Our house: A (we-have-a-library!) renovation update!

I can appreciate that "after" pictures like these mean very little without a "before" shot, but guess what? WE DON'T HAVE ANY!!! Aaaargh. Take those before shots, people! To give you an idea, the fourth bedroom, as it was previously used, is the one we're talking about. Only it's now a library! PS It's the blue one in the image below (taken the day we got the keys):

SO. I thought it was time I gave you an "our house" update, so here goes.

(above) Ta-daaa! A wider opening, some beautiful joinery, sanded back floors...

(above) A vintage pendant light, sourced by Mr Tonic (an Architect) for a house he was working on a year ago (they didn't end up using it!)...

(above) The blue chairs have a new home!

(above) Just need a killer artwork for this wall now...

(above) Mr Tonic had the joinery done by Swagman Joinery and they did a brilliant job (and were so lovely to deal with)!

(above) How good does that look!

(above) The vintage ashtray we bought years ago at the monthly markets in Berry finally gets its day in the sun.

Phewf! Hat's off to Mr Tonic who, last night, worked out that he has been singlehandedly renovating our last 2 houses for 8 years straight. I know. The floor got oiled on the weekend as well, so we're officially another room down! PS Mr Tonic has since started building a log fireplace in the living room.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

PPS You may like to catch up on our progress so far:

Our new house: We're getting there!

Our new house: Another (visual) update...

Our new house: The "before" shots (Part I)

Our new house: Randoms

Our house: It's renovation update time!

Our house: The fireplace is in! And crackling!

Our patio makeover: The during

Our house: Louvres and lights!

Back in stock: The $15 Table Tonic Anklet!

Some beautiful new Table Tonic anklets are available online and in our Avalon store now!

(above and below) Multicolour/Gold ($15) click to buy

(above and below) Red/Gold ($15) click to buy

(above and below) Turquoise/Gold ($15) click to buy

They're made on waxed cotton, so they're super strong and durable. PS Some old faves are back in stock as well, so click here to view them all. How is this Sydney weather?! Middle of Autumn and we still have our ankles hanging out. Tops!

Modern Wisdom

Source

Pretty new stock alert: Turkish Kilim Rugs!

These beautiful new Turkish Kilims rugs are available at the Table Tonic online store now!

(above) "Bertie" $299 click to shop

(above) "Beatrice" $1299 click to shop

(above) "Flossy" $1499 click to shop

(above) "Teddy" $990 click to shop

(above) "Sia" $690 click to shop

PS Photographed in our newly finished "library"! The blue wallpaper is gone, the bookcase is installed and the floors are sanded and oiled! Hats off to Mr Tonic. What's next? He's building a fireplace in our living room. A real one!

In other news, these, these and these are back in stock! And if you haven't shopped the $22 clutch... Well then you're just plain old missing out.

(above) Bassike tee and lo slung jeans

PPS Table Tonic Avalon will be closed tomorrow (Anzac Day). Have a good one. :) 

9 things I'm loving/wearing/eating right now...

Eating: THEE Barley salad from Nourished in Avalon (it was a special). And boy was it special!

Loving: This little beauty, which I parked behind while I picked up Jasper from a friend's place at Whale Beach on Sunday. Kombis huh. Suddenly everybody wants one!

Wearing: My new favourite "carryall", $44. Click to buy.

 Eating: The PLT - Prosciutto, Lettuce (I prefer Spinach), Tomato. And Mayo. Make that the PLSM. On a damper from La Banette in Avalon (best bakery!).

Loving: Lazy school holiday afternoons at Clareville Beach with the kids and a bunch of mags. And my Soludos which I LIVE in. I have about six pairs.

Loving: Our library-to-be is almost finished! Yes, this was our fourth bedroom (as tiny as the other three), but we have opened it right up and our new bookcase is being built on Friday - on the timber wall, wall to wall! Cannot wait to have my books out again!

Loving: Waking up early since daylight savings ended. Starting the day at 6.15am feels surprisingly GOOD!

Loving: Elle & Tash from (one of the few blogs I check daily) They All Hate Us. Two of the best dressed girls in Australia.
 Eating: I've just begun another 5 day Eat Fit Food Detox (again). Think everything you put in your mouth for 5 days, delivered to your door. And by golly it's delicious. This was last night's dinner.

Workout Playlist: 70 Songs on my iPod Shuffle right now

I don't exercise everyday, but when I do... I walk. Around the neighborhood. Sometimes I take the dog. Heck, sometimes I take the 9 year old. Often it's just me and the Shuffle. I run. Along the water's edge at the beach. Barefoot. I stretch at each end. I usually do about 6-10 laps, depending on the time I have and my motivation/energy (or lack thereof!) levels. And when it rains? I have a mini trampoline $69 from Rebel Sport) that I literally just "dance on" for an hour. I set the kitchen timer to countdown as I go.

For me, there's nothing like a retail therapy session on iTunes (or at Lorna Jane) to inspire my inner athlete. These are the songs I walk/run/bounce to Tonic-ettes - They're fun, they're fast (mostly) and they get me out of bed in the mornings. ALMOST always!

TT Spotlight: Pixel Academy

Who: Pixel Academy.
What: Photographic courses for students (all levels of experience) – from children through to the smartphone photographer – to sharpen photographic skills and ensure beautiful images every time.
Where: Suite 501, 5th Floor, 11 Randle Street Surry Hills (Sydney, Australia).

Pixel Academy was founded in Sydney, Australia by international photographer, Kata Bayer. Kata’s unique philosophy of holistic photography—blending technical knowledge with creative inspiration—is the foundation upon which Pixel Academy has been developed.

Her philosophy has been embraced by Pixel Academy’s hand picked tutors who bring their wide and up to the minute photographic knowledge and their great love of photography to students. With many years of photographic experience, the teachers are not only highly qualified to demonstrate the practical skills that are crucial to photography, but also the creative know-how to craft heart-stopping, emotional images.It is this holistic approach that can set your photography apart from the rest.

The following photographs are a selection from the work of Pixel Academy founder, Kata Bayer. SIGN ME UP is all I can say!

Got an iPhone? Want to be introduced to the world of the most well designed apps and their functions? Want to be shown techniques that will allow you to exercise creative control while taking iPhone photographs? This $99 course is for you!

Perhaps you own a digital SLR camera and you are interested in learning about the camera’s creative settings and want to gain more control over your shots? Want a comprehensive understanding of your camera’s functions whilst learning foundations of creative photography? This "action packed, fun and creative" (beginner level) course is for you!

Want to learn about identifying the key factors of travel photography? Interested in to recognizing elements involved in composition, lens choice and useful techniques for various weather conditions and situations? This 3 hour course is for you!

PS Stay tuned for more courses (coming soon), including:
- Children’s Introduction to Photography (ages 6 and up)
- Blogger’s Essentials

- Capture better images for your business 

- Corporate & Team Building Packages

Visit Pixel Academy, phone 0414 061 400 or email hello@pixelacademy.com.au 

A Fashionable Life: Elle Macpherson

The latest (May) issue of Harpers Bazaar brought my attention to Elle Macpherson's new(ish) home-away-from-home - A private residence in a "gated community" set amongst 650 acres of idyllic Cotswold countryside 90 minutes from London. Elle's humble (not really) abode forms part of the Lakes by Yoo development (check out the "estate map"!), a joint venture between award winning developer The Raven Group and design experts yoo (I mentioned them a couple of years back in this post). Check it out:

"How you choose to design your waterfront home is completely up to you. Of course, having chosen the ideal property, we are more than happy to help you create the most compelling living space. Our esteemed designers can be made available, including the yoo design studio and their team, which includes Philippe Starck, Jade Jagger, Kelly Hoppen and Marcel Wanders. Other designers can be suggested upon request." - thelakesbyyoo.com

(below) How the feature appeared in the US edition of Harpers bazaar a few months  earlier:

Images via Joseph Montezinos Photography and Harpers Bazaar.

Well? What did you think? I was a little bit in heaven. If I had to rank the 10 most all-round-stylish women on the planet, Elle Macpherson would be in my top 5. Without a doubt. And with a bullet. I think it's clear why...

And PS Blue hair when you're pushing 50? JUST YES.