Notemaker becomes Milligram Studio

So Notemaker dropped some pretty big news yesterday. They’ve announced a few changes, the first being a name change from Notemaker to Milligram Studio. They’ll also be opening physical stores (the first being in Melbourne) as well as launching their own stationery line. All existing Notemaker goodies – like the coveted ‘Friend for life’ status (yes, of course I have it) will remain the same. It sounds like there are some exciting times ahead and I can’t wait to see what comes next for the team.

Speaking of things coming next, I’m really liking the look of the Milligram branded diaries. They’re beautifully designed (they collabed with Beci Orpin on the design so it’s a given), with simple, yet usable layouts and they can (apparently) withstand most pens and fountain pen ink which is always a bonus. I’ll be sure to get my hands on one or two so stay tuned.

Notemaker's new Milligram brand diaries are cute
Notemaker's new Milligram brand diaries are cute
Notemaker's new Milligram brand diaries are cute

Book review – The Dream Walker by Victoria Carless

Even though I love books, I hadn’t read much this year. I won’t horrify you with the number of unread books that I have scattered all over the house but let’s just say there are a lot. I’d been in a reading funk but the drought has broken and the book to do it was The Dream Walker by Victoria Carless.

The Dream Walker tells the story of sixteen-year-old Lucy Hart. It’s set in a small Queensland fishing hamlet called Diggers Landing where fish is the local currency. But the fish aren’t biting and some of the local ‘characters’ think they know why and who is to blame. All Lucy wants is to finish high school and head to the city with her best friend Polly and her crush Tom and make a new life away from the river but untangling herself from Diggers Creek proves harder than she thought.

I like this book for a lot of reasons. I like how Carless weaves the river throughout the narrative so that it becomes another character – and rightly so considering it’s importance to the town. I like the unique town characters that she captures without turning them into caricatures of ‘country’ folk. I love how Lucy navigates through the strained relationship with her father after her mother’s death.

But most of all, I love the language Carless uses. She has a way of describing the languid, late summer days and the oppressive heat that here, in the late throes of winter, I could feel its smothering weight. I could almost smell the heat on the corrugated lean to and it felt like I knew, and always had known, the people of Diggers.

“Everything about this place appears weary and bemused. Folks have been here forever but they walk around like they’re not sure how that came to be. It’s rumoured that we all came from four original families. It’s best not to think too much about that.”

I have so many page flags and post-it notes sticking out of this book marking clever turns of phrase or passages that speak to me. For me, that’s the mark of a good book, and Carless is an exceptional storyteller. In this book she weaves a magical tale about hope, life and love that is well worth a read and sure to captivate.

The Dream Walker by Victoria Carless is available on Booktopia as a paperback and an eBook.

 

Instagrammer of the week #005 – The Chaos Club

I am so excited to share my Instagrammer of the week pick with you. This week I have chosen The Chaos Club because I adore their unique gift tag and garland ideas. They are so cute and fun.

Be sure to come back and visit next week because I’m sharing The Chaos Club’s new tags and garlands that are perfect for Christmas wrapping!

A photo posted by The Chaos Club (@thechaosclub) on

A photo posted by The Chaos Club (@thechaosclub) on

A photo posted by The Chaos Club (@thechaosclub) on

Tell Them Stories

I spied these lovely goodies by Melbourne-based Tell Them Stories and they immediately caught my eye with their geometric patterns and colours. I am especially keen on the Japanese bound notebook I’ve featured below (Fire) – so, so pretty.

Tell Them Stories
Fire

Tell Them Stories
Milambler bookmark

Tell Them Stories
Jane origami paper

Tell Them Stories
Thowra notebook

Tell Them Stories
Congratulations Wedding/Engagement card

Follow Tell Them Stories on Instagram

The Wild Colonial Company

I was going to save these lovelies for Australia Day but I thought they’d make great stocking stuffers! If you like Australian-themed stationery you will get a kick out of these notebooks from The Wild Colonial Company.

As a proud Aussie I love seeing products that celebrate our history and unique place in the world. I think The Wild Colonial Company (brainchild of former Murdoch Books CEO Juliet Rogers) captures this spirit perfectly with these recently released items.


Florence Broadhurst
Florence Broadhurst was one of Australia’s most prolific designers, known for her eclectic, pattern-fuelled handmade wallpaper designs. The Wild Colonial Company has re purposed Broadhurst’s designs, dialed up the vibrancy and created a range of beautifully made notebooks and journals.
Bonzer Ration Journal – Red
These bonzer journals are Australian retro at its very best. Designed and published in association with the Australian War Memorial, they celebrate First World War Aussie slang (that we still use to this day) and period imagery. Again, these notebooks are exquisitely made, quirky and practical.

Know someone who’d love a notebook (or two)? Head to The Wild Colonial Company and view the whole range.