Growing up & ramping up

Gosh, it has been months since I last posted. So much for my new years resolution to post more often - maybe I should start them next year, since its so close!

A year ago today we got the keys to our little house. It has flown by so quickly, I just cant believe it! We have made improvements here and there, and it still makes me smile that this is ours.

The little guy in my last post has now grown to be this large fellow:


...who makes us laugh all day long with his crazy antics (right now he's trying to wedge himself under the lounge for no apparent reason).

I was going to write a long, deep post about the many many things I have been working on and pondering lately, but I think instead I should just update my blog more often and explain it as I go!

One big thing I have been thinking carefully about is my career, and the interesting conundrum that arises when a secure, well paying job yields zero job satisfaction. Do you leave and do what you love, sacrificing a steady wage (and possibly some of the lifestyle that that affords)? Or do you stay and be miserable every day, but be able to afford lifes luxuries? Its a tough one.

I have had my little business on the backburner for quite a while now, I'm thinking that 2009 may be the year to ramp things up and get some real job satisfaction happening. Stay tuned!

New addition!

Ive been a little distracted on the home & design fronts lately because ... *drumroll* we got a PUPPY! Hes just 8wks old and is so gorgeous and very clever, he loves to eat and cuddle.

MORTIMER aka Morty
The Australian Bulldog

Hi everybody!

Can you see why hes so distracting? Hes just so cute and makes me laugh all day long.

On other news, we're very pleased to be an international entrant in Apartment Therapy's Small Cool comp, vote for us if you get a chance xxxx :)

Yellow there!

Fresh from the oven - a brand new Delaks design!

I have done a new design for Delaks, a beautiful butter yellow invite which I am a quite in love with. I really want to get some yellow happening in my home decor, but Lak hates it so I am making do with yellow in my designs. What do you all think?

Ive slowly been getting together the Delaks wesbite, and its (finally) up, but theres still quite a bit of tweaking to do and of course uploading the full set of designs. Over the next week or so I will be really spending some quality time on it, so watch that space! Apparently there is also a spelling mistake on the website somewhere - my mum told me she saw one but couldnt remember where, so Ill have to read through it all again to find the culprit. First one to let me know where it is gets a surprise prize!

Im also adding another thing to my list of resolutions for the year - I am determined to dress better. Dont get me wrong, Im not completely devoid of style or fashion sensibility, but I want to be even more fabulous and well dressed this year. The theory is to dress for the position you want to be in, and I want to be more than a cute jeans-type girl, I want to be a serious, fabulous, sucessful woman. So my new fashion inspirations are the uber-chic ladies of Cashmere Mafia (my new favourite show). I am especially fond of Lucy Lui's outfits on the show - professional, but edgy and colourful. I like it!

Reading Nook Revamp?

So Ive been thinking about my reading nook. Its a beautiful little spot to kick back and relax in, but I think the red chair is in need of a revamp soon. Ive had it for about 8 years now and its a bit faded looking. So through the wonder of Photoshop I present to you...

Some Reading Nook Options

Option One: Revamp the Chair
This is the budget option really, Im thinking of staining the wood a little darker and recovering the upholstery of the chair and the footstool in plain white, plus adding a super funky cushion in some sort of fabulous fabric. Alas, I think the Imperial Trellis shown in the pic is out of my price range (and besides I cant seem find it anywhere nearby) but hey, its my Photoshop mockup and Ill KWID if I want to! hehehe

Option Two: Replace the Chair
This would be the blow-the-budget-and-then-some option, but hot damn it would be good looking. An Eames recliner in white leather would be so fabulous here, then I can move the existing chair up into the bedroom where its lighter wood would better match the furniture.

Another completely different thought would be to get 2 or more smaller chairs of some sort (or maybe an upholstered bench under the window + chair) plus a little table, and make more of a 'conversation' space.

Tough call, any thoughts out there?

Im also planning to do a painting for the blank back wall above the daybed in the sunroom, I might get going on that this weekend if I have time, so stay tuned for that one!

15 minutes of fame

I feel like a rockstar today! I was preparing to enter the Apartment Therapy Small Cool comp, clicked over to check out the entry details, when BAM! My own desk was looking back at me!!

Yep, I was featured on Apartment Therapy San Francisco today, and I am beside myself with excitement! Im so honoured that they like my desk, Im so proud of it and all the effort that went in to it, so its the biggest pat on the back for it to be shown on my favourite website. Hooray!!