[giant clam shells]

I bought my own Christmas present.

It was just easier this way.

That and I feared I'd lose him to someone else if I walked away!

He's a little rough around the edges but I love the beauty in imperfections.

(If only I would adopt this attitude in the mirror!)

I'll be wrapping him in ribbon and placing him under the tree beside the other goodies.

He's not truly mine until then anyway!

I'll name him then.

Here are some lovely and at times, remarkable ways in which these beautiful giant clam shells have been used.

The most innovative of them all!
via here

Classic coastal and perfectly bookended.

via here

My favourite!
Balanced to perfection with the glass vase collection.
via here

Elegant coastal.
Loving splashes of gold at the moment.
via here

Beautiful against the dark of the fireplace.
And how amazing is the floor lamp!
via here

via here
And having just potted my first ever little succulents I completely loved this!

Have you been a little cheeky like me and bought your own Christmas present this year?
And any thoughts on what I should name him?

Jx

[little abode update: sideboard & deer head]

Things have been a little hectic around here to say the least.

Today we hit the 3 week countdown til the wedding and with so many things still on the to-do list, my little blog has been somewhat neglected!

 

I had decided a while ago that I would really love to get ready for the wedding at our unit.

The little space that we have put oh so much time and effort into over the last 12 months is really beginning to take shape and has never felt more like home.

This has put the teeniest tiniest bit more pressure on us to get it looking schmick for the day but all and all I'm happy that it's getting done!

 

He's a few little updates...

Our vintage sideboard

My DIY deer head

 

Still a few more things to hang and style which I hope to have time to share with you before the day.

Best be off.

Hair and make-up trial today and then birthday dinner with Daniel San!

Jx 

[salmon & lime with a twist of gold]

Where does the week go!

I'm suffering from a severe case of blog neglect.

Life has been hectic and I needed a breather, so last Friday night I dusted off the paintbrushes and played with a little colour...

What do we think?!
The plan is to try a little DIY framing in a lovely birch wood and hang them above the television - hopefully a bold enough distraction from the soulless black box!
Fingers crossed the final result is not too far off!

In other news, we're officially less than 12 weeks til the big day.
First dress measurements are in 2 weeks (ahhh) and I'm ordering my shoes online tomorrow!
Flat ivory goodness here I come!
Jx

[my melbourne find]

On our very brief trip to Melbourne last weekend I stumbled upon the most amazing store.
We'd arrived a few minutes early to yum cha and it was only a few doors down.
The beautiful set of bentwood chairs in the window drew me in.

The shop is called Tarlo and Graham and it's situated in Chapel Street.
Their collection of unique and unorthodox bits and bobs is truly exciting!
My heart rate reached it's peak when I spotted their collection of David Bromley paintings on the wall.
It was obvious that I was a little awestruck, so the owner shared with me that David himself was only in the other day and that he's a good friend and customer.
The final straw.  I needed something to come home with me from this shop.
Sadly it wasn't a Bromley.

It was these beautiful size 4½ antique wooden shoe lasts.

I adore the contrast of well loved and intriguing items against a clean fresh space.

It adds soul.

When were back, I did a little rearranging.

My antique find needed a home.

This here is the little bedside table that had been on "my side" of the bed.

And until I find something different, unique and ultimately perfect to go here, the Ikea stays.

Little by little it feels like it's coming together.

Jx

[pretty inspiration boards]

Happy Pseudo-Friday everyone!I feel busy! Really busy! I'm sure it's because the world stops over the Easter long weekend which creates a tidal wave of over-shopping and a sense of urgency with every task on the to-do list.
Here's a little "inspiration board" inspiration from A pair and spare to get you in the weekend organisational mood.

And now for mine

(a tad smaller and less inspiring)

Simply cover two plain cork boards with fabric using a staple gun.

An easy peasy way of sprucing up the study nook!

and here's a little watercolour of mine.

Enjoy the rest of the week folks...

...what's left of it anyway!

Jx

[vintage trunk find the third]

...and then there were three!  My vintage trunk family is complete with baby (who's even a little chubbier than the others)!

This is the little goodie I purchased yesterday at the antique centre.  Like father like son, I also purchased the first of my collection at the same place.  The second trunk however I picked up on our trip to Noosa last year.

He's a little rusty here and there and has a few loose stitches but I think his lovely blue colour allows you to look beyond these imperfections!

This is what I also bought... a selection of old knitting needles for my newly rekindled skill!

...and finally a drawer handle for when I get around to refurbishing the bedside table in the guest room.  I was immediately attracted to the watermelony/corally colour of the glass.

Just another project added to my never-ending list! 

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Jx

[vintage school map]

I'm off the boat and my body finally feels like I'm no longer on one. Hope you all had a fantastic Chrissy break!
I thought I'd share with you what I bought Daniel San for his "big number" b-day...

Isn't she lovely!

It took me a little while to find what I was looking for but I ended up sourcing it from empirical style.

Happy friday everyone!!! Jx



[white and wood]

After buying my little unit my brain went into overdrive with dreams of the beautiful spaces I'd design and all the amazing unaffordable furniture I'd soon buy.

Then reality set in and I realised... I have NO money!

Therefore, most of my furniture is hand-me-down, thrifted or kerbside collected...

...like the turned-wood dining table that I remember eating potato and cheese dinners off as a child.

Over the years each and every chair met its fate.

I then began looking for some inspiration to turn my preloved table into a nice dining set... on a string.

via here

via here

via here

This was the look I went for - White and wood.

The chairs are from Ikea, lovingly allen-keyed together by yours truly.

The bows are in place early for Christmas lunch - I can't wait to show you my table setting for the day!
Hope all your Chrissy plans are coming along swimmingly.

Six more sleeps!

Jx

[vintage trunk find the second]

One of the best things to come out of our trip to Noosa last weekend (second to getting engaged... and seeing turtle) was finding a mate for my vintage trunk.

I just love the natural weave.  I've never seen one like it before.

I found it in the cutest little shop called Lamington along Hasting Street- I could have bought the whole store!  Well worth a look!

Now I just need to find a baby trunk to sit on top and I'll have a perfect little vintage trunk family - keep your eyes peeled for me!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Enjoy the rain!

Jx

[she saw, she liked, she purchased]

Again, flicking through the Real Living collection for some guest room inspiration, I came acoss this...

Vibrant colour, modern style, great price.

Any excuse for a Spotlight trip!

I think it works well with Nan's embroidery and my little Vinnies bowl.

Not the final resting place for the Keep Calm poster but looks ok for now.

Jx

[why this is the happiest WC there is...]

This is the best thing to come out of this week...

Let there be light!!!

That's right, after an entire year of bathroom by candlelight, we have a light!

Dan says it's just another one for me to forget to turn off.

I thought my electrician was a God!

...and then he did this so I downgraded him back to your typical tradie.

Ah well, I'm getting pretty handy with the putty now!

One more day!!!

Jx

[hangin' about]

Last sunday, while we basked in the stench of enamel through the unit, we began to hang some art and photos.  There was a very handy little article in this month's Real Living mag about how best to arrange a cluster of art.

I first fiddled around with placement on the living room rug, took photos of each arrangement and had Daniel San help choose which looked best.  The handiest of hints I found was the masking tape cross to help to create balance.

(and look... It's the same style chair from here! I must have one!)

I managed to accidentally switch around two frames when I was weighing them on the kitchen scales. Sadly 3M sticky tabs are the only way to go when you have concrete walls!

 Favourite sunset pic taken on a camping trip at Brunswick Heads.  The colours were breathtaking!

 Old painting of Nan's. Adds a little hipster feel. 

A watercolour I'd mucked around with one fine crafternoon with Al and Louise.

N'arrete jamais de rêver - Never stop dreaming.

(Ah oui oui - I can't speak french, but Al can.)

Little by little it's feeling more like a home. Jx