Going Troppo...

When George Kyprianou and Kylie Brammy purchased a tiny, dark cottage on the edge of the Adelaide parklands ten years ago, it was clear that the 3 bedroom home was in desperate need of some TLC. This months theAdelaide*magazine featured the newly renovated and "...well-considered structural surprise.." amongst their glossy pages.

The brilliant and naturally lit extension (courtesy of Phil Harris of Troppo Architects) combines raw materials such as glass, timber, and concrete to provide a perfect canvas for the couple's mix of eclectic and travel-inspired pieces of furniture.

We are loving the rough textures of the knitted scatter cushions that bring warmth to the tough-look sofa and built in window seat. Not to mention the rustic dining table and chairs that are a stand out in the couple's living space (if only we all had such a fabulous and sentimental setting from our family homes).

A, E, I.. Oh you!

On a lazy afternoon, it is not unusual to find the Outdoors girls perusing the cards in the newsagency, chortling away at the clever puns and cheeky jokes splashed across the rows and rows of folded cardboard. After all - what's a brilliant gift without a fabulous card to go with it?

So now understanding our obvious obsession with smart and witty cards, it should be no surprise that we were ecstatic with our latest cards that arrived this morning...

Lost Consonants, a series by Graham Rawle that appeared in the Weekend Guardian for 15 years, is a collection of fabulous illustrations accompanied by a sentence from which one consonant has been removed to dramatically alter its meaning (and not without hilarious consequences).

Having now been developed into a collection of greeting cards, it is the perfect excuse to have a giggle in the card section and test your family and friends on their spelling and grammar..

This is... a fabulous series..

Wandering the dreamy streets of Paris, Miroslav Sasek was inspired to create children's travel guides filled with colourful illustrations and amusing verse. As a result, the This is... series was born.

While Paris was the first city he immortalised on paper (in 1958), it was only a matter of time before his simple vision developed into more than a dozen books showcasing some of the world's most popular travel destinations.

Since the original publishing of the distinguished series in the late 1950's, they have been adapted for the 21st century and have been introduced to a new generation of readers. Yes, we understand that these whimsical travel guides were originally created for children, but you have to admit that they are just too gorgeous to resist and are just as fun for adults as they are for children.

Several titles from the This is... series are available from Outdoors on Parade and are certain to entertain kids of all ages..

Now that's noteworthy...

Are you constantly jotting down to-do lists on flimsy scraps of paper?

Always writing phone messages on post-it-notes that have lost their stickiness?

Forever losing your shopping lists that were scribbled onto an old serviette?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, why not treat yourself to a gorgeous Joli Pense-Bête (aka. slate stickers). Hailing all the way from France these fun and functional chalkboard stickers make life that little bit easier providing a stencilied note pad for you to keep your daily reminders on.

With so many gorgeous shapes available (incl. dog, pig. frog and butterfly) the good old post-it has been shown the door.

Aqua-cadabra...

Imagine our excitement, flicking through the latest glossy pages of the mouth-watering Gourmet Traveller magazine, when we came across a string of seriously sumptuous summery dishes by infamous Jordan Theodoros of Goolwa's beachside eatery, Aquacaf.

Those familiar with the popular shack-style seafood haunt would be well aware of the creative yet simple approach Theodoros has to his menu, with fish pasties and grilled fish tacos developing a cult-like following.

As summer in Adelaide is often associated with scorching hot days and balmy nights, it's no surprise that Theodoros' cooking mantra is to "... keep things as raw as possible and focus on cooling combinations ..."

If you're mouth is watering at the thought of these delicious seafood delights race down to Goolwa and visit the team at Aquacaf. If you can't make it down to the waterfront diner, don't despair... we're lucky enough to have the Aquacaf hosting a cooking class in-store on Tuesday, April 27 2010 at 6.30pm. Spots are selling quickly so be sure to get in quick!

Images courtesy of Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine, February 2010

Be my valentine-o...

A great coffee table book can look fabulous in your lounge room and be bliss on those really boring rainy days (or excruciatingly hot days like today!). Valentino: Themes and Variations by Pamela Golbin ($160 in store) recounts the remarkable career of the ever-stylish Valentino, celebrating his exquisite haute couture creations that have made such an impact on the fashion industry - and will be impossible to resist reading before your first rainy day.Marvel over the pages of intricately made gowns, and look back on some of the couture house's glamorous campaigns and Valentino's favourite moments.

After flicking through the pages of this beautiful book, it's not difficult to see why the golden skinned and smartly dressed Italian was farewelled with a standing ovation following his final collection and will be remembered for his flair, talent and creativity for years to come.

Making a splash..

If you love a splash of colour as much as we do, then be sure to check out the beautiful and intricate paintings by local artist Eliza Piro. Inspired by the textiles and embroideries of Indian handcrafts, Eliza's work is a reflection of her love of nature and feature an eye-popping mix of colours, shapes, and motifs.

Colours of Spring

Check out Eliza's latest exhibition at Art Images Gallery or visit us in store and pick up your very own mini version of some of Eliza's most popular pieces that have been printed onto cards.

Social Birdies Tree

Wise Owls 2

All images via elizapiro.com.au