Scenic Sunday - Cassis

I missed out on Scenic Sunday last week, so I made sure I would remember this week to post something up!!

Here are my photos - they are a photo of the very pretty town of Cassis in France. Gorgeous and cute, with beautiful water views especially the crystal clear water of the massive white cliffs known as the Calanques, which you can see in the picture below. Only silly me forgot my swimmers that day and could only do with admiring it from a boat rather than jumping right in for a swim!

Tush Tush

I recently spoiled myself to an early birthday present!! I'm turning the big 3-0 in just one weeks time and seeing as I am house hunting I thought it would be the perfect excuse to check back on the artwork I had 'hearted' to find myself an early birthday pressie!!

I had been long admiring the wonderful works of Tush Tush and had 'hearted' this beautiful 'dancer' photo above. So when I went back through my fav's I was very disappointed to see that it had sold, but I took this opportunity to have another little looksies around Tush Tush's shop.

I love all her artwork and found myself coveting this beautiful piece entitled 'Rimma' which you can see just below. I 'hearted' it and a few days later purchased it! I can't wait to receive it and even more can't wait to find a house to move into so that I can finally get all my artwork framed and hung up on my walls for all to admire!

Now i'm on the search for a bigger house, with lots more wall space so I have even more of an excuse to revisit Tush Tush's shop :)

Victorian Bushfire Appeal

You will have heard on the news about the bushfires in Victoria, Australia. The facts are devastating - many lives lost, many missing and many left homeless.

It is encouraging to see that the Etsy community has banded together with many sellers donating a percentage of their sales to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and many others supporting the cause by purchasing such items.

To help out visit the OzBushfireAppeal.etsy.com shop and make a purchase or donate an item to be sold for the cause. You will also find many shops are dedicating items direct in their shops to the Red Cross and you can find these items by doing a search on the tag 'bushfire'

As for me, to help out i've decided to donate 50% of my sales from my PPDesigns shop from today till the end of February, plus have donated some items direct to the OzBushfireAppeal shop. On top of that I couldn't help but buy this cutie from the OzBushFireAppeal shop.

Please take some time to visit these shops and to lend a hand if possible! Thanks for your support!

Scenic Sunday - Monument Valley

A little rush post to get my Scenic Sunday photo in. This week i've picked my photo of Monument Valley. As we drove along flat empty roads for ages it was very exciting to finally start to see Monument Valley in front of us!! We could see it far off in the distance, and ofcourse it still took us a awhile to get up close to enjoy it even more but it was very cool and was just like in all the movies!

50% OFF SALE ON PHOTOS!

I've got a massive clearance on now in my shop. Many of my photos are 50% off and are at or below cost price!! Please help me clear my shop as I have lots of new photos that I would like to list but need to clear some stock first!

Just check out the 50% OFF SALE SECTION of my shop. Here are a few of my goodies to entice you ;)

SET OF 3 4X6 PRINTS WAS $12 NOW $6

WAS $15 NOW $7.50

WAS $10 NOW $5

WAS $10 NOW $5

WAS $25 NOW $12.50


WAS $25 NOW $12.50

Scenic Sunday - Iceland

Rainbow over Iceland

Here is another entry into the Scenic Sunday blog. This time here are few of my photos from Iceland. We visited this beautiful country just before it collapsed financially so when we went everything was still super expensive (including our speeding fine - £265 after a pay immediately discount!), but we enjoyed our scenic drives and sightseeing while eating rye bread and salmon that we picked up from the supermarket for almost every meal.

Scenery in Iceland doesn't disappoint. Even though it rained abit and was at times bitterly cold we still saw the beauty of Iceland. I love landscapes and nature so was a happy little snapper while travelling in and around Rekyjavik. Have a little look at what we experienced!

Jokulsarlon - Iceberg Lagoon.
It was a long drive out but totally worth it.
The first time i've seen icebergs in the flesh.

Iceland is covered in this greeny moss - very soft and spongy.
It looked like we were on another planet


A cute Icelandic Church we drove by on top of a hill

Seljalandsfoss - Massive Waterfall!
Iceland has many waterfalls and this was one of our favs.


The Blue Lagoon
How could we go to Rekyjavik and not take a dip?

Scenic Sunday - Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Here's my first entry to the Scenic Sunday blog. I took this photo while travelling around Croatia. One of the places I desperately wanted to see while in Croatia was the beautiful (and scenic!) Plitvice Lakes. I had seen so many amazing photographs of it and was dying to go there! Not to mention I love waterfalls and this place had a lot of them.

So when planning our trip we decided to fly into Zagreb, hire a car and stop off at Plitvice Lakes before driving down to the Dalmatian Coast. The day we were there it was a little gloomy, overcast and wet but even with all that grey, mist and rain it still managed to look beautiful. In fact all that mist made it seem a little mystical too.

If you ever get a chance to visit Croatia, I highly recommend visiting Plitvice Lakes - the water is crystal clear and an amazing bluey/green colour (actually the water in Croatia is the clearest I think I have ever seen!).

Below are just a couple more photos I took while at Plitvice Lakes, and a few more can be found in my shop.

SwapStyle - Sell or Swap

Edit 02 March 2009 - I've decided to list my items in this blog post rather than maintain my SwapStyle Account so i've updated this post accordingly.

So now i'm back home at my folks place while we are looking for a home of our own, I realise I am in severe wardrobe space shortage! All our boxes arrived from London and everything is still in boxes, plus i've got my hubby sharing my wardrobe space, and all our wedding gifts that we stored in my wardrobe before we moved to London is still there, so I've decided to do a massive clear out of what I do actually wear and what i've been keeping a hold on to just because they're

a. too cute
b. too pretty
c. too many good memories
d. just not me but i swear i'll wear it soon cause i want to try to wear new styles (but never end up doing so!)

I don't really have enough stuff yet to hold a garage sale so i've decided to list things here in this blog post for swap or purchase. I know I shouldn't really be swapping (cause it'll just fill my wardrobe up more) but it is alot more cost efficient than me doing real shopping and spending more money!!

I'll be adding more on here so you can always book mark and check back in. Each item has a rough price tag attached to it (USD) but if you like something just contact me maybe we can strike a bargain. Shipping is extra because I do combined shipping on multiple items and it depends on where i'm sending it too - but if you are interested in something let me know where you want it shipped and i can get a estimate out to you! I accept paypal only.
Aussies - contact me for AUD prices.

Re swapping - I'll only swap if your an etsy member with good feedback or someone i 'know' (and of course, if you've got something i want!!) :)

Contact me via convo on etsy, or email at ppdesigns.etsy@yahoo.com with the subject heading 'Blog Sale'

I've added a 'Swap or Sell' section to the right hand side bar for easy access for when you next visit my bloggie too :)

SPARKLY DARK PURPLE SKIRT

• For Sale or Swap approx value 25USD
• Size Small Australian (I am usually a size 2-4US or 34-36 EU). It has a stretch to the fabric and has an elastic waistband.
• This is a textured skirt with sparkly flecks through out. Because of its sparkle/shimmer it is great for evenings out!
• This is a fitting skirt (similar to a pencil skirt fit) which comes just below the knees for me.
• Made in Australia
• Condition - worn a handful of times and still in good condition.

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POWER OF ONE BOOK

• For Sale or Swap approx value 8USD
• I thought I had lost my copy of this book so bought another one on ebay but just unpacked one of my boxes and found my old book. I like this one as it has one of the early cover illustrations. Fantastic Novel by a great Australian Author - one of my all time fav books!
  
• Condition - Good. It has never been read (spine is not creased)
  

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PAUL FRANK* TEE

• For Sale or Swap approx value 8USD
  
• Size Small (8 Australian, 2-4 US, 34-36 EU)
• Black tee with wide scoop/boat neck and short sleeves (similar to cap sleeves)
• 'Paul Frank' monkeys on the front
• 100% cotton
• Condition - Good. This t-shirt has been worn but still in good condition
• *I'm not sure if this a genuine Paul Frank tee. It has the label but was made in Indonesia. Was given to me as a gift.

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CUTE HONEY BEAR TEE

• For Sale or Swap approx value 8USD
  
• Size Small - Medium (I am usually a size 2-4US or 34-36EU)
• Cute t-shirt with a print of a sweet little bear and his honey pot surrounded by bees. It is a white tee with pink sleeves and neckline. One the back there is a small print of the bear and honey pot.
• I bought this tee because it was so cute but never wore it. I thought i’d start wearing it as a pj top but still never got round to wearing it so now i’m listing here!
• Condition - New and never worn but when inspecting it before listing it here I found a small hole at the seem of one of the sleeves. You can see it in the last picture (i have put a green circle around it). It isn’t very noticeable but thought i’d better let you all know!

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CUTE KARATE GIRL SINGLET

• For Sale or Swap approx value 10USD
  
• This says its a size 10 (Australian) on the label but I found it to be quite small and tight. I think it is more a size 8 (small). (approx 2-4 US, 34-36 EU)
• This is a super cute singlet in a teal green colour. Its so cute cause of the little karate boxing girl on the front in japanese anime style. Not only is she kicking butt on the front but you can see her back on the back!! :) So cheeky! The text on the side of the picture says‘heart breaker’
• Cotton/Elastane
• Condition - I have never worn this singlet, because it always felt a little too tight for me so it is still in excellent new condition!!

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KOOKAI SINGLET/CAMI

• For Sale or Swap approx value 18USD
• Kookai size 1 (xs-s). Polyester. Made in France.
• L.O.V.E this kookai singlet to bits! I’ve never spent so much on a singlet before and truth be told it it was little low cut & tight for me that I didn’t really feel very confident wearing it but I still went and bought it because it was so so pretty! I fell in love with the prettiness of it all, the contrasting orange lace, the pearly sequins, the light blue beaded flowers and the rouching on the chest of the singlet, plus the pretty purpley colour. Soft satiny sheen fabric with adjustable straps.
• Condition - Worn maybe once or twice. Still in good condition. Delicate fabric. Lightweight

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KOOKAI HALTER NECK x2

• For Sale or Swap approx value 6USD for both
• Kookai ‘Free’ size (i am a small size usually)
• Kookai halter neck top one in teal, the other in white. A good staple item for any wardrobe
• Cotton/Lycra (cotton stretch).
• Condition - I have worn and washed this many times so it is does not look new and has a 'used' loook to it.
  

My Monkey Twins

I went to visit an old school friend the weekend past. It was great to catch up and check out their beautiful new dream house. But of course the little highlight(s) were meeting their little bubbies. While we were in London she and her hubby had gone ahead and had twins. One boy, one girl - so gorgeous and sweet!

I made them some cheeky monkey twins to play with. A blue one for the little boy and a purple one for the little girl (I didn't see any pink socks!). I hope they like them and drool over them!

Shadow Shot Sunday & Koh Samui

I almost forgot about this weeks Shadow Shot for Hey Harriets Blog! This week I'm posting this pool photo taken in Thailand at Koh Samui. I took it just after breakfast before we stepped out for a bit of snorkelling out at the crystal clear waters of Nangyuan Island (below).

The shadow shot pool photo I took was at our first hotel at Koh Samui. We stayed there for a few nights and was located in the main area of Chaweng street and on the beach. It was a great spot and a real bargain! But seeing as we were earning the ££ and all that when we went, we thought we'd splurge and treat ourselves to a fancy schmancy resort for our last 2 nights. We ended up staying at Sala Samui. I think it is the most luxurious place i've ever stayed at.

It has everything you could ask for in a romantic get away - private beach, two beautiful pools, yummy breakies, relaxing spa treatments, luxurious and earthy outdoor bathrooms and ofcourse totally comfy and spacious rooms complete with massive bed and lounge about day beds!

But what sold me was the private infinity pool in your own villa!! I had always dreamed of staying somewhere where you get your own pool and this place had it. I LOVED it! Ofcourse I had to go skinny dipping - I mean what good is a private pool otherwise :) Here are some piccies that I took of our private pool (our outdoor bathroom looked out on it)!

New Projects & Jumpy Frog

Since returning back to Sydney I have been re-acquainted with my sewing machine!! While in London there were lots of things that I wanted to make but hand stitching was just way too slow so I ended up buying the odd thing now and then (when I couldn't resist or was a much needed necessity/gift!).

But now that I am back home in Sydney with all my appliances (yay cake mixer no more manual stirring and whipping for ages!) I can start on all my little projects. Plus since I am still a Lady of Leisure (read unemployed, looking for a job) I have had a little bit of time to do my little projects!

I've been a busy little bee and have had lots of fun sewing away! Here's some of my little goodies:

I gave my monkeys to my niece and nephew - it is so cute when I see them carrying them around!!

I made that heart bag for myself and then also made another one for my sister-in-law for Chrissie!

I've got loads of friends and relos who are having babies so I started making the diaper/baby wipe pouches for them.

And I keep spotting really cute fabrics that I'm not sure what to do with so I made little tissue holders just so I can use the fabric!!

I just finished off a little zippy bag to hold some more of my loose bits & pieces in my handbag and my sister requested a notebook cover that I just finished yesterday for her!

So you can see that I've been busy and having loads of fun at the same time!

In the end I decided to change my earring shop (previously ppaccessories.etsy.com) and instead open up a brand new shop called JUMPY FROG (http://jumpyfrog.etsy.com) combiningg my earrings and all other bits & bobs!

I've listed a few bits & pieces in there and will be adding more goodies soon - if you have some time please stop by!

Shadow Shot Sunday!

As lots of people mentioned my hot air balloon shot in the previous post was actually a shadow shot too!! But as it's in landscape and the shadow is in the corner not sure how that will fit in with HeyHarriets collages so i've gone ahead and included another shadow shot for this Sunday.

This one was taken at the Colosseum in Rome. Of course on our return we had to go and watch Gladiator!

Cappadocia, Turkey

Highlight for me of our recent Turkey trip has got to be Cappadocia, and it's not just because of the super nice accommodation we stayed at (see this previous post). I loved it because it was quieter, more hassle free (compared to anywhere else in Turkey) and of course the scenery was crazy amazing! Not to mention I took my first ever Hot Air Balloon ride there!

It was a public holiday in Turkey the weekend we arrived so there were quite a few balloons up in the sky. Hot Air Ballooning is the thing to do when you go to Cappadocia it seems. It was a fantastic morning for it and a great start to our holiday. We soared high above the unusual rock formations - it was quite strange looking at it from above as you couldn't really tell how massive they were, except ofcourse when we seemed to sail right next to them (that was very cool) that we could almost touch them. You can see the pictures above are taken from our

In the photo above you can see the rock formation right on the left hand side looks a bit like a camel. This one of a handful of rock formations that looked like animals in the Derwent Valley. Isn't this place amazing!

These types of formations are known as 'fairy chimneys' and were formed as a result of erosion from wind, flood water etc. You can see how big they are compared to the people on the ground. Some of these ones there were hollows in and were used as dwellings. These ones we saw at Pasabagi.

This picture is of the Rose Valley. It reminded me of some of the formations we saw in The States.

And here you can see some of the old houses/dwellings carved into the rocks. This one was taken at Cavusin.

Loved Cappadocia - it was very different to anything else we saw in Turkey. It may have been a tiring journey to get there (about 24hours starting from Croatia - including hanging out at deserted airports at 1am, deserted bus stations at 3am and seriously long bus rides!) but definitely all worth it! Any one going to turkey it is worth the travel out there!!

Shadow Shot Sunday!

I have been very busy lately. Recently got my sewing machine fixed so have been going a little crazy doing lots of little projects. So crazy busy infact that I almost forgot to post my Shadow Shot Sunday photo. But luckily I remembered just in time (I hope!).

I really like this photo - the lighting is so pretty and it is a very cool room. It is actually a room inside a cave hotel! We stayed in this beautiful beautiful cave hotel called Elkep Evi in Cappadoccia, Turkey. I'll post more photos of this incredible and unusual place in the next post but for now check out the hotel here - it was amazing!

I Lovem!

There have been a bunch of little bubbas getting born all around me recently, infact all around Sydney - so much so that the hospitals have even had to turn people away as the birthing suites were all occupied!!

As a result of so many babies coming into this world it has meant that I have spent a huge chunk of time searching on Etsy for little baby pressies. I came across some really cute little blankies - perfect security blankets complete with soft toy and all!! And an added bonus is that the creators of these cute blankies is a real sweetie as well!! Go check them out at http://lovems1.etsy.com [you can click on the photos below for more details of each item]