Holiday haven

I don't know what it is about the houses on Sydney's Northern Beaches, but I can't get enough of their particular style of beach chic. It might be the combination of lashings of white, timber floorboards, sandstone....oh, and maybe a killer view or two. Absolute perfection. Take this little number for example - 'Norma House'. Could you think of a better place to spend the summer?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-1byGiXhawIvXhAa8thKCUyCx4mygEsAbDaGznBExeUAT2IxPu76JfAxYsFbVWQG6RxEv-3s0DGeG0e9uw4h3YP6V1O3n4IQDVIZyB2Tg2YE7qhNZqLdrwfQmkwTtyuJrVkoR2F8x7c/s1600/Untitled+picture12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-1byGiXhawIvXhAa8thKCUyCx4mygEsAbDaGznBExeUAT2IxPu76JfAxYsFbVWQG6RxEv-3s0DGeG0e9uw4h3YP6V1O3n4IQDVIZyB2Tg2YE7qhNZqLdrwfQmkwTtyuJrVkoR2F8x7c/s640/Untitled+picture12.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm1zvqflbRHTHEZfaZQxCgKHB_hLS2rNIee8fuUoFpcCZavHElq2TivXT5z_8j3T52Vxh5GP6oAq9-SwA3Wq5uxfpz3FQc2pvcgeFkhwCjBHcjdLpdwe-_D9NnSJYpHiViDYnQAZrNcc/s1600/Untitled+picture9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm1zvqflbRHTHEZfaZQxCgKHB_hLS2rNIee8fuUoFpcCZavHElq2TivXT5z_8j3T52Vxh5GP6oAq9-SwA3Wq5uxfpz3FQc2pvcgeFkhwCjBHcjdLpdwe-_D9NnSJYpHiViDYnQAZrNcc/s640/Untitled+picture9.png" width="416" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSY3Kwqws49ZfbOsHh7LxkgPyiImou6GCjcBYkakN6oxvFC1kM9fbJL0YErOLJWcvyhoPQrAfvATiPLcRHkc66CA6_fcywld2Vo_LaI7BLHYlXDZFyzLhWCPMCONlqBTpGqyiBtofciU/s1600/Untitled+picture16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSY3Kwqws49ZfbOsHh7LxkgPyiImou6GCjcBYkakN6oxvFC1kM9fbJL0YErOLJWcvyhoPQrAfvATiPLcRHkc66CA6_fcywld2Vo_LaI7BLHYlXDZFyzLhWCPMCONlqBTpGqyiBtofciU/s640/Untitled+picture16.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWeVt8WJIjkn3mj1sUyA1B9Qs3ug3vPidQSRIZwcoms42TQZjpAACSTG76VMGrNZgh7a-vTuHH_b5rcpAREkYNCjRmegGwGZsdcunD4WEuQPmQ9itT-VTF0VrNtv5OYZnVXKUtpW0mEc/s1600/Untitled+picture7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWeVt8WJIjkn3mj1sUyA1B9Qs3ug3vPidQSRIZwcoms42TQZjpAACSTG76VMGrNZgh7a-vTuHH_b5rcpAREkYNCjRmegGwGZsdcunD4WEuQPmQ9itT-VTF0VrNtv5OYZnVXKUtpW0mEc/s640/Untitled+picture7.png" width="414" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLDGqrCFnSiIrKChrL5GMfm6vP7PGcKuTbHSmBnkgvr0NFQAp8KPaAHelj6R5QPcSUDpujNXJJ3THmT9L2rfHN1bPG5HpibNAwAjrcHVtyKeYJ-JlpJVUKM1dyiqKQbS6luF-RG6baqc/s1600/Untitled+picture15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLDGqrCFnSiIrKChrL5GMfm6vP7PGcKuTbHSmBnkgvr0NFQAp8KPaAHelj6R5QPcSUDpujNXJJ3THmT9L2rfHN1bPG5HpibNAwAjrcHVtyKeYJ-JlpJVUKM1dyiqKQbS6luF-RG6baqc/s640/Untitled+picture15.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t0VTxQFCHki8li-dL6EYVjd0IPkB4aheYv4mVa3cfFpw82prXDpDPvkIaO50m6HKNTDicHuLa_9m28Yf1PigPUfH6_qS1IPaK9w5bf0bHvkftPpxXUmuGHzfxa2s8U0Of6-bvwYk-ss/s1600/Untitled+picture14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t0VTxQFCHki8li-dL6EYVjd0IPkB4aheYv4mVa3cfFpw82prXDpDPvkIaO50m6HKNTDicHuLa_9m28Yf1PigPUfH6_qS1IPaK9w5bf0bHvkftPpxXUmuGHzfxa2s8U0Of6-bvwYk-ss/s400/Untitled+picture14.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XQ_m_suCijYYiMc9s-XNoWYKdqL8E43DUc-ytyEfKj9wmdf439WHa5rYu5BPhyphenhyphencLJfJlc8WQcuhOupZw-aIEenx8GrJbkLi3G83YxBFXZ4nKSN-MvEQ329aTYD0bexnnCvk0MA-LpY0/s1600/Untitled+picture13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XQ_m_suCijYYiMc9s-XNoWYKdqL8E43DUc-ytyEfKj9wmdf439WHa5rYu5BPhyphenhyphencLJfJlc8WQcuhOupZw-aIEenx8GrJbkLi3G83YxBFXZ4nKSN-MvEQ329aTYD0bexnnCvk0MA-LpY0/s640/Untitled+picture13.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_By_TUOkcTed4ANFSlknBsEtvT3ZlD3hC8qtDVDwEcnGLxPvw1-pfErhDqEqbBKmSTkmO9m_QNO88RPe83UwAGN4-WroXCNquyfAl0eYK5qKY6Ux50JkNn3LC3Io1_o4wuiKOjkMBvNw/s1600/Untitled+picture11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_By_TUOkcTed4ANFSlknBsEtvT3ZlD3hC8qtDVDwEcnGLxPvw1-pfErhDqEqbBKmSTkmO9m_QNO88RPe83UwAGN4-WroXCNquyfAl0eYK5qKY6Ux50JkNn3LC3Io1_o4wuiKOjkMBvNw/s640/Untitled+picture11.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So if you're in the market for a swanky spot to while away the summer, you can pop on over <a href="http://palmbeachholidayrentals.com.au/norma-house/?YWR2c2VhcmNoPXRydWUmc3VidXJiPTE=">here</a> to make a booking. Just make sure you save a room for me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

Holiday haven

I don't know what it is about the houses on Sydney's Northern Beaches, but I can't get enough of their particular style of beach...

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Vintage school chalkboard

Years ago, I was lucky enough to stumble across an old school blackboard, complete with easel, at a garage sale. I snapped it up for the princely sum of $5, and I've used the easel ever since in my studio. The chalkboard, however, has sat in my shed until yesterday. I've decided it's time to have a more organised system for keeping track of all my paintings on order, and as I'm a very visual person, I need to see it in black and white.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJge588pLQIaTo1-9MN_w9tOkNYLwxpeBrqzP5DFD4iUSoJ4uFmUwM7t_AFprRRJDN4WdZ9V_BJjVzNhacwoEptSNgQkF8L1dDYbncQlm3dJnXebtOczFOxGAbu6O_AsfUJFEOieomDwQ/s1600/blackboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJge588pLQIaTo1-9MN_w9tOkNYLwxpeBrqzP5DFD4iUSoJ4uFmUwM7t_AFprRRJDN4WdZ9V_BJjVzNhacwoEptSNgQkF8L1dDYbncQlm3dJnXebtOczFOxGAbu6O_AsfUJFEOieomDwQ/s640/blackboard2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoDJd_cW5sJenwGzlRaVQxX23gnGHNmkicFh_Lw3XWSzUfONKhdE-JIp3V1sh99VcGQwA-guEOOuB05mritl4DySiG6SvP4B994FwRWsN6cF1uIjbf5TnyfKKmImJ1nhcEU4E_9sJiaU/s1600/blackboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoDJd_cW5sJenwGzlRaVQxX23gnGHNmkicFh_Lw3XWSzUfONKhdE-JIp3V1sh99VcGQwA-guEOOuB05mritl4DySiG6SvP4B994FwRWsN6cF1uIjbf5TnyfKKmImJ1nhcEU4E_9sJiaU/s400/blackboard2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I first bought it, I'd planned to paint the frame, but now I think I rather like it in all its shabby glory. I'm planning on hanging it on the wall, so that I can still use the easel for my larger artworks, and the chalkboard will be used as a visual diary of sorts. And as it's about to rain yet again, once I've finished my orders for the day, I'll get back to work on a painting I'm actually keeping <i>for myself</i>, which is something of a rarity now days. I have a large, blank wall behind the sofa in our family room, and I've earmarked a 3' x 6' canvas for the space. Once it's presentable I'll give you a look, but for now I can tell you it will be something of a hybrid between these:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANzanmx8EnpmdZUM0Xx7y_RC9XzrEpsnnZbYAd5GINiXPUZdbKhzKA8nF5u4kqwsqFGPnPCDslwwGu8LouNKjdktgQjofzQdLev4H3QnWXV7x1h5LgnGaAcMUplbKcCccp_eAaolRe9U/s1600/abstract+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANzanmx8EnpmdZUM0Xx7y_RC9XzrEpsnnZbYAd5GINiXPUZdbKhzKA8nF5u4kqwsqFGPnPCDslwwGu8LouNKjdktgQjofzQdLev4H3QnWXV7x1h5LgnGaAcMUplbKcCccp_eAaolRe9U/s640/abstract+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Nautilus' </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Mixed media on canvas (sold)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhCdPxUlyT9_Mho7hRyyMKdxVVUc7p2JaGasCLDQX12ifLpDeUkSjo_70n9RTkkNIyeqj1RbhJlLmMxkz-rJgL6LQ2C-e4dKKv7fJxitWcV81YLaC58gS78AcSqOAkda_OMUiWQYF5jo/s1600/drift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhCdPxUlyT9_Mho7hRyyMKdxVVUc7p2JaGasCLDQX12ifLpDeUkSjo_70n9RTkkNIyeqj1RbhJlLmMxkz-rJgL6LQ2C-e4dKKv7fJxitWcV81YLaC58gS78AcSqOAkda_OMUiWQYF5jo/s400/drift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">'Drift'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mixed media on canvas (sold)</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP2mOxr3tsteZ7hj37EyRVrtn-SxWrHR09I2uRORbQDBIvUVnSr2gZDZNzKGe-N6V-PMYXmHS0_XGhH6sdAJ8emO1qe9GHhmBfDIzVPj0PjfyL7isnjV4uXVqql6McXxckHd2pAgaPWI/s1600/drift+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP2mOxr3tsteZ7hj37EyRVrtn-SxWrHR09I2uRORbQDBIvUVnSr2gZDZNzKGe-N6V-PMYXmHS0_XGhH6sdAJ8emO1qe9GHhmBfDIzVPj0PjfyL7isnjV4uXVqql6McXxckHd2pAgaPWI/s640/drift+II.jpg" width="483" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">'Drift II"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mixed media on canvas </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(you can check out more of my paintings over <a href="http://www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp">here</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/driftwoodinteriors">here</a>, if you're interested)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...with a few surprises thrown in. Oh, and before I forget, the lovely Mara, of <a href="http://home-shabby-home.blogspot.com/2010/12/little-corner.html">Home Shabby Home</a>, recently shared some pics of her new home office space. And hanging on the wall is my painting, 'Fresco'! Take a look:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tdh2zLgHo0_8j9ooCU5zDLjF9uzgnb4LV8N1jf-CIlhTRMnBGM1PGnXWhgFkKkiju04SrJoMkH3UK_lHrUP48JDQ0j-QO3-80V68EpB8vQi0_VF8KQaMJMzKV3VStZNtuHFnK_9aRc4/s1600/home+shabby+home2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tdh2zLgHo0_8j9ooCU5zDLjF9uzgnb4LV8N1jf-CIlhTRMnBGM1PGnXWhgFkKkiju04SrJoMkH3UK_lHrUP48JDQ0j-QO3-80V68EpB8vQi0_VF8KQaMJMzKV3VStZNtuHFnK_9aRc4/s640/home+shabby+home2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0spQ1sErgS8QfuIt5JjWzmnbpoP2D97i0GgaXiQiz3jF4c3K7waCQBPRUnla2jujjF7AvBIlgo_AlH9lWkJAtpOKWUyiquyaXmEDIlRZpWxVln2OTReyacBxtQN8wrzuPGMmzKeEvFM/s1600/home+shabby+home1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0spQ1sErgS8QfuIt5JjWzmnbpoP2D97i0GgaXiQiz3jF4c3K7waCQBPRUnla2jujjF7AvBIlgo_AlH9lWkJAtpOKWUyiquyaXmEDIlRZpWxVln2OTReyacBxtQN8wrzuPGMmzKeEvFM/s640/home+shabby+home1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the way, I also wanted to thank everyone who sent birthday and anniversary wishes my way, you're very sweet :) We spent a lovely couple of days up Noosa way, and in spite of the terrible weather, it was such a lovely break.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Right, back to the coal mines for me. Have a great day everyone,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">*all images and artwork copyright Driftwood Interiors*</span></div>

Vintage school chalkboard

Years ago, I was lucky enough to stumble across an old school blackboard, complete with easel, at a garage sale. I snapped it up for the pri...

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Sneak attack

It really feels like Christmas has crept up on me this year. One minute it was October, somehow I completely missed November, and then Christmas was looming out of the blue. I blame it partly on this weather - it definitely does not feel like summer here at all. It's rained on and off for the past few months, so the usual blistering hot days which herald the start of the holidays just haven't arrived.<br /><br />To make matters worse, we still haven't put our tree up. You see, each year, we decide on a different colour theme. We decided on a turquoise and silver theme this year - but of course, when I went to buy new decorations, there was nothing to be found! Ah well, we'll manage somehow, and the tree will go up today one way or another. But then I saw this image over at the lovely <a href="http://oliveaux.blogspot.com/">Oliveaux</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdpCDYeSwNTM29ttsGMSyqU8fSFh8Badcumi_h3SwY0PbM6reNyGbkKIy5FoJOMQlKznSc5TntIW0LmeR0OkB4qJwboaTGKxSRjqnjsBZ-MsuH9ISiGDy4LFliPReChuU3twK2_uoevc/s1600/magnolia+Christmas+Wreath.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdpCDYeSwNTM29ttsGMSyqU8fSFh8Badcumi_h3SwY0PbM6reNyGbkKIy5FoJOMQlKznSc5TntIW0LmeR0OkB4qJwboaTGKxSRjqnjsBZ-MsuH9ISiGDy4LFliPReChuU3twK2_uoevc/s640/magnolia+Christmas+Wreath.png" width="598" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and was instantly smitten! How lovely is this, and what a nice change from the traditional wreath. I am officially in love, and think this would be just perfect for an 'Aussie' Christmas. But there's just one problem...now I need to add this to my list of impossible to find decorations! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ah, the joys of the silly season....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>

Sneak attack

It really feels like Christmas has crept up on me this year. One minute it was October, somehow I completely missed November, and then Chris...

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