I remember now...

I remember now why I love (parts) of the Sunshine Coast just as much as the Gold Coast.

We went up to Noosa/Sunshine Beach today for lunch and a trek around.

Noosa River

Markets by the River

The weather fined up and we had lunch at this hip little place at Sunshine Beach. We have been on a few holidays there over the years. I love the small beach town vibe, the natural beauty and how it has quietly become trendy, minus the Hastings St crowds ;-) It's only 5mins from Hastings St but you wouldn't know it. I could have eaten basically everything on their menu - yum.

The view from Dukes

The Sunshine Beach preferred method of transport.. motorised (yes it had a motor) skateboard

Beach piccies

My outfit:

Dress: made by me. The top half is a cut-up vintage dress - the lower half had stains and I thought I could still make the most of the pretty green top half. The fabric for the bottom half & waist tie is from Spotlight. This was my first DIY dress so I'm miles form being an expert but I thought it turned out alright! I kept the tie's edges raw (mainly because I hadn't got around to hemming it yet) but I think I actually like it this way.

Handbag: vintage

Bracelet: lavish homewares @ Gabba

Ring: two finger ring from YTBA.com

Sunglasses: ray ban

Silver Flats: witchery (yep, Witchery flats are pretty much my summer staple)

Wow... feet!

Todays' Op Shop Buys

A couple of vintage necklaces - $1 each

Vintage Simona blouse $8

Funky coloured fabric $1

Onkaparinga rug $6

Today I did a spot of op-shopping this morning and picked up the above from Vinnies. I have an obsession with buying rugs and blankets from op shops and stockpiling them. Do I live in a place with an extremely cold climate? No, I live in Queensland. Do I secretly wish I did? Um, yes. Snuggled up with Mr B by the fireplace in my thrifted rugs, the smell of wood smoke through the house, a full tummy of slow cooked lamb casserole..... Sounds great doesn't it? Gah, I'm sure they'll come in handy at some point and this one was just too warm and wooly to pass up.

Happy Australia Day!

Hope those of you in Australia have had an awesome Australia Day! Love having a mid-week public holiday and enjoying the sunshine!

Hooray for Saturday: Breakfast, shops & jewellery making

Today Mr BD and I went to our favourite local coffee shop for breakfast & coffees, a walk around a local 2nd hand clothing store and since I was feeling creative today, we made a trip to the craft store for some moulding clay.

Breakkie was yum - and so filling! Was actually more brunch than breakfast. We came home and I've been having fun making bangles and rings. A lady I used to work with used to make jewellery from clay every weekend to wear to work and it always looked so great. This weekend I finally gave it a go! I found the whole process quite relaxing and it definitely brought out my inner (playdoh playing) child ;-) I went for a red/light pink/cream combo. I've loved the style of Dinosaur Designs forever but haven't been able to justify paying their prices. Mine aren't resin but I think they are quite fun and similar anyway! :-)

Big breakkie - yum!

Outfit

It kind of looks like Milly's tail is hanging out of my handbag and Marlon is almost about to be sat on! Rest assured, no animals were harmed during the putting together of this post.

Top - Decjuba

Scarf - Bonds

Bag - Sportsgirl

Shorts- Sportsgirl

Shoes - Witchery

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Belt - Trying to recall - somewhere at DFO - maybe Portmans?

Fimo Clay (aka play-doh for adults)

The finished result

Hope your Saturdays' have been just as chilled-out and fun!

Queenslander

I love how stores are doing what they can to support those that have been flood affected. I am usually quite motivated by the punchy messages on Lorna Jane's t-shirts and tanks but walking past this on my way home from work, I was especially uplifted.

Workwear & New Hair

I needed a fresh start to the year and decided to have about 3 inches taken off my hair before starting back at work. I think it's amazing how something as simple as a haircut can give you so much more confidence and make a difference to how you look overall. Couple that with less time under the hairdryer/straightener/ less hair product and yippeeee I'm loving it!

I also bought a few new work pieces to start the year. I hate hate hate buying work clothes. I think this is because I have a pretty clear division of what I wear on weekends/casual Fridays versus usual work days and I just don't have as much fun dressing for work. Usually I'll do one big shop of work clothes for the year and that is about it - with the odd pair of additional black patent pumps thrown in for good measure (to combat the city pavements - do city streets wreak anyone else's shoes like they do mine or is it just that I am the clumsiest person on earth?............... Oh... to have a good friend who works at Mister Minit.....)

Joking around...!

Blouse - Portmans from DFO

Trousers - Country Road

Handbag - Witchery

Heels - Signature Diana Ferrari from DFO

What a start to 2011

Seriously, what an atrocious start to 2011. I can only hope that things improve and we don't see any further surges of flood waters, especially since there is rain predicted for next week. It will take a long time to rebuild wiped out communities. I consider myself very fortunate to not have been affected. My parents in law stayed with us for a couple of nights due to loss of electricity and the rising of a nearby creek but they were the extent of our issues.

We spent the day on Saturday out at Yeronga just helping out where we could. What the water left behind is a foul stench and thick, sticky, toxic mud. Toxic as, the Brisbane river and neighbouring creeks have never had particularly good water quality, especially not through the last week after animals, sewerage, debris and all manner of other things were swallowed.

This site shows just how things changed.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/qld-floods/beforeafter.htm

Well wishes to everyone who was affected - I hope you hear some good news soon.

Wet.

We're bracing for some serious weather conditions in Brisbane in the coming days... My thoughts are with everyone in Brisbane, Toowoomba and other parts of Qld affected by flooding.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/brisbane-prepares-for-worst-flood-in-118-years-20110111-19lvq.html

My favourite sunny day place & vintage purchases

Yesterday we went down the coast for a beach trip, lunch and some shopping in an effort to make the most of one of the only sunny QLD days so far this summer. This particular spot down the coast is our favourite sunny day spot of all time. We can back the car up to the entrance there, SPF up and head down the track to the nearby flagged area for a swim. Afterwards we have a quick shower before grabbing some lunch nearby. The beach there is just pristine and usually fairly quiet, unlike neighbouring Broadbeach Main Beach or Surfers Paradise.

Afterwards we went and grabbed kebabs and baklava and then went in search of vintage stuff. I bought the glasses & plate at an antique centre for $38 together and then found the 60's tulip print skirt at this awesome little vintage store for $30. I'm looking forward to teaming the skirt with a simple white singlet and sandals. Usually I wouldn't pay so much but sometimes I don't mind spending more than at op shops if you are getting a complete set or something in excellent (basically brand new) condition. The carnations I bought for New Years and just haven't had a chance to photograph yet.

Today is the last day Mr Bejewelled has off before returning to work muhahahaa. Next week that will be me but I have a few more days yet. Planning on making the most of it!