So, I successfully purchased a camera today. The salesman was dodgy, but I came out of it without too much of a hole in my (mum's) pocket. I also picked up a new folder for holding mail, some Moleskine cahiers and a cute little notebook (for drawing something in once a day each day in 2010) among other things. Now, here's what I wanted to show you - this little bundle of joy arrived in my mail box this week from Arizona. Check out this mail bag! (it's already got some of my mail in it);





And here is what arrived in the mail bag;





Including postcards, magnets, bubblegum, delicious peach mints, scented bookmarks, a cupcake shaped notepad and various other wonderful miscellanea. I really can't thank Garci enough for such an incredible generous gift. It was overwhelming to open. The mail bag is made by a cute little place called Blue Q and it's made from 95% recycled post consumer material which definitely gives it another tick from me. It's going to come in ridiculously handy - I'm going to use it to store my 'mail kit' when I go away and put mail in when I go to the Post Office. I love it!





Definitely one of the best things the postman has ever delivered to me. I hope one day I have the funds to send something as equally awesome back her way.

^ a photo of this morning in Newcastle, by my friend Josh.

It's 8am, probably my earliest blog to date. A delicious, dreary-skied, wet, cold Summer morning. C is still asleep. We're going camera shopping today - just something small and inexpensive. Probably hundreds of photos to come. You've been warned.
Today's outgoing;



^ Travelling to miss Milly.


^ A 'Decorated Envie' swap to Denmark.


^ A repurposed record cover envelope to lovely Julie.

I wrote out this simple list for a penpal as she requested it and thought I'd share;

And a little drawing I did of all the things I did on a particular day (I have an interesting life...);

I have nothing to say except that I adore this video;

^ 'Tulip fields just outside Alkmaar, North-Holland, Netherlands. Must be at least one colour of your liking ;-)' by Allard One, (via Kind Over Matter).

Today there was no mail and money that should have arrived, but was hindered by the public holiday, never showed and therefore our planned outing to buy a camera didn't eventuate. Minor disappointment all round. I did however receive one of the sweetest packages ever in the mail yesterday, so really no mail for a week would be a fair exchange. When I do purchase the aforementioned camera I'll show you its amazing contents. I spent most of the day trying to copy episode after episode of 'One Tree Hill' for my sister, as she borrowed the whole season from a friend and as a Christmas present I'm going to copy it all and burn the discs for her. With approximately 22 episodes per season, and 7 seasons all up, I'm going to be up for... *does simple maths in head, fails*... lots of discs! I'll have to buy a whole spool. What a nice seester* I am. As well as this I started writing a long letter, had an extended nap and watched as C tidied up our yard, *yawn* such a big, busy day.

*I've picked up this spelling from Micaela.

Internet gems I am enjoying today:

♡ Gin In A Teacup is one of my favourite blogs at the moment and she's doing a very cute giveaway you should take a peek at.

♡ I really like Skine Art, quite inspiring. Lots of spreads of peoples Moleskines;

^ This page by Lady Orlando.

♡ Enjoy things Obama related? Do you like Super Mario? Then you will love SUPER OBAMA WORLD!


^ from Phlocks. Boy, I wish I was a 1950's housewife.

♡ No Time Wasters : A guy who places ridiculous ads in the classifieds.


♡ Speech Accent Archive : I found this website sometime ago and it never fails to amuse me. You click on a particular continent, country and then a particular region and listen to various accents from those places, and even submit your own accent. I really want to do it, even though I don't think a Novacastrian accent is particularly different to anywhere else in Aus.

♡ Readable Book of Hotel Bedcovers : @ Dornob.


♡ And this couch that can be rearranged into various shapes;

+ this roll-up frying pan + this bath mat made from real moss.

♡ "Replacing world landmarks with cheap souvenirs";


♡ World Beard and Moustache Championships. I think C should probably enter when his beard gets a little longer;


Hope everyone rings in the New Year with a bang (for me that will probably mean at home, watching Six Feet Under)!