The best of times

This Sunday saw me head to an afternoon tea with three of the most beautiful creative and collective people out there. Hosted by Laura from Kit and Nancy, I (finally) met the amazing Sophie from Her Library Adventures and Kim from Kijaro, the collector queen.

That's right - it was an afternoon tea that dreams are made of and one that lasted 5 hours. Johnson jugs, a bit of Staffordshire and some of the sweetest treats you could ever imagine. Hours flew by discussing crazy op shopping stories, the love of Naughty Shorts dresses, our collections, design and style, and what's next for the future. It was just so lovely to be around people who truly understand the need to fossick around and collect, create and generally be a bit different.

Under strict instructions from Tom not to bring back anything (because that's usually the case when I visit Laura's) I naturally wandered through the front door clutching an armful of treats. I will miss this girl when she up and leaves us all for Europe and the bright lights and love filled hearts of Rotterdam.

Wallpaper and daisy delights.

I had Tom home with me yesterday, which is so rare and so lovely. Usually he's out the door by 7am and not back until 7 at night. Out all day in Cardiology, and moving to Anaesthetics next. People sometimes say to me 'what a power couple - a doctor and a lawyer, you must both be smart'. To which I think, this is the boy who has his boxers on back to front and plays in boxes with our cats; he's just a big kid at heart. And I love him to pieces.

So we ventured into the city despite the threatening rain and I wandered around the Cultural Centre, filling myself with fascination and inspiration.

Rain clouds coming in over the cold stone. 

Such a contrast to my (very) early morning yoga sessions. Every weekday for the month of February and I'm proud to say I've been going strong!

Tom had been thinking about buying a Mini Cooper for a while now, sort of a congratulatory present and something to make us feel good after a pretty horrible year, and so we made a impulse trip to a car yard.

And there it was. All hot chocolate and toffee coloured - with seats that look so delicious you could just take a bite out of them. One test drive later and we both had the biggest grins on our faces.

What have we done?!?

Wallpaper goodness

Inspired by Laura from Kit & Nancy, when visiting Copenhagen a trip to Retro Villa was on top of the list. A wonderful oasis with an entire wall filled with vintage wallpaper, as well as textiles, ceramics and quirky bits and pieces adorning the shop. In short - it was close to heaven. 

After leaving the boy to wander around the streets in -2 degree weather, I turned and realised that this was not a place where you could just make a decision quickly. Knowing I could only take a few metres back with me, I narrowed my selection down to 3 patterns - an old classic, a geometric and a good old retro. It only took me forever! I wanted to take one of everything home! 

Looney Tunes love

This baby is getting framed!

A favourite to go in the kitchen

Completely content with my purchases, we made our way onto Amsterdam and I never expected to see anything quite like Retro Villa ever again. That is until we got lost looking for a museum and stumbled upon a kitchen shop. Stocked with Indian prints and melamine cups, it wasn't until I made my way towards the back that I discovered the mecca of all wallpaper collections. Piled high in an old wardrobe, there must have been about 40 rolls of it - some the same patterns, others completely different. Upon seeing the prices I begrudgingly came to grips that I could only, once again, choose a metre or two - that was until I was told it was for the whole roll!

I almost died. I couldn't get back to that wardrobe fast enough.

After another 30 minutes of trying to decide what I could and couldn't take back, I walked out of that shop on clouds, clutching 7 whole rolls of the good stuff. 

My absolute favourite.

Vintage love.

Full of happiness.

Floral overload.

Pink patterns

Indian-esque.

I've got yellow fever.

And I still don't know what I'm going to do with 73m of it all. Any suggestions or ideas?

A fresh start

In a kick start to my year, I'm sitting writing this with a swollen face and a very fetching ice pack head gear. That's right, I had my wisdom teeth out and I'm ready for a few days of jelly and icecream eating, laying around watching Bond films and taking photos if I can remove myself from bed.

Having just moved house, my collections and finds have yet to be given some places to truly shine, but I promise when they do there will be plenty of photo sets to come.

The end of 2012 was an eventful one. I graduated from university after 6 long years with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Media and Communications - a great sigh of relief! Plus, a fancy red KitchenAid for a graduation present also made me very very happy.

Not only that, but I also embarked on a whirlwind European adventure in November/December. Leaving with only a very small, cabin sized backpack, I managed to come home with a giant blue suitcase filled with 73 metres (yes, you read that right) of vintage and retro wallpaper, and multitudes of German Christmas decorations. The trip deserves it's own post, so one will be on your way soon in a few days.

This year will see more blog posts, learning to bake, and a new course to become admitted as a solicitor, thrifting adventures, and more love and time spent with family and good friends. Welcome to 2013 - a new year, new drama and a time to re-evaluate the important things.

Christmas time with family and Naughty Shorts dresses