Lately.....

Writing.....I wrote a few words about being a working Mum for the lovely Trishie over on the 'Under Lock and Key' blog. I really enjoyed writing this little piece and hope you enjoy reading it.

Loving.....these 'handcrafted bali dolls' from Pigeon Pudding. These were an Instagram discovery and now a certain little someone is getting one for her 2nd birthday. I love supporting 'handmade', 'fairtrade' and 'small businesses'.  These dolls are handmade in Bali by the Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA) foundation. YKPA is a not for profit organisation and registered orphanage which provides much needed care, shelter and education to neglected and abused Bali street kids.

Eating.....I've been pinning lots of dinnertime ideas over on Pinterest. Our evening meals were becoming somewhat predictable and I was desperate to try some new recipes. The yummiest dish so far has been this 'Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken'. You should try it!

Buying.....I managed to buy myself one of the last few copies of issue 1 of 'Hundreds and Thousands' magazine. I can't wait for the postman to deliver it. Handmade at its best!

Anticipating.....the new homewares collection by Beci Orpin. arrohome.com.
 
Growing.....lots of lovely lemons. I love their imperfections, they say 'homegrown' and make them seem more 'real'.

Sending.....my very first pen pal package. Hopefully the first of many more lovely exchanges. I'll post some photos of my parcel next week.

Baking.....Millie and I made this 'Banana Cake with Greek Yoghurt Frosting' today. I'm loving our little joint baking adventures.

What have you been writing, loving, eating, buying, anticipating, growing, sending or baking lately?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: these are a few of my favourite things

Top Left: pinned here. Bottom Left: pinned here. Bottom Middle: pinned here.  Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here.  Middle Right: from here.

These are a few of my favourite things...

1. Mood lighting. Nude bulbs. Fairy lights. Inside. Outside. Anywhere.
2. Fresh flowers on cakes. So much so that I've just ordered 'Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers' by Miche Bacher.
3. Wearing pattern on pattern. Polka dots and florals are my all time favourites.
4. Dress ups. Tulle tutus and feather head dresses.
5. Garlands and wreaths of fresh flowers.
6. Simple gift wrapping with a touch of nature.

What are some of your favourite things at the moment? If you'd like to see more of my favourite things you can follow me on pinterest over here!

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

The Finders Keepers: Brisbane {spring/summer 2013}

Gift wrap by bespoke letterpress. Tassel Necklace by Crayon Chick. Vegetable Stickers by the Surfing Sloth.

On the weekend I ventured to The Finders Keepers market in Brisbane, held at the historic Old Museum in Herston. This market has always been a favourite of mine so it was lovely to be able to experience its sights and sounds once again, whilst ticking a few items off of my Christmas shopping list.
 

{christmas gifts I bought}

• The most beautiful double sided gift wrap I have ever seen from bespoke letterpress. 
• A lovely blue tassel chain necklace from Crayon Chick. Blake has it easy this Christmas as I bought this for him to give to me, bad I know!
• A pair of jade green Geometric Hexagon Earrings from core jewellery. The cushions at this stall were quite amazing also.
• Some sweet bird stickers from Skeleton Leaf florist. A stall full of lovely fresh flowers wrapped in brown paper packaging is my idea of perfection!
• An art print from Studio Cockatoo - it was love at first sight when I saw this stall. You should really check out their online store. This cockatoo art print is a favourite.
• Quirky vegetable stickers from Surfing Sloth.

{things I loved}

• The riot of colour in the form of mexican embroidered dresses at little tienda.
• The crafty supplies at The Spring Shop. Hello fluoro pink ink!
• The ladies bow ties at marcello neckwear. I know someone who would love one of these, it's on my list for their birthday next year.
• The vintage inspired fashions at alice nightingale.
• The beautiful homewares at maker & merchant.
• Everything at the Emily Green stall. How could you not love these Hobe's or this amazing watercolour cloud print.
• The beautifully crafted clothing at Kindling. Read all about their lovely clothing here.

This market never fails to inspire me, seeing all of these creative people chasing their dreams is second to none.

Did you get a chance to visit The Finders Keepers market on the weekend? If so, what did you buy or love?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Books I Love: Bazaar Style

Earlier this year I read Selina Lake's 'Pretty Pastel Style' and 'Homespun Style' and immediately fell in love with them. Over the past few days I've been reading one of her earlier books called 'Bazaar Style' and my heart has grown fonder. I love the market style of the bazaar interiors with their clash of colours and patterns, their non-minimalist aesthetic and their use of vintage finds throughout. If you haven't read any of Selina's books before you really should, they are all kinds of lovely!

You can also follow Selina on Pinterest over here!

I hope your week has been lovely so far.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

The past few weeks have flown by in a scurry of activity.....it seems like only yesterday that winter was creeping upon us and now summer is most definitely on its way! Above are a few images from the last little while.....

1. Painting a special birthday picture.
2. I've been working on these pincushions for my shop for what seems like forever.
3. Father's Day trifle.
4. Water play in the morning sun.
5. Making thank-you cards for all those who came and sent happy wishes for Millie's 1st birthday.

I hope you have a lovely week planned.

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

 
Things have been a little hectic around here lately (hence my absence over the last couple of weeks). I returned to work after 11 months maternity leave (only part-time, thankfully), Millie started daycare one day a week, there's been multiple trips to the doctors with colds, chest infections and conjunctivitis and there was a very special first birthday party to organise. I must say it takes some juggling to keep everything afloat now that I'm back at work but I finally feel like I'm achieving some kind of balance. Fingers crossed it continues. Above are a few photos from the last little while.....

1. Our snuggly winter baby x
2. We're growing beans!
3. The cutest crochet cooking set I've ever seen. A treasured birthday gift for Millie from her favourite Auntie Gina. I do believe it was bought on Etsy.
4. Fig Cupcake (gluten and dairy free) with berries from Monicas Cafe - Maleny.
5. My two favourites! Seeing them together fills my heart with so much joy.

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

I hope your weekend has been a lovely one.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Special things.....

 

Image Source

I stumbled upon these words on pinterest and immediately loved them! Why save things for a special occasion when they could add 'a'little bit of special' to your everyday. Enjoy your tea in that vintage tea cup or pull out that heirloom cloth from the linen cupboard and throw it over the table for afternoon tea.

I love enjoying and admiring my 'special' things. Do you?

 

Happy Friday!

 

Melinda x

The Little Paris Kitchen

Image Sources. Top logo designed by Steven Bonner. Bottom.

Have you been watching 'The Little Paris Kitchen'? I have, and it's all kinds of lovely. Rachel Khoo is ever so delightful and ever so lovable. I adore her quaint Parisian apartment which she opens as an intimate restaurant for 2 (look at those Moroccan-esque tiles), her quirky sense of fashion (I think we share a love of polka dots and cardigans) and most importantly her unique and simple take on French cuisine.

If you'd like to watch 'The Little Paris Kitchen' too, it's on SBS ONE on Thursday nights at 8.00pm.

I hope your weekend was a lovely one.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

love.love.love



Top left: Baby Jumper Pattern by quince&co. Top right: words from 'peter loves jane' and 'Eleven Letters'. Bottom left: Table Setting on Style Me Pretty. Bryan and Mae Photography. Bottom right: Pretty Patchy Paper Lantern DIY on the Lola Nova blog.   
 

I really enjoyed putting together my last 'love.love.love' post and was so excited to receive a thank-you email from Printebebe today to let me know that my link had sent a little bit of traffic to their website.  Such a kind gesture that made me love their work even more! 

So, I have put together a list of a few more things I'm loving at the moment..... 

• This purse from Oktoberdee. Their wares are divine.
• If I was in the market for some new wheels I would totally get one of these bikes in Mint Green or Sunshine Yellow.
• This Pretty Patchy Paper Lantern DIY on the Lola Nova blog.
• I always wanted a pair of these when I was little and now they're back.....or did they never leave?
• I'm adoring the 'house of humble' blog at the moment.
• This sweet table setting idea on Style Me Pretty. Bryan and Mae Photography.
• I love it when a creative person stumbles upon an opportunity and just goes for it. Trunk & Orderly did it!
• I'm a little bit partial to delicious looking soap. Murphy & Daughters!
• These words. Bring your own sunshine. From 'peter loves jane' and 'Eleven Letters'.
• The sweetest knitted baby jumper pattern by quince&co. I do love a good handmade knit. 

What are you admiring at the moment? I'd love to know.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x 

P.S. Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! You could win yourself a pretty embroidered pendant. Only 4 days left until a winner is drawn x

love.love.love

Top left: 'all about HEIDI' shoes from here. Top right: words pinned here, originally from here. Bottom left: stool from Lark. Bottom right: Top from Printebebe.

 A few little things I'm loving on this sunny Wednesday afternoon.....

• This NEWS. What a blessed little bubba he/she will be!
• I adore these 'all about HEIDI' handcrafted soft leather shoes for little ones.
• These cute sewing cards. Perfect for those learning how to sew.
• Printebebe clothing. Print on Print.
• Inspiring words. Do small things with great love x
• This recipe: Pavlova with Rhubarb and Pistachios.
• Cute stationery alert over at Chibi Run.
• The perfect 3-tiered food carrier by Danish label Rice and the most divine little stool.
• This inspiring lady has opened a big cartel store. So much to love over there!

What are you admiring at the moment? I'd love to know.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x