new playground

Hi there,

Still hanging around here? Just letting you know that I have found a new playground.

You can find all about me here:

• blog: http://mikio.com.au/blog/
• website: http://mikio.com.au/
• facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikiodesign
• twitter: http://twitter.com/hollabee_bianca
• pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bvanmeeuwen/
• instagram: bvanmeeuwen

for all of you into freebies and tutorials:

• free printables: http://mikio.com.au/category/free/
• tutorials: http://mikio.com.au/category/tutorials/

See you there!

free!

I've been posting lots of freebies for you to download. To get your freebies, visit my other blog.

On my new blog you will find a list of free printables such as:

bon voyage card
happy easter card
mothers day card
party invitation
valentines card

what's for dinner

I know that some of you might still be hanging out here, so I thought I'd let you know about one of my new products. I'm super excited about this one. I'm allowed to be right?

For the past few weeks me and my friends have been testing this idea and it has exceeded my expectations.

The goal was to save money and be more organised with my grocery shopping. So far we've been to market every Saturday, prepared with a list for the whole week.

To read more about what inspired me, click here.

To see the original post about this new and exciting product, click here.

or if you love it as much as I do, go directly to the shop to buy it.

a colourful message

I've just launched my new product range. on my other blog. are you curious? come on over then.

you're missing out

Hello :)

I'm posting over here... and you're missing out ;)

Queensland Flood Relief - Handmade Kids Auction

sadly, one of Australia's states is in a state of emergency due to flash flooding. it is unimaginable what people go through. the devastation it causes. one thing I admire aussies for is their strength and determination. even though it seems like it will never end and the clean up is going to take months if not years. aussies form strong communities. they help each other. it is great to see that so many bloggers are taking initiative. please donate to the Queensland Flood Relief.

Hollabee has donated to the Handmade Kids flood relief.

• Handmade Kids Website
• Handmade Kids Auction Facebook Page

Even though I don't print anymore, I still have some fabrics and products at home and what better cause than this to share some 'old' hollabee love.

I have donated 4 hot water bottle covers (even though they won't be needed anytime soon) and a very limited edition mix pack of swirl fabric in pastel colours.

i've moved...

well. not physically. what I'm really trying to say is: I have a new blog.

I could type up the whole story of 'why' again, but I can also send you to where I've already spoken about it.

it has something to do with this:

miki.o design blog

Jam labels

I've been cooking up a storm lately, making strawberry jam and sadly burning the cherry jam... and I've also been playing in adobe illustrator... thought I'd share the jam labels I whipped up. Please feel free to use them for your own home-made jams.


strawberry & cherry jam labels

to download, click on the labels. In flickr, click on: actions > view all sizes > original. Then print it on blank label paper and cut your circles :)

Happy New Year!

2010 has been one heck of a year, a fantastic one that is... I started a new job in March, which I absolutely love! Went on numerous trips (can't complain there), started Italian classes (which I will continue in 2011), spent great times with friends ('friends are more important than money' as the quote on my lulu lemon poster says), read lots of books and generally have just had a great year.

I'm not really a person to make new years resolutions but there are some things that I'd like to do:

1. continue Italian classes (level 2 starts on 31 January)
2. travel to Europe (planned and booked for March, we'll be in Holland and Italy)
3. eat great food (home-made preferably)
4. continue to spend time with friends
5. grow at work
6. nut out some of the ideas that I have in my head, which are all home-based business related
7. help my boyfriend grow his business (yes, I like doing that sort of thing)
8. learn kite surfing (hang-on I think I said that last year too)
9. start planning for our year overseas
10. take more photos

I hope 2010 has been good to you and that 2011 is going to be even better! Happy New Year!

and to end the post with pictures... some of what I've been up to lately...


Home-made strawberry jam (recipe from 13mimosa) I tried to make cherry jam as well but unfortunately I burnt them :(


A day trip to Lake Eildon, which I've never seen so full (capacity at 75.62%)


Had a go at water skiing, which was awesome. It took me 2 turns to get up, not a bad effort I think.

In pictures

Our holiday in pictures...



1. Cherry picking, 2. Cherry picking, 3. Cherry picking, 4. Weekend away 27-29 Dec, 5. Weekend away 27-29 Dec, 6. Weekend away 27-29 Dec, 7. Christmas 2010, 8. Christmas 2010, 9. Christmas 2010

Wishing you all a fantastic, successful and happy 2011!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas... may your Christmas be filled with laughter and fun... and cookies :)

More camera fun...

Last weekend it was such beautiful weather in Melbourne and I really wanted to use my new camera a bit more. I bought a canon 550D back in September and because the weather hasn't been all that good I feel like I haven't used it enough.

What better place to take photos than at the Melbourne zoo... I think most of Melbourne had the same idea because it was packed! Nonetheless, I had a great time and with my FOTZ pass I can go whenever I like and skip certain parts without feeling guilty.

Social Media Revolution

How the world is changing...

Blokkenkast

Sometimes I wish my apartment was bigger and I didn't need to think about storage space in the furniture I buy or make... Right now my TV cabinet is a large chest that holds my camping gear, ski gear, Christmas tree and miscellaneous... practical? Definitely! Pretty? So, so!

I absolutely love this and it's a DIY project... I'll definitely keep it in my bookmarks and will revisit it when (if) I buy a house...


Blokkenkast Tas-ka via 101 woonideen

MOvember

I think we should all support MOvember. You can make a donation on the website (gosh I love that tweed background)

To make it a bit more fun... buy yourself a Mo Towel.. how cool!


Mo Towel from Spin Spin

Melbourne's Chinatown

I was walking through Melbourne's Chinatown last week, killing time taking photos before going to the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Mary Poppins show (it's awesome!)

These are some of the photos I took:

Happiness flowchart

found here

Fashion show at GPO

A few weeks ago I went to see a fashion show at GPO, which was great fun. The show itself was a bit short, but the cocktails were great and my friend even won the draw they had on. She's not complaining with a $700 Wayne Cooper voucher...

I took some photos that night too.







Find more photos on flickr

Royal Melbourne Show

On Saturday I went to my first ever Royal Melbourne Show and had a great time (apart from the rain). I just loved the horses! It made me miss my childhood, when I used to spend lots of time on a family friend's farm looking after the horses, calves and lambs. Definitely great memories!

New Blog!

I know I have been neglecting this blog a bit but that's mainly because I have had little to show, not because I don't want to talk.

For that reason I've started a new blog. Fashion et al is a blog that covers Fashion et al (and others).


Felix & Mabel, the first to be featured on Fashion et al

The new blog will bring you lots of fashion news, but not just the big names. We aim to showcase indie designers, established labels, big business, accessories designers and quirky little retail shops.

There are so many fashion and design blogs out there, but I haven't found THE ONE that I absolutely love in terms of fashion and accessories. I thought, why not start one myself? Because I want everyone to love what's featured on the blog, I would love your feedback, suggestions, ideas etc.

In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy Fashion et al.