treasure island.

ok. time to get your eyes ready for some serious eye candy. i will say only two things (yeah, right).....1. i didn't pay more than $45 for everything you see below (so saving $$$ is still on track!) 2. a few of these lovely treasures will be available at the december rummage, hooray! i plan on making up a few gift packs for christmas (of the vintage variety) inspired by the gorgeous kellie. there will be some picnic love, some afternoon tea baskets and some lovely linens to decorate your home with. i've had an equally beautiful breezy brisbane saturday...brunching with some favourites at D&D and like always, they didn't disappoint. driftwood blend, peanut butter whoopies, sandwiches and sunshine made for a delightful morning. the whole sweet deal was captured by kate so photos will be showcased later in the week. baby snuggles were icing on the cake. last night i cocktailed my way after dinner to gertie's, laughing so much and and falling more in love with my nearest and dearest (had nothing to do with the alcohol consumed.) so now i've shared a couple of things i'm off to do some chores and admire my growing mountain art collection. the dishes can wait. i'll be back tomorrow with a special post but i hope this finds you enjoying your weekend and basking in this beautiful sunshine. hello spring!

'rose glow' by olga west, 1981.

3 divine aprons. keeping the one on the left, the other 2 will make it to rummage.

the most beautiful large round floral tablecloth i've ever unearthed. perfect.

a large mountain print from an original watercolour that was dated 1878. it's moody, delicious and now the centrepiece of my mountain arrangement.

i'm in love.

who can resist johnson crockery..and for 30c for two....i'm there.

a little bit of kitsch goes a long way.

some melmac loving. they will be part of a picnic set for rummage.

i love a good oil painting and this book is full of retro forest works!

remember this guy? well these 5 cuties will join him in a 'woodland teaparty' collective, available at december rummage.

a collection of retro greeting cards...watch out for the postie!

i found all kinds of fantastic pillowcases!

3 spring floral pillowcases, all bright and beautiful and some mustard and grey square linen for the boys.

i found a gorgeous (and large) teacup watercolour print and fell in love. i'll be reframing it in a smaller, cuter frame. finding cloud fabric is always a treat!

a perfect rectangular mustard tablecloth and matching dulux to paint frames, canvases etc with. it's all about the mustard!

a lovely orange check embroidered tablecloth and leafy barkcloth. yum!

ummm, yes...this is indeed an ET single doona cover in mint condition. (sold)

i'm a sucker for 'mother' plates. love you mum!

couldn't resist showing you a gorgeous birthday present (a kylie johnson cloud brooch) and a sneak peek of the colour palette that is adorning my latest canvases and cross stitches!

birthday behaviour.

what a day. rain held off till early afternoon which made for ample opshopping time and coast cruising. caught up with a handsome boy for a late lunch at my favourite coast cafe for some sweet talks and treats. lovely. just got home so photos of the delicious finds i picked up today will have to wait for tomorrow...there are some real treats! had lots of fun visiting my old favourites. off for dinner soon and then a birthday cocktail before i meet my girls tomorrow at dandelion & driftwood for some morning tea action...peanut butter whoopies included. happy birthday to the beautiful ladies that share my birthday and i hope your weekend finds you having some successful thrifting and sweet treat indulging. 28, wow...i'm a big girl now. see you tomorrow!

first oppy and the basket is already filling fast. (totally snagged that mountain print too)

the animal welfare league had a treasure trove upstairs. hello pillowcases, barkcloth and aprons!

my fav spot. where to sit? i want it alllllllll.

amazing chicken & pumpkin wrap, mug of latte and a perfect sugar pot.

my birthday cake and chai. here one minute...

gone the next.

my lunch date and the wallpaper...oh the wallpaper!

a sneak peek of some of the loveliness i thrifted today.

28.

28 today and still fashioning a face that doesn't look a day over 21 (thanks nan.) It's going to be a good year, I can feel it. I have those 'future plans' bubbling away, inspiring me daily and empowering me to create the life I want to live (ps. i'm not really a life coach) It always sound so easy, this make your life how you want it kinda thing, but things do get in the way, circumstances change and sometimes it doesn't work out how you planned. That's ok though, makes for some interesting stories to tell the grandkids. I am surrounded by incredible people everyday, of all different ages, with kids, no kids, no mums, no dads, 3 dogs, 2 cats and they are living the life that fits them best. I've been working away on what fits me best lately, and although some details are a little shaky...I do have some fantastic plans that I'm sure will take me in new directions that I've never dreamt of. That makes this 28th year seem very exciting. I have plans of leaving my beautiful house early next year, leaving my gallery job that i've treasured for 3 years, spending some time in europe with my nearest and dearest (this includes rendevous' in paris and vintage wallpaper buying in copenhagen) and then back to australia, most likely victoria. Brisbane has played the most beautiful host for the last few years but this tropical humidity just won't do. After living in the UK for 10 years, i know what a miserable winter feels like and having been brought up in Perth, WA...i know the melting power of 40 deg heat. only time will tell if i'm meant to be a melbourne girl. want to hear 28 things i plan to do this year? then take a peek below, nothing too spectacular but lovely nonetheless. (in no particular order or importance...as you can see from #1)



1. make cranberry & pistachio nougat for christmas presents (it's the new white christmas folks)

2. get my blog revamped by a professional (it's in the process!)

3. spend a long weekend in daylesford

4. have a solo art show (round 3)

5. visit laduree and sample every flavour of macaron when i'm in paris (because a girl can never have too many macarons and it's tax deductable, right?)

6. take a trip to retro villa in copenhagen and find the perfect roll of wallpaper for my future shop (plus many 1 metre samples)

7. wander the flea markets of paris

8. ride a bike around amsterdam (preferably with a basket full of flowers)

9. drink tea and share stories with my nanny kit (it's been far too long)

10. live in the same country as my m&d again (because life without mum cuddles and dad chats is just crap)

11. adopt a puppy (if i find myself a lovely little home that will accomodate him of course)

12. meet a generous/kind/delicious man (because a girl can never have too many of those either)

13. produce a series of lino cuts (currently in draft stages)

14. volunteer at a local oppy (why haven't i done this already?)

15. sample cupcakes from the hummingbird bakery in london (no explanation needed)

16. produce a small product line for baby nurseries (not my own)

17. own another naughty shorts dress (but what fabric to choose?)

18. leave brisbane for brighter horizons ( i love you bne)

19. continue riding my bike (best purchase of 2010)

20. ummmm, save some money to do all of these things

21. bake every type of whoopie pie in my whoopie pie book (a girl needs a challenge)

22. holiday in hawaii (wow, well look at that)

23. make some things out of my 'handmade weddings' book (it's an incredible creative resource)

24. go to the dentist (don't ask)

25. get my hair styled so i can wear it out more often.

26. buy a new camera (one that doesn't need masking tape to hold it together)

27. use some of the larger canvases that i've collected

28. stay healthy and happy....one cupcake at time.

beautiful image credit

melbourne!

calling all melburnians and melbourne lovers! i'm off for a 4 day jaunt in this beautiful city in early november and i would love your tips for delicious bakeries, vintage treats and arty sites. it's my first time heading to the city and i'm very excited. i have plans to settle there for a little while after my europe visit so i think it's time i got a feel for the place. have a wonderful tuesday and i look forward to hearing your stories! xo

image credit.

project: father's day

i woke to a beautiful spring sunday morning, perfect for a little rummaging and dad appreciating. although it isn't quite aussie father's day in the US yet, i thought it very much appropriate to celebrate my dad wherever i went. (literally, i carried this cardboard heart with me to rummage and back) he ate breakfast with me, helped tape up a leaky pipe until the r'estate can get a plumber onto it, drank several mugs of tea whilst perusing a few blogs, ate sushi and drank a frappuccino with me, watched over my rummage finds whilst i photographed them and is going out to dinner with his two eldest daughters tonight (our treat dad.) Also, we sang loudly and incredibly out of tune to fleetwood mac & level 42 as we drove over the story bridge. i am much better...so many things have been put into perspective and i have to realise that after a few crazy weeks, i am going to feel a little lower than usual (crazy hormones won't help either!)..but i'm healthy and i'm alive! can't ask for more than that. i am still looking for my nanny kit's ring (that i never take off), and it is frustrating me to no end wondering where it could be. i managed to split a plastic water pipe (it's 50 years old anyway) whilst trying (unsuccessfully) to move the bathroom vanity to look for it. dang. not the end of the world though, this week is going to be sooooo much better. here are a few photos from my day and a few treats i picked up (and was given) at rummage today. much quieter than usual and kimberley had beautiful treats as always. it's always nice to see her and the lovely amy. thanks girls for raising my spirits and spoiling me with treats. have a wonderful rest of the day please, this week is gonna kick last week's ass. xx

hey dad...want a cuppa? or perhaps a coffee frappuccino?

keep an eye on those fabulous finds dad. ps. i love you.

my beautiful birthday present from kimberley!

she's the new little sister to my beautiful tangerine kitchenaid, perfection!

a mountain painting for the collection.

no rummage is complete without a staffordshire purchase.

check this delicious turquoise cushion...front and back.

this little number was an absolute steal and perfect for wandering the hawaiian markets.

hey dad.

i'd like to introduce you to Terence Charles, or as we like to call him...

tel, dad, daddy cool, terrace, mf, terry, T.

he's a lover not a fighter.

he taught me how to drive.

he thrifts AND he bakes (hello homemade sausage rolls)

he makes my mum very happy.

he's our biggest fan.

he's silly and funny (so funny that even he laughs at his own jokes)

for a brit, he's at home at the beach.

hello to the best barbeque'er, ever.

he's so cool....check those boots!

he doesn't let his awesomeness go to his head.

he knows how to enjoy the simple things.

he has the most loyal best friend, ever.

gardener by day, art critic by night.

like father like daughter. (he poses for silly photographs because he knows how much i love moustaches)

this man has taught me every trick of the trade and just what it means to be loved. just like his dad, charlie, he's the most generous, supportive, loving man i have ever known.

happy father's day dad. i appreciate everything you do for your girls, everyday and

i love you beyond measure.

xoxoxoxoxo