third room studio

New work

2012-02-23T08:16:00.009+11:00

Here's a little sneak peak of one of the paintings I've been working on recently. This one is at an 'almost' stage, still needs a few of the finer details figured out. Unfortunately we've had storms (seriously, this summer's weather has been awful) so I've had to use some unnatural light to catch this one, hopefully I'll be able to get a better quality picture and reveal more when it's done.

We are off to the coast tomorrow for a serious dose of sunshine and beach! I'm so excited, and thrilled that the weather just might hold for us. Enjoy!

Home

2012-02-22T08:02:00.000+11:00

A little picture from home today. I picked up the little fruit basket yesterday for all of a dollar. My, I do love to op-shop!

Home inspiration

2012-02-21T08:25:00.000+11:00

I've recently been spending a lot of time in the studio, working on a series of paintings that are new and challenging and full of details, very different from everything I've been doing in the past year. Its amazing that the skills I've been learning in large abstracts are now being transferred to... portraits, or at least, portraits of sorts. Everything is still very much in the early stages, but I hope to have something to show in the next week or so.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share some of the beautiful work of Chris Court interiors photography. These rooms have just the right amount of leisurely mess and comfort that makes me want to sink right into the space. Enjoy!

Lobo Luxe love

2012-02-16T08:30:00.005+11:00

I've mentioned my love for jewellery store Lobo Luxe before. They have a beautiful selection, but in particular I've always been very fond of designer Robindira Unsworth's simple rings. Needless to say, I was pretty psyched to receive one this valentines day.

Today I'd like to be....

2012-02-15T08:17:00.000+11:00

Settee via Anthropologie; Secret Squirrel 'Collage' dress; SDMarieJewelry Silver bangle; Oxford wedge via Urban Outfitters; Tilman Faelker print 'I've been to the moon'.

2012-02-14T14:38:00.000+11:00

You could say I'm a bit of a sucker for any gift giving occasion. I can't help myself! We have a bit of a sweet tooth around here, so these cup cakes seemed appropriate.

Happy Valentines day!

2012-02-10T11:38:00.000+11:00

A few things I love right now...

Vintage floor lamp from Urban Outfitters; Elbow patch sweater from Asos; Alice Sun coffee mug from Horne; Copper page markers from Manufactum.

Fresh

2012-02-10T11:12:00.000+11:00

I had been intending to change up the look of this blog for the new year, something a little more fresh. Is February too late to be called the 'new year'? It feels like time is slipping away ever so quickly. Well, better late than never.

New work

2012-02-09T08:23:00.010+11:00

Still experimenting, reflecting, going back to old work and looking for new inspiration. This is a moody painting, but I like that. I might add a few more glazes but essentially it's complete.

Children's portraits

2012-02-08T11:07:00.000+11:00

One of the main reasons I'm at all creative was having an older sister immeasurably more talented than I can ever hope to be. Not only has she just created a beautiful little girl to add to her brood, whilst pregnant she completed another stunning portrait for us, and now we have a matching pair. I cannot help but stare dreamily at these portraits at some point every single day (they bring tears and goosebumps to ourselves and friends).

Created in pencil from a composite of photographs, they are incredible, and capture both our children perfectly, a little snapshot in time. I've been playing with the idea of hanging them either side of the mantle, but I can't decide who should go where? Do they look away from each other, or at one another? For now I'm not putting any holes in the wall...

Today I'd like to be....

2012-02-07T12:54:00.000+11:00

Urban Outfitters Chaise; American Apparel shirt; Country Road pants; Witchery belt; Scarf from Anthropologie; Sigerson Morrison flats from Madewell; The Civil Wars 'Barton Hollow'.

While I can't have everything I'd like, I did just order The Civil Wars' new album. Bliss...

still, still, and process.

2012-02-03T09:41:00.000+11:00

One of the first paintings I ever gave to someone was a large still life, with a similar composition as the one below. I haven't seen it in years (it lives in a very dear friend's home), and I wonder how far I've come since then (about 8 years). My painting style is constantly evolving, which is important, but also frustrating. Focus is the most difficult thing for me. I find I have to switch things up regularly or else it all gets very stale. One day I must experiment with abstraction, the next I want clean, focused line. I regularly come back to my surface paintings, and sometimes I just want to paint something simple and classic.

The last few days I've been absorbed with still life painting, and while I'm quite happy with the finished pieces (and how quickly I can paint them!), I'd really like to take them further, to a more interesting level. But for now, they're brightening up corners of our home.

Another sweet little deer from a junk shop recently.

new spaces

2012-02-02T08:03:00.015+11:00

I did say I'd post a little more of our little lady's big girl room. I've only just finished her quilt today. It's nice and simple and an eclectic mix of fabric. Traditional in the sense that I used what I already had with the addition of a couple of vibrant colours. It suits.

You can also see her rescued doll's house which I revamped a long time ago. She's only now becoming interested. And of course, the little yellow chair (also rescued), which is proving to be quite useful.

still life

2012-02-01T15:24:00.000+11:00

Life really has been still today. What I thought was going to be a hectic day full of shops and business and difficulties, has turned into one of my most productive studio days in a very long time. It's quiet. I've let go of what I should be doing, and instead I'm working on something for the sake of itself, for the beauty of it. It feels good.

I'm working on a few of these still life paintings, very simple, very elegant, and so much fun! I haven't painted still life work in a long long time, and it's interesting to see how my changed painting techniques have affected my style. I like it. And I may even pop a few of these in my shop. Soon.

February

2012-02-01T08:31:00.011+11:00

Feeling absolutely inspired by this grand window in the New York apartment of set maker Johanna Burke via Freunde von Freunden. I want to wake up here every morning.

changes

2012-01-30T08:24:00.000+11:00

With everything we've got going on at the moment I do feel like I've been neglecting this little blog o' mine. We're on the cusp of things settling down, and I can feel my mind relaxing as I step into the studio more and more. And I've also been trying out some changes around the house. On a whim I started shifting things around over the weekend, which included moving this painting and the cabinet beneath it.

It also involved a reconfiguration of the living room, but since everything is still in limbo due to toilet training (and the removal of all floor rugs), things are still looking a little sparse. Hopefully not long now...

The Style Emporium

2012-01-25T07:56:00.000+11:00

Over the weekend I had a relaxing lunch with friends and followed it up with a stroll into one of my favourite shops in Canberra, the Syle Emporium. It's such a gorgeous little shop, partly devoted to cake making, but mostly filled with some of the most beautiful designs, such as Love Mae, Orla Kiely, and Paper Boat Press, as well as beautiful things for children.

I wasn't feeling like spending much money, but I did notice the most beautiful, simple paper mobile. As my son has slowly destroyed the paper crane mobile I made for my daughter's room, and as she has now graduated to a big bed, I thought something a little more feminine and delicate would be nice, and it ties in with the other butterflies in the room.

I'll post a more complete picture of her room later, but for now, how sweet is this?

Pendleton

2012-01-24T08:41:00.024+11:00

One of my 'must buy' items while we're in the US is some Native American influenced design. I've had a blanket in mind, but while I'd prefer something traditional, I really like the look of this Pendleton weekend bag, which is a little more practical and can do double duty to help bring home our loot!

in progress...

2012-01-20T08:31:00.000+11:00

I've been working on a large abstract that seems to be taking forever. Hopefully it will be completed this weekend, as I'm ready to pick up on something new. Unfortunately I'm not going to get much time for it though, between trying to organise our trip and doing some serious potty training (joy), we're a little bit overwhelmed.

Today I'd like to be....

2012-01-19T07:30:00.001+11:00

1.Cobble Hill chair; 2. Bergdorf Goodman earings; 3. Anthropologie Pillow; 4. Anthropologie Mechanic's Beacon light; 5. Alannah Hill dress; 6. Miranda Skoczek painting 'Florid Flourish'; 7. Melissa Campana Zig Zag flats.

Packing light

2012-01-16T08:03:00.017+11:00

One of the most exciting things about our upcoming trip to the US is the idea of all the (eep!) shopping. So many stores to visit, so little time! But this also creates a big problem. With two small kids in tow, we can't be carting around bags and bags of luggage, so I'm going to have to pack light, super light, as I will be fitting both my children's clothes, as well as my own, in one bag of luggage. Of course, this means that we will have room for extra bags on the way back home, but figuring out how to pack for 7 or 8 states over almost two months of weather is doing my head in.

Everything must work together, so I'm planning on sticking to a dark uniform with the exception of a couple of colours, and I hope it will look a little something like this...

1. Madewell jeans; 2. Forever New purse; 3. Jeffrey Campbell shoes; 4. Pea Coat; 5. Witchery shirt; 6. Witchery shirt; 7. FCUK Wide brim hat.

T2 Tea

2012-01-13T08:00:00.026+11:00

Friday the 13th is looking set to be a beautiful day. It's been the coldest summer ever, but it makes us appreciate these beautiful days even more. It's also meant that our crazy fuchsia plant has been growing... well, like crazy (crazy because no matter how we try to kill it, it always grows back - and also because it happens to be growing between our walls???).

I bought these beautiful tea glasses above from T2 Tea after a shopping trip with my sister. After not being able to get them out of my head I had to go back and pick them up, and I think I might add a couple more to the set. It makes drinking a glass of water feel a little bit special, and I can use all the encouragement I can get.

New work

2012-01-12T10:34:00.000+11:00

Okay, so the original purpose of this blog was to keep myself (read: my painting practice) on track, consistent and regular. I'm a bit disappointed with the final point, so finally I'm able to share some new work. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure it's finished (it might need a little more blending between the highlights and the darkness), but I'm happy with the overall composition.

And for now it's taken over space in the living room, which means I've had to move some things around. It's always nice to keep things fresh. It's quite a large painting, and being so dark I think it needs a big room to hold it, though I can also see it in a darker, smaller space and it taking on a very masculine vibe.

Somewhere like this...

2012-01-11T08:27:00.000+11:00

After a break from blogging (and the reading of other blogs), it's interesting to sense how my tastes have changed. All of a sudden I want to wake up somewhere like this...

via Little Emma English Home via Bolig

//Plugging in//

2012-01-09T08:37:00.020+11:00

Hi there - yes, I'm back, but only just. It has been relaxing, and I feel almost ready to re-enter the world again. Living without schedules, taking time with simple things, it's been lovely. But truth be told I'm much more at home with a good plan, and January is always a good time to start a plan...

via Best Made Company

Enjoy!

2011-12-22T07:18:00.000+11:00

It's hard to believe that the year is almost out - I feel like we're gradually slowing down, and I'm excited for the break ahead. Plus we're getting a very welcome surprise gift of family visiting from afar, which is better than anything to be found under the tree.

I'm hoping that next year will bring more creativity, a lot more studio time, as well as some new and exciting opportunities. And I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and an exciting new year! I look forward to meeting you back here mid January. Enjoy!

2

2011-12-20T08:17:00.000+11:00

I honestly don't know where the time went. You call it your 'Happy Day!', and I really hope it is. Happy birthday sweet child o' mine.

Bjorg jewellery

2011-12-19T07:37:00.025+11:00

Incredible jewellery from Norwegian jewellery designer Bjorg. I normally fall for a more simple style, but I love the detail and the complexity, especially the Anatomic heart locket.

1.Anatomic heart locket; 2. Goldskull earings; 3. Herkimer Diamond ring; 4. Howling at the Moon claw ring.

Uncomplicated

2011-12-15T07:51:00.000+11:00

This beautiful and simple apartment reflects the woman who lives there. Malin Elmlid is a Swedish baker living in Berlin. She began a program called 'The Bread Exchange', in which she makes beautiful looking, natural sourdough bread and trades it for things that other people 'can do better than she can'. I love it, and the sense of community that it must create. You can read more about her, and see more of her eclectic and simple home via Freunde von Freuden.

Today I'd like to be....

2011-12-14T07:28:00.000+11:00

ASOS Midi dress; ASOS metalic super skinny belt; A Merry Mishap Gold Dipped Geo ring; Platinum leather Baggu bag in small; Anthropologie silver flats; Professor chair; The Great Gatsby.

Marco Cibola via Poketo

2011-12-13T07:41:00.016+11:00

I'm sort of fascinated by this plate set by artist Marco Cibola. Titled 'The Middletons', each plate has a 'personality', and is individually named (Doug, Janet, Claire and Perry). I love the concept, and each plate is beautiful, not the kind of thing I could actually eat off.

2011-12-12T09:51:00.000+11:00

The only part of my studio that isn't covered in wrapping paper, projects, canvas' or paint - one tiny corner of the shelf still clean... it's been busy, and I don't think it's going to get un-busy any time soon.

2011-12-08T07:15:00.005+11:00

I forgot to mention that yes, we did Thanksgiving, yes it was good, and yes, we will do it again. I will be quite happy to adopt this tradition.

Morran

2011-12-07T07:26:00.000+11:00

A little while ago Swedish artist (and globally adored blogger) Camilla Engman put out a call for artists to interpret her beautiful little dog, Morran. She's now compiled the many, many impressions of one small dog in a book, The Morran Book Project. I was very happy to contribute, and my little painting is actually the first one of the smaller book.

Unfortunately this is all very bitter sweet, with little Morran passing away last week. It's very sad, and it makes this little tribute book all the more special and timely. Proceeds of the book go to WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals), and I'm looking forward to receiving my copy.

Photos via Camilla Engman

Today I'd like to be....

2011-12-06T07:51:00.019+11:00

Maybe it's Summer after all...

Earings; Zara skirt; Emerson Made Tux jacket; Anthropologie Setting Suns clutch; Silver Chesterfield; 'Myriam' by Michelle Armas.

2011-12-06T07:30:00.000+11:00

A few more shots of our recent hallway re-do. I'm still not loving the shoe baskets but I can't think of a better option. I knew I had a lot of shoes, but seriously, how can these kids have more shoes than me??? I could try and make them put them away but that's a battle for another day. For now, the not so pretty baskets (they'd be fine in a different context) will have to stay.

Lonny

2011-12-05T07:15:00.000+11:00

When I wasn't closely watching a boy with a very high temperature this weekend, I managed to check out the November/December edition of Lonny. Lovely and aspirational as ever (seriously, who lives like this), these are a couple of pics that caught my eye. As usual, I can't help being drawn to all the white walls and wood floors, and recently a bit of glamorous gold seems perfect. I've been holding onto a beautiful gold frame for some time, I just need to find the right piece of art...

I hope your weekend was less stressful than my own, and thankfully all that watching seems to have worked.

I see red...

2011-12-01T07:25:00.000+11:00

Little sprinkles of Christmas popping up slowly, and the red and white fits in with the natural habitat. It's been the most awful weather lately (including a mega storm which kept little ones up way past bed time), so we've been spending time indoors. I've put the time to good use and made an advent calendar (I pinched the idea of a hanging version from the ever lovely Fryd), which is sure to get some people excited.

It seriously doesn't feel like the first day of SUMMER! And with less than 3 weeks till my little girl's birthday, I've got a crammed month of making (and buying) ahead of me. Between everything that's been going on and all the good stuff coming, I feel like I haven't actually painted in weeks. Some good studio time is long overdue.

Today I'd like to be....

2011-11-30T08:57:00.000+11:00

Christian Louboutin shoes; Chanel Le Vernis nail polish in Blue Rebel; Alice & Olivia dress; Rachel Pheffer Drusy ring; Bracelet; Armchair; The Flowerpot Sessions.

These storms are making me feel a touch dark and glamorous today!

Before & after...

2011-11-29T07:41:00.000+11:00

Well, after a few coats of paint here and there, our entry way is finally on it's way to being finished - I'm still not happy with a few details (I'm not a big fan of the baskets, used for shoe storage), and we definitely need to upgrade our entry mat, but at least it's no longer brown!

I ended up mixing my own colour for the hall table - it ended up a Tiffany's blue which I was surprised to find kinda worked, given the fresh white of the door and the painting on the wall nearby. I think I might need to switch around the hall runners (and give this one a good iron!) to get one of the less red toned ones in the entry - but I'll save that for another day.

Friday find

2011-11-25T07:23:00.019+11:00

This weekend we're celebrating our first Thanksgiving - I know you might be thinking, 'you're Australian, what gives, and you've got the date wrong.' Well, it happens my husband is a duel citizen, and having spent around a year of his life in the US he feels it's time we give some of these American traditions a try, and not getting a public holiday we thought we'd wait till the weekend. Plus, our big trip to the US next year is getting us all excited, and we love a good party.

So, back to my find for this week. Well, we attended a massive community garage sale last weekend, and not only did I pick up a big beautiful unworn pea coat for next winter, I also found this used Ikea pendant lamp for $2. I couldn't decide which colour to paint it, having suggested pink (which, of course, was declined) so I ended up choosing the safety of sky blue. A quick coat was all that was needed.

I've been looking for a vintage enamel lamp for quite a while on ebay, but nothing was coming up in my price range. This is a simple alternative, and it makes the room look a lot fresher. This sunny little breakfast room of ours is undergoing a bit of a transformation. I'm caught by indecision lately, so for now I'm keeping things quite clean and uncluttered. It won't last long. But at least it will be clean for Thanksgiving.

Harvest

2011-11-24T07:30:00.007+11:00

Akin to our interior style, our yard is pulled together from salvaged, found and home made. We've been here over five years now, and what was once a drought starved 'lawn' with a concrete path and clothes line, is now bursting (seriously bursting) with life. It's in no way finished (I doubt gardens ever are), but it's providing more and more food for us as the years pass. This year we're excited to see apples growing, not to mention the elderflower (we're planning on making wine!).

We also have an abundance of herbs that are very established. This year is the first that I'm attempting to dry and store my own herbs, and I'm hoping to do all sorts of preserving as the months move along.

It's still spring (barely) and we're already seeing so much fruiting, and it's a joy to watch our children learn and explore through all the paths and garden beds (our son has taken a liking to picking and eating the parsley, while our daughter can't keep her little fingers off the strawberries). I wonder what the summer will bring...

Today I'd like to be....

2011-11-23T07:18:00.020+11:00

Alberta Ferretti dress; Crosscurrent Purse; Poetic Licence 'Orient Express' shoes; Tear drop Druzy Ring; Oh La La Dining Chair; The Unthanks 'Here's The Tender Coming'.

Instagram

2011-11-22T14:05:00.000+11:00

Okay, I'm jumping on the bandwagon, well and truly! Instagram wasn't initially something I thought I'd be interested in, but I've been wondering how I'm going to blog on the road while we trek around the US without having to constantly find a PC to upload photos, not to mention finding some quiet time for it in a crowded hotel room.

This way I'll be able to stay connected and use some of the driving time (when I'm not picking my jaw off my lap from the scenery!) to keep this blog going while we are away. We've finally booked some accommodation so it's starting to feel a little more real now. So much more to organize, but for now, some snapshots from my first instagram session.

New work

2011-11-22T07:45:00.013+11:00

Okay, I posted about this little fox recently, and it's taken me a while to finish her off. In the end I went back to pencil, which was a nice change I must admit, though RSI is a problem. We've been reading a lot of nursery rhymes at home lately, with foxes making occasional appearances - perhaps they've seeped into my brain.

Friday find

2011-11-18T07:20:00.001+11:00

Today's Friday find comes via a giant garage sale held over the weekend. I'd been looking for a sweet little deer figurine (as my daughter, since learning what a deer is, has become a little obsessed with them).

For now I've placed her on the shelf in my daughter's room - although given how much we use this shelf it might be a dangerous place for this one.

Growing up we always had little porcelain figurines, particularly my sister and I. My mother had an antique tray-mobile with a draw full of beautiful and tiny figures when we were growing up, and it was such a treat to look through and hold them all. I suspect I'm passing this fascination on...

Kitchen

2011-11-17T07:38:00.000+11:00

After yesterday's post about oriental rugs, I thought I'd share a little bit of our home and of course, one of our very own rugs. I actually found this one at a school fair and it fit this space perfectly. Of course the reality of having it in the kitchen means it needs regular cleaning, however it's more forgiving than the white tile.

This time of year is perfect in our kitchen - we're drying herbs, brewing ginger beer, and enjoying the sunshine before the heat becomes too much and we're forced to close out the sun. It's a brief time but it's lovely.

It's also a beautiful time of year in our garden. Right now in particular we are being lavished with strawberries, and every morning and evening we seem to get a few more ripening up. Unfortunately we're not the only ones who love them, and it's a race to catch them once ripe before the possums or the ants or the slugs get them. I think we're winning, mostly.

Oriental rugs

2011-11-16T07:14:00.031+11:00

If you had a look inside our home, you'd quickly realise that I'm quite partial to an oriental rug. There's something about the warmth (I particularly love the red tones) and the pattern that simply pulls a space together, no matter what style - White painted floorboards? Throw an oriental rug on it and all of a sudden it's eclectic and homely. Country cottage? An oriental rug brings that extra warmth and grounds the room in a solid base.

I particularly love them against white walls, as hall runners, and I really like seeing one in an unexpected spot, like a small one in the kitchen. I'm yet to see a bath mat designed to look like an oriental rug - I think it would look great against white tile.

I think we have a total of 5 in our home already, but I am considering another, or at least a larger one for our living room. How about you, do you share my passion?

Images 1,2 & 5 via Bolaget; 3 & 4 via Lonny.

Every Eskimo on Etsy

2011-11-15T07:23:00.001+11:00

I stumbled upon this charming Etsy shop the other day and I had to share it. The shop owner has a similar passion for finding vintage and unusual pieces and I pretty much want to buy everything from Every Eskimo. She also spends time stitching little creatures from vintage fabrics which are absolutely adorable and somewhat haunting. There's a sense of nostalgia which is captured through a great aesthetic, coupled with beautiful, moody photos and styling. Perfect.

More fun with Fimo

2011-11-14T08:19:00.000+11:00

How was your weekend? We had a beautiful time on Friday evening at a wine tasting, followed by a gorgeous Saturday complete with sleep-in, breakfast in the sunshine as well as catching up with friends for lunch. Sunday wasn't so spectacular (late effects of the wine tasting, perhaps?) but I did manage to have a little fun.

After the success of my first trial with Fimo, and with quite a bit left over from before, I had another little go at making some more Christmas decorations. This time, simple little love hearts strung with twine to hang here and there. So easy (I just used a little biscuit cutter I already owned - just make sure you wash it afterwards!), I think I'll have to do something similar with the white I have leftover.

These would also be very pretty for gift wrapping, but I don't think I could make enough - we'll see...

Spoils for the weekend.

2011-11-11T07:14:00.006+11:00

Oh, I love a good parcel, don't you? There's something so giddy about a package in the post. Maybe its because I know bills don't come in boxes, or maybe it's simply the excitement of the unknown. Either way, I got a parcel yesterday, a nice big fat one, full of delightful little goodies thanks to Danielle of Hellow Owl and a little comp she had going.

Such a lovely hamper full of beautiful products, including some eco-friendly body care products I'd never heard of, and of course, some mouth watering lemon shortbreads... sigh.

Our weekend is looking quite full, including a trip to the market for some thoroughly good junk searching, and later some lunch with my dearest ladies (the dearest of whom is with child!). Today is a pretty auspicious day, I'm wondering what I should do at 11:11:11 on the 11th of the 11th? It's going to be a good one, enjoy!

Today I'd like to be....

2011-11-10T07:38:00.000+11:00

Benson Chair; Mini Journal: Caldera Bracelet; About the Author Dress;Outspread Wings Peep Toes

It's been so miserable these last few days, I'm in a bit of a grey mood. Of course, we're going to have a crazy good garden crop this year, but right now all I want is a bit more sunshine!

Beautiful home via BOLAGET

2011-11-09T07:49:00.001+11:00

I've been pretty stressed out lately as we try to plan our big trip to the USA early next year (6 weeks, cross country, two small children....), and I'm finding it difficult to focus on anything else. I thought I might try and distract myself with a look inside this beautiful Swedish home via Bolaget.

What struck me most about the space (beyond that seemingly effortless Swedish style), were the subtle indoor plants, and how they seemed to lift the space. I have no idea whether they were placed there by a stylist or whether it's true to the owners. Either way, its a small touch that we're missing in our home (except for one small plant in my studio).

I have a history of killing indoor plants, but a while ago Joanna from A Cup of Jo wrote a great post on easy indoor plants that are a little more invincible (though she does list a Bogonia, which I know I've killed in the past...)

Fimo

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000+11:00

Last week I tried my hand at Fimo modelling clay - have you ever tried this? It is so much fun. I set my kids up with some play dough (Fimo is not recommended for kids, quite toxic) and I sat there and played. Specifically I wanted to make some more red and white Christmas decorations, so it made sense to make these little toadstools - so easy. You can see below a little before and after I painted their little dots. I think these little guys will be travelling around from bookshelf to window sill over the festive season and beyond.

I also had a go at some jewellery making, creating a geometric bead which I'm in the process of painting. This wasn't quite so easy, but I was winging it. Still, for a first go the results are looking pretty good. More on that later.

in progress...

2011-11-04T08:43:00.000+11:00

Well I feel like it's been ages since I've posted about any paintings - this is probably because I have barely had any time for painting lately, my world having been consumed by other projects. That being said, I have resumed some work and I'm hoping the weekend will provide me with some much needed studio time. This is a little part of something I've been working on lately, still progressing - it's actually on paper, which I've never really painted on before (at least, not since primary school) - it's surprisingly versatile, not to mention inexpensive - but limited by size.

We are in for a stunning weekend weather wise, and I've got some fun plans, including high tea (oh my yes!) with some luurrrvly ladies, and some secret plans which I hope come to fruition. Enjoy!

under construction...

2011-11-03T17:34:00.000+11:00

A quick look inside our entry way, undergoing a little transformation (finally). The main project was painting our front door, and it has made an enormous difference - so much more light bouncing around the room now, I love it. And the hall table has also been painted, having taken inspiration from my previous post. More on this later (and yes, I got a little pink in there...).

Loving Furoshiki

2011-11-03T07:49:00.000+11:00

Have you heard of furoshiki? The Japanese wrapping cloth is used for wrapping and carrying lunch boxes, and on special occasions, for wrapping gifts. I can't imagine myself using this for my work lunch, but I can imagine using it for gifts, the idea being that it is kept and reused again and again. I have Christmas in mind when I look at this - all those piles and piles of crinkled, torn and sticky-taped wrapping paper, often thrown out as a lot of it can't be recycled. And though I am one of those people who keep it and reuse it, a beautiful Japanese fabric would look and feel so much nicer.

There are lots of great tutorials about how to wrap different things, like wine bottles and boxes of different shapes and sizes, and as you can see in the image above, they can also be wrapped to use as bags and a table cloth - multi-purpose much? And obviously, the range of patterns available is virtually endless, from modern geometric to traditional designs. All lovely.

Images 1 & 3 from Uguisu, image 2 from Tea Collection.

a little colour

2011-11-02T07:32:00.000+11:00

We (and when I say 'we', I mean 'I') have been thinking of adding a little splash of colour to our currently dull entry. It's been a bit of a shambles, and after painting the front door white (and correcting the tiger-like scratch marks left by my daughter, less than half an hour after finishing the final coat), it needs something fresh to bring it to life. I'm thinking somewhere between mint and aqua and sky blue, which just might have a lot to do with the blissful weather outside.

1. 2 by Fryd; 2. Yvestown; 3. Living Agency; 4. Landcharm; 5. Re-nest

It's bright and fresh and feminine without being too bold. I did suggest pink but the look I got was a combination of disgust and pity... I think pink might make an appearance somewhere though...

sandal search

2011-11-01T07:30:00.002+11:00

I have a very strange condition - for years I had trouble with my back, ongoing, painful stuff, mostly from working full time in an office. When I returned to work earlier this year (after my second baby) I did so with the intention that I'd make a little more effort to look more professional, and even started putting on heels (I like flats, I really, really like flats). And I noticed something. When I wear heels, I don't get back pain. It seems counter intuitive, but it's true.

So I'm left in the position of now always having to wear heels to work, even in spring and summer, when I'd normally be scuffing into a pair of Birkenstocks or worse, thongs (flip flops, for my northern readers). So, the search is on for an airy, comfortable pair of heeled sandals that are appropriate for work... here are some options, and I have a particular fancy for the Funkis and the Swedish Hasbeens.

1. Funkis; 2. Madewell; 3.Madewell; 4. Topshop; 5. Swedish Hasbeens.

Next step, fake tan, and of course, when I'm not at work I slip quite easily back into those flats...

Weekend project

2011-10-31T09:00:00.001+11:00

We got a little crafty over the weekend, my husband and I. Not only did I paint our entry door (and learn a lesson about not letting almost 2 year olds near drying paint!), I started whipping up a few ornaments for Christmas. I'm starting to take this Christmas thing a little more seriously - maybe it's having kids and seeing their total delight at decorations and the unknown fun to be had (and presents, of course). So I've started myself a little tradition - to actually make a few decorations each year, so that eventually we have a whole collection of handmade ones that feel a little more authentic than plastic fantastic.

And my husband's efforts? Well, he's been embracing his duel (US/AUST) citizenship recently, and carved himself a killer Halloween pumpkin (we even got a couple of trick-or-treaters! Not usual for our part of the world, and thankfully he'd thought to also buy lollies). He also made that delicious, incredible looking raspberry tart above, which for some reason is now gone...

Friday finds (and an interview)

2011-10-28T08:42:00.000+11:00

Today's Friday finds came from two different junk-shops, and amazingly they're quite complementary. The black bowl fell into my hands with a heavy thud, and the touch of it insisted that I had to part with the $2 (seriously, I'm lucky I collect little bowls that cost almost nothing - the collector gene is strong in this one).

And the little white bowl just seemed to fit, with its bumpy surface and white sheen, they just go together naturally. I also picked up a little crochet mat in a very sweet pink and white. I'm not sure what it's destined for, but I'm sure I'll find room...

Also, if you like you can check out an interview I did over at Momographica. Barbara asked some interesting questions and it was fun (and challenging) to articulate these ideas.

I'm hoping to start working on some home made Christmas decorations (I really cannot believe it's already approaching, but if I don't start now I'll never get around to it). Have you started thinking Christmas?

Hope you have a great weekend!

inspiration and frankie mag

2011-10-27T12:30:00.001+11:00

I've been slowly reading through the latest issue of frankie magazine. It's lovely as usual, with some interesting features such as some great stories of mothers balancing work and family and creativity - as well as all the beautiful and creative and pretty that I've come to expect of this magazine.

Also featured is an incredible restoration of an old church, now a rustic and eclectic home. It's a secret dream of mine to do a similar restoration, completely transforming an old building and turning it into a home, studio, and hobby farm. Stories like this are incredibly inspiring.

Spring clean

2011-10-27T08:15:00.000+11:00

I spent the better part of yesterday cleaning, cleaning and... more cleaning, all in preparation for... more cleaning, well, organisation to be more exact. It's finally time to get my act together and sort through the piles (seriously, piles and piles) of kids and baby clothes and toys and products that are no longer being used. We're not planning on extending our brood, so things like high chairs and teethers just aren't relevant to our lives any more (hooray!) and it was time to let it go.

I did get a little sentimental and had to hold on to just a few things, like this dress I bought in Paris while I was pregnant with my daughter.

I'm trying to keep the nostalgic pile small, as really, I only need one or two things to remind me of the joys (and the difficulties overcome!) of newborns. I feel that in order for good things to come, there needs to be space for them, and so every spring, like many others, I search out the old, tired and unused to create a (relatively) clean slate. Most of what I've found can be re-used by others (and in fact, a lot of it was already handed down or thrifted), so I don't feel completely sick about how much stuff there was.

Now, back to the cupboards and boxes, as I want to make plenty of room.

weekend finds

2011-10-25T17:40:00.000+11:00

It feels like our weekend flew by, and I think that had a lot to do with my having dragged my little family around town, picking up a few treasures along the way. So what did I find? Well, to begin with things most useless, a little Kodak Instamatic 100 in it's original little bag (such an endearing little bag, fits right in my hand) - my Dad always had a collection of cameras he rarely (or never) used, so perhaps the tendency has finally rubbed off on me - probably not a good thing.

I also found this lovely and intricate Italian made mirror - not particularly precious but it looks quite lovely, and another little spot for hanging jewels.

There's a few other things that have moved into our place, but until I find a home for them they're lying about the place. I might make use of this hideous indoor weather and make room where I can.

Canine

2011-10-24T07:30:00.003+11:00

How do you feel about triangles? The dogs are still with me, though they're taking new forms. I completed this painting over the weekend - I think I'm getting RSI in my wrist - is there such a thing as painter's wrist? There must be. Anyway, the process is part of the fun, experimenting with shapes and the movement available within them. He's quite large, not enormous, but enough to make a statement.

And he keeps looking at me... it's a little disconcerting, but also a little soothing...

Dirty Projectors + Bjork

2011-10-21T12:17:00.000+11:00

OK, I thought I was done for the week but I had to share this. I am the first to admit that I am not really a music person - I've never had particularly good taste (Mariah, anyone?) or skill in that department (my sister is a pianist, the shame!) but hopefully, like the rest of our lives, we evolve as we get older. Nor does this blog have anything to do with music, but I happened to catch this beautiful song on the radio yesterday and I think this album will be accompanying me while I paint all spring and summer long. Each song is a dialogue between a mother orca and her babies, and you can learn more about it at the Mount Wittenberg Orca website. Seriously, have a listen - it glistens.

Sonnenzimmer

2011-10-21T07:30:00.000+11:00

I feel instant calm when I see this work from Sonnanzimmer. There's something so elegant about the lines and soft hues, equally at home in a gallery or a child's room.

We are headed into a relaxing weekend here, complete with (hopefully) beautiful spring weather. I'm hoping to carve out some time to start on some Christmas (YES, already!) projects. And perhaps a glass of sparkling wine in the sunshine. Enjoy!

the pretty horses... and the Queen

2011-10-20T15:45:00.000+11:00

These last few days we've been able to enjoy the best of Canberra weather - cool mornings, gorgeous sunshine and light air, heavy with blossoms. I took my daughter out for a little shopping trip this morning - it's a sad fact that once you have more than one child, it's so difficult to get to spend one on one time like this, so while my son was whisked away by his grandparents on a royal stalking (more on that later), we went shopping and had lunch with my man, and it was pure delight.

Now my studio is crammed with art supplies, but I did manage to squeeze in some space for a new find, courtesy of a local garage sale. This little print of horses was so charming and already framed, I couldn't resist - I would have hated this a few years ago, but tastes change.

And as for the stalking, Queen Elizabeth 2 is in Canberra this week, and yes, he did get to see her as she slowly sailed past on the lake - apparently she smiled at him - and after a quick dash down to the boat (after she was off it), he got to sit where the Queen and Phillip had just been sitting - what a special bum!

psyched

2011-10-19T13:21:00.000+11:00

In another world (almost a decade ago, yikes!) I was an undergrad studying psychology - I loved it, mostly, so maybe that's why I'm so drawn to these beautiful Rorschach inspired Fox Ink Blot Mugs from Culture Label? Don't they look like the right size, too? Perfect for cradling a hot coffee, sipped slowly while you psychoanalyse your friends.

those dogs

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000+11:00

New in the gallery, I've been working with a much steadier pace lately, and it's interesting to watch my style and techniques evolve, both subtly and, in some cases, completely. It keeps things interesting. Lately it seems these dogs just keep poking themselves into my paintings. Eerie little creatures that they are I'm not surprised. Likewise, these zigzags have been hypnotising me or something, popping up all around the place. They're a pain to paint - literally my wrist is killing me, but I prefer to do things free style so I'll take what I can get.

colourful and kind

2011-10-17T07:15:00.001+11:00

Hmmm, I can't decide if I like these colourful alternatives to taxidermy, from Dwell Studio. I don't think I could ever stomach the real thing, no matter how good it might look, so these are certainly a better option.

Friday finds (Fritz)

2011-10-14T13:03:00.000+11:00

Introducing Fritz, a little something I picked up op-shopping today. I'm experimenting with where I'm going to put him, but for now he has a temporary home in the junction between kitchen and hall. I have another of these cross-stitched (or is it long-stitch?) boys, one of the 'Crying Boys' (rumoured to be very bad luck, or is it just very bad kitsch?) given to me by my sister (who also has one - we share a similar aesthetic). Maybe I'll paint his frame in a brighter shade to bring out his fine features. Either way, he's a charmer and I love him.

I'm tempted, almost, to start a little collection... Happy Friday, I hope you find something you love this weekend!

Marimekko

2011-10-14T08:03:00.002+11:00

I've been ogling all the beautiful things in the Finnish Design Shop. So much perfection, and here I am, so far away (and with such light pockets!). These Marimekko dresses caught my eye amongst all the lovelies. It's wearable art, and they look both elegant and comfortable (not an easy balance to strike).

And I think the way they've styled such elegant dresses with tights and flats is so charming. I could wear these to work or a wedding, but really I'd just like to frame them and hang them in my bedroom to admire.

imperfect

2011-10-13T08:07:00.000+11:00

If you've had a look in my gallery, you might have come across the following painting, recently completed. I've been indulging in the slow process of making patterns.

Up close you can see the imperfections, but that's the way I like it - it's about the bigger picture after all.

living large

2011-10-12T07:29:00.007+11:00

High ceilings add so much impact to a room, though they do tend to add some practicality issues too (heating/cooling, painting, dusting). The biggest challenge of our own high ceilings has been painting the darn beams (apparently they hold up the house or something...), which for a lot of people would be as simple as calling up a painter and getting it done. Well, we're DIYers, so this project has been on hold for... over five years. I thought I'd pull together some high ceiling inspiration, and maybe we'll get around to this sooner, rather than later.

via KML Design

via Ravenous

I'm hoping that by painting our own beams white, the entire room will be lifted and brightened. It will also hopefully take the room into the 21st century - right now it is stuck quite firmly in 1972, not the most stylish year...

Finished (?)

2011-10-11T08:03:00.002+11:00

Yes, I think just maybe, it's finished... I've put my name on it and it's in the gallery... time to let go. I haven't posted about my painting for a little while so here is my most recent work.

A little close up of my canine friends, as well as their master. This is a large (30"x40") painting, and unfortunately the photos just don't capture everything in it (even with my fancy flash).

Now that this is complete I can move on to something else - I'm more than a little over this colour scheme.

Stamp power

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000+11:00

I'm very glad I gave myself a free pass when it comes to art supplies during buy nothing new October. Otherwise I couldn't have convinced myself that I needed this, from kikki.K.

I love the simplicity of this stamp, and it works perfectly on the back of the wooden frame of my canvas', giving me an easy place to sign and write the details of my work. Perfect. And it comes beautifully packaged, in this case in a sweet little canvas bag which was ultimately what helped seal the deal. Sometimes, when something is this cute, I allow myself to be a less than savvy consumer.

About me

2011-10-06T06:03:00.000+11:00

You might have noticed that I've added a new 'gallery' link to my right side navigation bar (you may also notice there's a little photo of me there!) - I've finally managed to create a little gallery of some of what I've been working on in recent months. I've also updated my about page, complete with action shot! This is well trodden ground for bloggers, but for me... well I just hate having my photo taken.

Now, to get on with my Thursday...

bow bun

2011-10-05T16:18:00.001+11:00

I've been looking for a way to cute up an ordinary high hair bun, and I think I've found the perfect fix - this gorgeous hair 'bow', from Katie of Skunkboy Creatures via A Beautiful Mess Blog.

And a little mini bow at the back, so cute! Full tutorial available here.

Lovelies

2011-10-05T07:45:00.000+11:00

These are seriously beautiful, via One Kings Lane, found via Svpply.

2011-10-04T07:35:00.000+11:00

Nothing like a long weekend to re-charge, and the best bit... we get another one next weekend - sweet. I finally took advantage of a day-spa gift - heavenly, and yes, I think I might be glowing, just a little. After this I trudged through the miserable weather to attend the handmade market which is always a pleasure. Now technically, I am trying to buy nothing new this month (food, toiletries and art supplies excluded), but I figured, as it was only the first day of the month, and I was supporting a wonderful Australian artist, it was okay to buy something small. And I didn't need to tell myself twice.

These little pieces are by artist Kim Aitken, and they're just beautiful. You might remember I picked up the pink one a little while ago. This new piece complements it perfectly, and I'm quite happy to support this small growing collection in the future.

colourful collections

2011-09-29T09:18:00.000+10:00

It must be all this moody, gloomy weather that has come upon us, but I'm thinking in colours. I thought I'd pull together a few colourful collections from one of my favourite blog spaces to visit for bright colour and light, Mokkasin.

simple

2011-09-28T07:30:00.000+10:00

Love the simplicity here, and who doesn't like anchors? Ahoy!

via Need Supply Co.

2011-09-27T08:05:00.013+10:00

The vintage lover in me is drooling over these little desk delights from Roberta Grove's Etsy shop. Re-purposed from all vintage parts, this is the kind of simple idea that makes me happy.

Weekend project

2011-09-26T07:14:00.000+10:00

Lately I've been in the mood for a bit of a project, namely updating our seriously ugly spice rack. Unfortunately I'm very particular about this sort of thing - once I have a look in mind it's very hard to sway me, even if it's not particularly practical or practicable. In this case, I wanted simple apothecary style jars, but after searching on-line and in every store around I couldn't find anything remotely like what I wanted.

Naturally a quick stop at a local community fair over the weekend was the perfect place to pick up some unwanted second hand bottles, the exact thing I was after. After a quick clean I gave them some simple new labels (a little Modge Podge to hold them on), and I have the perfect set of vintage looking herb and spice jars.

It's moments like these that remind me that I can always find exactly what I want outside of regular retail, so long as I'm willing to wait for it - I don't know how much I would have paid for these bottles new, but I got all of these for $1 (as well as a cute little side table/stool for $2). Add to that the thrill of finding something unique, and I have to do a little happy dance.

2011-09-23T08:04:00.001+10:00

The weekend is almost here, but before I can relax we have oh so much to do today - and we have to rely on... public transport. Okay, so I'm a little spoilt - I hate taking the bus with children (as a side, I do regularly take the bus to work, but that is not with children). In fact I hate it so much that it was the only thing that convinced me to finally get my drivers licence - at 25 - I did not want to catch the bus with children. Prams poking people's feet, shopping bags falling and spilling fruit everywhere - children screaming... So, I'm just going to ignore that for now and focus on something else, like this painting.

As usual I can't tear myself away from it and declare it finished - it's missing something... So hopefully, this weekend I will actually get around to completing this piece (it already has a home waiting for it).

Happy weekend!

2011-09-21T08:00:00.000+10:00

I'm in no way surprised, but our brief sneak peak of warm weather seems to have ended as quickly as it came. Yesterday was miserable. It left me unfocused, and I was in no mood for painting, choosing instead to make some more progress organising my studio. Here's a little look.

I'm still moving things around and experimenting with what works best and where - there's also a whole lot of slowly accumulated 'junk' that either needs a new home or needs to be thrown out. This is what happens to a little magpie like myself - attracted to 'shiney' things with no real value... I have a nest full of crap.

2011-09-20T13:42:00.000+10:00

Seriously, how am I supposed to resist these sorts of things? I really don't need this kind of temptation! Gorgeous shoes from Anthropologie. Lucky they're not actually in Australia.

Brown paper packages...

2011-09-19T12:38:00.000+10:00

More than a little excited to send off the first painting from my shop this morning.

It's fun that the first one to sell was actually the first of all my small scale water surface paintings. It's actually held a place in our home from time to time, but I'm glad it's found a new home.

the weekend

2011-09-19T08:00:00.002+10:00

We often find that our weekends get absorbed with the usual tasks that a small family needs to get done each week, without which we would be filthy and hungry and generally miserable. This weekend was no different, but we managed to weave some much needed recreation around all of the more mundane activities. It was a lovely surprise to wake up Saturday morning and find that one of my small paintings had sold. We celebrated with a nice breakfast, and the remainder of the weekend seemed to flow from there, somewhere between productive housekeeping and relaxing. We fit in a picnic at Floriade, and the weather was gorgeous - so much sun and warmth, and the flowers were quite stunning.

We also managed to fell a tree (which was a little scary - my husband was a little cavalier and almost impaled himself - nice), painted up my new desk, which is actually an old one inherited from my parents in law, as well as a whole lot of gardening. In other words, super productive and fun. We topped off the weekend with a long afternoon of wine and cheese in our courtyard, enjoying this beautiful new spring weather, and a new Frankie mag. Perfect,

2011-09-16T09:40:00.000+10:00

I'm what you might call a 'slow up-taker' when it comes to technology. I'm rarely drawn to the newest gadget, preferring a phone with buttons, and generally needing my husband to help me with anything that requires a manual (I don't like to make blonde jokes, but sometimes...). I think I just like to keep things simple, and I tend to like a slower pace in the world.

But when I saw the iPad I kinda fell in love - so hands on, so intuitive - so I was more than a little bit chuffed to be given one by my man! And yes, I am completely spoilt, and yes, we will definitely be participating in buy nothing new over October.

I feel like Penny from Inspector Gadget (I always wanted her computer book!). This morning we woke to hear about a huge chemical fire here in Canberra. We were told to stay indoors, turn off our heaters, buses cancelled, schools closed - thankfully no one was hurt and it seems everything is okay for us now (and all the kids in our area are enjoying a day off school). I liked being able to turn this on and find out what was going on so quickly. And then I enjoyed going all ninja on some fruit - seriously, who invents these games?

10 years

2011-09-15T13:52:00.000+10:00

I was a lucky girl to meet a man like my man - and I was so young! Today marks ten years of togetherness, and I received a huge box containing these lovelies (and wine. and chocolate.). I'm still a lucky girl...

2011-09-15T07:14:00.000+10:00

Remember this stool that I bought at the Balmain markets in Sydney? Well, it got a very quick, very rough makeover, and is now sitting pretty in my studio. One step closer to a fully functioning studio! It turned out the whole seat was rotten through (add that to the thick coat of rust and I gather it was left outside in the elements for a long time). You can probably tell that I didn't even bother to iron the fabric, pulled straight out the cupboard (I figure it will iron out with use!), but it did get a full sand and scrub, and is much more comfortable now. Love it.

Soft Swedish

2011-09-14T08:57:00.000+10:00

Swedish homes often offer a lot of inspiration, but there are some things that I love that just wouldn't be possible here in Australia, like the traditional heater below. I love the soft white and pink in this very beautiful Swedish home, via Bolaget (found via sfgirlbybay).

These painted white beams have a simple beauty - we're planning on painting our high ceiling beams in white - I would have loved to strip them back to the bare wood, but 1970s paint means it's probably lead paint, and I don't want that floating around in the air!

2011-09-13T07:52:00.012+10:00

For a while now I've been displaying my jewellery on a large sun shaped mirror in my bedroom. I love these other creative ideas, found via Pinterest, and sometimes it's just nice to admire all this pretty.

One; Two; Three; Four.

The grouping of decorative tea cups is gorgeous, and shows off all the beautiful jewellery perfectly, while the ceramic egg tray is very cute and practical for smaller things. Little bowls are always practical (I have more than a few of these as well), and I also like the more rustic version in what looks like a reclaimed cabinet door(?). And below, my beloved sun mirror.

A new look - and something extra!

2011-09-11T15:50:00.001+10:00

Change - a new look for my little ol' blog, and about time too. Given that I'm really more of a visual person, I've increased the space for pictures (and I'm so glad I did!), while also cleaning everything up - simple is always better for me.

You may also notice, hiding to the right, there is a little link there to my very own shop! I've been nervously pondering the idea of having a shop for some time now, so this is me, dipping my toe in to test the waters of on-line selling. For now it's very quiet and small, and I'm currently only selling my small water 'surface' paintings. These can be shipped internationally, and for now I'm purely guessing at the shipping costs(!), but I figure I can absorb some of the cost for now while I'm just seeing how things pan out. The fact is I'm running out of studio space and there's no point letting these gather dust! We shall see... And if you like what you see, please feel free to spread the word : )

Well, I hope you like the new look, and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all this new elbow room! Now, to enjoy what is left of the weekend!

2011-09-09T09:01:00.003+10:00

Oh my, it's Friday again. Thankfully our weekend is refreshingly free but I'm quickly filling it up with projects. This week in the studio there has been quiet and progress. I've gone back to older work, re-working pieces to see what happens. I've also begun experimenting with paper (and I'm excited about the results!) so I feel like it's been productive.

I've also begun working towards some new bloggy things, and I hope to be making a few changes around here... we'll see. For now I'm off to enjoy the rest of this week. Happy Friday!

2011-09-08T08:35:00.001+10:00

The idea of not buying anything new seems to have turned my shopper's drive right up. I am in love with just about everything from SCP. Here are a few of my favourites...

One; Two; Three.

2011-09-07T08:51:00.005+10:00

Although I am working towards some large abstract and figurative paintings, they do take time. A lot of time. So to keep things interesting (and to give me a sense of completion when so much isn't finished), I work on smaller paintings from time to time. I've finally managed to take some shots of them.

These are so different from what I'm working towards, but sometimes it's nice to go back to familiar territory. I don't know how much longer I'm going to paint them (truth be told, I'd love to work on them on a much larger scale like I use to, but for now, I simply don't have time - maybe soon though), but it's nice to see a finished product within a week or so, instead of months!

librarian chic?

2011-09-06T08:35:00.001+10:00

Having had my current glasses for over 5 years now, it seemed like time to pick out something new. Plus I needed a second pair for work and one for home. Enter these babies:

I don't think I could like these any more than I do - and the best part, they cost me all of $25 (including postage!) Yes, seriously. And they actually do look really cute on.