Solid wood

We recently became fed up with our old Ikea chopping board. It looked pretty, but needed regular oiling where it had warped and split due to moisture seeping into the joins. It probably wasn't the most hygienic chopping board, either.

I embarked on an online journey to find the perfect rectangular solid timber board (none of these 'freeform' types). My search led me to to the 'Rocky', a beast of a board made from sustainable camphor laurel, and with red gum handles. It also turns out that the seller lives close by, and was able to drop my board off to save on postage. I can most certainly say that the investment was well worth it!

I was also recently given this adorable strawberry chopping board from Freedom. I have a feeling that it will end up making an excellent cheese board!

Farewell gifts

On my last day at my job, I was treated like a princess! It's no secret that I love my cakes, and I was certainly indulged in that department. This is just a small selection of what was provided for morning tea...

Lovely Laura also baked me this platter of amazing brownies!

My colleagues all chipped in to buy me some truly wonderful goodbye gifts. My love of both books and design must be really obvious!

By far the BEST (and most thoughtful) present was this vintage milk glass vase, complete with a red bird print! Followers of this blog will no doubt recognise just how many boxes are ticked by this gift. Apparently this lovely item was hurriedly shipped over from the US. How lucky am I to have worked with such thoughtful people?! 

Ampersand

The day I accepted my new position, I decided to treat myself to a little gift. I've long admired the wares of Bespoke Letterpress, so when they released a French navy version of their ampersand print I was ever so tempted. As I am an editor, this print really was an appropriate purchase.

Thank you to everyone who left kind comments and sent emails in response to my last post. I finished up at my 'old' job yesterday, and I have a couple of days off before launching straight into the new one on Monday. I got some truly lovely farewell gifts, and I promise to reveal them here soon.

My heart wanders...

Yesterday Tracey and I had the pleasure of attending an afternoon tea at St Francis in Milton to celebrate the launch of Pia Jane Bijkerk's new book my heart wanders.

We had a little hiccup on our way there (as a delightful little canine chap named Tedwin needed to be rescued from his adventures on a busy Nundah road), but we still made it with plenty of time to spare. We sampled some of the tasty treats on offer, and couldn't resist sitting on the very green (and very soft) grass. Later, we were lucky enough to meet Pia herself and have our copies of her book signed, and I look forward to reading it one winter's day with a blanket, a chocolate slice and a big cup of chai.

A big thank you goes to Kylie Johnson of Paper Boat Press and, of course, Pia for organising the event.

Also, just a little note to explain my diminished blogging activities of late. Recently, my heart has wandered a little bit too, and this has just last week resulted in me resigning from my job of more than nine years in order to move on to a new adventure in educational publishing. I'll be packing up my things over the next couple of weeks and the tears will no doubt flow, but I am excited to begin this new chapter in my working life.

More Marimekko goodness

Remember I said that I was going to use my new Marimekko plate for cakes? Well, I found a better use for it, ensuring that it won't hide in the cupboard. I can now enjoy its beauty in the living room!

Winners... and an award!

First off, an Easter treat for my lovely commenters.

I'll be sending an origami recipe heart to Chelsea, Fizzleout, Julie, Widge, Jane, Katyha, Littlemissairgap AND Chrisy. That's right, every single one of you who left me a comment! Please shoot me your address details and I'll get folding and posting! In exchange, I may ask for the full recipes for some of those treats, as they all sounded delicious.

And, now, an award for me! This is the second time I've received the Versatile Blogger Award, and it has been bestowed upon me by the lovely Tracey. I am required to tell you all seven facts about myself, and then pass the award on to other worthy bloggers. So, without further ado...

1. As a child I was obsessed with the Swedish pop group Roxette. The happiest day of my life was when I opened my Christmas present as a twelve year old to discover tickets to their Brisbane concert.
2. When I was eleven, I won the school fete karaoke competition. I sang Roxette's 'The look' (of course), and won a hefty $10 prize. I spent my winnings on a talking troll doll. Creepy.
3. My ankles have about 50 per cent more rotation than they're supposed to. No high heels for me!
4. I listen to records quite a bit. Some things just sound better on vinyl. Currently, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is a favourite.
5. The first thing I ever saved my pocket money for as a child was a My First Macquarie Dictionary and a big fat Jacaranda world atlas. I was five. I'm pretty sure the dictionary was a sign of things to come.
6. I know all the words to Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby, as well as far too many other eighties and nineties hits.
7. I am going to be a bridesmaid for the first time this September (for my younger sister).

That's all! Ok, I now tag Katyha, Lavender's Green, designed to a T and kit and nancy!

Giveaway: Origami recipe hearts

As you may have seen a little while ago, I recently made some origami recipe hearts for the Brisbane ABCD Meetup. I went along on Friday night and met some super lovely and creative people (not to mention the super lovely and creative items they all made for the goodie bags!).

Would you like an origami recipe heart to appear in your mailbox? If so, please leave a comment and tell me what recipe you would put inside. You have until Wednesday night... good luck!