Is anyone else utterly disappointed in the Book depository at the moment?

Or am I just being a spoilt brat?

livingetc

They have been so awesome for so long but it seems that with their rise in popularity they have responded with a rather LARGE RISE in prices (they now equal our retail in some tittles) and sub standard service all of a sudden.

design sponge

Maybe Im just throwing a tantrum but Ive been waiting for nearly 5wks now for my latest purchase.

A few transactions failed to go through for no apparent reason and they never even e mailed me to let me know they had been cancelled.
Not only that but I used to enjoy finding bargains for you but now it just looks like Im peddling crap cause I need the money, so not cool.

desiretoinspire Via hus&hem

What's a dedicated book junkie to do now that my supplier is no longer reliable?

I know I should buy local but they are just so dam expensive here.

? Anyone

Tell me, how do you guys get your book fix?

selina lake

Sorry for the grumpy post but hell hath no furry like a spoilt brat let down by her cheap book provider!

BTW. Don't use my links unless you like spending more than you should. Ill find you bargains again... somehow!

Megan 

xx

All I want for Christmas

I only just found out about this!

Naturally I skipped straight over to the Book depository to order it...

GASP...

It over $200... 

And that's literally HALF the price it retails for here, in fact its $440 at one retailer.

So... Santa... Whatcha think? Room for it in my stocking?

I am certain it is worth every cent!

Unfortunately It will have to linger in my wish list just a little longer.

Until next week maybe...Ahem...

So many thanks to Anna from doorsixteen

for making me aware of its existence.

I wont do it justice so you're best to read about it here

If you want to buy it for me you can get it Here .

Seriously addicted to Cath!

As you well know Im addicted to Cath

Maybe because its spring?

Maybe because the colours are energising?
Maybe because I live in a house full of boys ?

Whatever!
Maybe im just a little obsessive... ahem... 

That's why I NEEDED both of these!
(Only $19.95 now too btw)

Then yesterday I found this.

What's an addict to do?
Move to the UK?
Probably the only solution!


Maybe I could live here.

Nay... I MUST live here!



Id Cath it up a little

Yep, this is my house!

Courtesy of kfh

Oops... That right, I completely forgot to buy Paul Massey's house!
xx


All Images of Cath's house from Lonny Via Here
Image of books by Me

Cheap books!!!!

Just a quick post.

I jumped on the book depository site this morning and noticed that they have some incredible savings on some of my faves.
Ill be starting my Christmas shopping.

$19.75 Here.

For a hardback save $40 OMG.

$23.41 here

Also a hardback.

I've paid more for lunch!

This is only $26.10 today

Hardback!!!

$23.54

$23.63 Again a hardback.

The paperbacks cost more than hardbacks today!

$26.98.

$18.93

Paperback, but still awesome.

Their prices change frequently (and often really fast) with the exchange rates so hop over and check it out while the $dollar is still good.

Good luck.

xx 

P.S- I am an affiliate but I don't care if you use my links or not these are just bargains I wanted to share with my friends. Becoming an affiliate just seemed like a natural progression when I started blogging because I have such an addiction to the place, it was never considered to be a serious money making venture. 
I knew I would spend a whole lot of time blogging about the books I have and I wanted to make people aware (if you weren't already) that there is another option to Amazon. Books are sooo expensive in Australia that the Book depository is a thrifty option for us and shipping is what usually breaks the deal here so having free shipping is just extraordinary. 
 I get super excited about bargains and will tell anyone that stands still long enough, I am a tight ass after all. Im sure being an affiliate hasn't put people off but I just wanted to share with you why I am. Alright enough babble. Get on over there.   M xx

My latest finds OR what the *$#% am I going to do with these?

Beautiful old books.

(These aren't the problem I know exactly what im going to do with these!  Hoard them for no specific reason!)

You know how much I love old books.

I picked these up at the in-laws garage sale, I never knew they had so many.

Vintage Maps.

Mostly from the 80s.

(Does it bother anyone else that the 80s are now officially classed as vintage?)

1$ a packet from Vinnies.

I bought all 6, I couldn't leave any behind.

This isn't even half of them.

Im sure I've seen heaps of projects that use old maps.

(Like I don't already have enough projects im not finishing.)
Ive got no idea what im going to do with them.

Wallpaper the boys room maybe.

Pair this with some Cath Kidston Cowboy print and I may just have a theme for their room...finally...
If only they liked cowboys!

Im open to suggestions!

What would you do with them?

xx

Loving modern country

This is my latest read.

At first I wasn't terribly keen on the whole country thing.

Scary images of bad 80's country decorating filled my head.

But then I read a glowing review from someone I trust.

Buy here

This is a very nice book

Its modern country

There's plenty of white and vintage

And beautiful old house's

Everything Im currently loving 

Its not instructional, it just focus's on lovely house's decorated with C&R fabrics

Its a really nice coffee table book.

That's all.

xx

Waiting for the postie

Im waiting for this arrive.

It should have been here yesterday (according to my calculations)

I can hardly wait as I adore everything Selina lake does. Im right in the mood for pretty too.

Doesn't it look just lovely!

If you're interested 

Go here to buy

Fabric Inspiration

This came while ago

Once again Ive had no time to enjoy it and I "Gasp" actually forgot about it.

This is something I desperately need help with, we currently have no cushions on the lounge (or curtains either) because I cant get my head around what direction to go in, I don't really want to vintage everything up, or maybe I do, oh I don't know, see... confused. I really hope this helps, Ill let you know what its like.

Find it here

A long post about good food and books.

In the spare time I had over the weekend I did finish reading the Moosewood cookbook and I have to say that sadly I was a little disappointed. Although the hand written text was cute I found it a little hard to follow and it kinda made every page the same, a little dull. The layout was confusing and the pictures were not in sync. From what I've heard the Moosewood is a bit of an institution in America so I was expecting something quiet interesting and innovative. I didn't get it. Most of the recipes were pretty ordinary. Having said that It did inspire me to cook and I will use it for some dishes in the future, perhaps it was just me, I have pretty high standards for vege food. This book was written in the 1970s after all and most of the updated recipes still called for the same ingredients available then just in different quantity's for a more health conscience era.

For starter vegetarian cooks its probably pretty good, the recipes are simple and after all it is about getting people to eat good fresh food but if you want truly amazing and innovative green cuisine than you can't go past the Greens cookbook

Ive had this since the early 90s (it was released in 1987) its now yellowed and battered and the slip cover is torn but it is well loved and well used and no vegetarian cookbook has ever come close. The recipes in this book are so good I have actually had carnivores turn for them (albeit not for long, but hey its a big comitment) It uses all manner of interesting (but available) foods in interesting ways. I cant recommend this book highly enough.
Rant done and thank you. ( when did this become a food blog?)
xx

This is what I cooked.

Loosely based on a Refrito (refried beans)recipe from Moosewoods.

very loosely.

Chilli bean fajitas 

Onion garlic sauté, add green pepper.

Add water. Reduce slightly.

        

Add tomatoes, chilli and spices. simmer 5 mins

Chilli flakes, 1 teas cumin, 1/2 coriander, pinch thyme, sea salt to taste.

Add Mushrooms and red kidney beans.

Simmer and reduce 20 mins /half hr ish.

  

        

Assemble.

Lettuce, cucumber, spring onion,avocado,yoghurt, cheese. 

This was really good.

Sorry for the unappealing final photo,I left out all the greens we'd gathered from the vege garden. There are none of the finished product either because we were all too hungry to hang about waiting for me to take pictures.
Enjoy
(It seems this is where it became a food blog)
xx

New cookbook

This arrived yesterday.

It kinda goes hand in hand with the whole organic thing.

I was vegetarian for nearly 7 yrs. 

 I do love a good vege cookbook and I've heard good things about this one.

This one looks good also.

I think I just like it for the title.

It looks fun.

Ive heard mixed reviews though.

We'll see.

A Cosy Weekend

Theses baby's arrived a while back but I've not had much time to enjoy them.

I adore both of these people.

This is what ill be doing this weekend.

To me they both mean comfort.

Have a comfortable weekend.

xx

My favourite book

Talking about inspiration...I grabbed this off my bookshelf today and have fallen in love all over again. This is hands down my favourite book on the subject of family living. It is visually stunning, comforting and full of really good advice, its a constant source of inspiration, love love love. (It does make me pine for a larger home though, oh well, keep the dream alive.)

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780500513668/FamilyLifeStyle=whitecatvintage

It arrived on a Statue day (and lots of thank you's )

Yep... at the very odd late and cold hour of 7:30 last night with the rain belting down hard outside I heard the familiar THUD and a loud mumbled "Delivery" (a sound ive become very tuned into hearing) No way I thought, not this late. But there it was. Perfect, im in for a comfy night curled up warm on the sofa with my new book, "Excellent my day has turned around" I say , you see yesterday was one of THOSE days, you know the one's where nothing works and everything is off kilter, plans go awry and everything breaks, well we call them Statue Days; Because some days you're the pigeon and other days you 're the statue. So I open up the packaging to find this.

So beautifully packaged with a wonderfully thoughtful card (thank you Katherine) I have to take a photo now before I unwrap and devour it so you can see just how much care went into it, quickly I run and grab the camera for one fast shot...The battery is dead, no life at all, nothing. So to the phone camera then, nope we have no cord thingy to get the photos off and it wont let me email them... Grrrr... Such is the Statue day.

So I waited till morning till the battery is charged and after the school run was done with coffee in hand I finally unwrap, sit and be inspired.

As you probably know this is a signed copy, isn't this lovely.

This book is timely, Im only a few chapters through but already im completely inspired, already it has given me the energy I needed to make a move on this house. Everywhere I look there is something to be done, so many projects half finished so much half hearted decorating, there is just so much to do that I just don't know where to start... so I don't do anything at all... I have as my other half would say Analysis Paralysis, the main reason for starting this blog was to keep myself motivated and since I started blogging I have been welcomed and supported by complete strangers through comments and emails in a way that I certainly was not expecting. So, many thanks to everyone involved in this book making its way to me, it really does feel a little like divine intervention.