New Year's Eve

Another year has flown by so fast we could hardly believe it was coming to an end.  After a hectic year and a hectic new year's eve previous James and I decided to have a relaxed low key evening this year.  We invited a couple of friends over who were also happy to have a relaxed new year's eve for steamboat / shabu shabu. Anton picked up some fantastic seafood and I indulged my passion for mushrooms, yum!
Bubbly and sparklers on the balcony overlooking fireworks on the river was great but the best thing would have to have been the fact that there was a few brass players a couple of floors below who timed their rendition of The Final Countdown to perfection.  Geeky but soo much fun!  Happy New Year to everyone.

Sunny West Coast

I visited Fremantle while in WA last week.  It was a quiet Sunday morning in the historic town.  I suppose everyone was out on the water.  Beautiful sunny day, aqua coloured waters, who wouldn't be.  Next time I go back I will head out to Rottnest Island which is reportedly stunning.  Also pictured above, the Central Park Building and walk/cycle path alongside the Swan River in Perth.  Yay for sunny blue skies in Brisbane too!

Kings Park

I went for a stroll after work on Monday through Kings Park (Perth).  It was great having soo much late afternoon daylight to absorb.  Today is another wet day in Brisbane which makes these photos from last week look soo good to me.  Can't wait for the sun to come back...

Sparrow Music

I'm currently listening to Sam Sparrow. I've had his self titled album on my to-buy-list for a while now. Upbeat noughties fun music.

Crossing Australia

Great Australian Bight

South Australia

Western Australia

Never before had I fathomed just how scorched our continent is until my flight from Brisbane to Perth yesterday.  So beautiful... and dangerous with nowhere to hide from the hot sun.  I think I've just changed my mind about attempting to drive it.  Back in Subiaco now after having just been to Fremantle.  It's nice to get out in the beautiful sunny weather after the past month of rainy weather in Brisbane.

Christmas Inspiration

I am loving yellow at the moment.  Perhaps it's all this dreary rainy weather we've had over the past several weeks.  I can't remember when I last saw the sun! The colour in the images is so uplifting.  I would love to have a garden where all sorts of viney things grew to be able to grab a few cuttings and turn into a Christmas garland.  This rooftop garden in the middle of the city looks so surreal with its lushness against the urban backdrop.

http://shannonfricke.blogspot.com/
http://www.lonnymag.com/

Beach Shack

Did I mention that I would like my very own beach shack for Christmas?  In particular this one.  I wouldn't mind stepping across that lawn, up those steps, over the dunes to that pristine beach at all!  It is literally a shack but really, when you have a backyard like that who needs more?!  By the way, this was off the same real estate site and I can't believe how styled these property listings are these days.  As much as I like the cute "To Beach" sign and of course the coral, is it just me or is this last shot a bit superfluous... 

Pillar Valley

While seeing if there was the faint chance of any remaining holiday accommodation in the sleepy beachside town of Wooli, I stumbled across a real estate site which listed a property for sale in nearby Pillar Valley.  This was one of the photos on the listing and I just love it!  That shade of grey on those classic Adirondack chairs are perfect. The soft, velvety grass, the enormous shady tree with the rope swing and the timber ladder... so beautiful.  Nevermind the house though, it does not match up with it's lovely grounds I'm afraid.

Dinner Party

Last night we hosted a joint birthday dinner for James and Sandra.  We had to shift things around a little but managed to fit everyone in.  I love the hand printed tablecloths purchased from Oxfam combined with the bold red flowers.  It was the first sit-down dinner we've hosted in our new apartment for so many people.  A very enjoyable evening.

Bicycle Fun

Anton brought around the finished product on Saturday evening which was very exciting for me.  Thank you Anton!  I just had to give it a ride the following day.  It was fun.  I also decided to purchase this cool brass bell from manufactum.com which I look forward to adding.  I figure that it's got old school cool factor to match Grandpa's bicycle.  The next accessories will be front and rear lamps though I really have to start thinking about Helen's bicycle!

Rattan Wreath

Christmas is nearly upon us once again, I can't believe how quickly this year seems to have gone.  The decorations are well and truly up at all the retailers and along the city streets.  I decided to forego a store bought wreath by grabbing a few bits and pieces from my crafty stash and quickly put this simple wreath together. I think I quite like the result actually, some crafting cane, some remanent twine and ribbon and bits of shell with holes worn through. Of course it's shells and rattan once again, very predictable of me I know!

Fabric Love

How beautiful are these fabrics! Ok, so I have a weakness for all the rattan in the styling as well but the upholstery is definitely on the wishlist for all the rattan furniture I seem to be accumulating.


http://www.thibautdesign.com/

Sunday in the Gardens

While in Toowoomba a couple weeks ago we had enjoyed a continental breakfast on the verandah where we stayed followed by a morning stroll through the Toowoomba Japanese Garden.  I enjoyed watching the families of ducks, Helen especially liked the little ducklings.  A lone white duck put on a bit of a display washing itself while the turtles seemed to be rather interested in watching us.  It was a rejuvenating Sunday morning.

The Great Gatsby

Ok, so I'm definitely in a reading groove now.  Last night I finished reading The Great Gatsby which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I love the sense of excitement and glamour of the parties as well the mystery that exists around the gentlemanly character called Gatsby.  Feeling inspired to keep on reading and perhaps something a bit closer to home this time.  I think my next book will be Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

Crime and Punishment

Last week I picked up Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment again after having put it down almost a year ago.  For a long while I had thought I wasn't much of a reader and never would be however it would seem not so.  Every time I picked up this book I was disappointed to have to put it down.  I suppose it was a completely different world to immerse myself in. One of a completely different place, time and condition and yet very human.  The book does paint a very morbid but real picture of humanity. Why I picked this book to read as opposed to any other I'm not sure, perhaps it was the bold and geometric cover. Anyway, I am certainly thankful to have read it.  Now to decide on the next read...

Evening Blaze

Another thing I really enjoyed about our stay in Toowoomba, sitting by the fire with a glass of wine.  Soo cosy and novel for me.  Of course there is no need for a fireplace in Brisbane with our benign climate. Here the fire is dying down a bit... perhaps I should have taken a photo while it was actually ablaze.

Picnic & Vacy Hall

It has been a hectic two weeks and once again the weekend is upon us.  Last weekend James and I made a trip up to Toowoomba to attend Lachlan and Bec's engagement picnic.  Perfect weather made for a very enjoyable afternoon in the park. We stayed overnight at Vacy Hall and just loved this historic mansion full of nostalgic grandeur. I had to snap some of the details to remember it by. The expansive verandahs furnished with an abundance of cane and rattan furniture were just beautiful as were the hydrangea at every turn. A perfectly set breakfast on the verandah with silver and linen was an indulgent start to Sunday morning.

Blue & White Ginger Jars

Did I mention that I have a slight fixation with blue and white ginger jars?  This pair was a steal at $20 each.  Ah, the wonder that is eBay!