Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Today I'm over here...

Hello, today you can read a bit more about me and my love of vintage as part of a "Thrifters Around the World" series over at the very wonderful blog Thriftcore...


If you don't already read this fantastic blog you SHOULD! Van shares her beautiful vintage finds, gorgeous decor and great tips on thrifting, so go on, quick, visit... now!!!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Houzz

I have discovered almost all of my favourite design and decor websites through the world of blogging. I sit back on my lazy bum and let others do the hard work discovering these sites and sharing them with the world. That's why I was a bit flabbergasted when my hubbie, of all people, was the one to introduce me to my new absolute favourite, droolsome, time-sapping website www.houzz.com

Visit at your own peril, there are THOUSANDS of stunning home decor images, divided into categories such as eclectic, traditional, contemporary etc. You can browse these beautiful images and add them to your own "ideabook", basically a scrapbook of all your faves. You can browse other users' ideabooks and the search function is fantastic. I am a bit obsessed with open shelving in kitchens and when I searched "Open Shelves Kitchen" over 4,000 fab images were sprung upon me.

I can't believe I've never come across this website through the blogosphere so just thought I'd share in case others hadn't heard of it. They also have a fantastic iPad app that allows you to flick through the images like a gorgeous magazine.


Enjoy! And don't say I didn't warn you...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Le Crusade

When my husband and I returned to live in Australia in 2004 (having lived here for a couple of years previously) our initial plan was just to stay a couple of years. Everything we bought to set up home was pretty "cheap 'n' cheerful" knowing we wouldn't be bringing them with us when me moved on. One of my el cheapo purchases was a set of stainless steel cookware from Kmart which has slowly been replaced by odd bits and pieces over the last few years.

A while back though I decided, now that I'm a "professional housewife", I would love some really high quality cookware. Top on my list was cast iron cookware from quality French companies such as Le Creuset or Staub. However, EVERYTHING in Australia has gotten so expensive and when I realised these brands sell here for over 3 times the price of Europe in some cases I thought "Sod that, I'm on a mission to thrift the lot" :-)

I've done pretty well so far...

You may remember I posted previously on my first Le Creuset find - the Raymond Loewy designed cocotte, an original from 1959. I think I can safely say this is one of my favourite finds ever! I love everything about it, the colour, the design, the quality, the price - $15!!!

This is the large oval Le Creuset casserole I found at a market last Mothers Day - $20! A gorgeous contrast to the aqua one :-) Tip: Le Creuset guarantee their knobs and handles for life, the knob on this casserole when I found it was a bit bockety, I phoned them and a new one arrived in the post within a few days, that's customer service!

These 2 cast iron gratin dishes were a recent find - $10 each. They are marked on the back with the number 18 in a diamond and "Made in France" but no maker's mark. I'm guessing they're made by Cousances, a rival French company that Le Creuset took over.

My other Le Creuset find from Mother's Day last year - a pair of cast iron pots - I think they were about $25 for the pair.


I was thrilled to find this large grillit pan for $20 in Vinnie's a couple of months ago, it's in great condition - the recommended retail price for these in Australia is $249!

OK, I have to admit that this gorgeous turquoise 20cm grillit pan wasn't thrifted, I bought it new when I was in Ireland last year, I've never seen these smaller ones in Australia and it's the perfect size when I'm using all 4 rings on our hob and space is limited.

And lastly, these gorgeous mini-cocottes were a gift from my little sis on my last birthday, love them!!!

And so much for our 2 year plan, 7 years later and we're still here :-)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Very into Vases

One thing you can always guarantee finding at any market or thrift store is a vase. They are there in their abundance - the good, the bad and the very ugly. I have dodged many a peach lustre mermaid or mint green swan but wasn't able to resist the following sweet vases...

This beautiful bamboo and ceramic vase was $3 in Red Cross.

This is one of my faves - a lovely wooden organic blobby vase - $4 at a Church sale.

I love the simplicity of this Country Road vase - $2 in Vinnie's.

Another favourite - $2 in Vinnie's.

Don't they make a lovely pair :-)

This teeny tiny bud vase is the most beautiful shade of green - 20 cents in Vinnie's.


These wooden vases work well together - $3 each.

I love the subdued grey shade of this one - 50 cents at a Church sale.

Now all I need is somebody to buy me some flowers ;-)