Want want want

According to my Etsy favourites, here's what I'm crushing on right now...

Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls

Triangles

Gradients (these tights discovered via Hokey xx)

Geometric Shapes

Birds

Bones

Anatomical Hearts

Reversible Doormat

I bought my Dad an ambigram doormat for Christmas (by Suck UK). It's welcoming at first...


...and then hilarious when viewed the other way:

New Bedsheets

One of my Christmas presents this year was the Folk Birds bedsheet set from Urban Outfitters. I pretty much want to buy everything they sell.

The Loot

Here are the things I bought in Japan (less a bottle of Sake)... it's not much really! Chopsticks, toe-socks, origami paper, a fan, creepy Kewpie dolls, bath salts, mini pegs, and a few presents I have yet to distribute. My favourite shopping experiences in Tokyo were Tokyu Hands, Muji and the market stalls in Asakusa. I was on a budget this time around but next trip I'll be buying clothes!

Ode to Aesop

It's dawned on me that I'm becoming a girly girl. The first sign was vintage dresses creeping into my wardrobe. The next was a red lipstick I purchased a few weeks ago, having barely ever worn lipstick before. Now I'm in love with my Aesop products, as purchased with a voucher given to me by friends. The only trouble is, when they run out I'm going to have to buy more!

My own little New York City

On June 21st last year, I happened to post this miniature New York set to my Tumblr page then on January 26th this year, someone who I doubt would have seen that post gave me the very same set as a present! There's something wondrous about that.

What: City in a Bag 'New York'
From: Muji
Cost: US$14

Niagara print

"It's Not You, It's Me" by Niagara

This was one of my Christmas presents, just in time to replace the 2009 New York Calendar on my wall. I love it!

>> More like this available at Outre Gallery (249 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne).

Inspiration board

I see people blogging about inspiration boards all the time and finally decided to make one for myself. I think I should've got a bigger size though... like cork to cover a whole wall.

What: Quartet Espresso Corkboard (430x580mm)
From: Officeworks
Cost: $29.92

Stuffit

These Stuffit bags are so useful - I keep at least one in my handbag at all times, and tend to get complimented at the supermarket checkout for it! As the website says, they're:
~ Strong
~ Compact
~ Child safe
~ Eco-friendly
~ Machine washable
~ Australian owned and designed
~ Made from 100% polyester

What: Stuffit Swing Bag (this one is Leopard, but there are other colours/designs)
From: Ingenie
Where: The Greenstore (385 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy)
Cost: $20

>> I've seen these for sale all over the place, and the price will vary depending on the type/size of Stuffit bag you're buying. Also available online at Biome.

Gin & Titonic

I had an early Christmas this weekend - it was a whole day in the kitchen, followed by a feast of antipasto, roast vegetables, salads and gourmet deserts. Now I've given away some of the presents, I can post them here! This one is a Gin & Titonic novelty ice tray, which creates sinking ship and iceberg shaped ice blocks... genius.

What: Gin & Titonic
From: Fred
Where: Kleen Design (296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy)
Cost: $15

iTunes Genius Mixes

I am constantly amazed by modern technology - most things created by Google, the iPhone, planes, even wireless internet! How does data get sent through the air? I'll never get my head around that one.

Anyway, my latest discovery are the new Genius playlists in iTunes. Somehow it decides what songs will work together, and it's usually pretty right! It's like having your own personal radio station. JesskaFM.

What: iTunes Cards (on sale)
From: Apple
Where: Myer (til 11 Dec) and Big W (til 9 Dec)
Cost: 2x $20 iTunes Cards for $30 (Myer), or $45 iTunes Cards for $36 (Big W)

Maxihuge Calendars

Maxihuge Calendars are awesome. Okay, I'm a little biased with this one since I work for the company who designed them... but it's true! ThreeThousand likes them too :) I use one in my kitchen to keep track of bills, birthdays, events etc. Mine has been scribbled all over so this photo is just a dummy shot, shhh.

What: Maxihuge Calendars
From: The Internet
Where: Available in Australia now, overseas soon!
Cost: $59 (comes with 12 calendar sheets, month stickers and Magnart)

Oh, Christmas Tree

This little guy is going to be my Christmas tree this year (still a few decorations to be added), and after Christmas he's going outside to (hopefully) be reused again next year, and the year after, and the year after...

What: Christmas Tree
From: Fitzroy Nursery
Where: 390 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Cost: $31.95

Little birthday cupcakes

These Little Cupcakes were actually part of a present for someone else (we have the same birthday), but if I'm lucky I'll get to indulge in just one or two with him! Mmm... cupcakes!

Birthday post #4 - a squirrel on the wall!

As you may know, I have a bit of thing for squirrels, so this is possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen! I haven't named him yet, but he's going to live on the kitchen wall so I get to look at him all the time :) Truly, it's the perfect present for me, I'm so happy!

Thank you Hollie! xx

>> I'm not sure if I should send you to the Hokey shop, little lost love, or Vegan & Vintage... how about all three! You can also find her at the Rose Street Artist Market this weekend too.

Birthday post #2 - the bicycle bag

It's after midnight so I'm officially older! Hooray! (perhaps I shouldn't be so excited?) Anyway, the lovely Suzie of Button & Squiggle gave me this bicycle bag - very appropriate now that I'm riding my bike more often... including a 3 hour ride last weekend!

Thanks Suzie - I love it!

Birthday post #1 - Able & Game

I have to say, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world today (and it isn't even my birthday for another 3 minutes!). This is the first in a series of birthday present posts, because I just couldn't resist... I hope they don't mind!

If you haven't heard of Able & Game, check out the website - really cool, quirky cards! You can also find them at the Rose St Artists Market this Saturday & Sunday.

Thanks Anna!! :)

Vegan Wares shoes

Whether or not you're vegetarian/vegan, I highly recommend Vegan Wares non-leather shoes! They also make belts, wallets, bags... and custom made shoes if you can't find something you like, or the right size.

The NEW Lost+Found Market

I've been to the new Lost+Found Market (12 Smith St, Collingwood) a few times, and finally remembered to take photos when I was there yesterday - must be something to do with having this week off work cause this is more blogging than I've done in months! Anyway, I didn't buy anything (which is surprising) but there are all sorts of vintage treasures to explore if you find yourself in the area. Even worth a special trip!

>> I had to put up two photos to get the full inside-outside experience; the store goes over multiple levels, and all sorts of different areas, so it was hard to narrow it down to two!

Happy Mother's Day!

Breaking my "one photo only" rule here, but both of these were picked up at the Rose Street Artists Market as Mother's day gifts, and I couldn't pick just one! The first is a card by the ever so talented Able & Game, and the second is an elephant brooch created by Shonah. Both mothers involved were pretty chuffed with their presents, I think.