where we be

Design collab meeting at one of the hottest hipster hangouts on the Gold Coast. If you're down this way, make sure you take a time-out and sit amongst the antiques & organic clutter.

Coffee - delish, company - grand, today - just as good.

Keeping it real, beyond the peel.

{G'day Gov}

sweet

... reminders of a holiday just gone - declarations of the heart on the streets of Melbourne. I'm feeling it.

Love, love is all you need.

{my snapped up heart}

high frequency

It just so happens that more days of the week than not these days, I am at a gorgeous and quaint little coffee shop in Hendra, an inner-city Brisbane suburb, with the most immaculate attention to detail and well-dressed staff.

It's also home of the Queensland Barista 2012 and well, the coffee - is unbelievable. Boasting two signature haus blends and ever-changing single origins on offer, I believe I'm about to embark on a unique and a little unexpected journey. A journey, or an education that is awakening the senses to say the least!

It's funny what life gives you. Curve-balls followed by simple pleasures... Aaaaahhhhhhh!

{Dandelion & Driftwood}

{images courtesy of The Weekend Edition}

home made

Monday afternoon finds me at home post job interview & rainy travels, in the kitchen baking accompanied by Birdy's latest album. My goodness.

Sweet serenity. I am in a good place.

Happy Monday,

from a Monday Child fair of face.

{Birdy}

inhale

... make a wish.

{from an new favourite place}

post joyeaux noël

How was your Christmas? Mine involved a stop-over from the parents on their way to Adelaide on the Eve and Christmas Day festivities with the Boyfriend, brother and sister. An easy wake-up and gathering around the tree to wish one another a Merry Christmas and see what the Big Man & loved ones had so kindly left for us. We all did very well and sat around with a feast fit for a gorgeous summer Christmas and a drink or two enjoying one another's good company.
A few phonecalls to and fro with the rellies and the day was made. Whilst we 'tried' to lay off the technology for the day... here are a few happy snaps from my iPhone.

The Newby siblings.

BF & Brosef.

Stunning wee sis, festively clad.

Christmas Day evening view.

Festive Frangipanis - handpicked by the BF.

I do hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas.


I'm off to Melbourne tomorrow - a sweet vacay with that one I... y'know - think is the bees knees. What are your New Year's plans?

fotografía friday

A catch-up on last week's edition of fotografía friday.

Like I said, life's been a little crazy, but I thought we could all do with a quaint setting and burst of bright yellow to bring some sunshine into your life. I quite enjoyed my time by the window bar, sipping a delicious coffee at Dandelion & Driftwood, the day this was taken.

It's the simple pleasures... ahhhhhh!

Here's to curing your 3.30itis.

where i sleep

January 11 : Photo-A-Day

Where I Sleep

The most ideal place to leave for the Land of Nod.

Bed - Manchester: Target (years ago) / Bed & bedside table: Ikea

Bedside table - Canvas block (my own) / Candle lamp: Ikea / Frame: Typo / Books & journals: my own various accumulations over time.

The natural light, clear crispness of the white and serenity of the soft blue in the bed linen, make this a sweet sanctuary.

sub-tropical heart

Falling more in-love with this city that I live in. Old Brisbane town, vibrant BrisVegas... meet you in the Playground?

What's your favourite city or place of residence?

{the usual}

what's next?

Home visits are never long enough.

homesick

Homesick today. So I've was spending some time on google images (like the coolest person in the world I am) sourcing some pictures to ease the pangs of longing to be there. Just a visit. To sit at home, take the dog for a walk and chat with the parents about everything and nothing. Congregating in the lounge room.


Here are a couple of the pictures I sourced.

Nice, huh.
I know it's only a couple of pictures... but I miss looking at the sky - particularly at sunset out there. I'll have to take my DianaF+ with me at Easter and capture some of my own.

Assignment time now.
X

comfort craving

At the moment, I am craving the comforts of home.

This time last year, I was going through one of the hardest times of my life, and I found sanctuary at my parents home in Inverell - the house I grew up in. I spent my time with my family - Mum, Dad, Amy and Spitfire (Michael was off and flying with the RAAF), read books, marvelled at the new synthetic hockey field (I only wish it was there when I grew up) and enjoyed the crisp mornings outside conjuring concepts for my university assignments. Afternoon walks with Spitfire and helping Mum around the house, movies with Amy and hanging with Dad at night - always with a topical conversation.

My childhood best friend, Jasmine, made the time at home much more special aswell, with chats that seemed to go forever and never run out of steam, coffees and lunch dates, dinners at our family homes, books, books and more books - The Dust Jacket and Out The Back being our favourite haunts. We hadn't lived in Inverell together since we were 12 and 13 years old. Back then, we 'lived in each other's pockets' (as our Mother's would say), and it felt like we just picked up where we left off. I am so grateful for her friendship and to have her as a significant part of my life again.

I'm in a different place right now, and have been for some time. Each day taking steps for a brighter tomorrow. Living with my little sister Amy (fresh out of school), here in Brisbane, by the river in a cute and cosy two bedroom unit. Full of all the comforts that make this my new home. I am so lucky for all I have - a fabulous flatmate and gorgeous little sister, friends that have proven to stand the test of time and a Boyfriend that puts the icing on my cake - keeping me laughing, even when I want to be angry because he's thrown my cushions all over the room. Grinning from ear to ear with a frown seems to erupt into laughter, even at the most serious of times.

Feeling rather sentimental today. Definitely ready to curl up with the rain pitter-pattering on my window, a good book and a glass of Shiraz Cabernet. This is very possible once home from work. Follwed by a cup of Earl Grey.

Today, I have decided to pick up Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. This novel reminds me of school (my Year 12 Extension English studies), home and the movie I bought in Inverell, The Jane Austen Book Club. This movie may be responsible for starting The Book Club Janelle and I established in 2009, and so I think it's about time I read a 'classic'.

The image below is a book I came across in my googling today, The Truth Universally Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers On Why We Read Jane Austen by Susannah Carson, and one I'm quite interested in with contributions from the likes of Virginia Woolf and many more. The model in the image seems completely absorbed in the book and the pastel colours along with the traditional vintage cover design, plucks a few of my heart strings this afternoon - and I simply had to include it.

I am waffling, and I best get back to work. I have much to do, followed by a therapeutic late afternoon of cake decorating, baking and Austen, Boyfriend and Sister.

Love, if only for your patience in reading my waffles.

X

buzzing with delight

It has been far too long since my last post. And what a period in my life it has been! Exciting, challenging, upsetting, unruly, ecstatic... and the list goes on. But now I feel it is the time to settle, to plan and to conquer. I'm in a Piscean daydream reverie today, with lunchtime escapes into The Secret Life of Bees and musings of owning my own book shop/boutique design studio and redezvousing with Jas at The Dust Jacket...

My positivity is oozing into my work here in the MAPGraphics studio...

wishing you a wonderful day!

x

i wish

I was just reading Taza's blog and apart from that - my day was full of quite intense thoughts. Thoughts of uncertainty, of excitement, of having another cup of coffee, of wishing I was in the Glasshouse Mountains enjoying the view and the soft spring breeze.

My life is, again, in transition. More so than it has been in a while I guess. Only months ago, the very words of this cute image is what I WISHED for. I now feel like... it's getting there.

It's a strange feeling, when you know you're in between places. The place you've known and held onto for so long, the bit in 'limbo' or the present that doesn't quite make sense, and the unknown - what is to come. Curiosity and nervousness... and a pinch of excitement just about sums up my feelings at the moment.

Where to from here you say? I can't possibly tell you anything, but put one foot in front of the other... and follow your heart. It's always more truthful than your mind.

x to life with love.

image courtesy of http://www.taza-and-husband.blogspot.com
the rockstar diaries

love for london

I have been on quite a musical journey of discoveries of late. From City And Colour, hey:carlisle, Florence And The Machine to the lovely Miss Adele from the UK.

Sitting here in the studio, as I do so many times a week travelling the world through my cartography, I have had one particular song on repeat for the last little while. A raw recording of 'Hometown Glory', previously accompanied by as many Adele tracks as I could possibly get my mittens on this morning.

Her voice and melodies are beautiful. Soul, funk, soul, acoustic... enchantement.

The song tells of her love for London, and it has made me think about my hometown, Inverell, and how gorgeous it must be this time of year... So I encourage you to get a hold of this track, if not - Adele's debut album '19'.

Today is a calm and beautiful day.

Enjoy the track, enjoy the lyrics.

Hometown Glory by Adele Adkins

I've been walking

In the same way as I did

Missing out

The cracks in the pavement

And tutting my heel

And strutting my feet

"Is there anything

I can do for you dear?

Is there anyone I can call?"

"No and thank you, please Madam

I ain't lost, just wandering"

Round my hometown

Memories are fresh

Round my hometown

Ooh, the people I've met

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of this world

Are the wonders of my world

I like it in the city

When the air

Is so thick and opaque

I love to see everybody

In short skirts

Shorts and shades

I like it in the city

When two worlds collide

You get the people

And the government

Everybody taking

Different sides

Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit

Shows that we are united

Shows that we ain't gonna take it

Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit

Shows that we are united

Round my hometown

Memories are fresh

Round my hometown

Ooh, the people I've met

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of this world

Are the wonders of my world

http://www.adele.tv

space-cadet

My room is finally the creative space I need it to be. I have adorned my walls with my art and inspiring pieces from admired artists, as well as a few memorable photographs to keep me positive through my working moments.

At home today, then off for a business/social (it's always social) meeting with Jess, and then off to watch my old hockey team play this afternoon. I miss playing so much - I can't wait to be there cheering them on!

Uni and Oliver Twist both beckon for my attention and the temptation of Sportgirl shopping is drawing me in. But I must say NO, today at least - even to the gorgeous new in-store arrivals... I'm already conjuring up amazing outfits in my mind with each of these desired accessories. Hopeless! Haha. Confessions of a shopaholic? Perhaps...

And so I have many a thing to do today. I must be off!

Happy Saturday!

OH! and I would like wish my beautiful cousin, Casey and her fiancé Dave, a GORGEOUS WEDDING this Saturday in New York City. May love follow you around every corner!
Love you!

dream a little dream

I awoke to a dream evoking suppressed emotions yesterday morning, and so, the rest of my day was affected by this. I have been having the most bazaar dreams of late and simply couldn't resist the purchase of this dream diary, to further analyse my subconscious!
Purchased from my beloved little hometown bookshop, The Dust Jacket, I felt somewhat at ease after discovering the supposed meanings of my dream. For fun, or serious - check it out!

Also, don't miss the opportunity to visit The Dust Jacket in person, or online at http://www.thedustjacket.com.au/

I dream of owning a shop like this one day... with a design studio and a café too. Ah.