Instagram Craze

Most people now know what Instagram is and a massive amount of people have jumped on board to be a part of the craze that some would say is becoming bigger and better then Facebook. But for those who haven’t been trapped in the world of the iPhone and have no idea what I’m talking about, in short Instagram is a free photo sharing program that allows users to take a photo on there iPhone, apply a digital filter to it, and then share it on a variety of social networking services, including Instagram's own. It is a fun way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures.

So what could make Instagram even more fun and addictive then it already is? The ability to now print your photos to have around your home or to give away as gifts.

Two great sites I have found are: http://printstagr.am/ and http://stickygram.com/

These sites print your Instagram photos in a variety of cool affordable ways including:

Fridge magnets

 Mini prints

 Books

 T-shirts

 Stickers

Posters

 Here are some of my favourite examples of ways you could use Instagram prints.

Upcoming Antique and vintage fairs.

Who wants to look like everyone else when walking down the street or when doing your weekly shop? Who wants there home to look just the same as there neighbours? That’s one of the great things about dressing and shopping vintage. The chances of ever running into someone wearing the same outfit as you or someone with there home decorated just like yours is truly slim to none. 

If you’re a fan of vintage clothing, antiques and collectables and you live in Brisbane, get out your diary and get ready to mark in some big dates.

Even if you wouldn’t personally dress vintage or decorate your house in vintage style why not come along to one of the many events held around Brisbane and take a trip back to the good old days, when milkshakes were served in bright coloured tin cups and your hamburger was brought to you by a girl on roller skates. When cars had true personality and there were things called records that we used to listen to music.

A selection of events I have marked in my diary:

Event: The Vintage Car and Caravan show ‘n’ shine.

When: 26^th May 2012. 11am – 9pm
Where: Pine Rivers Park Gympie Rd Strathpine
What: Rock n Roll bands, food, retro markets, rides, fireworks display and of course plenty of vintage cars and caravans on display.
Website: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/events

Event: Muscle on the Mountain Show ‘n’ Shine Day
When: July 1^st 2012. 10am – 2pm
Where: Maleny Showgrounds. (Sunshine Coast hinterland)
What: Muscle cars, street machines, vintage & classic cars, motorcycles & caravans all on display for your viewing pleasure.
Website: NA.

Event: Love Vintage Clothing Show and Sale

When: Friday, 13 July 2012 - Sunday, 15 July 2012
Where: Brisbane Convention Centre.
What: vintage dealers from all over Australia selling retro, vintage and antique clothing and accessories, antique and vintage jewellery, linen, lace and textiles and small collectables. The show will also feature presentations of vintage fashions on the stage, lectures by guest speakers, workshops and demonstrations of vintage makeup and hairstyle techniques and other fabulous entertainment.
Website: www.bcec.com.au/whats-on/event-details.aspx?id=807

 Event: Aladdin's Fairs

When: 17^th June, 26^th August and 28^th October. 10am – 2pm
Where: Brisbane Table Tennis Hall. 86 Green Tce, Windsor.
What: Antique and collectables fair. Over 100 dealers, 1000s of antique and collectable treasures.
Website: www.aladdinsfairs.com.au

Event: Antiques and Collectables Fair.

When: July 21^st and 22^nd 2012. 8am – 4pm Sat and 9am – 4pm Sun.
Where: Pomona Memorial Hall. 8 Reserve Street, Pomona (Near Noosa)
What: Stacks and Stacks of dealers with antiques and collectable treasures.
Website: http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/events/events-display/pomona-antiques-collectables-fair,40466

 Event: Queensland Antique Dealers Association Antiques & Collectables Fair

When: 10 am to 8 pm on Friday 25 May and Saturday 26 May, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday 27 May 2011.
Where: RNA Showgrounds, Gregory Tce, Bowen Hills.
What: Only genuine quality pieces, often saved by the dealers throughout the year especially for the fair.
Website: www.qada.com.au

Event: The way we Wear Vintage

When: 10^th and 11^th August.
Where: Mt Gravatt Showgrounds.
What: Racks filled with fabulous fashion spanning over two hundred years.  French and Irish linen, glittering jewels, exotic textiles, umbrellas and walking sticks, hats and much more.
Website: http://www.thewaywewearfairs.com/

Event: The Big Show Collectors Fair

When: 27th - 28th October
Where: John Reid Pavillion, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
What: A huge range of  MILITARY antiques and other good wares and bric a brac items.
Website: www.cmmilitaryantiques.com

 Hope to see you there.

Memory Jar

A memory jar could become your new tradition on New Years Eve or Christmas.

Fill a jar with special memories throughout the year to re-read with your partner / family / friends at Christmas or New years. What a great way to re live and remember funny moments and times that were special to you through out the year.

Get your partner / family / friends involved and ask them to add there memories to the jar. The more happy memories the better!

Fancy Ice Cubes

Here's a quick and easy tip to to give drinks that extra wow factor. Perfect for when unexpected friends drop by and you haven't had time to prepare a fancy drink.

Fruit and edible flower ice cubes. You can make these at any stage and keep them in the freezer to use when ever your entertaining. They are great for wine, champagne, water, juice, lemonade and just about any other drink you may have on offer.

All you need to do is put your chosen fruit or edible flowers in your ice cube trays, fill with water and freeze.  My favourite fillers include strawberries, grapes, mint leaves, orange segments, lavender and pansies. 

So simple, yet sure to impress anyone. Why not give it go, you never know when an unexpected guest may pop around.