Today’s activity in 31 Days to Build a Better Blog is to think about lists as posts.  I’ve been partial to a few list posts in my time, but I’ve not giving much thought to writing them.  So today I put my head to work and tried to come up with a list post.

I actually surprised myself and came up with a few different list ideas, but I’ve decided to stick with a simple one for today and post a few different list posts over the coming weeks.

In an attempt to let you know a little more useless information about me I thought I would give you….

1. Twitter – I don’t know how people lived without Twitter.  I am addicted.  Totally.  I love all the interaction that you can have without leaving the comfort of your home, and even if you have to leave your home you can take Twitter with you.
2. Etsy – The next evolution from eBay.  I adore Etsy.  I could spend hours just window shopping on the Etsy site.
3. Apple Products – My iPhone never leaves my hand.  My iPod is essential to making my day complete.  My Macbook Pro is my lifeline to the world I love.  I am totally an Apple disciple.
4. Books – I’m a mad reader.  I can’t get enough of books.  I would love to live in a library.  There’s something wonderful about books lined up on a bookshelf.
5. Teddy Bear – My Teddy Bear was a gift from my HUBBY on our first Valentine’s Day together.  I love my teddy bear.  I travel with my teddy, and the couple of times I’ve been in hospital my teddy has come with me.  I tell Ted all my secrets and when I’m really upset and just feeling low Ted is always there for me.  Every girl should have a teddy!
6. Television – I love television.  Only I don’t love watching television the conventional way.  Now it’s all about watching television while watching Twitter.  Or it’s about watching television shows in one big hit from DVD.  There are some really great shows being produced at the moment.  I feel like television is going trough a renaissance of sorts.  Love it!
7. Camera – I love my camera, I just don’t use it as much as I would like.  I love getting a good shot.  I love seeing life through the lens.  I love spending time with the men in my life talking about the shots and comparing what we’ve captured.  Always a great source of enjoyment.
8. HUBBY – Obviously this list isn’t in order of importance… I just didn’t want to put him at the top and then have to live with the gloating.  He’s my best friend and the person I want to rush home to and tell him about everything.  I adore him and would be lost without him.  He’s the perfect accompaniment to my madness.
9. Chocolate – My eating habits changed a lot after my gastric surgery, but one thing that didn’t was my love of chocolate.  There’s nothing better than a chocolate something.  It’s just amazing.  I can’t get enough!
10. Internet – Seriously, what did people do before the internet?  I would be lost without it.  I have meet so many amazing people through the internet.  I’ve learnt so much about the wonderful world we live in.  My mind has just been blown by the things out there on the internet.  I’ve also managed to spend many many hours doing nothing but surfing the internet.  It’s mind blowing.

As a list post it probably won’t go viral, but I’m sure thinking about some posts in the future that I hope will.  It’s given me a new found respect and possible love for the list!

Just a quick public service announcement to let you all know that you can now subscribe to gnomeangel via email or various feeds.  It’s really rather simple; all you have to do hover of the above icon located on the sidebar and select your form of subscription.  Simple.

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.

On Monday one of my bestest friends in the world gave birth to her first child; Amber Rose.  I don’t think I’d be biased at all in saying; she is perfect!  Just see for yourself…

I was so excited about the arrival of this little lady.  (And I still am!)  It totally blows my mind to think that M has her own child now.  It’s so wonderful.

When they did the scan that would have allowed them to know the sex of the baby little Amber had her legs crossed (ever the lady) and so the radiographer couldn’t confirm the sex.  It’s been a waiting game to find out and now that we all know for sure I’ve decided it’s time to do some baby inspired spending to celebrate the arrival.

Here’s the top 6 items that are on my current shopping list for little Amber…

1.  Chunky Monkey Crochet Beanie – Winter is well and truly here in Canberra so every child should have a beanie and this one is just too cute!  I love the bright pink colour and the nice white flower.  I’d love to crochet one myself, but at the rate I’m going Amber would be graduating her Masters by the time I was done!

2.  The Virginia – How adorable are these booties!  So sweet and they look warm enough to deal with the below zero weather being thrown our way at the moment.

3.  Buddha Baby Bodysuit & Old School Microscope Baby Bodysuit -  I love these screen printed images.  Amber’s Grandma is in Thailand so the Buddha seems appropriate and I can just tell she’s going to be a genius so it’d be nice for her to get her first microscope when she’s still in nappies!

4.  Hand Painted Wooden Letters – These are so bright and cheerful.  I’m a big fan of having the child’s name in some form in their room and these would be perfect.

5.  Reversible Pinafore Dress -  I had the great pleasure of talking to Sarah from Madi and Me while I was at the Handmade Markets on the weekend and she’s as wonderful as the items she sells.  She wooed me into her stall with her gnome cushions, but then had me over the barrel when it came to her fabulous clothes and quilts.  Unfortunately at the time we still weren’t sure what sex the baby was so I didn’t purchase anything.  However, now that Miss Amber has made her arrival I’m going to be ordering up one of the reversible dress and bloomers sets.  They are just so special!  Sarah was telling me that the pattern is one that her Grandmother used to make for her Mother to wear when she was a baby.  Gotta love a family tradition!

6.  Etch A Sketch T-Shirt - What better way to immortalize this awesome childrens toy than with this funky shirt.  The message is simple but true.  Love it!

Mother’s Day falls on 9 May this year and so I’m giving you enough warning to get your orders in.  Here’s my picks for a funky Mother’s Day this year.

1. Black Vintage Tram Roll Menu Tea Towel – It’s a fact of life that Mum’s spend a large amount of their time in the kitchen, so why not make her time in there enjoyable with this hip chic tea towel from Aussie designer Yardage Design.  These are great quality and well priced.  I nearly purchased one for our own kitchen last week at Shop Homemade!  (In fact I’m planning to get my hand on some of these to transform into cushion covers!) Yardage Design also have a blog, so be sure to check that out as well if you love a good read and great images.

2. Techee Too – My Mum loves her iPod and what better way for her to protect it while she’s out pounding the pavement then in one of these fabulous and funky cases.  Made with such a great selection of fabrics you’ll be spoiled for choice.  Handy and versatile they can accommodate an iPhone if you want to leave your iPod at home.  They even have a pocket in which to hold you drivers license, credit card and some cash.  So handy if you’re just popping to the shop and want to take your iPhone and the basics.

3. Ribbon Lipstick (Brooch) – Made by Canberra based artist Prim and Pretty these brooches are stunning.  I had the pleasure of seeing them again at Shop Homemade and then again when the wonderful Michelle from Button Tree Lane was sporting one at our last Brown Owls meeting.  They are made with such attention to detail and care it’s amazing and they just liven up any ensemble.  They’d be great on winter coats, bags, hats and even as a pendant.  I’m am so getting my hands on at least one, if not more!

4. Our Family Tree Necklace – This pendant is so intricate and beautiful.  What a great way to always carry your family tree with you.  I just love the current trend in disk pendants and this is a fabulous example.

5. Mother’s Day Handmade Card – All the things you want from a Mother and room to customise and add your own inside.  I love this card, not only because it’s handmade and mixes some awesome fonts and colour but because the message is so great.  In fact, I totally need one of these…

6. Mum’s Calling Cards – Mother’s are busy people and a lot of the time they’re out and about and meeting people or running into old acquaintances.  It only stands to reason that Mother’s should have some funky calling cards to give to people instead of scribbling messages on the backs of ATM slips and receipts from the grocery store.   Also handy for including in your kids bags as emergency contact details or leaving at front doors if you pop around to someone’s house for a surprise coffee and they’re not home.  Trust the wonderful team at Avie Designs to come up with something so versatile and stylish! (Don’t forget to check out their blog either – it’s totally fab!)

This week I’ve found a new online store to spend hours drooling over artist items; Supermarket.  It’s a similar principle to Etsy, only it seems to be trying to grab that designer yuppie dollar.  I spent a fair bit of time cruising the site and I noticed a lot of cross-over from Etsy.  But it’s still worth checking out, and so today I bring you five items from Supermarket that I’d love to add to my stash.

1.  Galactaray II Raygun Print – Inspired by the first CRDL bout of the 2010 season; 2010 A Skate Odyssey.  I love the bold brash colours and the icon geek item.  It’s very cool.

2.  Leather Origami Ring – This ring is so cool and it’s made of leather but looks like ribbon.  Every handshake would be like a present.

3.  Hookmaker – This is so cool and I have a long list of things that I would love to use these to do in our house.  Imagine a big wall of these.  It would be so cool.

4.  Numbered Pool Ball Ring – I adore this ring.  The colours and the fact that it’s made from an actual pool ball carve it’s own place in my heart.  I would love one of these… if only I could find the US$160 it costs.

5.  Poison Ring – I want this ring.  It’s so cool and reminds me of The Phantom.  I would love this so I could mark all my enemies. *wink*

Images from Jessica Hische

I am totally in awe and love with Jessica Hische’s work.  She has a talent that defies true explanation and she’s in Australia at the moment.  It’s a shame, but I won’t be able to see any of her work up close and personal while she’s here.  But I can still get some of her art to hang in our house via her store.

You’ve got to love someone who’s so strong and confident in their talent that they can wear it with pride.

I’ve been a little late on the posting this week and it’s because I’ve been lucky enough to start a new job.  As much as you can love a job there are always days where all you can do is stare at the clock and wait for knock off time.  So if you’re going to be looking at a clock all day you might as well make sure it’s a funky one!

1. Mint Pearl Blueberry Fluff Cupcake Clock 2. Steampunk Necklace Remnants of Time 3. La Villajoyosa Espana Clock 4. MCM Style Vintage Inspired Starburst Clock 5.  Big Drip Modern Wall Clock 6. Black Victorian Lace Watch Locket Necklace 7. Silver Chain Clock Mens Accessories Box 8. Dickory Dock Old Clock Miniature Wall Hanging 9. Patchwork Clock 10. Wood Panel Wall Hanging Cuckoo Clock 11. Vintage Plate Wall Clock 12. Modern Animal Clock – Elephant

Today’s Friday Fancies is an unusually long one.  I didn’t realise that there were so many variations of one of my favourite symbols out there.

1. Epershand Earrings 2. Harrington Earrings 3. Ampersand 4. Glass Marble Necklace Ampersand Symbol 5. Ampersand Ring 6. Sterling Silver Block Letter Ampersand Necklace 7. Silver Helvetica Ampersand Earrings 8. The Super Ampersand 9. Harrington Necklace 10. Aluminum Ampersand for Wall or Shelf 11. Ampersand Script Font 12. Land of Ampersand 13. French Style Petit Coterie Ampersand Burlap Pillow 14. Ampersand Gocco Print 15. Coral Ampersand 16. Ampersand Cushion 17. Ampersand Cross Stitch Kit 18. Wire Ampersand Symbol 19. Ampersand 20. Ampersand Necklace (Black)

For those of you living under the rock Alice in Wonderland opens in cinemas this week and I cannot wait! It’s been awhile since I got excited about a movie coming out and I’ve been waiting for this one for months.

And it seems I’m not the only one.  All over the internet there are homages to Alice in Wonderland popping up from Etsy to Cakes to blogs.  One of my favourite blogs, Confessions of a Net Addict, has put a wonderful spin on the topic.

Turning her wonderful style and talent to the task, Miss Addict has developed looks inspired by each of the characters.

These collections are funky and cool and all the great things in life.  The colours are bright and vibrant and totally reflective of the traditional look and feel of Alice in Wonderland only with a modern stylish twist.

I love them all and would kill to be able to wear a third of the things listed.  (Not to mention afford them!)

If you, like me, are lusting after all things Alice in Wonderland at the moment do yourself a favour and head over to Confessions of a Net Addict!

Thanks to Miss Addict for permission to use her wonderful collection.