The postcard project

Last week my dear friend Deb dropped in for a visit and she brought a little gift, this pack of 52 assorted miniature postcards. I love them! Now I am spoiled for choice as to what to do with them. What do you think?

I thought perhaps I could wrap them up in tiny envelopes and send them out as surprise mail to friends and bloggers I admire.

Or write little snippets of poetry on them and leave them behind in public places, like park benches, cafe tables and shop windows, for strangers to find.

Maybe I could send them out to you guys, in batches of five or six, with stamps and envelopes. And I'll ask you to leave them behind at different cafes or at the airport or anywhere else you go, with a note on each asking people to write something and post it back to me. That could be interesting, right?

I don't know, I'm sure you guys will have some creative ideas. Any suggestions as to how I can best use these beautiful, tiny postcards?

How trends start

Have you noticed that so many trends these days seem to start with blogs? I'm not trying to toot my own horn here; I'm most definitely just a trend-noticer and not even a trend-follower, let alone a trend-setter. But I do read a lot of blogs and I have been noticing. Take chevron stripes, for example.

Oh look, this blogger has made a chevron picnic blanket, this one has a chevron throw draped over her couch, and that one has made herself a maxi skirt in bold chevron stripes. Suddenly, chevron is all over the Internet, and everybody loves it. Fast forward a few months, then open up a magazine like In Style or Vogue Living. What's on the runway? Chevron! What's that new trend that will "add a bold splash to liven up your living space"? Chevron! Wait a few more months, maybe a year. Oh hello, clothing chain stores and discount department stores, is that mannequin in your window wearing chevron stripes, par chance?

When you think about it, it makes sense. Before blogs, designers went to markets and explored other cultures and turned to artists for inspiration. They still do that. Only these days, a lot of those market stall-holders and artists and people from thousands of different cultures also have blogs. So designers can take a look at what they are doing, online. And for anyone who works in trends (fashion and interior design for example), this is a fantastic opportunity. Because not only can they see what creative people from all over the world are doing, they can also watch - almost in real time - how a decent-sized body of readers responds to each new idea.

I was part of a group of bloggers who had the opportunity to hear from a Target Senior Stylist last week, a lovely man by the name of Ti who talked to us about the process he and his team would take when it came to designing new lines for Target's nursery range. And that process was almost bang-on with what I've just described.

They looked at blogs, of course, which Ti said were particularly helpful. "Because parents put lots of pictures of their babies on their blogs, so we can see what the babies are wearing, how their parents style their nurseries, and what's popular." They also visited markets, all over the world. Then of course they read the popular magazines, watched the TV shows, and so on.

It was really quite fascinating to hear what Ti had to say. For a big retailer like Target, they're not ever going to push the envelope or be first with the trends. But what they are going to do is try to read the trends and stay up-to-date with them, providing consumers with a mix of more traditional lines alongside those that are a little more contemporary.

Ti also gave us a sneak peek into what we'll start to see in Target's nursery range during the coming months. Would you like a hint?

Triangles are the new chevron (go figure!). Sweet, quilted-style blankets that double up, on the reverse side, as bright and vibrant play-mats. Bold and beautiful clouds printed onto super-soft blankets, in blue, pink and grey. Cute-as-pie dachshund prints and splashes of neon accents. Prints that pay homage to vintage toys like tin robots and rocket ships. Owls and pussy-cats. A colourful jack-in-the-box toy that, when it finally bursts open, reveals a Very Hungry Caterpillar.

As for colours, look out for new nursery things in teal, lavender, lime and coral, alongside the traditional blues, pinks, yellows and creams.

Some of these will be all over every store in Australia. Others will be tested in just a few places at first, to see how people respond to them. Based on consumer responses, they'll revisit, rework, and try again.

One more thing:

I was not paid to write this post. At the end of the event we did receive a goodie bag, which was very sweet and generous. However, there was no expectation or requirement that we blog about this (although I'm sure they hoped we would).

I've been to similar events in the past, and chosen not to write a post. I blogged about it this time because I thought it was quite interesting to learn about the creative process behind designing a range of homewares or clothing for a big retailer, as well as learning about what's up-and-coming for the future, and I thought you might think so, too.

And now for a review of Oh Suivant! by Emily Rose

The folks at Arts Centre Melbourne generously sent me two tickets to see Oh Suivant! recently, part of the amazing Summer Season lineup. Only problem was, I'd already made commitments for the same day. So along went Emily Rose in my stead, even though her cousin pulled out at the last minute and she had to go alone (yes I'm looking at YOU, Maggie). Thankfully, apparently the mother and daughter sitting next to Em both had curly hair, so she said it looked like she was part of a family and didn't stand out as a lonesome teenager!

Em loved the show, and even wrote this review to give the rest of us a little taste of what went on. She took these photos with her iPhone, minus the flash.

Last Friday I was lucky enough to attend Oh Suivant!, a charming show, thanks to my lovely step-mum (or as I like to call her, my mamma Na.)

The show was an hour long, light hearted and wonderful comedic experience for me, and all of the delighted giggling children in the theatre. The two stars of the show didn’t utter a word for the duration of the performance but instead opted for expressing themselves through an array of musical instruments and of course, dance. The two performers were sure to include some rather unsure, yet willing and enthusiastic, fathers into the act. Also plucked out of the audience and included in the show was a very shy little girl who enjoyed herself immensely.

Although mostly funny and fairly simple, the male performer demonstrated some incredible talents that had the little girl next to me yelling, “Somebody help him, he won’t be able to get down from all the way up there!” On top of that, the female performer was a very talented piano player!

Oh Suivant! was completely wonderful, and I recommend it to all that are young, and young at heart.

Favourite things - Oh, sweetie!

Nothing too philosophical about today's collection of five favourite things. They are just all kind of sweet and lovely. I hope they make you think, "Oh, sweetie!" when you see them, just like I did. Have a wonderful weekend, friends. 1. Knitted NYC

I love these adorable knitted plush toys featuring New York icons, from Oeuf. I may need to order some from Madeleine, because it's never to early to culture a love of New York. Or maybe I'll keep them for myself! Image and inspiration from A Cup of Jo.

2. Fruity messages

How gorgeous would these be in a fruit basket gift for a friend? The friend thinks "Oh yay, fruit!" And then when they go to eat it, they discover special little messages, just for them! From Twig and Thistle, first seen on the Frankie blog.

3. Tea blending party

It just sounds special, doesn't it? A tea-blending party. I would LOVE one of these! Take a look at this post on Happiness Is for some wonderful photographs, and recipes.

4. Lizzy & Darcy

Adorable! Say no more. (But see more on the Mint Parcel Etsy shop)

5. Monogrammed biscuits

Now COME ON. I can't wait to do this for a kids' party. Wouldn't they make fantastic, edible game-props? I suppose one can buy alphabet cookie cutters somewhere, right? As seen on Oh, Joy!

The Storytellers - Restless #1

"A very blustery day..." by Gillian Harrison

I blow into the yoga studio off the wild wind of the threatening summer storm. I figure it as good a day as any to return. I lie legs crossed on the concrete floor. The heaviness of the day echoes in my lower back as I replay a bustle of activity.

It began with teaching the children a new word. Blustery. The early morning wind blasted hot and turbulent and the children responded by poking sticks at each other. The ferocity in their tiny voices matched the power of the southwesterly while coloured silk wraps whipped about the mandarin tree in the playground, violent and captivating. Like wild snakes spitting and fighting for freedom.

It is this image that replays in my mind while I try to focus on the present. The Sanskrit wall hangings, the image of an elephant mother tending to her baby, the weaving bamboo plants. The reaching wooden tree sculpture, twisted, tangled and confused in its direction.

Then the first instruction comes softly: “Stand still and calm your mind”.

My limbs twitch and pulse, like the restless legs of pregnancy. My focus drifts away from the soles of my feet, my breath struggles to stay steady. The Mountain Pose gets the better of me.

I look upon movement in my life with fondness. Nomadic. Wandering. Fluid. Transient. Shall I move our family to Southern Italy? Or paint the bedrooms red? Restlessness signals the delicious stirrings of change

But while I yearn for the resonant hum of the Tibetan singing bowl which I know will signify that the end is near, I sense importance in this focus, in this deliberation, in standing still and I wonder if intentional living became the casualty of my thirst for movement.

Finally the storm kicks in beyond the glass screen doors. It is as wild as the wind promised it would be.

Yet I stand still. And I manage to breathe.

{Post by Gillian Harrison, written to the theme "Restless" for The Storytellers}

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Gillian Harrison is a contributing editor to Rhythm & Method. Gillian has a double major in Creative Writing/Philosophy which eventually led to a ‘real writing gig’ as Editorial Coordinator of a hippy lifestyle magazine. A bout of wanderlust lured Gillian to a teaching job in South Korea where the writing dream quickly faded into the polluted haze of the Korean peninsula.

Today, Gillian finds herself living in the world’s most isolated city and the town of her birth, Perth, Australia. She spends her days teaching, parenting and breathing air into her writerly self. Every now and then she dreams of throwing it all in and studying archaeology.

("Wind Costume" image: a late 19th century Japanese hand-tinted photographic studio portrait from the UK National Archives, licensed under Creative Commons)

Last minute high tea

You know those times? When your husband and your 14 year old step-daughter gleefully announce, "We have decided to host a High Tea party for our friends next weekend." And you think, "Oh great. That means I will be hosting a High Tea party for their friends next weekend," and then you think, "When did I get so old and bitter?" So you just tell them that is a brilliant idea, and stop yourself from thinking about recipes and decorations and logistics and instead you let them have their moment. That delicious moment when you plan and look forward to something fun.

And as the week goes on, you restrict yourself to the occasional question. "Have you decided what you will cook yet?" And, "Did you remember that Raya is gluten-free and lactose intolerant?" And when they answer, "We'd better get on to that soon," you hold your tongue and don't point out how long it generally takes to plan and cook for and set up these kinds of things.

Now it is Saturday night and the High Tea is on Sunday and as far as you're aware, nothing has yet been done. "What are your plans for tomorrow?" you innocently ask.

There is sudden panic in your home. In resignation, your husband rings their friends with the intention of cancelling but, before he can do so, said friends say "We're really looking forward to the High Tea!" so there goes that idea.

For a couple of minutes, your heart sinks and your martyr complex rises. You imagine yourself coming up with an entire menu of gluten-free, dairy-free High Tea treats and trying to concoct them that night and early the next morning. You think how tired you'll be, especially in between caring for a little baby and cleaning the house. You remember the last time you baked with gluten-free flour and how truly inedible the result was.

Then you suck it up and say, "BEGONE, Martyr Naomi." The next morning, you run up to the local bakery and buy a selection of assorted macarons, friands and mini meringues, then pick up some lovely berries, grapes and cherries from the organic fruit store. Back home, you and Mr B clean the house from top to bottom while Madeleine and Emily sleep in.

You pull out all the pretty china and set a simple table in the courtyard under the olive tree, decorating the table by putting some flowers that Emily picks from the front garden in an old marmalade jar. You put on a pot of tea. Mr B juices a dozen lemons for you to make fresh, sparkling lemonade.

Turns out, you don't have to make everything yourself, from scratch, for everyone to have a good time. Who knew?

Meals on Wheels - Taco Truck

Hola, dear friends! When we moved to Melbourne, almost a year ago today, one of our friends came over to help us unpack, and told us a bit about our part of town. "If you walk all the way to the end of Rathdowne Street," he told us, "there's a truck that sells tacos from out the back."

This sounded too good to be true and so, as soon as I got the chance, I followed Rathdowne Street to the end. At which point I discovered that it was, indeed, too good to be true. At the end of Rathdowne Street there was... a cross-road. A little grassed area. Some houses. And nothing more.

It didn't take too long, however, to discover that my friend had actually been referring to the Taco Truck, and its newer sibling Taco Truck Dos, which roam the streets of Melbourne bringing the kinds of soft-shell tacos I'd come to adore in New York to our parks and byways.

And this summer, they have been good enough to return to the end of Rathdowne Street a number of times, and we have hurried on up for a tasty meal on more than one occasion.

My favourite order is the fish taco, but you pretty much can't go wrong with combinations like beef and slaw taco, chicken and corn, black-bean, and more; served alongside corn chips and creamy guacamole, seasoned with fresh lime.

Will you join me for a picnic by the edge of the road some summer evening?

ps. Sink your teeth into more of Melbourne's Meals on Wheels

Melbourne dispatch - Rose Street Markets

On any given weekend throughout the summer months in Melbourne, you will meet this guy on the corner of Brunswick and Rose Streets. He spends his days ushering passers-by into the Rose Street Artists' Markets, a former junkyard just around the corner. Not wishing say no to a be-leathered, be-studded, double-hatted 'Tin Man' in a kilt, we dutifully took a turn into this haven of all things designed, crafted and handmade.

This market has been around for close to a decade, and the Tin Man is such a dedicated supporter he has become a bit of a Fitzroy icon himself. After I asked if I could take his photograph, we stood and talked for a good 10 minutes while he crooked a little finger at Madeleine in her stroller, and she grinned her gummy grin back up at him.

The markets themselves are a combined indoor-outdoor space, dedicated to artists and designers who want to hone and sell their wares and ideas. I love seeing the fabulous things the stallholders create. Trippy fish sculptures suspended in resin, in tuna and sardine cans? Why not? Jewellery made out of vintage postage stamps? Why, thank you. Tiny planters made out of neon dinosaurs? Don't mind if I do!

There's also a rather cute little cafe, which I'm yet to test out but I'll be sure to let you know about it when I do.

Favourite things - everything old is new

In January we like to look forward. The year is given a fresh start, and we embrace it by making promises to ourselves, or others, or setting new plans, or accepting new challenges. But that doesn't mean that the old year (or the older years before that) have lost their value. Sometimes, it's nice to look backward as well as forward. 1. Vintage bikes

In a somewhat heart-breaking moment, I admitted to myself recently that as a new mum, I was not likely to be able to ride my much-loved early 70s canary yellow Speedwell bike any time soon (this bike is not the kind you can modify to include a child cart). It was gathering dirt and dust and looking decidedly neglected on our front porch. So last weekend we wheeled it out onto the pavement in case some passer-by wanted it. A minute later, it was gone. I hope it found a good and loving home. One day when Madeleine is old enough to ride her own bike, perhaps I will treat myself to one of these beautifully restored vintage bikes from Retrocykel, to replace Old Yeller. (Seen first on Frolic)

2. You are already successful

I rather like the sentiment in this post from Miss Modish. While keeping busy making resolutions and promises, it can be a healthy process (and a kindness to yourself) to take stock of the achievements you have already made, and the promises you have already kept. Yes, each of us is a work in progress. But guess what? You are already whole, my friend. Celebrate YOU today!

3. Old-school crafts

Watching people skilled at old-school crafts is like taking a little step sideways and backwards in time. Every time I come across a place like Shepherd's Bookbinders (as seen on Papermash), I think about the time and skill and patience that went into the making of the paper, the stitching of a book's cover, the way it feels in my hands and the way it smells. And it is good.

4. Ten green bottles

Or more. Twenty green bottles, perhaps, or even thirty? Actually, Shannon of Happiness Is is selling her collection of more than TWO HUNDRED assorted antique medicine bottles, German beer bottles and more. I'm not planning a wedding or party and I don't know what I'd do with them, but I must say it is lucky that I don't live anywhere nearby, or I'd be plonking my money down for these beauties, right this minute.

5. Ancient forests

Janee of Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard featured these stunning forest photographs by Jürgen Heckel on her blog earlier this week, and I fell a little bit more in wonder with each new image. I love the sense of mystery, of hidden stories, of so much that is unknown and beyond the photograph that he creates.

ps. Win tickets to see LEO in Melbourne here

New series - The Storytellers

I have been looking forward to telling you about this for SUCH a long time. New for 2013, I am thrilled to bring you a new occasional series on this blog, called "The Storytellers." What is it?

I have approached some of the best and most creative bloggers on the Internet and asked each of them to tell a story (or a fragment of a story) for you. I set the parameters of what constituted a 'story' as loosely as possible; I told them they might want to write a piece of fiction, some non-fiction, share a photograph or several, draw some pictures, make a film, write a song... in short, they were free to do anything they liked, as long as it could go on this blog.

Every few months, I'll give The Storytellers a new theme, and they'll create something or share something they've found elsewhere, for you. Their first theme is RESTLESS. Here is a teaser of what some of The Storytellers have created:

} end if, by Ruby Blessing Ada sighed. Some rebellion. Ever since the Red Hats took over, no one seemed to have fun anymore. And it was mostly her fault. Now she was left with the dubious title of Queen of the Revolution, with every coder in the city passing by her table to ask some inane scripting question just to say they had met her.

That restless feeling, by Rhonda Yanitsas We had our belongings scattered across Sydney and beyond... I didn't have everything with me and it felt strange. Everything was so temporary.

Insomnia, by Katherine Mackenzie-Smith The girl lies awake in the middle of the night, her mind abuzz with thoughts of the person she could be and all the things she could do. Sometimes she walks the halls of her parent’s house, trying to calm her mind, and sometimes she stares upwards, watching shadows of the outside world dancing on her bedroom ceiling in the midnight breeze.

A very blustery day, by Gill Harrison I look upon movement in my life with fondness. Nomadic. Wandering. Fluid. Transient. Shall I move our family to Southern Italy? Or paint the bedrooms red? Restlessness signals the delicious stirrings of change.

Are you longing, like me, to find out what happens next? There is much more to come from these and many other Storytellers. Stay tuned this time next week for the very first installment in this new series.

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Photo of practically perfect finger puppets (what a fantastic storytelling aid they would make, huh?) from Knecht Ruprecht Waldorf Dolls

ps. If you don't want to miss out on any of The Storytellers, you can subscribe to my blog to receive notification of them all, plus I'll send you a copy of my book Airmail in the post for free, and make it look pretty, like these

ps2. If you're in Melbourne, go here for your chance to win two tickets to see the amazing, beautiful, funny LEO live next week