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why write when you can stamp?

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Apparently my laziness has reached a new low. I’m now so lazy, I can’t even be bothered to write my own name. So I had a special stamp made up so I can just press it on in one swift, easy motion… I discovered Etsy seller Emilie Friday via The Blah, Blah, Blahg during my Blogging Your Way course. I was meant to be reviewing Miss B’s site, but her post on this calligrapher had me linking through and ordering a stamp with my name and blog address in pretty cursive. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do with it at the time, I just wanted it. This was obviously before my Unintentional Spending Ban.

And so it arrived, I loved it, played with it and popped it in my “stamp” box, knowing it’d come in handy at some stage. I’ve been planning to have mini business cards for the blog and my work by Moo, but like a lot of things I plan to do, haven’t got around to it yet… So I grabbed some scrapbooking paper, leftover bits from my sister’s wedding and even some envelopes with cool security prints on the inside (the diamond pattern!), glued onto thin cardboard, got stamping and cut out into small rectangles to pop in my wallet. I usually just end up writing the blog address and my name on a piece of paper, so this has got to be better than that! And I can handwrite my email address or phone number – if required – on the back.

I think these little stamps are great for small businesses – especially those in your own name! Think of all you could do: “with compliments” slips, the backs of handmade cards or receipts/invoices, swing tags, envelopes etc. Also check out the larger stamps with full addresses for business or personal mailing and letterheads.

And as an added bonus, it’s great for keeping fidgety three-year-olds busy while you’re trying to take photographs for your blog and they’re “sooo bored”. Here is Zak’s handiwork (below) and I’d have shown you my clever advertising idea (he stamped all up his arm and on his hands until they were black) but I did the grab, rush and scrub before my walls were covered in black handprints…

And so, if you’re not sick of seeing my name in stamp form, check out the first pic again for my wish to you! See you next week.
Bx

Cute Calligraphy Self-Inking Stamp, $US30, Emilie Friday

{Images by Belinda Graham for The Happy Home}

Posted in buys, discoveries, shopaholic, stationery | 14 Comments »

shop style: pippi homewares

Friday, April 9th, 2010

If there is one thing I dislike about living outside of Sydney, it’s access to great shops. Aside from the usual chain stores and a few local discount stores, there really isn’t anything to write home about. But then I drove past this teeny tiny little store one day, saw lots of bright white, bamboo ladders and beautiful sculptural shapes, turned back and popped in. I walked into heaven: white, white and more white homewares, corals, shells, delicate glassware, decorative crockery, chunky jewellery, curvy candlesticks and huge wooden lanterns. My kind of store. On one side, all white; the other, a kaleidoscope of colourful journals, canvas bags, jewellery, bathware and gorgeous kids toys and accessories. And so, for any of you on the central coast looking for gorgeous beachy touches, goodies by Papaya, Lantern Studios, MOR, Amalfi, Bobble Art or a heap of other little independents such as Lesley Lee resin jewellery or artworks by the store owner herself, Amanda Chalk. It’s my new fave place for gifts and homewares – I’ve so far stocked up on driftwood, coral, shells, votives, an artists roll, journals (um, for me); magnetic animal puzzles and bags for the kids, and hanging glass votives for my sister-in-law. I have my eye on that dark wooden lantern too (above), if my buying urge ever returns!

A few purchases I made earlier this year: Lantern Studio artist roll, journal and sand dollars. I also bought the magnetic animal puzzles as pictured on the toy shelf above. It’s my new fave toy shop, too!

Pippi Homewares
182 Avoca Drive,
Kincumber NSW 2251
(02) 4368 3326
e: pippiaustralia@bigpond.com

{images by Belinda Graham for The Happy Home blog}

Posted in buys, discoveries, shopaholic | 12 Comments »

things i discovered recently…

Monday, March 29th, 2010

That I’m so clueless when it comes to Tumblr. I don’t quite “get” it. Is it meant to be for blogging? No one really writes though… Or it is meant to be an inspiration folder? A storage facility?! Not sure but there sure are some purdy things on there and I’m quite in love with this little library alcove I found on Home inspiration. We’re debating about making a storage room out of our second toilet (the original one – you used to have to walk through it to go into the room that has now been converted into the two kids rooms). Since all the work started, it’s been used as a storage space anyway, but it’d be nice to take out the loo and renovate it properly. BUT, this pic has me wanting to turn it into a library. A lot prettier, but probably not as practical… {image from homeinspiration.tumblr.com}

… that yoga at home with two small children is quite the challenge. My downward dog is used as a tunnel; my child’s pose is a slippery dip – soooo not zen. Zak does do a good tree pose, though. It’s very cute when he tries his “stretches”.

… that super stylist Megan Morton has a blog to follow on from her new book Home Love. It’s early days, but stay tuned for lots of Megan goodness. Check it out at here.

… that my children must have had a secret pow-wow and came to the conclusion that Zak delaying his terrible twos until he’s three and Layla taking them early at 1 so they could go through them together is a BRILLIANT idea. I’m just thankful I don’t have a two-year-old as well…

… that all your fave mags will be coming to life in April. My old Real Living mag work mates will be on hand to meet and greet attendees of the 30 Days of Home & Entertaining – a new spinoff of ACP’s annual 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty. Browse trader markets, find out how to style up a table for entertaining, learn to screenprint, take control of your finances, get gardening and photography tips, enjoy wine tasting and get the lowdown on the newest international design trends – all at the “live house”. It’s magazines come to life – fun! Make sure you book yourself in to Real Living’s Designer Secrets – you’ll get to meet editor Deb and the rest of the real living gang (a lovely, lovely group of sweet, talented and incredibly hard-working people). There is also surprise guests lined up to tackle your decorating dilemmas so it’s sure to be a good one. So to is Sheridan’s Runway to Room where Deb and Madison’s editor Elizabeth Renkert will turn the hottest homewares looks into hot wearable looks. To book, for more info or for other events, check it all out here.

…That Prison Break should have just stopped after season 1. I only watched 10 minutes of it and am sad I can’t get them back. And I’m deliberately steering clear of Desperate Housewives in case its ridiculousness causes me to put a total ban on TV watching (and I’d miss NCIS too much).

… that if you want pretty and afforable designer stationery, you should head over to Illume Design. Customised chocolate wrappers? Pretty patterned fans? Gorgeous fonts? Sweet paper designs? Check, check, check, check! Illume Design has all the important bases covered for a stylish personalisable stationery. Check them out for weddings, christenings, parties, birth announcements… I especially love the chocolate spoon for christenings or baby showers – cute! {images via Illume Design}

… that I should wrap my left index finger in a pillow before using any cutting implement. After cutting through through (and almost cutting it off) last year with a rotary blade, slicing it with a knife a few months ago and now stabbing myself with a lino cutter at the weekend, I’m either all out of the “trifecta” bad luck, or it’s going to start again…

… that my clever former Cosmonaut colleague Bree Lawson is finally getting some sleep after months and months and months of learning, interviewing, researching and writing to set up her blog about…. blogging! How to, why you should (and shouldn’t!), what platform to go with, what to blog about, inspirational bloggers, how to make money, how to decipher tech speak… and soooo much more. If you have a blog (or are thinking of starting one) go on over to The Blog Stylist. Bree has put her women’s magazine experience to good use – it’s like a whole lifestyle mag about blogging so it’s easy to read, understand and relevant to women. Yay! It’s like an ongoing blogging course so check it out for not only great tips, but insider info from popular bloggers like Desire to Inspire, Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily and Sassi Sam. And, coz she and me was on the sub-editors desk, you no it’ll totally be free of gramma and speling mistakes. Just like my blogg.

It’s Monday again! How quickly they come around… Enjoy your week! x

Posted in discoveries | 11 Comments »

things i discovered recently…

Friday, January 15th, 2010

…that my lovely friend Lou (owner of this dreamy kitchen, above) is using her great eye in a very great way: by starting a blog, Table Tonic, and cramming it full of all sorts of beautiful pictures, celebrity (and non-celebrity) home tours and awesome links. Wait until she shows you more of her own home – so gorgeous. Check out her finds here. {images courtesy Louise Bell of Table Tonic via my old blog renovate + decorate. phew}

… that four weeks and counting without a laundry is no fun. At all. Especially when Zak is still toilet training and it’s been raining a lot so muddy, wet clothes. Or it’s been scorching hot and we’ve been dancing under the sprinklers all day (we have bore water; I’m not a water-waster. Well, maybe when I’m in labour, but that should be my right) and same problem. I attempted handwashing a little – how did anyone survive that process?!? Thank goodness for the in-laws’ super-fast machine.

… that in just two hours Doubletake Clothing had these cool T-shirts ready for the market to help those affected by the horror of the Haiti earthquake. The shirts cost $20 and 100% of the proceeds go towards various Haiti Earthquake Relief Organisations (you can choose which organisation your money will go to if you like). In less than a day, they made $2000 already, so jump on here to add your contribution. (discovered via Captain KK)

… that bridesmaid-dress shopping can be the easiest thing in the world if your bride and fellow bridesmaid are your sisters and therefore have the same taste as you. Bride-to-be Gretch picked out three dresses she liked, Kris and I tried them on, chose Gretchen’s first choice straightaway, bought them onsale (awesome) and it was all over and done with in an hour. SABA was the winner and the even better news is, the bridesmaid shoes from Kristie’s wedding go perfectly (and kris can wear gretchen’s shoes as they’re the same tiny size). Perfect! Just annoyed Gretchen’s wedding is the last one of the three we have in three months or I could have worn that dress to the others too! Drats.

… that I can get lost for hours in wedding blogs and websites. I’ve been collecting ideas for Gretchen’s wedding and there is just endless prettiness out there. Some people are so, so clever. Like the guy who built his sister this fabulous set for her wedding (middle pic). Gorgeous. {images 1: Photosmashing, 2&3: Green Wedding Shoes}

… that if you wrap up mini Mars or Snickers bars in puff pastry, brush a little water on the top, sprinkle with caster suger, pop in the oven until brown and puffy and throw in a bowl with ice cream and eat you just might experience heaven. Try it this weekend. If you want proper instructions, go here.

… that you could be buying brilliant brands like Cocoon Couture, Sooki Baby, Cried Wolf, Moppit, Infancy and more for less than retail at Trunk Show Kids. This is the place to score great seconds and samples, end-of-season or overstock. I want everything from Chalk n Cheese (top row) for Layla – especially the green pinafore, $33 - and all the cool Cried Wolf shirts for Zak (from $18), a Cocoon Couture beanbag ($70, second row) and anything from Sooki Baby (prices start at just $10, bottom row) – is there anything cuter than tiny terry toweling shorts on a baby? Is there? Layla has a hot pink terry toweling jumpsuit and it’s my new fave thing. Get shopping now! {all images via Trunk Show Kids}

Oh, and have a great weekend! I’ll be wine-tasting (well, more like sniffing as I’m not much of a drinker – *cough* NERD *cough*) in the Hunter Valley for my future sister-in-law’s hens day on Saturday, then enjoying a posh champagne lunch (def not even sniffing as driving to this one) in Mosman for my dear friend Lesya’s hen’s on Sunday. And attempting to cram some work in in-between. But I’ll be wearing pretty dresses for once, so yay to that! x

Posted in buys, discoveries, inspiration, shopaholic, wedding | 19 Comments »

things i discovered recently…

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

… that Holly of Decor8 has started up a new Flickr group called Interior Styling where group members can show off their clever styling around the home, talk vignettes and styling and score tips and tricks from the experts. Am so there. Got slightly carried away uploading all my pics and then I got over myself and instead got lost in the prettiness that makes up that whole group. Above are a few faves. Click here to join and be inspired. {images via flickr members SimplyGrove; Decor8; IvyStyle; ATLITW; ChezLarsson}

… that Simply Grove and Ish & Chi have both had makeovers (lovely work, ladies!) and my friend Nat is planning one for her blog too. Which of course makes me want to do one too… Not sure what yet, but might as well do a mini marketing survey: anything you’d like me to change? Want more or less of? Lecture away…

… that I am super special. Well, that’s how I felt when I saw an email in my inbox from Anita Kaushal - author of my favourite coffee table book HOME. She was writing to tell me about her newest venture – an online store selling items mostly designed by her stylish self. The small but thoughtful collection is all about “moving away from the mass-produced to the handmade, simple, enduring and useful, so that in some small way they add to our sense of happiness.” I would be very, very happy with one of everything – especially that ceramic heart with mini journal; just what I need for my key ring. Check out her store Happiness Itself {images from Happiness Itself}

… that community spirit is strong in Fitzroy. The owners of vintage-poster store Galerie Montmartre set up a community bookshelf a few months ago after reading of a similar set-up in Germany where books are “borrowed” – indefinitely if you like – with the one rule to replace it at some stage: either by returning the same book or swapping it with one of your own. Shelley thought her gallery’s neighbourhood – Fitzroy – would be a perfect place to trial it in Australia and so found a vintage shoe rack, filled the shelves with an assortment of books, placed it outside the gallery and waited. Sure enough, people spotted the free books, browsed and borrowed. The most important part, though, is that they didn’t just take; they’re returning. Books are now coming and going constantly and it’s now known as the place to find the rare and the unusual - several students have stumbled upon books required for uni and one lady found a novel she’d been searching for forever! I love hearing the stories that have come out of Shelley’s project and I love that it’s working here. Go to Shelley’s blog for more details. And psst: Galerie Montmartre will be having a sale when it opens again on Monday. They have gorgeous original vintage posters for every budget – seriously! Check out the small format section for some famous pieces at pretty prices! {image from Femme De Montmartre}

… that mice don’t like it when you rip down their house (our ancient cabin) and camp out on your front lawn in protest (well, until you make any kind of movement and then they’re off). Am hoping they don’t find their way in our house instead – eek.

… the beauty that is Pony Rider. I saw them in the latest Real Living (which you HAVE to buy. And not just because I wrote a third of it with the massive decorating manual, but because it has lots of eye candy) and jumped online immediately to buy a tea towel to turn into a cushion for the “studio” and then noticed they sold cushions anyway. Sold! The colour in this cushion is pretty much spot on to what I’m planning – I’ll show you my little moodboard tomorrow. {images via Pony Rider}

… that Witchery has new reductions on stock – up to 60% off online and instore. I literally just got this email now. Perfect for the last-minute shopping rush tomorrow. Not me, though. I am pretty much done!

… that I’ve been nominated for a Homies; the blog awards Apartment Therapy started up. I was going to nominate myself (cause, well, why the heck not), but then Holly beat me to it, so thanks Holly; it’s much nicer when someone else does it for you! If you don’t want to be banned from this blog, I suggest you pop on over there and make me a “favourite” by clicking on the little house. Kidding! But do feel free to vote here.

I’ll be back briefly tomorrow to show you my moodboard for the studio. I’m getting quite excited about it now – the decking is half done and the frames will go up after Christmas. I’m even taking my own advice from the decorating feature for Real Living and am following Arent & Pyke’s steps (as best I can!). Will show you some progress shots too. But if I miss you tomorrow, have a fantastic Christmas everyone!

Posted in buys, discoveries, inspiration, studio reno | 4 Comments »

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