Blogtoberfest Day 30: dreaming of faraway places...
like Italian coastal towns....
my collegue flew out to Italy on Monday for a friend's wedding...im slightly jealous as Italy is one of my favourite places ...history, beauty, the food, atmosphere....Andrew and I were last there back in 2001...seems like ages ago! the coastal towns were breathtaking,
heaven sent indeed!











*images: top STYD magazine - Amalfi Coast fashion layout
Next: Positano
then Cinque Terre
and last Varenna from google images*

Wishlist Wednesday: A Pastel Dream














gorgeous pastel Christmas dove by JoHeckett





vintage turquoise roses studs by Michvanetta
Peony Letterpress tags by Missive

*top image from USA Vogue via Google Images*

Blogtoberfest Day 27: EyeSpy....something cuddly



here are my cheeky boys...i love cuddling them and showering them with kisses!
they usually squirm away or most times they cuddle me back awww.... i like that!
I took quite a few photos last week...trying to capture a good one for our 2009 Christmas card, do you think they can stand still for a second...? boys will be boys...
click on pic to see a larger view

Cindy has asked me to choose the 'Eye Spy' theme for next week...so my theme
is EyeSpy - Shoes
Whats your current favourite pair or maybe you have your baby shoes stored in a special box...cant wait to see!

dreary rain....

Peter's school had their Spring Fair yesterday - the boys had been looking forward to it for weeks and it was such a good turnout with lots of locals coming along
but sadly it didnt last long as the rain came....it started with little droplets which quickly turned to a downpour, ruining everything!
....everyone looked really sad as there was so much effort put into it!

We had to run all the way home too so by the time we got there we were all soaked to the core....its still raining today...so much for Spring weather haha!
I'll be back later with my EyeSpy post....


*image from 'Pretty Peony' on Flickr

Blogtoberfest Day 23....where does time go?

I look forward to my days off so so much...that extra 5minutes of sleep in the morning, leisurely breakfast with my boys, the school run...Im really grateful to be able to work part time and have some time at home

but as any mum would know, its a constant juggling act and my days go by so fast

...where does time go? i have so much to do that just thinking about it makes me exhausted!

I did pop out and get the latest Frankie magazine though, Frankie always inspires and makes me happy, what other magazine would have 'Group hugs all round' on the cover!!

....i even bought myself a necklace...well a candy one, just for some extra sweetness!

have a FAB Friday night everyone!

Blogtoberfest day 22: a sprinkle of sunshine
yellow is such a happy colour!
its not a colour you would think to use in the home
but dont you think it looks lovely sprinkled around a room in small doses ?
...im liking it!!


*Top image: Instyle magazine
*middle: art work from Charming Wall (gorgeous and affordable prints!)
*Bottom: Home beautiful magazine

Blogtoberfest Day 21
Wishlist Wednesday: a vintage Tea Party

so your off to a Tea Party but have no idea what to wear? well let me give you some suggestions.....

vintage Vera scarf by ggiotta

vintage 70's full skirt from clevernettle

how lovely is that?!

and what about a fun ring so when you're holding your tea cup (or champagne flute) sipping away its a stand out for all to see!

Tara Ring by Dspdavey

*Top image via Strand Arcade, Sydney*

blogtoberfest Day 20: new blog meme

a new weekly game to play....'My place and Yours'

over at Pip's groovy blog...come join in!

this week's theme is 'On the Shelf''

here we are in my kitchen - some of my cookbooks im always adding to my collection so Id love to know whats your current favourite cookbook?....do share....

lots of tea cups and mugs too!

have a fun day....

Blogtoberfest Day19: EyeSpy - My bedroom

Back to playing EyeSpy....
thanks to
Miss Muggins for this week's theme!

here is my bedroom...
the most i love about my room is its spacious, has lovely high ceilings and a beautiful curved wooden window that is the main feature of the room - lots of light and afternoon sun....perfect for nanna naps although I dont get much time
these days.
We've had our furniture for over 10 years so Im a little bored of that so if we buy a new house (hopefully soon... boohoo....)
we'll definetely get something new...ive got some ideas in mind already!

images of my tote bags on the back of the door, my lovely Partridge&Pear doll, everyday accessories in a thrifted floral plate and our wedding crowns in a icon box.....
Thanks to Cindy for hosting Eye Spy!
join in if you want to play along - everyone is welcome!!

Halloween Blog Party

I couldnt miss Vanessa's Halloween celebration party...i was there last year and the
year before that - always a good time with lots of frightening fun!
Here are my 'wicked wicked ladies in the haunted house'...this was actually a title of a book i read when I was about 10yrs old - i remember being totally scared but not able to put the book down...

* Top two image by the late Irving Penn and bottom image from Italia Vogue *

Blogtoberfest Day 17:Soft Hues

im trying to spruce up a bare wall in our family room with some new artwork ...
I ordered these from Collage a day blog
last week, as he is now offering for a limited time giclee prints of his gorgeous collages!
love his style of artwork and I look forward to adding these plus some other things that still need framing ...I'll have to show you all when everything is up - stay tuned!

Blogtoberfest Day 15: Bunny Ears

When i was in Manhattan last month,
I went along to see the Richard Avedon
exhibition at the
International Centre of Photography


This delightful image of Dorian Leigh (1949) stayed in my mind because of her funny facial expression and of course the 'bunny ears' hat!


and as most things in fashion...whats old is new again!
....so from Bunny ears in 1949, to bunny ears in the 60's to
Louis Vuitton 2009...

*top image by Richard Avedon
*middle image of Hugh and friend from Google images
*Bottom image Louis Vuitton runway shows

Blogtoberfest Day 14
Wishlist Wednesday: Le Cirque

How excited were you as a child when the Circus came to town??
this week's picks are all about the Circus and the excitement it brings with it!








Circus Cuts set by



Kirtlandhouse












'Letter E' print by
Lindsayart
so sweet for a newborn's nursery dont you think??









and fun vintage
Hazel Atlas Candy Stripe Glasses by Lunaparkfoundry


*Top image by Steven Meisel*

Blogtoberfest - Day 13
ohhh when does school start again??
these kids are driving me na-nahs (short for bananas)

i had two days at home since they are on school holidays with so many plans and activities in mind, ready for 'us' to do (all jolly good fun...) but I think Ive spent all my time seperating them from killing each other - boys will boys right?
we've had lots of 'Time out' sessions today - I think I need a strong cup of tea some panadol!

i have been cooking loads though
when we were overseas recently i got so sick & tired of eating out at Restaurants (is that even possible??) and I missed playing in the kitchen baking, making and serving ...my dad bought round some fresh vegetables from their garden and my neighbour gave me two bags of celery from hers
so I made some yummy soup (which only I ended up eating?!) and roasted vegies ...its not all healthy though, i went through a bag (yes, a bag!!) of M&Ms in 2 days...not good!


Do you like my new apron - it was made by Rachelle who runs MiaHenry, we did a swap back in September...too cute! i love her new range of cushions too!

Fresh radishes just wash and add salt - delicious!

You can do it....
Just a little encouragement for the sun to come out - its trying...it was here this morning so I happily put some clothes out on the line but those nasty clouds took over and scared it away - now, its trying really hard to peek through again - C'mon you can do it!!

Blooms

*Top image from Elle Decor

*Middle image - stunning vases from Dinosaur Designs

*Bottom from Sandra Kaminski's book 'Home' ( love the reused glass bottles as vases - so clever!)

Irving Penn (1917-2009)

a little tribute to one of the greatest photographers of our time...

*All images via Google Images*

On Neutral ground......

Flicking through the latest Australian Home Beautiful mag the other day.
I came across the stunning Melbourne home owned by interior decorator Amanda Henderson Marks and her family.
Very neutral in colour and tone but so rich in textures, furnishings and beautiful detail....
i love the high ceilings and the stunning wallpaper along the hallway, its so subtle but adds so much dont you think?
Amanda works along with Lyn Gardener, who owns Empire Vintage (a blogging world fav!) and they also offer decorating services at Gardener and Marks.
You can see some of their work and more of Amanda's home here

Just around the corner........

anyone else planning or dreaming about Christmas?
ive recently pulled out my pile of backdated Christmas magazines that I keep in one handy box
and Ive got my little page marking stickers ready to mark gorgeous images that inspire.

I need to make some Christmas paper goods for an order so im looking at colour combinations
Im loving the pale pink, yellows and creamy shades
and you can never go wrong with pale blue, off white and splashes of silver....lovely!