Hand knits and cute buttons

 On the weekend I went to Camberwell Market for the first time, yes I have lived in Melbourne for 6 years now and never been before.  

It was fabulous!  Lots of rummaging and all sorts of people.  I said hello to Catherine from Audrey Scarlett Vintage, who has a stall there and she so wickedly tempted me with a fantastic hand knit cardigan, I love a good hand knit, cropped cardigan.

Look at that detail!

All it needed doing to it was a change of buttons, so today I popped to my local material and haberdashery and hunted down some red buttons - something to brighten up the grey of the wool.

Gaahhh so many to chose from!

I was going to go for the lady birds but decided on some bright red flowers. And so while enjoying a cup of coffee and some m&m's (yes sometimes I separate the colours) I got to work.

Taaa Daaa! All finished and with a hint of colour to brighten up my Autumn and Winter days.

An Autumn afternoon at the Convent and a spot of shopping

This week I had a chance to take a half day off of work and watch Little Miss A perform with her kinder at Abbotsford Convent, and the weather was a glorious Autumn day. 

Abbotsford Convent is an amazing public space situated on the Yarra River, close to the centre of Melbourne. 

Now made up of artists studios, a school and cafe's, art gallery and function rooms, it was built between 1900 - 1903 and its original purpose as a convent is still obvious.

The grounds are equally as beautiful. Thankfully they wrapped up filming an Ethan Hawke film by the time I went for a wonder, no I didn't see Mr Hawke, I don't know if I would recognize him? How long has it been since he's been in a decent film?

The flowers were in full bloom and the leaves so, so green and healthy. 

After a long, hot summer, seeing green lush foliage is amazing.

I tried to do my best 60's fashion pose (ha ha ha) with workmen just around the corner I did a quick timer job and ran off and up the hill.

And my shoes got very wet - must remember to scotchguard my shoes again before the wetter weather.

Then I spent the last hour or so (before I picked up Little Miss A from kinder) doing a spot of shopping.  I didn't purchase this turban and I'm a bit sad I didn't but I did find a brown felt cloche that I would get more wear out of.

It was a relaxing afternoon and so lucky the weather was an amazing, crisp Autumn day.

Here's to more.

Autumn afternoons in the playground with a new cloche

Today Amelie and I decided to go out for lunch after her ballet and tap class.  

I had a Reece's Pieces milkshake, holy moly it was delicious!! but I needed to walk it off, so we decided to go for a walk down the road to the playground.

I am not a fan of going to the playground ALL the time, sorry but I find it boring, but when we see a new playground we always have to investigate.

And you know what; this playground in Reservoir has got everything a 4 year old and *cough *cough slightly older person could want: swings, sea-saw, climbing frames, slides and pretend shops.

I don't think the average person quite understands the effort that goes into buliding playgrounds accessible to all ages, and most often communities come together to make sure everyone is able to access them. 

Recently Mr Ed was on a community committee to assist in the redevelopment of our local park and it's hard work, and a lot of toing and froing with the council.

I got to wear my new felt cloche, it actually has a nice satin ribon and bow at the back and fits perfectly (I have a large head)

I did get time to relax a little.  Oh and yes, as every parent knows - sensible footwear is a must when your gallivanting around playgrounds and jumping rocks and collecting gum nuts (the old trusty Campers).

 

This little park next to JE Moore Park and Preston Cricket Club is cute and just across the road is Edwardes Lake and Park. We'll explore that area when Mr Ed is able to join us.

Colds and rainy days

This morning I woke with a full-blown head cold, I just wanted to stay in bed and snooze all day, alas this is one of my two days I don't work and get to spend with Little Miss A. 

So I dragged my cold-sodden body out of bed, made breakfast, had a shower, then out of the house in the cold and wet to buy Little Miss A a pair of winter boots (those growing feet need some supporting).

 I thought it would be nice to go for a walk in the rain to the park close by and test out those new boots.

 Little Miss A had reservations and her uncertainty turned out to be correct, with a huge flash of lightening and clap of thunder she was ready to head back to the car and home.

I on the other hand was getting a second wind, I think the cool, fresh air was clearing my coldy head.

 Girls with cool boots stick together.

Grumpy-pants Murphy wanted to go home....

...and have an 'inside picnic', and so that is what we did. x

Love Vintage Show - Melbourne

Last night was the opening of the Love Vintage Show at the amazing Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. 

I don't get to enjoy the evening lights of Melbourne very often; with a 4 year old and no family close by we have to pick our few nights out carefuly.  But last night I had a chance to put on my sadly recluse 1940's dress to join a few friends and drool over all manner of outfits and accessories - my heart fluttered all evening.

Bakelite beauties - look at the cat cuff and the heart brooch uuugggghhh too expensive for my budget.

Hats, hats and more hats, and look at that little coat!

 

 Of course when there is a free photobooth one cannot walk by without a slew of animated poses, Jacinta and I hammed it up with silent film whimsy.

After walking around half the show we came to Catherine's stall Audrey Scarlett Vintage and we popped in to say hello and of course like the consummate professional she had her tape measure to hand.  Jess and Catherine were indeed surprised to be the same size! 

   

 I got my hands on Mr Ed's camera for the evening and tried to figure out how to work the damn thing.

 I saw a lot of dresses that I didn't have the time to try on, ponder over or afford but I did come away with a wonderful 1950's wooden brooch, she has a few leaves missing but as soon as I saw her I couldn't leave her behind - the beginning of a wooden brooch obsession.

 And so I got home just in time to see the end of the 1st semi final of Eurovision, yes, I love Eurovision.

It was an all too brief night (it closed at 9pm) and forgot to mention Jacinta was one of the judges of the fashion parade, but I'm sure she'll tell you all about that on her blog soon.

So until next time.....x

Well that was a long break!

Well hello there, It's been a while since I have posted anything on my blog, in fact it has almost been a year and a half eeeeeek!

As my last post in 2011 explained I have become addicted to Instagram, yes like a lot of people we love the instant gratification of a filtered image going live in seconds and people responding so quickly, but the other thing I love about Instagram is the people that I follow and follow me, they are a fantastic bunch.

But I guess I want a little more, to show the things I love to do, things I love to make and the things I love to wear.  I'm looking forward to a new beginning with Tunabake Times and I hope to post here every few days, I promise not to regurgitate what is on my Instagram feed (although I have to figure out how to use Mr Ed's camera so this image is um...from Instagram) and hope to meet even more people who share my loves.

See you soon,
Claire
xxx

I'm addicted to Instagram

It's true, I have been unfaithful and have spent many nights in the warm embrace of Instagram.



But when you don't have a digital camera with a timer you're forced to find other avenues to capture dresses and other interesting images.

Mr Ed and I are however planning on buying a joint Christmas present this year - a digital SLR.....very HAPPY!



So if you are on Instagram pop by: tunabake