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!!!

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.

Source

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

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 One of my el cheapo purchases was a set of stainless steel cookware from Kmart which has slowly been replaced by odd bits and pieces over the last few years.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 :-)

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 ;-)

New Year

Is it too late to wish everyone a happy new year? I have been on a bit of a bloggy break during school hols :-) Normal blogging will resume in a couple of weeks, for now it's all about the beach, aquarium, picnics at the park, playgrounds and fun, fun, fun!

Of course the new year has had a very sad and tragic start for many, with the floods in Queensland and Brazil. I don't usually watch the news much but have been watching the progress, what amazing people have been helping with the clean-up and of course praying for the souls of all the lives lost and keeping up hope for those not yet found.

Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, not being close enough to physically assist with the aftermath there are many other ways of helping, through donations of clothing, toys and of course much needed cash.

Hugs to you all, hope your 2011 is a happy and safe one.

xxx

Loveliness

Oh I could browse Etsy for hours (if I had the time). The vintage section is full of so much loveliness a shopper could do some serious damage to their credit card. Unfortunately (or maybe it's for the best) a lot of the items are not available for shipping to Australia and if they are, the items I love, such as housewares and kitchenware are way too expensive to post.

But there's no harm in doing a little window shopping, is there? Here are some of my favourite vintage items available right now!

Available here

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Available here

Available here

Available here

Available here

Sigh...

On the bright side I received a beautiful package in the post a couple of days ago. Kate from I Love You Big held a lovely giveaway and I was a lucky winner! A word of warning, visit Kate's blog at your own peril, she features such lovely things she may lead you and your credit card astray. I hold her personally responsible for leading me to Etsy, Book Depository and Urban Outfitters ;-)

Look at all that stationery gorgeousness! I have lots of ideas on what I'm going to do with all this! Thanks again Kate :-) How cute are those gorgeous lace shapes, map circles and paper butterflies?

Speaking of butterflies, we witnessed one of nature's wonders in our very own garden a few days ago. A butterfly emerging from its cocoon. The boys were agog as was I...

And so, I am signing off for 2010. I hope you all have a very wonderful Christmas and I will see you again in the New Year :-)

Let them eat cake!

I made my first ever Christmas cake a couple of weeks ago! Usually I just buy them (about 4 times cheaper) but had no excuse not to make one this year :-)

I'm really happy with how it looks. Hopefully it will taste nice, I won't know, I don't like Christmas cake. This is for my men :-) I shall be like a Masterchef contestant anxiously awaiting the taste-test. Oh well, if it's inedible there are plenty of other goodies stashed around the house :-p