Office Space Pretties

Yes, I know. I'm not an artist. Or a stylist or in any creative industry. But what I wouldn't give for an arty office like this one. I'm sure the tech company I work at would get behind this, right?!

Behind the scenes at the Melbourne Museum

I was lucky enough to hang out behind the scenes at the Melbourne Museum recently and amongst other things, I saw an amazing collection of eggs. This drawer was my favourite - it's of Cuckoo eggs in other nests - sneaky, eh? You can also see the beautiful copperplate handwriting next to each clutch (the nest it was found in) of eggs. I had such a good time that I think I may have missed my calling:  museum curatorship seems to involve classifications, neatness and order. Oh. And lots of dead animals, which could prove to be a dealbreaker...

Photographs by me.

Framed Maps on Walls

Could there be a more orderly or more delightful post for a Monday morning? Enjoy these maps.

Wooden vases

Stunning wooden vases. Just so you know, they're sold out, but still just so pretty to look at here.

Comfy Corners

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The combinations of these little drawers and maps is awesome. Just plain old awesome. (And that brown satchel below isn't half shabby, either).

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Send More Mail

Have you seen this lovely blog called Send More Mail? It has made me want to trawl through and find all my old stamps and buy more and, perhaps intuitively, send more mail. Send letters, my blogging friends! Buy old fashioned stamps and stick them to paper and post away!

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Bacash's Emporium

I've been meaning to show these photos for ages. Over the New Year, I went to visit a good friend's house down in country Victoria, and visited her favourite local vintage shop, Bacash's Emporium. It used to be a haberdashery store, but upstairs is now a large selection of furniture, bric-a-brac and crockery -it's delicious.

I could have bought lots and lots in there: these bottles were amazing, and only a few dollars each.

What I did buy was the trunk below (apologies for the bad light: it's in an awkward-to-photograph spot.) I'm using it as a side table - you can see it's a sort of duck egg blue colour, with lots of scratches, which I like. Oh, and it is made of lead or steel: it is the heaviest piece I've ever lifted and the Pal cursed me as we lifted it up flights of stairs.

Now questions for you, dear Internet. What do you think it was used for? There are no holes inside and it has about three layers of insulation. It is steel (or whatever it's made from) on the inside, too. Any suggestions would be most welcome!

All photos by me

Myths and Stamps

I grew up reading Greek and Roman myths, and haven't stopped being an ancient history nerd. I also used to collect stamps as a young girl, and my 10 year old self would have freaked out at these magnificent, modern creations. Ok, I'm probably still freaking out.

Stationery Houses

Completely adorable stationery organisers in the form of little houses! I love how pens fit in the chimneys.

Maps on Walls

Design Sponge has put together a magnificent collection of maps on walls. If you like maps and walls, have a look at the stunning collection Grace curated - inspirational and beautiful.

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Christmas Giveaway!

Given that it's Christmas, I thought a little giveaway wouldn't go astray. I'm giving away 5 little packs of papers, beads, cards, and stickers - each is small, but comes with fun trinkets for decorating presents, making cards and turning into new projects.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post, saying why you'd like to win. I'm only accepting Australian entries this time - and I'll post the winners on Friday, 17th December, 2010.

Celosias

I bought these little coloured plants on the weekend and potted them up. Does anyone know what they actually are?! I was so overcome with exclamations when I saw them ("Little trees! Different colours!" etc and replay) that I forgot to ask... I hope I don't kill them - this is always a risk in my house. [EDITED TO SAY: They are Celosias! Thanks Cassi - how cool are my readers?!]

Newtown Wanderings

So I almost bought this bureau on Saturday. I had wandered into one of my favourite furniture places, and saw this little beauty - it was labelled Danish 1960s, but I couldn't really verify if that was the case. My dream is to have a bureau like this to contain all my crafty bits and pieces - it could even be a gift wrapping station with the table pulled down.

It was pretty cute, but I ended up shying away from it: really need to do some more research, as this was priced at $1100, and I couldn't tell if that was a steal or a travesty! Keep an eye out for me, will you, blogland, and let me know if you see one similar?

And I also found this little guy. He really looks like a Banksy to me - can anyone verify?

Open Shelves: #345

Yes, I'm back - with a post on open shelves, no less! It's been a busy few weeks settling back in after the wedding and honeymoon. Blissful, but very, very busy. The strong blacks and whites look fabulous against this tree-green, don't they? The pastels below are pretty wonderful, too. Happy week, blogland!

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Ginko Papers

Was browsing the other day and came across this delightful paper shop called Ginko Papers - Shinzi Katoh stickers, stationery packs and general deliciousness. Try it if you dare!

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First Wedding Present

My lovely sister came over on the weekend to give the Pal and I our first wedding present. We had no idea what this might be, but the thought of taking a short break from doing seating arrangements (!!!) was so delightful that we welcomed her with open arms. Em has also been an incredible support in the lead up: she knows I'm working a lot and just manages to be helpful in a very seamless and non-pressure way.

And we were blown away. Em knows how much I love these old railway posters, and made one for us which chronicles some of our adventures from our first date to our wedding day. It's not only a stunning piece of art, but I catch myself looking at it with dreamy, faraway eyes, remembering how far we've come, and all the adventures to come.

Thank you Em - we couldn't love it, more.

Tokuya Melbourne

Some very cute containers

Last Friday I was in Melbourne for work for the day, which was most excellent timing. I had recently read on Twitter (sorry - can't remember who tweeted, but thank you!) that a brand new Hyaku-en store had opened up in Melbourne. Many of the stores like this in Japan are from the brand Daiso, which is a high-quality, low-cost Japanese brand. Tokuya is (from what I could tell) made in China but Japanese design. And everything in the store is $3.50. Eeee!

Hula girls ribbon with hula skirts which come off the ribbon. Cuuute!

I only had about 15 minutes in the shop, which wasn't nearly enough. Although it's nothing on real Japanese Hyaku-en, it is a good, smaller sample size. There is lots of stationery, kitchen goods, hardware, cleaning products, beauty products and more. The kitchen section is very good, with lots of bento boxes, chopstick cases and little plastic animal-headed toothpicks. (Having bought about 40 plastic animal-headed toothpicks in Japan, I told myself no more. But really, can you ever have too many?)

Aroma pens, pencils and and cute little pens.

Hedgehog procession! "It walks side by side always together. It is a start of happy time"!
"Good sheep: it splashes in a lot of lovely child sheep. It follows one after another later"
"The Handmade Letter"
I can't go near hyaku-en without a Miffy purchase. This one is going to look especially grown-up in meetings...

Overall verdict? Most exciting and thrilling to have an Aussie hyaku-en. I didn't buy as much as I wanted, partly limited by time and by the fact that I only had a handbag with me. But it is a lot of fun, and if you love hyaku-en in Japan, you will adore this. Go, explore and love!


Tokuya: Basement, 236 Bourke St, Melbourne. (Near Target).
If you're heading to Melbourne, or if you live there, please tell me and I will ask for you to be a stationery mule! Seriously. I will pay cost + postage and maybe even treats to willing buyers!

Things Organized Neatly

Well if this isn't a blog after my own heart, I don't know what is! A whole collection of things organised neatly - superb, calming and just delightful. Enjoy!

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Graduation Day!

Yes, I thought books were the only possibly appropriate image for today. I get to put on an ugly bonnet hat, have my thesis topic read out, and officially graduate. Wish me luck!

White on White

Yes, I know, I have far too many colourful things to consider having an all white house, but it's images like this that make me long for clear, plain white goodness. We'll see.