How a Piece of Driftwood Can Make You Happy

Hi there,

I can't believe it is nearly the end of another week, and January as well, boy that month flies by. I have so many things on my to-do list right now is an arms length long, my poor brain is a little fritzed.

So for tonight it's the little things that make me happy, like this teeny-tiny little piece of painted driftwood I found on the beach. It's not much really, but I am really quite taken by it. Perhaps it is the colour, or the way it has weathered in the ocean or the fact that I found it on such a beautiful isolated beach. Either way it's there as part of my shell collection to admire and touch every now and again and it makes me happy.

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments, and happy friday!
Catherine x

Eight Things

I have been tagged by the lovely Ali, so here are eight things about me you probably don't know:

1. I desperately want to visit Japan, and hope to next year, ahh the sushi, the design, the cherry blossom, and possibly the Fuji Rock Festival (always has the best line-up!).

2. One day when I was probably about three I took my dolls for a walk in a little dolly pram I had, I walked around to the shop near my house while my mum was in the shower. I can still remember doing it and feeling quite independent.

3. I had a backstage pass, access all areas, for Radiohead in 1998 on the Ok Computer tour, but being 16 and rather shy could not bring myself to go back there. Instead I sent one of the sound engineers back with my cd sleeve and a card for them to sign, I have all their signatures in silver pen (Colin writes his name like a face, so cute!) but will always wonder what could have been.

4. I really really dislike having my picture taken, but I love taking photo's.

5. My perfume that I think I will always wear, and certainly have for the past several years is Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, I love it so much.

6. Unfortunately I find it much easier to be certain about the things I dislike rather than the things I like, however I am trying to make a concerted effort these days to like more and dislike less.

7. Quote: "Tonight the moon is a mirrorball, light flickers from across the hall" U2 - If you Wear That Velvet Dress, always sticks in my mind, the way he sings it, the thought of a moon being a mirrorball, too perfect for me. (I am not a serious quote person clearly!)

8. I have 4,000 photo's on my computer and they aren't backed-up, eek, I am on to it this week. I am rather slack about some things.

I tag everyone! I'd love it if you join in.

Blues and Greens

I have realised I am posting a little about our landscape, the light and generally being outside, it does seem to be a big influence on me right now, it is summer, and warm and the sun has been out and because this is the first summer ever I have worked full time, trying to make the most of those precious moments of freedom.

This weekend was the Australia day long weekend, and our tradition of camping and beaches, we went with my dad this year, who must be one of the most organised and fully equiped campers ever. We spent time swimming, walking and plenty of eating, a little drinking, some Irish music and I managed to make some progress with my crochet. So right now I feel salty and still a little sandy, covered in mozzie bites and sunburnt, but wonderfully relaxed and full of fresh air, I wanted to post the above two pictures I managed to take, one in the evening the other in the middle of the day, I found the colour of the water quite incredible, and so changeable, almost impossible to capture the brilliance of the blues and greens.

The Hill

Last night after work we went walking at one of my favourite places in the world, I love the history of this hill and bay, my family history there and the bigger more inspiring history of the Tasmanian aboriginies. The light was perfect and golden and it was so great to be out in the fresh air watching the world go by.

Dahlia

Dahlia's are one of my all time favourite flowers, (along with peonies, agapanthus, magnolia, roses...i could go on!) I love the fact that there can be fantastic firey red spikey flowers, massive lolly pink blooms, and these delicate creamy elegant balls. I was fortunate enough to buy a posey at the market on the weekend, it was a very successful market trip. I found a fantastic hand carved wooden spoon, complete with unique bend, made out of banksia timber. Sold to me by the very man who carved it, and regrettably something I didn't buy a gorgeous 60's gold chain and rose bud pendant, I have my fingers crossed it will still be there this coming weekend.

Store Update

The store update is complete, drop by sometime for a little look.

Left Bank Look

The Left Bank Look by Anne Hubert is book of the week at decor8 and I am sooooo in lust. I just had to go order it, so I can find out how to make my own transfers for cushions and tea towels like the ones in the picture, but mainly I had to have it so I can daydream about my new love of bright pink and white.

Top photo from decor8 and bottom from Anne Hubert

This Weekend

I had to share some kitty cuteness, 'cause they are just too cute! Well somtimes anyway, most of the time Lola attacks Augus' tail or chases him round, and he just wants a quiet life poor thing. Another weekend has come to an end, why is it they go so fast but a working week drags on? It is so hard at the moment with beach worthy weather being stuck in a dull old office cubicle. So it's best to make the most of spare time, this weekend has involved:

- finally after such a long wait seeing Into the Wild, when rd and i first got together, he told me I HAD to read this book, and it was so special, but seeing the film brought it back and was perhaps even more emotive and moving. It's an amazing story, about a very incredible person.
- hanging out drinking strawberry milkshakes and reading papers
- listening to new and old music
- making linguine marinara, with fresh fish, prawns and squid, then enjoying eating it outside in the evening sunshine
- winning lovely giveaways from the wonderfully talented Marta
- working on ideas for the shop update
- and of course the standard dose of housework and washing and cleaning (you know the really fun stuff!)

Store Update

Store update this week.

A Beginning

The start of my crochet experiment, I hope I can last the distance.

Puddles

I saw these in a little shop the other day, they are so gorgeous, known as puddles and designed by the brilliant Tord Boontje, I love that they are actually quite small and are a different take on his cut outs. They look so magical and I imagine change again with lovely soft light and candles. I'm smitten.

I am also loving:
That Camilla is guest blogging here
Learning how to do this, yes I am actually attempting this myself, still loose and a little incorrect, I love the challenge, will post my own pictures soon.
citi tumblers, the eiffel tower on a glass is so simple
The genius of a corrugated cardboard wardrobe by Giles Miller.

Pure Genius

This whole album has been going around and around in my head for the past few months, and it's one I have to listen to from start to finish and then begin again. Yes I am completely obsessed and taken, it's won me over.

I am even worse now, because not only is Scotch Mist (the video of them playing every track from the album live in the studio!) available here it's also available on itunes as a series of podcasts, as well as a cover of unravel, which must be one of my favourite bjork songs. So please excuse me, I am a little excited and a lot in love, with music that moves me in ways more than I could imagine.

Very Good Indeed

This year one of my aims is to cook lots of fresh and healthy dishes and try new recipes more often. I was given the new Nigella Lawson book for christmas, and so far have cooked several dishes from it, but this was the best by far (although I am a terrible sweet tooth!) It's a nectarine and blueberry galette, perfectly simply, I am sure it would be just as lovely with any other combination of seasonal fruit. Here is the recipe because it's very good indeed!

Nectarine and Blueberry Galette

1 x 375g shop-bought rolled puff pastry
2 x 15ml tablespoons apricot conserve
2 x 15ml tablespoons double cream
1 x nectarine sliced in 16 segments
125g blueberries
2 x tablespoons demerara sugar

Preheat the over to 220 degrees celcius
Lay the puff pastry on a lined baking sheet, and using a sharp knife score a frame around the edge, about 2cm in from the edge.
In a small bowl mix together the apricot conserve and double cream and spread on the pastry within the frame.
Arrange the fruit on top and sprinkle with the demerara sugar before baking for 15 minutes.
Cut into slices and eat while warm.

Reflections

Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a wonderful time. I had a lovely night, involving barbeques and walking on the beach at dusk atnd sipping on champagne. With the new year we are having some beautiful summer weather, clear blue skies and hot sun, which I love, definitely a summer-time person. I love that living extends outside and I could spend hours in the fresh air reading, I think it is one of my favourite past times. I spent one of my summers while I was at university doing this, just absorbing the sunshine and whatever I could get my hands on to read, breaking it up from time to time with a walk around the neighbourhood. Sigh! sometimes you really don't appreciate those moments until they are so limited, but I suppose part of their glory is looking back.

However I am so pleased, because I planted some strawberries in pots a few months ago and they are starting to ripen and turn luscious red mmm mm and they taste pretty good too!