Vintage Children's Books

From Children's Book " Lets go shopping with Peter and Penny " Lenora Combes

I am so smitten by cute vintage children's book illustrations. What is it about them that fills me with inspiration and comfort at the same time?

Project Day: My Pretty Bedroom Chair

This poor little vintage bedroom chair has seen better days. I picked it up for a song as the upholstery is in a bad way. I tried to use some stain remover and found it ate away at the fabric too much. So I have decided to leave it as is until I get it recovered sometime soon. But in the meantime I thought I would pretty it up. Here's what I did:

• I bought some pre made yo yo's in bulk (etsy) in 2 sizes.
• Raided my button collection for 5 vintage buttons (all mismatched).
• Using a needle & thread sew 1 x large yo yo, 1 small yo yo and 1 button in a stack (see photo # 2).
• Leave some length of thread on the back of each completed yo yo stack ( see photo # 2)
  
• Using that length, twist each stack onto the original bedroom chair button tightening gently as you go.

Time: About 25 minutes. I know it's not perfect but the chair looks a little nicer until I get it re upholstered. I may even fall in love with it the way it is! Have a fabulous weekend everyone. Keep smiling. Simone xx

Today I Love

My vintage swan vases. I bought the large one some time ago but I found the small one just recently. Now I think they look like mother and child. I just need some more flowers. As if I haven't enough already.

Girls Lunch

Today my friend Jody cooked lunch for us. Seafood Pasta. One of my favourite meals of all time. She made the sauce from scratch with tomatoes, onions, chilli's, garlic and herbs. Coming from someone who can't cook very well I am always amazed at people who can do these kinds of things. And they always say " Oh it's so easy to do Simone" , but they obviously haven't seen me in the kitchen. Just looking at all these colours really gets me inspired. Can you smell it?

The winners of my comp are: 1st Prizes: Jane from Artfully Graced, Sharnel from My Life My Loves. 2nd Prizes: Lisa Parsons, Bella from Beauty Does Matter, Courtney from Green and Pretty. 3rd Prizes: Mernie from Down the Rabbits Hole, JBeaudetSudios My Life as a Starving Artist, Jen from Vintage Home Interiors, Annie from Dirty Dolly Design, Rocking Horse 7, Amanda from Violaceous and Mummy Ma. Please email me if you are on the list. Congrats & thanks everyone for entering.

Which One Are You?

Vintage Barbie Doll photo's from cursingmaggot

If you could choose, which Barbie sums up your personality the most ? Did you guess mine was #1 ? (PS: One more day until my giveaway draw)

Beach Frolic

All photos taken by me at the beach yesterday with my daughter

What is it about kids playing at the beach that captivates us ?

What I Love Most, My 100th Post !

Prize 1: Set of 3 Robert Gordon Ceramic Wall Swallows. Value $59.95 / set. ( 2 sets to giveaway)

Prize 2: Set of 72 Robert Gordon Heart Shaped Paper Doileys. Value $19.95 ea. (3 sets to giveaway)

Prize 3: 100 Wilton Mini Cupcake Baking Liners. Value $5.95 set. ( 7 sets to giveaway)

Firstly to all my followers and regulars - thank-you. I am so excited to reach my 100th post. Beach Vintage has been an adventure for me and I am loving it. Now it's my turn to give something back. I have a total of 12 prizes to giveaway. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. If you are a follower you will get 2 chances in the random draw. International entries accepted ! Winners will be announced on Wednesday 26th August 2009. Good luck. Have a FAB FAB weekend. I am off in my caravan to Fingal Head for some serious wine and sunshine. All my love , Simone xxxxxx

When was the Last Time

Pipers River Inlet Tasmania

Bicheno Tasmania

Sandy Bay Hobart Tasmania
all photos taken by me

When was the last time your feet were in the sand? Can you recall the sensation of sand between your toes?
PS: Tomorrow is my 100th post, giveaways will be happening.

Today I Ask

cakes and sweets photo's by me / rose and grass photos flickr

I took these photo's in a cute bakery (Jackman & McRoss) located in Battery Point Hobart Tasmania. When I got home and really looked at them I realised that the wonderful textures and colours of these sweets reminded me of other things that were not related to cakes. It made me ponder. Do we somehow take inspiration unconsciously from our surrounds?

Stone Cottage Inspiration

I don't know about you but I am always running around taking photo's of our holiday accommodation when we arrive, before my 3 year old messes the room up. These stone cottages sit on the shoreline of Swansea on the east coast of Tasmania. We stayed in cottage #14. The cottages are made out of stone and are utterly beautiful. The furnishings are mostly neutral shades which just adds to the coastal ambiance of the place. The log fire is set ready to burn, just light your match! I was so inspired by this little place. Everything was so simple and so wonderful. A jute rug, crisp white sheets, understated lighting and soft throws. Perfect.

The Lolly Shop Fairytale

Once upon a time there was a little lolly shop in Richmond Tasmania named Sweets & Treats. It was full of the most delicious things to eat, that was until a customer by the name of Simone visited and bought everything in sight. But could you blame such an act by a desperate sweet-aholic? Was it the store owners fault for displaying such wonderful tempting things this way? Which ever, it did not matter. Cobbers were stuck in teeth and sticky fingers were abound. And Simone lived happily ever after. So what's your favourite sweet?

Project Day: Vamping an Old Desktop

Remember last month when I covered my coffee table in PVC ? Well, I had some left over and I couldn't let it go to waste. So I cut some templates and covered the top of an old work desk I bought on Ebay for $25.00. Here's how:

• Cut out a template/s of the area you wish to cover. In my case I had 2 templates, one for the main desktop and another for the top shelf (which I decided to leave an allowance for folding over the edge).
  
• Cut out your PVC from the templates.
• I used a heavy duty spray adhesive to glue the pieces in place. Make sure your area is clean and dry as any dust or dirt will impair the glue from sticking down properly.

Now my desk feels different. It's calling me now. "Come sit and do something creative"- so I had better go. Next week I will share some more wonderfully inspiring photo's I took in Tasmania. Have a great weekend. Simone xx

I am back.....and I am heavier

After almost 2 weeks of eating and drinking my way around the wonderful countryside of Tasmania I am happy to be home. We had a fantastic holiday and I have been truly rejuvenated and inspired. I saw so many beautiful things.......lots of which I could eat or drink. Here are some photo's I took from one local bakery. That's right. There were many bakeries like this. I ask, how could one resist? So now the only excess baggage I have sits just above my belt line. By geez it was worth it though!

Back Soon I Promise

Bags are a packing. Tomorrow we are off on our first fly/drive trip to Tasmania. My daughter has never been on a plane before so we are a little bit excited tonight. I will be away until the 13th August. First stop? The Tamar Wine region of course! Take care. Back soon I promise. Simone xxx