Super Cute!!

How cute are these little dumplings??!! Love the colours in this picture and that tutu is just so divine and available for purchase from Ellie Bellie Kids!

Image found via The Collard Green Queen.

That hair!

Just thought I would follow up with a few photos from our 9-8-07 wedding. I noticed a request for some more photos of my updo on Style Me Pretty and thought I'd go ahead and share! I loved what Mark Putnam was able to do with my locks. Also, he even gave me a breakdown of how it would slightly drop through the day, hour by hour! My hair inspiration came from a few wedding magazines (particularly from Portland Bride & Groom) and Kirsten Dunst's coif creations in the movie Marie Antoinette (only, I didn't want the towering height!). Here is a nice selection and all photo credits go to the amazing Paul Rich Studio. By the way, my hair was nearly down to my bum at the time of our wedding, but I think similar hair creations could be achieved with shorter hair!

Straddie Flowers

Last weekend while my mother was arranging her Swamp Mahogany flowers which she picked from the seafood man's house (see Monday's post) I was arranging Banksia which Harry and I picked out in the bush down a sandy track in the middle of the island. The Banksias have all been in bloom over at Straddie over the last month or so which has made the 20 minute drive from the barge over to our house very attractive. I decided to cut some for an arrangement on my dining table and this is what I created.

**Note to my readers abroad Banksias are an iconic Australian native wildflower/plant.

Kitchen Love...

Usually I post white kitchens in my 'Kitchen Love' posts and today is no exception with Bunny Williams' gorgeous kitchen (bottom) but I have also included an ebony stained kitchen which I absolutely adore. I particularly like the contrast of the all-white china collection against the dark cabinetry. I personally wouldn't have this dark stained cabinetry in my own home as I would always have a white kitchen but I do think it looks fantastic and therefore I had to include it in this week's 'Kitchen Love' post!

Photo Credits - Top image - House Beautiful via Mrs Plain Jane, Bottom Image - Bunny Williams via Jen.

Big Updates :: Behind the Scenes :: New House and a New Chapter

I've told a handful of people I've been working with, but you guessed it! I'm leaving my job for the last couple years as a Research Analyst for Forecasting to devote all my "work" time to twigs & honey (I don't want to say "to go full time" because it was already full time!). The above picture is my celebratory departure today. Haha! In all actuality, it was definitely not an easy decision! I probably held on a bit too long, but if you know me, you'll know that I'm rarely a risk taker and this is really a HUGE move. It literally got to the point where I was no longer sleeping and really not being the wife I want to be for Matt! Additionally, I wasn't seeing family or doing anything other than work and twigs & honey. Though I'm nervous, I'm also excited! I'll still be working far more than full time to play catch up, but things should get back on track in the next month or so. I sure do miss sleep! Thank you everyone at Forecasting and DHS for being so supportive and overall, a great group of people to work with. You will be missed!


Pondering my next move.

One last goodbye.

One box fits two years of my existence at the job. Hmmm.... good or bad? ;)

A few photos from our ongoing move into our first home! Two more days to completion!!

Another inside shot.

I just discovered our place has a Dogwood tree... and it's in bloom!

Matt & Myra! <---- homeowners!

And another M & M shot.

Parting shot of Matt at the side of the house. So I'm sure our place is a bit of a wreck at the moment, but I'll do a progress update through the months. So many projects ahead! I can't wait to start gardening again!

Mum's Late Night Emails

Sometimes late at night when I am up on my computer working I start to receive emails from my mother. It's often after she has had a long day at work, cooked dinner for my father and had a few glasses of wine. She too is on the computer working and scouring the internet for inspiration. I thought I'd share the emails she sent me last night as they brightened my day. Here goes...

The first email which I received from her at 8.16pm...

"Do you think Grandma could paint this (my grandmother is an artist)? It already looks a lot like a painting. I found it on Garden Rooms blog."

The second email which I received from her at 8.18pm

"Wouldn't it be nice to find this spot for a glass of wine when you are in France. I really enjoyed the Garden Rooms Blog."

The third email which I received from her at 8.59pm...

"That's a spectacular ceiling."

And finally the 4th email I received from her at 9.26pm...

"I wish I was a princess and then I could have a bedroom like this. Imagine what havoc the Prince (my father) could reek with his TV Dinner tray. We would need Robyn (my mother's house keeper) x 10 just to do the washing."

As you can see by the time she sent me the last email her imagination was running a little wild! I actually laughed my head off when I received the last one because if you knew my father you would understand. As soon as he gets home from work he heads to his bed for the night where he eats his dinner (most nights spilling it all over mum's beautiful bed linen) and watches t.v. and ends up snoring by 8.00pm. No wonder my mother was up emailing me...what fun is a snoring husband!! As I keep on saying to her - maybe you should start a blog mum!!

Thanks for sharing my passion mum - you always continue to inspire me and I absolutely LOVE our night time email chats!!

xxAnna

Images from Top - Miles Redd via Garden Rooms, French Coastline via Garden Rooms, Image source unknown, Charlotte Moss bedroom via Peak of Chic.

ELIZABETH DYE Fashion show :: May 9th at 7pm

Friday May 9th
7 pm
The English Dept.
1124 SW Alder Street
503 224 0724

So exciting!
Yes, the fabulous lady behind my wedding dress, Elizabeth Dye, is having a fashion show in a couple weeks! It is also the English Dept.'s 3 year anniversary. Congrats! Be there or be square (okay, I know that was cheesy). Expect to see some of the most delightful fashions that are a mix of femininity, structure, lightness, and essentially all other things that are good. I am particularly fond of Elizabeth's choice of shapes and fit. Comfort and functionality meets high fashion! Brides: if you don't want to suffocate and pass out on your wedding day but still want to be exceptionally beautiful and glamorous, you should visit Elizabeth. *hint hint* No corsets or bustiers required. Thank goodness for Elizabeth Dye!
p.s. RSVP as space is limited. You may see a familiar face too. ;)

Flowers @ Mum's

As you all know we go to Straddie most weekends. My parent's also have a house at Straddie and over the weekend my mum arranged these gorgeous Swamp Mahogany flowers which she picked at the local seafood man's house. She arranged them in one of her blue and white jars and I added a little cluster of her shells. It looked so pretty I thought I'd take a photo and share it with you.

Individual Sense of Style

Australian stylist Shannon Fricke's new book, 'Sense of Style Colour & Space' is gorgeous. I have photographed some of my favourite pages above. Some of the topics Shannon talks about in the book which I really enjoyed reading are style evolving over time, how to personalise the spaces we inhabit and the use of colour in our homes. Shannon says "My interpretation of a sense of style is that it's simply a confidence; the casual ability to bring what seem to be disparate objects together in a room and make them look cohesive, as if they are just made to be united." The beautiful photographs are by photographer Prue Ruscoe. This book, in my opinion is a definite for your design book library!

Pretty

A pretty workspace above via Shabby Chic. Love the vintage artwork leaning against the wall!

P.S. Thanks Jen for posting this pic which I found on your gorgeous blog!

CHALK Comes Of Age!

I've just been over at the CHALK blog writing about this.... and thought I may as well post it over here too.

It appeared in this month's edition of The Age's Melbourne Magazine and we are thrilled.

Chairs for Jody

I recently had these chairs custom made for my friend Jody for her beach house at Straddie. They are slip covered in a Mokum fabric from the Australian Botanicals Collection. They look fantastic in her house which she has decorated in a very simple, neutral colour scheme.

Birthday Festa

I'm starting to get blogging withdrawals! Is that weird?

What with two birthdays in one week it has been quite hectic over here. No time to scratch let alone blog. As you know, Gidg' turned 6 on Thursday and we had a delightful group of girls over after school for a party. All went well, fun was had by all and my cake even turned out well...

The girls had a lovely time designing cupcakes and making their own plates. We even had an Easter Egg Hunt as requested by Gidget. I did go a little into teacher mode but all went swimmingly and they were a joy.

By 5.30 it was all over and we all collapsed in a heap.

Sunday we batted up again and had both sets of grandparents, various Uncles and Aunty's, and numerous cousins over for lunch - more baking, more eating, more pressies, more collapsing!!

Now we have the eye of the storm, the calm before it's Moondoggie's turn. He turns 4 on Thursday but I'll tell you all about that another day!! My problem now is building up some enthusiasm to create some sort of birthday cake. Gidget got an ice cream Barbie cake & a Fairy Cloud cake so I can't very well skimp out on Moondoggie's. Any suggestions?

(And to all those of little faith - I did make both the cakes myself. I may hate cooking but everyone knows I get off on an excuse to decorate.)

(p.s. You may also notice in one of the photos that Moondoggie actually has a cake - made by his Grandma and completely smothered in lollies - he thought it was Fantastic.)

E-Zine Inspiration

E-Zine Issue 2 Cover Photo - Melinda Crockett-Maples

"What inspires me? books, magazines,
random things like someone's outfit,
confident women, other
creative people, and so much more!”

VERONICA
Shoppe Owner, Petunia’s Place
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5331844

"What adorns the board inspires me daily."

ERIKA MCPHERSON POWELL
Owner/Designer, Urban Grace Interiors
http://urbangrace.com/

“Old things, looking at things from a new perspective, people who aren't afraid to do it differently, imperfection."

CORI KINDRED
Artist/Blogger/Shoppe Owner
http://www.corikindred.com/

" Being around environments, objects and fabrics
that have an abundance of
color."

MICHELLE RUIZ
Author, Cher Ami
http://cheramibird.blogspot.com/

I absolutely LOVE the monthly inspiration E-Zine provides compiled by the very creative Erin over at Design For Mankind. All of the issues so far have been jam packed with beautiful photographs and quotes. I thought I'd share some of my favourite ones so far as above (I've been meaning to do this for a while now)! Thanks Erin for providing us with this beautiful online inspiration. I very much look forward to issue 4!

Exciting feature :: Style Me Pretty

I was so completely thrilled to have our wedding featured in one of the most spectacular wedding blogs, Style Me Pretty. I have been a long time admirer of the fabulous blog and still find myself pouring over the great fashions and eye candy that grace each post. Abby, the talent behind the blog, was so thoughtful to do the beautiful feature and we couldn't be more grateful! Matt & I are also so excited to have our wedding photographers receive the recognition they deserve. Paul and Holly of Paul Rich Studio are two of the most talented wedding day photographers around and we are always so happy to see their success grow. Thank you Abby, Paul & Holly! Matt & I never tire of looking at our wedding photos... takes us right back to our beautiful wedding.

Back in Oregon and moving time!

Matt & I are back from Reno! We had a wonderful time and met some great people. The food was my favorite part. Yum! Now on with our move! Yes. Just as we are getting home, it's packing time. We'll be moving over the next few days and over the weekend, which I'm not looking forward to as I hate moving. I am excited about our new home, though, but it's the getting there that is a headache. While moving, I may take longer to get back in touch with people and I do apologize ahead of time. I have been swamped with inquiries and orders AND now the move, but after we physically move everything into the house, things should return to a certain level of normalcy again and turnaround times for custom orders should start to come down gradually. Keep checking back for the latest... I have tons to post about!

Matt on the shuttle at PDX.

After the trip and on the way to our car, I told Matt that he was looking a bit out of focus. Har har! There is more punniness where this came from!

Happy Weekend!!

I'm signing off a day early this week as it is a public holiday here tomorrow for ANZAC day. I'm off to the beach again with my little family. I leave you with this beautiful picture of a 50 year old Wisteria tree via House Beautiful. See you next week!!

Travel update :: One missed flight and a down cell phone...

We are in Reno at the moment after having missed our late flight Monday night. We did manage to get the next flight in the early morning, but that just made us a little more behind on everything. Plus! My cell phone is not getting reception... so strange.

Other than those hang ups, things are going great! I'm getting to all the convos and pieces and eating some great food in between. I'll be searching for the post office in a minute and shipping out some orders, and should be right back to work after that. Dinner last night: Lemon caper Alaskan Halibut, calamari, and French onion soup. Mmmmm!

Here are some travel photos:

At the airport and waiting for the rental car with all the essentials: make up bag, hat for the flattened hair after sleeping on it, a sleeve for my tea (from an Etsian!), and other tid bits.

The view from our room.

His and her workstations and the remnants of lunch.

Much of twigs & honey crammed into a suitcase. The rooster box contains none other than some of the most fabulous feathers. Who needs labels? I'm such a visual person! :)