Pretty, Please!!! (Updated)

Pretty things make me happy.

I believe practical and pretty can happily co-exist. I cannot fathom why any item has to be purely functional.

Surely I am not the only person who thinks this?

I found these lovely cups and saucers while op-shopping with Zia a few months ago:

At the moment this set is in storage until I find a china/display cabinet I like. I did purchase these with every intent to use them as, well, why shouldn't I feel like a queen sipping my tea from a gorgeous cup?

And to complete the experience a delicious macaroon from this pretty cookbook would suffice:

I purchased this a few months ago after searching high and low for months. Sadly there was an unfortunate incident involving Fred, the book, and water. I was rather upset to say the least but life moves on and I forgot about it. A few days ago a package appeared in my mailbox with this message:

Fred found the same book online, had it gift wrapped and sent to me to replace the wrecked (albeit the damage was superficial) copy.

Love is a pretty thing indeed.

An Ode to Tables

I love tables.

In fact, I like any surface that can be used as a table. Yet another reason why I love vintage suitcases - see Vintage Luggage: A Curious Obsession

Why the overwhelming love for tables? I would hazard a guess it is due to the fact that I have so many objects d'art (or dust collectors or stuff or crap - whichever takes your fancy) to display. And an elevated flat surface is an efficient way to do so.

This table was a freebie find that happened to cross my path a couple of months ago:

The door knobs were missing however a quick trip to the local hardware store was enough to remedy the situation. It is rather study and seems to be a few years old. The paint work is battered however it leads the table a shabby charm so I decided to leave it as is. It is currently sitting in the entry way.

This side table was another recycled freebie:

As far as I can ascertain it is at least twenty to thirty years old and made very well. No chipboard or MDF here! The paint work is almost pristine and the door knobs (surprisingly) were still attached.

Who says that side tables are only for the bedroom?

I like to think these side tables were presents from the recycling fairies or some good karma had I due my way from doing my best to re-use, re-vamp, and recycle.

There is, of course, a LOT of new things in our home. I will post about them as the house becomes more finished.

Can I Borrow Your Cleaning Fairy?

House Cleaning.

One of the very few things that puts the fear of God into me - amongst spiders, moths, and my Nonna coming to visit.

I am not a filthy person. Untidy at times I will admit. I am a very house proud person and cannot bear the idea of anyone entering my home when not in a pristine state. I find it distressing to have my house judged and score poorly.

I am happy to scrub, vacuum, do the washing, etc but at the moment I cannot seem to get on top of the every day things like putting away the clean dishes and putting away the clean washing. Possibly this is due to a lack of motivation and pure exhaustion. 

I have been tossing around the idea of hiring a cleaner. Temporarily. Until I can get myself organised and into a routine that works for me and Fred (which I am not having much success with at this point).

A waste of money? Maybe. Potentially encouraging laziness? You could say that. Do I care what snide comments people may (and will) say? Honestly...not all that much.

Electrical Cords Styling?

Whilst thumbing through the April issue of House & Garden I was astonished to see - the bane of my existence - an electrical cord!

Check out the link here (slide 5 of 7).

The photo in the magazine shows the cord gracefully trailing to the floor ending in an elegant tangle with the plug sitting on its side.I love the idea that an ugly necessity such as a cord has been displayed so artfully. Unfortunately for myself and others it is very impractical.

Since my post Damn Electrical Cords I have compiled a list of ideas on how to hide them:

* Change the cords to while or a cream colour. This could potentially be pricey (if hiring an electrician) and/or life-threatening (if attempting a home job). Too much hassle either way as far as I am concerned.

* Artfully place objects in front of the cords as much as possible - I have tried to do this but I still find them very obtrusive and frustrating.

* Attach the cords against the wall and paint them the same colour as the wall to blend them in. Placing objects in front will distract the eye. In my opinion this is the most workable option this will only work with electrical items that will not need to be moved.

* Re-arrange the furniture - There are only so many ways couches and lamps and end tables can be displayed.

Not much of a list I agree. Until inspiration hits again...

Crappy Internet Access

Please be advised I am having massive internet connectivity issues so I may be unable to post every day.

I will continue to keep trying so please watch this space!!!!

Handcrafted but not forgotten...

Browsing through markets, op-shops, and the like it disheartens me to see handcrafted items jumbled together without a thought for the care and effort that went into the making.

For some reason unbeknownst to me I find it especially saddening to see pretty stoneware languishing on the shelf. This leads to a compulsion to buy it. Which leads to the item languishing in my linen cupboard that is currently moonlighting as a china cabinet.

This recently caught my eye at an op-shop:

While I have absolutely no need for it...I felt guilty walking away. It has been sitting in my pantry for over a month as I had nowhere to store it. The little strainer I found at the same place however I had absolutely no idea I had purchased it until I photographed the server (I found it inside).

I found this little platter at yet another op-shop:

Strange how the pattern is very similar yet it is cute nonetheless!

This decorative plate was pointed out to me by my mum (Hi mum!) in another op-shop a few months ago:

Funnily enough I found the exact same plate in a different colour for sale in a homewares store for ten times the price. I also have this stored away for the time being until I can find a place to display it.

At this moment I cannot think of anything handcrafted that I have purchased new. However I have an amazing amount of items that have been made especially for me.

I have some beautiful pieces of furniture made by my Nonno. I have amazing doilies and jumpers created by my Nonna. My mum has made countless crafts over the years for me and my sister. I also have some adorable knitted slippers and a very chic beret knitted by Patrizia. I have shawls knitted by another Aunt. I have toys that my sister made for me whilst she was still at school. Hell even my cats get into the act with making what they make (although that is not nearly as appreciated).

I am so blessed to have such creativity in my family. Maybe the appreciation of something "handcrafted" is so deeply ingrained into me that I cannot help but feel sad the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of something can be so carelessly forgotten.

Dedicated to Mike

After an eventful day of curb crawling, lunching, and the like I arrived home very tired and ready for bed.

But no such luck.

Twenty minutes after I get home (eleven p.m.) the door bell rings. Who should I find on my door step but my sister, her husband, and a mutual friend of ours - Mike (check out his blog here)

After a few mintues of drinking, relaxing and laughing Mike decided he wanted to visit the mecca of cheap 24-hour grocery shopping - Spud Shed - for a kilo of prunes. And off we went.

A kilo of prunes consumed during the car trip home and a few minutes later, I currently have two very relaxed boys on the couch about to fall asleep.

As long as the effects don't hit whilst they are here...