Hello!

Hi! Hello! Hola!  Well...after a few weeks of almost posting every single day it's all come to a grinding halt, hasn't it?

I wish I had something noble and solid and worthy to blame it on, but really I've just been having far too much fun.  I'm in Hong Kong (hip hip hurrah!) and over the weekend we went to the world's craziest sports event, the Rugby Sevens.  I am by no means a rugby fan, but this event isn't necessarily about the rugby - it's kind of like a Melbourne Cup x Big Day Out x cricket in the good 'ol days (ie. when there was streakers and full strength beer) x Mardi Gras!  Plus, each match is only 14 minutes long, so if you're bored by what's on the ground you only have to wait a few beats and it'll be different.

My sister arrives at crack-of-dawn o'clock tomorrow and we have a full agenda of not doing much planned.  But!  When life returns to normal (*cough*... if you know what 'normal' looks like, please email me) there will be many posts!  About good things!  Full of photos and adventures!  Yay!  So stay tuned!

Good Things...

I'm really loving the work of illustrator and jewelry maker Lousie Evans.  Her paper cuts are beautiful, her book designs crisp, and her jewelry combines geometry, a neutral palate and a mix of textures - lovely, lovely stuff.  You can see more of her work here and here, check out her blog here, and buy her jewelry here.

I'm a bit sad that it took me so very long to discover the goodness that is Prints Charming - gorgeous screen printing, embroidery and all round craftiness.  I think it was Jess's Epheriell Designs blog that finally turned me on to them, and I immediately had to get my hands on their fabulous book.  It is so full of exciting things to make.  The great thing is for each project they provide a non-screen printing option, for those of us who haven't the space or the talent or the spouses who are happy for the house to be taken over with screens and ink.  

I've never owned a DVF dress, in fact, I don't think I've ever even tried one on.  However, I have always vaguely admired the label for it's consistency and classic sense of easy going style. Vaguely admired that is, until I stumbled across the vintage collection which is based on prints from the DVF archives.  I am totally besotted with the patterns, the colours, the styles.  I'm heading to Hong Kong again soon and I'm hoping to track one down (on sale, preferably...).

I follow a lot of blogs (a lot!) and I try and check in on them all when I can, and comment when something strikes me.  But there are a few select blogs that I know I don't want to miss out on, so I subscribe via email, and the latest addition to my inbox has been Geninne's Art blog (found via @Chantal_Vincent).  Not only is her art simply stunning, but her blog is full of wonderful inspiring earthy images.  Go have a look!

And last, but not least, my sister is coming to town!  Hurrah!  Yippee!  Zippedidooda!  There will be shopping and eating and manicures and the odd glass of wine!  And hopefully no repercussions for me posting a photo of us in our matching nightgowns on my blog...

Death by Doxie: The Sleeping in Strange Places (Vintage) Edition

Did you see this post about Ferdi sleeping half on / half off the coffee table?  Well, when I said he had a predilection for sleeping in strange places, I probably didn't state my case strongly enough. 

Over the years I have found him sleeping in packed suitcases, laundry baskets (clean and dirty), storage containers, kitty litter boxes (clean only, thank goodness), and atop IKEA flat packs, newspaper stacks, shelving and outdoor tables.  Here's a small selection for your enjoyment - apologies for the at times dodgy photography.  

(pssst...did you notice his little buck teeth in the top photo?)

Melbourne: Shops

Oh Melbourne!  With your endless array of mid-century modern vintage shops, your quirky little designer boutiques in strange lane ways, your queens of craft selling all things handmade...oh, wait, I kind of did this yesterday didn't I?  But it's true, Melbourne is a pretty cool place to shop.  And the lovely thing is that most of the fun is in the looking, you don't even need to buy anything!

As I mentioned before this trip I stayed at my sister's house, which entailed running a few errands here and there.  The good / bad thing is that every time I went somewhere to pick something up, she'd always be telling me about some cute shop just around the corner that I had to check out... One of my favourite such places was OK OK in Brunswick, mainly because of their own brand tights and socks which are amazing quality and fabulously colourful and...made in Melbourne! Awesomeness!

I also finally got to check out Third Drawer Down, and Mr Kitly where they had an exhibition involving hanging plants and crocheted lamps, and a Japanese paper craft book all about thank you cards which I couldn't resist.  And there was Cottage Industries on Gertrude Street where I lusted after zig zaggy crocheted cushions, and admired the crocheted tree out the front.  Actually all of Gertrude Street was pretty impressive - lots of wonderful arts and crafts and textiles on show.

Melbourne: Food

Oh Melbourne!  With your cafes and delicatessens, your enotecas and tapas bars, your bakeries and your coffee roasters.  You may seem expensive these days but I don't care, I still drool when I walk in to a neighbourhood fruit and veg store, I shiver with delight when I see a local supermarket selling ligurian olives and turkish bread and fresh lemongrass.  Melbourne, you are food heaven, and when I'm away I miss that about you, I really do.

So of course when I go back to visit you I eat, and eat, and eat.  On my most recent trip there was: great coffee from Seven Seeds; ridiculously tasty poached eggs with corn fitters from St. Ali (thanks to Beci for the recommendation and to Shannon for the facials and the lovely company); possibly one of the most delicious meals I've ever had at Gigibaba (third time lucky, so glad we finally managed to get there!); plus I also got to see the launch of my brother-in-law's newest food adventure, the Taco Truck (the fish taco was my favourite!).  Yumlicious!

Here's my nephew Ari hiding 'from the cheeky people' at the Taco Truck launch, plus Tyke looking a bit moody, as only a 7 year old can.