Curious Little Oyster

A Timeless Tea Party at the Curious Oyster Shoppe - By Betty Jo!

2010-07-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Timeless Tea Party

Craft Cubed satellite event
5 – 26 August 2010
The Curious Oyster Shoppe

Presented by Betty Jo Designs

Childhood
A curious mixture of memories, fantasy and imagination.
A time of play, adventure, and make believe.
Books and stories regularly provided inspiration for my childhood games.
Enid Blyton, Lewis Carol, the Brothers Grimm.
Well loved and well read, often many times over.

Organising tea parties with playmates are some of my fondest childhood memories. In the confines of the cubbyhouse with wonky second-hand furniture, various mismatched cups and saucers, and cupcakes usually made from play-doh, but sometimes real. And of course the teapot, full of some weird concoction, never tea!

Now lets pick up the tea party where we left off and come and join the 'The Timeless Tea Party'. An installation of tea party inspired time pieces and jewellery.

Take a pinch of Alice in Wonderland, a dash of The Magic Faraway Tree and mix it up with some Mary Poppins and you have “The Timeless Tea Party”

Like the nonsensical tea party from Alice in Wonderland which will always be timeless literally and figuratively, this tea party will be based around time.
Oversized tea cups will be functional clocks.
Plates of linoleum cupcakes will tempt you.
The Teapot will tell the time, as will the lamp and the phone………

Betty Jo is having a tea party and you’re invited…..

Event Dates:5 – 26 August 2010
Venue:The Curious Oyster Shoppe
Address:776 High Street, Thornbury VIC
Opening hours:Wednesday to Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-2pm
Cost:Free

Gifts for Friends, for Home & For You!

2010-07-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Buying gifts for family and friends at the Curious Oyster Shoppe means you are not only supporting my own '1 (wo)man band' small business, but you are also supporting the individual artisans who create all the products in my shoppe!

All the products are either or all, handmade, locally, socially responsibly, ecologicall y and/or sustainably produced... Phew! What a mouthful!

We are all part of 1 planet... So in addition, I am donating to our friends - our neighbours, who do not have the same opportunities we have. MicroLoan provides loans to women in sub - Saharan Africa to start their own independent small businesses!

I am also planting trees to support our home, Planet Earth...

and finally, I am giving a gift to you, for making it all possible!

xx Annaliese

Lip Balm Giveaway

2010-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY FIRST DRAW WINNERS!

Ok... so the following lucky ones have won a Summer Nilla Nilla Pout Balm of their choice... Strawberry Sundaes, Pina Colada, Minty, Arancia, Coco or Limon.

Congratulations:
- Lauren Robinson
- Katie Gannon
- Anastasia Christou

I will email you directly for your choice and details...

Good luck for the next round xx

End of Daylight Savings Giveaway!

2010-04-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

Wow... how dark it is at 6!

Anyway... long time, no write. Some exciting news for my Nilla Nilla label is that there was a little Pout Balm feature in this months Peppermint Mag!

I thought this called for a wee Nilla Nilla Summer Pout Balm giveaway, to celebrate and maybe shine a little light on your day!

Every Friday, starting from tomorrow (9th of April), until the till end of April (Friday the 30th), I will announce 3 Winners who will each be sent out 1 Nilla Nilla Pout Balm from our Summer Range!

So how do you get your lips some organic summer loving? Be a member of my Curious Oyster Shoppe Facebook page, that's how! If you're not already a member, join here and you will also go into the draw to win!

Double your chances by signing up to our Newsletter through our account page at our Nilla Nilla Homepage!!!

GOOD LUCK xx

Sneaky Peak Inside {TwinSet}'s Wardrobe

2010-03-03T21:49:00.000-08:00

{Twin Set}

Adorable vintage pieces are being exclusively hand-picked by the lovely Renee and Angela from {Twin Set} for my Curious Oyster Shoppe...

So what is inside {TwinSet}'s Closet this month at the Curious Oyster Shoppe? Let's take a peep!

{The Loretta}

{The Samantha}

{The Louise}

{The Elizabeth}

{The Cindy}

{The Leonie}

{The Delta}

Mary Janes - Navy

...and 2 beautiful Oroton Glow-Mesh Vintage Bags from former West Germany!

Click here to shop online or click on the name of your favourite dress to learn more!

Escape...

2010-02-18T21:05:00.001-08:00

I love living in Thornbury... The people are friendly and it is one of the few true communities I have come to know in Melbourne.

But in the country, well every town is a tight knit bunch. Every customer in the one or two shops that the town might be blessed with, is greeted by name and and a friendly smile...

Last week my nerves were frayed and apparently I was "difficult"... Well I didn't know what in the world EVERYONE was talking about, but when I was offered my first holiday in over 24 months, well I jumped at the offer!

So we headed off to a place called Wombat Valley Cottages... I didn't read the website and had absolutely no idea of what to expect when I arrive. It was a slightly arduous journey for my wee lil Alfa, up unkept gravel roads... Especially for the fact that we pulled in to the property past 10 in the evening. The owner drove us to the actual cabin, where I was taken aback by the fact that there was no electricity. Instead everything was gas, including the fridge!

I kindly requested lots of matches and for the owners torch!

Now please don't get me wrong... I'm not a princess! I have stayed in festy hovels from Canada to China to Eastern Europe. And I can appreciate camping including the "digging a hole" style... It's more that in my head I conjured up images of complete luxury and being pampered head to toe (I did say I didn't read up the place AT ALL!)

Anyway...I couldn't hear a single thing except the light murmur of a well populated bushland... We were quite high up in fact and had no idea where the next human might be... but I decided to suck it up an go with the flow...

It was actually a really lovely weekend away and we were blessed with largest downpour the little town of Briagalong had seen in a very very long time. This meant that almost my entire weekend away was spent sitting by a castle sized fireplace, piecing a 700 piece puzzle together and eating food lovingly cooked by my lovely partner. I didn't move a muscle... which could explain the extra kilo I gained!

My favourite meal is Spaghetti Bolognese... I possess very mature and complex taste buds. So over my entrée of Buffalo mozzarella, olio and avocado, I casually requested he open the bottle of wine he brought along. I didn't realise it was the $500 Penfolds he won at Christmas. So after a fit, I decided that the only thing left to do was to sit back, relax and down this sublime liquid beauty!

Savouring my last sip of Penfolds... Pretty sure that will be my last of that calibre :(

Needless to say I have returned back to my shoppe refreshed, revived and energised! I have caught myself more than many times, smiling at the sun and passers by, humming happy tunes...

Super relaxed and getting ready to face the real world again...

Did I mention this place is dog friendly? My girl is curled up under a jumper after she got in the fight with a pair of scissors... Poor thing

So my advice to anyone feeling stressed out and needing a very cheap, short break, is to go somewhere completely isolated, with only the necessary mod cons... for me this includes full kitchen utilities and a hot shower! and just unplug from life... even if just for a moment.

Our "TV"... Pity it didn't change channels...

The cottages though simple, are super cute and the next living human turned out to be only 10meters away in the next cabin!

Grand Opening!

2010-01-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

Curious Oyster Shoppe is opening on High St, Thornbury…
To celebrate we’re having a party!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So bring a friend and come along to 776 High St, opposite the Thornbury Theatre on the 4th of February at 6 o’clock.

There will be a one night only 20% Off,
Yummy Drinks and Door Prizes!
All Lovingly Handmade…
Locally Produced & Eco-Conscious.

Artisans Include:
Owl & Fox, Rummage Style, Mother Maria, Pigeonhole, Drink Me, Alice, Nearly Roadkill, Nilla Nilla, {Twin Set}, Michvanetta,Type pad Cufﬂinks, Naomi Matsuda Lingerie, Bobbins n Bliss, Pocket Carnival, Sprout, Amy Eating Apples, Ola, Evie La La, Philippa Garrard, Wonderland Avenue, Pirdy, Mina & Oli, Zipper Earrings, Sprout & Betty Jo Designs and more!

Turn of the Century Alice Inspired Vintage…
Curious Oyster Shoppe

776 High St, Thornbury, 3071
0447 175 235 | (03)484 3018
www.curiousoyster.com.au

Geek is the New Black...

2009-12-03T01:57:00.000-08:00

So we've all been a little inundated with Geekdom lately, but why not? These underrated clever kids in society deserve their spotlight... why, without them, we would just be a very superficial silly race, wouldn't we? ... and well, I wouldn't be able to send this blog post out to you all on the world wide web without them!

Now that I have patronized (and antagonised), I would like to announce that the Curious Oyster Shoppe now stocks the wonderful work of PHD Neuroscience student, Nicky of Morphologica!

Stunning pendant formed from elegant intertwined DNA-like strands

Nicky was inspired by the true beauty that could be found when viewing single-cells under the microscope. She decided to put pencil to paper and put her impression of the beautiful morphology (or shape)of the single cells she has studied in various neuroscience subjects.

The result... stunning, beautiful and intricate pieces that are thought provoking and truly unique.

A cluster of proliferating cells- a representation of the growth of new brain cells in culture.

An artistic representation of an intricate hippocampal pyramidal cell enclosed within a white pyramid

So come on over to the Curious Oyster Shoppe and get one for your inner geek! 160 Barkly St, St Kilda, 3182, VIC

Naomi's Lingerie

2009-11-30T14:35:00.000-08:00

Sitting at my stall at the Rose St Artist's Market, I noticed delicate flecks of colour gently moving in the breeze... Like a child following the scent of candy, I came upon the sweetest stall in the market.

Naomi's lingerie is handmade by Japanese born, Naomi Matsuda. Naomi was a fashion designer in Tokyo for 7 years, before she quit her job and travelled to Australia. Unable to find quality lingerie in Australia which was neither too sexy, nor too casual, Naomi took it upon herself to create a sweet line of lingerie.

Naomi's pieces are extremely well priced given the overpriced mass-produced garments available in chain stores around the country... Yet they are so beautiful, unique and so well made, these pieces are of heirloom quality...

Available at Curious Oyster Shoppe - 160 Barkly St, St Kilda 3182, VIC

Curious Christmas Ideas...

2009-11-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

Archive Quality Artwork by Phillipa G

Right now, the Curious Oyster Shoppe is bursting at the seams with handmade Melbourne goodness...

Here's some shots of some of the lovely products in store... just in time for Christmas!

Christmas Gift Ideas for...

The Home

More Stunning Artwork by Phillipa G.

Pirdy String Art and Owl Family

Jewels For Her:

Pirdy Brooches and Rings

Zipper Earrings

Ola Jewels

Best Seller: Owl & Fox Jewellery

Michvanetta Jewels
Joolz Jewels!
and More of Joolz

Delightful Betty Jo Design Brooches

And Something for the Little (or not so Little)Ladies!

"Holly Hobby" Bonnets for Little Ladies

(Adjustable to Fit Children & Adults)

Pocket Carnival Cards

Pocket Carnival Coin Purse

and More Pocket Carnival Coin Purses - Cute!

and Of Course... For Him!

Man Bag Made from Tyre Inner Tubes

Recycled Car Upholstery Wallets

If you would like to purchase any of these items, please contact me directly on 0447175235 or via email

Curious Oyster Shoppe: 158-160 Barkly St, St Kilda 3182

The Fantastic Mrs Owl & Fox...

2009-10-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

Owl & Fox jewellery has been a favourite at my Curious Oyster Shoppe for some time now.

Hung daintily on every spare willow twig in my front window, dangles another precious earring Tiffany de Lacy hand constructed.

A month or so ago, I decided that I would surprise my brother and soon to be sister-in-law, by booking a ticket to watch them get married in Korea...

With the help of one of my lovely customers, I bought my beautiful Violet & I, Never Ending Silk Maxi Dress from Dorothy & Evelyn...

And I knew just who to call on for some customised jewells to match!

This gorgeous genuine pearl necklace has been designed and patiently hand made by Tiffany de Lacy of Owl & Fox.

Artist in Residence...

2009-10-12T19:36:00.001-07:00

I am very proud to announce the arrival of my dear friend and artist, Nicole Krenn from Vienna!

Arriving in Melbourne in February 2010, Niki will spend her time exploring this great land and doing what she does best... besides cooking amazing Austrian cuisine... painting!

Niki is currently graduating from her Viennese University with a Bachelor of Arts. Niki's medium is mainly oil on canvas, however she also dabbles in water colour and drawing... Her pieces will be available for purchase in store, exclusive to the Curious Oyster Shoppe!

Here is a preview of what is to come...

So Pirdy!

2009-10-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is all about life... baby animals and birds, flowers and sunshine!

Baby Owl and Baby Bird - $30ea

Owl Family - $55

Pirdy Ceramics are handmade in Melbourne by the ever gorgeous Juliet Carr and are available at the Curious Oyster Shoppe and online... Yay!

If you would like to custom order a colour for one of these beautiful creature creations, please email me at annaliese@curiousoyster.com.au!

Wall Owl - $30ea or $55 for a Pair!

Yay for Spring Giveaway!

2009-09-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

So we are well and truly on our way to summer now here in Melbourne... Uh!? Hmmm... Well I guess that's what spring is like here in Melbourne. Boiling one day... freezing the next!

All this change in temperature can wreak havoc on our poor little lips, causing them to chap and dry out :(

I am giving away 5 Nilla Nilla Pout Balms! How do I get my lips some organic goodness I hear you ask...? Simply click on the Curious Oyster Shoppe Facebook Link and become a fan! Then tell me in a few words why your lips deserve some Nilla Nilla...

Written in Haiku wins you extra points! Just kidding :)

Good Luck! and I'll be choosing winners early October!

Indie Collective

2009-09-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

I am forever trying to source bits and bobs for my little businesses... Cocoa Butter for my lip balm and bottles for my shampoo and conditioner, recycled bags for packaging and so many other things.

Buying as a collective has many advantages... It is not only a more environmentally friendly option because it reduces shipping, but it also assists your business purse! By buying as a collective, you are able to enjoy economies of scale from bulk buying discounts and shared shipping costs. In addition, you get to make some great contacts in the process...

But how to find people who are also looking for the same things and to find out if they're willing to share their secret finds, has been the hardest part for me and for other indie crafters, artists and makers.

So I have started my own Indie Collective!

This is the 'go to' place for searching for people who are looking at sourcing materials and ingredients... as well as a place where you can list what you're looking for!

So, come and take a look - it's brand new, so don't be shy!

Click here for the Indie Collective Forum

2009-08-27T18:12:00.000-07:00

For the past 6 months now, I have been busy with my new shoppe Curious Oyster... Supporting Australian indie artisans and crafters in the shoppe has been extremely rewarding and I am excited to report, very successfully!

Some of you may not live in Melbourne, or even Australia, so a trip down to St Kilda may not be entirely convenient... but never fear, Curious Oyster is now available to you in the form of the eShoppe!

So pop on in and take a look at what the clever Melbourne and Australian kiddies are up to!

Walt Disney: Alice in Wonderland - The Story of the Curious Oysters

Slime & Snails... Puppy Dog Tails!

2009-08-17T20:36:00.001-07:00

We have a very cute, as well as very practical range of doggy collars for your fur baby!

Handmade in Queensland by Lovebird Animal Art, these hardy collars are fitted with an easy snap-shut clip and industrial weave webbing for durability. Each is adorned with gorgeous vintage fabric cuts and ribbon, from such sources as ties and scarves!

Available in 4 sizes:

1 - $20 (19mm wide, roughly 30-40cms)

2 - $22 (19mm wide, roughly 35-50cms)

3 - $24 (24mm wide, roughly 35-50cms)

4 - $28 (38mm wide, roughly 40-60cms)

So I've asked the lady behind the collars to introduce herself to you...

About me and how it all began:

After my first son was born in 2007, I decided that being stuck in an office from 9-5 wasn't me, so I used my time at home to experiment on the sewing machine. For years I have been collecting interesting pieces of fabric, scarves and even ties with the idea that I would use them....someday...for something. I picked up a scrap of black and white paisley satin (that in a former life was a scarf) and decided that it would suit my pug. A lot. So after a bit of trial and error, LoveBird Collars was born.

The idea was to create collars that are a little different from the norm and to also provide an alternative for those who would like to dress up their pooches, but may not be in the right climate or cannot find apparel to fit. The designs are bright, funky and just a little bit different to make your pooch stand out from the crowd at the dog park. I only pick up small amounts of each fabric design, so you can guarantee your dog will be wearing something unique.

My first son is now just over two and we decided to add another, who was born in February this year. I have barely moved away from the sewing machine since then and hope to continue doing what I love for a long time to come.

Available now at the Curious Oyster Shoppe!

Beguiling... Be Joolz

2009-07-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Oh my...

The Queen of Hearts is residing in the Curious Oyster Shoppe along with others from her pack.

This stunning handmade necklace is the work of Melbourne based designer, Airdrie of Joolz.

Airdrie has been designing & making jewelry since childhood and likens it to breathing - its something she simply has to do!

Joolz collection, 3rd Times the Charm elegant, vintage inspired and of course, ever so charming... Her eco-chic collection is created using recycled materials including vintage playing cards, old kid's toys and recycled umbrella silk!

And she makes rings too! Check these dears out... All in store now so pop in and try on a bit of charm ; )

And just for a touch more glam for this Friday afternoon, watch the photo shoot in action in this beautifully shot video... It will bring you back to a time of sheer elegance I promise!

So I Turned 30 Yesterday...

2009-07-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

I spent the day with my parents as they are responsible for this whole mess!

Could they not have foreseen the complete misery I would feel when the day came that I would move from the footloose and fancy free 20s and be dragged (kicking and screaming mind you) into the 30s...

I'm really sorry if I am insulting any of my gorgeous readers, but hey, I will be your age too someday, so I will deal with annoying young 30 year old complainers when I get there!

Actually, kind people have promised me a great decade of 30s... apparently they're better than the 20s... well if so... then bring it on!

So anyway, we cruised past the house I was born in 30 years before. I was born on Nirvana Ave none the less! No. 66 though... so I feel as though I was born between heaven and hell! It is also a beautiful house in a gorgeous suburb, East Malvern. Why my parents ever decided to leave that beautiful place I will also never understand... But that is another issue!

So what do us women do when we are down? Well, we decided to be a bit cliché & drown our sorrows and celebrate the day with chocolate... Not any ordinary chocolate mind you... Coco Loco chocolate!

In Northcote, Melbourne, there is a man named Khaled Sherbini, who is the classic man of men... How is this so, you may ask? He makes chocolate for a living!

Khaled has a family secret recipe that was passed down to him from his grandfather, Mostafa Sherbini.

Mostafa was a world Champion Ballroom Dancer in the 20s, a renowned chocolatier in Berlin during the 30s and even earned the Medal of Honour from his home country, Egypt, for Hospitality in 1969!

Today, the Coco Loco legacy can be appreciated right here in Melbourne, Australia! Khaled uses the same Fair Trade, Certified Organic Cocoa Butter that I use in my lip balms, so I can vouch for the high quality ingredients, where integrity has been chosen over profits!

And just like my Nilla Nilla Pout Balms, his products are gluten, preservative, dairy free!

So if you're needing to drown your sorrows in a rich, creamy and delicious world of chocolate, do head over to Coco Loco - the 1st Certified Organic & Fair Trade Chocolate Bar on the planet, right here at 219 High St, Northcote!

http://cocoloco1.wordpress.com/

Lox Stock + 2 Smoking...

2009-07-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

...Illustrations! Jerry Giraffe and Knob & Nail (shown above)

I am so thrilled to be stocking this truly unique approach to paper design - Lox+Savvy.

Recently returning from a successful stint at the Design:Made:Trade show in Melbourne and featuring in Real Living Magazine - Sydney based Lox+Savvy are proving to be a home grown success.

Staying true to Curious Oyster's ethos of being handmade locally and always eco-friendly, each Lox+Savvy paper good is created using some form of renewable resource, be it plantation forest and 100% recycled card stock, re-invented vintage buttons, twine or natural cotton.

Available in store now at Curious Oyster! YAY!

One Lovely Blog Award... Shucks!

2009-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you... thank you!

You've been too kind, Owl and Fox Blog writer and jewellery makerextraordinaire for her lovely gesture to award me with the "One Lovely Blog" award!

Rules: 1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link. 2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I would like to pass the award on to the following brilliant bloggers i've discovered along my way...

1. The Johnson Diaries: Life on the Edge
1. Under Lock and Key
1. Princess Kirstie Jane
1. Eco Diva
1. Kalliopi
1. Daylesford Organics
1. Melbourne Picture
1. There is a Button Missing
1. An Exploration of Creativity
1. Bosco Parrasio
1. Jen Meister's Swap Blog
1. The Toy Society
1. The Rant
1. PinkLizzy Sews
1. Vintage & Chic

Go Suck on a Lemon...

2009-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ok... that might sound a bit mean! Actually, it looks as though I'm going to because I am now the proud owner of the "Lemon Stand Award"! YAY!

Thank you, to Nora for bestowing this award on me - Nora is perhaps one of the luckiest ladies I know, because not only has she a brilliant mind for writing, but also resides in Andalusia, Spain! My heaven on earth... Check out her blog at The Johnson Diaries - Life on the Edge

Passing on the award is always fun, cos I get to spend hours sifting through all the lovely blogs I follow and catch up on what everyone is up to...

The Lemon Stand Award goes to... drumroll...

...

1. Toothfairy Notes

1. Amy Eating Apples

1. D o r o t h y a n d E v e l y n

1. Meet Me At Mikes

1. Vintage Verve

1. Funky Fabrics

1. Paulo Coelho's Blog

1. I like You

1. Joolz

1. Mix Tape

Once again, the pressure to rank was to high... All #1 to me!

Kalliopi - An Architect's Perspective

2009-07-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

So very cool! Curious Oyster Shoppe is now stocking these handmade guitar pick and rhythm treble brooches...

I love the approach Kalliopi has taken to craft, it is truly unique and very clever...

Running her own small one-woman architecture firm and an active pro bono co-ordinator for "Architects for Peace", one wonders how Kalliopi finds the time!

So a little Q&A for this week's star artisan...

Q. How long have you been selling guitar brooches?

A. I've been selling my brooches for just over a year now.

Q. How did you come up with the unique idea to use guitar picks and rhythm trebles?

A. My boyfriend is a guitarist and a Luthier, a person who builds guitars. (He) also runs a business repairing guitars. I had been making the guitar pick brooches for a while and then about a year ago I asked him to give me something from his workshop to turn into a brooch. He gave me a toggle switch, the rhythm treble things, and I turned it into a brooch. That's how I started and now I 400 of these to play with!

Melbourne girl, Kalliopi wears a brooch nearly every day and is a big collector of little things. She collects new and vintage buttons, beads, pre-loved jewellery, guitar picks and other guitar parts.

Everything is reused, recycled and reinvented. Each piece is as unique as possible.

Feeling the Lovin'

2009-07-19T00:00:00.003-07:00

What a lovely award to receive! Looks very cute too...

Thank you so much to blogwriter , Trishiekoh for this wonderful compliment... Under Lock and Key is an excellent blog so I definitely recommend a click over!

So I pass this award on to the following blogs that I adore to say the least... These blogs, like the award, are not just beautiful to look at but inspire me on a daily basis.

The imagery used in each of these, are just what I need at the start of the week to get my creativity flowing...

1. Mel Paton Crochet

1. Lox Savvy

1. Leeloo Dog Blog

1. Buttons By Lou Lou

1. Dust Jacket Attic

1. Not Exactly Rocket Surgery

1. Made by Girl

1. Iva Y

1. Owl and Fox

1. Lady Melbourne

Sorry... They're all No.1!

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day...

2009-07-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

...Nothing beautiful and extraordinary ever was!!!

So when I placed an order for the most exquisite hand knitted mittens, gloves and long fingerless mittens from Mel Paton Crochet, I just knew there would have to be a wait... Surprisingly they were all made up for me in such little time for what I've received - and it has definitely been well worth it!

So... Come to the Curious Oyster Shoppe soon and check out these sublime, 100% Australian Wool beauties....

And a little bit of Q & A for the star artisan...

Q. Who are you?
A. I'm a 31 year old primary school teacher and crochet designer from Perth, WA.

Q. What do you make?
A. I make luxury fingerless mittens, eco-friendly makeup removal wipes and washcloths, and quirky kids toys. But I'm always inventing new patterns.

Q. What are you favourite materials to create with?
A. I use Pure Australian Wool for my mittens to support Aussie farmers. It's also great quality, easy to care for and feels so good. I use Natural Undyed Cotton on my makeup removal discs and washcloths. It's gentle on the skin, natural and contains no dyes. I love vintage buttons, so use them on some of my mittens.

Q. Fashion style?
A. Vintage and handmade all the way!

Q. Favourite music?
A. Indie pop and post-punk - Belle & Sebastian, Vivian Girls, The Vaselines, Electrelane, Sonic Youth.

In store at the end of this week... Curious Oyster Shoppe: 158-160 Barkly St | St Kilda | 3182 VIC
Mittens, Gloves and Long Fingerless Mittens available online soon at www.curiousoyster.com.au

Get out of the kitchen woman...

2009-06-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

(Ok... that got everybody's attention!)

and grab yourself a gorgeous apron : )

Okay... so I love to cook! But I also happen to be the messiest person I know... In every aspect of my life, I make a mess. In restaurants in Paris, I am embarrassed to say, they even used a sort of hand held vacuum to pick up all my crumbs I left strewn about the table - more than once!

So cooking and making my organic skin products is the worst thing I can do in terms of mess making - I dislike the aprons covered in plastic mammary glands and slogans... so I often end up covered ingredients!

One day when walking through the looking glass, I stumbled into Wonderland Avenue... I can say I was delighted to see the beautiful fabric and flattering designs!

So here you go girls... Wonderland Avenue aprons now available at Curious Oyster! In kiddy sizes too!

Handmade by a lovely lass in Byron Bay!

Wonderland Avenue

xx Annaliese

Oopsidaisy!

2009-06-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

Hmmm... I'm a day late! But it makes all the difference doesn't it!?

Because today, all the days are getting LOOOOOOOOOONGER! and the northern hemisphere and all it's occupants, are getting the sun a few less minutes (seconds) a day - Ha Ha!!!

Ok... childish but true : )

So what am I a day late for? My Nilla Nilla Winter Solstice Giveaway!

So... who are the lucky winners?

Princess Kirstie Jane

Buttonsbyloulou

Iva Yaneva

JoolzGirl

RocketGirl

Email me your details and flavour preferences (annaliese@curiousoyster.com.au):

Mint Slice

Espresso

Jaffa

French Cinnamon &

Black Forest

Drooling...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

To Market...To Market...

2009-06-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

...to buy a French Cinnamon Nilla Nilla Pout Balm, or

...French and Australian Clay, or

...Pilgrim's Ointment or

...to just look at all the beautiful handcrafted goods for sale by some very clever Melbourne Indie Artisans!

Brrrr....

2009-06-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

So we're a few days away from the shortest day of the year and it is freezing here in Melbourne...

I find Melbourne odd in many ways... we think that because this is Australia, we don't need heat saving features like glazed windows and good insulation. I went through one of Europe's coldest winters(as well as their hottest summer!) in recent history. I was in the Dolomites and in Austria, but I have to say, I am colder here!

Rugged up as though I am about to hike in the snow, I am on my computer, fully recovered from my brief flu (and no, not swine!)... The common symptoms of a stuffy head and chest were thwarted by my little pot of gold... Pilgrim's Ointment.

I know this is my product and this may seem like a bit of self gratification (for lack of a better term!), but I feel I must share...

Pilgrim's Ointment has been much loved by family and friends for ailments ranging from leg and foot pain, migraines to back aches to muscle pain from too much exercise (the last one is not me!)... Hence why I never have any to put in my shoppe. But if you do manage to get your hands on a pot, be sure to reach for it as an organic and totally natural alternative to VICKS Vapour Rub.

Keep toasty warm...

Winter Solstice Giveaway!

2009-06-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

What better time of year is it to have the yummy heart warming, and tummy loving flavours of chocolate on your lips? That's right... winter!

To celebrate the winter period and the coming of the Winter Solstice we will be giving away 5 of the brand new Nilla Nilla Winter Pout Balms! Choose between, French Cinnamon, Espresso, Mint Slice, Jaffa or Black Forest... Yum!

To be in to win, simply follow my blog - click "follow" on the side panel to join...

Drawn 21st of June - Winter Solstice

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone...

2009-05-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

No more sulking! I've decided to embrace the Winter months this year...

As a child, winter time was full of the happiest, most cosy moments. Being a crafty kid, winter meant painting, drawing and colouring and cross-stitch, all the while being tucked up warm beside the heater whilst my mother would rummage around in the kitchen making hot chocolates and my favourite tomato soup!

As I got older, summer time on the beach with my pup and boyfriend seemed much more exciting! So my distaste grew - a freezing winter in Europe, during their coldest winter in decades, didn't really really help with my opinion!

But my Nilla Nilla girls taught me to embrace my old friend, the cold, once again. What other time of the year could be better to enjoy coffee rich espresso lip balm? Or the delightful blend of deep chocolate and orange... Or an After 8 Mint Slice? Perhaps the most reminiscent scent of all for winter, cinnamon and honey, simply could not be enjoyed on a 35 degree summer's day...

So embrace winter... slip on some Pout Balm and face the cold - the blend of cocoa butter, jojoba and beeswax will protect you!

Available in boutiques and online now! www.nillanilla.com.au

Congratulations to....

2009-05-31T03:21:00.000-07:00

- JenMeister

- Moonspinner

- The EcoDiva and

- Thereisabuttonmissing

These lucky four Curious Oyster Blog followers have won themselves a Nilla Nilla Summer Pout Balm...

If you are one of these lucky four please email me at annaliese@curiousoyster.com.au and let me know which Pout Balm you would like sent out to you, and please do not forget to give me your postal address!

and for the grand lady prize... the Nilla Nilla Summer Collection...

Congratulations goes to - Marnee Watkins!!!

Yes summer is sadly well and truly gone now and today is the last day that these pout balms will be available for purchase at Nilla Nilla's Online Boutique... Some flavours may make an appearance next summer, I guess we'll have to wait and see.

But the exciting news is, Nilla Nilla's Winter Range will be available tomorrow! Watch out for tomorrow's blog...

My Little Shoppe...

2009-05-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post some pictures of my little boutique for all you curious oysters out there!

Ooh... and can you spot my Nilla Nilla Winter Pout Balms? They were very popular at the Sonny and Coco Market last Sunday...

158-160 Barkly St - St Kilda - VIC - 3182

(cnr Carlisle and Barkly - across from the old National Theatre)

Nilla Nilla Giveaway!

2009-05-14T17:07:00.001-07:00

Hey kiddies... Don't forget my lip balm giveaway! Simply follow to enter into the draw to win a Nilla Nilla Summer Pout Balm of your choice... There's 4 to be won!

AND/OR

Be in the draw to WIN the Nilla Nilla Summer Collection - YUM!!! Sign up for updates on the right to enter.

Drawn End of May, 09' - GOOD LUCK!

Herbal Infusions...

2009-05-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Everything happens in cycles... I could get all philosophical about this as my dear close ones know, but I will keep it strictly business here!

I manufacture organic products, including lip balms, body balms even a dreadlock range, jaTaa. Amongst them all is a range I feel a very close connection to - Pilgrim's Ointment. For those that have been following my blog for some time would have noticed, I did a post about the Camino de Santiago. It is a pilgrimage across Europe to the north west edge of Spain. It is very loooong. It was during my 550+ km walk, that I damaged my feet. Both arches fully collapsed, pretty much on the first day! So needless to say I was in pain and agony every step of the way... I came across an ointment called, Unguento Tradicional, which did wonders for my feet - rich in arnica and aloe, it made it possible to keep walking day in, day out.

When I came back to Australia, I couldn't get hold of this ointment. I was rather put off by it's petroleum content anyway, so I decided to put my manufacturing skills into making my own, natural and organic 'unguento' or ointment. This is how I came up with Pilgrim's Ointment! Today I have a healing lip salve, and a warming liniment and soothing ointment, each containing 17 plus herbs, all designed to relieve pain and promote healing.

So back to cycles, earlier this year, I was madly busy with my Nilla Nilla Pout Balm range. I could not produce enough, then out of the blue, I received order after order for my jaTaa dreadlocking products. I just caught my breath, when the Pilgrim's Ointment orders started creeping in. It was subtle but nevertheless, raided my stock and now I have only 2 ointments left!

"Make some more!" did I hear you say... yes I am, but there's a catch. The oil I use to make Pilgrim's Ointment, is a herbal infused certified organic jojoba oil.

The process takes 3 weeks in total as I only infuse my oils via the cold process method. This method takes time, but nothing great was made in a day! I pack all my herbs into a glass jar and pour on my oil. I only use certified organic dried herbs and certified organic jojoba oil. It is an incredibly pricey option, but the results are worth every penny! Jojoba is my choice because it doesn't make your skin feel greasy or oily - so important! Jojoba is actually a liquid wax at room temperature and is the closest substitute for human sebum, so this is why it sits so well on our skin!

Anyway, the sun was peeping through the clouds and I was in awe of the simple beauty in front of me. I get a kick out of the colours and the beauty of the infusing process. I just hope my camera captured it for you to enjoy...

My cute pup...

2009-05-02T05:20:00.001-07:00

I was taking happy snaps of my little girl today as I often do...

I could not stop laughing at this rather unflattering pose!

I think she looks gorgeous as ever, of course!

xx

Melbourne Indie Crafters & Artisans... Read On!

2009-04-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

Curious Oyster is the name of a boutique in St Kilda. Sharing the premises with Vintage House, Dorothy and Evelyn, this small boutique is a collection of all things handmade in Melbourne, Australia.

Being an organic bath and beauty crafter, I've always been on the lookout to how I could best display my range and get my name out there. Now that I have a little store, I would like to offer Melbournian Crafters and Artisans the same opportunity!

Every two months I am going to select an artisan/crafter from each major category and invite them to display there wares in a cube space. There will be 8 cubes (37.5 x 37.5 x 30) in total.

Mail outs will be sent upon each turn around to advertise the current gallery offerings. A reminder email will also be sent in the middle of the gallery period. Twitter and Facebook updates will be posted throughout the period as well.

In addition, all the products displayed will be listed on the Curious Oyster Online store.

You are completely in control of how you want to display your goods within the cube space and you will be provided with sales data every fortnight so you will know how it's all going. It is a win win for both parties as we'll slice it down the middle!

If you would like to register yourself as a Melbourne Artisan, please fill out your information below or go to http://www.curiousoyster.com.au and go to the 'Sign Up' page. Alternatively email Annaliese directly at melbourneartisans@curiousoyster.com.au

Please note: Understandably, we need to select products that suit the store layout, image and Curious Oyster's core values - For this reason we may not be able to choose your work, no matter how much we love it!

I've Been a Little Naughty...

2009-04-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

I told you that I was going to let you know what the 5 Nilla Nilla flavours would be, over 5 consecutive weeks... but it has been truly maddening getting my boutique up and running along with everything else!
Well anyway, a little suspense is good for the heart, I say : )

So here she is, Nilla Nilla No.5 - Jaffa! She is a blend of two scrumptious flavours, orange and chocolate... Chocolatiers have known this blessed union of flavours for years, so why not enjoy it on your lips? Better than on the hips!

Each Pout Balm is meticulously hand crafted and packaged in a retro slide tin, each adorned with a gorgeous vintage pin-up girl.

So here we have it... The 5 Flavours of the Winter 2009 Season:

All Available in Boutiques May 2009!
Go to www.nillanilla.com.au

All Handmade in Melbourne, with Love xx

mmmm... Blogs & Peppermint Tea!

2009-04-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when I'm really busy and should be making my goodies, I end up scrolling through my beloved blogs with a nice cup of peppermint tea... Being wintery and cold today, I thought I could share a few I've been reading lately...

Thank you for Following Me Down the Rabbit Hole...

2009-04-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

A big THANK YOU to all of you who follow Curious Little Oyster!

At the end of May, I am going to select 5 followers who will in turn receive a Nilla Nilla Pout Balm (your choice of Original, Minty, Arancia, Coco, Lime or Limon)! Sign up for updates and news as well and you could win the entire Nilla Nilla Summer Collection!!!

If you too would like to be included, just click the follow button at the top right of my blog. If you already follow this blog, then good luck!

The 5 lucky ones will be selected on: May 31st, 2009!

Nilla Nilla Pout Balm Summer Collection 08/09

Nilla Nilla Original Pout Balm

I Stumbled Across a Little Doll...

2009-04-25T00:35:00.000-07:00

...whilst walking through the Eltham Market last Sunday. Tied to a pole at the end of the market was a darling little doll in a plastic zip lock bag with a little bow and a card that read, "Take me, I'm Free". I'm always quite dubious and cautious when I read the word "free", but being the curious little oyster I am, I couldn't help but untie the green twine bow and take a peek at her! There was a card inside and I thought "here we go...the catch!" but no, just a request that I announce via email that the doll has been safely rescued!

So, here I was, doll in tow... other market goers looking at me questioningly as they to must have spotted it and had been understandably cautious to be sprung by a trap!

Thank you so much to The Toy Society! What a breath of fresh air to have a collection of people from all over the world, gathered together with one precious goal, to give. That's it... just give, anonymously without any hope of a thank you.

You really made my day and I appreciate your generosity... To Gladness, who made this beautiful doll, please know that she is being loved by my mother!

Thank you.

www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com
The Toy Society: Drop # 244:

Shiatsu and My First Japanese Acupuncture

2009-04-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

The first thing I learned during my session yesterday, was that Japanese Acupuncture is far gentler and requires much finer needles than the Chinese counterpart. I thought this was great because the whole needle issue somehow evaded me when I made the appointment in the first place. This resulted in a bout of relentless giggling - as I do when people stick needles in me! But perhaps the funniest thing about it all, was that he had already stuck them in! So I relaxed very quickly to a state where I was in a sort of lucid sleep and the 1 and a half hour session seemed to go by in a flash... but the deep yet subtle probing of my soul has allowed questions and issues to surface that I've kept under wraps for so long...

If you are living in Melbourne and looking for an acupuncture practitioner, I recommend Murray Goodchild from Inner Smile. He is fully qualified and is a recognised provider by all major health funds - 0405 455 744. I met him last Sunday at the Eltham Market strumming his ukulele! and I am going again next week - I can't wait!!!

Good Things... Tiny Packages!

2009-04-17T03:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I heard the usual sounds of morning duties... the bin man, the sound of rushing traffic in the distance and my little dog Asa, barking impatiently at the Post Man. The Post Man has his usual morning chat to her as he picks out a little bone shaped biscuit... Trying to win her affection - He'll never win! She is as loyal as they get.

But this particular morning he placed a little parcel on the letter box! It was here... My earrings I fell in love with instantly on Etsy!

I am so in love with blues and turquoise at the moment... It reminds me of the gorgeous deep blues you can see in the southern oceans of Australia and the turquoise of sunny Hawaiian beaches. Perhaps I am in denial that winter is rolling in!

Here are just a few that I have my eye on at the moment ; ) ...

The store is called Ositarose on Etsy... just beautiful!

Camino de Santiago... In the beginning...

2009-04-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

This time, 3 years ago, I embarked on perhaps one of my most difficult adventures... You see, I was backpacking throughout Europe and I was fast running out of cash. I was only 5 months into my year long stint, but too long in China, Austria and England, threatened to cut my trip short!

Au Pairing in Italy staved off the financial doom and gloom, but winter in the Dolomites affects your spirit due to the freezing short days... Not to mention the weight I packed on from the prosciutto, stracceno, coffee flavoured yoghurt, farfalle pasta... Damn! I'm drooling again!!!

Anyway, I escaped heaven and traversed central europe when I heard about a pilgrimage across the north of Spain, Camino de Santiago. The long walk that has been made since 840AD. Thousands have walked across Europe to Santiago de Compostela, believing the remains of the Apostle, St James, to be there. The north of Spain basically came into existance from feeding and housing the many hundreds of thousands of pilgrims (cheaply I might add).

Being the non-religious type, I let these stories of a long walk across Spain leave my head without much consideration at all, except for a small nagging curiosity. Paulo Coehlo mentioned it in his book Eleven Minutes and that twigged my mind initially, but it wasn't until I was walking in slush in Vienna - the final remnants of the coldest winter felt by Austrian's in living memory, that I realised that Spain is A LOT warmer and cheaper to live in!

So I booked my ticket and flew across the land to the southern most point I could get to by plane, Jerez de la Fronterra. It was a stifling 13 degrees celcius as I madly stripped off as I walked to find my hostel. Blue sky, palm trees and oranges literally falling along the sidewalk from the heavily laden orange trees, I was sure I had made the right decision!

I had to make it north though by April/May so I could take part in the pilgrimage after the rainy winter and before the dreaded Spanish summer. Money was becoming increasingly a problem and promise of food and accomodation for just a few euros a day, just for walking a path, was just too good to ignore. So I lapped up the warmth of the Andulcian south and the Portugese waters to the west for 3 months.

I picked up the language and also picked up a friend along the way who happened to be a skilled hiker from New Zealand... So by the time it was April, I was at the starting point of my camino, Burgos - A cool 530km from Santiago de Compostela!

More to come soon...

Ooohh La La...

2009-04-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Nothing says winter more than the scent of cinnamon in the air!

Reminiscent of French Toast with Cinnamon lightly dusted on top, Nilla Nilla French Cinnamon is rich, creamy and honey sweet...

Available in boutiques and online May 2009!

Curious Oyster

2009-04-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

I am really very excited about my new venture... I have opened my very first boutique in St Kilda and I am full of ideas and creativity!!! Named Curious Oyster, it is a display of all my organic handmade creations...

I have spent the past two weeks making stock and displays for the store, with a lot of work to go...

The store is within a gorgeous vintage store, Dorothy and Evelyn at 158-160 Barkly St (across from the National Theatre). The stores have married together nicely... Right now you can find Nilla Nilla and BESPOKE REGIME and soon... Pilgrim's Ointment, jaTaa, Raw Organique and more!

So pop in and say hello - I am in on Thursdays!

Black Forest Beauty...

2009-04-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

So here we have it!

The third edition to Nilla Nilla's Winter 2009 lineup...

Perhaps the sauciest of all the glamourous ladies this season... Black Forest!

Invoke fairytale images of snow covered firs, mountain tops and gabled roofs with Nilla Nilla’s Black Forest. Chocolatey and rich with a hint of berry goodness in each seductively adorned tin...

With Black Forest on your lips, winter just wont seem so bad afterall!

Available in boutiques and online May 2009

The Rain in Spain...

2009-03-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Really... with only 5 days left until I open my little boutique in St Kilda, you would think all I would have on my mind is making the goodies to sell! Right?

Well, whenever I embark on anything, I unfortunately contemplate my options... what else could I be doing right now???

So I decided to look amongst my photo library from my World Tour 06' to get some ideas, and so, I looked up today's date (26th March) to see what I was up to in 2006 and curiouser and curiouser... It happened to be the day I stumbled upon perhaps the ugliest park in Spain!!!

This is the day I laughed so hard, that I literally rolled on the ground... This botanic garden in Cordoba was nothing more than a construction site. With steel framed 8 foot tall fences running around a concrete park filled with broken park benches with hazard tape tied around it, trees sawn off at the trunks, rubbish mounds strewn about and waterless fountains!

The funny part? I was dying for some parklands after months of concrete, dry, city life, so I walked for hours to the promising green patch on my map, only to find this!

So... In retrospect, getting ready to open the Curious Oyster is probably what i'd rather be doing... although, a day in Spain isn't such a bad idea either!

A Little Mint for After 8!

2009-03-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

Think of cold frosty nights by the fire... Nilla Nilla Mint Slice is the perfect way to end the evening with a mug of hot chocolate! Swirled minty freshness in a cocoa rich chocolate smooth balm...

What a refreshing delight!

In boutiques and online May 2009...

Nilla Nilla Winter Season 09 Launch Preview

2009-03-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman... The flavours of this year's 2009 Winter season have been selected! For the following 5 weeks, I will be unveiling each of Nilla Nilla's lovely ladies...

So without further ado... Please welcome Nilla Nilla Espresso!

Mmmm... Coffee Kisses in the frosty morning are the perfect way to awaken your senses and stimulate your pout!

Rich in Roasted Coffee Oil and infused in luxurious Nilla Nilla Vanilla, Nilla Nilla Espresso is delicious in every way...

Each Pout Balm is meticulously hand crafted and packaged in a retro slide tin, each adorned with a gorgeous vintage pin-up girl.

Available in Boutiques May 2009!

Handmade in Melbourne, with Love xx

Nilla Nilla Vanilla Sunday's

2009-03-07T23:52:00.000-08:00

After receiving such a wonderful response - like a warm embrace, for my Nilla Nilla Pout Balms of late... I was inspired to share the joy I feel when creating these balms - all entirely by hand and of course, with love xx

A special thank you to Lady Melbourne for her ever glamourous post this Friday!

Some delicious lip balm recipes will be on display soon!

When I was 21... It was a very good year...

2009-03-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Est Australia

Est Australia- Photograph: Saffrine Nydegger

5dollarfrenchmarket - Etsy

CrowleyManor - Etsy

SwanMountainSoap - Etsy

...because it was the year I discovered the art of soap making.

No I don't mean going to the local arts and craft shop and buying a DIY Melt and Pour Soap kit... No I decided to go back to my ancestral roots and learn traditional methods the Castilians' of Spain have used for centuries. This cold-process method relies on the chemistry between two polar opposite substances - Alkaline and Acid. When mixed together in the right quantities, these two neutralise each other in a process called 'saponification'. Saponification occurs instantly, but the process takes weeks and even months to complete. When it is fully saponified, you are left with a bubbly piece of PH neutral soap... Magic!

According to the history books, a type of soap was used as far back as Babylonian times from mixing the ash and animal fats in water. It is also said that people along the Nile experienced soapy waters due to the fats and oils as well as ash that travelled down stream, due to the rituals of burning the dead along the river. Today, thankfully, many of our soaps are vegetable based and less crude...

AmethystSoap - Etsy

CrowleyManor - Etsy

SwanMountainSoap - Etsy

So keep an eye on my blog to learn how to make gorgeous soaps like these - the traditional way...

Curioso...

2009-03-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

I had a grand plan of starting my Monday's as a recap of the gorgeous, intriguing and possibly the slightly strange sights and sounds I came across on the past weekend... Well this weekend I ended up sick in bed!

So rather than going over the motions of what it is like to have the flu in the middle of an Australian summer, I thought I would share some images of the most curious little town I encountered whilst living in Italy...

This pre-Roman city, Gubbio, is so steeped in history that it was actually built upon the debris of the gigantic meteor that was responsible for wiping Dinosaurs off the map!

Off the beaten track for most tourists, I was lucky to walk down the lane-ways with an English speaking local who introduced me to its obvious beauty, its fantastic hot chocolates and to its decidedly odd quirkiness...

Gubbio, famous for its most beautiful palace that seemed to float amongst the clouds, Palazzo dei Consoli...

...and for its palio, Corsa dei Ceri, an annual contest where, dressed in medieval costumes, select town folk run with their Patron Saint statue that weighs in at approx. 280kg.

I, however, was much more intrigued by the largest Christmas tree light display in Europe which engulfed the mountainside;

...by the mummified corpse of a priest (face uncloaked!)which has been lying in the Chiesa, or Church, since 1105AD...

... and the fact that the town can certify you crazy, certificate and all, if you run around the fountain, fonte de lo Bargello, 3 times!

The streets seemed more cobble stoned than most, and the walls had some miniature doors at least a foot above street level. Apparently the dead are passed through these tiny doors, known as Porta di Morti or Door of the Dead, and are then bricked up until another resident passes away...

But perhaps my greatest regret as I left this captivating city was that I, a) didn't purchase more of those surprisingly inexpensive white truffles and return home a rich woman, and b) I missed out on the uncorking of the wine barrel!

This medieval wine barrel is so large that it takes 387 52litre barrels to fill it up! You can see just how tiny the normal sized barrel looks in contrast! Every year the winemakers of the region fill the barrel up and on the 13th of March, the seal is broken! When I asked my friend how long it would take the town's people to consume he said "Allora, just a couple of hours!"

Mmmm...how messy!

Curiouser & Curiouser...

2009-02-27T20:30:00.001-08:00

Searching around endlessly throughout the blogs currently on offer, I learnt a lot about what makes a fantastic blog...

For me, a great blog is an opportunity to see the world through another person's eyes. It is sometimes a window to a world that I am yet to explore, and other times, I can see a different interpretation to what I have already encountered.

A great blog is inspirational, beautiful and always a journey that the author has allowed me to join...

This is my little world - And just as Alice is in her Wonderland, I too am constantly discovering, learning and enjoying my world!

I invite you to join me down the White Rabbit's-Hole...