do you like my Easter pressy??

I have one of the best mum's in the world. Period. Instead of chocolates for Easter she gave us money and with that money instead of buying chocolates and adding a few inches to my waistline we decided to buy a rug. I love the texture and neutral colour of this hand woven piece. It works so well with our floorboards and colour scheme...yes indeed I love Easter.

road side kill

Pieces of furniture with such charm and character are a rarity so you can imagine my Easter delight when my husband and I decided to go for a walk around the street, after feasting on far too many Easter eggs and we came across these rustic and surprisingly comfortable retro chairs on the side of the road. We spoke to the owner who was delighted that these pieces would go to such a good home and $2.50 later (the cost of the paint we used to repaint them) we have these two delightful addition to our home.

just discovered Lisa Madigan

Came across this Aussie and very talented designer in the last edition of real living. Her cottage in Kangaroo Valley has a somewhat beachy theme with a very eccentric collection of odds and ends. And I love her roadside find...excellent! After googling her I discovered that she has an on line store with these glass bottles (also featured in the article) for sale at a very reasonable price. Have a look at her e-store and art works. Her charming decorative style is sure to inspire.

I've been on the prowl for an antique wheelbarrow for two weeks now and just yesterday I got the call from my favorite uncle (zio) with the exciting news that he has found one for me...don't you just love roadside finds. I think someone could truly furnish their entire house with roadside finds. Not well but they could. Any how I am excitedly looking forward to planting my strawberries and daisy's this Easter.

old time is still a flying

GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,	5
The higher he 's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he 's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.

 

shop on line but don't shop on line

I have one particular friend who I love to go second hand shopping with. She's a very talented art teacher and she makes me laugh even though I lost her child on our last shopping jaunt. In saying that perhaps the latter will never be an issue again as I've discovered that The Salvo's have shopping on line, with free delivery anywhere in Australia up until 19th April! Very progressive of them.
Now I should probably take this moment to say that not all on line shopping is good. Look at local bookshop Boaders!!! What is happening to our society?

My husband and I were walking not too long ago and noticed that one of the neighbours still hadn't taken down their Christmas decorations. I figure that these people are probably thinking that Christmas is only 8 months away so why bother!
Here is a clever idea by Martha Stewart to help these jaded neighbors of mine and perhaps their dusty Christmas tree can be a synonym for an Easter tree!

I judge you for stealing flowers.

Buckets and buckets of flowers is the best way to dress and decorate any home. Flowers can make any house come alive. I am one of these people who picks flowers anywhere I go. From my neighbors to my place of work. I can't help myself. Confession I am a flower stealer and you can judge me I don't really mind.

I'll help Katherine out...

A few months ago now I woke up to a text from my sister who was overly and uncharacteristically excited that Kate Middletown and Prince William had announced their engagement. So begins the discussion about the type of dress "Katherine" will be wearing. So in order to help her out I have chosen just a few of my favourites for her to pick from. You're welcome Katie!
Now I know some of these dresses probably will not suit the Abbey but this alone raises the question. Do we consider the location or venue of the big day when choosing  the dress?

Stella + Dot

There are a couple of things I do when I need to freshen up my look. The first is always a brow shape and the second is a piece of jewellery. The latter are both alternatives to going out and buying something regrettable in that moment of despair aka "I have nothing to wear". I found this gorgeous company Stella + Dot, there website is just brimming with all manner of colourful accessories. Have a look at their website http://home.stelladot.com/. You can buy on line and there are some real gems with your name on it...excuse the pun!

holidays

Home from camping and in typical camping style it rained and then it rained some more, which probably wasn't too bad as it conditioned us to stay indoors and watch the few DVD'S I brought along with us. Anyhow, the exciting news is now I am on 2 weeks holidays! and I plan to do the following (you've got to keep me accountable to the following)
-sleep lots
- sand down some old furniture and repaint
- read at least one classic book
-write a letter to at least one friend I haven't seen in six months and finally drink lots of tea because whilst on camp I discovered again how wonderful Mildura tea can be.
images via :black Eiffel

read these books!

I am not going to explain the intricate details of why you should read these books but I will say very boldly that you will simply be changed by them. The characters in these texts will invade your thoughts and cause you to look at people, life from a different point of view.

I hate camping

It's that time of year again and I have to go camping. I hate camping. I hate that I SEE dirt in between my toes, have to shower with thongs on and that I am likely to be kept awake considering what that very unusual sound is coming out of the never, never. Now before you judge me I am not a princess nor spoilt, I just like the sanitized feeling of a hotel over a camp site. Woe is me.

happy birthday to my love

Happy birthday to the one I love. I love being married to you. Love that you make me laugh so much sometimes a little bit of wee comes out!

a cup of tea for me and jillian

It's my friend Jillian's birthday and to celebrate we're having high tea at the observatory. I am looking forward to the miniature caramel slices and cucumber sandwiches although despite the celebrations it will be a tad sad because my friend is leaving our little town, we call home, to call an even smaller town home.
It shouldn't have come as a surprise, considering we had been chatting about the possibility of her moving for some time now but when she told me I cried and cried all the way home (that's not metaphoric I actually did cry the entire drive home). I'll miss you jilly but new adventures await you!