Down for the Count

Just when I was beginning to catch up, my PC is officially down for the count. I don't see a recovery anywhere in the near future, and I have to admit, I'm feeling a little worse for wear too. Considering I have no good news or anything particularly insightful to share, I thought I should at least provide a few lovely slices of photography. As all my helpful little folders are tucked safely away on a non-functioning computer, here are a few of my Flickr favourites that have been waiting patiently for a little more attention.

I think I'm going to take a little break and start the weekend early...after all, what better excuse to unplug than a computer that's useless even when plugged in?! My apologies to all the emails, comments and blogs that I have yet to catch up on, but I promise I'll be back on board on Monday, computer or no computer!

Thank you to everyone for all your great pick-me-up tips and tricks yesterday (keep them coming pretty please!) and don't forget that Giveaway Goodness entries will close tomorrow night at 11:59pm AEST, so make sure you get your comments in!

Wednesday Wisdom - The Search

The search for truth
is more precious
than its possession.

- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

I'm feeling a little flat today, and not even copious amounts of caffeine and/or chocolate have been able to lift my mood. Now seems like as good a time as any to take my own advice and taste my own medicine...and perhaps set out on a cupcake hunt in the morning. Any other hints or secret potions to ward off the mid-week blues?

[P.S. If you need a little pick-me-up too, go in the running to win an adorable necklace in this week's Giveaway Goodness!]

Away From The White

As much as I love the clean lines of my soulless boxy apartment, I find myself craving change. I need more soft neutrals and tactile materials, more natural timbers and unfinished edges, and more than anything, a whole lot less bright, harsh white. I want a bed that looks comfortable and welcoming, I want rooms that exude warmth and personality, and I want natural lighting that spills in softly and uplifts both the room and its inhabitants.

Next time I move, I want to live somewhere a little like this.

The photography of Alice Saunders makes me crave a cottage in the countryside, away from the city, away from the traffic, and away from the starless nights. If you had told me this time last year that slick, sleek Modernist lines wouldn't cut it for me in a mere 12 months time, chances are I would have laughed and rolled my eyes. In fact, if you told me I'd even consider moving a few kilometers further away from the city centre, I probably would have suggested you book an appointment with a therapist. Immediately.

'Not a chance, not ever! I'm a city girl,' I would have laughed.

So much can change in a year.

[P.S. Giveaway Goodness is back with a gorgeous necklace on offer - go make it yours!]

Giveaway Goodness Returns!

It would appear that my computer ate last weeks Giveaway Goodness, but it's made a successful recovery and is back with a vengeance! My computer however is a slightly different story...but on with the show!

This week's wonderful Giveaway Goodness comes to us from geek chic Etsy store...

A quirky combination of science and style, It's Not Exactly Rocket Surgery is the creative outlet of PhD extraordinaire Nicole! When she's not buried under books or creating cute jewellery, she's sourcing fashion gems for her vintage princess dress store, Vintage Principessa. So many talents, so few hours in the day!

Our fantastic giveaway this week combines the best of both worlds! On offer is the adorable 'I'd Rather Be a Ballerina Than a Scientist' necklace - the first piece in a new line of laser-cut jewellery. I for one can't wait to see the rest of the range, or the hand-painted shirts that are coming soon either - science geekery at its best (and who doesn't love a little reminder of those fun times in the science labs with Bunsen burners and test tubes?!)

So what do you need to do to make this necklace all yours, I hear you ask?! A slightly different MO than usual, but with twice as many chances to win! Woo!

Firstly, head over to It's Not Rocket Surgery and Vintage Principessa, then mosie on back here and tell us about your favourite items from each store, and why you love them so! (I'm still distraught that I missed out on this fantastic prom dress! Sigh!)

For your second chance to win, cruise on over to Nicole's Australian Etsy blog (the lady doesn't sleep!) become a follower and leave a comment over there too - you can check out the best of Aussie Etsy sellers while you're there, and even enter another great jewellery giveaway while you're at it! Make sure you mention this giveaway so I can find you!

Entries will be open until Friday 11:59pm AEST. All the usual rules apply...one entry per person per blog, and please include your email address if your profile or blog do not feature it. The entries will be pooled together and the winner will be selected with the help of our crazy little friend, Random.org.

Good luck!

Monday Man Candy

Now that I know I have a few style-savvy lads reading this blog, I have a legitimate excuse to share some really, really, ridiculously good looking men's fashion with you all! The title may give away my ulterior motives just a little, but let's pretend I'm doing this for the guys. After all, what better way to start the week than cheery colours on brooding Magnum-esque men?!

As much as I love Zoolander, male models don't usually impress me, let alone catch my attention. Perhaps I'm just jaded, but they always seem to look exactly the same, and often their shoots can be similarly uninspiring. These two editorials however are an exception to my anti-male model mantra. It could just be the clashing colours and the dilapidated neon lights that caught my eye, but both Eugen Bauder (for GQ Russia) and Garrett Neff (photographed by Paola Kudacki for Hercules Mag) seem to bring a little extra to the table, even if they're just alternating between Magnum, Blue Steel and Ferrari. I'd listen to their eugoogolies any day.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have the strangest urge to crank some George Michael and slurp down an orange mocha frappuccino. How odd.

[P.S. New Giveaway Goodness coming later today!]

To All Mothers

It would be very remiss of me to let today pass without wishing all wonderful mothers, mine included, a very happy Mother's Day.

As someone who was fortunate enough to spend plenty of my childhood with my mother and my two grandmothers, I can say without hesitation that these three amazing women shaped who I am today.

Sadly neither of my grandmothers are with us any longer, but they are never far from my mind, nor my heart. Just in case I revert to my usual scatterbrained ways, I wear one of my grandmother's ring every day - I don't feel complete without it.

My mother lives only a few hours plane trip away, but she's currently enjoying a well earned relaxing holiday on a tropical island, away from pesky forms of technology like mobile phones. Today doesn't feel complete without at least a phone call, but for now an email will have to suffice.

I take comfort in the knowledge that I'll see her in a few short weeks time, but I still haven't quite come to terms with the reason for her visit...my sister will soon be a mother herself. I'm only looking on from the sidelines and I'm already petrified. I definitely don't think I'm cut out to be a mother myself, but I hope I can at least be a supportive sister and a fantastic aunt for all the challenges that lay ahead.

Be sure to tell and show the amazing women around you how much they mean to you...not just today, but every day.

[Images by Shana Rae via Secrets of a Butterfly]

Happy Friday!

Ick, I'm having another one of those weeks were a few little computer bugs have just sapped the energy right from me. I have piles of work to catch up on, not to mention emails and comments and a few tags and awards too, but for some infuriating reason my computer simply won't cooperate.

So although I have an action-packed ultra productive weekend ahead (fingers crossed!), for now I'm just going to turn my computer off, pour myself a glass of wine and curl up on the couch with a toasty blanket and a good book.

Note to self:

Relax.

Breathe.


Have a great weekend everyone!

xx Kit

About Face

I suspect the photography of Maria Przybysz has been haunting me in my sleep, because it's been at the back of my mind since I spotted it on Design Scene back in March. I thought I'd keep today's post short and sweet, but suddenly I was reminded of the eerily beautiful illustrations of Bec Winnell (one recently featured on the cover of Peppermint Mag!) and next thing you know I'm digging through Solve Sundsbo's impressive (and vast!) portfolio to find a few of my favourites there too. So much for an early night!

All three have an uncanny ability to capture the beauty of female faces in new, unexpected ways...and considering we're constantly bombarded with billboards and advertisements showing us what beauty should (apparently!) look like, it's almost a relief to see a few alternative perspectives.

This weekend I'm going in search of the latest Numéro just so I can hold Solve Sundsbo's stunning cover (NSFW) in my own little hands. That is of course once I've caught up on emails and comments and the growing pile of work on my desk. Eek!

[Please click on images for original sources]