The Lark

Australia Day

2012-01-26T23:07:00.000+11:00

Sunshine, friends, food, PAVLOVA, Iced Vovos, kids, good times...

We're Hiring!

2012-01-23T14:42:00.003+11:00

Do you know anyone who would like to work at the Lark Shop in Daylesford? We have a position open for a Retail Assistant, details are HERE!

Muppet

2012-01-22T17:32:00.007+11:00

Today I took my boys to see The Muppets. It was excellent, we laughed and laughed, and we loved it! I am very much of the Muppet Generation, we used to watch it on TV on Sunday nights in England. Rowlf was my fave character. I think this new movie does justice to the Muppets' tradition pretty nicely. I especially love that Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords wrote a lot of the songs. Inspired choice!

Sea and Tree

2012-01-21T18:44:00.007+11:00

We've been holidaying in Far North Queensland for the past week. Hanging out pool-side, diving, wildlife-watching. Lots of sunshine and a fair bit of rain (which is ok with me as I got to wear my Beci Orpin rain poncho - yay!). My hair went frizzy, the mozis loved us, we ate lots of tropical fruit, we sweltered and we chilled.

But now we're back in Victoria! And looking forward to the last week of school holidays - lots of plans for last-minute fun...

Party in Pink

2012-01-20T16:35:00.003+11:00

I must made over our home page to include lots of pink party-ish goods as it seems like that time of year to put on a pretty party!

But we also have lots of other colours in our rather excellent PARTY SHOP too, on cups, straws, treat boxes, giant balloons, cupcake stands, decorations, platters, bunting ...

Ahhh, summer...

2012-01-19T16:30:00.007+11:00

Source: flickr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Lazing about, spending many wistful hours on Pinterest

Doing Nothing

2012-01-15T09:47:00.006+11:00

For the past few days we have been 'doing nothing', which is something I do not find difficult to do at all. Staying in an incredibly lovely place. Just being together. Here is the view from our bedroom...

I wish life was like this more often. x

Op Shop Road Trip

2012-01-05T18:17:00.010+11:00

Today we all piled into the car and drove a long way out into the country to some of our favourite little towns for a spot of family op shopping. I snapped some of the lovely things I saw with my iPhone to share with you. Only a few of these came home with me I'd like you to know, I was quite restrained as it's part of my new year thingy to not hoard too much vintage stuff! (But you know, some things were too good to resist...).

Life news

2012-01-04T11:21:00.009+11:00

I am sad that I did not blog as often as usual in 2011.

What can I say? Life and work were busy, I was hanging over on Facebook a bit more, but the main reason for my lack of personal blogging is also because lots of things have been happening that I am still dealing with and I haven’t felt like writing about them. Yes, I still live a lovely life in the country with my gorgeous boys and our animals, I still have the best job in the world running Lark, I still get to travel and shop, and I still bake, eat, make things, and laugh a lot with my friends.

But the last few months have been tough as well as amazing. We lost a very dear friend (a mum to three young kids) in August, as well as my lovely great-auntie Joan and Paul’s great-uncle Bill later in the year. Paul had a sudden life-threatening illness in October (he is totally ok now), we found out that our son has Asperger’s Syndrome, and lots of other crappy and challenging stuff has happened around us that I won’t bore you with. We ended the year exhausted.

The GOOD thing about this: all of the chaos has forced us to take big steps to simplify our lives in 2012.

For the last year we’ve been living and working between Daylesford and Ballarat, a historic country town about 40km away, where the boys’ school is. This year we’ve taken the decision to commit to living in Ballarat full-time, and we have bought a new home there, that we will move into in April. We have also found a fab new office and warehouse for Lark in Ballarat.

The Lark Shop will still be open in Daylesford and this will not change, and we will still be spending lots of time in Daylesford as a family, but sadly (gulp) we are going to have to sell the Lark House in order to buy our new home. We are still taking bookings for the house up until May, so you might like to book in now if you were hoping to visit at some time.

Paul and the boys and I are so excited and happy to be putting down roots again after a tumultuous year. We’ve just spent a wonderful Christmas with our dearest friends in Daylesford and Melbourne, now we are looking forward to our summer beach holiday, and to hanging out together doing nothing for a few weeks until school is back.

And of course, putting my work hat on, we have some VERY exciting plans for Lark next year, that I will tell you about as they come to fruition. In the meantime we are already listing lots of new-season products and new designers on our website.

I hope that all is well in your world, and that you, too, find the strength and support you need to deal with the challenges that come up amongst all the good stuff in life! Here's to a truly happy, keep-it-simple, healthy and beautiful 2011!

THANKS MUCHLY

2011-12-29T11:39:00.007+11:00

THANK YOU to everyone who shopped at Lark this Christmas and throughout the year. We really appreciate your custom, and it is great to know that there is so much support out there for small Australian businesses.

THANK YOU even if you have not shopped in our store, but have been reading our blog and Facebook posts and just hanging out with us online, we think that's cool too!

THANK YOU to our amazing team at Lark who have made everything possible this year. You are SO the best.

THANK YOU to our associates, stockists and suppliers. Our policy at Lark has always been to only ever work with people that we like, and we like you a lot.

THANK YOU to our gorgeous friends who have put up with us talking about business all the time, who have helped us with advice and childcare, cheered us up, been there for us and supplied us with good food, lots of laughs and great cocktails. We love you.

And THANK YOU of course to family, and especially our amazing kids. It's been one big year, huh?

We will be back in the New Year with HUGE news on lots of changes that have been happening around here. Until then, enjoy the rest of the festive season and make sure you have a jolly good end to 2011!

All the best to you,

Allison and Paul xx

Illustration by Phil Taylor

The Lark 3 Day Sale starts at midnight tonight!

2011-12-25T17:35:00.006+11:00

Our amazing online sale starts tonight at midnight, until 28 December. Over 700 of our most popular items have been reduced for 3 days only, with discounts up to 60%!

Below is just a small sample of the many goodies on offer, from freckle rugs to fancy party plates!

All your fave brands are included: Rob Ryan, Cath Kidston, Belle & Boo, Heico lamps, Rex, Dear Charlotte Love Banjo, Lalé, Rice and more.

Don't miss out. Hop over to larkmade.com.au first thing in the morning to grab the best and cutest bargains around!

The sale closes strictly at midnight on 28 December, when all prices return to normal.

Our amazing online sale starts tonight at midnight, until 28 December. Over 700 of our most popular items have been reduced for 3 days only, with discounts up to 60%!

Below is just a small sample of the many goodies on offer, from freckle rugs to fancy party plates!

All your fave brands are included: Rob Ryan, Cath Kidston, Belle & Boo, Heico lamps, Rex, Dear Charlotte Love Banjo, Lalé, Rice and more.

Don't miss out. Hop over to larkmade.com.au first thing in the morning to grab the best and cutest bargains around!

The sale closes strictly at midnight on 28 December, when all prices return to normal.

A Christmas gift from Lark

2011-12-12T07:23:00.001+11:00

Receive 10% off anything at Lark's online store using the code: LARK-LOVES-ME

Hurrah!

To receive 10% discount enter the code into the Gift Certificate box at the checkout. Click 'apply code' and check that the discount has been applied to your order. The voucher is only valid at www.larkmade.com.au or Lark Daylesford until 19/12/11 and can only be redeemed at the time of purchase, not after. Not valid when purchasing or redeeming gift vouchers, or with any other offer. Thank you!

LARK’S CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY DATES!

2011-12-11T09:13:00.001+11:00

LARK ONLINE STORE (LARKMADE.COM.AU)
Monday 19 December: last shipping day before Christmas
(orders placed after this date will be posted when we re-open)

LARK SHOP (DAYLESFORD)
The shop will be open from 10-4 on the following days:
Saturday 17 December
Sunday 18 December
Thursday 29 December
Friday 30 December
Saturday 31 December
Saturday 7 January
Sunday 8 January

Lark Daily Treats are Back!

2011-12-04T20:24:00.007+11:00

Pssst... Lark is going to be sharing Daily Treats for a week on Facebook, starting tomorrow!

We received so much GREAT customer feedback from the October Daily Treats that we have decided to run a special festive version. So for 7 days only, each day we'll be featuring a single Christmassy product or range at a very special offer, each lasting one day only. Starting tomorrow.

Visit our Facebook Page each day to get a treat.

Christmas cheer all round!

We're going to Markit!

2011-11-24T13:38:00.005+11:00

For the first (and only) time this year, Lark will be popping up at a market. It's the fabulous Markit at federation Square, this Sunday. Along with a host of amazing designers from all over Australia (check out the list here), we'll be bringing a small selection of our favourite gifts and Christmas goodies.

I'll be manning the stall with help from Amber so do pop in and say hello! I will be drowning in Christmas decorations and baking things, cute gift ideas and some of the gorgeous Heico lamps including...

this little darling, the Lapin lamp, brand new to Australia. Isn't it the sweetest thing ever? They'll be in our webshop next week (if there are any left!).

Our Christmas Catalogue is here!

2011-11-23T07:01:00.003+11:00

Pop the kettle on, sit back and shop in peace for all your Christmas gifts, baking, wrapping and decorating supplies! For just $9.95 Lark will ship it to your door.

I hope you like this year's Christmas catalogue, it is even bigger than last year's, and has soooo many new things in it!

Only 31 sleeps...

Printable Christmas Shopping List

2011-11-12T11:32:00.005+11:00

I made a printable Christmas Shopping List with the help of Lyndsay. Do you like it? We had fun designing it. The list has appeared in the very spiffy Good Stuff Holiday Guide by Pip at Meet Me at Mikes, and will also be in the Lark Christmas catalogue, which I am working on at the moment. Feel free to print it out and start making lists!! (there is also a list of things that YOU would like to receive yourself, to stick on the fridge where everyone will see it!).

Enid Blyton re-issues

2011-11-04T18:40:00.004+11:00

Gasp! At last ... the wonderful Enchanted Wood books by Enid Blyton have been re-issued with their gorgeous 1960s illustrations! Like many mums, I searched the op shops high and low for a collection of these precious editions, and they have now become so hard to find ... I didn't like the look of the 'modern' versions, but now there are gorgeous re-issued hardback editions of the originals, a perfect gift for your special little girls and boys! Hurrah! You can find them here in the Lark shop!

Belle & Boo's Christmassy Goodies

2011-10-28T12:42:00.006+11:00

Well, the little Belle & Boo Christmas tins I wrote about last week have just about sold out already, but don't worry if you're hoping to add a little Belle & Boo sweetness to your Christmas this year, because Mandy's smashing paper goods range has just come in. It's full of lovely tape, wrapping kits and tags, paper chains and the sweetest cards ever. here are a few little peaks, but you can now visit the Belle & Boo Christmas Shop at Lark to see the full range as well as some classic Belle & Boo gift ideas! Hooray!

The Lark Christmas Shop is Open!

2011-10-25T12:15:00.007+11:00

Our Christmas Shop is now open online!

We have LOTS more gorgeous goodies coming in over the next few weeks, but for those of you who like to get organised early, you can now browse and buy straight away!

I am really excited about our Christmas collection this year, it is just SO good and the best ever, I've picked out some gift suggestions eg Pretty Gifts, Gifts Under $30 to help you if you get stuck. As we add more items to the collection I'll post updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't forget that lots of our ranges are limited, and we may not re-stock them before Christmas. this is especially true of Christmassy decorations, cards, wrap and party goods, so please don't miss out!

VISIT THE LARK CHRISTMAS SHOP...

Sneaky Christmas Peek...

2011-10-19T16:59:00.005+11:00

Those of you following our chit chat on Facebook will know that I have promised to finish and launch the Lark Christmas catalogue in the next week (eek!) but I couldn't wait until then to give you a sneak peek of these adorable little tins from Belle & Boo that have just arrived...

In five sizes, from a tiny treasure tin to a square tin that would be perfect for a small batch of home baked cookies, and all just waiting to be filled with treats or wrapped up under the tree for someone special!

Each tin has a different Belle & Boo adventure. Aww!

From only $4.95, I think these would be lovely as kris kringle or teacher gifts! You can find the whole set HERE in our shop.

Fave shop find: RE

2011-10-19T06:59:00.009+11:00

One the first part of our trip (see below), I re-visited a lot of my old favourite shops, but there was one place I visited for the first time after wanting to go there for many years: RE in Corbridge, Northumberland. My goodness, this shop is very much off the beaten track, it is near Hadrian's Wall, way up in the North of England. But is is most definitely worth the long drive!

Re is a huge converted workshop building (a bit like the Lark building) and it sells everything that you didn't know until now that you absolutely need in your life - like British Isles biscuit cutters, string bobbin winders, phrenology tea towels and plaster saints. I spent about an hour in there wishing I could ship everything back to Australia with me, and I did come out with a bag of lovely things, like a mini brush and shovel for my office in painted pink metal and a Great Britain souvenir tea towel.

Lots of the products are repurposed or rediscovered, and the overall shop design is inspired by old shops and department stores with old shop signs, vintage haberdashery cabinets etc. Love!

Simon Young and Jenny Vaughan started RE eight years ago, and it is very much their personal vision, like the best independent shops always are, it's clearly run with passion and integrity!

The shop has a lovely, laid-back vibe, the staff re nice and were happy for me to take photos (what's with shops that don't let you take photos? At our shop you are WELCOME to snap away, no need to skulk in the corner with your phone, pretending you are checking your text messages!).

RE also has a jolly good website, although it is expensive to ship to Aussie, so I definitely recommend that you go there in person to really experience this most amazing shop!

Our Trip part 1: North of England

2011-10-16T12:05:00.005+11:00

We visited nanna and giggled with favourite cousins; explored the new Museum of Liverpool which is so much fun, it has everything from the old rocking horse I used to play on in Blacklers department store, to a Beatles karaoke booth, the architecture is stunning too; shopped at Cath Kidston’s Liverpool store (my fave of all their branches); went to visit Quarry Bank Mill, an incredible old fabric mill museum; ate retro lollies; bought my son his first LFC soccer kit (his grandad would have been proud!); headed ‘up North’ to Penrith in the Lake District where we stayed in a very nice hotel indeed, found dozens of incredible op shops, explored the lakes on a boat and ate the most delicious chips and mushy peas; across country on a very high and winding track (with one child vomiting) to Corbridge to visit the famous RE shop (more later) and on to Newcastle, the place where Paul and I met as students, to relive our youth a little; loved the Baltic Art Gallery and the quayside, ate curry, visited Wallace and Gromit’s house of inventions with the kids; then down to York where we all learnt about Vikings, saw lots of bones, made mosaic tiles and visited the National Railway Museum (which I went to on a school trip age 10 and have always loved, it was nice to take my kids there); ate the best meal of our whole trip at this Turkish restaurant; went to lots of cute little shops, one I loved called Joy with the prettiest clothes, and of course Cath Kidston, and Ness; had fun at the Museum of York, especially the new 1960s room and the old prison; then down to Wilmslow for a delicious ye olde pub meal at The Honey Bee before flying out to Sweden the following day…

Le weekend

2011-10-15T10:31:00.004+11:00

What have you got on for the weekend? Our plans are: footy, house hunting, a shopping party at my friend's house, sorting out our travel photos, homework, baking, take the dogs down to the beach, movie time, tidy house, read magazines. That sounds like a lot, but it isn't. Mostly it's just relaxing, hanging out with my guys! I hope you have a fun weekend ahead!

Feeling snacky? Enjoy our daily treat!

2011-10-13T10:00:00.005+11:00

If you are a snacky kinda Jackie
A home should have a cookie jar
For when it's half past three
And children hurry home from school
As hungry as can be!

This is the most wonderful cookie jar ever, with embossed detailing and golden trim. Hurrah!

Height 185 mm; diameter 115 mm. A good size for storing lots of cookies.

And for today only it is just $15 (usually $24.95). It's here.

Have you been following our 'Today's Treat' on Facebook? Every weekday this month we are offering a very special deal on just one of our products, for just one day. It's been very popular, and customers can even suggest products to include in the daily treat. Don't miss out on the fun, you fave Lark product could be on offer tomorrow! Click here to join in.

Personal Christmas Shopping at Lark when you stay at the Lark House this Spring!

2011-10-13T09:20:00.010+11:00

From now until 18 December, when you book a midweek stay at the Lark House you can arrange a personal shopping session at the Lark shop in Daylesford!

The shop (normally only open at weekends) will be open especially for you to do all your Christmas gift shopping in peace (with a seasonal glass of bubbly), and you'll receive 10% discount on your purchases.

We'll even gift wrap your goodies and ship them home for you if you wish!

Couldn't you just do with a pre-Christmas break? Imagine: a spa treatment or two, a break from the kids, a special night out or a girly afternoon tea, and get all your Christmas shopping done without visiting a single mall or department store. Ahhh!

Midweek stays are a great value way to experience the Lark House and all that Daylesford has to offer this Spring, with prices from $65 per person per night (for a group of 8 guests staying for 2 nights). Everything is provided at the house, from fluffy towels to yummy local provisions!

To book this very special treat please arrange your midweek stay at the Lark House through DayGet Retreats, and then contact Lark to arrange your shopping session. We look forward to welcoming you!

Welcome Jessie Steele!

2011-10-10T21:30:00.008+11:00

I've been searching for the perfect range of kitchen aprons for Lark and at last here it is! From Jessie Steele in the US, the most perfectly pretty and feminine aprons ever. L-O-V-E them! I decided to start with three polka dot prints, a vintage floral and a Parisianne print, in two styles of apron (Courtney and Josephine). But I am hoping to feature more designs over time (including some FAB Christmas prints). Hurrah!

Cups, cups, cups...

2011-10-07T11:23:00.002+11:00

The new batch of melamine cups from Rice has arrived and is now online, these ace cups are always so popular, they sell like hotcakes! I am loving these four new colours this season!! We have 16 different colours altogether now. You can find them HERE!

New season Rice is here!

2011-10-03T18:52:00.005+11:00

The new Spring/Summer range from Rice has just arrived at Lark, and I am super-excited. Of all the lovely ranges that we stock in our shop, Rice is probably the one that I can least resist taking home with me. My kitchen is bursting with colourful Rice things, and I also have a cupboard full of Rice picnic and party wares.

I met with the Rice team in Paris recently and I was really inspired by how passionate they are about great design and ethical manufacture. If you haven't yet tried some Rice for yourself, then this season you simply must - as well as the iconic melamine cups and colourful kitchen storage, we have added lots of other items that will really appeal to anyone who loves to have cute, vintage design in their home. Here are a few of my top picks (don't hang around, some of these will sell out very quickly and wont be back before the Christmas break)...

Birdhouse kitchen timers - awww!

A cake mould for making a whole village of little cottages

Posh thermos flasks in pretty colours

Velvety coin purses with a crochet bottom and flower

Sweet, sweet salad servers

Candle holders - I want!!
Gorgeous storage bowls, too nice to hide away

Oh these paring knives, just made for picnic lunches

Colourful sandwich boxes

Fabby retro cushions

Lots or pretty bread baskets, also good for storing craft supplies!

Cute picture frames and mirrors in new designs this season
Laptop sleeves!

There is even a melamine tea set for dollies now too, hurrah!

Ok, all of the lovely new Rice things are now available online and we'll have a good selection in the Daylesford shop from Saturday.

I'm off right now to choose some things for myself...

Winner!

2011-10-03T12:19:00.001+11:00

Congratulations to Stephanie Moore of Victoria, who won our 'refer a friend' draw! Thank you so much to everyone who entered. Stay tuned for more draws and giveaways soon.

A thrifty find for summer...

2011-09-30T11:44:00.004+10:00

I recently bought this vintage girl guide blanket on eBay and I really love it. Made from different pieces of check woollen blanket (expertly stitched together), and it has travel badges and girl guide patches all over it. Yay! I am dying to have a picnic so that I can use this (along with the Cath Kidston cooler bag I bought on my trip to the UK - more about this later!).

Move over Foxy!

2011-09-27T19:46:00.005+10:00

A lovely lady I was chatting to recently told me that peacocks are 'the new foxes' and I can't help but believe it's true because I keep seeing peacocks and their lovely bluey colours and pretty feathers everywhere. What do you think?

Peacockery found on Pinterest

A lovely Peacock rug from Rice (available shortly from Lark)

Daylesford Makers Market this weekend!

2011-09-27T19:38:00.003+10:00

Saturday, 9-1 at Daylesford Primary School!

35 days

2011-09-25T13:11:00.004+10:00

Did you know I have been away on a trip for the past 5 weeks? Yes, I have. Dear reader, I have been tirelessly trekking across the grand cities of Europe in search of ever greater cuteness to bring to our store. Five weeks, six countries, four design fairs, and many, many cute shops later and I am finally home today. Phew, it's a hard life! No seriously, I am totally exhausted. But I'm very inspired and excited too. 2012 is going to be incredible. I will write about my trip and some of the amazing things I saw, once I have slept off the jetlag and caught up with my life a bit. I hope you are keeping well. x

Daylesford Community Food Garden

2011-09-19T05:14:00.007+10:00

Do you have community food gardens in your town? In Daylesford we do, you can read all about the amazing things going on HERE, and maybe you could get some people together to start something up where you live?

Scarlet's High Tea Christening party

2011-09-19T04:50:00.005+10:00

I'm delighted to announce the winner of our Pretty Party Contest! Josephine Giulio has won a $100 Lark voucher for her gorgeous photo's of Scarlet's High Tea. Jospehine used Lark party products from the Truly Scrumptious range (love the garland she made from doilies!) and we think the overall effect is so pretty. We're especially impressed that this is the first time Josephine has planned an event like this - well done!

And a big thank you to everyone who sent us photos of their parties, we loved looking at them all and it was so hard to choose. Please continue to send in any pics of your fave Lark purchases, and we'll feature them with a link on our blog or Facebook. x

'The Home She Made' Giveaway'

2011-09-17T18:11:00.002+10:00

Have you visited The Home She Made? This is the lovely blog of Clare, one of our customers who lives in rural WA with her young family. This week Clare is running a Lark giveaway for her blog readers, you might like to have a peek!

I was thrilled when Clare contacted us to ask if she could run a giveaway, if you are interested in something similar please contact us here!

Children's Literature Festival

2011-09-15T16:58:00.002+10:00

I'm really looking forward to this festival during the school holidays. Castlemaine is a great destination for a family day trip. Find the full details here.

Dotty for Dottie!

2011-09-05T17:51:00.004+10:00

Gasp! One of our favourite craft bloggers Dottie Angel has released a book. And we have a limited number of copies here at Lark. Dottie's style is so quirky and sweet and British and vintage, we love her! Do have a look at this little film clip too, all about Dottie and her 'peachy, crafty' life! Yippee!

Prettiest Pantry!

2011-09-05T17:02:00.006+10:00

I am a sucker for jars and boxes and labels, once upon a time (ie before kids) I had all my pantry supplies in matching containers in alphabetical order. Yes, really. These days my pantry is a total nightmare of open cereal boxes, pile upon pile of cupcake wrappers, multiple spice packets and empty containers. One of my projects this spring is to bring a little bit of order back into the pantry, and I think these new Pantry Stickers from Mae could give me just the incentive I need. Aren't they darling? Really, the girls from Mae are soooo clever, I love them. They have also released the sweetest new wrapping paper this season. Sigh.

Liberty Love!

2011-09-04T17:53:00.003+10:00

Ooh, I have been waiting AGES for the first-ever Liberty Home Sewing Book to arrive and it's finally here. Look out, stash!

Calling all crafty types...

2011-09-02T15:20:00.004+10:00

The Meet Me at Mike's Crafty Journal has just arrived at Lark today. Hot off the press. Have a peek HERE, I think you will love it!x

Frankie is at Lark!

2011-09-01T16:08:00.004+10:00

I'm so thrilled about this - you can now get your bi-monthly dose of Frankie from Lark. We've just received a box of the brand new issue 43 (my fave thing = jam jar labels to stick on your homemade jam)! It's available now HERE. Why not treat yourself?

We are also taking pre-orders for the 2012 Frankie Diary and Calendars HERE, don't miss out as these are super-lovely and VERY popular! Yay for Frankie, we are so lucky here in Australia, aren't we?

Win $1000 of Lark goodies! Hurrah!

2011-08-29T19:02:00.003+10:00

Gulp! I am very excited about this - until the end of September we are inviting all our lovely customers to tell your friends about Lark, and you could both be in with a chance to win $1000 to spend in our store on whatever you choose! Just imagine - you could buy all your Christmas presents and something special for yourself too!

All you have to do is CLICK HERE and join our weekly mailing list, then refer as many friends as you can. If you already receive our newsletters you can still refer your friends to win, of course.

And if you mention this exciting contest on your own blog, facebook or twitter (with a link to www.larkmade.com.au) please let me know, as you'll get an extra entry into the draw!

Time to start a shopping list. What would you spend your $1000 on? I'd love to know!

Father's Day Ideas from Lark #4: Foodie Dad

2011-08-23T06:55:00.005+10:00

Father's Day is on Sunday 4 September. This year we've got loads of great finds for the Dads in your life, starting under $10.

VISIT THE LARK FATHER'S DAY SHOP!

Father's Day Ideas from Lark #3: Outdoor Dad

2011-08-22T05:28:00.010+10:00

Father's Day is on Sunday 4 September. This year we've got loads of great finds for the Dads in your life, starting under $10.

VISIT THE LARK FATHER'S DAY SHOP!

Father's Day Ideas from Lark #2: Groovy Dad

2011-08-22T05:06:00.008+10:00

Frame his favourite vinyl!

Father's Day is on Sunday 4 September. This year we've got loads of great finds for the Dads in your life, starting under $10.

VISIT THE LARK FATHER'S DAY SHOP!

Father's Day Ideas #1: Stylish Dad

2011-08-18T21:51:00.007+10:00

Smith Journal arrives 5 September!

Father's Day is on Sunday 4 September. This year we've got loads of great finds for the Dads in your life, starting under $10.

VISIT THE LARK FATHER'S DAY SHOP!

Send us photos of your party and win a gift voucher!

2011-08-17T13:50:00.003+10:00

Did you include some Lark lovelies at your party? Cute cakestands, pretty paper cups or gorgeous goodie bags? We want to see! Send us a link to your post about your party and you could win $100 to spend at Lark!! Entries close 12 September. Hurrah!

PS Have you seen the new paper straws in MANY colours on our WHAT'S NEW page?

What's going on?

2011-08-17T09:09:00.005+10:00

Gosh, I have not blogged for a whole week, I think that is the first time ever, since I started my blog 6 years ago. I would love to say it's because I have been busy doing something pretty and relaxing, but in reality I have been working so hard, dealing with some health issues among family and friends, looking after kids, battling winter chills and the usual stuff we all have to deal with. This has been a long, hard winter.

On the bright side, I am preparing for a lovely family holiday and an exciting business trip, spring flowers are peeping out in my garden, our shop is looking lovely, I spent an excellent day with my dear friend and her baby girl in Bendigo (the Wedding Dress exhibition was ace!!), and I am tres excited by all the loveliness that I have found for Lark's new season. These giant round balloons are just a part of it, I'm going to post some sneak previews later today (if I get time!).

I am going to catch up on some serious blog reading now and find out what you have been up to this week!

You know my number!

2011-08-10T22:28:00.006+10:00

from here

It was my son's 8th birthday this week and the night before the big day we filled his room with colourful helium balloons (you can buy a kit at Spotlight) and one of these GIANT number balloons that we just started stocking at Lark. He was so excited when he woke up, it was gorgeous! I do love these giant number balloons, they are really easy to use and they make a big impact. You can find them HERE (in gold or silver) in our party shop.

Wedding Dresses, Trams and Bob

2011-08-05T09:06:00.008+10:00

I can't wait to head over to Bendigo for the The White Wedding Dress exhibition from the V&A with my girlfriend.

If you are planning to go to the exhibition, don't forget to visit Bob Boutique, which is the 'nanna' of cute crafty shops in regional Victoria, having been set up by my dear friend Sonia Tavener 7 years ago, in the days before craft blogs and Etsy. It has a very loyal following of devoted customers. Bob is sweet and quirky, and Sonia has been a huge inspiration and source of advice for me in starting my own little shop in Daylesford. As well as many of her own designs, Sonia supports Australian makers and artists (part of the shop is an exhibition space), and you will find many things in Bob that you haven't seen before, hurrah!

Sonia's mum Gail Taverner is a photographer, and the Bob gallery is currently showing a series of photographs taken while she was pregnant with Sonia in the 1970s, capturing the last days of the tram passanger service through Bendigo streets. I am definitely going to be checking this out, I love photos from this period. Also my children are 'half Bendigo' as their lovely dad is from there, so it will be especially interesting for us - we are hoping to spot Paul as a toddler in one of the photos!

Bendigo is a really good place for a family day trip or weekend, and I must report that is has some of the best op shops I have ever found. But if you can't make it over, you can also shop at Bob Boutique online.

The new season starts here!

2011-08-02T09:08:00.006+10:00

What lovely sunny weather we are enjoying in Daylesford at the moment! It is very timely as this week marks the start of the spring/summer gift season here at Lark.

This week I am preparing for Life in Style, where we'll be showing our lovely stockists all the new goodies from the designers we are lucky enough to represent in Australia. I am so excited, as we have some simply gorgeous new things from Belle & Boo, the prettiest kitchen and home gifts from Rex, and some adorable new collections from Talking Tables and Dumpling Dynasty. New, summery paper animals from Mibo, oh and so much more! We have over 400 new products to show this week. They will be in your local shops and online over the next few days, weeks and months.

I'll be posting live from the show from tomorrow over on Facebook, so please follow over there if you'd like lots of sneaky peaks of what you'll find at Lark this season!

Meeting Maxabella

2011-08-01T10:19:00.004+10:00

It is always a little daunting when you meet someone who's blog you admire - in person! Last week I got to meet Bronwyn from Maxabella Loves, whose ace blog is one of my daily reads. I needn't have worried as we instantly got on like a house on fire and had a great natter over a cuppa in the Lark shop. I could have chatted all day!

Bron has written a really lovely post about her visit to Lark, you can read it HERE (and add Maxabella to your blog list, for some thought-provoking discussions and great eye-candy too).

Paper fun!

2011-07-28T16:31:00.002+10:00

Mel and I have been having fun today - decorating the Lark shop with our new paper balls and fans! Yay!

In praise of bacon and eggs

2011-07-27T10:48:00.003+10:00

One of the greatest pleasures when you work from home occasionally, is to be able to have bacon and eggs for brunch. Mmm, a big drippy buttery bacon and egg sandwich. When I was little my dad used to love a 'bacon butty' when he came home from working a late shift, and it is the ultimate comfort food for me. Also the best hangover cure. I make mine with veggie bacon in order to be kind to animals and the planet!

Allison's bacon and eggs for 2 hungry (or hungover) people

4 slices of white sandwich bread (nothing fancy, just regular supermarket stuff is the best)

4 eggs (the quality does matter with eggs, try and get organic and free range local eggs)

4 slices of Sanitarium bacon style rashers

Butter and vegetable oil

Heat up the grill compartment of your oven. Butter one slice of bread. On the stove, lightly fry the rashers in veg oil, just to warm them through, remove them from the frypan and keep them warm. Break eggs into the pan and cook on the stove for 1 minute until the egg white is cooked but not crispy (ewww!). Now put the pan under the grill to cook the eggs from above for about 2 minutes or until the yolk is just firm outside and still drippy inside.

Put 2 bacon rashers onto each buttered slice of bread. Arrange 2 eggs on top, so that the yolks are not right next to each other (to ensure even yolkiness when you eat). Put the remaining bread slices on top and gently squash down.

Serve with a big mug of Irish Breakfast builders tea and a serviette. Yummm!

Back to work. x

We have a winner!

2011-07-24T12:57:00.002+10:00

Beth from BabyMac is the winner of my ballerina cupcake wrappers/Donna Hay Kids giveaway! Please get in touch, Beth, to receive your goodies.

Thank you to everyone who entered!x

Tissue Paper Decorations are here!

2011-07-23T12:59:00.010+10:00

Yesterday our new collection of tissue paper decorations arrived at Lark. I am SO excited about them! You will have seen pretty paper balls and bells and fans in lots of magazines and pretty blogs recently, and now we have a gorgeous range of them in our store, in stunning contemporary colours and several sizes, to help you make an amazing display (with barely any effort!).

Our tissue decorations are made in the USA by a small family business, and the quality is the best we have seen.Each piece comes flat and you simply pop it open and fix it with the self-adhesive strip and voila! Ready to hang, or stick on your wall. We have been so excited to get these in store that we haven't had a chance to set up a photoshoot yet, but here are some of my favourite ideas from around the web. CLICK HERE to find the tissue decorations at Lark.

found here, here, here

New Shop Photos

2011-07-23T12:02:00.003+10:00

These amazing photos of our shop were created by Melbourne photography student Annette O'Brien. Thanks Annette, we love your work! And thanks also to Jordana, who makes our shop look lovely every week!

A glorious day

2011-07-22T17:14:00.006+10:00

Wow, what a wonderfully glorious day it has been in Daylesford today. There was definitely a hint of spring in the air, a big blue sky and I even felt some actual warmth from the sun!!! I took my scarf and coat off OUTSIDE for the first time in several months.

We went out for a Lark lunch in Hepburn, to welcome our new staff member, Mel, who is extremely awesome. Dean (our warehouse guy) has an old open-top sports car so we drove over to Hepburn 'al fresco', feeling very glamorous.

HUGE lunch at the Chowder House. I love this place. Great food, op shop kitschy decor, the best service in Daylesford, and there is always a party atmosphere. When we went there for a family breakfast last weekend the owner started an impromptu trivia quiz for all the customers, and we made friends with a family from Bendigo at the next table. Hilarious, and hugely delicious and very fattening food, like giant drippy mango cream cupcakes and the biggest breakfasts in town. Love.

Anyway, I digress, as they say. After lunch I pottered at The Lark House for a while, preparing it for this weekend's guests, and I ambled back to work via the Daylesford Bazaar. Doug rang me a few days ago with some good news: last year I spied a very sweet sewing table there but it had already sold (boo), however the girl who bought it is leaving Daylesford so it is back again, and now it's finally mine! Yay! Thank goodness for Doug and his incredible memory. I also picked up a big crochet granny squares blanket and a sweet vintage cup and saucer. The very cute kitten cookie jar in the photo was also tempting but I resisted - isn't she adorable?

Back home to pick up the kids and a parent-teacher meeting with our oldest son's teacher, now I am enjoying the last of today's sunlight while Paul makes pizza with smoky eggplant and garlicky Meredith goat's cheese. Hope the weather stays nice for the weekend, it's such a pick-me-up, isn't it?x

Le stash

2011-07-21T09:55:00.002+10:00

Shopping in Spotlight for supplies yesterday, I couldn't resist buying some lengths of these Liberty-esque tana lawn prints to add to my fabric stash. Aren't they lovely? And some dotty fat quarters too. I can definitely feel spring coming!!

The Lark Shop will be closed 6th & 7th August

2011-07-20T14:31:00.001+10:00

Just to let you know, in case you are planning a trip to Daylesford, The Lark Shop will be closed the weekend of 6th and 7th as August. Our online store will, of course, stay open!

In The Age

2011-07-19T17:16:00.003+10:00

We were thrilled to find The Lark House featured in The Age travel section last Saturday. One of our favourite Age writers Frances Atkinson visited the house a few weeks ago (incognito - we didn't know at the time), so we were hoping for a little mention but we couldn't believe that the house scored a whole page to itself, wowsers! And Fran wrote some lovely words about the house too. The review rated The Lark House at 18/20 which I reckon is pretty good. Phew! You can read the full piece online HERE.

And you can find out more about our lovely house and the possibility of a totally awesomely relaxing visit to Daylesford HERE!

Video addict

2011-07-17T11:30:00.007+10:00

I have become a bit addicted to YouTube craft tutorials recently, and I especially like the how-to video channel by Hobbycraft, a UK based craft superstore (I am so going to one of their stores on my next visit!). I have been learning how to do all kinds of basic but useful things like animal puppets and paper flowers.

My favourite presenter is Hannah, I think she should have her own TV show - here she is decorating British style cupcakes, look how jolly Hannah is! And she makes it all look so simple.

If you have any favourite craft videos to share please tell me!

A busy birdie

2011-07-16T16:28:00.008+10:00

Cor, has this week been busy or what? Paul and I have been juggling the school holidays with a major overhaul of our office, managing the final big batch of orders from our winter sale and planning for our upcoming trade fair. I don't think I have ever been so busy, and that's saying something. I was a bit teary about it all on Thursday, as I hate not being able to do my best, but thanks to help from some of our lovely local friends we pulled through and I am no longer overwhelmed. Anyway, next week promises some exciting new developments and a fresh start.

I hope everyone's relaxing this weekend - I am!! Last night we had a hilarious family meal out at the Daylesford Bowling Club with our best pals. My son won a meat raffle - not much use as he is vegetarian, hee hee! But after a bit of negotiation it was swapped for a voucher from Country Cuisine, who make tasty jams and pickles. Today the boys and I have been sitting at the table cutting things out and chatting, Paul made a delicious gozleme stuffed with buttery leeks and fetta cheese for lunch, I picked fruit from the garden, the boys took the dogs for a long walk, we ate cupcakes, and now I am doing a bit of online shopping for my son's birthday. Although it is still totally freezing here in country Victoria, it is at least bright and crisp today, lovely! x

The Lark House update

2011-07-14T08:29:00.006+10:00

We've had some lovely guests at The Lark House this month - it's been back-to-back booking during the school holidays and there have been some very sweet comments in the visitor book.

We were surprised to find a feature on the house in last week's Herald-Sun. Yay! And best news, one of my favourite online magazines Small has just started a travel feature and the Lark House was chosen as the first destination. You can read the interview I did with Small magazine HERE.

The Lark House currently has two free weekends in August, and then it is quiet through September, so its a good opportunity to have a cosy winter break before Spring comes. We are already taking enquiries for the Spring school holidays and Christmas, and we have some wedding parties booked in for January. Please check availability and make bookings through Daylesford Getaways.

A pretty giveaway!

2011-07-11T13:09:00.007+10:00

I was very excited to see our 'Something in the Air' cupcake wraps featured in the new issue of Donna Hay Kids!

Donna and her team have styled a very pretty ballerina party, and look, they have made ballerina cupcakes with our wrappers topped off with vintage ballerinas from our dear friends Nathalie and Kathy at The Cupcake Wrapper Co. Hurrah!

I have a spare copy of Donna Hay Kids, so I am offering a little giveaway that also includes a pack of the cupcake wraps. To enter, please leave a blog or facebook comment, telling me your favourite cupcake flavour. A winner will be drawn at random next weekend. x

p.s. this post is not sponsored by Donna Hay, I am just a big fan is all.

Lofty Larks

2011-07-07T11:04:00.004+10:00

Paul and I are redecorating the Lark office today (brrr). How good is this wallpaper? It is a vintage 'Lofty Larks' print by Vera, found at Anthropologie. Hurrah for larks! I have found two Taubmans shades that work really well with it - Orange Poppy and Monica Pink. Also adding a vintage 50s office chair bought on eBay and a NEW kitchenette. Yay! I will show you the results when it is all finished...

Hmm, very pinteresting...

2011-07-06T18:46:00.003+10:00

I am spending ages on Pinterest at the moment. It is like someone has created the perfect website for an obsessive magazine-reading, image clipping, inspiration-board making person like me. There is always something new to love over there. Are you on Pinterest too? Let me know, as I need more pretty boards to follow! You can find my clippings HERE.

Dry July

2011-07-06T10:02:00.006+10:00

This year I am taking part in Dry July, an awesome community project raising funds for people battling cancer.

My lovely dad died of cancer 7 years ago. Ted had only just retired and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was also learning to 'surf' the internet and to speak Spanish. I miss my dad every day, and wish he was here to see our sons growing up (his longed-for boys after 3 daughters and 6 grand daughters). Cancer is a terrible thing.

For the month of July, I have given up alcohol. A small sacrifice, I know, but it's pretty hard-going after a day of work and kids when wine o' clock comes around and you have to stick to water! I am proud to have reached day 6 without being tempted, although I did very come close on Sunday, I must admit.

If you'd like to join in or donate money to Dry July in memory of someone you have lost to cancer yourself, please CLICK HERE. I'm part of a team organised by Pip of Meet me at Mikes, and we're hoping to raise loads of money for the Royal Melbourne Hospital by the end of the month. It's really simple to donate online and your money will go a long way towards helping people who have been diagnosed with cancer.

And roll on 1st August, I'll be the one with a very large gin and tonic! x

A little bit of thrift

2011-07-06T09:41:00.005+10:00

I haven't been op shopping for a while, but last week presented a couple of opportunities for thrifting - a day trip to Bendigo, and a collectables fair in Ballarat with Morgan. I am trying not to add too much to my stash at the moment, but there were a few things too good to resist, like these mini plastic baskets at 50 cents each!

An as-new vintage wool blanket. I was taken by the vibrant teal/aqua colour of this, it's unusual and very pretty. Once washed it will look fab in my son's room.

A cute little vintage quilt for a dollar.

A big 60s platter that goes nicely in the kitchen in our new house.

A couple of lovely fairytale storybooks, I can never resist these.

And this cute vintage puzzle was just 50 cents.

I think my favourite find was this vintage 1950s fabric from an op shop in Bendigo, I adore the umbrellas. I was excited to find a large piece of such lovely old fabric, quite a rare find these days!

Hopefully during the school holidays I'll ge the chance to visit a few more oppies! x

Day 3! Last Chance to shop in the Lark Sale!

2011-07-01T18:41:00.003+10:00

Our 3-day sale ends at midnight tonight, so don't forget to grab some Lark sale bargains!

We've marked some products down even further, you can find them here.

A big thanks to everyone who has ordered from our sale, we'll be shipping our orders over the next 14 days, and look out for a little Lark treat in each parcel!

The Crafty Squirrel is Open!

2011-07-01T18:17:00.004+10:00

Yay! Today was the opening of The Crafty Squirrel, my friend Morgan's shop in Ballarat, and I was lucky enough to spend the day helping out behind the counter, meeting lots of local people who popped in, crafty chicks and school mums.

Here is Morgan behind the counter with her giant pencil(!), ready for business. Really, the shop is so amazing as it combines many things handmade by Morgan in her studio with an incredible range of vintage haberdashery items, Japanese cute things and lots of unusual crafty and handmade labels too. What a great mix! And you can pick up something unique for just a dollar or two.

The Crafty Squirrel is open Fridays and Saturdays, at the corner of Urquhart and Errard Streets in Ballarat. If you like vintage, crafty and handmade (who doesn't?), then you simply must visit soon!

Day 2! New things in our sale...

2011-06-30T10:31:00.002+10:00

Our 3-day sale continues today with lots of lovely new additions, including toadstool nightlights, BYO coffee cups, feltcraft doll kits, Rob Ryan bunting, Belle & Boo dinner sets and heaps more!

CLICK HERE to shop in the Lark sale!

(please note, multiple orders cannot be combined for shipping)

Ridley's House of Novelties

2011-06-29T09:07:00.003+10:00

I thought you might like to see this super new nostalgic novelties range that just arrived in our store. I adore the packaging on these and the old-school toys and games inside, like ping pong, whoopee cushions and pick-up sticks. Cute, right? I love them. And they are not just for kids, I think these would be great for a guy gift too! They are in the NEW section of our shop right here.

Our sale starts at midnight tonight!

2011-06-28T16:45:00.007+10:00

In case you haven't heard, the Lark 3-day online sale starts at midnight tonight. CLICK HERE to enter the sale (after midnight).

I'm very excited about the sale, we only ever reduce our prices twice a year in summer and winter, and this winter sale has over 500 amazing products in it. Almost all of our best designers and categories are on sale, but only for 3 days and then, on Friday night at midnight, the prices will go back to normal.

This year, I decided to let customers choose what would be in the sale, and I have been getting some great suggestions over on Facebook (there's still time, if you want to suggest something over there).

A couple of things to note about the sale... it is very popular, so if our website is running slow maybe come back later; it takes up to 2 weeks to ship sale orders due to high demand (usually we ship within 2 days); we don't offer rainchecks, so if your item sells out it will not be available at the special price should we get more stock after the sale (yes, there are people who actually ask us for that!!); so don't delay if you see something you like! There are a few more 'rules' on the sale web page, do check them out before you shop.

Here is a little preview of some of the ranges that will be on sale, there are many others that I couldn't fit in, once the sale starts they'll all be visible in the SALE section but you can also find them under the brands and categories too.

Thank you to all our lovely customers, and I hope you find lots of your favourite things! x

This week...

2011-06-28T16:35:00.003+10:00

I have been helping two little girls to celebrate their their birthday this week! More to come on that soon. I have also been helping Morgan to set up shop at The Crafty Squirrel. It's opening this Friday (!!) at the corner of Errard and Urquhart Sts, Ballarat, come along and see how amazing it is, I will be there on the opening day to support Morgan. I have been helping to paint and renovate our office, helping my son with his maths homework and helping myself to lots of wine before I start Dry July in 2 days time (more on that also). What have you been up to?

After all that helping I am taking a night off to see Bridesmaids with my girlfriend tonight! (I wont be completely switched off though, I'll be back later with an update on our sale). x

Pssst ... heard about the Lark online sale?

2011-06-27T07:02:00.014+10:00

Our fabulous 3 day winter sale will be starting soon online.

For just 3 days, prices will be lowered across many of our lovely ranges, by up to 70%.

If you haven't shopped at one of our very popular sales before, you are in for a treat. Held only twice a year for 3 days, the Lark sale is a 'thank you' to our lovely customers and a nice way to end the season.

When the 3 days are over, at the stroke of midnight, the prices go back to normal.

Details of the sale are in a special edition of our weekly newsletter that is coming out to resgistered customers today.

If you'd like to find out exactly when our sale is starting and see a sneak preview of what's on offer sign up to our newsletter ASAP, there's a form on the sidebar here and also on our home page.

I hope you like the products we've selected for this year's sale!

Campervans are Cool

2011-06-22T15:44:00.013+10:00

My mind has been on cycling and camping and picnicking A LOT lately. I think I must be in denial about the grey and miserable winter weather here in Victoria. I have been obsessively filling the Lark shop with travel-related things, to the point where I have created a separate little 'On The Road' section, have a look if you are starting to think about spring and summer days.

One of my favourite things is this new book My Cool Campervan by British authors Jane Field-Lewis and Chris Haddon. When I was little my parents rented an orange Kombi to take my big sisters and I on holiday, and I have loved them ever since. This book is all about the vans, and the people who love them. Yeah!

Here is a little film to accompany the book:

The book is a kind of sequel to My Cool Caravan, the hugely successful book that has had us all inspired with by cool retro caravan images.

If you like the idea of camping but don't want to rough it, we also have a book about 'glamping'. And a cookbook for your van.

There are lots of other cool things in my On The Road store, here are just a couple of favourites... enjoy thinking of warmer days!

Dottie Angel

2011-06-22T09:22:00.004+10:00

Sigh. Don't you just love her blog? I have posted a little film clip I found about Dottie's story on my facebook page today, do have a peek over your morning cuppa, it's lovely! x

I'm guest blogger at My Poppet today!

2011-06-21T14:15:00.003+10:00

I have written a little post on My Poppet, one of my fave blogs today, how exciting! Cinti has gone off to Japan (lucky girl) and she has invited some of her blog friends to write posts while she is away. Cinti asked me to share some of my decorating tips from the Lark House, so if you are interested in how to decorate a house using your vintage stash and very little cash, click here to read my post! Thanks Cinti, hope your trip is going great!x

Frankie + Lark House

2011-06-21T10:13:00.003+10:00

Yay! Copies of the brand new issue of Frankie arrived in my post today. Among all the usual aceness there is a feature on The Lark House (thanks Frankie ladies!) And as well as reading about it, if you are a Frankie subscriber you can also enter a competition to WIN A WEEKEND at the house in Daylesford. For yourself and 7 friends. With gift vouchers to spend at the Lark Shop too. Yes!

Although I am dying to read the rest of the mag, I am being very good and holding off till lunchtime, so I can't tell you what else in this issue, except that there's a map and it looks very pretty. It'll be in the shops in a few days so make sure you treat yourself to a copy, or even better, become a subscriber to Frankie! Yeah!

Become a Little Editor with Anorak! Or design a cover! + Giveaway

2011-06-20T11:34:00.006+10:00

In September, Anorak, 'the happy mag for kids', will be celebrating its 5th anniversary in the UK and Europe and its 1st anniversary in Australia! As part of the celebrations the September issue is going to be written and illustrated by Anorak's happy little friends around the world.

We are very happy too, that Lark is the Australian base for Anorak, and we're inviting all our customers to take part in Anorak's birthday issue. Here's how:

1. BECOME A LITTLE EDITOR - you will be sent a special mission to write some of the content of Anorak. To do that, send an email to cathy@anorak-magazine.co.uk with your name/ your child's name and your child's age. Anorak will get in touch.

2. Enter Anorak's DRAW US A HAPPY COVER competition. Open to all kids around the world, Anorak is giving you the opportunity to come up with a happy design for the cover of the 5th anniversary issue of Anorak magazine. Click here for all the details and get drawing... I will be so proud if one of Anorak's little Aussie readers wins!

Watch this space for more birthday celebrations to come, including an interview with Cathy Olmedillas, the fab founder of Anorak, news of Anorak's new magazine PLOC (illustrated by Alain Gree!!), and a prize giveaway from Lark.

Find the latest issue of Anorak magazine here, or ask at your local Lark stockist! And look out for the July issue, coming your way next month, it's going to be a great one, this cover is certainly one of my faves so far!

Stay happy! x

PS I'm giving away back issues of Anorak to five readers this week - please leave a comment on this post telling us what makes your kids happy! Entries by 25 June please.

Dear blog,

2011-06-18T11:11:00.005+10:00

I still love you, after almost 5 happy years together. Yes, I have heard that 'blogs are so 2008' and it was certainly a good year, but I still think blogs are quite cool in 2011.

It's just that there are so many other diversions in my life these days, like pinterest. It's just so damned addictive, pinning all my favourite images and inspirations on to little pinboards. And following other people's pinboards. It's all just so cute.

And Twitter. I use Twitter when I want to share more chatty, opinionated stuff, whereas you and I are more, well, reflective and considered.

And of course, Facebook. I tried to stay loyal to you and not give in to Facebook for a long time, but the lure of it all was just too much, and now I find Facebook just essential for telling peeps all the latest news from Lark, as well as interesting things I find on my web travels. It's just different, I guess, a bit more newsy and fast-paced.

I am sorry I don't give you as much attention as I used to. But I will always be your friend, dear blog. You were the first to expose me to the dizzy world of social media, you introduced me to so many new friends when I had just moved to a new country and was starting my business, and you have provided a lot of laughs and emotional support over the years. I'll still be sharing all my thoughts and goings-on and my happy snaps with you. Thank you!

Yours truly,

Allison x

Here I am on Pinterest

And Twitter

And Facebook

Friday

2011-06-18T10:50:00.005+10:00

We spent the morning in a meeting with our accountant and business adviser. I know what you are thinking, 'how boring' but actually I love our monthly meetings as our guys are really awesome, we throw lots of ideas about as well as getting down to the nitty gritty. I know it is not natural for many creative people, but I think you have to learn to love finance a little if you want your business to succeed!

Afterwards I headed over to The Crafty Squirrel with a bag of veggie samosas. I got to play with Morgan's incredible stash of vintage haberdashery, but we also worked really hard on getting the shop ready, before collapsing with wine and pizzas in front of the fire. The shop is coming on, I don't want to spoil the surprise so these are just a couple of sneaky pics I took, but just wait till it is officially open in a couple of weeks. You wont believe your eyes!

Jim

2011-06-18T09:22:00.003+10:00

Now there's a happy dog. Jim likes nothing more than a good run, except maybe a big delicious feed and a some adoration.

If you are thinking about a family dog, I would say that a golden retriever is perfect. They can grow quite big, which is a bit daunting for tiny kids, and they are quite hairy (ever noticed how many vacuum cleaner ads have goldies in them?) but they are also so gentle, loyal, funny and cuddly and smart. Every time I see a goldie in the street or in a car I smile!

Lark House Update

2011-06-17T09:30:00.007+10:00

The Lark House has been up and running for nearly two months now - thanks so much for all the lovely feedback and shoutouts! It's so great to have the support of lovely people out there when you are starting a new venture, and I feel lucky to have both an amazing group of local friends and so many friends from the interweb too.

A special thank you to Diane, who wrote a post about the house on her pretty blog 'Notes to a Further Excuse'.

And also Rachael (oh my, just look at her little girl's Enid Blyton cake!!).

Beci Orpin was one of the first guests at the Lark House, along with her family. I was a little anxious, as Beci has notoriously ace taste, but I needn't have worried as she gave it a thumbs up - you can read about Beci's stay on her blog, where the above photos also came from. Thanks Beci!

We are currently busy tidying up the garden and doing some little repairs on the house. Some not-so-nice guests slashed the heck out of our wooden kitchen bench with a bread knife (thanks guys!), but I am pleased to say that most guests have been ever so sweet and have looked after the house for us, which was a big worry for me as it is still our home at the end of the day.

Bookings are pretty much full for June and July, there is just one spot left for the school holidays - from 3-8 July. If you are interested please book here!

News

2011-06-16T21:17:00.004+10:00

Do you receive the Lark weekly newsletter? It is looking particularly lovely at the moment. It's the best way to find out what's new before anyone else. It's cute.

You can sign up on our homepage if you would like to, or here on my blog. x

Monday

2011-06-15T19:24:00.005+10:00

Monday, being a much treasured public holiday, was a chance to stay at home and catch up with housework, hanging out and baking.

The kids made cookies

Paul made gozleme

And I made coconutty cupcakes

Now it's all back to work for the week! x

Mile End Cotton

2011-06-15T07:38:00.004+10:00

THE LARK

"I feel like a lark"! it is well understood

is a common expression that means "I feel good"!

The truth that this teaches, kind reader, please mark,

Always use 'Mile End" Cotton and - "you'll feel like a Lark."

Sunday

2011-06-12T18:00:00.004+10:00

We caught the train to the big smoke today for a family day out. We saw over a dozen short films at ACMI, in the annual Little Big Shots Festival, which is always brilliant and a real treat. There were some great shorts this year, I definitely recommend going if you have some free time this week.

After lunch at Brunetti we went to the ART OF THE BRICK exhibition. If I am honest, I thought this was a tad over-hyped and disappointing. There are only a handful of lego artworks and having been to Legoland last year they were nowhere near as impressive as some of the creations we saw there. It all felt rather 'corporate' and cost $50 for a family, but we got around the exhibition in 15 minutes as it was so small. I think the Lego store set up below the exhibition was actually bigger! Anyway, that is just my opinion.

In fact, my favourite part of the exhibition was not the artworks by ex-lawyer Nathan Sawaya but the lego sculptures of Melbourne landmarks by members of MUGS (Melbourne Lego users group). Check out the Vic Market!

On the train home we shared a bag of Haigh's chocolate freckles, my favourite sweeties! I have freckles on my brain at the moment, as my friend and I are planning her daughter's 3rd birthday party and the theme is going to be pink with freckles and confetti!! So excited about the ideas we have had so far!!

So now we are back home and Paul is making a porcini risotto for dinner while I relax with a glass of wine. It's always nice to be back in the country after a day in the city! x

Saturday

2011-06-11T17:10:00.008+10:00

I have always loved Saturdays. When I was thirteen I had a paper round, and on Saturdays I would cycle back to the newsagent afterwards to pick up my paypacket, to be promptly spent on magazines, sweets and stationery (no change there).

On Saturdays we always have pancakes for breakfast. Jules gets up early and prepares all the ingredients and then he makes them with his dad. I love them just with vanilla sugar and lots of lemon juice.

Harry and Jim love Saturdays too. We usually go for a good walk, or a play in the local playground.

Most Saturdays we pop in to our Daylesford shop to catch up with Jordana and Emma and see if everything is running smoothly (it always is). Today we also went over to the doctors for our family flu shots. Ouch. Then afterwards we went over to see our best friends for a chippy lunch and a long yarn. It has been gloriously sunny today, hurrah!

I came home with a tiny posy picked by my friend's little girl. I'm also showing off my bag and shoes today. I bought this tweed patchwork doctor's bag from Cath Kidston last time I was in the UK and I have just started using it. The shoes are my current favourite aqua clogs from West Country Clogs, recommended by Pip.

The rest of Saturday means hanging out around the kitchen table together, a glass of wine and, later, I am planning to watch Upstairs Downstairs and catch up on some mags. Isn't it lovely to think that there is no work until Monday?

I hope you had a lovely day x

Friday

2011-06-10T12:06:00.005+10:00

I am still catching up after the busyness/exhaustion of last weekend, so please forgive the lack of posts this week.

On Fridays I always go to assembly at our school, and today my persistence was rewarded when not one but BOTH of my kids were awarded student of the week in their classes. Hurrah! They were both so shy receiving their awards, and I had to be restrained and give a polite clap rather than the big whoop I wanted to do. The new school is lovely, with such an inclusive culture that was missing in our last school. Love it!

Often I meet up with Morgan at the Friday assembly, as we share the same school, and we go out for a natter afterwards. Today we went over to The Crafty Squirrel, Morgans Ballarat shop and studio space that is due to open in about 2 weeks. I was knocked out with how the shop is looking, just look at those sweet window stickers and the colourful leadlight windows above. Next week I'll be helping to put out all the stock and set up the displays, I can't wait. I went along to the trade fairs with Morgan in February and she has sourced some amazing things.

If you in any way like crafty things or vintage things or cute things, then you should pencil in a trip to Ballarat once the shop is open, Morgan has the most incredible eye for aceness and I guarantee you will love her shop! I'll keep you posted on the opening date.

On the way back home I stopped in at our local Indian deli, they have the most incredible range of sweets that are so beautiful. Mmm.

Well, that's Friday morning out of the way. Now I have to get some work done before school's out. We have a busy social weekend planned. I hope you have a great long weekend break! Bye for now x

Tomorrow!

2011-06-03T19:43:00.013+10:00

Big day tomorrow, with our warehouse sale and all the crafty action around Daylesford.

I took a few photos as we finished setting up today, although this is just a fraction of what we have.

The $1 table is huge, with mirrors, keyring, cards, badges and big boxes of random things to rummage through. On the $5 table are kitchen things, a box of party stuff, paper straws, baby knits, toy rabbits, kid's garden tools, tea towels, posters, knitted dolls, Genki tees; $10 will get you one of many fab tote bags, Swimmer vest and undie sets, winter scarves, recipe boxes, biscuit tins and more; $15 - $20 includes some gorgeous cushions, craft kits, Cath Kidston things, bags... and then we have a very special box of ex-disply belle & Boo original prints for around $15-30, including some of the larger ones and family tree. Many things in the sale have slight faults so we can't sell them online but they are still perfectly useable!

Are you one of those clever people who makes things out of vintage book jackets? If so, we have a HUGE pile of lovely vintage book covers and pages that are free to a good home (byo box).

The sale action starts at 9am sharp, at the warehouse next to our shop at 4a Duke St, Daylesford.

Here is a quick sneaky shot of my vintage stall at the Daylesford Bazaar, which is now open!

And here is a map of where everything is, if you're unfamiliar with Daylesford. If you're visiting for the Craft Experience, have a great day and don't forget to pop into Lark between 4 and 6 for late-night shopping with a glass of bubbly! Yippee yay yay!

Lovely Rita

2011-06-01T16:46:00.003+10:00

Just a photo of Miss Rita, who likes to curl up on the mantelpiece above the heater at this time of year! I just realised how autumnal her colours are.

Only four sleeps!

2011-05-31T10:04:00.004+10:00

Only four sleeps until our winter warehouse sale! If you've haven't been to one of our sales before, they are pretty huge and excellent. The sale happens only twice a year and it takes place in the warehouse next to the Lark shop. We have big tables piled up with stock that is end-of-line, slightly not perfect, surplus or one-off samples. Each table is priced, eg $1 table, $5 table, $10 table. The sale is in-person only, not online.

This year there are a lot of cute kitchen wares in the sale, knitted scarves, ace undies and accessories from Swimmer in Japan, greeting cards a-plenty, ex-display Belle & Boo prints, stationery, masking tape, baby things, party things from paper straws to invites, Genki Tees at $10, soaps, cushions, tote bags, some Cath Kidston items and a lot more besides. Most things are $5 or $10. I'll try to take some photos tomorrow when it is all set up.

The sale starts at 9am. Please note that it is CASH ONLY, as there are no eftpos facilities in our warehouse. There are several ATMs on the main street of Daylesford. Bring a big shopping bag and a list of people you need to buy gifts for, as this is a great opportunity to stock up your gift drawer! I'm looking forward to seeing lots of our regular and new customers on Saturday, it'll be fun! See you there.

My vintage pop-up stall!

2011-05-30T14:13:00.007+10:00

I have been busy all weekend preparing the stock for my 'pop-up stall' at the Daylesford Bazaar. I have a cute space in there with pigeon holes, a table top and big shelves down below. Since I moved house to a smaller place a few months ago I've been forced to have a massive clearout. We took a whole trailer load of unwanted things to the op shop. I then had to tackle my collections of vintage wallpaper, linens, fabric, books, tins, toys and craft things. I have put aside my very favourite things, but much of my stash is going to be on my stall from this weekend.

There are also some pieces of furniture including a giant old doll's house that I used to have at trade fairs to display toys, and it has cute vintage curtains! I love it but I just have no use for it right now.

I have never had a stall at a vintage shop before. I chose the Bazaar because it has a lovely, rummagey vibe and I like the people who work there. It's not all fancy and over-priced, and in fact most of the smaller bits and pieces in there are under $10, yay! That suits me fine, I am just keen for my lovely 'junk' to go to a good home! I will probably have the stall open for about a month, or until most things are sold.

This is where I am up to at the moment, everything is piled up in my garage, and I'll be setting up the stall this week, I'll post some photos when it is ready. There are so many great stalls in the Bazaar, you might not immediately spot my space in among everything else, but all the price labels say 'Allison'!

So do pop in if you are coming to Daylesford. The Bazaar is on Vincent Street as you head out of Daylesford towards Hepburn. Don't forget our Winter Warehouse Sale is also on at Lark this Saturday, and the Maker's Market and Farmer's Market, so it's gonna be a fab day.

Hello My Deer!

2011-05-26T12:47:00.004+10:00

I try not to buy too many Lark products for myself, can you imagine if I did? Nothing would ever get sold. But sometimes a thing arrives that I just HAVE to have. Like this Fawn lamp.

Oh my goodness, how can I resist. He is straight from a vintage storybook. He is coming home with me today!

As you can see in this pic, he is a nice big size.

But don't worry, some of his brothers and sisters are also for sale IN OUR SHOP HERE.

Mollie Makes Giveaway

2011-05-25T11:02:00.005+10:00

Over on Facebook today, I am doing a little giveaway for the fab new Mollie Makes crafty magazine from the UK! Hop on over, it is open to all of our Facey 'fans' and will be drawn at random tonight. If you aren't a fan yet, just click 'like' at the top of the Lark page and you'll be included!

As well as a crisp, new copy of the mag, it also includes this cute 'feelgood felt kit' to make a phone cover, aww!

And if you have already seen Mollie Makes, you might have spotted these super-cool crochet 'dress guards' for your bike. As it happens, we are just about to start stocking these in Lark, as I am totally in love with them., I'll let you know when they arrive!! x

I wish!

2011-05-24T20:16:00.006+10:00

I was recently asked to make a wish list of home accessories for House & Garden magazine, and it appears in this month's issue. It was a lot of fun thinking about what I would buy for our new house if money was no object. The Ercol sofa is something I have especially wanted for a long time... there is no way I could ever afford a new one, but I recently found an old one going very cheaply on eBay (with 2 armchairs - bonus!) but it needs a big makeover. Watch this space.