Monday 27 January 2014

My Little Empire

I've been shop swooning again.

Well how couldn't I, when this little treasure trove of pretties bursting with colour and beautific things appeared right before me?!
 My Little Empire stocks stunning home wares, supports local Artists and is a friendly little pod of fun and amazingness located at 245 Charman Rd. Cheltenham. Which is where a nice little pocket of opshops and a fresh flower supplier also happen to be situated. How WILL I keep myself away??? 





Sunday 26 January 2014

Urban Tree Hugging



I've been excitedly following the Yarn Bombing work of Melbourne's Yarn Corner for some time now, and been dying to check out their latest annual installation in Melbourne's City Square. Yarn Corner's current project is as gorgwaa and inspiring as I expected. The 'Baby Beatnik's' and I are big fans and we thoroughly enjoyed some gentle tree hugging in the lovely Melbourne sun!

Whilst we cruised the city streets we went around testing out some of the super cool pianos on display as part of the Play Me, I'm Yours project by Artist Luke Jerram. The work consists of a collection of street pianos decorated by local Artists for everyone to enjoy playing and listening to. Members of the community young and old blessed us with their music ability in the busy urban environment, it really was super fun and beautific and made me wish I knew how to play the piano!



  







Wednesday 22 January 2014

Baby it's damn hot outside!





What calls for breakfast ice creams, a vintage fan collection... in full use, icy cold ciders, backyard inflatable pool dips and late night beach time??? Last week's melting heatwave in Melbourne! That's what!

The heatwave led to some sunkissed 'Baby Beatnik's' at my heels (in the nudey rudes) requesting our fave iced tea, so a yummy batch was whipped up by 'Mama Beatnik'! The recipe is made from T2's - 'Lemon Cooler' tea and...

...it goes like this:

Throw a couple of heaped tablespoons of the 'Lemon Cooler' loose leaf tea into a big old teapot

Brew it

Let it cool
(You could use the cooling time for many things; a quick swim, or to hide away from your nudey rude hot and bothered kidlets in a closet and catch up on some interior mags, or you could spend the time praying the scorching heat does not fry the veggie patch!)

When cooled, add a drop or two of Vanilla Essence and some organic brown sugar to taste

Sliced lemon is a must. If your lemon tree is not delivering, you could forage or 'borrow' one from someone in the neighbourhood. (It seems those rare and lovely people who leave out little baskets of freebies never seem to be in stock when you need some!) 

Grab a handful of mint from the herb garden (that Mint goes cray cray if you let it go wild, so use that minty goodness up!)

Then some fridge time needs to happen and theeeeen the when your thirst can wait no longer serve with lotsa ice.

It's really delish and oh so refreshwaaa!

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Pineapples make me thirsty for Pina Colada's!


So the Pineapple trend is in full swing and I am totally into it, those tropical summer lovin' fruity things are popping up everywhere and enticing me to want more Pina Colada's and beach days in my life!



Keren Brown fabric via Bondville

Eco Chic chair via Style Hunter

ASOS sunnies

Freedom Pineapple statue

Country Road Tee

Sportsgirl Coin Purse
There are a lot of Pina Colada recipes floating around so I have selected Wiki's version to share on the blog, cheers to summer sips gorgwaas!

PINA COLADA

Blend
 30ml White  Rum
30ml Coconut Milk
90ml Pineapple Juice
with ice and garnish with a Maraschino Cherry, Pineapple slice and I personally find it very necessary to add a cocktail umbrella!





Sunday 5 January 2014

What is 'Nanna Cool'?

Check out my guest blog post on the Nanna Cool Markets blog.  A market with 'Craftitude' & a 'Yarn Bombing' dream coming true!

Saturday 4 January 2014

Dwelling in possibility.....

Wowzers! Another year gone by and a new one on the horizon. 2013 had a few waves, lots of wonderfulness and even a little wacky!

Keeping life in balance is always a priority and a struggle for me personally, so that will be something I will try my best to tackle in 2014. I can proudly tick off a few goals from last years to do list, some things will be rolled over to this years and then a little handful that I just might throw to the wind!

One thing that is paramount in this life plan that is reviewed annually and sporadically throughout the year, is list or no list of resolutions, it all comes down to attitude. This year was a little cray cray at times and I am feeling the need to rekindle the peace within. I've been busier than a bees hinny, and being the sensitive creative type that I am, I need a little internal cup of tea and a lie down to rest my mind and face this year anew. Equipped with the right attitude anything is possible don't you think?