Cooee!

Cooooeeee!

Anybody out there?!

Super slack blogger here ...just calling out into blogland to say I'm still here and ...have had LOTS to write about yet been super slack about blogging it! I am keen as to get posting again though and have heaps to catch up on, so I WILL be back here very soon!

P.S. Since it's NAIDOC week aka National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee week which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, I'll give you a little WIKI explanation on the ole 'Cooee' term...

The word 'Cooee' originates from the 'Dharuk' language of the original inhabitants of the Sydney, N.S.W area and means 'come here'.

A handy call out that gives you an indication where your peeps are located and a little trick I have used many times in the Aussie bush! My fave 'Cooee' is the unexpected kind ...when you yell 'Cooee' and get a response from randoms amongst the gumtrees! That's a mini celebration in itself! 

COOOOEEEEEEE!

Urban Tree Hugging

I've been excitedly following the Yarn Bombing work of Melbourne's Yarn Corner for some time now, and been dying to check out their latest annual installation in Melbourne's City Square. Yarn Corner's current project is as gorgwaa and inspiring as I expected. The 'Baby Beatnik's' and I are big fans and we thoroughly enjoyed some gentle tree hugging in the lovely Melbourne sun!

Whilst we cruised the city streets we went around testing out some of the super cool pianos on display as part of the Play Me, I'm Yours project by Artist Luke Jerram. The work consists of a collection of street pianos decorated by local Artists for everyone to enjoy playing and listening to. Members of the community young and old blessed us with their music ability in the busy urban environment, it really was super fun and beautific and made me wish I knew how to play the piano!

  

What is 'Nanna Cool'?

Check out my guest blog post on the Nanna Cool Markets blog.  A market with 'Craftitude' & a 'Yarn Bombing' dream coming true!

New Harvest Produce

The littlest 'Baby Beatnik' and I just devoured a delicious smoothie from an organic Greengrocer I keep driving past and meaning to check out. It's called New Harvest Produce and I'm so glad I finally had a looksy as it's full of yummy organic goodness - fruit, veggies, eggs, bread, coffee and heaps more.

They are hosting a New Harvest Food Swap tomorrow so if you live close by and have an abundance of homegrown you would like to trade off, I highly recommend checking it out.

I certainly will be popping in more, and driving by less now I have seen what's on offer!

New Harvest Produce

Organic Greengrocer

 37 Armstrongs Rd

Seaford

Vic 3198

  

Rifle Paper Co.

Images of Anna Bond's work of Rifle Paper Co. get me all giddy every time. I just lOve the whimsy of her designs. Another plus is the Eco friendly efforts put into their production such as the use of FSC card stock and enviro friendly inks. Her stationary and floral prints are just sOoo beautific!

They also do custom designs including invitations.

I heart Rifle Paper Co.

March Against Monsanto

'Monsanto' is corporate evil at it's worst. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are harmful to  the earth and to our health. I was introduced to the horrific goings on within our food system, GMO's and 'Monsanto' some time ago when I watched the film FOOD INC.

Since that rude awakening I am trying to be more aware of, and looking to educate myself more about GMO's. It seems like a lot to get your head around although worth it, as I now have learned, it's an ugly subject that can afford no ignorance. Trust me, I am no expert but this GMO stuff is risky business on so many levels. 

The 'David Suzuki' Youtube below, I find, explains the subject clearly, bringing to light the MANY aspects and effects that are involved within this pertinent issue. 

I am enraged by the actions of 'Monsanto' and was inspired to attend the recent March Against Monsanto, and with the 'Baby Beatniks' in tow, joined many other concerned people who disagree with GMO and 'Monsanto's' actions and motives. Here also - I Say NO to GMO!

The Sustainable Living Festival

A little while back the 'Baby Beatniks' and I took a train ride to visit Fed Square which was where The Sustainable Living Festival was being held. It was a fun filled day with lots of eye opening and helpful insights into leading a more sustainable and eco way of life. The 'Baby Beats' really got into it as there were lots of fun things to do! Highlights were the utterly delish organic coconut ice cream, the Bike 'n' Blend experience and meeting Costa Georgiadis. Who I have to add, was super busy yet kind enough to take the time to meet and chat with us. He was very interested to hear all about our veggie patch, worm farming and the goings on of our newly acquired hens 'Florence, Ethel & Glady'. 'Mr Beatnik' the gardener is a big fan, and the little people were bursting with excitement to tell him all about their chat with the famous 'Costa' upon coming home.

At the end of the day we walked away inspired by all the passionate people involved with the festival as well as lots of new ideas to do with sustainable living.  We also had some realisations and revelations about the systems of the world we live in today and how we as individuals can make a difference. 

A lovely lady who had a stall in the 'Green Market' section explained to us how harmful plastic toothbrushes are to the environment, and how sustainable and affordable Bamboo is the way to go. I've never really thought about it, but zillions of toothbrushes made out of plastic are going into landfill taking forever to breakdown. So off we went with some new bamboo toothbrushes, along with some of my fave natural soaps and a few other cool eco knick knacky bits. Best of all though, the 'Baby Beatniks' absorbed some really invaluable knowledge on ways we can live sustainably. 

Super cute 'POP UP PATCH'



Planting veggies in biodegradable pots with Permaculture Out West




Bike 'n' Blend



'Costa Georgiadis'

MIFGS 2013

So who else made it to The The Melbourne International Garden and Flower Show this year and soaked up all the inspiration on offer? I get a real kick out of the vast variety of different designs and styles on show, mainly because it's so totally pleasurable and inspiring to view! Just like last year I was attracted to the displays that had sustainable elements. Floriography grabbed me with their super cool rustic playground which was constructed out of recycled materials. The eco conscious Sinikka wooed me again this year as well. This time with AMAZING cork balls, hanging hills, pops of pastel and neon and a STUNNING garden wall piece. Then it was The Floral Art Society of Victoria that impressed me with their fresh crisp white backdrop detailed with shredded paper, that was up teamed with their clever minimalistic presentation of gorgeous Australian natives. Outside the weather was perfecto once again and the gardens were bursting with eye candy. It was a day filled with gooing, gaaing and absolute awe!

'Mad with Joy'

'People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.'

~Iris Murdoch, A Fairly Honourable Defeat

Yesterday I was mad with joy surrounded by flowers because it's that time of year again....Melbourne International Garden and Flower Show time!

This year it was nice to just go strolling soaking up all the inspiration with out the pressure of competing, and to cheer on a couple of friends who created some amazing pieces.

The show is on until Sunday and full of eye candy as always. Go along and check it out and you'll be 'mad with joy' too.  

More to come next post, but for now go have a real life squizzo for yourself, you'll be just 'joyless mad' if you don't. 

'CLARENCE'

Who's met CLARENCE ? Or even better who's met 'Bobilee Shahine'? A sister in the hood of bloom loving doing it for herself! During last years flower school day trip out to the 'Gerb' farm yes I've uttered the 'G' word again, we stopped by 'Clarence'. A deliciously unique florist in Healesville that gets me all giddy with excitment just reminiscing about it! Clarence has a mix of amazing blooms, unique arrangements and gifts combined with vintage finds - insert elated opera sung aAAAaaah here! Owner 'Bobilee' is a a great example of the type of floral designer I like. Fab taste, full of personality and kicking commercial blah to the curb! Total shop crush!

The images below are of the shop front and some of their stunning wedding work. Swoonalicious!

Happy Day of Commercialized Love

Happy day of commercialized love. Any excuse for a floral fest is super ok with me! Although, I suggest ditching all the TAKKA-RAR-MESS wrapping and accessories and opt for just simply stunning blooms in recycled paper or a reusable vessel. Is there really need for all that OTT anyway? Flowers are so gorgwa all by their pretty selves don't you think? It's sweet to be kind to your loved one AND to the environment. The amount of waste caused by today's love whoohaa is horrendous. Get your romance on but do it thoughtfully I say smoochers ♥

Image: 'Daphne' by Baron Von Lind via Pin Up Girls and Hollywood Icon's

 

Belated ...Be Merry!

So much to blog about lately but so little time! Hope you managed to 'Be Merry' this Christmas and drop the frazzle dazzle of the silly season.

Mine was a nice little whirlwind of family, friends, food, vino and sweet memories made. Also my first Turkey roasting attempt went swimmingly yay!

Today I am swanning around in my pj's all day enjoying the holidays letting go of the routine daily grind! Ahhh lOvely!x