23 Tuesday Dec 2014
Posted in Random Stuff
It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas here at Casa TSL…
A BIG thank you for all your support during 2014.
Wishing you a very warm and wonderful holiday season in your wee corner of the world.
LM and I are off to New Zealand to celebrate the festivities with my family, so TSL will be taking a wee break for the silly season. I’ll be offline until the middle of January. BUT! – I look forward to seeing you back here in the new year.
20 Friday Dec 2013
Posted in Australia
(Image from here)
Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling. (Edna Ferber)
The silly season is upon me in a big way, so this is my last post for the 2013. A huge ‘Cheers!’ to you for continuing to check in with me here at TSL HQ on such a regular basis.
Wishing you a fab’ Chrissie…
See you in the new year!
10 Tuesday Dec 2013
Posted in Dogs
Tags
Bella, Christmas, Dog, Homemade dog biscuits, John Grogan, Jonathan Carroll, Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog, Pets, Poodle, Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
Bella
(Image by TSL)
It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with people seem as boring as a bowl of oatmeal. (John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog)
Bella turns 9 on Christmas day. That’s 9 in human years. In dog years, she’s 63. Granted, she may have become a little less tolerant of some of the more scatty dogs we encounter when we’re out on our daily walks, but I guess that’s her prerogative – middle-aged spinster that she is. I hope I’m as fit and sprightly at 63…
I mentioned yesterday that I’m making a few of my Christmas pressies this year. Well, Bella features on that recipient list, too. I mean, it’s a double whammy for her – birthday AND Christmas, all rolled into one. I could hardly leave her off the list, could I?
LM laughs at me for anthropomorphising, but I spend more time with Bella than I do with almost anyone (LM excepted). I can’t imagine my life without her. And, let’s not go down that road. So, of course she needs to be considered for Christmas.
Pumpkin Doggie Biscuits a la TSL
(Image by TSL)
Bella’s Pumpkin Doggie Biscuits a la TSL
(Image by TSL)
This year, she’s getting homemade dog biscuits. And, since I picked up my doggie bone biscuit cutter from the Essential Ingredient this morning, I couldn’t resist whipping up the first batch today.
Let me tell you, they went down a treat!
Bella (Appears to) Wait Patiently for her Treat
Hand model – LM
(Image by TSL)
Please Sir, Can I Have Some More…?
(Image by TSL)
The next batch are going to be stuffed full of mint and parsley to give her minty fresh breath. I’ll let you know how they go!
28 Thursday Nov 2013
Tags
Australia, Bryce Longton, Christmas, Design, food, Food Stylng, Food52, Foodie Gifts, Homewares, Kitchen Letters, KTCHN13, Personal Gifts, Provisions, Recipes
Jenny’s Chocolate Cake Recipe
A Longton family recipe immortalised in print by KTCHN13
(Original image from here)
Dear Bryce,
I know you’re probably very busy being the Shop Editor & Stylist at Provisions for the very fabulous Food 52. It’s a seriously beautiful site – so please know your styling is much appreciated!
And, I know Provisions only launched in July.
Salt Plate from Provisions
(Image from here)
And, I also know your wonderful Kitchen Letters – where recipients receive letters in the mail from chefs only really kicked off in May of this year.
I think this is just the best idea. I have a number of foodie friends who would just love a gift like this. How ever did you think of it?
Kitchen Letters at KTCHN13
(Original image from here)
And, now your Custom Recipe Print concept has popped up in my in-box. How wonderful are they?
Just the thought of taking a favourite recipe and having it designed, printed, and shipped to a friend’s door, so they can hang it in their kitchen makes me smile. It’s such a personal gift.
Perfect Guacamole by KTCHN13
(Original image from here)
There’s just one teensy-weensy catch. I live in Australia. And, you don’t ship outside the United States. And, nor does Provisions, for that matter. (sniff). So, that means I can’t acquire any of your fab’ offerings this Christmas.
Do you realise the potential market you are missing out on down here?
And, I know you are obsessed with all things food, travel, and style, and living a great life (because you told me so on your website). Did you know we have some seriously cool and cosmopolitan chefs down here. I’d be happy to write you a list of say, my top 10… Or, even my top 20 – if only you would start shipping down under. Please?
In much anticipation,
TSL xx
12 Tuesday Nov 2013
Tags
Christmas, Christmas Wrap, Greeting Cards, Johannes Gutenberg, Letterpress printing, Powerhouse Museum, Printing, Vivienne Westwood, Wrapping Paper, Young Blood Markets
(Image from here)
Following on from yesterday’s post on ‘Modern Day Snail Mail’ – and, my pledge to make the time to handwrite more often in this modern, digitised world we now text in; it seems timely that today I bring you the very lovely Bespoke Letterpress (and news that their Christmas Shop is now open for business…)
I’m the proof – you can’t throw away tradition. (Vivienne Westwood)
Lovely letterpress printing is a form of relief printing and was first invented by Johannes Gutenberg way, way back in about 1439. For the longest time – or, until the 19th century at least, it was considered the norm in terms of printing. Then, offset printing was introduced and the craft of letterpress was moved aside for the more efficient ‘modern’ way of printing…
More recently, like many arts and crafts of old, letterpress printing has seen a renaissance. Happily so, I say.
I first discovered the particular old-meets-new charm of Bespoke Letterpress a couple of years ago – I think it was at the Powerhouse Museum’s Young Blood Designers Market. I’ve long enjoyed the old-fashioned craftsmanship of letterpress, but the Bespoke stand jumped out at me because of a print they had developed around ‘Love you the longest time‘.
My sister has signed off both telephone conversations and letters to me with, “Love you long time”, for as long as I can remember. So, of course, I had to get this for her…
Love you the longest of time by Bespoke Letterpress
(Image source unknown)
I think I may have mentioned my slightly anal habit of selecting a themed, matched Christmas wrapping style each year. I’m seriously considering the Bespoke double-sided wrap for 2013. The big question is, do I go with the Nordic/Confetti option oor the Holly/Stars…? What do you think?
Nordic/Confetti double-sided wrapping paper
(Images from here)
Holly/Stars double-sided wrapping paper
(Images from here)
Of course, that would mean I’d have to go the whole hog with gift tags and red and white striped ribbon, too…
Bespoke Letterpress Gift Tag and Ribbon
(Image from here)
Do go and check out the Bespoke Letterpress Christmas shop – it’s quite gorgeous. You can find the beautiful double-sided wrap and much more…
05 Tuesday Nov 2013
Tags
Australian Design, Christmas, Christmas gift ideas, Cushion, Gift ideas, Homewares, Kelly Searl, Lou Reed, Napkin, Quilt, Shopping, Tea Towel, Wall Decal
Pony Rider Wall Dot
$39.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
I like creating a set of rules because generally I’ll break them.(Kelly Searl of Pony Rider)
You gotta’ love a designer who creates rules simply so she can then break them, I think…
I have started thinking about Christmas. I know its only the beginning of November. Believe me, LM thinks I’m crazy (but then, he doesn’t like to plan beyond next week). Here’s the thing, though – I’m a Kiwi. And, I live in Australia. And, I take Christmas-pressie selection seriously. And, I need to factor in shipping times if I’m to order just the right gift from the northern hemisphere. And, I started seeing Christmas decorations in the middle of October, so that makes me positively tardy!
Anyhoo, all that means is I’ve started browsing some of my favourite online stores for Chrissie ideas. A surprisingly time-consuming process. And, one of those favourites is Sydney-based design label Pony Rider.
With a design ethos all about celebrating the beauty in the ordinary everyday things, the very talented designer (and co-founder) Kelly Searle, creates locally manufactured home-wares with a uniquely quirky bent. The hardest thing is picking a favourite.
Here’s a sampling of some of the pieces that particularly appeal…
Pony Rider Perfect Day Wall Banner
In memory of Lou
$119.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
I don’t like nostalgia unless it’s mine. (Lou Reed)
Pony Rider Gran’s Recipe Wall Flag
Not a bad idea for a kitchen…?
$79.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
Pony Rider Players Welcome Quilt – Queen
$660.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
And, with matching cushion…
Pony Rider Players Welcome Floor Cushion
$129.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
And, mining the Players Welcome’ theme (because I kinda’ like it)…
Pony Rider Players Love Heart Teakin
A teakin is a hybrid size between a tea towel and a napkin!
$36.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
Pony Rider Block Cary All Bag
A stylish wee number, don’t you think?
$89.00
(Image from Pony Rider)
You can check out more of the great offerings at Pony Rider through the beautifully styled ‘collections‘ section of their website.
Pony Rider have a number of online and international stockists. They also have a shop facility through their own website. Check it out here.
16 Wednesday Oct 2013
Posted in Random Stuff, Retail
Tags
Ai Weiwei, Art museum, Christmas, Gift, Gifts, Gifts for hard to buy for people, Holidays, Irreverent gifts, Museum, Shopping, third drawer down
Colouring Book For Grown Ups
Materials needed: colouring utensils, scissors. Optional: Emotional Maturity, Financial Independence, Quality of Life, A paralysing sense of complete and total failure.
Available for $15 from Third Drawer Down
(Image from Third Drawer Down)
When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing. (Vernon McLellan)
The silly season is nearly here. It’s fast approaching that time of the year when shopping for multitudes of gifts is upon us. Unless, of course, you are one of those ridiculously organised peeps who manages to shop throughout the year and finish your list in August. If so, this post is not for you (unless you want to bookmark it for next year!)
I quite like shopping for gifts. Actually, I get into it in a big way. I may have mentioned that I even theme my Christmas wrapping – which I freely admit may have OCD overtones.
But, there are times when it is not fun to shop for gifts. There are times when you have to buy for someone who is particularly hard to buy for. In times like these, there are a trusted few online stores that may help you out of your pickle.
And, top of my list is Third Drawer Down. I first discovered this wonderful trove of treasures after spotting one of their artist-designed tea towels years ago. And, the tea towel selection remains a winner for me, to this day. I even loved one of my purchases so much, I had it framed.
And, I don’t think the Third Drawer Down peeps will mind if I lift their description straight from the website – it explains what they are so much better than I ever could:
Third Drawer Down and the Museum of Art Souvenirs Store is a storefront museum and place of trade in Fitzroy, Australia. Assembling a curated array of art and designer products, the store functions as a museum and retail space with objects either hand-picked from various popular cultural contexts or made by Third Drawer Down Studio for leading cultural clients around the world.
The Museum of Art Souvenirs Store is nestled behind a graffiti tagged garage door and is Australia’s only trading museum. It’s like visiting all the best museum stores in one spot, and shipped everywhere (even to the moon). Our eccentric and witty taste of products by artists/designers and niche brands and publishers that question the mainstream conditions under which art and culture are bought and sold. (Third Drawer Down)
I have put together a few of my favourite bits’ n’ bobs from their current catalogue…
Altered Ceramic Plate – Bearded Woman
Available for $74 from Third Drawer Down (currently out of stock)
(Image from Third Drawer Down)
Bedtime Story Pillowcases by David Shrigley
Available for $65 from Third Drawer Down (currently out of stock)
(Images from Third Drawer Down)
‘Lab’ Animal Clothes Hanger
Available for $19 from Third Drawer Down
I know JUST the man for this gift…
(Image from Third Drawer Down)
Famos Vegetable Peeler
Available for $15 from Third Drawer Down
According to Remodelista, this is the best vegetable peeler to own. AND, it looks so sexy, too…
(Image from Third Drawer Down)
Easy Frame by Puebco
Available for $26 in a range of colours from Third Drawer Down
(Images from Third Drawer Down)
Ai Weiwei Study of Perspective Silk Scarf
A MOST covetable piece, I think!
Available for $140 from Third Drawer Down
(Image from Third Drawer Down)
Now, I know there are some of you asking why I’m talking gift buying IN OCTOBER!? But, consider this – Third Drawer Down ships all over the world – it just may take a little longer to arrive if you live in Timbuktu…
19 Wednesday Dec 2012
Posted in Dogs
Tags
Bella, Christmas, Christmas wishes, Dogs, Haircuts, Holidays, New South Wales, New Zealand, Pets, Poodle, Sydney, the poodle
Bella – before
(Image by TSL)
When I was a child in New Zealand, I always knew Christmas was only a few sleeps away because my Dad would get his ‘Christmas haircut‘. The Christmas haircut was a super-short, low maintenance number which was more convenient for boating and swimming and other summer pursuits.
Today, Bella received her Christmas haircut. We are heading to the beach for a couple of weeks in January, and Bella is a water-baby. Short is best. In addition to this, it is tick season in a big way on the New South Wales coast over the summer. We don’t want to take any chances with our beloved pooch, so this year, we have gone extra short.
Bella now resembles a rat…
Bella – after
(Image by TSL)
I think this will be the last post for a while as we get ready for the summer break down here. A very happy and safe Christmas to everyone.
I look forward to catching up with you all again in late January.
14 Friday Dec 2012
Posted in Design, New Zealand
Tags
Australia, Banksy, Bird, Christmas, Christmas Gift, Essenze, Gifts under $100, Home and Garden, Jo Luping, Kiwiana, Leila Jeffreys, Native Bird, New Zealand, Phil Walters, Sculpture
‘Tui’ Metal Bird by Phil Walters for Silo Design
Tui are considered to be very intelligent, much like parrots or at least the smart ones. They also resemble parrots in their ability to clearly imitate human speech, and were reputedly trained by Māori to replicate complex speech Tui are also known for their noisy, unusual calls, different for each individual, that combine bellbird-like notes with clicks, cackles, timber-like creaks and groans.
(Image from Essenze)
There seems to be a recurring theme this week here at TSL. On Monday I gave you Jo Luping’s lovely ceramic bowls, which included images of New Zealand’s tuis and fantails. Then, yesterday we had Leila Jeffreys and her images of the iconic Australian cockatoo. And today, yet more birds as we return to New Zealand for Phil Walters and his whimsical sculptural interpretations of native birds.
I covet one of these and I may just have to visit the Essenze shop in Parnell for a sneaky self-Christmas gift when I am home next week. At just NZ$79 each, I think it would bring me so much pleasure to look out at my Sydney garden with a wee piece of home in one of the trees. Now I just have to work out which one is my favourite…
In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence. (Robert Lynd)
‘Fantail (Piwakawaka)’ Metal Bird by Phil Walters for Silo Design
Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and impressive energetic flying antics, the aptly (if a little obviously) named fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland.
It is easily recognized by its long tail which opens to a fan. It has a small head and bill but large ideas, especially in the field of aerobatics.
(Image from Essenze)
Apparently, the inspiration for the designs first started with Phil’s interest in street art and installation. He had been in Bristol and was an admirer of stencil graffiti artist Bansky. Walters states, “Frankly, I loved the guys swagger, intelligence and most of all his humour. I was in Bristol, Banksy‘s home in 2009 looking at a Banksy exhibition and was pretty impressed with his cunning.
I sat on the plane on the 28 hours back home to Auckland wondering what my version of ‘Banksy’ could be and decided that I’d do something sculptural and in 3 dimensions. The idea of metal birds came from wanting to do something I could covertly hammer into lamp posts, trees and buildings in public spaces that would somehow beautify and add value, or at least not offend.
I ‘placed’ around 40 birds in the field around the North Island over Xmas 2011.
It turns out that not only did they not offend, actually people wanted them both for their gardens and houses and their own ‘public installations’.”
That story just makes me want one of his creations even more…
‘Kereru (Wood Pigeon)’ Metal Bird by Phil Walters for Silo Design
A metal version of New Zealand’s native pigeon, also known as kererū, kūkū, kūkupa, wood pigeon and most commonly as ‘a woody’. It’s reputedly the only disperser of large fruit seeds we have (ouch!), the disappearance of the kererū would be a disaster for the regeneration of New Zealand’s native forests
(Image from Essenze)
‘Huia’ Metal Bird by Phil Walters for Silo Design
The Huia was a species of wattlebird that was found only in New Zealand’s North Island. Unluckily for the Huia (and for us) it became extinct in the early 20th century due to rampant hunting for mounted specimens (damn those museums and wealthy private collectors). Huia were also hunted to obtain their long, striking tail feathers for locally fashionable hat decorations. So Phil Walters is keen to bring them back, at least in spirit!
(Image from Essenze)
If you are interested in picking up your own piece of native Kiwiana bird life (and one that customs will have no problem with), Essenze ships internationally. You can check out all they have on offer here.
13 Thursday Dec 2012
Posted in Art
Tags
Australia, Bird, Birds, Budgie, Christmas, Cockatoo, Galah, Gift, Jonathan Adler, Leila Jeffreys, Photographer, Photography, Shopping, Sydney, Tim Olsen Gallery
‘Queenie’, the Galah Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)
galah
n
1. an Australian cockatoo, Kakatoe roseicapilla, having grey wings, back, and crest and a pink body
2. Austral slang a fool or simpleton
When you first arrive in Sydney (and possibly all of Australia, for that matter) one of the first things you notice are the birds. Both colourful and noisy, Australian birds are hard to ignore. Their cries start as the sun rises and seem to go all day…
Perhaps one of the most noticeable types of bird are the cockatoos. Until I came to Australia, I had only ever seen a cockatoo in the zoo. Here in Sydney, they are everywhere and they have bold and loud personalities.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)
Leila Jeffreys is developing quite the following for her bird photography, and when you see her work, it is easy to see why.
Leila’s love of birds has led her all around Australia and the world. She has photographed and helped scientists study endangered birds on Christmas Island; she has been welcomed into the world of pedigree budgerigar ‘best in show’ bird competitions; and she has photographed migrating birds across Europe.
She recently exhibited her Biloela – Wild Cockatoos body of work at the Tim Olsen Gallery which threw a bright spotlight on Australia’s incredibly beautiful cockatoo.
She says, “Now that I’m an adult, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing than spending a day with some birds, getting to know them, them getting to know me and finding a way to cut through our differences until we’re left with one animal photographing another”
If I had a talent for photography and a passion for birds like yours, Leila, I think I’d feel exactly the same way…
‘Seisa’, Palm Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)
‘Neville’, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)
If you’d like to learn more about Leila Jeffreys and her cockatoo series, or perhaps check out her budgie series (which was good enough for Jonathan Adler), you’ll get access her site here.
Tim Olsen Gallery still has available works of Leila’s for sale, too. What a Christmas present…
