October 20, 2013

to market.


if you've been to paris, then it's more than likely you've wandered the enchanting alleys of les puces. on my first trip, i was too daunted to attempt them on my own so stuck to the safety of the dreamy arcades in opera. i still love perusing the old bookstores and photographing the decorative tiles that abound in the passages. last year i wandered les puces with my two best friends which was just magical. the treasure we unearthed was incredible, the majority too large or too expensive to come home with us but inspiration was at an all time high. this time around my sister and i spent a chilly but sunny saturday morning wandering, fossicking amongst and admiring the treasure that les puces had to offer. i have to admit that i was a little bewildered at just HOW expensive things had become. for the regal furniture dating back to the 17th century, it was a given, but a lot of the everyday retro finds stretched too far from my budget. this didn't stop the excessive photo-taking (when i was allowed to) and my heart must have exploded at least a hundred times at the colours and compositions presented before me. within the first half an hour, i had been fed at least half a year's worth of screen-printing and collage project ideas. a quick crepe fix and a few finds later...i was in heaven. having my sister in such close proximity and living in such an amazing city means a weekend wander around these incredible markets is now only at arm's length. oh the possibilities! 

















October 19, 2013

paree.


it's no surprise that i love paris. on my third time back, i really fell in love. helped happily along by my sister/photographer extraordinaire who now calls it home. i got to see what paris is like from a local's perspective and it was just delicious. we slept in everyday, baked, bought flowers from the local florist, ate almond croissants and hunted down some of paris' best kept secret eating places. we vintage shopped, wandered the endless alleys of les puces...oh boy was my inspiration was running on overdrive. the colourful street art, grand doors and historic arcades had me completely charmed. we wandered the streets in balmy temps, drank french wine accompanied by fine french cheese and  walked around the louvre and dahlia-packed tuilleries in our stretchy pants. i saw a more unpretentious version of paris this time around...no macarons or endless louvre queues but a crazy night drive around the arc de triomphe (i've never nervously laughed so hard), a mexican feast and a reunion with a gorgeous friend drinking cafĂ© au lait amongst the locals. parfait.
























goedemorgen!


hallo! sorry it's been a bit quiet around these parts lately. this aussie has been settling into dutch life fantastically, thanks to my new full time job. it's busy, it's monday-friday and it's giving me the financial freedom to plan trips around europe, opshop and plan our trip back to australia for the T & T wedding next october. i've been dabbling in creative projects in my spare time, which includes some 'how-to' projects for the team over at 'gathered' by mollie makes. it's been a real honour working with them and scavenging local secondhand shops and markets for props. go take a peek and see if any recipes take your fancy. there's one for every occasion and you can download them straight to your iphone! have a great weekend. i'll be back soon with photos from my days in paris. tot ziens!


rose swirl cupcakes.


gingerbread whoopie pies.


white chocolate, pecan and butterscotch blondie.


poppin' candy cupcakes.


hot spiced apple juice.


cinnamon donut muffins with pumpkin spiced frosting.


christmas tray bake.

October 16, 2013

gent.


in honour of turning 30, my nearest and dearest friends joined forces to send the boy and i to the gorgeous city of gent. it was cold and it was magical. i unearthed wallpaper heaven, had the obligatory waffle, admired incredible medieval architecture and overindulged in the notorious belgian stew. we drank belgian bier in cosy pubs and wandered the charming streets which filled my instagram feed. we stayed at a delightful b&b in a cosy attic apartment which we called home for a few days. the famous priem wallpaper shop was at the top of my to-do list and delighted every one of my senses. i’d read some interesting reviews which just fed my curiousity. within 5 minutes of stepping inside, my heart was beating out of my chest and i'd been told off for touching the wallpaper. yes! i’d experienced the grumpy sister i’d read so much about. two rolls of wallpaper in arm (i could have bought 50) and i made my way to the register. at this time an elderly gentleman had arrived with a wallpaper delivery, rolls tied to the front of his bicycle. the shop was brimming with retro, floral, geometric, 80’s and animal print designs. one of the finest collections of printed paper that i‘ve ever had the pleasure of viewing.  followed by scones and tea the next day at julie’s house, a visit to the design museum and a serving of belgium’s famous fries, gent is a must see city.