scandi coast home

aLL new .

2013-05-22T11:54:00.001+10:00

This is not getting my housework done but just look at them.

They are a beautiful distraction......

blonde wood beads with indigo agate slice pendant

blonde wood beads with swishy sea green nubuck tassel

.........................................................................>>>

What's distracting you today......???

Random InspiraTion .

2013-05-21T07:58:00.000+10:00

I feel like I'm emerging from the fog of this head cold......finally. It probably wasn't even fog, just snot, but after 3 whole boxes of tissues and a week of wearing the same pyjamas with the occasional shower in between I might just be starting to get back to normal......

I've had plenty of time to think and dream and be inspired......

3 powerful thoughts for the day that reflect my attitude (images from Pinterest);

3 images that inspire me because of their carefully edited but carefree, flung together, coastal aesthetic (all images from Pinterest);

And that blue ceiling......I have one just like it!!! Would you???

Image by Megan Morton

So, what are you waiting for?

It's a beautiful day......don't waste it!!!

First eVer bLoGGer meeT .

2013-05-18T10:57:00.001+10:00

On Thursday I met another blogger for the very first time. Not only was it the first time I met the lovely Mel from Organic Mamas but it's the first time I've ever met another blogger at all!

It was a casual, dressed down affair.

Nothing fancy......

This is what I wore......

I'm so glad I got to show you my pyjamas......next time we catch up I'll put on a clean pair!

The good thing about setting the bar really low right from the start is that it can only get better......any other bloggers wanna have a pyjama party? I'm already dressed!

So, how about it???

PS. You can check out Mel's gorgeous homewares here......

TasseL LoVe .

2013-05-17T10:04:00.000+10:00

Aren't they just the most fun things ever???

They add a bohemian vibe to any outfit......I'm even starting to add them to soft furnishings and accessories.

I think it's safe to say I'm thoroughly addicted......

I've made this simple Scandi style bohemian necklace with the softest and swishiest nubuck tassel in THE most gorgeous shade of sea glass green......I have ONE only listed here......however if you ask me weally nicely I will make you one.

And then there is this fun pom pom tassel necklace which I am getting around in today. It totally dresses up my skinny jeans and drapey knitted cardi. It has the added benefit of distracting people from my face!

And my other new addiction is Instagram......and all of the pretty picture embellishment apps like Emoji and A Beautiful Mess. You can follow me here if you want to see what I'm up to when I'm not blogging. I promise you it will be really boring but who doesn't love a sneak peek into someone else's life......? I know I do!!!

See you round like a rissole!!!

doWn buT noT ouT .

2013-05-14T03:18:00.005+10:00

I might be a little quiet on the blogging front this week because I have a head cold.

I'll still be busy making new pieces and catching up on all of my favourite magazines.

And I'll be on Instagram here......

LoVe Tania XX

best day ever . . . . .

2013-05-12T18:11:00.001+10:00

First things first......there's still time to enter THE Giveaway......yep that's right......the Winner takes all. Click here to enter.

It's Mother's Day here in Australia and I've been having the best day ever!!!

I got up early with hubby and we had two coffees straight up from the Rancilio before the kids woke up......

Then, when they did wake up, I got lots of kisses and a gorgeous tea cup with a gift box of tea AND a frangipani candle from the kids......which was all kinds of wonderful because they were soooo excited!!!

My sweet Grandad also rang to wish me a happy Mother's Day too......

The person I hold most dear in my heart is no longer with me physically but she is all of my earliest childhood memories and the sweetest person I ever knew......my Grandma Charlotte. She wasn't biologically related to me but I find the best people usually aren't. I even named my daughter after her......I'm thinking of her today.

The icing on the cake was my hubby getting me a mobile phone (finally) because I said I wanted to be on Instagram by the end of the day!!! Now I just need to work out how to use it. I only have one contact so far and that's my beautiful husband Steve. I'm punching way above my weight with him......

So now I'm going to Instagram the shizz out of EVERYTHING! Just you watch!!!

My user name is 'scandicoasthome' just so you know what not to follow ;O) Do not click on the link if you don't want to be inundated with my mundane crap.

You've been warned......

Happy Mother's Day!!!

PS. I am coming down with something. I have a really sore throat and a runny nose but don't worry I'm killing it with wine and spicy Thai takeaway!!!

Instagram FaiL

2013-05-10T10:59:00.001+10:00

I totally need your help today......

I want to get a mobile phone but I haven't a clue which one I should get? Is it sad that I mainly want one so I can get in on the Instagram action???

My camera packed it in as well and I don't really want to replace it with another dinky little happy snapper so any advice on cameras would be great. Something for an amateur who can't follow instructions and doesn't cost too much would be perfect ;O)

These pics were taken on my daughter's ipod!
They are just some of the new pieces I've been working on but there are some others I can't wait to show you......

I can't wait to find out which mobile I should get. Do tell......

up tOO cLose & personaL

2013-05-09T10:46:00.000+10:00

I had a whole bunch of pics to post this morning but my camera won't load them onto my laptop. That is so frustrating!!!

Instead I've been looking back through older photos and stumbled on these ones from the photo shoot day......excuse the unfortunate close up! ;O) Just be thankful I had makeup on......it could have been much worse!

Right Jodie D??? ;O)

I just can't get over how bright and polished the kitchen looks!!!

Lucky I have a picture to remember it by because it's the first and only time it's ever looked like that......

I have to admit that because it was so many months ago it feels like I dreamt it......or that I cleaned like a freak just so we could get some happy snaps!!!

The macrame hanger didn't want to stay put and we managed to drop it from a height and get potting mix EVERYWHERE just as it was starting to rain and the photographer was about to take pics. Funniest thing ever!!!

I think I know what I'm getting for Mother's Day......a new camera perhaps??? ;O)

MiXing iT uP.

2013-05-07T13:48:00.001+10:00

It started with a trip to the grocery store and a Moulinex Vitamix which had been languishing in my pantry since I bought it at an op shop for $5.00.

I spotted a bunch of kale and since I've heard so much about it and the wonder of green smoothies I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Now, where to start???

The ingredients as best I can remember them;

* a handful of kale
* coconut water
* half a cucumber
* a small bunch of fresh mint
* pineapple chunks
* a ripe avocado
* a squeeze of fresh lime juice
* ice cubes (frozen)

And once I got past the idea that I was drinking pond scum it tasted really good. It has a really nice after taste......

What do you think? Are you game???

CreaTiVe sPaCe .

2013-05-07T09:49:00.001+10:00

I loved my cubby house studio but I found that it wasn't conducive to spending large amounts of time there, being tucked away as it is.

I have discovered that I need to be out in the open to be creative ;O)

So, I have decamped to the family room where I have all of the essentials......a peacock chair, a good view of the telly, great light, a gorgeous water view and I can keep an eye on the kids and dinner all at the same time.

But, best of all, my jewellery supplies all match the decor! Winner winner, chicken dinner!!!

Where do you like to spend your time???

Mother Load.

2013-05-06T08:34:00.000+10:00

I've been slightly under the weather this week. Well, Sunday was self inflicted so I won't count that.

Did you miss me?

Did you even notice??? ;O)

No, well maybe you'll notice this......

A giveaway has gone live!!!

Click here to check it out.
It's a whole lot of wonderful.

You could win this gorgeous mint tassel necklace (pictured below)......or choose something else from my shop. There are other goodies up for grabs too. The winner takes all!!!

Have a great day!!!

iT's NoT PoTTerY BarN

2013-05-01T16:41:00.002+10:00

I think my invitation to the grand opening is still in the mail so today I had to make do with a find much closer to home. It's not even new but it is very beautiful in the way that only things from nature can be......a giant shell, bleached with age and worthy of a coffee tablescape in my opinion.

I'll be gazing lovingly at it all evening as the sun goes down and the candlelight flickers softly......have a lovely evening!

oh what a beautiful morning......

2013-04-29T08:32:00.000+10:00

oh what a beautiful day!

Happy Monday from my sunny kitchen......

Decluttering before Winter rather than after.

It helps me with all of the months spent indoors through the cooler weather.

The kitchen and dining room were the first to get the treatment......

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day that hubby and I even cleared out the ~~storage facility~~ garage. I mean totally cleared it out......there's hardly anything left in there. Now it's the perfect space to be put to a new use, however I'm yet to work out exactly what that might be......Any suggestions?

What did you do on the weekend???

sTyLe you Can aFFord.

2013-04-26T15:30:00.005+10:00

Today's post will be brief due to the fact that I've had extra kids here and just couldn't think straight......I even had the car today but I couldn't fit all the kids in (legally) so I've been kinda housebound.

I'm prepping for a relaxing Friday night in......there's a little chill in the air and it's only an hour until it gets dark......the late afternoon light is already fading so it's the perfect time to light a few candles.

This is my newest outfit purchase which I just couldn't go past given the fact that I absofreakinlutely dress like I decorate.

It's indigo Ikat and it's denim and it looks great with a simple white racer back tee and a boho tassel necklace or three......

rust tassel necklace in aqua - in store soon

The outfit......

white on white tassel necklace - in store soon

aqua tassel on indigo - in store soon

And......surprise surprise, this might just be why the ikat skinny jeans appealed to me so much. This is the cup I often drink tea from. It's chippy and I love it!

Crazy much? ;O)
You better believe it!

The jeans are from Kmart.
White racer back tee also from Kmart.
Boho Tassel necklaces handmade by me - in store soon.

What's your best bargain lately???

LasT nighT i hAd the sTranGesT DreaM......

2013-04-24T10:25:00.003+10:00

Have you ever wondered what your dreams actually mean......especially the strange ones you have just before you wake up so you remember them?

Last night I dreamt that I hand delivered a gift to my friend Sonia. I took a lot of care in wrapping said gift which is not that unusual for me. The strange part was the gift itself. Wait for it......

I gift wrapped and hand delivered dried scarab beetles ready to be framed as wall art!!! No really......it's a look.

Now if you didn't already know, scarab beetles are actually dung beetles and just in case you didn't know dung is actually
~~dried nuggets of crap~~ animal droppings. To the ancient Egyptians they were sacred creatures......I won't bore you with the details here. You can google it......

One thing I do know about Sonia is that she doesn't take crap from anyone, even if it is dried first, but she is also one of the nicest people I know.

She also likes fish, not the kind you eat, but the home wares type, so a more appropriate and thoughtful gift from me might have been one of those fish bumper stickers that you see on so many car windows......they seem to be really popular ;O)

I promise I hadn't been drinking before I went to bed so the only possible explanation I can think of is that it was a mishmash of all the creative confusion that is going on in my mind right now and the hangover of my days studying Egyptology at Uni......I know right?

When I was a teenager my Grandad Ken & Grandma Joan took me to see the 'Gold of the Pharoahs' exhibition (because isn't that what typical teenagers do?) and I still think some of those influences linger somewhere in the creative recesses of my brain......

So, what do you think?

Should I take up drinking again???

..........................................>>>

UPDATE. I literally uploaded this post, walked out to my letterbox and came back with this gorgeous gift from the beautiful Sonia.
Now if that doesn't put a tear in your eye and a smile on your dial then I don't know what does?

BTW. I feel bad......It's Waayyyy nicer than what I got you Sonia ;O)

Is there anything nicer than the gift of friendship......???

Isn't the handmade gift tag just lovely too?

DreSS LiKe You DeCoraTe......

2013-04-23T08:15:00.001+10:00

If sea foam isn't a neutral then I'm doing it all wrong. From one end of the house to the other......from head to toe.

I think the trick is perhaps to balance it out with lashings of white and textural details......

70% white.
20% neutral and texture.
10% accent colour (seafoam)

And this crazy pom pom tassel bracelet......

Kitcheny details......

Pretty handmade sea foam bling......

Do you dress like you decorate?

Dream.

2013-04-20T15:23:00.000+10:00

I love a rainy Saturday with nowhere to be......I haven't gotten out of my PJ's all day.

I've made a few bracelets and I've got dinner bubbling away in the slow cooker.

It might be time for a glass of wine......

WhaT aRe You WaiTinG FoR?

2013-04-18T10:08:00.002+10:00

Have you ever wanted to do something but been too scared to try?

I'm 38 years old and I still don't know what I want to do with my life. The only thing I do know for sure is that I have ditched my fear of being ridiculous.

My year of opening myself up started here......

I started a ridiculous blog knowing that not everyone would get it. In fact when someone asked me (in real life) "why don't you get a real job?" it spurred me on, because if that person understood me then I didn't want to be understood.

I believe this is true......

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being

wrong.” ― Joseph Chilton Pearce

I decorate my home with the belief that a home should be collected not decorated. I read that somewhere and it just made sense.

I opened my home up for a magazine shoot that terrified the cuckie (it's a word) out of me.

I needed a few more years to get ready for that but then I took the attitude that people don't want to see perfection and I have mediocrity in spades.

I started making beaded jewellery and didn't wait until I had it down perfectly before putting it out there because I learn best by doing. Besides, as long as I have my bus fare home then I have nothing to lose by trying......

It's been completely scary for a shy person like me but also kind of liberating......

So, what are YOU waiting for?

A sLight MisCaLcuLaTion.

2013-04-17T10:04:00.005+10:00

So many new designs......handmade pieces......all unique. So far, so good.

And then this......

I thought when I ordered it the large silver feather was the same size as the little bronze one and I also though the tiny seafoam bead was the size of the larger bead.

Lucky the difference is barely noticeable ;O)

I am really looking forward to making some necklaces with my new jumbo feather charms though.

Apparently an extra inch does make all the difference ;O)

Have a great day!!!

LOVE Tania XX

JusT ChiLLin'

2013-04-14T15:11:00.003+10:00

You know, Sunday arvo's can be a tad dull, but in the best kind of way. Hubby & kids are hanging out in the family room watching a really awful movie so I snuck out to the lounge room to chill out with the latest Real Living mag. There may or may not be a glass of wine involved ;O)

yep, unfortunately, this is what I actually look like. for a sec I thought I had a beauty spot, but it turned out to be a spec of dirt on the screen.

and this is what my lounge room actually looks like......this is as formal as it gets ;O)

see, not formal at all!!!

What are you doing on this beautiful Sunday arvo?

Anything exciting???

That makes one of us!!!

LOVE Tania XX

Made for Each oTher......

2013-04-14T12:41:00.004+10:00

I made this especially to clip onto my new favourite vintage find......

A vintage bag for an old bag......

It's sea green, no surprises there, and it's leather. I've clipped one of my tassel bag charms to it and now I'll be taking it everywhere with me......

LOVE Tania XX

bLinG.

2013-04-13T11:21:00.004+10:00

I heart hand made......

especially when it sparkles......

Are you living your dream......???

LOVE Tania XX

WhY I ShouLdn'T DrinK & DeCoRaTe.

2013-04-11T18:07:00.002+10:00

Clearly after a few vinos I thought I was India Hicks and living on a tropical island.

This is what my hubby came home to this evening......a breezy new canopy over the old workbench......;O)

I think I'll go and have another drink now......everything looks better with beer goggles on!!!

Tania xx

Random DaY aT Home......

2013-04-11T11:40:00.002+10:00

Today is just a totally random day at home......a day when I find endless distractions and excuses not to fold the washing etc.

I am eminently trained to make these gorgeous swishy handmade tassels. Would you believe I spent endless hours stringing danger tags for the mines when I was at school. I'm finding it ironic that the 'skill' of cutting the string has finally proved useful......

These are the beautiful parcels the postie delivered this morning. Finally. I don't think he gets ~~laid~~ paid enough because other Novocastrians received their subscriptions yesterday......

How well did I co-ordinate these beads with the colours on the mag covers? Totally planned of course......

It's been a busy morning already......these boho beaded bracelets just landed in store. They are joining the vintage bird prints......all items are one of a kind.

Have a great day!!!

LOVE Tania XX

NoThing NeW......

2013-04-10T09:57:00.001+10:00

Beautiful Vintage 'Audubon Birds' Wall Art Prints ready to be framed or even taped to the wall with washi tape.

One Only of each design in store so if you love vintage bird prints as much as I do be quick! These are large (37cm tall x 29cm wide) and quite gorgeous......