It's What I love: 2009

...my Tiffany Tree

I have started a new tradition this year. As all my friends know, I love Christmas and a few years ago for my fortieth birthday, I was lucky enough to be given a few Swarovski crystal ornament decorations and Tiffany Christmas charms. I have been adding to these over the last couple of years also including Cathy Penton's beautiful charms with my family members names on them and various other Christmas themed charms. The Tiffany charms are hung by strips of fine white organza ribbon or fine silver chains. These are all hung from a lovely tree with dark chocolate coloured limbs with smatterings of snow. I hope to post some pictures shortly (when the children and I can find the usb connection for the camera - so frustrating. We had better find it soon, we have a few family Christmas functions coming up). But in the meantime, here is a pretty picture of some crystal Christmas ornaments.

...civilized camping!!!

My two younger boys and husband love camping. I have tried to love it. I have even tried to like it. They do everything possible to make my camping experience comfortable, but it's still not something I enjoy. It cannot be said I haven't tried - I have, many times.

Perhaps I could be persuaded to camp in this beautiful library. (nup, still don't think so).

image: Tim Walker (love his work)

...Christmas Windows

An image of the 2009 Bergdorf Goodman Christmas windows - love the colour, my fave as you know!

...Christmas Shopping and Wrapping

Isn't this a pretty picture. Well, this weekend I will finish my Christmas shopping. I will brave the crowds first thing in the morning so I shouldn't find it too hard to get a park if I leave early.Then if I am super organised, I will have them all wrapped by Sunday. I love wrapping - it gets all my creative juices flowing. I bought the most beautiful wrapping paper this year. I usually have different themes every year. Last year, all my wrapping paper was gloss white with different colour wide grosgrain ribbon. This year, I have three different colour papers. Red, gold and silver and the paper is made up of glitter. I have beautiful glitter ribbons in the same colours but will alternate the ribbons with the paper ie red paper, silver ribbon etc. It sparkles at night under the tree when the twinkle lights hit the glitter and in the morning too when the sun shines on them. The paper is a beautiful thick quality and believe it or not, I got them all from Big W.

sorry, again I don't know the origins of this lovely picture but if anyone does, please let me know.

........Something to Remember this Christmas

Something to remember during "the silly season".

sorry, origin unknown.

Christmas Baking

This afternoon, in a very brave attempt, my middle son, Cameron and I are going to make these as gifts for friends. Should be fun. I dont actually know the origin of these photos (sorry) but they look very "Martha" don't you think?

... Christmas Movie

I have now seen "A Christmas Carol" 3d with Jim Carey twice, once with girlfriends and once with the family. We all loved it. Highly recommended (bit scary for little ones though).

......Christmas is coming - my favourite time of year

image: Better Homes & Gardens

....a bit of pampering

Haven't had much time to post this week. Have booked a week away with the girls for a bit of R & R and pampering but husband has decided at the 11th hour to have a fiftieth birthday party. Just means I have to get everything organised now so I am not panicking when I get back. Oooh I can't wait, friends, warm weather, lots of spa treatments and no cooking or sticking to schedules. See you when I get back girls.

....gone to the movies

Have often thought of having an outdoor movie screen for those lovely balmy summer nights - but how cool is this one?

image: Tim Walker

.......More Pale Blue Love

Not many posts this week, very busy with work and the rest of the time trying to thaw out (icy cold here - quite unlike my dear friends in Brisbane 36 celcius and bushfires!!!-very weird). Anyway, how cool is this bike? My kids are a bit too big for this one now, but a few years ago it would definitely have been on my "must have" list.

Stay tuned, I will soon be posting photos of my "win" from Fabulously French.

image: Madsen Cargo Bike

Looking Pretty Desperate - Not!

...it is a chore but someone's gotta do it. The weather is looking lovely, so getting the garden back to it's "pre-winter" state might be on the agenda too. Happy weekend girls.

Finding Balance

Work is so busy at the moment which is fantastic, lots of changes, all for the good but I find my time management skills could be much improved. Suggestions anyone?

I am an avid list maker - I couldn't get by without one but I am finding I need more balance, more time to meditate perhaps! Couldn't get through my day without that one either.

images via Shack & ffffound

Be careful what you ask for!@@#!$!#!@

Well, here I was, in the middle of cooking dinner, and all of a sudden, this horrific noise from the front of the house. The kids come running downstairs, "muuuummmmm, someone's gone through the front fence".

We all ran outside and there was my poor neighbour, standing there saying, "my brakes failed, my brakes failed".

Oh well, could be worse, no one was hurt. She did a really good job of it though, the double gates, the side gate, two posts and the letterbox - totally obliterated. I was only saying last week that I would like the fence painted! I should be careful what I ask for!!!@#$

image via flickr

It's Raining, it's pouring

It's pouring in Melbourne, and so warm considering it's winter ( although Spring is in sight!!!) - 16.5 celsius (62 farenheit) overnight!!! We need the rain, our dams are about a quarter full. So nice (and rare) that the whole family is home together on a weekend. I think a roast will be on the menu for dinner. Enjoy the rest of your weekend girls.

image via photobucket

Found It!

Found the perfect beach house for our summer holiday. We looked through about 15 houses and it was the first one that won my heart. Has me inspired to get fit and lose those extra "winter kilos"!!!!!!!!

image via Toast

"Gone Fishing"

Going down the coast tomorrow with a girlfriend, having a look for a lovely beach house to rent for the family over summer.

It is absolutely freezing here in Melbourne, but it's memories like this of last summer that keep me going. Can't wait - roll on summer!!!

images via flickr

Icebergers

Lovely mild weather here in Melbourne. Not swimming weather yet, well, not for most people anyway. My husband is an "iceberger" which means he swims in the sea baths most mornings (up at 5.30am) , rain, hail or shine, summer AND winter. The members just love it and the colder the better they all say. Although, the majority of the population think they are mad, there must be something in it. Alot of the members are over 80 and have been doing it for over 50 years!!!!!! Think I will stick to a brisk walk! Hope the rest of your weekend is a "warm" one.

image: via Toast

Yiiippppeeeeee - I WON

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Leeann over at one of my fave blogs, Fabulously French .

I won the "100 post" giveaway. Two gorgeous pink striped cushions. They are sooo beautiful. I am very grateful and excited. Funnily enough, the chairs the cushions are sitting on are almost identical to the ones I have. (I will post a photo to show you when I get them). They were calling me!!!

A big kiss to you Leeann - you're an Angel.

Make Your Own Mosaic Magic

Mary, over at Little Red House creates gorgeous mosaics for her "Mosaic Monday" post where she invites you to make and display your own. Pop on over and perhaps show off your creativity.

image Little Red House

image via flickr

Images from Little Red House are copyright and cannot be reproduced without prior consent.

cannelle et vanille

A little while ago, I was "blog surfing" and came across this absolutely divine blog called cannelle et vanille. I was wondering where she got all her beautiful images. I "read on" and realised that she (Aran, a Basque expat now living in the U.S.) did all the baking, styling and photography herself. Go over here and have a look at her blog, you won't be disappointed.

All images are copyright of Aran Goyoagra and cannot be used without permission.

Roasted Rhubarb, strawberry, white chocolate and pistachio petit gateaux

strawberry and vanilla bean icecream floats

Sorbet

cheesecake

pink macaroons

Bakewell Tarts

French Toast

click on image to enlarge.

This week has gone so fast - been a busy one. Hope the weekend is a bit more leisurely. Enjoy girls.

images: Leisurely Breakfasts

Time Framed

This was my first ever "Time Framed" commissioned piece. A fortieth birthday present. I have built up my small business and I am pleased to say I am getting lots of orders. School memorabilia seems to be very popular and "French themed" pieces too. I will post photos on my "work bog" when I pick them up from the framers next week. I would love you to pop over and have a look.