That's So 'Fricke'

Shannon Fricke. This Australian describes herself:

"A DEDICATED HOMEBODY and LOVER of all THINGS ORNAMENTAL I believe that the way you decorate your home can influence the way that you feel about your life and so I love to inspire people to create a home that suits their individuality. For me, true style comes from the heart, and so, creating a beautiful home is available to all of us. It's this idea that I hope to inspire in people the most. " - Shannon Fricke

Shannon Fricke. Her Design Inspirations:

Frida Kahlo
Isabel Allende
Lisboa
Mirka Mora
Mount Warning
Mulberry Street
Secret Gardens
The Smell of Gardenias
Windy Dirt Roads

Shannon Fricke. Liberty Post's Description of this Australian:

Not afraid of dirt. (ack. looks gorgeous digging)

A Design Teacher (she shares with us how to style and that's cool)

Her Fashion Sense is so 'Fricke'. (and that's incredible)

A Business Woman who supports the messy desk. (thank goodness)

Does she look like a farmer to you? (imagine the best styled salads in the world)

She shares her home. (we are flies on the wall...happy flies)

She has a thing for Spoodles. (so cute!)

She is a television star.

She is an Author.

She is a stylist & decorator.

She is a Mother of Two.

Anything she touches or creates...ends up..perfect.

Whenever I see something she has done, I say 'That's So Fricke'.

(Liberty Speak for Perfect)

"That's So Fricke" = New Shannon Fricke Book Title? or New TV series name...?...or perhaps Shannon Fricke line of bedding or t-shirts or handbags....?...."That's So Fricke"...wouldn't you agree?

Anna Spiro, Absolutely Beautiful Things

Liberty Post cannot possibly host Australia week without featuring some of the best blogs on the net. ABT was one of the very first blogs I discovered back in early 2007. I remember when she wanted to change the look of her blog and she asked her readers' their opinions. How fun! Now it has that oh-so-branded ABT pink. Anna Spiro is a 'Blogebrity'. (Liberty Speak for Blog Celebrity) Who can resist falling completely in love with this blog author? She is oozing with class and grace. Talent and elegance. I find Anna to be so ladylike, polite and warm. She is the girl in school who everyone adored - perhaps voted Miss Congeniality or Most Popular. (Did you know you can actually rent her beach house in Stradbroke Island?) This post epitomizes Anna. (And this one shows how she is always the first one to give thanks, show gratitude...so humble..what a gem) Her design is impeccable. Clever, fresh, authentic. Anna is an Interior Designer in Brisbane Australia and she started her blog as a record of all the beautiful things she finds which inspire her and also as a record of work she has done and displays she has created in her shop Black & Spiro. Her style is to mix vintage treasures with modern pieces to create an individual look for her clients and her shop. Anna hopes her site is also an inspiration to all that continue to visit it. 'Hopes'? My goodness, Anna...the world loves you! I'm so glad we are friends.

Beautiful Australia

I am falling for this country. Hard. I've been searching the "Library of the Universe" (Liberty Speak for the Internet) this morning and I am completely ga-ga over this place. Lordy, lordy...drool over the still photographs in the gallery section. My goodness. Such beauty.

If Mom says I can't say this word on my blog, well then I'll let them say it for me

Sometimes it's the only word to properly convey a moment. Don't you agree? It's 'just' a word after all. Note: This post is meant to make you laugh, not offend, so I am apologizing in advance for any of you that get uneasy.

Bespoke

Just poking fun at Pia. (read #3)

Bespoke is employed in a variety of applications to mean an item custom-made to the buyer's specification. The term historically was only applied to tailored clothing, shirts and other parts of men's apparel involving measurement and fitting, and where the buyer is given total control over the fabric used, the features of the garment, and the way the garment should be made.

Bespoke is also a very groovy sounding lyrical word. Now tell me dear readers, do you like the word 'bespoke' or not?

Bloggers: Hold On To That Hope

In case you are new to my blog, here's a quick debriefing. I am a Canadian. I can't vote in the U.S. election, but it is my firm belief, as a citizen of the world, that what happens in the U.S. directly effects all of us. Having said that, I embrace the right to express my opinion (I'm not asking anyone for permission) and I do agree with Hidden in France that 'Blog City' (Liberty Speak for blogosphere), has been down in the dumps. They've had 'A Week of Wound Licking'. Perhaps a titch negative - ominous - foreboding. That's alright. We have to hold onto something before we can drop it. I'm just saying....Hold on to that hope. Don't let it go. Don't let this historical moment, opportunity, fall through the cracks. I think he'll be really good for you and for the rest of us (world).

SIDE BAR: It saddens me that many bloggers seem unsure or hesitant to state their political views. We finally have an avenue to do this. No one will judge you, and if they do, who cares. I don't think there are many of us who have shareholders to please. I don't think many of us can get fired for stating our opinions. We have the power to move people, change lives and give others something to think about. If you blog about pretty rooms, now is the time to blog (at least one post or one sentence) about future pretty rooms, filled with people who are free and safe and peaceful and healthy and hopeful...and what you personally are going to do to contribute to this progress.

'All we are saying. Is give peace a chance.' - John Lennon

How Tweet

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? You decide how many times a day or hour you would like to tell the world what you are doing, such as: I'm watching Larry King and you must turn it on now! or I'm reading the current issue of the new Domino magazine. What are your thoughts on Kelly W. people? And I want Rita's job and I'm coming for ya...I'm not joking by the way..Now each time you update it's called a 'Tweet'. Just think of birds on a wire talking to each other, tweet, tweet. You are only given 140 characters per update (that's about the length of one cheeky sentence), so it's also a great way to brush up on your writing skills. Now here's the fun part. You decide who you want to follow - you will be a little birdy sitting on their windowsill peeping inside their life. (You can be a Bond Girl or James...a real spy) Currently, I am following Obama, Hillary, Oprah, Rick Sanchez (heartbeat thump thump) and some family members. Also, people have decided to follow me. Some I know, some I don't. One of them is Barack! (well his team) You may allow people to follow you or you may block them. You can decide to follow Britney Spears this morning, but remove her from your 'follows' this afternoon. You may 'Twitterberry' from your Blackberry (did you know Research in Motion - another stellar stock pick - is just a few hours from my home and employs 5000 Canadians?) or from your laptop/desktop. If you don't Twitter soon, you will miss the birdbath. Be an early adopter and join today. It's free. Do not underestimate the power of this social media. Big companies are watching us, you can watch others to gain a sense of trends, opinions - then chirp into a new business or product. Political campaigns. Netroots (Grassroots groups but for the internet)Large ad agencies are listening. Twitter is going to be massive. I love Twitter. It's 'My Little Robin's Egg'. Twitter, if you are reading this...I really deserve a finders fee.

Did you know that if you search under Etsy jewelry tags, birds - 8759 results pop up? That's birdseed for the visually inspired. Adorn Jewelry flys high.

Update: found this great post by Digital Socialite, a Canadian blogger from T.O.

5 Reasons for Anyone to use Twitter

Weekend Giveaway !!!

Just print on 8.5x11 paper and pop in a 8x10 frame. You are 'at liberty' to do so....if you want! xo

Junior Swimmer

Life is strung together by a fine thread; floating, bobbing, splashing. Most of the time it's about treading water to keep your nose 'just' above the surface. Life is a string of synchronized meetings and perhaps some happenstance. It all began with a little art desk spotted on the side of the road. Perfect, I thought for my six year old niece. Although I didn't buy the twenty dollar charmer at this yard sale, I did spy this vintage Red Cross swimming pin. My heart sank. I had earned one just like it years ago. Many years ago. I guess the 'Yardsailor' (Liberty speak for someone who hosts a yard sale and/or attends many yard sales often) noticed my joy and sighs. She came closer and whispered in my ear, 'You can have that. Take it.' I nearly jumped in her arms. Silly I know, but it was so familiar and nostalgic and aged just right. Carefully, I tucked it in my cotton pocket. Now the story comes full circle. My niece is taking swimming lessons. She is cautious and shy, yet she moves each day in a direction of earning 'Junior Swimmer'. Holding my breath she passes. Then she will receive this coveted pin (in a very special way).

Kirtsy

I don't like traffic. I live in a beach town with 15,000 people. In the summer we get 3 million visitors. Yes, you read it correctly. 3 million. Now you know why we beachers find it difficult to handle the surge in congestion. (But we are grateful. So very grateful for the tourists who come here. They are our life blood).

Blog traffic. I don't understand it really. Some posts are viral, others are not. Thanks to Kirtsy, my visitors have surged. Big Hug to all of you who have contributed to this.

I beach you. (I love you in Liberty Speak)

Grey (Anthro) Gardens?

Is it just me or does this July catalogue look a bit 'Grey' to you? (By the way, 'Grey' just got added to my Liberty Speak file. Grey is all things like the doc.)

She Got A Book Deal !!!

I interrupt this astounding week of grey coloured (freaky) gardens to bring you much more important news. Maryam got a book deal! Oh ya, she did. This is what 'Blogebrity' (and lots of hard, hard work behind the scenes) is all about. Congratulations!

Copy and Paste

I just had to C&P this comment by my good friend Suzanne:
Her posts have a lotta 'meat' to em.

(C&P=Copy & Paste=Liberty Speak)

"I agree wholeheartedly. (With this post) The internet is the great leveler. With an hour's time and access to the internet anyone can be a publisher. It's one of the most exciting concepts EVER. I don't think people truly understand the significance of the paradigm shift that has occurred in the last 10 years. Newspaper are certainly feeling the effects, as is magazine formats. They're trying to figure out how they can fit into all this. Blogging is an amazing opportunity. Everyone is writing again. How wonderful. Everyone is reading again. Terrific.But some blogs leave me asking myself, "is that the best we can do?" Where do we draw the lines? Blogging ethics will certainly evolve.As for me, I will apply for the position of blogging poster child."

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

ASID

'A Simple Interesting Development'. (ASID) I got a small bubble inside a big one, so that should count as enough talent to put the letters behind my name. Liberty Post ASID. Really, click on this photo and you will marvel at my oozing ability. Actually, I'm just a blogger out of control. Right Joni?

This Devil Carries Prada

Or at least, I'd like to think so. (My new little robin's egg.) In honor of the book and the movie; A delightfully dishy story about the all-time most impossible boss in the history of impossible bosses.

French Fry Goodness

I was a lucky girl. I was given some very nice gifts. (In Liberty Speak = French Fry Goodness....or in other words yummy, delicious...really sweet) A brand new bicycle! Yes sir, time to use less gas and more muscle. On Becoming Fearless by Arianna Huffington and this book...heart thumping 'french fry goodness'. Have a fun weekend!

Summer Porches

I did some drive-by-shooting this morning. I also have taggedy-tag-tag news. (Liberty Speak)At a garage sale to raise money for Crimestoppers here in The Beach I snagged an antique bedroom suite for $40 dollars. I got a twin headboard, foot board, bedside table, highboy, desk and chair. Hey Hey Hey. That was awesome. Here are some homes from Collingwood. The banana yellow one is called The Breakers and it is right on the waterfront. This shot is the artist's studio. Not a bad place to create. I am drawn to the other ones because of their invitational porches. My Designer friend in the city has a summer porch. She has a faded braided rug, wicker sofa, chairs, tables, lanterns, candles and other wonderful accessories. Early in the evening it would just be her and I (nibbling on baked brie cheese and grapes..water crackers) and then along came so-and-so on her bike, then what's-her-name would walk by...before sunset there was standing room only on that veranda. What great times we had on that porch, finishing off bottles of good white wine (many) and laughing. swiggedy-swig-swig. (Liberty Speak)

As always, you can enjoy the photos bigger and better by clicking on them!

Cote de Texas, OOMBBF

Oh look who's at the blog anniversary party. Dora's father. In a dress. Cool. And as you all know I adore robins' eggs, so much so, that I use the term frequently to describe things I really, really like. Joni is my little robin's egg. She's OOMBBF. One of my best blogging friends. (A bit different than BPTOT, Best Political Team on Television, CNN)

Be sure to visit Joni today because it is her 1st Blog Anniversary too! She's really famous, but approachable. It hasn't gone to her head at all.

Poor birdie. Couldn't come to the celebration. Hatched and tucked away in a nest.

The 7 Words You Can Never Say On A Blog

Because he says so, therefore, I will never use them...here.

Wordplay

Here's a detail of my desk. A rhinestone mini-frame sitting on a kitschy Barbados souvenir serving tray; both cuddled next to my trusty Collins Dictionary and my beloved Pocket Thesaurus. I love this tiny photo frame. I bought it and the tray at the Goodwill for pennies about four months ago. The tray has a raised lip so this gives me great confidence when I'm sipping my morning coffee and I'm still half asleep. A coffee spill on the laptop would be devastating so the tray is my life jacket for such accidents. My dictionary is well-worn. This photo is very deceiving because I use a Thesaurus a lot more. (This is my 10th or so new one) Not because I'm lacking writing skills, but because I get off reading it. Yes. It excites me. I'm known to grab it and randomly call out synonyms. I call it 'To Saurus'. I believe everyone should have one in their purse. You never know when you need a new word. Ever had one of those moments when you walk away from a conversation and you say to yourself 'Damn. I should have said that when she said this'? See what I mean. If you had of had one in your handbag, these moments of regret would never occur. I adore the Collins Thesaurus tagline: "Essential Wordfinders for Every Occasion". Isn't that lovely? I also know that there are many different views about using a Thesaurus. How sad that millions of wordsmith's must hide their well-used book for fear they get caught. Hide no more! (cache, conceal, take cover, bury, cloak, camouflage)

The friendly face in the frame. I have no idea who that is, but I'm not changing it. Everyone keeps asking me. 'Who is that?' And I say 'Dunno'. I've given her a name though. She's my muse. She keeps me company. Don't you think it looks like she is saying 'What the hell are you posting now? Why that photo? Why that topic? Will they get it? Do they know you're jesting? You're killin' me, but I love you anyway...carry on.' Her name is 'Libby'. Short for Liberal. Also means: humanistic, indulgent, open-minded, lavish, bountiful, broad-minded etc. etc.. So that's a little corner of my workplace in a big, big internet world. Now back to my wordplay. (A favorite thing to do in pyjamas on a lazy Sunday morning). Wordplay: punning, puns, repartee, wit, witticisms.