Somehow dogs always get it right. This week’s Words To End Your Week On is from The Enlightened Hound’s “Canine Wisdom”.
Have a happy weekend.
Found here.
Words To End Your Week On
Scrabble Typography Edition
In a vain attempt to get past the autocorrected and spell checked lives we live, Alexis and I decided we needed to play some Scrabble. Now it had been some time since my last attempt at the Triple Word Score, so locating the trusty family Scrabble board was going to be a mission. After numerous phone calls to my sister and Mum it was discovered that our original family board had gone missing. I had assumed it was with all the other much loved and long forgotten board games at my Mum’s… sigh! I was certain I would see its’ familiar green box hiding in amongst the Monopoly and Cluedo boxes, but alas, no Scrabble (although I think the Hungry Hippos are there still!)
Feeling very despondent we skulked down to our local toy shop, only to be told they had sold out (it was just before Christmas) What… sold out of SCRABBLE? How can this be? Do kids still play Scrabble?
Weeks went by and still we struggled to hunt down the elusive Scrabble (or buy a new one). Then a couple of weeks ago we got wind of a fresh supply that had just come in. I was so excited, finally Alexis and I would be put to the test in a battle of the brains (or lack there of).
Sadly my excitement was met with sheer horror – they just don’t make Scrabble like they used to.
The letter pieces are made from lightweight plastic and the little trays are flipping ugly too. The board is garish and bright and nothing has any old school charm like it used to (It even smells cheap and nasty).
Anyhow, this did not put us off playing, but it did leave us wishing we could find the old family board we used to love.
Like most things in life, as soon as I had came to terms with the ugliness of our new Scrabble board, I spotted the most amazing Scrabble board on Linda’s website One Fine Dae. GRRR!
If only I could have saved the Rands I spent on the butt ugly board and rather invested them in one of these gems.
Isn’t it so lovely? Check it out here
Yah for clever design. Yah for beautiful typography. Yah for (non plastic) Scrabble.
All images from here
A quick snap shot
I am currently doing some research for a new jewelry line I am making. Lucky for me I get to trawl through tons of incredible photos of all my favourite old “Big Screen” movie stars (hard work, really!)
Amongst the gems I have collected on my Vintage board on Pinterest I rediscovered this gorgeous photo – I adore Audrey’s effortless elegance, even when touching up her makeup.
Photo found here
Words To End Your Week On
As this is a long weekend and because it’s Easter and because last week I didn’t post a “Words To End Your Week On” and because I simply cant resist – here are three things to keep in mind when relaxing over your mini break.
I hope you all have a safe, happy and blessed Easter weekend.
You can purchase this gorgeous prints from Wicked Paper Co here
Rooms full of prezzies
Each year my sister and I waddle off to the annual Kammers Vol Geskenke and come back laden with bags full of potential Christmas presents. The market is usually very festive and there is always oodles of terrific stuff to feast your eyes on.
Well the smart folks from Kamers have just opened an online shop. So you better get out your purses right away as their current collection of charming goodies will only be available to order till the 3 May.
Here are just four of my favorites. How cute is that bunny, and yes he is pink under his back paws!!
1 – Paper bird house – R60.00
2 – Bambi Brooch – R50.00
3 – Grey bicycle pillowcase – R120.00
4 – White Ceramic Bunny – R360.00
All photos from Kammers Vol Geskenke
Easter Egg Caddy DIY
Easter egg hunting is such fun, but what do you do with all your chocolatey treasures once they have been found? Why not store them in an adorable Easter egg caddy.
This caddy is surprising easy to make, follow the instructions below and you will end up with a gorgeous Easter present, sure to delight Easter egg hunters of all ages.
What you will need:
- One glass jar
- Plastic farm animals of your choice (chickens or rabbits would be ideal for this time of the year)
- Glue (I used epoxy, as it’s pretty strong)
- Spray paint
- Sticky back vinyl (I found an old piece of faux wood printed vinyl, don’t worry what it looks like, you are going to spray over it before discarding it)
- Pinking shears or craft scissors with a decorative edge
- Easter eggs to fill your jar
Step 1. Glue your little animals to the lid of the jar.
Step 2. Using your fancy scissors (or pinking shears) cut a long strip of vinyl. Be sure to cut it deep enough to cover the bottom half of the lid (the bit you don’t want spray painted)
Step 3. Stick vinyl around the base of the lid. Remember that the vinyl is going to mask the area of the lid you don’t want to spray.
Step 4. Following the instructions on the spray paint can and spray your lid. Remember to rather do numerous light layers of spray paint, leaving the lid to dry between layers, than heavy thick layers, which will run and eventually peel.
Step 5. Once your lid is thoroughly dry (over night is best) you can peel off the vinyl.
Step 6. Fill your glass jar with Easter eggs and you are done!
These little caddies make fun storage containers for stationary etc, so they can continue to be used long past the holidays.
Enjoy making your Easter egg caddy and happy hunting.
(Inspiration for this Easter DIY came from this cute “Playroom storage idea” from House to Home, have a look at it here)
Fairlady April 2012 Blogger of the Month
Huge big thanks to the lovely people over at Fairlady Magazine for featuring me as their April Blogger Of The Month. What a fabulous delight to be asked to be a part of this awesome nod to the digital world.
I had a tricky time answering all their questions and certainly battled to limit my list of current “must haves” to only 10. Needless to say, it was a fun exersize and the final article looks fabulous. So go out and buy the magazine now. Also check out the online Q&A for more.
Thanks once again to my awesome photographer neighbors for taking my photo. Desmond and Toni, you guys rock!
Hand drawn handbags
Some may say I have a small handbag problem, but I disagree. After all I did clear out a bunch of old forgotten bags not that long ago – surely that means I have space for some new guys?
Thanks to my stylish sister, Alison, for feeding my handbag habit. I now HAVE to get my paws on a one of these fabulous Jump From Paper bags.To quote the creators: “Jump From Paper™ is a playful and innovative line of handbags. Cartoon-like outlines, bright and vibrant colors will be sure to turn heads and be the talk of the town. Are they real? Yes they’re real”
Now to choose a style…I cant decide which one I like the most… which one would you get?
All photos are from Jump From Paper
Ikea Summer 2012 Collection
I just stumbled upon the Ikea Summer 2012 outdoor collection – it’s so bright and cheery, even those of us enduring winter at the time will appreciate it’s hot and summery palette.
With the likes of Zara and Gap making their way to our sunny shores, I am still very sad that Ikea has chosen not to open a store in our fair country. I do not know a single soul who wouldn’t spend a couple of Rands in one of their iconic yellow and blue stores. Hearing people overseas moan about how mundane Ikea is, and how the quality isn’t that good and the meatballs are boring, makes me so jealous.
Us poor Saffers are dying for a (half decent) mass produced furniture store, where we can pick out our off the shelf kitchen from a hefty catalogue – then spend all Saturday morning following the directional maze through one of their stores – only to end it all stuffing our faces with Swedish Meatballs and cups of tea.
Please Ikea, come to SA. We need your default flat pack loveliness!
You can see the Ikea Summer 2012 collection here (not in English though)
Found via Ideas To Steal
A recipe for the perfect cherry pie
I have always had a crazy love for typography. I suppose it began while studying Graphic Design at the old Cape Tech. Apart from learning all the theory behind typography we also had to recreate entire font families, by hand!
Nuts, I know, but a vital step in the true appreciation of well set type. Computers and graphics programs simply cannot space letters as well as the human eye, its about feeling the white space around the letters and making it work.
Nothing irritates me more than seeing badly kerned lettering. There simply isnt an excuse for it – it’s just laziness.
Hand lettering is a craft which I am so pleased to see is currently experiencing a huge revival. Being very inspired by ascenders and descenders, kerning and leading, I have hauled out my old drawing pens and note pad, in an enthused attempt to start font doodling again. Thanks to my dear husband, Alexis, who gave me a copy of “Just My Type” by Simon Garfield for my birthday, I really do feel armed to make the most of this artistic whim (so watch this space).
On another note, they say you eat with your eyes first, well if you could make the actual recipe you are reading just as delicious as the dish you intend baking, then you are onto something truly magical.
Inspired by hand lettered chalk boards, Leanda from One Little Bird Studio manages to make your mouth water while reading her Cherry Pie recipe. Her blog is equally as gorgeous, filled with beautiful colours, inspirational posts and fantastic typography (serious blog crush material).
The scrumptious Cherry Pie photos are from another glorious blog you have to visit, Raspberri Cupcakes, but be warned, you may gain a dress size just drooling over Steph’s delicious photographs. This woman knows how to cook!
Hand Lettering by Leanda from One Little Bird Studio
Cherry Pie photos by Steph from Raspberry Cupcakes
Words to end your week on
Desmond & Toni
Being surrounded by creativity and talent is never something you should take for granted. Lucky for us we live in a street full of inspiring and amazing people. We have film production folk, jewelers, art restorers, designers and amazing photographers. Desmond and Toni are our immediate neighbors, they are both super talented photographers.
Recently I had to have some proper profile photos taken of myself for a Fairlady feature on BlogGirls. Yikes, the only pictures I have of me were taken (very reluctantly) on a cellphone camera and involve a very unflattering pose with my hair in a mess and bags under my eyes. I prefer snapping than being snapped.
Lucky for me, Toni read my desperate tweet for photographic assistance and before I knew it Desmond and Toni came to my rescue. In spite of the weather being really horrid and rain threatening to fizz up my newly flat ironed red barnet, the photos came out amazingly. Desmond and Toni have an uncanny ability to capture moments so naturally and elegantly. Their gentle natures and unassuming personalities automatically made me feel comfortable, not an easy feat as I HATE having my photo taken. Well after just a half and hour and a few dozen snaps I was done (and I felt like a super star) Who would have thought… I could actually look respectable?
Desmond and Toni run a very successful photography collaboration (check out their website), with weddings being their obvious show stopper. Desmond is also a very keen petrol head and takes really sexy automotive pics.
When Desmond isn’t relaxing with a fresh brew, he is sure to be snapping shots with his iPhone or skating the back streets. Toni is a gorgeous German lass, who’s charm and warmth would put the most nervous of brides/anxious bloggers at ease. She has a contagious creative energy and is very passionate about Cape Town (embarrassingly knowing more about this town than most of us locals do!) The couple live with Piccolo, the super slinky Italian Greyhound.
Thanks Desmond and Toni for being miracle workers. I love my photos and am so chuffed to have you guys as neighbors.
Check out more of Desmond Louw and Antonia Heil’s photos here
Be Inspired
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This is my little collection of all things pretty. I hope it spreads a little happiness. Read more about me here |
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