September | 2011 | paperbunnys

Archive | September, 2011

Aztec Dreams

Even though I am crazy busy trying to organise last-minute details for our holiday, I can’t stop thinking about the many crafty projects I want to get started. First on the list, an Aztec inspired crochet laptop sleeve! Now, it could take me a while to get this one going, with the impending holiday and all, but if I manage to get my crochet hook through airport security I will dedicate a good amount of my plane-time to it. If it gets confiscated (sad face) I will just have to keep dreaming about my Aztec laptop sleeve till I get home.

Here is some of my inspiration behind the project…

ever since i saw this techni-coloured dream shirt over on Emma’s blog it keeps cropping up in my mind. it is probably my biggest inspiration behind this project.

i am loving all things colourful right now, you may have noticed here, here and here, which is why i am loving this square-shaped aztec saucer from Koffey Cakes.

a zig zag pattern similar to this native american inspired print by Indigo 982 will feature prominently in the project.

of course i found inspiration through nail art – the Zebber Collective have pre-made these aztec nails so all you have to do is stick them on! oh the possibilities…

these pretty sand aztec earrings by Ditty Drops are a must have.

i love this aztec leather overnight bag by Hoak on Helga.

Now I just need to buy the wool and settle on a pattern! Exciting!

I hope you have all had a great start to the week. Only 9 days till we leave for the US of A!

Header photo via amazing_podgirl

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Categories Craft, Inspiration

Fashion Friday: Pumpkin Pie

23 Sep

Seeing as I am going to have to wait another two long weeks till I get my pumpkin pie fix, I figured I could still enjoy the golden hues of the Halloween vegetable via fashion!

Before I started putting this outfit together I did not fully realise how many different shades that pumpkins could be. They really are very versatile and you can do so much with them in terms of food…pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced latte (I am gonna get some of these in my belly when we are away), pumpkin salad, roast pumpkin…the list goes on. On top of all this they can be made into jack-o’-lanterns – something I have a huge desire to do.

Hmmm now I am craving pumpkin pie more than ever.

1. Max tee by MTWTFSS WEEKDAY
2. Raviole shorts by PAUL & JOE
3. Chicaboomboom nail varnish by H&M
4. Volume fit and flare dress by Oasis
5. Flats by Sigerson Morrison
6. Two tone leopard print scarf by Liberty London
7. Stud earrings by top shop
8. Woven belt by Huxley
9. Cardigan by Lucien Pellat-Finet
10. Laser-cut leather clutch by Christopher Kane
*Felt pumpkin placemat is by Pier 1 Imports

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Categories Fashion

Apple and Berry Cobbler

22 Sep

After a cooking dry spell which seemed to go on forever (partially due to the fact that our oven exploded) I finally got back in the kitchen this week! I missed my lovely heart-shaped measuring cups!

This delicious fruit cobbler by Jamie Oliver is my go-to dessert when I am craving something a little more naughty than my usual cup of Milo (have I ever mentioned how addicted I am to Milo? I eat it by the tablespoon!). It’s great for getting through the last few pieces of fruit in your fruit bowl and there are many different flavour combinations you can try.

The balsamic vinegar is a genius touch (thanks Jamie) and really ties the tartness of the berries to the sweet and juicy apples. I never usually bother to use buttermilk, mainly because it is never in the refrigerator, but milk works just fine and the dough always turns out light and fluffy.

cook the fruit, sugar and balsamic vinegar till the juices of the berries begin to run

rub chilled butter into flower to resemble fine breadcrumbs, then mix in sugar, salt and milk to form a loose dough

pile the dough on top of the berries, sprinkle with sugar and cook till golden brown

yummy

time to dig in!

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Categories Food

My Etsy Finds

21 Sep

I have been so busy with work and holiday plans over the past few days that I have been neglecting my blog. I could never have guessed how much this blog would change my life. I used to feel like I never had any time to do anything, but now I realise I was not using my time wisely. Now I do more and am busier than ever but it feels great!

Blogging and the blogging community gives me the warm fuzzies (those nice happy feelings) and makes me feel like I am making good use of my time outside of work. It has also opened my eyes up to the masses of creative people out there, especially those savvy business owners on Etsy. Every day I find myself browsing through Etsy store after Etsy store adding amazing items to my wish list. Here are a few of my favourite Esty finds this week…

I love this lace and linen dress by Mr. Raccoon’s Empire, it is such a pretty and happy colour – perfect for spring!

I have had my eye on this feldspar cocktail ring by Maie Dae for some time now, it is so wow! It is the perfect ring to gaze at while typing on your keyboard.

I am obsessed with doilies right now (see here) and I think these doily brights by The Chip Chop Shop would add just the right amount of colour to my coffee table.

I can’t wait to have my own kitchen so I can fill it with pottery bowls like these from Suite One Studio.

Halloween is nearly here and this year I get to spend it in America where they do the holiday justice! If I was back home though, I would definitely make red velvet cupcakes like these with the adorable witches’ brew cake toppers from Kiwi Tini Creations.

Two more days till the weekend, I hope you are having a great week so far and it isn’t quite as hectic as mine!

Tags: Etsy

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Categories My Etsy Finds

Fashion Friday: Ray of Sunshine

16 Sep

It’s raining outside but all I can think about is sunshine – why is it that you always want what you don’t have? Yellow is such a warm and inviting colour. I can’t wait to add a few yellow statement pieces to my wardrobe this spring. I think I am definitely going to have to purchase the Tulle Clothing dress as well, it’s adorable!

1. Fair and Lemon Square dress by Tulle Clothing
2. Raviole shorts by PAUL & JOE
3. Cut-out flower stud earrings by ASOS
4. Ottoman Dupionne tote by Balenciaga
5. Flower basket blouse - vintage
6. Boom Boom Pow nail polish by Deborah Lippmann
7. Ellingwood sandals by ALDO

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Categories Fashion

How To: Make A Framed Chalkboard

14 Sep

I could not be more excited to share with you my first DIY project! This chalkboard was so much fun to make and even more fun to draw on. You can use any piece of wood that you like, I chose this one because it was such a cute, homely shape. It takes around two days to make – most of that time is spent waiting around for the paint to dry – but it is worth the wait!

All you need is: wood, black chalkboard paint, acrylic paint in a colour of your choosing, small and medium flat ended paint brushes, a drop sheet (so you don’t turn anything else into a chalkboard), sandpaper and chalk.

Step 1: Roughly sand the wood to remove any bumpy edges and wipe it clean.
Step 2: Paint the edges with the small paint brush and acrylic paint.

Step 3: Paint the surface with the chalkboard paint in long smooth strokes being careful not to let it drip over the edges. Let the paint dry as per the instructions on the paint tin.
Step 4: Apply the second coat of paint and leave to dry for 24 hours.

Step 5: Design your frame and then draw it onto your chalkboard with the chalk. If you want the frame to be permanent use liquid chalk.

Step 6: Write on your new framed chalkboard!

I hope you enjoy my very first DIY project! Now I better get onto booking that travel insurance, only 22 days till our holiday!

Tags: framed chalkboard

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Categories Craft, How To

Inspirationail: Diagonal Stripes

12 Sep

Ta da – I have a new blog feature! While I have already used the heading Inspirationail here I decided it was the perfect name for my new DIY nail-art feature. I am really enjoying my newly discovered nail painting hobby and have realised I am much more creative (not to mention steady handed) than I originally thought.

My sister is my inspiration when it comes to nail-art, she isn’t afraid to try new colour combinations and patterns. She gave me the inspiration for these diagonal stripes as well. All in all she is a pretty cool sis – keep an eye out for a few of her guest posts in October!

The diagonal stripes were pretty straight forward. My biggest tip is to use good quality scotch tape – I did not do this which meant I had to touch up a few tips. Be playful with the colour combinations and mix shimmer with straight colour for maximum results! I used my new China Glaze polishes – Drastic and Midnight Mission.

paint the base coat (i was naughty and only applied one coat)

tape up the nail leaving a diagonal strip down the middle

paint over the tape with a contrasting colour, carefully peel off tape and apply top coat

There you have it, an easy and fun nail-art tutorial. I hope you enjoy my new feature!

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Categories Beauty

My Weekend in Instagram Photos

11 Sep

I love it when the weekends don’t rush by and I actually get a chance to spend some time being crafty. This weekend has been perfection – I got so much done, yet I feel really refreshed. Here are a few snapshots of my weekend in Instagram photos:

my boyfriend made me sticky chilli chicken on Friday night (a variation of the recipe can be found here)

my new china glaze nail polishes arrived on friday – i’m going to get creative with them tonight!

i went craft shopping on saturday and picked up these supplies for a fun DIY

and also purchased these pretty PVC self-adhesive films

i spent some time getting my head around crochet with this lovely pattern while watching friends on saturday night

i started making my own DIY project on sunday – keep an eye out for it later this week!

and spent some time in the sunshine – it feels like spring is finally here!

So that was my weekend! Tonight I’ll be chilling out with my boy who has been working most of the weekend – and painting my nails of course!

I hope your weekend was as lovely as mine.

Tags: crochet, DIY, Instagram, sticky chilli chicken, weekend

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Categories Craft, Food

Fashion Friday: Ruche’s The Industry

9 Sep

media manager

I am OBSESSED with Ruche’s The Industry collection. I love the idea of dressing by career type, in fact, it is a dressing style I am all too familiar with as I am often be seen impersonating ballerinas, librarians (I work in a library) and horse riders. This collection has inspired me to dress according to my own career in marketing and communications – see media manager and web designer – but it has also given me a whole bunch of other career types to mimic. Hooray, that’s this seasons office-wear sorted!

visual consultant
web designerassociate editorcreative director