third on the right ...

In the midst ...

2012-02-01T01:13:00.001+11:00

Hello darlings ... just sharing some inspirational words with beautiful images.

During the last 18 months I have faced some challenging work scenarios. In amongst it all my favourite quote that kept me smiling was from Albert Canus .... here it is for you my lovelies.

In the midst of winter, I founds there was,

within me, an invincible summer.

So true so true, hugs all round,

Source: countrystylechic.blogspot.com via Le on Pinterest

Once, twice, three times a lady ... opps coat

2012-01-30T06:50:00.002+11:00

from here - Mod Cloth rules

On the Avenue Coat

Dusk Flurries

While we may only be a smidge thru summer I am getting my northern hemisphere emails thru full of coats.

Here are three of may fav from Mod Cloth. So enjoy the long, hot days of summer my southern hemi babes or bask in the warm fire glow of winter by northern darlings.

Wherever you are, enjoy!

Are you make a mound or digging a pit ...

2012-01-28T01:27:00.000+11:00

Source: blog.1800flowers.com via Di Mais on Pinterest

He who thinks he is raising a mound may only in reality be digging a pit ...... Ernest Bramah

How many times have you gone to do one thing, but ended up creating the exact polar opposite!

In 2011 I experienced a particularly fractious relationship with someone I worked for. The more she complained and criticised the more I tried to please, to anticipate, to address, but to no avail. In the end she resigned. I don't think this was the result she was looking for.

The mound she was raising turned out to be a hole she dug herself into. I learnt a lot from this experience.

I hope you are travelling well in 2012, best

Transition phase ...

2012-01-27T06:19:00.030+11:00

image from here

Hello lovies .... as you read this I will in week one of my transition phase. The transition from full time work, to no paid work, from ceo to cem - chief executive mum, from chief income earner to no income earner, from domestic disarray to something else.

I have one month at the beach house for some rest and relaxation, a circuit breaker if you will, then MIC and I exchange roles. Him to reno king, me to domestic diva crossed with the frugal warrior.

Might not be around much this month - no phone, no internet. I will miss you and we'll try for some internet cafe visits and I will be thinking of you, but the focus will be family, MIC and me. I have done some pre posts just for fun. Back round early March.

Be safe and see you on the flipside babes!

Looking forward ... and taking account

2012-01-26T01:42:00.022+11:00

Source: scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com via Le on Pinterest

Back here I turned 44. Now today I am 45. Heavens 45 .... who would have thought! In my 44th year I thought I might have achieved the following ... lets see how we went ....

Family Fab Four

See the boys learn piano - no but will have the opportunity if keen in 2012 - but I have learnt it should be about what interests them - not me - thus far one wishes to do tennis and one will do art classes.
Go on family runs - I have to be fitter for this and the boys have to be a wee bit older - errr no
Take the boys on an extended Aussie drive holiday in a camper van - no again
See the boys develop a devoted love of reading - yes for first born - every night, still a work in progress with darling boy

Mic and Me Fab Four

Visit Tasmania - nope shame
Buy a house back in the South Island of NZ - yes yes and double yes - see here - by the beach no less
Make more date nights happen, inclusive of the three letter word - partial success
Become grandparents in maybe 25 plus years - still on track

Random Fab Four

Grow a veggie garden - done but by Da and first born not me
Learn Spanish - scheduled for mid 2012
Renovate a modest holiday home - a batch in Queen Charlotte Sound would be fine ... yes - see beach house above
Take my mum on a holiday - just her and me - well we did have the kids and it was only four days but it was mum and me after 7.30pm each night and it was fabulous

Me Fab Four

Be able to touch my toes again - sadly no - but I have lost over 7kgs so that must help
Another change of career I think - yeah baby!
Have a once a month crafty day - I love a wee project - maybe if we count blogging ....
Connect more with the fab women in my life - slightly random but mostly done

So looking forward this year is one of major change for me and us as a family. The biggest ones are ...

role reversal - I'll be the primary care giver - it's called THE STAY AT HOME MUMMY - and Mic will go back to work
work for Mic is renovating our house - let the adventure begin - we will live amongst the chaos ...
we will be back in Brisbane - Brisvegas as I affectionately call it - close to nan and da, the cousins and some good buddies
I will continue on the current low carb high protein eating plan and see where it takes me
we shall invest in some extra curriculum activities for the boys ... they are ready
Mic and I will utilise the love of nan and have some kid-less dates
I'll learn something new - I have my eye on some e-course ...
connect in person - as in visit for coffee - with some darling bloggy girls

So whatta ya think ? Check back in 356 days and we will take account again.

Best to you,

ps And how am I celebrating this year I hear you ask .... well I'll be on a plane heading to the holiday house ...

The day that was ..

2012-01-24T21:04:00.000+11:00

from here ... our house is in the township to the right

Hello my lovies .... today was my last day at work ... I have left behind the most amazing team of people. I was so touched by their good wishes and thoughts and words.

MIC was reading the card that came with my lovely gift, more on that later, and he said 'you must be a really nice person at work' .... too funny with the implication being I am not so nice at home ... I get it MIC.

I have often thought work got the best of me while home got the left over me. This was one of the clear motivations for the planned changes in 2012.

So tomorrow we pack and on Thursday we fly bye bye. The boys and I will find ourselves to the right of the picture above. Bliss baby.

Will be a bit off air for a month - no internet connection planned - back to a less techie time.

So stay safe, many hugs

Holiday hair, no make up ... 45 in three days

2012-01-23T19:36:00.000+11:00

Hello darlings .... just getting ready for my month long holiday ... holiday hair, no make up .... my boys are having a giggling fit!

Think I look like a 45 year old singer from that 80s song 'oh mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind ... Toni Basil .... I think.

Hee hee love

Tarts .... loving

2012-01-23T05:48:00.000+11:00

Source: flickr.com via Le on Pinterest

Hello girls .... I saw this image and it just delighted me on so many fronts. The girls at work have shared a recipe with me to make a cheesecake that involves two ingredients - sour cream and white chocolate.

Melt the chocolate, mix in the sour cream, plonk it in a tart shell and pop it in the fridge. Once I have tried it out I'll post the details - minimal as they are ...

I think I might mix in raspberries. I love white chocolate and raspberries ... double yum.

I have some wonderful images here on Pinterest - it's my food porn board. It feeds my soul without adding to my hips.

Almost perfect, best

JENNIFER PAGANELLI - designer crush ...

2012-01-22T08:29:00.000+11:00

loving these bright and intense designs

seaside chic meets country garden fab

all images from joss and main

Morning dear ones .... Don't you love it when you find a new designer to lust after .... Jennifer blogs here and says ....

i love my family and close friends, velvet ribbon, lucious textiles and pretty paper! i love shelter magazines and books. roses, i love sparkly beads, glittery birds, and fresh hydrangas, slip covered ottomans, white sofas, craft blogs, vintage wallpaper, fabrics and 50's wrapping paper! i also love honest people who continue to do the next right thing......

As a designer, Jennifer Paganelli finds inspiration in everything. Sis Boom™, her one-of-a-kind vintage products company, is the inspiration distilled from several lives: her youth in the Great Lakes region of the US, her adolescence spent in the vibrant Caribbean, her college years in traditional New England, followed by career-building in the clamor of New York City. Today, she and her company are located in leafy rolling countryside of the Northeast. It’s here where she takes a breath and gets to work everyday.

So what's not to love ... best

In six days ... ten minutes from here

2012-01-21T16:51:00.000+11:00

from here

Hello darling ones ... well we really are on the countdown now. In six days we will be living in our beach house ten minutes from this village.

So this weekend we have the last of the packing and to start on the cleaning, plus a farewell lunch with friends tomorrow.

Then Monday and Tuesday are work days for me. I hand over to the interim GM. Wednesday is pack the suitcases day. Then Thursday we are ... leaving on a jet plane ....

On Thursday we will wake up in the Greater Blue Mountains behind Sydney town and go to sleep in the south island of New Zealand. Just me and the wee boys. MIC gets to stay here and do the move. Plus sort the beautiful Bo (the dalie dog of ours - being babysit in Brisbane - thanks Bernie) and finish off the house cleaning.

He will join us next week. In the meanwhile I'll set up the holiday house. So, so, so excited! So what does your weekend hold for you? Love to know.

Must away and do my bit, see you on the flip side,

Hard times, soft times ...

2012-01-20T07:59:00.000+11:00

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Di Mais on Pinterest

It isn't so much that the hard times are coming; the change observed is mostly soft times going ......

An insightful quote from Groucho Marx. Looking forward to the weekend - hope yours is just want you want it to be.

Best to you,

My little merman ...

2012-01-18T03:35:00.000+11:00

darling boy kicking back

Some more happy snaps from our November vacation to the Sunshine Coast above Bris vegas. See I am a super sensitive sun safe mother - long sleeves and all. Takes the guess work out of where the screen should go.

L - R darling boy, a darling cousie, first born, my handsome brother - father to the cousin

One of the reasons we are making the move back to Brisbane this month is to be closer to my darling brother, his delightful wife and their brood of four wonderful boys. As I age the relevance of family is more prevalent on my mind. This brother has work that has taken him all round Queensland, so it will be a rarity to enjoy both of us being within 30 minutes drive of each other.

a cute little beach bum

It will also be great to be near my sis - an hour away - her partner and their wee girlie girls. The only little frilly dress wearers thus far in this new generation of our family.

from the back - me, my sis, her babe - my niece, first born, darling boy

So as I pack boxes I think of these images and it gives me strength to pack on and on and on ... we have waaaayyyyy too much stuff.

Chin up - its a process! Best

Pink and slash of red ...

2012-01-16T18:40:00.000+11:00

from here

Isn't she lovely ... having just perused 87 images from the red carpet I must say that 30 year old mummy Natalie Portman is my dead set fav. She is a fav for me on most days - a sentimental fav as I love her work and her approach to life.

from here

Here she is with her beloved ... apparently the dress is a bit of a take on a Marilyn Monroe number she wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when singing Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend. Maybe it could have used a necklace or a bracket.

I did like Angelina Jolie's dress too - but unfortunately she is not being a great ambassador for healthy eating right now and I can't put her on the third looking so under nourished - sure she'll be devastated!

from here

And here she is in her most important role ... mommy Nat ... looking totally normal and relatively mummy-like.

So who was your fav in the frocks stakes .... hugs

Childhood delight ...

2012-01-16T05:56:00.002+11:00

Hello darling ones ... how are these smiles ... childhood joys .... moments in the sun ... capture them when you can.

Just in case you are wondering north American girlies ... it's a baby wombat ... awwww,

Playing with pixlr.com

2012-01-15T21:49:00.001+11:00

darling boy aged five with mr potato head - like I had to say that ...

Hello there my lovies ... trust the weekend was smashing. So I have been having a wee look for an instagram type thingo but for the laptop not the iphone. Happy to say I have found this - pixlr o-matic ... and it's free .... lets say that again FREE.

Just starting to play with some old images ... you can change three parts of the image ... it's super simple and I think I am falling in love ....

Have you got any recommendations for non iphone apps of this nature? Love to hear, best

first born - Australia Day 2010

Sunday Yum

2012-01-15T10:33:00.000+11:00

Source: caesarspalate.com.au via Le on Pinterest

Morning fabulous girlies and my odd boy out there ....

How fabulous is this tart ... find the details here .... have a lovely Sunday dear ones - it's back to the box packing for me after a dose of star wars the clone wars with the wee lads - a shared joy... we all have our little quirks!

On the count down to the move now .... 11 days till we fly out, seven days of work and a partridge in a pair tree.

Hugs all round

Digging time with Da

2012-01-14T04:24:00.001+11:00

grand-dad , known as Da with first born

This is my dad getting down and dirty with first born. Taken in October 2011 this little patch of dirt has now bought us radishes by the bucket load, lettuce to go, carrots in the making and potatoes still in the ground.

like this da !

But more than the produce gained the experience of working side by side with my dad is priceless. My dad is a good man, but never that relaxed with wee babes. But now the boys are older he is much more relaxed with them.

So these few precious minutes of sharing, learning and creating are really very special to me. Thanks dad. Thanks first born for giving da the time to share.

Love all round,

Happiness ... four words

2012-01-12T19:50:00.000+11:00

Source: thirdontheright.blogspot.com via Le on Pinterest

Happiness depends upon ourselves .....

And so said, rightly, Aristotle. Best

Butterflies ...

2012-01-11T22:00:00.000+11:00

butterfly cup cakes - from here

Emma and Elsie at a Beautiful Mess have inspired me with cupcake goodness. I wonder if America knows about butterfly cupcakes?

Australia sure does. These were a standard part of my childhood party fare.

What about you ? Best

Discombobulated

2012-01-10T21:08:00.002+11:00

Source: ellaandbaba.blogspot.com via Cottage on Pinterest

Discombobulated .... spell check says this is not a word ... but my son uses it after hearing from a dvd - might have been Madagascar .... but not sure. As in "Mum I'm feeling rather discombobulated" ... he is seven.

Well this evening I feel rather discombobulated after a visit to the dentist. What is it with teeth ... they are not really fit for function are they ... as per nature's design. There are flaws.

So some time back in November you might recall I had a trip to the dental surgeon for an extraction of a molar. It could not be saved - vertical crack and all ... sustained in May and lived with in denial until August.

So now today's visit was 'routine' - check the crater left by the extraction and fill two holes. The crater is apparently 'looking beautiful'. Hard for me to fathom this as the extraction was a soul destroying (for six hours anyway then I moved on ... sorta kinda ..), the reality of ageing process really hit for me.

Then fill two holes. Hole one no drama - done and dusted in 15 minutes flat. Then the the hell of hole two - 75 minutes later, four needles and some time out for me to gather my lost wits.

Seems when I cracked the molar above I also split the tooth below. This tooth had a horizontal crack, the nasties got in thru the crack and under an existing filling. So that filling had to come out, the crack had to be cleaned up and the whole lot filled.

Now I need to go back in two weeks for a 'crack detection' session to make sure it didn't go down to the nerve ... heaven help me if this is the case as I have used up all my dental reserve for 2012 already.

So I am discombobulated due to six needles, $495 out of my wallet and one numb face. I even had a medicinal Baileys - and this is me who really does not drink (much) mid week. Off to bed and like new tomorrow I am sure.

Be brave my dentist going possums ...

Prettiness

2012-01-09T04:49:00.003+11:00

from here

There is something so reassuring about nature at it's prettiness .... loving this series of images. I might have to learn to take photos like this. Maybe that can be something for the last half of 2012 .... nothing like planning ahead!

What thoughts to do you have on learning new skills in 2012 ..... do tell. Best

See Beautiful ....

2012-01-08T21:58:00.002+11:00

Hello dear ones ... just a quickie tonight.The lovely and talented Gaby from Stilemente nominated me to be featured on See Beautiful. Thanks Gaby - you are always the sweetie. And here is there girl power blog.

The bit about the third is here. Thank-you to the lovely Lydia as the creative force behind See Beautiful.

The premise of see beautiful is simple and beautiful in itself .... so go have a wee look around and enjoy, best

It's pretty simple really, we're committed to seeing beautiful in every nook and cranny of the world. We're equally committed to being a movement that helps girls and women see the beauty they inherently possess instead of supporting the definition of beauty that pop culture would like us to think we have to attend to.

A wee explanation ...

2012-01-08T06:00:00.002+11:00

source: countrystylechic.blogspot.com via Le on Pinterest

Hello dearests .. over the next few weeks I will be around less. We have a house to pack up and clean, and interstate move to do, resettlement in Brisvegas and in amongst a few weeks in New Zealand at the beach house. Oh yes and I am still working full time throughout and have some major tasks to sign off on, while MIC has the boys home on school hols. We are at capacity.

I will do a few pre-planned posts as I have some lovely, sometimes inspirational words to share with you. With some delightful images from my pinterest boards to accompany them. If you have not found pinterest yet you should check it out ... it's a lot of visual fun.

So stay safe, have a lovely January and I'll see you round like a rissole, best

Bless Target

2012-01-07T19:40:00.000+11:00

mighty fine

Ok, I'm not shy to say I LOVE TARGET. My latest Target love is their jeans .... Not only are they priced right but they come in short (me), regular (most) and tall (supermodels) leg length.

So I wanted a pair of jeans, straight leg size 14 to replace my old ones that now bag on me in a less than flattering manner.

Found around ten different styles to try on - straight, bootleg, skinny - in multiple styles. Two worked well and came home with me. Both were priced at $39 each, but lo and behold went thru the register at $23 something. One pair are like the ones on the right of the pic.

Love, love, love. Will take some pics someday, but the fit is great, the length is perfecto for me at five foot two and a half inches and my wallet is intact.

Happy days ! Best to you babes

Definition of motherly love

2012-01-06T21:18:00.007+11:00

from here

So I am entering my frugal phase ... in support of me not working in a paid job for this year I am forgoing my hairdresser privileges ... we all have to make sacrifices. I am 20 days away from earning no money. It's hard to fathom how thrilled I am about this ....

So embracing the principle (a bit like plural marriages - go Big Love) I am back to colouring my own hair. No stranger to this - I was a multi self colourer during my teens and twenties and thirties to think of it - I am happy to dye myself. He whom helps thy self and all ...

But being older now I have decided to streak instead of full colour. I have tried to home foil - but it has been an unmitigated failure - I am too impatient and too graby and get big chunks of nastiness. But streaking I can do.

So I did all the bits I could see and then I needed help. I asked MIC who declined. Then I thought laterally and engaged first born and darling boy. They were drop dead amazing. I was so surprised, First born was speedy and precise, darling boy was gentle and caring. Within ten minutes I had a full head of streaks underway. Yippee me.

from here

This is not me. But I am growing my hair. So soon it will be me. And my boys will help me get here. Love those boys.

Tell me your best frugal moment .... best

ps watching 'A Few Good Men' .... love that movie .... love Demi Moore best in this movie and Jack - he is soooooo full on - role model and all .... and of course should I forget Kevin Bacon ... my heart felt desire from Footloose .... ahhhhh ...dream on ...

Bright spot ...

2012-01-05T10:22:00.000+11:00

camellias in the sun

I defy anyone to look at these two images and not feel joyful. Joy is inbuilt in camellias and pansies. For me at least these flowers are reminiscent of both my darling mum and my beautiful nana.

Mum has always grown camellia bushes and pansies. Nan always had flowers in float vases on her dining room table. Nan had a wonderful embroidered tablecloth with pansies every which way.

Isn't it an interesting part of the human condition that images evoke such powerful memories - in this case full of love, laughter and joy - the best kind.

I also adore the simple, uncomplicated nature of both displays - achievable with a minimum of fuss, bother and expense.

Be gentle to yourself today, best

pansy heaven

Summer is here ... finally

2012-01-03T18:21:00.001+11:00

from here

Well finally the mountains have found summer! And in typical high country style we have gone from 14 degrees having the heater on with jumpers and rugged up to .... 32 degree and no breeze in sight, in a matter of days. Spent yesterday by the pool with the lads.

Back to work today .... but not for long ... 21 days, not that I am counting. Then the wide blue horizon of possibilities looms. I see the tropo north and a long white cloud in my crystal ball.

The recent weather is reminiscent of my hot, sweaty 1970s childhood summers in Brisbane. Most weekends there was a pool party four doors up and sometimes even a dress up party complete with horses doovers and pigs wrapped in blankets ... ahh those were the days my friend!

family - summer 1974 - le far right - 7 1/2 years 1974 - dresses by mum of course

Stay tuned for more summer lovin', best

ps my little dynamic experiment in blogger layout world had to end ... I missed my gadgets ... it was too hard to find you as I lost my on site reading list ... heavens!!

2012 ... the year of living colourfully

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000+11:00

blue delight

green envy

So I know we are all making serious resolutions and setting new year goals. So here are my not so serious ones .....

absolutely fabulous pink

I think 2012 will be the year of living colourfully. I'm forty-five towards the end of January and I think I will move my bag stock from red, blacks and browns to greens, blues and pinks. Same with my shoe stock.

It's a backlash from my years of 'corporate sameness' .... All right rock on chickadees,

A wee refresh ...

2012-01-01T21:52:00.000+11:00

So you might note we have a new look - the dynamic blogger template .... collective ohhhh please. I think I like it, think I do. And you can have a play too ... see the wee tags in the top left ... click on one to change the layout.

I have it set to default to magazine view - a wee bit presumptuous I know ... I quite like like flipcard and mosaic too.

To see the whole post click anywhere within that post. To comment go right to the bottom and click view comments and tap away.
Anyways love to all and lets see if this new look is a keeper, best

ps I don't seem to be able to get my le xox sorted in the right space as yet ... just live with it ...

The Junior Suite ... and you and me

2012-01-01T16:21:00.002+11:00

the junior suite

Now I love a good wing back chair and these two would work a treat for me. I love the girlie lilac and the bold white print. I found them here at J K Place Capri. via the blog of Heather Nette King. Lets explore more of this lovely property ...

more junior suite

I have visited the Isle of Capri ... way back in the early 20 somethings as a combie driving, free camping, taste the world adventuress ( I know that is not a real word .. but hey ...). So no I did not stay here ... It would have reduced my six month vacation to one month ... given the rates and all.

double superior

But I am all for the dream vacation ... you know 20 of your bestie girlies minus husbands and kids for the first four days ... then the kids and hubbies fly in for the last four days .... or not.

double deluxe

The understated elegance of this property rocks my boat big time. I adore it. Laid back, quality and comfort all rolled into a visual delight.

Master Suite

So I do have my ticket in the $31M lotto for this Saturday, so who knows we might just be there come April 2012 - it is currently shut for a refurb until then.

Penthouse Bath

A bath with a view ... yes please. Why not I say.

Penthouse Suite

The Penthouse

We would of course take the penthouse and the master and the junior suites ....

Dining Room

We would meet for dinner here after an aperitif around the pool .... where we watched the sun set into yje blue ... not sure if I have the right orientation here ...

Swim anyone ...

Maybe a nightcap at the bar .... and some more witty banter with each other and that super cute barman who is bound to work there. Even 20 years on I recall the hospitality of the Italian male of the species with a warm fondness. And rose coloured glasses ....

drink sweetie pie

Adore a stint by the sea - especially one accompanied by delicious food, fab wines and the odd flirtation by the pool.

The Isle

Would you come too .... I think so ... afterall I'll pick up the airfare ... all you need is a passport and acase with your cutest frocks, skinny capris and teeny tops, with the most floppy wide brimmed hat you can find.

Time for r n r

So that is it my lovies ... shall I reserve you a seat .... hugs

ps I think I'll plan the wardrobe just in case ....

2012 begins with a bang!

2012-01-01T10:39:00.000+11:00

Thus 2012 begins with a bang and I'm not talking fireworks .... so it is already a more promising year.

Happy 2012 my lovies,

That was 2011 ...

2011-12-31T14:00:00.000+11:00

January saw us move house, visit the caves and blue lake and enjoy the company of the darling Suey.

February saw the weather warm up, bubbles in the backyard and work heat up.

March saw us gather wild mushrooms and blackberries from the forest and enjoy home made meals in the sunshine.

Bo got bigger and bigger and bigger as we hit the halfway mark thru the year.

We prepared for a visit from nanny - we love our nanny.

The next month we did an exhausting day trip to Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney. It rained all day but did not dampen our enthusiasm - much!

Autumn crept in and sunsets took on a special awe.

Some of us felt the cold more than others as winter arrived early and stayed late.

October saw us on vacation in the capital of Australia.

Some of us got our groove thang on early in preparation for the holiday season. Outfit by nanny.

I challenged my inner crafty self and made this for Darling Boy on his seventh birthday.

November saw us visiting Bris Vegas and the Sunshine coast for some much needed sun, surf and family love.

Christmas prep started early December with coconut ice crafted in Christmas colours.

It is with love and affection that I wish you all well into 2012 and thankyou for your support, friendship and words of wisdom that were mine to enjoy in 2011.

Hugs all round, see you in the next year,

Plans take shape ...

2011-12-30T10:30:00.001+11:00

from here

Hello there darling girlies and the odd chap who might happen along ... as we wind the clock towards 2012 our plans for the new year are staring to take shape.

I can tell this is happening as I am surrounded by a sea of packing boxes, bubble wrap and tape. Plus I keep misplacing the marker pen ...

January is going to be a big month for us. Pack up this house, clean it as you do, move back to Bris Vegas, then a trip to the land of the long white cloud is on the agenda.

our holiday house - available to family and friends to use and enjoy

In amongst that I turn 45 .... 45 ... 45 ... I don't know where 45 came from ... the popular school of thought is it comes after 44. Which I could accept, except what happen to the years between 34 and 44 .... times flies.

That's right I had babes .... ahhh the fog of having two kids within 22 months took years off me, but not in a bad way, just in a gone for good kinda way and look what I have to show for it.

So 2012 is the reclaim the year for me time. This will involve a major shake up on our domestic scene ... the kind where I get to stay home and MIC gets to work.

The work in fact is renovating our Brisbane house - at least a new kitchen and bathroom, if not a deck too. Dollars will dictate.

This will allow us plenty of scope to use the New Zealand holiday house. Just saying the words 'holiday house' make me smile with joy. In case you missed it the house is here.

the beach a few hundred metres from the holiday house

So next year will be reno posts galore, stay at home mum posts, rethinking our life posts and the usual mix of home, heart, food and fashion.

Come along for the ride! best wishes to all for a fab and fun 2012,

Now that I am old ...

2011-12-29T06:34:00.003+11:00

from here

Now that I am old(er) I wish had worn these in my 20s .... Always a lover of the sequin, from seven plus years at dance school as a child - teenager, I would have loved to shake my tail feather in these wee delights.

So you gorgeous young thangs I totally expect you to get your sweet little behinds into these for new years eve. Loving both these versions ... now off to find you a top.

Lucinda Sequin Shorts

Maybe one of these .....

lucky star blouse

Candy Tassel Top

Sueded Delight

And these shoes maybe .... shoes were hard ... decided nude as I want the short to be the STAR!

kicks and match heels

BYO bling and away you go girlfriend, best

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

2011-12-28T06:00:00.002+11:00

from here

Well we had a yummy Christmas lunch, but I did change the dessert to this ...

Instead of my pavie delight choc date yummo I made Panna Cotta for the first time.

I was inspired by page 203 of the December Home Beautiful mag. It wasn't hard, I did have to have a second go at the praline and then it was softer than the recipe would have had it. But it was all double yum and went down a treat.

Here are the details ... slightly modified

Ingredients (serves 6)

300mls thickened cream
350mls milk
1 vanilla bean
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp gelatine powder

Praline

1 cup sugar
1/2cup water
180g macadamia nuts - chopped

Method

Place the cream and milk in a saucepan. Use a small sharp knife to split the vanilla bean lengthways, then scrape the seeds from inside the bean. Add the seeds and bean to the saucepan, then the sugar. Stir while the sugar dissolves and simmer.Remove from the heat once the sugar is all dissolved.
Sprinkle over the gelatine and stir to dissolve.If it is hard to dissolve return to a low heat. Stir until all mixed thru.
Pour thru a small sieve to remove any lumps.
Lightly oil 6 x 1/2 cup (125ml) dariole moulds or ramekins. Place on a tray and pour in cream mixture. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
To make praline heat water and sugar together in a small pan. Spread foil over a baking tray and scatter nuts across. Cook sugar and water for 15 minutes or until golden brown - simmer without stirring. Pour over the nuts.
Once set break up into toffee chunks or smash to smithereens with a rolling pin - cover with baking paper first to contain the sticky mess.
To serve, break the seal by inserting a small knife between the panna cotta and the mould. Turn onto a serving plate and shake to release.

If you prefer yours with berries rather than toffee than that is a goer too. I also serve ours with a pouring cream pool around it.

It is super rich so more is less of this dessert.

Best

Recording Christmas Day

2011-12-26T10:29:00.004+11:00

The day started well - it was sunny - double ya!!

Champagne cocktail for mummy, fruit smoothies with creamy iceblock straws for the wee lads.

So sunny in fact we could sit outside - so love eating al fresco!

My Christmas flowers to myself came out as did the paper craft made at Floriade in October this year.

Add some roses from the garden ... the last of the summer roses.

Some name place boxes crafted by first born and crackers from Coles with a cloth from the op shop and napkins from my darling Burke girl.

Present time - exchanging the brotherly love

Mumma with first born.

Sharing the love with darling boy.

Gem encrusted poodles .. what more could a seven year old ask for - they were on his wish list.

Daddy in the background with his stash of Christmas car and bike porn mags.

This was the funniest moment of the day .... Mic gave darling boy a dalmatian outfit.

When the real dalmatian, the Christmas present from last year, came in she growled at the boy in the suit, then when she realised it was friendly she went absolutely wild.

Mum always says read the card first - it's the polite thing to do!

In all his Christmas finery.

With chipmunk cheeks all swollen with back molars coming down - poor darling!

My three babes .... all in a row.

My fav card of the season - made by darling boy and not addressed to mum - but my name.

Happy days ahead for you and yours,

The Chandy Love Repeat

2011-12-26T07:00:00.001+11:00

I was looking for some photos and stumbled across this little bunch. I posted these back in the days when I had a home blog up and separate to this one. Now I have skinny-ed down in blog world I thought I'd better get the images up here .. This oh so colourful one just makes my heart sing.

This divine black gem says 'take me now' ... assuming the kids are not home, the bathroom does not need a clean and I have no bills to pay ....

Girlie pink .... who can resist ... and the shabby white is a delight.

Then my personal fav ... the chandy in the dressing room ... I just love the blue and the full length mirror ain't half bad either.

In a home soon I will find a space for a chandy or two, best

Christmas Wishes to You

2011-12-24T14:45:00.000+11:00

we went all pink and silver this year

Just some pics to wish you a very merry and bright holiday season. With love from us to you.

darling boy's art installation for the hols - day one

Be safe, be loved and be kind to all creatures great and small.

my christmas lilies - a present for me from me

Hug your babes, embrace your inner child, find your sweet spot and remember to kiss the cat.

spot the christmas fairy ...

When you can't be there with loved ones, then love the ones you are with. Closing with some happy snaps for nana.

See you soon, be well and live large,

one for nanny

another for nanny

Ode to the Strong Women in my life ...

2011-12-23T19:10:00.002+11:00

my mum with us kids circa 1979 - the original strong woman - me far right

I thought yesterday was going to be my last pre Christmas post but no ... here I am again. We had our work Christmas lunch today and it made me realise a few things .... I am surrounded by strong beautiful women, both in my personal and professional life and in my online space space. I'm going to use a bit of code here for privacy reasons, I hope you recognise yourself.

The original strong and beautiful woman in my life is of course my mum. Apart from raising four reasonably well adjusted kids and loving my father (no simple task) she gave us values and guidance, love and affection and now I am a mum and wife, empathy and understanding. She rocks.

Now the present day. I have endured/survived/ flourish in some rather turbulent times in the last wee while. Instrumental in my ability to come out the other side intact and not needing a long stint in a quiet room are some strong and beautiful women ....

The girls by my side have been feisty and fresh, fun and fab, bright and brilliant, loyal and lovable, insightful and willing to constructively provide feedback to me in a manner that enhanced rather than undermined.

There is SECS who is my bested and brightest, my muse and my touchstone ... I bow down.You are a joy.

Then there is JEIM and JCS who are my bookends of reality, my double hard barbie dolls who check reality on a daily basis.

Followed up by the darling girl of them all the PJx2 who is whip smart, ballsy like a bloke only better and rocks my socks with her down farm country girl city smart charms combo.

Add to this KBB and AMC and Vx3 and ... on goes the list.

In the virtual space I adore many more. Included in my support team are ...

Janie the magnificent from the world of Plant Baby - I so get this woman

The mumma with the mostess from the north island - while a generation apart I adore this fresh and witty and smart no punches pulled mumma of one. You rock chickadee. Your kiddo is a one lucky son of a gun.

The Alternate wife who makes me feel almost hip and in with the cool kids for once in my life - she is a bright shining star of style, wit and humour.

The girl I began it all with - the heralder of our generation - the jenX67 who I love from afar ..like the sister I wish I had.

Fe the voice from the northern beaches who radiates love, warmth and understanding ... she makes me a better person.

My Mary girl with the pink patents who I adore for her suave euro outlook and beautiful prose ... and attention to detail.

And never to forget my Blue - the darling girl who faces her own shadows and moves forward with strength and courage that inspires.

Add to that my famous five from Bris Vegas, the darling Toowoomba four and the brilliant Burke one and I am one well supported and loved chickie.

Count my blessings ... after all that is that not what Christmas is for really, hugs all round

Cherries in the snow

2011-12-23T07:02:00.003+11:00

from here

A darling friend gave me this polish some time back. I love it - it makes me feel girlie, strong, smart and kick ass-ey all at once. Strangely enough I would not have bought it for myself as I would have thought it was too bright.

Today it is making me feel very Christmass-ey. I am so looking forward to Christmas Day. I hope yours is a treat.

See you on the other side,

from here

Ps after chrissey is done with then I'll share our future plans with you ... 2012 is a year of change for us .. love the wings of change when I am the pilot ...

Happily Ever After ...

2011-12-22T06:23:00.001+11:00

Who are those young, bright sparkly things ... Where have they gone ... nowhere really. We have just added years of joy, trials and tribulations, ups and downs, babes and more to the mix. Now we are a rich tapestry of love and family with future ambitions still to add.

Love you my dearest on this our anniversary, love you on a daily basis.

You are simply the best,

Christmas Cometh, but first ...

2011-12-20T06:08:00.000+11:00

from here

Christmas is almost upon us - double ya ! But first we must do the first borns's birthday and our wedding anniversary.

the yawn - two days young

First born was born BDC - before digital camera days ... so we only have a few images from the early days that are scanned.

contentment - sparkly intelligence already showing thru - or is it wind ...

Christmas Day - me still C section wounded - Mic showing post traumatic shock

day one

November 2011- eight and 11/12s

And we have not looked back ... what a joy, what a delight, what a challenge this amazing child is. He brings out the best and the worst in me. He inspires, he loves, he laughs like there is no tomorrow. Best of all he is ours ... well at least until some darling girl wins his heart.

Love and hugs,

Pop goes the cake ... cake pop that is

2011-12-17T16:50:00.000+11:00

Here goes the cake pop ... not as easy as one might have thought ... and as always I don't have the patience to take the time to get it right.

But these beauties will go to work on Monday for the team to count down the Christmas week with a sweetie start. They are always so polite about my cooking ....

There are heaps of recipes on the web - here is just one. I missed the step first time about putting the mix in the fridge for 30 minutes ... this would have made ball rolling much easier !! Also I can't find the lolly sticks in Woolies so skewers it is ... Mic said they look like they could impale ... not helpful.

I did the taste test with coffee about an hour ago ... the middle does not really resemble cake at all - more truffle like if you know what I mean. My chocolate melting skills need some work - the first lot went in the bin - the microwave was off it's turning thingo and hence a super hot spot developed ... alas poor chocolate I knew him well Horatio ....

And here are some way more skilled than me bakers with their very cute and clever Christmas themed cake pops ...

Have a lovely weekend with or without cake pops, best

from here

Dark Blue Daze and the Yummy Mummy

2011-12-16T07:59:00.001+11:00

I have this totally yumminess on my toes at present - it's a Maybeline express finish in Denim Dash. It's a delight! And Mic put it there for me - bless him.

On my fingers I have found a yummy mummy (that is the real name) shade from Butter London. I found it on a Madison magazine at the newsagents yesterday and I adore it! Butter is maybe a bit special as it contains NO Formaldehyde, NO Toluene, NO DBP, and NEVER have. So I think that is a good thing ... lets see how long it stays chip free and then be the judge.

This is what it looks like on Megan, from Beauty in the Sky.

from here

I have also found a magic site that does colour comparisons of different brands ...

Its so cute that the lovely blogger at the Beauty Look Book paints each nail a different shade to show us ... what a lot of work!

from here The Beauty Look Book

Anyways you have a great Friday in whatever shade you choose, best

Living in the 70s

2011-12-14T06:39:00.000+11:00

image from here

Well not any more .. and not the 1970s but the 70kg plus on the scales .... as of today I am officially back in the 60s. I am thrilled. I have not seen 60 something on the scales since last Christmas.

And yes I am still using the high protein, low carb diet from this and this post. So now I have lost over 6kgs in about five weeks - wooo hooo ! Colour me happy sunshine!

And it has been easy peasy in comparison to the 101 other diets I have been on. Even Christmas functions have been ok ... I eat the cheese (deep fried Camembert - how 70s is that !!) and the meaty snacks while leaving the crackers and the higher carbs out ... except for wine that is. I have had my wine.

Plus the next day I just do the protein drink and have my salads and the scales seem to forgive me. Excellent.

Sarah Wilson - a lovely and talented lifestyle blogger/tv presenter and all round interesting person has blogged about her high protein experiences here. It's well worth a read if you have the interest. She is also drop dead gorgeous in that tall leggy, brunette long haired way ... but I don't think the diet can help with that ... I am still 5 foot 2 1/2 inches ...

Anyways share the knowledge I say, best

Planning Christmas Lunch ...

2011-12-13T07:56:00.008+11:00

Champagne Cocktail - from here

So I am planning Christmas lunch. I think it will be the four of us which should make for a nice relaxed affair. I think we should start with a Champagne Cocktail for me and some festive red berry juices for the boys.

from here

For 11am-isies I believe these might fit the bill, smoked salmon blinis. Double yum. Look at these beauties ... something similar in gluten free will work.

from here

I'll add to this a wee selection of the usual Christmas treats ... some shortbread, coconut ice, mocha truffles and panforte. My darling mum has made the panforte and it will arrive in the mail soon. I have made the coconut ice and it's in the freezer. I'll cheat and buy the shortbread - there is a great gluten free product at our local IGA.

This is what the treat plate looked like last year .....

Add caption

Now looking at that I might also have to make caramel fudge... and I forgot I made marshmallow too ... gosh I was cooking with gas last year !!

Oh ! nearly forgot the orange slices dipped in chocolate - mmmm. Mum makes cumquat slices dipped in chocolate - to die for.

from here

Then we'll be into the roast pork at around 1.00pm ish. - look away you wee vegetarians darlings ...

from here

We'll add some ham off the bone - can't have enough piggie - veg to this and salad too if the day is warm. Plus apple sauce of course - for the boys - I don't mix my sweeties with my meaties.

Then around 3pm ish we might find dessert ..... I'll make my choc, date and almond yumminess which is part pavlova and all decadence, served with whipped cream of course. I have a pic somewhere ....

found!

An hour or so later coffee or herbal tea all round served with more sweet treats and cheese, including goat with quince paste.

from here

Around dinner time if we need anything then it's toasties - ham and cheese - to be precise. Or maybe just more goats cheese with quince paste on crackers for me.

Feel much better now I have this sorted, what are your plans ... do tell, best

Snow bells and golden delights

2011-12-11T13:01:00.000+11:00

loving this - from here

Loving this frock - reminds me of snow bells ... the flower. Or then there is this gold delight below.

golden bells - from here

And I might like these shoes to go with ....

from here

Or maybe these with the blue dress ... too matchy matchy .... maybe I'll just stick with the gold.

from here

I think we are home for this Christmas - just the four of us ... so probably no heels ... no dress and just lots of love and joy.

And I may just like this necklace with either dress ....

from here

Then there are these earrings .... a delight I believe ...

from here

Well I think that wraps me up nicely ... fashion dreaming ... best

Home Made Christmas Yumminess

2011-12-11T10:49:00.002+11:00

honey granola

I like the idea of making things to give to friends at Christmas. I loved some of these ideas from Country Living as they were a bit different from the usual holiday fare. Here is the recipe for the golden honey granola.

Ingredients

1 container(s) (18-ounce) Old-Fashioned Oats (6 Cups)

8 ounce(s) Sliced Almonds

1 cup(s) Dried Cranberries

1 cup(s) Chopped Dried Apricots

1 cup(s) Light-Brown Sugar

1 teaspoon(s) Ground Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon(s) Salt

1 1/2 stick(s) unsalted butter

1/2 cup(s) Honey

How to ...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients except butter and honey.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Stir in honey. Pour over oat mixture and toss to distribute. Spread granola onto a parchment lined baking pan and bake, stirring occasionally, until oats are toasted and sugar begins to caramelize, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on pan. Transfer to an airtight container.

goats cheese homestyle

There are also recipes for Calming Herbal Tea, Marinated Goats Cheese , Chocolate Bark and more.

Here are the ingredients for the goats cheese.

1 (8-ounce) Goat Cheese Log

1 Red Bird's-Eye Chile

2 strip(s) Lemon Zest, pared from 1 lemon

2 Bay Leaves

1 sprig(s) Fresh Oregan

1/2 teaspoon(s) Fennel Seeds

2 clove(s) Garlic, halved

2 cup(s) Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

And the how to ...

Cut goat cheese log into 4 equal pieces; form into balls. Pack all 4 balls in a sterilized wide-necked jar. Cut chile in half, through the stalk. Add chile, lemon zest, bay leaves, oregano, fennel seeds, garlic to jar. Pour in olive oil to cover cheese. Seal jar and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours.

chocolate bark

Something for everyone I'd say, best

Red and Dotty

2011-12-10T18:02:00.006+11:00

spotty joy

spottiness x 10

the mummy cometh

the birthday boy

So what have you been doing today .... we have been hosting first born's ninth party. We went red and dotty.

All went well, the rain held off and we played wrap the mummy among other games like pass the parcel, flour cake, puzzles and dress up treasure hunt.

I made the dotty cake, meringues, coconut ice, cookies and we added sausage sandwiches, chips, cherios and cheese on a stick with fruit.

We love you first born, you make us so proud to be your mum and dad, hugs

Christmas Treat ... White choc cranberry biscotti

2011-12-09T15:07:00.002+11:00

sourced from here

Hello dear ones .... In the middle of party prep for first born's ninth party due to be played out tomorrow. So I am also sticking in some Christmas cooking for some economies of scale ...

I have decided the kids at work might like these so I am giving them a whirl. This is from the wonderful Alexandra from I adore food... she works, studies, sews but most of all cooks ... love that girl.

Have a great evening and a lovely weekend, best

Ingredients:

2 Cup of all-purpose flour
1 1/2 Teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon of salt
1/2 Cup of unsalted butter
1 Cup of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 Cup of shelled and unsalted pistachios
1/2 Cup od dried cranberries
1/2 Cup of white chocolate chips
Cooking instructions:
1. Preheat the oven at 350F (180C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, stir flour with baking powder and salt.
4. Using the electric mixer, beat butter with sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs,one at a time until well mixed. Scrape down sides as needed. Beat in vanilla.
5. Gradually, beat in the flour mixture, then stir in the pistachios, the chocolate and the cranberries.
6. Divide dough in two. Place each half on the baking sheet, spacing as far as possible. Form into two logs measuring about 10 x 3 inches.
7. Bake in the centre of the oven until golden on top, for about28 to 30 minutes.
8. Remove logs from the oven but leave the oven on. Let the logs cool down for 15 minutes.
9. Slice the logs into 1/2 inch slices.
10. Stand biscotti on the baking sheet and return them in the oven for another 15 minutes. Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze them.
11. *To make a white chocolate drizzle,put a cup of white chocolate chips in a bain marie, stirring often until the chocolate is melted.
12. Drizzle on the biscotti with the teeth of a fork.

More Trina Trunk ... at home

2011-12-07T20:58:00.001+11:00

This is the home of Trina Turk ... the lovely designer I hanker after from afar. See other posts on her here, coats here and now love her mid century house.

from here

Here is an extract from the article .... go here to read all ...

Then newlyweds, Turk and Skow landed here in 1985, when a job at the surfwear company Ocean Pacific lured her south from Seattle. "We cranked out so many of those color-blocked shorts," laughs the designer.

She launched her eponymous, retro-patterned clothing line a decade later and now dresses the likes of Eva Mendes and Teri Hatcher. Over the years, Turk and her husband have steadily upgraded their stash of vintage furniture as well as the residences in which it's all been deployed.

Five years ago the couple settled into a pedigreed and extremely handsome house that most design and architecture groupies can only dream about. The low-slung post-and-beam prize was built in the 1940s by J. R. Davidson—one of the great Case Study architects ...

Ahhh ... what is not to love ... dedicated to BrisMod - hugs all round

Loving .... Charlotte Taylor

2011-12-06T22:31:00.000+11:00

So how delightful are these frocks ... if you have three minutes watch the video clip and see more of this darling English designer.

Oh to be young, fun and flirty ... go here to read Charlotte's blog.

Have a lovely week, best

CHARLOTTE TAYLOR SPRING SUMMER 2012 COLLECTION from Ben Taylor on Vimeo.

Beach House ... yes please!

2011-12-05T21:53:00.001+11:00

from here

So I am thinking these are rather neat bunks for the yet to be established bunk house at the beach house. I like how simple they are and I like that the ladder is incorporated into the end of the bunks. Thus allowing easy access to the bottom bunk.

Also thinking a good solid edge on the top bunk is a must. Stop those broken arms and all. Built in bookshelf on each is a nice addition as is the light which reminds me of a bulk head light.

Hmmmm, add them to the 'want' list, best

Vintage Blue ....

2011-12-05T03:07:00.002+11:00

1950's "Julie Miller Original" Designer

I have just found Timeless Vintage Vixen on esty ...died and gone to dress heaven!! A delight to browse from afar ... see what you think.

1950's "Fred Perlberg" Dance

1950's Turquoise-Blue/Black Floral-Garden Butterflies

Can't decide ... loving the last one if I looked like Grace Kelly .... best

Christmas Cometh

2011-12-04T18:44:00.001+11:00

So last weekend the boys and I got down and xmasy. Silver and pink were the chosen colours ... then purple worked its way into the mix.

The Charlie Brown advent calendar was given to me in 1980 by a then high school friend. Those were the days.

I always think this will be the year I turn out a Martha Stewart-sque display ... but each year the youthful enthusiasm of my boys overwhelms any planned design strategy and I'm glad of it.

After all is not childhood delight that is the very essence of Christmas ... best

Mod me out babe ...

2011-12-04T09:02:00.003+11:00

this coat from here

So this coat and dress with these boots ... watch out new years eve !

from here

In my dreams ...

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow ...

2011-12-03T12:18:00.004+11:00

mic liked this pic best ....

New hair day ! Love new hair days .... love love love.

I liked this one best ....

And the really BIG news .... my sister had a baby girl four hours ago .... so happy.

Enjoy your weekend dear ones,

Influenced by Fred the Vegetarian ...

2011-12-02T20:26:00.001+11:00

Dinner tonight and the conversation goes like this .... while having roast pork and salad ...

Darling Boy : "I want to be a vegetarian".

Me : "No you don't".

Darling Boy : "Yes I do. Can vegetarians eat chocolate?"

First Born : "Yes they can".

Me : "No they can't". Why do you want to be a vegetarian ... we don't even know any vegetarians ..."

Darling Boy : " Yes we do, we know a dinosaur called Fred. He's a long neck."

So where do you go with that .... have a great weekend,

That was then ...

2011-11-30T22:42:00.001+11:00

One of the things I love most about blogging is the opportunity it gives me to 'look back in time'. It's a gift that with one click I can whiz back to January 2009 and I can revisit summertime with the wee lads.

Blogging bliss, hugs

Reader Love ...feel the warmth ... live the dash

2011-11-29T18:18:00.001+11:00

source

Thought it was about time I gave a shout out to all my lovely fellow bloggers and readers. The guys who have been here from the beginning - love you guys.

As fate would have it I have a special bunch of 'new readers' who have been popping by incognito since around May June this year. Happy days.

So welcome one and all to my personal blog. It's not a private blog as we all know that things put on a blog are not private. Quite frankly the idea of making this blog 'password protected' seems counter productive and a tad overkill ... for one my mum and aunties would never remember the password and never get to see the pics of the wee lads. Hi mum - love you.

So pull up a pouffe, pour yourself a white wine and feel the warmth. Be aware that on occasion I express my thoughts, dreams and aspirations - on occasion I even expose my pink underbelly. Judge them if you like, better you just accept them as something personal from me.

In closing I have a very special poem to share with you by Linda Ellis. 'The Dash' is one of those rare expressions of wisdom that may cause you to rethink a few things in your life. Go here to view it. Please do click thru. I have not reproduced it here out of respect for Linda and her copyright on her work.

I know Jane, Felicity, Heather, Jen, Michelle, Pink Mary, Blue, Thea, Gaby and Carly will love it ... ya girlfriends. I wonder what the new readers will think, leave me a comment girlies.

Hugs all round

BYS love affair

2011-11-28T11:59:00.002+11:00

from here ... the new matte range

Discovered this range when on hols up the sunshine coast. Bought a fab steel blue grey matte which I adore, adore ... it's my anti establishment colour of choice. La di da is it's name - how appropriate ....

after I downloaded this I went and found my hand cream ...

Best yet the range is cheap as chips, long lasting and super liquidy when applying ....

La Di Da

Love affair it is, best

Kitchen Dreaming

2011-11-27T11:08:00.006+11:00

from here

While I can swoon over the big, elaborate kitchen just as much as the next girl, there is something I really adore about the small, less pretentious cousin. The kitchen that says welcome, I'm here, make toast, boil the kettle and get on with it. Here a couple of lovely examples.

from here

The real payback is not having to mortgage the children to afford it.

Source: countryliving.com via Le on Pinterest

So count me in, small is beautiful, best

from here

Flowers my pretty

2011-11-26T18:54:00.000+11:00

These were my blooms before the rain and wind ....

Then the rain came down and the wind whipped up and the bushes themselves threatened to hit the ground.

So a serious prune was in order. Thus I have sprays of roses everywhere .... not so bad really.

And one final shot without the flash, all dark and moody and full of blushing promise ....

Enjoy your week, best

A new dress for Christmas ....

2011-11-25T22:37:00.001+11:00

could this be the one ..... from here

When we were little mum would usually buy us a new outfit for Christmas. Now I like to buy my own ...

How bout this sweet little dress .... hmmmm adore it!

And here come the shoes ...

yummy

With these earnings ...

ahhh yes

and this ring just for fun ...

from here

Well how is that then .... happy days, have a great weekend, best

Sshhhh ... its a secret ... part two

2011-11-23T22:08:00.002+11:00

So what have I done to improve my eating thus far .... We have totally moved away from carbs - all carbs, and by default most sugars.

Here is the lowdown ...

Breakfast : lettuce, tomato and some protein - like a egg or a sardine, decaf green tea and water. Just added fish oil in this week - so an omega three rich capsule.

Morning tea : protein drink - high protein, low carb, low sugar - made especially for women.

Lots of water.

Lunch : lettuce, tomato, celery, mushroom and some thin slices of protein - like cold roast pork from last night.

If I need something in the arvo I have another protein drink.

Then dinner is the same as lunch.

I did this strictly for six days and lost 3kgs. Again a for the next five days and lost two more .... I find the lack of carbs no biggie !! No biggie most days.

Fat is not the enemy, carbs and sugars are. It's all good and all do-able. Go read Dr Jay Wortman for the real science behind this approach to diet.

Hugs all round,

ps this diet is wonderful for a whole range of diseases of affluence - especially diabetics ... so this should interest my new crew of older readers ....

Shhhh ... it's a secret

2011-11-22T21:08:00.002+11:00

image from here

Here to share some news with you ..... I have a new eating regime and it seems to be working. Now to keep you interested I have lost 5kgs in two weeks. Week one was very strict, week two less so, but all still all do-able. And week three is looking good.

We have joined the anti carbs bandwagon... How did we get here ... well that is another story. About five months back MIC was ill, very ill for about three months. It was hellish, especially the first eight weeks when we did not know what he had. It was horrid as he lost 10kgs and on his already fat free frame that was rather significant.

So after we had the official diagnosis Mic, as Mic is prone to do, went on an internet research mission to enhance his recovery. Well that is when he discovered the evil of carbs. His sickness thrived on carbs so he cut them out.

He got better over the next four weeks and on cutting the carbs out found some interesting bonuses. His eye sight improved, his sleep became sounder, his patience improved and more.

Plus he got better. Ya!

So now the enemy is not fat, it's carbs and sugars. I'll post another time with details for those who want the detail.
But trust me, it's not that hard .... best

ps as you might know we have had the kids refined sugar free and gluten free their entire lives,with some rare exceptions for sugar like at birthday parties ... MIC has been gluten free too and I was mostly gluten free just to make life easy ....

It's a good day today ...

2011-11-22T07:59:00.000+11:00

a delight from deliciously organised

For singing the blues, it's a good day for ... rainy and misty ... poor babes are doing school swimming lessons all this week - it will be freezing in that pool.

Happy days ...

More Trina Trunk ...

2011-11-21T22:25:00.000+11:00

lovely Trina Trunk designs ...

coat love - Trina Trunk

Loving these coats ... I know we are into summer now, although temps are heading south again towards week end. I could not trust myself with white ... too accident prone.

So while we are in for some summer loving, I am winter lusting over Trina Trunk, best

Loving this ...

2011-11-21T21:46:00.001+11:00

from here

Now how much do we love these retro inspired pieces - hello to my new readers .... hope you like retro, vintage, food fabbiness and insights into my family life.

More to come soon, have a great week, best

Sweet Paul is my kinda guy ...

2011-11-20T10:23:00.006+11:00

and what a sweetie he is ...

I was thrilled to find this online mag - SWEET PAUL - It is food porn at it's best and lots of other delightful offerings.

hold me back

So as we say .... do yourself a favour and check it out - best

ahhhh

Add caption

Look inside >

Winter 2011

Bloging speed bump ... back now

2011-11-19T14:24:00.004+11:00

Me aged around nine, next to my brothers with our little sister, family dog and cat

This blog is my personal space to meet with my extended family, long distance friends, like minded mums and moms, crafters, wives and people whom I click with.

It contains my personal opinions on a whole range of subjects, mostly home, design, mothering and living life with colour, empathy and love.

On occasion I share my family stories, dreams, desires, future plans, likes and on a rare occasion, my dislikes.

If you enjoy being here that is great - I'm thrilled. Do stay and leave me a comment to say hi.

If you want to take something from here, present it in isolation, twist it to suit your own end and repeat it to cause mischief then that is your choice.

Lucky for me I know people like that are the minority and I choose to blog on, knowing the pluses outweigh the minuses. The good far outnumber the bad and the relationships I have nurtured thru the third have bought me joy, understanding and personal growth.

Hugs all round,

PS The story behind this is that my blog got an airing this week by 'a member of the public' in my work environment. At first it was a weird, surreal experience, having my blog quoted in my professional environment. In all my years of blogging the many me's - in this case the work me and blog me - have not crossed over. Thus I have been off blogger for a few days considering my choices.

On the up side I am expecting a surge in readership numbers given this recent outing at a public forum in my local community. Who knows my google ranking may just soar! Wasn't this how Dooce was born ....

Now off to read you all again - thanks for your behind the scenes support. I felt the warm, genuine hugs from around my blogworld come forth into my inbox and blanket me in bloggy goodness.

PSS and I have also lost 5kg in two weeks ... more on that later :)

Dream come true ...

2011-11-12T15:32:00.010+11:00

the stairs to our beach - house in background - sigh !

Mic and I have talked about a home we can use for weekends and long summer vacations and for friends and family to stay at. To create memories and general all round good times.

Well we found it. By the beach, 30 minutes from a city we love - and a cold beach too - my fav. Penguins and seals call this area home too. And so will we.

So today we bought it. In 14 days it will be ours. Now I'd like to share it with you here right now as I am just so excited. So excited, too excited, tears in my eyes excited as it means such a change for us ...

So excited that the years of working hard and being frugal has paid off.

Welcome to our front gate .... do come in.

It's a 1930s home that has been relocated to the site in the 1990s.

Three bed, one bath and an enclosed outdoor room for rumpus-ing in.

On 1100 metres ... one neighbour on one side only ...

Established chook yard, veggie patch and more.

Sunny inside with polished floor boards and lots of light.

Hope they leave the coffee machine.

Handy little kitchen.

Lounge is not this large ...

Main bedroom.

Another bedroom ...

Third bedroom

There are around 260 people who live down here - no shops, no pubs, no anything consumerable you could think of ..There is a wee village ten minutes away with some amenities and such like including a cafe from memory ... I can't wait to share this adventure with you. And the best bit ... I can take you all with me this being blogland and all.
Must away and discuss details .... love to you,

ps I have come back to give you a beach shot ... or two ...

from here - our new beach ...

from here

Weee and other childhood wonders

2011-11-12T08:37:00.002+11:00

Happy weekend dear ones! And to get you in the mood here are a couple of snaps from our recent Sunshine Coast vacation. My adorable little niece, the only girl in a sea of grandsons, is the pink sweetie pie.

First born loved the boogie board and became something of a dare devil. Keeping tabs on both kids was me, the brown bundle in the red hat. Having both the boys in the same hat and sun shirt really helps as my little old brain only had to keep finding the same white heads all the time.

It's getting really hard to find long sleeve swim tees in the shops. I got these shirts and hats for all of us from C Wear, and they are just fab quality with a great range. For smaller kids Salt Sea Tees have a great range and they are made by a very sweet mummy in Brisbane. Just been for a squiz and many tees are on sale at Salt Sea right now.

We have a rather exciting afternoon planed ... we have found a house we would like to buy ... But not ones to do things simply we will be bidding by phone. Will let you know the outcome once we have one.

Happy days,

Sunshine Days .... and getting older

2011-11-10T18:05:00.001+11:00

all images from here

Well I don't often see orange in decor that I like, let alone love. Love these rooms.

On a different note I had one of those 'aging' experiences today. A tooth removed. I am in mourning ... I know in the scheme of things it is very little to loose, but it seems kinda symbolic of getting old(er).

Having a tooth out is a bit like having a baby, except there is nothing special at the end.

For us it's a two hour drive each way to the dental surgeon. I went by myself - very brave - as the times did not work with school finish time. I spent the two hours wisely, playing the soundtrack to grease to perk me up. The Doctor Dentist was great.

Now as my reward I get to visit blog world, until the pain gets to much and then to bed.
Best to you and your toothies,

Flowers and fun

2011-11-09T22:02:00.002+11:00

Remember our trip to that haunt of the over paid, cotton wool cocooned sanctuary of the public servant - aka Canberra ... well you'll recall we went to floriade too ...

There the wee lads made these. I am so wrapped in them ... we carried them home, we looked after them during the trip home and we have now put them on display in our dining room.

Best yet the works started as paper disposable cups and some petal shaped crepe like paper. Lovely Asian ladies showed us how to make them. Their approach was at once sweet and humble, yet firm and directive. It was interesting to see the boys respond.

Love and hugs to you, best

Designer Darling Boy

2011-11-06T08:26:00.008+11:00

On Friday morning, before school darling boy asked me if I could colour coordinate his room. He was very specific with the request - red here, yellow there as he pointed to each corner. He was so intent on seeing it done I just had to oblige. How excited he was to see the end result.

I know he has a lot of stuff, but he's seven and a collector so what can I say .... I think it might be easier for him to tidy now as he can just put the colours away not so much cars with cars etc ... I live in hope.

While sorting I also placed his latest craft offerings onto the wall. I think it is really important to show their art has a place in our home.

He did the foamie art at his birthday party and the hearts while on hols. I rather like the hearts.

And just to show darling boy is not alone in his colour coordinating desires I have found these fab images from the web. I had actually done the bookcase thing before with the kids books ... but here are a few more grown up looks.

Think it is the white here that really makes the shelves a star.

from here

Loving the green chairs too ...

The dark wood works to great effect below.

Have a lovely day,

from here

Now moving fashion forward ...

2011-11-05T08:55:00.000+11:00

The lovely Elsie from A Beautiful Mess

I have been so impressed and inspired with colourful happiness and joy from A Beautiful Mess blog and it's talented wee lassie Elsie. This image is from her latest post. Clever wee vintage jewel that she is. Go here to love more of Elsie.

Have a colourful and joyful weekend poppets - the sun is shinning here and the skies are blue, best

Fa fa fashion .. from the 30s underbelly

2011-11-04T11:49:00.002+11:00

Ok now I know we don't talk much about telly on our blogs but I just want to share the fashions from underbelly razor. I have to say I am enjoying this mini series - apart from a dull patch in the middle - and a big part of the enjoyment is about the fashion and the two strong female leads.

Tilly Devine, the blonde above (Chelsie Preston-Crayford) and Kate Leigh , the brunette just above (Danielle Cormack) are fab. As is the red head little miss Nellie. Now I know the fashions are not necessarily historically accurate 100%, but it's the telly .... so I'll tell you what I love.

The hats and faux fur.

The black beads and the satin.

The colours and the evening wear.

Lordy lord the coats in velvet ...

The jewelry and the dark lips.

The frills and the bows. I love it all ... do you? Best

all images from here

A boy and his boat ...

2011-11-03T21:46:00.005+11:00

So where have we been ... well here of course my darlings. While part of us went to NZ to farewell Grandma some of us went here to engage our inner child.

These shots of our first born with his home made boat - made by himself - just make me want to cry with joy. Joy that an ice cream container (thanks Aunty Meg) and some lunch wrap and sticky tape can make an eight nearly nine year old boy swoon with delight.

This trip reinforced a few things for me ....

We want a house by the sea
We should cultivate more simple pleasures for our lads to embrace

And the list goes on ... but enough for now. More snaps soon, best

Dazzle Darling

2011-11-03T14:58:00.002+11:00

So darling boy says to me one day ....

" Mum I'd like purple pants with a shirt that matches that sparkles"

Right I say - lets call Nana. One call later and the order is placed. One week later and we have the suit, complete with boater hat from my tapping days. How fab is that Nana of ours. Just in time to wear to the party as you would have seen here.

And here we are with the art work done at school as a fundraising effort for the P&C. The resulting works say so much about our babes and their different outlooks ... they are very typical of the boys and the way they see life and how they live it.

It is always of interest to me how two kids raised under the same roof with access to the same gene pool can be so different.

Ain't life grand, best

Loving this ....

2011-11-01T21:48:00.001+11:00

from here - Mia Greves

Apart from the wearer being drop dead gorgeous .... how fab is this fascinator .... Google tells me Mia is a reporter in Canberra. This is my pic of the Melbourne Cup headwear. Wish we could see the whole outfit.

Now there were some clangers ... but I've decided in the spirit of niceness not to mention Leona and Zara ... opps.

Best

Party Time ... darling boy turns seven ..

2011-11-01T09:13:00.003+11:00

bubble fun - darling boy centre - first born in yellow - darling boy's VBF from school

how much fun can we have with $5 worth of bubble mix ...

Nanny was down from BrisVegas for all the fun so that made it doubly special

and the cupcake delight - happy daze indeed

Hello there dear ones ... we have been away on a short break to see family and find the sun ... a commodity missing most often from here.

But just prior to the great escape our darling boy turned seven. Who knew seven would come around so fast! In typical darling boy style he wanted a cupcake party. Easy peasy pumpkin squeezee says moi.

One order to Lark, one batch of cupcakes and a few dear friends and the party was had. And yes that is darling boy in the purple sparkly spangle pants ... more on that later.

Now to read you all soon - have a few days off still from work so I may be there sooner rather than later.

Hugs all round

Creative-le

2011-10-20T16:15:00.003+11:00

Take one $15 cushion on sale at Target ....for $10 ....

Add about $25 of cotton and numerous nights from 8pm till 11pm each evening ...

Sew some purple bobbles round the edge because purple is a very manly colour darling boy tells me .....

Wrap and present to the birthday boy. Hee hee creative le .... I have not embroidered since year nine at school ... and then I never finished the project.

Did better this time, best

third on the right ...

In the midst ...

Once, twice, three times a lady ... opps coat

Are you make a mound or digging a pit ...

Transition phase ...

Looking forward ... and taking account

The day that was ..

Holiday hair, no make up ... 45 in three days

Tarts .... loving

JENNIFER PAGANELLI - designer crush ...

In six days ... ten minutes from here

Hard times, soft times ...

My little merman ...

Pink and slash of red ...

Childhood delight ...

Playing with pixlr.com

Sunday Yum

Digging time with Da

Happiness ... four words

Butterflies ...

Discombobulated

Prettiness

See Beautiful ....

A wee explanation ...

Bless Target

Definition of motherly love

Bright spot ...

Summer is here ... finally

2012 ... the year of living colourfully

A wee refresh ...

The Junior Suite ... and you and me

2012 begins with a bang!

That was 2011 ...

Plans take shape ...

Now that I am old ...

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Ingredients (serves 6)

Method

Recording Christmas Day

The Chandy Love Repeat

Christmas Wishes to You

Ode to the Strong Women in my life ...

Cherries in the snow

Happily Ever After ...

Christmas Cometh, but first ...

Pop goes the cake ... cake pop that is

Dark Blue Daze and the Yummy Mummy

Living in the 70s

Planning Christmas Lunch ...

Snow bells and golden delights

Home Made Christmas Yumminess

Red and Dotty

Christmas Treat ... White choc cranberry biscotti

Ingredients:

Cooking instructions:

More Trina Trunk ... at home

Loving .... Charlotte Taylor

Beach House ... yes please!

Vintage Blue ....

Christmas Cometh

Mod me out babe ...

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow ...

Influenced by Fred the Vegetarian ...

That was then ...

Reader Love ...feel the warmth ... live the dash

BYS love affair

Kitchen Dreaming

Flowers my pretty

A new dress for Christmas ....

Sshhhh ... its a secret ... part two

Shhhh ... it's a secret

It's a good day today ...

More Trina Trunk ...

Loving this ...

Sweet Paul is my kinda guy ...

Bloging speed bump ... back now

Dream come true ...

Weee and other childhood wonders

Sunshine Days .... and getting older

Flowers and fun