Whatever Floats Your Boat

I know there are people around who say retail therapy is either negative or non-existant. I'm here to tell you things can make you happy. I've always thought this, god knows, I've felt it, and it was confirmed for me in November of 2011 when I read it on a Manhattan billboard.

Let me show you some examples of what has made me extremely happy of late. Exhibit A is this beautiful pair of antlers, given to me for my birthday by my three favourite people in the world.

Another extremely wonderful person gave me this print. It gives me a lift every time I read it, because I think if she thinks this, it must be at least a little bit true.

That self same person also gave me this for my birthday to add to my collection. There's something about spots that is always cheery.

I gave myself these beautiful lidded bowls, and they make me happy.

Right or wrong, I get a kick out of pretty things, and the people who visit my house do too.

It makes me happy to read this little plate on the wall because it used to hang in my mother's kitchen in my first home. I recently found a little note that Peach's had written, it said; "My bedroom is clean enough to be health, and dirty enough to be happy'. I would say this will remain her domestic affirmation forever.

This plate with the roses on it made me feel happy when I found it in an op shop. I love roses, I love pink and I thought it would look pretty on the wall. I'm no rocket surgeon.
The smaller plate appealed because it has orchids and a hummingbird on it, two symbols I relate to my father.

This peacock brought me happiness when I found it. I love shells and peacocks, so what's not love about a peacock made of shells? This kitschy loveliness hanging on my wall would have made my grandmother proud. She too had a fondness for kitsch.

I felt genuine joy when I found this 1940s shell shaped vase in pretty shades of grey and turquoise, my two favourite colours.

Even this humble $2.80 pineapple makes me feel good, and it smells beautiful too.

So there you go. My point is, if something makes you feel happy then consider yourself lucky. Enjoy. Whatever floats you're boat, I say.
Last week I watched a tv show on SBS about longevity. It is a subject which really fascinates me. I'm all for a long life, but the idea of eating nothing but bean sprouts and wheatgrass juice so I can live to 100 has little appeal for me.
This show had a man on it who was about 53 or 54, but due to his extremely calorie controlled diet and low percentage of fat, he had the body of a 19 year old. Can I tell you, he was the most miserable looking person I've seen in a long time, he barely cracked a smile, but for some reason he was hell bent on living to 100. 
My question is, would you want to live to 100 if that involved giving up virtually everything that made you happy; birthday cakes, champagne cocktails, the Christmas ham, whisky sours, creme caramel, gin and tonics, soft cheese? Me thinks a pretty lidded bowl will only get you so far happiness-wise.
I'm interested to know your thoughts.....  

The rough in

Once the wall and ceiling frames are done, as ours are now, it is time to do what is called the plumbing and electrical 'rough in'. This is when the plumbing pipes go in, and the wiring for lights, switches and power points. You need to consider how the finished rooms will be furnished. Where would a desk and bed go in a bedroom, thereby dictating where powerpoints are required?
It's a bit confronting to be faced with such fine details when the rooms still look like this.

In the main living room, which is quite large and long, we are having a coffered ceiling. This is a ceiling with recessed squares or rectangulars. In our case, the coffered ceiling will hide beams and the plumbing under the upstairs floorboards. The end will hopefully look something like this.

We are as allergic to downlights in our house as we are to Ikea, so I have been looking on-line to see the best positions on a coffered ceiling for lights. It seems they usually go in the recessed areas, but not always, making it annoyingly confusing.

Here's a pretty example of a coffered ceiling. It has sconce lights. I'm really not getting much clarification here.

On a different, but related subject, here are some examples of why you should stick to classic, rather than fashionable design - especially when it comes to your kitchen. This is what happens when the adults are in charge.

Now I have a laundry to plan.....

Lily Pulitzer 1931-2013

Lily Pulitzer died yesterday. She was 81. Lily was a wealthy American who lived on the East Coast and became famous in the 1950s for her outrageously colourful frocks. After her old school friend Jackie Kennedy was photographed in one they went beserko.
You can read more about Lily here.
She eventually sold her company and Lily Pulitzer merchandise is still available. Vintage Lily Pulitzer frocks sell for a bomb. I think the Happiness Place in Paddington stocks new Lily Pulitzer bits and pieces?

This is Lily in her store in 1959. As the story goes, she ran a juice stand in her husband's orange grove. She designed the fabric so the juice didn't stain her dresses. I think this story sounds rather flawed. Why would a person who described having a budget as 'embarassing' have a juice stand? Anyway, whatever your motivation or inspiration, thanks Lily.

I love this photo of Lily with her two daughers.
Below is an original Lily Pulitzer advertisement.

Below are some of the newer Lily Pulitzer products with her trademark eye popping colour.

Excuse me. The shoes!

A Lily Pulitzer interior. You've got to love the palm trees. Very Florida.

This below is, I think, Lily Pulitzer inspired Prada, but correct me if I'm wrong. Please.

Is Don. Is Good.

Don is on his way back in season 6. Prepare yourselves!
You can read a teaser on the new episodes here.  Apparently Don is up to his old tricks and the season focuses on the women. That all sounds good to me.

Borrowed time

This absolute gem is also in Rockhampton. When I was little it was the posh-est restaurant in town. It sits on a prime position riverside, and once sold will most probably be demolished to make room for tres ordinaire high rise units. I think it deserves a moments silence.

You can read the full listing here.

Finger crossed, through some miracle, she manages to stay on her feet.

.....and then there was one

Look at these beautiful dahlias my friend gave me, and all I had to do was feed her little cat. They are from Bangalow, from a prize-winning dahlia grower. Magnifique!

Did you know that The New York Times recently ran an article called 36 Hours in Brisbane? You can read it here. Of course, as you'd expect, the goddam koala features. Call me heartless, but that unattractive, unintelligent looking animal gets more than its fair share of exposure. All they seem to do is laze around looking uninterested and occasionally peeing on a visiting dignitary. What about the dingo, the emu or even the common old kangaroo is a more impressive animal?
Speaking of animals, Eric the guinea rabbit (remember I rebranded them) passed away from an unknown cause on Tuesday morning, so now we're just left with the one. Unfortunately, our very sensitive Mim was the one who found him. Peaches, the cold fish, couldn't have cared less but cried anyway, mainly due to seeing her big sister so upset I think.
Have a look at this fabulous old building that's for sale for only $590,000!

Imagine what a magnificent home that could be. The only catch is it's in Rockhampton, but if you're still interested, you can find out more here. It was built in 1883 and it's huuuuuge.
Work on our downstairs is coming along nicely. The framing is almost done, then we get the plumber and electrician in to 'rough up', then we can line the walls, and it starts to get really exciting!
I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day, my last as a 40 year old as my sister kindly pointed out.
I'll leave you with a beautiful photo my friend Rachel took in Paris. She has just moved there to live for the next three years.

Au revoir!

Let the Hammering and Dust Begin!

It's my birthday soon and my lovely (and very organised) friend Anna gave me this beautiful chartruese cup and saucer...and matching bangle.

It's amazing how a bit of colour can give you a lift.

Work on our downstairs rooms has started in earnest, and we are currently operating in the usual chaos that renovating creates.

This is the wall and ceiling frames. We have a large loungeroom, two bedrooms, a bathroom, laundry and study.
I've found the most beautiful interiors store, only problem is it's in Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Still it's worth a look here.  It's called Pad, unfortunately. They obviously didn't consult any branding specialists before naming it. But aside from that, it's absolutely beautiful, with equal parts classic, vintage, glamorous, unique, surprising and freshing.

I'll have that chest of drawers and chair...

that ottoman and settee, and throw in the drums and all the stuff on the sideboard....

plus I'll take that settee, the drum too and those two chairs, plus some bits and pieces in the background.

I'm petitioning for a CMC inquiry into the price of flea treatments. After paying $80 for 4ml of Frontline (excuse me that's $19,500/litre), Honey Bunny seemed to actually get more fleas. The company assured me that no matter how many fleas she had, she'd have more if I hadn't treated her with Frontline - that's a convenient argument. Now we're trying another one, Comfortis, which I have found priced from $59.99 on-line to $105 in-store!! What's going on people-who-make-flea-treatments?
Anyway, I've said my peace and I feel better for it. Now I'm off to prepare for our house guests.