My messy life

My desk is so messy at the moment, in fact my whole life seems that way at the moment.  All I can seem to do at the end of the day is sit down...

The good news is I managed to finish one present!

Maybe I'll have more luck these next few days.... How are you going? Have you managed to have the lead up to Christmas that you planned?

If I had some children..

This is what I would do. What a fabulous idea. And where does fabulous embroidery come from - the tiny happy blog which has totally captured my heart. Even more so because it's a kiwi blog and kiwi's have a special place in my heart - it is truly such a beautiful place.

Anyway, Happy Weekend everyone. I'll be making some gifts. I have to start finishing some, I keep getting distracted with new projects and not finishing any. Plus, I really need to think about what to give Benny... I'm still drawing a blank. I know it will come to me...

xx

Christmas fever + ramblings

You're not getting sick of my endless stream of Christmasness??? I'm sorry, I can't help it. There's so much gorgeousness out there. I just feel a bit sad that I can't really immerse myself in it at the moment - why is that work gets crazy just before the holidays? But anyway - how adorable is that amoire - just buy a few paper doilies and trim away!

A new take on a Christmas tree... easy for the kids to decorate!

Anyone stuck on what to buy their partner for Christmas? Ben is so impossible to buy for. I know he'd much rather me just make his lunch each day for work rather than spend lots of money on him. I've already embroided him a poem a couple of weeks ago, then I made him cute optical-art I posted earlier this month.... I'm running out of creative ideas when it comes to him!!

What are doing for the special people in your life?

Pics from country living.com

Totally hearting Christmas

What a great idea for those special ornaments that you might have! I've got a few ornaments that I picked up from a lovely christmas store in Germany last year which seem to get lost in my tree. They'd work much better like this.

Using the remnants of a tree is so Australian - especially for Christmas, it just conveys that relaxed vibe that always permeates here because of our blazing summers and our propensity to gravitate towards water and shade on the holidays.

So many great ideas!! I'm thinking of making some lovely personalised gift tags this year. I'm definitely going to do that for my gifts to charity this year. At work, my team organised for everyone to give gifts to kids in foster care. I'm going to wrap their presents up with all the Martha-ness that I can summon. I'd love for all those kids to get something really special on Christmas day. If you live in Queensland, you can easily join in too. Just drop the presents (wrapped and labelled for the appropriate gender and age) at your local child safety services centre or your local electorate office.

xx
Candace

Pics from countryliving.com

Time to get with the season...

I haven't got my christmas tree up yet!! I know, terrible. Story of my life lately, just a bit behind the 8-ball in general. But, I think this pic from Country Living has sufficiently inspired me to get a holiday move on.

My present to Ben

It was our second wedding anniversary the other day and I got this cute idea from Real Living Magazine. It was so easy to make and Ben thought it was pretty cute too.
xx

My heart's new love

Lori Hutchinson

Wild Olive

Follow the white bunny

merwing

torrance

Oh yes, stitching is my new friend.

What a wonderful craft - so easy to do after you know just a few stitches and you can make your creations as pretty or cheeky as you like. Imagine a wall of hoops - or a cute couplet from your favourite poem as a gift to a loved one... or maybe a really big one with 'Merry Christmas' as a stitchy take to a christmas wreath...

Hmmm, I think I'm going to try something a little kooky.. I'll let you know what I come up with!

xx

Happy Friday!

I just found these photo's and I had to blog them because they make me happy! After all it's Friday.

Isn't that last pic a great idea. Imagine all the inspirational little quips you could present like that!!

xx

PS. All pics from Joyful Living blog. Very joyful and one of my new fave's.

Holidays are so wonderful x

Ahh, let me take a deep breath and remember the smell of that sea air..... My holiday was too short but long enough for me to slighty unwind and really reiterate to me all that is important in life. That being  - eating gelati at least twice a day and having a nap in the gentle sea breeze after lunch each day with my gorgeous husband. After a quick dip in the ocean, taking a walk along the river or beach and having an evening picnic watching the sun go down. Are you with me?? It was total bliss. And it had me pouring over real estate up there and pondering what work I could do ...

I have a few snaps..

that's me sitting along the Noosa river

This is Eumundi, a charming little town, only about 15 mins from Noosa with fabulous markets each Wednesday and Saturday.

This was a gorgeous store I found in Eumundi, packed full of children's crafts. It was totally delicious!

So, my promise to myself, to keep the holiday vibe is -

Time can slow down if you want to. Spend time doing the things that you love. Turn off the TV. Drive down to the water more often. And start working on creating the job that I want...

My blog and all your lovely blogs are definitely helping me piece it all together, I just need to start doing (in a relaxed way)!

Can't wait to catch up on everyone's blog!

x
Candace

I heart crochet

Having an  awesome time on my holiday. Trying to decide whether to hire some jet ski's tomorrow or go on one of those adrenalin power boat rides....

But, when I'm not running around, swimming, relaxing and getting a little bit burnt without meaning to (thanks to my pale skin), I've been practicing my crochet. These pics above have got me inspired! How great is that blanket on the bed!! Love it.

I'll have what she's having

What does a girl have to do to get that twinkle in her eye?

Absolutely, Elizabeth Taylor is knock out beautiful, but it's her eyes in this picture that made me linger.

Colour me pretty with flowers

Give me undone, eclectic colourful interiors anyday!

I'm going on holidays to Noosa tomorrow. It'll be so fabulous to have a little mini break by the beach. Not sure whether I'll have net access, I'll keep you posted.

x Candace

Images from fffound

Do you match your house?

Do you come home each day perfectly in sync with your nest? Do you sit down on your lounge and just look like you belong? And what came first, your sense of personal style or your interiors style? Or, are both equally stylish, but very different?

My personal style is more like this -

ralph lauren via stella and pearl

Yes, that's right. I swear I spent my previous life on the french riviera (I wish). On the weekend, I'm all about navy and white, with a splash of red. Or lots of red with a splash of navy. And I love stripes. And white cuffed shorts. And a beautiful slim tan belt.

But my house, well, it's still in development, but I'm pretty sure it's going to look a little something like this -

fffound

A bit of a contradiction.

How about you? Personal style versus your nesting style - same, similar or completely different??

A few snaps of the Pretty Trip Nest

Hi Lovely Friends,

I may be having a career crisis, but that doesn't mean I can't have loads of fun when I'm not at work! So here's a couple of things I got up to after work today:

1. Went out for Mexican on with 2 fabulous girl friends and randomly saw Ray Martin (famous Australian TV journo) at the book store (yes, that's what happened tonight)

2. Picked some fabulous flowers from the garden (see pic 1)

3. Kept working on embroidery and made a plan to make more pin cushions (voila pic 2)

4. Thought of what colour that fabulous vintage frame should be painted that I picked up for only $12 (pic 3) - I think something really bright!

5. Take funny pictures of Buster behind said frame (pic 4)

I'll find my way... that's why my blog is a called 'a pretty trip' - I'm on my journey, I just don't know where I'm going yet!

xo
Candace

Dreaming in reality

Or...

Oh goodness, I think I'm far too analytical for my own good. Go forward in the direction of your dreams, or let them go and live the life you have to the fullest....I don't think it's a coincidence that the word "analyst" is in my job title. I don't even know how I went so far down this career path... and today I was offered two managerial opportunities. I get to choose - but all I wanted to do was cry.

In fact that is what I did.

I really want to be a writer. I really want to have a baby. I want to create pretty things - a beautiful table, an exquisitely wrapped gift, glossy meringues...

Thank goodness it is the weekend!! Maybe I can work on that baby stuff...

Photo's from Pecannoot

Creative thinking not allowed

jennipenni

Hi Friends,

I have a job interview tomorrow - so I'll be studying hard tonight so I say all the right things tomorrow. Analytical techniques, change management, effective working relationships... definitely not as fun as finishing off my embroidery project which I'd much rather do!

Be back soon.

xo

Candace

More fabulous interiors

Ok. It's Monday... ughh. Forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm at the moment... I'm a bit over my job. Oh how I wish I could spend my days pregnant (or trying ;) and nesting... all the cookies and cakes I could make; the shelter shops I could visit; the diy work and decorating I could do!

Oh well, in the meantime, this is what my blog is for (& all your blogs too) - to keep inspiring me! Isn't that first bedroom exquisite. The glossy white floorboards in the second pic are divine. It's also proof that one can never have too many chandaliers. And, isn't it amazing how a garden tool can look so chic and feminine when pared with some pretty paper. Love it all!!!

All pics from Burcu Avsar - still loving that site!

PS. Also received my lovely milk butter & eggs shopper from Catherine at little glowing lights. Gorgeous! Loved taking it to the Famer's Market on the weekend!

Couch Perfection

Hi Friends! It's Friday evening here in Australia, a whole weekend of possibilities lies ahead, but as soon as I saw this couch, all I want to do is sit down and enjoy its gorgeousness!

Photo from Burcu Avsar, whose awesome site I found via little glowing lights. Check them both out!!

Living Space

Photo by Helen Norman via camilla at home

Last 2 images: ffffound

Happy Thursday friends! I haven't posted any interiors for a while. I've been so wrapped up with craft lately. I've even started a little craft group at work each Thursday and Friday lunch. Today I learnt the first few steps in crochet. Oh my goodness, for the first five minutes I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. It was so hard!!! I totally blame my left-handedness.

Anyway, I'm home now - so let's talk about living spaces! I love the industrial pared back vibe in the last pic, but I'd have to also have a space elsewhere in my house that was really cozy, prefabably with at least one wall covered in books, similar to the first pic. Yes, I definitely need to include a reading nook in my renovation plans! What do you need in a living space?

Fabric CV!

from here via unruly things

This is seriously so very cool. A fabric CV! It's creator printed her CV on iron-on paper and then ironed it on to a piece of fabric and sewed some nice contrasting fabric to the back. It maybe wouldn't be appreciated at my workplace, but I'm sure in creative industries this would catch a prospective employer's eye.

Practice..

Today is an anniversary of soughts, I started 'going out' with my husband 6 years ago today. Our wedding anniversary is next month, so we usually celebrate then, but I wanted to do something cute today. Over the weekend I came up with that little poem - "My heart stopped, as I fell in love. Only to restart, when I knew we'd never part".

My stitching needs work, but I think it's quite cute!

xo

Chipped China Jewelry

Now this is a fabulous idea I haven't seen before. Gorgeous jewelry from Shop Yarborough made from chipped china plates. Amazing!

Via Paper n Stitch