Our Wednesday

After all the party preparations of last week, this one has been nice and calm and slow-paced so far, free of deadlines and 'to-dos' and full of play, pottering and left over birthday cake.

One nice surprise this morning was a package that arrived on our doorstep.  Wanting to add a bit of a vintage vibe to Sophie's nursery among all the newer items, I'd been searching on Etsy for a cute ornament of some sort.  After spotting the trio of white swans above at The Vagrant Duck, I ordered them as part of her birthday present.  I chose well as Sophie kicked her chubby little legs in excitement and made her own version of a quacking noise when she saw them sitting on our kitchen bench.  I can't wait to get her shelves up now so I can display them.

The rest of our day has been spent catching up on washing while it's been good drying weather, spring-cleaning Sophie's wardrobe and tending to our vegetable patch.  I've also been sorting through the photos I took on Sunday so I can share some of them with you soon.  Be sure to pop back at the end of the week for a post about Sophie's first birthday party...

Container Planting Suggestions

This morning I've woken to a much cooler day with a dull grey sky and rain falling gently outside - bliss! Yesterday, as Grace played happily in our backyard while Sophie had her morning nap, I sat on our patio, Yates Garden Guide in hand, planning some things to do in our garden once it cools down more. With the recent extreme heat Perth has had lately, there have been a few casualties around our place and I haven't had a very good record with our pot plants which seem to dry out very quickly.

I've been trying to research options for container plants. I have a large pot and a few smaller ones in the sun as well as a few under my patio to be filled. There's currently a hydrangea in one but I think it would be better in the ground and it tends to look a bit bare in the winter months anyway so I'm after something with year round foliage. My book recommends a Camellia, a plant I've always loved so I'm thinking that might be a possibility.

Can any of you suggest some options for pot plants that you've had success with?

Image above from Sunshine Ceramics where you can buy the cute little garden sign.
Be sure to check out Tracy's cute herb markers too.

Etsy Baking Supplies

In my Etsy browsing lately for a few parties I have coming up, I came across the store Sweet Estelle’s Baking Supplies. If you’re after anything cupcake or party related, be sure to check it out. It has a range of decorative cupcake liners, paper straws, party favour bags and cake decorations. Here are a few items which caught my eye…

All photos above by sweet estelle's

On The Hunt For...

For the past two weeks I've had intentions of visiting the local Sunday morning swap meet but things have popped up that have stopped me from going. Fingers crossed I can go for a browse tomorrow (if I can work up the motivation to head outdoors in the chilly morning weather). Paul has had a big day today so I'm sure if I sneak out with Grace, he'll appreciate the sleep in. There are a few things I’m on the hunt for at the moment, certain pieces to add touches of character to our place and to help create that homely feel. Here's some examples of treasures I'd love to find...



One thing I'd love to get for Grace's room is a little open shelf display similar to the one above. Young children always collect bits and pieces and I'd love something to be able to display all Grace's little trinkets and treasures on and where she could change little collections around as she pleases.



Next on my radar are some little glass bottles to use as vases. I often save old jars for this purpose but something cute like the bottle above would be lovely to put a single bloom in. I like to have small arrangements like this dotted in different spots around the house or on the table when I am entertaining.



A few weeks ago, Grace snuck into our pantry and broke my salt shaker. It was never really my style anyway so I wasn't overly fussed and now I have the excuse to look for some cute salt and pepper shakers. Mum has some tiny ones from my grandparent's house which I love. Hopefully I can find something similar one day.



Last up, I'm looking for old, decorative picture frames which I will possibly paint white. I love the detail in the one above and the way it is still a simple design.

Sometime in the next few months, we're planning a little holiday down south where I'm looking forward to browsing in the various country town antique shops so if I don't find something at the markets, fingers crossed they can be found on other travels.

What treasures do you mainly hunt for at second hand stores or flea markets?

If you wish to purchase any of the items above, you can visit their Etsy stores:

#1 dovetailvintage #2 AMradio #3 Midwest Finds #4 Maude and Lola #5 AMradio

Nest Pretty Things

Firstly, I want to thank all of you for your reassuring words on my last post regarding Grace's new bed. I appreciated you taking the time to share your own experiences and advice and you have given me some great ideas. I've decided to think about things for a week or two before I make any decisions. I'll let you know what happens...

Today I wanted to share with you a gorgeous Etsy shop I stumbled upon a little while back called Nest Pretty Things. Its owner Tamar creates a range of pretty pieces of jewellery, several of which I have my eye on. I love the way Tamar's pieces are packaged and presented and the way she styles her product shots. Here are some necklaces that I am particularly drawn to...

All photos by Tamar of Nest Pretty Things

Stationery Finds

GimCarry

As a little girl, my favourite part of the school holidays (once Christmas was over) was choosing out all my stationery for the new school year. A new backpack and pencil case were chosen and I would eagerly browse through the 'back to school' catalogues for the bits and pieces I required, my favourite thing to choose being patterned contact to cover my school books.

With the 2011 school year here in WA starting next week, I thought I'd share a few cute stationery finds on Etsy that I'd be more than happy to have in my collection.

everyjotandtittle

crabappledesign

decoylab

lettergirl

weheartpaper

Vintage Etsy Envy

In keeping with the 'Vintage Modern' label I have decided suits the decorating style I am aiming for in our home, I am always on the lookout for a pre-loved treasure at thrift shops, antique stores and flea markets. Lately, I've stumbled across so many vintage pieces on Etsy I would love to decorate with. However, postage for these is usually within the US only and international shipping for such items probably wouldn't be practical anyway.

Fortunately for me, there's an annual jumble sale at a little church nearby where my mother-in-law always manages to nab a bargain, so on Saturday morning, I'll be going for a browse and hopefully find some treasures. Also, an upcoming Craft and Antique Fair in Perth is also home this year to the Polka Dot Vintage Market so I'm hoping to go for a look at that later in the month too.

For now, I'll share with you the Etsy pieces that have caught my eye...

Image #1 unknown
Images #2 & #3 AMradio

Image #4 harmoniepark

Images #5 & #6 ethanollie

Inklore Etsy Store

Last week, I entered a giveaway on Bloesem Kids and to my surprise, I was the lucky winner. Samantha of Inklore has kindly let me choose an item from her Etsy store and seeing as the cute cushion above was in my wishlist folder, I’ve asked for one of those.

I can’t wait to receive my prize as this cushion will be perfect for the living room spruce up I am currently undertaking (more on that in a later post).

Check out the Inklore Etsy store here for yourself as there are some lovely hand printed homewares and accessories to choose from, many of which use gorgeous linen fabric of which I have grown very fond of lately. Samantha's blog Good Measure has also become one of my favourites to stop by and is full of lots of wonderful ideas for adding little extras to your everyday life. I love this comment on her 'About' page:

"When I'm not blogging, designing, or printing I enjoy all of the small pleasures of life: warm bread, fresh basil from the garden, a finished project, something pretty for my home, clean sheets, a good hearty laugh, or a cup of tea and good book".

Be sure to stop by and say hi from me.

Thanks again for the generous prize Samantha!

Sidetracked On Etsy

Paloma's Nest

Hope you have all had a lovely Saturday. Grace and I spent the morning wandering around some furniture shops hunting for a buffet cabinet (no luck unfortunately).

I've been on Etsy a fair bit lately searching for bits and pieces for Grace's upcoming first birthday party (more on that in a future post) but as I always, I've found myself getting sidetracked with other lovely things for sale. Here are a few bits and pieces that have caught my eye...

heartoflight

helkatdesign

KathrynBloom

Ninuska

ohhellofriend