Shannan Peta

When I find something that I love, I have to have it. All of it. If its a band...every album. A writer....every book. I bought myself a new bookshelf because my Tim Winton and James Herbert collections grew out of the old one. I work full time, am a mother of 2 boys, and run a small business in my (very limited) spare time... I dont have time to read. Yet whenever a Winton or Herbert novel is released it immediately goes onto my Christmas/Birthday wish-list. Which brings me to my new addiction-umm passion.... Sheika.

Gorgeous bags, over-sized clutches, mini clutches, made from exquisite leathers with quirky, unique linings, Sheika Designs is my latest obsession. It started innocently enough, a purple patent leather Veronica clutch. My mum bought it for me for my birthday. Then Sheika had a sale on her Facebook page. Then I had a 'Sheika Showing' and was able to view (and touch) a large range of the collection. Two of my sisters-in-law are also now hooked, and we have rigged this year's Kris Kringle so that we get each other. Guess what we're buying each other?? Yep, mini Hilda and Veronica clutches. My fiance has agreed to buy me a Frances Red Patent Croc handbag for Christmas, and as soon as my tax comes back I'm buying myself a Pale Purple Tote.

It's a simple, albeit expensive, pleasure, but it's an addiction I'm not willing to give up. Hey if it means I dont have money leftover for my cake addiction....it's a win-win!!! SP xox

Sometimes in my lunch breaks, I'll go into this gorgeous store in the centre that I work in called Stone and Grain. Hiding in the corner is a hand-woven hanging pod chair. It has cushions in the seat and lining the back, and holes in the sides for if you need to put your arms through, like to grab a book or drink from the table beside you. It is the most relaxing feeling, like sitting on a cushy swing that you can lean back into.

Sitting here now (yes I'm in it right now) I can imagine having one in my spare room, hanging in the corner, painting studio in another corner, perfume station against the far wall. I would be swinging in my pod chair, knees up, maybe a nanna-blanket on, reading a good book. I may even have my little laptop, typing away at some story.

Ever since I was a little girl, quiet on the backseat of my Dad's car while he drove through the paddocks, mentally writing stories about rescuing baby Care Bears stranded on Earth, I have loved writing. Not novels, dont have the patience for that, but short stories, 5 minute fiction almost, and stories for children. I have written over the years, poetry too, but in my many moves they seem to have disappeared. Maybe if I unpacked all the boxes in my spare room I might find them. Then I'd have more space for a pod chair, permanent studio and perfume station! SP xox

Four weeks ago, I tragically lost my favourite brother-in-law of 16yrs. Two weeks later a dear friend died after a short but painful fight with cancer. So its safe to say that I havent been in the best mood lately. Dont want to go to work, get snappy with my boys, cant be bothered talking to even my favourite customers. What have I found to help me through this, you ask?

Today it was a vanilla cupcake with purple frosting and colored sugar sprinkles. Yesterday it was a choc-mint ripple cake. A few days ago....Malteser Cake. Chocolate cupcake with pink frosting and mini M&M's. Another choc-mint ripple cake. I'm craving sugar like I've been deprived of it all my life and only just found it. I've always had a sweet tooth, but made a conscious decision to cut out sugar or else I'll get fat and diabetes. Is it really so bad though that I indulge in a few sweet delights to get me through this trying time? I know its a quick-fix, but its a fix nonetheless right? Right. That's what I'm telling myself. SP xox

Painting is another passion of mine. I have a degree in Visual Arts but as I had my second child (just days) after finishing my final year at uni I havent really done much with it. Occasionally I have little spurts and get a bit creative, but I really need a permanent space to paint more regularly. The plan is to one day display my paintings in or next to my perfume store! One day..... SP xox

Wow, its been a while, hasnt it? Funny how life can get in the way of the things that are most important to you!

So its Christmas in just one month. Normally I start my list (of who's getting what) in October. Now its the end of November and I havent even written anyone's names down yet! My youngest son turns 9 next week, once that is done I will begin to think about Christmas. I know, doesnt leave me much time, perhaps I could just buy everything online this year....had an ebay christmas once, was great! No waiting in lines, searching for car-parks, dealing with cranky people!

In the meantime though, I'm having a sale on a heap of my atomisers, perfect for your stockings! Check out the clearance page for some great discounts.

Hope you all have a great Christmas, and an even better New Year! Bring on 2011

Well, my first blog, everybody's doing it, but what to write? I guess I should talk about perfume, this is a perfume site after all! My love of fragrance started when my brother-in-law's girlfriend and soon after my brother's girlfriend got pregnant. I started putting together a basket each for the babies, like my aunty did for me when I was pregnant with my first child, and I wanted to get a few little things for the mum's too, after all, they are doing all the hard work, they deserve presents too! I was also addicted to ebay at the time, so a lot of my shopping was done there. I knew what perfume the mum's liked, but couldnt afford to buy full sized bottles, so I decided to get them the miniature versions instead. They were so cute!! I have always loved anything little, babies, kittens, puppies, smaller versions of anything! I started collecting miniature perfumes. They smelled so good, but the minis were collectables so I couldnt use them. I bought samples, tried everything, then larger bottles, then found a wholesaler that had perfume so cheap!! The rest just fell into place. I started selling first on ebay, then from a friend's bridal shop, to eventually this website you are on now. I am now tinkering with designing my own fragrances, and will one day open a store that will specialise in custom design, where I make the perfume blends just for you! One day..... SP xoxo