Review: Real Estate Mobile App

Sponsored by Nuffnang and REA

Lately I have been looking at property in Sydney. I don’t have an immediate intention to buy but I love to browse to see what is available and get a feel for the market.

realestate.com.au released their mobile app in December 2010 and set me with the task to find three of my top dream homes using the app.

Read on to see the houses I found and my review of the app…

Creative Space: Urban homes of artists and innovators

Taking a look inside the homes of creative people inspires me. Their homes provide not only a glimpse into their lives but also into their creative process - a quickly drawn sketch, a few photographs torn from magazines and fixed to the wall, leftover paint, a jar of pencils - I love all of these details.

Book Review: Decorate by Holly Becker

I have been meaning to write this post for weeks. Truth is I haven't been able to find the time to really devour Holly Becker's book Decorate as much as I have been aching to. Recently I was in hospital for the day. Nothing major (no, I haven't gone up a cup size!) but it did give me the opportunity to really sink my teeth into the book she co-authored with Joanna Copestick.

Holly writes in her same warm, friendly voice and there are pages after pages of tips, ideas, beautiful photographs and inspiring quotes from some of my favourite people such as Belinda of The Happy Home, Nicole of Making it Lovely, Anna of Absolutely Beautiful Things, Leslie of Creative Mint, Shannon Fricke and Victoria from sfgirlbybay to name just a few.

There is a little quote by me in there too. Thank you dearest Holly!

It was nice to see floor plans and layouts included which helped me get a feel for the photographed space. I was also inspired by a quote in the book by designer Tom Delavan - 'Make a furniture plan - this is a simple step that most people think they don't need. The pros all do it for their clients'. I'm not usually organised enough to draw up a plan and it kind of goes again my impulse-buying habits but when I moved into my house I needed to so that I can work out the best way of making all my furniture fit. There is definitely value in this exercise.

If you haven't had a chance to pick up a copy yet it is available in Australia and retails for $59.99. If you already have a copy, what do you like most about it?

(Images by me of some of my favourite pages from Decorate)

Fleur Wood: Food Fashion Friends

I received an email last week telling me that one of my favourite Australian fashion designers, Fleur Wood has released a new book titled 'Food Fashion Friends'. I love an excuse to visit her store and so I picked myself up a copy. If you've ever visited one of the Fleur Wood stores you'll know it is a visual treat full of great ideas. The store I went to has a padded fabric counter covered in a doily tablecloth, one wall covered in ceramic rabbits and the change room curtains are made of patchwork fabrics. Love.



I'm sure there were more details in the store but I was distracted by the clothes and her new book. The book is filled with beautiful photos, event styling ideas and recipes with ideas for throwing a tea party, children's party and more. I have been wanting to organise a garden tea party at my place and this book has given me the motivation.


My favourite party ideas? The peacock cane chairs painted in various pastel colours, overturned pot plants covered in table clothes and used as tables, the mismatched plates and cake stands and the coconut ice recipe looks delicious. There's lots more inside too.

Wallpaper: The Ultimate Guide

I have been in a world of patterns lately working on an assessment exploring various pattern designs over the centuries. To help me with my research I picked up a copy of Wallpaper: The Ultimate Guide by Charlotte Adams.




The book covers some of the key wallpaper designers and manufacturers, the history of wallpaper which I found interesting to read and provides tips on how to hang wallpaper and calculating the number of rolls you will need for a job. The book is also filled with over 150 full page contemporary wallpaper reproductions some of which I recognised but many that I didn't.




Wallpaper has come in and out of fashion over time but between us, I really hope it doesn't go out of fashion anytime soon. I haven't figured out how to take it down yet and from what I hear, the process is a tedious one.

Have you hung, or removed wallpaper recently? I would love to hear about your experiences.

Book Review: Three great reads

Today I wanted to share with you three great reads that I have come across. Not all are design related but they are well worth a look.

Great read #1


The first is Megan Morton's book HOMElove that was recently released. Megan is a popular stylist who also writes a column for 'Good Weekend'. If you have ever read her column you will be familiar with her warm, conversational style of writing and her tips for creating a beautiful home. They are all in this book and I am going to take my time reading through it all because I'm not ready to put the book down just yet. She also offers tips on how to entertain, throw a garden party and even how to live with a dog!

If you would like a signed or unsigned copy, you can purchase one here.

Great read #2


I have enjoyed Jaime Curtin's blog 500 Pieces of Prudent Advice for My Baby Daughter for quite a while now and although I can't quite remember how I stumbled across it I am glad I did. Some of the advice she has written is funny too for example "Your skirt or dress should be longer than your arms hanging straight at your sides" and "If you want to leave a party and you don't have a good excuse, spill something on yourself".

Jaime has been busy compiling her wisdom into a book and I was excited to find out from her last week that the book is finished and available for pre-order here. Well done Jaime!

Great read #3

Another great read is a blog to add to your radar if you live in Sydney - it is called 52 suburbs. Louise is on a mission to explore and photograph one new Sydney suburb each week. She has visited 30 suburbs so far including Potts Point, Lakemba, Marrickville, Pyrmont, Randwick and more. The photography and commentary on each suburb has really opened my eyes to seeing the beauty in each of these suburbs. Pop over and have a look even if you don't live in Sydney.

Enjoy!

Review: Tommee Tippee bath toys & bottle carrier

The week before last I promised I would do another baby related review. Time just zipped past so I've managed to do it now. This one is on Tommee Tippee products that were sent to me.

Chances are, if you have had a baby or are expecting a baby you have or will receive Tommee Tippee products. I received a whole bunch of Tommee Tippee gifts including some bath toys so I enjoyed reviewing these products.

My son's new bath toy favourite is the bath critter. My favourite is the wiggle 'n' sprinkle bath toy because I can spurt water (yes I'm a child at heart). He's too young for the tumbling tubbies. I stack them up and he wacks them down. Fun for him, not so much for me who has to keep stacking them up again. I keep all the bath toys in a basket in the bathroom along with face washers so that they are handy come bath time and keeps the bathroom tidy.


I was also sent a twin bottle carrier which I have been using a lot lately because my other carrier had milk spilt into it (gross) and into my new Alannah Hill bag (sob). What I like about the bottle carrier is that it comes with a pack that can be cooled to keep the bottles chilled or heated to keep food warm. It also comes with 2 storage containers. I use one for formula and the other for his lunch when we are out and about during the day.

My only gripe is that the twin carrier doesn't fit into my baby bag but that'll teach me for wanting to carry around a fancy schmancy bag. It fits into my other, more practical baby bag. The bottle carrier comes with a long strap to hang over your shoulder but I can't see myself using it. I use the single bottle carrier that comes with it instead if I'm dead set keen on carrying it in my bag and when I only need one bottle with me.

I hope this review helps any parents or parents-to-be.

Book Review: Downtown Chic

If you haven't heard of the design firm Sixx Design you will very soon. They've released a new book called Downtown Chic which I'm craving and it seems so are lots of people around the blogosphere!

The book is written by husband and wife Robert and Cortney Novogratz and they document ten of their renovation projects from New York City, to Massachusetts and Brazil with before and after shots.

You can read more about the book and purchase it here. In the meantime, below are some of my favourite interiors of theirs.

Review: Merino Kids Go Go Bag

Image copyright Merino Kids

I was recently offered the opportunity to review a Merino Kids infant sleeping bag. The website promotes that merino improves sleep routines. When I read this I looked over at my son who was busy kicking his legs, clearly tired but refusing to sleep and knew I had nothing to lose.


I was sent a Go Go Bag to review (thank you!) in French Navy (ooh la la!). I was eyeing these the other day so I was looking forward to this review.

First up, I have to say the fabric is lovely and soft. It's 100% cotton and superfine merino.


It took me a while to figure out why there was a slit in the front and back of the bag. I think I lost a few brain cells during pregnancy. But in my defence I knew it wasn't to hold a bottle of milk like a pouch as someone (I won't say who) suggested.

I worked out (after *ahem* reading the instructions) that the vents are to buckle the baby into the car seat or pram while wearing the bag which I think is a clever idea. My son's other sleeping bag scrunches up when I buckle him in his seat and looks really uncomfortable.


The sleeping bag I was given is sized from newborn to 2 years so as you can imagine there is a lot of extra space at the bottom of the bag. There are clasps under the arms for small babies. At night I tuck the extra length under him but he never stays that way. My little boy is a tumbleweed when he sleeps.


Back to fabrics, my son has eczema so I'm conscious about the types of fabrics I put against his skin. His other sleeping bag is made of cotton but I didn't realise until now that the inside layer is polyester. Bad me. No wonder sometimes when I check on him he's a bit hot around the back of his neck. I haven't noticed this with the Merino Kids sleeping bag in the last few nights he's been wearing it and so far it has a thumbs up from me. I'm doing away with the other bag.


If you are a mum or mum-to-be I hope you find this review helpful! Stay tuned for another baby-related review next week.

Real Living July '09

My copy of the latest Real Living arrived yesterday and I've managed to find the time to read it today. I wanted to share with you some of my favourite pages.

The cover page is natural and neutral. A nice change from the more colourful covers which incidentally I also like but sometimes a simple neutral space is what I need to feel relaxed.

Most of the cover page furniture pieces are from Ikea. I have my eye on the white Stockholm side table. The tabletop swivels and there is hidden storage underneath. A good spot to hide coasters I think.

Here's what I love inside the magazine:

This look

Image source Page 23

The wallpaper is not one I would normally choose but it seems to work with the navy lounge, cream throw and yellow cushion. I must add the striped bobble throw & woven felt yellow cushion from Country Road onto my ever growing wish list.

The DIY Projects

Image source Page 34

One idea is to wrap paper around old tins and containers to create pretty storage. Other DIY projects featured include - a chair makeover, wastepaper-basket lamp, painting tin objects, framing metal trays, painting a magazine rack with chalkboard paint and creating a pretty lantern by removing the paper shade. Phew!

This home

Images from Pages 72-75

My favourite parts of the magazine each month are the interiors featured (no surprise there) with tips on how to achieve the same look. This month I was particularly drawn to the home of Michelle Adams. She's the designer behind Rubie Green that sells 100% organic cotton fabrics.

Image source Page 44

My favourite products mentioned are the Rambling Rose cup and saucer set from Domayne and the Iniko cushion from Freedom (see above). And then there are the clever paint and wallpaper ideas, the pretty courtyard makeover and the recipes I am going to try to cook next week.

Do you subscribe to Real Living? If so, what do you like from the latest issue?

(Click images to view larger. All images copyright Real Living. PS: I am not affiliated with Real Living, just a fan of the magazine.)