Dreaming of Vintage Treasures

  This vintage, embroidered, raffia bag is the sort of vintage treasure I have dreamt about for years. I don't often come across them, but a little while ago, I found this one in an op-shop in beachy Williamstown. My eyes must've popped out of my head and I couldn't hand over my $8 quick enough. I had to make it the star of my outfit with my cream, crochet dress and orange sandals. What's the latest treasure you've found? In other news, here's some treasures from my everyday life. Beautiful flowers... Making homemade pasta...  Growing my own sunflowers...  Visiting my childhood church... Enjoying a tomato relish I bought at a farmer's market... Radiant sunsets.  Recently, I've also been looking at the sky every night. I like looking at the stars and moon and I read that it gives you peace of mind and a sense of how small our problems are in this huge, vast world. What have you been up to lately? X Title : Tequila Sunrise by The Eagles.

My sister loves organising holidays, which is great because if it were up to me, I'd never go anywhere! She is great at organising flights, cars, accomodation, activities. I'm happy just to go along with it all. Recently, my family and I went to Tasmania. The plane flight there was so nerve racking to me. I hadn't been on a plane in about 10 years and I was very nervous throughout the flight.  I bought myself a creamy, chocolate Francese cake from Brunetti at the airport to distract myself! Upon take off, my sister tried to distract me with conversation but I immediately burst into quiet tears and then nervous laughter. I don't know how people travel for work all the time, I couldn't do it! When we arrived in Tasmania, we jumped into the hire car and went to Salamanca Market and admired a range of items such as lavender and honey products, jewellery, books, secondhand items, food products, clothing and flowers. We ate some Chinese food for lunch and then went to...

 Last week, my mum, dad and I had a sunny day out to a sunflower farm in Dunnstown. We visited a sunflower farm two years ago and absolutely loved it, so mum and I were keen to return.     It was the first week of the fields being open to the public, so some of  sunflowers weren't fully grown yet, but they were still a beautiful sight.     We wondered around, taking photos, enjoying a sausage sizzle for lunch, cutting sunflowers and I marveled at the many ladybugs, happy when they landed on me because they're supposedly good luck.     The sight of bright sunflowers and cute red ladybugs sparked an idea for my next embroidery project, which I'll probably start in the winter. We are approaching Autumn here in Melbourne, with only 2 days of summer. I wonder what we'll get up to then... I have some plans. I always think it's a good thing to have something to look forward to especially in these strange times. It's horrifying to see what's happening...

Today was a special day. My favourite secondhand market finally reopened! I haven't been there since February and there have been quite a few times this year where I have really missed it. Masks on and sanitisers available at most of the stalls, mum and I set about treasure hunting.    With a reduced amount of stalls, mum was a bit disappointed that she only came away with a few small items. Me on the other hand, I found enough for both of us! I don't usually find this many things at once when shopping secondhand (it's a bit hit and miss) but I scored quite a few bargains today. Let me share them with you... Vintage deer bookend - $5. These can be quite pricey so I pounced on this. It's a nice addition to my collection. Elvis and Judy Garland DVDs: $5 and $2 respectively.  Handmade soap: $5 for five. I use this soap on my hair and my stash is frighteningly low so I thought I'd better stock up. Bangles: 50 cents each. Notebook still in the packet - $4. And my lucky l...

Fashion, food and flowers. I hope you're interested in these subjects because that is what this post (and many of my others) is about!      My gorgeous sunflowers have been dazzling our backyard, which is cause for celebration! If there's one thing we've been reminded of in 2020, it is to appreciate and enjoy the little things in life. With yellow roses also in bloom, it was only fitting to wear yellow and take some photos in the garden. Wearing bangles galore and my beloved golden sandals, I enjoyed some time in the sunshine.   This sunglasses look is a nod to John Lennon's Walls and Bridges album cover.   Source

  Ahh, the yellow brick road! Wherever was it leading to? Home, of course! Other than going to work, indeed I have been staying at home. This week, some lockdown restrictions have eased and we are now allowed to visit shops, restaurants and personal care businesses within 25km of our home. I'm not in too much of a rush to go anywhere. Wasn't it Dorothy who said, "there's no place like home"? Speaking of Dorothy, I dressed up as her for Book Week! I was debating whether to go as her or Cleopatra (I collect vintage snake jewellery so it would've been a no-brainer), but figured my students would be more familiar with Dorothy. They had such a fun time dressing up and got a kick out of seeing me playing the character of Dorothy. All day I was saying, "Now Toto the dog is looking to see who works quietly" and "Toto has never read this book before. Can you please read it to him?"  Source: Pinterest Rather than spending silly money on a last minute...