Gearing up for warm weather

Today, I bought my very first ever Maxi Dress.

It is this one from Lilya. It has a lovely cross-straps back.


And that got me thinking about summer coming up sooner than I thought! I am so ready for warmth and being able to wear sandals!

Modcloth strikes again

Well, I knew once I had succumbed to the temptation for the first time, I wouldn't be able to resist going back to shop at Modcloth again. And I was right. I just received these lovely treats in the post:

Chevron Eco-Friendly Baggu Tote
Taco Belle Tee

Climb Every Mountain Skirt

Pretty, no? I couldn't resist a little early Christmas pressie to myself!

So, this is why I haven't been around.

Hi all! I know it's been forever, but I thought you might like to see the bridesmaid's and flowergirl dresses that I have been working on for yonks. Well, here they are in action on the day. It was a perfect wedding: beautiful weather, calm bride, lovely service, fab food and dancing the night away.

Featured!

I have recently found myself on several delightful and fun kid's blogs.

First of all, the wonderful KidStyleFile, in collaboration with Madeit, featured my Dressed For Dinner bib amongst some lovely dinnertime company.

Then, the lovely Kelly of Macaroni and Glue featured me on her great blog.

And just when I thought it was over, today my Rosy Red Polka Dot Dress is part of a fun and bright polka-dot theme feature over at Handmade Kids.

Please go and have a peek at these wonderful blogs! Thanks to all of them for featuring me!

I have a confession

I am completely addicted to Modcloth.com. I only discovered it properly two weeks ago (living under a rock, I tell you) and when I first looked I thought "gee, this is great". I put a few things on my wishlist. Didn't really think about it again. Then, it popped up in another blog I was reading and I went and had another look. A whole slew of new dresses and necklaces and shoes! Updated every day! Since then, I have sneakily been checking up on them every day, just in case something wonderful appears. And today I placed an order! I can't wait! Here's what I deliberated over and finally ordered:

Venetian Dress

Bonnie and Clyde Onesie

Frankly Fabulous Tunic

What day is it?

All about stripes this week: I have been drawn to lovely crisp lines and colours!

Lady Grunge 1960s Yellow Mod Dress from LadyGrungeVintique
Sailor Tote... in red by BayanHippo
Trianon Striped Bow by HopelesslyDevoted

Multicolour Rainbow Stripe Dress by yystudio

A-Z

...of my most-visited websites. I saw this on Heidi&Seek and was inspired to go and look at several of her listed sites. Hopefully you will find something you like here to give you some weekend diversion!

• A - Australia Post. Not highly recommended at the moment, I must say, but I go to check international postage prices.
• B - Birdsnest. This fantastic online shop is full of lovely girly fashion and is where I bought my wallet.
• C - Craftopolis. I admit I visit nearly every day to check treasury appearances!
• D - Dust Team. I log on to chat in the forums here often! The Down Under Street Team is an awesome group of crafty ladies.
• E - EtsyHacks. These have saved me sooo much time whilst using Etsy.
• F - Flickr. I love checking in to see the latest shots from my favourite groups - EtsyGardening101, VintageChildren'sBooks and SailorChic are my favourites!
• G - GoGet. Since crashing our little car, we have joined a carshare service. It's great!
• H - Heart Of Business. I found this blog post about being "lazy" very interesting and helpful when I was in a bit of a rut a little while ago.
• I - InnerEarthSoaps. I always keep an eye on Erin as she does fabulous giveaways.
• J - Juntei. I was checking out some of her lovely gift tags for a Wishlist Wednesday post.
• K - Kelly Neidig. I spotted this awesome artist on Design Sponge and love her landscapes.
• L - Lifestyle Food. I have been voting for my favourite restaurants to win the I Love Food Awards!
• M - MadeIt.
• N - NeverEver. Yes, I spend a LOT of time on here!
• O - OneHundredYears. She hasn't had an active shop for a while, but I'm dying to buy a Hustle and Bustle Dress so I keep checking back.
• P - PayPal. Unavoidable.
• Q - Qantas. I haven't for ages, but every now and then I have a look at how far my Frequent Flyers will get me.
• R - Rude Health. This great bricks and mortar store in Melbourne stocks a range of my items!
• S - Spotlight. Sadly, yes, I still check opening hours.
• T - Tinna Fashion. I just bought a fabulous Dressmaker's Dummy from this company.
• U - I got nothin'!
• V - Viva La Moda. This is a lovely online magazine who featured my Anchor's Away Bib.
• W - Wotif. A very helpful website for cheap hotels!
• X - Xe.com. Watching the US dollar has never been more entertaining!
• Y - YouTube. For some fun away from business!
• Z - Zedge - I nerdily just downloaded the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" as my ringtone. :)
  

Roll up, roll up, it's...

This week, I've gone with classic white, black and red. I absolutely adore this swimsuit, it took me half an hour to choose which plates to put on here, I'm in love with these cute bird notecards and I REALLY need a new pair of red shoes after ruining my pair of patent leather mary janes on the weekend (whilst dancing at The Presets, thanks for asking.)


Maillot One Piece Swimsuit with Chevron Stripes by LaDramaQueen
Raspberry Serenade set of 6 plates from AtelierBB
Hello Ladies Signed Fine Art Photograph by AliciaBock
A Little Bird Told Me... notecard set from JHelene

The Best of Health in Melbourne

My work is now stocked in a great new shop in Melbourne, Rude Health.
Owner Julia describes her emporium as being full of "polka dot fifties dresses, crocheted alien birds, silk high-waisted undies, Little Red Riding Hood capes, stripy one-piece pyjamas, paperboy woollen caps and felt lungs in jars. Every item is sweatshop-free and made in Australia."

Sounds great to me.

Rude Health
17 Irwell St.
St Kilda
Melbourne, Australia

Wishlist Wednesday

With the Aussie dollar on the Up this week, I have been seriously considering a lot of items that I have had my eye on for a while, but may have previously been out of reach. These little beauties are all looking very accessible all of a sudden...

Uber Cool 80s inspired Floppy Top by VeronicaDarling

Starburst. . . Set of 9 Button Stack Embellishments by PaperPumpkin

Emerald Vintage Glass Gem Earrings by EllaBelleBoutique

Origami Ornament - Magenta Star by PaperAffection

Thrilled

This morning, as I was pondering what to wear to work, the gods of timing blessed me and bestowed a parcel to my door.

7.54am: Have nothing to wear. Pouring with rain. Left my brolly at work. Consider calling in sick.

7:59am: Package opened. Outfit assembled. Parade in front of mirror. Feel chuffed.

8:08am: Stroll to train station. Enjoy cool rain. Splash in puddles.

Thankyou, thankyou Fran!

Grey Circle Skirt from Lyptis

The Joys of Meandering

There is nothing I love more (well, maybe some things) than strolling along looking at interesting shops, buildings, streets and towns. It is one of the things that I think are particularly enjoyable and even heightened when you are alone. I have spent a lovely morning with not much to do other than buy fish and a plastic sleeve for my clothing patterns, and so I indulged in a little wandering and letting my thoughts go.

A good friend of mine is getting married so I have been looking with interest at a few bridal shops in my area. Such a big industry, and so much to think about! Being the emotional rag that I am, I was already imagining the scene when I see her in her dress, and was feeling a bit teary until I pulled myself up and reminded myself where I was.

So many beautiful wedding-related things on Etsy!





These gorgeous eyelet lace-inspired letterpress cards by Pistachio Press are to die for. So understated and elegant. I recently bought some other non-wedding related cards from PP and was very impressed.

And while I was trawling I spotted this great photo, as part of the Handmade Wedding Series:

What elegant guests, and such a happy bunch! *Sigh*