Gentlewoman, vintage caravans and a Full Scorpio Moon

Hello, I've been blogging on my writing Blog which you can find HERE but have been missing my personal blog lately so here's a post of a few things that have been inspiring me recently.

The Gentlewoman. I do love this magazine for its title and cover and the contents are most interesting as well. Have you seen this one?

Vintage Caravans have been taking up my thoughts. I long to live in the country and write in a beauty like one of these.

My daughter Daisy has also been inspiring me for her computer know-how. I had no idea that at six she is capable of uploading the internet, googling DISNEYLAND and having a good browse around YouTube for videos on Disneyland whilst my back was turned. I, of course am totally pants with technology. The collage above is of Daisy meeting her father for lunch in the city when she went to visit her naturopath last week. Daisy has a gallstone which we are trying to treat naturally as well as medically.

I am loving the cold snap that has hit Sydney and there is a wonderful Full Scorpio Moon on her way.

Have a lovely week and stay creative. xx
green vintage caravan from happylovesrosie
quote from weheartit
pearl lowe's vintage caravan source

Fabbo Friday and Fab Buys - Fab Books

I bought a few fab things in Blackheath.
More Witchy shoes from the local op-shop.
And from the Antique Centre this floral vintage print: I couldn't resist the little flowers peeping out.
Apricot gloves from the 1950s (which I have already worn to the Opera House).
Vintage Chic by Cabbage and Roses, filled with beautiful photographs. The Scribe also bought Exploration Fawcett, the true life adventures of an explorer who disappeared into the Amazon in the 1920s. He recounts tales of giant anacondas, piranhas and ghosts.
Daisy picked herself out a Shirley Barber book which has Barber's usual stunning fairy illustrations. And to prove that one person's junk is another little girl's treasure, this yellow plastic Walt Disney Belle which she happily put her vintage Minnie Mouse back for. You can see Belle with her new friends in the picture above.
And as mentioned earlier, my holiday read was Lisa Jewell's The Truth About Melody Browne which is very engaging and romp along. Lisa has a real talent with creating engaging and sympathetic characters. I first found this writer when she was interviewed in Red magazine and really loved her warm, witty and clever style.
At times I felt my heart was going to break when reading this book for Melody.It reminded me of a little of a Cinderella or Harry Potter story in that the heroine who appears to be leading a mundane and pretty beige existence turns out to have an entire other story happening which she was unaware of. When she does discover her hidden past, she discovers an entire different dimension to herself and her own perceptions of how she views herself and the world alters. It's Lisa's talent that she really does make you believe and care about her characters.
And a book I have also enjoyed recently (thanks to my neighbour and friend) is Lovesong by Alex Miller.
I hadn't read any of this much acclaimed Australian author's books but found his writing captivating. Lovesong is set between a Tunisian cafe in Paris and Melbourne and braids two different stories. In the Paris scenes is a love story between an Australian man and his North African bride, who yearns for a child. And in the Melbourne scenes is an ageing writer who meets John in the future and listens to the story of what happened to John and his exotic bride. It's a memorable, sensual and poignant read. Parts regarding ageing and the narrator writer's relationship with his daughter are so tender that it almost hurts to read.
The Paris segments have a different rhythm but you easily slip into both worlds and find that not only is the language elegant but the story keeps you turning the pages. Moody, bittersweet and as sharp as a guillotine's blade. You can almost smell the spices and curries in the air. I can promise you'll never look at a tomato seller at the food markets in the same way again.
I find the author fascinating as well. It's commonplace these days for writers to do the usual university course route but Mr Miller (who wasn't published until his early fifties ) has had a range of jobs from stockman to cleaner at Myers. A writer from my tribe, in other words. There's a link to an interview here if you are interested in such things. I do really get so excited when I find new writers to love and so a big thank you to my lovely neighbour friend for introducing me to this wonderful Australian talent.
As for Fab Blog posts this week, I've really enjoyed a new Blog from a very talented Danish woman, smilerynker
She has a beautiful eye for pattern and colour. Here's are a couple of her lovely images above.
And signing off for the weekend with the magnificent Johnny Depp. I have a sick daughter at home this weekend. We have all been battling the winter bugs in Sydney.
Thanks for visiting me. Enjoy the weekend with your loved ones. Stay cosy and keep creative. xx
When I first went to writers' festivals — they used to have this thing that they did to us, which was (and they maybe still do it occasionally, I haven't seen it happening here anywhere, it may happen still) but they used to say, 'When did you first realise you were a writer? What was the earliest book that you read?' So Salmon Rushdie or Louis De Bernieres or whoever it was that was sitting next to you would say, 'I found Stendahl's le Rouge et le Noir under my mother's bed when I was three.' And I used to think, 'Shit'.
Alex Miller interview
lisa jewell image link source

alex miller image link source

johnny depp image source

Fabbo Friday, Arty Shots and Online shops

I'm smitten with the photo shoot of father-and-daughter team Barry and Miranda Otto (Australian actors) in Australian InStyle magazine (July issue). I love the bohemian, eccentric flair - and the brick kitchen which is a little like mine! I always enjoy articles on creative families.
And I'm also loving that two of my favourite Blogging friends have started online shops. Simone from Beach Vintage sold out virtually as soon as she announced her new shop was open. I managed to score the sweetest vintage handkerchiefs and gift-tags but the cupboard was bare by the time I got there.
And the gorgeous Isabelle from Suzy's Vintage Attic has started Suzy, Gaby and Maude. No stock yet but it will also sell as soon as she goes online. So keep these two sites bookmarked if you love vintage items. They both have a wonderful eye and style.
If you follow Cherry Menlove's amazing Blog, which celebrates Domestic Artistry in the most stylish, prettiest, fabbiest way, you will already know Cherry and Robert just had twins. Congratulations to you both. They have not had an easy run with plenty of heartbreak when it comes to conception. I didn't have time to get permission to use a photo from Cherry Menlove but if you go to this link, you'll see plenty of photos of a radiant Cherry and her lovely new babies, Ned and Anais, including the most precious photo of the newly born twins holding each other.
And of course, another fab shot to end the week of Johnny Depp in Secret Window. Don't forget my giveaway, which includes this fab thriller amongst other goodies. Giveaway closes midnight Sunday!
Enjoy your weekend. We are all sick at home with a mysterious bug and so it shall be a quiet one for us.
Thanks for popping in. xx

Fabbo Friday and Pixies, Blue Loos and Daydream Lily's Abode

Lately I've been shopping in one of my favourite places, EBay. Here's a few little treasures I've bought this week. Vintage wallpaper to cover a cupboard in my daughter's room. I love the little possums, pixies and koalas. Bunting for the outside of our writing shed (Sparrow Chateau) and for the kitchen in Cath Kidston oilcloth. And Pixie Tales, from Enid Blyton, a book I loved as a child.

And when it comes to fab and lovely Blog posts this week, it doesn't get much fabbier or lovely than the post Lucy from The Design Files did on Daydream Lily's home. You can see it HERE. Daydream Lily is one of my favourite places to visit for inspiration. Actually, Lucy's Blog is also fab as well. I love the 70's Sarah Moon, girly, whimsical vibe of Daydream Lily's abode.

The Scribe and I were both oohing and aahing over the office on this post from another King of Fab Blogs, The Selby. I love the creative romantic, boho, over-the-top vibe of this house where photographer Jamie Isaia and clothing designer Anthony Malat live. And I love the blue loo.

I'll be taking a short break from Blogging as I edit the last few chapters of Poets Cottage. I shall still be around to visit my blog friends, never fear. And saluting the ever-fab Johnny Depp as we float into another weekend.

Thanks for dropping in. Hope the next couple of weeks are peachy, whimsical and romantically over-the-top for you wherever you are in this amazing universe. xx

johnny depp image source:

bunting, Pixie Tales and wallpaper source:

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Bellucci baby, Jinty and rain

Rain, rain, rain in Sydney for days which I love. Perfect writing weather. Perfect crime reading and apple crumble weather. Here's a list of some of the things making my heart smile and sing this week.
Inspector Wexford (from Ruth Rendell's series of books). I've recently discovered this likeable detective, who enjoys reading and roses.
Vintage wallpaper (in particular with yellow roses)
Old Loony Tunes cartoons - I love watching the familiar characters I've grown up with bash and mutilate each other. I've recently discovered Baby Loony Tunes. Tweety in a nappy is just too cute for words.
Jinty Annuals - love my old Jinty's. They are so superior to the magazines for young girls today with their lack of merchandise advertising. The girls in my old annuals from the fifties and seventies were always plucky and had great adventures. My daughter loves me to read from Jinty. Although I have to admit she also loves the modern day merchandise filled mags.
This lovely print giveaway from the Blog gingerlillytea. I've purchased a couple of prints from this talented photographer. I do covet her new children's series as I love the dandelion clocks. Daisy loves to blow the 'fairy clocks'.
And the hottest couple on the planet (except Johnny and Vanessa) Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel have a new baby daughter, (Leonie) who was born in Rome on May 20th. Leonie is the couple's second child. Deva, their daughter was born in 2004. Monica, who is a modern day Sophia Loren, gives inspiration and hope to all women in their forties trying to conceive. Ahem, no names mentioned.
Hope your week is filled with inspiring, cozy, lovelies which make you feel smiley inside.
Thanks for dropping in. xx.

monica and vincent image source:

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Autumn Delights

I wish I could bottle the Autumn sunshine. It's so happy-making and calming. I'd like to splash and blow bubbles in it. Here are some other delights that are making me happy and mellow, yellow in the Sydney Autumn days.
1/ Martha B Rabbit. I am a fan and would love to be Martha B Rabbit, the wise and pretty rabbit created from Shirley Barber. I love her domestic artistry and her cozy little house with its crochet throws, preserves and warming fire. I admire the way Martha prepares for the coming of winter with her jam-making. Sigh. I would really enjoy spending a winter with Martha B Rabbit.
2/ Granny shoes and coloured tights. I love shoes that your witch Grandmother might wear. Here's my shoes I wore this morning.
3/ Helena Bonham Carter because she also loves Granny Witch shoes and because I love Helena no matter what the season. How I wish I had the courage to wear bloomers. And I'd love a baby pig around the house. Queen of fab and cool.
4/Vintage Pink pale lipstick
5/de-cluttering
6/ living a more frugal lifestyle. I finally have a chance to read books never touched. And watch DVDs still in their wrappers from years ago. We all have so much stuff!
7/ the melodic call of the magpies, morning and evening.
8/ The sinister, darkness in fairy-tales. I can feel more fantasy books calling to me. The path is glistening ahead, the wolves are waiting. Winter is coming. and tales need to be told.
Enjoy your week. What is making you happy and uplifted in your life? I always love to hear. xx
helena bonham carter image source:

Fabbo Friday and How I would like to hang out the washing

The Magic Hat Bookclub (the fab bookclub I'm in) met this week. The selected book was The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. It's been a long time since a book has uplifted, inspired and moved me as much as this one. I was on the bus reading it last Saturday and had to restrain myself from jumping up and screaming, "Read this book everyone!" It's become one of my all time favourites. I'm sure Markus would be chuffed to know he was up there along with Enid Blyton, Daphne du Maurier and Agatha Christie. Warning - this is a book you need several boxes of tissues near as you reach the ending. I'm sure my sobs were heard all over Sydney. I cannot stop thinking about the characters. Hats off to Markus Zusak and Liesal, Rudy, Hans, Max, Rosa, Ilsa and Death.
It's Mother's Day in Australia this Sunday. Below is a little piece I wrote for the lovely Kate Lord Brown's writing Blog (which is one of my favourites) called What Kate Did Next. This was a writing exercise about what I saw that morning. There's also a photo of my daughter and myself taken at drop-off time at her school. Excuse our windblown look, and my daughter's hair is filled with olive oil as I had to cut a rather large piece of chewing gum inventively hidden by some crafty child. As you can see from the piece, my daughter loves to tell stories as much as I do. I think it was written just after this photo was taken, one of a collection of photos for the school's Mothers Day Mass celebrations. And so Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers and Grandmothers this weekend.
My daughter beside me skipping to school in the Autumn Sydney sunshine. Long navy legs, blonde ponytail. Grey tunic. A dancing dappled fairy as she recites a story to herself, "Don't listen, Mummy! It's MY story!"
Commuters in suits rushing past us to catch their trains. Planes flying overhead, low on their descent. Trains rushing past and the commuters run faster. My daughter collecting fairy-clocks and bits of rubbish. Garbage lying discarded. An old street man lies amongst his discarded oranges. My daughter glances briefly at him before she springs in the air to continue her story. Nearer the school, Nannies and Mothers rushing with small children. We swoop through the gates together like a steam of tunic wearing fish. Hugging my daughter goodbye - she smells of innocent stories and her dreams of the night before. Racing home, kicking clouds, heart singing with joy at the laptop waiting in my untidy bedroom. Now it's time for MY story.

When it comes to Blog posts I enjoyed this week, I'm still thinking about a post the beautiful Vicki Archer did for French Essence on lingerie shops in Paris. Sigh. Exactly what every Mother needs. The post is called Thinking of Paris. Lingerie and Lace. I hate to ruin any illusions but that is not me hanging out washing in my Parisian underwear, sadly. That is from the amazing link on Vicki's post to Fifi Chachnil.
And sorry Isabelle, but you're up again for your post on perfumes. I'm addicted to perfumes and so when Suzy's Vintage Attic opened her perfume cupboard, of course I was right there salivating. The post is called The Power of Scent.
And whilst we're salivating over French lingerie and perfumes, then we may as well salute Johnny Depp. Somehow it all seems to go together.
So many fab and lovely things this week!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for visiting me. xx

Fabbo Friday and Beauty and the Bees

I was chatting to my sister who lives in Tasmania (my home state) and she mentioned a new range of beauty products she and our mother have been using.
It's a Tasmanian range called Beauty and the Bees. I love natural skin care and anything produced in Tasmania with its pure air and lush soil has to be of a high standard. Sigh, I'm homesick again for my lovely apple isle. You haven't lived until you've tasted food fresh from the soil there.
I jumped online and Beauty and the Bees looks like a rather fab new find. Not only do they have an online store so you can order from anywhere in our world - they have a lovely Blog called Voice of the Beehive.
Look at the picture of their handcream from their shop. I feel I could spread it on a crumpet.
I had rather an animated reaction to my Kim Wilde gardener crush post. I hadn't realised so many Wilde fans were out there. I have to own up that I wasn't a fan of her music; the gardener Wilde is the incarnation that interests me more. For those who do love her music, you will be pleased to know she is still rocking it! I was more in love with her house which is a big open barn which I saw in some magazine years ago and had an enormous crush upon. That is one of her books above, and I also have her other one called First Time Gardener. There is also a website which has all of Kim's garden articles on them. The link is here.
And once again for my fab blog posts I have enjoyed during the week, I had to choose two. The first one is from a new Blog I have discovered. Jane is a Melbourne woman and her blog has the lovely name of My Pear Tree House. She had a very fab post about the wonderful Lauren Child. That's Lauren's kitchen above, complete with white piano. You can read the post, An Ode to Lauren Child at My Pear Tree House.
And being the severe anglophile I am, I was salivating throughout the legendary Isabelle from Suzy's Vintage Attic post which recounts a lovely outing with her husband to very quaint and Midsomer Murders-type thatched cottages in Somerset.
Isabelle's entire Blog is really one I cherish. She has become somebody who I treasure very much, not only for her posts but for her friendship. And yes, I do feel it is possible to feel friends in a pen-pal type of way with somebody you have never met. Isabelle has a massive following and it's not hard to understand why. Follow in the footsteps of the very lovely Isabelle and Alan in the post West Somerset Cottages at Suzy's Vintage attic.
And no Friday post is complete without another peek at Johnny. A salute to you, Johnny as we head to the weekend.
Wishing you a fab and lovely weekend. May you find joy and inspiration in everyday things. Thanks for visiting me. xx

lauren child kitchen image source
thatched cottages image source

Johnny Depp image source

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Inspiring Lovelies

Hello,
This week I'm feeling inspired by
starfish
the full Moon in Scorpio on Wednesday night
Kim Wilde and her change of career from 80s pop babe to gardener
the new Daisy design (Garland edition) (yet another bottle to add to my daughter's growing Daisy bottle collection)
words, always words tap-dancing in my brain
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak which is making those tap-dancing words tap even harder. A wonderful book that almost makes me feel like swooning when I read some passages
vintage wooden dressing tables
Snow White
thatched English cottages
hedgehogs
roses - in particular the yellow and pale peach-coloured roses
That's my list of things giving me pleasure and inspiration this week. What is inspiring you? Do leave me a comment and tell me.
xx

kim wilde image source

vintage dressing table image source

daisy image source

Snow White image weheartit

Fabbo Friday and Loads of fab and lovely things

Loads of lovely fabs this Friday for my swallows and swans.
First up my new Rachel Ashwell book which is one of those books difficult to tear yourself away from. Pure lush beauty and inspiration on every page. I love the way Rachel's style is evolving with a more urban edge (such as her vintage brown leather sofa) and her minimal way of living. Little tips like you only need two changes of linen for each bed and Rachel's personal inspirations such as vintage wallpaper Marie Antoinette, the theatre and ballet make this book one of my new favourites. I think Rachel is so inspiring with her new life directions after Shabby Chic suffered the losses it did in America. I also enjoy Rachel's beautiful Blog as I love her style of writing.
In a new addition to Fab Friday for Tale Peddler, I plan to talk about a particular Blog post that inspired me or, I thought was fab, during the week. Blogging is all about sharing and so hopefully, you'll find some inspiration there - or even make a new Blogging friend.
This week I actually have two as it was difficult to pick.
The talented, crafty Kari from Artsy Mama and her post on her daughter's fifth birthday party where she created a Strawberry Shortcake party for her lovely daughter, Chloe. My daughter also thought this was an amazing post and asked me if I could reproduce the same party. With a doubtful look at me, she said, "You could try, Mummy." You can find the post on Kari's site Artsy Mama.
And another Blog I've followed for ages. A fellow Tasmanian girl, the lovely Amanda from The Vintage Rose. Amanda really lives in my dream home in Launceston, Tasmania. You can see the photo of her home above. Sigh. She also has a divine store where she sells lovely French inspired goods. She has two beautiful teenage daughters and a terrific garden. The post I really loved of hers is where she shared a few personal photos of her family. There is the loveliest pic of her and her husband. You can find Amanda's beautiful Blog at The Vintage Rose.
And I had to add this fab piece from the very fab Allison of Lark. This is an extract from her gorgeous newsletter. I recommend you subscribe to the Lark newsletter which you can do here. It really is the prettiest thing to receive in your inbox. And Lark stock so many goodies. Even Cath Kidston now - hurrah! The piece below I have copied from Allison's newsletter. I thought it so true - and so clever. Fab Allison and fab Lark. You can find Allison's gorgeous Blog here.

If you grew up thinking ...
A Blackberry was something you picked in a country lane and not something you spent your weekend ignoring ...
MySpace was a den in your back garden, built with bed sheets and runner bean canes ...
Noah, Isaac and Joshua were characters from the Bible rather than kids in your class ...
And if you wanted to be an astronaut, train driver, nurse, footballer or anything other than a CELEBRITY when you grew up ...
CONGRATULATIONSYou're a product of the Ladybird generation.
Lark's delightful collection of Vintage Ladybird gifts, homewares and stationery features classic, fun and nostalgic images from the Ladybird Book archive. Perfect for Mum

And last but not least. Another new feature of Fab Friday is a photo of the wonderful Johnny Depp to be rotated every Friday to go out to the weekend on. Yes, I know that's probably a bit tragic and perimenopausal of me but I think we all know how much I love Johnny!
So much fab for this week!
Have a cracker of a weekend filled with lovely moments. Thanks for visiting me. Cheerio. xx

image of Johnny Depp source weheartit