Nothing is permanent or certain in this world...

Yikes! Where has the time gone?!

To be honest I have not felt like blogging over the last few months. I have been kept busy by the light & shade of life & being addicted to Instagram!

Watching my 'Baby Beatniks' grow up to fast. Working in retail fashion and random stints of floral design & vintage pop up shop gigs.Hardcore thrifting & throwing myself into Yarn Bombing community projects/installations. Tending to the veggie patch & chasing the dream of a more eco existence. 

Having my heart ripped out due to two people who meant a lot to me being taken away by evil Cancer.

Juggling life in general and digging deep to try to be the best I can & to live mindfully. 

I've been through a spiritual mind fuck and an amazingly creative journey!

Nothing is permanent or certain in this world, something I'll have to embrace through the ebb & flow of this mysterious yet magical life!

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!

Dwelling in possibility.....

Wowzers! Another year gone by and a new one on the horizon. 2013 had a few waves, lots of wonderfulness and even a little wacky!

Keeping life in balance is always a priority and a struggle for me personally, so that will be something I will try my best to tackle in 2014. I can proudly tick off a few goals from last years to do list, some things will be rolled over to this years and then a little handful that I just might throw to the wind!

One thing that is paramount in this life plan that is reviewed annually and sporadically throughout the year, is list or no list of resolutions, it all comes down to attitude. This year was a little cray cray at times and I am feeling the need to rekindle the peace within. I've been busier than a bees hinny, and being the sensitive creative type that I am, I need a little internal cup of tea and a lie down to rest my mind and face this year anew. Equipped with the right attitude anything is possible don't you think?

  

Yikes the Yarn is on!

During one of creative mind trips I decided I needed a little Yarn Bombing fun in my life. I have always been a fan of the art and had a yearning to tap into my inner Nanna. The original plan was to YB a big fat Willow tree at the old house, but since we have moved, I am searching for other victims to pursue this dream. 

I put the word out, and now have a crew of other peeps that are also keen to tap into their inner Nanna. Woohoo! Super stoked about that, as creativity in company is good and many hands make light work! I'm SO crazily excited I could throw my Nanna knickers up in the air right now!

There IS just one little obstacle though... I don't really have the skills to knit all that well ...eEEkk! My evil plan is to mooch some training off my eager needle tamers. I can cast on, basic knit and cast off. That's a start right?!

So a Yarn Bombing group has been created... GULP!

Also... whilst on my creative mind trip, and on the search for a new YB victim I approached the older 'Baby Beatnik's' Art teacher about YB. So now, we are going to start a YB project in the Asian garden at her school as well. EeeEK!

Good luck novice knitter I hear you mutter. Well that's just it good luck has fallen into my lap. Whilst eavesdropping on a few Nanna's in my local Op shop I learnt that one of them is a knitting teacher. So I schmoozed my way into that convo, pounced on that opportunity, and now planning to organise some lessons with the rest of the keen YB bombing crew. Phew!

Turns out this amazing knitter is the Nanna of one of the other teachers at my older 'Baby Beatniks' school too. So totally winning Nanna style!

I am a big fan of Magda Sayeg from Knittaplease , this is one of her works below, and my inner Nanna is hoping to be decked out like this by summer! What do you think my chances are?

 

Oh MY bird it is!

Meet 'Florence, Ethel & Glady', they are my ladies. I love them I do. Turns out these Hens are being held hostage...by my...  parents - true! Recently the 'Beatnik Crew' moved house. We were hoping for a tree change up in the hills, so we could spread out a little and escape our usual burb dwelling. It was part of our vision in our quest for a more Eco existence. Space, fresh air, trees surrounding.

The town we fell in love with appears to have a thread of like minded people weaved through it AND... happens to be a stone's throw from many flower growers in the 'Flower Captial' of Victoria. Floral bliss!

After searching high and low for the right pad, and with no success, we had to unfortunately postpone our tree change and continue our burbness a little longer.

During this burb move our Hens made themselves at home at the wary yet obliging 'Grandma and Grandpa Beatniks'. A temporary hensitting arrangement was made. Of course just as I was, the G's were in no time besotted by these feathery lovelies. Enjoying their yummy eggs, sipping cups of tea and coffee with them under the trees in the backyard and listening to their gorgeous babble. 

'Grandpa Beatnik' got super chook keen and built a pen fit for queens, eggs were layed and lasting relationships were formed. The ladies have been so accommodated for they have developed a sense of belonging. The G's even attended a local chicken keeping course to learn more about taking good care of them.

 So I have now been made redundant and currently suffering from empty nest syndrome. Boo. Temporary has turned permanent, I can see it in their beady little Hen eyes. My ladies have been Henknapped and not coming back!

So looks like it's Hen hugging and egg collecting at the G's ... for the time being that is, until I negotiate shared custody. I think I could have a real battle on my hands!

Park Life

Where's my sleeping bag? Oh I wish I had it with the rest of the junk that has been rolling around in the boot of my car. It's vintage floral print would suit this setting and I wanna set up camp here at this superb place. Strangely I feel a little out of sorts and all at home at the same time. A wave of free spirited consciousness has warmed my soul and my inhibited shell has dissolved at the gate. Suddenly I have shaken off the ordinary sway of the day and moving to a more creative beat.

Something tells me that part of the indie cool of this place is the unspoken vibe. Though speak of it I will as it's beautiful resonance has rubbed off on me, and... I'm kinda to old to give a crap about following hipster rules of unspoken coolness. I like this place and I'm saying it out loud.

Where? What is this place? I hear your inner voice enquiring. Well I'm sure by now it's old news, but gone are the days of regular hot spot loitering for me, and here are the days of suburban domestic bliss... heee!

The place is Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North and if you are familiar with it and aware of it's goings on, you know very well what I am banging on about. If not, let me tell you.
A couple of friends of mine had a double b'day picnic slash shindig there. The gardens were crazily beaming with wacky and wonderful peeps sharing the sunny afternoon love. Picture lots of tipples on the grass by quirky types with a bohemian edge.

Maybe it was the headpiece wearing sweet girl I chatted to in the loo queue, or the gypsy party people joyously busting their dance moves, ..or the Lady Gaga get up wearing and 'Rosie the dog' loving random, ...or the pretty bunting strung from tree to tree, ..or the rubbish bin jumping stunt fest crew, or the retro bicycles lapping, ...or maybe it was the combination of all those things mixed with perfectly sensible nonsense. Any who what I am saying is that the park life at Edinburgh is enough to make me wanna invest in a permanent posi... park bench!

It's frowned upon...

Something unspeakable has charmed me in a floral sense. A commoner, an average Joe, a variety of an uncool Kind. What hideous bloom am I rambling about? OK...here goes... I'll admit it... I fell for a Gerb! Yes a Gerbera! Thousands of them in fact! I know it's frowned upon florally if you want to have any point of difference from a commercial blah florist, but I was sweet talked by a field of them, and oh I don't know how... but somehow we hit off. But it's true! As uncool as it sounds.

It was last year when my flower school class and I made the trip out to the Gerbera Farm. There I was, swooning over a sea of Gerb faces in all their glory and abundance! Who would of thought me the Gerb snob head over heels for them? 

 The Big Bouquet Gerbera farm which is situated in beautiful Healesville of the Yarra Valley, really is worth a squizzo if you get the chance. Haters be warned though it may sway your Gerb judgement and just like me you may be eating your usually Gerb despising words.

Mr.Beatnik has only just given up bringing home the odd bunch Gerbs due to me telling him for quite a few years that they were super gorgwaa in like... the early 2000's. Heee! Forgive me, I am a fussy bloom lover at times!

Although, now, I may just keep an open mind to their potential. There I said it! Sorry if I made you vomit. Turn away if you must. Gerb converted I can't believe it!

Keepin' it Fresh

So zee Blog has had a revamp as you can see! I am still reworking and tidying up a few things, but I'm liking it's fresh new appearance. A little Blog spring cleaning if you will.

Lately I have been driving Mr.Beatnik insane in our home with my spring cleaning antics. The trouble is when I 'clean', I sort, cull, rework, reshuffle, create a bomb scene. Ask myself why I even started the arduous task in the first place! Then go on to move everything around so much the poor man doesn't know where the hell is! Me and my random OCD styling hehe. Now I have taken to a little on line clean up to give the poor love a breather - hence the Blog makeover. 

Christmas is a comin' and I have put my hand up to have it at our pad this year. Which will be my first time. Crazy or enthusiastic? I don't know. So an episode of OCD will come in handy for all the preparations needed for that! I actually am quite into Christmas. I know it's probably super cool to be a 'Grinch' these days, but you will rarely hear a 'Humbug' from these festive lips! I shall channel the talents of 'Martha Stewart' to help me pull off the hostess thing I think. Perhaps a kick arse centrepiece for the table may charm my guests if I don't come through with the goods in the Turkey department! At least they will have something gorgwa to look at!

Well.. just a quick check in to welcome you to the new look, accompanied with a mini freak out that Christmas is approaching!

Cheerio

Creative Lovebird

Sometimes if you're lucky enough, you cross paths with a fellow creative that you just mesh with, sparks fly and you both feel as though you have known each other a lifetime. You go on to discover that you are so much on the same wavelength it's almost creepy! The universe aligns you somehow. Recently that happened to me and I am ever so grateful!

This new creative soul mate of mine and fellow vintage fan dwells a few houses away from me in domestic circumstances and now I am very excited to announce that she has also become my neighbour at the 'Waverley Antiques Bazaar'. Located right next door to the 'Beatnik Flair Vintage' pop up shop YAY! Also a blogger she goes by the name of 'Love & Rummage' so check her out via the link below.

Last week I swung by her pad to get first viewing of, and take a few snaps of some stock she was about to haul to the bazaar. A very crafty lass she is, and has whipped up these gorgeous vintage fabric canvases and doily bunting. (If you go weak for doilies she is your kind of gal!)

I also couldn't resist snapping her cute little succulent display on her back porch, where we often sit and sip wine chatting and dreaming about all the creative projects we plan to collaborate on together!

http://loveandrummage.blogspot.com.au/

www.facebook.com/waverleyantiquebazaar

Talking Teacups

Teacups talk to me...they tell stories and send sweet images of tranquil tea drinking times into my thoughts. They tell me to buy them, they tell me that they will get along nicely with my existing collection, and they tell me my friends and I will sip happily from them, indulging in good times with warm tea filled bellies. Trouble is I had to tell my teacups something harsh but necessary the other day and reveal it was time to let a few of them go.

The collection got a bit out of control last year when I was organising a High Tea event for a Cancer fundraiser. All the sudden I needed to increase the quantity of my teacup stash and took on the task quite hastily. During this episode of frantic teacup sourcing a few ugly ducklings made their way into my collection and well they just had to go! I'm sure Mr. Beatnik does not mind one little bit that a few pieces of crockery that are taking over the house have been sent on their way. Me either as it is creating sufficient space

 for more quality teacups that will talk their way into my home in the future!

There's just something truly special about sipping from a beautiful teacup don't you think? It just adds to the peaceful experience of the ritual. Even if I am sporting crazy bed hair, hideous... yet warm bed socks and the Baby Beatniks are biffing cereal at each other at the breakfast table, I possess a sense of calm and carry a ladylike posture prompted by a gorgeous teacup in hand.

Did I just waffle on about teacups for three paragraphs?

Anyway, the High Tea was fun to style and I had a fab time collecting treasures from op shops and elsewhere to team up with my vintage wares for the table setting. There were lots of posies of roses in teapots and other vessels, cakes, sweets and delicious teas from T2. What really was great though, was getting together with the ladies and joining in all their generosity by raising funds for Cancer research.

Chatting to a fellow vintage lover at the 'Waverley Antiques Bazaar' yesterday I learned that there is another being who also has a talking relationship with beautiful, nostalgic and collectable things. So I am not alone in my mental debate and internal conversation with charming vintage objects! Her name is Tamarah and her biz is called 'Shabby Vintage Junk'. Tamarah has a lovely blog and wares to swoon over. I am picking up an antique kitchen cabinet from her this weekend and can't wait to set it up when it arrives.

Another fab biz of the vintage kind which is more teacup related is 'Vintage Lane ~ Crockery and Prop Hire' They have a gorgeous collection of crockery and props for events. I will share a few of their beautifully styled images with you. In a future post I will show off my new cabinet thanks to SVJ and some images of of her wares from Waverley as well. Until then have a squizzo at her blog if you wish or go to the bazaar this weekend and check out all the zillions of delights that are there!

A few keepers from my collection. Second from the top left came from a very special couple that I regarded as Grandparents as a child, that one I will hold on to forever. 

Absolutely gorgeous table setting from 'Vintage Lane ~ Crockery and Prop Hire'

Some of their pretty teacups. They also have a great selection of plates and cutlery.

Cool Cloak Room

Pimms anyone?

Beautifully presented 'Order of Service'

Lovely vintage themed guest book replacement, perfect for writing heartfelt messages to the newly wedded couple.

Yummy homemade favours

Super cute vintage bike display

http://www.cancer.org.au/home.htm 

http://t2tea.com/

http://shabbyvintagejunk.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.vintagelane.co/

Not Quack but Genious

The famous Dr. Seuss often comes off as crazy with his quirky style of poetry. As a child he engaged me with his play on rhythmic writing and imaginative illustration, and now continues to do so in my adulthood as I share his trippy tales with the baby beatniks.

'Mad' man or 'Rad' man if you dig deeper into his play on words you will discover some invaluable lessons in morality delivered in his stories. A viewing of the recently released Lorax film got me all warm and fuzzy and appreciative of his insightful take on the important things in life. Such as preserving our precious environment.

Penned many years ago the story of 'The Lorax' is forefront in it's validity today. 'The Onceler' character within the story derives from a shallow upbringing and carves a path of environmental destruction supported by thoughtless consumerism at a cost to the environment and the quality of life.

Seuss paints the ugly picture and outcome of a world fuelled by greed and disregard for the preservation of nature. An incredibly fitting message for the present world we dwell in today. Cheers to the unconventional Dr.Seuss for his much required prescription of environmental respect and planting the seed within our little ones minds to save the world one tree at a time!

http://www.seussville.com/

http://www.catinthehat.org/history.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lorax

Twist and Ouch!

Picture happy times, a cheerfully spirited crowd, crazy dancing and then crack...oohahh, twist and OUCH! As mentioned above I intended my next blog post to be about my 'BHG Live' visit on Sunday with lots of pics of savvy home deco and all that jazz. However that was before I twisted my ankle busting out some maniac dance moves at a wedding on Saturday night! So no 'BHG Live' on Sunday for me, just a short visit to the hospital and lots of hobbling around.

It was a gorgeous backyard wedding with stunning beach views, lots of Singapore orchids and lovely beachy decorative touches about, and I had a wow of a time before ill fate and injury!

A friend of mine has prompted me to join 'Pinterest' which shall no doubt keep me busy whilst spending some mending time on the couch. If you haven't got on the Pinny bandwagon yet check out the website. It's an amazing virtual pin board where you can collect and share inspiring images.



Here are my dreaded crutches alongside a cute medicine chest I picked up at 'The General Trader' So many delightful little gadgets in that shop!

One of my fave quotes mentioned during the wedding vows was - "To the world you may just be one person, but to one person you may be the world"
Brandi Snyder Quotes

Loving all the industrial medical themes floating around the interior decorating world lately, these rustic medicine cabinets are from my new haunt the 'Waverly Antiques Bazaar'








http://www.generaltrader.com.au/

http://pinterest.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waverley-Antique-Bazaar/285913708093062#!/pages/Waverley-Antiques-Bazaar/166171176803699

Hoarder vs. Collector

Hoarder! Sounds like the term used to describe some crazy cat lady with willowy hair dwelling in a cluttered squalor. I prefer to refer to myself as an avid collector, it sounds so much more refined and promising! I collect many items which of course are usually of the vintage kind. Tea cups, brooches, retro canisters, the list goes on and on and on! My latest items of interest are clocks, vintage suitcases and old 'Penguin' published books.

Founded in 1935 and originating in the UK, publisher 'Penguin Books' are famous for revolutionising the literary world with their introduction of quality affordable books for all. Both the Penguin and Pelican series have had significant influences on history relating to the arts, science and politics. The Penguin group have stayed true to their original values by continuing to release classic, updated and especially affordable series.

The editions pictured date back to the late 1930's and were happily acquired op shopping. Just like my suitcases and clocks and in fact all my vintage items, I wonder who owned them? Where have they been and what have they witnessed? If only they could vocalise these things, I am certain they would have some interesting tales to tell!

Part of their charm is the inscriptions.

The centre case has evidence of a trip to Bermuda.

A sinister title with a content I am yet to absorb.

                                   http://www.penguin.com/

Artisanal Fostering

One of the most rewarding experiences of motherhood for me is witnessing the wide eyed curiosity, naivety and untamed perceptions that my children have. They possess such raw imagination and are constantly delivering ruthless questions fuelled by pure thirst for knowledge. Experiencing and sharing art through their untainted interpretations and creativity is such a pleasure!

A Wander through the Mclelland Gallery and Sculpture Park is always an interesting affair and especially with my children in tow. There is a collection of over seventy works on display and the setting accompanied with the scale of the magnificent sculptures is just perfect for captivating the youngest of art fans. Such utter engagement is difficult to capture in a photograph... 

The Frankston Arts Centre holds a fabulous workshop called 'Hot Arts for Cool Kids' each school holidays. The program offers kids the opportunity to explore there creativity through a variety of processes avoiding structure. They get to let loose and utilise a variety of materials, mostly recycled, to create there very own masterpieces. The artworks from the recent workshop were exhibited in the Cube 37 gallery which was very exciting for the eldest baby beatnik indeed!

Non-profit organisation the 'Reverse Art Truck' is perfect for stocking up on recycled art and craft supplies. They rescue materials that would otherwise be put into landfill and supply them to community groups and the general art and crafting public. You can fill up a bag of goodies and feel super proud that you are supporting eco friendly resources. Spending a couple of hours poking through all the bits and bobs to stock up on is half the fun!

http://www.mcclellandgallery.com/

http://artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/

http://www.reversearttruck.com.au/