Postcards from Athens

Currently I’m sitting inside my hotel room in Santorini, Greece, watching 90km/h winds sweep across this enchanting island. I’m not likely to be braving the elements so decided to showcase a few photo postcards from my previous holiday spot – Athens.

Athens was charming and historic at the same time as funky, edgy and full of character. Its people were very welcoming, as is the case all around Greece. Its streets were filled with family-owned tavernas and irresistible corner restaurants. We stayed at Hotel Phaedra, located just below the mighty Acropolis hill which is where the ancient Parthenon stands. The hotel had everything we could ever have needed for our stay, including a sublime rooftop terrace with 360 degree views of the entire city. I recommend staying in this hotel as it’s very central, yet quiet and budget-friendly.

It was super simple to explore the city on foot as everything was within close proximity from each other. From Plaka a 10-minute walk would get you to Syntagma Square where the presidential guards or efzones could be seen. At the same time you’re also close to the peaceful village of Anafiotika as well as many ancient sights, the national gardens and of course the main attraction – the Acropolis and its ruins.

I didn’t fall in love with Athens the way I did with Barcelona, Paris or Venice but the city had all the right components for an enjoyable holiday including a nice mild climate, delicious food, friendly locals and just the right balance of historical sights and modern-day marvels.

September’s Mishka Mail Revealed

*SPOILER ALERT* September’s Mishka Mail Kit is Revealed Below *SPOILER ALERT*

Time is flying by and we’ve already sent out our second monthly stationery kit for Mishka Mail. For September’s shipment the theme was “Bringing Snail-Mail Back” and there were lots of paper goodies included that you could send out to friends and penpals telling them how special they are to you.

 

Included in September’s kit were:

• 4 x “Mishka Collection” Greeting Cards
• 2 x Postcards
• 2 x Stickers
• 2 x Gift Tags
• 2 x “Mini Collection” Cards

October sign-ups are now OPEN until the 16th of this month. The theme will be “Slow down, Take it easy” and for the first time we’ll include a wall print in our kit! You don’t want to miss out on this one!

Visit the link below to join our Mishka Mail club today!

http://www.gracefulavenue.com.au

Revealing August’s “Mishka Mail”

* SPOILER ALERT * AUGUST’S KIT IS REVEALED BELOW * SPOILER ALERT ********************************************************************

We’ve been so delighted with how everyone’s received our new subscription service – Mishka Mail. Thank you to everyone who has shared, liked and commented on our posts and tweets so far. For those of you who are reading about this only now, August was the first month our kits were sent out. Each month we send out a surprise selection of cute stationery and paper goods right to your door, worldwide. All our products have been lovingly illustrated in our Melbourne studio and have a distinct style to them.

So without further ado, August’s kit included everything you’d need to celebrate someone’s birthday and fittingly the theme for the month was Paper Party!

Included in August’s shipment were:

• 4 x “Mishka Collection” Greeting Cards
• 1 x Postcard
• 2 x Stickers
• 2 x Gift Tags
• 2 x “Mini Collection” Cards

Did you like what you’ve seen? September sign-ups are now open and will be closing on the 18th of this month. Visit the link below to join our Mishka Mail club today!

http://www.gracefulavenue.com.au

Fans of One Tree Hill, rejoice!

Overview

I am so excited to share with you what I’ve been busy working on these last few months. My “Tree Hill is Home” Collection of postcards and wall prints is finally unveiled today!!

Next month I will be making the long journey over to Wilmington, North Carolina, for the One Tree Hill Convention, entitled “Return to Tree Hill 2”. It will be my very first time in the US and I can barely contain my excitement. I’ve been in love with the TV show, One Tree Hill, ever since I watched the first episode back in 2003. It’s my comfort show, it’s seen me through my highest and lowest times and I’ve grown up watching this show, laughing and crying through all its 9 seasons.

I am going to be meeting the stars of the show, the people I look up to so much, and it’s going to be an absolute dream come true for me and all the fans out there. For this collection, I have illustrated the homes of each of the original five main characters – Lucas, Peyton, Nathan, Haley and Brooke, because I noticed that there’s a real gap in the market for beautiful, designer postcards depicting this beloved TV show. All five homes are featured on the glossy and very sassy wall print.

Details and Dimensions

Postcards
Size: 105mm H x 148mm W / 4.13” H x 5.82” W
Paper: Gloss, Premium White Paper Stock, 350GSM
Sustainably sourced, Elemental Chlorine Free

Wall Print
Size: A5: 210mm H x 148mm W / 8.27” H x 5.83” W
Paper: Gloss, Premium White Paper Stock, 300GSM

Stockists

Our postcards are not currently stocked in any boutiques in Wilmington, NC, but we are definitely on the look out for gift shops in the area to carry our line. Please get in touch with us if you’re interested in stocking the “Tree Hill is Home” Collection!

Where to Buy

All postcards and the print are available for purchase on Pitchi here. If anyone wants to receive their order in time for the Wilmington convention on August 7-9, 2015, please order now! If YOU are a fan of One Tree Hill and will be attending a convention either in Wilmington, Paris, Montreal or Brazil, send an autographed postcard to your good friend to brighten up their day!

All designs and images are copyrighted. It is forbidden to copy, replicate and/or redistribute them under any circumstances.

Life & Photography

Life’s been crazy busy this past month, I can’t believe we’re already in June! Thankfully the Melbourne winter hasn’t been too cold and even though there have been lots of rainy days we’ve also had a lot of really warm sunshine come through.

I recently attended a spectacular theatre show of Don Quixote performed by The Imperial Russian Ballet Company. It was absolutely wonderful with the highest quality of ballet we’ve all come to expect of Russian dancers. Their precision and energy was so beautiful to watch, as was their ability to light up the stage with their expressive faces and graceful movement. 10/10!

Then there were the beautiful sunsets! It was actually on the night of the performance that I walked to St. Kilda beach and saw the calmest water, smooth as silk and completely still in the distance. All the people there were silent, not a single voice came to mind and there we all were admiring that beautiful and serene moment when the sun crossed over the horizon. I loved the spiritual feeling within my soul that evening.

On other days there were picnics in the backyard alongside my gorgeous black cat, who was uncharacteristically thirsty and drank straight from the tap! Then the arrival of some wonderful snail mail from new international pen-pals, days spent wrapping our Mishka Collection greeting cards/sending promo postcards, more visits to the beach, dinners with friends at funky restaurants, rediscovering local parks and the beauty in nature, and not to mention dreaming of my dream home!

Life is going at full speed and I feel like I’m barely keeping up! I’m still reminiscing about my European travel adventures, my beautiful shop and the simple days of life in Watford, but I’m grateful for all the memories created in Australia so far as well. Enjoy your week!