Recovering........

Laying on the sofa I am recovering well from my surgery. Meanwhile I put together this little vignette to cheer me up today.

Vintage Moroccan Tea Glass $3.00, English China Trinket Box $3.50, Vintage Ceramic Ballet Slippers from my childhood, and Roses from my garden in the perfect shades of pinks and yellows. Vintage touches always bring a smile to my face.

Thanks for all your well wishes last week.

Simone xx

Cath Kidston Winner + My Bedside Drawers

I love my old chest of drawers in my bedroom. The paint is peeling off here and there. One drawer is a little "stiff" and hard to close but these are the things I look for when purchasing certain items for my home. The imperfect stuff.

Fellow blogger friends I am off to hospital tomorrow for an operation. I will be out of touch until early next week. Will miss you all until then.......

WINNER of the Cath Kidston "Sew" (chosen from random.org) is: #67 Farmhouse Wares, congrats my love, contact me with your details. Thanks everyone for entering xx

Coming Up Roses

This is one of my all time favourite tear sheets inside my scrapbook. It is from Home & Antiques magazine. I love the "overuse" of the floral theme here. Something as simple as that magazine rack would be the inspiration for the entire room for me.
I collect old floral prints and adore how they are used here. Maybe you have an object that you love that could be the inspiration for you to bring a room to life like this.

Beach Vintage vs The Cupcake

my decorated dozen - not bad for my first go

you can play with all the colours you want...and then lick the bowl

Sharnel teaching us her secrets

Last Friday was a great day. I attended my first cupcake course hosted by the beautiful Sharnel from The Cupcake Company (they make the best cupcakes ever) . If you have not done this and you live in Brisbane you must certainly book in! I had the best time. For 3 hours we were shown all the secrets to make your cupcakes look amazing. There was lot's of taste testing along the way too. The best bit? You get to take your self decorated, one dozen cupcakes home! I am telling you there is nothing better.
Beware: By the time I got home there were not to many left to share. Is driving and stuffing your mouth with cakes a criminal offence?

For the next class email Sharnel here xx

Project Day: Rosette Doiley Brooch

pic #1

pic # 2

pic #3

pic #4

pic#5

pic #6

just before I headed out for champagne

It's no secret I love vintage doileys. Today I decided to make a brooch.

• You will need 3 small round doileys.
• Gather them together by weaving some cotton in and out on a needle (pictures #1 & 2). Pull the cotton tight until it gathers and tie the ends. Cut off any excess.
• Glue the 3 gathered doileys onto a brooch back (I used my trusted glue gun for this).
• Turn the brooch over, you should now have 3 little doiley flowers with centres begging to be decorated (picture #4).
  
• I used crochet flowers (ebay) for the centre (pic #5 & 6) , but you could use anything. Hot glue gun them in place.
  
• Lastly attach to your favourite shirt and go to the nearest bar for a champagne darling! It's Friday after all.
  

Have a great weekend and don't forget about my Cath Kidston giveaway drawn next week. Simone xxx

Guess What I am Doing Today + Cath Kidston Giveaway

It involves my day bed (covered in an old vintage sheet), verandah, lot's of cushions and a new book. Maybe add a few cups of inspiration ( coffee that is, not champagne ) !
For your chance to win your very own copy of "Sew" by Cath Kidston just leave a comment on today's post. Winner announced next Wednesday 25th November 2009. I will post anywhere in the world.

Colour Me {Vintage} Happy

I couldn't resist buying this crochet doiley a few weeks ago. I have never seen one like it and the colours are just so amazing. Every time I look at it I feel happy. Vintage doilies are a great way to add a little touch of nostalgia around the place.

Grab Your Bread ~ {Bin}

It's a common dilemma.....where do you hide your bread? Well now I hide mine in this vintage bread bin picked up for $5.00 at the local charity store. Can you see the wear and tear around the place? Perfect don't you think?

What Turns Your Tap On?

image from Brevity 26

Today I can feel my fear tap trickling on. This always happens when I have something coming up I don't wish to face. What turns yours on?

Project Day: Making Modern Look Vintage

my caravan

cafe lounge/sofa/curtains before

cafe lounge/sofa/curtains after

table before

dining table after

bed before

bed after

We bought our caravan new a year ago. The interior styling of modern caravans is not my style. So today, I have changed a few things inside without spending alot of money on a custom design.

1. A vintage chenille blanket cut and tucked into the brown cafe seats.
2. Floral scatter cushions made from scrap fabrics.
3. A red check tablecloth from an op shop for a few dollars.
4. A vintage bed sheet used as a bedspread.
5. Retro plastic knick knacks I have picked up here and there.
6. An old piece of Sanderson curtain fabric for the blinds.

You see I like some of the modern aspects inside my caravan like my microwave, gas stove, shower & toilet and air conditioning but I can't live without a vintage touch here and there.

I am coming home tomorrow, thanks for tuning in this week while I have been on vacation. I look forward to catching up on all your blogs next week. Take care and have a wonderful weekend! Simone xx

My Op Shop Finds

one of the op shops in town, of course only open in mornings

vintage typewriter in the perfect shade of turquoise $10.00

a beautiful pink cotton bedspread hand cross stitched with roses $2.00

a vintage children's story book $0.20c

a soft crochet treasure in my favourite shade of pink $1.00

As I have said before. I love the small town op shops. They are one of the few places left where you can find a genuine vintage bargain. Yesterday I did the local op shop crawl. 3 church shops in a little town called Maclean (NSW, Australia). Here are a few things I picked up. My favourite buy? My vintage typewriter. Tomorrow I will be doing some interior styling (on a budget of course) in my caravan, hope you can join me.

Save the Australian Beach Shack

the classic Australian beach shack

another typical beach shack

some deck chairs out the front of an old beach shack

the caravan park camp sites

Looking around this small coastal town there are many old classic Australian Beach Shacks. They are becoming harder to come by as people buy them and knock them over to build something more modern. That's why when I come across an original beach shack I get so excited. I just love what they represent and the history behind them. There are lot's of them here at Brooms Head. Along with other eye candy. I am off to the local op shops today.....will share what I find.

PS: Please don't forget I have limited broadband service and cannot visit my fellow bloggers this week. I am reading all your comments though and will get to you when I return.

Today I am Happy

photo taken by my sister

Here I am on the beach today. Stay tuned for a tour of my caravan.

Blogging by the Sea

our caravan set up on the beach

Today I am typing away by the beach. We are at Brooms Head Caravan Park on the mid north coast of NSW. This is our caravan and this is our spot for the remainder of the week. For me it doesn't get much better than this. I want to show you around this beautiful little beach town. I hope you will come along for the ride.
PS: I have limited Broadband service here so please forgive me for not dropping by all your lovely blogs this week.

Project Day : Early Bird Xmas Branch

my living room

I know Christmas is still over a month away, but I have to tell you these things now so you can get prepared right? That's my excuse for making this pretty decorative branch. Here's how:

• Go for a walk and find a long tree branch. I found this piece of driftwood washed up on the rocks. But you can use any branch, or, a piece of dowel from the hardware store. And if you are desperate, a broom handle will suffice.
• Get some fairy lights and twirl them all along the branch, securing them as you go with wire or fishing line.
• Find a place to hang/suspend the branch and secure it with fishing line. I have a beam in the middle of my living room so I secured the line over the top. If using a doorway, screw in some little hooks either end and suspend the branch with fishing line that way. Just take sure it is secure and can stand the weight.
  
• Add some decorations. Have some fun, I added some sea shells and some little white birds I had left over from a party.
• Wait until dusk, plug in and switch on (preferably whilst drinking a glass of champagne).

This only took me about an hour and it was so fun. I loved adding things as I went along, like the sea shells. I don't know how I will ever take it down it's so pretty.
If any of my readers end up creating one of these branches I would love to feature it in my December Xmas posts. So get cracking! I am off in the caravan now. I will be posting while away so you can come along for the beach ride if you like. Take care of you. Simone xx

PS: Winner of Coastal Living comp is #34 - Kimberly from Boardinghouse.
Congrats! Please contact me.

Using Trunks as Coffee Tables

my living space

I love the idea of using old trunks or suitcases as coffee tables. This is my little trunk which I picked up on Ebay (or try theoldboathouse) for $50. It was actually an old blanket/toy box. Someone had made it by hand from wooden crates and the like. It was a horrid dark brown so I sanded it back and gave it one coat of white paint. I didn't want it to be perfect and already there are scratches all over it from moving things around on top, like drinks, food, books and shells. But that's just how I like it thanks.
PS: Baby Bird still going great. It has been 10 days now in my care. I am currently teaching it how to fly- ie: throwing it up in the air and hoping it does!

Mad about Caravans

Caravan Birdhouse by Moose Mother

Vintage caravan Brooches by Felt Design

Ruby Camper Mug from Snail Trail

Mia Tom Caravan Shirt

Snowden Caravan Tea Towel

We are packing our caravan this week ready for another beach getaway. Of course I plan on taking you all along with me. For now I am getting in the spirit with these lovely themed bits and bobs. Any take your fancy? I want them all.

Happy Tuesday & Coastal Living Giveaway

all images from Coastal Living November 2009 Issue Out Now

It's that time again. For my review of the latest issue of Coastal Living Magazine (November 2009). And of course my monthly giveaway of the latest issue. Just leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy. Posted anywhere in the world!
This month I just adore the home of Emmy Award winner Sherry Bilsing. A Californian bungalow full of vintage finds and quirky collections. My favourite things about the home are the collection of vintage globes in the living area and the cane arm chairs at the dining table. What a fabulously inviting place. The kind that begs you to come inside, sit down for chat, and maybe a drink...... I just love this style of casual decorating.
Don't forget you can win a copy of this months Coastal Living magazine with Sherry's home inside and loads of other fabulous articles by leaving a comment on this post. Winner drawn this Friday 5th Nov.
Other Coastal Living reviewers are: Maya Completely Coastal, Lisa from Coastal Nest & Layla and Kevin from The Lettered Cottage.

Do Roses Have Feelings?

image from 3 Little Birds/Flickr here

We have a rose farm up the road. I buy roses there. A few weekends ago they had some live rose plants for sale. 4 for $20. They told me they were older plants that were no longer productive for the farm and they had to "get rid of them". They looked half dead. So I bought 4. I pruned and planted them in my garden. They have shot up and have produced flowers already. But unlike my older rose bushes these buds have no smell. I wonder, do roses "suffer" being confined and mass produced in small areas? Given some TLC will they respond? Will their scent come back now they are in a better place?

Project Day: Crayon Cookies

Something a little different today. Sometimes younger kids find it difficult to pick up crayons with their little fingers. And I am always encouraging kids to draw. So I made these for my little nephew. Note: Please do not eat, for drawing only!!!

• Grab some old bits of crayons or buy a new packet like I did.
• Break them up into small pieces and colour code them how you like in a non stick silicone/rubber mini cake tray.
• Heat oven to 150-200 degrees.
• Place tray inside and monitor. You want the crayons to melt but not become too runny or too hot (they will smoke). This usually takes about 5-6 minutes.
• Take out tray and allow your tray to cool completely (watch small kids, if spilt this mixture will burn like hot candle wax on the skin).
  
• Pop out your little crayon cakes and start drawing.

Because these were a gift I wrapped them in some colourful ribbon. What a wonderful and quick idea. I even had a bit of fun drawing with these. I loved the mixtures of colours created.
I wanted to say thanks for all your wonderful comments this week in regards to my little bird. He/she is still going great. Have a love filled weekend with lot's of drawing and creating. Simone xxx

$10 Cane Side Table

pictures by me

Yes, bought this beauty last week for $10 at local op shop. It is painted a soft yellow, scuffed, worn and a little shabby. No wobbly legs though. So I didn't have to do a thing. It's practically perfect in every way!
PS: Bird Update...it's still alive, eating well and growing too!

My Magic Carpet

Remember how I talked about adding a rug to my daughter room? Well here is the end result. It's a blue floral rug from buysterrugs.com.au. That’s right, I didn't even have to leave the house as you can order online (they have over 700 styles of rugs and a kids section too). It’s hard to find kids rugs that are not covered in mermaids and fairies. This one is just right and I am really in love with it. You can check out the rugs they have here. I would love to know what you think of the new look.

Oh Chenille Chenille

image via Country Living

image via flickr kimhascats

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Country Living

I love using vintage chenille blankets on my beds! One of my biggest tips for those thinking of a new bedspread is chenille. I have a small collection. They are so very hard to find. I think they are so wonderful teamed your favourite cushions. And they feel so very lovely to the touch. If you have any hiding in your cupboard get them out today!
PS: Baby bird doing great.

Are you my Mother?

image from Harpers Collins

On the weekend my neighbour cut down some foliage and down fell a tiny nest with 2 baby birds inside. My heart stopped. We put the nest back in the remaining foliage hoping the mother would come back. During my sleepless night I heard a rustle in the bush. I ran outside to find the nest on the ground, 1 bird missing, the other sitting on the concrete stunned. I searched and searched for the second baby in my underwear and torch for an hour. Nothing. A predator for sure. I took the remaining baby inside and kept it warm all night. I have been syringe feeding it every few hours now since Saturday evening. It is still alive. I think its only a week old. It's a dove/crested pigeon. Not many people really like these birds. They are considered pests. But then again, so are some humans as far as I am concerned. I will be looking after it until I can release it, or find it's mother.

For those of you who don't know me, I am an animal lover. I cannot leave an animal in need no matter what. I have saved numerous cats, dogs birds and whatever else comes my way. It brings tears to my eyes to even say that because I am so passionate about it. So this week my posts maybe sparse as I have a little bird looking at me saying "Are you my Mother"? This to me is more important than any other thing in the universe at the moment.