A Good Deed.

I'm loving this poster by Jon Contino, available for sale here. A chunk of the profits go to Smile Train, helping children born with clefts (a major problem in developing countries).

The Design Files Open House.

Earlier this month Melbourne hosted The Design Files Open House, a collaboration between blog-star Lucy Feagins of The Design Files and Esther Navarro-Orejon of The Project Agency.

For four days, a Fitzroy house was transformed into a design paradise and I was lucky enough to visit a few times. And, excitingly, for all of you non-Melburnians, they opened an online store as well which closes TOMORROW.

So, if you (like me) still have a few Christmas goodies to buy now is the time to get clicking. Here is what I bought yesterday...

Gina & May 'Ms Starlet' umbrella. That's right, people. You can address me as such from now on...

O-Check hot air balloon card in white. I've been meaning to buy one (or ten) for ages! 

Archie Grand notebook for my Mama, sold through Notemaker.

Delfonics cotton roll pen case for the super-talented Jamie Gaunt, one half of the MMs.

And a few of my favourite items...some of which are still available!!! Eep! These are on my wish-list:

Basil Bangs beach umbrella called Calypso...oooooo.

Dane Lovett artwork. This baby had a little red sticker on it almost instantly!

Hot pink super-stool by Greg Hatton.

Balloon print by Ellie Malin (can you tell I'm slightly obsessed with balloon travel?)

Now hear this.

Ooooo a cute gadget. Actually cute isn't quite right, stunning is perhaps a better word.

Italian designers Isabella Lovero and Enrico Bosa of en&is have updated their 'megaphone' ceramic vessel for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

It was originally only made in white but the new polished black and the hand-painted gold versions are just gorgeous.

I WANT ONE DADDY! I WANT ONE, NOW!

For more info click here.

Ceramic crush.

For a short time, oh alright already, a REALLY long time - ok - still to this day, I feel like I'm missing out because I haven't yet been to Portland, Oregon.

And, for some reason, more than half the time when I find a new stationary label or a new artist or a new fashion star, they seem to come from Portland.

So, imagine my *gasp* surprise when my latest ceramics crush (believe me there are many) was based in, yep, Portland.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics lives by the mantra 'heirlooms for the modern home' and it sums up their aesthetic perfectly. Beautiful, clean and unique lines with a modern yet classic twist.

I love this beautiful water carafe that I keep beside my bed for a midnight gulp.

And these quirky 'cheaters chopsticks' would make a gorgeous gift.

Can my nearest and dearest please take note that I really do love this folded dinnerware...smiles.