Must see mag

I wait impatiently for the first of the month. Every month the first of the month I'm on the prowl for the latest editions of my favourite shelter magazines. I know I know I could subscribe but I love the thrill of seeing a new cover on the news stand. Last month I raved about Australian magazine Inside Out. This month I cannot get enough of another fabulous Australian magazine Real Living. It is just so good. Inside it's crammed with great homes, inspiring ideas and easy to follow get the look tips. Real Living is just that - a magazine about living in real spaces with real people. The thing is this real life is fabulous, funky, fun and budget friendly. Hope my clumsy photos give you just a taste. There is an "in the mag" feature but it hasn't yet updated to the hot off the stands latest edition. Still it will give you a feel for the magazine. If you can you have to get your hands on a copy. It's a must read! (Click to supersize.)

Real estate stalking

Like many parts of the world affected by the sub-prime credit crunch the real estate market in Australia is slowing. How does that affect Desire to Inspire? Less gorgeous homes listed on my favourite online real estate site. If you don't HAVE to sell then you sit quietly and ride out a downturning market. I did find this wonderful 1880 house for auction in one of my town's most exclusive suburbs. I love a classic Queenslander house. Wide verandas, soaring ceilings, french doors and old pine floors. Click on the images to enhance the stalking experience.

realestate.com.au

A tale of two houses

I thought I'd share two houses for sale only a few kilometres from each other, both beach houses, both totally out of most peoples reach (multimillion dollar price tags). One is a stylish beachfront holiday "shack" with family friendly feel and a knockout view. The other is an über stylish deepwater mooring canal home which just oozes glamour and high end finishes. My question - if you won the lottery which one would you choose as your holiday getaway? (Click for a closer look.)

In the red corner...

And in the blue corner...

realestate.com.au

Colouring in for grown ups

Scape Interiors is the fun and fab idea of Andrew Fedrigo. Are you one of those kids who always managed to colour outside the lines in your favourite colouring in book growing up? Scape Interiors lets you ALWAYS colour in between the lines with an interactive ‘colour your own’ contemporary canvas design system. Their new online store is a celebration of colour, pattern and typography and you can personalise and colour any of the 25 designs available online without one single colouring in boo boo. I've been lost in colour combos while playing on their site. Once an order is received your design is printed, framed and shipped to your front door. Love the no brand cans!

Real estate stalking for real

I thought I'd share this lovely light and airy home I found in my almost daily ritual of stalking real estate sites. With loads of glass, polished wooden floors, a neutral palette and touches of blue to match the crystal clear pool this beachside home is rivalled only by it's lush gardens and pool house. No come to think of it I think the pool house wins. Someone else can buy the house and I'll rent the pool house!

realestate.com.au

P.S. Almost at the $100,000 over at housesforthehomeless.com.au. As I write this they only have $6,000 to go. So if you live on this side of the world you still have a chance to help before the target is reached - in only 2 days!