Impressed
Dear PressingLetters.com, how you distract me. In my dreams, I have the ability to make my own beautiful letterpress creations. In reality, I just need to read you more often. Love, Danielle

Everywhere Anemones
While looking for a photos of anemones, I came across this anemone light fixture, which I think might be really amazing in the right space. I, however, do not have any such space, but a girl can dream.

Edited to add a photo of my own anemones against my photoshopped wall color, because my real wall color makes me sad in my heart:



Wishes
I'm pretty much in love with these Merimekko Lettinauha Tights. There's also these ASOS Heart Suspender Sheer Tights -- and while they're a little saucy if you're wearing them with a mini, I'd like them as my own little secret with my longer skirts.

And what's new socks without new shoes... I think I'd like these cute little numbers. I am such a sucker for shoes that tie with ribbons.

Linky Links and Pretty Things
I click on one link from a Twitter feed, and now I've got so many windows open of pretty places that I don't have time to explore. Oh Mondays!

♥ Bluebird & Trees Carafe by Shinzi Katoh: it all started at 3 Potato 4. I love Shinzi Katoh.

♥ Kikki K Easter Sale: voucher or coupon code at link. Hmm, 20% off means I can buy 20% more, right?

♥ Misha Lulu Blog: lots of pretty finds and interesting links.

♥ Design Crush: Seriously, link overload and so pretty. Particularly loving the Printable Mailing Label tip and the Design*Sponge DIY tax receipt holder.

♥ Creature Comforts: Turns out I love the whole site that the mailing labels came from.

♥ Black Eiffel: Another. I don't have time for all this greatness.

It's time to WORK, people. Work.

I'm Not Down with the Sickness
Because I am totally awesome and stuff, I got me a computer virus last night. Fun times ensued. And though the virus is now gone, a possible pre-existing condition has flared, and the computer will no longer boot on command. It's more of a "I'll start when I'm good and ready, thank you very much, and that may not actually be today" sort of situation.

So I pretty much want to die, because I have three years of non-backed-up photos and video on there. (I AM aware that this makes me a stupid person. Please don't leave comments to remind me.)

There is hope, because the one time it did start again, I was able to burn off one year of photos. So at least I know things are still there and in tact. I just won't breathe easily until they are all safe and sound on a drive that ISN'T going into self-destruct.

I was going to get a little Lacie Rugged drive to take to the States, so I can copy over all my cds. Looks like I may get it sooner than later. (Plus it's orange. How cute!)

Herbie!
On a happier note, I am loving this French herb dryer. Le sigh. If I had that, I would definitely use Straight from the Farm's advice on preserving fresh herbs.

By the by, Australians say the "h" in "herbs", and I think I say it now too. But anytime I consciously say the word, I have a hard time remembering which way to say it.

New Obsession
Last night we got together with some friends for dinner and had such a lovely time. So lovely, in fact, that we looked at the clock with disbelief at about 12:45 and thought we ought to head for home. Good food, great conversation, three baby kitties. And shoes.

Fiona was telling us about the shoes that she bought recently, and I am now in love with a shoe designer named John. John Fluevog. Do any of you girls know him? Do you not love him too? Oh my gosh.

I tried on her Lily Darlings (red & pink, size 7.5, from the only distributer in Australia), and melted into a gooey heap on the ground. Oh. My. Goodness. LOVE THEM!

In some ways, they are almost cartoonish, but I think that's why I'm so attracted to them. I know Manda will hate them -- even though she has a serious need for new shoes. But maybe Brandy or Allison or Erin or Tash can back me up on this new revelation.

Drink Me
A gourmet deli opened across from the office. It is filled with wonderful delicacies I've only ever seen on Iron Chef. Foie gras, whole truffles in individual jars for outrageous prices, persian fairy floss in weird flavours.

But yesterday, we bought a jar I've had my eye on. Wild hibiscus flowers in syrup. Go look at the website; they're gorgeous. I'm saving them for my birthday, and then we're going to have Wild Hibiscus Rosés (second-to-last recipe on the cocktails page). I'm excited.

In the Papers
Brisbane commuters ought to pick up the MX paper this afternoon. Might see a familiar face in there today -- well, one that's familiar to me anyway. :) Or come see him in person tomorrow night at Ric's.

Wishes
If you love all things cute and adorable, you're probably reading Oh My That's Awesome! every day anyway, but these little dishes they linked to are so precious. But really, I love everything at that Three Potato Four shop.

I learned there that I want to be a huge fan of Shinzi Katoh. Seriously. I mean, look at these mugs, this bowl, this tray, this mug & dish, and this bag. I'm in love.

Cheap Things I Miss Most
I've had a couple dear hearts ask me lately if I need/want/miss anything in particular from America. So in no specific order, here are a few things off the top of my head that I can't seem to get here.

♥ Conair Curved Bobby Pins: Brown - I picked up a container of these once upon a time. I usually keep a couple in my pocket or purse in case of hair emergencies. However, my stock has been depleted due as bobby pin collections do. Have they been vacuumed? Bent? Lost? Destroyed by the bobby pin monster? I don't know. But I miss them.

♥ Covergirl Wetslicks in Sugar Maple - They may have this here, but I have never seen it. And I can't imagine the price I'd have to pay if they do have it. I'm rationing the two tubes I bought earlier this year. How did I ever think that was going to be enough?

♥ Neosporin + Pain Relief - I know they have antibiotic gel things here, but none quite make owwies feel better like a squirt of Neosporin before the band-aid.

♥ Red Hots - Cinnamon flavoured candies are starting to make their way into stores here, but not these little guys. I really just need a handful to make homemade apple grandes... since you can't get Taco Johns here, obviously.

Hmm... that's all I can think of at this moment... but perhaps more will come to me later.

Updates
We're still playing our little game and that's quite addictive. I did stop briefly to talk to my Tash and to go to Hans's show the other night. (We are way too old for these headlining gigs and have been suffering from the sleep deprivation ever since.)

This weekend? Sleep. And LOTRO. And maybe laundry. Also planning our upcoming daytrip to Boonah.

Hint Hint
In case my husband ever sees this and needs a gift idea... I found Dejarnette New Orleans at Oh My That's Awesome, and there are a few necklaces I ♥love♥: Fleur Trouvee, Art Deco, and Artifact. Mmm...

Footy Shmooty
There's a little event here called State of Origin, and I have no idea what it's about. I couldn't even say, without looking at the website, exactly which sport it is. All I know is that 50,000 people are going to be descending upon our workplace neighborhood tonight, and I have every intention of getting out of here early.

Little Lightning Bugs
I found a little place today called Rare Bird Finds, which led me to a place called Catching Fireflies, where I found this amazing jar of "fireflies" that I must have. (Australia doesn't have them at all, you see.)

But then I found a bunch of other things that I love too, so I'm just going to share them since I'll never order them:
♥ the bouncing bud vase
♥ the dip chiller
♥ the blossom crown
♥ the "love at first sight" frame (which would make a great gift for certain someones I know... eeee!)
♥ And no, I'm absolutely not talking about us.
♥ the wine bottle cork candles

Mountain Madness
We're leaving for the mountains on Friday morning, so my life is revolving around getting everything ready to go. Yes, we're staying at a furnished house, but will they have everything I need to survive? I don't know. To be safe, I'm packing half the house... to Hans's dismay. Listen, if we're going to the trouble of bringing nice porterhouse steaks up there to grill, I'm going to be darn sure we have steak knives with which to cut them!

My goal while we are up there is to get a glimpse of a pademelon... some sort of miniature kangaroo/wallaby people keep telling me about.

Sean over at Notes from a New Country keeps a tally of all the things that can kill you on this continent, but I've found a new one. The Bunya Mountains are covered with, wait for it, Bunya Pine trees. And on the government website, it reads:

Avoid lingering under bunya pines between December and March. That is when the soccer-ball sized cones weighing up to 10kg fall from the tops of towering trees.

Great. Hopefully they will all have fallen by now.

Lost in Translation
stack hat (stak hat)
n. bicycle helmet
"What's that lady doing wearing a stack hat in her car?"