Category: Today I Am Loving
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1970 ♥

Bella Freud 1970

Well hi there!  We have had a busy summer with lots of boating to beautiful places, school holiday activities, a wedding in Queensland but most importantly – time with family and friends.  However, I have been very quiet on the blogging front, but I have missed writing and I look forward to firing up The Poppy Files for yet another year.

Today, I am loving my new Bella Freud 1970 jumper that I have finally sourced online from Grace Boutique in Melbourne.  I first laid eyes on this beauty worn by a very stylish make-up artist on a shoot I was working on last year.  Thank you, Blanka Dudas, for the inspiration.

Bella Freud 1970

Bella Freud, the great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud is an iconic designer whose quirky knits have an almost cult-like following:

While messing around on my photocopier I spied the date 1970 printed in the corner of a page of the book I was leafing through. Inspirited, I kept blowing it up, then cut it out and pinned it onto my black jumper. It had a rough charm that made me think of the early New York punk scene in the 70’s, and Patti Smith. A favourite with Kate Moss and Alexa Chung.

A perfect example is Laura Fantacci from Wearing it Today styling it to absolute perfection in the Alps:

Bella Freud 1970

I may not rock this jumper like Blanka, Kate, Alexa or Laura, but oh my gosh, I love it … and it is my birth year after all!  Xx

Bella Freud 1970 Bella Freud 1970 Bella Freud 1970 Bella Freud 1970 Bella Freud 1970

Tuesday, 7 February 2017 0 Comments Short URLToday I Am Loving

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Hard Drive Dramas

Unfortunately I have had another hiatus from The Poppy Files due to an incredibly busy time in the last month and also combined with the very stressful fail of my external hard drive.

A drive that keeps my photos taken over the past 10 years (all 24 000 of them or 820 GB of data) nice and safe … or so I thought.  Nausea swept over me as I plugged it in one day and I saw a strange flashing light and my MacBook not recognising the remote disc.  What was that about keeping several backups on different drives?

Luckily I have a chap who is working on retrieving all of my recoverable data and until I have my files back in my hot little hands, I won’t truly relax.

So, until I get my IT groove back on, I am unable to download any of my photos, which are slowly banking up on my phone.  Until then, I can share some sassy items from the web that have piqued my interest of late.

Firstly these fabulous Saint Laurent California High Top Roller Skates – if you have a cool $1239.00 laying around, you could whip them on for a skate along the promenade!

Secondly, on a more realistic note, a friend of mine wears (and rocks) these gorgeous Céline Marta Sunglasses in a sublime ‘Dark Blue Havana‘.  Dear Santa – yes please (would it be rude to copy you Bec W?)

Finally, on a totally different note, I am excited about all the options of amazing recipes in this new e-Book from Well Nourished – Sides and Salads.  It has so many great ideas that I am hoping to try out over the summer:

An e-book that makes the humble vegetable, sensational
The idea of this e-book is to make vegetables the hero of your meal! Most sources of protein (meat, vegetarian or vegan) when simply prepared are just delicious. So this e-book is designed to direct your time and effort into making the most important part of any meal, vegetables and salad, as delicious as they can be.

All of the salads and sides in this e-book, when combined with a source of protein, form a nutritionally balanced meal. All of the recipes are plant based and are gluten, grain and egg-free. I’ve also included alternatives for making them dairy- and nut-free.

xx

Friday, 9 December 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , , , , Today I Am Loving

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Oh Hobart ♥

I love a good sticky-beak and what better opportunity where one that is encouraged and expected!

Open House Hobart opened the doors of many amazing buildings in Hobart last weekend, for you to have a little bo-beep.

Unfortunately we only managed to see two homes this year due to limited time and School Fair commitments, but both were great.  The first was a home in Boa Vista Road in North Hobart – an original 1940’s Art-Deco home, with its many original features in tact.

The other was The Barn, a converted stables in West Hobart that I just loved!  I could have moved in – albeit a little small for all of us!

This long derelict 1829 Georgian barn on the fringe of the Hobart CBD was once part of the stables of Goulburn Street’s Bull’s Head Hotel.  Made of local sandstone and convict bricks, it also features a 45 degree pitched roof-perfect for generous loft living.  The nine by five metre footprint was built for purpose and economy; the ground floor accommodated four stalls and the 45 degree pitched roof allowed for generous loft storage.  Although modest in size (a mere 62 square metres) the stable is rich in history, texture and olfactory delights.  The architects retained as much of the existing building fabric as possible and, where services and amenity were required, they provided ‘new insertions’.  It was important that, by doing so, all new work read differently to the existing and, as with any good relationship, the past and the present have space to breathe.  The architects used volume, outlook and a clear material strategy to define spaces and encourage variety and play.

Saturday, 12 November 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , , , Design, Today I Am Loving

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30 Years

Grade 10 Leavers Dinner

Several weeks ago I attended my 30 Year Prospect High School Reunion in Launceston.  Can it really be that long ago?

I haven’t really kept up with any of my friends from High School due to the fact that I left Tasmania when I was 19 and didn’t return ‘home’ until 6 years later.  It was a little daunting walking into a room ‘full of strangers’ but after a few chats and a walk down memory lane, I really did have a fantastic evening.  It was so nice stepping back into a world that I had completely forgotten about.  I loved reconnecting with people that had such an influence in my life at that time and I laughed so much during the night – and even got home at 2:45 am!

The other poignant fact was that most of my peers had children who were well in their late teens, even in their twenties.  There were even three Grandparents!  I laughed as I told my old school buddies I had a three and a five year old!

Leading up to the Reunion, prompted me to delve into my cupboards and dust off the box of old photos.  Wow – the fashions have really changed, but these people are such good people and I relished seeing them again after all these years.  I really hope it isn’t another thirty years before I laugh with them again! x

Larni - 30 Years School ReunionLarni, Teena and ScottyJason & TeenaScotty, Rod and Murray Teena & Scotty PHS PHS PHS PHS PHS PHS PHS Athletics Carnival Athletics Carnival Athletics Carnival Athletics Carnival Freycinet Field Trip Freycinet Field Trip Freycinet Field Trip Freycinet Field Trip PHS Badgers Head Myrtle Park Myrtle Park Myrtle Park Grade 10 Leavers Dinner Grade 10 Leavers Dinner Poppy

Sunday, 6 November 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , Today I Am Loving

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Unite in Yellow

Unite in Yellow Lunch

I am blessed with amazing friends in my life and through Poppy, I have met even more amazing women who I love spending time with.  We have  children who are similar ages, who all go to the local schools in our area and where we bump into each other at school drop-off, Pilates, coffee catch-ups and play dates.

On Friday, a bunch of these gorgeous friends donned their heels, frocked up and caught the ferry out to Mona to attend the Unite in Yellow Lunch for Cancer Council Tasmania.

Unite in Yellow Lunch

Same Cause.  New Colour.  Yellow is the new Pink!  This event remains focused on raising awareness and funds for women’s cancers.  Donate to the Yellow Daffodil – our symbol of hope – ensuring all funds stay in Tasmania to support Tasmanians.

Denise Scott will be bringing the laughs this year. MONA will again serve up the finest gourmet food and wine in Tasmania and we are working on providing the best items for you to peruse in our famous silent auction.

We enjoyed a beautiful lunch, laughed at Denise Scott’s wit, raised money and caught the ferry back, where we continued on at Grape in Salamanca.

We stayed out way past our children’s bedtimes and it was such a pleasure to be surrounded by a group of women that are so lovely, supportive and truly beautiful.  Xx

Mona Ferry Mona Ferry Mona Unite in Yellow Lunch Unite in Yellow Lunch Unite in Yellow Lunch - Denise Scott Unite in Yellow - Em & I Anna, Em and I Mona Leaving Mona The Girls Mona Em The Girls The Girls Mona Anna, Em and Amy More bubbles Grape Anna and I Too many laughs! Alice, Anna and I The Girls The Girls Grape Furry Em

Monday, 17 October 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , , , , Today I Am Loving

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A Winter Treat

Winter Feast

I have always loved winter – I was married in the depths of August, I love skiing and rugging up in hats, scarves, coats and poms poms.  I am thankful that being a Tasmanian through and through, I am able to experience four distinct seasons each year, with winter being one of my favourites.  The soft sunlight, the crisp blue skies, the bare branches and of course … Dark Mofo!  The festival that has changed the face of winter in Hobart.

A festival that draws Tasmanian’s out from their cosy homes and into their black puffer jackets.  A festival that attracts visitors to our State in droves – where Hipsters converge on Hobart from many varied addresses to partake in the bizarre, to sample hearty food and to enjoy a Hendrick’s Hot Gin Punch, whilst soaking up some quirky art and culture.

We have been in a Dark Mofo frenzy for the past two weeks – from the opening night with Poppy and James; to a date night where Nick and I were able to explore more of Dark Park; a Winter Feast; a walk through historic Battery Point; staying on the boat in Elizabeth Street Pier as part of a Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Cruising event and finally … a procession with thousands of others for the Ogah Ogah – The Burning, to culminate our festivities.

As we are about to snuggle down for the longest night of the year, we are now back to our normal routine and will definitely not be partaking in the Nude Solstice Swim just down the road, in the morning.  I do love winter … but not that much!

Dark MofoDark ParkDark ParkDark ParkDark ParkDark ParkDark ParkDark ParkDark ParkTMAGTMAGTMAGDark MofoWinter Feast Winter Feast IMG_0723Winter Feast Winter Feast HobartDark Park Dark Park Dark Park House of Mirrors House of Mirrors Dark Park Dark ParkWinter Feast Winter FeastBattery Point Battery Point Battery Point Battery PointElizabeth St. Pier Elizabeth St. Pier Elizabeth St. Pier Elizabeth St. Pier Elizabeth St. Pier Elizabeth St. PierElizabeth St. PierElizabeth St. Pier T42 Beautiful Hobart Beautiful Hobart Franklin SquareFranklin SquareBrooke St. Pier Faye and JamesHobart James One shoe roll Winter CruisingThe Burning The Burning The Burning The Burning The Burning The BurningThe Burning The Burning The Burning

Monday, 20 June 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , , Today I Am Loving

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Lumio ♥

Lumio

Today I am loving Lumio – a multi-functional modern lamp that unfolds from a book.  I could see some of these fitting beautifully into my life.

Lumio

Lumio is a dynamic, multi-functional lamp that conceals itself in the form of a hard-cover book. Lumio opens to 360 degrees and comes with a custom orange micro-USB charger, magnetic wooden pegs for mounting, and a beautiful leather strap for hanging.

 

LumioLumioLumio Lumio

Friday, 27 May 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , Today I Am Loving

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Click : Click

Ever the sentimental one, I am quite obsessed with capturing ‘that’ perfect moment.  A moment when your son looks up at you with such love; that perfect sunrise or when your husband smiles at you and makes your heart skip a beat.

I know deep down that it is impossible to capture every emotional moment in life and sometimes I really wish I could let it go, as often I hear Poppy say ‘Oh Mum, no more photos!‘ or ‘Oh no, not again‘.

Life is continually evolving and I am confronted with so many amazing opportunities on a daily basis to freeze frame some of those moments.  I have albums upon albums of old photos tucked away in storage.  Photos that are now turning that slight tinge of yellow, but are still clearly depicting puffy teenage faces in their questionable fashion pieces.

Contradictory to my constant desire to ‘Snap, Snap, Snap’, I find that delving back into these musty smelling tomes is somewhat confronting.  Capturing moments allows for awkward feelings and questions to arise: ‘Did I really wear that?’  or ‘Wow, how long did I go out with him for?  

I know you can’t hold onto the past – but god damn it I’m going to try!  What will become of all those photos saved on phones, computers, external hard drives and old-school photo albums?

I will always ‘click : click’ and now with smartphones constantly in our pockets it makes it even easier – especially with the temptation of Instagram.  No more lugging around my big Canon DSLR – it is just a snap of an iPhone that satisfies my ‘click happy’ neuroticism!  Xx

Saturday, 16 April 2016 1 Comment Short URL, , , , Today I Am Loving

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Educational Apps ♥

KidloLand App

When needing to distract my two and half-year old, the ‘perfect Mum’ in my head would reach for an educational book and some carrot sticks whilst waiting at the Doctor’s or doing my weekly grocery shop.  But the reality is I grapple for my phone and a few dry Cruskits to keep crying and frustration at bay.

Lucky there are so many fantastic educational Apps now available on-line and are tailored to children that tick the boxes for the ideal Mum … and the realist!

One such App I was recently asked to review was the KidloLand App – Nursery Rhymes, Songs & Early Learning Games for Preschool Kids, which is available on iTunes.  My discerning critique (James – 2.5 years old) was captivated from the outset.

KidloLand KidloLand

The App is very appealing for little eyes and is categorised into Nursery Rhymes; ABC Songs, Old MacDonald Songs, Vehicles, Animal Kingdom, Fruits, Row your Boat, Christmas Songs, Vegetables, Shapes, Months of the Year and so forth.

It is very intuitive to use and James loves it.  Although, I think he loves it a little too much  as it almost has the reverse effect when I grab the phone back from him, there are countless tears.  Oh dear … a Mother never wins!

  • Over 95 favorite rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mary had a little Lamb, Old MacDonald, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, If You Are Happy, London Bridge, BINGO, etc.
  • 150+ fun & original children songs to teach ABCs, fruits, vehicles, animals, vegetables, animal sounds, birds, months of the year, Christmas songs, etc.
  • THOUSANDS of interactive surprises with funny animations and sounds. A delight for little kids.
  • 100 fun educational activities and 4 toddler games.
  • Unlike videos and shows which one can only watch, in this app your kid can interact with the characters and things on-screen.
  • Download songs and use the app offline in road trips, flights, doctor waiting rooms or to keep your kids engaged at home.
  • Certified safe for kids by the KidSAFE program.
  • Always AD FREE.
  • New content is available for download every month so that you never run out of new options to treat your babies with.
  • Let your toddler sing along with exciting music and cheerful singing.
* Please note – this is a sponsored post.  I received a free download of the App to review.

Friday, 15 April 2016 2 Comments Short URL, , Today I Am Loving

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Yoga : Pilates

Surya Namaskara

I find it a constant challenge to fit any form of structured exercise into my week, with working three days, doing extra freelance work, looking after Poppy and James and spending quality time with my family and friends!

I have been doing yoga in some form or other for the past 20 years, first enrolling in an Adult Education Course in Launceston.  I was living up at Ben Lomond at the time, working as a ski lift operator and would travel down from the mountain with my good friend Depha, for our weekly classes.

Since then, I have progressed on my journey with yoga, travelling to India and partaking in an intense residential course for 10 days in the Indian Himalaya.  Moving to Hobart I enrolled in more classes and found the most amazing teacher – Clare Raffety from Yoga from the Heart, and like finding the right man, she is the right teacher for me!

Clare Rafferty

She is a very inspirational teacher and I love her classes – even though I often find it difficult to get to my 7:15 pm session on Monday nights, after a busy day at work and running out the door at that time of night … but I always feel better for going.

After having Poppy, I met a whole new range of gorgeous women, who were heavily into their Pilates at The Studio Salamanca.  After their invitations to join them, I remained staunch and loyal for several months … “No I’m a Yoga girl” but listening to their experiences, made me want to dip my toe in the water.

I signed up for a one-on-one Reformer Pilates class with my new friend Em in December and I haven’t looked back.  Even though I felt like I was cheating on my old friend ‘Yoga’ at first, I have become slightly obsessed with Pilates and have felt that I have become physically stronger since starting.  I now fit early morning Pilates classes in on Saturday and Sunday and lunch time sessions when I can.

I have quickly realised that there is room in my world for both Yoga and Pilates and each bring an awareness, agility, strength and peace to my mind and body.  Hari OM!

The Studio Salamanca

Thursday, 14 April 2016 0 Comments Short URL, , , Today I Am Loving

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