New-Balustrade-slash-having-fun-with-Instagram

It's in! It's in! Or is it "up"? Yes, we are officially with Balustrade again. Kind of reminds me of a giant kid's play pen... but I freakin' luvvit! PS We got it from Art of Stone and it was installed by Art Weld.

Ignore the floor though - Yes, Mr Tonic has his work cut out for him (again) this weekend. Poor Mr Tonic... Actually, I shouldn't say that, he always says he would restore old houses full time if he won lotto (yeah right!). He wants to become a "conservationist" of 50's architecture in Sydney. And he would be damn good at it too.

I've discovered Instagram. Can you tell?!

Yes, I'm a little bit fashionably late to the Instagram party, but WOW. Too much fun for one lifetime! Lots to still figure out, but bear with me... 

I have literally been walking around the house with my iPhone, like a kid with a new camera, looking for something, anything to photograph and turn into my own little piece of Insta-fun. Exhibit A. Jasper-Tonic's school work:

And I Instagram-ed yesterday's "arm party". Because why not. The deets? Michael Kors watch, Pepper Gibbs "you will shine" bracelet - email peppergibbs (at) gmail (dot) com, Tiffany & Co Venetian link bracelet, Skin & Threads cotton knit, Bassike long sleeve tee.

The Mini-Tonics. Do you have any idea how hard it was to get this photo? OMG.

And last, but not least, yesterday's new additions: Elle Decor, Home Beautiful and Aussie InStyle.

Oh, and if you have any hot Instagram-y tips, please leave a comment! I'm on my Instagram L-plates!

Friday Fab Five: Swoony things for your style-radar

1. THE LABEL: I'm quite loving ANU's "luxurious yet relaxed" (my fashion mantra!) new-season collection. Think featherweight silk and cotton maxi dresses/skirts, batwing kaftans, hand-dyed and ruched oriental kaftans, backless jumpsuits, single-sleeve and off-the-shoulder dresses, as well as "palazzo pants". PS Oprah (Goddess) wore an ANU Zebra Print oversized shirt during her visit to Australia!! But it's this dress (below) that I'm really swooning over. My weekends undoubtedly be merrier with this on my back! Dear Santa...

2. THE PANTS: So the Nudie Jeans Khaki range is killing me! I bought mine - that's them below - (Tight, in "deep soil") online from General Pants (who offer free next-day delivery when you spend over $70. Awesome!). They have a tiny bit of stretch too, which normally I hate, but these are perfection. Did I just buy more from the Nudie Khaki range on We Love Jeans? Why yes I did, thanks for asking. Nudies are the only jeans/pants that suit my (2-children-later) body, so heck, when you're onto a good thing you tend to stick to it! Oh, and the nice Nudie webstore people ship worldwide too - free when you spend over $230.

3. THE NEW EARRING ALERT! Those dingin' clever bohemian poppets over at Spell have just added these ridiculously heavenly angel wing earrings to their collection (click to buy). I also have the Little Jupiter wings necklace, a mother's day gift from earlier this year. I think I am officially an angel with all these wings flying around!

4. THE BEAUTIFYING SUPERFOODS: If you like your beauty with a side of "yum!", you're going to adore the SUPER by Nicholas Perricone range. "World renowned healthy aging expert" Nicholas Perricone is best known as pioneer of the concept that what you feed your skin can up your beauty quotient. Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan. I'm in. SUPER by Nicholas Perricone is exclusive to Kit Cosmetics in Australia. Check out the ingredients(!):

(above) I use the Hyper Hydrator with Coconut Water - a drink for your skin! SO good. Buy it here. PS You must check out the SUPER by Nicholas Perricone website - It's gorgeous!

5. THE NEW LOOT: Without giving too much away just yet, there are some beautiful new goodies coming soon to the Table Tonic online store... Watch this space!

And hey - Don't forget to shop the Table Tonic 20% off storewide sale! Ends midnight Sunday!

It's an arm party! Buy mine online (ALL OF IT!)

Arm parties, a user's guide:

1. A watch is optional, but if you're going to wear one, a larger style (or men's) watch is the go. 2. Mixing silver and gold is acceptable. Heck, it's recommended! 3. Soften up the "metal" with some string/friendship bracelets 4. Mix it up - and if you feel like it, co-ordinate colours with your outfit like I have  

5. Be creative and have fun with it!

(below) Shop my arm party, L-R:

1. Gold plated bangle, Michael Kors click to buy

2. Sterling Silver Venetian Link Bracelet, Tiffany & Co. click to buy 

(Vintage Silver coin not included)

3. Friendship bracelet, Etsy seller The Cat Paradox click to buy

4. Gold watch, Michael Kors click to buy

 

Gimme! of the day: Meadowlark studded ring

I forget where I first stumbled upon Meadowlark, but let's just say I bookmarked it straight away and "mentally purchased" a fistful of favorites shortly after. Haven't heard of them? New Zealand-based Meadowlark is "a collection of covetable and precious jewellery in silver & gold. Sometimes playful, sometimes dark, Meadowlark creations are always beautiful with an edge". The Meadowlark journey began in 2006 when Claire Hammon and Greg Fromont (husband and wife) combined an excess of useful skills and "creative verve" to launch the jewellery line they’d always dreamt of. Fine, yet edgy jewellery is my absolute weakness. A real passion. So a 9ct yellow gold band of Pyramid studs? Yah. That was always going to end up on my (dry and winter-y) finger!

(above) shown on Table Tonic Cherry Chevron Ikat cushion (45cm)

(above) shown on Table Tonic Turquoise Ikat cushion (45cm)

Click to buy Meadowlark's Studded Ring (also available in sterling silver), and click to visit Meadowlark's online store. Oh, and you can also buy Meadowlark on Superette, which is one of my all time fave fashion-y online stores. Happy weekend Tonic-ettes!

A day in the life: 11.07.11

The Sunday threads: 

Jac + Jack knit, Bassike tee, Nudie Thin Finn Jeans, converse sneakers. Also known as "the outfit that ticks all the boxes".

The online mags: 

Happy days - the July/August issue of Lonny is live!

As is the July issue of Matchbook!

The mags: 

Woohoo! The August 2011 issue of Aussie InStyle is on sale today! Knew I ducked into the newsagent this morning for a reason!

I also grabbed a copy of June 2011 Whole Living. Who have a fab website, by the way.

The websites: 

After months of appalling eating habits, I'm back on track - all thanks to a bunch of absolutely phenomenal human beings, blogging about wellness and food, all for the love of it. I have the following to thank (and on my daily reads list): 
1. Stephmodo I've had this one on my Table Tonic blogroll for yonks, but do I ever get a chance to read my favourite blogs? Not really. I randomly clicked on it the other night and landed on this post. The post that started this beautiful ball of healthy eating rolling for me.
2. The Wellness Warrior Fellow Aussie (and ex-mag chick) Jess spends her time juicing, meditating, practicing Bikram yoga and "learning everything I can about healing".
3. My New Roots An award-winning blog, written by Sarah, a holistic nutritionist and Vegetarian Chef in Denmark. I have learned bucketloads from this one.
4. 101 Cookbooks Heidi Swanson has written 2 cookbooks since starting this popular food blog. That's how good she is.

(above) My New Roots Ob. Sessed.

The bar: 

From healthy eating to alcohol! Ha! Mr Tonic has finished painting/fixing/restoring the "Madmen Bar". Check it:

 (below) The "before" shot...

The dinner: 

The "Prawn & Chorizo Gumbo" from the current (July 2011) issue of Real Living magazine is to die for. And it was so quick and easy! Try it. Tonight!

(below) The recipe, which I hope you can read! 

Click to enlarge (I made it with brown rice).

The Tonic: 

New ink for the trusty TT swing tag stamps = Happiness!

The breakfast: 

I've gone from virtually skipping breakfast to these. And they're as quick as they are delicious, as they are nutritious. Remember to keep servings small (this is high energy stuff) and buy organic whenever possible. Now, pay attention: (below) Rolled oats (just a sprinkle), pear, banana, raw walnuts, plain yoghurt (full fat), cinnamon sugar, soy milk.

(below) Rolled oats, strawberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, chia seeds, plain yoghurt (full fat), soy milk.

(below) Cooked brown rice (trust me), dried apricots, banana, raw walnuts, plain yoghurt (full fat), shredded coconut, chia seeds, soy milk.

The Etsy buy: 

You might remember this post when I first bought them, and they arrived on Friday! Handmade friendship bracelets from Etsy seller The Cat Paradox (aka Kirsten). So gorgeous. And cheap as!

The obsession:

After seeing Sabrina of After DRK's, I had to get my mitts on a (giant!) crystal pendant necklace from Fashionology. I went with the Smokey Citrine (shown here on my Tiffany & Co. chain) and adore it. Cost around AUD$55 all up, including delivery. 

The end! Happy Monday friends!

Isabel Marant: What's in the bag?

For those who were wondering what Ma and Pa Tonic brought back from the Isabel Marant boutique in Paris (you may remember this email they sent me)...

Two beautiful bracelets (and a natural pumice stone - above -  that they brought back from Mauritius!)

And, like all Isabel Marant goodies, they came in the sweetest little printed pouch!

I'm looking forward to being able to pile on the arm candy, come Spring. Right now it's so cold (I think Winter just got the memo)! And windy!

And I think they're going to play so nicely with these guys - my two current faves.

(above) Isabel Marant Herringbone bracelet (sold out), but you can still buy the necklace here, Tiffany & Co. box chain bracelet (buy it here).

Hope you like them! PS I love that they brought back the little Isabel Marant carry bag they came in. It's too cute.

29.06.11 What I'm wearing today...

Today's threads: Fur vest (I bought a size medium) from eBay (here), Joanie Loves Chachi mohair knit, Bassike "slouchy slim" long sleeve men's tee underneath (here), Nudie Thin Finn men's jeans, Converse sneakers, Tiffany & Co. necklace with a vintage coin pendant, Isabel Marant herringbone bracelet (here), Tiffany & Co. silver bracelet (great for making the necklace longer too!). 

Blast from the past: The SHOP magazine shoot

Ooooh! I just found some pictures from the Shop til you Drop magazine shoot they did at our previous house, which appeared in their July 2010 issue. I thought these would brighten up the little TT blog nicely...

(above) Wearing a Scanlan & Theodore dress, a Table Tonic tribal necklace and K Jacques sandals. Table Tonic Vintage Suzani, coffee table found on eBay and painted white.

(above) An Hermes box, my beautiful poppy bowl from The Armchair, a mirrored vase from Freedom and some favourite books all reside on a side table found on eBay and painted gloss black.

(above) A few of my favourite things. Kelly Wearstler's "Modern Glamour", Vintage silver coasters from eBay, a Crabtree & Evelyn candle atop a tiger print ceramic dish and a vintage glass bottle with a bunch of plastic succulents from Spotlight.

(above) Rainbow reads in Jasper's room. Arranging the books by colour instantly neatens up a kid's room. Try it!

"The statues", which continue to grow on me every day!

(above) The blue chairs made quite a statement in the living room (looking back into the kitchen). Table Tonic Ikat cushions.

(above) A certain princess's favourite tutu (hanging off some Anthropologie coral knobs, sourced on eBay)!

(above) A Table Tonic Moroccan Wedding Blanket and Union Jack cushions (on the bed that wouldn't fit into our new bedroom!).

(above) This was the bookshelf joinery wall in our old kitchen and I miss it (and my books) dearly. One thing our new house doesn't have is bookshelves (or even spare walls for them!). Wearing: Indigo stripey top, Kookai pants, Table Tonic tribal necklace and a vintage belt from Sydney's Glebe markets (back when they were... vintage-y).

And so the next chapter begins! 

Happy Monday, Tonic-ettes!