renee anne // art. love. food. life

please join me over at my new home!

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:37:00 +0000

readers, friends and lovely people!! I have moved! My blog here has served me well but it is time for a change. Pretty please follow the links to my new blog, have a look around, check out my new website, and make even drop me a note to let me know that you made it safely! It is a bit of a scary thing moving your entire blog, considering people already know this one. But I trust things will all be ok! So update your readers quick smart with the new feed. That would be lovely.

What am I going on about, there is more to be seen elsewhere!!

life // fresh flowers seriously solve everything.

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:30:00 +0000

I am not joking. I had been waking up every morning with a sad little face, as I looked at the mess and non-nice arrangement atop my bedroom drawers. No matter how many times I played around with decorating, I just couldn't get it right.

I brought home a gorgeous bunch of locally grown roses, and put them on the drawers. For some strange reason, this happened. And I thought it looked pretty damn nice.

So now, I can wake up every morning and smile. I just need to promise to buy fresh roses every week, and not catch a glimpse of the so called "collection" of drinking glasses that my boyfriend has on his bedside table. He tells me it will keep growing because that is what collections do. The other day I noticed him drinking water out of a wine glass. That too has joined the collection.

art // pomlove and 2 degrees

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:55:00 +0000

[Inside Out / JAN/FEB 10 / P. 59 //click to see larger for stockists]

I can't believe I keep forgetting to show you some little graphic work I did last year for super cute and pretty etsy shop PomLove . This morning while reading one of my most favourite magazines, Inside Out, I noticed some pretty poms poms and it reminded me. I was even more delighted to see that the pom poms used in the shoot were actually from PomLove. Cool hey!! Surely by 2 degrees of separation that puts me one step closer to being in the mag myself. hehehe. I can dream.

The little banner above is what I designed for the PomLove store. If you are ever in the market for a custom banner, for your etsy, blog, or whatevers, shoot me an email. I would love to help!

[Inside Out / JAN/FEB 10 / P. 62 //click to see larger for stockists]

love // netural with a splash

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:01:00 +0000

ok. I will admit it. I have bright purple walls in my home and I hate them. What is that?? NO it was not my choice, they were like that when we moved in! gosh. But still. I have to live with them. Because it is a rental property and I don't know about you but I can't be effffed spending the time persuading the landlord, or money on getting them painted. Although, maybe a little investment now will save me on medical bills down the track when I go INSANE due to crazy living conditions.

Maybe it has been a good thing. Because I have learnt what I like, and what I don’t. I have learnt that I love, crave and need a neutral palette as a base, and from there, I can inject small shots of colour. I certainly don’t need overdose on ridiculously permanent hits of colour on walls that prevent anything else from having the slightest chance of looking good.

Oh, and we have two black leather couches. I know they are “good quality” and I shouldn’t be mean because they are my boyfriends and he loves them. Which is fine. But just picture heavy black couches WITH super dark/bright purple walls. That and the fact there is little to no natural light in the place… yeah. If you need me I will be rocking back and forth in the corner.

[image source left to right]
1. pure + simple, 2. Ceramics, 3. New Art
4. Live in Color, 5. inside out, 6. Duvel Beer Packaging, 7. Art wall + new rug
8. spare, 9. Circle bunting, 10. IMG_2551, 11. goodmorning

food // there's always someone cooler than you

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:35:00 +0000

[images via forty-sixth at grace]

just like ben folds* once said, there is always someone cooler than you. not that I think that is a bad thing. but seriously, how amazing is nikole's tutorial and free printable recipe. I sort of want to print it just so I can frame it. one day I will make those cookies and they will be amazing. until then, I will stare at nikole's amazing photographs and dream of days when I will be cooler (than you) (just kidding).

*his website, for some strange reason, is blocked at my work? so I hope that is the correct link, and I haven't linked you to some weirdo cult website or something.

art // a little obsessed with the laptop?

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:55:00 +0000

[if you click on the images you can go to flickr and favourite the hell outta these]

Ah. It might come as no surprise that a blogger/digital artist such as my self is obsessed with my laptop. Some may call it geeky or unhealthy. I call it motivationally inspiring as it allows me to come up with a little art series like this.

I was thinking of keeping these a surprise until my big new shop/website launch (yes! I will be moving the blog soon to my new website, stay tuned!) but I figured you might like to see them now.

Would love to know what you think? I am basically exploring the idea of internet addiction, online socialising, working from home, and how sometimes people say bad things of you because of these aforementioned reasons.

Don’t listen to them. The Internet rules. There, I said it.

Sometimes I dream of wearing a t-shirt that says “I absolutely love the internet” but I know I could never go thaaaaaaaaaaaaat far. Could I? Would you?

life // potentially number one.

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:05:00 +0000

because it is the weekend and I don't feel like a big post, here is the sweetest able and game card that my boyfriend gave me for Christmas. buy one for your lover today.

food // zucchini pasta recipe

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:12:00 +0000

Recipe time again! Before I get started, I must say that I am not by any means a “good cook”. I fail more than I succeed, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to try. I would happily eat the same meal every night, but for some reason it has been instilled in me that we can’t really do that. Well I am sure I could. But you know what I mean.

Anyway, because I am a bit snack/desert crazy I like to have nice light dinner options, that make me feel like I am eating a big comforting meal, without all those uncomforting calories! Enter zucchini pasta! What a wonderful invention this is. I love pasta/Italian style meals, however I find it hard to be good with portion sizes, so when I heard people talking about replacing the pasta with zucchini, I thought what a fabulous idea! All the hearty Italian fun, without that heavy bulky feeling at the end of the meal.

Here are the instructions for you, I know they are not very precise, but I really don’t think they need to be. I am hopefully just showing you an alternative way to prepare zucchini to help you lighten up those pasta dishes. Feel free to experiment with toppings, and be sure to let me know if you do!

You will need
> julienne peeler
> bowl
> fry pan (optional)

Ingredients*
> 3-4 large zucchinis
> olive oil
> sea salt

Method
Wash zucchinis and cut off the ends. Lie a zucchini on your chopping board and run your julienne peeler the length of the zucchini, creating a long thin strip. Repeat this process for the whole zucchini, you will get used to the technique as you go. Try and slice the whole length in one swoop so you get nice long strips.

Once sliced, place in a large bowl. Cover with some olive oil and sea salt (I used 2 tbsp for 3 zucchinis but you might like more or less). Toss to coat and let sit for a few hours to marinate (optional).

Decide on your ‘topping’, just go with what you normally like on your pasta. At this point, you can either serve with the raw zucchini, or you can warm/soften it slightly.

If cooking, take your fry pan and toss in the zucchini strips. After a few minutes they will begin to soften up. Add your pasta sauce (try homemade tomato sauce with mushrooms and onion) give it a stir, and then serve! Again, if you like cheese, extra seasoning, add that too!

You will have to judge serving size. 3-4 large zucchinis should make enough pasta for 2 people or 4 as a side.

download a printable recipe sheet here

*please note :: I suggest using the best ingredients you can afford. go for organic zucchini and a good quality local olive oil. trust me. it is always worth it.

**please also note :: sorry if you can spot the typo in my printable download. that is so so terrible of me. I did try to fix it but I am stupid and flattened my .psd file. what an idiot. don't hate me.

love // {twin set} blog

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:37:00 +0000

thought it was time for a little bit of shameless self promotion!! do you read the {twin set} blog? I think maybe you should. well if you like this blog, then you should because well, I co-author it!! Angela and I like to keep you updated with all things gorgeous, vintage, eco, pretty and lovely. mostly posts with images, and some with eco living tips. I promise it wont be too much more blog reading effort if you add it to your readers. hehehe.

art // etsy sale! clearing the way for new lovelies!

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:40:00 +0000

friends. I realised that with all my love for other things, I tend to forget to shamelessly self promote my own artistic creations. how rude. so I thought, that I would take this chance to let you know that I have reduced everything in my etsy shop. such cheap bargains to be had. prices are in no means reflective of the quality! I just need to clear some space because, yes. I have been busy and I have lots of new things soon to come. stay tuned.

p.s. if you read my blog and you are australian and you are after something, let me know and I will give you the US price as an AUS price. does that make sense?

life // the temper trap @ enmore

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:23:00 +0000

oh, what a lovely weekend I had! despite the "cons" of having to sit in my stationary car on the F3 highway for two hours in the 58 degree heat due to an accident (which is better than being in the actual accident *sad face*) and being a little to "worse for wear" on Sunday, which meant I spent most of the day lounging, I had a pretty damn fine good time.

one of those good times was when my boyfriend took me to see the temper trap at the Enmore Theatre (hehe I remember the days when I had to drag him along to gigs, and now he is the one buying the tickets and wanting me to come along!). well I must say, my expectations were semi low, however I was just BLOWN AWAY by the amazingness. best live band I have seen all year that is for sure!! hehe, the only one, but never mind that.

sadly, the album sort of doesn't do them justice (well it does, but you know what I mean). the lead singer, Dougy Mandagi, has such dynamic energy, and an amazing falsetto voice, you really do need to see them live. If you are going to the Big Day Out, make sure you see them. Or I will hit you.

love // IKO IKO

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:14:00 +0000

two things.

one. IKO IKO is my new dream shop. hold on while I go set my teleporter to "los angeles"

two. that vintage record player that I mentioned in that last post? yeah, that is it right there in their shop. well not mine actual one. but the same one. I totally need to find a way to display that at home without my boyfriend thinking it is rubbish and throwing it out.

love // best christmas present ever.

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:22:00 +0000

just. look. at. what. the most amazing friend got me. that is right. a Cinderella record to go with my gorgeous Caitlin Shearer original painting from the Once Upon exhibition. it is just so special, the colours are perfect, and strangely match Caitlin's painting. Both the vinyls are there (I am yet to test them on my mini 45 record player, but I will) and, AND there is a mini story book included in the cover. so perfect. the only problem is finding the most specialist place to put them. I keep moving them all over the place. I think it has to be the bedroom, but where! I am so thrilled to own a Caitlin Shearer original too. When we opened up her amazing paintings for the show, I just knew I had to have this one.

Do you like my pretty photos? I took them with the shinny new camera.

life // ohtel, wellington NZ = dream hotel.

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:10:00 +0000

If I was to dream of the most perfect hotel of all time, this hotel would be it. Lucky for me I am likely to visit Wellington sometime in the near(ish) future and so I will ensure that ohtel takes pride of place on my itinerary. Can you imagine being the buyer for this place?* I literally died when I saw it. Thanks apartment therapy for the intro!

[all images from ohtel]

*EDIT : so it turns out that the buyer/designer actually reads my blog, such a lucky thing!!! And what a bizarre coincidence. hehehe.

love // things I would buy right now...

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:18:00 +0000

[left to right from top // ethical dress from Bhalo // the cutest mobile from The Butter Flying // amazing screenprint by hilarious Kate Banazi // and why not go for something I will never, ever have. rug from Anthropologie]

p.s. this seriously blew me away. thanks poppytalk!!!!!!!
pretty sure 2010 is going to be awesome.

inspiration // wall art

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:42:00 +0000

1. Living Room, 2. domino favorite, 3. A corner of my home, 4. Gallery,
5. Wall of white frames, 6. bedroom wall, 7. DETAIL: The Wall of Curiosities, 8. Day One

sigh. sigh. sigh. I wish I could afford more 3M picture hanging strips. damn you rental property.

1. Art wall bedroom, 2. Loveseat + art wall.,
3. Art Wall Updated, 4. guest room wall.

you see, I try to do awesome stuff like this around my home. but I either never plan properly, or I get glaring stares from my boyfriend who claims there is already enough art on the walls.

1. Family Tree, 2. new wall, 3. New arrangement, 4. stairs,
5. New Wall of Art, 6. apt 001, 7. landing strip art, 8. entry close up

I found most, if not all of these images via the Wall Art group of flickr. Groups are awesome.

recipe // raw nut balls

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:52:00 +0000

Thought I would share a little recipe with you today! There has been a lot of talk lately about raw food, and while I am not a total raw foodist, I do love and enjoy a lot of raw food recipes. Often they show you ways of making yummy delicious food, that can still be considered "healthy". Take ice cream for example, I love love love it but I can't really tolerate a lot of dairy (and neither can my thighs), however there are loads of raw vegan "ice cream" recipes out there and now I can enjoy my favourite treat, guilt free.

Anyways, I thought I would share with you an easy one today. I am a HUGE snacker and I am always on the look out for healthy, organic snacks that are easy to make. I came across this recipe after a quick google search and decided to give them a try! Turns out they are super easy and extra delicious. I have the recipe for you below, and also in fancy PDF form for download, should you feel obliged.

If you are keen on the raw food thing, check out my super talented friends website Bee Raw. They are super raw foodists and share some easy to follow recipes over on their site.

you will need

> a food processor or blender
> measuring cups
> two bowls
> a tray that will fit in freezer

ingredients

base
> 2/3 C macadamia nuts
> 2/3 C cashews
> 2/3 C shredded coconut

chocolate mix
> 1/8 C raw honey
> 1/8 C cacao powder
> pinch of salt
> splash of water

vanilla mix
> 2 Tbs raw peanut butter* or almond butter
> 1 Tbs vanilla extract
> pinch of salt
> splash of water

method

Put all the base ingredients in a food processor and blend until slightly chunky. Separate evenly into two bowls. Add chocolate mix to one bowl, add the vanilla mix to the other and mix well (use hands). Using hands or spoon, form into little balls and place on tray. Refrigerate or freeze to harden. Serve on pretty plate and enjoy!

Makes 15 balls.

Download a PDF of this recipe here

*my peanut butter is just raw peanuts grounded into butter

Disclaimer :: according to some raw food purists, this may not be considered raw. I am not sure. But it is raw enough for me anyway. hehe.

What do you think of the raw food movement? Do you "eat raw"? Do you have any recipes you would like to share?

Happy un-cooking!

housey tour, new camera, hopes and dreams

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:45:00 +0000

did I mention in my previous post that I got a Canon DSLR for Christmas? ha. well I did! excitemento! so many things to make pictures of and not enough time. Since I haven't really left the house since I got it, the only things that I have really taken pictures of are things around my home. and I am dying to show you something, and so I guess it just has to be this!

lets call it a housey tour! but I won't show you too much because I haven't done much housework as I am in "holiday mode". it gets really tiring watching Californication and Scrubs on DVD all day. David Duchovny and Zach Braff are like my heros (crushes) or something.

welcome to 2010 my lovely blog readers! without getting into "resolutions", this year I am hoping to continue my exhibition attending (and curating!) get the new website up and running, develop and grow {twin set} and just keep on making and creating. The growing support means a lot to me, and every comment always makes me smile. keep it real homies!

[all pictures by me, and if you want details on the artwork, click on the image]

amazing "real" (?) artist.

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:17:00 +0000

["Is there a better example than this?" (Dyptich) 2005 Pastel on paper]

woah. sometimes I think I spent too much time seeking ways to create things that doesn't involve actually doing the hard work. give me a way to make art that doesn't require me to get all grubby with pencils and spend hours and hours refining tiny details to a point that requires me to get glasses due to eye strain and I tend to get excited.

while I could never draw to this level (*cough, yes those images are drawings by Maria Kontis), Once I could probably do a lot better than what I can do today. because I did it. you know. practice and all that.

now, I can hardly be bothered getting out the pencil case. why bother when I have access to photoshop, and a whole range of artistic options. I don't even have to get my hands dirty.

p.s. omg-it-is-the-last-day-of-the-year.

I guess it is time for a Merry Christmas post

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:35:00 +0000

[little christmas cards I made for special people :: details here]
[presents are all wrapped :: details here]

just wanted to say Merry Christmas to you and all. thank you for stopping by, thank you for coming back. looking forward to lots of posting next year, a new design, new products, new inspirations.

I also think it is funny looking at old posts, check out this christmasy one from 2007. naw.

thanks for a super year kids.

new illustrations and some good holiday reading

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:38:00 +0000

[just a little illo, do you like?]

[my advent illustration contribution to the fabulous forth thread blog.]

with many bloggers winding down posting for the year, I thought now would be good time to get into those "save for a rainy day" posts. You know the ones, that you know would be awesome, if you could just find a spare second!

well I will be alone this christmas (just me and my boyfriend) and I am actually kind of excited by this. it will (hopefully) give me some time to catch up on real world mag and book reading, and when my addiction calls me back online, some blog reading (not the fast-scrol type of read either!) too.

here are some posts to get you started if you feel like your reader is looking a little empty (oh noes!).

+ really helpful post from Leeloo :: Web 2.0 for Indie Designer Businesses

+ pretty damn sweet tutorial, oh how my eyes have been opened! :: over at Poppytalk

+ *cough did somebody say NEET Reader {twin set} sale? :: go get your code!

+ oh the joys of being inspired :: gorgeous post over at Lovelorn Unicorn

+ is all this blog reading making you hungry? :: find cool places to eat

+ art art art :: inspiration and loveliness.

+ maybe you can start getting yourself organised for the EOFY (yuk!) :: DIY accounting

+ feel like dying from jealously? too much 'whimsy lovely' to handle :: pretty pink pictures

+ sharpen your product photography skills and retake all your shop photos?

+ D.E.C.O.R.A.T.E! (those images kill me).

+ I love this post, do you ever try and spend ages trying find a perfect handwriting font (for free *cough) when it might be easier to just actually handwrite it?

that should keep you going for, I don't know, ten minutes? I wonder if I will post again before Christmas?

tutorial // recycle those mags and make a paper tree!

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:03:00 +0000

I used to make these when I was a little kid. I think they are pretty sweet idea to recycle old mags, that we always seem to hoard and never seem to read. Perfect for christmas, or just for general display! I made one as apart of my christmas decorations and thought it would be nice to share. I hope you enjoy!

You will need ::

- two old magazines with a staple bound spine (not like a Frankie or Vogue with one of those thicker spines… plus, who would do that to a Frankie mag?)

- a stapler

- spray paint (optional)

Directions ::

1. Open the cover and take the top right corner of the first page.

2. Fold corner in a triangle shape, to align with the centre spine of the mag.

3. Take the outer edge of the fold, (where you made the crease) and fold in again like above (probably best to see picture).

4. “Turn the page”. Make sure you do press down and ensure that all folds are nice and sharp.

5. Fold the bottom corner up to align with the bottom of the magazine page (also best to see picture, and this step is optional, I wanted mine to have a flat base)

6. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for every single page of the mag. Yes. Every page. (A snack may help make this more fun).

7. Make sure you press down every so often to flatten the folds, otherwise it will be too puffy and thick.

8. When you get to the last page, fold the cover in, same technique, just opposite.

9. HALF WAY! Now get your next mag and repeat steps 2 to 8 until you have two identical half trees.

10. Staple the two front covers and the two back covers of the magazines together to create a full tree! (Sorry I don’t have a picture of this step.. sort of forgot. But that makes sense doesn’t it?)

And now you are done! If you like the natural look, you can keep it as is, or choose your favourite colour and give it a bit of a spray paint. Place it somewhere nice and admire your hard work! These are great for Christmas time, but can also look pretty sweet any time of year.

p.s. those cute little tee pees are a little gift from Amy Borrell, aren't they the cutest??

p.p.s. did you like this tutorial? would you like more tutorials? can you even understand my instructions??

p.p.p.s. "why the fudge are you reading the New England Journal of Medicine Renee??"
"oh, sorry, I work in a medical library. We always get so many spare copies, and the pile was getting too huge I had to do something about it". xoxox

more than just a box of chocolates // FREE DOWNLOAD

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:35:00 +0000

ok, i'll admit it. I am not one to "spend big" and christmas time. while I do notice a dent in my bank account after christmas shopping, I like to be more about the "thought" and "feeling" than the price tag.

this is especially the case when it comes to people like workmates or those people who are hard to buy for. you all know the type I am sure. they probably usually end up with a cheap bottle of wine or a box of Lindt chocolates. don't get be wrong, chocolate and wine is totally fine, but why not make it that little bit more "special", "fair" and little bit more heart felt.

[use me! click image or see below]

this year, I decided to make up some little guilt free treats goodie bags, filled with organic fair-trade chocolate and tea! I was so super pleased with how they turned out, but I am a bit silly and forgot to take a photo! I might make some more because I am sure I have missed someone.

anyway, I thought I would offer a FREE DOWNLOAD (woah!) for you guys to join in on the fair-trade guilt free heart felt chocolatey goodness. just click here to download the free PDF file, print them out, cut them out, wrap up some fair-trade chocolate, stick on the tag, and there you have a sweet lovely heartfelt gift (with an important message!).

Sadly, since I didn't take photos of my own, I will just have to shares some lovely images with you for some inspiration and motivation!

one, two
three, four
five, six

click here to download the free PDF file
and make your own fair-trade chocolate gift packs!

all star aussie cast.

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:32:00 +0000

I think Australian's are finally starting to make their mark in the ol' blogging world. Here is a small handful of my favourite Aussie blogs. I think it really helps to keep things local with blog reading sometimes, because that way, if you see something you want to buy, it is not always so far out of reach.

[left to right]
ben zen :: erin art :: cake with giants :: draw! pilgrim :: ish and chi ::

made by maddy :: leeloo dog blog :: pia jane bijkerk :: the design files :: tiny happy ::

the happy home :: truth.be.told :: +handmade love+ :: reJenerate :: forth thread ::

Daydream Lily :: The Scribble Project :: the unbearable lightness of being hungry :: meet me at mikes :: hello sandwich ::

p.s. if you have an "aussie" blog and you are not here, maybe I haven't seen your blog before, so let me know about it! also, this is only a small handful. I might do another post like this soon, because I just love so so many. xoxo

current events...

noreply@blogger.com (renee anne) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:54:00 +0000

[one :: two]

I am not really ready to
talk about this
yet. I will be.
And once all the
details are good
and ready, you will be
the first to know. Thank you
everyone for your support so far.
It has been amazing.