Friday Fun: Word Trivia Contest

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br />'LOOK SUPER SMART FOR THE DAY' Contest:  Thank you to everyone who played last week's flag trivia contest. That was fun!<br /><br />There's no giveaway prize, but I will send you an imaginary gold star for the day :) See how you do with this one:<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>-> I ran across this great word ''geegaw'' in an English novel set in the 12th Century. What do you think it means?  Hint: It is a noun</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Please play along :) Send in your best guess (funny guesses are good too) in the comments section <a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5522242732053368775&postID=6138073025613233802">here</a>. Answer coming on Monday</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZYSsh7VTDSiL37recrpTHOsyqklxDvzJ82lbatWp0adnF_kn4B1TycnsvQ_aLyD0A6weEdTLmYycxPXSUsFv9RJnf-lDSvBvg5yKT3ug2pzJLg07v240ufhHWJCGeFbsBgHsoIgFEvU/s1600/DSCN0033-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZYSsh7VTDSiL37recrpTHOsyqklxDvzJ82lbatWp0adnF_kn4B1TycnsvQ_aLyD0A6weEdTLmYycxPXSUsFv9RJnf-lDSvBvg5yKT3ug2pzJLg07v240ufhHWJCGeFbsBgHsoIgFEvU/s640/DSCN0033-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a 'sweet' weekend!!</div>XO<br />Laura

Friday Fun: Word Trivia Contest

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK 'LOOK SUPER SMART FOR THE DAY' Contest:  Thank you to everyone who played last week's flag trivia c...

Read more »

Thornton Designs has a new blog!

I know many of you are familiar with the work of designer <a href="http://leeannthornton.com/">Lee Ann Thornton</a>, and personally I love her work. She "finds inspiration in the colors and comfort of classic design and enjoys updating this aesthetic to suit modern individuals and families. She's known for balancing style and comfort, and firmly believes luxury and practicality can be combined for today's family living. Beautiful fabrics combined with original, elegant furniture are hallmarks of Thornton Designs."<br /><br />Lee Ann has recently started a new blog, called '<a href="http://leeannthornton.blogspot.com/">It's Everything I Love</a>', and I'm sure it's going to be one of my favourites. Take a look at some of her work:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHeMfNaD7J2XV8UwOr2W3M5ma9vmG6mbq21bStreKI1xiLTvu_qtatG66JmOAs77rRP2TUPNuGQeh5COR3NP8wigIIQYGY7ZK8JW1JW2WyYVDbVZUVaZkcw1QDY3hCyAgS_rSWBZ0hgY/s1600/leeann+thornton+design+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHeMfNaD7J2XV8UwOr2W3M5ma9vmG6mbq21bStreKI1xiLTvu_qtatG66JmOAs77rRP2TUPNuGQeh5COR3NP8wigIIQYGY7ZK8JW1JW2WyYVDbVZUVaZkcw1QDY3hCyAgS_rSWBZ0hgY/s1600/leeann+thornton+design+11.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrvMP-vHmKhiOapdIsV0SHrbvsX66_kX1CLr6ekjdJp8_dvYQkZA88Ww5sk_mOAAZdBYudCDuje7xtNsHNsB6qChjtdWOqtq2aWimEHahL-R1E1SL9DoXy8oHwGfq0ExsSCzU8cG9m_M/s1600/leann+thornton+design1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrvMP-vHmKhiOapdIsV0SHrbvsX66_kX1CLr6ekjdJp8_dvYQkZA88Ww5sk_mOAAZdBYudCDuje7xtNsHNsB6qChjtdWOqtq2aWimEHahL-R1E1SL9DoXy8oHwGfq0ExsSCzU8cG9m_M/s640/leann+thornton+design1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutw85MavAkY5W2IccCDDammZVfOme9Z1V8vMiqoT1PAIRKmAy1w8VzLJv7Y9Fx-dlSPQGtCLaGdCp7E1kSjTqTPF_dPmQXyAvAcusYLlbYvkoSsLiTKMUNFneef5tjbehdgwwOtcIBlY/s1600/leann+thornton+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutw85MavAkY5W2IccCDDammZVfOme9Z1V8vMiqoT1PAIRKmAy1w8VzLJv7Y9Fx-dlSPQGtCLaGdCp7E1kSjTqTPF_dPmQXyAvAcusYLlbYvkoSsLiTKMUNFneef5tjbehdgwwOtcIBlY/s640/leann+thornton+design.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9ixvxiD-wdZxt4iIQ2GbsLomEAPkjWTEp3e8Q23m1nMxc2qx99fGGhG5Nd4uCq-44XydpwaB3Jh0ICIWWRMsIUeN4eTDOz1j3OAClsX0g7axTBJcIef2OVJBfNxJN8dPFwBwnWBghO8/s1600/leann+thornton+design2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9ixvxiD-wdZxt4iIQ2GbsLomEAPkjWTEp3e8Q23m1nMxc2qx99fGGhG5Nd4uCq-44XydpwaB3Jh0ICIWWRMsIUeN4eTDOz1j3OAClsX0g7axTBJcIef2OVJBfNxJN8dPFwBwnWBghO8/s640/leann+thornton+design2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEOgx8HIPKtLH397UFTFPmt9QxJliEmKlsTT_WRoqA3aLvsC-UwmGy687UYB1edtWmdB20D6KRfDeX-uvnAzv2AJn_iq0s7MOB4SlkFHKUDtiS42sSbVOuUn-MRdE0RSjf5x1Kg1jX6Q/s1600/leann+thornton+design4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEOgx8HIPKtLH397UFTFPmt9QxJliEmKlsTT_WRoqA3aLvsC-UwmGy687UYB1edtWmdB20D6KRfDeX-uvnAzv2AJn_iq0s7MOB4SlkFHKUDtiS42sSbVOuUn-MRdE0RSjf5x1Kg1jX6Q/s640/leann+thornton+design4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnQ7bIv1IVL-34Z5LZJ3tkqi6hxaTa4DsFnjBosYBfETfM2w6ZhenwYZc1zOm6rOztwQo65L_t689lEm66XAVRIsouUSl-QiK_ItCrf3KsGaFHt9PAR4pAcmk8F-50HDlDAjnr4897kI/s1600/leann+thornton+design5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnQ7bIv1IVL-34Z5LZJ3tkqi6hxaTa4DsFnjBosYBfETfM2w6ZhenwYZc1zOm6rOztwQo65L_t689lEm66XAVRIsouUSl-QiK_ItCrf3KsGaFHt9PAR4pAcmk8F-50HDlDAjnr4897kI/s640/leann+thornton+design5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRbNbWNQGpoPKiePAofP8JOtQT_01JgqUlDXPhXAptMDeWVNk1o8meXtqryghdKC2Si4EdTevtJhMux3txMpAHdMlAEH0j8wgii1oJ8yzOQFwO-bx5RdFd3jCcrhxl5Q9aPi73h3tiUo/s1600/leeann+thornton+design8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRbNbWNQGpoPKiePAofP8JOtQT_01JgqUlDXPhXAptMDeWVNk1o8meXtqryghdKC2Si4EdTevtJhMux3txMpAHdMlAEH0j8wgii1oJ8yzOQFwO-bx5RdFd3jCcrhxl5Q9aPi73h3tiUo/s640/leeann+thornton+design8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, do yourself a favour and check out her brand new <a href="http://leeannthornton.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, and her lovely <a href="http://leeannthornton.com/">website</a>. Oh, and make sure you say hi from me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a wonderful weekend,</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Thornton Designs has a new blog!

I know many of you are familiar with the work of designer Lee Ann Thornton , and personally I love her work. She "finds inspiration in ...

Read more »

Sea fan watercolours

I've been planning on doing some watercolours of sea fans for some time now, and yesterday I managed to finish two. I've always loved artwork featuring pressed seaweed specimens and coral, and with these paintings I've tried to capture the look and feel of vintage botanicals, collected and framed.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzscP4N2KbwjkKbdC8YOlWNmwTcz0OdhoIyrqYmM_I3y_sBdtLFylhKI0Gf997gnXy_afMCZqwfqUnyUy07b4kzGnWpzo4wrJoT13ZOt-xlUWVQqn16s7fT73rh34KVedqAK1MYiA6WCM/s1600/blue+sea+fan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzscP4N2KbwjkKbdC8YOlWNmwTcz0OdhoIyrqYmM_I3y_sBdtLFylhKI0Gf997gnXy_afMCZqwfqUnyUy07b4kzGnWpzo4wrJoT13ZOt-xlUWVQqn16s7fT73rh34KVedqAK1MYiA6WCM/s640/blue+sea+fan2.jpg" width="547" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> slightly skewed photo, but you get the idea</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGFSBoIHT1BEsbzexx93bSDznGkQ2EQGF3nCVhJVIIILQ0MCxfte-DhQibZJVFkvefSDOEpUzSKyaIFMMwdSm1KRTcSgZCmGdDU79vDCAgQ7WFFHH76QCV03dnkgEqWn8g_4UiW1xVAk/s1600/blue+sea+fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGFSBoIHT1BEsbzexx93bSDznGkQ2EQGF3nCVhJVIIILQ0MCxfte-DhQibZJVFkvefSDOEpUzSKyaIFMMwdSm1KRTcSgZCmGdDU79vDCAgQ7WFFHH76QCV03dnkgEqWn8g_4UiW1xVAk/s640/blue+sea+fan.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9UCI68MCnfdpdBo5coM2k3nbhQqXDyZsaU2luUThOT8Zs3NU5vnxRweUaxJsfFpQdeJSvxDzOMVWauEpwEclH1bm-f1m2v76ek1sTFbP0OZuB-LqfsK3dZ3kOE9iBPv1r7PAfDNoVfw/s1600/blue+sea+fan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9UCI68MCnfdpdBo5coM2k3nbhQqXDyZsaU2luUThOT8Zs3NU5vnxRweUaxJsfFpQdeJSvxDzOMVWauEpwEclH1bm-f1m2v76ek1sTFbP0OZuB-LqfsK3dZ3kOE9iBPv1r7PAfDNoVfw/s640/blue+sea+fan4.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm thinking I might add these to my new range of artwork, and here's a preview of some other colour options I'm considering:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6TEspWLHy4CKlzXiHrf9_D7j7l4PVpwdIyehSWJwrM7uPc74kdGBzujg0N6NmPlOZWjXmviR_HNeWN__Oa8ziaPMHJKLxniK06r3Ipx4VNOtPgn6IC_5oqAggIZr2WQ6IeLi4gBBZWo/s1600/blue+sea+fan+charcoal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6TEspWLHy4CKlzXiHrf9_D7j7l4PVpwdIyehSWJwrM7uPc74kdGBzujg0N6NmPlOZWjXmviR_HNeWN__Oa8ziaPMHJKLxniK06r3Ipx4VNOtPgn6IC_5oqAggIZr2WQ6IeLi4gBBZWo/s640/blue+sea+fan+charcoal2.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">charcoal</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR1F1WNjzEdPBPMJmvIhiUyQWpN8RagawuQ1-wZ3mOkDBO_D_8T9yj8WX0LoYhAQ03d0l1FZFAt5SK6WTIYw398H18gGadg-wJ6gm6Kfwz-ER1dWIjr9MrWNmNZbEX7HiaWmOxNR7nlc/s1600/blue+sea+fan+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR1F1WNjzEdPBPMJmvIhiUyQWpN8RagawuQ1-wZ3mOkDBO_D_8T9yj8WX0LoYhAQ03d0l1FZFAt5SK6WTIYw398H18gGadg-wJ6gm6Kfwz-ER1dWIjr9MrWNmNZbEX7HiaWmOxNR7nlc/s640/blue+sea+fan+red.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">red</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBBuE0ovnJ2VyJA8nhFLHXGaGeOQDEACrWz3sf2rFuAS7va3AYZzUDOl961Yxd36NoC0OUwlQSscXVRTEFTCUuGO6wOclymcL2Khf2gY1XFtjdIf2nL112vJqSWgnEnsS3e5StSlSCRw/s1600/blue+sea+fan+aqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBBuE0ovnJ2VyJA8nhFLHXGaGeOQDEACrWz3sf2rFuAS7va3AYZzUDOl961Yxd36NoC0OUwlQSscXVRTEFTCUuGO6wOclymcL2Khf2gY1XFtjdIf2nL112vJqSWgnEnsS3e5StSlSCRw/s640/blue+sea+fan+aqua.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">aqua</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhMljVSNKiosqdmfCvz4ENpXXWCMO1_y-dJo6BNHR6P5ttn6mvYd5JWoAWasfwSAQVKD-J_jTlLUrh9LSl4SsGE56kDpMV8EzY6HtcgNztJ74ZFy2oCjexcFPtfPouo2vx9uwcA4wwuk/s1600/blue+sea+fan+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhMljVSNKiosqdmfCvz4ENpXXWCMO1_y-dJo6BNHR6P5ttn6mvYd5JWoAWasfwSAQVKD-J_jTlLUrh9LSl4SsGE56kDpMV8EzY6HtcgNztJ74ZFy2oCjexcFPtfPouo2vx9uwcA4wwuk/s640/blue+sea+fan+green.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">green</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what do you think? How about the colours - maybe you have some other suggestions? I'd love to know your thoughts. You guys are always so helpful, so any comments would be gratefully received!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that I've started these, I have lots of other ideas - just not enough hours in the day. I'm sure I'm not alone there!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Sea fan watercolours

I've been planning on doing some watercolours of sea fans for some time now, and yesterday I managed to finish two. I've always love...

Read more »

Beatrix Potter & A Tale of a 1o8 Year Old Rabbit

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What's not to love about a tale with names like</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Jemima Puddle-Duck and Timmy Tiptoes?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnzfq1A8juQALpNL7qvNaCh07d9jC0rSBi0N2lIveKyEH90n_fkoSUg_JuJj5MGlJzwG7Wy09mJFfC697Gpb_V8OZJ5pT7UUQ5egSczxOLM085yjDeRt11ZxnsZau-NNiEJQ6p8U4fak/s1600/DSCN0948-1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnzfq1A8juQALpNL7qvNaCh07d9jC0rSBi0N2lIveKyEH90n_fkoSUg_JuJj5MGlJzwG7Wy09mJFfC697Gpb_V8OZJ5pT7UUQ5egSczxOLM085yjDeRt11ZxnsZau-NNiEJQ6p8U4fak/s400/DSCN0948-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The story of author and illustrator Helen Beatrix Potter is a very interesting one. It's a little long, but stick with me...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Born in 1866, little Beatrix grew up in South Kensington in the heart of London during the Victorian era, just down the road from some of the world's most acclaimed museums. (Interesingly, author/illustrator 'Dr Seuss' lived down the street from a zoo and library in the US)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I trotted right down to her home yesterday :) There was no 'blue plaque' indicating that this was her home, but I think this was it. In a charming little 'close', actually.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHu4soHA6z1T_ihyOBiETr_4cLqnSQgfpclF9P9g4j8a-bF60yoJU4MvCoySzkr0dwa0OKckQyp-fpPoDamBEQ04vYdNMstcnPbigK3FeALHsdyiOs0WLcsDA9zxlnVUSwojU5RedJhI/s1600/DSCN1000-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHu4soHA6z1T_ihyOBiETr_4cLqnSQgfpclF9P9g4j8a-bF60yoJU4MvCoySzkr0dwa0OKckQyp-fpPoDamBEQ04vYdNMstcnPbigK3FeALHsdyiOs0WLcsDA9zxlnVUSwojU5RedJhI/s400/DSCN1000-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 South Bolton Gardens, Kensington</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Like most girls of wealthy families of her time, she was educated by governesses and not often around other children besides her brother, Bertram, who went to boarding school once he was of age. She found comfort in her pets, including the ones she and her brother 'smuggled' inside paper bags into the house. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">These pets included mice, birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, ferrets, and even a bat. (Such patient parents!) Pet bunnies Benjamin Bouncer and Peter Piper were frequent models for her earliest rabbit illustrations. She even made a leash for Peter Piper, who occasionally went on outings with her. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At age nine, young Beatrix was filling sketchbooks of drawings of animals wearing clothes, carrying umbrellas, riding horses, and ice-skating. Despite her lack of formal education, she had a real knack for blending scientifically accurate illustrations with fantasy.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjuOSoOzUF3lBCbDGIRKdsfkKZnY820AX1ZmG8JCEh8LMVC4RLOv1vfqrNV12z0DktoGs5J7j9vxvL6WtQAM1dJvZNWtwhQJ1GCZuez6OsxgCOT1b-SqurFjNCQUKKAKdP3VKV8W4oK4/s1600/DSCN1052-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjuOSoOzUF3lBCbDGIRKdsfkKZnY820AX1ZmG8JCEh8LMVC4RLOv1vfqrNV12z0DktoGs5J7j9vxvL6WtQAM1dJvZNWtwhQJ1GCZuez6OsxgCOT1b-SqurFjNCQUKKAKdP3VKV8W4oK4/s400/DSCN1052-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The idea of Beatrix Potter's first book, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', developed from illustrated letters she sent to a friend's son suffering from scarlet fever in 1893. She wrote to him, 'I don't know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits, whose names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter...'</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Encouraged by friends to submit a book variation of her letters, Miss Potter was rejected by all six publishers, for they wanted a larger, more expensive book with color illustrations. She insisted the book be small enough to fit in a child's hands and affordable with illustrations on every page to hold the attention of even the youngest reader.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So in 1901, a determined Miss Potter published her own 250 copies of 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' in time for Christmas. Then having seen a copy, F Warne & Co decided to publish the book, and within a year produced six editions to meet demand. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsogHj44bMCqREU6ldH8tBacUE-xUs9a2Hc1264C9c42prYZEmD2HR456H8Fm84xtta1QqnshOk2h8F2rI8hDUyoibHt4JrYiD_6U1UWPa1izNHVcGMFRP5YzRhBCqZ1wyvXvh4ss39IM/s1600/DSCN1030-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsogHj44bMCqREU6ldH8tBacUE-xUs9a2Hc1264C9c42prYZEmD2HR456H8Fm84xtta1QqnshOk2h8F2rI8hDUyoibHt4JrYiD_6U1UWPa1izNHVcGMFRP5YzRhBCqZ1wyvXvh4ss39IM/s320/DSCN1030-2.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Beatrix Potter went on to author and illustrate 28 books throughout her lifetime. She was very involved in every aspect of her books including typeface, binding, cover design, and title pages, thus making each book truly 'By Beatrix Potter'. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As her eyesight deteriorated as an adult, she continued to write and used previous illustrations to piece together new books. She married and moved to a farm in the Lake District in northern England. Beatrix Potter died in 1943 as a conservationist, farmer, sheep breeder, mycologist (fungi botanist), botanical illustrator, and of course, author.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoyDjIilZZgUxp48vGE6bDRo67v_Q1_wl3s07h5t7isFJ2zLdLaMtwh6IKtApaHcrxQLLxTim6_-xHUDTEXdVYnbtf2Fe7Xt2UXf2JwiGivOCa1htilvLy0kPqayMh-qiy7P23OU69ME/s1600/DSCN1045-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoyDjIilZZgUxp48vGE6bDRo67v_Q1_wl3s07h5t7isFJ2zLdLaMtwh6IKtApaHcrxQLLxTim6_-xHUDTEXdVYnbtf2Fe7Xt2UXf2JwiGivOCa1htilvLy0kPqayMh-qiy7P23OU69ME/s400/DSCN1045-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are 23 tales in the little book series, which have been translated in 35 languages, sold over 100 million copies, and never been out of print. In addition, Peter Rabbit became the first patented plush toy, making him the oldest licensed character since 1903.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Walt Disney tried to obtain the rights to Beatrix Potter's work, as he had with 'Winnie-the-Pooh' and 'The Wind in the Willows'. Miss Potter declined his offer. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today her life and books have been interpreted in television, film, ballet, and theater.  The biographical film 'Miss Potter' starring Renee Zellweger was released in 2006.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">London's V&A Museum (free admission) holds the world's largest collection of Beatrix Potter's drawings, literary manuscripts, and related materials. You can visit the exhibition until January 2011. I visited it yesterday :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdqeSyrZdQd4Gmt9ZaLm619eHUeI_kS5YeCXrP8JTNCBIaKCbj3M3yJKaJ1k0Jef7t7juSuPbxNnUMPZ68ozk5oQgoUaSZs0DJb4Qy8TM-cHWZZWdPyfXrgIMoPtSM4t-9Je5jeAES1U/s1600/Septmeber+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdqeSyrZdQd4Gmt9ZaLm619eHUeI_kS5YeCXrP8JTNCBIaKCbj3M3yJKaJ1k0Jef7t7juSuPbxNnUMPZ68ozk5oQgoUaSZs0DJb4Qy8TM-cHWZZWdPyfXrgIMoPtSM4t-9Je5jeAES1U/s400/Septmeber+2010.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">V&A Museum, London</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And if you crave more, you are in luck...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">STUDY DAY at the V&A Museum, Sat 13 Nov 2010</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dissecting Peter Rabbit: Perspectives on the Art of Beatrix Potter</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Coinciding with the V&A's display, Peter Rabbit™: the tale of The Tale, this study day reveals the secrets of Beatrix Potter's astounding commercial and literary success and offers insights into her compelling narratives. Speakers include award winning writers and illustrators, biographers, publishers. See the V&A website for details. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Such a great story of creativity, passion, and determination</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you have memories of reading these delightful</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'little books' as a child? A favorite?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See Beatrix Potter's home <a href="http://livingwiththanksgiving.blogspot.com/2010/10/lake-district-scenery-england.html">here</a> in the Lake District through the eyes of blog Living With Thanksgiving.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Content sources: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://peterrabbit.com/">PeterRabbit.com</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/">V&A Museum</a>, </span><a href="http://www.wikipedia.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wikipedia</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">XO </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Laura</div>

Beatrix Potter & A Tale of a 1o8 Year Old Rabbit

What's not to love about a tale with names like  Jemima Puddle-Duck and Timmy Tiptoes?! The story of author and illustrator Helen Beatri...

Read more »

A touch of France

I'll be out and about in Brisbane today, and one of the stops on my list is this beautiful parfumerie in West End. <a href="http://libertineparfumerie.com.au/">Libertine</a> is worth the visit for the decor alone, with the look and feel of a Parisian fragrance store. It's a feast for the senses, the staff are warm and welcoming, and you're encouraged to try any of the designer scents they have there.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiYGm4JmJo3CchAQLwSvjh74v8wroC7c_LuikV7JMGHlDJEeumCY8me0vM490bzJ1Hz19jYdEqjFsCuXHKQdxVefsq_WrO0uOmW_rBRnt-1ofGZAryXXYLOauQeUdCYoDs0oU3SakHj4/s1600/Libertine_New+Farm-perfumery+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiYGm4JmJo3CchAQLwSvjh74v8wroC7c_LuikV7JMGHlDJEeumCY8me0vM490bzJ1Hz19jYdEqjFsCuXHKQdxVefsq_WrO0uOmW_rBRnt-1ofGZAryXXYLOauQeUdCYoDs0oU3SakHj4/s640/Libertine_New+Farm-perfumery+-+Copy.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/2009/09/new_libertine_parfumerie_in_br.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIELSmlg1jm6jbIuGsCOyotBlkAXo23pyyZjRjS79XC_zAG7sGAFNoEZJNwCaau2dClY_Ar_Fzofuy28weaLJcdn6wD0H1PjiYPAaqZbSwT5TG4Oe9UsC94VgaPrxFSOyTcDHlbRLrTTk/s1600/libertine+via+brisbane+times+com+au+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIELSmlg1jm6jbIuGsCOyotBlkAXo23pyyZjRjS79XC_zAG7sGAFNoEZJNwCaau2dClY_Ar_Fzofuy28weaLJcdn6wD0H1PjiYPAaqZbSwT5TG4Oe9UsC94VgaPrxFSOyTcDHlbRLrTTk/s1600/libertine+via+brisbane+times+com+au+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/life-and-style/waxing-lyrical/2008/09/30/1222651063144.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9cL0E7QzxGGXI6NMNGjtgyfT2h9fn5sSXmrxyTM1gj-pwbKQiLrwgZeN_vWzJdoAfiV9pVInp2-4pL4bPEz8fehi0ULTY81XtXBM6lRh03J0hNxGixgFhHo09mZGxCVs0jv6g_Sb4L0/s1600/libertine+-+Copy+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9cL0E7QzxGGXI6NMNGjtgyfT2h9fn5sSXmrxyTM1gj-pwbKQiLrwgZeN_vWzJdoAfiV9pVInp2-4pL4bPEz8fehi0ULTY81XtXBM6lRh03J0hNxGixgFhHo09mZGxCVs0jv6g_Sb4L0/s640/libertine+-+Copy+-+Copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://frockpaperscissors.com/street/music-and-events/evening-with-a-french-twist"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgQnWuEEZvHYARFteSGZarzZXyrWWHa5IB9CBPMpF_YQGznoY2pD68gktcwOgx74l7z2t1rMfNXGLGnffYVm2XpxUB5BfDidRFGpu8xIZz3YVHjs8y4nQCTfgFaUYlAmMySgPG3CD3e4/s1600/libertine+via+brisdailyphoto+blogspot+com+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgQnWuEEZvHYARFteSGZarzZXyrWWHa5IB9CBPMpF_YQGznoY2pD68gktcwOgx74l7z2t1rMfNXGLGnffYVm2XpxUB5BfDidRFGpu8xIZz3YVHjs8y4nQCTfgFaUYlAmMySgPG3CD3e4/s640/libertine+via+brisdailyphoto+blogspot+com+-+Copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beesnees.com.au/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF7I1Eu5rQiqzDVZC_auaUvLc8wrUfcgZPZ0AcRRk5bunnlZSB8sIMr2k2LA8yPILR5MBR95_9KSwK_di_PW9kLaLZV7LZ1KqhQhwgsHhFyEfJkCYPrFn0iTcuv8UEbWwZvUwjGo_u9s/s1600/libertine+00006443_23_Super_Site_2+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF7I1Eu5rQiqzDVZC_auaUvLc8wrUfcgZPZ0AcRRk5bunnlZSB8sIMr2k2LA8yPILR5MBR95_9KSwK_di_PW9kLaLZV7LZ1KqhQhwgsHhFyEfJkCYPrFn0iTcuv8UEbWwZvUwjGo_u9s/s400/libertine+00006443_23_Super_Site_2+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/Travel/Products/ProductView.aspx?id=20337"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you can't visit in person, you can visit their <a href="http://libertineparfumerie.com.au/">website</a>, or their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=85387295626&v=photos#%21/group.php?gid=85387295626&v=wall">facebook page</a>. Oh, and my favourite scent?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkR2CT4j7xDpqYAtu7BNUWItwi3FneO3YYethLdyuYsVbuTv4k71SKB8tI_2rlnPb-nBcZcJofjbwexGF6j3sq68TK53nxYUXByDYgkZe3K__qsgJeGwHOZMsrInO1-76jkpMVXI-81s/s1600/juliettehasagun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkR2CT4j7xDpqYAtu7BNUWItwi3FneO3YYethLdyuYsVbuTv4k71SKB8tI_2rlnPb-nBcZcJofjbwexGF6j3sq68TK53nxYUXByDYgkZe3K__qsgJeGwHOZMsrInO1-76jkpMVXI-81s/s400/juliettehasagun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://juliettehasagun.com/">juliettehasagun.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's my favourite. Ever. Not quite sure what that says about me though! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

A touch of France

I'll be out and about in Brisbane today, and one of the stops on my list is this beautiful parfumerie in West End. Libertine is worth t...

Read more »

Bedroom Makeover Mark II

Now that I've almost finished daughter #2's bedroom makeover (I did say <i>almost</i>), it's now time to concentrate on #1's room. It's long overdue for a total redo, and we've been working on a design scheme based on her favourite colour - blue. We've bought some gorgeous new bed linen:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPC54A6TaESXEq3GDcmB4rtRiapwlCH_NdjnT4B3UVlcVmIvM08TVA_q7FpRLF7ysOI3Ar_jIlGuWNmd1ftXfc6EWHpaNjolQfa7G3m5fw4njPQ6-Y9q8B4CGdj8RMzOoFdcBauu1PqM/s1600/bedroom+makeover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPC54A6TaESXEq3GDcmB4rtRiapwlCH_NdjnT4B3UVlcVmIvM08TVA_q7FpRLF7ysOI3Ar_jIlGuWNmd1ftXfc6EWHpaNjolQfa7G3m5fw4njPQ6-Y9q8B4CGdj8RMzOoFdcBauu1PqM/s1600/bedroom+makeover1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdYz9IrDT3k7EwVL1lutur7QvAAN3ZxZI9PuD1K3opiMfUhhcrpZHfdO4LkXEJQwXUhzDKXgAEBbn3QXxYdB02mCRRtF1aGJwqM6wnnGN0ZIgyJHOzAJLuRalgQxr7TeclcSSBQzIOtU/s1600/bedroom+makeover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdYz9IrDT3k7EwVL1lutur7QvAAN3ZxZI9PuD1K3opiMfUhhcrpZHfdO4LkXEJQwXUhzDKXgAEBbn3QXxYdB02mCRRtF1aGJwqM6wnnGN0ZIgyJHOzAJLuRalgQxr7TeclcSSBQzIOtU/s320/bedroom+makeover2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwjtN-GUUJEp2dlVO_wwJzJjwWEzw_18vPyb5zPH55XiOX6gqyYTEDctI1D7x9PAUXaigXCZ86rLa6No_8UWjtipHIP-VzEA23IYcv8kXVeR9nYdt1dzSsIsv5KYtMRqhTqWa34zk9s0/s1600/bedroom+makeover3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwjtN-GUUJEp2dlVO_wwJzJjwWEzw_18vPyb5zPH55XiOX6gqyYTEDctI1D7x9PAUXaigXCZ86rLa6No_8UWjtipHIP-VzEA23IYcv8kXVeR9nYdt1dzSsIsv5KYtMRqhTqWa34zk9s0/s320/bedroom+makeover3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...some ginger jar lamps.. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwhXSfLTFw6KVEC6jovNZK81FUHSjdfoUDnR5S-bFh9zJfayYymfLtfK6D8CKwJEgM5AquDvzvj_qRZVxqVOPyP-_IvH7_K7lJ1Ph6lCmBUSzDME5iAOIwbi9B15TDkZMYIuFYRliLLE/s1600/bedroom+makeover4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwhXSfLTFw6KVEC6jovNZK81FUHSjdfoUDnR5S-bFh9zJfayYymfLtfK6D8CKwJEgM5AquDvzvj_qRZVxqVOPyP-_IvH7_K7lJ1Ph6lCmBUSzDME5iAOIwbi9B15TDkZMYIuFYRliLLE/s320/bedroom+makeover4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">..a new slipcovered bed head..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5N5-IUJ29Q5jzUqu2rJS1O79iesLIDEDmUfovluP048gZh11z4nCZokfxTSP0tjpblc4TY5gahFKVI994SzoQqO0xx1OXG00CHRPgFpGKaf5cPZw7mn2ZDtnCq5fwoBWKr36u2T5VZ0/s1600/bedroom+makeover6+via+decorpad+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5N5-IUJ29Q5jzUqu2rJS1O79iesLIDEDmUfovluP048gZh11z4nCZokfxTSP0tjpblc4TY5gahFKVI994SzoQqO0xx1OXG00CHRPgFpGKaf5cPZw7mn2ZDtnCq5fwoBWKr36u2T5VZ0/s1600/bedroom+makeover6+via+decorpad+com.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://decorpad.com/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">..and, of course, no room is complete without art and photos</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OT7EfTGkugpYlgATG_lHh_jVNBD-6oPx_089xuRbQhsqJ680CCVjO5bCYB2it2W-LMh9nVCMYiFS6VkNF-PI11cRoGqxXV6sAqsB4KsSZYfL3puOmEimszecb-bDJptJbBwsIFGsKsk/s1600/bedroom+makeover8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OT7EfTGkugpYlgATG_lHh_jVNBD-6oPx_089xuRbQhsqJ680CCVjO5bCYB2it2W-LMh9nVCMYiFS6VkNF-PI11cRoGqxXV6sAqsB4KsSZYfL3puOmEimszecb-bDJptJbBwsIFGsKsk/s640/bedroom+makeover8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hgtv.com/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IHVfnMGWm7aCjuyBXUcHTIzQbftdglStSUNMVhN6IupXXmJeMsVk_gcAMfBgJt2hpPhoyU48G57eNqGLEfPylW7HCsSEH-pkuJu1MXgaAToIUdTEJfgkvE99QrCMJtavQlrYbbzrIlE/s1600/blue+wall+photo+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IHVfnMGWm7aCjuyBXUcHTIzQbftdglStSUNMVhN6IupXXmJeMsVk_gcAMfBgJt2hpPhoyU48G57eNqGLEfPylW7HCsSEH-pkuJu1MXgaAToIUdTEJfgkvE99QrCMJtavQlrYbbzrIlE/s640/blue+wall+photo+collage.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">..couldn't resist an excuse to use one of my favourite pics</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So that's what we'll be doing these school holidays (in between visits to the beach, of course). How about you?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>

Bedroom Makeover Mark II

Now that I've almost finished daughter #2's bedroom makeover (I did say almost ), it's now time to concentrate on #1's room....

Read more »

Flag Trivia Reveal

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br />Ooh, that was so fun! Thank you to everyone who participated in my 'Look Smart For The Day' contest last week :) The answer is...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImU57-E9mM9y5RfM3qfqOoQX365uBNtaOg9q3JxesXfAqunQt059F4pgRVVEq1MAfYRci8E1nN8Uk9CM_8UysPO-SmSMI8jmT2Ujv5_9IV9EXTMdiQBNxNnVnkTDivRyc4QWD71XLyTo/s1600/800px-Flag_of_Barbados.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImU57-E9mM9y5RfM3qfqOoQX365uBNtaOg9q3JxesXfAqunQt059F4pgRVVEq1MAfYRci8E1nN8Uk9CM_8UysPO-SmSMI8jmT2Ujv5_9IV9EXTMdiQBNxNnVnkTDivRyc4QWD71XLyTo/s320/800px-Flag_of_Barbados.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Barbados</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The design for the flag was created by  local art teacher Grantley W. Prescod and was chosen from an open competition arranged by the Barbados government. Over a thousand entries were received for the flag design.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Interesting facts about Barbados:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Ruled as an English colony from 1627 - 1966 </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Geologically made of coral and mostly surrounded by coral reefs</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Lies just outside the principal hurricane strike zone </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Maintains the third largest stock market exchange in the Caribbean region</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">I'd like to send a gold star to <a href="http://fairchildstreet.blogspot.com/">Charmaine</a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">for answering the question correctly</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">And I'm sending you, my lovely readers, on a mental vacation to beautiful Barbados to get this new week started right. That's right, just park your car anywhere :)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs6qyyuvRVyyPjtFRPJ8WRNy3UCKhPGqDVJ6JV1hUsfpm5PfAjcLq1c4STL3r4kS9rFnxObyneUt-KSZW6ubGsQ14cpvfLYzaQVQy-fmFDgy7HZz_0kUte1BXcUGqF_m62QXwezZTfI4/s1600/Mini_moke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs6qyyuvRVyyPjtFRPJ8WRNy3UCKhPGqDVJ6JV1hUsfpm5PfAjcLq1c4STL3r4kS9rFnxObyneUt-KSZW6ubGsQ14cpvfLYzaQVQy-fmFDgy7HZz_0kUte1BXcUGqF_m62QXwezZTfI4/s320/Mini_moke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Wikipedia.org</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">[You're Invited! If you enjoyed this post, please consider following: www.HappyHomemakerUK.blogspot.com ] </div><br />XO<br />Laura

Flag Trivia Reveal

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Ooh, that was so fun! Thank you to everyone who participated in my 'Look Smart For The Day' contest las...

Read more »

Noosa - homewares heaven

With the crew here at home all madly in love with the beach, and my daughter's love affair with Noosa Heads in particular, it gives me plenty of time to indulge in a bit of retail therapy of the homewares kind. The Noosa area is home to many of my favourite haunts, and I thought I'd share a few of them with you over the coming months. One of my must-visit stops on the Noosa circuit is <a href="http://www.thewhitehousenoosa.com.au/">The White House</a>. As the name suggests, it's full of beautiful, white homewares, and with its relaxed, coastal vibe, it's a one-stop shop for all things beachy.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P8IOMSrrfcxQ5w6LcCCUXbauKBsBueRIVBND8kRMdVl4agZMg1ZO6OUVXbeAP3S2w0vvJ-5gCBH-5zHGOvu6oKxknjEVnXEzh_FT4sMVa68Bp71tPwcZthhittIY80do8MTMEzqw-LE/s1600/the+white+house+noosa2+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P8IOMSrrfcxQ5w6LcCCUXbauKBsBueRIVBND8kRMdVl4agZMg1ZO6OUVXbeAP3S2w0vvJ-5gCBH-5zHGOvu6oKxknjEVnXEzh_FT4sMVa68Bp71tPwcZthhittIY80do8MTMEzqw-LE/s640/the+white+house+noosa2+-+Copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ7Ocv-LGMpCVrkhPU-8vTU9Qx3Hab-XO2bhaarVDAhfItkwgm1QbLzaDWH3a2LpJie27rxxx1epp1HUElTad-HWXHWL6BF9ru4OVISRDjE4d4tW6Lne83svC7fc2K3hySeVXavCrIoU/s1600/the+white+house+noosa11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ7Ocv-LGMpCVrkhPU-8vTU9Qx3Hab-XO2bhaarVDAhfItkwgm1QbLzaDWH3a2LpJie27rxxx1epp1HUElTad-HWXHWL6BF9ru4OVISRDjE4d4tW6Lne83svC7fc2K3hySeVXavCrIoU/s640/the+white+house+noosa11.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVpkyOaTMLA4UX5CdUTd5uCjgdiT88lXpn30qN1gJmMc2hLwz4gFInc1C3AfRtxFXg5bCndJXB9YVw6JYqgpmmyOk1xArSWvYgYfufLCRWfHKlYDJdJqdwoJCngepcGjfpujeVdifxek/s1600/the+white+house+noosa8+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVpkyOaTMLA4UX5CdUTd5uCjgdiT88lXpn30qN1gJmMc2hLwz4gFInc1C3AfRtxFXg5bCndJXB9YVw6JYqgpmmyOk1xArSWvYgYfufLCRWfHKlYDJdJqdwoJCngepcGjfpujeVdifxek/s640/the+white+house+noosa8+-+Copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTftfSE_XXEBNkpXcVzdWzNRphM1-DWZwl6SXnppn-lk54UNm6ZxhzWMB6v0T-yuDHu5Aodr3zJHUT1iU5pA8sjE2ul1WEZIhEG2xu1e7BNsmQxYgZfbF3M8fNcnix_c8Y-PLvIdHFFA/s1600/the+white+house+noosa9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTftfSE_XXEBNkpXcVzdWzNRphM1-DWZwl6SXnppn-lk54UNm6ZxhzWMB6v0T-yuDHu5Aodr3zJHUT1iU5pA8sjE2ul1WEZIhEG2xu1e7BNsmQxYgZfbF3M8fNcnix_c8Y-PLvIdHFFA/s640/the+white+house+noosa9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19nn5yCNi6Oax5crX6Y4FCk9hb2q75Mw9fNZ1U_X1rkJCFtGsPV3ZUThq0qJlGZKp7MIAeaxzh0Rs8OXjYGPp0D9TbeiM_36pLScTa6TaOhQmuQf-SNjt2e-qoCKR7KYt5SjJtEGDNjs/s1600/the+white+house+noosa7+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19nn5yCNi6Oax5crX6Y4FCk9hb2q75Mw9fNZ1U_X1rkJCFtGsPV3ZUThq0qJlGZKp7MIAeaxzh0Rs8OXjYGPp0D9TbeiM_36pLScTa6TaOhQmuQf-SNjt2e-qoCKR7KYt5SjJtEGDNjs/s640/the+white+house+noosa7+-+Copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jzMuvqzLvIyPIGmBI_YNpXmazDfyiQHk8X539jekAQgALlTOp8ijX5zwLhCIxCjIdXKgv0XGqhR94c0IOQMZ8v0IkJNEKFwrD8HBJmVbv-I_GHEUjUl5DKoy9tjwKDiDGf3KdO4tWNE/s1600/the+white+house+noosa10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jzMuvqzLvIyPIGmBI_YNpXmazDfyiQHk8X539jekAQgALlTOp8ijX5zwLhCIxCjIdXKgv0XGqhR94c0IOQMZ8v0IkJNEKFwrD8HBJmVbv-I_GHEUjUl5DKoy9tjwKDiDGf3KdO4tWNE/s640/the+white+house+noosa10.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you're in Noosa, go check them out - you won't be disappointed. Or visit their website <a href="http://thewhitehousenoosa.com.au/">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I'm off to put in some long-overdue studio time. Plenty of new paintings are in the pipeline, and I'll post the pics as soon as they're done. What do you have planned for the week ahead?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>

Noosa - homewares heaven

With the crew here at home all madly in love with the beach, and my daughter's love affair with Noosa Heads in particular, it gives me p...

Read more »

Beach house dreaming

After spending a great day at the beach on Wednesday, we came home filled with thoughts of a move to the coast. Of course, the crew would love it, but after growing up on acreage, I think a move to suburbia, beach or no beach, would be quite a shock to the system. But I just may have found the perfect compromise - a house in beautiful Noosa, on half an acre, complete with everything a family with teenagers could want. Space, pool, location, and best of all (as far as I'm concerned) - a whitewashed home full of character.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN3iZG_t4g1JG8bD57l63ekrk_rmZ6JkIDAK4QAlq18mz9e2DHh5hPVS1dX2znFIN0tMMm9MTZkkXSATKU8_Mx4_V7OBCeP9kKmGCUsHSTbz4ocHgm_wFAZ_VZFWZWTt60AXSxGzOfGc/s1600/noosa+heads1+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN3iZG_t4g1JG8bD57l63ekrk_rmZ6JkIDAK4QAlq18mz9e2DHh5hPVS1dX2znFIN0tMMm9MTZkkXSATKU8_Mx4_V7OBCeP9kKmGCUsHSTbz4ocHgm_wFAZ_VZFWZWTt60AXSxGzOfGc/s640/noosa+heads1+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS1p_J6-Y0Y5Hx2c01_q3-8iKeLDJnlV2azudgXDTmtaFi6uPE-xGDjnCbIz0j7kYQHwzPyoO0Z8p65pEWGREduNxBY5VjjSV8MPGRYDXTgziqGKJ6cbYrtq-Sfg45_fWINSQjOSAeRM/s1600/noosa+heads+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS1p_J6-Y0Y5Hx2c01_q3-8iKeLDJnlV2azudgXDTmtaFi6uPE-xGDjnCbIz0j7kYQHwzPyoO0Z8p65pEWGREduNxBY5VjjSV8MPGRYDXTgziqGKJ6cbYrtq-Sfg45_fWINSQjOSAeRM/s640/noosa+heads+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnhUhJM8tX9lSkjEkEzJSXtGwbQ63hvjE8CfcLFl4B3sBJhjSfURXibg3jIW7Eyb8UATV1-4QfCKah2DsNaY6Fcf4cGey-9iAHBHqjMxLOZAIxPPBKRE5k8yfH8sm3klSfDTaQSDF0fw/s1600/noosa+heads2+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnhUhJM8tX9lSkjEkEzJSXtGwbQ63hvjE8CfcLFl4B3sBJhjSfURXibg3jIW7Eyb8UATV1-4QfCKah2DsNaY6Fcf4cGey-9iAHBHqjMxLOZAIxPPBKRE5k8yfH8sm3klSfDTaQSDF0fw/s640/noosa+heads2+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-q0skvs779v-FdCOAH2epYnhP2NxIiIeWHIcj7EHQtgZ2GzuXTus7mxQ-bHgUl110pagaywv2FtgfoHXhziudvI0s1CXMK4j8QKXbMWei-GNwZANbjZy-RzFrHnCdIrXiBoGvQEuXR4/s1600/noosa+heads3+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-q0skvs779v-FdCOAH2epYnhP2NxIiIeWHIcj7EHQtgZ2GzuXTus7mxQ-bHgUl110pagaywv2FtgfoHXhziudvI0s1CXMK4j8QKXbMWei-GNwZANbjZy-RzFrHnCdIrXiBoGvQEuXR4/s640/noosa+heads3+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">with a bit of zhusing, this could be stunning</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJsyrpLJI1fQwYHaeCOdRg69JMgUhftGbWcArzttiAduvzS-CLvdcEjtpRz99CtNtGukoQGI37vN4GGJFJUkwpk45oquRVrkF5fNo4ccDQ15j54gp7RTWobNttc-u-sMLxRkuxs6Mw-4/s1600/noosa+heads4+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJsyrpLJI1fQwYHaeCOdRg69JMgUhftGbWcArzttiAduvzS-CLvdcEjtpRz99CtNtGukoQGI37vN4GGJFJUkwpk45oquRVrkF5fNo4ccDQ15j54gp7RTWobNttc-u-sMLxRkuxs6Mw-4/s640/noosa+heads4+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ...complete with art/design studio</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj1z8OWVkBz-I3D0qqEHZ4sbW6vydPTypb0JdCNPLV7zgmHbGAgZj958JSyzvygFYm2bsyX-8kYvEAK1WyFdYMWJB9bhXd5fZSjPxhgGKqoWTFJZInw-IfNRAQkXYUbn_fpc9ui8DCfk/s1600/noosa+heads5+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj1z8OWVkBz-I3D0qqEHZ4sbW6vydPTypb0JdCNPLV7zgmHbGAgZj958JSyzvygFYm2bsyX-8kYvEAK1WyFdYMWJB9bhXd5fZSjPxhgGKqoWTFJZInw-IfNRAQkXYUbn_fpc9ui8DCfk/s640/noosa+heads5+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxJ376evpBgjvO5wTyntflydjvLBjs72vKqhmu3wFZwPqUrr7N7kpG-qYLDcD4v7fRPv5liRLdHrOKB_P-K-9vzOQ5kFtSm_Ea2_-R853T_7DMFc0urmhHxGuefgwC3o-xkZvNgp-oCQ/s1600/noosa+heads6+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxJ376evpBgjvO5wTyntflydjvLBjs72vKqhmu3wFZwPqUrr7N7kpG-qYLDcD4v7fRPv5liRLdHrOKB_P-K-9vzOQ5kFtSm_Ea2_-R853T_7DMFc0urmhHxGuefgwC3o-xkZvNgp-oCQ/s640/noosa+heads6+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8awUVHWNMeA1DH0X2Fw5NKzuSy_QBJJ-IJVkpkkTQq6bXJNRuzESxiFlfNtAI9UwIcryet-VRdQ5Fy6GdUlufr5qw1EM1OANG7sBSFDw8wPXs2qH9aCKN1rzMa48OV4nFDPqZ5xfUKw/s1600/noosa+heads7+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8awUVHWNMeA1DH0X2Fw5NKzuSy_QBJJ-IJVkpkkTQq6bXJNRuzESxiFlfNtAI9UwIcryet-VRdQ5Fy6GdUlufr5qw1EM1OANG7sBSFDw8wPXs2qH9aCKN1rzMa48OV4nFDPqZ5xfUKw/s640/noosa+heads7+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gwDY4nVod25NwJfyt1-YKM_WlBoGUwamn2b_N0EHBf1jd_CGwJLBzC5xmSKY8SYvW2mOttR3MURVobt52ifdkGBgnQKxHS8A0Q_9Mrd9ZVvh2v2-tWYh-Hw9tNBnyLgVy1u12D60RzQ/s1600/noosa+heads8+20100922070010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gwDY4nVod25NwJfyt1-YKM_WlBoGUwamn2b_N0EHBf1jd_CGwJLBzC5xmSKY8SYvW2mOttR3MURVobt52ifdkGBgnQKxHS8A0Q_9Mrd9ZVvh2v2-tWYh-Hw9tNBnyLgVy1u12D60RzQ/s640/noosa+heads8+20100922070010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX-Fwjo86zd-fugbRlATVA53yME2Z9NCkvPyJPGyLOC1KExiBYpanhAqDnTLZHFu3kjiTEKUMS2QwHvPvcWjcfgDAob8BOonbaQmwYViH5oa0ZNmpJT79inFIVGPSMmSudJXjujoHzsg/s1600/noosa+heads+caribbeannoosa+com+au.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX-Fwjo86zd-fugbRlATVA53yME2Z9NCkvPyJPGyLOC1KExiBYpanhAqDnTLZHFu3kjiTEKUMS2QwHvPvcWjcfgDAob8BOonbaQmwYViH5oa0ZNmpJT79inFIVGPSMmSudJXjujoHzsg/s640/noosa+heads+caribbeannoosa+com+au.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">...oh look, here I am on the beach</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />Not bad, hey? I think I could handle it!<br /><br />Oh, and thanks everyone for the birthday wishes - my daughter is chuffed you all took the time to comment. She's taken to surfing like the proverbial duck to water, and can't wait to head back again. Looks like we'll be spending quite a bit of time at the beach these school holidays! <br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">images courtest <a href="http://realestate.com.au/">realestate.com.au</a> and <a href="http://caribbeannoosa.com.au/">caribbeannoosa.com.au</a></span>

Beach house dreaming

After spending a great day at the beach on Wednesday, we came home filled with thoughts of a move to the coast. Of course, the crew would lo...

Read more »