Bags for The Ashes picnics

Here they are at last!! Our cute jute bags that our picnics for The Ashes will go in!

What Katie Ate

Si and I have recently been featured in the amazing bumper Christmas edition of What Katie Ate's blog. Check it out - it is amazing. Really very amazing and full of fab recipes!

http://whatkatieate.blogspot.com/

Christmas Voucher

Thinking that I'm going to use these lovely colours for my Christmas gift vouchers - sunny Sydney Christmas colours!

Cath does Christmas

Super cute Christmasy bits and bobs from the fab Cath Kidston.

A picnic for Grace

Our super cute friend Grace had one of our picnics for her 30th birthday last weekend at Strickland House in Vaucluse and it was gorgeous. Here are a few snaps taken by the fabulous Claire!

The Ashes Picnics

Simon and I are really excited that we have been given the chance to make our hampers for The Ashes this year in the members area of the Sydney Cricket Ground. We are making 3 picnics and this weekend, our lovely friend and brilliant photographer, Greta, shot the picnics for us. Let the fun begin!

Coreymarie

I just came across this lovely site http://coreymarie.com, and LOVE these cute little mix tape brooches made from re-cycled book covers & buttons.

Would also love to get my mits on one of these recycled stationery sets - all my favourite colours rolled into one lovely, happy bundle!

A few of my favourite things today

Just so pretty.

And I am proud to say that we have our first sugar snap pea!!! Welcome to the world little pea.

Lanolips Lemonaid

Simon and I have spent the last few days baking and stitching and stuffing to prepare for these cute PR packs for 'Lanolips Lemonaid' that were sent out today to all the beauty eds of the mags here in Sydney and interstate ... really lovely product for your lips.. shiney and smelly! We made organic lemon curd slices and sourced other organic lemony things that we felt suited the brand...... oh... and I painted and stitched and wrapped and tied......

Adore Home Magazine

Simon and I have been lucky enough to be included in the first ever edition of new on line interiors magazine 'Adore Home', founded and created by designer Loni Parker. It lets you take a sneak peak into inspirational homes, looks at the latest products on the market and whisks you away to gorgeous holiday destinations.

If the super spring colours and fab homes in here don't inspire you, then I don't know what will!

Check it out here:

www.adoremagazine.com

Good luck guys!

How to sew a vintage bikini

This is soooo cute! I have a feeling that it might be a little out of my league on the needle craft front, but I'm going to give it a shot! I remember having a sweet cotton bikini as child... it always fell down when I went in the water. I think I'll stay on dry land when I've crafted this one! Pics to follow once I've made it!

You can down load the pattern at http://www.homelife.com.au/home+ideas/home+help/how+to+sew+a+vintage+style+bikini,5705

Figs & Rouge

I discovered these cute organic Balms by UK company 'Figs & Rouge' at the Organic Expo a few weeks ago. They are 100% organic, smell like heaven and are great for lips and any other dry spots. And most importantly - they come in the most divine tin. Keep your eyes peeled for them, they'd make a great little pressie!

pictures eat people

Oh wow - these words just made me cry. I love, love this amazing book made by Rachel Skrobalak at http://pictureseatpeople.com/

it's printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks, hand bound and beautifully packaged using degradable materials. I would be so happy to have one of these by my bedside. Just beautiful.

Christmas Hamper

It seems terribly early to be making up Christmasy things, but we made one of our lovely hampers for a shoot today! We are going to be doing a special Christmas picnic this year, but there'll be no ham in sight. We thought of our fave things that we love to eat, and that remind us of Christmas in Sunny Sydney! Just find a sparkly spot by the water and crack open the rose..... perfection!

Here's a sneak peak at the menu:

• Ligurian olives marinated in rosemary, chilli, garlic & fennel seeds

• Medjool dates filled with goat’s curd & pistachios wrapped in prosciutto

• Poached Australian King prawns with gremolata & aioli

• Lemon & thyme baked free range chicken with fregola, asparagus, sugar snaps, baby peas, mint and toasted almonds

• Mango & passionfruit pavlova

• Infinity sourdough baguette

Two weeks in the life of a nasturtiam seed

After a rather amazing lunch at Marque restaurant here in Sydney a few weeks ago, we were inspired to try and grow our own nasturtiams from seed. I lovingly planted them and waited for a few weeks, there really wasn't much to report. Then all of a sudden, the little fellas went nuts. Here is there progress to date..... I love them. They remind me of being a child back in England. That smell is so distinctive and one I will always treasure.

Habitus Living - article

We had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Frankie and Ben from Habitus Living earlier this week. Check out the great article that they wrote about us!

http://habitusliving.com/play/the-sydney-picnic-co

Thanks guys!

Boxsal picnic boxes

Have just come across these really cool picnic boxes from US company 'Boxsal' www.boxsal.com.

Each kooky box comes with all the bits and bobs that you need for your picnic and the whole thing is super friendly to our world! Great for when wicker just wont cut the mustard!

Ice cream - Parisian style

I was enviously looking at some snaps a friend of mine has uploaded of her European travels and this one made me stop in my track..... I want my ice cream cornet to look as pretty as this French rose!

Cup cake cases for grown ups

I was just perusing the shelves our our brilliant local 'cooking and other great things' store "The Bay Tree" on Queen Street, Woollahra, and came across these gorgeous cupcake cases. They cost a small fortune, but they are so pretty and would be great for grown up gals parties or weddings!

They are made by Vestli House ( http://www.vestlihouse.com) who also make great napkins, wrapping paper and baking moulds. If only I could bake, I could have some fun with these!

Purple Pansies

I LOVE these little lilac and purple pansies that sit by our front door. They look like pretty smiling faces and always remind me of Si's gorgeous mummy!