DIY Photobooth Love

I found this lovely DIY on Paislee Press. Check it out!

Blog by my cousin - Our Journey to Parenthood

My cousin Annette and her husband Mark finally welcomed baby Mackenzie!

Their amazing journey is documented here, and it's such a touching read.

Welcome to the family Mackenzie! :) 

Fun photos

Here are some fun photo's from our weekend:

Quote of the Day - Sunday 29th January 2012

Due to my extremely busy week and busy weekend, I've barely had a chance to get on the computer!

So, here is my quote for the day:

"I believe in pink. 
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. 
I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. 
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. 
I believe that happiest girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."


- Audrey Hepburn


(quote via here)

And here is a pic from the place I spent my weekend, Peppers Craigieburn.

Multicultural Australia Day

It was Australia Day here yesterday, and I spent the day with my boyfriend's family eating delicious Aussie food (damper, anyone?) and then going into a food coma (obviously). Afterwards, a walk down at the beach was had, and some fun photo's taken.

But seeing all the different types of people celebrating, and the controversy surrounding Australia Day (some know it as Invasion Day, as it was the day James Cook landed in Sydney in the 1700's; the indigenous community was treated appallingly) got me thinking about how multicultural Australia has become. And then, a friend on facebook said this:

Thanks Joanne Murphy.. Yay for immigrants! Yay for sushi and hommus and pizza and olives and wonton soup and edamame and curries and calamari.

Yay for all the people who came to a strange country and made a new life, built houses, started businesses, were given opportunities and helped developed this awesome country. thank you...

Yay for all the indigenous peoples of this beautiful land, many who are still struggling with our paternalism and affected by us fitting them into one small, ridiculous, stereotypical box.

Boo to ridiculous racist Australia Day status updates (many just stolen from American myths and repackaged as Australian scaremongering) and pop media culture perpetuating xenophobia.

Happy Muticultural Australia Day!!!!

 

 - Tiffany Louise

 

Many people who are Australians weren't necesarily born here, but they put in the hard work to become citizens and they have every right to call Australia home, and to celebrate with us. As for the indigenous community, I can understand how hard it must have been to see foreigners come in and take over, and be treated the way they were. But hopefully one day, we can all live here in peace.

 

So, in the words of my friend Tiffany, happy Multicultural Australia Day!

Valentine's Day Gifts

I like the idea of Valentine's Day but I'm sure if people celebrated their love more often, people would be a lot happier! Anyway, I did some searching and found some gifts for everyone :)

There's always the traditional gifts, if you get really stuck.
For example, us ladies are always happy with flowers and chocolates :) As for the gents, showing them that you care (and listen) by getting them something that has to do with their interests or hobbies. It doesn't always have to be romantic, but thoughful is important. For example, for our first Valentine's Day, I got my boyfriend a early edition of a Roman history book, knowing that he liked Roman history.

But, if you wanted to be a little more creative, here are some ideas...

• Pack a picnic. Include homemade pastry hearts like these (super easy!) and any other lovely foods that your partner (and you) like. I'm thinking chocolate, crackers with that delicious bitey vintage cheese (pack with something cold!), maybe a cold drink? And make sure you pack a blanket! :)

Check out more picnic recipes here.

• Make something cute like this deck of cards

• Pre-planned date nights

• And there's also another crafty thing I thought of (especially if you're on a budget!). It's similar to the above, but it's more of a lucky dip. You'll need a large jar (big enough to put your hand in) and some small square paper (like the size of the standard post-its). Think of things you'd like to do together, write them down and fold them up. Chuck them all in the jar and pull one out whenever you feel like it! 

• A commitment ring. So simple but meaningful!

Where do you stand on Valentine's Day? Are you for it? Against it? Indifferent? I'd love to hear!

Honestly DIY - Statement Necklace

Ooo, I know what my next DIY will be! Check out the rest of their stuff!

Quote of the Day - 20th Jan 2012

I'm going to post a quote every Friday and a favourite pic. Feel free to submit your own! :)

Today's quote:

"A year from now, you will wish you had started today."
- Karen Lamb

What do you want to do, but keep putting off? Is it lack of motivation or just can't be bothered?

The important thing to remember is this: If it's something you really want to do, then you need to make it happen. It's not going to do it all by itself.

Well, what are you waiting for?!

Vintage appreciation

Look at this beautiful image of a Vogue cover from 1918. I love it.

Movie poster of Sabrina.

LOVE old cameras.

Sophia Loren

Vintage tobacco ad.

What makes you happy?

There are a few things that make me happy (in no particular order)

- Taking pictures

- Reading

- Watching my favourite shows

- Spending time with this awesome dude

- Spending time with my friends

- Shopping

- Doing crafty things

Seeing pictures like this

Buying things like this...

Contributing to a not-for-profit organization, like TOMS

Playing with my Marley

What makes YOU happy? What are some of the things you do, because you truely enjoy them?

I'd love to hear about it! Feel free to comment! :)

Who doesn't love turquoise?

Not me, that's for sure! It's pretty much my favorite color to wear.

So check out this necklace I bought today (sshhhh) from Diva for only $19.95!

Five Ingredient Filo Pastries!

Tonight a made ANOTHER batch of Filo pastries. I just can't seem to help myself!

Here's what you need:

2 sheets of puff pastry
Handful of spinach
Boccochini/Ricotta
1/2 cup of pine Nuts
1 egg

Here's how you do it:

Have the puff pastry defrosting while you make the mixture.
Mix the egg, boccochini and spinach together in a bowl.
Toast the pine nuts.
Crush the pine nuts.
Add to mixture.
(See? SO simple!)
Then, cut the pastry into four squares and spoon a little bit of mixture onto the square (not too much or it'll explode). Fold it over to the other corner, and press down with a fork to hold.
Stick them in the oven on about 150C and they should be ready in about 20 minutes!

Happy cooking! :)

"Really Good" home-y stuff & gifts!

I found this nifty little shop called Really Good and they have the funniest little gifts!

I personally like: the Poo Room, Shut up and Kiss me,  Hello Mr Coat, Wedding Guest Book, Cosmetic Bag, Waldo Pancake Small Gift Bag and Waldo Pancake Large Gift Bag. Excellent!

Best Chocolate Mousse Ever

Wow. This looks amazing. Found this link from A Cup of Jo, who got it from here. It only has 2 INGREDIENTS!

I know what I'll be making for dessert this week!!

Photography Blogs

Ah, the world of blogging. I love it. So many things you can learn about, and people can connect in so many different ways.

Well I'm getting into Photography blogs at the moment, and the one I really like is En Route by Gabby. It's awesome. If you're into photography, you'll love this. And it's super fun to read her posts :)

I will endeavour to find more though, like I said on a previous post - I'm like a sponge! :P 

Oh and did I mention I LOVED my new Canon? Coz I REALLY do!! :)

Photo's with Canon 600D

So I finally bought myself an SLR. It's amazing. There's not really much else I can say about it, except that I absolutely love it and I'm super excited to take more photos and learn more.

Here are some pics I took on the weekend :)

Gifts for Men

I know, men can be hard to buy for (they seem to think we are though!?), so I've compiled a list of things that are kinda unique, kinda weird and kinda fun. So whether it's for their birthday, your anniversary, valentine's day, hopefully these will be helpful :)

Unfortunately I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but it did give me some ideas.

So if you have a brother/dad/boyfriend/friend who is a little bit difficult to buy for, check these out:

For the traveller - Map of Italy - $74.95

For the photographer - Lens Shot Glasses - $18 (I want these for me actually!)

For the muso - Guitar tuner - $24.95

For the forgetful - Wireless Key Finder - $49.95

For the bookworm - First Edition Books

Happy shopping :)

Happy Weekend!

I'm so glad it's the weekend. I know everyone says that, but its especially silly for me to say it because I only started back at work on Thursday! Ha!

Anyway, I've done a few DIY projects this week, including making a bracelet, anklet and necklace. I also bought some rope and pegs to hang my awesome polaroids up. Sweet! (Pics to come!)

But here's what's inspiring me at the moment.

Going to Peppers Resort soon. It's the kind of place you could just sit in the gardens and read for hours. Can't wait.

Going to buy the supplies for a DIY camera bag on Sunday for my new Canon 600D. Love it!

Photo tips from Elsie Larson.

Blake Lively. She's my girl crush.

THIS dress.

Re-reading Ms Penman's books. Coz, she's awesome.

Vintage jewelery, like these.

My homemade Filo pastries. I've already made 2 batches, and I can't stop eating them! I'll post the recipe this weekend!

Happy weekend! :)

Christmas Around the World

This is a link (From Cup of Jo); what was Christmas like in your city? Here in Sydney (number 37) it was lovely and warm - a day of turkey, ham, alcohol, cold drinks and summer clothes (and a fabulous Christmas cake!).

But it was warm. I can't imagine having a Christmas that is cold - although I wouldn't mind experiencing it someday! :)

Digital Photography for Beginners

This is a fantastic website; as a budding photographer I'm like a sponge for information at the moment. Gimme!

Yeah anyway, if you're into photography, like me, check out this website. Heaps on tutorials and advice, info, great articles and stuff like that.

There's a good one about candid shots (which I do all the time, much to the annoyance of my subjects!) and it was very insightful. I intend to put this advice to good use on Friday when I get my Canon 600D. YAY.

Urban Outfitters

I love all the funky and pretty things in this shop, Urban Outfitters. It's too bad there isn't an actual shop here in Australia, although luckily - they do ship here!

Here are some of the things from UO I'm loving at the moment...

No Whining Print - $34 (C'mon, who's face wouldn't that put a smile on?!)

Clip String Lights - $24 (Light up thoe favorite moments)

Camera Section (under Apartment tab)  - Need I say more?!

Birds on a Wire Photo Clips - $10 (Exactly what I need for my polaroid DIY!)

Ecote Studded Professor Satchel - $69 (I'm getting this on pay day. Love.)

Kimchi Blue Crisscross Suede Wedge - $59 - I actually own a pair similar to these, god damn they're comfy!

You need to check out this shop. If there's one in your city, go visit it, and count your blessings!

:P