the Makers Pop Up Event: Get Giving

My friend Lisa Tilse of the red thread has teamed up with Shibori Textiles for an awesome shopping event that's sure to troubleshoot your Christmas gifting woes. Together with Lisa and the Shibori team, the makers include Jacqui Fink, ther.a.py, me we, Louise M Studio, felt divine, Sally Campbell Textiles. How good does that sound?!

Shop small this Christmas, support the makers, and give those you love something really special and handmade. 

Maybe I'll see you there? 


the Makers
Saturday 29 November
from 10-4

Shibori Textiles
30a Sailsbury Road 
Stanmore

So Long, Farewell: Weekend

What a whopper weekend!

It started with Tiny's preschool fete on Friday evening for three hours of action, and ended with the four of us on the sofa watching Toy Story, Matt and I trying to squeeze in some zzzz's.

Saturday morning we dropped in to check out Mr Jason Grant's new collab with Murobond paints. The beautiful new palette is called 'Road Trip' and was a pretty apt name, because after spending some time there perusing the Maker's Market, we drove down to Bowral for Matt's exhibition opening.  (Smalls above pictured out the front of Murobond - drop dead cute set up).

After mingling for almost three solid hours, we had a picnic in a nearby park - which was spectacular despite all the dead tulips, and let the smalls free-range for a few hours.

We left Bowral on a high, perhaps incubating more of a desire to flee the big smoke for a simpler, slower way of life.

I could totes get with that.

Croup Doggy Dogg

Fresh from the throwdown showdown the Doctor was struck down with croup. Miserable fevers, the seal-bark cough. Again. Crank up the vapouriser. Batton down the hatches. After a few days convalescing at home, he's much improved. Just in time for Tiny to come down with some bug which has her biting my arm, headbutting the floor and so sick, sick, sick. Miserable fevers, the seal-bark cough, the lack of want to sleep, the crying, the clinginess, the pure misery. Poor little sausage. Both Matt and I seem to be wearing her around the house as the accessory du jour. Poor, poor little sauso-rillo.

But on the flipside, yesterday I was allowed out on day release for good behaviour. I skipped straight over to the Material Obsession Swap Day where I picked up a super cool necklace (will blog later), and then zoomed off in pursuit of some sweet action in the shape of The Finders Keepers markets.

Was I disappointed? (only with my wallet) Heck no! I got to meet the one and only, the star, here by popular demand, Victoria Mason and her partner Cass. Who I proceeded to rabbit on to (and they were probably thinking, stop talking ladY!). Oops sorry. Clearly I don't get out much. It was so fab to finally put a face to a name and meet them both. Yeehaw!

Victoria Mason morning tea set $175

What a beautiful market space Finders Keepers have in Carriageworks. Space to walk around, cafe, music, art exhibition. LOVE! I will definitely be heading back.

I also said toodles to Lisa at The Red Thread. She's a total market whirlwind, I think she'll need a stiff G&T by the time Christmas rolls around. She's also going to be at Allie's Attic and Mosman Village Art & Craft markets (my internet is so woefully slow I can't check the correct name, so google it to check out her beautiful wares).

Lisa Tilse Sushi bird tiles $150

I met some other virtual pals too such as Anna from Able & Game (snaffled some of her witty cards). Anyone I missed? Jeepers I hope not, but hello to you too.

Christmas tags from Able & Game $USD6.50

Baying for Blood

Last night my sister and I went into the city. We were buoyed by excitement of what's to come - the Young Blood Designers Market. And then we turned up and a bazillion people were standing outside the Powerhouse Museum and we made two more.

The security guard was turning people away because they had too many people inside - and they told all of us standing there that there was not a chance we were going to get in unless we'd pre-paid for our tickets. Ho-hum.

So my sister and I stood there for what kind of seemed like a long time. We ummed and ahhed. We could chance it and beg to get in, or make the most of having our husband's babysit, so we hit the high road and went off to Ariel. There's no mistaking it, we know how to party.

The long and the short of it, as soon as we got home we pre-purchased our tickets for today and rolled up today and rolled straight in. It was worth it, so many great young designers in one small space. But take my advice, if you want to go next time, buy your ticket in advance.

Quiet Days

We're enjoying quiet, sunny Winter days with the smalls enjoying windows of time playing outside. Up and down the path on the tricycle. Tiny tentatively pushes the trolley. Up and down they go.

If you're at a loose end this Sunday, and looking for something to do, come along to Mathilda's Markets. I'll be working with Cindy from Bug and Pop. Make sure you say hi if you're around.

Just Look What I'm Filing This One Under

Today we've been busy despite the omnipresent heat.

We nipped down to the nursery at lunch time to pretty up the front of the house. I was in need of colour. Some pizazz. Unfortunately I neglected to get a photo of our colour. Though it's not been potted up yet - it's going to be - yes, dear reader, I will finish at least one of my projects. Amazing I know.

Tiny kept escaping out our kitchen door. That baby sure loves to get filthy. Rather than the softest of pinks, I should really be dressing her in sand, chocolate and any other natural kind of shade so her escapades are camouflaged. Napisan and I are firm friends.

To keep her in one spot I popped a saucepan of water outside with her, along with mandatory wooden spoon, and her favourite - a pint-sized ball. Kept her still for - oh - two minutes.

My hot weather wear is one of my very favourite dresses that I picked up at the markets yonks ago - just a little cotton number with Steven Seagulls (or if you prefer, they can be Jonathon Livingston Seagull). Thongs - compulsory (sheesh, just realised that if you're a US reader, you may be thinking that I'm saying g-strings are compulsory - for you dear US reader, please read flip-flops).

And here's where I am expecting MENSA to come knocking. Matt, for some reason, felt the urge to buy not one, not two, but four loaves of bread on Tuesday - AND a dozen small rolls. Given this sudden influx of carbohydrates, I am currently going gang-busters trying to use it all up before it becomes at one with penicillin. On the menu tonight - individual serves of garlic bread. Nigella, need a sidekick? Talk about genius.

Picking Up The Pace: Super Pretty

I've decided to pick up the pace - I'm celebrating one year of PottyMouthMama tomorrow, and I am starting daily blogging again, I've been a little lax.

This morning I met my sister at the markets. We were prepared for all sorts of beauties. I'm not sure what she thought she'd snaffle, and really, I'm not sure what I thought I'd snaffle (a few lucite necklaces, some gorgeous ceramics, a new vintage skirt), but it was a little disappointing. More stolen goods than vintage beauties if you get my drift.

Reminds me of the time (the one and only time before you start thinking I am some jet-setting goddess) Matt and I were in Paris. It was cold. It was grey. We caught the metro to the flea market - I had ideas in mind of generations of forgotten furniture, discarded Dior, boxes of Balenciaga, lost Louboutins a jewellery box full to over-flowing of costume jewellery. Boy oh boy, I was excited.

My excitement lasted all of about 30 seconds when we arrived at the marche aux puces. Nothing like what I had imagined. It was a market like one of those set up at the show - cheap socks, cheap and mass-produced clothes. Sadly I left empty handed. We quickly stepped back onto the Metro 'cause things felt a little shifty. The train got stopped and checked over by the police. Nobody allowed off. Nobody allowed on. I remember my heart - Boom! Boom! Boom! What a dud!

Back to local markets - we found a lady selling the most delicious selection of mismatched crockery. Here are my buys for the day.

I'm Out Of The Closet

Today I came out of the closet. And I'm not talking a walk in wardrobe either.

Today I revealed my secret identity to fellow bloggers at Mathilda's Markets. It's the first time I've met any other bloggers (sisters don't count, right?), so it was a little exciting. Ta dah!

I met the very lovely Cass from Snailblazer and Ingrid from LottieLulu. Cass recognised me as 'the bag lady'. I guess there are worse things to be known for... Yes?

Cass and Ingrid had so much goodness going on. Beautiful dresses made from the most divine fabrics. Cute wall hangings made from old books. Cute to boot cards. Awww. So beautiful. If only I could have bought more!

Plenty to see at the market - alas, I had the Doctor with me. He was on the verge of a tantrum. We were teetering, very, very, dangerously, ridiculously, perilously close. It was like wearing a pair of new, super dooper high stilettos, bouncing on a pogo stick and jumping along the edge of a cliff. Dangerous. I had to navigate him carefully around (and quickly) before he started shooting steam out his ears and realised he was not getting a toy (which he kept chanting at me as though he was brainwashing me).

Cass kindly gave the Doctor a ridiculously cute notebook (sorry about the really bad blurry photo). We're saving this little cutie for our and about tours (a small bag I keep in the car and only bring out on 'special' occasions to distract, it's only the very special goodies that make it in here).

We came home with a small bag of goodies that's big in the cute stakes. Some things are destined for lives in other places. Some things are ready for Tiny's first birthday (including this cute clip from Giddy Giddy). Shh. Just don't tell her, it's meant to be a surprise!