GREEN THUMB

We have been in our new home for four months now, although it feels like longer, and I finally feel like we've settled on where our furniture goes, the decor for each room, the bits and bobs you can never find a place for but eventually do, etc. The only thing missing now is some greenery. We are lucky enough to already have a landscaped garden - (and a gardener who comes once a month, spoilt much?!) - but there is nothing that really finishes off the house like a good pot plant or herb garden. Disclaimer - I attempted to start a herb garden in May but apparently pots needs drainage holes - what the! RIP Coriander, Mint/Basil (yes it was a mint and basil combo herb!) and Parsley, you will be missed.

Now that we are one month away from Spring, I figure there is no better time to start planning the greenery. We are looking to have indoor plants for the living area and sunroom/dining, and then some small pot-plants for the two side decks that come off the west and east side of our home. Plus a statement plant for the front door deck, something that makes the daily joggers and dog-walker stop and go "ooooooh nice plant!".

I almost forgot the vege garden. This will also be going in over the next few weeks. We are doing a raised garden with iron beds, however thankfully this is Simon's department, that way I don't feel guilty when I've killed the food for our table!

I have spent the whole week searching for inspiration on the web (anyone who has internet access can be a landscaper/interior designer!), and today I venture out to purchase my goodies. Time will tell if I can achieve anything as good as my fellow green thumbs:

1. feature plants in old crates (A Beautiful Mess):

2. not too over-the-top, but creates a statement. (Old Brand New)

Eclectic Bedroom design by Los Angeles Media And Blogs Dabito

3. assorted coloured pots brings some colour to the space (M.J. Lanphier)

Contemporary Patio design by Los Angeles Interior Designer MJ Lanphier

4. uniform pots, but various plants, could work better with coloured plants (Aloe Designs)

Contemporary Landscape design by Vancouver Lighting Designer Aloe Designs

5. self watering plants - my favourite kind!

6. a killer indoor Fiddle Tree - it certainly is statement worthy!

7. we actually have an empty hook in our kitchen, & I always think "hanging plant!!!" every time I look at it! (Design Sponge)

8. we have the shelving already, but i'm curious as to how the herbs are watered? upside-down? sounds messy (Dornob)

9. i love the simplicity of this, and also incorporating vintage furniture into the design (Oh, Albatross)

10. gotta have some lavender (Buckets of Burlap)

DAMASK ADDICTED

Rammikin has been working on Damask wedding invitations for a friend/client, and quite frankly has had Damask on the brain for the past few weeks. Apparently it's quite popular, considering all the things I've found that feature the pattern. Check out my collection of goodies found online:

1. Invitation (can be custom designed by Rammikin Creative Design)
2. Wall Art by urbanwalls on Etsy
3. Funky iPhone cover by CreateItYourWay on Etsy
4. Party styling by Sandra Downie Event Design
5. iPad covers by Griffin Technology
6. Gorgeous earrings by NauticalWheeler on Etsy
7. Invitation (can be custom designed by Rammikin Creative Design)
8. (wish my camera looked like this!)
9. Vera Wang marketing
10. Before & After shots of a redecorated dresser, by BetterAfter Blog

FRIDAY NIGHT

It's Friday night, time to put the mind at rest and just sit back with a wine and some inspiring pics. (Or in my case, a bowl of ice-cream and some inspiring pics - Day 13 of Dry July is going greeeeeat *sarcasm*!!)

Enjoy these favorite pics of mine:

(All images from Beautiful But Dangerous Tumblr gallery)

DAILY BITS

I'm giving Dry July a go this year. Having always had the month busy with events in other years, this year is finally a little quiet, so I thought - why not?! I started the month with a HUGE day on Sunday - catching up with friends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and not having ONE drop of alcohol!

9:00am pancakes at the port, then some marketing at Fishermans Wharf

1:00pm jana's birthday lunch with the girls

6:00pm crown & sceptre with the eclairs

LETTER-PRESS

Wedding season is only a couple of months away, which means that invitations are in the works as we speak. I'm getting really busy with wedding invitations this year which is exciting, and I'm starting to learn so many new techniques for invitation design. One of my favourites - and quite an old tradition at that - is the Letterpress print. But how does it actually work? I know that it involves a really, really, really old machine (my printer lady uses a 1923 machine), and that the end result looks so classy and glamourous! But I want to know more. So I have done some research, and wanted to share, for any future brides out there considering this technique:

1. First, a metal or wood plate is made to copy the invitation design/wording etc. The plate is created through the process of etching and engraving. After the plate is made, ink is applied to parts of the plate that need to be printed onto the invite/paper...

2. After the ink is added to the plate, a sheet of paper is placed on top. The letterpress machine then uses a rolling wheel to move back-and-forth across the surface of the paper, leaving an impression

3. After the sheet is pressed, the paper is either hung or laid out to dry. And voila - your letterpress invitations are made!