step away..

This weekend I had a no computer (and no phone) weekend. And I liked it!

I have been spending unhealthy amounts of time on the computer of late. So, after a DnM with Mr Peck ... (that may or may not have involved some hysterical-ness and crying) I decided enough was enough and stepped away from the computer. I am going to try and keep away from it a lot more as well. It's a creativity zapper. It doesn't feel like it when you are constantly looking at other people's blogs and ideas and pinterst... but ultimately, when you are doing that all the time, when is there time to do your own thing? For me, there wasn't any. 

So... here's me saying I'm taking time off from blogging so much, and I'm banning myself from pinterest hehe.. nooooooooo! But true.

Here's what I got up to when I didn't have the computer to inhibit me.

* ceramic characters... (still to be dried etc)

* recycled jar into candle holder.

* Aaand... a whole lot of knitting!

Fill 'em in.

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be a shop keeper, teacher, nurse, farmer, hairdresser when I grew up. 
2. As an adult, my dream job would be a shop owner, stylist of all things (clothes, interior, shoots), apartment stager. 
3. When I was younger I wanted to be just like my sister. 
4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was  (I've never done Halloween.. No done here is Australia much.. and if it was, I wouldn't do it anyway... ... .. . .I'm not much for silly festive days .. or ones that are pagan in origin. 
5. My favourite childhood toy was the sandpit and cubby house.. Making mud 'ice chocolate' and mud pies was the best :)
6. The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when my brother and I were playing with a tennis ball inside (tiles.. who can resist a good indoor game of handball?!) and we broke my dad's really expensive glass measuring flask thing... we were probably 15ish haha.. oops.
7. I get daily inspiration from pinterest, blogs, my husband, Real Living magazine.. life.

Ping....

I forgot how much I love UP! I was watching it while I did my knitting.. So cute. My favourite quote is: 

"I was hiding under your porch because I love you!" - Dug

And all through the movie I was thinking of this. This guy is so clever!

And... While you listen, here are a few of my recent pins

one two three four five six

White Please!

Oh man. I want this bad! Such a brilliant idea - a journal with white lines!

Puppy Love

Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen?! My mum's dog had puppies. .. Puppies are the best! Not even opening their eyes yet.. Awwwww!

Just. Be.

why not? - photography by me.

Packaged.

Just wanted to say, I'm a little bit excited about the package pal project!

In just under a month I get to show you what I got and what I sent.

Here's a sneak preview of what I am sending (hopefully today... maybe tomorrow)

Can't wait to see what I get, and my pals reactions to what I'm sending! I looove getting mail, and packages are even better!

Top 5 Design & Fashion Trends of 2011

I've been working on my portfolio. It's a slow but steady process. I'm looking for work. While that's been happening, of course I've been searching for inspiration.. looking at the trends, I thought I'd put together a little list for you.

In no particular order, the Top 5 Design & Fashion Trends that I'm noticing right now are:

Numero Uno.

[number one]

Minimalism 

Been around for a while, still in, and honestly I don't think it will leave for a while. There's nothing better than a lovely piece of minimal design (or clothing for that matter). 

Key Idea: Lots of white space, simple typography and limited colour palette

Exhibit A.

Number 2..

Texture

This has also been around for a while but is defiantly up there in the design world. I am especially loving the use of textured background in illustrations and webdesign.

Key Idea: Any type of texture - paper, concrete, material - you name it, we want it!

Exhibit B.

Number Three..

Bold Colour

Colour blocking, monochromatic, the bolder the better. That's where it's at. 

Talking fashion - blue & yellow together. Wouldn't think it, but it works.

But if those brights don't work for you, pale and neutral is coming in strong as well.

Key Idea: Red on Pink, Blue on Yellow. Bold & Bright! Or tone it right down with neutral beiges, dusty pinks or shades of grey.

Exhibit C.

#4..

Big & Tight

Put those magnifying glasses down and step back. The bigger the better - from big titles and icon to chunky knits and oversize sweaters.  2011 is loving super sizing. But not only big, tight as well. This doesn't really fit with the fashion side, but tightening up kerning (that's the space between the letters) is a big hit this year.

Key Idea: Make everything 3 sizes too big! And tighten up those letters.

Exhibit D.

No. FIVE

Handmade

Yep, we all know it. Handmade is the bomb! But not only is handmade killing it on the fashion side, it's totally dominating design as well.  Anything looking handmade from stitched to illustrated, scrapbooked to water coloured... It all works and we all love it.

Key Idea: Make it. Then scan it. 

Exhibit E.

Guest Poster: Meredith from yours, mind & ours

Hey!! I'm very excited to be guest posting today, things over at my blog have been crazy lately so this is a fun diversion:)

Anyway, I'm Meredith and I'm popping in to mention some of my fave ways to be thrifty yet fashion-y. 

1- Clothes swaps: I love clothing swaps!! Getting friends together to hang out while scoring free clothes?? Awesome.

 2- Hand me downs: They're not just for toddlers anymore! I seriously love it when people offer me their clothing cast offs.  It makes my day. I'm cheap and I don't care who knows it!

3- Freepiling: Not everybody has this option I guess, but in our apartment complex we have freepile bins in every laundry room. They're a great way to get rid of things you don't use anymore or get some new-to-you items. Starting a freepile at your church, school or work could be cool too. Try it!!

 Thanks again for letting me stop in!!

The. List.

{via}

I just added a page.

It is a List.

A list of 50 things I want to do. Well, 50 until I think of more.

I haven't given myself a time frame because some of the things are not achievable in the near future.

Some are.

I wish there were more things that were achievable right now, but there aren't!

Most of them require a lot of hard work and some time.

But it's actually quite a good activity to do. Helps you get some perspective on exactly where you want to be as opposed to where you are.

And... to give myself something achievable to do right now, here is my Friday to do list:

1. Clean the house 
• Kitchen = wash dishes
• Bedroom = fold clothes & put away
• Bathroom = scrub everything
• General = Vacuum 
2. Work 
• Banners
• Website
• Logo, Business cards & Bookmarks
3. College
• Knit

I'm not sure I will get through all of that but I will start by turning off the computer. And by turning off, I don't just mean stepping away from it, I mean powering down. ... Removing temptation..... .

Maybe I should do this:

PS. I'm excited to say, I've got my first guest poster lined up!!! Yay! Stay tuned for that one :)

a list of currents.

currants via

current state of stomach: empty

current mood: content bordering on inspired

current state of house: messy. hmph.

current state of husband: asleep on the bed.

current outfit: jeans, shirt, singlet. 

current wish: to buy more makeup

current hair-do: messy up

current stress: design work that I always procrastinate on

current obsession: shirts. i want more.

currently craving: mango

current favourite colour: still yellow. 

currently smelling: clean shirt smell :)

Play along!

Tour of a House: Easy DIY decorating

Hi!

Today I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite elements from our house, and some easy ways to decorate a rental house.

Our house is definitely still a work in progress. We have limited budget and are renting so it's no where near what I wish it was, but it is a house and it is a pretty good one. So, I'm content!

This is a recent little project that I'm half way through. I've been wanting to do it for ages and I finally did it! I knitted socks for my table! hehe. I've seen the dip painted tables (and other things) and love the look. But I also love knitting and have been wanting to incorporate it more into the house. Very simple but cute and adds a splash of colour to the table. The kitchen/dining colour theme is yellow (and leads to the lounge with splashes of red)

I got these books for free from our college library. Every so often they have a book sale and then give away the ones they can't sell. I particularly like the one entitled "How Gertrude Teaches her Children"!  It is a cute way to decorate. The little moose came from Europe somewhere, gift from my mum. Also note pompom (very fun and easy way to add pops of colour) and min mini owl - from Tasmania.  (The lounge is colour-themed red - if you can't tell!) 

Then, there is the massive bean bag I got from ebay (as a gift for Mr Peck) which took Mr Peck and I about 3 hours to fill. It took 6 x 100L bags of beans and was horribly annoying to fill because it has segments and you have to get your arms in the bag to move the beans around constantly to let the others in!! Phew. We did it though, and only ended up with about 1/2 a bag of beans on the floor! Also note the milk crates... budget furniture at it's best!

And this is also another of my recent projects. I am drawing sayings to fill one wall in our lounge room. These are the 4 I have so far (the first resides in the bedroom) and I have ideas for about 8 more. They are just pen and gouache on cartridge paper bluetacked to the wall. If this were our house, I would probably get them frames and make a whole heap of holes in the wall to hang them. But it's not. So bluetac and my DIY washi tape to the rescue!

Look at Me: It's about time!

I thought it about time to do another post, seeing as it's been a week since my last. I've been here...just haven't been inspired to share anything. I started writing a post but wasn't sure I wan't to share it just yet, so it's in drafts for now... Waiting until I am confident enough to share.

But for now, here's what I wore to church yesterday. 

Dress - Ashley Wilson, Jumper - Saba, Shoes - Dotti, Belt - Loop From David Jones.

Stay tuned because this week, I'm actually going to do some posting! I'm on holidays for the week and have some fun things to share that I've been working on for our little house. Maybe I will do a tour... or, maybe not. Find out! hehe

You may also have noticed the package pals button there ---->

I'm pretty excited about it! I'll share more on that later though.