Normally I like to spruik blogs that might not be on the radar of a lot of people, but I think they should be.  But today I’m spruiking my love for a blog that lots of people adore, and with good reason.  Meet Me At Mike’s is run by the wonderfully talented and giving Pip Lincolne.

I am in constant awe of how Pip manages her time.  Not only does she run one of the hippest blogs on the internet, she’s a mother to three, a wife to one, a frequent contributor to Frankie Magazine (as well as many other publications), founder of Brown Owls, writes how-to books, creates like a mad woman, runs a successful shop and is an ambassador for blogging.  I get tired just typing all that out, so the mind boggles at how she manages to find the time to do it all.

Image source: Meet Me At Mike’s

If it wasn’t for Pip I would never have learnt how to make a granny square.  I would never have meet the wonderful woman of the Canberra Brown Owls, nor would I have found some of the amazing blogs, artists and crafters out there in Australia.

Image source: Meet Me At Mike’s

So while we’re in Melbourne I’m going to make the pilgrimage and go check out The Envelope Project at Meet Me At Mike’s.  I’m also going to be lucky enough to hear Pip speak at the Problogger Event in August.    I just hope she doesn’t think I’m stalking her…

Image source: Meet Me At Mike’s

]]> http://www.gnomeangel.com/blog-love-meet-me-at-mikes/feed/ 0 http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-fox-force/ http://www.gnomeangel.com/friday-fancies-fox-force/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:30:54 +0000 gnomeangel http://www.gnomeangel.com/?p=2269

A few weeks ago on the drive home I happened to see a fox running along side the road diving in and out of bushes. And ever since then I’ve been obsessed with all things fox.

Unfortunately in Australia foxes are an introduced pest.  However, today’s selection of wonderful from Etsy are not pests and can be safely introduced into your home environment without worry about destroying anything other than your bank balance!

A.  Sleeping Foxes Gocco Print.  B.  Little Red Fox in Silver and Concrete Necklace.  C.  Tiny Fox and Forrest Stud.  D.  Little Fox with Leather Cord. E.  Fox Field Bag.  F.  Rose Print.  G.  Nikoart Arctic Fox Necklace.  H.  Girl in Blue Cardi with Fox Print.

HUBBY and I are planning a trip to Melbourne in the next week to see Mumford & Sons and Stephen Fry.  We’re both really excited, but I suspect I’m more so then he is because I’m also planning a little blog inspired voyeurism.  You see there’s a few blogs who I love that are located near Melbourne and have stores attached to their blogs.  Or should that be blogs attached to their stores?  Either way there’s shopping involved.

One of the blogs that I’m planning on visiting is The Lark.  The Lark store is located in Daylesford, which HUBBY informs me is a mere hour or so from where we’ll be staying in Melbourne.  I’m so excited at the prospect of being able to wonder through the store and see all the handmade goodness up close and personal.

I love reading The Lark because it provides an insight into living in a small community, what it takes to keep a successful business afloat and how to juggle work with family.  A lot of the time I use The Lark as a starting point for all of the fantasies I have about moving to the country and living a simpler life.

Image source: The Lark

If you’d like a little slice of Australian heaven then check out The Lark. You can even shop online with The Lark Online Shop so if you can’t make it to Daylesford you can bring a little bit of Daylesford to you!

Today’s Friday Fancy is inspired by an accessory every woman should have; a crown.  Even if it’s just to wear while doing the chores.  All of these wonderful items can be purchased on Etsy.

a.  Burlesque Queen of Hearts Crown b.  Keep Calm & Carry On Pendant c.  Royalty Crown Ring d.  Crown No. 12 Pillow e.  Medieval Sterling Silver Pendant f.  Queen of Hearts Print g.  Ye Royal Wall Hook h.  Crown Cufflinks i.  Pink Princess Crown Cookie Cutter

Today’s a stealth Friday Fancies.  It’s all about ninja’s.  Sometimes I’m sure my HUBBY thinks he’s a ninja and I’m convinced our beagle has some ninja training when it comes to stealing food.  Regardless, these ninja inspired items made me smile and I’m sure would bring enjoyment to anyone lucky enough to receive one as a gift.

1.  Chihi Warrior (Little Ninja) Crane Poster & Chibi Warrior (Little Ninja) Training Poster 2.  Amigurumi Ninja 3.  Ninja Bunnies Tote Bag 4.  I heart ninjas 2pc magnet set.  5.  Customizable Wedding Ninjas Kokeshi Doll Set.

Every so often I like to pretend I’m living in a European adventure and to help me do that I love reading petits details. The blog owner provides the following insight into the motivation behind her blog:

I grew up in the United States and now live near Paris with my husband (who is French) and our son. After moving to France nearly ten years ago, I discovered flea markets and antiques stores — discarded objects on Paris sidewalks, too — and have come to love all things vintage, including old fabrics and linens. These, in turn, have inspired me to make things by hand.

The photos on the blog are just stunning and provide a wonderful glimpse of life in France.

Image source: petits details

The brilliance doesn’t just stop at the photos though, there’s an Etsy store!  So now you can buy a little bit of petits details wonderfulness.

Update: Both the blog and the Etsy store are currently on hiatus, but that doesn’t mean you miss out on getting your French fix.  It’s a brilliant time to go back through the archive and build up your anticipation for the return!

1.  Clear Sky Ring 2.  Volatile Earrings 3.  The Queen Ring 4.  Handmade Swarovski Ruby Fuchsia Drop Earrings 5.  Vintage Glam Red Jewel Sterling Silver Earrings 6.  Volcano Swarovski Crystal Ring -

It’s the beginning of another financial year.  It’s also the time of year that I spend going nuts trying to find a years worth of tax related items.  I hate it.  Every year I swear to myself I’m going to be more organised and on top of everything this year, and I never am.  But not this year, this year I’m going to be organised!  So I’ve found a few items that will make boring tax time more stylish and fun.

1.   Proof of Purchase Receipt Book 2.  Tax Deductible Receipt Book 4.  My Receipts Organiser – Three great ways to organise and store receipts.  I hate hording receipts as they never look neat and it plays with my OCD, but these great books would make it so much easier to store them.  Love it!

3.  Ancient Calculator Necklace – Everyone needs to have fun with financial matters and what better way then to accessories with a financial reminder such as this abacus.

5.  Red Bulldog Clips Words 7.  Adhesive Notes Financial – A great way to sort and mark for action your receipts and bills.

6.  Sunny Side Red House Zipper Purse – I keep a zippered purse in the car as a place to store all the fuel and servicing receipts.  It’s an easy and neat place to put them before transferring them into an organiser.

8.  Parker IM Roller Ball Pen – I’m a sucker for a good looking and functional pen.  Parker make a wonderful range and I’m quiet partial to this one in particular.

9.  Ambitious Ceramic Piggy Bank – At the end of everyday HUBBY and I drop our spare coins into piggy banks.  Once they’re full we bank the money, and each time we’re surprised at just how much coin can build up.  This great little money box would be wonderful incentive to store your coin.

1.  Paul and Kat Buttons – How cute are these… you’d have to say they’re as cute as a button.  There’s so many wonderfully cute designs available and all at the bargain price of US$1.

2.  iRetrofone – All I can say is; I want one! I want one! I want one!  I love this old school design and it’s fully functional to boot. Now if I can just convince HUBBY that we need one…

3.  Wanderlust Multicolour Fringed Scarf – I’m a sucker for a wonderful scarf and this one is ticking all the boxes for me.  I love a good rainbow.  I was all set to purchase this scarf but alas they don’t ship to Australia. Bummer. So I’m just going to have to rely on internet lusting.

4.  Make Art Not War Poster – I am totally crushing on this poster.  I whole heartedly subscribe to it’s message.  I think this might be my next household purchase.

5.  YOU – I love this print with it’s fingerprint inspired font and it’s positive message.  Not to mention that it’s got the rainbow colour thing that I adore happening.

Calico & Co is run by the talented and amazing Amanda Fuller.  It’s a great repository of wonderful handmade goodness and design love.  When I stumbled across Calico & Co I spent a good few hours trawling through all of Amanda’s post and ohhing and ahhing over the wonderful images.  It was amazing.

This week Amanda has kicked of the inaugural Paper Week.  That’s right – a week devoted entirely to PAPER!  I love it!

Image source: Calico & Co

Every day this week Amanda will be offering a paper giveaway.  I’ve already entered today’s giveaway and I plan to enter everyday this week.

If you love beautiful design and photography go check out Calico & Co -  you won’t be disappointed.