Must Have. Now.

Well, OK, so I like shoes. Maybe 'like' is a bit of an understatement, because I would do a lot of bad things in order to get my hands on these. Thankfully that's not necessary, these gorgeous creatures by Jeffrey Campbell are available here.

They might not be the best boots for my construction site meetings, but I'll find an outing for them somewhere. Ladies auxillary meeting maybe.

If only I could buy the legs too....

Images from here.

Love Is All Around

Quick nod of thanks and appreciation to the lovely Anne @ Annechovie and Karey M (a.k.a mackin ink/T.Ruffles) @ Kirtsy for some luverly blog lurve this past week.

Image via dottie angel.

Crystal Radio Set

OK, the last time I came across the words 'crystal' and 'radio' used together was back in 1979 when I was 10 years old and both of my older brothers got a crystal radio kit at Christmas time.

But this has taken things into a whole new stratosphere. The already stylish and chic Tivoli radio has been dressed up by Swedish designer Per Sunberg in Orrefors crystal!

I think the eye candy value is through the roof, but it would want to be for the $4,500 U.S. price tag.

Image from here.

Saint Verde

Saint Verde Digest is one of my all time favourite portals to head to for visual inspiration - of the sublime kind.

Neville Trickett has such an amazing eye and curates the kind of posts that make me still. The visual relationships he finds and creates always make me think, feel and want more.

The images above are from the latest in my favourite posts on Saint Verde, please go and take a look around. You'll be hooked. Forever.

All images from Saint Verde Digest

The White Garden

I'm a huge fan of white flowers in the garden, but have never considered applying the All White interior look to the outdoor space.

I work in the commercial end of landscape architecture, where this wouldn't really fly. But for people who are fans of the all white look, this is a really lovely outdoor application.

Images from here

Just Because

.....Great view and proportions (code for: Kevin McCloud = 40 yr old designing woman's crumpet)

Image from here - actually, seriously, go check this out. It's from a page called 'The Grumpy Old Geezer Forum'!

London

I've been hoping to show you (code for: 'can't help flicking through the photos again, boo hoo I miss London + Paris!!') some snaps from my trip last year. Oh wow, that's the not nice thing about January - everything suddenly becomes 'last year'!

I had been to both cities before, however it was the first overseas trip for my young sons. You can see them in the photo of the fountain at Somerset House, running through it of course.

I really love London, it is so packed to the rafters with gorgeous architecture, gardens and incredibly creative and talented artists and crafts people.

My photos are a bit limited, looking back through I obviously didn't have blogging in mind when I was shooting them! There's mostly landscapes (work) and crazy silly happy snaps of the boys (love), but I hope there's something here you see too.

All images from The Diversion Project

The Love Train

It seems that the love train is barrelling into town again - oh joy : |

But instead of sticking my little single girl head in the sand (because, would it really be possible even if I tried??!!), I've collected together a few lovely items that might make your main squeeze's heart leap with joy, or your colleagues' mouths gape in jealousy. (I mean, if you're going to buy one of these gorgeous things for yourself, you might as well get some mileage out of it and send it to the office right?!)

All of these lovely things can be found at one of my all time favourite little hubs out there in the ether - Rockett St George. You better move quick though for delivery times - after all do you really want another bunch of 'secret admirer' (nudge,wink) hot house roses, that cost a mortgage payment and only last two days, on your desk again this year? I think not!

(the internal lettering says 'Life Would Be Rubbish Without You')

(this is a wax covered aged cheddar and pot of pickles - love it!)

All images from Rockett St George

Orla Kiely Risers

How cool are these stairs with Orla Kiely wallpaper used on the risers? Sensational idea, look, and (I imagine) patience!!
Image from here.

We're Happy Little Vegemites

Can't get anywhere near close to being able to explain how proud I am to be an Aussie. Our country is an amazing vast, open and beautiful place. I love the way Aussies on the whole attack life, are accepting, embrace the outdoors and love a good laugh. We are truly blessed with amazing countryside, incredible coastline and who could forget - meat pies and vegemite!

Today is Australia Day and many of us will be out in the warm summer air lying on the grass watching fireworks, some will be surfing, some will be laughing with their mates around the bbq at home, and some will be calling back home from somewhere far away in the world...but one thing I'm sure of is that we're all incredibly greatfull to call Australia home. (confession : I get tears in my eyes every single time I hear Peter Allen's 'I Still Call Australia Home', it's a total Pavlovian response!)

Happy Oz Day!

Images from here, here and here. 

Leah Giberson

I've been a fan of the incredibly talented Leah Giberson for quite some time now. Leah's chair series and abandoned pool series were my introduction to her work. I own a few pieces of the pool series and just adore them - the image in the middle, 'Three Ways Out', is one of the prints I have.

Going back through my list of favourite Etsy stores the other week I noticed a whole new series of Leah's work that just grabbed me. These new caravan pieces are incredible. Because caravan travel is part of the Aussie culture there is something totally recognisable in this subject.

Go and take a look through Leah's collection of work, there are so many gorgeous prints to fall for. Also, Leah has been nominated on Poppytalk's Affordable Art awards, once you've seen her amazing work I'm sure you'll want to use this link to go vote!

All images by Leah Giberson.

Flickr Triptych

(Just click the image for more detail.x)
1. here, 2. here, 3. and here.

Weekend Rituals

Just up the road from me is a great Italian deli. The kind where all of the family works in the shop over the weekend, and let me tell you the 8 yr old daughter has a better business brain than I do!

I head up there almost every Saturday morning to buy flowers. Not fancy pants flowers, but fresh, bright and huge bunches of whatever is in season. These bunches come wrapped in that squeaky silver plastic wrap, that blinds you when you walk out of the shop and into the morning sun.

I go in, browse around, look at the colours they have, and grab whatever takes my fancy. Now here's the best part, this gorgeous little shop sells these gems for $5 a pop! Unbelievable. I think they think I'm mad when I walk out with armfulls, but that's OK, I get a week's worth of joy.

All images by The Diversion Project

Just Because

....Grace Coddington is a total legend.

Image from here.

The Big Easy

I really love the simplicity of this home and yet it is hugely cool. It demonstrates that easy going and laid back is not necessarily boring, or any less beautifully composed than rooms on a grander scale.

It's the sort of place I could really settle in to.

Images from Livingetc