throw the towel in

A tea towel is a piece of absorbent cotton or linen which is used to dry freshly washed dishes. Sounds very exciting hey? Quirky and artistic tea towels can really add a personal touch to a kitchen. We found some unusual ones from online store Third Drawer Down.

prop me up

Photo-booths are all the rage at parties at the moment. However some of the props available can be expensive to buy. Why not make your own? We found this cool website called Oh Happy Day. They have a number of FREE printable PDF's for you to print out and make your own silly props. They have provided handy instructions too! Wander over and check it out :)

Picture taken from Oh Happy Day

no-time terrarium tutorial

What is a terrarium?

A terrarium is an enclosed area for keeping plants, and are a lovely way of displaying such plants as succulents. They can be created using pebbles, soil and plants. They can be as large or as small as you want them to be. As they are in glass, terrariums can have their own little ecosystem however those made these days tend to be made more for their artistic and decorative appeal. In this tutorial, we will be making miniature terrariums using succulents.

Ingredients:
Dirt, coal, glass (a jar, vase, etc), plants such as cactuses, succulents, ferns and moss, rocks, stones

Step 1: Pick a glass container that is going to be the vessel that houses your plants. This could be a jar, a vase, a bottle or even a light-bulb (the sky is the limit with your imagination). You can pick an open style container for a drier ecosystem or a closed container for a more humid, wet ecosystem.

Step 2: Pick your plants. This depends on the little ecosystem you are going to make. If you are looking to create a wet environment then pick plants that thrive in this ecosystem like ferns, lilies, herbs or moss. If you want to create a drier environment using an open container then perhaps pick plants like cactuses or other succulents. Make sure you pick plants that stay small and won't outgrow your terrarium.

Step 3: Place a layer of stones or pebbles in the base of your glass container. As there are no drainage holes in a glass container, the stones are there to help with water drainage. Your plants won't last long if they're in an excess of water.

Step 4: Add a layer of charcoal. This step depends on if you are creating an open air terrarium or a closed one. If you are creating a closed terrarium (with a lid) then add a layer of crushed charcoal over the layer of stones - this is to filter the air and the water to keep everything fresh and prevent the water from stagnating. We like to add this layer to the open terrariums also (just in case) however it is optional.

Step 5: Add a layer of soil. Put in enough soil so that your plants have enough room for their roots to spread. We like to use fresh potting mix as it is free from bacteria and keeps the terrarium fresh.

Step 6: Add your plants to the soil. This is the fun part! If the opening to your terrarium is quite small then it may be easier to add your plants using chopsticks or tweezers. Arrange your plants in a way that is appealing to the eye.

Step 7: Add some flair. This is where you can get creative. Add some more stones to the terrarium for decoration or perhaps some miniatures or ornaments.

Step 8: Water you terrarium lightly and 'hey presto', there you go! Your own little cute decoration for the windowsill or coffee table.

a melodic daydream

How enchanting! Check out the Enchantment - A Melodic Daydream Lookbook from online store Ruche. So girly feminine and soft - just what we love!

kina grannis

She's a Youtube sensation who has been posting her music to the tube since 2007. Californian internet darling Kina Grannis is touring Australia in March 2012, and playing the Sydney Opera House. She's already sold out one of her shows at the Opera House so get in quick! Have a gander at one of her film clips below. The clip for In Your Arms (which has had nearly 6 million views already!) took 288,000 jelly beans, 30 people, 2 ladders, 1 still camera, 1,357 hours and 22 months to shoot! Love.

 

Kina Grannis Australian Tour
Sat 24 Mar Sydney Opera House - The Studio NSW
Sun 25 Mar Sydney Opera House - The Studio NSW
Tue 27 Mar The Basement (Gold Coast Arts Centre) QLD
Wed 28 Mar Brisbane Powerhouse QLD
Fri 30 Mar Ormond Hall VIC

Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au

english rose

Mix & match these playful pieces and move in to the new season with style. We love the floaty natural look of this dress & when matched with boots, stockings, a hat and a choice selection of accessories, you can't go wrong. 

1. Animal Floral Print Dress, Miss Selfridge

2. Champion Bowler Hat, ModCloth

3. Double Time Necklace, ModCloth

4. Free to fly Earrings, ModCloth

5. Tan Retro Snake Trim Satchel, Topshop

6. Marrakech Your Eye Earrings, ModCloth

7. If You Weave, I Will Follow Belt, ModCloth

8. You Can See Clearly Now Sunglasses, Modcloth

9. Front Of The Line Tights In Sorbet, ModCloth

10. Flower Pow-er Ring, ModCloth

11. Plume of One's Own Bracelet, ModCloth

12. Suede & Leather Work Bag, Topshop

13. Tan Suede Ankle Boots, Dorothy Perkins

14. Khaki Brogue Wedge Court Shoes, Dorothy Perkins

just like me

We love the crafty goodness that online marketplace Etsy has to offer. If you're also a fan then you will totally adore these other websites that offer hand made, vintage and crafty items.

Get your weekly market dose online - and sleep in this sunday instead.

>>> madeit     

>>> made it myself     

>>> folksy                            

>>> renegade handmade     

>>> coriandr                          

>>> reform school     

>>> artfire                                 

>>> poppy talk handmade    

>>> dewanda

>>> paper n stitch 

pretty in pastels

1. Aqua Bird Tea Dress, Dorothy Perkins

2. House of Harlow 1960 14ct Gold Plated Large Horseshoe Necklace, ASOS

3. Delilah Oversized retro arm Sunglasses, Boohoo

4. Joy Diamante Square Studs, Boohoo

5. Skinny Metallic Gold Watch, ASOS

6. Mila Enamel Diamante Detail Ring, Boohoo

7. Cora Gold Clasp Detail Elasticated Wasit Belt, Boohoo

8. Sierra Crochet Fold Over Clutch, Boohoo

9. Emma Pearl Beaded Ring, Boohoo

10. Moda in Pelle Cream Contrast Party Platform, New Look

11. Patent Espadrille Wedges, New Look

going cuckoo

A great modern take on a traditional cuckoo clock, this Eco cuckoo clock is made from cardboard which has been laser cut and pieced together. This clock is $56 USD and available from Seequin by Haley Marie.

alliance française french film festival

Alliance Française French Film Festival is on in Australia once again! Yippee! In its 23rd year in Australia, it had over 130,000 attendees last year. This doozy of a festival runs for just over 5 weeks from mid March to mid April around the major cities in Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide.  It showcases 40+ wonderful and new French films and we happened to go and see one of those last night 'A Happy Event' - highly recommended!

at least in heaven i can skate

Decorate your peeps with these funky shades from Holloway Eyewear. Made in a workshop in Brisbane Australia from recycled skate decks and other reclaimed timbers, these shades are high in demand.

wrap it up

Learn the art of Furoshiki - The Japanese art of wrapping your presents in fabric rather than wrapping paper.... Check out this youtube video for instructions ;)

 

For more deailed instructions use this link:

http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html#top

the old switcheroo

Self taught Canadian photographer Hana Pesut's series of photos titled 'switcheroo' will make you chuckle. Hana has photographed various couples in their original outfits and then taken a second photo of them dressed in their partner's outfit. Makes for some awkward photos. Have a gander.

foxy lady

We are smitten with this adorable winter themed fox brooch from A Dedicate World. Pin this little critter on your cozy cardy for some winter goodness.

what should i read next?

Don't you hate that sad feeling when you've finished a really great book? You just want it to keep going and going. Well this website called What Should I Read Next? is here to help. Simply type in the name of the book you have been reading and it suggests what you should read next!!

inhalable sweetness

Wow. Ha ha! That is all we can say to this new 'wonder product'! Called the Vaportrim it claims to curb  your sweet sugar cravings with no calories. It works like a nicotine inhaler but you are inhaling the sweet taste of vanilla cupcakes, apple pie, blueberry muffin, cinnamon bun, lemon meringue pie etc! Wonder if it actually works? What do you think?
http://www.vaportrim.com/

joy to the world!

Get in quick girls before they all go!! We certainly will be ;)

Only at JOY

minoux

Minoux's jewellery is bold, modern and funky. Each piece is handmade in Portland, Oregon using 100% recycled sterling silver wire wherever possible. Check out their website for more ;)