THE GOOD + THE BAD.

I have always thought that I would share both the good and the bad on my blog, because I don't want to ever give the impression that life is always rosy. So-- this week I lost my job. Nothing personal, just a long story-- but the short of it is, the studio where I work is closing for good. We kind of knew it was coming, so it's not really a surprise, but still not very much fun to deal with.

Anyway, I thought I was handling it quite well, but I did have a little meltdown last night. I think it was kind of therapeutic though, because I am feeling a lot more positive today. We are lucky that we don't have many financial burdens, so it's not anywhere near as bad as it could have been.

So I am officially on the look-out for a great new job (I'm a graphic designer-- just incase you know someone who's looking for one-- wink!). When one door closes, another opens x

PS-- Happy Friday! SO glad it's the weekend x

(these beautiful photos found at pixelmama).

LOVE IT ALL OUT.

Because sometimes, you just need a little inspiration on a Tuesday.

(artwork by the amazing Kal Barteski).

ALL THE PRETTY LIGHTS.

Oh Monday, you're here already! As I mentioned last week, I had been wanting to see the city of lights laser light show (part of the Brisbane Festival) and seeing Saturday was the last day, we finally made it :) We actually ended up seeing the laser light show 2 & 1/2 times (they had three shows on that night) and there was lots of people around, lots of pretty lights, and a few cool light installations to see, so it was a nice night out. We are still (slowly) getting used to using our DSLR camera (especially at night, at a laser light show!), but we managed to snap a few decent photos.

So, how was your weekend? Hope it was happy and fun x

PHOTOBOOTH FRIDAY.

HAPPY FRIDAY! Things have been pretty crazy work-wise for me lately, which means by the end of the week, I'm just plain worn out. I have even found myself thinking about work lying in bed at night and I've had to consciously tell myself to switch off and let my mind have some peace and quiet. BUT today is Friday and I'm so happy it's nearly the weekend :)

Do you have any weekend plans? I am thinking that it might be time for our first post-winter trip to the beach, and I'm also keen to check out the Brisbane Festival and the Santos City of Lights laser light show before it ends.

Here are some of my fave blog reads from this week:

• I'm not usually into glitter too much, but I love this DIY glitter tablescape. It's kinda pretty and magical :)

• Love this 'make your own teabags' DIY

• A gorgeous, unique and cosmic way to paint your nails

• Now that the weather's getting warmer here, the idea of an outdoor dinner party sounds amazing

• The cutest Thor themed birthday party

• These summer rice paper rolls look SO yummy!

• A beautiful photograph, and such true words

Hope your Friday is a breeze, and your weekend is happy x

LEVITATION.

I love this cute blog by the beautiful Natsumi--AKA yowayowa camera woman diary-- and her whimsical levitating photos (she also shares cute photos of her cats!). They made me smile :)

You can see more of her photos here.

IT'S INSTAGRAM MONDAY.

Some of my most recent iphone instagram happy snaps:

1- summertime is slurpee time!
2- my new 2012 Frankie diary (so pretty)
3- my lucky waving cat
4- hazy pink sunset over the rooftop
5- my love and I
6- afternoon coffee
7- our friends new baby boy, Byron
8- lollies!
9- the yummiest roast beef and salad burger with a banana smoothie
10- warm and hazy morning

How was your weekend, loves? We had a fun and productive weekend-- a surprise 30th birthday lunch for one of our best friends (complete with a pavlova birthday cake-- so yummy!); going out for burgers on a balmy night; some well overdue house cleaning; a browse around at the shops and a little bit of lazing around (of course).

Hope your weekend was lovely-- happy Monday (it's going to be a BUSY week!) x

PHOTOBOOTH FRIDAY.

It's been awhile since I've played Photobooth Friday, but it feels like Fridays have been way too choc-a-block busy the last few weeks. Anyway, HAPPY FRIDAY!

I am extra happy today because we are forecast to have beautiful, warm, fine weather this weekend (and for the next week)-- and you all know how much I love this time of year. Twenty-eight degrees celsius, YES please and thank-you :)

Just a couple of my favourite blog reads this week:

• Katie's cute and amazing home-made, DIY business cards

• This cute little post made me smile and warmed my heart :)

• I love this "Back to School" themed softie art-- so clever

• A lovely and funny post dedicated to "the street" behind "street-style"

Hope that your weekend is fun and relaxing x

(image source unknown: if you know, please comment so I can give credit)

PARADISE.

I think it would be fair to say that Coldplay is, hands down, my all-time favourite band. I have seen them in concert twice before, but I would happily part with my pennies to see them live again.

This song is 'Paradise' (just released a couple of days ago) from their soon-to-be new album and I have already listened to it, oh, about a thousand times. I especially love it because the lyrics tell a story about a girl who closes her eyes and dreams of something better.

(Nearly Friday-- yipee) x

HIS 'N' HERS.

I'm sure you've probably all seen Rob Ryan's lovely cut-out artwork around the place, but this two-piece mug set was too cute not to share.

You can buy it here or here - and check out Rob's etsy store here.

CHOCOLATE + SUNSHINE.

I was fairly adamant that Sunday was going to be consumed by domestic activities (cleaning, washing, folding etc-- all that fun stuff) but when we woke up in the morning to the most beautiful, clear blue skies and perfect sunshine, there was no way the day was going to be spent cooped up inside!

We've been meaning to visit Monty's Chocolates (a little sidewalk cafe in Paddington) for a while now-- on account of the fact that we heard they made amazing dark hot chocolate. So Patrick tried that, and I had a dark chocolate & mocha milkshake. P-r-e-t-t-y darned yummy. And I always forget how much I love Paddington.

The sunshine was so perfect, we ended up driving into the city and wandering around there for a little while afterwards too. Fingers crossed for lots more gorgeous days outside like today, to come.

Hope your weekend was fun! x

BARBIE + KEN GET HITCHED.

Barbie was my FAVOURITE doll when I was a kiddo so I won't deny that I got more than a little bit excited when I saw this post. Aside from being extremely pleased that Ken has finally made an honest woman of Barbie, I especially love how photographer Béatrice de Guigné has stylised this photo shoot to include so many of the more 'typical' wedding shots you might see these days (cheeky). Congratulations to the happy couple x

Check out more photos from Ken and Barbie's big day here.

(via Glamour: Weddings, via Rock n Roll Bride)