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Just a really quick mish-mash post for you today of photos from around the home.

How pretty are these apples?!

A lilly from the garden

 Some kitchen clutter

Our front veranda changes by the seasons. Right now we have tomatoes, basil and succulents.

I'm a huge apple crumble fan! Mum used to make it for dessert on those nights when we felt like a treat but had limited time or resources. I find that at any given time there's usually ingredients for a crumble at hand. I don't have a recipe per-say, I usually use whatever I can scrounge up. This one was quite successful and rather healthy being gluten, dairy, sugar and flour free.I used-

1 1/4 cup almond meal

1/2 cup shredded coconut

a small handful of pistachio nuts

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup rice malt syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Very yummy!

 Above is our reality survival machine! Zen and I have a rather good partnership going. As I'm always the first to rise I turn on the machine and by the time he gets up its all warmed up for him to work his magic and make the coffee. Somehow I think I have the better end of the deal.

I love this little hat but haven't gotten around to wearing it yet. So I just enjoy looking at it either sitting on my dresser or hanging on the fan switch.

I always like to hang my latest paintings so I can enjoy them before they sell. I think I'm enjoying this one a little too much though as I don't really want to part with it! I shall have to one day though. I hope to have her as part of a Masai exhibition but currently she is available for private sale.

Speaking of art sales... I am moving interstate this year so am having a bit of a clear out. You can check out the Sale on my facebook page. All the items listed there are reduced, some up to $60% off! So please feel free to mosey on over :)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

~Love E xo

The land behind the front door

Many little things I've been enjoying around the house lately...

 

Some new Op Shopped glasses to enjoy! (the clear ones a pair, and six of the rose coloured)

 

 

Flowers from my Mother-in-law which she grew herself, grace the windowsill I so enjoy cluttering with pretty things.

 

Trying out new ways to adorn the bedroom windows. Scarves didn't last very long - Max pulled them down rather promptly.

 



 

After completing my reading of Minxy Vintage, by Kelly Doust, I have been attempting sewing. Haven't gotten too far yet as I'm still working out this 70's sewing machine from my Nanna. 

It's also been driving me vintage crazy after having been a luckier acquirer of about a dozen vintage dresses lately. Friends and family have passed on some beauties, but here are just a few, the white and gold lacy one I was fortunate enough to have a lady slash the price in half for me at an op shop saying "what! $22?! We're not David Jones!".

 

The Orange with white polka dots was bought for me by Stephanie who has predicted Japanese Vintage to be the next big thing as we are running out of our normal Vintage supplies here in Sydney.

 

Below a sample of a Grecian style vintage dress from the local secondhand early morning markets, again another great buy.

 



 

Some bedroom prettiness. Vintage hats from Adelaide Markets. Oh and I'm really, incredibly in love with buntings, as the one I made for Max's room will attest to.

 



Trying my hand at a very rough Croque Madame Muffins, Gluten Free, Rachel Khoo Style!

 

Making the most of what the garden has to offer. Collected Oregano flowers, neighbours flowers hanging over the fence (thanks!), mint flowers (did anyone else not know they had flowers like these?) peppercorn tree leaves, lavender, acorns (also landing in our yard from the neighbours tree...) and of course some baby beets and baby carrots.

 



 

 

Another dress.. or two or a lot...

 

Was passed on this crazy black and red dress a while ago and simply couldn't wear it and not look ridiculous. Lots of shredded style and well to me it felt way to costume for my liking. So after getting inspired by the Minxy Vintage book, I am cutting and pinning, and hoping I can get the guts to sew this into a gorgeous dress I could actually wear.

 

Picked up some pretty homemade hangers from an op shop the other day - hoping these will help protect my vintage goodies.

 Maxy boots. Aw.

 

 

All from my Nanna.

 

 

And finally, bringing the ladder obsession inside the house.

 

There you go - a little bit of a mini tour around the house.

More later.

Xx b xX

Bobbin' along...

A very long while ago, before Max could even walk, we visited Dave and Amy and of course Toby the doggie, down at their beautiful south NSW coast home. I had been dying to know if some photos turned out on my roll of film and had figured they were all on a roll that came back blank. Today I was happy to find a few shots I had forgotten about on the next roll! Particularly had tried to capture the friendship that developed between Max and Toby. Toby became Max's protector and was constantly checking up on him.  Other than this I will have to do an entire post on how much I love their home! Next time!

Living in the western suburbs of Sydney, I am immensely grateful to have found not only a funky cafe, but one with awesome coffee! Thank You Circa Espresso!

Despite the hilarious face, I assure you he enjoyed his babycino which came complete with a cute paper striped straw...Love!

For our lovely summer full of heat waves we spent it camping at South West Rocks. Trial Bay Gaol to be precise. It had the best swimming spot I may have ever been to! The photos show more of the rocky area - just as nice though! Swimming and relaxing. Here are some shots of what it was like from my film.

Bit of a catch up post.

Hope you liked!

 

bxx

slipping into a little vintage always feels good....

Slipping into a beautiful vintage dress which feels as though it's been made for you, feels like slipping into Cinderella's glass shoes (or also called slippers. Indeed a lot of slipping going on). 

 

 Can you imagine how cool and smooth those glass slippers would have felt - and how much like a princess you would feel wearing them? But then, the fact remains, and is so very overlooked that they were, of course, made of glass. GLASS. Far out how did she not break those things - I break plenty of glassware and I'm certainly not wearing them on my feet and dancing around! (I cannot speak for my 19 month old Maxwell however...it sounds like something he would love the sound of).

 

Well, to get to the point wearing a beautiful vintage dress also is a bit like these glass slippers. Sure you feel a bit cooler in your own mind knowing you are the only one there with this dress on, and well you do feel a bit like the princess, but can you really dance around with the prince and not end up with glass all through your feet? (wow i really managed to put a whole different image in your head then hey?)

 

I wore my pink thrifted $7 beauty for a special day yesterday and felt awesome; like royalty or my grandmother.

 

 

 

 

However I just may have neglected to realise it was not the best dress for having a 19 month old son. I bent and stretched heard a few tears and even a pop (the side clip ripping and needed to be latched onto the lace which in turn ripped) and I'm pretty sure the seems are so loose I might fit the dress as I put more weight on!  By the end of the day my hair was out and my dress was s bit stained, admittedly a better result than the perils of a glass slipper.

 

And you know what?

Who doesn't want a glass slipper? really?

 

Max in his play clothes for chasing little people around

Me, Hair from google image search : easy quick vintage hairstyles, done in the car, jewellery from my sisters gorgeous vintage themed wedding and in my thrifted dress - I just read that if its a metal zipper down the side of a handmade dress it's more than likely 1940's. Not sure I believe that with this one, it seems more possible a woman who grew up in that era made this in the 80's. However I did feel very 40's as it reminded me of Elishia's original 1940's dress. I can't quite recall the colour E, if you could let me know. Was it a teal? I am looking into dye and if a few marks which were on this dress from the beginning don't come out, I'm thinking of a colour solution! Has anyone else tried dyeing? I would love to change the colour to a teal or something. I think the pink is a bit light for my skin tone, and perhaps a bit girly. Any thoughts?

 

My love of vintage has been further fueled when it comes to updating and restoring by a gift from a rather new but wonderful friend and fellow mother of boys. (If you're reading thank you again!)

 

 

I thought I recognised a lot of shots in this book as Surry Hills, near Coco Repose - though now online only store and my previous dream vintage destination!- and sure enough when reading the forward I find it's written by Coco Repose's owner Jessica Guthrie! Also I believe the vintage high tea/bar 'The Victoria Room' may be used in some photos too.

Sigh. Lovely.

 

Here are some little snip pits for your day...(not as many as I hoped as images are loading a bit er, sideways.)

 

Well, I'm inspired!

bxx

 

Summer fruits

Hello all, hope you are well and that February is treating you kindly so far.

I have been immensely enjoying the fruit this summer! The cherries have been unreal and the figs are finally starting to come out. Have you ever tried fresh currents? I hadn't until I bought some at the Farmers Market on Sunday.

 

 They are teeny tiny bubbles of super sweet goodness. If you ever see them you must give them a go!

I've been very slowly collecting silver cutlery hoping to one day have a drawer full of pretty knives and forks. I am no where close to achieving that goal but these latest finds have helped me along a little.

I don't get to use these cake servers much so am enjoying having them on show.

Speaking of cake, I have a recipe for you!

A friend popped around last week with a bag full of lovely white nectarines from her tree so when we were invited out for dinner on the weekend and asked to bring dessert I knew what I had to do.

Nectarine and Almond Pudding

350g almond meal

300g unsalted butter

300g sugar

3 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten

1 handful whole pistachio nuts, shelled

Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated

9 small or 6 large white nectarines

In a food processor blitz the butter and sugar until light any creamy. Fold in the almond meal, lemon rind and eggs until completely mixed and nice and smooth. Stir in the pistachio nuts, then place in the fridge to firm up slightly. While waiting for the mixture to cool, halve and destone your nectarines.

Now get yourself some ramekins. The ones I used were quite large and made 8 serves. Almost no one at the dinner could finish theirs so I would suggest using 12 teacups instead.

Once the mixture has chilled, scoop it into your ramekins/teacups to about three quarters full. You don't want to overfill it as it will spill over the edge when you add the nectarines. Now push the nectarines into the mixture whichever way up tickles your fancy. Bake in a pre-heated oven, 180 degrees for about 45-50 minutes or until golden and not too wet in the middle.
Serve with thick pouring cream or creme fraiche.

So sticky and sweet and decadent!*

The variations on this recipe are endless really. I much prefer it with plums than nectarines but both work really well. I also love to use pears and instead of putting the pistachios in the mixture I buzz them up til fine then mix with honey and drizzle this sauce over the top of the pears during the last 20min of baking. This is basically a Jamie Oliver frangipane recipe so works perfectly in a tart.

*a little note.. if sticky, sweet and decadent is a little too much for you try using 200g sugar and 200g butter instead. I'm going to try this next time and see how it goes.

That's all from me, hope you have a great week!

~Love E xo