A Place in the Sun

Image from here

So, our bags are (almost) backed and we're heading to the land of sun, lychee martinis and nasi goreng. See you in two weeks!

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Skin Deep

Images: Portland General Store on Etsy

Men's Skincare by Portland General Store

I'm a sucker for form over function. I have absolutely no need for aftershave splash or shaving jelly. Nor do I fancy smelling like whiskey. But I am rather taken with this men's skincare range from Portland General Store.

Using recipes from the 20's and 30's and only the highest quality natural ingredients to create artisinal soaps, balms and lotions...heck, who am I kidding? I couldn't care less what they make! It's the old school, apothecary aesthetic that's got me.

Available here.

Paint Job

Two paint jobs (of very different varieties) have caught my attention this week. First up, I was incredibly impressed by our friends, the Heffs, who painted their fence red, white and black in the hope that the Saints really do go marching in on Saturday - and you thought you were passionate!

While the Heffs are pretty handy with a paintbrush, few are quite as talented as New York artist, Alyssa Monks. Alyssa's oil paintings go beyond photo realism. In fact, calling them phenomenal would be an understatement.

Images: Alyssa Monks

'It is all about the desire to try to create an image of a person that is realer than real, beyond what even a photograph can portray,' says Alyssa. And I say, 'Mission accomplished!'

Settle Nettel

Image: Keep Calm Gallery

Trend Spotter: The Rise and Rise of Nettels

Have you heard that there's a new acronym in town? Meet the Nettels - six figure income families who have enough dough, but 'Not Enough Time to Enjoy Life.'

Nettel parents work full-time, and often overtime, whilst also juggling kids, meals, work commitments, exercise, friends and of course, keeping up with the Jonses. According to social researcher, Bernard Salt, "Stressed-out Nettel parents ares are forever scheduling, scheming and diarising about how to execute the next day's events. And, by some bizarre twist of logic, many of these parents seem to revel in the scheduling frenzy. In a materialistic go-getter world, a couple's ability to juggle and to control life's commercial and familial demands (when other lesser beings cannot) merely confirms their superior "alpha" status."

If you'd like to avoid Nettels, I'll give you the mail - give Canberra a miss. Analysis of 2006 Census data reveals that the top five Nettel areas are:

1. Curtin, ACT

2. Forrest, ACT

3. Paddington, NSW

4. Albert Park, VIC

5. Balmoral, QLD

Phew - Pretty exhausting stuff! At least Cubs will be glad there is a new demographic taking the heat off them!

Doll Face

Just saying the word 'babushka' makes me want to don a black veil, drape myself around a Double Bass and sing:

Babooshka, Babooshka, Babooshka-ya-ya!

So you can imagine the state I got myself in when I laid eyes on these cute-as-a-button Babushka dolls by Morgan Wills!

Images: Morgan Wills

For big and little girls alike, each Babushka takes Morgan four hours to make and is lovingly handcrafted from repurposed designer clothing samples, woolen blankets, vintage tea towels, and op shop finds. Available as hair buttons, rattles, greeting cards and a mama and baby pair, these Babushkas will make your heart sing and have you humming Babooshka, Babooshka, Babooshka-ya-ya all day long!

From $6 to $100, Available here.

Monster Mash

Images: French Bull

Kids Tablewear by French Bull

I blinked, and the last six months flew by. In fact, the little champ is about to start eating solids. Although he doesn't give a rats what he eats from, I couldn't resist getting some monsters for his mash. Designed by Jackie Shapiro for French Bull, this range of melamine kids tablewear is bold, vibrant and super hard wearing. If these babies don't encourage a clean plate - I don't know what will!

Available here.

Sweet Thing

Images: Ecoist

Bags by Ecoist

You 'aint seen a sweet tooth until you see one of my friends. She's a skinny minnie whose record is 18 Caramello Koalas in a day! To cover her tracks she distributes the wrappers amongst her colleague's bins.

Pretty clever stuff but it's not nearly as ingenous as the folks at Ecoist who create clutches, totes, shoulder bags and satchels out of repurposed candy wrappers. Handmade, fair trade and earth friendly - what could be sweeter?

Available here.

Look Again

Images: Mark Jenkins

Street Installations by Mark Jenkins

Get your Friday funnies on with Mark Jenkins. His street art installations are designed to shake passersby from their daily grind and get them to do a double - or maybe triple - take. From gaffer tape babies to parking meters that have been turned into lolly pops, Mark's work is brilliantly wacky, if not a tad creepy. So sit back, relax and click on over to the perfect time waster that will get you a little bit closer to the weekend.

Flavour of the Month

Images: My Folk Lover on Etsy

2010 Calendar by My Folk Lover

There's a real art to living in the moment. Try as I might, I often find myself pining, anticipating or worrying about what's around the corner. But after stumbling across this 2010 calendar by My Folk Lover, I don't feel so guilty about wishing my life away. In fact, I'm merrily counting down the days until I can wave 2009 goodbye and say hello to a monthly dose of whimsy.

Found via Marelle Shop.

Colour Me Happy

Images: Horst Glasker

Art in Architecture by Horst Glasker

Two geeks from the University of Vermont analysed the number of positive and negative words on 2.4 million blogs to determine that our collective happiness is lowest on Wednesdays. So, consider this post a community service - if Horst Glasker's 'Art in Architecture' doesn't colour your day, you really are one miserable b*stard!

What a Corker!

Images: Style.com

Karen Walker's SS10 Collection at New York Fashion Week

Infectious.

Upbeat.

Nautical notes and polka dots.

Romantic nostalgia for a 60's seaside escape.

Perfectly mixed and matched.

What a corker Karen Walker! I want it all. Even the boat shoes - now that's something I never thought I'd say! 

Oink! Oink!

Images: Neil Thomas Art

Badges by Neil Thomas

Drats! I thought Swine Flu was done and dusted. Apparently not. The silver lining is that you won't look out-of-date wearing one of Neil Thomas' badges that have been inspired by flu of the piggy variety.

Neil is a Melbourne-based artist who uses wood and paint to amalgamate old world creative techniques with a new world sense of humor. After looking at some of Neil's other badges I'm finding it hard pick a fave - and that's no porky pie!

You can find Neil at the Rose Street Market every Saturday and Sunday.

Idol Worship

Images: NoteMaker

Stationary by O-Check Design Graphics

If there was an American Idol for stationary, Randy Jackson would say:

Yo, yo, yo, check it out dude - for me, for you, I can't get enough of O-Check!

And as I couldn't agree more, I'd spend my life-savings texting, calling and voting for them.

You see, I'm O-Check Design Graphics' number one fan. I can't get enough of their stationary which weaves together thoughtful nostalgia, charm, originality and environmental awareness. In fact, much of their collection is created from recycled products, natural fabrics, wood and soy ink.

My most recent O-Check purchase was an All My Thoughts & The Heart Talks journal, simply because I couldn't resist the words on its cover. Come to think of it, I think I'll find it just as hard to resist tuning in to see how Ellen fares when she takes over from Paula...ah, life's guilty pleasures!

NoteMaker is the only Australian retailer to stock the full O-Check range.

Return to Sender

Images: Mysterious Letters

Mysterious Letters

I have a friend - let's call him Mr. Peculiar - who never opens his mail. Never has. Never will. If Mr Peculiar lived in Cushendall he'd really miss out. You see, in April this year, Lenka Clayton and Michael Crowe sent a personal handwritten note, letter or postcard to all 457 households of this Irish village.

"We hoped these unsolicited letters would prompt neighbourly discussion, spreading across the town, promoting community curiosity," explain Lenka and Michael. This letter writing duo now hope to take their project global and pen a note to everyone in the world. A little ambitious, I know...still, I'd like to put my order in for two letters as I'd hate see such a random act of brilliance wasted on Mr Peculiar!