Okay, okay, so i've become the worst blogger in history, I know..
So I am going on a break for a while to focus on other things but one day I will be back, I have plans for a proper physical market stall one day so I will keep you posted.
I did have to make the effort just to post up this one very special link to the Arcade Fire's new interactive music video for "the Wilderness Downtown."
If you don't already have google Chrome, you will have to download it, but I think waiting a few minutes is definitely worth it. Plus you will have a fancy new web browser? I would actually love to make the change but I can't figure out how you use delicious on it.. oh well firefox stays I suppose.
Anyway, the magic that is this video is sure to amaze the pants off you so stop reading this rubbish and watch it already.
See you in the future!
xx Elly
August 31, 2010
August 13, 2010
one two three FOUR
Yeah, so i'm back at uni again, back to being a bad blogger again.. buuuuut at least I am not going crazy out of my mind because I actually have something productive to do with my time now! Nice to be back into some sort of a routine and to see friends again..
But more importantly, I saw Scott Pilgrim VS. the World last night and it was amazing. I have been waiting for this movie for months and months now so I had to see it on the first day it came out! What did I love so much about it? Well here is an exhaustive list:
But more importantly, watching Ramona's hair throughout the movie had led me to an important life decision: I desperately need to get my hair cut. So I will have to somehow pluck up the courage to see a hairdresser, despite the fact that they terrify me...
One place I have been seeking inspiration is fuckyeahbitchinhair, which is a collection of pictures of some of the most amazing hair you will see anywhere. Of course it does have quite a few duds and often falls into the old trap of choosing pics for the pretty photography rather than the hair itself, but it has definitely given me a few ideas (as well as making me even crazier for pink hair...)
Some favourites:
So go forth and be inspired to greater hair heights, and go see Scott Pilgrim ASAP !!
xx Elly
But more importantly, I saw Scott Pilgrim VS. the World last night and it was amazing. I have been waiting for this movie for months and months now so I had to see it on the first day it came out! What did I love so much about it? Well here is an exhaustive list:
- Michael Cera - skinny, awkward "indie" boys are my weakness..
- Totally rockin' music - seriously, it has revitalised my passion for music that doesn't make you want to fall asleep. Most of the songs are brought to you by Beck and BSS, so it can't really get much better than that.
- Cool coloured hair - Ramona has awesome hair colours (which of course made me want to go back to having super blonde hair that can be constantly colourfully dyed)
- Hipster jokes - because making fun of hipsters is so hipster.
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| Michael Cera vs. Scott Pilgrim from the comic |
But more importantly, watching Ramona's hair throughout the movie had led me to an important life decision: I desperately need to get my hair cut. So I will have to somehow pluck up the courage to see a hairdresser, despite the fact that they terrify me...
One place I have been seeking inspiration is fuckyeahbitchinhair, which is a collection of pictures of some of the most amazing hair you will see anywhere. Of course it does have quite a few duds and often falls into the old trap of choosing pics for the pretty photography rather than the hair itself, but it has definitely given me a few ideas (as well as making me even crazier for pink hair...)
Some favourites:
 |
| jealous of girls who look gorgeously effortless in a messy bun |
 |
| i'm obsessed with cool braiding, never works for me though! |
 |
| what I want my hair to be like right now.. |
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| dying (haha) over this colour, it's perfect! |
So go forth and be inspired to greater hair heights, and go see Scott Pilgrim ASAP !!
xx Elly
July 30, 2010
golden
Today while shuffling my files around I have found the pictures of my delicious cardamom buns with cinnamon butter that I made earlier in the year.. so I thought I would share a few with you now just to show off!
Out of all the things I have ever baked I think that these are the most impressive, as they actually involved using yeast (which is something I have been a bit scared of for a long time after some failed attempts years ago..) The fact that my buns came out looking beautifully golden brown and oozing with cinnamon butter was not what I had realistically expected! I think I will have to try them again as soon as possible!
I have been baking today though, making a lemon cheesecake for tonight's dessert, so I should probably try to steer clear of the sweet treats for at least a few days after that!
On another note, I have recently been obssesively listening to You by Gold Panda. Quitters Raga has been one of my favourites for a while, and I decided the other day to give some of their other songs another listen.. and so the obsession began. I will probably keep listening to it non-stop for a week and then be so sick of it I never want to listen to it again! I am always ruining perfectly good songs for myself by doing that. Anyway, take a listen for yourselves..
xx Elly
Out of all the things I have ever baked I think that these are the most impressive, as they actually involved using yeast (which is something I have been a bit scared of for a long time after some failed attempts years ago..) The fact that my buns came out looking beautifully golden brown and oozing with cinnamon butter was not what I had realistically expected! I think I will have to try them again as soon as possible!
I have been baking today though, making a lemon cheesecake for tonight's dessert, so I should probably try to steer clear of the sweet treats for at least a few days after that!
On another note, I have recently been obssesively listening to You by Gold Panda. Quitters Raga has been one of my favourites for a while, and I decided the other day to give some of their other songs another listen.. and so the obsession began. I will probably keep listening to it non-stop for a week and then be so sick of it I never want to listen to it again! I am always ruining perfectly good songs for myself by doing that. Anyway, take a listen for yourselves..
xx Elly
July 25, 2010
books
I have always loved books, and as a small child I was practically obsessed with reading (my favourites were Enid Blyton and books about reptiles..) but since starting high school I have been reading less and less. Now that I am at university, I don't think I have read a single novel. I do, however, read quite a few design books at the library, to the extent to which you can call that reading..
Recently when doing my rounds of local op shops, I have been paying closer attention to the book selections as I live in hope of finding proper vintage (70's or earlier) picture books with sweet illustrations. Although so far I have been unsuccessful with this idea, I did find some great books the other day that I would like to share with you.
All of these three came from the same Salvo's store, I love the Salvo's because they are always cheaper than Vinnie's and they all have furniture..
So, the first one I found was this old atlas from 1986, complete with the U.S.S.R and East Germany. Of course there are probably a whole heap of changes other than that but I am painfully ignorant of general world history... Anyway, the reason that I bought it (other than the fifty cent price tag) clearly not the ugly front cover but the fact that I really love atlases. Hopefully will be used in some designing capacity in the future.
The second book is a book called Master Photography, so of course I picked it up straight away. Now I often find a lot of books on photography in op shops (probably because some of the information is no longer relevant with the advent of the "digital age" and all that) but this one actually convinced me to buy it because it has a lot of picture examples of the different techniques and settings that it talks about, not to mention that many of these photos are quite beautiful. I don't really understand why more people don't snap up these books because most of the information is still relevant for those who want to learn how to properly use their DSLRs off automatic setting (e.g. me..)
The last book I found on this particular journey was this book, entitled Maximalism, The Graphic Design of Decadence and Excess. Now, as I'm sure I have made clear already, I practically jump on any books that have anything to do with art or design. You can imagine my amazement to find this relatively new design book in amongst the reference section! (This is why I meticulously comb through every section of the op shop, things are never in the right section..) Some of the stuff is a bit dated (it was published in 2004) but most of it is pretty decent, especially when it will mostly be used as inspiration (where I will decide I like two of the colours that happened to be placed next to each other..)
Anyway, with all this talk of books I thought I would also share an interesting blog with you that I discovered yesterday. Awful Library Books is a blog, run by librarians Mary and Holly, that catalogues the books that are picked out during the constant process of weeding out the old and irrelevant. Many of the entries are submitted by other librarians, who offer up photos of some of the most bizarre books you have ever seen, along with some witty commentary from Mary or Holly. Who would have thought there was the need for a book called Your Three-Year-Old, Friend or Enemy?
I have to admit though, if I had a child that resembled the one on the cover I might be more easily convinced..
xx Elly
Recently when doing my rounds of local op shops, I have been paying closer attention to the book selections as I live in hope of finding proper vintage (70's or earlier) picture books with sweet illustrations. Although so far I have been unsuccessful with this idea, I did find some great books the other day that I would like to share with you.
All of these three came from the same Salvo's store, I love the Salvo's because they are always cheaper than Vinnie's and they all have furniture..
So, the first one I found was this old atlas from 1986, complete with the U.S.S.R and East Germany. Of course there are probably a whole heap of changes other than that but I am painfully ignorant of general world history... Anyway, the reason that I bought it (other than the fifty cent price tag) clearly not the ugly front cover but the fact that I really love atlases. Hopefully will be used in some designing capacity in the future.
The second book is a book called Master Photography, so of course I picked it up straight away. Now I often find a lot of books on photography in op shops (probably because some of the information is no longer relevant with the advent of the "digital age" and all that) but this one actually convinced me to buy it because it has a lot of picture examples of the different techniques and settings that it talks about, not to mention that many of these photos are quite beautiful. I don't really understand why more people don't snap up these books because most of the information is still relevant for those who want to learn how to properly use their DSLRs off automatic setting (e.g. me..)
The last book I found on this particular journey was this book, entitled Maximalism, The Graphic Design of Decadence and Excess. Now, as I'm sure I have made clear already, I practically jump on any books that have anything to do with art or design. You can imagine my amazement to find this relatively new design book in amongst the reference section! (This is why I meticulously comb through every section of the op shop, things are never in the right section..) Some of the stuff is a bit dated (it was published in 2004) but most of it is pretty decent, especially when it will mostly be used as inspiration (where I will decide I like two of the colours that happened to be placed next to each other..)
Anyway, with all this talk of books I thought I would also share an interesting blog with you that I discovered yesterday. Awful Library Books is a blog, run by librarians Mary and Holly, that catalogues the books that are picked out during the constant process of weeding out the old and irrelevant. Many of the entries are submitted by other librarians, who offer up photos of some of the most bizarre books you have ever seen, along with some witty commentary from Mary or Holly. Who would have thought there was the need for a book called Your Three-Year-Old, Friend or Enemy?
I have to admit though, if I had a child that resembled the one on the cover I might be more easily convinced..
xx Elly
July 21, 2010
newcastle
Yes, finally, I have gotten my photos together so I can blabber on about my exciting newcastle trip. To be honest, it wasn't as fruitful as I had hoped it might be, but I am trying to restrain myself because my room is already too full of things I bought because I thought I might wear them once.
To get to Newcastle, we had to leave at eight (too early for a sleepyhead like me), and after two and a half hours driving, we arrived in Wallsend. This was probably one of the best areas we visited, with four charity shops on the main street and two others near by. While on this stop I bought this gorgeous brown bag for $2 !! I had wanted a brown bag in a satchel-style for a while so I was amazed by my luck.
Next stop was Mayfield, where there was a Vinnie's and a Salvo's store to check out. As usual, the Salvo's was huge and filled with some pretty good stuff but as I said previously I was in no mood for frivolous purchasing as I am broke and running out of wardrobe space!
In Mayfield we stopped for lunch in and exotic restaurant called Subway, and while walking in my bag broke. I was completely devestated as this was my absolute favourite bag that I used every single day! Mourning my loss, I swapped all my belongings into my new brown bag.
After lunch we drove on to Islington, where we made a brief stop at a Vinnie's we were driving past. There was heaps of cool stuff in this Vinnie's, mostly because unlike most other Vinnie's there was a whole room full of furniture! I love love looovvvveee second hand furniture so I had to be forcibly dragged away. However, I did manage to snag a $1 brown belt to match my new bag.
We then made our way on to the centre of Newcastle, where I was surprised to find it was much more city-like than I had expected. Having been on exciting road trips with my family stopping in practically every town in NSW at some point or another, it is shocking that I can't ever remember seeing the city of Newcastle (probably due to the relatively new highway by-pass..) In the city we stopped at an amazingly cute little retro shop, similar to those you might find in Newtown except about half the price for most things! I was really tempted by so many things in this shop, particularly a large collection of beautiful vintage bags. Luckily, I restrained myself and only bought one, a $5 woven beauty.
Around this point, my companion/driver started to get a bit cranky because he hadn't gotten enough sleep, so we ducked into one last Vinnie's in Hamilton (unsuccessfully) before heading home for a longggg sleep.
After a couple of days of using my brown bag and having not go with half my clothes, I realised that I couldn't go on without a replacement for my favourite black bag. I knew what I had to do. The following Saturday I raced to my favourite local op shop to rummage through their enormous crates of bags and managed to find TWO perfect replacements, and of course I had to get them both as they were only six dollars each! Now I can sleep soundly knowing that even if one of my replacements dies, even they can be easily replaced haha.
So yes, that concludes the end of my Newcastle story and further adventures.. I think that basically what I have learned from my trip is that Newcastle op-shops aren't really any better or cheaper than Sydney's ones so next time I will not waste the five hours it took to go there and back! However, it was a good experience and with the exception of my companion getting all irritated towards the end of the day it was still fun. Next time I think I will try some smaller towns as I have heard good things about those...
Until then I will have to just keep my faith in the power of my local op shops to conveniently bring me what I want!
xx Elly
To get to Newcastle, we had to leave at eight (too early for a sleepyhead like me), and after two and a half hours driving, we arrived in Wallsend. This was probably one of the best areas we visited, with four charity shops on the main street and two others near by. While on this stop I bought this gorgeous brown bag for $2 !! I had wanted a brown bag in a satchel-style for a while so I was amazed by my luck.
 |
| my lovely new bag, with red silk scarf from my package partner Jasmine :) |
Next stop was Mayfield, where there was a Vinnie's and a Salvo's store to check out. As usual, the Salvo's was huge and filled with some pretty good stuff but as I said previously I was in no mood for frivolous purchasing as I am broke and running out of wardrobe space!
In Mayfield we stopped for lunch in and exotic restaurant called Subway, and while walking in my bag broke. I was completely devestated as this was my absolute favourite bag that I used every single day! Mourning my loss, I swapped all my belongings into my new brown bag.
After lunch we drove on to Islington, where we made a brief stop at a Vinnie's we were driving past. There was heaps of cool stuff in this Vinnie's, mostly because unlike most other Vinnie's there was a whole room full of furniture! I love love looovvvveee second hand furniture so I had to be forcibly dragged away. However, I did manage to snag a $1 brown belt to match my new bag.
We then made our way on to the centre of Newcastle, where I was surprised to find it was much more city-like than I had expected. Having been on exciting road trips with my family stopping in practically every town in NSW at some point or another, it is shocking that I can't ever remember seeing the city of Newcastle (probably due to the relatively new highway by-pass..) In the city we stopped at an amazingly cute little retro shop, similar to those you might find in Newtown except about half the price for most things! I was really tempted by so many things in this shop, particularly a large collection of beautiful vintage bags. Luckily, I restrained myself and only bought one, a $5 woven beauty.
 |
| New woven bag, the gold oval says made in Italy (v. fancy) |
Around this point, my companion/driver started to get a bit cranky because he hadn't gotten enough sleep, so we ducked into one last Vinnie's in Hamilton (unsuccessfully) before heading home for a longggg sleep.
After a couple of days of using my brown bag and having not go with half my clothes, I realised that I couldn't go on without a replacement for my favourite black bag. I knew what I had to do. The following Saturday I raced to my favourite local op shop to rummage through their enormous crates of bags and managed to find TWO perfect replacements, and of course I had to get them both as they were only six dollars each! Now I can sleep soundly knowing that even if one of my replacements dies, even they can be easily replaced haha.
 | |
| Two newer bags on the left, sad broken bag on the right :'( |
So yes, that concludes the end of my Newcastle story and further adventures.. I think that basically what I have learned from my trip is that Newcastle op-shops aren't really any better or cheaper than Sydney's ones so next time I will not waste the five hours it took to go there and back! However, it was a good experience and with the exception of my companion getting all irritated towards the end of the day it was still fun. Next time I think I will try some smaller towns as I have heard good things about those...
Until then I will have to just keep my faith in the power of my local op shops to conveniently bring me what I want!
xx Elly
July 12, 2010
renewal
Woo! finally finished the new layout for the blog after starting yesterday afternoon !!
I have noticed for a veryyy long time (as in since I started the blog) that it has been embarrassingly ugly, especially for a student studying Design! But alas in my unlimited laziness it has taken me this long to get around to it. It took me far longer than I thought it would, but then again I am very out of practice when it comes to coding. I used to be a coding whiz back when I used to make my own geocities websites making pixel dolls (yes I really am that cool.)
No other news to report, Newcastle post still in the making...
Hope all of your eyes are a bit less sore now :)
xx Elly
I have noticed for a veryyy long time (as in since I started the blog) that it has been embarrassingly ugly, especially for a student studying Design! But alas in my unlimited laziness it has taken me this long to get around to it. It took me far longer than I thought it would, but then again I am very out of practice when it comes to coding. I used to be a coding whiz back when I used to make my own geocities websites making pixel dolls (yes I really am that cool.)
No other news to report, Newcastle post still in the making...
Hope all of your eyes are a bit less sore now :)
xx Elly
July 11, 2010
comfort
Hello there,
As I was saying in one of my previous posts, it is very cold at the moment by Sydney standards. This has led to me, like most people I assume, craving comfort foods and sitting around inside like a blob.. so last night I made one of my favourite warm, winter comfort foods ever: lentils!
I don't know how enthusiastic about lentils other people are, but I got the idea about a week ago after browsing 101 cookbooks and coming across a lovely-looking recipe for lentil soup.
Delicious lentils with yoghurt..
Of course I made my own alterations to the recipe, namely using green/brown lentils because my dad couldn't find the right ones and adding heaps of Worcestershire sauce (I had to look that up to spell it properly..) because I always remember my mum making lentils with Worcestershire sauce when I was little, which adds to the comfort-factor.
I also made an exciting discovery in my bookshelf a few days ago, a set of three rather large folders filled with information on sewing. Apart from the hilarious eighties-style pictures, it looks amazingly helpful as it includes different stitching types and when to use them, how to sew with different fabrics, attaching zippers and buttons, as well as many far more complicated tips that go way over my less-than-basic sewing knowledge. For instance, one folder is filled entirely with tips on how to get the perfect fit from your garment, and when they say perfect they mean perfect. In fact the fit in some of those photos looks so extremely perfect that it is probably not at all comfortable, and the people were probably sewn into the garments and couldn't sit down..
There are tips on how to fit for every single not-exactly-average measurement that your body might have, including a wide back (who knows how big their back is?) and narrow thighs (sorry, but if I had narrow thighs I don't think I would be worrying very much about "disguising the problem" !!)
a similar eighties-style sewing pattern (showing off the crazy-close fit) from vintagegifts4sale on etsy
Anyway, having flipped through these folders I have been inspired to try harder to make some actual clothes and expand my sewing experience, starting with a black velvet skirt because I have wanted one for months yet can't find one that is the right length because I am too tall.. (I have a couple of skirts that I hardly ever wear because I am constantly paranoid about them flying up an inch or to and revealing far more than it necessary to the general public! 6 ft is not a height you should ever aspire to..)
So I guess that's all the exciting reporting I have for today, I have a post about my Newcastle trip lined up but I need to take a couple of photos of my exciting loot first..
xx Elly
As I was saying in one of my previous posts, it is very cold at the moment by Sydney standards. This has led to me, like most people I assume, craving comfort foods and sitting around inside like a blob.. so last night I made one of my favourite warm, winter comfort foods ever: lentils!
I don't know how enthusiastic about lentils other people are, but I got the idea about a week ago after browsing 101 cookbooks and coming across a lovely-looking recipe for lentil soup.
Delicious lentils with yoghurt..
Of course I made my own alterations to the recipe, namely using green/brown lentils because my dad couldn't find the right ones and adding heaps of Worcestershire sauce (I had to look that up to spell it properly..) because I always remember my mum making lentils with Worcestershire sauce when I was little, which adds to the comfort-factor.
I also made an exciting discovery in my bookshelf a few days ago, a set of three rather large folders filled with information on sewing. Apart from the hilarious eighties-style pictures, it looks amazingly helpful as it includes different stitching types and when to use them, how to sew with different fabrics, attaching zippers and buttons, as well as many far more complicated tips that go way over my less-than-basic sewing knowledge. For instance, one folder is filled entirely with tips on how to get the perfect fit from your garment, and when they say perfect they mean perfect. In fact the fit in some of those photos looks so extremely perfect that it is probably not at all comfortable, and the people were probably sewn into the garments and couldn't sit down..
There are tips on how to fit for every single not-exactly-average measurement that your body might have, including a wide back (who knows how big their back is?) and narrow thighs (sorry, but if I had narrow thighs I don't think I would be worrying very much about "disguising the problem" !!)
a similar eighties-style sewing pattern (showing off the crazy-close fit) from vintagegifts4sale on etsy
Anyway, having flipped through these folders I have been inspired to try harder to make some actual clothes and expand my sewing experience, starting with a black velvet skirt because I have wanted one for months yet can't find one that is the right length because I am too tall.. (I have a couple of skirts that I hardly ever wear because I am constantly paranoid about them flying up an inch or to and revealing far more than it necessary to the general public! 6 ft is not a height you should ever aspire to..)
So I guess that's all the exciting reporting I have for today, I have a post about my Newcastle trip lined up but I need to take a couple of photos of my exciting loot first..
xx Elly
July 5, 2010
post
Hello there,
Shockingly I have actually been doing some things in the last two weeks, not to mention that the 29th of June was my nineteenth (weird looking word..) birthday
My birthday was actually quite uneventful, but I got to see a close friend I haven't seen in ages and she even made me a really delicious pear and almond cake. I didn't ask for much in the way of gifts either, but I did get a few nice things:
my gorgeous glockenspiel <3
- a cute angel glockenspiel from urban outfitters, fulfilling a small part of my earlier wishes. I have no idea what I will actually do with it, but so far I have learnt to play Don't Stop Believin' by Journey, which is clearly a good enough reason to own it.
- a new sims 3 expansion pack, ambitions. luckily I am now on break and have time to play!
- some money from my mother, aunty and grandmother, so now I feel slightly less like a poor hobo
- fancy nail polishes, which are my new obsession. I got a nice dark grey, light minty green, baby blue, the most beautiful lilac and two botttles of china glaze "matte magic" which is a topcoat that will give any colour an amazing matte finish. I am so in love with this right now, I can't stop looking at my fingers.
-----
The glockenspiel and nail polishes were especially exciting because they came through the post, which are a great novelty to me. I think getting something in a package makes it a bit more special though, because you have to wait for it. Even if it is a surprise, it is nice to think that the objects contained come from someplace far away.
The glockenspiel and nail polishes were especially exciting because they came through the post, which are a great novelty to me. I think getting something in a package makes it a bit more special though, because you have to wait for it. Even if it is a surprise, it is nice to think that the objects contained come from someplace far away.
I also received another package this week. A few months ago I mentioned and eventually signed up for the package project, which is a project organised by cupcake couture. People all over the world have emailed a few of their details (myself included), and have been paired up with another person and each pair must then send a package full of little treats to one another!
Now I sent my package off a couple of weeks ago, and I actually wish I had taken some photos of it because I went a bit crazy with it and made little labels and everything (what I get for being a bored designer..) My package arrived a few days ago, and I recieved a few lovely things including a pretty vintage red silk scarf, little pouch featuring Blythe (a great coincidence as I own two) and a mix C.D. featuring some of her songs as she is a singer/songwriter (and a talented one at that!).
As for the rest of my holidays, I have hardly any plans. One thing I do really want to get around to is a trip to Newcastle to visit some op shops that are far beyond my usual circuit and find some amazing bargains.
xx Elly
June 23, 2010
pretty
Another random link today as I am feeling really uninspired, and now depressed because I have been watching this video of the lovely Julia Pott in full illustrator/animator action...
Anyway so now I feel like I have been wasting all my time and should be spending it making some sort of amazing animations/artwork. The main problem I always find is that I have no inspiration to start with, and this is quite a problem because most animations need some sort of a story. Very unfortunate.
Also, how is it fair that she is so pretty and makes such pretty things?
Consider me extremelyyy jealous.
xx Elly
Anyway so now I feel like I have been wasting all my time and should be spending it making some sort of amazing animations/artwork. The main problem I always find is that I have no inspiration to start with, and this is quite a problem because most animations need some sort of a story. Very unfortunate.
Also, how is it fair that she is so pretty and makes such pretty things?
Consider me extremelyyy jealous.
xx Elly
moar typez
Checking in today to give you a bit of typography lovin' because god do I love type. I really do. If only I was any good at it! Although this semester I ended up with a credit average rather than just a pass for my typography subject but now I'm going off the topic.
First of all is one that has been doing the design-blog rounds recently, the big caption. Basically, people take photographs from the Chicago Tribune’s The Big Photo and add some pretty words for hilarity/serious-point-makingness. I think it is pretty cool.
Example of a couple I like:
Second typography related linky is I'm Comic Sans, Asshole., a short monologue by Mike Lacher. Now as a student studying graphic design I am often exposed to a lot of Comic Sans hate, and I can't really say I disagree with it having disliked the font since primary school.. But apparently Comic Sans is totally rad and hardcore so who am I to judge?
some hot comic sans action going on here to finish off..
That's all folks!
xx Elly
First of all is one that has been doing the design-blog rounds recently, the big caption. Basically, people take photographs from the Chicago Tribune’s The Big Photo and add some pretty words for hilarity/serious-point-makingness. I think it is pretty cool.
Example of a couple I like:
Second typography related linky is I'm Comic Sans, Asshole., a short monologue by Mike Lacher. Now as a student studying graphic design I am often exposed to a lot of Comic Sans hate, and I can't really say I disagree with it having disliked the font since primary school.. But apparently Comic Sans is totally rad and hardcore so who am I to judge?
some hot comic sans action going on here to finish off..
That's all folks!
xx Elly
June 19, 2010
warm
As I may have mentioned in some of my previous posts, it is actually quite wintery in Sydney at the moment. Well, it has been getting warmer for the past few days (but still cool enough to wear a jacket if you aren't running about in the sun) and it is still freezing at night. Not actually freezing obviously, but in my bedroom it really does feel like it sometimes.
As such, I have compiled another list (yes, I am one of those list-loving people..) this time it is a list of Elly's winter essentials..
HOT WATER BOTTLES
Hot water bottles! I don't think I have had one since I was about eight but they are absolute heaven! This might just be because I am used to getting into bed in my ice cave of a bedroom and shivering for about an hour before my body works up enough heat to get me warm again.. but nevertheless, hot water bottles are an amazingly genius invention! You can also get little soft covers if you are worried about accidentally burning yourself.. like this super-cute owlie version from saracarr on etsy!
HOT CHOCOLATE
I'm one of those freaky people who doesn't like coffee at all, so almost every morning I wake up and make myself a nice cup of Cadbury's drinking chocolate. Of course there is always tea which I also love but hot chocolate appeals to my ravenous sweet tooth. My ultimate hot chocolate method is to add two large teaspoons of the Cadbury's powder to your mug and fill it with milk, then microwave for approximately 45 seconds (this will probably differ greatly between microwaves, but if you leave a bit of space at the top you can add a splash of cold milk afterwards to cool it..) And if you want to go really crazy, add a little bit of Baileys Irish Cream which makes it even more delicious, but probably not suitable for weekdays..
HEATERS
Well this is a bit of a stupidly obvious one but it had to be said. Almost all of my time spent at home is spent sitting on a small wooden stool in front of the heater. I am a little bit worried that this will have some adverse health effects but my desire for warmth overrides my health worries. Sitting on the little stool with no back support gives me better posture anyway!
BAKING
Now I love baking at any time of the year, but there is no time like winter to give your oven a workout. This is for two simple reasons: a) your oven will warm up your house and b) you will get to eat yummy and warm treats at the end of it. Plus, it is totally okay to stuff yourself with treats during winter because a bit of extra pudge will help you keep warm..? Perhaps you could go for a wintery theme with a snowflake cookie cutter from kitchen crafts.
CUP-A-SOUP
Okay, so I know you probably get the whole "put-warm-consumables-in-your-body" idea by now but think about it, you can have nice warm soup in your hands within minutes; any time, any place! I have only gotten back into them recently because they are actually on sale (a two-pack for a dollar!) at the moment and I couldn't resist them, but I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. My favourite flavours are laksa, chicken noodle and one that I can't remember the name of which is something like italian minestrone..
COATS
For a very long time (I'm talking years here..) I have wanted a coat for winter, but always thought that buying one would be a ridiculously large expense for something I would only be able to wear for a maximum of about one month per year. Luckily, this year I actually remembered that practically all op-shops have plenty of coats in all shapes and sizes for around ten dollars, so when it came time for the 50% of everything sale I was ready and bagged myself a gorgeous grey coat for four dollars! So now my beautiful coat has been keeping me warm pretty much every day because I get too lazy to change outfits in the winter.. So go out and buy a coat! Even if it isn't four dollars it will be worth it to allow you to leave a one-metre radius from the heater!
Although I have already got a perfect coat of my own, I love this beautiful mustard-y coat and can't help but dream of teaming it with my mustard-y tights.. from vintage etc.
Anyway, that's all the exciting list action for now. I have actually been vaguely productive in my first week of holidays, crafting and cleaning, so hopefully this will continue!
xx Elly
As such, I have compiled another list (yes, I am one of those list-loving people..) this time it is a list of Elly's winter essentials..
HOT WATER BOTTLES
Hot water bottles! I don't think I have had one since I was about eight but they are absolute heaven! This might just be because I am used to getting into bed in my ice cave of a bedroom and shivering for about an hour before my body works up enough heat to get me warm again.. but nevertheless, hot water bottles are an amazingly genius invention! You can also get little soft covers if you are worried about accidentally burning yourself.. like this super-cute owlie version from saracarr on etsy!
HOT CHOCOLATE
I'm one of those freaky people who doesn't like coffee at all, so almost every morning I wake up and make myself a nice cup of Cadbury's drinking chocolate. Of course there is always tea which I also love but hot chocolate appeals to my ravenous sweet tooth. My ultimate hot chocolate method is to add two large teaspoons of the Cadbury's powder to your mug and fill it with milk, then microwave for approximately 45 seconds (this will probably differ greatly between microwaves, but if you leave a bit of space at the top you can add a splash of cold milk afterwards to cool it..) And if you want to go really crazy, add a little bit of Baileys Irish Cream which makes it even more delicious, but probably not suitable for weekdays..
HEATERS
Well this is a bit of a stupidly obvious one but it had to be said. Almost all of my time spent at home is spent sitting on a small wooden stool in front of the heater. I am a little bit worried that this will have some adverse health effects but my desire for warmth overrides my health worries. Sitting on the little stool with no back support gives me better posture anyway!
BAKING
Now I love baking at any time of the year, but there is no time like winter to give your oven a workout. This is for two simple reasons: a) your oven will warm up your house and b) you will get to eat yummy and warm treats at the end of it. Plus, it is totally okay to stuff yourself with treats during winter because a bit of extra pudge will help you keep warm..? Perhaps you could go for a wintery theme with a snowflake cookie cutter from kitchen crafts.
CUP-A-SOUP
Okay, so I know you probably get the whole "put-warm-consumables-in-your-body" idea by now but think about it, you can have nice warm soup in your hands within minutes; any time, any place! I have only gotten back into them recently because they are actually on sale (a two-pack for a dollar!) at the moment and I couldn't resist them, but I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. My favourite flavours are laksa, chicken noodle and one that I can't remember the name of which is something like italian minestrone..
COATS
For a very long time (I'm talking years here..) I have wanted a coat for winter, but always thought that buying one would be a ridiculously large expense for something I would only be able to wear for a maximum of about one month per year. Luckily, this year I actually remembered that practically all op-shops have plenty of coats in all shapes and sizes for around ten dollars, so when it came time for the 50% of everything sale I was ready and bagged myself a gorgeous grey coat for four dollars! So now my beautiful coat has been keeping me warm pretty much every day because I get too lazy to change outfits in the winter.. So go out and buy a coat! Even if it isn't four dollars it will be worth it to allow you to leave a one-metre radius from the heater!
Although I have already got a perfect coat of my own, I love this beautiful mustard-y coat and can't help but dream of teaming it with my mustard-y tights.. from vintage etc.
Anyway, that's all the exciting list action for now. I have actually been vaguely productive in my first week of holidays, crafting and cleaning, so hopefully this will continue!
xx Elly
June 11, 2010
something else..
Finally the time has come and I am actually on holidays, rather than ignoring my work and pretending that I am. Hooray!
Now I have only one long-winded and possibly uninteresting story to tell today (now I bet you are dying to continue reading..!)
For ages and ages I have had an obsession with Something Else by Natalie Wood. I swear, every single thing made by that brand I want so much it hurts. So while doing my random e-shop browsing I stumbled upon this beatiful collar (you may know I am obsessed with collars from previous posts..)
pic via idontlikemondays
And you can just guess who made it. Yep. Bloody Something Else. Trying to get me to spend all my hard-earned money already, and I only got it two days ago.. I swear whoever is designing these things has the ability to read my mind.
I do have a brilliant story about my gorgeous Something Else dress, which is white with black speckles and is practically weightless, the most beautiful thing to wear. Ever. I bought it from David Jones at the beginning of the year as I had been given a $100 gift voucher for christmas (thanks dad!) But that is not the amazing part. The dress was originally $260 (crazy-expensive for me..), but had been marked down on the label to $90. Only one of the dresses had been marked at this price and the rest were twice as expensive.. so I decided to get that one just to be on the safe side. When I got to the counter, the woman was confused because when she scanned the barcode it said $180.
Apparently, someone had marked the price wrong, as the $90 price was supposed to be for the tops of the same print. I'm glad they did though, because the woman called her supervisor and ended up letting me have it anyway! The sweetest thing about it is that only a couple of weeks ago I saw that they still had one left and it had been marked down to $120, so my price was still lower and that was half a year ago..
And that my friends is why they call me bargain shopper extraordinaire :)
(that and my three dollar vinnie's finds..)
xx Elly
Now I have only one long-winded and possibly uninteresting story to tell today (now I bet you are dying to continue reading..!)
For ages and ages I have had an obsession with Something Else by Natalie Wood. I swear, every single thing made by that brand I want so much it hurts. So while doing my random e-shop browsing I stumbled upon this beatiful collar (you may know I am obsessed with collars from previous posts..)
pic via idontlikemondays
And you can just guess who made it. Yep. Bloody Something Else. Trying to get me to spend all my hard-earned money already, and I only got it two days ago.. I swear whoever is designing these things has the ability to read my mind.
I do have a brilliant story about my gorgeous Something Else dress, which is white with black speckles and is practically weightless, the most beautiful thing to wear. Ever. I bought it from David Jones at the beginning of the year as I had been given a $100 gift voucher for christmas (thanks dad!) But that is not the amazing part. The dress was originally $260 (crazy-expensive for me..), but had been marked down on the label to $90. Only one of the dresses had been marked at this price and the rest were twice as expensive.. so I decided to get that one just to be on the safe side. When I got to the counter, the woman was confused because when she scanned the barcode it said $180.
Apparently, someone had marked the price wrong, as the $90 price was supposed to be for the tops of the same print. I'm glad they did though, because the woman called her supervisor and ended up letting me have it anyway! The sweetest thing about it is that only a couple of weeks ago I saw that they still had one left and it had been marked down to $120, so my price was still lower and that was half a year ago..
And that my friends is why they call me bargain shopper extraordinaire :)
(that and my three dollar vinnie's finds..)
xx Elly
June 10, 2010
cooking.
I have decided that as it is extremely cold (in Sydney terms) at the moment, to warm you up i've compiled some of my favourite sites on the theme of: cooking!
number one : whatthefuckshouldimakefordinner
So basically this is a site that will help indecisive people like me decide what they want to cook themselves for dinner. There is also a helpful vegetarian-only option for the herbivores/vegetarian fakers (that is just being mean to my eating-only-chicken-and-fish self, no offence intended!) among us. Just don't hand this site on over to your granny, unless she likes the work "fuck" a lot..
number two : eggwatchers
This site is one of my all-time favourites as it taught me how long to boil an egg for. Sad I know, but I do actually learn everything I know from the internet. Plus, this fancy gadget will not only tell you how long to cook your eggs for varying different sizes, temperatures, and outcomes but entertain you with fun youtube videos while you wait! So no more pacing around wondering why six minutes suddenly seems like years.. Some good ones i've seen have been crazy claymation zombie killing and a star wars dance-off. Awesome.
number three : recipelook
Oh my good, words cannot describe how much I love this site. Seriously. A combination of two of my most favourite things: cute illustrations and cooking. Heaps of yummy recipes have been hand-illustrated, creating a very long list of images that are both beautiful and useful. Here are a couple of my picks from the site:
short and sweet nutella tortillas by Emilie Boudet
roasted potato wedges by Rachel Rauch
number four : taste.com.au
Okay, so this one is a bit more boring than the others, but this is really my first point of reference when I want to find a recipe. They have pretty much everything I have ever looked for, although sometimes the search tool is a bit unhelpful and you might have to try a few different ways of wording what you want. Other than that, love it forever <3
And a one last thing for those who can't be bothered to cook:
Who doesn't love nineties one hit wonders..?
xx Elly
number one : whatthefuckshouldimakefordinner
So basically this is a site that will help indecisive people like me decide what they want to cook themselves for dinner. There is also a helpful vegetarian-only option for the herbivores/vegetarian fakers (that is just being mean to my eating-only-chicken-and-fish self, no offence intended!) among us. Just don't hand this site on over to your granny, unless she likes the work "fuck" a lot..
number two : eggwatchers
This site is one of my all-time favourites as it taught me how long to boil an egg for. Sad I know, but I do actually learn everything I know from the internet. Plus, this fancy gadget will not only tell you how long to cook your eggs for varying different sizes, temperatures, and outcomes but entertain you with fun youtube videos while you wait! So no more pacing around wondering why six minutes suddenly seems like years.. Some good ones i've seen have been crazy claymation zombie killing and a star wars dance-off. Awesome.
number three : recipelook
Oh my good, words cannot describe how much I love this site. Seriously. A combination of two of my most favourite things: cute illustrations and cooking. Heaps of yummy recipes have been hand-illustrated, creating a very long list of images that are both beautiful and useful. Here are a couple of my picks from the site:
short and sweet nutella tortillas by Emilie Boudet
roasted potato wedges by Rachel Rauch
number four : taste.com.au
Okay, so this one is a bit more boring than the others, but this is really my first point of reference when I want to find a recipe. They have pretty much everything I have ever looked for, although sometimes the search tool is a bit unhelpful and you might have to try a few different ways of wording what you want. Other than that, love it forever <3
And a one last thing for those who can't be bothered to cook:
Who doesn't love nineties one hit wonders..?
xx Elly
June 3, 2010
lazyy.
Two days ago on Tuesday I finally handed in my last assignment for uni, magazine layouts and mockup (which turned out surprisingly well) thus ending my real work for this semester. Except now all I can do is think about how little I will actually have to do in the many many uni-less weeks that follow..!
I do have some ideas though.. mostly involving learning fancy new craft-like skills such as book binding and beading. I will of course also be baking, despite my ever-expanding waistline! Another exciting activity on the cards is also job-hunting, the ever-present and impossible task that haunts my life.
Which is an awful shame because I just happened upon these beautiful boots by Andrea & Joen..
And apparently they come in size 41 which might fit on my giant man-feet (being abnormally tall means I have giant feet to keep me balanced.. size 11 anyone?) Plus they are australian-made so no extortionate shipping rates!
Anyway, I haven't got a slick segue lined up for this song, I just heard it at uni today and remembered how catchy it is. Plus anything french gets an instant +10 cool points right?
It's "Ce Plane Pour Moi" by Plastic Bertrand..
Au Revoir!
xx Elly
I do have some ideas though.. mostly involving learning fancy new craft-like skills such as book binding and beading. I will of course also be baking, despite my ever-expanding waistline! Another exciting activity on the cards is also job-hunting, the ever-present and impossible task that haunts my life.
Which is an awful shame because I just happened upon these beautiful boots by Andrea & Joen..
And apparently they come in size 41 which might fit on my giant man-feet (being abnormally tall means I have giant feet to keep me balanced.. size 11 anyone?) Plus they are australian-made so no extortionate shipping rates!
Anyway, I haven't got a slick segue lined up for this song, I just heard it at uni today and remembered how catchy it is. Plus anything french gets an instant +10 cool points right?
It's "Ce Plane Pour Moi" by Plastic Bertrand..
Au Revoir!
xx Elly
May 16, 2010
vivid
This month seems to be filled of exciting events for Sydney-siders, or at least in my humble opinion. Last weekend it was the Finders Keepers Markets, which was lovely to visit even if I couldn't afford to buy anything.. and I got to visit two of my friends Matt of Faking Handmade and Megan of the Ever Dazzling at their stall, making me feel all jealous and super under-productive!
Next weekend I am totally pumped for the MCA Zine Fair!! Ever since doing a zine-making assignment for uni last year (which I loveddd, not mention earned good marks in for once!) I have been interested in zines. I went to the fair last year and ever since then I have been thinking of making another one, but never real feel like I have the time or a solid concept to base it on. Nevertheless, I will be heading to the MCA next sunday with hopes of scoring some cheap and cheerful zines, which will hopefully inspire me into actual action this year..
The event I am actually most excited about this month is the beginning of the Vivid Sydney Festival which runs from the 27th of May to the 21st of June. The festival includes a plethora of different events ranging from art installations to musical performances all revolving around the theme of light. What I'm really interested in seeing is the creative sydney block party (supported by fbi,) the rocks fire water preformance and if I had any money I would go and see holly miranda. In fact I might even go crazy and splurge $35 dollars on it.
In any case, May is shaping up to be a great month in Sydney!
xx Elly
p.s. In case you are wondering about Holly Miranda, here is a video of her singing her beautiful song "joints" whilst walking around some mysterious places..
Next weekend I am totally pumped for the MCA Zine Fair!! Ever since doing a zine-making assignment for uni last year (which I loveddd, not mention earned good marks in for once!) I have been interested in zines. I went to the fair last year and ever since then I have been thinking of making another one, but never real feel like I have the time or a solid concept to base it on. Nevertheless, I will be heading to the MCA next sunday with hopes of scoring some cheap and cheerful zines, which will hopefully inspire me into actual action this year..
The event I am actually most excited about this month is the beginning of the Vivid Sydney Festival which runs from the 27th of May to the 21st of June. The festival includes a plethora of different events ranging from art installations to musical performances all revolving around the theme of light. What I'm really interested in seeing is the creative sydney block party (supported by fbi,) the rocks fire water preformance and if I had any money I would go and see holly miranda. In fact I might even go crazy and splurge $35 dollars on it.
In any case, May is shaping up to be a great month in Sydney!
xx Elly
p.s. In case you are wondering about Holly Miranda, here is a video of her singing her beautiful song "joints" whilst walking around some mysterious places..
May 6, 2010
urban
Hey there again,
My life is getting back to normal now that I have uni, and by that of course I mean that my routine of looking at blogs and various online shops is sometimes punctuated by actual work. Oh the humanity!
One shop that I am currently stalking is urban outfitters. I really envy American girls who can shop at these stores in real life whenever they please! But then again, I think maybe if everyone had access to these goods I would probably find them a bit common for my tastes.. I know, I know, but I hate seeing other people wearing the same thing as me, that's why I love op shopping!
The point is, I have heard that they are offering free shipping to us australians for the limited time of this merry month of may, with the one catch that you have to spend over $100. All you have to do is enter promo code 'shipaus3' at checkout time.
Now given that I am an extremely poor uni student living at home without a job, I don't think i'll be able to scrape up that much money before the 31st, but here how I would spend one hundred smackaroonies at their lovely shop...
most beautiful scalloped shorts in black - $14.99
mostly because I love rocking the fancy tights and shorts look in the cooler months, and also because they are scalloped. I love.
[I actually bought some great high-waisted black shorts on sale for $20 at sportgirl the other day which are exactly what I wanted and I died of happiness, incidentally..]
sweet beaded pearl collar - $34
Okay so there is no way in real life I would probably be able to justify spending $24 on something like this [I don't really know why, I think it falls to close to DIY-able territory] That being said, it is so beautiful and I love that it hangs a bit lower so people like me who feel like t-shirts are trying to strangle them will be able to cope with it. I don't really know what I could wear it with.. but I don't care because I have an obsession with collars!
cute glockenspiel with case - $32
you have no idea how long I have wanted to be in a band with me as the glockenspiel-playing person that everyone dislikes because they are pointless and talentless. But I won't care and will totally rock that glockenspiel. Glockenspiel is hardcore.
my perfect ideal matte grey nail polish - $19
You cannot possibly comprehend how much I want this. At the beginning of the year I decided to stop biting my nails once and for all, and so far with the help of keeping my nails more or less beautifully [self] manicured at all times I have kept them long. Now, ever since I heard about matte nail polishes I having been constantly pining over them yet being unable to find any except OPI, which would be great, except that in my matte nail polish dreams the only colour that will pass the test is my all time favourite: GREY!
But alas! I am only on $99.99, so just to make sure i'm OVER $100...
totally neccessary owl money bank - $8
Well it is only eight dollars, and it's for my owl collection!
--
Anyways, apart from all my dream shopping, I have a song for you as a parting gift. It's a cover of LCD Soundsystem's All My Friends, which is a good song in it's own right but not exactly one of my favourites. It's been covered by Franz Ferdinand, who although talented aren't exactly my favourite band either, but this song is surprisingly really good and has been stuck in my head for dayss.
That's all folks!
xx Elly
My life is getting back to normal now that I have uni, and by that of course I mean that my routine of looking at blogs and various online shops is sometimes punctuated by actual work. Oh the humanity!
One shop that I am currently stalking is urban outfitters. I really envy American girls who can shop at these stores in real life whenever they please! But then again, I think maybe if everyone had access to these goods I would probably find them a bit common for my tastes.. I know, I know, but I hate seeing other people wearing the same thing as me, that's why I love op shopping!
The point is, I have heard that they are offering free shipping to us australians for the limited time of this merry month of may, with the one catch that you have to spend over $100. All you have to do is enter promo code 'shipaus3' at checkout time.
Now given that I am an extremely poor uni student living at home without a job, I don't think i'll be able to scrape up that much money before the 31st, but here how I would spend one hundred smackaroonies at their lovely shop...
most beautiful scalloped shorts in black - $14.99
mostly because I love rocking the fancy tights and shorts look in the cooler months, and also because they are scalloped. I love.
[I actually bought some great high-waisted black shorts on sale for $20 at sportgirl the other day which are exactly what I wanted and I died of happiness, incidentally..]
sweet beaded pearl collar - $34
Okay so there is no way in real life I would probably be able to justify spending $24 on something like this [I don't really know why, I think it falls to close to DIY-able territory] That being said, it is so beautiful and I love that it hangs a bit lower so people like me who feel like t-shirts are trying to strangle them will be able to cope with it. I don't really know what I could wear it with.. but I don't care because I have an obsession with collars!
cute glockenspiel with case - $32
you have no idea how long I have wanted to be in a band with me as the glockenspiel-playing person that everyone dislikes because they are pointless and talentless. But I won't care and will totally rock that glockenspiel. Glockenspiel is hardcore.
my perfect ideal matte grey nail polish - $19
You cannot possibly comprehend how much I want this. At the beginning of the year I decided to stop biting my nails once and for all, and so far with the help of keeping my nails more or less beautifully [self] manicured at all times I have kept them long. Now, ever since I heard about matte nail polishes I having been constantly pining over them yet being unable to find any except OPI, which would be great, except that in my matte nail polish dreams the only colour that will pass the test is my all time favourite: GREY!
But alas! I am only on $99.99, so just to make sure i'm OVER $100...
totally neccessary owl money bank - $8
Well it is only eight dollars, and it's for my owl collection!
--
Anyways, apart from all my dream shopping, I have a song for you as a parting gift. It's a cover of LCD Soundsystem's All My Friends, which is a good song in it's own right but not exactly one of my favourites. It's been covered by Franz Ferdinand, who although talented aren't exactly my favourite band either, but this song is surprisingly really good and has been stuck in my head for dayss.
That's all folks!
xx Elly
April 25, 2010
buns
Hello all,
Since my last post my motivational ideas seem to have diminished somewhat. However, I have upped my consumption of Swedish culture, mostly of their food! My grandfather lives in Finland (he is not Finnish, he is English, but that's another story..) and I remember when I visited about ten years ago we ate these really nice sweet buns that were flavoured with some sort of spice. Yum!
Anyways, so while researching Swedish food to get we into the swedish-learning mood (yes I am a poet..) I found these Swedish Cardamom and Cinnamon buns, cousins to the Finnish buns which are called Pulla. I have actually tried to make the Pulla before but it failed miserably so I was a bit scared to try it!
So I had a bit of a one-person baking party a few days ago and made them, with the yeast and everything! It was very exciting because I have never cooked using yeast before.. But it was so good! I felt like a real proper baker because there was actually a chance that things could go wrong, unlike with my normal biscuits and cakes where pretty much the only that can go wrong is that they have too much/not enough sugar..
I did actually take heaps of nice photos, which also showed off my sweeeet new dessert stand that I got from the Salvo's the other week, but you will have to wait a couple of days for them as I am a bit lazy with the uploading at the moment.
But because of my laziness what you do get is a couple of photobooth pics of my recent purchases (because I know you care!): my super-duper yellow tights and some new additions to my owl collection, which now looks quite sizable and needs a bit more shelf space I think!
Banana legs!
In a way they just make my legs look a little bit diseased but I like them anyway!
So many owls...
In more shop-related news I have actually added a few new items including a beautiful vintage typewriter and a spotless glomesh bag (which I really love but really I think four glomesh bags is enough for my personal collection!)
So I hope you have learnt something about Swedish cooking or maybe more about my laziness here today!
xx Elly
P.S. While researching Swedish food I found this picture of a Swedish Crayfish Party!
How crazy !! (Plus aren't lobsters kind of expensive?? Swedish people must have too much money..)
Since my last post my motivational ideas seem to have diminished somewhat. However, I have upped my consumption of Swedish culture, mostly of their food! My grandfather lives in Finland (he is not Finnish, he is English, but that's another story..) and I remember when I visited about ten years ago we ate these really nice sweet buns that were flavoured with some sort of spice. Yum!
Anyways, so while researching Swedish food to get we into the swedish-learning mood (yes I am a poet..) I found these Swedish Cardamom and Cinnamon buns, cousins to the Finnish buns which are called Pulla. I have actually tried to make the Pulla before but it failed miserably so I was a bit scared to try it!
So I had a bit of a one-person baking party a few days ago and made them, with the yeast and everything! It was very exciting because I have never cooked using yeast before.. But it was so good! I felt like a real proper baker because there was actually a chance that things could go wrong, unlike with my normal biscuits and cakes where pretty much the only that can go wrong is that they have too much/not enough sugar..
I did actually take heaps of nice photos, which also showed off my sweeeet new dessert stand that I got from the Salvo's the other week, but you will have to wait a couple of days for them as I am a bit lazy with the uploading at the moment.
But because of my laziness what you do get is a couple of photobooth pics of my recent purchases (because I know you care!): my super-duper yellow tights and some new additions to my owl collection, which now looks quite sizable and needs a bit more shelf space I think!
Banana legs!
In a way they just make my legs look a little bit diseased but I like them anyway!
So many owls...
In more shop-related news I have actually added a few new items including a beautiful vintage typewriter and a spotless glomesh bag (which I really love but really I think four glomesh bags is enough for my personal collection!)
So I hope you have learnt something about Swedish cooking or maybe more about my laziness here today!
xx Elly
P.S. While researching Swedish food I found this picture of a Swedish Crayfish Party!
How crazy !! (Plus aren't lobsters kind of expensive?? Swedish people must have too much money..)
April 15, 2010
insecurities
Hey there lovelies,
Now I am not normally the sort of person who really gets into the whole "motivational" thing, I tend to zone out and just think about how unlikely it is that I am actually going to "take time out to de-stress" or "repeat my positive mantra five times a day" etc etc.. But when I came across this article today called insecurity doesn't pay the bills, and as a completely over-analytic anxiety wreck (i'll wager that I could beat most of you in a crazy-off) who aspires to be a "proper designer" one day this completely spoke to me.
So I suppose I have to be a better person now and blog more regularly!
Hope you're feeling just a little bit inspired :)
xx Elly
Now I am not normally the sort of person who really gets into the whole "motivational" thing, I tend to zone out and just think about how unlikely it is that I am actually going to "take time out to de-stress" or "repeat my positive mantra five times a day" etc etc.. But when I came across this article today called insecurity doesn't pay the bills, and as a completely over-analytic anxiety wreck (i'll wager that I could beat most of you in a crazy-off) who aspires to be a "proper designer" one day this completely spoke to me.
So I suppose I have to be a better person now and blog more regularly!
Hope you're feeling just a little bit inspired :)
xx Elly
April 7, 2010
type
Today is the type of day that I haven't had in ages.
I got up, didn't get dressed until midday, sat on the sofa under a blanket and got some of my silly uni work done. It was so nice when I woke up, the kind of cold and rainy day where it is so nice to just sit inside.
I've really been loving the cold weather despite being sickly because I am a half-english, cold-loving kind of girl. My plans for the future are to move to Melbourne where they have proper winters, and then in the more distant future to move to Sweden where they have really proper winters. The type of winters where you can legitimately wear coats and smoke cigarettes in a sophisticated-european-black-and-white-film kind of way. This is what I am envisioning for my life. I just have to train my lungs to not die the day after I decide to smoke a single cigarette..
In other news, while procrastinating from my work AGAIN (this is a very common theme in my life) I found the most gorgeous little blog called we make words and am now absolutely obsessed.
Being the design-student typography-obsessive girl that I am, this is my idea of heaven, especially as cutesy real-life type is actually my favourite thing ever. Well one of them at least! And I love that the materials are unrelated to the words that are written.
Beautiful work girls I am totally jealous inspired!
xx Elly
April 6, 2010
sickly
Oh dearrr,
Being the sickly girl that I always have been, for the past week or so I have felt even worse and as such have been completely unproductive and unmotivated to do anything.
As such, all useful activities have fallen by the wayside in favour of falling asleep under snuggly blankets, drinking hot chocolates and crying to ease the pain (literal pain not emo pain, for once..)
One of the main problems with this is that this week and next week are the two weeks before my uni break and are the two weeks in which a bunchload of my work is due. ISSUES ARISE.
Anyway, apart from my many woes, if you are feeling a bit down lately like me I have a sure-fire cure for you, and that cure is baking. Baking solves everything (except obesity I hear..) Try out this amazing chocolate torte from design sponge, trust me it is easy as pie (ha?)
Seriously though, a certain silly friend once grilled my mix instead of baking it and it still came out delicious, though I think it might be hard to go wrong with a melting pot of chocolate and butter.
Take care,
xx Elly
Being the sickly girl that I always have been, for the past week or so I have felt even worse and as such have been completely unproductive and unmotivated to do anything.
As such, all useful activities have fallen by the wayside in favour of falling asleep under snuggly blankets, drinking hot chocolates and crying to ease the pain (literal pain not emo pain, for once..)
One of the main problems with this is that this week and next week are the two weeks before my uni break and are the two weeks in which a bunchload of my work is due. ISSUES ARISE.
Anyway, apart from my many woes, if you are feeling a bit down lately like me I have a sure-fire cure for you, and that cure is baking. Baking solves everything (except obesity I hear..) Try out this amazing chocolate torte from design sponge, trust me it is easy as pie (ha?)
Seriously though, a certain silly friend once grilled my mix instead of baking it and it still came out delicious, though I think it might be hard to go wrong with a melting pot of chocolate and butter.
 |
| (photo from design sponge, my one wasn't quite as beautiful!) |
Take care,
xx Elly
March 25, 2010
movies
I don't go to the movies very often, but whenever I do I really hate it when I get there a bit late and miss all the trailers! Trailers are awesome. If it's for a good movie then I sit there gasping and pointing and poking whoever is next to me, and if it is for some silly action movie I sit there laughing and counting how many explosions they can possibly fit into one trailer.
I should be doing something more useful (uni readings, sewing, looking for a job!) but I came across this hilarious video regarding movie trailers and thought I need to show this to every single person ever...
from britanick
I feel like this is something I shouldn't find so funny, but pretty much every part is hilariously accurate (except it probably could have done without the bit in the middle about the latin teenager, avatar references etc..)
March 23, 2010
animated
Ever since the beginning of high school where I was forced into makingspeeches to the class, I have had a love for powerpoint presentations. My favourite part about them was adding in a load of animated gifs to distract everyone from my lack of knowledge (very successful by the way).
I now keep a file on my computer chock full of every random animated gif I come across in case I ever need it for presentation embellishment again, and looking through it brings me hours of amusement.
Today I found a completely amazing site filed with fancy animations that are somewhat design-related (which bodes well for my presentation relevance!) with various stationery and technology objects in action, a pencil being snapped for example, all in lovely bright colours.
Despite this, my current fave is one of a boy getting punched in the face and bleeding paper blood. I can't get enough of things that use paper as other objects, definitely appeals to my rather large crafty side.
in addition, more amazingness in the form of a claymation video from the same site. I love the well-choreographed dance break in the middle.
Wooork from Elisava on Vimeo.
That is all the coolness I can handle for today folks
xx Elly
March 22, 2010
baking
Gosh I have been so hot for the past few days. I really think that I should never have been born in this country as I really prefer cold weather to hot times a million billion. Plus, the weather keeps tricking me into thinking its getting colder but then it always goes back to baking me alive!
But that is not the point.
The point is actually just that wanted to show off some of the sweet cupcakes I baked the other day.
They are supposed to be reindeer, in case like my father you thought they were "bug-men," whatever they might be.. but nothing will stop me from being proud of my cake decorating prowess!
In fact maybe i'll show you some previous attempts that are a bit more impressive so as not to seem so hopeless..
cupcake buns with brownie burgers! yummm...
special valentines biscuits for alice, my makeshift boyfriend/reciever of obsessive gifts..
Along with todays ironing and sewing efforts, I am beginning to believe that I am subconsciously training myself to be a 1950's housewife. Actually maybe it's not so subconcious. Now all I need is a dashingly debonair husband! (feel free to pass on any volunteers!)
Well there is one slight flaw in that theory, in that I am so lazy I have still not posted up the lovely clothings onto Etsy yet.. This will not do! Maybe I will offer a free cupcake to those who buy things, although you might have to live nearby because I don't think I can send them through the post..
xx Elly
P.S. I am meaning to sign up to this as soon as I figure out how to properly word my application (I tend to stress about these things!)
It's a lovely idea called the package project which aims to connect bloggers to other bloggers by having them send packages of crafty goodies to one another! I find things like this amazingly sweet and have always wanted to participate so I had better get over my anxieties quickly!
March 16, 2010
daily dresses
I have a somewhat inspiring tale today. Marisa in the U S of A has set herself a mission this year: 365 days, 365 dollars, 365 outfits. And every one of her outfits this year will be centred around an item of second hand clothing. I might not style some of the items quite how she did, but it is really amazing what she can do with a piece of clothing that many might think were far beyond style salvation, and even more amazing that she can find so many clothes out there for one dollar each!
Here's an example of how she uses a few snips and stitches to make an incredible transformation:
If only I were brave enough to embark on such an epic quest..
Vintage clothes are far more environmentally friendly as they remove the need to constantly create new garments, as well as being generally better made than those of today. Add the extremely low price and unique fashion styles into the equation and I think you have a recipe for success!
Oh well, there is always next year!
xx Elly
Here's an example of how she uses a few snips and stitches to make an incredible transformation:
If only I were brave enough to embark on such an epic quest..
Vintage clothes are far more environmentally friendly as they remove the need to constantly create new garments, as well as being generally better made than those of today. Add the extremely low price and unique fashion styles into the equation and I think you have a recipe for success!
Oh well, there is always next year!
xx Elly
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