Etsy Finds - Jessica Durrant & Rosie Day Designs

My affordable Etsy art hunt continues with this gorgeous find: Jessica Illustration

I could take any of them home, but my absolute favourites are...

I have also found Etsy to be a godsend when ordering invitations! I have recently been organising a Hens party for my future sister in law and Kym from Rosie Day Design has been fantastic!

I chose these two and the process couldn't be easier. You simply purchase the design, email Kym the details and she sends you a proof. A bit of back and forth and you have yourself a pdf to print out! EASY!

3 Things I Loved This Week

1. Maroon 5

Number one has to go to Maroon 5 (well, ill be honest, Adam Levine in particular). I went to their Melbourne concert on Friday night and it was amazing. They wore these funny all white outfits, but aside from that they were really really fantastic.

2. Lilac Skull

Skulls are the in thing in interiors and fashion, and this lilac skull from You and Me Decor is super cute. Its currently sold out, so I am watching it like a hawk for when it comes back in stock.  Although I am very tempted by the gold skull which is currently in stock.........ill probably end up with both.

3. This outfit from Olivia Palermo

Why is she so perfect? WHY!!  I want this Zadig & Voltaire vest right now.

Etsy Finds - Birdy & Me

I love love love Birdy & Me's, girly illustrations and cards by artist Kelly Smith.  Kelly's work reminds me a little of my fave artist Leigh Viner, which is why I am so drawn to these designs.

I was really excited to find that Kelly has also co designed cushions, cards and make up bags that are simply devine.

The cushion and make up bag are available at Dancing at Dusk.

Art Illustrations are available at Birdy and Me at Etsy.

3 Things I Loved this Week

Happy Sunday! Unfortunately we are back to work/school tomorrow but what better way to commiserate than a new series I am starting every Sunday on my blog - 3 things I loved this week!

1. Bonlook Glasses

These Urban Dandy frames in tortoise are seriously stylish, and a steal at only $99.  They also offset the carbon emissions on all shipping, so they are an eco friendly company too - bonus :)

2.  This eclectic Stockholm bedroom

The gallery wall, bedspread and arched window make this a seriously cool space. Click on the link above to see the entire apartment.

3. Tupug

I love pugs, and this Tupug poster by The Pug Luv is too cute!!

Apartment Envy - Alina Cho

Feeling a bit of motivation to begin blogging again! Sometimes you just need to take a little break, especially if blogging begins to feel like a chore.  I am hoping to commit to blogging 3-4 times per week. Manageable, but not so much I get uninspired, or tired of it again!

Vogue featured the NY apartment of CNN correspondant Alina Cho, and it is nothing short of incredible. It is 100% my style, eclectic and not matchy matchy, but with feminine touches. I could move right in...AND she has pink walls!!!!

See the rest of her stunning apartment over at Vogue

West Elm coming to Australia!!

This is possibly the most exciting thing to happen since....well....ever (in the retail world).  Yes it was exciting when Zara opened in Melbourne, but you could always buy that at a reasonable price online.  With interiors giant West Elm, many items have been out of reach simply due to exorbitant shipping costs.....but not any more.

Due to open in Sydney in 2013 along with Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma, West Elm will now be my go to retailer for up to date interiors accents.

The one thing I have been dying to buy is a new rug, here are some faves on the current US website:

Istanbul Rug

 Zig Zag Rug

Safari Rug

Kite Rug

Asos Sale Finds!

I love a good sale, and I love ASOS, so I was very excited to pick up some bargains in the lead up to summer!

River Island Maxi, only $20!

ASOS Leopard Pants (A bit crazy, hopefully will look good dressed down for summer). They were a steal at only $26.

Now I am going a little bonkers for these out of control printed ASOS Pants, only $36.

Gabriel Hendifar Interiors

Thanks to Pinterest I was able to stumble upon these beautiful interiors by Gabriel Hendifar.  The first image makes me want to go right out and by a persion-y aztec-y rug and a lovely marble topped coffee table!

And this image is all about the light fitting (and the affordable Ikea Rand rug)

Outdoor Living

Its currently winter in Australia, which means there is not much outdoor living going on. However, I am furiously searching for outdoor spaces so I am ready to revamp my outdoor space come Spring.

Feast your eyes on these lush outdoor spaces.

David Jones Fashion Launch

David Jones held their official 2012/13 Spring Summer fashion launch in Sydney last night, attended by 400 VIP guests.

 My favourite look of the night was off the catwalk by TV actress Jodi Gordon.  She wore a gorgeous tangerine dress with dipped hemline by Josh Goot.  Combined with slick hair and a red lip, she looked fantastic :)

What I also love is the conservative cut of the dress.  Its not too tight and the sleeves make it quite classy.

My favourite on catwalk look was Miranda in Lisa Ho.  Just love the colours, cut and flow of this dress!

Images via yahoo.com

Blogging and The Olympics

With the Olympics being in London and me being in Melbourne, there were some seriously early morning/late night TV viewing sessions. This, combined with a new fitness routine meant that something had to give and that was blogging. BUT I can now share my most favourite parts of Olympics, 2012!

Patsy and Edina, carrying the flame. Love Ab Fab!

Via Washington Post

Wills and Kate, hugging it out.

Sth Africa's 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius. What an inspiration!

Hilarious Olympic diving photos

The crazy abundance of neon Nikes in every sport.  Seemed there was a version for basketball/running/cycling/athletics/more.  I want!!

Via Nike.com

Funny Olympic memes

And this genius from Jenna Marbles

There were also a heap of medals in there, an overwhelming closing ceremony (hello Spice Girls!), a hate page on Facebook dedicated to the free to air TV coverage (yes it was awful Channel Nine!), and Usain Bolt.  

CAN'T WAIT for Rio!!!

Charlotte Casiraghi for Gucci

If this new ad campaign from Gucci doesn't make you want to go out and buy a pair of loafers and a shirt, there is something seriously wrong with you :).

A pair of Gucci loafers is a little out of reach for myself, but ASOS of course have a similar style for around $57.

Funny Sh*t

You all know that i love to shop on Etsy, particularly for unique art pieces.  But you know when you throw a few key words into the search bar and something completely random/ugly/useless/'wtf is it' pops up?  Well I was recently introduced to a website that showcases these amazing finds and it is quite possibly the funniest website I have seen in a long time.

www.regretsy.com

Apparently selling nude photos of yourself on Etsy is a great way to make money.  Who'd have thought.

I will leave you with an Etsy find that is actually to die for.  

Winged Scarab from the Cleopatra Collection by Miss C Alexandria. Love.

Latest home purchases

I am always on the lookout for unique and interesting art and decorator items and I thought I would share a couple of my recent purchases.

First up is my palmistry ring holder from Urban Outfitters:

I love this as it is a really unique way to store and display your jewellery items, and it was only $30 (including shipping).

Second up is an item I have been searching and searching for (over a year).  I have seen them on eBay but the shipping has been quite expensive to Australia. Also, I really wanted to stumble upon one randomly and snap it up. That can often be more exciting than finding one online.

Meet my phrenology head:

I fount this as Thomas Gannon on Melbourne's Brunswick Street famous for its mish mash of eclectic bars, restaurants, fashion and home wares stores.

Also, find me on Instagram @itsmejoeyg !

Weekend

Wow what a weekend. Finally found bridesmaid dresses for my brothers wedding, and they are lovely!  The wedding is in summer and the bride loved a bright magenta/purple, so I am wrapped.  The style is lovely too. Its certainly not anything like this:

Then my friend Siobhan finally got engaged to her boyfriend of 7 years, and I am all set to be a bridesmaid again.  I am now busy researching hens ideas for both:)!  A work colleague recently went to a hens where they had a penthouse apartment, nude model that they had to sketch, a topless waiter and a night out at some lovely bars in the city. Needless to say its time to get creative!

Esther Boutique

I love online shopping, more so than shopping in store, in person. I think its because you can think about an item, look at it a million times, compare it to things in your wardrobe and to other items online, or just save it for tomorrow (sometimes you need to sleep on it).  I find with shopping in store you often feel pressured to make a decision there and then, and sitting around in a change room for half an hour deciding if you really need an item does look a little, well, odd.

My regular go to stores are ASOS (or course) ,Topshop, Etsy, EBay and Eastbay.  But I am always excited to stumble across or have other websites recommended to me.  A new fave shared by my work colleague Catherine, is Aussie clothing retailer Esther Boutique.  I think I have chosen about 10 things I want already........but of course will sleep on it ;)