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Great Dane ♥

Today I am loving not the dog, but Great Dane Furniture and all things Scandinavian :

Welcome to Great Dane, Australia’s eminent purveyor, master, and collector of Scandinavian furniture. Established in Melbourne in 2002, our unbridled passion for timeless Scandinavian design has seen us establish an inimitable reputation for quality, service, craftsmanship, and knowledge…

Personally chosen and imported by our founder and Director, Anton Assaad, each piece of Great Dane is sourced direct from Scandinavia’s premier design houses and manufacturers…

From easy chairs and dining tables, to sideboards, coffee tables, and light fittings, our extensive range has been lovingly selected and proudly boasts prodigious originals from the iconic likes of designers’ Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen, Borge Mogensen, N.O Moller, and many more.

At Great Dane, we’re committed to ensuring that the precision and beauty of Scandinavian design is upheld at all times…

We invite you to experience our passion first-hand, and encourage you to stroke, feel and smell the quality of Scandinavian luxury for contemporary life …

If only! xx

Thursday, 2 May 2013 1 Comment Short URLGreat Dane FunitureToday I Am Loving

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Today I am loving local brand Smitten Merino. As the temperature takes a little dive in Hobart, I am pulling out all of my winter woollies, which consist of Smitten Merino. Owners Carl and Nic are an amazing couple who I met professionally several years ago. Each year my Adventure Tour Guiding students are equipped with a Smitten Zip Neck Top to get them through their studies and we have been extremely happy with the quality of the tops. Check out my testimonial here.

Smitten Merino produces premium super fine merino wool clothing and outdoor thermals.

Authentically Tasmanian, we understand rapidly changing weather conditions and the need for base layers.

Our clothing range includes t-shirts, wrap dresses, tops, leggings, crew shirts, hoody’s, zip tops, cardigans, skirts, yoga pants and even underwear for men, women and children.

Spun from premium merino wool our clothing is soft, light, form fitting and easy to care for – giving you a little piece of luxury that looks and feels right.

100% of our wool is sourced from local premier wool growing regions and driving our business is a passion to produce Australian made garments that are natural, sustainable and environmentally aware. Our manufacturing is all done within Tasmania.

Tried and tested by known athletes, outdoor adventurers, thermal lovers and those who want beautiful but classic wardrobe items, Smitten is for everywhere you want to be.

Smitten Merino

Thursday, 25 April 2013 0 Comments Short URLSmitten MerinoToday I Am Loving

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Beanie ♥

Today I am loving Poppy’s new beanie from Cotton On. What a beauty – and a necessity as the days get cooler here in the south! You can never go wrong with a pom-pom.

Thursday, 18 April 2013 1 Comment Short URLBeanieToday I Am Loving

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Yum: Thermomix Fever

I don’t have a specific recipe for you today, as I have been too busy with Thermomix® Fever! Nick’s Mum very generously bought us this little beauty in readiness for our expanding family in August.

I was quickly converted after a demonstration party at her place a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t believe how versatile this appliance was.

Thermomix is the most advanced kitchen appliance on the market today. The product of more than 40 years of German design and innovation, Thermomix unites the functions of over 10 appliances in one compact unit. Functions include:

Chopping

Beating

Mixing

Emulsifying

Milling

Kneading

Blending

Cooking

Steaming

Weighing

Melting

Over the weekend I have made Mushroom Soup, Chicken & Corn Soup, Pumpkin Soup, Vegetable Stock, Chicken Stock and last night Nick made a delicious Gravy for our Chicken Roast.

It is so quick and easy – so watch this space for more recipes!

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 2 Comments Short URLThermomixYum

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Sneaky Peek : Spotty Scarf

Here is my new winter scarf that I bought from Country Road in Melbourne. I love those spots!

My Dad’s operation has gone well. My Mum and I went to see him in ICU last night which was a little confronting, but he is in very good care. xx

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 0 Comments Short URLCountry Road ScarfSneaky Peek

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Vintage Bally

Bally Legs Unfortunately I have no recipe today, but I do have a set of spunky legs in this gorgeous vintage Bally poster.

On another note, my dad is having a major operation in Hobart today. We all look forward to hearing of his progress this afternoon. ♥

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 1 Comment Short URLUncategorized

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Sneaky Peek :

Neil_Young_(album)

My sister Cath and I fly to Melbourne this afternoon to see non-other than Neil Young with Crazy Horse at The Plenary. I am so excited.

I saw ‘The Grandfather of Grunge‘ way back in 1993 when I was living in Vancouver with my good friend Jana. Back when big hair and oversized jumpers were in fashion!

I have always loved his music, but I must admit I haven’t ‘rocked’ on to Neil for a while now. I am looking forward to hearing his iconic voice and all those classics again after all these years.

I am flying home on Friday night, which will allow for a spot of ‘retail therapy’ and catching up with my in-laws and dear friend Bron. Can’t wait.

neil-young-1

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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Audrey

HollyGolightly1

I have always loved Audrey Hepburn and her elegance and style. The above image has always been one of my favourites … and it hangs with pride of place in our Den. I love the ‘old world’ charm of ‘Holly Golightly’ standing outside Tiffany’s in New York, with her coffee and bagel.

So it was to my utter delight that my dear friend Annabelle had a ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ inspired 40th Birthday Party on Saturday night. I (tried to) channel my inner ‘Audrey’ and donned the diamonds, pearls and fur (and my growing tummy) for a fun night out. Apologies for not posting any photos of the party – my camera wouldn’t fit in my Tiffany bag!

TFS004

Unfortunately Poppy was ‘out of sorts’ this weekend, so I haven’t posted any photos of her today. I think she has more teeth on the way. xx

Monday, 4 March 2013 0 Comments Short URLUncategorized

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Sneaky Peek : Peppa!

I have spoken about my ethical dilemma with screen time before here, but I still find I succumb to the television for those moments of the day when I need to get dinner cooked etc.

Poppy’s favourite show at the moment is Peppa Pig – she goes nuts when the little jingle starts, yelling “Peppa! Peppa!” at the top of her voice. Truth be known, I also am a little bit obsessed with Peppa too. That little pink snorter is quite entertaining.

When we offer alternatives for her viewing pleasure such as Shaun the Sheep, we are met with an insistent: ‘Peppa!, Peppa!’ Oh Ok then!

Peppa is a loveable, cheeky little piggy who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig.

Peppa’s favourite things include playing games, dressing up, days out and jumping in muddy puddles. Her adventures always end happily with loud snorts of laughter.

Wednesday, 27 February 2013 1 Comment Short URLPeppa PigSneaky Peek

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DIY Divas

All of my friends know that I am a sucker for Scandinavian design furniture. I subscribe to blogs such as The Style Files, Love Nordic Design, From Scandinavia with Love and My Scandinavian Retreat to name a few. I often dream about jetting off with Poppy and Nick to live another life in a remote Nordic chalet, full of designer furniture, where we ski from the front door, wear woolley jumpers and watch the Northern Lights from our deck (and would look something like this):

Snow Cabin Chalet Chalet 1

Ah, we would probably get bored with all the beauty.

Forego the Nordic chalet and the woolley jumpers, IKEA sometimes gives you that little Scandinavian hit that gets you through! I have been drooling over the IKEA Mandal Chest of 6 Drawers for some time! My colleague Alex was in Melbourne last weekend with his Landcruiser and happened to be going to IKEA, and so I put in my order.

Nick was away on a boys’ fishing trip all weekend and with Allan Key in hand, I began to assemble the chest of drawers. My little off-sider also got into the act but when she started walking around with a hammer and screwdriver in hand, it was time to divert her attention to another ‘puzzle’.

After using all the components, the chest of drawers is now complete and takes pride of place in Poppy’s room. It looks so beautiful – nice and simple and yet easy to use.