If you are out and about in old Dublin town this weekend don’t forget the Dublin Flea Market is on this Sunday in Newmarket Square.

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D went along to the Abram Games exhibition in NCAD the other day and said it was brilliant – so if you get a chance get along. And now for the blurb -

Abram Games was one of the 20th century’s most influential British graphic designers. His works demonstrate the immediacy of the most simple of visual designs, their effectiveness in transmitting a message and producing a powerful impact in the mind of the viewer.

Games designed some of Britain’s most iconic wartime propaganda images, such as the “Join the ATS” recruitment poster of 1941 (nicknamed the “Blonde Bombshell”). During his time as Official War Poster Artist, Games designed about 100 posters for the British war effort. Using his own distinctively sparse, modernistic style, his work before, during and after WWII earned him a reputation as the most direct and efficient of visual communicators. Games has left behind a body of work which can now be seen as a fascinating record of social history from the war and interwar periods of the 20th century.

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And for those of you who like to shop online for fine art prints by Irish artists then check out Canvas Online Store.

All works are archival digital giclee prints on hahnemuhle paper and are in editions of 10. They come signed or with an authentication card.

The featured artist this week is Chris Haughton

CHRIS HAUGHTON is an Irish illustrator living and working in London. He regularly illustrates for publications such as The Guardian and The Independent. He was listed in Time Magazine’s ‘Design 100’ in 2007 for the work he has been doing with People Tree, a fair trade clothing company.

Chris has traveled extensively throughout Asia and is very influenced by Japanese prints and Indian painting. He has digitally recombined drawings and collage elements from his sketchbooks to create surreal imagery and landscapes.

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3.4.

I wish I had money to buy the four pictured above. They would be perfect in the bedroom.

I stumbled upon this site a couple months back and again today via Nina’s blog.

Envelop is an online print-on-demand platform where illustrators can create, promote and sell high quality cotton items to textile lovers worldwide.

Here are some of my favourite designs from Envelop.

Warning – This type of service is being offered by a few companies out there but be careful. Some companies have a clause where they retain the rights to your design! Therefore they can use them in any way they like and sell those products without prior consent. Some companies don’t even pay you a royalty! They think you should be grateful that someone bothered to print your design in the first place! Bloody scandalous! So read the fine print before giving your designs away.

IN FACT DON’T GIVEAWAY ANY OF YOUR DESIGNS FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE MONEY OFF UNLESS YOU ARE BEING FAIRLY COMPENSATED FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND SKILL! Don’t be fooled people.

Marie is an interior stylist from the UK and is currently setting up home in my old town, Sydney. Since she is only staying for a year she is very wisely keeping costs to a minimum. I should clarify that the majority of rental properties in Australia come unfurnished. You even have to provide your own fridge and washing machine! This never bothered me when I lived there but it is a problem if you are only stopping for a year or two.

Anyway Marie’s bedroom is simply gorgeous and its no wonder she has found work as a stylist already.

Here is her moodboard for the bedroom makeover -

and the budget bedroom!

Simply stunning! I love the cushions she made from silk scarves and the colours she chose for the bed and the otherwise drab Ikea wardrobe.

Sweetpea and Willow now have an Irish branch.

Sweetpea & Willow is an established online furniture boutique with a head office in London. They are a leading French style furniture store in the UK and offer elegant, excellent value, high quality, French-style furniture.

I absolutely love, love, love the silk cushions below! Both are currently on sale for November. Sale Price – 77.96 euro for a pair.

Too stunning for words. This wallpapered kitchen is almost too nice to cook in. And those copper lampshades! The wallpaper is from Fromental who’s ‘mission is to create the world’s most beautiful wallpapers.’ I think they will reach that goal no problem.

This is definitely on my wish list. A do it yourself letterpress machine! Fan – bloody – tastic! Well it looks fantastic and so easy. If I had one of these babies I would never have to buy another card again! The Lifestyle Crafts Letterpress Combo Kit costs – US $149.99. But there is one snag – they only ship to the US and Canada at present. Maybe someone will bring them in for us deprived Europeans.

Spotted via another great find – IDIY blog

OK I didn’t get time to do my own food post this week but I discovered a new Food blog during the week and thought I would share a recipe from their blog. I found Smitten Kitchen when searching for tips on food photography and discovered not only are their food pics amazing but they have fantastic recipes as well. Bonus!

Jalapeño-Cheddar Scones
Adapted Peter Oleyer at Calexico Carne Asada in Brooklyn, via NYMag

It’s worth noting that I had my doubts about this recipe. This world is overflowing with terrible scones and after trying too many bad ones, I came to the conclusion that the only good scones — the only ones you should bother making or eating, ever — are these dreamy cream ones. However, this recipe manages to be different — it contains eggs! — and yet is still delicious but considering the possibility that there are two good scone recipes on earth makes my sleepy head hurt thus I will reconcile this another time. For now, know that these are good, very good.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick or 4 ounces) cold butter, diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 eggs, divided
1/4 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, diced
2 small jalapeños pepper, minced (I wimped out and used only one only to find my scones entirely heat-free)

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small skillet, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter and sauté the jalapeños in it until soft, about two minutes. Let them cool, then place them in a small bowl with the cheddar cheese and coat them with one tablespoon of the flour. Combine the remaining flour with the baking powder and salt. Cut in the remaining butter with a pastry blender, fork or two knives, until the butter bits are pea sized.

Lightly whip two of the eggs and cream and add to the flour-butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, fold mixture until it begins to come together. Add the cheddar-jalapeño mixture to the dough and mix until everything is incorporated.

Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead gently for less than one minute. Pat dough out to a 3/4- to 1-inch thickness and either cut into 8 triangles or the shape of your choice with a biscuit cutter. Make an egg wash by beating the remaining egg with a teaspoon of water. Brush the scones with egg wash and place on a parchment-lined (or well-oiled) baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Scones are always best the first day.

Want to flash-freeze yours, – Brief directions, here.

If you are in the market for some french style furniture then you might be interested in this offer. A bridal shop located in Dublin 2 is clearing out the following furniture and equipment.

• 3 Mirrors for a Changing Room to be fixed to the wall – €80 each

• 5 Female Bust Manequins – €50 each

•1 Child Manequin – €30 each

• Display Shelving Unit with a Mirror backing, 4 shelves – €350

• French Chateau White Table with a Glass Top – €350

• armchairs (can be painted to likening) – €50 each

• 1 Sewing Machine Nfaff – €200

• 5 Free Standing Rails on Castors (ideal for a Stock Room) – €80 each

• Display Hanging Rails for Show Room with glass shelves to hang gowns (fixed to walls) €900

• Raspberry Taffeta Curtains with Velcro Tab Top (easy to put up and light) – all for €100

• Office Desk (with fold out section) – €150 (plus free chair)

• 1 Charles Hoover (Dry and Wet cleaning) – €75

• 10 -15 Gold Picture Frames – €10 each

Most of the (well all of the) properties on Haven In Paris, a luxury holiday rental website, are out of my price range. But that doesn’t stop me from drooling over the apartments all the same. I really love the two bedrooms below. I would sleep soundly in either one. Both rooms are part of a lovely 3 bedroom apartment in the heart of the art and antique district in Paris. Ooh la la

Innocently strolling over to the cinema on Parnell Street over the weekend I passed the Bargain Shop @ Arnotts on Middle Abbey Street. Its been a long time between visits so I thought why not pop in.

Now Christmas decorations are piled high in the first half of the shop but if you push on through to the back you might find one or two unchristmasy items. Like the two lamps below -

There was no price on the lamps so I asked the shop assistant who was unable to locate a price either. He said I could have them for 15 euro each which I responded by thanking him followed by a quick exit before I had the chance to say I’ll take em’! I need another set of lamps like I need my car to fail its NCT tomorrow. So rather than let this bargain go unrewarded I thought I would share. I know – I am pretty nice like that. Believe me if I thought I would get away with sneaking in another two lamps these babies would be living with me right now. (And they don’t even go with any of my current decor.)