30.10.09




Photos of my favourite Beatle, by his once wife Pattie Boyd.


So yesterday a big package arrived for me. I had been doing house work all day so this little surprise made me super happy. I love presents. It was from my old London flatmate, and lovely friend Ana. She had bough me this beautiful children's book on a trip to Poland (I was born there) before knowing I was pregnant, but now it's even more apt. How cute is the little baby suit too? It's got big colourful elephants on the back. There was also a little owl bag which I forgot to photograph. Thanks Ana! xx

28.10.09


Half way there! 20 weeks today. We took the bump out to celebrate for the best chai latte in town. I'm talking any town, not just ours. I always stand over the pastries drooling and making weird faces at PB as a hint to get one, and seeing as today was a special occasion we thought we'd go all out and share a berry brioche. Crazy kids we are. On the way back we stopped for a quick bump shot under one of the Jacaranda's around our neighbourhood. They're all in bloom now so makes the streets look real pretty like. Today is also the first birthday of little Matilda, who lives all the way over in France and unfortunately I didn't get to meet before I left. I hope she spend the day doing her favourite things, which are shouting at ducks, saying no and bananas. Happy 1st Birthday Matilda! xx

27.10.09


The last two days have been heavily dedicated to doing these darned wedding invites. They're almost there. I'm not going to post them up yet, but here's a little peek of what I've been doing. This bit was definitely the funnest part of the process. The rest was wrist-cramping, eye-squinting kind of stuff. So a solid evening of work ahead to get them out tomorrow, feels just like being at uni again!

26.10.09


I love these owl illustrations by Kate Endle. See the one disguised as a rooster? Cheeky. More pretty owl and non-owl pictures on her website.

24.10.09



It's 5 weeks until our wedding. The thought of being married makes me feel kind of warm and gooey inside. The thought of the wedding just makes me feel kind of gooey all over. Last week we finally got a venue for the reception, the oldest building in our area, which now happens to be a scout hall. Yup, all class. That's us. As my very lovey friend pointed out the other day, and I quote – I have to quote here, the lady has a way with words – "And there's just something inherently amusing about tying the knot visibly up the duff." (Hello Bex, I promise to write to you soon! xx). It's a pretty cool building but some prettying up may be in order, and I'm thinking bunting. I want oodles of it. Oodles and oodles plus infinity plus one. So watch out all the people that have offered to help, there are some fabric triangles out there with YOUR name on them.

21.10.09


The Bump (and what's currently inside The Bump) at 19 weeks! We had our ultrasound this week, and apparently the Little Bun has long legs (me) and fat toes (PB). The makings of tall child with good balance. We chose not to find out if there were boy bits or girl bits in there, so if you can tell from this scan then sssshhhhh... don't tell us. Other things that have been happening this week...


It was hot enough yesterday to surf sans wetsuit...


I saw my first snake since being back in Australia (I didn't dare get close enough to photograph it though, that was all PB...)


Warmer weather means no more porridge for breakfast. Muesli and fruit at The Avenue to celebrate. Next week it's back to making Bircher Muesli at home, yummo. 


19.10.09


Enough is enough. This morning I cried because I couldn't fit into any of my pants (that's trousers – not knickers – for all my British buddies). I wasn't upset because I'm getting rounder, but in sheer frustration that for the fourth day running I would have to wear PB's chino things again (which mind you, I think I rock quite well). So off we went (that's right – WE – it's desperate time's when your man insists you go shopping) to Country Road, and picked up these two little numbers above. All I can say, is that a drawstring with an elasticated waist is a truly beautiful thing.


The bookshelves are up. (Thanks Papa Bear!) We now have 3 glorious meters of space for our books and magazines. I'm trying not to be a graphic design loser and arrange them by colour of spine, but there is part of me that secretly wants to. The other part wants to arrange them in alphabetical order, like in a library. There's not much chance of  PB following that system though, and it would be very unfair for me to get upset if he puts a Bukowski next to a Salinger because I'm a control freak. I think grouped in genre will have to do (novels, cook books, design books etc). Here are some cool Mr.Dahl Penguin covers, which PB bought for me in a charity shop in London. I wish they still designed books like this – not that I need any more encouragement to buy them, or for that matter have any more space to house them!

18.10.09


I haven't been very motivated to draw lately. I find it hard when our little flat is still in a state of upheaval. We have made some progress though, and there's now only about a dozen boxes to unpack. The other day we finally got a bookshelf (the ubiquotous Ikea Expedit) but alas – it's not enough to house all our books! We're going back there this week to pick up another one. That's a two Ikea trips in a week. Aren't we brave? Anyways, back to the topic at hand – drawing. Tonight I was flicking through my moleskine, when I came across a little biro owl I must have scribbled during the week. PB was asleep and I wasn't really tired yet so I thought I'd quickly do him up on the computer. I'm not completely happy with the outcome, but sometimes I find it easier to just dedicate an hour to create something rather than get down on myself because I haven't had the time to work something up beautifully. I thought I'd try not be too precious about little exercises like this one and share him. So here he is! I think he's probably happy not to be living in my notebook anymore. I wonder what's in his letter?

15.10.09


The bump – 18 weeks!

12.10.09


Until now I've been accommodating my growing belly by getting about with my jeans undone under a long tee-shirt (apologies to those who have just realised they've hung out with me recently in this state). That's now getting uncomfortable so I've resorted to old black leggings with holes in them, which really isn't a very attractive look! Today I got myself a new pair of black leggings (without the holes) with little gold zippers down near the ankles, which makes them a bit more Hey I'm Purposely Dressed In Fancy Leggings as opposed to I've Just Finished My Housework And Couldn't Be Bothered Getting Changed. I'm planning on getting some of my jeans altered with a nice big belly band, but other than that I'm kind of stumped for trousers. I feel a bit like I'm 4 years old again and can't quite dress myself (see pics above). I want to avoid a repeat performance of this, even though I did look quite pleased with myself at the time. Any suggestions?

11.10.09


Today I thought I'd have a dig in the ol' favourites and share some artists that I really like. Starting with Marcel Dzama (above) best known for his work on Beck's Guero album...



Richard Coleman. I absolutely love his amazing colours and compositions, and the narrative in his work. (Images and a great interview from fecal face)...



And Sarajo Frieden. I almost bought these pillowcases a little while ago. But when you're trying to set up house, fancy pillowcases shouldn't come before things like chairs and kettles (otherwise you have a very angry Papa Bear on your hands). But months later I'm still coveting them... Continuing to boil water on the stove seems like such a small sacrifice to dream at night on such prettiness – right?

10.10.09


Stuff with Apples: Necklaces from ec one (can't remember who designed the green one, but the little gold one is by Alex Monroe); card and Grug book from my pal Brooke; little apple tub from paperchase (as part of a stacking set with other pictures).

9.10.09


Here it is! My engagement ring, not what it's based on but that real real one (not the band though - mine will be in rose gold). Now I'm not one to go gaga over wedding stuff – but I do like a beautiful, simple piece of jewelry. This bad boy was made by Blanca Monros Gomez, a Spanish born jewelry designer who is now based in Brooklyn, NY. One talented lady indeed. I can't wait until it arrives so I can wear it. Planning the wedding on the other hand, urgh, not much fun at all. Considering Papa Bear and I both didn't have 18th's, 21st's nor are we likely to do anything for our 30th's next year we're not the 2 most motivated candidates to plan an event centred around ourselves. Given our short time frame we're not doing too badly I guess. PB keeps telling me it will 'all come together in the end', but the end is in less than 2 months, and I haven't even started to design the invites!

7.10.09


Here it is – the first real bump photos. 17 weeks today! We tried to take these with my shirt down but it didn't quite work, so excuse the flashing. While you're at it also excuse my unwashed hair and overall grubby appearance, we had just got home and wanted to quickly get the last of the light, so no time to snazzy myself up. I'm sure Baby had grown substantially overnight, as I don't recall my belly being this big yesterday. (I know it's not that big, but it looks big to me – especially looking down!) I'll try and take weekly updates of bump progress, for all my lovely friends who are overseas and asking for facebook photos (which will never happen). So there you have it! Stay tuned for next week, the bump at 18 weeks...

6.10.09

(Image from Heart felt)

Yesterday Papa Bear and I met with an independent midwife. Robyn is a tiny woman, full of energy and laughs. During our 2 hour visit she made us feel completely relaxed and confident in her abilities to deliver babies (she's birthed over 300 of the little things!) Such a great change from the way we've been dealt with at the hospital, needless to say we're very happy not to have to go back there again. We went a way with a couple of books and great big smiles, feeling slightly chuffed we managed to meet such a great lady to bring Little Bun into the world.

4.10.09


My very lovely and talented friend Nicole has just written and published this super cool kids book (although I'm sure it will have some adult fans). Her new My Pictures Storybooks series let's YOU draw, paint or paste the illustrations in whichever way you like. I know they're stocked around Melbourne and in a few Sydney stores. Email Nic for more details where to find one of these little gems.

2.10.09


(Image from Design*Sponge)

I just saw this on A Cup of Jo. I can't believe I've not stumbled across it earlier.  How to style according to some classic flicks, by Design*Sponge.  My three favourites are:

The Virgin Suicides