Girl, put your record on …

Posted on September 3, 2010 by tracey

I’ve carried a small collection of vinyl with me from house to house, and I have no doubt the collection will travel with me in the future. Most of my records have been given to me as gifts or permanently ‘borrowed’ (from my parents, so that’s completely OK) – though there are a few that I’ve bought myself over the years (most of The Beatles inclusions are due to me).

I’ve shown a little sample from my record collection below … but believe me, there are a few much more embarrassing inclusions which are best left under wraps for now.

While I’m a HUGE supporter of upgrading my CD collection to digital, and any new music purchases I make are in that non-physical format … my vinyl collection will always be near and dear to my heart. I love their thinness and their large surface area … for some reason they remind me of a beautifully oversized after-dinner mint, though instead of providing chocolate goodness, they delight the senses in more complex ways.

The process of listening to a record – slipping off the sleeve, placing one on the turntable, and properly balancing the arm is an experience that requires attention and care in a way that other music formats don’t require. It’s not the way I choose to listen to music very often at all, but I do adore the specialness of the vinyl experience and the memories which are trawled up from the past when listening to music on a turntable …

Are you a closet vinyl lover too? What’s lurking in your collection?

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Skyward bound …

Posted on September 2, 2010 by tracey

We can all do with a little escape from time to time, and often it doesn’t even matter whether the form of our escape happens in our dreams or in our reality. Whenever and however I manage to dream myself somewhere else, I imagine floating away … drifting high in the clouds … feeling as light as a feather.

Here’s the latest batch of madeit goodies to help fire the imagination and kick start some dreams high above the earth.

Top Row (left to right):

  1. Raindrops Pencilcase, $20 by Pocket Carnival (rainbow coloured rain, and puffy clouds … just lovely!).
  2. Birdie Birds 4 Card Set, $20 by red letter studio (vibrant colours to lift the heart, and just look at that stitching detail).
  3. Flying Bird Necklace, $26 by Little Viking Girl (simply elegant and suitably flighty to carry your worries away).

Bottom Row (left to right):

  1. Vintage Style Brooch, $8 by mabel studios (kite flying is a seriously underrated activity).
  2. Cloud Ring, $55 by Epheriell (this silver delight is the stuff of my most wonderful dreams).
  3. Floating In A Sky Of Flowers Print, $44 by ali j art (she is exquisite and has me wishing for a tree to slumber beneath).

I hope today you find some time for your dreams and imagine themselves a little closer to reality …

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The joy of touch (typing)

Posted on September 1, 2010 by tracey

I first learnt how to touch type on an electric typewriter in high school. In fact I actually took typing as a subject in years 8 and 9 (is it even offered any more?). Before then I’d applied the old ‘one finger at a time, while watching the keys’ style of typewriting on an old manual machine at home.

My typing teacher at school (Mrs. Barker) was completely terrifying, so perhaps it was a combination of learned skill and fear which taught me how to properly ‘use the force’ and type with fingers at ready in the QWERTY position and eyes OFF the keyboard. Once someone in my class couldn’t handle the amount of corrections made on her typing work, and she ended up running out of class crying. After calming herself down, she returned to the classroom … but Mrs. Barker wouldn’t let her off so easy.

When one of my friends took her work up to be corrected, Mrs. Barker very loudly called out across the class (even though her words were really for the benefit of one) – ‘See, trying NOT crying … that’s what you should do’ … *AWKWARD*!

Anyway, I’m eternally gratefully for my touch typing skill – it has served me countless times over the years and makes everything so much quicker and more efficient. I love the interplay between visualising the letters with your mind and feeling the keys go to work beneath your fingers.

There is music in the tapping of the keys and in the silences left between, and it is from that rhythm that I take much comfort and smile at fond memories. Do you take pleasure in touch typing too? Or have you come up with something better?

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The Wedding Recap (and no, it wasn’t mine…)

Posted on August 31, 2010 by tracey

Remember the other week when I said I was going to a wedding? Well the wedding has long since been and gone, and I thought I’d give you a little idea of what went on.

There were pretty candles shining romantic light on the long reception table, while the exposed wooden rafters at the restaurant were on show. I was busy doing some shoe gazing (and as you can see I went with a black & white dress), while Mr Quiet Paws found some other entertainments aside from dining and dancing …

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The Artist Within the Office … (I’ve been buying books again)

Posted on August 30, 2010 by tracey

As you no doubt already know, I love books. In fact it’s safe to say that I REALLY love books. There are some books we read for joy, some books we read to learn from, and some we read to be inspired. You know what’s really special though? When you find a book that combines all three of these reasons in one.

I’m sure we’ve all had those moments when we’ve happened across a book that just feels like the words within it have been written especially for us. That’s how I felt when I discovered ‘The Artist in the Office’ by Summer Pierre (who also happens to have a pretty great blog).

Being someone who’s often felt that I exist within two different lives – within and out of the day job, I knew this book would help. Regardless of what you consider your ‘art’ to be, perhaps this book is for you too? Here’s a little excerpt from the back cover:

‘Day after day, this is how it goes: You get up, go to work – and save your ‘real’ self for the cracks and corners of your off time. Your 9-to-5 work might pay the bills, but if it’s not giving you an outlet for your pent-up creativity, it’s time to make a change. This ingenious little book isn’t about throwing over your day job. It’s about integrating the work you have to do with the work you want to do.’

Filled with awesome illustrations and lots of humour, there’s all kinds of fun things to help inspire you to pursue the artistic path in all that you do. Things like: collecting evidence of your day, taking yourself on lunchtime adventures, doing something unexpected, photographing ordinary objects, and heaps of other cool ideas.

If you’d like to better embrace the ‘artist’ within, I would really recommend this lovely book … in Australia you can pick up a copy from the lovely Melbourne store ‘Orlando and Ivy’ (you can also buy from them online).

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4 simple goals (… before 2011)

Posted on August 27, 2010 by tracey

I’ve been meaning to pull together my own list of simple goals for ages, ever since reading about this lovely project over on ‘A Beautiful Mess‘ (the lovely blog of Elsie Flannigan). The idea behind the project is to commit to some personal challenges that, once overcome, will help make your life more beautiful!

  1. Cut my hair short and make it red. I know this is technically two things in one … but they’re related so I figure that’s OK. I’ve gone most colours both light and dark, and most in-between, but never any shade of red. That’s gotta change.
  2. Unsubscribe from unnecessary email lists. I’ve gone through phases of subscribing to lots of different email groups like newsletters and store updates. The reality is that I don’t actually read many of them, so they’re just cluttering up my inbox with junk. Streamlining of information is necessary.
  3. Become a better online ‘citizen’. I want to be more present in the online world. That means a few different things, like being more consistent with my blogging and more connected with my wonderful readers. I am also in desperate need of updating my neglected blogroll.
  4. Shop at the local fruit & veg markets. I pretty much detest everything about supermarket shopping. I recently discovered that I have another, much better option in the form of a local fresh food market. So it’s time to load up the environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags and head to the markets for lovely fresh produce – I’ll be saving money, supporting local growers, and perhaps more importantly, saving my sanity.

If you’d like to get involved with your own list of simple goals, you’ll find the ‘rules’ over on A Beautiful Mess. I do hope you come along and get involved too, it’s sure to be fun and rewarding! I’ll be sure to keep you updated with my progress …

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A few things of note … (and a little shopping)

Posted on August 26, 2010 by tracey

The end of last week and the start of this week have proven to be rather busier than I’d previously anticipated … but that’s OK, life can be a bit like that sometimes!

Things are s-l-o-w-l-y returning to normal in my world, and that means emails are gradually getting read, lovely comments left by my wonderful blog readers (thank you!) are slowly being replied to, and a sneaky little bit of shopping is getting done.

With father’s day just around the corner in Australia ( … dad if you’re reading this please avert your eyes now), I thought I should get my dad a card (even though he generally objects to the commercialism of the day, I figured he wouldn’t object too much). Just look at how adorable this card is from Sissy Sparrows!!?!! (I hope he likes it). You can buy your dad (or someone else special) a lovely card from the wonderful Sissy Sparrows madeit store too.

I also picked up a little something for home … some lovely vintage coasters by My Pretty Shadow. While these coasters are now mine, you can find some of your very own in their lovely madeit store.

As ever there are so many pretty things, and such little time. So, how about you?
… Have you managed to sneak in a little bit of shopping too??

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Looking back while cycling forward…

Posted on August 25, 2010 by tracey

It’s funny how things come full circle … or perhaps more appropriately in this case, things feel as if they’ve come full ‘cycle’.

As I suppose is natural, I seem to have spent many of my younger years looking forward, as if being more willing to believe in the better of an unknown future, rather than value the beauty and knowledge of what had come before. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why I now seem so interested in looking backwards for ways to inspire my future?

I used to be a keen cyclist and walker, but as is often the way once the incredibly useful car entered my life I got a little lazy. It’s a shame really as there is something rather magical about riding about town or suburban streets on a gorgeous bicycle – that’s why I intend to visit the virtual delights of the Melbourne-based Papillionaire and make a practical yet stylish investment. Their online store allows you to select all sorts of lovely optional extras for your bike, before it is shipped to you in flat-pack form or to a local bike store for assembly – genius! (I think pre-assembled by experts will be the option for me!)

Of course once I get the bike sorted, I’ll then have to treat myself to some awesome bike accessories … If you’re like me and find yourself constantly raging against the lycra-clad packs of cyclists who descend upon cafes in search of coffee and pastries*, you’ll love Cycle Style Australia. I’ll take one of the Cherry Straw Shoppers thanks!

Talking of all things bicycle-related, have you seen this video ‘Thoughts On My Bike‘? If not, you should watch … it’s perfectly lovely.

Are you feeling a little nostalgic? A little inspired to join the bicycle revolution too? Or perhaps, like me, a little of both?

*with a nod to the lovely Leonie, this statement requires a qualifier. I’ve got nothing against lycra-wearing cyclists, or cyclists who take coffee at cafes … it’s when they travel in aggressive packs and take up ALL the tables at a cafe I want to sit at … that’s when the trouble starts for me … no one EVER wants to come between me and my coffee!

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Goin’ to the Chapel …

Posted on August 20, 2010 by tracey

I’m off to the wedding of my future sister-in-law later today. While I was hoping for blue skies and fine weather, it seems that the day will instead be rather grey and rainy.

I really wanted to ‘go vintage’ with my outfit for the occasion, but even now I’m still undecided as to what I’ll ultimately end up wearing. On the vintage front I’d found this gorgeous 1960s Jonathan Logan party dress for an absolute bargain – with its full skirt, back bow feature and lovely print, I just knew it had to be mine.

While I absolutely LOVE my ‘new’ Jonathan Logan dress, I’m just not sure I want to go green today. Knowing me I’ll probably end up going with one of my favourite vintage-inspired Vanessa Tong dresses.

The things I love about these dresses is that they are super-flattering, highlight the waist and feature that full skirt which I always adore. If I was being completely honest though I would have to admit that the number one awesome thing about these dresses is that they have POCKETS!!

I love a good pair of hidden pockets in which to hide my hands …
Are you a pocket-lover too?

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Oui oui, mon Paris

Posted on August 19, 2010 by tracey

Without a doubt, whenever I’m asked the relevant question I will always say ‘Yes, Yes’ to the delights of Paris!! I’m still yet to pay her a visit in person, but I just have this sneaking suspicion that we’d easily be the very best of friends.

To honour the romance, eternal appeal and distinctive style of that most beautiful ‘city of lights’, I’ve gathered some lovely madeit players together for your entertainment. I hope they earn your appreciative applause!

Top Row (left to right):

  1. Ooh La La hair clip, $12 by twirling betty (super cute and just a little bit cheeky).
  2. Masquerade Mask on sterling silver chain, $23 by Oh Deer (mysterious and elegant … just like the fair city herself).
  3. French Script in Cloud refillable journal, $49 by rabbit and the duck (to this bright and cloudy journal I would happily say, Bonjour!).

Bottom Row (left to right):

  1. La Chaise Rouge Art Print, $25 by Mulberry Muse (a lovely, super easy way to bring an antique furniture vibe into your home).
  2. Cream Rose Zipper Brooch, $5 by Frankie and Plum (this gorgeous flower represents the classic, yet intriguing nature of French style).
  3. Fleur de lis Cushion, $44 by tractor girl (… you had me at blue stripes).

Until Paris and I meet face-to-face (soon, my dear), I’m hoping that through these lovely French-inspired goodies, we can imagine ourselves there in the meantime …

Sweet dreams! xx

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