Time is ticking

Ever sine i was a child i've had a fascination with clocks and watches. I like the noises they make, the way their hands move, the fact that you can actually see time ticking by and disappearing. I still have most of my childhood watch faces, and over the years i have been adding to the little collection. A few days ago i introduced two gorgeous vintage watches to the collection, take a look.

Gorgeous wind up clock. All i need is a long gold chain so i can hang it around my neck.

Isn't the cuckoo clock charm adorable, also a necklace style clock. The love the way the numbers are arranged so they face the wearer, very clever. They are both from the wonderful White Bird Design.

I must say i have some favourites out of the bunch. The one beside the butterfly is a watch i wore as a kid. It has a cat in the middle, and the second hand is a little black mouse. I always loved how it looked like the cat was eyeing the mouse as it moved around the clock face. My other favourite is what i call my Alice in Wonderland watch. It's the green, pink and purple one. Has a cute little love heart on the face, and a button that lights it up.

Petunia x

Happy belated Halloween!

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year. I have a morbid fascination with all things horror. Can't help it, been that way since i was a little kiddlet. I really won't be surprised if i become a forensic psychologist. Anyway, this Halloween was really great. I got to dress up twice, in two different, but both equally fantastic, costumes. I already mentioned that cat Astin is on Ellen's blog, but here you can see possessed ragdoll Astin.

The little boy ragdoll attached to me is of course my undead husband Jason. Isn't he gorgeous? my great gran knitted him, and one day decided to give him to me before i immigrated to Australia. He was the first thing i wanted to play with when i visited her house.

Hope you all had a grisly, ghoul filled night.

Petunia

x

Cupcakes!

I am a big fan of baking. I find it relaxing and fun, especially when you're baking with 2 kids. I'm a nanny, if i haven't already mentioned that, and each Friday we pick a recipe and bake! We make a nice big mess, we do tons of mixing, and we each take turns in liking the bowls and spoons and various other implements. This week was cupcakes. Vanilla for Bella and i, and chocolate for Ben.

Here's the recipe:

120g Butter

2/3 cup caster sugar (i used brown as i prefer the flavour)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs (around 59g if you can)

1 + 1/4 cups self raising flour

1/2 cup milk

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar until a pale smooth consistency. Add vanilla extract and eggs one by one. When eggs are incorporated sift in flour and add milk. At this point i halved the mixture and added 2 tsps of cocoa powder to one bowl to make delicious chocolate cupcakes. I suspect melted chocolate would work even better. Stir until mixture is smooth and no longer lumpy. Spoon into cupcake tins, mixture should make 12 medium sized cupcakes.

Allow cupcakes to cool before putting icing on them. Use any icing recipe you enjoy, personally i like to add a tiny bit of melted butter to mine as it adds to the flavour and also gives the icing a nice texture and glossy finish. Decorate with cachous, sprinkles, icing pens or any other edible treats you enjoy. And voilà!

Sadly i did not get a chance to photograph the fantastic Halloween cookies i baked with the kids. I cut out all the shapes by hand, we had a witches face, a ghost, a broomstick, a few signs, some pumpkin faces, some cute little BOO, AHH and EEK cookies, and a Frankenstein monster. I will post the recipe another time as it was actually quite tasty. Also, keep a look out for a Halloween post, it will be up sometime this week. For now you can look at lovely Ellen's Halloween update (i am a kitty!!! and she is a sexy Vampire).

Petunia

x

A weekend of vintage, sunlight and parasols

It was a really lovely weekend spent perusing the Love Vintage Fair, attempting not to blow away, and in contrast walking along the sunny streets of Sydney. The weather literally went from chilly and intensely windy, to bright and sunny in the space of a weekend. I finally got the chance to wear my lovely ocean scene skirt, as well as my cute little 70's sun dress. I bought a gorgeous parasol at the fair, i couldn't resist a peacock themed, hand painted item like that. It's lovely, isn't it?

Dress: Lovely 70s dress from Emporium of the forgotten

Yes, i am a little eccentric, but i felt it necessary to salute the sun for deciding to make an appearance. Hehe.

Petunia x

What happens when a cat gets wet

So this is an entirely irrelevant silly post that i just simply had to share with all of you. I am not just a lover of vintage, a crafter, an amateur photographer, but i am also a cat lover. And naturally, being a cat lover, i have 3 of my own. It came to my attention today that 2 of my funny little kitties were really rather stinky, and so we had bath time. This was the result....

This is my little orange Figaro, named of course after the cat in Pinnochio (i thought i was awesome when i chose that name at age 9).

And this my dears is Tippany, the little rat cat. I find her quite intriguing and beautiful really, but i guess others may disagree. She's named for the way the tip of her tail always curls.

Don't think my kitties are overly happy with me for this afternoons bath time fun, but at least they both smell delicious.

Petunia

x

Springtime fun

I've recently received some gorgeous little spring delights from where else but etsy. I haven't had a chance to photograph a few of the dresses but here is my latest edition to my ever expanding wardrobe.

Shoes: Senso

Skirt: 1970's skirt from Wildfell Hall Vintage

Top and Cardigan: SES

Broach: 1980's pearl and silver broach

I just love that skirt, the image is of an ocean road. There are trees and bushes, and then in the ocean are little boats and mountains. It's just so lovely.

It seems that spring really has arrived as our Wisteria has blossomed and is already being pollinated by hoards of bees. It was like walking into a horror movie, where all you can hear is an eerie buzzing, and you have no idea where it is coming from, and then you look up just as the swarm of bees engulfs and kills you. Ok, i have a wild imagination, but i was a little freaked out.

I've been crafting again, expect some craft themed updates.

*Lonely Little Petunia*

The men in my life

It's been a lovely weekend as per usual, spent with the lovely Ellen. The weekend was busy, and involved a lot of cleaning, which was i have to admit i rather enjoy. But even with our cleaning and trips to the hair dresser and RTA, we managed to find our way to Vinnies. we are hopeless little things. I am glad we have no willpower though, else i wouldn't have found the most gorgeous little porcelain dolls.

We all know the wonderful Mr Charley Chaplain, with his cute little moustache, constantly fashioning a cane and bola hat. And hopefully all of you also know the delightfully silly Laurel and Hardy, famous from the 20's to the 40's. I now have dolls of those three wonderful comedians, thanks to Ellen's observing eyes.

Taking a little outing in the park.

Oliver Hardy in all his handsome glory.

Stan Laurel looking awfully cute.

The adorable Charley Chaplain. He's just great!

I think that the Laurel and Hardy dolls are a set as they have the same pants, coat, face painting ect. Whereas the Chaplain doll's face is not quite as intricate, and his pants are a different colour. But i think these three look so wonderful together, and currently reside on my books shelf :)

*Petunia*

The beauty of rings

I've always had an obsession with rings, ever since i was a little girl. Amusingly enough i've also always had expensive taste, so i tend to point out rings that cost somewhere in the thousands. Etsy is wonderful. I love it, i hate it, i talk to it, i smile at it, it brings happiness to my sometimes dreary life and i can't help but let it drain my account.

I thought i might share some of the amazing rings that i am currently considering buying for myself. I don't usually treat myself in such a way, but some of these are just too irresistible. Let me know what you think, opinions are always appreciated.

Onyx and diamond filigree ring from the 1920's- the peacock's on the sides are just so gorgeous.

Diamond, emerald and white gold filigree ring from the 1920's- love the gorgeous butterfly design on the sides.

Amethyst and white gold filigree ring from the 1920's- it appears that this one may also have a cute design on the sides (do we see a theme here. hehe).

Amethyst, diamond and gold glit from the 1870's- i just adore that little gold rose, it's so unique and sweet.

I am trying so hard to resist buying one, but i am not sure how long that will last. Enjoy looking at the pretties.

Petunia

xx

9 months late

I am a very slack little blogger, and cannot believe that it has been over 9 months since i posted here. I've had a lot of other things on my mind including uni and a nanny job, but that is no excuse. So here i am, back again, starting up my blog once more. I am not sure how many pieces of jewelry or little soft friends i will make, but i will start posting some recent clothing purchases and at some point i'll introduce you to my gorgeous house.

So here goes, below are some of my etsy purchases/gifts which i am unbelievably in love with.

The most stunning 1950's evening dress. It has a velvet bodice, synthetic puffy skirt, and beautiful cream lace. I wore it to my 21st birthday party (i'll post an entire entry showing off how lovely the evening was). Bought from Little Veggie Vintage.

A gift from the lovely Sue and Sam, courtesy of Dear Golden Vintage. It has a wonderfully low back, is soft and light and great for summer. I eyed it for so long, couldn't afford it, and was pleasantly surprised when my lovely friends bought it for my 21st. Such great print. Aren't the 70's cute?

Another delightful dress from Dear Golden Vintage. From the 80's as i recall. Funny story with this one. Lauren sent me the wrong dress originally, but is so sweet and decided i should keep both. I'll photograph the other at some point and show you how gorgeous it is. Else you can scout the lovely Ellen from A Wild Tea Party blog, as she has it photographed it on there (hint: it's navy blue and has pearls around the top of the dress)

I bought these 50's cream gloves from Revolving Styles as a cute edition to my 21st dress. I was so glad for them too as it was a really chilly night. Love the little bead embellishments.

Originally this stunning bag was meant as a uni bag. I idiotically misread the measurements and thought it was much bigger than it actually was. But no worry, i have not used another handbag since receiving this from Chrissy Poo Vintage, and am sadly starting to wear it out slightly. It's clearly very well loved.

This is a recent purchase which i am eagerly awaiting the arrival of. It's a 70's stunner, bright and bubbly, perfect for the gorgeous spring weather we are having in Sydney. I cannot wait to prance around uni among the drab black, grey, white and denim that people are sporting. Found at the Emporium of the Forgotten, do take a look, Jessica as some great things.

I promise to return soon with more posts, perhaps i will start a new craft project. I actually have a few in mind, which is always a good sign.

Petunia

xx

Happy holidays fellow bloggers and friends

Merry Christmukkah lovely ones. I hope you have all had a splendid Christmas Eve and are about to enjoy a most lovely Christmas and Boxing Day.

I have spent the past week shopping for various presents and foodstuffs. A day has not passed where i have not been in the Bondi Junction shopping centre frantically searching for one thing or another. Luckily all the rush and fuss is over, and i can sit back relax and enjoy my Christmas like everyone else.

Must admit i have take great pleasure this year in choosing presents, i find it so comforting when i find something that is absolutely perfect for a particular person. I also thoroughly enjoy wrapping presents, which is why this year i have wrapped essentially every present under the tree. Yes, even my own. :P

I'm rather proud of the tree this year. Damen and i went with a silver and gold theme, which has resulted in a very neat and beautiful tree. The minora is out too, along with our angels and all the Christmas stockings. They're stocked with chocolates and lollies and will be ravaged in a matter of hours.

Other than wrapping presents, i also enjoy making them. This year i haven't really had the chance to make many, but i decided that i'd make something special for my girlfriend. A while ago i nicknamed her missy mouse and ever since that day her guy friends have taunted and teased us about it. So i thought it would be a cute idea to make her a missy mouse, who i have named Belinda.

It was a good Christmas Eve i must say. Especially because i had the chance to spend the day cooking, just me and my lovely brother.

I have a few things i have been meaning to post, some new purchases, a few new softies and some delicious recipes ect. But they will come at a later date, i promise.

Until then enjoy the holidays, and Merry Christmukkah once more, and happy New Year.