I discovered these notebooks here in Auckland and thought the covers would get your creative ideas flowing to fill them.  They also have a pretty tote to carry all your crafty things.   Mini Labo design fabric, soft toys, wall stickers and cushions as pretty as their stationery.  To see more go to their site – it is in French and I had no luck with the English version so couldn’t understand a thing, otherwise you can buy their stationery and tote online here.

images [Heliotrope]

I have been roaming around Poppytalk Handmade, lost in the wonderfulness of all the artists work – now my cup of tea is cold and not even started.  This website showcases lots of new and/or established talent, and puts it all together in one place so you don’t have to trudge through the internet yourself.   One of the artists featured is Heather Smith Jones whose watercolours and pinhole works are awesome.  The paintings are all the colours of a rainbow and the patience in the pinhole work is impressive.  I always fancied painting in watercolour and each time it has turned out more disastrous than the last, so I’ll stick to acrylic and just buy her watercolours.  Go take a look through her website, blog and etsy shop for more eye candy.

images [Heather's Etsy Shop]

I still remember our library of National Geographics from when I was very very young.  The one all my sisters and I looked at again and again over many years was the August 1963 edition with Jane Goodall and the chimpanzees.  It wasn’t the text that was captivating, but the images.  So this is totally cool – National Geographic has designed a site to get some extra work for their assignment photographers.  You can either use their photos just like you would from a stock photography site or browse through their list of photographers and their gallery of work.  It is so worth taking a look on a rainy day – the photos make you want to subscribe to the magazines for a lifetime and start a library for yourself or your little ones.

images [National Geographic Assignment]

You will be the envy of your workmates when they spot your shiny new tiffin in the lunch fridge.  In Britain and India the term ‘Tiffin’ usually means a light lunch or snack brought to work or school.  Pop your dahl in one layer, bread in another and curry in the last one.  Presto, lunch in a reusable leakproof and mostly cool lunchbox.  And if you live in Melbourne check out this site – you can order your Indian lunch, delivered in a tiffin, right to your desk (my sister and I so miss living in Melbourne).  If you don’t live there, but still want your tiffin, shop online here.  Of course you don’t even have to put food in it – imagine one layer filled with spools of colourful thread; packets of sequins and beads in another; stock one with your pretty trims and buttons, and you have a little Aladdin’s cave of treasures.

images [Cinnamon Designs]

post by Kathryn

Mmmm summer is just around the corner here in Surfers Paradise and I have noticed that full 50’s style skirts are back in fashion!  I imagine myself riding an old school ladies bike through the cafe streets, replete with my bicycle basket up front, skirt flapping in the breeze behind.  Would my dog fit?  Maybe if I squished her a bit…..The designer, Mary-Louise Gustafsson, was inspired by the crochet tablecloths upon which her grandmother would serve afternoon tea.  With that in mind, I will have the white one please.  I can’t find it available anywhere down under – but perhaps Scandinavian Grace would post, US$55 right here.

images [Scandinavian Grace]

post by Kathryn

It has taken me a while to get this post out, so at last here are a few photos of Amy Butler’s new goodies. She has been busy lately launching her new range of fabric, both the Solids and August Fields range, not to mention her Giftwrap Green line of paper and eco tableware.  Take a look on her site at all the great fabric, patterns, and inspirational gallery of photos.   Here is the list of stockists for all her products. 

images [Amy Butler Design]

These pieces are so fun and original, they will have people talking every time you wear yours.  The necklaces and earrings are made from 24K gold and silver, they are folded in the same tradition as paper origami, but these last forever.  Take a walk over to Origami Bijou for a look through their great selection, some even include pearls, and maybe you will find something just different enough to wear for the coming season.

images [Origami Bijou]

Ohhh, how about this stunningly arranged selection of the new Liberty of London fabric to purchase and make some pretty blouses from. It’s all girly and flowery and light weight.  You can buy it through Purl Soho which is a shop full of everything from notions to needles and the best part is they ship internationally for a good rate.  Take a look at the range they have available, or if you would like to buy the fabric here in New Zealand, click here to browse and purchase from their collection of Liberty fabric.

image [The Purl Bee]

Years ago my flatmate was the proud owner of a set of matching church pews. We used them as our dining seats alongside the table. They weren’t that comfortable, not that we ever did pad them up with cushions, but they looked wonderful and I remember them fondly to this day.  Having a look through Design Sponge’s sneek peeks, pews are a favourite piece of furniture at present (or is it just me).  I can imagine my children sitting there to put on their shoes, and somewhere for me to place heavy shopping bags. This one is great too, open and organic. So I think I might go scouting around the antique stores this weekend. 

images [Design Sponge]

post by Kathryn

Wow, another great example of outstanding woodwork.  Craftsmen hand-turn each sink on a lathe, then rub it for a sateen sheen.  It is sealed with waterproof polyurethane, has a maintenance free finish and comes with a 10-year guarantee.  It is available from this month and is US$499 from Totally Bamboo in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as a two tone version and honey colored version.  Great for the eco-friendly home.

via [dvice]

Master Four walks behind my husband with his toy lawnmower, mowing our lawns – and I mean every two weeks or so.  This started when he was two, and it still doesn’t bore him, what’s even cooler, is that he truly thinks his mower does the job.  After seeing these two alternatives I had to share them with you. Wouldn’t this be another great combo for my lovely boys! A great DIY if ever I saw one. For more info about these, go here and here.

images [Inhabitat; Like Cool]

I always associate melamine with the kids corner – certainly not with grown-up design, but these Sealife Melamine plates and coasters by Thomas Paul really caught my eye.  What gorgeous illustrations, and the colour palette is heading right away from the children’s end of the spectrum too.  Click here to look or buy – I think you will agree that melamine might just have come of age.  These unbreakable accessories will add buckets of style to any poolside soiree! 

images [Utilities Home]

via [NotCot.org]

post by Kathryn

This one caught my eye because of the water.  On a long and sometimes windy drive down the Victorian coast from Melbourne sits this house, perched on a hillside overlooking the Bass Strait.  It took 2 years to design and a year to build -the colour blending in with it’s surroundings and with balconies that overhang like large branches on a tree – this home has front seat views of the lovely days and fierce weather the Bass Strait whips up. Imagine pancakes for breakfast on that deck before surfing or boogie boarding down below. Aahhh.  For more info and images go here.

via [Arch Daily]

You can’t actually buy this hair dryer anywhere, or at least, my search bought back nothing, but I had to share these images with y’all.  Isn’t the detail on the barrel stunning. Even the holster is tooled with the same design. Just pull the hammer on top to the desired heat setting, pull the trigger and boom! – a bouffant!

via [Like Cool]

While I was looking for something different for my walls and after Jennifer blogged about these bowls, I discovered this site where original aboriginal art is sold at really reasonable prices.  Situated in Alice Springs in Australia, Central Art is one of the worlds largest online aboriginal art stores that sell contemporary indigenous art.  ’Grandmothers Journey‘ really appeals for me – the paving style caught my attention, and also the more original dot-style of ‘Awelye‘.  There are so many beautiful pieces, go take a look here.

images [Central Art]

post by Kathryn

Too exciting…at last wallpaper that rips off when you’re over it, or when you’re renting! Tempaper is vinyl coated self-adhesive and can be pulled off and repositioned if applied crooked. I would love to line my jewellery drawer with the Bela Turquoise style. The selection is very art nouveau and the colours quite punchy – they come in four different designs and apparently they will update them seasonally. You can purchase them online for US$75 (52cm x 10m) right here.  They don’t ship internationally at present but will let you know when they do, so hopefully you have a friend who could post them down-under for you.

via [Apartment Therapy]

I blogged a while back about this electric car, well, now this one is for the blokes, or the rockstar girls. With gullwing style doors like a Lamborghini and all black and Batman like, it’s the perfect pair really. Better yet, this one has a back seat for our nearly four year old.   It is Swiss made and is in prototype stage at present, electric with a top speed of 85km.  For more information click here.

via [Inhabitat]

After seeing this post, I had to rummage around Heather’s etsy shop and her website so I could see more of the fantastic ceramic art she has been making.  This is like seeing all the coral on a reef before it’s painted a thousand colours by the sun – these stunning pieces above are my favourite and are all available to buy at her etsy shop Element Clay Studio.  Take a look at her blog as well, for more pics and info. 

images [Element Clay Studio]

Lorna Jane has been around for 19 years now, so why did it take me so long to discover she does the perfect hoodie, and pants that make me look like I might go near a gym?  Now online, and with over seven stores in Australia and two stores in New Zealand – Lorna Jane is a great example of a home-based business that grew and grew!  Check out the Love Your Life singlet and the Casey hoodie. There is lots in store (I’m actually wearing my LJ pants right now they are so comfy) – the fabric is so luxe, and they inspired this blog!

images [Lorna Jane]

post by Kathryn

I came across this post and loved the Bento Box, so went hunting to find more.  As I regularly pack my own lunch and my nearly fours almost everyday,  these little separate containers are so helpful when you are filling the box with lots of goodies.  However, there is no way I will be making the lunches that look this good, the tricky cutting, the characters and pretty sliced fruit and carrots – uh uh, that’s not me, a sandwich cut in four still tastes like a sandwich shaped like the Eiffel Tower or a Pokemon character. If you are a planner here is a worksheet with food ideas and Bento Box outline to note down what will be in each box for the week. Get a great Bento Box here and make sure you stop by the gallery to see some awesome bento box creations.

images [I Love Obento]