Melbourne Sundays.

Melbourne is made for Sundays.

I spent today in slow motion. My folks were in town but they hit the country roads just after brekkie. So I spent the morning tinkering about (my favourite thing to do, as you know) before heading to Chellis's to work on some creative stuff including the logo for my soon-to-be-launched Found by Francoise antiques co. It is so darn amazing, loves. Jamie drew me a boat and it is ridiculous. So incredible.

We had some smashed avocado n toast for lunch after which I popped into Sarah's garage sale where I stole a white silk skirt to wear for the rest of the day.

I then met Lucy and Little One in the city to see The Histrionic at the Malthouse and then had some delicious dinner at Cookie (home to the above gorgeous French doors).

And, now, it's bedtime honeychildren. See! Melbourne. Sunday paradise.

Night, night. xoxo

I Can't Make You Love Me.

Happy Friday, lovers.
xo.

Seaside Days.

Golly, the rains are here.

I spent the past couple of days in Lorne, a beachside town south of Melbourne, staying at the house of a dear friend. It was so lovely to escape the city and catch up on some work while the sea raged outside.

At night, I kept forgetting where I was and would wake up wondering what all the noise was about, only to realise it was the ocean, angrily causing chaos in the darkness.

It was wonderful.

Bubble tents.

Wow. So, you know how much I love camping? Well, designer Pierre Stéphane has created these super-awesome bubble tents and French hotel Attrap’Rêves has planted them in the Bouches-du-Rhone forests near Marseille.

Imagine waking up in your own snow globe under those gorgeous trees. Mon dieu. Forget camping, I want to live in one!

(via Lost at E Minor)

Chad VanGaalen.

I love this. Thanks to James for the tip.

Myoung Ho Lee.

This is just one amazing image in a series by young South Korean artist, Myoung Ho Lee, which challenge our concept of reality and environment. And, they're just freaking beautiful.

(discovered via julia)

Hall Homes.

Oh, Sunday. It's here. I've had such a glorious weekend.

Yesterday, I was up super-early to go over adventuring north of Melbourne. I met up with my terrific parents at an antique market in a wee spot called Tolmie where we wandered about before heading to Mansfield for a picnic lunch.

Then, on my way back home, I quite literally did a crazy skidding-off-road move when I spotted these two gems hidden behind some beautiful trees.

They were right next door to each other, and both obviously loved by someone. I wish they were loved by Frances of course. I was imagining myself in the blue-doored one with dear friends in the green-y neighbour and the parties we would hold in the compound. Oh, the fun we would have.

I hope you too made some random discoveries on your adventures this weekend.

Jack Carty.

My super-special friend Jack is about to release his second album, entitled Break Your Own Heart. In the lead-up, he has been posting a new video every day, with each one showcasing a track from the upcoming album.

I think this one is my favourite.

Check it out people. Love it. Own it. Want it. Share it.

Saturday adventures.

Hey! You! How are you this good morning?

So, I'm up bright and early (a little too early after my tomfoolery last night) to go adventuring. I'm meeting the folks in a small Victorian town called Mansfield (a couple of hours NE of Melbourne) and we're going to explore the area. Apparently there is even an antiques market in a small town nearby...country antiquing = rad, in my book.

I'll take pics, ok?

Felix Riebl.

I can't get this song by Felix Riebl out of my head. That's not a bad thing, loves.

Email.

Wendy MacNaughton is hilariously talented.

Michael Pollan.

I've just bought tickets to see Michael Pollan talk in Melbourne. Terrific.

Lee Broom.

I'm not sure if I've shared my penchant for cut crystal with you as yet? I'm *quite* the fan, and have lots of beautiful vintage pieces.

So, when Claire Sullivan of Design Folio NZ, blogged about British designer Lee Broom's new Crystal Bulb pendant I literally gasped. Each bulb is an individually hand-blown crystal shell that is detachable from the filament (for bulb replacement, duh). Amazing.

Click here to keep in touch with Claire's discoveries at Milan Design Week 2012. 

Collingwood.

The light! The liiiiiight! I wandered around my backyard last night, at dusk, when the sky was turning. I've been all about the skies this week, right?

After wandering the streets I popped into the newly re-opened Builders Arms Hotel for a look-see. Damn, it's gorgeous. I'm taking one of my jumpsuits out for a hot date there in the next few days. Now...to pick one.

Wrist Worms.

I'm all about winter clothes at the moment. Although I've *clearly* been chasing the last rays of summer, I'm also looking forward to wearing red lipstick in the rain and carrying my gorgeous black+white striped umbrella around Melbourne-town.

So, I've commissioned my stupidly talented, fashion designer cousin to make me a Little Red Riding Hood style cape and some new man-style-lady-clothes including a super waistcoat.

And now, I want some wrist worms made by German artist Sandra Juto. Aren't they awesome? Also check out Sandra's blog, it's beyond lovely.

Byron Skies.

I returned from my brilliant holiday in Byron Bay (Australia's most easterly point) a week ago and I'm finally going through my photos.

Oh, those skies.

Death Cab for Cutie.

Hello, world. 

It's Wednesday. I always like Wednesdays.

I have been working, working, working. 

But, unlike some work, it's good, good, good. 

The sun is shining. I'm drinking tea.

And listening to Death Cab for Cutie. 

Have a beautiful eve, ok?

Time to come alive.

Little One sent this quote to me tonight. I needed to hear it.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
- Howard Thurman

Olinda Love-In.

(above: the famed MMs - aka Little One and Jamie - see they're real!) 

Some more pics from my Olinda weekend love-in. Has your Monday started ok?

Chasing Leaves.

Gosh, this past week has been bizarre. As you may have read, I spent Easter up north in the beautiful hinterland around Byron Bay in northern NSW.

Coming home to reality was a little hard. Some holidays can get under your skin a little, especially when you've entered a bubble-like state and you forget reality awaits.

So, this weekend was all about getting back to nature, literally and within my bones. We had an Olinda love-in which involved card games, cognac, feasting and a couple of walks... where I chased some leaves.

Fridays in the forest.

I wish I was here, at Erin's house, drinking cocktails and nibbling on edible treats tonight. Aaaaah. Can you believe she lives here?

Check out Erin's delicious blog, The Forest Feast.

Dawes.

Bluesfest.

Well, Happy Easter y'all.

Here, in Australia, the long weekend at Easter plays host to Bluesfest, a seriously rad music festival that goes well beyond just the blues.

Buddy Guy charming the crowd and absolutely ripping up his guitar was a pretty big highlight.

But then there was the moon.

And that sky.

Dads.

I, very luckily, have a super awesome Dad. I inherited his love of red wine, bandy legs, taste for chilli and pickled onions, and never-give-up argumentative streak. Actually, I inherited a whole lot more than that; I'm essentially mini-me. Obvious differences aside, of course.

He works harder than anyone else I know, his mouth twitches when he thinks he's made a terrific joke (usually one that noone else gets), has absolutely no sense of direction which he refuses to acknowledge and he is literally one of the most selfless people alive.

This is him and his random friend who I've never met. Just hanging on a street in Melbourne on couches. As you do.

Happy Birthday, Dad. xoxo

PS - rad sneakers.

Fleet Foxes.

I've been listening to Fleet Foxes stacks lately. It's taking me back to summertime England where, nearly a year ago, I hibernated with the MMs to mend my wounded heart.

I love a soundtrack to life or a moment in time. During my stay we drove to countless boot sales, drank whisky and sloe gin and camped in the Cotswolds. So many of our adventures came with Helplessness Blues as our soundtrack; all topped off by seeing the band in London.

Bring on a European summer in 2013. I can't wait! I wonder what the soundtrack will be then...

The Woods.

My friend Sal. Hiding in the woods. This is one of my favourite pics. The light, the light!!