coco-nuts


I've recently started to drink coconut water and use coconut oil,
as I've herd good things can happen to your body when you do, 
(plus all the hot celebrities are doing it so it must be good...right??).

Googling all things of the coconut kind, I'm in awe of all the things 
you can do with this ultimate tropical nut, the many recipes, drinks,
natural remedies and all the many home wares that are made from 
the amazing coconut. Some of them are.......



Coconut prawns- salty, sweet, golden and crunchy. Recipe: food gawker 
Coconut chicken, I really really wish I could cook looking at these 
coconut and chicken combos: food gawker  


Love this this coconut chandelier $298.60 AUD west elm
The amazing coconut oil: so many uses and it's a all rounder when it
comes to health and beauty as I just discovered. You can use it on your
hair (hair mask), moisturiser on your face: instructions via pineapplemint
also good to apply on cuts, rashes, skin irritations etc. I've tried to eat it
strait from the jar when I was training for the world 24hour mountain 
bike champs, but I couldn't stomach it. Better in cooking and on salads.

Eco tip: check the label to make sure the oil isn't from a palm plantation
in Malaysia,  the endangered Orangutan's forests are being cleared to make 
way for palm plantations, ask  someone at a  heath food store about where
the coconut products come from. 

I'm love'n the coconut water at the moment, tastes good, low in
sugar and carbs plus the cocobella carton looks good! in this It's one 
of the fastest growing new food category in the UK probably due to 
investment by Coco-cola, PepsiCo and Madonna. Coconut water is 
from the young coconut and differs from coconut milk, the fattier 
pulped coconut meat.


coconut margarita recipe: Martha Stewart cocktail hour 


Latest fad? hyped new super food?  No matter... it's new home will
be beside my jar of Goji berries and packet of Chia seeds!  

where are we going?


Prayer flags for the East Coast. image
Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend, it's a bit crappy/rainy here. Not as bad as
America's East Coast right now though. Have been checking online with what's
happening over there as we have no tv on the boat (nice and quiet).



The "Zen Master" 
 
image1,2,3 
On a lighter (and very superficial) topic, have you decided where we are going
on our next "girl-cation" yet? The above destinations are all wonderful in their own
right, but the aim for our next virtual vacation is to declutter our brain, heal the
soul and return with a completely balanced mind, body and spirit.....which usually
lasts for about a day if you get stressed out as quick as I do. So what's it going to be?
1, 2 or 3?

Island life, Island shop

 

First thing I did.. was to do a little fist pump when I found Harbour Island Sugar Mill 
online store link in my inbox. Second thing I did.. stuck my credit card in a bowl of
water then stuck it in the freezer, then waited for it to freeze. Then and only then
could I browse the store. I feel like a kid looking at a toy catalogue! Putting a few
lovelies on my list for Santa. Is there anything Miss Hicks can't do? The hand painted
note cards (below) are painted by India (my girl crush), also available at 


Have a great weekend all......
Tomorrow you will have to vote where we are going for our "Zen Master"
::Girl-cation::

Spring/Summer dresses

Looking forward to swapping my military look that I've been favouring
this Winter for a more feminine exotic look. These Kaftans and Summer dresses
are luring me away from my jeans and very worn converse shoes. 
(better exfoliate and  give my feet some preening, yikes). 
These Kaftans and dresses are available from Jessie Lauren's online store,
(and her blog is pretty amazing too! Jessie Lauren).

...Designing Kitchens



Today I'm working on the kitchen design for a block of 10 town houses.
Very white on white and very "safe" in design to appeal to a broader
market. Sometimes  most of the time my design work is a bit bland
(compared to my style), but you got do give the client what they want!


Some kitchens styles that I would rather be working on right now...

Images 1,2,3,4,5

In the press


A nice surprise for a fine Saturday morning, our house made the 
Courier Mail 'house of the week'. Plus a cover shot for the Property
section! Hopefully it gets allot of people at the open house today. 
Only two more weeks till action!!! (September 3rd 11am). 
Getting excited and nervous, fingers and toes crossed.


The virtual vacation.....


Pack your bags, because I'm taking you on a virtual holiday! (All expenses
paid of course). I really need a break and I wanted to thank you for following
my blog and leaving all your fabulous comments. So here is your first class ticket
and a goodie bag- I've painstakingly scoured newsagents for your favourite magazines,
there are indulgent sweets, and skin care products that you like among other things!

 We're going to have the ultimate virtual girls weekend away......... lets go!  

We will be staying at the most amazing resort, the Six Senses .  
It sits on the the most incredible rock formations overlooking the East
Vietnam sea, on the dramatic Ninh Van Bay. These exclusive villas have been
designed to be at one with nature but still have that luxurious feel. You will
get a true Vietnamese feel with the traditional style to the resort. Oh and I
almost forgot, it has a spa!

Your going to come home with the most amazing Tailor made silk clothing
made by Vietnam's best tailors in the heritage town Hoi An. We can also
get funky and unique shoes made to order. You must bring back silk lanterns too, 
they make great gifts and they are easily folded down to fit in your luggage. 


A sketch of the Villa we will be staying in, plenty of room for us girls to have
cocktail parties, mixing up our stash of duty free with exotic juices. The fruit juice
is incredible in Vietnam, all the different and exotic fruits and the FOOD! it's to die
for......I think we will have to make up our own aqua aerobics classes in our plunge
pool and early morning yoga classes so we don't leave with extra baggage! 

Because this is a "virtual" vacation I can pack whatever I wish, practical
or not, I'm packing these. Via my dream wardrobe pinterest

Yes I know, but on our holiday we WILL have legs like these and perfect hair
and makeup. So it won't look strange at all, that we see the sights on
a rickshaw dressed like this. image 



images via pinterest Vietnam

Food! glorious Food! In my opinion Vietnam have the best food I have ever tasted. 
Must be the fusion of fresh produce and the French Colonial influence. The variety of 
fresh produce is mind blowing, just wait till you walk through the markets, the colours 
and the smell of herbs are amazing. The only thing that might freak you out is the 
section where they sell dog. (Sorry did I just shatter the daydream). 


I had an awesome time, we should do this more often! I'm already planning for our 
next big "virtual vacation". Another place better than the last, maybe somewhere 
a little more pampering and relaxing and less sight seeing? Don't worry you will 
come back totally relaxed from the next trip, you will be a Zen master, you'll see.
Sarah x         

...Show time

The show is in town, aka "the Ekka" to us Brisbane-ers. So lucky
for us we all get a public holiday today! We're not planning on going,
as fun as it is, it ends up costing a fortune plus taking my hyper active
3 year old boy into those crowds would make me a nervous wreak.
I think we will wait for the smaller seaside fair that comes in Spring.

Boats on my mind...


Now that we are living permanently on a boat, and being surrounded by 
boats at the harbour, I've got boats on my mind......... 


jellyfish cushion here   image of table setting via Brown Eyed Belle


Tiffanys anchor neclace   Orange and Pear plates 
Anchor cocktail picks Coastal Living   Wall lantern Progress lighting
 Jetty styling image
 Atlantic brass floor lamp Coco Republic
 Ship shape bed Image via French Blue
Nautical vibe via Coconut Paradise blog

...Crabby on Mondays

The perks of living on a boat....fresh mud crabs for dinner
nearly every night! and the odd fish here and there.
Sadly Moreton Bay doesn't have as many fish as it used to. 

In study of....


I've got a soft spot for any botanical, animal or insect studies and  I also adore the 
work by Allyson Reynolds (below). It's so colourful and fun. Vintage art looks amazing
when grouped together as seen in these images here, posted by Driftwood Interiors.
Moth painting by Allyson Reynolds image

"Pitit Papillon" Affordable art by Kerri Shipp Driftwood Interiors


Butterfly study source

Beetle study source unknown

"Happy bug day" Andy Warhol source