old is the new black

I've been putting off this post for three months. Not because I didn't want to write it, but because I was waiting for just the right photo to justify the giant call I'm about to make. I'd like to introduce you to a couple that are very special to me. Please show your delight in meeting... My New Boots.

thanks to Neenish Arts for the photo! Click here for more of her lovely pics. 

Lovely, aren't they?

You might remember I made a commitment/resolution at the beginning of 2011 to buy all my clothes either fair trade or second hand. I was feeling confident but for two things: bras and shoes. Both of which I loathe to purchase at the best of times. I hate trying them on and I always come away with the same thing. In the case of bra's, it's the Berlei t-shirt bra and in the case of shoes, it's black ballet flats or those ugly canvas things (which I love).

So, bras and shoes. The hardest part of my challenge, but also the part I most wanted to get right. Despite my second-hand shoe fear, I had been keeping my eyes out for some new winter shoes/boots that were clean, in relatively good condition and didn't look like a gift from my grandmother. I was about to give up when Neen of Neenish Arts lured me to Dresses & Drawers, a vintage store in Port Adelaide. I didn't believe in love at first sight until I saw them.

I highly recommend this store. The prices are reasonable and the quality of the stock is high, high, high.

The boots cost me $50, plus $12 for some shoe conditioner to keep them in tip-top shape. This is about half the price I'd pay for shoes in a number of shoe store chains and the quality was so good my local shoe-man informed me that if I look after them, they'll last me 20 years. Woot!

Here comes the big call: I will never buy brand new boots again.*

Kate xx



*Not entirely true, this will in all likelihood happen. However, my fear of second hand shoes has mellowed and I am going to attempt to shop vintage and op for shoes that can be worn with socks. I'm still a little freaked out by second hand sandals.

URGENT! URGENT!

For those in little adelaide, don't forget to visit Bowerbird Bazaar this weekend- art & design market. Must see. 

That is all. 

Wedding Wednesday: standing on the shoulders of DIY giants

Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration, but here's a few peeps that you should look into when planning your own wedding:

John and Sherry of Young House Love are all about DIY, and their cute-as-a-button backyard DIY wedding is enough on it's own to inspire me!

Buuuuuut, just for fun, here's a few more I've found from my lurkings on the interweb....

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the happiness files: going nudey...

... with nail polish. Just bought a new pot of a "nude" shade and my fingers and toes look adorable. Feeling happy and content with my "effortless" look. I feel pretty.

What's in your happiness file today?

10 things you didn't need to know about me...

Well I was tagged by Neenish Arts so here I go!

1. I hate feet. Hate them. Once nearly drowned a friend for touching me with their feet (we were at the side of a pool. It was an automatic reaction. Not-My-Fault). 
2. I have an irrational fear of all birds and flying insects, particularly magpies and moths. 
3. My ear-skin heals too quickly for my liking. If I forget to wear earrings for a few days it becomes very painful to put them in again.
4. I am very loyal to my favourite characters on TV shows and have been known to boycott even the greatest shows for killing off/divorcing/bon voyage-ing my fave characters.
5. I loathe exercising and use gardening as a replacement (because Weight Watchers told me I could).
6. I'm voicist. When someone's voice doesn't match their face I find it very difficult to take them seriously. 
7. I am an Eat Pray Love girl and proud of it.
8. I have a reputation for taking free old things and talking about fixing them up and throwing them out 12 months later.
9. I type pretty quickly for someone that only uses their thumbs and first two fingers.
10. I love attempting crossword puzzles in bed before I sleep (not a euphemism). 

There you have it. Guess it's my turn to tag... 

• Laura @ Evie Dear 
• Michelle @ Eat Paint Sniff Glue 
• Stacey @ Add to Cart

Girls, you're IT!

Kate xxx

another happy cupboard

Remember this post? Well, I've been at the "organising my life through my kitchen" business again and mastered another cupboard makeover.

It all started when (once again) we couldn't close our kitchen drawer that held our glad-wrap and became sick of the long walk out of the kitchen to find a clean tea towel. I got my trusty Toyota (sewing machine) and with some scraps of material crafted another cupboard door-hanger to store a few things. Like the original masterpiece, this hanging is staying put with a few screws (enter semi-flat drill and fight with manual screw driver). Here's the beauty in action:

... and the kitchen drawer now filled with tea towels (this is the first time since we moved in that we've had room for tea towels in the kitchen)

There. All tidy!

It's amazing what you can do for free!

wedding wednesday: the engagement party

Well. That was a BIG weekend. And I mean BIG. After having a too-late-but-it-was-worth-it Friday night with Kym's lovely family (almost to be mine too!), we had our engagement party Saturday night. A few people missed out due to sickness, which made me a little sad to start with, but the night was fantastic and we felt truly blessed to have so many wonderful, generous friends. We had the party a Cafe Komodo in Prospect, which was absolutely perfect for us. All their furniture is vintage and they played awesome old-school tracks. They also cooked up some amazing food (lots of which was vegetarian, great for myself and a number of our friends) and had yummy local wines. 

On Sunday we celebrated for lunch with the family (both of us have elderly grandparents, so it made more sense to hold a separate, more intimate gathering where they could hear and stay awake!). Yum. Yum. Yum. AAAAAAGGGGGHHHH peppermint tea and nanna naps!

So sending a massive hug and thank you to both our parents for helping on the night, the insatiable Megan for the cake, brownies and lolly bags (you took a half-arsed effort on our part and made it extra special) and Erin, Greg, Jez & Meri for coming from interstate for the occasion. 

Here's what I learnt from the whole engagement party experience:

• While we'd all love to be DIY goddesses, in some cases the pride isn't worth the stress. There's always somewhere out there that will fit your budget and your values.
• Cutting the bar tab does not make you a cheapo. People don't expect you to pay for everything yourself and are quite willing to contribute. 
• When choosing a venue, look for something that requires minimal effort: Cafe Komodo is gorgeous on it's own so we knew we wouldn't have to worry about "dressing it up". This was perfect.
• Give someone close to you the role of feeding you for the night. While my guests chowed down, I was so busy welcoming and fare-welling everyone that I didn't eat a thing! By the end of the night, Kym and I were starving! (Note to self: priorities eating at the wedding...) 

What worked well at your engagement? What would you change? What have you enjoyed at other's engagement parties?

Kate xxx

oh foggo! (wine the old fashoined way)

Hand Blown Porron- Vintage Modern & More via etsy 

This place is the shiz.

Every wine hits the mark. Every single one. And all for really reasonable prices. It's all made using traditional methods (so the woody taste isn't an additive and the bubbles aren't carbon).

The owners are honest and approachable, have so much knowledge and are super duper passionate about what they do. Like many small wineries, they don't use the same nasty chemicals and preservatives that larger wineries often do.

If you live in little adelaide, or if you're planning to travel here, visit Foggos. I heart them like babies heart primary colours and soothing voices. Aside from buying local (and direct from the makers- much more ethical than purchasing from Woolworths/Coles owned liquor stores) and supporting a small business with strong ethical values, you'll get high quality wine for a (more than) decent price.

Foggo's aside, I can't tell you enough how important it is to support local farmers and small business in your area. Whatever your "drink", take a moment to look at the options for purchase. Organic and pesticide free wine is becoming more and more popular and affordable, and it's likely that you can find something from your state for a reasonable price (even in the larger liquor stores).

Please note I wasn't paid to post this or asked to write it! It is truly out of my love for the wine and the ethics of the company! 

meat safe inspiration

About six months ago I was blessed with this family heirloom:

Yes. It is a meat safe. It was my great-grandfathers, then my fathers, and now mine. I'm currently sanding off the chipping paint and am planning a bit of a de-rust and makeover to use in the kitchen to store our spices and Kym's collection of hot sauce (not a euphemism). But, knowing how long I can take to complete a project I thought I'd show you some of the inspiration I'm getting from the world wide interwebs...

source here

source here

source here

Wish me luck!

ps check out my latest article on markets central here! lesson's from gossip girl!

wedding wednesday: the ring

This is it! Thanks to Utopian Creations for the photo

Without becoming "that bride", I've decided to blog semi-regularly leading up to our wedding with what we're learning about ethical weddings. Today, I'm going to start with the engagement ring Kym gave me.

Kym knew well before he proposed that I had major issues with the idea of having a ring that contained "new" diamonds and gold that were mined unethically (sometimes by small children, who should be being educated and living in a safe home instead of risking their lives just to make my hand sparkle...). Sooooooo when it came the time that Kym decided to take the leap, he contacted Ben, a lovely guy and ethical jeweler at Utopian Creations, and they went about designing and sourcing materials for an ethical engagement ring.

Before I tell you about the ring, here's a few things you should know about Utopian Creations:

• UC uses 100% recycled metals & vintage or sustainably/ethically mined gems and diamonds for all their jewellery
• All UC's jewellery is hand made in South Australia
• The studio & store is run on 100% wind power; the walls are painted with eco paint; all materials used in the making process are animal free and earth friendly ( including polishing compounds commonly made from animal fats- the harshest chemical used is from the baking aisle at the supermarket!); the work benches and tools used are all hand made or re-purposed
• All the packaging is recycled and recyclable

Kym chose a vintage diamond with a hybrid cut. This style of cut was only used between about 1890 and 1920-1930 (it may even be an antique). They also used 99-100% recycled white gold and Ben created a stunning ring with a semi art-deco vibe.

I heart it. It is beautiful, looks perfect on my hand, and best of all, Kym went to the trouble to organise a ring that was unique, ethical and me. It was incredibly romantic (as was the proposal in the vegetable garden... he's lovely). I love that the diamond has existed before me in others lives and that our love story will be one part of it's long journey where it will continue to mark the love of others.

Plus, it's super comforting to know that Kym and I have supported a local business that is committed to ethical jewellery production in every aspect of work.

What does this mean for you, my lovely readers? Well, aside from having a very happy blogger who is constantly looking at her nice left hand and smiling while she types.... I'd like to challenge you to be thoughtful about your jewellery purchases in the future. There are many options to buy ethically, including second-hand, vintage, antique, re-modelled, fair trade...

So, that's it for wedding talk this week! If you have any ideas about ethical and creative weddings that you think would be good to share, leave a comment below or email kate@littleadelaidekate.com.

Kate xxx

ps: this weekend is the engagement party! more on this next week!

current obsessions

1. earl grey tea
2. the inbetweeners
3. mint dark chocolate
4. fleece
5. carbs
6. pinterest weddings & events 

look after yourself

Today is World Mental Health Day so I thought I'd share a few useful links for those of you who are struggling or know someone who might be.

• Beyond Blue 
• Sane Australia
• Self Care for Australians Blog
• Psychology Today has a bunch of interesting articles on a range of topics
• Interesting talk by Joshua Walters on his experience of "being just crazy enough"
• Another interesting talk by Sherwin Nuland about the history (and his experience) of electroshock therapy

photo source here

If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it's that if you are going through a rough time, the best thing you can do is see your GP and talk to a couple of close confidants. The greatest power of depression is shame and your greatest strength is the ability to call it what it is, a medical condition, and treat it as one. Whatever treatment you use (counselling, lifestyle change, medication), don't do it alone. People need people.

Kate xxx

currently reading...

"The Thrifty Gardener"" by Alys Fowler. Cute, affordable & sustainable ideas for the garden. Loving it.

Available via Amazon.

new art: charlie stitching

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been experimenting with art & stitching. Here's my latest piece:

I may have forgotten to cover the frame with tape when I sprayed the stencil onto the fabric (note to self... remember that aerosol paint goes everywhere!!). 

By using an aerosol stencil I got the general shape of the pic I wanted quickly and without too much hassle, however I've been left with the green paint markings showing behind the stitching.  (The fabric is vintage, from a 30's couch I have had in the garage for about 2 years... starting to put some of it to good use!!)  

Have you been up to any new art lately? Post it in the comments below! 

Kate xxx

the happiness files: avocado

Nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom........ I love avocados! Nom nom nom nom...

Gerard, Lover of Avocados Print by Heather Buchanan via etsy. 

What's in your happiness file today?