Thursday 12 December 2013

gifts for boys



Let's face it - boys can be hard to buy for. They don't lust over things like us girls, and they certainly don't have a Pinterest board that we can trawl through for present ideas. (Can you imagine it?) My husband's birthday was a couple of days ago and I got him a bunch of cute little things which I think were a bit more special than a Bunnings voucher (nothing against Bunnings). I thought I'd share this collection in a bid to help you with last minute stocking fillers for your other halves.

Going clockwise from top left:

  • Chin Chin Cook Book. It's our favourite Asian restaurant in Melbourne and they have somehow miraculously agreed to hand over all their secrets. Nick loves to get amongst it in the kitchen so this was perfect. Plus, I get to sample the finished product. 'Win win' I say. 
  • Bandana Pocket Square from Country Road. This was just a cute extra to use as wrapping (see pic below) along with the King of Hearts card which I poked into the present (pure cheese I know).
  • Traditional Cut Throat Shave from Captains of Industry. I did a bit of research to find someone who did it with good reviews and it was definitely worth the effort. He loved it! It's the man-version of getting pampered. This traditional-style 'barber shop' was complete with a 1950s reclining barber chair, hot towel treatment and cool quirky barber. I made this little gift box and 'ticket' for him instead of asking for a daggy gift voucher. Scroll down for a close up.
  • Navy Espadrilles from Country Road. A bit cute and cool for summer.
  • Custom Stamped Leather Key Ring by Marvellous. Gold Coast girl Emily makes a range of beautiful leather goods - all by hand! These key rings are available in lots of leather colours and she will hand stamp any words or message you want on the keyring and it's quite affordable. Scroll down for a close up!

Hope this gives you some good ideas for your sweetheart.

Kimmy

Chin Chin Cook Book - inside. My favourite starter - the Kingfish Sashimi. So good it should be illegal.

I turned a matchbox into a little gift box with a pretend 'ticket' to announce the cut throat shave and haircut that I had booked Nick in for. I drew the little icons then printed and wrapped it around the matchbox. I stuck the ticket to foamcore so it was nice and fat (and filled up the container!) And just to credit the actual barber - he didn't look anything like that.

 The custom leather keyring I had made by Marvellous. This side just has his initials 'NH' and on the other side I had a few secret code letters that stood for the nicknames I have for him.

I wrapped the keyring up with the Country Road pocket square and tucked in a King of Hearts card for a bit of cheese. Did look cute though.

Thursday 5 December 2013

how to pick up hitch hikers and make friends

Emma and Erin of Who Loves That

As you know I recently moved to Geelong and we've been settling in nicely in this pretty little town. The only thing is - I don't know a single soul here! But it's funny the way you can make friends...

Last month my husband Nick and I decided to go to Derby Day races at Flemington. After missing the train to Melbourne (urrghh) we decided to just jump in the car and drive ourselves there (it's just an hour away!). We stopped to grab fuel and noticed a nicely dressed couple at the service station just standing there... the guy told my husband they too had missed the train and asked if they could get a lift to the races with us!!! Haha at least we weren't the only ones!

So we got talking to these stylish 'hitch hikers' and realised that this lovely lady Erin has an interior design/DIY blog! Umm.... well I happen to be an interior design nut and sell art online! Match made. Her website Who Loves That was created with her friend Emma, and these ladies are incredible with what they come up with! Home entertaining and styling ideas as well as super cute DIYs. I was just so chuffed to meet a fellow Geelong resident who was crazy about this stuff like I was!

I've since caught up with Erin and met Emma too. I knew when I saw Emma's shirt 'Hold me closer Tony Danza' that she had great style. Scroll down for a few of my favourite pics off their site but make sure you go and check out their full website here and subscribe to their blog. They have plans to create an online store with a curation of beautiful hand-picked suppliers so keep a look out!

And that concludes my lesson in 'how to pick up hitch hikers and make friends'

Kimmy

DIY chalkboard tray by Who Loves That

DIY painted pots, by Who Loves That

Timber curation by Who Loves That

Story on Mossgreen Tearooms by Who Loves That

Birthday Party Styling by Who Loves That

Christmas Table Styling by Who Loves That



Tuesday 3 December 2013

new product! puppy & polka screen printed teatowels


I'm so excited to finally show you the new product I've been working on - the Dachshund Sleep Study is now a teatowel! I've created a set of two teatowels which pairs the puppies with an organic spot print and together they look super sweet. 

I had them hand screen printed locally in Melbourne on beautiful 75% linen 25% cotton teatowels that soften beautifully with every wash. They measure a generous 500x700mm and would also look cute framed!

The teatowel pack is now available online in my Etsy store here - don't delay if you'd like to gift these to someone (or yourself) in time for Christmas!

Kimmy