Ten lovely things.

1. Kids Down Under #1. Dazed but Amazed. Collaborating with artists to produce beautiful bedding.

2. Kids Down Under #2. Yoli & Otis. And a look at their new collection Secret Garden.

3. Kids Down Under #3. Tutu du Monde. And a look at their new collection A Parisian World.

4. If you're looking for books to pop on your To Read list, head over to Thistle Harvest.

5. Etsy find of the week. Wakako Senda. Such lovely ceramics to drink your coffee from.

6. Thank you to Mabel and Mole for leading me to these darkly beautiful Thank you cards.

7. Artist crush of the week. Gurilla. Such wonderfully abstract portraits.

8. A gentle rebellion. Wise words by s.r.w.

9. Creative crush of the week. Gooseberry Moon. Such delicate botanical illustrations.

&. Cranachan Cookies, from Scottish blogger Rosie, in honour of last nights Burn's Night.

     Though I have a feeling they'd taste just as good on any other day, or night too.

. have a happy day .

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Simply lovely new find.  1+ in the family.  Simply lovely baby wear.

{ 2 } Dinosaur find #1.  Discovered at KukuKid.

{ 3 } Dinosaur find #2.  Discovered at Little Green Fingers. 

{ 4 } Dinosaur find #3.  Discovered at My Scandinavian Home.

{ 5 } Skip to my lou!  Anyone else now have a hankering to dig out their skipping rope?

{ 6 } With coffee and flowers, all is well with the world.

{ 7 } Just ♥︎ this shield candle from The Society Inc.

{ 8 } Days pass by so quickly, so this feels like good advice.

{ 9 } Etsy find of the week. 1220 Ceramic Studio.  Just the prettiest platters.

{ + } Double citrus means double VitC, so maybe this cake is the answer to curing my cold?

{ have a happy day }

{ fabulous finds at the Spring Market }

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

On Sunday I spent a very fabulous day at the Derbyshire Spring Market.  Having visited before I was looking forward to seeing some favourites of mine, plus discovering which new and lovely people would be showing their wares.  Whilst I usually potter along on my own, I had company on Sunday, which was lovely, though meant I was far too distracted with chatting, and shopping, to remember to take many photos of my own.  

On the upside, I think it led to us discovering many more lovely people than I usually seem to.  A few more than I'm showing here today, but I'm sure I'll get around to sharing these at some point or another.  An eclectic mix of jewellery, homeware and handcrafting, which I think exemplifies the diversity of product you'll find at one of Deb's markets.  Now in their seventh year, and held in the very fabulous Roundhouse, they are a wonderful mix of food and drink, flowers, homeware and much more.  With a pop-up Tea Room and a Prosecco Bar, not to mention an array of food trucks parked just outside, there are plenty of opportunities to take a break, eat, drink, and start shopping all over again.

{ shop . tea . chat . repeat }

There were a few jewellery stalls that caught my eye, in particular Amanda Brawn { 1 }, and Jo Irvine { 2 }.  One of Amanda's pebble rings is now sitting on my finger;  she tries to reduce waste as much as possible and all the silver left over from filing gets collected and used for these little pebbles.  Each pebble turns out different, making each one unique.  Jo's jewellery has a very different, but equally lovely feel.  She mixes precious metals in a simple, contemporary way, to produce stunningly simple pieces.

So Satsuma was incredibly popular, mainly with us adults trying on the cutest of bunny hats meant for slightly littler people!  Alongside some beautiful hand knits, were The cutest scissors, and The cutest enamel sheep pins, both of which are now on my ToBuy list.

Also on that ( quite long ) ToBuy list, were these concrete letters, from Koncrete Jungle.  One of the new stallholders at this Market, their stall was a treasure trove of concrete loveliness.

And last, but by no means least, we have Raine&Humble.  After chatting with them, I discovered that Raine&Humble are an Australian brand of home furnishings, originating in Melbourne.  They use colour beautifully, one of the things that attracted me to the stand, this season using a muted palette of charcoal and grey, with pops of peach and sage.  Their style is a mix of geometrics, alongside hand drawn and block printed conversational prints, with products trimmed and decorated with pom poms, large and small.  And how can you not like a product with a pom pom?

If this has made you feel wistful for missing it, fear not.  Deb's is hosting a Spring Fair on the 2nd April, held in The Walled Garden at Beeston Fields.  Nor is there too long to wait until the next market at the Roundhouse, with the Summer Market on the 2nd July.

You can find out more about Deb on Fabulous Places, and she's more than worth a follow on Instagram too { though be prepared for serious flower envy as she always seems to be buying the prettiest bunches for her home! }.

{ have a happy day }

. hAppy wEekend .

. 1 . sUper cUte in stripes by Yarndye . spOtted on MiniStyle .

. 2 . the prettiest pAtchwork .

{ and other handstitched lOveliness by Little Village Handmade } .

. 3 . sUper beautiful in tulle by MyooBoutique . spOtted on Smudgetikka .

. 4 . the prettiest floral .

{ and more stunning images on Super Selected } .

. 5 . the lOveliest linen designed by The Princess & the Pea . styled by LambLovesFox .

. 6 . crUshing on all these cute & quirky pots by Hinkleville .

. 7 . rEdiscovering my love for the art of Raoul Dufy . 

. 8 . thought for tOday .

{ and embracing the jOurney theme of jUne } .

but bEginning at home with a most English Afternoon Tea

. 9 . with the daintiest & most delicious freshly baked scones . 

. & . with homemade lemon curd made into lemon meringue tarts .

. have a hAppy dAy .

. hEllo jUne .

{ take it all One day at a time . & . find jOy in the jOurney }

hEllo jUne

looking forward to a month filled with family and friends and travel

. spending the day being a true tourist in lOndon tOwn .

&

. pOpping off to see the Queen in her palace .

. before enjoying a proper English Afternoon Tea .

. hoping sUmmer will arrive in time for the sUmmer market .

then

. a little trip up to scOtland .

. seeing the sights & eating cake in Edinburgh .

. putting on my pretty party frock for a family wedding .

. then a father's day eating scones at Scone Palace .

{ well it has to be done . doesn't it ? }

a month for making many happy memories

. have a hAppy dAy .

. inspired . #7 .

exactly one year ago i had just arrived in aUstralia for my first visit . staying with my relatives in brisbane i'd enjoyed a first day of acclimatising to the heat { no, an eight mile run on my first morning wasn't a good idea . yes, it was cut a little bit short . and no, i wouldn't be trying that again ! } and making plans for my first day in the city . first on my list of ' things to see & do ' { after sampling the first of the many lovely coffee shops brisbane, indeed aUstralia, has to offer } was taking in the museums & art galleries, including GOMA . 

i'd first read about Yayoi Kusama's obliteration room back in 2012 but hadn't had the opportunity to see it at the Tate . & . although there were now several around the world had forgotten that the original room was indeed at the Gallery in Brisbane . so it was a happy surprise when i spotted { no pun intended ! } the signs . well . spotted the spOts actually . & . followed them all the way to the bright . colourful . slightly headache inducing dizziness of the room . handed a sheet of stickers i wandered around the once white room, now ' obliterated ' by Yayoi's beloved polka dots . dots cover spOts . spOts on spOts on dOts on spOts . it's a riot of pattern created out of the complete randomness of strangers;  originally for littleOnes, it now draws in the young & old alike to add to this ever changing piece of art . it made me smile then . & . the memory makes me smile now .

. inspired . #7 .

. yayoi kusama . monochrome . spots . rainbow . polka dots .

. 1. 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10.

. see more on my pInterest bOard .

. have a wonderfully dOtty day .

. hAppy fridAy .

. 1 .  lOving the colourful new cOllection from RoomSeven . 

        { & especially the gOrgeous printed lining in this tweed coat }

. 2 .  sUper pretty paper flOwers from Appetite Paper . spotted at Oh So Beautiful Paper .

. 3 .  sUper pretty sketched flOwers from Flora Waycott . 

        { part of Inktober . a sketch a day through October } .

. 4 .  a simple but stunning black&white collection for your littleOnes from House Of Jamie .

. 5 .  are you still in need of some more pumpkin prettiness ?

        { lOts more inspiration at Lines Across & Hooray! } .

. 6 .  spOtted on Instagram this week . perfectly pretty aUtumn colours @mobiusgirl .

. 7 .  quirky & cOlourful bedding . cute quOtes . fun geo prints . & . playful trims . 

        { from Adairs from dOwn uNder in Oz & shared by Print&Pattern } .

. 8 .  a thought for today .

. 9 .  crUshing on this mUg . spotted on Instagram . by Miss Poppy Design . 

        { & how amazing does that hot chocolate look ? cream & mini meringues ! }

. & . finally . this weekend the clOcks go back . don't forget !

. have a very hAppy weekend .

. wAlnut . dAte & peAr . bAnana breAd .

i lOve fruit . but . banana's wouldn't be my first choice . or my second . in fact they come pretty far down the list . but they do have their uses . last year's hUge trend of making a healthier ice cream for example . & . they are great for smoothies . & . then, of course, there is banana bread . 

i think every healthy food blogger & writer has their own interpretation of banana bread . my first foray into this healthier treat was this lOvely recipe from bbc gOod fOod, aptly titled healthy banana bread . & to be fair this recipe did me well . i've adapted it . added to it . tried it with berries . tried it with apples . & a fair few other variations as well . 

then i ventured through a few more recipes via pinterest . before settling for a while on the Hemsley and Hemsley sister's recipe . 

but then i got itchy feet again . which i blame in part to a wonderful breakfast i had at sAssafras cAnteen whilst in brisbane . a huge plate of walnut & date toast with ricotta, hazelnuts & honey . it was sO good . & i wondered if i could somehow recreate it in banana bread form . or something similar . well however it was going to turn out there's something lovely about the combination of walnuts & dates & wholegrains & i couldn't resist adding sliced pear to the top as well . 

am i alone in buying banana's simply to let them ripen to the point of spoiling just so that i can make banana bread ?

& now i'll leave you as i pop off to cut myself a slice of this . to top with ricotta & honey & hazelnuts . it might not be quite that breakfast from sAssafras but it's a not far off .

. have a happy day .

. lOve . cOffee shOps .

one of the things that surprised me . & delighted me . about aUstralia was the incredible amount of really really great coffee shops . there has been a rise in the number of independent coffee shops opening here in the uK . { thankfully } . but nothing like the number that seemed to be in every place i visited dOwn Under . i'm a great one for doing my research . i want to find out all those hidden gems of shops . & markets . & galleries . & i want to feel that i've eaten at the best a town has to offer . not the most expensive or the most chic . but those great places that the locals know & love .

i never expected to be so sO spoilt for choice . there was a sense of rising panic when i had a list of far too many great sounding coffee shops & cafes to visit . could i possibly drink this much coffee . or try that many slices of cake . or eat so many breakfasts .

well all i can say is i tried my very very best . & . i still have a list of places i nEed to try . so that just means a return visit . doesn't it ?

so here are just a few of my favourites . i tried so many more . many many more . 

you think this post is long . this post could have gone on for ever & ever ! 

. emjAys cOffee . creek street . brisbane .

. hOle in the wAll cOffee . eumundi markets . noosa .

. wEst jUliett . llewellyn street . marrickville .

. sAssafrass cAnteen . latrobe terrace . paddington .

yOu'll need coffee shops and sunsets and roadtrips . airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs . but people more than anything else . you will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else . a living . breathing . screaming invitation to believe in better things . jamie tworkowski .

i think it's only right that i spend a few days visiting some of the amazing independents that have sprung up in birmingham in the past few months . all in the name of research & a good blog post . obviously . so . anyone for coffee ?

. have a good cup of coffee & a very happy day .

. anzAc biscUits . for . anzAc dAy .

i have a confession . despite my best intentions to eat my way around brisbane & sydney . it seems that i managed to overlook the anzAc biscuit . a complete oversight on my part . but . easily remedied with a little home baking this week . 

the anzAc biscuit is a biscuit traditionally made with oats, desiccated coconut & golden syrup . & . they were made by the wives of soldiers serving in WorldWarI . who sent them out to their loved ones serving abroad . today marks anzAc dAy . australia & new zealand's national day of remembrance for those who served & those who lost their lives fighting . & . in particular memory of the Gallipoli campaign . i think it's easy to forget that those wars were fought the World over by those in every part of the globe & all of us have everyone of those soldiers to thank for the lives we lead today . 

but . back to those anzAc biscuits . there are so many recipes out there . some hold true to the origins of the biscuit . including this recipe from Donna Hay . who also has this amazing recipe for an anzAc carAmel slice . but as i'm trying to be a little bit healthier i was looking for a recipe that make me feel a little less guilt ridden when i ate it ! i was tempted by this gluten free recipe from Teresa Cutter aka The Healthy chef . & . also this one over at Delicious Everyday . but in the end returned to a recipe i'd spotted in ' love, bake, nourish ' which included dried blueberries . 

. however . not having any dried blueberries i've adapted it slightly & added dried cranberries instead . a twist on a twist on a twist ?

so . however you are spending today . & . where ever you are in the world today . take a moment . over tea & biscuits if you can . & . remember those who battled for us all those years ago .

. have a peaceful day .

. australia . kids . dOwnUnder . at hOme .

it's fridAy . yAy . i've got a lovely day planned . working on a new range for spring16 . so i thought i'd get this blog post written & posted a bit earlier than i usually do . 

as promised i have so much more to share from australia . the lovely thing about cOcoon was the bringing together of brands for more than just a child's wardrobe . beautiful hand made toys . gifts . & lovely, lovely homeware . so i wanted to share with you a few of my favourites . 

. lOve mAe .

working from a little studio nestled in the hills of the beautiful Byron Bay .

designing vintage inspired wall decals, wallpapers, & dinner sets .

hoping to inspire young imaginations, encourage creativity & to lift your spirits .

. inCy interiOrs .

a family run business based in oberOn . 

beautifully designed, quirky cots, beds & so much more . 

with gorgeously styled room settings to inspire you further .

. mE and ambEr .

karen and amber are two best friends working together .

hand making a whole range of products . 

including these lovely artworks screen printed onto plywood . 

{ i so wanted to buy one of these ! }

. have a very fabulous friday .