Dear Diary,

I'm so happy to finally be using my absolutely adorable 2011 diary! Purchased this little beauty for myself a few weeks ago and it came with a matching pen + bookmark! I normally use run-of-the-mill diaries that have pretty boring covers and not-so-good paper quality but this year I decided to spend a bit more money on something that would actually make me happy to write in. The best thing about this diary is that all of the pages are illustrated, colourful and different! It's sooo cute. Almost too cute to write in.

The layout of this diary is horizontal week to a view which is a bit different to what I'm used to using. I normally prefer day to a page as there is more room for me to scribble down all my random thoughts.

Isn't this so cute?

What diary will you be using this year?

Lost in Wonderland

lost.in.wonderland by light.my.sapphire

Polyvore was once my wonderland, my escape. For a year I would make roughly two sets a day and would jump on at every chance to see other people's fabulous creations. Earlier this year, being so busy I decided to take some time away from that place. I wasn't able to spend as much time there anymore and the thought of trying to catch up with my friends who were publishing set after set, day after day while I barely had time to even breathe was overwhelming. I slowly lost my passion and enthusiasm.

This morning, I dropped by only to visit and have a look around but before I knew it I found myself getting lost in that wonderful feeling of being creative and happy with no boundaries. Polyvore is an amazing, amazing tool - I can't say enough good things about it and if you haven't visited yet you should. Just don't blame me if you get hooked!!

One Village Coffee by Able

How fantastic does this packaging look? Love the colour scheme (white + two colours). Am just dying to try this coffee after seeing this!

Meringue

What you see above is the package design for Meringue, a new upscale dessert boutique, created by Samira Khoshnood.

"It seeks to capture the air-whipped quality of meringue, the main ingredient in most of the store's pastries. Three types of packaging highlight the form and color of meringue cookies and macarons, two of Meringue’s signature sweets.

The origami-inspired cookie box emulates the folds and peaks of meringue cookies. Macaron boxes and bags frame the beauty and color of the macarons. Letterpressed tissue and seals add a pop of color and tactile quality to white and clear packaging."

This is simply gorgeous! Well done Samira!

Little world of paper and folds

This is a magical journey into the world of folds. . .

A unique collection of paper artistry products from around the world by Justine of Upon a Fold, which is a small studio based in Sydney, Australia. The knitting girl gift card is so creative!

Rifle Paper Co.

If you love stationery as much as I do, then you are sure to love the selection of goods from Rifle Paper Co. Created by Anna Bond and her husband Nathan, this lovely stationery brand and design studio sells cards, prints and invitation templates that are whimsical, nostalgic and beautiful. Here are some of my favourite items from their online boutique:

Animal chart card, available as a single card or boxed set of 8.


"Uh Oh" Print


Happy Birthday balloons card


Anatomy of Love print


Shaggy Dog card



Spoon recipe cards


Circus birthday card

My favourite item is the Anatomy of Love print - I would love love love to have this sitting on my desk!

Visual Treats by i.klee

What better than some beautifully-styled, colourful and fun colour cards to finish off with on a Friday afternoon. These photographs belong to Imke Klee - a stylist, designer, photographer and illustrator who works in Germany and France. I think her work is amazing; she is spot on with her colour choices and I adore her lovely little knick-knacks. Makes you look at everyday objects a bit differently doesn't it?

Enjoy while I head out and enjoy the rest of this beautiful warm afternoon.. Happy Friday folks! :)

Spin me a Fairytale

Check out these amazing fairytale-inspired prints, a collaboration between Aussie illustrator Rebecca Wetzler and Aussie designers Alex Perry, J'Aton Couture, Lisa Ho, Collette Dinnigan, Toni Maticevski. Aren't they wonderful? I was lucky to buy one before the orders closed. The money raised from the sale of these prints will go towards the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which you can read about here. Such a worthy cause. I can't wait to receive mine!

Details:
Sleeping Beauty fairytale print - dress by Lisa Ho
Princess and the Pea fairytale print - dress by Toni Maticevski
Snow White fairytale print - dress by J'Aton Couture
Cinderella fairytale print - dress by Alex Perry
Rapunzel fairytale print - dress by Collette Dinnigan

Which one is your favourite?

This is Origami.

Any origami lovers out there like me? Well, you are in luck -- I am going to share wtih you my excitement of stumbling upon this genius creation by Magdalena Czarnecki, a Swedish designer and recent graduate of Billy Blue College in Sydney (Australia!).

Pictured above is one of her project ideas: empty paper bags containing simple step-by-step instructions on how to fold the bag into an origami animal in order to become a sustainable designer toy in paper.

What's even better is that the cost of the bag is directed to the WWF to help save the endangered animal and its dying population. Such a worthy cause for all us animal lovers to support. LOVE!

Check out other posts under the beautiful bits and pieces category to discover more amazing and delightful finds I've come across in my web-wandering adventures!