Pip-Life Taking Stock

Taking Stock for July (and a very letter-y giveaway)

July 26, 2018
The Lettering Book

I didn’t do a taking stock for June, so I thought I had better quick-sticks it and tap one out for July before the month has totally disappeared. How quickly is this year zipping by? So quickly. Perhaps it’s true that the older you get the more quickly time passes? Do you think it is?

Taking Stock in July

Making: Spicy cucumbers …
Cooking: … from this excellent book -> Korean Food Made Easy (Plus other good things!)
Drinking: All the different teas! My current favourite is this Vic Market Mornings blend from McIvers. It’s so nice! I also love their Prince of Wales and their weird-delicious Bolshie Brew (It tastes like campfire tea! So smokey!) McIvers teas are really reasonably priced and delicious, basically!
Reading: The Lucky Galah by Tracy Sorenson
Next read: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Wanting: This Cuisinart Waffle Maker. With all my heart.
Looking: At the light peeping in from behind the blind (it’s 7.30am)
Playing: A lot of Leyma in the car. So good. Especially Lavender.
Deciding: On this week’s shopping list. I’m trying so hard to stay within my budget! It’s so easy to spend too much money on snacks, right?! Especially when there are hungry young gents around.
Wishing: For slightly warmer days, please.
Enjoying: Being cosy, though.
Waiting: To see the kiddos for dinner soon. So weird when your kids are grown up and independent and you can’t just sidle up to them at the breakfast table anymore.
Liking: That I cleaned all the old sauces and jars of random and mysterious things out of the fridge yesterday.
Wondering: When I will get a blinking haircut and stop trimming my own ends in this very dodgy way.

Connoisseur's Derwent Valley Raspberry and White Chocolate Ice Cream.
Loving: I have never been an ice cream eater, to be honest, but lately I have been swayed by Connoisseur’s Derwent Valley Raspberry and White Chocolate Ice Cream. It’s THE best and reminds me of my home state. Please send me a truckload Connoisseur bigwigs? Because I have trouble finding it at my local shops.
Pondering: Why I didn’t use to eat ice cream. It seems silly.
Considering: If two pairs of socks is the ultimate in Winter, or if three is good? Or one warmer pair?
Buying: Cute plates and teacups at the op shop.
Watching: Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast on Netflix. I can not explain how much I love this show. I love it so much I didn’t even want to share it here! It’s so cute and funny. I don’t want to watch anything else. I think it’s also great because it is subtitled – no multitasking while watching, which MUST be good for the brain. PLUS it’s not violent or suspenseful, which is perfect for my anxiety-ridden soul at the moment. You MUST watch it.
Next watch: Something else from Korea. Maybe Terrace House?

Hyori's Bed and Breakfast
Hoping: To make some real progress on my blanket this weekend.
Marvelling: That Chaka Khan has a new track out. Who knew?!
Cringing: At Trump. As always. And at (some) Australian TV, too.
Needing: To hop to the chemist for more asthma prevention medication because lame lungs need a little bolstering. Look after your lungs, asthma sufferers!
Questioning: Whether a few drops of lavender oil beats a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the bath. I think so.
Smelling: Shin Cup spicy noodles
Wearing: A very cosy and ugly cardigan thank you very much. I buy an ugly house cardigan each year to keep the chill out.
Following: Hashtags of Korean places on Instagram

Pip's Blanket Pip's blanket and The Lucky Galah
Worrying: About 184 bajillion things, but trying to worry gently.
Noticing: I am quite good at saving money.
Knowing: That hot water bottles are the best. Also knowing only very recently that they have an expiry date stamped onto them, in the form of a daisy icon thingy.
Thinking: About the Mirena. It has been recommended to me to help with fibroids but I am not sold.
Admiring: All the oranges on the orange tree in my garden.
Sorting: All the things out every day.
Getting: Better at yoga VERY slowly.
Bookmarking: This interesting University of Melbourne site.
Coveting: That waffle maker. Sorry to go on about it, but it is a magical one.
Disliking: How mean people are online. It says a lot about them and how they feel in their lives and how deeply they think about things. I hope they wake up and be nicer.
Opening: An imaginary cafe. It’s really cute and has the best snacks and drinks.
Giggling: At Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast.
Feeling: Good about paying bills and getting boring stuff like that sorted.
Snacking: On Milk Arrowroot biscuits.
Hearing: More Leyma.


The Lettering Book

Giveaway

What is the giveaway? It’s The Lettering Book! I found another (second-hand) copy and would love to post it to someone who wants it – with an Australian postal address. Simply leave me a comment and tell me why you fancy it!


And … Here’s a blank list, in case you want to copy and paste it – and take stock yourself.

Making :
Cooking :
Drinking :
Reading:
Next read:
Wanting:
Looking:
Playing:
Deciding:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Waiting:
Liking:
Wondering:
Loving:
Pondering:
Considering:
Buying:
Watching:
Next watch:
Hoping:
Marvelling:
Cringing:
Needing:
Questioning:
Smelling:
Wearing:
Following:
Worrying:
Noticing:
Knowing:
Thinking:
Admiring:
Sorting:
Getting:
Bookmarking:
Coveting:
Disliking:
Opening:
Giggling:
Feeling:
Snacking:
Hearing:


Thanks for reading and see you back here real soon!

x pip

45 Comments

  • Reply dani August 14, 2018 at 12:42 PM

    I just love reading your taking stocks!!!

    What are your thoughts on the lucky galah? I’d love to know 🙂

  • Reply Angela Thompson August 14, 2018 at 6:03 AM

    Hey Pip, any tips on becoming a good saver ($)? Thanks!

  • Reply Lauren Blakeney August 9, 2018 at 3:34 PM

    Cute book! Reminds me on the song “Words make the world go around” by Josh Pyke & Justine Clarke. “……words can solve the puzzle of this complicated place.”

  • Reply Yvette August 7, 2018 at 9:43 AM

    Hello lovely Pip, I hope you are well! Just a quick pop in to super highly recommend looking into an endometrial ablation option … Tis not as well known as Mirena as it’s a newer procedure I think, but has absolutely zero negative side effects yet life changing positive side effects in my experience xx

  • Reply Jess Pettersson August 4, 2018 at 1:02 PM

    Hey Pip! Long time insta follower, book buyer, blog reader – first time message leaver… I saw this giveaway a few days ago and it’s just made its way through my brain fog (I’m coining this moment of my life my ‘mum life crisis’ – wondering around in a kind of haze… making rash decisions like wearing a ring in my nose and cutting into my hair to get a chunky fringe… eep!) Anyway – I digress (it’s one of my skills)… I used to have this, along with many other, lettering books as a youngster and since you bought it back to my attention, have been keenly foraging through the book section of my local Oppie in hope of finding a copy too… alas, I haven’t been so lucky. If I’m not too late and you still have that book kicking around, wondering who to kindly gift it to – you’d make this gal stoked!! Thanks Pip, enjoy your weekend… hope you’re not freezing where you are… It feels like Margaret River is about 2 degrees today!! Sending Warm fuzzies, Jess x

  • Reply Kellie Nimmo August 3, 2018 at 8:06 AM

    love this – it would make my daughters’ day:) thanks Pip

  • Reply Katrina July 30, 2018 at 1:15 PM

    Hello Pip, I would LOVE this book ‘cos I had a copy when I was a kid, and I want to meet that little geeky part of me again. Big thanks! Katrina x

  • Reply Bernie July 29, 2018 at 6:06 PM

    Hi pip,
    I would love this book, I’m not very creatively inclined but I have found a love of caligraphy and different fonts and I’ve been making cards for this I love with experimented fonts. I’d really like to expand my skills!

  • Reply Rose July 29, 2018 at 12:45 PM

    I remember having this book! Would love it for my daughter.

  • Reply Zena Jaber July 28, 2018 at 9:40 PM

    My 11 year old is really creative and makes me posters and cards and I blue tac them all over the house. I’d love to learn how to write rad text back to him especially now that his father and I are separated and do 50/50. It would be cool to get my creative mojo back. I’ve been blanking on how to get back in to blogging too although I was a blogging student of Pip years gone by. Taking Stock is the perfect way to catch up and say hi!

  • Reply Lauren Donnan July 28, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    Hi Pip,
    my older sister Jenny had this book as a teenager. I was that younger sister that was allowed no where near it!! I was desperate to use it but alas it was her prized possession. We lost my sister to breast cancer quite a few years back and I have no idea where the book ended up. I would love to win it and give it to her daughter as a gift and tell her all about her mums obsession with stationary etc.
    kind regards, Loz

  • Reply Jo July 28, 2018 at 8:24 AM

    Ahhhhh…. it was such a huge part of my childhood.
    I want to sit at our kitchen table with my kids with tracing (baking) paper over the top – so they get it. They will think I’m boring and mad-but it’s such a gorgeous way to spend time. Their creative processes are so different now. It makes me sad. Oh, I get so lost in nostalgia…

  • Reply Melissa Antolovic July 28, 2018 at 7:54 AM

    Oh my gosh I have been searching every op shop and 2nd book shop I pass for this book. I had it when I was a kid and used it lots. My seven year old son is into creating logos and posters and think it will be great for him. The new lettering books don’t seem as good as I remember this one to be.

  • Reply Victoria Byrne July 28, 2018 at 7:52 AM

    Oh my goodness! You found another!!! How exciting! I have been keeping an eye out at the oppy since you found the first one ? because I LOVED this book when I was a kid. Headings were my favourite things to do, and this book combined with my derwents was the best. I’d love to win this so I could pass the joy on to my son (but also sneakily use it too ???) xxxxoooo

  • Reply Kate Nancarrow July 28, 2018 at 7:51 AM

    Pip!! Make all my dreams come true. This book was my bible in 1987, Grade 6. I’ve now lost my copy and I can’t cope. Not having any joy finding one. The opshop Gods & Godesses aren’t smiling upon me. But maybe you could be my smiling opshop deity? Perhaps? Possibly? Maybe? Nudge, nudge? Wink, wink? Ok. I shall say no more. But! That was a swell July reflection, chum.

  • Reply Lauren July 28, 2018 at 4:34 AM

    You found not one but two?? So good. I loved this book…I’m fairly certain we had it too. Maybe that’s why I’d like it. Because I can’t remember if I dreamed about owning it…or actually owning it ?

  • Reply Alusha July 27, 2018 at 11:31 PM

    Ohhhh I had this book as a child and purged it when I was moving out of Home for uni. Now that I’m a primary school teacher I regret getting rid of so many gems like this one! Also another vote for Mirena, I’ve had mine for 2.5 yrs and it has pretty much put a stop to the most horrible, painful periods. It’s definitely worth weighing up the pros and cons though because it’s much more ~invasive~ than taking the pill etc, especially if you change your mind after it’s inserted.

  • Reply Joanna July 27, 2018 at 11:17 PM

    Oh lord. Because I circled that book in the Scholastic book club and it was even better in real life! That and my Roland Harvey stationary kits. And now my 7yo son is so into lettering – his bubble writing is Ah-mazing – so I’ve been hunting op shops for it but to no avail!
    Also, I’m afraid to say that my Mirena fell the goddamn out. Without me realising. Now there’s a serious potential cockup. (All ok, phew). Anyway, know lots of people that have one and love it. But alas, not me.

  • Reply Kim July 27, 2018 at 11:05 PM

    Pip, I just love your blog. It’s so real, so relatable, funny and honest, it always makes me smile. I would love to win a copy of the lettering book, I think it would help turn my random scribbling into beautiful works of art. Ps From my experience, I would not consider the Mirena.

  • Reply Lauren Kanowski July 27, 2018 at 10:50 PM

    Hi Pip,bloody good list. Loved reading it.
    This book instantly transcends me to primary school where the only worry was if you would get to ace in handball at big lunch. Oh to only have those worries! I would love to win it so that when life gets to adulty I can be transported back in time xx

  • Reply Emily V July 27, 2018 at 10:48 PM

    Thanks for the tip on the ice cream my husband has been begging me to buy a tub and now I know what I’ll be looking for, as I’m more of an ice cream at the beach or on holidays type person and always in a cone. Would love to win the book please as I am a sucker for nostalgia.

  • Reply Bec S July 27, 2018 at 10:30 PM

    My mum was a teacher and used to bring this book home for us to use, we used to love copying the letters. When she retired she handed it onto some student teachers. I’d love to have a copy of this book of my own to do some lettering now.

  • Reply Ally July 27, 2018 at 5:48 PM

    I fancy the lettering book because I’m a sad nostalgic nerd!!!
    I hope you get the waffle maker.
    What are your doubts about the Mirena??

  • Reply Emily July 27, 2018 at 9:49 AM

    Hi pip, lovely to read your taking stock as usual. I too have been taken down memory lane with the lettering book- my older sister owned it and only let me touch it under strict supervision! I don’t need to be in the running for the giveaway but i just wanted to put in my 10c worth as well to say I’ve had two mirenas now and have only had a really great experience like jacq’s comment. Just to counter all of the horror tales out there. ?

  • Reply Jacq July 27, 2018 at 8:19 AM

    Oh I love The Lettering Book too! I still have my copy (or maybe I ‘acquired’ it from my sister…)
    I’ve had a Mirena for three years now, I got it after my son was born. For me, it’s been really great! Nothing to remember and very light, almost non-existent periods. I know there are some horror stories out there, but it hasn’t been my experience at all.

  • Reply Mandy July 27, 2018 at 8:10 AM

    I have been introducing the boys to calligraphy. I used to love it. This book was so much fun in the day. School projects used to all about the fun heading. Lol

  • Reply kate July 27, 2018 at 7:33 AM

    I loved that book, I don’t need to be in the giveaway though, I just wanted to thank you for the trip back to primary school, bookclub catalogues and delivery day and my wonderful best friend who was everything I wasn’t and everything I wanted to be.
    Thanks Pip, you’re a good egg.
    cheers Kate

  • Reply Sabrena July 26, 2018 at 10:54 PM

    This Lettering book was my wing-man for every school project growing up. My nostalgia-metre is off the chart right now! I’d love to give it a home! Xox

  • Reply Andrea Mason July 26, 2018 at 9:38 PM

    Always looking for amazing resources which will inspire and assist my year 8 Visual Art students. Having access to tools that will help them succeed is necessary to build up their confidence.
    Pick my students. #imsooverbubblewriting

  • Reply Sarina July 26, 2018 at 9:05 PM

    I would adore to be able to use your Lettering book with my art students! I’m all about encouraging them to pick up skills they can use later on but we’re a Category 1 school and naturally art is at the bottom of the pile where funding is concerned so I end up buying a lot of their stuff myself. I have some gorgeous kids who are really talented but its hard to convince them they could potentially make a living from art so I want to give them a range of skills while they’re at school so that if they do decide to go down that path later on they’ve got everything necessary for a good start. Plus I just want to feast my eyes on that book as well 🙂

  • Reply Ashlee July 26, 2018 at 8:41 PM

    Pip! I would Love, Lo?v?e, LO?V?E, LO?V?E ,LO?V?E THAT BOOK! (Sorry for being yelly)
    Oh gosh it takes me back. And also so fun. Like why is it so fun to do bubble writing or write your name in different lettering?? WHY!?
    It is.
    Love this post by the way.
    That is a great waffle maker.
    Xo

  • Reply Prue July 26, 2018 at 8:03 PM

    I was always giddy with excitement on Scholastic Book Club order delivery day, but the day my Lettering Book was delivered, I thought I’d explode with joy. Every project and poster thereon was adorned with carefully drawn fancy lettering. My obsession even extended to the titles and headings of each page of my exercise books, birthday cards and pen pal letters. I was on fire, and Year 6 was a madman! I would love to relive this joy and see how my Vancouver and Bubble font skills measure up 35 years later!

  • Reply Joanne Pedro July 26, 2018 at 5:31 PM

    I’d love the lettering book by Noelene Morris! I used to have one of these in high school, many years ago. I used it often! I wish I still had this book, I used it so much it was falling apart. I used it on title pages of my exercise books, projects and posters. This book helped me a lot as I loved to draw back then, and still do. I love hand lettering. I make birthday cards and other cards for friends and family, so it would help me even more to come up with more ideas.

  • Reply Jayne July 26, 2018 at 5:30 PM

    I just loved lettering when I was at school. I used to invent my own alphabets! I wasn’t lucky enough to have this book – I reckon it was just after my time, darn it! My kidlets have inherited my love of art and drawing and this looks like just the ticket.

  • Reply Josephine July 26, 2018 at 5:29 PM

    I still have my lettering book!!! It’s somehow stayed in the ‘keep’ pile through my lifetime moves! My eldest son is almost old enough to make use of it ??
    Will have to check out the Netflix show… I need a gentle watch before bedtime.

  • Reply Carolyn July 26, 2018 at 5:06 PM

    Oh I am imagining opening a cute cafe too because today we went to a lovely one in Inverleigh outside Geelong and they were selling honey joys and I was thinking about how if I had a cafe I could make chocolate crackles to go in the display cabinet…maybe we could have that lettering book out for kids to make nice lettering displays! I loved that book for creating beautiful school projects!

    • Reply Isabel July 27, 2018 at 4:05 PM

      Please open a cafe Carolyn! You could run weaving classes of an afternoon and feed people chocolate crackles and tea on flowery plates. I would come every day with my friends and my Mum and tell everyone I knew to go there! xx

  • Reply Rebecca Lupton July 26, 2018 at 5:05 PM

    I loved that lettering book as a child. I’d love to gift it to my niece Christmas. She would go nuts if she saw it xx

  • Reply Leisa July 26, 2018 at 4:49 PM

    I remember buying The Lettering Book through the book club my school library organised. I can still remember the ordering form and waiting impatiently for it (and a number of other books) to arrive. It was always such a sweet delight.

    • Reply Pip July 26, 2018 at 4:51 PM

      How brilliant was Scholastic Book Club?! SO GREAT! Poring over those catalogues was my fave thing!!

      • Reply Catherine July 28, 2018 at 1:27 PM

        Yes, also loved the Scholastic Book Club, and the Let’s Sing books – we sang along to the radio in the classroom every week!

  • Reply Kel Parsons July 26, 2018 at 4:41 PM

    OH MY GOD I USED TO LOOOVE THAT BOOK *swoon* !!! Far out, I haven’t seen one for 28 years or more.

  • Reply Lisa July 26, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    I LOVE that ice cream.

    • Reply Pip July 26, 2018 at 4:39 PM

      OH MY GOD IT IS SO NICE HELP US PLEASE!!!

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