:: my home town ::

Last month, I took a little holiday to my home town, Ballarat, Victoria. My two youngest children came along with me. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a few warm days (not typical Ballarat weather), but the weather quickly turned to cold and windy. I've been wanting to return to Ballarat for ages. I've been living in Queensland with my family for 2 years. Not a lot has changed in my home town since leaving, but I've  discovered new places I hadn't noticed before. We had a relaxing time, exploring alleyways, shopping, eating yummy food (too much) and catching up with family.

Of course I had to do a bit of op shopping. I walked around town, visiting all my favourite spots. However, I was really disappointed to discover one of my favourite thrift stores 'Junkatique' had closed down. Unfortunately I didn't really find much. I did manage to find Ronan a few vintage books, but that's about it. I did find this amazing sewing machine, but it would have been a bit tricky fitting it in my luggage.

Ballarat is full of history. I really like this old sign. I would have loved to have spent more time walking around taking photos, but the cold weather and having to drag around complaining youngsters made this very different. Next time maybe?

This alleyway was a shortcut to one of my favourite restaurants The Forge. I love the original stone paving. Years ago, when I was younger, these alley ways were used only for delivery vans and trucks. These days they are filled with restaurants, cafes and bars. 

This alleyway is also a short cut to possibly the best cinema ever, The Regent. I don't go the the movies very often, but when in town, I have to catch flick, regardless of what is showing. I love the beautifully restored plaster ceiling and glass chandeliers. It looks so beautiful at night all lit up.

Country drives are the best in Victoria. Lots of little historic towns close together. We stopped at our favourite bakery Pastry King in Daylesford, while out for a drive with my parents. Their vanilla slices are possibly the best I've ever tasted.

Mr Ro and I discovered this retro cafe on our last day, while doing some last minute shopping. Sweet vintage decor and yummy chocolate milkshakes. We will be stopping here again on our next visit.

:: lastest vintage finds & a few favourite links

Don't you just hate it when you spend ages working on a blog post, only to accidentally delete it. Well that's exactly what I did with this post. I was going to just forget about it, but I really love these collages I made of some of my favourite recent listings. 

I have to admit, this blog is way down on my list of priorities lately (no kidding). I've been so busy taking care of my family, planning trips, house renovations and thrifting, that I simple haven't had the time or desire to blog. I can't wait to share some photos of our house. I'm a perfectionist, so you will have to wait until it's finished. The wait will be worth it, I promise.

Anyhow, here are some of my favourite vintage finds I've listed recently. Many of them have already sold, but I've included links for the ones that haven't. The cute kitsch kitten ceramics pictured top right were my favourite find. They sold within minutes/hours of listing.

 :: vintage wallpaper hat box :: magnetic fish pond game :: lefton miss priss ceramics :: pretty pastel ceramic swan trinket bowl/planter :: vintage golden books :: plastic beaded clothes hangers :: 'swans on a lake' photo album :: singing birdie cookie jar :: vintage floral pillow cases

:: bright little girl vintage fabric (almost 5 metres) :: bird drinking glasses with wire basket :: Mary goes camping by Marcel Marlier :: Lively little rabbit golden book and record :: mushroom ceramic canisters :: yellow floral vintage bed sheet :: vintage bed sheet fabric stack :: Pippi Longstocking :: party shell serving plates with forks

Also, here are some of my latest fav links -

:: my sweet store was featured on the Frankie magazine blog. Such a lovely surprise.

:: this is probably one of the best caravan renovations I've ever seen.

:: fruit shaped bus stops! I love you Japan

:: this beautiful french holiday home makes me want to visit France right now!

:: I can't wait for the season premiere of this tv show. The suspense is 'killing' me.

:: David Bowie paper dolls !

:: First textual experience with Jimmy Fallon. This made me laugh so hard.

:: The things most people don't do when they travel (but they should!)

:: christmas is only 74 days way, yikes! I love these simple decorations HERE and HERE

:: no fav links list is complete without perfectly timed photos of cats. Enjoy :)

:: morning neighbourhood walks & country markets ::

It's been very quiet here on my blog lately. I promised myself, at the beginning of year, that I would be more active on my blog, but it's almost April, and this is my first post. Not sure why I find it so hard to express myself. I can agonise over a blog post for days, weeks, even months, before pressing the 'publish' button. Why is this?  It's not that I have nothing to share, quite the opposite. 

I've been trying to get out more to take photos of my neighbourhood. I live in such a pretty city, full of beautiful old homes. Most of the photos I take these days are on my mobile phone. To be honest, I can't see the difference most of the time. These first 4 shots were taken with a Nikon DSLR camera. 

The weather has been unbearably hot here lately. Easter rain has been a welcome relief. We decided to take a short drive to visit the Fernvale Country Markets. Despite the rain and mud, we had a great day. Such a typically Aussie market, no hipsters to be seen. I loved it. All my photos were taken on my Samsung Galaxy phone. 

The Fernvale Country Markets are held at the Fernvale Primary School every Sunday (rain or shine) between 6am - 12.00pm.

On the way to the market, I had to stop and take a quick snap of the cute bus stop - Lovers Lane, Ironbark.

Of course no day trip to Fernvale is complete without a stop at the Fernvale Bakery. The sausage rolls are so good. It didn't bother me one bit that we had to eat in the car because there was no where to sit near the bakery. 

Overall we had a pretty laid back weekend. Just how I like it.

Happy Easter weekend everyone.

new instore

I've been listing a few new items in the store lately. I really love my little online shop. Nothing can lift my mood more than the searching for more vintage treasure. Here are just a few things I've listed recently.

Fisher Price Toy Telephone // Hostess Salad Set // Tea Cups and saucers by Tams // Flour sifter // Floral Cross stitch // Yellow Floral Ladies Blouse // Bright Orange/yellow Floral Staffordshire Tea Set with side plates // French retro Salt and Pepper Shakers // Red and orange Floral Enamel saucepan

pretty rustic

If you have been following me on instagram, you will have probably noticed I have a 'thing' for old Queenslander homes. Ipswich is full of these charming houses.
I especially love them when they are rustic or painted in a pretty colour (or both, as above).
I spent a lot of time walking around my own and neighbouring suburbs taking snaps. I mostly use my phone camera, but occasionally i will take my camera.

Xmas 2015 wish list

With christmas only 24 sleeps away, it's probably a good time to make a wish list. Though I would be happy with breakfast in bed and someone else doing the dishes for the day, I still wouldn't mind finding any or all of these items under the tree this year.
Just click on any image to go to my list on Polyvore.

:: New York ::

I thought it about time i did a post about of our 'recent' trip to NYC. By recent I mean April this year. Better late than never i guess. This was our first (maybe last) holiday without kids.

Admittedly my husband took most of the photos on this trip. While on holiday, i tend to be 'in the moment' and forget to take pictures - a decision I always regret later.

One of the first things on my list was a trip to Bloomingdales to buy a handbag. ('what's in my bag' post coming soon) Shopping in New York is amazing.

Other highlights for me were strolling around Central Park, visiting the World Trade Centre site, and an Hudson River boat tour.

 

We enjoyed the city views while walking along the High Line, an elevated walkway/park build on an disused railway line, that runs above the streets of Manhattans west side. Along the way we stopped for lunch at the Empire Diner in Chelsea. I feel in love with the terrace homes in neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village.

The view of Times Square from our motel room was amazing. It took me a few days to get used to the constant sound of police sirens and car horns.
Of course we did all of the touristy things such as take in the view from the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Observation deck -Wow!