally, 6 weeks late my Christmas present arrived.  We had a little mix up, but now she's here and I love her.

My poor laptop has gone about 6 months without a case, but now she has a beautiful hand made home.

If it's of interest to you, this case is from here.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I seriously need this one, do you?

Free stuff I love: kerbside thrift.

I have never taken something from someone's giveaways on the side of the road before....  But check this out!  A sturdy kid picnic table in good condition just being thrown away!  I couldn't let it pass by and this was exactly what I needed.

I love a good freebie and one like this doesn't happen often.

I hope you're week's been fine - mine is a little crazy and out of control, but I'm head above water at the moment....ask me again on Friday and it may be a different story!   Have a lovely day!

Melbourne highlights :: Monk Bodhi Dharma

OK.  If you've never been here, you should go.  Seriously.  I promise it is a really cool place and was a total Melbourne highlight.  Think Tibetan inspired, repurposed furniture, vintage light fittings,  organic handmade foods and very very fine coffee.

If you're into skim milk you won't find it here, only full cream un-homogenised love in a little glass cup (that's right, one size only people).   Not to mention a pretty darn great atmosphere if you can actually get in the door!  We were really thankful to get in with a party of seven - we took up half the space in the place!

Monk Bodhi Dharma.  Definitely worth trying.  Definitely can't wait to go back.  If you live in Melbourne and you've not found this gem, don't think about it.  Click here and go tomorrow.

I think I'll wrap it up there for my Melbourne highlights for now, thanks for hanging in with me folks, there was lots more to see and do but I did manage a trip here to get a lovely small stash of liberty too,  which made my weekend, just no pretty pictures of the store unfortunately (I was too busy selecting fabrics!).  See you tomorrow.

xo

a little red ribbon @ Gnovember

I'm so pleased to be guest posting over at Gnomeangel today!  Head on over and check out my Top 10 Vintage Etsy Crushes and get shopping!   Hope you're having a happy weekend!

Melbourne highlights :: MOZI

More shopping!  Right around the corner from Liar Liar just happened to be a lovely little MOZI store!  Very pretty.  Just love the colours in store at the moment, particularly this first image.

If you'd like to visit a MOZI store, you can find one here.

Hooray it's Friday!  Hope yours is a good one.

Melbourne highlights :: Rose St Artist Market

Second Highlight :: Rose Street Artist Market, Fitzroy

Washed out a little, but still great!  I had a great time browsing the stalls inside and those who had braved the pouring rain outside.  I came away with a few cute brooches and gifts.

I had fun browsing the wooden postcard badges by Neil Thomas Art.  I purchased a "press for assistance" badge and my friend purchased one that said "Shhhhhhhhhhhh" (yep, she's a librarian - a cool one too). 

If you think you'd like to visit this market, click here for more info.

We also spent some time up and down a small part of Brunswick Street, but there was way too much to get through in a few hours, so we'll be finishing the rest next time!  Despite the rain, I did manage to stop into some great bakeries, stock up on some more tea and have a hearty lamb and vegie soup lunch!  

Melbourne highlights :: Liar Liar

So, my weekend in Melbourne was awesome!  I didn't get a chance to see everything I had planned, but I did manage to hit a few places that I could most definitely return to.  This week I'll be posting a few highlights of my trip (crafty and not).

First Highlight :: Liar Liar Cafe.  

She said it was great (my local friend that is), and it totally met the expectation.  Awesome coffee,  friendly people, fabulous food and even a private demo & tasting on using a clover coffee machine.  Totally worth a visit (or two in my case).

 This lighting was fabulous.  You know me, I love vintage anything (almost).

 Yes, this is a silly photo of me eating my delicious french toast with poached plums and mascarpone.   YUM.

If you think you'd like Liar Liar too, you can find it here.

[images courtesy of Nadine Newell - a very excellent friend and photographer]

Love this vintage...

Pair of red peep toe shoes from Good Grace Vintage.  Very sweet! 

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I'm back from a flying visit over the weekend to Melbourne.  It was a great time with friends, just too much to get through in 48 hours!  Back Sunday at 11pm meant I was really hurting yesterday morning getting up early and being at work at 8am, but it was worth it!  I'll post some pictures of a few favourites later in the week.   Have a fabulous week everyone. xx