Island Life Inspiration

I have been browsing through the pages of India Hicks and David Flint Wood's Island Life recently to gather inspiration for my upcoming birthday lunch by the beach.  The images always has me daydreaming about visiting the Caribbean.  Hence these recent vintage purchases have been largely influenced by my tropical musings... palm tree prints and pineapple lamps... and of course the obligatory blue and white ginger jar I couldn't pass up for a steal!  I'm pondering whether to spray paint the pineapple lamps white... thinking, thinking...

Lady Marmalade

We are yet to be allowed back in to our flood damaged apartment building for the second week running.  Hence this weekend we decided to distract ourselves from feeling displaced by seeking out new places.  We visited this cafe for breakfast on Saturday called Lady Marmalade.  I had recently read a review in some local street press and decided to check it out.  We were not disappointed as it had some of the tastiest, most unpretentious food not to mention the cafe's own coffee blend which was perfection and such great value!  I also loved the quirky mismatched vintage furniture, cutlery and crockery decking the place out including this fun use of an old timber ladder wall mounted as a magazine rack.  Can't wait to go back next weekend!

Typewriter Tip, Tip, Tip

Here's one for you Anton.  This morning Bruce came past and showed us his newly acquired vintage typewriter, much to my amazement considering our recent discussions.  This 1970s typewriter is just beautiful in glossy red and in great condition too.

Vintage Wanderings

Well it's certainly going to be a busy day ahead with the last of the gift shopping to be done and Christmas cupcakes to make.  I did manage to go for a wander through some of my favourite vintage stores and antique centres earlier in the week on my hunt for vintage Chinese bamboo birdcages.  Not much luck on that front but I did want to post up a few of the great little things I came across on my wanderings.  The set of Foo dogs are fantastic and of course very du jour!  I love the colourful yellow vase with the blue and white ginger jar pattern too.  I couldn't leave without the pretty matching blue and white ginger jars.  It's difficult to see in the photo but they have a subtle gold trim on them.  I'm looking forwards to using them as vases and putting lots of lovely fresh flowers in them.  Happy holidays!

Vintage Side Board

Taken in our apartment last week to use for invitations, the primary subject is a dressing table come side board that we inherited.  We removed the mirror to make it a little more usable and plan to mount the mirror elsewhere in our apartment.  The dressing table is part of a three piece set made by my great grandfather as a wedding gift for my great grandmother.  We are very fortunate to be able to give it a new life.  I particularly like the use of Helen's shoes in this composition.