Mantra

Thank you to Alice for her wise words of wisdom on this shitty Melbourne day.

xx

Insanity

So I tried something different, and I think it struck a chord.

It was more of a 'Kate take on different' (I sort of caved, Lill!) but it proved that even the slightest change can generate different results.

And it did. I think.

Try something different today. Just a small tweak, and see if the result is different. Your sanity is worth it.

xx

Update 24 May: It's not different at all! They're all the same!

Imaginings

I can't believe I missed it.

Two days ago, on Monday 14 April 2014, I celebrated one year of living in Melbourne. That's 365 days since I turned my world upside down, grabbed life by the balls and took a massive leap of faith.

I decided to live the life I'd imagined.

And I haven't looked back.

Well, I have. Lots of times. There have been tears, sleepless nights, periods of self doubt.

But I've made it through and lived to tell the tale. And I'm proud that I've stuck it out, I didn't run home when the going got tough (even though I'm sure Mum and Dad wanted me to!). I dug my heels in and persevered. I was self-aware enough to know when I was out of my depth but I refused to play the victim and took control of my own happiness.

And it's been so liberating. I am SO happy, so grateful for the opportunities and the love and support of my Melbourne family. I feel young and full of hope and there's a bounce in my step. 

I have no idea what the next year holds. Hopefully some love as that part of my life still eludes me. But it doesn't hold me back, it doesn't define me. It's just something that could only make my already pretty fabulous life even more wonderful.

Cheers to me and my one year in Melbourne anniversary #ifidosaysomyself

Totally Texas

Did you see the delicious home of Bailey and Pete McCarty in the latest issue of Matchbook mag?

Those pink walls? Scrumptious.

I think I could be very comfortable in Texas.

Read about it and see more pics in this month's Matchbook mag 

Pics from the Daily Spark

to do list

Bree knows me better than I know myself.

How FABULOUS is this print she sent me from Hobart?

I love love love love it. Total perfection.

Get your hands on one here

Julia Dineen

Stuck in the middle

It all started on The Block.

My love affair with 'floating' beds, that is.

And then it got more intense when I visited my friend Bree in Hobart.

I stayed in their spare room which was a HUGE front formal lounge with a gorgeous fireplace and my bed 'floating' in the middle.

It felt so luxurious!

And then Vogue Living featured a floating bed in its 'L'Escalier' story. Oh la la!

So the love affair continues. But I'll never be able to make it work in my little shoebox of a house.

Instead, I shall indulge in my secret love online . . . 

GORGEOUS in front of a doorway . . .

Like an island floating in the sea!

I particularly love this one on the angle, so quirky!

Whimsical is the only word for this.

Great use of space behind the bed. And check out the fireplace. FABULOUS!

This one seems most realistic . . . maybe one day . . .

And hands down, my absolute favey.

Bookshelves, ladder, big windows, flowers, organised chaos.

Love love love!

Pics from here and here

An 'Affair' to remember

Time to share some more love through the Liebster Awards.

I'm over the moon to include this fabulous gal in my list as I've got to know her over email this past year or so and feel like we'd be besties in 'real life' if we were ever to meet.

Tina Kent of Lady Chatterley's Affair, hits my design/party/fashion ethos right on. 

She has style to die for and I'd swap my digs for her stunning home in a second. I think her wedding was quite possibly the most magical event I've ever laid eyes on?

This wonder woman never ceases to amaze me - she's just had her second child (gorgeous little Alice) AND has opened an online store.

In amongst all this mayhem, the darling found time in her day to respond to some questions for The Polkadot Pantry. Here she goes . . . 

Three ingredients that are always in your shopping trolley?

Danish fetta cheese, french bread stick, nappies!

Who's your style icon? 

Jackie Kennedy

First CD you bought

Empire Records Soundtrack

Favourite shade of lipstick

Elizabeth Arden - coral vibrations

(*Editor's note - I'll be heading out to try this one today, T always looks fab!)

Best thing about blogging

Meeting people with the same interests

Check out other Liebster features here

On a side note, Tina is so well-loved in ye olde bloggy world that Brooke from The House on Chambers also acknowledged her in her own Liebster nominations! Talk about hot hot hot!

If only she lived in Adelaide . . . although T, I feel a little holiday to Brisbane on the cards soon! Pop that kettle on xo

Make sure you visit her fantabulous blog here. I promise it'll be a new daily fave.

Go for gold

While most of my friends are silver, white gold and platinum buffs, I've always been a gold girl at heart.

Here are a few pretties that are currently taking my fancy . . .

All pics from my pinterest account

As for this little beauty . . .

She arrived in the post this week. Love her.

Found her on etsy here. Even you silver sisters have been catered for in the shop.

It's such a gorgeous shiny gold, this pic just doesn't do her justice. Not sure what frame she'll live in, at this stage she's been added to my mantlepiece with all the other orphan prints I pick up along the way and fail to find a home for. Bad me.

Go for gold, dear friends!

xo

New fave blog

So I've just found the most 'darling' blog that's caught my attention and landed in my daily faves.

Design Darling. It's gorgeous.

22 year olds are just so talented these days! At that age, I was living it up in London, scrounging my pounds together for an underground ticket or a pint of beer!

She has a great eye and puts together the most gorgeous theme boards and outfit suggestions.

And the best bit? She's just opened an online store!

It's great when you can actually turn some inspiration into action and get your hot little hands on a curated collection.

Check it out her blog here and shop here.

Isn't she lovely?

Majorly crushing on Adele at the moment.

Isn't she lovely?

Adored her sheer polkadot outfit for her performance at the Grammys, and then the solid black satin was classicly chic.

She's so refreshing as a recording artist - nice to see someone so down to earth despite all the fame and fortune.

Do the happy hen dance

Happy happy Hen's Day to the darling Flavs today.

We're celebrating with a garden party this afternoon and then some cheeky karaoke later tonight. Will be a hoot with girls arriving from all over the country to celebrate this special occasion.

Enjoy, my dear!

See full gallery of this fabulous hen's day here

Pics from Style Me Pretty

Floating my boat

With Matchbook mag hot off the e-press and so many new collections arriving in store (can you tell I've just been on my lunch break and just got paid!?), I've been seriously inspired to revamp my wardrobe.

Top of the list include . . .

J.Crew Maritime Dress

Oroton essentials bow ballet flats - in pink of course

On a side note - I did try on some ah-mazing leopard print Oroton ballet flats in DJs but I can't find them online ANYWHERE! Lusting for them like you wouldn't believe, so might have to head back tomorrow . . .

Marinoni pewterware at David Jones - I want this fruit bowl so badly

And they had the CUTEST cup and saucer that I've ever seen. Not Royal Albert cute (because we all know I love a floral and tonnes of pink), but more industrial, quirky, Tuscan cute

And this Lilly Pulitzer mettalic gold bow belt

Plus a set of Laguiole steak knives.

I know, I know, I'm behind the eight ball with these. They've been 'en vogue' for years and I've given so many as wedding and engagement gifts so think it's time I spoilt myself (because there sure aint a ring on this finger!)

And I just had to throw this in because I tried it last night for the first time and it was outofthisworld.

Maggie, you are my hero!

What's floating your boat at the moment?

xo

Hangin' around

I know they say it's not rocket science, but I just can't master how to hang a gallery wall!

Check out Glitter Guide's tips and see if they can point you in the right direction.

I'm still trying! I think it's the frames that have me stuck. I have some beautiful pieces, but nothing to bring them to life and make them 'sing'.

And then there's the challenge of deciding which wall to tackle?!

Lost and found

If I'm lost over the next few weeks, you know where to find me.

I'm head over heels in love with Pinterest.

It's fabulous. It has completely revolutionised my web stalking, I mean, surfing.

Get involved!

Hmm, how Pinteresting!

Style Me Pretty is the holy grail of all things wedding and I (as the eternal bridesmaid) have turned to it for endless inspiration over the years.

I received a newsletter update from Abby this week featuring her new love - Pinterest.

What is Pinterest you ask? Well, I'm still trying to get my head around it, but essentially (I think!), it's a virtual pin up board or inspiration board. Whatever it is, it will revolutionise the party planning/event styling/food design/creative world out there.

See a centrepiece that melts your heart? 'Pin it'! Spot a wedding dress that's just perfect? 'Pin it'! And you want to remember those baby shower party favours for next time? 'Pin it'!

Check out Abby's efforts above and see for yourself how it's all coming together at www.pinterest.com/stylemepretty

She's got 29 'boards' with different themes - how much easier would it be organising your life like this!? Great for work, perfect for play and addictive for blogging!

I've sent off my request for an invite . . . will I make the cut?!

Footnote: Yay! I got my invite this morning! Looking forward to 'pinning' this weekend. Will report back next week x

Could it be any more perfect?

Anna Spiro's done it again.

She's created heaven on earth.

I am drooling over these pics of her latest project - it COMPLETELY is where I want to head with my own little place. COLOUR! Ah-mazing, so divine.

My heart is racing a million miles an hour at the sight of those painted dining chairs. Yum!

Check out more pics here.

All I want for Christmas . . .

I've had my eye on the most gorgeous book for weeks now, and just stumbled across the behind the scenes video for it . . .



Fleur Wood's Food, Fashion, Friends is SO me.

A definite stocking filler thank you Father Christmas (Mum, I hope you're reading this!).

A fab new find

Thank you to A-M who has introduced me to Kelly Green - gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous stuff! Now, this is one inspiration board to be inspired by!