All Things Lovely

Friday Deep Thoughts

So simple, but so true. Choose joy! Without downplaying some of the awful things we all go through in life, I really think sometimes our mental attitude can be half the battle.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Print by one of my favourites, Eva Juliet

House Envy

I spent some time in the inner west of Sydney on Saturday, pottering around some amazing markets, enjoying yummy food and checking out houses. One day I would absolutely love to own a terrace house, but they are pretty pricey! Until I win Lotto I can definitely enjoy looking.

Without looking like a mega stalker I took a photo of just a couple that I saw and really liked.

For the first home I just fell in love with the beautiful sandstone. It really stood out from all the other homes on the street.

The most beautiful part of it was how they'd put their house number.

Now, who doesn't want a home with a red door? Or a pink one? Or a lavendar one? I would love to paint my front door, but there are strata regulations which prevent it. Personally, I just think they're no fun! This home was just exquisite! I think I'd love to go back next summer and see how those hydrangea's are going.

Another home in the same street as the one above in lovely Paddington. just a quick point and shoot because people were looking at me weird!

The colours on this home were lovely. I noticed in a few house a lot of taupe, mocha and black. A really elegant combination.

My Book Wishlist

After seeing some of Rose's decorating books on her brand new Able Mae blog, I remembered I have a little design and decorating book wish list of my own. I'll share them with you, and maybe if you have any of them you can let me know what you think of it.

Style by Thom Filicia. This is top of my wish list and I'm still wishing this guy wasn't gay. He was my favourite on Queer Eye, I just sat there wishing he would come to my house and we could decorate together.

Home Rules by Nate Berkus. Another one that's a bit too cute for his own good. I only wish I could watch more of Oprah when hes on, I love his style!

The Nest Home Design, I always feel like they have lovely ideas.

Downtown Chic by Bob Novogratz. I know nothing about this one, but it's intriguing me!

Tamryn's Decorating Dilemma

Tamryn is one of my lovely readers and she emailed me this week to ask if I had any ideas of what she could do with two areas of her house. I gave her my thoughts, but I also thought she'd be so much better off if she had some ideas from all of you!

Here's what Tamryn had to say; "I've sent a few pics of the awesome wooden panels (note sarcasm in text :> ) While I am sure they would look gorgeous in a Swedish Log Cabin with a fire crackling during Winter - they just don't inspire me and make the house extremely dark.

 

I have also attached a photo of a very useless space in the house which I would like to make a feature wall and perhaps use your tutorial and recover the settee I have in the 'Space' with some bright fabrics.. Ideas would be welcome! I saw a lovely large vintage clock which I was thinking of using or alternatively a large mirror..."

Here's a picture of the wood paneling and beams.

 

And 'The Space' as Tamryn calls it.

So lovely readers, how can we help her? Let's hear your ideas!

Cute Little Tile Coasters

Happy Monday!! How was your weekend? Did you get up to anything fun, or creative or new? I had a lovely weekend, but I'll share more of it throughout the week.

I did however finish off this project, finally! I've been wanting new coasters in my living room for ages and so thought, what the heck, I'll just make some. Now, I'm sure there's a gazillion tutorials on the net on how to make them, but what's one more?

Start off with everything you need. I've used four 10cmx10cm glossy wall tiles, some Mod Podge, sealer, a sheet of thin cork and some sheets of scrapbooking paper. For this project I've used a sheet of Crate Paper Dreamy and Gathering.

Start off by measuring and cutting your paper out. Given my tiles are about 10cm square, I cut my paper about 9.5cm square since I wanted a bit of the tile to show through. It's obviously up to you what you want to do.

One you've got it all neatly cut out, apply a good dollop of Mod Podge to the back of your paper and spread it all out. Make sure you clear out any air bubbles, and get your paper all lovely and centred on your tile.

Then it's the boring bit for a little while to let it all dry. Once dry, paint over with some sealer. I've used Plaid Folk Art Outdoor Sealer. I will admit, this was the only sealer I could find when I was looking so I'm sure there's possibly better sealer to use. Let it dry between coats. I've gone for three coats and I'm happy with that, but if you want to do another one, I won't stop you.

Once all that is dry, it's time to finish them off. Cut from a sheet of cork squares about the size of your tile. I've tried to cut mine as close to the size of the tile as possible as I really don't want to wreck my furniture. However, my sheet of cork is very thin. The thicker you go, I guess you could make it a bit smaller. 

Get out your trusty Mod Podge again and smear some over the back of the cork. Carefully stick it to the back of your tile, and you're done. New coasters!

I thought I may as well make some for a gift as well. Very cheap, and too easy!

50% Off Closing Down Sale!

I'm a little bit sad, but also excited about this. I've decided to wind up Avonlea Designs for the next little while. I'm finding that while I love the creativity that comes with it, I don't have the time to really put what I want into it. So, for now anyway, it's bye bye to Avonlea.

So, you come out the winners! From now until it's all gone, everything in my shop is 50% off. Yep, 50% OFF! Prices are all marked, and as always, 10% of sales will go to The A21 Campaign, to help those women rescued from human trafficking.

So, if you want a real bargain, get in before it's all gone.

Friday Deep Thoughts

We've made it to Friday! I am so excited about this weekend, I'm spending Saturday with one of my favourite people. I think he's taking me to the Lindt Cafe in Darling Harbour, then Paddington Markets, and then some other markets and then who knows!! There's a few shops in the city I'd like to have a peek into, I'll try and remember to take my camera.

Todays thought is something that has really been on my heart lately, I've got some dreams I'd love to see accomplished and all it will take is a step of faith. Do you feel the same? The small steps of faith I've already taken have already seen things falling into place, it's exciting.

Hope your weekend is lovely, and filled with so much laughter - I'm pretty sure mine will be and I can't wait.

Image by New Beautiful

Made By Girl's Office Makeover

You've probably already seen Jen from Made By Girl's office makeover, but just in case, here you go. Isn't it just a beautiful room? Makes me think about moving mine around, so I'm more comfortable and looking at something nice.

Chocolate Caramello Cookies

OK, I baked these on the weekend for a party, and I have to share them because they're just way too good. I'm famous in my circle of friends for these babies, and I figure that you should have the chance to be as well.

From the outside they're quite unassuming chocolate biscuits, until you bite inside and out comes the runny caramel. Does life get much better? Want to know how to get to this cookie nirvana? Read on...

 Here's what you'll need. Everything is in Australian measurements, but to convert you can pop on over here. I've got to say two things. 1)there is absolutely no point only making one batch of these, so I double the recipe every time I make them, and 2)there is absolutely nothing healthy about them at all. But that's half the fun, hey?

Ingredients

1 egg

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup plain flour

1/3 cup self raising flour

1/4 teaspoon bicarb soda

100g dark chocolate, melted

250g Caramello squares

All Important Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to moderate. To me that means about 180°.

2. Beat egg, oil and sugar in a small bowl with electric mixer until mixture changes in colour. In other words, until it looks like this.

3. Stir in your sifted dry ingredients and the melted dark chocolate until the mixture becomes firm.

4. Centre one Caramello square on 1 heaped teaspoon of the mixture and roll into a ball, enclosing the Caramello.

5. Place balls on prepared tray about 6cm apart.

6. Cook for about 10 minutes. (Now, this is what the recipe says. I think it's rubbish and cook mine for about 15 minutes, but my oven is older. Basically I cook them for about 15 minutes, and pull them out when they look like this. You want them fairly soft though.)

7. Cool for 5 minutes if you can possibly stand it. I've gotta say, these are incredible straight out of the oven.

8. Prepare to be the hero amongst your friends.

Enjoy!

Now, I must give credit to the Australian Women's Weekly for this recipe. And, if you want more chocolatey goodness, this recipe book is unbelievable.

Monday Flickr Lovin' - Wrapping

Happy Monday!! How was your weekend? It was pouring rain in Sydney, so it was a perfect excuse to read and just really relax.

I don't know about you, but I love wrapping gifts. I take so much delight in it, almost as much as buying the gift itself. I'm always inspired by how other people package their gifts, and thought you might be as well. So, here's how the good folks on Flickr do it.

1. ...minty fresh & cold..., 2. A gingerbread house giftcard holder/ornament for Kristen and Larry, 3. Calendar 2, 4. Osteraufkleber, 5. Packaging for large necklace and earrings, 6. jewelry box packaging for larger pieces, 7. Lovely Package Exchange, 8. Christmas Gifts 2009, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. Card Gold Oval Collage 5, 12. rose quartz, 13. PACKAGE, 14. Smock Recycled Gift Wrap, 15. Smock Recycled Gift Wrap, 16. Martha paper wrapping

Pepper Design Blog Interview

Happy weekend! I don't normally post on weekends, but this was so exciting for me, I had to. The lovely Morgan from Pepper Design Blog contacted me a few weeks ago to ask if I'd be interested in being part of her Friday Guest Blog Interviews. I felt completely unworthy considering some of the other bloggers who'd been involved, but I thought, why not?

So, go and have a little look see. And while you're at it, just check out all the amazing posts on decorating, entertaining, craft and heaps more. You'll be lost for hours.

Friday Deep Thoughts

Wouldn't you love to just take off in a caravan for a few days and explore? Inspired by this print, I think I might try and take a little road trip this weekend. Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

 
Print by Vol.25