Market love

I'm really loving markets lately. I like walking around the stalls and checking out the goods. There's a farmers market every Wednesday in the city and I keep telling myself I should go again, if only to get some macarons and fresh flowers. 

These photos are old. They're from last year but I never got around to posting about them (haa you can see my reflection). 

I guess I was thinking about them because Brisbane has so many more markets than they used to and they are good. Not just the touristy markets of Southbank anymore.

Via Bris-Style

That's City Hall and one of our prettiest buildings (I think). It went through major renovations (and I had my year 12 formal there)

I found out that this Friday night is BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets again at King George Square (above photo). So I would love to check it out.

And of course there is the pop-up shop called Two Golden Hours on the Sunshine Coast that I'm going to next weekend with my sis in law Melly. I look forward to the handmade goods and the vintage items on show (and loose.leaf paper and Paper Boat Press will be there - two of my fave handmade shops)

And Finder's Keepers. I went to both of them last year and it was awesome. So many wonderful handmade goods. Plus I adore the way the booths are set up and the entertainment and food. I think it's also being around like minded people that make it even more enjoyable.

Next weekend is also the Lifeline Bookfest. Lots of second hand books and all for charity. I love it! I try and find those old hard cover books and children's books. Sometimes I like to collect old books I used to love when I was in primary school. 

So do you like markets and handmade goods? Do you like vintage and secondhand items?

Have a fabulous week!

Etsy stationery

I hope you all had a good weekend. Mine was quite relaxing besides one work shift. Sunday afternoon Jason I watched some movies on the lounge (Brothers and Saving Private Ryan). We haven't just sat and watched movies together in awhile and it was a really lovely to just relax.

Anyway, I've been looking through Etsy as usual and found some stationery/writing related items that I would love to get. I could browse that site for hours.

Via Mooreaseal

Imagine wearing a teeny journal around your neck? You could keep your memories, dreams and thoughts close to you.

Via Chitown Boutique

I know that when I have kids I'm going to dress them in cute and different onesies like this. 

Via Sarahjanestudios

This is sweet. It's inspired by Audrey Hepburn and her pet deer. 

Via RitzyMisfit

A wax seal necklace is a unique necklace and great for a letter lover like me. 

Via Nice

I told Jason I would love to receive something like this in the mail :) 

Via lineacarta

A calligraphy kit. I learnt basic calligraphy in primary school, but would like to learn it again. 

Via eatpraycreate

A cute stamp to decorate your letters. 

Via thecraftcaravan

This little kit would be great for journalling. 

Via Mindandhands together

This little hand bound journal would be a good size for a handbag. Plus I do like the colour. 

Via presentandcorrect

Another great set of stamps to decorate your letters. 

Does anyone else have a huge Etsy wish list? I try to support Etsy shops and other indie/handmade shops as much as possible. I love the uniqueness of the items. Plus many Etsy shops will cater to your specific needs. 

Have a fantastic week!

Someday I will own

There is a piece of furniture that I have wanted to own for several years now. And that's a writing desk. Preferably a vintage/antique one that I would refurbish myself. So now I'm constantly checking online and there's an antique centre in Brisbane I want to check out.

Here are a few examples of what I'm looking for.

Via Housetohome

The little pigeon holes would be perfect to place journals.

Via decorology flickr

This is a nice compact version and would be the perfect size for a little writing nook. 

Via The Paris Apartment

The drawers underneath could hold a lot of pretty stationery. 

Via Pinterest (original link doesn't work)

This colour is amazing and perfect.

I know that I will get a writing desk someday. A place to write in my journal, to write letters and cards and all my dreams, prayers and inspirations. I think this piece of furniture is the reason I like historical movies and books and the descriptions of the places where they write. 

It's the reason why I love...

♥ fountain pens and calligraphy pens

♥ wax seals (I have one and I'm going to start using it for some of my letters)

♥ pretty thick cream writing paper

♥ leather journals

♥ hardbound books

♥ love letters tied up with ribbon

♥ vintage post cards

♥ old black and white or sepia coloured photos

It makes me dream of the past, why I love writing letters, why I want to take a book binding class, why I want to finally use my letter press. 

Does anyone have a piece of furniture they dream of owning one day??

Have a fantastic weekend!

Looking forward to...

Hey loves I hope you are well. I'm happily enjoying my day off from work :)

There are a few things that are coming up that I'm looking forward to. Hanging out with family and friends and some events which will be fun.

This is the live album recording for my church. It is going to be awesome as it's a combined worship night with the other Citipointe Church campuses. 

Jason and I are going to the Sunshine Coast on the long weekend. We'll be staying with my bro and sis in law. And Melly and I will be attending this event, Two Golden Hours. 

Of course Finders Keepers. I went to the ones last year and they were fantastic. I can't wait to see what this year will entail. 

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival is event I have been going with my girls for few years now. And it's coming around again. Should be fantastic. Plus I love getting to know my city more.

A few other things like a friend's 21st this weekend, combined work dinner with people from my area (I hardly ever do work things) and catching up with some of my girls Laura and Kristina, before Laura jets off to Europe for five weeks. 

Anything exciting coming up for you lovelies? Have a great rest of week.

Happy things to end the week

Here's the happy things to end my week...

♥ Baby sitting baby Micah. Here he is wearing his baby uggs that I bought him. Poor little fella has his shots that day, hence the little band aids on his legs. 

♥ My pile of books that I'm reading. 

♥ Instax fun from last weekend.

♥ Cupcakes, friends and photos

♥ Receiving a supporters bead from The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. 

♥ Finally getting the snail mail group up and running. Read more details here. 

Via Mockingjay

♥ I cannot wait for this movie! Oh my gosh, you have no idea how excited I am.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

The Happy Mail Project

Hey lovelies. Well I have finally planned out the snail mail group. I decided to go with The Happy Mail Project. I might make a Flickr group, so we can see all the lovely mail goodness. 

So basically with this mail group, there will be some type of mail swap, hopefully once a month. Most of them will be quite easy like post cards or lists. And you don't have to join every swap. Just the ones that take your fancy.

What will happen is each month there will be a swap and if you are part of the group you can sign up for it. I will then partner everyone up. I'm going to mix you all around in the group so you can swap with different people, but that doesn't mean you won't swap with the same person a few times. 

I promise this will be fun :) I will probably sent out little letters to each person occasionally and I have a few special things planned for the group (like hand made bracelets or special post cards etc).

If you want to join just email me gracienne.nancy{at}gmail.com. I would prefer if you had a blog, but if you don't still email me and we can work something out :) And those who have already expressed interest from the last swap I will be emailing you soon. 

I have also created a button for you to take and I'm making a page for the group as well (I want to make a tab but at the moment it's just a link on the left hand side of the blog).

<center><a href="http://graciebellabutterfly.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee515/Graciebellabutterfly/HappyMailprojectbutton.jpg"/></a></center>

I hope you enjoy and remember to email me with any questions or suggestions. 

Travelling mail/journal kit

I have this large pencil case that I've turned into a kind of mini travelling journal/mail kit. It's small and I can fit a few of my supplies with the intention of writing on the go.

This is the pencil case from Typo. 

At the moment it's filled with post cards. 

These are some of the note books I'm currently using. A black soft cover Moleskine and two from Typo.

I'm wanting to add letter writing paper, assorted pens, stickers and other little bits to stick in my journal or letters.  And I'm thinking about having a little stationery giveaway on here soon. With a few of my favourite bits and pieces. 

Plus I have a special thing that I'm planning for the snail mail group, which I will have to blog about soon! 

Does anyone else have a little writing kit or journal they take with them?

Mail love

Hello lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I have another mail post for you but most of these photos are taken with my iPhone since I'm still without a camera. 

Incoming...

This is a belated birthday package (belated with my posting about it) from Kary :) It was full of so much goodness with a dress, bracelet, scarf, slipper socks, note cards, a journal, a reusable bag and a pretty ballet print found in a thrift shop! 

A postcard from Monica. We are going to be post card pals :)

A sweet postcard from Claire. 

A long letter, some tea, ribbon and a butterfly from Alicia! 

Outgoing...

A sneak peak at a letter for Jane. 

A sneak peak for Micaela :)

A few post cards that I've sent out. 

I'm trying to keep track of my mail better so I want to post about it more often. I seriously adore mail. It perks me up to see something in my post box. Plus I'm working on a button for the snail mail group. I am working on other details so there should be a post about this soon.

Have a fantastic week!