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

Chit-Chat Wednesday and Blackheath

Blackheath is a little town high in the Blue Mountains. Originally named Hounslow, it was renamed by Governor Macquarie in 1815 because he thought Blackheath better suited its 'charred, wild, open heath appearance'. Charles Darwin visited the Scotch Thistle Inn in 1836.
Sometimes in winter it snows but sadly there was no snow when we visited. However the air was so cold that it blew a bad migraine out of the Scribe's head within half an hour of arriving.
We had no television in our little cottage. Daisy loved the very large backyard which had a magical fairy glen and a swing. We read books in front of the fire. I read Lisa Jewell's The Truth About Melody Browne (review due on Friday).
There were lots of leaves lying everywhere and we spent hours in the terrific Victory Theatre Antique Store. I bought a few things which I'll also post on Friday. Once it was an old-style picture palace; now it's floor after floor of fabulous finds and an always busy cafe.
And I fell in love with another house. Toured the house and came up with yet another book idea. It's heartbreaking to fall in love with houses; that's why I keep writing entire books around them. My first fantasy series I set partly in the mountains.
I’d love to move to the mountains, breathe that fresh pure air and watch the leaves fall forever.
There was even a small lion in the form of a cat that Daisy christened Purrdey, who adopted us the entire time we were there. When I close my eyes, I can hear his purr from here.

victory theatre antique centre image source

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday, A Winner and Secrets of a Lumpheart

Hello,
I'd like to dedicate today’s post to all the Bloggers who inspire and move me. This most likely involves YOU. There are many things I dislike about the modern age and technology. Sometimes I feel panicky that we're all moving too fast, forgetting to look upwards at the stars. That silence, kindness and reverence is being lost.
Blogging, however, is filled with creative, supportive, mannerly, stylish, fab and whimsical folk. I always love the way that small moments become magical through the Blog.
I normally feel more at home as an observer rather than a participant, but Blogging is a round table where differences and observation are appreciated.
Thank you all who visit me whether you comment or leave quietly. I appreciate you all. Thank you to all my special Blogging pals around the world. You know who you are.
You fill me with a sense of awe about community and a powerful affirmation that the human race is filled with surprising and whimsical beauty.
And the winner of my first giveaway is -
Kat from the lovely Blog Secrets of a Butterfly. My Daisy was so impressed to draw a winner with such a Blog name and wants to call her Blog when she's a 'big girl' - Secrets of a Lumpheart. That's probably a better name than Tale Peddler.
Congratulations Kat. I shall be in touch with you.
Thanks for visiting me. Stay creative. xx

vivien leigh image source

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Lions in the Snow

Hello,
The city is crushing me at the moment. We are going to the mountains for a few days to read books, look for snow, mountain-pixies and possibly lions.
I am going to drink hot chocolate and not leave the cottage.
I'll leave the giveaway until our return at the end of the week. For anybody who has not entered, the draw will stay open.
The photographs are of my daughter who stayed home sick from school last week. You can see how ill she was (ahem).
I need to breathe fresh air. I do hope it will snow.
xx

snow images from weheartit

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

Chit-chat Wednesday and Cosy Days

We've just passed the Winter Solstice in Australia and I've been enjoying cosy days in our little brick terrace. One advantage of a small house is that it doesn't take a lot to heat. These couple of pics show where I've been scribbling in notebooks. They feature a few things I love in a room: black-and-white checkerboard floors, vintage chandeliers (I have a pink one in my kitchen), stained glass window and fairy lights.
I've also:
Finished Poets Cottage after nearly three years since it was first conceived in Tasmania on a family holiday (August 2007). At 93 000 words, it's one of my smallest books but I'm very happy and proud of it for many different reasons.
Visited my hairdresser who must have thought I had died or moved after three months of not seeing me. My new profile pic shows me chirpy now that I can see.
Been writing crime short stories for the annual Sisters in Crime competition. I love writing short stories after finishing a novel.
Lost everything (except photos and my draft manuscripts) in a major computer crash the day after I finished Poets Cottage. I had no computer for a week which was rather lovely when I got over the initial horror.
Bought a few goodies from op-shops and EBay. More to come on that.
Cheered my lovely daughter on in her first-ever sports carnival. Having been totally pants at sports all my life, it was amazing to see how good Daisy was. She won two seconds (javelin-throwing and long-distance sprint) two thirds and a ribbon for good effort
The photo of her running here is a race she actually lost when she turned around to see where her friend was. I love it, because it shows her enjoyment of the race.
I've been reading The Elegance Of The Hedgehog, a wonderful book. Bit slowish at first but if you persist you're rewarded with a magical read. This was my bookclub pick.
How about you? What cosy things are inspiring you or what are you up to? What features do you like to have in a house to feel 'right' in?
Do drop me a line. I'd love to know.
And a reminder that my giveaway closes next Monday and I'd hate for you to miss out.
Thanks for visiting me. xx

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Massive Giveaway at Tale Peddler!

Hello,
I missed you all and I'm so pleased to finally be back blogging to celebrate the end of writing Poets Cottage. (Yes, it's true! Poets Cottage is finally with my agent!). Also to celebrate Tale Peddler turning ONE. How can this be true? It seems only a few months since I tried to fathom Google Blogger out! And also to say thank you to all the lovely and fab people who have commented, followed, lurked and been there for me in that year as I continued to attempt to fathom the mysteries of Blogger…
To celebrate all these things - I am having a Giveaway!
And so gentle ladies and gents, do not push, poke and become all frantic to get to the goodies. You do have a week.
Up for grabs in the first-ever Tale Peddler giveaway is the following:
1/ A very pretty, cute and lovely purse/make-up bag from one of my favourite King Street shops, Pretty in Pink. Quite appropriate as Tale Peddler began life as a shocking pink colour. To celebrate I have gone pink again!
2/ Not one but three current Australian magazines. This is a great chance for an overseas reader to grab some magazines not available in their country and also for Australians to stock up. I have the wonderful, whimsical, pretty and clever Frankie, and Frankie's older sister still clever crafty and vintage, Notebook. And Australian Country Style with some super country homes and its usual beautiful styling and photography.
3/ And there's also some divine Hedgehog bookplates by the wonderful Emily Martin from Inside a Black Apple. My house is beginning to look a bit like Emily's Blog with all the prints I've been buying. These plate are from Emily's fab Etsy Store here.
4/ And of course, it wouldn't be a Tale Peddler giveaway without Johnny Depp. Here is a sealed DVD of one of my favourite Johnny movies, Secret Window where he plays a writer. It's not one of his more well-known films and the writing isn't terrific but he's in good form and it's a little bit creepy as well.
You know the drill. You have to either be a follower of Tale Peddler or a Facebook friend to enter. If you are on Facebook, leave a comment in the comment box or tick the like box and you shall have your chance.
If you are a follower leave me a comment and you are then eligible. And if you mention this giveaway on your Blog or Twitter and let me know - you get a double chance!
This giveaway is open to all countries, hedgehogs and other galaxies if they so desire.
And the Magic Hat - who normally only ever appears at The Magic Hat Bookclub - has kindly agreed to be the vessel for the lucky duck's name who will be pulled out and announced next Wednesday. And so calling all Lucky Ducks to get your entry in!
I really can't believe it's been a year and I'm still here trying to work out Blogger. I had promised myself to buy a proper Blogging book and I never did. I'm as perplexed by the Blogging business as I was the first day I began Tale Peddler. And I remain eternally uplifted by how much talent, beauty and inspiration there is to be found in the Blogging world.
Thanks for reading and being there in my first year.
xx