As much as I adore buying presents for family and friends, sometimes a beautiful card and a handpicked bunch of peonies can say enough. Tucked away under ribbon, the greeting card is too often overlooked - the card you buy says just as much as the gift, if not more. Next time you're expressing a sentiment, ditch the pre-written Hallmark cards and choose something a little more personal, quirky and adventurous. Look at it like a miniature piece of artwork, worthy of being framed. I love to buy cards on the internet; not only do you get to browse leisurely but the cards you don't use, you can either store away for next year (great cards never age) or display on your mood board in all their artistic glory.
 
Little Jane St is one of my most recent design discoveries and I am one smitten kitten. This Melbourne-based boutique stationery and textiles studio is the brainchild of Alarna Zinn, who started the label to "revive the custom-greeting culture and defy our nation's mushrooming e-card ritual." Hear, hear, Alarna! I love her varied use of textures and materials - delightfully out-of-left-field!

Maker of all things cutely eccentric Petra Boase is one of my all-time fave overseas designers. I am just dying to go to London so I can 1) peruse the Portabello Markets, 2) get lost in Harrods and 3) visit all the design shops that stock this sublime label. A sprinkle of silliness, a good dash of whimsy and a generous helping of wild imagination are mixed together to create Petra's creations.

For a little something different that's also kind to Mother Nature, why not ditch the paper and go a little bit woody? US label Night Owl Paper Goods is on the right track; they design cards made from eco-friendly sustainably-harvested wood, cut into very thin sheets of veneer, which covers a card base. You can write on them or frame them - your choice!

My last pick is another recent discovery; I was shopping on Darling St in Balmain last weekend when I popped into one of my favourite shops, DuckEggBLUE, and happened upon the most charming cards. The label on the back led me to check out Alice Palace, a veritable wonderland of curious designs and lovely illustrations. This uber-talented lady has a blog too. She also does canvases, prints and postcards.

One of my favourite ways to catch up with old schoolfriends is over tea - and lately we've been eschewing local cafés in favour of concocting our own brews at home. As rainy weather truly sets in, there's no better way to beat the winter chill than with a warm cup of tea, stimulating conversation and a slice of something sweet!

Luckily for all tea lovers out there, the aromatic leaves have been enjoying a revival lately. Teahouses like T2 and The Tea Centre have well and truly taken off, and boutique tea-shops and High Tea services are popping up all over town. My brew of the moment was passed on from a clever friend who works for T2: Moroccan mint tea leaves (available at T2), brewed with slices of orange peel and a few cloves. Served with just a sprinkling of brown sugar and fresh mint sprigs, this tea is full of flavour, so you don't feel like you're just drinking hot water! And when presented in a beautiful teapot like this one from Genevieve Lethu, it's even harder to resist!

Lignato teapot, $119, from Genevieve Lethu. See www.genevievelethu.com for a lovely range of French homewares.

Luckily for me, the great loves of my life are linked - my tea cravings are usually accompanied by an even stronger yearning for sugar - more often than not, sugar in the form of a petite, icing-coated treat. Write this down, because it is without a doubt the most amazing cupcake place in Sydney: The Cupcake Room, in Leichhardt. These simply delicious indulgences are made from traditional buttercake and topped with a dollop of pure buttercream icing. In eye-popping shades of bright turquoise, fushia, orange and violet, I'll admit it is hard to sink your teeth into these delightful creations, but they taste as good as they look! They were the stand-out at a function I attended recently, and I think they'd be perfect for any occasion, be it birthday, engagement or simply morning tea.

Visit www.thecupcakeroom.com.au for more info.
Image by caspix.photography (www.caspix.com.au)

I think they'd look fantastic on this simple white cake stand I found at homewares haven The Bay Tree in Woollahra. The square plates give this stand a modern finish that fits perfectly with the bright and quirky designs of the cakes.

White 3-tier cake stand, $45, The Bay Tree, www.thebaytree.com.au

If all this talk of butter and sugar has made you feel slightly unwell, this month I was also introduced to what I like to think of as a healthy (or at least, healthier...) alternative that will still satisfy even the most hardened sweet tooth. Manna from Heaven's mini gluten-free polenta cakes with divine fruit glazes have rapidly become an office favourite. See www.mannafromheaven.com.au for a peek.

Here at Home Beautiful, we can be captivated as much by fashion as by interiors - and it's amazing how often the two cross paths. I'm in love with these earrings (below), showcasing the delicate Japanese art of origami, with which our office is just slightly obsessed. To date, we've made 35 of our own paper cranes during productive lunch breaks (although it's doubtful we'll ever match the 1000 cranes which is said, in Japanese legend, to make your wish come true).

$30, The Origami People, check www.theorigamipeople.com for stockists and shipping info.

Back in the land of interiors, origami is finding its way into fine bone china - from flying crane ornaments to Christmas tree decorations, its plain white forms will look graceful in any setting. They're so universally popular that funnily enough, at the office Kris Kringle last year, two lucky HB team members wound up with one each!

Available at Have You Met Miss Jones (www.haveyoumetmissjones.com.au) and at Plum Interiors (call (02) 9368 0547). We even devoted a whole page to the emerging origami trend in the May issue of HB - which you can check out here.

Lastly, what a wonderful idea this is for some backyard decoration - we discovered this thanks to the blog Oh Joy!, who spotted this photograph by a creative Flickr.com user

Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/snorkie-twist/832817558/

Until next time - happy folding!

As a child, with the exception of Behind the News (current affairs for kids) and the odd children's movie in the school holidays, I wasn't allowed to watch television. Instead, my parents encouraged us to read by reading to us. They read to us a collection of kooky classics such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach and the frightfully wonderful The Witches, all by Roald Dahl. Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian was a firm favourite amongst my brothers but the book which really stands out in my mind, which was read so often the front cover
hung hopelessly on with tape and love, was The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It represented dreams, hope and had me wondering as a child that anything is possible. I found this beautiful book on one of my sourcing trips for HB at The Bay Tree, Woollahra for $14.95. It would make a wonderful present for a baby shower, christening or just for yourself! www.thebaytree.com.au

Jonathon Adler is a genius. No ifs, ands or buts, he is in my mind one of the latter-day saints of design. He's brought pottery back in vogue with his unique sense of humour and clever use of line and form. His interior designs schemes are glamourous, bold without being brash, uber-stylish and modern but reminiscent of designer David Hicks work in the 50s and 60s. His homewares are classic with a contemporary twist. Most importantly, his beautiful wares are very reasonably priced. You can find his homewares at Orson + Blake. Below is my current favourite, the Floral Muse Blanc ceramic candle, for $175. Jump online and wonder around his funky website. Be sure to check out his manifesto and musings: www.jonathanadler.com; Orson + Blake, www.orsonandblake.com.au, 02 9326 1155

I am close to completing renovations on my house. It's been a very long process, with many unexpected problems (meaning: costs!) which those of you who've renovated will understand. But I'm finally here and the best part has begun: the shopping. My biggest indulgence is the George Nelson miniature chest from Living Edge, $2,680, which I have been in love with for a while. It will sit nicely in my front hallway, perfect for keys, sunglasses and odd bits and bobs. I love that George Nelson's work was heavily influenced by Japanese design, of which I am also a big fan. I love the function of this piece as well as its quirky design and scale. Visit Living Edge at www.livingedge.com.au or call 02 9640 5600.

Here at HB, we're inspired by good design. Sometimes, it comes in the form of something new and innovative; equally, it's sometimes steeped in tradition.

I'm particularly partial to nostalgia and tradition, to craftsmanship and quality. In my imaginary home, I'd be the proud owner of a collection of Thonet ply chairs gathered around a wooden dining table - a dream inspired by a beautiful house we've featured this month. The chairs' chic yet practical shape, beautiful curves and understated style appeal to me.

I may not be able to afford my desired Thonet Ply chairs in Dark Oak stain just yet but I've discovered someone who shares my love of traditional craftsmanship and vintage chairs. Bespoke Letterpress Boutique has released a new artwork featuring 16 illustrations of antique chairs, great and small, including my beloved Thonet chair.

This gorgeous piece has been lovingly printed by 'Charlie' (Bespoke Letterpress Boutique's vintage 1893 Chandler & Price printing press) on 100 per cent tree- and chlorine-free cotton heavyweight paper. At $30 and limited to a run of 100 prints, this may just be the next present I buy - I've just got decide whether it's for a friend or for myself!

Visit bespokepress.bigcartel.com and check out Bespoke Letterpress Boutique's brilliant blog at www.bespokepress.blogspot.com

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It's time the cat came out of the bag...I have a secret super power.

Yes, I have the strange ability to read French fluently (and eat it fluently too, but that's another story). I speak it poorly and understand even less, but throw me a French book and I'll be translating Sartre for you in no time. Existentialism aside, I prefer to pore over French interior design magazines like Marie Claire Idees and Elle Decor...and that's where I find adorable little web finds that let me shop Paris from Sydney with ease.

My latest find is www.ethicbag.com, a side project of FlipFlop Design by Caroline Faup. These adorable totes, embellished by her illustrations, are made form organic cotton and come in 4 cute styles. Check out this lovely slice of France when you can!

In just over a week I'll be married, and organising my wedding has been the largest project I've ever undertaken - even bigger than proofreading hundreds of pages of Home Beautiful each month! Some of my colleagues (already married with kids and mortgages) have likened the process to a renovation in its scale. Here are my favourite discoveries found in my attempts to fight the frou frou:

Our niece, Claire, will look very sweet holding our wedding rings on this ceramic plate imprinted with our names and wedding date - a modern take on the old-fashioned ring pillow (and a stylish keepsake).
US$28, www.palomasnest.etsy.com

Imagine my excitement when I discovered MSHandbags, based in Sydney, who custom made this one-of-a-kind silk clutch to order. US$52, www.mshandbags.etsy.com, www.mshandbags.blogspot.com

Now here's a hot budget tip: if you want to be surrounded by candles on your wedding day, go straight to Ikea. Simple, gorgeous, effective. Galej candle holder, $3.95/three, Ikea, www.ikea.com.au

Bye now, I'm off to get married!!

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When wanderlust strikes, there's little you can do to shift it other than heading off to carve out a new place in the world. The promise of undiscovered passions, untold inspiration and a whole world of style was too enchanting for me to disregard.

So, as I fly from a nest I have so lovingly feathered, and sadly, a job that I have loved for so many years (yes, Home Beautiful, I'll miss you most of all), I hope the world reveals itself to be just as beautiful as these re-imaginings on Etsy. Godspeed, Style Hunters, your own journey awaits!

Handmade Original Map Rose pin by Hope & Joy Studios

A LIMITED EDITION ARCHIVAL PRINT...freedom is a state of mind....6/20 by Corid

Recycled Remnants Collection - Vintage Map Birds, by DLK Designs

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My best buys this month have all been under $60!

I fell in love with this illustration of "Mama & Me " it is an 8x10 print of an illustration on archival premium matte paper. I'm planning on framing it and putting it in my little boy's room. Available from seller LJink on www.etsy.com for US$23.00.

And another art work I loved on Etsy.com for ($US15) was "Twilight Flower", an original watercolour painting (not a print) on 140 lb. paper. It measures 4x6 inches (10.2 x 15.2 cm) and is unframed/unmatted (sized to fit a standard, readily available frame). It's available from seller karenfaulknerart.

Lastly, I have a bit of an addiction to cushions. My latest purchase, shown here, is my favourite at the moment - it's a beautiful French postage stamp screenprinted onto linen.

It's available from Vivalino for $55.00.

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The types and styles of fabric used in clothes and homewares are virtually infinite, but when you take out those which are environmentally dodgy and manmade fibres (which are just plain icky), you're not left with much.

Or so I thought. It turns out that while I was marvelling over the wonders of organic cotton, a whole industry of eco fabrics sprang up behind my back and is now making it into mainstream homewares.

My miracle fabric of the week is bamboo. There's apparently nothing this wonder plant can't do, with it now being turned to fabric for bath towels, bed sheets and clothing. The shoots' rapid, fertiliser- and pesticide-free growth makes it an environmental wonder, which we all knew already, plus it has anti-bacterial properties and is highly absorbent.

But it's the way this fabric feels that completely floored me. It's as blissfully soft as cashmere and makes the most expensive hotel towels seem like sandpaper. I'd like to replace all my towels with these, but I'm afraid I'd never make it to work if I could wrap one of these around me every morning...

Bamboo Fabric Store has Baksana cotton/bamboo towels (pictured) in a range of beautiful colours - soft greens, edible chocolate and dramatic ox-blood red. And while you're there, take a look at their hand-crocheted shawls, made from wild Himalayan nettles!

Visit Bamboo Fabric Store at www.bamboofabricstore.com.au