This is that obligatory post that follows after a new layout change, just thought I'd let you know. I am terrible at visiting blogs in person and not just browsing posts through the convenience of Google Reader, so I often don't see posts in their blog homes. I think it's nicer to visit blogs and read posts there.

I just wanted something a bit fresher in a layout for the new year, with lots of white space. I think content can get lost in a layout that is too cluttered. I really enjoyed my old layout and maybe one day I'll revert back to it, but a change is fun.

 In case you were wondering, this is what my layout looked like before:


And this is her now:


I can only imagine I'll be tweaking bits and pieces some more. I can never please myself!

Some blogs with layouts I adore:
+ Here's Looking At Me Kid
+ SF Girl By Bay
+ Delightfully Tacky
+ Pugly Pixel
+ Tick Tock Vintage
+ Scathingly Brilliant
+ A Thought Is The Blossom
+ A Is For Ampersand
+ Dori The Giant
+ Little Chief Honeybee
+ Love Katyha
+ Jane Boston

This week I chose the idea: 10 Things I'd like to do every day. Care to share yours?

I've been drawing these mandala shapes non stop for about a year and I've decided to stop. I've really enjoyed drawing them, but they end up dominating everything that I draw (not to mention it feeling a little bit like going insane from drawing too many polka dots). I'm finished with them. I made this hand drawn sheet of mandalas up for a project and never used it.  So, I'm giving it to you. I've given it a Creative Commons license in Flickr - so, if you'd like to use it for anything at all - you're welcome to. Let me know if you end up using them for something - I'd love to see.




+ I printed it out as some wrapping paper.

Download the image here.

...in January

+ There were some pretty sunsets.


+ I ate my first ever fruit mince pie. And then I ate the whole packet.


+ I also ate a pop tart and some Nanna's afternoon tea.



+ My cats were lazy as always.


+ I found some cool record covers, but nothing worth buying.


+ I wore a bow and a little hat.


+ I sent my friend a cool print (that never arrived, wah!) and I unearthed my Frankie collection (still trying to find a couple of the missing issues).


+ I started a little project with some vintage Valentines.



+ I spent a whole lot of time at Summer School.


+ I helped my friend christen her new couch and bought fresh flowers for my house.



+ I embraced yellow.


+ I bought my niece and nephew who were visiting a crazy straw.


+ I celebrated my mother in law's 66th birthday.


+ I went to the aquatic centre and went on the diving board and big slide three times each.



+ A new kitty came into my life.


+ I received cute cat salt and pepper shakers and gave some cute toys.

+ And my bike got a big workout.

Watching: New Girl, Pan Am, Vampire Diaries, the Australian Open, Unbreakable, Dexter S1.
Purchasing: Papery supplies, vintage Valentines.
Listening to: M83, Fleet Foxes, Paul Kelly.
Loving: My tiny kitten.
Making: Books and collages.
Consuming: Fruit mince pies, ice blocks, yoghurt & honey.
Wanting: Pocket money for fun things.