The Blue Mood Continued...

My blue obsession continues, with me moving onto blue fabrics, particularly something I can use as an art piece for our bedroom, which has a massive white wall at the end of the bed with only a walkspace beside it. When only a wall hanging will do...!

So many beautiful arty fabrics out there, here are some faves...

Rigi in colour Ink from Kravet

Siirtolapuutarha Fabric in Blue-Green by Maija Louekari for Marimekko

Fanfare in Kingfisher from Warwick Fabrics

Simboli in Blue & White by Fortuny from Ascraft

Pondicherry Ikat in Blue by Travers from Unique Fabrics

Not completely blue I know! but cool all the same
Geometric by Christian Fischbacher, available from Zepel Fabrics

Salaria in Blue by Travers from Unique Fabrics

Pop Art in Dazzling Blue by Aldeco from Ascraft

Akira in Cobalt from Warwick Fabrics 

362436 in Indigo by Studioilse for Christopher Farr, from Ascraft

Blue

Ahh writing. I love to do it, but lately have not been inspired to do so (have you seen how long ago my last post was...?). So, here I am back again. And this is about the colour blue.

It is one of my favourites, ESPECIALLY in interiors. Blue and browns feature predominantly in our own space, so here is an homage to blue, and also a way to get inspired during our ongoing renos.

Hydrangea Blue. Image Wikimedia Commons

The blue that speaks to me most is definitely in the muted shades, darker and more grey blues. Petrol and stormy blues are what I like to be surrounded by. The blue of the season though would have to be royal blue. I am seeing it everywhere atm, I like it, but too loud for my taste. (Although I do love that dress).

Nikes in Royal Blue. Image Blue & Cream

Matthew Eager Bodice Gown. Image Eve Boutique

Blue Butterfly. Image Green Buzz

So it is back to duller blues for my house anyways. Years ago I saved dining chairs from the council cleanup, they were a mess and I had to go to a vinyl factory to find the correct tone of blue (apparently mostly used for marine applications) but I'm very glad I did, 10 years later they still look great, even if I only did get to finish 4 of the 6 chairs I have, much to husband's chagrin.

Beloved dining chair. OK so it looks black but is actually dark navy blue, excuse the crap phone pic.

Now winter is setting in and I am on the lookout for a door blanket as a temporary heat trap measure, these Mexican Blankets on eBay look the ticket:

Blue Mexican Blanket. Image eBay

And don't worry babe, I will finish the last two chairs; eventually.

sonoma alexandria

So here it is. My first café post for Sydney. I did a few here and there in Melbourne, mainly focusing on kid & pram friendly cafes, but Sonoma is my first in Sydney and I am here without a kid or pram!

Sonoma Cafe. Love the picture collage

Nevermind though, there is plenty of room for the odd stroller or two. The space itself is roomy with high ceilings and a concrete floor, so kids, I daresay would be too loud to be accommodated comfortably here (and I always speak for my own kids, I am often envious of parents who have café trained kids. I inevitably end up wearing babycino when I try). There are a couple of tables outside (presumably for smokers) but the area is too open to the street to be used with kids who like to roam.

High ceilings, concrete floor - not a good mix for young kids, perfect for prams.

Teencie outdoor area

The interior is a classy mix of industrial and elegant. Black walls with timber accents, oversize bare bulbs and bentwood chairs make for a cosy atmosphere, while the concrete floor and sloping factory roof keep the industrial history of the building intact. The café is adjoining their main factory bakery in Sydney so keeping the interior grounded is a smart move.

The servery continues the classic mood with a carrara marble wrapped benchtop around a dark timber base. The marble adds welcome texture and elevates the design from its industrial core. Opposite this three white cutouts punch out from the exposed brick wall, two filled in with subtle related photography, and the third acting as a window into the bakery itself.

Exposed brick with dramatic lighting

The café/factory is located in an industrial area of Alexandria, but would still attract a large clientele based on the fact that many workers in the area would be starved of a good local caf. The sandwiches are interesting and made with Sonoma’s artisan bread, itself worth the $10 asking price, gotta try the chicken tarragon one - too good. There's also a selection of biscuits and cakes, a daily hot food menu and this morning I treated myself to some Spiced Rhubarb and Yogurt which was topped with toasty muesli. Yum.

Morning tea. (Note trendy toddler scrawl on laptop...)

Lucky me I get to have lunch here as well and today I go for the curried lentil soup. Alas I am on a carb free diet at the mo (and yes torturing myself at an artisan bakery!) but I am sure the soup will more than satisfy. OK maybe ONE BITE of the bread. Just to taste. And only for this post, yes I am doing this for you!

All in all, Sonoma is a lovely place to eat; very friendly service, elegant interior and great coffee. With or without the pram.

kitchen musings

We are still awaiting a big move into a house in Sydney, hence we are in limbo land which kind of means everything around me is as well. But the good news is the house is in dire need of a new kitchen so my first personal reno will soon be afoot!

We are on a super shoestring budget so I am heading over to my favourite place in the whole world for ours - Ikea! You have heard me sing their praises before so I'll hold back (but they do have some fab designs!, OK stop now) but I have also been seeking inspiration online, here is a list of fave kitchen design elements... (Alright so it's a wish list but you might add some I haven't thought of too)

Kitchen Art: get those frames in there!

Loving the yellow... Image: Freshome

Window Splashback: love these, who wants to stare at tiles when you're cooking when you can see the garden, a view to water, a mosaic wall, or even a couple of pot plants?

View to the garden. Image: Freshome

wouldn't mind this oven too! Image: homeone.com.au

Bold colour scheme: check out this fab kitchen...

Punchy. Image: Freshome

Pot rack: quite like them in front of the window...

Pots preferable to blinds. Image: Houzz

Image: Houzz

Cool Stools: even if they are completely impractical

You would have to try them for boing factor surely? Image: Houzz

Love these! Image: Houzz

Other things on the wish list, double oven (don't have $$ or space for that one), servery into the backyard, fridge with ice machine, matching cutlery and unchipped plates!

global vintage

So from my last post, you know I have just returned from a trip in Europe with my sister. We had an amazing time everywhere we went, and sis being a keen shopper, especially for vintage goods, we did try and seek out vintage stores during our jaunt.

The most we came across were in Stockholm. Being a designy city, you know the second hand wares are gonna be good. We both picked up some great bargains and oh how I wish I could have bought some furniture; one day I will return with a shipping container!

But more than this, the thing I most enjoy about second hand shopping is the history you can gain from rifling through old stuff. I have enjoyed vintage shopping ever since it was just opp shopping, and would get excited about going to an opp shop in another suburb or town to pick up cool coloured glass or some polyester flares. And so much of this was about getting a glimpse of times gone by, whether it was the local Vinnies or a church opp shop in a small town that you stopped for a pie in.

Fab tea set from store in Gamla Stan, Stockholm

So it was with opp shopping in another country. My fave parts were looking through the books and their subjects, even though in Swedish it was still cool to see what was around. And the homewares were great, one tiny store in the old town was run by a sweet old couple, and had kitchenware! Awesome copper cake tins and massive pieces of silver cutlery. I did so well not to buy up big, it may have had something to do with the fact I would have ended up with a 30 kilo backpack, but still.

Next time you want to see a more accessible slice of history from a place you're visiting, whether it's the next town or the next continent, head to the opp shops BEFORE the museum, you can even take a little piece home with you...

life holiday

I know I said I was going to focus on designy stuff on here now, but after the last month, I had to add this wandering ramble about life - sorry in advance.

Recently I had an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. Yeah, it was a big deal and although it meant using savings put aside for other things, being away from my family, missing my kids like crazy and poor hubs and my folks having them to themselves for 3 weeks, there was no way I could turn down an opportunity like this. Lifelong dream people! Had to be done!

Said dream was to see the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. My sis in London mentioned she wanted to go to Sweden on the way to Berlin to celebrate her birthday in February this year, and after telling her of said dream, she simply said "You should come."

Such simple words, so hard to see how this could happen with 2 kids and no jobs after just arriving in Sydney 3 weeks prior. But stars came into alignment, things fell into place, the universe made it happen and I ended up having a mini winter Euro tour with my sister, who I haven't seen for 2 years.

Needless to say, the trip was amazing. I am so very lucky to be blessed with a family who were OK for me to do this, and to spend such a big chunk of time with my sister.

Me and my sis in the arctic circle!

But what I gleaned the most from this 'time out' from life, was how I was able to really see my life for what it was, to put everything into perspective and understand what matters most, and what needs to be let go of. I came back with a vitality I had not seen in ages, and so much love to give back to the people who had let me go.

I know many people would never do this. Either can't afford it, won't be away from family, think it's too selfish to go on your own. I have to say I did feel guilty being away on my own, but no, life is about yourself and your family. You are a part of your family, and every individual has needs that should be fulfilled. If they aren't, then I think you are only being half the person you could be, so not only do you miss out, but your family does not see the best person you could be as well.

So do it for them! A life holiday is the best thing I've done in a long time. What have you done for yourself today?

is this the best waterplay ever?

Earlier this year a friend and I unearthed an amazing new play area at Darling Quarter, beside Darling Harbour in Sydney. We were amazed to find a massive playground, huge waterplay system (complete with pumps, dams and gates), slides, swings, you name it they had it.

Darling Quarter waterplay space. Image: ASPECT Studios

I was so impressed I insisted we take the boys as soon as we could, and of course they absolutely loved it! I don't blame them, if there weren't so many kids there (it was school holidays) I would have been running through the fountains myself!

Robbie splashing at Darling Quarter

So after getting some inside info, it seems the clever crew who designed this park had already built a multi-award winning park down at Pyrmont Point called Pirrama Park (don't worry, we'll be heading there soon as well) and won the opportunity to design the urban spaces at Darling Quarter based on this.

Aspect Studios are behind this amazing public domain, and I can't express how successful this design is. The interaction between the users and the space is continuous, and the collaboration between them and Waterforms International to make this stunning waterplay area is genius. We'll be back for sure.

Lucas saturated at Darling Quarter

transition

I am sort of back.

We have moved to another state so maybe I am back somewhere else?

Home again

This is too confusing. Cutting to the chase, we have moved interstate (back to Sydney, my hometown), living with the folks, jobless and I am writing again. Ups and downs but exciting none the less.

I will miss Melbourne and loads of friends there... but hurrah, a whole new city of places to write you about...

hiatus

Hi all - yes it has been forever since I wrote you but all hell seems to be breaking loose. Hubs got made redundant, we're contemplating an interstate move and life in general have conspired to make me rather stressed so something had to give. For a prettier and more succinct explanation, please check out my friend Adi's latest blogpost here.

Not to worry, I will regroup and return with more to say I'm sure.

til then x

the fate of the fete

We had the annual fundraising fete for our co-op childcare centres last week. And contrary to popular belief, I found that fetes can be fun!

I joined the co-op fundraising committee this year as a way to volunteer for something that would also benefit my kids as well as our community. Look I don't really know why, it's not like I have heaps of time and energy to spare, but you know the feeling you get when you realise that all you're doing is take take taking? So I had that feeling and on a whim joined the committee (it may also have had something to do with the polite letter the committee sent to the parents calling us all slackarses cause no one would volunteer - in the nicest possible way of course).

I have to say it has been really enjoyable. I get the warm mushy feeling that I am giving something back, I have plenty of skills to contribute and the result of the fete (our major fundraising activity for the year) was that it was a resounding success so I even get to feel good that I was a part of it all. I contributed my graphic design skills by designing the poster and had a hand in one of the stalls this year which made quite a bit of dough. Hubs even had a stall drawing caricatures which the kids loved so even he came away with warm fuzzies.

The long-winded point I am trying to get to though is that our fete was not only a success, it was actually fun. Most fetes seem to have the usual stalls and once you have done a round you're out of there. Ours had a bar (a major part of the success methinks), live music and we hold it in a park so the kids have the choice of free play equipment or the animal nursery/jumping castle/train ride option as well.

It was good to see friends of ours turn up at the start and stay til after it ended, great to see you there guys! Surely a sign of non-lameness that makes me feel I've been part of something good! And I guess fetes are for kids but I think I'd have enjoyed ours without the kiddies too - I may even have been able to sit and drink the one glass of vino I had in one sitting rather than in 4 separate sessions between running after the overstimulated 3 year old.

Fetes don't have to be lame people! They can be fun, they might even be cool... It is possible to raise money and have a good time doing it...who'd have thought?

Parent Room Roll Call #3 - Highpoint

Yeah I know, we've all heard the Knifepoint jokes, but I have to say this shopping mecca can be a bit of a haven for new mums. After having Lucas, Highpoint was my first expedition into a public place with a baby. Mums will know what I'm saying here - this is a major deal. I know it's not what everyone is thinking, but the whole time all you are wondering is what people think of how you are handling the whole baby thing, and whether you are royally stuffing it up or not.

So it was here I came to become part of society again (it was the most crowded, warm and closest place I could think of). First port of call was the below Parents Room for a feed.

Parent's Room - Highpoint

Now it looks pretty plush, and is well equipped. There are 2 booths for breastfeeding, 3 change tables (including one in a breastfeeding booth), a microwave and a large sofa with enough room in the space to manoeuver several prams around in. The family loo is big enough for a pram as well and has both the kid and adult sized toilet.

Feeding booths

Alas on the day I used it, both booths were being used so I had to try and feed on the sofa. Now Lucas and I did not have a great time breastfeeding so I was pretty nervous about being on show but was doing OK. Then another mum came in and sat next to me to feed as well, her bub was 3 months old and an old hand at the whole feeding gig so I tried to look as though I knew what I was doing.

Sofa beside the parent highway

We then had a parade of parents using the facilities and unfortunately the placement of the sofa means everyone does a drive by in the pram (and an ogle) before finding what they need, fine if you're cool with the whole baby thing, complete nightmare if you are struggling, so I guess this would be the only drawback to this space, otherwise quite a good room.

I understand this room (near Border's on the lower floor) is the newest one at the centre, and after a quick peek in the other parent rooms (there are many) I reckon it is probably the best one. The others are a bit poky and only one other I saw had booths. Most had family loos and the one we used had a kid's loo as well (near Big W). I did not get to all the rooms so if you have any other tips, feel free to share!

All up, Highpoint is a decent sized one-stop-shop for an outing with bubs, a good variety of places to go (although it's pretty big as a centre so running 3 year old is easily lost). Definitely try and go on a weekday as it can get pretty crowded on a weekend and prams are hard to get through the people traffic. Food court is a big circle again, but has too many exits to keep a roaming toddler's mum on her toes. Good variety of food on offer though so if you can keep the kid still with food - give it a go!

leave the kids at home

I am up in Sydney for the week after having flown up on my own with the two boys on the weekend. While I was pretty concerned with flying on my own with 2 kids, the flight itself was fine and the boys were well behaved, although I was hoping that a flight during nap time would mean a nap, not squirming on my lap, but at least he was quiet.

So it was a coincidence that this week Fairfax Newpapers ran an opinion piece on screaming kids on planes. In the article, the author, Erice Challis, explains that things would be much easier for everyone if airport facilities included more family friendly areas (play spaces, parents rooms etc) so kids could get their energy out without the need to run around in waiting areas and send other passengers batty, while giving the added benefit of tiring them out before boarding the plane.

Aaahh, the joys (Image EverymanTri.com)

I agree with the idea, and that it would benefit all passengers, not just the families using the facilities. What did concern me were the comments after the article. They were 50/50 for and against the idea, but the negative ones! When did Australia become so intolerant of children? I understand people having a gripe about kids who are running amok while a parent sits oblivious with the earphones in, but surely to paint all kids as precious little brats who are sure to make 'my' plane trip uncomfortable is a little discriminatory.

It was not just this article either that drew the wrath of pissed off passengers everywhere, this article about a woman suing Qantas over a screaming kid (ridiculous) and also this article about a survey of travellers who suggest a family only area on planes, both had the same vicious comments basically expressing their hostility toward children and lazy parents who chose to have them. One comment laughingly explained that it was the parents who decided to inconvenience their lives by having kids so the rest of us should not have to put up with them as well! 'Hey babe, let's inconvenience ourselves by starting a family'? Seriously?

I spoke with my mate Cookie about this and she mentioned she did feel the same about other people's kids before she had them, and I would have to admit that before I had kids I to could get pretty grumpy about the screaming baby in my vicinity on a plane, but this is the question I am asking, when did Australia as a society decide that kids were an inconvenience, they should be seen and not heard and we'd all be happier if they were left at home?

Travel to some destinations (Italy, Japan from what I hear...) and the bambinos are a delight to all and sundry, I reckon you might be treated better and with more respect if you DO have kids with you, so when did all this kiddy hatred creep in on our 'tolerant' and 'fair go' society? Shouldn't that fair go be extended to kids as well?

aaah... the Show

We did it. We took the boys to the (Royal Agricultural) Show last week, and someone please tell me why is it never as good as you remember??? Must be the gloss wearing off the shite you get in the showbags, and the fact I am not a teenager going on endless roundybouty make-me-sicky rides just to meet a few (bogan) boys... aaahhh the memories!

Lucas meets a duckling

The round up of the day is that I probably wouldn't take younger kiddies to the Show, it is a little much for them I reckon. The lure for us were the animals and the fact that the kiddies could get up close and personal with baby lambs/piglets/calves etc but they were not overly interested, much more into the people watching and general mayhem going on around them. One year old was content to hang in the pram and observe, 3 year old did not know if he was coming or going most of the day.

Calf No 68

Baby animals are amusing for so long before they are boring. The kiddie rides were still a little too daunting for him (although we probably could have convinced him the kid's (very slow) roller coaster would have been OK), so we ended up going on a clackety crap train ride (with extortionate fares). Twice. (Well, they had painted them up to look like Gordon and Henry the Express Engines, hence the insistence that these were THE only trains we were to go on. Not entirely sure they had approval from Thomas and Friends but there you go).

Look, it's "Gordon" and "Henry"

It was amusing at one point when Lucas had control over where we were headed to, he literally ran one way, then the other, then back again while yelling incoherent statements to anyone in earshot (lots of people). It was at this point I surmised we might be waiting a few years before venturing to the show again, the poor kid did not know what to do. Still he loved the ferris wheel, was stoked with his showbag (I have to say I was less than impressed with the loot) and we all got out relatively unscathed and with (some) money left in the bank.

Robbie takes in the view

From a design perspective, this was the first year I ventured through the Arts & Crafts pavillion to have a looksee. Saw some great stuff! Awesome cake decorators, quilters, amateur artists and fashion designers exhibiting their works. I'll have to allocate more time on our next visit as I was enamoured with it all, but hubs was entirely non-plussed. Next time I go in there on my own.

Highlight of the day for me? Spotting a drink holder on the back of a pram with baby's milk bottle and some snacks nestled beside a can of Southern Comfort - Class with a capital C.

But, as I walked away looking around at the general chaos, a can of Southern Comfort could just give a day at the Show that special edge, that certain something.

Next time, I go prepared.

i heart ikea

It is no secret to people that know me that I absolutely looove Ikea. Being in the interior industry, you either have a love or hate relationship with this place, and mine is definitely LOVE! This may sound a little unhinged, but I could spend hours there, wandering about getting lost, finding cool new textiles and fantasising about all the amazing things I could make if only I had a sewing machine (and could actually sew), thinking up new and amazing ways to use their clever storage in my non-existent hallway, checking out their kitchen ranges (have you seen them? - they are really something) and just generally wishing I owned my own house so I could fill it up with Ikea goodness.

A disclaimer here. I used to shop here alot for my work, so I know the place back-to-front, plus all the shortcuts through the showroom and marketplace, and I ONLY ever go on a weekday. It is not much fun on the weekend at all.

Smaland image from Ikea

That being said, I did brave Ikea during the school holidays and low and behold, now that Lucas is 3 he is able to go to Smaland.... I now love Ikea even more if that is even possible! Smaland is a play area and care facility at the entrance to Ikea (in Victoria anyway), it has the obligatory ball pit but also has a chillout space, drawing table and indoor swinging tree things that looked like fun. Lucas was in heaven and did not want to leave. They take your kids for an hour and let you shop in peace - bliss! Although an hour in Ikea is never enough, it gave me long enough to get the bits I needed that day, and the good thing is there is a pick up point inside the store so you don't need to go outside to pick them up - handy!

Their design ethos is sound and super practical, they have the needs of a family and it's practicalities in place while everything is stylishly designed and oh-so Swedish. Their new parents range also covers everything you could need or want, without going OTT like some baby specialists do with the equipment you may 'need' for your new baby. And to top it all off, it's priced at wallet friendly rates which not only means you can fill your house with it all, you won't stress too much about having a garage sale when your kid decides they hate red and insist on their room having GREEN drawers ONLY!

So anyway, enough of my gushing about our Swedish designer friends, you know how much I love them, I am just happy they have made shopping there even better for me! Oh, that and the fact I can't go past their (very kid friendly) restaurant without getting my hands on a plate of their swedish meatballs. yum.

Swedish Meatballs from Ikea

Playcentre plays...

A and I took the boys to Kidzzone the other week so I thought I'd add to the community service parent rooms reviews and do one for playcentres too (some of them can be a bit dodgy, and yes I am willing to let my children into dodgy looking ballpits but only cause I love you).

Aaah the bacteria den that is the ballpit

The Kidzzone at Coburg has the usual setup, with a toddler friendly cordoned off area for kids under 4 (not sure if the fence is to keep the little kids in or the big ones out), larger climbing maze for bigger kids, a jumping castle and a couple of trampolines, with a few pay as you go rides and skilltesters thrown in for good measure. There are also private party booths you can hire as well as a large seating area with tables and chairs for parents - could also be good for mum's groups or family gatherings too.

Slide and ballpit in toddler play area at Kidzzone

The toddler space is roomy and has a mini climbing castle maze, ballpit and slide and soft, cushiony obstacle type shapes for littlies to climb about on. The only downside is the adult height gate, which I spent half the time opening and closing for a 3 year old, but small things. The big plus side is there is a sofa for mums who are over coaxing their kid out of the ballpit and are happy to sit and watch (or gaze into the middle distance as you zone out).

Climbing maze in toddler play area at Kidzzone

Lucas was super impressed with the larger climbing frame and jumping castle. Actually he and M were all over the shop, basically because they had the run of the place on a weekday so they were chuffed. You could lose kids in the climbing maze, it is so large (thank eff he didn't get stuck up there so no search and rescue operation was required, unlike our trip to Bunnings, but that's another story entirely).

Climbing Maze at Kidzzone

Awesome actual jumping Castle at Kidzzone

And I was impressed that the jumping castle is actually a castle and not some lame take on an underwater themed land or some such thing. The whole place has a medieval castley dragony theme to it, with the booths painted up with either a Knight, Dragon, Princess or Fairy theme, kinda tacky but kids love it (hubs would recoil at the artwork, but he is an illustrator so there you go).

Themed party booths at Kidzzone

The food is pretty good, sadly the kids menu is a little all party pies and hot chips, most kids love that stuff, but I may just have the fussiest of fussy eaters who does not even go for a hot chip, good in some ways, really annoying in others. Coffees are good and that's all you really need, self cater for your kiddies and all is OK - as long as they run themselves ragged and pass out when you get home - it's all good!

Going for it on the tramps!