GREAT BUSINESS IDEAS ..

Some people are just amazing. Take this young man (oops, showing my age now aren't I). Nathan Murphy. He has turned his life upside down and gone from living on the streets to being an entrepreneur. He is just about to launch his online business AUDIO HIGH SCHOOL and I reckon we should all join up and support him. My kids are only in primary school but his business of making learning accessible on your Ipod or MP3 player will be invaluable in the coming years to them.

His website states .. On your iPod or MP3 today you can listen to music, watch video and surf the net, but you still can't learn what you're learning in High School. Well that's where AudioHighSchool comes in, we believe every student should have the opportunity to learn through Audio. So picture this, almost all your subjects, in a specifically structured format, written by professionals, all available at the press of a button on your media device.

You can read the full story here ..

LITTLE ROCK .. BIG STYLE ..

love the dress AND the white jewellery ...

I love Friday's. I don't work on Friday's. My little one and me do all sorts of good things and today is no exception. Packed full of visiting friends, a spot of shopping - and Milo cricket to end the day. I can't believe he is off to school next year and we won't be able to just hang out together.

Friday's also mean that once a month the Age put our their colour mag. Always a nice read - and today, a source of inspiration. I found this great on-line store, Little Rock, set up by sisters Louise and Sarah Albrecht - and they are pretty much my neighbours (well, give or take about 25kms) based in Torquay on the Surf Coast. The stock lots of lovely homewares (inc some lovely bit's'n'pieces from Orson & Blake) - but have also included fashion and art in their lot.

I'm not sure if it is their sister, mother, cousin ? - but the artwork featured here is from Gail Albrecht. I love that sort of art. Original, hand-made and only $65. Woohoooo!! The dress on here is definately on my wish list for Santa. I could wear that to the beach every day this summer. Love it.

Hope you all have a great weekend and see you all soon (-:

COOL ILLUSTRATIONS ..

rather appropriate don't you think

me with too much fake tan on - and in desperate need of a chill pill

I just found this Brooklyn illustrator called C.S. NEAL (as in Chris Silas Neal) and I think he may have popped into my head. Some of these samples from his site are just what I need to see. The one titled 'For Pete's Sake, Stop Worrying' made me giggle. I think I wasted 2 weeks of my life worrying about how to maintain this blog - when really, it is a fun thing. The orange lady with the pills is definately me too - as in 'take a chill pill' - (especially as I put some fake tan on and look a tad 'overcooked').

Now, I did find this link via another blog, but now I have lost that blog. It was just in their list of blogs they follow (and not a post) so please, if it is you - let me know and I will credit (-:

STRUGGLING ..

I foudn this image on the lovely Charlotta Wards SPACE FOR INSPIRATION blog

OK .. I'll be honest. I have been so not interested in this little blog of mine for the last few weeks. I guess bigger issues have taken over and my interest in all things design has fallen off the radar. I have lost my inspiration, my mojo .. my everything really. And now, that it has been so long, I wonder it if will ever come back. There are soooo many fantastic blogs out there with new and interesting finds - and I wonder if anyone will even notice me gone? Hmmmm - let me know your thoughts - I'd really appreciate some nice bloggy kind words (-:

TROLLEY TERRIFIC ..

If you dream of time away by yourself - how about one of these? I found these via the Trendhunter website and was very impressed with Kevin Cyr's thoughtfullness, resourcefullness AND his illustration skills. In the past, we've seen shipping containers used as a basis for new housing - and numerous companies doing variations on the same theme. But I don't think I have ever seen anyone making accommodation out of a shopping trolley. A very unique idea, an amazing transformation and a creative spirit. The only thing I worry about though, is if you are parked on a hill - I hope there are breaks on those wheels (-:

NEW BLOG ON THE BLOCK ..

I just thought I would let you all know about a great blog I have found. It's called Grins & Sighs - and even though I don't know her name, I really like her content. Varied, different - all lovely. So, if you are feeling like giving some blog love to another .. go 'follow' her. Let's make her day (-:

MAKEOVER MAGIC ..

this is so so lovely don't you think

love those dinner plates

it just doesn't look like the same place does it?

I'm always amazed by the ability to change a room with furniture, paint and a great designer touch. These images are from Karla Amadatsu of Kerrisdale Design, and show the transformation from boring to brilliant. I so wish I had the talent to see beyond white paint and a few pictures placed here and there. The mirror, the light fittings, the kitchen stools .. everything .. just makes this place so liveable and yet, still super stylish. A true home by a true designer. Go visit her blog for more inspiring finds.

DDB DO IT FOR ME ..

Surely a company with homes such as these has been blogged about before .. and if so, I apologise for the double up. BUT. If not, feast your eyes on these little beauties!!

I always like to let you know how I find the companies I do .. so here goes. I was on the Habitus site, where I found the Ultimate Hides site, where I then found Maryanne Quealy of DDB .. which l leads me to DDB - a Melbourne based architect firm.

Founded in 1991 by David McCallum, DDB design my sort of homes. I have to admit to loving the simple colour scheme in the first image - and those pools .. hmmmmm .. true love (-:

SERIOUSLY COOL PRODUCT ..

OK .. I'm back. The IT department (ie: the Mr) has fixed the laptop internet issue. Now I have to find my blogging mojo and get back into it. A week off has left me feeling a little overwhelmed with finding cool things, interesting things .. designer things.

Lucky me, as first up I found these. It's from an online shop called HELP I NEED HELP (link) and apart from their seriously cool 'I need help .. ' boxes, if you visit the web there are so many fun things to do (on what initially appears to be a very simple site). Go to the 'Help I'm bored' section, click on any of the titles and see what happens. Or, for example, go to the products section, click on the sleep option - and then press the play button. Mildly hypnotic.

They have also allowed us shoppers to come up with our own 'Help I need ...' - by having a t-shirt section that you can type your own words and have a t-shirt of your own. Lots of fun.


I found these via The Design Traveller blog

WHERE HAVE I BEEN ..

Oh I am super sorry, I have just been a tad busy and haven't been blogging for more than a week now. It hasn't helped that my laptop just won't connect to the internet (for some strange annoying reason) and I do most of my blogging at night time; not in my studio during the day.

Until I get my blogging mojo back, I thought I would show you an invitation I just designed and sent to my clients for our annual Christmas do. This year I am taking them to the fantastic Cutler & Co restaurant in Fitzroy, Melbourne. I've been there once before and the food and service was fantastic. Hoping my clients like it (the meal .. oh, and hope they and you like the invite too).

Promise I will be back as soon as I can.