Finding Everywhere

Gingham is an all time favourite pattern of mine. It has been around and come back into vogue again and again from the 17th century to now but once more, just of late, I am finding it everywhere.

A lot of people might see gingham too twee or too country cutesie to really inspire but not so these finds which I think have just the right amount of fresh and modern with enough of the recognisable graphic homespun charm still intact. Check these out - gingham goodness galore.

1. Orange and black makeup bag Lucy Blaire Handmade via Etsy

2. These blue gingham earrings by Anliz on Etsy sold in the time it took me to grab the pic and show you and I am not surprised as they were my most coveted find - I share them simply to inspire 

3. The best part about these booties is that they are reversible - the other side grey and white spots! I think they are meant to live at my place. Booties by Molipop on Etsy

4. Get your draw on in style with these gingham rainbow pencils The Paper Crown via Etsy

5. How Joyful supplies Washi tape in teal gingham

6. Blue Gingham Bistro Bowl from Peters of Kensington

7. Kiss Me Quick Hand Embroidered Hoop Art by Candykins Crafts from Down that Little Lane online store

8. Gingham Rope Knot Necklace by Homako

9. Red Gingham Boy's Bow Tie by Aruricards

10. I love this little appliquéd Navy Gingham Alligator Pillow Cover by Wren and Rumor. It is a travel cushion size but I think it would look great in a little boys room!

11. I am an accessory addict and this Blue Gingham Infinity Scarf by Forgotten Cotton would be a welcome addition to my growing collection

12. It's a picnic everyday anywhere with this Oilcloth Lunch Bag by Blue Tulip. Their store also has great shopping bags and makeup bags in many gingham shades

13. ASOS Lucy Gingham Bow Detail Ballet Flats

14. Yellow gingham dinner plate by Rose Fleur Designs via Zazzle

15. Orange Gingham Matrioshka Lingerie Fabric Bag, Coquelicot Bergamote via Etsy

16. Large Gingham Milk Jug, Ruby Rose Interiors from Down that Little Lane online store

17. My summer wish list has these at the top Kate Spade New York for Keds InActive

18. This Polar Bear is part of a whole bedroom collection by Bibelotte. I love their kids linen, especially the greys and blacks as they work for younger and older kids alike

19. A great demonstrator of the modern classic look that can be achieved with gingham is Fog Linen - these trays and other items are available in Australia through Dunlin

20. Red Gingham Medium Zipper Pouch Holly and Alder via Etsy

In the end this was a little bit of an Etsy window shopping spree - there are just so many great makers on there using gingham powers for good but expect to see a lot more in the mainstream shops soon as I am quite literally finding it everywhere!

Finding Everywhere

Welcome to the first of what will be a weekly post of things I am "Finding Everywhere".
This is a little like trend spotting - no not train spotting - but a selection of things I have noticed reoccurring in my world, virtual or otherwise.

It could just be that it is something I am interested in and you know how when you buy a new car all of a sudden you see the same one everywhere you go - surely the world did not just produce so many more cars just like yours but suddenly you are very aware they exist. It is a bit like me and little red headed people - when I had one of my very own there were suddenly so many more crimson haired little folk everywhere I went.

Here is what I have been Finding Everywhere - Honeycombs and Hexagons

1. Zazzle Modern Hexagon Pattern Pillow

2. Geo Pastel 6 Hexagon, part of Beneath the Sun's Woodys range

3. MintMyDay Gold plated honeycomb necklace via Etsy

4. Mutina Phenomenon Honeycomb and Rock mosaic tiles

5. Xenia Taler Insects Art Tile, as seen via Design Sponge this week

6. HenriettaAndMorty Geometric cushion cover via Etsy

7. Marc Isaac Hexagon No. 1 Art print through Society6

8. Theory of Willow Shelves, as seen via Interiors Addict this week

9. The Land of Nod large Strapped for Storage Bin

10. Surya Fallon Rug in royal blue, available in Australia via fishpond

That's the honeycomb and hexagon buzz

Rock My World - THE Rock Ladies

So I am not married - happily paired 14 years this week mind, however if I ever were to go there I am not necessarily one of those 'diamonds are a girls best friend' kind of girls, I am mad for rutilated and tourmalated quartz and, as it turns out I am partial to a raw uncut diamond especially paired with a beautiful pearl.

I also don't buy into the need for a ring to be expensive, it's what it represents that counts. I mostly think it should reflect the wearer in an impressive way.

I find these impressive. Just 10 of my favourites!

And don't worry I signed my partner up to receive my blog posts ages ago on his behalf (he would have done so anyway but I just made sure) so if we ever we both change our minds I have saved him some time - tee hee

Apple A Day - Day 7 - Lamps

Before I do the final apple in this week of An Apple A Day apple madness I thought I would recap on the apples so far

Day 1 - A little space of his own - an apple inspired nursery for my son
Day 2 - Found Friday - an apple chalkboard
Day 3 - Apple cushions - and I just must add this to the mix - I can't believe I forgot this one the other day it is by far my favourite and it even sits on a red chair like mine

Source: mmechocolataupaysdelavanille.blogspot.com 

Day 4 - Apple Brooch - a gift with crunch. I didn't get to give it it's outing but I may well have found the right outfit for it when the weather is a little cooler. Green woollen pants, chartreuse woollen jacket, red pointy flats and a red and white diagonal stripe top. Bold I know. What do you think?

Day 5 - Kitschspiration - an 80's tile and some glass fruit inspires an eclectic and colourful display in my former kitchen
Day 6 - 3 Bites of the apple - special guest post by one of my lovely sisters who in part inspired the whole apple mania

How do you like them apples?

That brings me to Day 7 - I was struggling here to just do the one thing or theme. There are so many apple things I have found that I love and want to share. I may need to revisit An Apple A Day again - maybe for 2 weeks or even a month! And don't get me started on the related topic of pears - that other gorgeous shaped pome of delight. I haven't even touched on the main thing - they taste great and are fresh and good and crunchy - I feel some apple related recipe testing coming on.

For now though here are 2 gorgeous glowing examples of lighted appley goodness

Qualy Design's Happle Lamp. They also make a Happle Container/ Fruit tray and a lot of other cute and quirky products.

Follow's limited edition Red Apple Fabric lamp

In searching for apples I found Follow, a new design concept store based in Surry Hills, Sydney. I am yet to visit the physical store but I can already tell from their online selection that they may well become a new go to for all my gift purchases - for myself and others. They have art prints, jewellery, clothing, textiles and homewares. And look what I found when searching through their products, this wooden apple brooch by Andrea Smith.

OK that is enough apples - for now.

If you don't care to wait for An Apple A Day round 2 or to see me go all pear shaped then you can always follow my growing Pinterest Board Pome Pome - in celebration of these 2 ever tempting fruits of delight.

Apple A Day - Day 4 - Brooch

I am a big fan and collector of brooches - it is the vintage girl in me but also because I tend to have allergic reactions to earrings and even bracelets and necklaces - brooches are safe - apart from potential prick injuries - which I have done.

With this and my apple cravings in mind my sister recently bought me this beautiful gift - a green apple brooch from Love Hate in Tasmania. I do absolutely love it and hope to give it a first outing tomorrow.

It also made me seek out other apple brooches (you can never have too much of a good thing). Two of my favourite finds are this vintage plastic one via Kitten Loves Vintage blog

And this fantastic one off apple tree brooch by Irish jewellery designer Grainne Morton
(shown here with detachable rabbit and flower pins).

Now I need to go check out the wardrobe and see if I have the perfect thing to wear with my green apple brooch tomorrow - if not I will definitely need to shop soon!