Serious interior Envy!

We are building a house.
Yay!! It's finally happening.
After so many trips to display home estates, pouring over home plans and home websites we have signed off and its really going to happen!
There are a few new homes been built in our neighborhood so I’ve been eyeing in, observing the different stages and whilst I’m super excited for our turn soon,  I’m also super nervous.
This is a new experience for us and I’m trying really hard to focus on the end result so I don’t freak right out!
I think all these feelings are very normal and I need to take it all in and enjoy the process as it unfolds - hard for an impatient girl.
So as you know I’ve been collating images both on Pinterest (hello! Future Home) and also in a magazine clippings folder (old school Pinterest).


The dream home I have in my head and also what I’m visualising from interior decorated images (picture perfect) is a little silly - serious interior envy!
We don’t have an endless budget and we all know homes should be lived in and not a show home.

Creating a home that is comfortable and practical, warm and inviting is my focus.
Wish me luck!

*images via Pinterset
top -  Emily Henderson
Middle - Decor Pad/Domaine
Home
Bottom - Style at Home

Life Lately + Happy Mail!

Oh hello blog! Its been a while.

Here I am...back from a little blogging break where I've been trying to catch up with life.

Sadly, I haven’t had much time for blogging.
The past month at work has been quite hectic and it doesn't look to ease up with year end Financials coming up...the long commute everyday doesn't help this tired mumma!

I was pleasantly surprised on Friday when I received a gorgeous parcel from Kylie at Pink Paddock Store
What gorgeous paper goodies!
I love happy mail.
Thanks so much Kylie, it sure made my day.

So...what else has been happening?
I completed the ‘28 day Low Sugar Lifestyle program’ and feel really good about it!
I hope to continue on this good food journey and I must admit I have loads more energy by eating well and consistently (coffee is not food)
I don't think I would have made it through the past month if I wasn't eating right!

I have a ton of recipes from the program and Pinterest is also my go-to for healthy recipes so there is no excuse to not keep going.   Eating well takes time and planning, its the only way!

I’m currently reading ‘The Monk who sold his Ferrari’…says it all about my life right now.  Slow down…simplify. I enjoyed this post by Pip 'Why slowing down is the new speeding up'  
Why is life so hectic??
I’m also in the mood for a good (Winter) clean-out and decluttering session at home too…

I saw ‘Spandau Ballet’ in concert last Friday night – it almost didn’t happen because silly me had the 19^th May diarised as the concert date and not the 15^th!!!
Lucky for me I checked my tickets Friday morning!

The concert was brilliant!  I’m a huge fan.

I’m eyeing this online course.   Holly’s e-courses are always inspiring with loads of great tips and information but the fact that Leslie Shewring is also teaching definitely has my interest!

  

I’m planning a blog redesign! … after so many years I’ve decided to move from blogger to Wordpress.

I’ll be getting some design help from Amanda whose work and creativity I love – I’m excited!
So whats been happening in your world, do share!!

* beautiful paper goods from Pink Paddock Store

Day 15 on #lowsugarlifestyle

Today is day 15 of the 'Low Sugar Lifestyle'  and so far so good!
Lately there has definitely been a war on sugar in the mainstream media but for me sugar is the main culprit to making me feel bloated, irritable and always hungry.
Not only is sugar hidden in so many of our 'everyday' processed foods - I've just concluded that the only way for my family and I to avoid eating the white stuff is to eat clean,
eat fresh and prepare our meals at home.

The 'Low Sugar Lifestyle' is not a diet ...far from it actually...I'm eating a whole lot more than what I used to but what I am putting into my body is fibre rich, filling and nutritional.
... and coffee is still allowed (yes!!) Its been really handy to have the weekly meal plan choices to follow and most are quick and easy to prepare.
Life is busy...I get it, but preparing food doesn't need to take hours.
We also get a daily email full of great nutritional info.

I'm eating for energy and I've seen a huge change already ...
No more afternoon slump or fog brain!  ... because I'm eating so well, I'm just not craving anything sweet - It feels too easy.
I guess it is.
'you are what you eat'...we all know that right?
 I made this nutty granola last week and it turned out so toasty and delicious, I'm going to make another batch - thats breakfast sorted! Planning ahead is the way to go...that way there is no chance to get crazy hungry!
I still need to work on drinking more water ...that's my challenge this week!

Low Sugar Lifestyle

The past few weeks I've been off balance and I decided enough is enough - I need to put myself back at the top of my priority list.
 I need to start taking care of my health and the first thing that I need to tackle is what goes in my mouth.  I've fallen off the bandwagon...
lately my day consists of a large coffee (or two ) for breakfast, eating quickly at my desk, grabbing a handful of nuts or maybe some chocolate for a snack...just not paying attention to what I'm eating, no excercise, not much time out.
My digestion is playing havoc and I feel like on a wheel spiraling at a crazy pace - I just want to get off!  My energy levels are at an all time low and its obviously because I'm making some wrong food choices.
My body is craving for me to be mindful of what I eat - enough neglect!
Starting on Monday, I've agreed to join in to do
 'My Family Wellness' 28 day Low Sugar Lifestyle program created by author, health speaker and nutritionist, Michelle.
I need a little structure and guidance, ready to print meal plans and recipes and am looking forward to a healthy change -  I think this will help kick it all off for me!
I will keep you posted how I go!  I think by blogging about it weekly might help me keep on track as I try to create some changes and good habits.
Wish me luck!

Michelle is offering $20 off the next program and a free download of two recipes - take a look!

Frangipane Galette

What day is it?
It feels like Friday ( I know its not...)
What a week!
I haven't blogged in days, the boys are on Easter break, work has been super busy and today the hubs and I spent the whole day devoted to looking into a new build.
We are so close now!

I've been meaning to post this delicious sweet treat...Figs are totally out of season now but this is a recipe worth bookmarking to try in the warmer months.
Two weeks ago I had a girly lunch at my house.
It was fun hosting and planning a lunch gathering for three close friends, girls I worked with at the 'Sydney Olympic Games' organising committee over 15years ago...(feels like a life time...) We try to catch up at least two to three times a year (and lots of emails in between).
Only two made it to my place for lunch and for afternoon dessert I made
Frangipane Galette with Fresh Figs, Thyme and Marscapone - it was enjoyed by all!
I actually had Pear & almond tartlets planned for dessert but my fruit grocer had beautiful fresh figs available so I had a quick change of plans.
They do say we should plan our meals at the market and not in the kitchen.

Frangipane
60g soft butter
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup almond meal
Beat butter, zest and sugar in a small bowl until creamy.  Add egg yolk and almond meal - set bowl aside.
Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius.
Use 1 & 1/2 squares ready rolled shortcrust pastry and press pieces together to form a rectangle.
Slide onto baking paper and onto large oven tray.
Spread Frangipane over pastry leaving a 5cm border.  Fold edges over frangipane.
Brush pastry with beaten egg white and sprinkle with demerara sugar.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Let it cool.
Topping
5 large figs cut into wedges
250g marscapone
1 Tablespoon icing sugar
1 teaspoon lemon thyme leaves
Honey to drizzle
In a bowl beat marscapone and sugar until smooth. Spread over baked frangipane.  Arrange figs on top.  Sprinkle with thyme and drizzle with honey.
Serve with coffee or tea.
* Recipe from Home Beautiful magazine

...the ball rolling again...

so things are finally happening on the home front...we stalled a little trying to decide what to do - do we build a new house or keep looking, then Christmas came, and went ...and New Years too.
In the meantime, the Real Estate/Housing market is going gangbusters...
I mean its such a big decision (and an expensive one), and building is something we've never done before so making the right decision does take time.
..a few weeks ago we had a 3 hour meeting with the building company and both the hubs and I came out of it feeling comfortable, which is a relief.
Still, there is a lot to think about but I think we are finally onto the next stage which means signing up to get a new home built!
Do contemporary homes really lack character?
I hear that  often on home shows and renovation shows, I think about it myself ...a lot.

Our current home is 90 years old and has lots of lovely features...so yes, lots of 'character' but it also lacks a lot of things and requires a lot more maintenance than a new home ever would ...can we even compare? Should we?
They are totally different!

Starting a Inspiration board over on Pinterest called
'Future Home', has helped me zone-in on an interior style.
Really helped!!
I also have my folder of magazine clippings that I've been collecting (Hey! I'm old school!)
but its not just about beautiful interiors,  more important for me are the practical ideas, using the space, having enough storage, creating the atmosphere...and coming together as a family,
in a family home...
Am i thinking about everything too much? ha-ha probably....

 *images via 'Future Home' 
top via Design Love Fest  and bottom (L-R) Tessa Neustadt and  Domaine Home 

Fresh + fast cookbook

I love a jumble book sale …you can usually find them set up in the middle of shopping centres, mini pop-up book shop and always when you are casually walking by with no intention of buying books.
But they always draw me in as I just never know what l’ll find!
I recently bought this ‘Fresh +Fast' cookbook, part of a series from
Marie Claire magazine and food editor, Michele Cranston - a $10 bargain!!! (hey that’s the price of 2 and half coffees ha-ha…)
Its actually a really lovely book – and at such a cheap price!
over 100 recipes and when you combine an intelligent fashion magazine like Marie Claire and beautiful healthy food styled in a gorgeous way, its pretty inspiring to eat well!

Its not just about food styling though...
for me its more about living and eating nutritious, real food
that seems to improve everything – my mood, my skin, my body!
You are what you eat after all....

We’ve been chatting in the office about motivating and edging each other on to
eat better and move more, sometimes we need that
'cheerleader team' behind us to get us going and keep going.

I think I’ll be opening this book often!

Summer's End

Goodbye Summer!
What a scorching weekend, we had plans for the beach today but after a late night and waking up to another steamy hot morning, the thought of sitting in the sun was not that appealing...instead we ventured out for a late lazy lunch and then hung out at home.
lucky! because this afternoon there was a wild storm that swept through the whole city...crazy winds and a downpour!
Hope everyone stayed safe.

This and that...
this afternoon the hubs and I watched 'Drive' (2011)  - I'm not a huge Ryan Gosling fan but he was very good in this, although the movie was quite violent, dark and gory.
I also loved 'The Place beyond the Pines' which also stars Ryan, so very sad.

I cooked this for dinner today, a real hit!

an interesting yet funny read  

these free printable sandwich wraps are colourful and fun - step it up on your next picnic outing or surprise the kids in their lunchbox!

Beautiful food styling 

This master bedroom makeover - Wow!! from scary to gorgeous!
have a great week ahead everyone!

Image - A Daytana Beach, Florida, 1954 by Berenice Abbott

a meal in a Bowl...

Hello Monday!
I do hope you all had a beautiful weekend...
I spent Sunday evening planning some 'healthy' meals for the week ahead and I'm going to attempt to do this every Sunday to ensure we all eat well during the week, that the pantry and fridge are stocked.
lately Ive been eating on the go, grabbing processed meat and cheese and throwing it in soft processed bread - that's been my lunch lately....ick!
this has not been nutritiuous or good for my digestion.  Something has to change.
These two meals in a bowl look SO good!
they are definetely on my list to try this week.
recipes here 1- Honey Chipolte Chicken bowl 
2 - Warm Roasted Salad bowl 

Afternoon walk about...

Today we thought we'd head to Broadway to this Malaysian restaurant for lunch...its not fancy but has a great family atmosphere,  there is always a queue outside though and today
was no exception so we decided to scrap those plans and have lunch in the food court at Broadway shopping centre.
Who says you can't get a good meal in a food court?  
I had a delicious combination Noodle soup made just for me...cheap and filling and really flavorsome!
We are so lucky we have so many food choices in Sydney, I love that!
The boys were happy with Sushi and Subway rolls...and Andrew had a gourmet sandwich.

Afterwards we decided to beat the shopping crowds and go for a walk around Glebe.

I love Glebe with its village atmosphere, eclectic mix of shops and cafes and stunning homes from yester-year...its a Sydney surburb I always recommend to visitors when they want to explore...
we walked for ages and headed down to Blackwattle Bay for a walk around the foreshore ..we promised the boys an ice-cream on the way back to the car just to stop them whinging!
...I needed a coffee so it was a good chance to stop and buy one too!

some more Glebe walks
found   here and a Glebe guide here 

* photos taken by me

Goodbye January...

See you later January.
Its always a month of contradictions for me and even though its my birthday month and the start of a fresh new year (clean slate!), I seem to be in a post festive season slump most of the month - so it always feels a little slow.
.. but my boys are back at school now and I'm looking forward to the routine and structure to our days I seem to need this in my life, it gives me a sense of purpose and direction.
Whatever helps right?
Lately I've been in a de-cluttering phase.
January tends to set this off...
I'm Spring cleaning in the middle of Summer!
...it feels good though and I'm no where near ready to quit.
I'm tackling little zones and that seems to be the way to go for me as my neat 'piles' can get overwhelming and I just move them from one  room to another!

I started in the kitchen with my cookbooks and recipes - I had culled my cookbook collection but still have recipe papers and clippings all over the place, it was getting ridiculous!  It feels amazing to have things in order!
I also sold some clothes on Ebay this month and donated two bags full of things I keep but dont wear...its crazy how much ''stuff' we accumulate!
I also made the boys keep their most favourite school year artwork/school work so we've got an ongoing collection of things from their childhood - everything else was dumped out!! It feels so good!!
Next challenge which Im kind of dreading is my Craft room but it must be done!! wish me luck!
This year I vow to keep clutter to a bare minimum and to be on top of it!

*image via my Instagram - coffee time at 'Bread & Circus' in Alexandria (how cute are the coffee cups!!)

Monday.

I love Long Weekends (Happy Australia Day!) and even after 4 days off  it was SO hard to get out of bed this morning and head to work!
Its pouring down with rain that doesn’t look like its going to ease up…and all I want to do is crawl into bed with a book.
I’m looking forward to turning in early tonight but then there’s the Tennis to watch ( and ironing to do…)
Its going to be a busy week with my the boys starting a new year at School. My eldest is also heading to High School…lots of changes for him, a bus commute and one nervous mum – I hope the transition goes well…he’s so excited and nervous too.
We are here to support and encourage him all the way!
Encouragement for both boys because Neo heads into Year 5 on Wednesday and that’s a big deal too!
Happy Monday everyone...

This ‘Rejuvenating Bowl ‘ looks delicious – I’m going to try and make it this week.

I took this fun quiz ‘Which Celebrity Has your Dream Home?’ and got this one

When I first started blogging, thrifting and recycling was huge.. Huge!!
This blog post is full of great Thrifting info! ‘Style Bloggers Tips for successful Thrifting’

Looking forward to a brunch catch up with my sister at this place (thanks ‘Not Quite Nigella’ for all the great local eatery posts! Yum!)

Laura’s Literature reading challenge looks good! Im keen!

Image via Lucky

2014 vs 2015

So it was my birthday recently and I loved ALL the birthday emails, calls and messages I received!

Then Willie, a Facebook friend, put this message on my Timeline..
Your 2 birthday questions: What is the thing you're most proud of from the past 12 months? And what is one thing you will accomplish in the upcoming 12 months? Have a glorious day!

At first I thought how very clever of him! such a clever way to make someone reflect, think back and then move forward...
I must admit it took me a while to think about the answer to the first question where I even resorted to think,  hey, I didn’t really achieve that much in 2014!?? (enter shock horror)
It was one of those years I think where I just let it all unfold how it wanted to...I was still living my life to its fullest but it actually felt like a few things took a back-step last year.
my hobbies, my paper crafting and Etsy shop, even here, my blog
...I even started an Inspiration Journal but didn't get far (  I do hope to keep it going this year though...)
I mean, I still feel like I did a lot, life was lived, but nothing that stood out to be 'important' and life changing, but that's okay too.
I stepped back and took it easy, which felt nice as well.

...commitment to my FAMILY was totally my priority and my boys are growing up so fast before my eyes...more family time please!
we visited Melbourne last year and I got to spend a day at The Australian Open Tennis event which was fantastic! We also had a beautiful holiday at Rainbow Bay last September - such a heavenly spot!

I did step out of my comfort zone and help out at two Etsy events hosted by the 'Sydney Etsy Team' - lots of planning, good fun and really enjoyable for everyone involved.
I also feel like I accomplished quite a bit at work and had a few ‘A-ha’ moments which helped me along  (a change of attitude makes amazing changes) …personal development and understanding what makes me tick, is something Id like to continue to discover and the company I work for is very into this so I'll go for it...I'm opening up and being vulnerable which is a good thing I guess…being honest with ourselves allows this...

I also followed and completed an 8 week ‘I quit Sugar’ program at the beginning of the year
and a 4 week ‘Heal your Gut’ program in November, 

…actually both were not that challenging, the less crap I eat the less I crave it!
The hard part now is being mindful of what I put into my mouth and body, this is the challenge we all face - life is busy and eating well needs lots of planning ahead.

I did an online 'Experiments in Collage'  course which I was so keen to get into but just didn’t devote enough time to…maybe this year I will get more time to be creative.  I hope so.

For 2015, I hope to try to get back into Illustration, especially Fashion Illustration.

Its been so long (insert sad face) and I’m so rusty…but with drawing, just like swimming, the only way to get better is to jump in and do it!

A great quote, ’The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera’….so I’ll definitely continue to take more photos this year (instagram is helping too!)

And another thing I want to do (need to do) is to create Photo books as we have a dump of photos on the computer, un-organised and these are family treasuries so need to be treated that way.

I plan to create more, to get involved in creative collaborations (ideas anyone??)
eat well, move more,
and cook more! - this Foodie New Year resolutions looks like a good start!
Have an awesome year ahead everyone!

* image via annariflebond on Instagram

a New Year and back to it...

hello! So lovely to see you on this side of a brand new year!
it feels good right?! 2015...sounds solid!
I headed back to work today after a wonderful family trip down  in the seaside town of Kiama...what a lovely little spot along the South Coast!
...close enough to Sydney to not be a drag of a traffic congested trip but far enough to feel a sense of calm and a leisurely pace...
so many beautiful vistas!
wild rough seas against smashing rocks, not one but two blowholes, amazing headlands with gorgeous views and beautiful sandy beaches too.

my blog post is picture heavy but I went a little camera-happy snapping away all week -  lots on Instagram too, this time I labelled with a hashtag so I can collate and make a little photo book!

Summer Break

We are heading down to the South Coast for a little Summer break!


Wishing you ALL a wonderful
New years Eve
with your loved ones.

See you next year everyone!

2015 here we come!



*image
via Krista Keltanen Photography

2 days to go...

Two days until Christmas!
I love how peaceful and calm this image appears…I can even smell the herbs, I’m sure you can too!



This is how preparing for Christmas should feel but its far from my Christmas reality that’s for sure.
It happens to me every year, I want to feel organised but end so overwhelmed.
I haven’t even sent out all my Christmas cards...
I have done absolutely no Christmas baking and I've got an awesome Stollen recipe ready to try (thanks Paul Hollywood)
I probably wont get to it…but Im going to try...

but I am looking forward to
Christmas day spent celebrating with family, delicious food and sweet treats..

Wishing you ALL a very
Merry Christmas


*image
via Always with butter

Happy Wednesday!

Happy hump day everyone!
I've had a few days away from the blog - chilling and relaxing after a crafty frenzy lead up to the Etsy Market stall last week...it was fun, I should try and do more Markets in future!
I do need to work on my networking skills though especially the perfect 'pitch'
 ha!...Im a true introvert so always find it tricky to talk to strangers or about myself...

I made quite a lot of stock which was great as my Crafty Life has been a little quiet this year so new things in my Etsy shop soon!!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

* image via 'Design Love Fest'

Get Stuff Done!

how I relate to this!
Its always such a good feeling when something that’s been on your ‘To do’ list is completed… Finished.
Done.

I have a way to go with my list which is very long right now…
I read recently that ‘done’ is better than ‘perfect’ and I must admit the need for perfection, is something I struggle with.
I want everything to be absolutely and exactly the way I’m imagining it to be…this of course takes up lots of time, energy and at the end of the day giving something a go... a real honest go and getting it done feels so much better than it being 'perfect'  (… if there was every such a thing anyway…)

Adorable mug from
‘Click and Blossom’

Ya-Ya Sisterhood

I have so many unread books on my bookshelf...books that were recommended or that I had bought because I might enjoy ( yes! I also judge books by the cover...)...
Since I now commute to work by train, I have plenty of time to read.
2 hours a day plenty!
I'm slowly working my way through the books that have been patiently waiting for my attention all these months (years...)
I recently finished 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' and loved the book so much that I wish I had read it sooner.

a book about family, family secrets and a flawed rocky Mother-daughter relationship... but mainly its about life-long friendship and acceptance...
the 'young' Ya-Ya's sure did hang out a lot on their front porches (...the side porch when they had a head full of rollers...) drinking their cola - lots of laughs, crying, heart break...

It left me thinking about it for days
thinking about all the characters and how I didn't get the closure that I wanted...ha!
I actually ended up a little at odds with the sudden way it ended.
I guess it had an impact on me...like any good book would.

Weekend Baking - Blondies

The boys pleaded I make something chocolatey this weekend.
They wanted Brownies which is definetely a family favourite but since I had lots of white chocolate in the pantry I thought I'd give 'Blondies' a go...
When it was time to cut them, I thought it looked like a vanilla cake but suprisingly it was very moist,  although the center was not as gooey as the recipe promised - still very yummy though!

Blondies
150g white chocolate
225g butter
2 cups Self Raising Flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
4 eggs beaten
75g chopped walnuts
( or pistachio nuts)
100g dark chocolate chopped

Melt the chocolate and butter  in a heatproof bowl over saucepan of simmering water.  Leave to cool slightly.  Sift the flour in a mixing bowl and add caster sugar.  Stir in the beaten eggs and then the melted chocolate mixture, beat well.  Stir in the nuts and chopped chocolate.  Pour into your pan.  Bake in preheated oven 180 degrees celsius for 30-35 minutes.  Leave to cool and then cut into large squares.