Around Brisbane Town

Bliss!  Exams are over.  Considering the minimalist approach I took towards studying this year, and the fact I tore the ligaments in my ankle and pretty much missed the last month of uni, I am feeling quite optimistic about my results.  Now, for the holidays!

A couple of weeks ago, I was at work, decorating Christmas baubles (my glamorous new profession) and minding my own business.  Then, on my 15 minute break, I somehow managed to wander downstairs and spontaneously buy a Nikon D3000 DSLR camera.  What?!  Thanks to mum and dad for going halvsies as my Christmas present. :)

Anyway, because of dastardly exams, I haven't had a proper chance to press all the buttons and figure out how the darn thing actually works.  However, I've been doing some fiddling in the last few days and this is what I got.  The first two pictures are around Paddington, the next is at the Valley Laneway Markets and the last two are just houses on my street.  I am aware of my amateurness, so just say nice things and smile. :)

Now, time for my latest favourite market discovery.  I had a look at the Valley Laneway Markets yesterday and got chatting to a lovely lady named Nikky who was peddling her wares - fabulous photographs from around the world.  By some twist of fate, she has travelled to all the places I would LOVE to go - Japan, Paris, London, Ireland, Spain.  I know nothing whatsoever about photography, but I adored all the prints she had for sale - it was lovely to see the same  places you see pictures of everywhere  (Eiffel Tower anyone?) captured from a unique perspective.  I bought a super cute print of an icecream shop display in Tokoyo, Japan.  Have a looksie at this and more amazing pictures on her website.

That is allllllllll for today.  Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I'll try and be more interesting in coming weeks!

Brisbane Market Diary November 2010

You now have zero excuses to leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute.

6 November - BrisStyle Indie Eco Market - St Augustine's Church, Racehorse Road, Ascot (9AM-2PM)

6 & 7 November - Finders Keepers Markets - The Old Museum (best venue ever), Bowen Hills (10AM-5PM)

7 November - Suitcase Rummage - King George Square (12-5PM)

19 November - BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market - King George Square (from 5PM)

20 November - Handmade Expo - Ipswich Surf Club, Bundamba (8AM-2PM)

26 November - The Little Market - Avid Reader, West End (5.30-8.00PM)

26 & 27 November - Karuna Christmas Market - 27 Cartwright St, Windsor (3-7PM Friday, 9AM-1PM Saturday)

There are a few other regular markets on, but let's not go carazyyy here.

Getting Cheered Up

It is, unfortunately, exam season.  Every moment not spent at one of my various jobs, scrimping and saving for our holiday, is spent studying, or more to the point, feeling guilty about not studying.  Spring suits Brisbane ever so well, but the beautiful purple Jacardas blooming everywhere only serve as a cruel reminder of my impending doom.   Therefore, I have been seeking ways in which to cheer myself up.  These are my findings, rated in terms of success.


Retail therapy.  Especially in the form of markets, as they often take ages to get to and meander through, thus also serving as an excellent procrastination tool.  I found a super cute crocheted soap holder thingy at the Little Market on Wednesday, and also popped over to the West End Markets on Saturday.  A $1 cheese stick certainly improved my mood, as did some cute Christmas cards, holding my boyfriend's hand and a number of secret Christmas gift related purchases.
Financial burden: High for the exxy Christmas cards (I got carried away supporting local artists) but low for the culinary delights!
Cheer up factor: High.


Appreciate the little things. For example, in the spirit of Cheer Up Solution #1, I bought some cheapie shirts today, and they have the neatest tags!
Financial burden: Low.  You can appreciate little free things.
Cheer up factor: Medium.

Go see a film.  Simple, yet brilliant, right?  It's dark and cool, and there is ice cream and sometimes even cuddles.  I recommend The Social Network, which we saw on Saturday.  Not just for it's clever and original slogan...
Financial burden: Low if you are a UQ student at the Indooroopilly movies. :)
Cheer up factor: High!

Read my blog.  ...It cheers me up!  I mean, me reading it.  And you reading it.  That's nice also.
Financial burden: None whatsoever!  I won't even try to sell you anything by filling your screen with mindless advertising.
Cheer up factor: Medium.  I'm being modest of course.

Sherbet cone with a Flake from Wendy's.  These are my current vice, because they are delicious and can be eaten in a 15-minute break from work.  I ask for mine in a cup, so I can enjoy the sherbet-y goodness for the entirety of my ice cream eating experience, rather than eating all the sherbet at the start then having to finish a boring ice cream in a boring cone.  Because that's not cheerful!  Also, they're not terribly life-ruining-ly bad for you (like evil McFlurrys).
Financial burden: Low.  $3.60 to be precise. :)
Cheer up factor: Medium.  Which is pretty good for a 15 minute break!

Just do the flippin' study.  I'm sorry. But it does need to be done at some point. In all its mind-numbing-what-does-this-even-have-to-do-with-psychology-I-just-want-to-help-people glory.
Financial burden: None, except for the snacks.  French onion dip and Sakatas is my preference.
Cheer up factor: Negative in short term, medium-high in the long term.

Best of luck!  Keep calm and carry on, just like Pooh would do.

The Little Market This Evening!

Just a quick note to let those of you who might be interested that there are markets tonight at Avid Reader in West End.  If you're not sure where this is, just look for the best bookshop in the whole world. :)  I haven't been to the Little Market before, but it looks rather charming, and really, it's markets, so I'm sure it will be wonderful.  As you can see from this lovely banner I borrowed from their blog, you can zoom along from 5.30 - 8.00 and have a looksie.  Apparently there are snacks and cool jams also.

Let me know if you get there, especially if you discover some wonderful treasures.  I will report back if I find anything particularly wonderful on my teeny tiny budget.

Ciao!

Kate

Neato Things I Like From Etsy

Thanks to the Aussie dollar kicking the US dollar's behind, shopping on Etsy is more enjoyable than ever! :)  Here are some groovy things I found today.  Even with my wonderful Australian currency, I cannot afford them on account of saving for our Vietnam/India holiday in January, but I thought posting them here might make me feel better.

Nicole Houff Photography specialises in pictures of vintage Barbies.  Awesome idea right?  This one of Barbie airing her delicates is my favourite, I do believe it would be the perfect edition to our bathroom wall.  Have a looksie at her shop for other amazing Barbie pictures.

These extraordinary and wonderful Tetris pillows from Star Gallery.  I especially love them because they are made in Melbourne! 

I am also currently obsessed with oddly shaped soaps like the ones at LoveLee Soaps.  My current favourite is brain soap, (a few different Etsy sellers do this one, make sure you find one containing cruelty free ingredients).

 

For those of you after something a bit warmer and fuzzier, LoveLee Soaps also does gummi bears, cupcakes and even popcorn! :)

  

I am quite fond of lovely stamps currently, like this hedgehog stamp by Doodlebug Design - go have a look at this shop, there are lots of neat stamps in there and it was particularly hard to choose just one I liked! 

 

Finally, these Pikachu earrings are rather adorable.  I am a fan of all Pikachu related things though.  Have a looksie at them here. 

 

So a little bit of everything!  That's all for today, I really should be writing the two assignments I have due tomorrow evening.  

Ciao!

Kate

Brisbane Markets Discoveries

Today we zoomed off in the rain to St Augustine's Church in Hamilton to check out the BrisStyle Indie Mother and Child Market.  Even though neither Sam or I are either a mother or a child, I wanted to go have a looksie because everything there was handmade by local talent!

I had the best time chatting to the stallholders - it's lovely to meet people who gush over little things like fabric and buttons and vintage story books just like me!  I'm very short on pennies at the moment but I purchased two back issues of Peppermint Magazine (a pretty new on the block eco-fashion magazine based in Brisbane, similar to Frankie but a bit more fair trade and anti-animal testing!) and these lovely earring and card from Pass the Parcel - sorry you can't see the earrings that well, but they've got a very cute floral design (I am currently obsessed with all things floral).  Check out the link for a better look!

I have recently been amazed at all the markets happening around Brisbane!  What is interesting is I only seem to find out about them by being in the exact right place at the right time.  I will list my new sources of information for anyone whose interested - go along and check them out if you have some free time on the weekend, it's a great way to feel like you actually exist and live in a really live community.

Fabulous Markets in Brisbane

BrisStyle hold not only the Mother and Child Market we went to today, but a few different markets around Brisbane.  They have the Indie Eco Market coming up on Saturday, 6 November and the Indie Twilight Market at King George Square on Friday, 19 November from 5PM (this one is supposed to be especially awesome).  Check out their website for more info.

I found out today about the Handmade Expo Market coming up next Saturday.  This one's a bit out of the way (from me anyway) but has over 100 stalls and the previous market looked awesome - have a squizz on their blog.  I can't go next weekend because I will be Opti-MINDSing, but if anyone gets out there to have a look, let me know!  There is another event on 20 November (after exams!!!).

The Little Market holds markets at Avid Read in West End (possibly the best bookshop in the entire world) once a month - the next one is 29 October from 5.30PM. 

This one isn't quite markets but looks amazing just the same - the Brisbane Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair is happening at Eagle Farm Racecourse at Ascot on Friday 29 October (same time as the Little Market - oh no!) and Saturday 30 October (phew).  This one has a $10 admission fee ($8 for students) but looks terribly exciting.

I was very very cranky to miss the Suitcase Rummage at King George Square last weekend and am eagerly awaiting the next one.  The coolest thing about this is that ANYONE can go along and pedal their wares - second hand goodies or handmade stuff or whatever, and it doesn't cost a penny!  If you've ever investigated the costs and insurance and applications involved in getting a stall at the markets you will no doubt be as in love with this idea as I am.

The Valley Laneway Markets started in August and take place around the Valley every Sunday from 10-4.  Strictly handmade goodies.  Wanted to go check them out tomorrow but I am now working, selling factory made products that people don't need instead. :(  Let me know if you get there, they look rather rad!

Phew!  So there you have it - no more whinging that there's nothing to do in this crafty little city.  There are lots of advantages to buying handmade, aside from just the fabulous finds and warm fuzzy feeling.  Excuse me while I rant to you.

• You are supporting teeny tiny local businesses - the person you're talking to actually made the product you're buying!  I had some much fun today asking everyone questions and people are genuinely excited to hear that you like what they've created or have already seen their work.  I actually met a few people today who were selling things I've got pictures of saved in my 'inspiration' folder.
• Handmade products make fabulous gifts!  The receipient of a handmade gift is receiving something that is one of a kind and made with love.  Everyone feels good!
• As I've already said, buying handmade is reengaging with the community, the people around you and the products you are buying.  More importantly, you know that what you are buying was made in a safe, happy environment and not by an abused and underpaid factory worker. 
• Buying handmade is also better for the environment - the culture of mass production and importing of products is a major cause of pollution and strain on the environment.  Buying locally produced items reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating the pollution created through importing overseas products and sends a small but important message to the forces of mass production (or as you may better recognise them, "The Man")

Please let me know if you know of anymore little underground events like these, or if you get to any of these markets!  I really want to get the word out so everyone can enjoy the magic!

Ciao!

Kate xxx

What did you have for afternoon tea?

I had Becky Crocker Creamy Deluxe Milk Chocolate Frosting, straight from the can.  Bliss.

Today it is a rainy day in Brisbane.  I drove to uni to avoid the depressing experience of catching the bus in the rain, and as I left this afternoon, saw two lovely brown ducks in the grass on the side of the road.  According to Animals Australia (a fantastic and very active charity you should consider supporting if you have spare time or spare pennies) a vegetarian saves two animals a week by not eating animal products - over 100 animals a year.  Yesterday was the last day of our week of vegetarianism, but after seeing these two lovely ducks, the hypothetical animals I hypothetically saved in physical, feathery, real life form (and who in my head were saying something along the lines of "thanks for not eating us!") I've decided to keep it up a little while longer.

I really am a sucker for ducks.