Piccadilly Market

The Imaginarium Project

2012-02-02T14:42:00.010+11:00

A few weeks ago I started to get a few messages that I had to go check out this new place called The Imaginarium Project and that it was my kind of place. I do love that my readers know me so well. I have been away for most of the holidays and only managed to make it down yesterday.

Can I just say that it was love at first sight. This is totally my kind of place. Infact I could pack my bags and move in immediately. Its kooky, quirky and utterly fabulous and has a great ambience.

I overheard Mums telling their kids they really had to go as they had been there since 10am and this was at 4pm. This is definitely not a place to pop in, its a stay a while place.

The main theme is Alice in Wonderland which had me weak at the knees and wishing this was around for my girls 6th birthday last year which was an Alice theme. You can go through the rabbit hole into an upside down room which is to have more added to it soon. Then there are themed rooms, one is Wild West and has dress ups, toy guns, saloon bar, jails etc. So fantastic for imaginative play. Then there is a great Pirate Room complete with boat, games and a cave with treasure. Enter if you dare into the Halloween Room that is dark and filled with creepy crawlies.

Near the main section is a glow in the dark chalk room that was pretty damn cool.

The main cafe area has a huge mural of the Mad Hatters Tea Party and then there is another little section of to the side that is just divine and perfect for a tea party and not just for kids. I am seriously considering a grown up get together (any takers?) Very cleverly Nicky who runs this amazing place has put the gated 0-4 play room so Mums can sit back and relax in Wonderland with a cuppa whilst their little ones are being creative. This is how my tea was served...

Did I mention that there are gorgeous party girls in each section in costume checking all is OK and running some fun games? Free Face Painting by Alice herself was a bonus and the Queen of Hearts was doing some limbo and statue games.

Whilst we are there a piñata was hung to provide even more fun.

I can't begin to tell you how amazing this is, it is a dreamland for children and adults too.

Nicky is hatching many more ideas including a room I am super excited about...I will give you a hint at the bottom of this post. There are plans for a revolving room where the theme will change.

Look out for some fundraising events in the near future. A close friend of Nicki's son sadly died from cancer which prompted her to create the project and she wants to start a foundation and raise much needed funds. A girl after my own heart. She told me they had a group of deaf children come through who were in awe of everything. Makes my heart sing with joy.

Sit back and enjoy the visuals and I am sure you will not be able to stay away and let them know you heard about them here.

The Imaginarium Project can be found at 18 Crown Street, Sth Geelong and is open 10am - 5pm

Enquiries 0402 831 650

They can also be found on Facebook

So what do you think? Are you going to go check it out?

Two Women Who Inspire Me

2012-01-25T04:55:00.013+11:00

Women are amazing creatures and only a women can truly appreciate another women's uniqueness and awesomeness.

I want to talk about two women who inspire me. I am not talking about women the whole world knows about but everyday women who have gone and dreamt the impossible and made things happen. One I have known all my life and the other I have just met.

Meet Mira Stanislawska-Meysztowicz who is one of my Mums dearest, best and most crazy friend. For the first 18 years of my life she was like a 2nd Mother and I am sure knowing her has rubbed off on me and helped me chase my dreams and believe in myself. She is one person other than my fabulous Mum who always told me to follow my dreams and my heart. Mira moved to Poland over 20 years ago and discovered her passion and that was to make a difference in this world and protect the environment.

For nine years she has led the Clean Up the World campaign in Poland, as well as many other pro-ecological activities. In 2001 Mira was awarded a Knights Cross Order of the Revival of Poland. The children of Poland also awarded her with the Order of Smile in 2002.

I was so excited to catch up with Mira yesterday on her annual trip back to Australia. I love that in the latter part of her life ( I dare not disclose her age) she looks as young as she did 20 years ago and that she still has such incredible passion in all aspects of her life.

On Friday I attended a most amazing one day workshop where I was lucky enough to meet with one of the speakers Cathy Burke. Cathy is another awesome everyday woman who is making a massive difference in the lives of others. She is the CEO of The Hunger Project in Australia.

The Hunger project believes in self reliance, they are not about raising funds and sweeping in on a white horse with millions of dollars. Instead they believe that people have the ability and more importantly the desire to be self-reliant. Their goal is to end world hunger by addressing peoples attitudes and once their mindset has changed, they begin action through skill building and helping with achievable projects. They work at a grassroots level by finding leaders within the local community to help empower women and give them a voice.

They work in Africa, India, Bangladesh and Latin America.

I could go on and on but I urge you to watch this video for a greater understanding.

Cathy Burke and I clicked and felt a kindred spirit in each other and will be working together in the future to keep getting the word out far and wide about what The Hunger Project does. I so love this organisation and what it stands for and would love for Piccadilly Market to get involved so watch this space peeps.

I would love to leave you with some wise words from a woman who I have admired for a very long time after discovering her when I lived in America.

Maya Angelou

Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.

Courage allows the successful woman to fail-
and learn powerful lessons-
from the failure-
so that in the end,
she didn't fail at all.

Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you. All the other tangible rewards will come as a result.

Each of us has that right, that possibility, to invent ourselves daily. If a person does not invent herself, she will be invented. So, to be bodacious enough to invent ourselves is wise.

I can be changed by what happens to me. but I refuse to be reduced by it.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

It is this belief in a power larger than myself and other than myself which allows me to venture into the unknown and even the unknowable.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.

Maya Angelou

All over this wallpaper

2012-01-18T12:05:00.006+11:00

Happy New Year Peeps

Hasn't wallpaper come a long way since I was a child?
I did have a gorgeous blue and white Laura Ashley wallpapered bedroom that I adored but other than that my memories of wallpaper are terrible. We moved into one house where there was purple and black velour swirly wallpaper that made me feel dizzy. It didn't last long but the memory has.

Fast forward 30 years and the options are endless and deliciously gorgeous.

I just came across this range from Pip Studio and I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

This is my number one choice, it comes in 6 panels.

but take a look at these

and don't even get me started on the home wares...where does one begin?

This bed linen matches my fave wallpaper

Christmas Traditions

2011-12-27T13:00:00.012+11:00

Well that's it for another year. I hope you all had a wonderful festive season with your family and friends.

I LOVE this time of year, as soon as the tree can go up it does and the Christmas Carols start for the whole month of December and the excitement builds. The Carols by the Bay would have to be the kick off for the season for my family. We go every year with friends, have a picnic dinner and feel grateful for where we live and what we have.

My family has a Polish background, both parents migrated with their families to Australia and I am very thankful to my beautiful grandparents for making sure that their Polish traditions were celebrated by the family and continue to do so after they departed. There are some things that have been Australianized which is also nice.

I always take a Ho Ho Ho photo every year which the kids for the first time reminded me about this year. I hope this will continue through to adult hood.

We always have Borscht(Beetroot Soup) with Uszka (tiny mushroom tortellini) on Christmas Eve also known as 'Wigilia'. My grandmother always made it but after she passed away my Mum makes the soup and all the women and kids get together in mid December and make the uszka together which is fast becoming a new favorite tradition.

My children all LOVE the soup and had 2 big portions this year and are already looking forward to next year when they get to have it again.

In Poland there is no meat eaten on Christmas Eve. Carp is the chosen fish which I am not fond of and have vivid memories of helping kill the Carp the year I was living in Poland. So we have chosen not to follow that custom and we do the Turkey and Ham but will always have some seafood for nibbles.

One of the most beautiful and revered Polish customs is the "breaking of the oplatek". It is a thin wafer, made of flour and water and is white. They used to be baked and distributed from house to house in the parish during Advent. Now they are produced commercially and sold in religious stores.

The use of the Christmas Wafer is practiced not only by native Poles in Poland, but by people all over the world whose ancestors came from Poland.

The eldest member of the family reaches for the wafer, breaks it in half and gives one half to someone else, this is normally my Mum and her sister. Then each of them breaks a small part of each others piece and kiss each other and wish each other good health, joy and happiness, not only for the holidays but for the years to come. This is then continued amongst everyone who is present. I really enjoy this tradition the most and my children now also love participating.

We then sit down to a delicious meal, followed by kolendy (Christmas Carols). My grandmother and her 2 daughters would always sing a very moving song called Jesus Maleszenki (Baby Jesus)

This year the next generation(mine) also joined in. We then get to start opening our family presents which of course the children are very excited about. We have a children's Kris Kringle where they put in their list and get something from it from the family. Mine were over the moon to all get exactly what they wanted.

The tradition I have begun with my children is to make a gingerbread house every year that we make with carols blaring and lots of laughter. We are getting fancier as each year goes by. We then take it to Xmas Eve and the kids smash it down.

As a single parent I find Christmas Day very difficult when my children leave with their Dad. I am very blessed that my family celebrate on Christmas Eve so I never miss out but I still find the day tough without them.

This year I decided to volunteer at the Salvation Army lunch in Corio and am so pleased I did. I love being able to give back to my community and if I made someones day just a little brighter by serving them a meal and sitting and having a chat with them then it is all worth it.

I have come away from the experience feeling very fortunate that I am who I am and that my parents brought me up making me believe I could be and do anything I wanted to and that they gave me the tools to be able to live my life the way I do.

So that is it until next year. I wish you all the best for the New Year and thank you for all your support in 2011.

Christmas Cookie Success

2011-12-11T19:50:00.002+11:00

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE Christmas? It is my favourite time of year and now that kids are getting older it gets more and more fun as the years go by. We had a blast decorating the tree even though i may have been just a little controlling about what decos went where.

Last night we did the Xmas lights around Geelong which sure was an eye opener. People really do get into the spirit.

Today we had a christmas cookie day and I have always struggled to find the right recipe for a perfect biscuit AND I have had issues with finding a perfect icing that held its colour, was glossy and dried hard. Guess what????? I achieved on both levels today.

The sugar cookie recipe and icing recipe are here for your use.

Very happy with my Cookie Christmas Tree which is a gift for our neighbour and we all had a blast decorating the rest.

Let me know if you have any fave recipes you would like to share.

The Best Market yet

2011-11-24T22:26:00.006+11:00

When it is pouring with rain all day and temperatures have dropped dramatically and you have a huge market the next day with a bunch of outside stalls, one can start to stress.

Luckily for me I have a very good relationship with the weather gods and away went the rain and out came the sun and we had a magnificent day. This was most definitely the best Piccadilly market event to date. It is hard to know exact numbers but it was agreed amongst various people that it was around the 6500 to 7000 mark.

The doors opened at 10am and people came in their droves and continued for most of the day.

The courtyard was bustling with outdoor stalls and Le Sausage did a great job of feeding the masses which included plenty of tired Run Geelong participants.

As usual the quality of wares available were amazing and I am sure a lot of people are going to be very happy with what they find under the Christmas Tree this year.

Here is a slide show of what the day had to offer.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported all the fabulous stall holders.

Until 2012.

1 more sleep!!!

2011-11-19T07:03:00.002+11:00

littlewrapbag and little mexico Special Offer to 50 Lucky Piccadilly Market Shoppers.

2011-11-11T10:02:00.005+11:00

Only 9 days till Market Day...Yeh!!!!

I love that I get so excited about an event I run.

The lovely, gorgeous, generous Nicole from Little Wrap Bag once again has a brilliant offer for you shoppers.

I have a lot of Nicole's products. I have a gorgeous primrose ipad cover that gets plenty of ooh's and ahhh's at business meetings. I have the matching duo purse which is great for stashing my phone and little bits and pieces in when I don't want to take my clunky handbag. Last year for Christmas I bought all the kids the little wrap bags which they carry around all their favorite little possessions in. Last but not least I have a divine pair of little mexico silver earrings that I adore.

Spend $15 or more on any littlewrapbag or little mexico purchase from littlewrapbag Stall 42 at Piccadilly Market Nov 20th, 2011 and receive your FREE Chica Purse RRP $10*

Be early! You'll find her on Level 2, near the courtyard doors.

Offer is available to the first 50 shoppers who quote the word 'Taxco' during their purchase. Taxco, Mexico is the town where the unique little mexico range of sterling silver is hand crafted.

To preview the full range of products visit her at www.littlewrapbag.com and www.littlemexico.com.au, or www.facebook.com/littlewrapbag

*Offer limited to one per customer. Applies to first 50 customers who spend $15 or more. Valid 20th November 2011 only. Customer may select their Chica Purse from those available at the market.

Thanks Nicole

Our New Halloween Tradition

2011-11-01T11:21:00.003+11:00

In my previous post I mentioned that this year the Pako retailers did not get on board with the Trick or Treating so Peg and I decided to create our own. We came up with the tags that we popped in all the mail boxes with ribbons and hoped for the best.

We were so pleased with the street's response and the kids had a blast and they all thought it was better than Pako. Yeh!!!!! The lesson learned is....What do you do when life gives you lemons? You make lemonade.

We had one guy dress his house in cobwebs and answer the door with a mask on and a smoking cauldron that the kids had to put their hands in to grab a mystery treat. One lovely lady made gorgeous decorated cupcakes.

So we hope we have started a long standing tradition that will get bigger and better every year. I hear people poo poo Halloween and wish it stayed in America. It did not originate in America, you can read up on the history here. I am so glad that there are people who LOVE having it here. It is such fun for the kids to dress up and roam the streets passing other kids and getting to know their neighbors. Pure Childhood Fun.

Once again my kids start the 365 day countdown till next year.

A Halloween Idea for your Street

2011-10-26T11:41:00.004+11:00

Sadly the retailers on Pako have decided not to host their annual Trick or Treating event on Monday. My friend Peg and I have some super devastated kids. I have been contacted by a few people about it after they had read my post about it last year, so lots of unhappy kids.

To keep the troops happy we came up with this great idea for our local street. Feel free to use this idea in your local street.

Christmas Flyer

2011-10-12T12:23:00.002+11:00

Isn't it gorgeous???

Planning for Halloween

2011-10-10T21:37:00.007+11:00

We all go a little crazy in this household for Halloween, my many years living in the States sure helped in making me love a day that is pure fun and gives us a reason to dress up. We spent yesterday planning our outfits, there is a little bit of scare happening.

I happened across these amazing cupcakes on Glorious Treats. So need to start collecting jars right now and find some spare time.

and what about these cool candy corn ideas from Amy Atlas....anyone know where we can buy candy corn in Australia?

This is a pretty cool web idea from the fabulous Martha Stewart

And how are these awesome invitations by Songbird Greetings on Etsy?

What are your plans for Halloween?

Mollie Makes Redraw

2011-09-20T16:17:00.004+10:00

Unfortunately I have not heard from the Mollie Makes Winner so my daughter has done a redraw and it is Jo cheltenham who said

'My handwarmers I knitted last year. With my first cables in them! Everyone got a pair!!'

Please contact me on janina@piccadillymarket.com.au with address details and I will post your prize.

My Little Jedi E Magazine

2011-09-14T13:27:00.004+10:00

You know how much I love an e-magazine and I have posted here about quite a few. Here is another awesome one I stumbled across yesterday after seeing this most amazing Willy Wonka party featured on the amazing Amy Atlas blog.

How divine looking is that cake?

Each page is filled with divine products, styled parties, people etc. Hop on over and take a peek. There is also a great interview with Amy Atlas, the woman just oozes style.

The mag makes me want to start planning the girls 7th birthday in no less than 11 months time. Perhaps I better stick with Master J's in December.

Make sure you have a scroll through Little Jedi's blog as well. So much beauty and so many ideas.

Enjoy!!!

Mollie Makes Giveaway Winner

2011-09-09T14:40:00.004+10:00

Congrats to Mammatort who has won this fabulous giveaway.

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:30Powered by RANDOM.ORG

This is what she was most proud of which made me laugh and laugh when I read it during the week.

I made my boyfriend's best friend an Eric Morecombe doll for his birthday - it was the first plushie I'd made and I was really happy with the results! Then I made my boyfriend a Tommy Cooper doll because he felt left out! :)

Mammatort if you could please email me at janina@piccadillymarket.com.au with your address details I will get your prize out to you. If you happen to have a photo I would love to pop it on the blog.

If anyone else who entered has photos they can email me I would love to do a follow up post with all the crafty photos.

Thanks to all who entered.

Gorgeous Geelong

2011-09-07T21:32:00.002+10:00

Has anyone seen this gorgeous new promo DVD from Geelong Otway Tourism?

If I didn't already live here I am pretty sure I would after seeing this.

Spotted some of my fave eateries and shops on the waterfront and along Pako.

So glad we decided to move here 6 years ago....proud to call Geelong home.

Loving Mollie Makes and a Giveaway.

2011-09-04T15:10:00.007+10:00

Have you discovered Mollie Makes yet?

If not you are in for a treat. Great magazine out of the UK that launched this year and has had 4 issues to date. Each page is filled with great stories and projects that it is hard to know where to start. A publication like this reinforces how far the new craft revolution has come and shows that it is practically main stream now.

I have free copies of Issues 3 and 4 as well as a felt ring project kit to give away this week (thanks Amanda). Leave a comment below telling me what crafty thing you have made that you are most proud of.

If you are signed in as anonymous don't forget to leave a name.

You have until Friday the 9th @ 2pm to enter.

I am most proud of the quilts I made for my my kids.

Bali with Kids Part 2

2011-08-29T20:58:00.016+10:00

Our first glimpse of the main pool at our next port of call. We booked into the Paradise Plaza Suites in Sanur. I had never stayed in Sanur before so was not sure what to expect and we were very happy. A lot of families and Europeans which was nice. I specifically chose this place as we got a 3 bedroom apartment for a great price and there was a Kids Club. Can I even begin to explain how much we all loved Kids Club????? It operated from 9 - 12 and 2 -5 everyday and was included in the room rate. The next two photos are from the kids area. They loved that slide. The staff were gorgeous and looked after the kids so well. There were activities everyday including traditional dress up day. I so love the photo of the kids. They do have a parents escape that runs from 12 - 2 and includes lunch. It cost me $18.00 for the 3 kids and Mum and I went shopping to the fabulous Seminyak for the day. The hotel has a free shuttle every hour to the supermarket and the beach. I know my holiday would have been vastly different (i.e stressful) if we had of stayed in a regular hotel. This place ticked all my boxes.

the living area

While they were in Kids Club I was doing this.

Soon after arrival the girls absolutely had to have their hair braided. Now I have to confess I have never been a fan BUT how easy does it make hair maintenance? Didn't have to do a thing to their hair for a week. Everyone was happy. They also indulged in some nail painting.

If you are going to Sanur, go see Nency and the girls at Star Beauty near the Bonsai Cafe and tell them Janina sent you. They do a great massage, manicure and pedicure.

Very bravely I decided to take the kids to Waterbom Park as a treat for being such awesome amazing children and we had sooooooooooooo much fun. We hired a private Kabana or the day for $20 which was well worth it. We were there for 7 hours so kept going back for a rest and had our lunch delivered there also. We started on the very lazy river below but very quickly graduated to big, fast rides. Exhausting but well worth the effort. The grounds are so clean and beautiful, no cash is used, everything is scanned on to your wristband, it even unlocks your locker. Very impressive. Our favorite was the Superbowl and the Jungle Ride.

Restaurant Run Down

Little Bird Warung - Teensy, Tiny little restaurant run by some very cool and funky Balinese boys. The kids and I just loved this place. It did take a long time to come but we were happy people watching, drawing, laughing etc. Super cheap traditional food. A gado Gado for 20,000 rp (2.20 AUD) and a Nasi Goreng for 30,000 (3.20 AUD) Great Banana smoothie and nice cold beer for me.

Jalan Danau Tamblingan 34

Bonsai Beach Cafe - This is the drop off point for the hotel shuttle and taxi's etc. It is right on the beach and has a great outlook. The kids and I had a dinner at sunset and they ran themselves ragged up and down the beach which was nice. I did find it overpriced and the food average. You are definitely paying for the view. Still very cheap in AUD. We had the pizza and sate.

Poppies 1 in Kuta - I have been coming to this little gem for 23 years and I love it just as much each time. Set in beautiful gardens in the heart of Kuta it is well worth a visit day or night. My parents and I shared the Rijstaffel (Rice Table) which is a sampling of lots of amazing Indonesian goodies. TIP you could feed 3 people with a serve for 2. It was sooooo good. The kids rated their Jaffles, Hamburger and Milkshakes very highly. Worth the long drive in traffic.

Casa Luna Restaurant - Back in Sanur this was recommended to us but we were not huge fans. Servings were small and food average. I was the only one really happy with my fish but it could have twice the size. They do have live entertainment each night which is a draw card for some. Service was slow and forgetful.

JL Tamblingan, Sanur

Apa Kabar - We all really enjoyed this place, it is set up in the not so busy part of Sanur and positioned across the road from an empty block so has a nice view of palm trees. There is an amazing courtyard out back that was being used for a private function. They had Aussie Rules on at the bar which would make a few people I know happy. Great Sate, Nasi Campur and Nachos all very reasonably priced and excellent service including a free taxi ride home.

Jl. Danau Tamblingan 195, Sanur

Seaside @ Jimbaran Bay - All the restaurants here are crazily overpriced BUT you really must do a dinner while watching the sunset. It is spectacular and the beach is clean and lovely. Our driver chose this place for us and I don't think it differs much from the others. You get to go up and choose your fresh seafood and how it is cooked. We got there a little earlier and left our shoes at the table and went for a walk and bought the best corn ever from one of the beach sellers. Took the obligatory sunset shots and then had a meal.

love this fairy floss seller

As we had a kitchen we ate all our lunches in. The shuttle takes you to Hardys, a great supermarket that has everything you could want. A lot of Australian products like vegemite and vita wheats. Make sure you pop upstairs for some great shopping with no need for haggling and bargaining. They have everything you can possibly think of.

This next pic is what I work so hard for...having my nails done by one girl and my feet by another with a gentle sea breeze. Love it!!!!! We are already planning the next trip in 2 years.

Hope you enjoyed my travel tips.

Bali with Kids Part 1

2011-08-23T20:34:00.013+10:00

My wonderful 3 children and I have just returned from the best 12 day holiday in Bali. Whilst away I have had a lot of people ask me questions about travelling with kids which of course has prompted this post.

First of all...

Did I feel safe? Absolutely!!!!!
Did we get sick? Nope, not one of us.
Did the kids love it? More than I thought possible.

We flew Jetstar who are totally fine but do remember that you get nothing, zip, zero on the flight. Everything is an extra. Pack lots of snacks. The flight over left at 6.30pm so we had dinner at the airport and they were fine with that. I hired 2 video players for 3 kids and had one headphone splitter so 2 of them could share one unit.

I had arranged my regular driver to collect us on arrival, very happy to pass on his details. He is awesome, English is great and very trustworthy. Means no negotiations with taxis when you are tired.

We head straight to Ubud where I have been going for 23 years. There is something unique and wonderful about this town. You can see an old post here I do think the Eat, Pray, Love book and film has made it a lot busier sadly.

I stay at Honeymoon Guesthouse which I adore as it is so traditionally Balinese. No glass windows, everything is open air with shutters....love! love! love! I reserved interconnecting rooms number 15 and 16 which were on the 2nd level with a huge private balcony where we spent most of our down time. The beds are all 4 poster with mosquito nets, the girls felt like Princesses.

A word of warning is due to the open air it is very noisy from about 6am with roosters. We went to bed earlier to compensate. I didn't mind as I love the experience of staying here. We had a fan cooled room which was fine at this time of year but would be hard between Sep - Apr.

I paid about $120 a night for 2 room including breakfast.

From here we walked to the Monkey Forest through the rice fields. well worth a visit but keep all valuables hidden and take off sunglasses. We bought bunches of bananas and had fun feeding the hundreds of monkeys.

There are loads and loads of fish spa places where hundreds of fish suck all the yucky stuff off your feet. Lola and I were a bit freaked about it and stayed clear but these 3 loved it.

We took a day trip to the Elephant Safari and Marine Park and had some amazing interactions with the Elephants. The kids got to feed them and we got to touch and cuddle some after the show they have. The whole park is incredibly well run and a beautiful oasis. When we arrived we were bombarded with pricing options and I found it overwhelming. We chose the $45 option (per person inc kids) which included lunch. NOT worth it. Go the $35 and get your own lunch, it is cheaper and way more food options. The kids had photos with a giant yellow snake around them...very brave. Don't forget bathers as there is a fantastic Water Fun Area to play in. Tip is to do it after the Safari as I could not get my kids away from there to do the safari.

My restaurant recommendations are:

Cafe Wayan located on monkey Forest Road. It has been around since 1986 and I have been numerous times. It is set amongst beautiful gardens that keep going and going. Children are welcome. The Chicken Sate was hands down the best we had in the 12 days and they also served a pretty good Nasi Campur, my all time fave Balinese dish.

Indus is an absolute must at sunset and for awesome food. It is owner by the same people that own Honeymoon Guesthouse and is about 5 minutes out of town overlooking the rice terraces. I have also been here many times over the years and have never been disappointed. Great Nasi Campur and the Signature Paella is very good. We celebrated the girls 6th birthday here, I pre ordered an enormous cake which has happy Birthday to me on it instead of the girls which we had a giggle over.

Clear Cafe is a brand new restaurant in town and we all loved it. Super funky decor. My son Jonah and I found it when we were out shopping one day and booked the floating pontoon table where you sit on floor cushions. Very fun and quirky for the kids. The menu is all organic and very yummy. I had the chilli prawn burrito and my Mum had the Red Fish Curry. The kids menu was good and cheap and the kids loved their macaroni cheese and hamburgers.

Bintang Beer has got to be the best in the world, a few cold ones with lunch and dinner is a must.

Next we went to Sanur which will be my next post

Please feel free to make comments and if anyone has their own recommendations it would be welcomed.

Alice in Wonderland 6th Birthday Party

2011-08-22T20:34:00.013+10:00

My baby girls have turned 6....where on earth did those years go.
In the midst of my manic life I promised them a fancy pants Alice in Wonderland party and fancy pants is what they got.

With 2 markets Piccadilly and Geelong Baby Marklet 6 days apart, Be Socially Savvy work and packing for a holiday I buckled and called in the professionals and that was the amazing Jane from Coco by Miss Jane. Between us we pulled it off.

This was the result...

Cake - Made by me and proud of it
Cake Bunting - Made by me with free printables from TomKat Studio
Cupcake Toppers - Sunnyprints
Cupcake Liner and Doily Garland (seen in link below)- Made by Me

All the girls took home an "eat me" chocolate bar which are Aldi Mini Blocks re wrapped.....clever hey!

Everything else made and supplied by the fabulous Jane.

You can Also see Coco By Miss Janes blog post here

Two very happy 6 year olds who would not stop making faces long enough for a proper photo

Post Winter Market Mayhem

2011-08-02T16:35:00.005+10:00

luciaandjoe bookbinding
Wow!!!! What a Market. As usual it exceeded my expectations which is always a great thing. Our guesstimate is that we had 4500-5000 shoppers through so that is a big Thank You to everyone who comes out to support this Geelong event. Thanks to all the people that travel from Melbourne and other parts of the State.

So many amazing things to buy and again I found it hard to restrain from spoiling the kids and I. I see it as supporting the local economy.

One of my Besties took some snaps on the day which you can view here.

A big thank you to my team of workers who swoop in and out and get me set up and broken down so efficiently.

The next Market is pre Christmas and is on November 20th so pop that in your diaries.

I am offline till the end of August taking a well deserved vacation.

Only 3 sleeps to go till Piccadilly Winter Market Madness

2011-07-28T20:41:00.006+10:00

I am sooooo excited for the Winter Piccadilly Market. Don't forget its all undercover so the perfect outing for a winters day. 80 stallholders showcasing an array of amazing products. We have a DJ playing some great tunes that are also available for purchase. The cafe is open for a hot beverage and snack. La Madre will be there with their baked yummies. Don't forget it is free entry and free parking.

Deakin Waterfont University Cafe
Sunday 31st July
10am - 4pm

See you there.

Things I Love

2011-07-24T22:05:00.008+10:00

Why are there soooooooooooooooo many beautiful things out there that I simply must have but both my budget and size of house don't allow?

I found this camera bag last night and totally love it.

and this Messenger Bag...ooh la la!!!

So many more to choose from at Jeanne Oliver Designs and while you are there take a peek at the jewelery.

I absolutely positively MUST have one of these chest of drawers and practically every other thing in the collection. I have been a fan of Kelly Rae Roberts for years and have blogged about her numerous times. Love her style. Just need to figure out how I get the stuff delivered to Geelong West.

I can also visualize these suitcases in my home.

My last little find this week are these divine tea light holders made by glassybaby and they come in every possible colour you can think of.

This is the beautiful description from the website written by the designers 12 year old son.

A glassybaby is physically a small, colored glass cup, candleholder, or vase. But the light of a candle coming through a glassybaby generates more: it gives warmth to a cold day, a calm token of peace in the busy world.

Since 1998, Lee Rhodes has been designing, publicizing, and selling these small, extremely tough and strong cups. In 2001, she began to learn to blow these glasses, and has produced many glasses since.

glassybaby are made through a multi-layered glassblowing process and their color comes from different shaded color rods to produce a mix of opaque, translucent, and deeply colored glasses. This method creates a thick, strong piece of glass that has many functions and uses.

glassybaby come in a multitude of different colors that you can mix to create a stunning, flickering picture for a quiet vigil or a bustling party. Shining out of a window, a glassybaby creates an aura of love and good that fills the heart of anyone on the sidewalk or street.

There is almost no limit to the moods and feelings that a glassybaby or group of glassybaby can produce in someone, be it the calm and tranquil mint green or the inspiring dark orange.

As glasses, glassybaby are beautiful and useful: they act as cups and goblets, and the transparent colors are ideal for this job. glassybaby are dishwasher safe and are practically indestructible when you drop them.

glassybaby are useful in many ways. But their real use is lifting bad moods and loneliness. Their warm and colored light flickers like we do in everyday life. glassybaby serve as a metaphor to symbolize hope and are humble in spirit but not in beauty. Whatever your mood, a glassybaby can keep your home inviting and full of spirit.

MERICOS HECTOR RHODES

Aren't they just amazing but what colours would you choose?

Perfectly Perfect Pako

2011-07-19T19:23:00.005+10:00

Just a quick post to say how much I am LOVING living in Geelong West and am so excited about the opening last week of Perfect Pieces at my end of Pako. I am lusting after a dining room table I saw in there. So many lovely goodies small and large. Pop in and say Hi to the lovely girls.

Just over the road a brand new French Bakehouse also opened...yum yum!!!!

This morning I was racing to the bank and spied the laboratory's amazing window display. I am always blown away by the creativity but the current display is doilies galore. I LOVE it!!!! Not the best photo but you get the idea.

Don't forget Piccadilly Winter Market is drawing closer. Mark July 31st in to your diaries.

A little giveaway from Little Mexico

2011-06-27T14:41:00.007+10:00

I have another little giveaway for one lucky reader this week. Nicole from Little Wrap Bag who I blogged about in April has recently returned from a fabulous trip to Mexico (so jealous) and has launched a collection of gorgeous silver jewelery called Little Mexico.

Little Mexico is proudly offering an exclusive and uniquely designed range of jewellery directly from renowned artisan, Maria Belen Nilson. Each piece is individually hand-crafted in pure sterling silver and bears her hallmark.

The collection comprises refined bracelets, earrings, pendants and brooches. Their exquisite detail is inspired by pre-columbian design found in the lost civilisations of the Mayan, Olmecs and Aztecs, through to Taxco’s renaissance silversmiths of the 20th century, William Spratling and Hector Aguilar.

Nicole is offering a $50 voucher to be spent on her stall at Piccadilly Market on 31st July. All you need to do is pop over to Little Mexico by Friday 1st July 8pm and tell us your favorite piece. Mine are the little dangly flor baroque earrings.

Good Luck!!!

a few of my favorite things

2011-06-26T19:13:00.001+10:00

a few of my favorite things by babushkamama on Polyvore.com

Mason Jar Drink Dispenser | Pottery Barn
$55 - potterybarn.com

Ceiling Rose Wall Sticker - Heritage Design
£40 - rockettstgeorge.co.uk

project doily: lanterns « the happy home

2011-06-26T19:09:00.001+10:00

project doily: lanterns « the happy home (clipped to polyvore.com)

Mason Jar Drink Dispenser | Pottery Barn

2011-06-26T19:07:00.001+10:00

Mason Jar Drink Dispenser | Pottery Barn (clipped to polyvore.com)

Ceiling Rose Wall Sticker - Heritage Design

2011-06-26T19:02:00.001+10:00

Ceiling Rose Wall Sticker - Heritage Design (clipped to polyvore.com)

Bright, Crocheted Dress guards direct from Holland | Dutch City Bike |...

2011-06-26T18:57:00.001+10:00

Bright, Crocheted Dress guards direct from Holland | Dutch City Bike |... (clipped to polyvore.com)

Orange and White Floral Panniers | CycleStyle Australia - Stylish...

2011-06-26T18:56:00.001+10:00

Orange and White Floral Panniers | CycleStyle Australia - Stylish... (clipped to polyvore.com)

When I grow up I want to be just like Dottie Angel

2011-06-22T10:55:00.009+10:00

I was thrilled that my good friend Amanda shared this clip with me today as she knows I I am a HUGE fan of Dottie Angel and really want to be just like her one day when my kids are older and I can potter and just be. I love to craft and have made some awesome stuff in the past few years but my various businesses seem to be sucking up all my spare time and I just collect favorite images on my Crafting Wish List on Pinterest and know one day it will happen again.

Here is my Dottie Angel blanket I crocheted earlier this year.

and here is my Dottie Angel candle jar jacket i crocheted. So gorgeous at night with the candle light peeping through the holes.

I am DESPERATE to make this hangy thing and the apron and am hoping the school holidays may allow me some time.

and seriously how can you not love someone who has air stream trailers in their back yard. So ridiculously envious.

Hope you enjoy Dottie Angel as much as I do...

Caravan Love at Camberwell Market

2011-06-08T15:09:00.008+10:00

Yes another Caravan blog post.

I recently become aware of the fabulous Trish from Trish Hunter Finds who can also be found on facebook. She has got a gorgeous old caravan, done it up and turned into a travelling vintage shop that has a permanent home at Camberwell Market on Sundays.

This past Sunday I decided to go visit Trish and her gorgeous caravan and her lovely dog Betty. Her caravan is filled with all sorts of amazing retro goodies, Master J loved the Peace Glasses and Miss B loved E.T. I adored the winter capes and fancy a pair of flamingo's in my front yard. My childhood was spent at the Camberwell Market both as a shopper and a stall holder many times over. I have vivid memories of my brother and I saving all our money so we could go to the gem stone man and get a lucky dip and we kept our gemstones in old chocolate box trays. One can never go past the hot jam donuts which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. Here are some pictures from our visit. Be sure to pop by if you are in the area and make sure you say Hi to Trish.

Would love to visit again perhaps without 3 children in tow.

The winner of the Design Doctor $50 giveaway was the lucky Marg, please get in contact with me so we can organise your prize.

Have you met the Design Doctor?

2011-06-01T22:25:00.003+10:00

There is a wonderful new shop that has opened in Herne Hill and has my friends and I all excited that we can now buy gorgeous, amazing things on our side of town.

Marita's style is very similar to mine in fact some of the products she stocks are from stallholders from Piccadilly. She really has an eye for sourcing the unique and wonderful.

Design Doctor is all about bringing fun, adventurous design to the local community. Marita pays homage to emerging trends without forgetting some of the fantastic influences from the past.

You will most certainly get a smile and great old fashioned service.

I decided to try something new and do a little video of the store so you can see for yourself how wonderful it is. Excuse the crackling half way through, no idea where that came from.

So do you want run down there and grab a little special something?

Marita is offering one lucky reader a $50 voucher for the shop. Yeh!!!!

Just leave a comment below, if it is an anonymous post make sure you let me know your name in case you win. Get an extra entry by going over to Design Doctors Facebook page and hitting the like button.

You have until Sunday 8pm to enter.

Rhubarb Clearance Sale in Geelong this week

2011-05-22T23:00:00.002+10:00

I always manage to pick up some great bargains at the Rhubarb Sale. Lucky for me it is walking distance from my house so I will be there first thing Wednesday morning.

Small People Success

2011-05-18T21:39:00.007+10:00

First of all, apologies for not blogging pre market last week but blogger was down which was most frustrating.

Secondly, a big thank you to everyone who came down to Deakin on Sunday and saw all the amazing, awesome, brilliant wares on show. What clever, clever stallholders I have.

The gorgeous Sara from Sara Taylor Photography took some great snaps to share with you. Make sure you take a peek at Sara's work, she can also be found on Facebook

face painting by Alot of Faces

my gorgeous baby

The following pictures have been taken by me.

Miss Penelope Dress

Ellani Petite Rings

Koolaman Necklaces

DoReMe Canvases

Would love to hear your thoughts on the day and any cool purchases made.

I did it!!!!

2011-05-11T11:47:00.003+10:00

How are you all coping with these ridiculously cold mornings?

School drop offs are not tickling my fancy at the moment......brrrrr!!!!

I hope everyone's Mothers Day was beautiful.

Three months ago I started an amazing 12 week body transformation program with Michelle Bridges from the Biggest Loser. Prior to beginning we had to set a 12 week goal and mine was to run 4km in the Mothers Day Classic. HUGE goal for me as I could barely run 1 km without having a coronary. With Michelle's training and my commitment I DID IT!!!! My BFF Peggy had the same goal and we ran together. We finished holding hands and a bit teary with emotions. The 12 weeks became less about losing weight and more about achieving that goal. So I am blowing my own trumpet and saying I ROCK!!!! I know I can do anything I set my mind to now.

Since posting this I have had a few people ask me what I thought about the 12wbt so I thought I would add to the post. I LOVED it!!!!! It is hands down the best thing I have done in terms of signing up for weight loss. You honestly feel like Mish is your personal trainer and she is with you every step of the way. You get shopping lists, full weekly menu plans and an exercise program that caters for beginners, intermediate and advanced for home, gym or outdoors. It is a no excuses program which is what I loved. Michelle's favorite saying is JFDI (just f***ing do it.

On the school holidays I was at Mt Buller and I had to exercise so I went out in the freezing sleet and ran up and down hills and thought Wow I am JFingDI. That is what Michelle has taught me.

If you are even remotely thinking about it and want to make positive changes, just throw caution to the wind, sign up and you will never regret it...I promise.

Happy to answer questions below.

Mothers Day Wish List

2011-05-01T15:17:00.003+10:00

With Mothers Day approaching I thought I would put it out there to the Universe that there are many things I am lusting after at the moment, these being a few of them. Not sure if my darling cherubs will think to go online and check my blog but you never know....

Mothers Day Wish List by babushkamama on Polyvore.com

Amazon.com: KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire..., $270
Homegrown Monogram Mug - Anthropologie.com, $8
Amazon.com: Decorate (9781906417505): Holly Becker: Books, $35
Tucked In by Meredith Gaston | Penguin Books Australia, 35 AUD

Anyone out there also have a secret wish list?

oh... a clean house for longer than a minute would probably top the list.

Fabulous New Stall Holder DO RE ME and a Giveaway

2011-04-25T15:54:00.008+10:00

Happy Easter Everyone. I trust you have all had a wonderful break.

Piccadilly Market and I have had a well deserved break with 8 days away split between Mt Buller and Phillip Island with family and friends and had huge amounts of fun.

Have been finding it hard to get my work mojo back but a giveaway always gets me in the mood.

First I would like to introduce you to a great new Stall holder that will be at the May 15th Small People Event.

Madeleine Grummett is the force behind a fabulous shop called DoReMe in Elsternwick. I believe she might just come from the same crazy land that i come from. Many fingers in many pots and many more ideas and projects always brewing. My favorite type of people. She is an ex Journalist and writer but now creates many lovely things. Instead of writing my own words, here is Madeleine's description of what DoReMe is all about.

"We take ordinary objects, ancient skills, unloved trash, new art & sculpture, treasures of yesteryear and surprising homegrown, homesewn things and give them to you on a platter – in one place, one space, with a product line you can trace. To put it simply, we have thrown the net wide to harness the creative talents of the village. We believe in product with conscience, and we make it our business to tell you the stories that breathe the life and love into the wonderful one-offs you’ll find instore. We can’t help ourselves. Creativity feeds upon itself and it just keeps growing. I think creativity is a crucial part of consciousness.

For a long time before Do Re Me the store, I simply stole moments to do rabidly creative things in between the very large task of breeding and rearing small humans"

Madeleine is being super duper generous and is offering one of my lucky readers a $100 Voucher WOW!!!!!!!to spend on her products at the May 15th Market.

Leave me a comment below telling me the best thing you did this Easter and double your chance by popping over to the DoReMe Facebook page and becoming a fan. Make sure you tell me you have done so. You have until Sunday 1st May 8pm to do so.

If you comment anonymously please pop your name in the comments so I know who you are should you be selected.

Good Luck Peeps....

Little Wrap Bag Winners

2011-04-12T18:23:00.002+10:00

Thank you to everyone who entered this lovely giveaway. My lovely children did two random drawings today. I loved reading all the comments and creative uses of wrap bags. Congratulations to Anna who won the adult version and Bec who won the children's one.

Email me at janinastoolbox@gmail.com and I will tell you how to claim your prize.

Anna said

my scissors, thread, strawberry hubba bubba, a dummie, my favourite red pen and my iPhone! I would be ready for any adventures then - big or small! [of course I like Little Wrap Bag on fb!]

Bec said

Great to use for markets. My daughter loves a skirt with pockets - but not big enough to hold all her treasures. She'd love one of these little bags. Very cute!
I love the red canvas and the tree design.
also liking Little Wrap Bag on facebook.

Enjoy your wrap bags ladies...

Little Wrap Bag Giveaway

2011-04-07T11:40:00.006+10:00

Nicole from Little Wrap Bag has been a stall holder at the last 2 Piccadilly Events and will be there with her awesome products at the Small People Market on the 15th of May. I bought these for my kids for Christmas last year and they love them. I also got one for myself with a clip on purse and I must say I am very fond of mine and they are great for when I am working at the Market.

Being widely embraced by boutique, independent Retailers and savvy online Shopping sites, littlewrapbags are designed, developed and manufactured by Nicole Jackson of Macedon Ranges, Victoria. The Wraps are a fun and funky version of a tradie’s toolbelt, produced in carefully selected, pre-printed and custom designed canvases and denims.

Originally born of necessity while working busy Trade Fairs, both here and abroad, Nicole has developed a range appropriate for Children aged 3 to 10 years old and another for any age over that. Both ranges are multipocketed in varying width and depths to hold, pens, pencils, notebook, order pad, phones, MP3 players, it’s really up to you! A waist tie with a double D ring fastening makes them adjustable to many shapes and sizes. The ideal way to carry all of those necessary items, while staying handsfree.

They have huge appeal to children who insist on taking toys and books to cafes, shopping and Nana’s. Finally Mum’s shoulders are spared the exploding day pack of surprises.
To compliment the range, they have pencil packs containing popular Faber Castell tri-hold eco-friendly pencils with endearing prints and a Rainbow notebook. Our mix and match Purses, with a clip-on carabena are the obvious add-on to our littlewrapbags. Sized to accommodate a credit card, cash, lip balm and the like, they may also be used as a stand alone purse clipped to a belt loop or a dog leash, for those unattractive plastic bags!

The lovely Nicole is giving you the chance to win one adult and one child wrap. All you need to know is leave a quick comment below saying what you would carry in your wrap bag and what your favorite design is. The winners will be able to choose the style they like from the site.
For extra chances to win you can like Little Wrap Bag on Facebook here and let me know in your comments. You have until Monday 8pm.

Good Luck Peeps.

its time for another emag

2011-03-30T22:45:00.005+11:00

you know how much I love an emag and here is another brand new one called est that happens to be Australian which makes it extra special. Go make yourself a cuppa and go check it out.

Page 24 has a lovely article on being a nomad and not allowing your things to weigh you down. As a hoarder I love the idea and hope one day I can achieve it but in the meantime I am just drooling over this image on page 35 ( I just love me a caravan). I LOVE it and want to position myself there for days on end being very very lazy....and the horse on page 37, he is just begging for a big cuddle.

The kitchen/dining on page 66-67 totally sings to me...one day I hope.

Here are some other great ones I have blogged about here
and here

Let me know if anything sung to you.

Do What You Love...

2011-03-23T14:27:00.005+11:00

It is so, so, so true and I really do love what I do and the people I deal with.
My friend Pamela came across this lovely free printable that I wanted to share with you. It is from a blog called How Joyful. Make sure you check out the tutorials, I particularly like the sewing caddy.

The other think I wanted to share is this gorgeous book SHE written by Kobi Yamada. I adore all the quotes in there but these 2 totally resonate with me. Excuse the texta stained table...

Oh what a Lovely Day it was

2011-03-22T13:34:00.006+11:00

Gorgeous Print by Printspace

Once again we had a lovely Piccadilly Market Day with over 80 incredibly talented stallholders including regulars and lots of lovely new businesses.

As usual I spent a small fortune on clothing, jewelery, prints, candles, food and the list goes on.

The courtyard set up was a huge success with many people enjoying the baked goods on offer from La Madre, a plate of Paella from the Spanish Gourmet Catering company and a nice cool beverage from Otway Estate whilst listening to the awesome music selection from Designer Muzik.

Here is a slide show from the day showcasing lots of lovely things. I would love to hear what you thought and what special things you may have purchased.

The next date to pop in your diary is the 15th of May which is dedicated to the Small People in our lives. The next regular Market event will be July 31st.

Be sure to sign up to our mailing list and/or Facebook to always keep up to date.

This is my bike...I mean it..this time it really is

2011-03-18T20:55:00.003+11:00

So you may know I have a slight obsession with all the gorgeous bikes on the market at the moment. Trying desperately to not lay by one in town.

Anyway I was strolling through Williamstown recently and spied this little Alexander Girard beauty through the window. You can check out the full range at Electra. It already had a sold sign on her so there was no temptation to whip out my credit card. Isn't she just divine and aptly named Madonna.

and what about these two darlings?

One day soon you WILL see me cruising around Geelong on my new wheels.

4 Sleeps till Market Day

2011-03-15T22:48:00.005+11:00

Less than a week to go until the 1st Piccadilly Market for 2011 and it is going to be a fantastic one. There will be just over 80 stalls showing of their amazing wares on 2 levels at Deakin Waterfront Campus.

Sunday 20 March
Deakin Waterfont Campus
Geelong
10 am - 4 pm
FREE ENTRY and FREE PARKING

For the first time Otway Estate will be there serving their amazing wine and beer. Joining them in the courtyard is one of my favorite take away Market foods , Paella by the Spanish Gourmet Catering.

Come along with the family or a group of friends and make a day of it. Take a break from shopping with a cool beverage and a plate of paella whilst listening to the DJ's from the very cool Designer Muzik play some smooth tunes in the courtyard.

La Madre will also be there this time with their Easter range and their beautiful breads. As well as biscuits, gingerbread houses, cupcakes and other gourmet goodies.

As this event is indoors we are there rain, hail or shine.

Come and support some fantastic local talent.

You can check out the amazing list of stall holders here.
Or take a peek at some pics from the last Market or just peruse over this collage of loveliness.

I look forward to seeing you there.

I am so loving this home

2011-03-09T21:00:00.002+11:00

and the cross stitch wall is just amazing....I would love me one of these.

This is from an apartment from one of my fellow blogging your way students, Eline Pellinkhof that was blogged about here where you can take a look at some more pics.

The black wall is quite similar to one I have created in my house which makes me happy that I am so stylish...lol

While you are there take a peek at the rest of the blog, it is lovely.

Super Duper Amazing Kid Parties

2011-03-03T10:50:00.005+11:00

I am completely and totally obsessed with beautifully themed parties and follow a lot of party sites. These two have totally captivated me. The creativity involved is just boundless. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

The first I found via the fabulous Tomkat Studio of a 1st birthday party in the Philippines. It is just drop dead gorgeous.

The second party comes via Kara's Party Ideas which has a never ending source of amazing ideas. It is an UP party, I love it. The cake is just stunning, almost too good to eat.

How amazing were they?

Master J said to me 2 nights ago that for his birthday this year he wants no dress ups, no themes, no games and only school friends (I am allowed to stay). I said what about the cake?
Just a plain one. This has got to be my worst nightmare. I was already in planning mode for the best Cowboys and Indians or science party EVER.

Its not till December so hoping he changes his mind.

DIY Craft Cabinet and my Craft Space

2011-03-01T13:01:00.005+11:00

It is time for another DIY. I love having DIY projects, however finding the time is so hard. My gorgeous friend Ginny was getting rid of this old cabinet over a year ago and put up my hand after seeing a a great project on better homes and gardens a few years back. This was the perfect size for what I wanted.

I did forget to take a photo of it when I first got it but on the left hand side was an open space and hanging rail which I removed. I measured the space and went to Bunnings and they cut me 3 shelves. I had them cut narrower so I could hang things on the door as you will see below.
I also removed one bottom shelf from the right side so I could store my sewing machine in there.

After a few coats of white paint this is what it looks like. Gorgeous isn't it?

I lined the shelves and doors with the same wallpaper I used for my Filing Cabinet which you can see here

On the door I attached hooks for my scissors and tapes etc and magnetic strips from Ikea where I can put the magnetic containers filled with little tiny things.

Here is my a small part of my fabric stash which I really need to start getting into.

I bought this fabulous organizer in the tiny town of Yarragon in Gippsland. I had been searching for one for months to use for Jonahs Ice Cream Birthday party to pop lollies in but never found one in time.

This is a view of my work space, it is still a work in progress but it sure does beat the couch or kitchen table in my old house.

If you have any questions regarding the DIY cabinet, leave a comment and I will get back to you.

the heavenly winner....

2011-03-01T12:05:00.001+11:00

....drawn totally at random is Lyndall. Yeh !!! Lucky you.
I will be on touch on the email address you gave me.
Congratulations and thanks for following Piccadilly.

A Heavenly Giveaway

2011-02-22T13:18:00.004+11:00

How I love being able to giveaway all these lovely things. The only problem being that I can't win. This week I have a gorgeous spotty skirt and wing top from Heavenly Creatures.I have been a fan of the girls since they started and love the whimsical side of their clothing. if you don't know them you are in for a treat. I am so very excited to have them showing at the March 20th Market.

Heidi Weber and Kelly Duckworth started Heavenly Creatures back in 2005 when they were pregnant with their first babies. It was merely a creative outlet but hoped it would save them from having to go back to our real jobs (I hear you on that one). Five years down the track and Heavenly Creatures is still going strong and they are even more passionate about each and every collection. Each range is designed around a theme or story and have a nostalgic feel to them. They are very much influenced by the girls childhoods, what they wore, memories, stories, fabrics.

the spotty skirt

back of wing top

To go into the running to win both these gorgeous items just pop over to the girls website and let me know what you love best. For me is is absolutely, positively the Kelly Bib Front Dress and the 'I believe' tops.

Increase your chances by becoming fans on Facebook, here for Heavenly Creatures and here for Piccadilly Market and let me know in your comments. I will close this one off at 8pm on Friday 25th March.

Once again, if you don't have a google account, use anonymous and leave your name and email address.

Good Luck Everyone

and the winner is............

2011-02-21T11:55:00.002+11:00

.......the very lucky Amy. Yeh! Yippee!
Such and awesome response to this give away which really speaks mountains of how wonderful the girls and their designs from Koolaman are.
Thank you to everyone who entered and keep an eye on the blog and FB for some giveaways coming up in the lead up to Piccadilly on March 20th.
Amy if you can shoot me an email please on janinastoolbox@gmail.com

Koolaman Designs Giveaway

2011-02-16T16:47:00.008+11:00

Today I have an awesome giveaway brought to you by the fabulous girls from Koolaman Designs who are also one of my first blog sponsors.

Koolaman have been with Piccadilly since my first market so if you are regulars you will have most definitely seen their beautiful jewellery.

Koolaman designs is a family owned and operated business run by sisters Lisa O'Keefe and Stacey Clayton. The sisters manage the business from their respective homes near Victoria's Rutherglen wine region and in Lisa's case, from Koolaman Station, a remote sheep and wheat property in south-western New South Wales.

They produce a range of beautiful silver jewellery, which is hand stamped at Koolaman Station and/or on site creating a totally unique piece for each and every person. Their signature pendants are a popular choice for people celebrating important occasions and milestones such as the birth of a child or an anniversary.

Lisa and Stacey are both busy working mums and have six children between them. Here's to Mummy power.

The girls have very generously offered one lucky person their Audrey Pendant on a ball chain worth $210, that will be personalized for you.

Audrey Pendant

All you need to do is leave a comment here telling us what your favorite product from their website is. So hard to choose but I think mine is currently the Liesel Bangles. You can increase your chances by liking Koolaman on Facebook here and Piccadilly here and let me know in your comments.

Remember if you don't have a Google account you can comment as anonymous and leave your name and email address.

You have until 8pm on Sunday to enter. Good Luck.

Happy Valentines Day and a Winner

2011-02-13T23:16:00.006+11:00

Has anyone noticed my gorgeous new look blog? I LOVE it. The very lovely and talented Amanda from Calico and Co who I met doing Holly from Decor8's Blogging Your Way Course last year put it together for me.I am swooning. Tell me what you thank.

Happy Valentines Day peeps. Sadly I have no love to spoil me today but that's OK as I have never been overly into it but there sure are some cute things around and a few that are free so go check them out.

you can download these here at eat drink chic

My children will find these in their lunch boxes today

download here at one charming party

So many wonderfully eclectic comments on the last giveaway so drum roll.........the winner drawn totally at random is The Spotted Jinx. Contact me and I will tell you how to pick up your prize. Congratulations!!!!

Thanks for playing and stay tuned for some more fab giveaways.

A Super Fabulous Eclectic Giveaway

2011-02-06T20:12:00.007+11:00

My babies started school on Friday, Miss L and B had their first day ever and this Mama was quite emotional. We are all ready for it but it felt very strange and odd, it's the end of an era, the close of some pretty major chapters in our book of life. Master J is a junior, starting Grade 1, when I picked him up he said " I love School, that was the best day ever" Bless him.

So to celebrate school going back I am hosting a great giveaway along with Eclectica.
For anyone who knows me I am currently having a love affair with this most fabulous shop on Pakington Street in Geelong West. I am a walking advertisement wearing my most gorgeous dresses, shirts and jewelery. The lovely Amanda has the most amazing eye for beautiful things so her shop is filled to the brim with an entire wish list of purchases.

Amanda and I are offering you a chance to win a $50 Eclectica Voucher and with the reasonable prices that will get you a whole lot of pretty.

So all you have to do is leave a comment here saying absolutely anything your heart desires but you need to use the word eclectic in your sentence. To increase your chances of winning you can also like us on Facebook. Go here for Piccadilly and here for Eclectica and tell me below you have done so.

You have until Thursday 8pm to do so.

For those non blog savvy people, if you don't have a Google Account just select anonymous and make sure you put your name and email address.

Thanks and Good Luck.

Eclectica can be found at 148 Pakington Street, Geelong West.
Let Amanda know you read about her here.

Discovering Nowa Nowa and Lake Bunga

2011-01-25T13:29:00.007+11:00

I have just had one very blissful week sans kids at my parent’s holiday house near Lakes Entrance. It is a true slice of heaven and I can honestly say there are not many places where I would rather be spending my time. My parents bought in with 19 other families sight unseen to save this delightful beach house from being bought by developers. My Mum is one of those hippy dippy types who has strange occurrences like a “calling” that she MUST visit the Lake Tyers area and then moments later my Step Dad walked in saying we have had an offer to buy into a beach house at Lake Bunga, you guessed it.....right next to lake Tyers.

Anyway its 22 years later and I have spent many a wonderful holiday here as a single young girl with my friends, with various boyfriends, overseas friends and now my children who have grown up spending their Summers here. We have the lake on one side of the house where we can watch swans and sea eagles soaring and from the front porch we have 90 Mile Beach which is a 5 minute walk away. A big old Wombat ambled across the lawn the other night which was lovely. There is no TV, radio, internet so it is a true get away.

My dear friend Catherine spent the week with me and we took a day trip to Nowa Nowa which is the most delightful TINY town filled with a bunch of amazing, friendly artist types. There is a great old Collectibles Store which is always fun to have a look through. It is open on weekends and during the week they will open up on request. We wandered into the Nowa Nowa Caravan Park, which I discovered 2 years ago and fell in love with. There are a bunch of old caravans that you can stay in for $55 a night per couple, that is practically free in my books. It’s kooky and zany and right up my alley. They have recently acquired some old vintage doer uppers which make my heart swoon...sigh. I filled them in on dear old Constance and Rosie. Anyway we came across a group of women bottling apricots in the outdoor kitchen and the sight made us both want to pack it all in and move to Nowa Nowa immediately and be part of this delightful country living.

One of the women Angela suggested we go visit her artist husband Gary Yelen at their gallery/guest house about 1 km down the road and then another 3 kms through the countryside to their lakeside property. He made us a lovely tea and coffee and the 3 of us chatted out on the deck in the sunshine. We had a quick look of the house that can be rented out. It was amazing, very eclectic and arty and awesome. Gary did alot of the work on the guest house himself. They do hold a few retreats there which to me sound like bliss. The property is for sale for 1.3 million for 100 acres which reminds me I need to check my tatts ticket.

We tore ourselves away and went back to town to the Mingling Waters Caravan Park and had one of the talked about hamburgers for lunch before setting out for the art work along the river. We both fell in love with a little house called Home and its little shed called Birdie, also owned by the Yelens and there is a proposal to make Home into a delightful little Cafe. I can only imagine how delicious the offerings will be.

So if you find yourself driving towards Orbost from lakes Entrance on the Princes Highway, DONT blink pass this place by.... pop in and see what this lovely arty town has to offer.

My beautiful children have now arrived for a week of fun then it's back to start a great new business year.

Need some Pretty in your Life?

2011-01-06T22:34:00.005+11:00

I do love an e magazine, lots of gorgeousness right at my fingertips. I have blogged about e-zines here and here.

Here is a new wedding themed e-zine from Style Me Pretty. You can view it here. Some of the images are just so amazing and make you want to get married all over again. Lots of lovely out door chandeliers stole my heart.

I went on to the website to look at more breathtaking shots and am sharing a few with you here. Enjoy!!! We all need a little pretty in our lives.

Word of The Year 2011

2011-01-02T20:14:00.005+11:00

Happy New Year to all my peeps out there. I know a lot of people are away but for the ones that are around and reading I want to talk to you about choosing a word of the year. I am far too old to have resolutions, although I did tell my kids that mine was to put my clothes away before I went to sleep. I think it is far more sensible to choose one word or even let it choose you which mine did this year. The first year I did this was 2009 and my word was Change, in 2010 it was Peace and for 2011 it is commitment. I am so committed to my businesses, my children, my family, my reading, my crafts but I am NOT committed to ME. 2011 is about committing to making personal changes. I am putting it out there right here, right now that I am committed to being healthier, being less attached to chocolate and ice cream, being slimmer and I would like to RUN in the Mothers Day Classic in May.

I first heard of One Little Word from Ali Edwards and from Kelly Rae and I know there is a whole big community of One Little Word Supporters out there.

What will your word be and why?

You can even have your word put on a necklace here which is what I am about to do.

Christmas Images

2010-12-29T20:20:00.005+11:00

So it's another year done and dusted. Mine was so wonderfully relaxed this year. Being Polish we celebrate on Christmas Eve with everyone on my Mums side of the family. It is a night very strong in tradition which we all love and I can see my children looking forward to all the traditional bits of the evening. It was at my Aunt Libby's house and she did an amazing job on the table, we all brought something along. My American cousin in law does THE most amazing Turkey and Ham. I did Margaret Fulton's Cherry Pav and the kids and I made a Gingerbread House. I also did this amazing layered salad which is always a big hit. So here are some images of my Christmas this year.

Now it is time to enjoy some well earned time off except for the occasional blog pop in.

In Memory of My Dad

2010-12-22T22:27:00.007+11:00

Today, 23 December is one year since my Dad passed away from pancreatic cancer. I honestly cant believe a year has passed and as they say time eases the pain. Dad and I had a strained relationship but his passing was so sudden and such a shock to me. We were just starting to mend our relationship and he was getting to know his beautiful grandchildren. Sometimes I honestly think I have seen him in the street and go to wave and then remember.

My brother, Mum and I with our families are having a special dinner tonight in his memory.

I am very much looking forward to a happier Christmas celebration this year. I really don't remember much from last year except feeling numb.

So here is to you Dad. I love You.

when Jonah was born

Did somebody say drool?

2010-12-19T20:43:00.007+11:00

OMG!!! I am completely blown away by this online magazine. I have been a fan of this blog for a while, if you have not heard of what katie ate then you are in for a treat. Even better is that she is an Aussie. I do warn you to not enter the site if you are feeling slightly peckish. I am still salivating. The photography will blow you away, I could literally smell the chocolate through my lap top screen. I am writing out an ingredient list for the Vanilla Cookies, Macadamia Cranberry Cookies and Chocolate Cherry Mousse Pots, just to mention a few.

I am all over the biscuiteers advent calendar and those cookies. Go do some more drooling when you are finished here.Need to get my hands on the Mozi Ham Bag.

The section on New York takes me back to the winter I spent in New York, I remember Christmas as being bitterly cold but so wonderfully magical. I often walked home from work and it really was like living in a dream. The giant wreath in the window of 'extra virgin' is giving me all sorts of ideas.

MUST MUST MUST visit Monsieur Truffe in Collingwood these holidays and next time I am in Sydney I do believe a picnic from The Sydney Picnic Co may be in order.

I could go on and on but that would ruin it for you. So sit back and enjoy 495...yes 495 pages of complete decadence from around the world.

Tell me what you thought....

Reindeer Cookie Teacher Gifts

2010-12-15T20:59:00.004+11:00

Who remembers this blog post a few months ago of one of my very fave bakers, Bakerella? Earlier this year I saw this post and totally swooned and tucked the idea in the back of my very busy brain till the end of year. I was strolling through Coles when I saw Christmas M&M's and jumped for joy (I really did )so this is what Peg and I made for teacher gifts this year.

Here is the production line....childcare, kinder and school.

Here are the cute little labels I designed. All you need is a scalloped circle cutter and away you go.

Hope they think they are as cute as I do.....has anyone out there made any creative teacher gifts this year?

We all Screamed for Ice Cream

2010-12-12T21:47:00.012+11:00

Last Sunday was Jonah's 7th Birthday....7....it barely seems possible. We decided together that this years theme would be Ice Cream as we are both crazy about it. Jonah was very particular about how, why, where and what he wanted. I think I got it right for him. A great day was had by all and we were blessed with having one of the few days that it did not rain. Perfect weather, perfect location and perfect guests.

This is the invite we designed together.

How totally divine are these ice cream cookies that were made by the super talented Sanja at Prendergast and Grace at 20 Bellerine St, GEELONG. Everything she does is totally divine and she will custom make anything that is humanly possible.

These ice cream cone cupcakes were a big hit, to clarify I baked the cake mix IN the cones then frosted them. Divine and Delicious. All I did was use a packet mix (naughty me) and filled the ice cream cones 2/3rds of the way and baked till ready. They were very top heavy and kept falling over so be really gentle. To make it even easier (remember I had just moved house) I used Betty Crocker ready made frosting in the can with the nozzle, shake, squeeze and voila!!!!

The gorgeous cupcake toppers and lolly labels were designed by the lovely Kim from Amity Invites. Another one of my great stallholders.

I was told that there was to be no Pass the Parcel or Musical Chairs. We had to have sack races, egg and spoon and we found a great tag game. Here are some pics from some good old fashioned kid fun. There were many photo finish moments.

Opening presents was super fun for Mr 7 Year Old and he commanded an audience

I created a little photo booth where the kids could get silly, it was fun and even the adults got involved.

and here he is with his winning sundae combination.

He is already planning next years theme which at this stage is a Cowboy Theme.

Pre Christmas Wrap Up

2010-11-29T21:13:00.007+11:00

Wow!!! What a day we had yesterday.

When you make a decision to do anything major in your life like get married, have children, live overseas etc you know it is going to be big and that life is going to change and often you are taking a leap of faith. My leap of faith, my vision and my hard work has paid off and I am just so happy and so proud of Piccadilly Market. I am particularly proud of all my amazingly talented and lovely stall holders whose passion,professionalism, support and incredible products blow me away. I walk around on Market day and feel privileged to run such an event. Friends, family and complete strangers come up to me all day singing the praises of all the talent gathered under one roof. I bought some lovely items that I will blog about later in the week.

Could not do it without my BFF's and Shane...thank you guys. You are one rockin team. Pamela took loads of photos and I have tried to pick the best and its still loads and loads, if you want to take a peek, check out this slideshow

The White Christmas tree was laden with beautiful prizes very generously donated from stall holders, we had hourly giveaways and then the major 3 winners were drawn out at 3.15pm. One was still there and the other two came straight down and they took turns selecting gifts from the tree. We were all so jealous. Proceeds from raffle go to Geelong Adopt a Family so thank you to all who participated.

Here are a handful of yesterdays exhibitors

Would love to hear your thoughts on the day and what goodies you may have bought as presents or for yourself.

Only 2 more sleeps

2010-11-26T14:26:00.003+11:00

Its almost here...I am very excited and hope I get a moment to do some shopping myself. Every year I do a Xmas photo of my kids and this year I don't even seem to have time to get my camera out. The fabulous Adrienne from Pixel tree who is both a friend and the designer of my awesome logo has a Xmas special for a 5x7 photo for $20 so I have my kids outfits ready to get it all done on Sunday. One thing ticked from my list.

5 sleeps to go

2010-11-23T21:02:00.003+11:00

Sorry for my low profile in blog world.

I moved house last week and it has thrown me for a complete sixer. My cat has gone missing :(, I organized my Ski Club 50th Anniversary Ball last Saturday AND of course I am madly getting ready for Piccadilly this Sunday.

Just wanted to check in and say Hi and tell you to check out the list of amazing stall holders for this weekend. Come on down and get your Christmas gifts totally sorted.

My DIY Filing Cabinet...from drab to fab

2010-11-11T21:24:00.008+11:00

I have had this ugly filing cabinet following me from house to house sitting in the garage taking up space. It was on its way to the tip and a brand new model was about to be bought to replace it when I thought perhaps a paint job would be a good idea and then I thought about wallpapering it. I did a bit of research and began the project. I LOVE the results.

What you will need

Modge Podge (can be purchased from Art Stores, Spotlight, Scrapbooking Stores)
Spray Paint ( I used 2 cans)
Wallpaper or Scrapbooking paper
Ruler
Rotary Cutter
Sponge Brush

So this is the before shot after I had sprayed the handles.

I measured the drawer which is exactly A3 size which made it easy, then very carefully measured the drawers and made my template which you can see here.

On one drawer I did cut the paper a little larger hoping to fold back the edges and have a clean look but they would not stay glued down so I made them all the exact size as the drawer.

I tried spray adhesive but it did not work on the metal and found modge podge worked a treat. I then used the modge podge on top of the paper which also acts as a sealant.

This is one drawer down and me getting very excited, jumping up and down actually.

I then removed all the drawers and sprayed the whole cabinet, it took 3 coats for a good coverage.

This is my finished result.........I LOVE it sooooooo much and cant wait to get it to the new house next week and into my long awaited craft room.

Hope you enjoyed this DIY, feel free to ask me any questions.

Cool e-zines you just have to check out

2010-11-10T12:04:00.007+11:00

So is everyone familiar with e-zines? They are online magazines and most definitely all the rage. Here are two of my new favorites. Go make a coffee, sit down and Enjoy!!!!

The first is from Ivy and Piper who have some lovely home decor in their store. The e-zine can be viewed here and its gorgeous. I really really really love and want these shoes that are advertised in it. They make me squeal with delight (what do you think shoe girl Amanda?)...and the color is delicious.

The 2nd one is Gifted Magazine which can be viewed here. It has been created by Ez at Creature Comforts and is jam packed with some amazing DIY projects for the holiday season ans some great gift ideas.

I am super keen to make this snowfall, it's so lovely and dreamy.

Are any of you have any DIY projects for the festive season. I have so many on my list but it all comes down to that beastly thing called time.

If you like my blog, you can follow me.

Milk and Cookies Wedding Shower

2010-11-04T20:19:00.005+11:00

Here I am again with another wedding post, there really is a romantic dwelling inside of me. If I had my chance again I would be getting so much inspiration from blog world. This one is just amazing, I totally and udderly love it. It has been styled by love and lavender. Here are some of my favorite images and I simply MUST have one of those drink dispensers NOW. If any of my American friends are reading, they are from Pottery Barn....hint hint!!

You can see loads more images here
Happy weekend Everyone. I am off for a girls weekend to Rye. Yeh!!!!

You are invited........

2010-11-01T19:11:00.001+11:00

I stumbled across these totally amazing vintage invitations by bnute over on etsy.

Wow!!! I just love them. How can one possibly decide what theme of party to have with so many amazing ideas on offer. I am thinking a Wizard of Oz party and then my friend Amanda can bring her amazing red sparkly shoes to be the centerpiece.

You can also take a look at the blog which is some great party ideas and free printables and who doesn't love free?

Constance Winner

2010-10-31T23:21:00.002+11:00

Using random.org Leonie is a the lucky winner of Constance. Leonie can you email me with your address on janinastoolbox@gmail.com and Fiona will get a green brooch out to you.
Congratulations!!!!

This drawing was held by Piccadilly Market in a fair and unbiased manner, using RANDOM.ORG's Third-Party Draw Service. For details, please see the drawing's record.

Leonie said...

HI Janina,
oh these are so cute, red, green, red, green? how do i choose? i think the green would be my favorite for sure. Take care.x
October 27, 2010 10:11 PM

The best of Halloween

2010-10-27T22:01:00.008+11:00

After spending 3 years living in the States and celebrating 3 fabulous Halloweens, I am so pleased Australia is finally catching on to a purely fun, non present driven celebration. In Geelong there is a great trick a treating walk down Pakington Street that my kids start counting down for the day after Halloween.

Here are some of my current favorite images from this spooky time of year.

images by sweetest occassion

image by sadie days photography

image by twig and thistle

image by glorious treats

image by Party Perfect

images courtesy of Swank Sweets

I LOVE these and if I didn't have the Baby Market on this weekend and wasn't packing to move I would soooooooo try this...maybe next year. If you go to Design Sponge there are more photos and a 'how to'

Happy Halloween and Happy Weekend everyone.

Fabulous Constance Giveaway

2010-10-27T21:16:00.004+11:00

The lovely Fiona from the fantastic Tree Party Designs is giving one of her Constance brooches away to one of my lucky readers.

Fiona and I both dream about having one of Constance's friends residing in our back yard one day. Sadly neither of us currently have space but one day we will....sigh

So all you have to do is hop over to Tree Party Designs etsy shop here and let me know which product you like best and whether you prefer the Green or Red Constance.

If you are not familiar with posting comments, if you don't have a google account you can use anonymous but don't forget to give your email address so we can contact you. You have till 7pm Sunday Night to enter.

Wedding Envy

2010-10-22T20:32:00.007+11:00

This wedding just takes my breath away. It is at the wonderful T'Gallant on the Mornington Peninsula, one of my favorite areas. I got married close by at Lindenderry.

I happened upon these stunning photos by Jonathon Ong. The event was styled by styled by Georgie Kay from Gorgeous. Take a look at some of her other events, just divine.

Enough from me, the photos say it all.

My Eat, Pray, Love Experience

2010-10-17T19:57:00.013+11:00

just over 3 years ago I went to my beloved Bali to meet my best friend Greg and his partner Marcos who live in Argentina. I had been reading Eat Pray Love before I left and completed the Bali section on the plane. Since I was going to Ubud for a week and was having some personal problems I decided I simply had to see Ketut Liyer and Wayan. The taxi driver knew exactly where to take me. We had to wait a few hours in the heat before my time came. There was another foreigner and a few locals ahead of me. Ketut held my hands and told me my marriage was ending which in my heart of hearts I already secretly knew but it did take another 18 months before my marriage collapsed. I had tears streaming down my cheeks and was quite emotional so I don't remember much except I would start my own business (tick) and that one of my children would help me with it. I am in the photo below with Ketut and his wife.

My next stop was to see Wayan the healer which was most definitely a life experience. It was a 6 hour extravaganza which Greg also did with me. It started with having to fully disrobe and wrap myself in the teensiest, tiniest sarong. I am not the smallest person so felt quite silly and uncomfortable. After being scrubbed and washed down we then lay down on a massage table in a room where there was about 6 other people. So there I was naked in a shared room with young boys massaging AND in view of the passing traffic in the street if they looked up. Lets just say it was very very confronting. It took a while but I did eventually relax and succumbed to being massaged for hours sometimes by 2 or 3 people at a time, hot lemons were rubbed up and down my spine. Every now and then Wayan would come and do her magical healing stuff. I drifted in and out of consciousness. When it was finished I had to go downstairs in my tiny sarong where a very relaxed Greg gave me a funny grin. A young girl took me into the wash room and to my surprise stayed with me. She got a bunch of leaves and washed me all over, she then indicated I spread my feet apart and put my arms out and said in the only English I heard her speak "I now wash your vagina". I stared out the window at the chooks in the yard and imagined Greg receiving the male wash and had to try and hold my laughter in. Wayan then fed us an amazing lunch. It was a great experience but not sure I would do it again. Not a great pic but this is me with Wayan.
I saw the movie last night and no it's not as good as the book or the best movie in the world but I enjoyed it and dont understand why it is being canned. It just so happened that when I was in Bali again last year with Greg and Marcos, it was being filmed. I tried to do some Julia and Javier spotting and had my zoom lens at the ready but no luck.

I did enjoy seeing beautiful Bali and the area I know so well that I have been going to for 20 years. Here are a few more of my favorite Ubud images.

We attended the Casa Luna Cooking School which was fantastic. We started with an awesome Market tour, I so love the colors, smells and sounds of the market. We came back to Casa Luna for a beautiful breakfast before cooking the most amazing feast. This is me with Janet De Neefe, an Australian who runs the cooking school and the beautiful Honeymoon Guesthouse where I love to stay.

I think that was the most epic post I have ever done. Hope you enjoyed it. What did you think of the movie?

Op Shops and Garage Sales

2010-10-14T20:38:00.007+11:00

Not only do I love Markets but I am partial to a good garage sale and finding a great op sho . There is nothing quite like the thrill of a fantastic find especially at a bargain price. Someone Else's trash is most definitely always another persons treasure.

My wonderful Mum is an excellent finder of awesome things. I put her on the hunt for some great vintage material and voila she arrived with some truly amazing finds.

and look how great they go with the vintage stash I am collecting for my next quilt which will either be for me or for the girls. Very happy with that lovely piece of blue chenille I found at Philip Island over the holidays.

For the huge price of $1.00 I picked up this tray that I have attached to my wall with blu tac. It makes me smile.

Toy Story 3 (?) had a troll in it and my kids thought it was hilarious so look what I found as well as a couple of other cute dolls I could not pass up.

Has anyone had any great op shop bargains recently?

My Weekend Market Finds

2010-10-10T19:41:00.010+11:00

Well I have had an amazing market weekend. On Saturday I went with one of my besties Pamela to Adelaide to check out Bowerbird Bazaar especially after hearing so many glowing reviews. It lived up to the hype, a wonderful vibe in an old disused theater. There was great background music and some great food, wine and beer. Of course the stallholders were awesome, so much amazing talent in one place. I also got the chance to say hi to some of the fabulous Piccadilly stallholders. I could have spent a fortune but controlled myself and bought this awesome dinner rules tea towel from almond tree frames. We already live by most of these rules in our house. I am planning on covering a canvas with it and hanging close to the table for all to see.

I also picked up this gorgeous hanging bird hair clip holder from little luv. How unique and clever and how adorable is that vintage fabric.

I have added lots of lovely things to my ever expanding wish list, way too long to list here.

Today I went to the first Melbourne Finders Keepers Market held at Docklands. Over 150 stalls of amazing talent and again lots of people I knew. Here I totally fell for this Vintage Dress for my girls to share. It was from Miss Haidee who hails from Tasmania. I am a sucker for Vintage Fabrics, anything embroidered, Birds and Doilies and this little number has it all.

Then I stumbled across the story book rabbit and completely swooned. The impossible part was choosing just one item but this won and will take pride of place somewhere special in my new home. How totally adorable is the business card?

For anyone who knows my vintage caravan obsession and my love affair with Constance will know that my heart skipped a few beats when I discovered these beauties. Fiona the designer from tree party design and I are kindred spirits in that we both dream of having a relative of Constance living in our backyard one day.

I now need to lay very low after my indulgences until I get to shop at Piccadilly on November 28th.
Did anyone else make it to Finders Keepers? Did you buy anything interesting?

How good would 1000 hugs feel?

2010-10-06T20:32:00.004+11:00

When you live in blog world you sometimes see the same thing over and over and it is always very refreshing to see something unique and quirky. I was contacted by a lovely local gal Kell who told me about a lovely project her and her 3 children (and she has twin girls like me) are doing over on 1000 Homes of Happiness. I love it, totally warms my heart and soul. They are making 1000 origami homes that they are going to leave around local places as little hugs from their family. Isn't that just super adorable?

Kell talks about meeting a woman who was never hugged as a child. i cant possibly imagine the emptiness of that. Me and my kids are all major huggers, anywhere and anytime. What about you? Do you love a good squeeze? what do you think of Kell's idea?

I am just hoping and praying I am lucky enough to stumble upon one of these treasures.

French Chicks on Bikes

2010-10-05T18:18:00.004+11:00

Here we go combining many of my loves,a groovy bike, France, lovely clothing items and how about shopping in a market on your bike. Heaven!!!! What a great photo subject Gil Garcetti has chosen. I may be a little closer to getting my dream bike hopefully in time for Piccadilly in November so I can show you all.

and just quietly I think kissing a cute boy on a bike in Paris would be pretty damn nice.

A seriously Cool Way to Tell The Time

2010-10-04T13:05:00.001+11:00

The picture says it all. Incredibly sleek and cool with a matching price tag. This little beauty can be found at Beigert & Funk

I have been a bit quiet here in blog land as it has been school holidays and I was a lot busier than I had anticipated. So it is back to normal again and you should be hearing from me more often.

New Ikea Cookbook with amazing food styling

2010-09-28T13:45:00.005+10:00

Wow!!! I just found out about this FREE Cookbook that Ikea has published. It is called Homemade is Best and is a collection of baking recipes. I have a zillion cookbooks on my bookshelf but none of them have such amazing photographs by Carl Kleiner as this does. So unique and drool worthy. The styling is by Evelina Bratell. Makes me want to go straight to the kitchen and pre prepare my ingredients in a whole new way. Sadly the only place one can get this book is in the kitchen section of Ikea...in Sweden. So the best I can do for you is share these amazing images.

Enjoy!!!!

All Images are taken by Carl Kleiner