workin' for the man..... or woman......

Oh how I wish my daily work space looked as harmonious as one of the above images. Yes I work in an accounting firm but my office is my space, I could do better..... Maybe I'll be inspired to do so now.

Because Megs and I have the most glorious collection of pencils now available and exclusive to our little shop.... look!

Sets of 6 pencils for $15, including postage. The perfect gift just because - for yourself or someone else!

Click To Shop

images of office spaces - click through for credits via pinterest account

Nom nom nom

My waistline gives it away - I love food. I'm very fortune to have some very talented cooks as friends, and also friends with mum's who are incredible cooks. Sally and Jennifer are therefore a dynamic duo when it comes to cooking and entertaining.

My friend Sal is a sensational cook in her own right, known for her love of all things dessert, or 'dess' as we like to call it.... - she makes complex dishes look easy and always puts on an incredible 'spread' when we get together. Its pretty clear she got her culinary genes from her mum - Jennifer. This woman cooks thing from scratch that I didn't even know you could cook from scratch!

Boo for me but yay for those that are based on the Gold Coast, because they have finally opened for business - Two Spoons. A sophisticated yet friendly catering company ready to look after your every need - from intimate dinners or long lunches to healthy menus delivered to your door, they have it all covered. Having left Adelaide for the sunny state - Gold Coast you are lucky to have these two fabulous foodies in your midst! Contact them for you next event, you'll love it.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Moderne Montmartre - modern masterpieces!

Shelley was the first fellow blogger I met. In Melbourne almost four years ago now. I met her at her fabulous shop - Galerie Montmartre, and oopsie, daisy - I bought this beauty who I finally framed last year and hangs beautifully in my kitchen.

Their curated collection of vintage posters are to die for - Michelle's 'Galmont' instagram account is full of gorgeous examples - they pop up in my feed and I want every single one.

So I was ridiculously excited to hear a couple of months back that they had launched Moderne Montmartre. A collection of original contemporary posters from the 80's, 90's and 00's. Love it.  Congrats Team Montmartre on your new 'baby' - gorgeous colourful original art work.

image via moderne montmartre

The Most Fabulous Megan Morton

The BEST arm candy - Megan Morton

Cliche I know - but you must be living under a rock if you don't know who Megan Morton is. The School...... The Propery..... exquisite. I have a weakness for seriously beautiful home books, but I can honestly say that often I don't even flick through every page of them, let alone read them.

When "Things I Love" (Megan Morton's latest publication) arrived in the mail I sat down on the couch and read. every. single. page. as well as indulging in all the imagery. An absolute feast for the senses.

So when of my favourite lifestyle websites, Lifestyled did a piece on Megan, and in particular her fashion today - Heaven!!!!

Damn, now I want your wardrobe as well.

Megan - you are out of control fabulous. Thank you for your constant inspiration. I WILL get myself to a class at the School with a bit of luck this year.

Happy Mum Day x

 First of all, Happy Mother's Day wonderful ladies!!! hope you have a relaxing day. But how can it be the middle of May already...... yikes.

So the first mother's day with the 'fur child' - and despite being a cat with unusually high intelligence I'm sure, there was no sign of a hand made card this morning from Chuck Bass....... maybe next year.

The Fur Child at his most peaceful...... doesn't happen often!?!?

Will be catching up with Mummy B today - the little sister and I have organised her some treats. That's Mum and I in the photo above, about 32 years ago. Double yikes......

 Will go out and visit Grandma B today as well, 93 years young she has just moved into an amazing aged care facility. Brand new- complete even with 3D TV's (yet to explain that concept to grandma!), I'd be quite happy to go and move into this place now. Bless - she was explaining to mum and dad on their last visit to see her that she had been to "Chow Mein" that arvo. Ok Grandma, you mean you ate Chow Mein for lunch?...... On further discussion it was discovered she had actually been to "Tai Chi"...... at your age Grandma, you can call it whatever you want!?

xx

Me = Mindy. Mindy = Me.

Ok, maybe its more that  I wish I was Mindy. Definitely wish I had her outfits, her home and office. Her character? well why not - I wish I was that too. She is much more fun and out there and confident than me. But sometimes, I think I just relate a little too well to Mindy. 

Pippa knows me better than I know myself - so when I had some time to do nothing but lay in front of the TV recently she gave me all the episodes to date of "The Mindy Project".

There are so many reasons to like this series - the fashion, the interiors, the characters, the one liners, the serious funny 'sh%t' they all get up to, the way Mindy is so extreme in all that she does but yikes - you can't help but think - yep, been there, done that.

Mindy Kaling created the series and also stars as the main character - inspired by her mother who was an OB/GYN. (gynecologist to us Aussies....)

Good news, series has been renewed for Season 2. I've managed to catch it when at home, albeit at 10pm on Monday nights on Channel 7. I can even catch it on TV when I'm in the Philippines.

I knew Mindy and I could be BFF when, asking how her colleagues spent their Saturday night she exclaimed "My Saturday night was so lame. I fell asleep during the movie 'Amelie'. I spilt so much red wine on myself, when I woke up I thought I'd been shot" *may not be her quote word for word, but you get the gist...

Then there is the episode where Mindy finds her inner female warrior and calls her 'Beyonce Pad Thai'.....

I really wish I could find better pics on the net of the show and her apartment, office etc. But you will obviously just have to watch it to see how fabulous it is. Gold in fact. Happy Days x

And just a side note. THANK YOU EclectChic for your comment on my last post. You lifted my spirits. You rock xx

Currently Crushing on.....

The over-dyed vintage rug. Has the fad passed? Maybe I'm a little late on this one. Yes - I recall when they became all the rage, but my love for them has only just occurred. This one in particular has me smitten. A little too small for the space I'm needing it for. Maybe i'll find a really long runner for the hallway with a similar look. 

This West Elm one had Emma and I both excited last night (get to their new Australian website, and if in Sydney - get to their Bondi Junction store) - super stunning and reasonably priced, and 100% Wool! (although I was a tad underwhelmed by the $70 delivery cost to get it to me). Not to mention there were some stunning and well priced coffee and side tables - pinned them all to my 'Living Room Makeover' pinterest page. Its all just got a bit overwhelming and I just need to 'do it'. 

Golden Delight x

So excited by Miss Lonny's latest project - interviews with some of her favourite 'grammers!

SOOO good. Thank you lovely lady.

see it for yourself here. 

The Selby visits Rita Konig in Manhattan

Her home and style is timeless, classic, fun, yet to me - super sophisticated - if I could have anyone's home it would be Rita Konig's. Its feminine without being girlie - the ultimate balance of coziness and class. Images of her home are known by so many and while I'm deciding what to permanently do with my living room I even attempted a bit of old school "Rita" myself.

My morning ritual (besides getting up at the VERY last minute....) includes checking my emails while waiting for the bus. Tried to keep my delight to a minimum at the bus stop this morning when I saw the latest pics from The Selby were of Rita's home. So many familiar things, so many new bits and pieces. Its so encouraging  to see her keep so many things the same but with a few little changes. I think the reason why I am so reluctant to start properly decorating my 'new' place is because - 'what if i get it wrong', 'what if i change my taste in a month' - blah blah. I need to, as Nike would say 'Just Do It'. 

I think i'll be returning to these pictures for inspiration.

So many more peaks into her Manhattan home can be seen on The Selby here.

images above from The Selby.

Big isn't always better

I referred to it as the 'shanty' but my first little place really was a cosy little spot. I made it my own and even put in a new kitchen.

I rented out the property when I spent a short time overseas and scored the most fabulous tenant. I was also very fortunate to find my current home, the SFC (single fronted cottage) while living overseas - and purchased it 'online' and upon moving back to Australia I took up residence in my gorgeous blue stone single fronted cottage.  The SFC, even though I've been here for over a year, still doesn't quite feel like 'home', its still rather empty and lacking personality.

I had reason to return to my first home, the 'shanty' today. I won't lie. I miss its cosiness.

Many wines were drunk there, magazines read, SATC episodes watched, hours spent on the couch by friends following a break up or a big night out........ its time to put some personality into the SFC, watch this space. ( i know, i keep talking about it - time to take ACTION!)

images from my first home

Love

How beautiful is this? Its from the wedding scene in '500 days of summer'. Another one for the 'maybe one day' file....... x

Go Rita, Go Rita...

 It's a classic - timeless. Rita Konig's lounge room is still just so fabulous.

 Trying to recreate my own bit of 'Rita' in the SFC, I've had some of my instagram pics printed via printstagram and using blu-tac i've started a little mini gallery wall above the fireplace in the lounge room.

 Super easy and inexpensive ($12 for 48 mini prints!) - so much fun. I'm pretty chuffed with how it looks so far. Can't wait to get the next lot printed.

Trying to put a little love into the SFC, over a year of being here and I still feel like a squatter/uni student renter in my own little home. I've pulled my finger out and got some quotes on book case cabinetry for the lounge room. Maybe I'll have more to share to keep the blog going after all!

xx

Check in with Chuck

 It's been a while since I've updated you on Chuck's escapades. This furry little muffin is still very much the kitten of mass destruction despite now being eleven and half months old.... Here he is sitting in a bag of Christmas shopping late last year....

 I always feel terribly guilty when I'm away. And I'm often away for work, or visiting family and friends interstate. This is me elated, and Chuck well, 'happy'?! to see me when I returned from Noosa after Christmas.

 Unfortunately Chuck has taken a huge liking to human food. Even my lazy meal of spaghetti from a can and toast isn't safe - little minx took a bite out of my toast, and then came back for more - I gave up and he got the toast.....

 Despite giving off the aura of not having a care in the world, and that he can do what he wants, when he wants - everything must really be all about him, all the time. I can't even 'pin' in peace......

 Let's just say I don't think Chuck is a fan of Summer and the heat.  This look of disgust was on his face permanently for the last couple of months...... there was a lot of laying around on the floor trying to keep cool. 

 I've been lucky enough to have friends house and cat sit when I've been away - but a trip to Melbourne for work saw mum and dad offer to take in the 'grand cat' for a couple of days.... lets just say it wasn't without incident. Including the upturning of rubbish bins (case in point above), then there was the continual leaps up onto the kitchen benches, and somehow managing to get himself between the floor and the base of the kitchen cabinets while the dishwasher was being replaced.... I got regular reports, including that he had 'pretty much used up his nine lives', and that he had been put in 'time out 3 times'.... Dad has just retired from years as a school teacher and principal - unfortunately his tried and tested disciplinary tactics were no match for Chuck.  Family friend Kirsty said that her father and my dad were comparing 'grand children/pet' stories for which they decided - 'Both make a mess, hers doesn't climb kitchen cabinets, but mine is toilet trained'...... very funny.

Where's Wally?! - his favourite room of the house would have to be the 'office/warehouse/study' that is BBT HQ. So many places to explore and hide, and things to play with.

It's safe to say that Chuck Bass ensures there is never a dull moment x

Blog posts have been few and far between of late - the reason I started was to share finds with friends, but pinterest and instagram seems to do that for me these days. Unfortunately I'm not creative or time rich enough to provide unique, fresh and exciting content here...... so pondering where this will all go. Hmmm, I'll keep you informed x

She has done it again....

March Lonny Magazine is out - yay! Michelle Adam's newly decorated apartment features - double yay! And look at her bedroom. LOVE.  She truly has exquisite taste.

Read the latest Lonny - Click here.

Image above from Lonny Mag.

Lovely Indeed.

Above are some of my favourite pages from the latest "Lovely Wedding Magazine" - Lovely because it is fresh and interesting - a great mix of 'real weddings' and styled pieces. Brilliant because the weddings and concepts are absolutely amazing but definitely achievable.

Loved Tina Kent's styling from page 18 (as seen in the first pic above) - and, um customised monogrammed napkins for $3.50 - i'm on my way, Copy my Favorite!

And yes, I'm still allowed to gush over a wedding magazine even if i'm a single woman. The styling is stunning. Any excuse for a stuning soiree I say!

Lovely Wedding Magazine is another free online magazine from Lonni Parker, who is also responsible for "Adore Magazine". Speaking of which, Please tell me you have pledged to purchase a copy of the Adore Home Book??? You must, I just did. If the book gets enough pledges to purchase it, the book will be created and published. You are not charged if there are not enough people who pledge to buy the book (as the book won't be created) - DO IT PEOPLE! I WANT A COPY! (Please....) Click here to read more and pledge to buy the book.

all images via Lovely Wedding Magazine and Adore Home Magazine.