October 30, 2011

apple love.


i love a real treat. especially when it's edible or in vintage form. apples on ainsworth does this to perfection. a beautiful balance of organic fruit shop, vintage haven and sweet treat dealer. run by a lovely lady collective, i felt at home as soon as i stepped through the door. (took me a while to step inside as the retro furniture/johnson crockery & vintage apron eye candy was an instant distraction - of the best kind!) there are a few cafes in brisbane that showcase the beauty that is vintage homewares and collectables, but very few do it so effortlessly and without the hootie tootie clientele that is almost needed to give it it's popular status. apples is as sweet as pie and doesn't try too hard to impress. the gorgeous cakes speak for themselves (which i am yet to try) and with many gluten free versions available, they cater for many. whilst ordering my brekkie bacon sanger (the haloumi stack was a close second) i managed to sniff out some delightful home made jam and locally produced baba ghanoush. the pot of local honey will be bought on my next trip back. sitting in the main street of salisbury, the vintage floral bunting and fresh flowers provide an instant invitation. like a kid in a candy store, i will be going back for more. perhaps i'll see you there?


the colours aren't the only thing that's delicious.

wall vases, blackboard paint AND retro kitchenalia? i'm in love.

these cemented my love.

THE best bacon sanger (complete with tom, avo, parmesan & aioli) i've had in a while.

my inner sugar addict went wild.

johnson detail and burnt orange florals!!

it all makes so much sense and the chubby love is infectious.

sweetness.

a wall to rival all walls.

so much floral. i was in heaven.



apples on ainsworth can be found...

shop 28a ainsworth street
salisbury

and here for some fb lovin'.



October 29, 2011

the early bird catches the second hand worm.


and when i say worm, i mean goodies. my day started early. 5.30am infact. after hauling my lazy butt from bed, i managed to get dressed quick smart only to return to rest my eyelids for a little while longer (all up about 20 seconds) before a text from kimberley saying she was outside got me heading up and out. we hit about 6 garage sales before 9am. a favourite oppy and the tip shop later and we were on our way to the cutest new cafe in town. kimberley had raved about a little gem in salisbury and i wanted to get my review on. before i'd even stepped inside i was in love. fresh fruit & flowers, johnson crockery and retro table settings had me drooling. a seperate post later will explain/show all and i promise you won't be disappointed. infact you'll be booking the next flight to brisbane town. a few treats were picked up today on our garage sale'ing expedition and a couple of gems from the vintage mansion on the way home. have a wonderful rest of the weekend. i'm off for some bavarian beer cafe action later and then some dandelion & driftwood brunching tomorrow. a delicious weekend you could say.



the johnson love affair continues.

mecca.

look what arrived in the mail yesterday!

a lovely little scandanavian cake plate with a metal ampersand and 70's date stamp.

more pillowcases and a tablecloth.

a bargain display unit for my staffordshire potteries/johnson collection.

and a sneak peek of my new favourite cafe!


October 25, 2011

there's a land that I heard of...


i'm still reminiscing about the best holiday ever. looking through photos brought back all the amazing memories that my most favourite people and i shared for those incredible 7 days. we all know what a winning combination my sister and her camera are, so i'm sharing a few here. it had been 11 months since we last saw our parents and it only took us a few minutes to get back into the mitchell swing of things and get our maui on. days didn't rush by, small moments, rainbows, chats and afternoon naps were enjoyed and cherished. if you hadn't noticed, my family are beyond amazing, and without them, i'd be nothing. i left a piece of my heart in hawaii, somewhere over the rainbow.


flying into maui and 'our view'.

they've arrived!!!!

my incredible dad and an incredible sunset.

mama and her birthday fanfare.

complete with hummingbird bunting!

my favourite hula girl.

peach on the beach.

she's beautiful.

two peas in a pod. x

love.

in her element.

oh hi guys!

juraassic parrrrk.

beeeeautiful.

dad and his girls.

rainbows everywhere.

mother nature pulled out all the stops.

one of our last dinner views. a piece of my heart resides here.


October 22, 2011

what kinda business you in?


...personal shopping for a four week old it seems. new career path perhaps? a super duper sleep-in after working into the wee hours watching artwork and waking to an empty fridge meant a bike ride to coles and...yes...that's right...the oppy next door. my lifeline often delivers in the cute baby clothes department (i would know) so a pop in to grab a few pieces for little lady harper's new wardrobe was a given. i swear the 20-something year old guys behind me found my 'oohing and aahing' to clothes that would quite easily fit one of their little sister's dolls, quite amusing. after flashing them my slightly flat belly i went on my merry way to build this lady a summer dress wardrobe. she's not quite ready for her own naughty shorts creation (although that would be migggghty cute!) so some pre-loved pretty pumpkin patch will have to do. i'm beyond clucky right now, so this post is really just to showcase pretty things in small packages. call it what you will....i bought a johnson teapot and some staffordshire beauties to balance the baby love out. ps. the culling at flower street has begun. furniture has unknowingly been arranged into some sort of retro jungle gym, the suitcases full of treasure have exploded and the once feature piece piano cannot be seen amongst the stacks of books, kitchenware, lamps, cds and fabrics. best get some dinner and then back into it. happy weekend all!



a lovely johnson teapot. (sold)

i sniffed these babies out from a mile off. for their bargain price, there was no way i was not going to keep them..well, at least two!

it's the stamp of happiness.

umm, tulle, bows and gingham...yes please!

the little lemon number is an oldie..and with the ribbon to tie at the back and the bow..i snapped it up quicker than a cupcake. the little floral/gingham number was a close favourite. nice work pumpkin patch.

October 19, 2011

wonderland.


more often than not, when invited to dinner, a guest will show his/her appreciation by taking the host a little present (in my case it was brownie.) so when i went and visited the queen of vintage at her lovely new home (jam packed with vintage loveliness, and that's only the garage), i walked away with a box full of treats. not any old box of treats, they were hand picked morsels of marvellousness (that's a word.) no dollars were exchanged, but a couple of my latest artworks. best gift transaction, ever! not only does kimberley know how much i love johnson ware (hello nanna memories and crockery i want to fill my future cakeshop with), but she is up there with the few people that reeeaaaallllyyy know/understand just what a glimpse of vintage floral does to my 'pre-loved adoring' heart. pillowcases, bed sheet, cushion covers, check!....johnson plates, teacup, cake plate, dinner plate check...fabulous japanese teaparty set? check! although i am in a culling phase of my life (go ahead, laugh), i know a good treasure when i see it. this leads me to explain that as of mid january, i will be living in the fore-mentioned vintage abode to buckle down and save some $$$. i won't have a little house to myself anymore and as much room to store my pre-loved goodies....so my favourites will have to be packed away, and the rest...hello november yard sale! i'm also hoping that kimberley's 'museum' will allow me to appreciate vintage goodness without feeling the need to go out and buy more. (i'll leave that to her!) i'm very excited for this move to vintage wonderland, even if it does mean hefty travel time to work and learning to share a bathroom again. change is only for the good and better for the bank balance. if you don't already know about kimberley, her blog, or facebook page (which shows recent finds for sale!) then hurry up and head on over there. this woman has an incredible talent for finding objects that are not only beautiful to the eye, but are accompanied by an even more charming history. i can see many a late night chat, discussing her latest typewriter find or how she unearthed a box of vintage wallpaper at a lovely old lady's estate sale. if you need me, you know where i'll be.
.


FABRICS!!!!

a cute tea set for sunday afternoon gatherings.

have always loved this design since seeing it over at sophie's.

johnson rose love.

this beauty doesn't need explaining.

more johnson floral love.

flowers & lovehearts on my pillow!

mint green johnson set.

floral bed sheet and cushion covers, love!

last little snippet of johnson ware and a token grandmother plate.