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ESSENTIALS | In the bag

02.03.15

Carrying on from my bathroom essentials list, I thought I would share my day to day, on the go, handbag essentials list!

BKR water bottle | I am a thirsty gal, so when I am about and about, or even at home, my BKR is full and handy. And it’s Glass + silicone, BPA-free, phthalate-free and pretty cute. Win win win.

Tape Measure | I use this constantly! Whether it’s for furniture or fabric, it is the handiest thing.

Doggy Treats | Either in my bag or my pocket. The glamour of dog ownership.

Sophie Conran Secateurs | How else am I supposed to wrangle that roadside goodness?

Issey Miyake Perfume | Although I am on the hunt for a new scent ( I am thinking a little more grown up and a little less girly, any suggestions? ) this has been my staple.

Composition Book | I stocked up on these last time we were in America, they are my all time fav for jotting, scribbling and list making.

Uniball Pens | At least three, I have counted up to 12 at one point in time. Seriously though, I am a bit of a pen snob. Don’t you try to make me use you bulk pack ball points reception lady.

Iphone | Where would I be without you. Plus my super cute case from the babes at Bread & Butter Letter to keep it safe and stylish.

Karen Walker Anytimes | The queen of eyewear. The perfect ” I left the house without mascara and I look suuuuper tired” shades.

Georgia Jay Bebe purse | Keeps all the cards in and looks pretty whilst doing it. Super soft leather and the perfect shade of mushroom.

M.A.C Lip Pencil | I use this as a lipstick, for those running out the door, last minute touch ups. pairs perfectly with the ” I left the house without mascara and I look suuuuper tired” shades.

Kiyoko Lip Balm | The best balm I have found. Natural, nourishing and smells delicious plus perfect packaging.

Buffalo Comb | There seems to be a trend here that I don’t actually do my hair or make up until I have left this house. Well that being said, this puppy helps tame the mane just right.

What are you handbag staples?

Until next time, BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT | Summer pickled vegetables

23.02.15

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With summer still hanging about ( although as I write this I see it slowly disappearing into a dark ominous cloud ) I am hanging on tight with these simple, delicious pickled veggies.

Side note : They taste amazing, but smell kind of awful.

Seasonal veg, I chose radish, cucumber and carrots
1 cup vinegar (apple cider, rice wine, champagne, red wine)
1/2 cup cold water
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 clove garlic, sliced

Thinly slice the veggies and place them in a jar. In a small saucepan combine the vinegar, cold water, sea salt, and the garlic. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, and then remove from the heat.

Pour the vinegar mix into the jar. Place the lid on the jar. Allow to cool. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 10 days.

Yum! What is your favourite veggie to pickle?

Until next time, BlackbirdBLOG signature

YES PLEASE | the new year

19.01.15

yespleaseJAN2015

The start of the new year. In unison with my resolutions, here is what I am wishing for.

FOR THE LEAN HOME | For everything that you never know where to put, from Blackbird Pop Up.

FOR THE PEAK WALK | If a gal is going to work out she may as well look cute while doing it, Thanks Stella McCartney, from Adidas.

FOR THE LEAN CLOSET | I am in desperate need on a new handbag, I think the Mr Caiman is just the one, from Deadly Ponies.

FOR THE ORGANISATION | Lists and more lists are much more fun with a pretty pen, from Father Rabbit.

FOR THE SEWING ROOM | For all the bits & bobs and other sewing needs, from Everyday Needs.

FOR THE BOOK CLUB | To learn from, from Paper Plane.

Until next time, BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT | pot holder

11.01.15

blackbirdblogPOTHOLDER

Nothing beats a simple afternoon project to kick off the year right. And I decided to start the year with new pot holders. I used this super simple tutorial from The Purl Bee, with a slight variation at the end.

You will need :

Cotton Fabric – Enough for two rectangles of 20cm wide by 33cm tall, per holder, I chose an indigo plain and stripe from The Fabric Store

Insul-lite – Enough for two rectangles of 20cm wide by 33cm tall, per holder, from Spotlight

Wool wadding – Enough for two rectangles of 20cm wide by 33cm tall, per holder, from Spotlight

Cotton Twill – Enough for 15cm length, per holder, from my local emporium

Needle and thread.

First off, orient the cotton rectangle so that the long sides are vertical, the short sides are horizontal and the right side is facing up. Next fold the twill tape in half so that the two raw ends meet and there is a half twist in the tape, as shown above. Place the raw ends of the twill tape at the center of the top short side of the cotton rectangle. Place the wool rectangle, wrong side up, on top of the cotton rectangle, making sure that the twill tape stays in place. Then place the lining on top of these layers and pin all three layers together along all four edges. Using your machine’s walking foot and a 1cm seam allowance, sew all the layers together along both long sides and the top short side (including the twill tape), leaving the bottom short edge unsewn.

Turn the hot pad right sides out. The cotton will be on one side, the lining will be in the center, and the wool will be on the other side. Pin the bottom with the raw edges facing inward, and hand or machine sew the bottom closed. Then mark out where you want your stitching to be, I decided to machine sew mine in an X.

And you’re done!

Happy making!

Until next time, BlackbirdBLOG signature