some decoration for christmas

Since we will actually be away for christmas this year I thought we wouldn't worry too much about a tree, or any decoration really, but then I've seen some really great ideas on pinterest and I had to do something. So we've got a branch hanging off the wall with fairy lights, and lots of snowflakes and paper fans and honeycomb balls. The brown paper fans were my own creation and they are a little dodgy, but after a rather busy weekend it was great to sit down sunday night and cut up paper. Oh and excuse the cody wonky candles, I really should get some fatter ones for the candleholder but I keep forgetting.

Interior Love

This home of Simone Haag as seen on the Design Files, is one of those homes that I keep coming back to. We are still in the very early stages of planning a renovation and while I'm pretty sure our budget is not even vaguely in the same league of Simone's I still think there are a few ideas I'd like to try and incorporate. The light floors and soft walls and greys and blonde timbers. At least I can daydream.

Summer list:

I've noticed other bloggers (Meet Me At Mikes, Bleubird Vintage and The Day Book Blog) doing list posts and I really like reading them so I thought I'd join in too. So here is a little list of right now, summer!

Making: Christmas cards, paper and hopefully another gingerbread house this year (love Christmas craft/cooking)

Cooking: we'll not really cooking but I intend to make more home-made ice cream and gelato this year. I found the best vanilla recipe last year that is certain to get a re-run

Drinking: Matt's home made ginger beer, it's the best

Reading: The Luminaries and Burial Rites are on my list - any other suggestions?

Wanting: more than I should, but mostly a Mark Tuckey egg-cup stool

Playing: records on our turntable that we've finally got working

Waiting: for the new fete mag to come out later this week, I think this is definitely my favourite magazine at the moment

Liking: the new Arcade Fire album, Lilly Allen song and surprisingly the Lorde album is growing on me

Loving: the evening light, right now it is so golden and lovely

Considering: whether a salad spinner is a necessity or just another plastic thing to go in the nightmare cupboard full of plastic things we never use and that fall out every time you open it. Does anyone else have one? Are they a worthy purchase?

Watching: Hart of Dixie....yep it's not quality tv but it's strangely appealing

Hoping: that summer will be a warm and relaxed one

Mastering: the art of painting, my glass door book cabinet is finally getting an all-white update and the process is tedious to say the least. I hope the adage 'it gets worse before it gets better' proves true cause the current green is proving hard to paint over

Needing: some time away from work and for the Christmas/new year break to come soon

Smelling: the basil in the garden, best smell ever

Wearing: my yellow Georgia On My Mind sandals from Obus

Following: instagram mostly these days, does anyone else find that the move to more use of mobile devices makes commenting on blogs so hard, I think that is sad really.

Noticing: that people seem happier when it is sunny

Buying: Christmas presents early

Getting: back into exercising after bronchitis, it is hard but very needed

Admiring: all the beautiful things in the The Design Files Open House, too bad it's only for Melbourne and Sydney

Bookmarking: lots of house renovation ideas, it might just happen one day!

Traveling: to NSW for the holidays, my first not in Tasmania, I think that's kinda cool

Photo is from our trip to Sydney earlier this year.

Melbourne - not quite as planned

This year for me has been all about work, my real every day job that is, and while I like the work I think I have forgotten that there is a lot more to life. I'm missing the creative side of things. Also it has been busy and hectic and basically I've had one week off this year, when we went to Sydney, not enough! Anyway we planned a long weekend to Melbourne two weekends ago now to help rectify that.

I had big plans for this trip, to take lots of photographs, find new inspiration, eat good food and have a few drinks and most importantly a lot of laughs. Sadly though I got bronchitis, which is really not fun and I even lost my voice. We did see lots of lovely things (everything in the Mark Tuckey store, colour in Spacecraft, Obus and Gorman) but I just felt terrible and exhausted, on the last day we went to the pictures and saw About Time (not bad if not VERY gooey) because I hit a wall. So basically I feel somewhat cheated, I would like a holiday do-over!

As much as the holiday would have helped, I think I just need to make more of an effort on a daily basis to be creative and do at least one thing a day that makes me happy. That's the plan.

Lately: Spring

I thought I might do a nice wordy post about what I've been up to lately, but I've got bad sinus and my head feels bleh. However spring seems to have arrived, mostly it has been a lot of rain (too much for me) but I pulled the first radishes from my little veggie garden, and we had some kale in minestone soup. The dog got a spring wash (he's filthy again now), I love how he comes home with a little bandana. The poppies are out at the market, and I've even got some growing in the garden. Oh and the lilacs are out, but every time I think of going down to the back garden to take a picture it's pouring with rain.

Wish list: home

A few things I'd like for home right now, we have been thinking about renovations but it feels like this early thinking stage has been going on forever, so I've just skipped a few steps now and am thinking about the things I'd like for when/if it eventuates.

1. tom dixon hex bowl / 2. fine little day barr cushion / 3. the dots by muuto / 4. stelton knives / 5. oak mirror by kate sylvester / 6. country road tapas mugs

Interior Love

I love this space featured on Fantastic Frank, particularly that study room, the desk and the pops of colour, oh and not to mention the beautiful light.