It has been an easy few weeks of inspiration for me. I was give a gift from a friend a few weeks ago. Knowing my love of bunting and my apprehensiveness of blogging, she made me some inspirational blog bunting to keep me going. On each flag she wrote a blogging tip.

1) Get Ideas from your audience.

2) Write for yourself first. Ignore that anyone will be reading it.

3)Be Consistent.

4)Give away your knowlegde.

5)Be true to your voice.

I know there are a few points I need to work on if not all of them. But hey, this creative gift idea has given me the push I need. What a girl!! I was so moved to receive such a thoughtful, personal, handmade gift.Thank you Hannah.

I am so fortunate to be surrounded my some amazing characters. Some whom have travelled and come from afar and some... not so far. Spending time with them makes me feel so energised and motivated. Different cultures, backgrounds, experiences. It's amazing how you can be close to people and yet be polar opposites.

In fact these past few weeks have been jampacked with dates of catching up with old friends who have moved away. What can I say "my vibe attracts my tribe". Its always incredible to see friends after an extended period of time because you no doubt spend at least 3 hours catching up with each other on the goings on. Of Course once that's done its time to reminisce and laugh to the point of tears, about that amazing holiday you went on all those years ago and the clumsy moments you had together, like catching the wrong bus in Malta or getting so badly burnt in Croatia you looked like a walking lobster. Aahh! Good times! Not to mention all those mindless first world problems you use to moan about.

It can be both moving and scary to think how much things can change. How much we can change! The truth is ..."Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." ( yep I just quoted Ferris Bueller, a proud moment for me) 

One of my oldest friends from high school in Australia came over last week. A quick stop off visit for her graduation. The thing is, no matter how long it's been, we always chat as if we saw each other only yesterday. Dunja is an Amazonian, Bosnian ( you'd know what I mean if you were 5.1" like me) who is a bit "bonkers...but, all the best people are" and can always bring the inner Aussie out of me, which quite fairly, needs to, on occasion, just to keep me true to my roots. Nevertheless she continues to bring a overflowing bag of Aussie treats with her every visit. Numerous packs of Tim tams, spear mint leaves, musk sticks and my absolute favourite Cherry Ripes (I could eat them all day). Its funny how a familiar taste can give you a real buzz.

So from time to time look back at old pictures, play that song you deemed the epitome of summer 2012 or text an old friend for a catch up.But really I am so grateful to have such inspirational people both old and new in my life, that keep me on my toes. That invigorate whether by their company, food or memories. 

Now I promise next time I will try not to bring out the D&M ( deep and meaningful) talk. But every so often it is called for.

Retro is the word of the week! It recently came to my attention that I am constantly surrounded by vintage and retro inspiration. The old film on a Sunday arvo, my favourite vintage woolly cardie for the chilly days, my antiquated teacup that sits in my much loved cabinet (which reminds me I should get that out) every time I pass by, not to mention half the jewellery I wear (either family heirlooms or antique store finds). I'm surrounded by it!

Really it all came to light a couple of Fridays ago, after a monumentally busy week. I needed an afternoon off, to just..."slob around", (thats what my family like to call it). So I switched on the tellie and to my delight there was an old Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr movie,"The Grass is Greener". It's a good one!!! You can never go wrong with a Cary Grant movie, I say. But there was a character in this movie, played by Jean Simmons, that really made me stop and think. With her wacky personality and out there fashion, what can I say...this character, 'Hattie Durant', quickly became my hero. 

For you out there who are not familiar with Kate Spade NY, its an American Fashion House that initially specialised in handbags, but since then has branched out into shoes, accessories, household goods, you name it. Known for their bright, vivacious colours and simplistic style there is a strong retro twist to Kate Spade NY designs, that I absolutely love. Making vintage relevant. What a grand idea!

There are so many vintage bits and bobs around that are over looked. I have a mental list of things to keep my eye out for, when I'm out and about, things like old fabric and sewing patterns, old books, magazines, maps, postcards, lace, wallpaper, postage stamps... My list could go on and on. But these are just a few things that you can actually reuse. 

I have an embarrassingly large collection of postage stamps for example, which are great for spicing up a handmade card, including in a collage badge pin, or using in a art piece for the wall. Vintage magazines are great too, not only do they smell wisely weird , but the imagery is always so classically beautiful even the adds in the back for shoe polish or hat making courses are great as kooky wrapping paper. Every so often, I get my old 1950s designer mags out just for a good retro pick me up. 

Speaking of old mags, I'd been dying to go to this new comic book cafe that had opened in Oxford on the Cowley Rd. So I ended up spending the good part of an afternoon with a friend in 'Inky Fingers' drinking AMAZING homemade Chai and reading old comic mags. 

Actually it got us thinking of the good old days (Haha I'm only 25, I make it sound like I'm an antique myself). Those fond days of mischief at school, memories of dangerous trampoline stunts at my friends house and making mum buy up on strawberry bubble gum to collect all the barbie stickers for my lunch box. Those were the days. I wonder where that lunch box went???

Retro inspired I say!! What other old gems will I find to add to the collection of inspiration?

{Ochre Cafe Instagram}

{My Spotify}