Something Lovely

Yesterday I had the opportunity - the first in weeks, if not months - to leave Pippin at home with a babysitter in the afternoon and go out! By myself!! For a couple of hours!!!*

I walked up to Smith St and had a potter around in the awesome Lost and Found Market... I managed not to buy anything... (this time) and then took myself to Las Vegan Bakery for chai (best I've ever had while out and about) and some comfort e-book reading: The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.

(original cover image from wikipedia, link above)

I love Agatha Christie books. LOVE them. I had read most of them by the time I was 12 years old... starting age 8 with The Seven Dials Mystery which was on my mum's bedside table when I used to curl up in my parents' electric-blanketed bed instead of my own on winter nights (until I got shooed out when they wanted to come to bed!) and onwards and upwards from there.

They are totally my go-to comfort reading. I think my favourites tend to be Miss Marple ones, but Tommy and Tuppence are so spunky and awesome (especially Tuppence) that their tales come a close second. There is no better reading with a cup of tea (except perhaps a Tea Shop Mystery).

*no, that is not too many exclamation marks for this momentous event.

Something Lovely

Image from we heart it

Yesterday I read this post, 'You Are Already Perfect' from Zen Habits, and it really resonated with me. It was just what I needed to read and I hope you enjoy it too.

I particularly liked this bit:

And here’s another realization that I’ve written about before: You already have everything you need to be happy, right here and right now.

Do you have eyes that see? You have the ability to appreciate the beauty of the sky, of greenery, of people’s faces, of water. Do you have ears that hear? You have the ability to appreciate music, the sound of rainfall, the laughter of friends. You have the ability to feel rough denim, cool breezes, grass on bare feet … to smell fresh-cut grass, flowers, coffee … to taste a plum, a chili pepper, chocolate.

This is a miracle, and we take it for granted. Instead, we strive for more, when we already have everything.

Something Lovely

I am obsessed with apple cosies; they are so kind of pointless yet also so AWESOME. Although, I suppose they are kind of practical if you are carting your apples around in your handbag... At any rate, wouldn't you just love to snugly wrap up your fruit in one of these!!

Apple cosy by Beadles and Pins

Something Lovely

I spotted these round and about the streets near where I live...

...I think there's a third one as well but I couldn't remember where it was to go back and get a photo of it. I'm not sure who the 'happy bandit' is (it's not me) but I like his or her style!

Something Lovely

This is one of my favourite photos of Pippin and Tennant, taken when Pippin was not very old at all... how tiny he was!

Today he is 10 months old! And growing up and changing every day. I love him to bits.

Something Lovely

I always love reading Luisa's blog Dance In My Garden and the other day I saw her tutorial for making a natural linen freshener... Have a look!

I think I am going to mix up some of this myself - we could use a few hanging sachets in our uninspiring wardrobe. I don't have any rosemary to hand, but I think dried lemongrass might be a good alternative!

{EDIT to add: I just made up some of this, but instead of lemongrass as I mentioned above, I used a small handful of cloves... It smells divine! Going to cut up some muslin pieces to make some little bags now!}

Something Lovely

I was the lucky winner of the re:deem designs blog giveaway! And look what the talented Vicki sent me... a beautiful handbound journal made from a repurposed vintage book, 'The Philosopher's Notebook'.

I adore the finishing touch with the old-fashioned library card in the back! Thank you SO much Vicki!

Vicki has a wonderful Etsy shop where she sells these beautiful journals and more... paper decorations, paper ephemera, little clutches... What is even better is that she uses a portion of her sales to support micro-enterprises for the disadvantaged. Definitely a shop you should check out!

Something Lovely

...and very special! Tonight my husband and I are going out for dinner to The Restaurant at Grossi Florentino on Bourke St.

It's a tradition; except for the couple of years we were in Canberra, we have dinner at Florentino once a year to celebrate our 'date-iversary' of when we started going out. We just celebrated our 7th year together!

I am looking forward very much to a lovely romantic dinner, baby-free (thanks mum!).

Something Lovely

I love the work of Michelle from Wing By Sea so much. I think she has a terrific aesthetic going on with her jewellery pieces, and I'll let a few of my very favourites speak for themselves...

Bluebird earrings

   See clearly earrings

 Freshwater pearl necklace

 

I'm sure you agree... everything is so very, very lovely!! Enjoy your weekend!

Something Lovely

Our camellia tree in the backyard is finally in bloom. It doesn't get a lot of sun over by the fence so I think that's why - despite having loads of buds - it's taken quite a while for them to actually burst out.  Most of the other camellia trees in our suburb have been flowering for weeks.

I thought I'd take advantage of the ones that had opened and adorn our kitchen table with them.

There's still a lot waiting to unfurl - in fact perhaps too many. I think I've heard that it's a good idea to remove about half of the buds to encourage the others to open - I shall research and see what I can come up with.

Something Lovely

I came across this gorgeous printable Free Compliments Poster on Kind Over Matter the other day and wanted to share it with you! What a great idea!

I'm printing some out now as I write this and will post up a few of them when I have to pop out a bit later this afternoon... one at the library I think and another at the Post Office if I can. Where will you put yours?

Something Lovely

I missed my 'Something Lovely' post last Friday due to being so sick - so here's a double shot of loveliness for you today!

I have definitely needed some cheering up with bright colours and cuteness... and I spotted these beautiful tags when I was browsing Treasuries on Etsy last night:

 Technicolour Tree Tags by PS It's In the Details

They were in the 'Into the Woods' treasury curated by Kattuna... so then I was checking out her shop and I think this little hippo embroidery is just adorable... don't you agree?

Sweet Hippo Embroidery Wall Art by Kattuna

I hope these have made you smile today!

Something Lovely

 Flowers from my husband:

I love the smell of jonquils, do you?

Something Lovely

This gnome by HumbleBea on Etsy.

Is it not too gorgeous for words? Everything else in HumbleBea's shop is divine too...

Happy sigh.