Historical photographs {Inspiration}

I have developed a little obsession with historical photographs lately, I think it stemmed from an image I saw of Sydney’s North Shore Tram tracks. The obsession probably goes hand in hand with my love of antiquing, tangible visual items of a life gone by. 

Here is a little collection of photos that have tickled my fancy lately:

Central Railway Station, Sydney - alcoholic beverages price list

Rock swimming pool at Cronulla Beach

Cronulla Beach, Sydney

Manly Ferry Wharf c.1941

Federation decorations, Bridge Street, Sydney


Walsh Bay, 1949


Sydney Harbour Bridge, under construction

A "House" that is close to my heart, the Sydney Opera House

Sydney opera house construction, 1960's

I hope you enjoyed the little historical tour.
Feel free to have a browse around NSW State Records all photos Copyright.

Vanilla cupcakes with Vanilla buttercream {Baking}

I think the best thing about baking is sharing with others and enjoying what you have made, there is a sincere sense of accomplishment when you over cater a batch of cupcakes for a colleges birthday to find none left over.

I decided to try a recipe by Sugarlace it was super easy and tasted amazing.

Vanilla cupcakes

Makes approximately 24 cupcakes

240g unsalted butter, softened
2 cups caster sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
3 cups self raising flour, sifted
1 cup buttermilk

Directions 

1. Pre-heat oven to 175 deg C. Line your muffin tray with paper cases.
2. Beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Beat in vanilla and buttermilk.
3. Add 1/2 of the sifted flour to the butter batter, and then beat until just combined. Add the remaining flour and beat well.
4. Divide the batter on to the cases evenly.
5. Bake for 20 – 22 minutes. Cool before frosting.

Vanilla buttercream

100g unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups icing sugar mixture, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk

Directions 

1. Beat butter until soft. Add icing sugar.
2. Add vanilla and milk. Add more sugar if frosting is too runny, or milk if it’s too solid.

Here they are assembled on the cupcake stand from my husbands Birthday party picnic.

Although living sugar free I still have fun from time to time and enjoyed a cupcake with my colleagues. There is something suspicious a cook not eating their own cooking!.

Grass Cloth {Designer Inspired}

Bryn Alexandra is such an talented Interior Designer,

What a great use of Grey and Grass cloth wallpaper in this project!

 

 

 

 

Ikea Rast Campaign Chest {DIY}

Do you think that the Ikea Rast is the top contender for the most Ikea hacks ever seen? This one takes the cake for my favorite!

Inspired by

Pop over to For Chic Sake for the fill DIY instructions and shopping list!

Dream/ DIY File {Camera Photos from Coco Republic}

Do you ever find yourself in furniture stores taking pictures of everything with your camera phone? I do it all the time! My favourite is Coco Republic, whilst I have never fathomed spending $8,000 on a Martha Stewart bed or $1,200 on a small side table, I do find it is a great source for information gathering and potential DIY’s.

DIY Idea Number 1

Find Leather Belt (op shop) fix to inexpensive dollar store frame.

DIY Idea Number 2

Find Leather Belt (op shop) Fix to round mirror.

Dream file:

Wedding Dress Code: COCKTAIL {Fashion}

Alannah Hill is my go to designer for special occasions, I love clothes that are feminine with sparkle, colour and sophistication.

I chose this blush pink silk dress with black waist bow and accents for a girlfriends wedding over the past weekend, I paired the dress with black opaque tights and Target black patent leather shoes, Zara Blazer, Blush pink Fendi Vanity clutch and kookai earrings (My high and low end purchases always mix and mingle).

A beautiful catholic church wedding was held in Mosman on Sydney's Lower North Shore followed by a lavish reception at Sergeants Mess Chowder bay.  .

Decorative Events Styled the wedding,

Bright flowers in beautiful cut crystal vases.

Black Velvet lounge!

Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson just shared this amazing room New York cool meets California comfort that never made it to an Episode of Design Star.

The colourway actually reminds me of her Website header

My very FIRST {Fashion Post} Concert Style

A few people have asked following my major closet clean out about if it was possible for me to do a few fashion posts. I am fashion enthusiast, or maybe just a shopaholic, however I would say that my shopping style for my home is similar to when shopping for myself, I like to be thrifty with my purchases with a  few splurges here and there. My wardrobe is a lot of basic pieces in black and white as a base with a good size sprinkling of glitz, bling and sparkle.  

It might surprise a lot of people I love to shop at chain stores, I love places like Target and K Mart for basics, I will however throw in a designer accessory here and there to ramp up the bling. This outfit is something I would wear to work.

I went to a concert last night with a friend and decided to asked the hubs to take a photo of me before I left (here I am fashioning the latest in air conditioning control panels and GPO’s).  

Target dress (Limited editions range), K Mart Shoes,

Zara Blazer, Kookai Earrings and ring.

The ring is fab! (Chain Tastle) Now $15! (Darn it)

We saw Carrie Underwood.... She was Amazing! Such a great voice with so many meaningfull songs, oh and lets not forget her killer hair!

What do you think? Would you like to see more Black Velvet Chair fashion posts?

Bright Monday {Flowers}

Stace and I headed to the Sydney Flower Markets on Saturday, we were there by 7:15am and there were a few stalls, however not as many as business days (so I hear). The prices were a lot cheaper than retail and worth the trip if you have an event to style or a passion for beautiful flowers like us, $6 for a punch of roses, $10 for 3 bunches of carnations. A lot of the sellers were reducing prices the latter in the morning. Our advice is go a little later if you are keen for a bargain, but by later I mean 8am.  

Stace's beautiful Haul

Dining room distruction...

Confident in our newfound floristry skills we created a few bouquets for ourselves and friends.

After (Eye epy a doggy tail)