mon petit enfant

LOVE

2012-02-14T08:48:00.004+10:00

I wish you peace-

in the world in which you live

and in the smallest corner of the heart

where truth is kept.

I wish you faith-

to help define your living and your life

more I cannot wish you-

except perhaps love-

to make all the rest worthwhile.

Robert A Ward.

( Image via Yvettte Inufio)

I LOve the rain...sometimes...

2012-01-30T14:22:00.002+10:00

At the risk of stating the obvious...it seems as though it has been raining here forever!! We managed to scrape through the school holidays seemingly unscathed, by keeping ourselves busy and content:~ but now, enough! I actually found this last two days of the weekend harder than the previous 7 weeks (and the kids agree; I was apparently crankier)!!

There are of course, (many) moments of merriment. For example:~

Playing snakes and ladders and boogle.
Baking, baking and more baking.
Small artworks and some big ideas.
going on a picnic in between downpours.
creating fab hair do's and doing mini-'shoots'.
playing games with your little brother (which usually end in tears:).
singing in the rain
And even trips to the beach... IN THE RAIN.

But now the kids are getting older, they are not as content with my 'crafting' set ups and 'bake-a-thons'. I have a feeling I am being made redundant! I do so miss the times when they were little and needed me to provide all sorts of fun to fill their days. Now I am seeing my role for the next few years being defined as:~ taxi-driver, washer woman, cook and cleaner... as the kids find their independence and 'place' in the big world. Oh, dear:(. But how very exciting at the same time:).

And there's always these little moments...

tiny and little

2012-01-27T11:13:00.003+10:00

I have just discovered this wonderful blog and online mag 'tiny and little'. It is Australian based and filled with information and beautiful photography of super great products, ideas and inspiring stories. (I particularly LOve the link to Apples N amos!). And it's all...for free!

Calm loveliness

2012-01-27T10:34:00.002+10:00

I have just borrowed this book from the local library...I am in LOve. You know when you pick something up, quite by chance and it gives you that 'YES" feeling. Well, yes...this is worth a read.

(You can buy it here for 50% off:).

Pretty Pastels

2012-01-24T10:44:00.001+10:00

I have to confess...I LOVE pastels! I always have, I believe I always will:). It may not be tres chic or in vogue..but it's in me and it makes my heart sing to see sweet, soft gelato-y colour! Think romantic thoughts and days spritzed with sunshine...

(Funny how most of the things pastel-ly I really LOve are are to do with scrummy cakes and sweet treats!)

On with the show!

2012-01-23T11:33:00.002+10:00

Today my kids went back to school...it reminded me of just how sad I felt this day last year when we had changed schools. I felt frightened and anxious over what the year ( and the school) would bring, as I'm certain the kids did.Well, I am happy to say the kids are fine...skipping off to class this morning, thrilled they are not 'the new kids' this year! I will so miss them though:~ the school holidays have been 'the best ever' according to them. I agree:).
So, now I have absolutely NO excuse to continue procrastinating on just what it is 'I' would like to happen this year.After closing my little shop some 18 months ago, I must confess I have been a little lost. I still have the party business:~ and still LOve doing parties but to be perfectly honest...I need a little more.And last year things just didn't come together: the new brochures didn't turn out and we spent months to-ing and fro-ing with printers. The new website I had begun came to a halt (creative conflict, I'm afraid: this little black duck has very certain ideas!).But perhaps this was all for a reason:~ and now I need to nut out that reason and move forward! So time to get inspired..

You may notice a change in the appearance of my blog:~ I caved into the new 'interface' thingy...really not at all keen on the new font etc.But change is good!! Pehraps this is my first small step for the year!!

I am so grateful for...

2012-01-21T17:04:00.008+10:00

I wanted to share with you the LOvely little gifts I received from my thoughtful little family. It was a great Christmas and we all felt so relaxed just being at Nana's and avoiding the Christmas day drive around.
I feel so grateful with my 'stash'...Thank you dear family, I LOve them all! (In particular, the gorgeous Leona dress:~ which I found in a pre-loved clothing shop and let the troops know...It was an absolute score...not worn, tags still attached!!)

Matisse's favourite gifts were this very cool old phone...that actually works and has pride of place on her desk:) And a guitar:~ she is teaching herself to play.

Paris LOved her Rabbit lamp...and her birdcage ( which she has since filled with a budgie named Ginger, which she handles and 'reads' with:)

And Seb was rapt with his 'Green Machine' and guitar.

happy times:)

Reads...

2012-01-12T18:20:00.005+10:00

I have made it my mission to read many more books this year. I am currently reading 'Grace Williams says it loud' by Emma Henderson. And whilst confronting, it has me immersed. I really don't want to give much away: the only description on the back cover of the book is: 'This isn't an ordinary love story but then Grace isn't an ordinary girl'. Intriguing?! Yes!

Here are a few others on the list to read:~ now to make a date with a comfy chair, pot of tea and some dark chocolate!

Oh my GOMA...

2012-01-09T13:56:00.019+10:00

Yesterday, the kids and I escaped this revolting heatwave we are currently having (35 degree yuckiness/seems like 1000% humidity) and drove south to see the Children's Exhibitions at GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) in Brisbane. They have notoriously fabulous kids offerings on summer school holidays and these ones are AMAZING!!!
First stop was an exhibiton by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, which was a riot of colour displayed through her paintings, huge fibreglass sculptures, immersive rooms, film and installations...glorious colour everywhere!! The kids LOved adding coloured dots to a stark white room...along with the thousands of other dots!

Next it was onto the 'We miss you Magicland' installation designed by Aussie girls Pip & Pop: aka Tanya Scultz and Nicole Andrijevik. This BLEW MY MIND. And Paris's. We were entranced and inspired by the magical world created through sugar crystals, sand, trinkets,and lots and lots of sparkle! Truly beautiful. I especially LOved laying on the sparkley floor cushions perfectly postioned under the 3 hanging works...almost what you would imagine it may appear, looking up from the sea floor of the Great Barrier Reef:)

You too can play the gorgeous interactive online media game by clicking here.

Paris's words summed up the day: "Mama, I feel funny...like my heart is bursting. And I can't stop smiling. What is that, do you think", she asks. "That is true happiness my sweet".

Family, friends,contentment...and Christmas!

2012-01-06T09:59:00.021+10:00

Welcome 2012! I must say, 2011 was a year of change, but in the end, all worthwhile:). I have three happy children:~ all enjoying their new schools, doing so very well and excited at the thought of a new year. What more could a mother ask for?!
We spent Christmas with hubby's step-mum in her little piece of paradise which the kids truly LOved. Swimming, sun, surf ,sand...and Mangos. Heaven! They called it Terabithia:) It is somewhere you can go to REST...and little naps are acceptable!

On Chritsmas Day, we visited the cousins on the farm where they live. Surrounded by watermelons and sugar cane, the kids flew kites, played pool and went mad on the 'slip 'n slide'. Gorgeous salads, prawns and pavlova drenched in fresh fruit topped off our day:) I do dream of how magical a 'White Christmas' must be, but an Aussie Christmas will take some beating!!

I read a wonderful mantra this morning: "I have all the time in the World and everything I need". LOve it. My mantra for 2012 and beyond! Happy New Year to you all. xx

A dream underway...

2011-12-20T20:04:00.003+10:00

A few months ago, I mentioned how I took Matisse and her LOvely friend to the Gabba Antique Centre....well, the real reason for that trip was for Matisse to audtion for the Young Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane! At the ripe old age of 13, she has decided her dream is to become a professional violinist aswell as being fluent in Italian:~ so she can earn money playing her violin as she travels Italy and Europe!! Simple plan= achieveable dream! I am proud and full of admiration for her courage and determination...and her very kind heart.
(OH! p.s. She got in!! So next year it is a trip to Brisbane...every Saturday!)

What happened!!!???

2011-12-16T07:51:00.003+10:00

Where, oh where did the last 6 WEEKS GO since I last visited here??? I cannot believe it has been so long and that it has been so busy! I have missed posting and reading all my favourite LOvely blogs:( But with end-of-school activities and the craziness of work, I have been barely up for a breath!

Work life has taken a turn in a slightly different direction:~ and whilst I am still offering my children's parties, the focus has shifted to my husband's 'Big people's parties'! (Take a look here for more on these).I have been painting, sewing and creating props for him and his many themes...and I must admit, it has at times been stressful, but also very rewarding:)

His last 'BIG" event is today, so for the next few weeks, it is all about a bit of R&R...and of course, Christmas!! Wooopeeeeeeeee!! I plan on doing a little bit of this...or maybe a lot:)

I heart weekends:)

2011-11-07T09:31:00.010+10:00

The weekend was just so LOvely:~ we spent time with my bestie and her babes, celebrated a birthday with special friends, baked muffins, planted some flower pots, went to the beach...and ate delicious food! Here's a few snaps ...don't you just LOve a great weekend:)

Keep Calm: create your own...

2011-10-31T08:46:00.006+10:00

I am sure many of you have seen the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' posters that have re-surfaced recently and been printed on everything from keyrings to handbags. According to Wikipedia, the orginal Poster was "a poster produced by the British Government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion." How very British~'Chin-up' and all that, even in the face of an impending crisis! My daughter recently found the website where you can create your own 'message'... and she created this one just for moi!If you would like to make your own masterpiece visit the website here:) A little bit of fun...

LOVE love...

2011-10-19T16:45:00.001+10:00

I am currently LOving Kimbra (thanks to my sweet daughter:) ..so worth taking a look at her many tracks on Youtube...awesomeness!

Good old times...

2011-10-17T09:49:00.009+10:00

Oh, what a LOvely weekend:) On Saturday Matisse, her friend Lydia and I drove to Brisbane and spent some time snooping around the Gabba Antique Centre...How I LOve this place!! You really do need a few hours to spend fossicking, but we had a very important date that afternoon (more on this soon:). We then plonked oursleves down for a quick treat at Sweetopia. The girls had a great time and took loads of pics for their blog. They are such great company:)

Creative LOve and friendship..

2011-10-12T09:51:00.016+10:00

I am lucky enough to have a 'best-y':~ a super dooper friend who has been there through thick and thin, high's and low's and all those 'normal' times in life. Jodie and I met at school at around 13yrs old and have been great buddies literally, ever since. Funny thing is, we have such different lives in that we have always been at completely different stages in our lives! When I was partying/working in my late teens, she was settled at Art college with a partner. When I was married in my mid twenties, she was single, living it up and travelling. Whilst I have had three children who are now 13, 11 and 7 yrs old, she now has two 'petit enfants':~ nearly 2yrs old and gorgeous! But we have always had a solid friendship: 'kindred spirits' we used to say:). It is just a shame she lives in the city 1.5 hrs away:(
We have also done many creative ventures together and shared a LOve for making and creating...we even had our first market stall together at 18yrs, called 'Daisy Belles' selling our hand-painted/made goods. We then opened a shop together some 10 yrs later (when Matisse was 3mths old)called 'Art for the Heart':~ offering children's gift/homewares and art classes. It sure has been fun:):)
Yesterday, my kids ( yes, we took a day off school:) and I were hanging out at her house, playing with the babes....in this AMAZING cubby she has created: It's a knock-out! She has painted everything you see painted:~ walls, floor, all the artwork...and I think you'll agree, the details are to die for! I am sure her kids will have years of fun 'playing house'. (Funny to think they will still be playing in the cubby when my kids are starting to drive cars and go to University!!)
My clever,funny caring friend:~ I look forward to sharing our beautiful families and lives into our wrinkley years:)

very original artworks! (The teeth moulds are actually her partners!)

Paris LOves playing with the babes..being a human trampoline!

Just.so.sweet.

2011-10-10T21:47:00.001+10:00

Isn't this just the sweetest thing?!!

LOvely books

2011-10-03T09:57:00.009+10:00

My wonderful family bought me these two books for my birthday recently...I have NOT been able to put them down (and really spent alot of the school holidays with my head buried in them: at the beach, the river, camping...!).

Written by Australian, Jane Paech, 'A Family in Paris' is the 'where to go; what to do; and how to do it' of living in Paris...hopefully I WILL put this to good use one day;-).

And the sublime Pia Jane Bijkerk has again created an amazing feast for the eyes...and a song for the heart:) You can follow Pia through her gorgeous blog here.

Montsalvat...Artist paradise.

2011-09-29T08:59:00.017+10:00

On our recent little get-a-way, I made it my goal to visit Montsalvat:~ an Artist's clolony in Eltham, East of Melbourne.I had visited this amazing place many years ago...when I was just 18! Yet it's beauty and history have stayed in my mind and I am so glad we made the effort to re-visit.
Built by Artist Justus Jorgensen, an Australian born to a Norweign father, Montsalvat is a mixture of buildings/studios mostly built by Jorgensen himself, with the help of Artisian friends. Building began in 1936 and Montsalvat still continues to provide spaces for modern Artists and Craftsman to work and create.
It is breathtaking, beautiful and surreal. I simply LOve it:~if there is anywhere I would wish to live, it would be in a crumbly building in Montsalvat.
You can visit Montsalvat 7 days a week for a small entrance fee.They have a wonderful cafe/restaurant on site and you can even have a WEDDING there!! Perhaps I should get re-married:) Actually, the chapel at Montsalvat is very simliar to where we did get married some 16 years ago:~ hand-built stone with a very Scandinavian feel. We were married at 'Solothurn' a 55 acre property in Reesville near Maleny where the wonderful owner Albert built a replica of a chapel from his home town in Switzerland. (Solothurn, I believe is now a 'farm-stay').

I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I have...I will post a only a few: in comparison with the 400 I took that day!!

Busy, yet such fun times!

2011-09-20T19:43:00.017+10:00

It has been a very busy few weeks..or is that months!!? I have just celebrated my birthday this last weekend...the big 40! (That is me in the pic below, in le middle:). It was always my plan to be in Paris for my 40th; unfortunately that didn't eventuate, so I brought Paris to me! I had a 'Night in Paris' party and had absolutely~ the~ most~ wonderful~ birthday~ever!! Everyone came dressed up in theme, we decked out the entire house, ate delicious beef bourguignon and ratatouille, played roulette...and danced the night away! It was truly fab. Tres bien!!

The weekend previously, my husband and I had a little break away:~ 4 nights alone without the children! This is the first time we have ever been away for more than a night or two without them...it felt very strange but oh, what a nice refreshing change! We went to Melbourne (as funnily enough, we were setting up a 'Moulin Rouge' themed Party for a client:), so decided to tag on an extra couple of days. BLISS!! I LOVE MELBOURNE!!
Firstly, we stayed in Richmond (inner city) at an amazing Boutique Hotel 'Villa Donati' where the decor and atmosphere were sublime, and the hosts Gayle and Trevor so delightful... and a quick tram ride led us into the city were we spent the night skipping from great little bars into tiny Degreaves Street where the Italian food and coffee is second to none:) I was in LOve. The next day we were off to Olinda:~a beautifully quaint town in the Dandenong Ranges approx 45 mins north-east of Melbourne. We stayed in a sweet little place called 'The Loft in the Mill', an old stone building complete with a beautiful fire in our room...which we really needed as it was freezing:~ about 6 degrees during the day! The tiny shops and cafes were charming. Next it was back towards the city where we stayed at St Kilda, a known 'trendy spot' with great shopping: but really, just a central spot for us to where we needed to work for the next couple of days! It was lovely; the hotel was not so ( Novotel), but still some great food and wine to be had! (This is very much what we seemed to do for four days..Eat,eat and Eat:). I must post about the absolutely favourite place we visited: 'Montsalvat' artist's colony...stay tuned! But for now, some snaps of our get-away...

I have no doubt we will eventually live in Melbourne (or at least it's surrounds) one day...each time I visit, it just feels like 'home' to me:)

Perfect pictures...

2011-09-06T20:36:00.009+10:00

Finally, I have them...the wonderful, sweet, 'professional' photos I have always wanted of a party!! I mentioned in my last post Gilly from Whimsy Studio took some pics at Paris's 'Alice' Party:~ well, here they are and I LOve them!! For more and more click on the Flickr Badge to the right...I hope you like them too:) (On my 'to do' list...buy a great camera and learn to take great pics myself!!).

Great.fun.

2011-08-23T08:23:00.009+10:00

Wow...it's has been so very long since I last wrote!! What a busy time it is and so much to tell:)Paris's party was a HIT...I LOved every minute of it and luckily, so did she! I was fortunate enough to have Gilly from Whimsy Studio Photography come and take some fabulous pics...but she is just so busy herself and is still working on sending me the end results. I JUST CAN'T WAIT!!! I took only a few on Paris's camera, so will share a 'taster' with you and post the 'proper' pics when they come through.

We really enjoyed making some yummy sweet treats including unicorn horns, toffee apples, coconut ice. All recipes from this sweet book:~ Life is Sweet from Greenwood and Hope.We played croquet and loads of other games and laughed the few hours away. Paris beamed:). Oh how I LOve a party!

Invites!

2011-07-21T12:08:00.006+10:00

The Invites have been made and sent...let the fun begin! Paris just LOves them and I was quite happy with the end result. The Invite seemed to just evolve and we are not sure how we ended up with a fold out design! We liked the idea of a hanging tag (almost like a 'tea bag' Paris thought:)...with our favourite 'Alice' quotes and we scanned some red and white spotted fabric for the back and edges...Voila!

Paris in Wonderland

2011-07-13T14:34:00.003+10:00

It is almost Paris's Birthday once again:~ it seems just a few months ago we had her Frida Kahlo party! But this year she will be eleven. And lucky for me, she is still just a sweet, young girl. She wants an 'Alice in Wonderland' type theme. So preparations have begun and I am so excited!

Pretty young things...

2011-07-07T17:24:00.007+10:00

My daughter and her gorgeous little friend have just started their first blog Tea for Templeton. It is so LOvely and sweet to see how excited they are and how many great ideas they have:) At just 13yrs old, I admire their confidence in their own styles, tastes and...that they are just so motivated to make it happen!! Also, a big thank you to the wonderful stores that have allowed them to come in and take pics of their favourite things (all whilst giggling and lots of oooh's and aaaarrr's:)

Please do stop by...they would be oh,so thrilled!

Yay for Yann...

2011-07-03T16:17:00.004+10:00

I am totally smitten with Yann Tiersen (and have been since discovering his amaazing music used in one of my favourite movies 'Amelie'). I am currently spending ALOT of time listening to the soundtrack from the movie 'Goodbye Lenin'I haven't yet seen the movie however have it on my 'must-do' list!
This track is my current craving:~

Holidays once more...

2011-06-30T18:57:00.005+10:00

It is school holiday time again and we have been busy... doing.. not too much! Alot of relaxing, picnics, a trip to Nana's (where we were well feed and pampered:) and some canoeing...and that's just the first week! I will spend more time next week telling the tales, but for now I will snuggle back into my coccoon and relax. Hope your holidays are going well too:)

Pikelet Art

2011-06-19T17:47:00.002+10:00

Paris's busy work today...with Pikelet batter:) ( LOve, Faith, Hope)

Room for a Birthday

2011-06-12T17:55:00.012+10:00

For Matisse's Birthday a few weeks back, we found it so very difficult to decide on what to get her. The murmurs of "an ipod touch" were not music to my ears!! I wanted to give her something memorable...she was, after all becoming a teenager:). So whilst she was at school, I transformed her room...from girly patchwork cuteness to BIG girl sophistication (well, she thinks so anyway!). I held my breath as we lead her in blindfolded...it could have gone either way:~ "oh, great. Thanks Mum". Or "WOW! I LOve it! Thanks so much!".Luckily for me...it was the latter! She DID LOve it. I was thrilled, she was too and my wallet was even happier!

I went with a vintage~y, Music theme:~ her favourite thing in the world right now is playing her Violin. I made a "Music Flower" with cones of old sheet music stapled onto a 'donut' shape piece of timber. ( Luckily hubby is handy like that). I bought old frames, painted an old filing cabinet (black) that doubled as a beside table, made a music heart garland with simple string, made tissue paper pom poms to put inside a birdcage, covered her lampshade,and put a little red 'door' on her mirror...lots of little details. Her friends also gave her things that went beautifully.The main expense was having framed a 'Moulin Rouge' print that an old friend brought back for me years ago. It truly was great fun...I do hope you like too:!
(Pictures show the room a little messy after a couple of days of teenager residencey!)

Unique cake

2011-06-12T17:10:00.004+10:00

Each week we set up and host a number of children's parties:~ and to be honest, quite often the food can be pretty basic (read: ordinary).I just LOve it when a Mum steps outside the box and presents something different:~Danielle is one such Mum! We have organised a party for her a few years back. This year she has moved yet luckily we had the fortune of helping her out once more. A Garden Party...my favourite. Her LOvely daughter Paris (plus two sweetest,ever little brothers and French husband Glynn) and her friends had a great time and were delightful. The food...Amazing! It is true,with a little bit of effort, the result can be memorable! Take a look at this cake:~ a baked sponge, simply iced yet covered with Persian fairyfloss and decorated with gorgeous fresh Roses...I LOVE IT!!!!
Danielle promises to send through more pics of the main food which I shall share:~ sweet mini-burgers with a delicious dressing, chocolate cups with pistachio fairyfloss...it was all sooo great. I believe children should learn to appreciate many different tastes from a early age:~ I say no to party pies and chicken nuggets! And we tend to find that most kids will give things a try...and usually like them:)

Little Paper Lane

2011-06-12T15:55:00.012+10:00

Whilst in Sydney last week (yipppeeee..a regular every-three-month thing now Matisse hasOrthodonist appointments there with her LOvely Uncle:) we managed to find ourselves in this ADORAbLE SHOP:~Little Paper Lane tucked away in Mona Vale.
Sweet, LOveliness indeed.
And the gorgeous, welcoming owner Jayde has an amazing eye and a passion for all things paper! We spent a little (our budget was mostly depleted by the time we got there!) but could have spent much, much more!! Stationary is the weakness of all of us girls in the house:)
Here are some windows displays as seen on their facebook page...oh so clever.

A visit is a must:~ Shop 5 1751 Pittwater Road Mona Vale.

Here are some other pics from our little jaunt:) There is a newly re-furbished Shopping Centre in the heart of Sydney...the shop fit-outs are sublime. I could have spent hours just looking at them all!
And there is always our fav Ampersand:) Matisse is freezing here waiting for our breakfast!

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

2011-06-09T18:07:00.004+10:00

Oh.so.cold.

It is crazy cold here right now...well, it is for balmy Queensland! Just 11 degrees at 3pm. So it was onto the stove for some milk, lemon rind, cinnamon, a touch of sugar and rice= warm rice pudding ready for cold,hungry kids after school:) LOvely.

Tea Party time:)

2011-05-25T13:10:00.034+10:00

Matisse's birthday was such a wonderful success...she was so happy! A 'Garden Party' it was planned to be, however with all the rain that fell the 3 days prior, we decided an indoor event would be safest...and less muddy. A little disappointing, but we managed to squeeze everyone in! The day before, we had a great time preparing all the yummy food. We baked and created...potato blini, butterfly cupcakes, coconut ice, little pate/rye buttflies, cucumber sandwiches (of course!), homemade lemonade and the piece de resistance~ the Rhuburb Meringue Cake. After one failed attempt ( the meringue collapsed overnight in the fridge..aargh!) we re-baked the top and it was simply~HEAVEN! Her four little friends came dressed and ready to play ladies...and a few close friends and family came too. So special. For our special BIG girl. (Please excuse the shocking quality of the photos...I was too busy putting all the food together!:(...

Le cake...from my favourite,gorgeous book at the moment:~ Food, Fashion, Friends by Fleur Wood. It turned out!

My happy birthday girl:)

Fiddle-dee-dee...

2011-05-19T20:06:00.003+10:00

Seb just had his first violin lesson tonight..he LOved it!! So before we know it, perhaps we may have a 'von trapp family' trio busking the streets! Whichever way, I was so thrilled to see his excitement at his first playing ( may not last:). Matisse has a big concert coming up this Sunday straight after her party...maybe not such a clever idea of mine??!! All that sweetness may make her crazy! In case you're in the area, here's the invite....

Invite time once more...

2011-05-18T09:31:00.006+10:00

This weekend we will be celebrating my eldest daughter's 13th Birthday....13!!!!! Dear Matisse is growing into a beautiful, confident, caring and capable young lady:). She has decided on just a few friends to come over for a little Tea Party...think vintagey-romantic LOveliness! We spent some time deciding on the Invite:~ and after finding a cute little pic and playing around with things, VoILA!... we are so pleased with the result! Now onto the decorations and food....

Little Bee

2011-05-09T11:33:00.003+10:00

I am currently reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave...amazing. I can't put it down ( hence I am in bed/it is raining/the kids are at school/ that's a good excuse??). A MUST READ!

Party Paris

2011-05-08T16:08:00.003+10:00

It seems Paris is always off to a party...I wish I had her social life!! Some pretty roses and a sweet little purse from Twig and Grace, for her dear friend Arkie:)

Relax time:)

2011-05-03T14:06:00.004+10:00

Easter and the school break were so very nice! Why did it have to end??! I will admit, I am one of those mother's who could easily NEVER send her kids to school, stay in pj's all day and just hang out together doing things we WANT to be doing. Alas, not to be... but I simply LOve when the kids are home and we are all 'in sync' :~ I do not however, like it when the 'sync' in nowhere to be found and constant bickering is the result! Usually this is the result of too much indoor time (due to rain) or too much TV (which on the weekends we have relaxed a little more on...still no TV during the school week though) but I do notice the difference when they spend too long in a TV vortex!:). It is great when we all find things to do that use imagination...

One of the many wet,cold days... there is always painting to fill the time!

Paris is always busy making things...this one is her 're-cycled- fashion wear:)

Matisse and Paris did a little 'photo shoot'...Matisse LOved working on her human doll..

We caught up with family at our place:~Both sides of the family are scattered all over, so coming together is getting trickier, but it seems when we do, it is a happy, relaxed time. We ate delicious eggs benedict, the kids had an easter egg, hunt, we drank champagne all day:), and played Pictionary...a beautiful day of sunshine and laughs:)

And there was alot of skateboarding, scootering, walks, reading, baking cakes and more cakes, Cricket at the river, playing Twister and Bingo. Simple great times:)

even a home haircut for SEb!

some wonder.

2011-04-19T20:11:00.004+10:00

Take a look here:~ it is again too LOvely. I have found my zest once more for the sweetness of things! I do so miss my little shop:(. It was always so nice to search for gorgeous things to fill it:).

J'adore some more...

2011-04-19T20:03:00.004+10:00

I simply LOVE this site...so clever, so sweet...just so! And always something 'bunny'...how adorable is this little necklace?

Bunny fever

2011-04-18T20:06:00.003+10:00

more sweet~ness...this little purse from here :)

Is LOving...

2011-04-18T19:54:00.002+10:00

...this sweetist ever little dress from The Emperor's Laundry available here. Adorable.YUM.

hop hop hooray!

2011-04-18T11:45:00.005+10:00

I have to admit to Easter being one of my favourite celebrations of the year:). I have such fond memories of being little and making Easter Bonnets:~ out of ice cream tubs, ribbon, foil...and of course, cotton wool balls!! Now my kiddies are getting bigger, I feel we are coming to the end of 'Easter fever'. I fear there will be no more felt eggs, Easter cards and notes to the honourable Mr E.B himself. But this week, they still managed to break open the easter box and do a little table of goodies...and Seb had an Easter parade at school.

Pom Pom chick and bunnies made by Seb last year:)

Seb's bonnet parade

I am certain though...the CHOCOLATE side of Easter will never be forgotten! Do you have any sweet little easter ideas? Would LOve to hear of something new, that may keep the magic alive for my kids!

c'est la encore!

2011-04-13T08:52:00.004+10:00

It is here again! This year's Sunshine Coast French Film festival is nearly here:~ from Friday May 6th - Sunday May 8th...yipppeee!! We will be creating a 'Moulin Rouge' theming extravaganza , much like last year...I can't wait! So if you would like to release that innner 'francophile' then grab your tickets here, don le beret and see you there!

Creative time...

2011-04-08T08:47:00.004+10:00

As you may know, Queensland is experiencing ALOT of rain and Summer just came and went in a watery blur...Autumn is looking much the same! So, the kids have spent a good deal of time drawing, painting, creating (Matisse more so with her violin:). Paris and Seb are both into the fine point pen drawings right now, and this is what they whipped up last week. Paris's are so sweet... they even have the backs drawn:)

Seb amazed me with these...there are so detailed, yet unexpected with the TYPE of detailing!

a bit gruesome, me thinks! Not sure where this is coming from as he is quite sheltered from all things 'overly nasty'. he calls them his 'ogres'. hhmmmmmm......

Then it was time to 'chalk up' the deck... this was Seb's:~

and Paris got real busy colouring in the floorboards!

Kept them busy for ages... and is easily cleaned up! ( Although I found it hard to, so they stayed for a week or so:).

Seb is 7...hip hip.

2011-04-07T12:10:00.006+10:00

Littlest one of our family, Seb has now turned 7. WOW! We had a Pirate Party for him on the weekend:~ just a few mates, games, food...and rain:(. Never mind, he had a great time...but that's just him. Happy Seb...(most of the time:):~ always the funny one. I LOve the way you think I'm Beautiful and tell me almost daily. I LOve your gentleness. I LOve your busy-ness! Your warm, tender heart. Your artistic, creative, thoughtful side. I LOve you. my big boy:). We have a special tradition in our house: when it's your birthday, the family creates a 'celebration chair' and a little table of your favourite things. We all have to get up (very) early and watch opening of the presents, make a candle wish and this year there was new one ( thanks to sister Paris)...make a 'balloon wish' and let it go. Even though it was still dark when we all got up ( 5am!), it is something we all relish.

Happy Birthday Seb! ( to see more Pirate Party pics take a look here).

Last ones...I promise!

2011-04-06T10:15:00.022+10:00

These are the last pics of our trip...and some of my favourites. Just us hanging out at The Rocks, Opera House, Botancial Gardens and other random faves. Great holiday, thank you my family!

More of LOvely Sydney...beach and cafe:)

2011-04-06T09:18:00.016+10:00

I hope you want to see more?!!:~These pics were taken at Palm Beach and Newport Beach...two slices of seaside LOveiness on Sydney's northern Beaches. We have family up this way, so it was nice to check out the (cloudy,slightly chilly) beach and a quick catch up with hubby's brother:). I just LOve these tidal 'beach pools' they have down south...we don't have them up here:.

Dad, Seb and Paris spent all their time playing in the sand and swimming...Matisse and I went exploring:~ so beautiful.

My all time favourite cafe (I know I have mentioned this before!) is Ampersand Bookstore and Cafe located on Oxford Street in Paddington. We all really enjoyed the delicious breakfast, amazing coffee and the ATMOSPHERE! Heaven to me (and the kids as they are all book crazy too:).

2011-04-06T09:18:00.001+10:00

Sydney...cont!

2011-03-22T11:48:00.005+10:00

I do have a fixation with Doors... and Terrace Houses...

I heart Sydney- Part one!

2011-03-18T20:03:00.005+10:00

This last weekend the Hubby, Kidlets and I took a trip away...to Sydney. Being virtual 'country' kids we decided a city trip was just the thing we all needed!
We stayed at inner city Surry Hills...love, LOve, LOVE this place!! One of the oldest suburbs of Sydney, it has seen some shady times, but we LOved it's feeling and history. It was the very first time the kids had stayed in a 'high rise Hotel'...so funny to watch their faces and hear their ooh's and aaah's on seeing the glass floor in the foyer with huge goldfish swimming beneath! I have many, many pics of our adventures...of course, the Opera House, Ciruclar Quay, Manly Beach, The Rocks etc were all on the 'to do' list but most enjoyable for all of us was just being together, walking and walking each day and discovering parks, quaint streets, cute little shops and rows and rows of heavenly Terrace Houses. We made it our thing to buy fresh bread and fillings, fruit and sweet treats each day and then find a patch of grass to have our picnic lunch. Great for the budget...and great for us as a family. It reassured me that I have the sweetest kids in the world ( don't we all think that??!!) who are so grateful ,caring and easily pleased. Just happy with our time together and the adventure: Simple fun minus phones and internet! Here's the first few pics...they certainly will be more to come!

Waiting at the airport...very early morning:)

Matisse couldn't wait to text her friends re: the foyer...haha!

GREAT Thai food here:~

and the shops...oh, so, yummmmy.

Oh Joy!

2011-02-23T14:00:00.006+10:00

We have just had a LOvely visit from my husband's Mum (well, step-Mum officially). We and the kids were so thrilled to see her...as we always are. She is kind, generous and, as they always tell me" smells sooooooo good!". Sadly two and a half years ago hubby's Dad passed away:~ he truly was the most amazing man. A 'Master Mariner': a sea~ faring man who was a genuine 'gentleman' and had the most wonderful way of making you feel so very special. My little man Seb (or 'Little Mate' to his Dad) misses Papa very much and often finds himself shedding a tear when he listens to a gentle or sad song:~ "it makes me think of Papa". Papa also painted Watercolours and Nana brought down his portfolio and asked each of them to choose their favourite:~ which she is having framed for them to keep. So meaningful and they are so touched.

She also brought an extra gift for each of them...items from Papa's things.

For Paris: some beautiful pastels as she loves to draw and paint.

For Matisse: A book that he loved....'A Sunburnt Country' with the poetry of Dorothy Mackellar (such an iconic poem) as she loves to read.

And for Seb, a brass Boatswain whistle engraved with Papa's name. He was gobsmacked!! He hasn't stopped carrying this around and is trying to master the different 'calls'.

We miss Papa so, yet know he would be so pleased to see them happy:)

(Look at that face as he opens the present...I LOve it!)

Things

2011-02-18T12:45:00.004+10:00

I haven't been blogging for what seems FOREVER! So many 'things' happening:~ work, settling at new schools, organising out of school activities for the year, trying to catch up on bookwork (blah)...isn't it crazy?! What I would really like to be doing is:~

finishing my daughters new bedhead...stay tuned:)

finding new recipes to feed the family (very tired of the choices at the moment)

going on a brief road trip with my sister to visit my parents new pad

find some clothes I actually like, in stores closer to home:))

spend a day doing NOTHING other than what I really, really like doing~: just one day!!

posting more on my blogs...I do so LOve it!

Just a little more fun please...and a little less work. At least I'm getting sorted...I guess:) Paris last week went to her first party with her new school friends...she definitely had fun!

cha, cha, changes...

2011-01-28T11:45:00.007+10:00

It seems 2011 is going to be a year of many changes and although I'm a little (okay, alot!) nervous about things, I have a feeling it is going to be postive change for us as a family:) I have sooo many friends that are doing the same...time to re-assess and re-focus.

The most major change has us has been changing schools...aaargh! We have decided to send Paris and Seb to the local primary school...leaving behind the Steiner school we have been a part of these past 6 years. We have our reasons;which primarily involve the cost, but also other reasons, which involve our hearts. This week was their first week wearing uniforms (EVER) and I can see the plus-es in this:~ No more struggles of 'what to wear'! They have seen their first tuckshop (though not encourgaged:)...but most impacting is the new WAY of teaching. I just hope they find their happy place. We will still follow elements of the Steiner philosophy at home and I trust they have the tools within to adjust. (Deep breath...) and on with the show.

(Matisse in her 'Mad Hatters' mode)

Matisse has a scholarship in Music, so is now at main stream High School along with 6 other talented girls from her Steiner class last year:) She is LOving the change!

Other changes involve business :~ and we are soon to launch another side of partee petite. More on that soon...watch this space!

(a sweet drink Matisse made for me:~ Sparkling Apple Juice with crushed raspberry ice cube:))

bliss

2011-01-20T15:26:00.006+10:00

Today the kids, their friends and I, took some time out at our favourite little spot:~ Noosa River.
Oh how I LOve it there! Whilst they played endlessly in the water, rode Ripsticks and scooters, andenjoyed a glimpse of sunshine, I curled up under a glorious tree and exhaled. Normality is returning, me thinks!

a little bit of love for...

2011-01-19T19:00:00.002+10:00

this...

more and more water...

2011-01-19T18:32:00.005+10:00

My heart goes out to all those people who have suffered in the terrible floods that have struck Queensland, including my home town of Brisbane, just a week or so ago. We were fortunate to simply be cut off only a couple of times due to closed roads whereas many are still unable to move about freely and return to their 'normal' lives. I have many family and friends who live in Brisbane and miraculously, they were all spared due to where they live (:~I understand a hill became a blessing). The sheer scale of the devasation caused is enough to make you stop and gasp for breath. I have done parties in a number of houses long the Brisbane River... where many have been destroyed. And then there is the loss of life- irreplaceable, tender lives. It is heartbreaking for so very many.

However through tragedy comes strength, and the community of Brisbane and the greater Queensland has been astounding. People simply donned gumboots, brought shovels and gloves and arrived ready to clean. The smell; apparently you will never forget. Many, many baked cakes and biscuits for the near 12 000 volunteers. What tremendous spirit.

I am so grateful to live in this country...and so refreshed by humankind:)

pure, honesty..

2011-01-09T23:57:00.003+10:00

I feel compelled to share this. I have occasionally checked in on the (very sweet) Sweet Sweet Life blog (occasionally only because I have so many I ocassionally love to visit and time doesn't permit).Today on Amy's blog, I found someone whose finding times tough, and not afraid to admit it. Bareing herself to the world:~ perhaps being a little raw, and very real. I like this. Uncontrived. Honest. Not picture perfect. Yay, for you Amy:) Things aren't always 'tip-top' and there is no shame in that. It's simply 'life' with it's waves and tsunami's and it's trickles and gentle flows. I believe it's a great lesson for children to learn:~that life isn't always exactly how you want it to be...and that's what makes good times seem even brighter and your heart richer. To care and be empathetic to others. That what makes a sweet sweet home:)

My new blog- it's Partee time!

2010-12-29T15:39:00.003+10:00

The time has come...I have been asked many times to do this blog:~ a 'Partee' blog and here it is!

It has taken quite awhile to get things together (mainly myself!!) and I sure do have alot of work ahead of me! However, my aim is to share just what I have been getting up to these past 8 years...lots of children's parties:). Even though I run a Childrens Party business, hosting, decorating and basically taking care of most things, I realise there is a shift: perhaps a need both financially and emotionally, for parents to organise their own parties. I hope to inspire those who need inspiring and be inspired by the many talented Mums and Dads who painstakingly create magic for their children's celebrations. I hope we shall share the things we LOve, craft ideas, tips and...most excitingly, other peoples parties!! So if you have a party you are proud of (or know of a friends) or an idea you would like to share with other Mum's and Dad's, let me know via the link.

Everyone LOves a party:)

p.s. I will still continue this blog:~ it is my personal journal... and helps keep me sane!

Making movies

2010-12-27T14:35:00.005+10:00

I just found this ADORABLE little film by two sweet sisters Zali and Poppy via the continually amazing Pip Licolne's blog Meet me at Mikes. You should take a look at the interview also... just great! I believe it's things like this little people should be doing...getting creative whilst exploring technology. Hands on stuff...yippeee for them!

Golly Olley.

2010-12-27T12:32:00.005+10:00

Further to my last post:)...I have managed to lay my hands on the most interesting biography to while away the wet days:~ Thanks to my dear artist friend Amy. Margaret Olley is an Australian painter born in 1923 who continues to paint beautiful still lifes. Her story is very much of a woman growing up in a world dominated by men (artists and generally) and shows her dedication to her passion was, and continues to be, unstoppable. So inspiring!

This is inside her home...a TRUE still life itself!

oh! The rain.

2010-12-27T11:56:00.008+10:00

I am finding it hard to believe we have now lived here for almost 6 weeks and have had just 3 days of sunshine!! It really has made it difficult to feel 'at home':~ we are so used to bright, hot sunny days in summer. Now we have hot, humid rainy days instead...and the mould is loving it!! My little hayfever-prone nose is suffering and I'm finding myself obsessed with seeking out those nasty spores on doors and floors...I am fighting a losing battle!

But it's not just the weather that has made things feel 'odd' around here:~ we have had such a, shall we say 'rollercoaster' year ( like many) and decided that Christmas this year would be a very quiet affair. Just the five of us without all the family get-togethers and madly raceing here, there and elsewhere. To be honest, it has seemed a little lonely...I think I am to social to be stuck indoors for 3 days playing slot cars and trying to learn how to ride a 'rip-stick' over and over ( I haven't yet mastered it). It has been nice in one way: relaxing to not have to prepare, clean and prepare for the next gathering...but maybe that's what I miss the most!!

It has given me a chance to think:~ about my plans for 2011. I have a few ideas that I am hoping to get up and running early in the New Year. While I wait for the sun to shine, I have some fav simple pics from the past few days. Simple as my camera sort of works. I can snap a pic but the digital screen has gone blank so can't see what I am taking!! Just another little challenge to overcome:)

I hope you and yours had a LOvely festive celebration...here's cheers to a peaceful 2011.

Onto another chapter...

2010-12-12T15:52:00.008+10:00

This year was the last year I have a child in pre-school...oh, so sad! The Steiner pre-school is a magical place:~so nuturing. The importance of 'play' is paramount...play time to explore, create and connect. Seb is now ready for Class One, but I'm not sure I am ready!

The end of Year celebration is always so beautiful, with a puppet show story, shared homemade delicious food and the beautiful things the children have made throughout the year, come home. But this year it was extra special. The 'crowning ceremony' is where the parents are asked a few weeks before to decorate a felt crown: something that they feel represents their child or the things they love. They children have no idea and then a special ceremony is held where the crown is placed on the child's head and they are presented with a rose. They pass through the arch onto their next journey in life. It is so heartwarming to see their little faces light up with surprise when the see their 'special' crown. And few happy tears were shed by the Mum's! I will so much miss this part of schooling...although the beauty continues as I have seen with Matisse and Paris.

Here are a few pics from our special celebrations:~

He is so proud of the bags he wove!

And my boy...all crowned and ready to embrace the world! I chose a rainbow, hills and water as my theme for his crown:~ he is such an outdoors boy:)

POp up SHOP!

2010-12-10T15:14:00.004+10:00

Oh, no time to be blogging right now, but so much to tell! I will just be brief on this little post: if you are looking for last minute LOvelies ( and live in SE Queensland) come and check out my little 'pop-up-shop' which I will be having with the gorgeous Amy Clarke- Artist and generally LOvely person! I have some left over stock from my shop, which I have been holding onto thinking that I would re-invent 'petit enfant' elsewhere...but new plans for the New Year, so it all must go!! I have some Lark yummies, Pigeonhole cuteness, plus more~ at FANTABULOUS prices!! Amy will be selling her beautiful paintings also...and there will be cake, coffee and other treats to enjoy. Check out our flyer below...and hope to see you there:).

We're in!

2010-11-30T06:41:00.007+10:00

It is so lovely to be back! The move was mammoth and we are still getting sorted, living amongst a few boxes and trying to find places for things. But it's great to exhale and start thinking of Christmas. This next week will be full of end-of-school-year craziness...concerts, plays and celebrations. And then onto 'making house'! We inherited this little cubby house and it definately needs some sprucing up...

The most LOvely 'cubby' I have seen, is play home to the two sweet daughters of Erika from Miko Design. You MUST take a look inside on a little tour.

Simply divine!

Change is in the air...

2010-11-04T09:20:00.003+10:00

I have certainly missed my 'blog' time...reading the many others I admire or that inspire and also having my little say here. These past weeks have been strange. Seb's broken arm hasn't been as simple as having a cast and 'come back in 6weeks':~ it has required an operation to try and bring the bones togther, which has been exhausting and saddening for all of us. But he and I have got to spend some LOvely time together , as he hasn't been able to go to school.

We also are on the move...yes, after 5 years we are moving house, closer to the school (and the beach will be just 10 mins away!) and we definitely need more ROOM! Our props are overtaking our house! But who likes moving??? It's great once you're there and can potter and tweek things. But the packing... arrrgh! SO, I will lay low, pack, clean and help my little boy mend. And change:~ it may be just what this little family needs:)

oh, what a week (or two)...

2010-10-25T13:54:00.004+10:00

Yes, yes it certainly has been a very 'active' couple of weeks. Firstly, starting with tooth pain that would make having triplets more appealing!! I should have had this little tooth issue looked at AGES ago but I think as we get older (and busier) our priority of looking after ourselves comes somewhere other than first. So off I did trot to the dentist to be told it couldn't be taken out until the infection clears (no Root Canals for this woman thanks). After days of awful antibiotics (a foreign thing to me), pain killers and dreadful nausea, I then had the culprit pulled out with the idea I would be skipping home in no time. NOT the case. My body didn't handle things too well and sicker I became...aaaaargh!! A day in bed seemed to help a little...and then young 6-year-old boy decided swinging on vines over a friend's creek would be fun... a broken arm was the result and 6 hours at the hospital. (My friend so kindly offering to have him so I could rest, left feeling absolutley awful).Poor little Seb. It is amazing how when you see your child in pain NOTHING else matters (your own pain/sickness included)...you just want their pain to go away. He is on the mend and now looking at the broken arm as a bit of a trophy. Bless him!

No more suprises thanks:)

Families...

2010-10-14T10:45:00.005+10:00

This morning the sun finally shone! It has been at least four weeks of fairly consistent rain, rain, RAIN!!! We threw open the doors onto the deck to let the sun shine in and sitting there on the pool wall ledge were two very sweet little birds and their Mother. They were Willy Wagtails, my absolute favourite! It seems however, the mother was not happy. The little ones couldn't fly very well and I'm sure escaped the nest before they were allowed! She was flapping and twittering (ranting and raving). I just had to snap some quick pics while the kids held onto our dog Ollie~ just to make sure they didn't become a morning snack:).

Then whilst looking at the birds on the branch, in the background was a family of kangaroos! (In the pic below you can just see the bird on the branch in the foreground~ about the middle bottom)... Families enjoying the sunshine too. Here's my 3 'babies' enjoying summer last year..here's to the summer ahead!

I heart this...So binique

2010-10-07T08:47:00.013+10:00

I am smitten! This blog is sooooo beautiful:~ completely my style (or one that I dream of)! I simple adore all of her pictures and the dreamy feeling that they bring. Her town of Rotterdam looks fab...must put that on the list of place to do. Gorgeous shops...

And then there's her home: SUBLIME! HEAVEN! I'M IN LOVE~

Truly sweet.

I love Art... and passionate people

2010-10-05T19:10:00.008+10:00

I have been blessed:~ last year I meet the very LOvely local Amy Clarke, when she would come into my little shop: She got 'it'... the space, the idea, the passion. We became friends, have had too many wines, cups of coffee and loads of fun. I helped her with her daughters party and we realised we had probably crossed paths many years ago in our raging 20's! And she is an Artist. I admire her courage to put herself out there, create and see what happens all whilst being a great mother of two beautiful little people.

'Heirlooms' Amy Clarke

'Twig and Grace' Amy Clarke

And as life goes, one thing leads to another... and on my search for a good hairdresser, Amy mentioned she knew of someone FAB-o. So then I met Meghan. She is a wonderful hairdresser:~ but also a sublime Artist. I truly believe that Meghan may have the golden touch!

'Wolfmother' Meghan Shelton

detail from 'Wolfmother' painting

'Storybook' Meghan Shelton

And what is even better for us all...everything is for sale! Contact Amy here or Meghan here.

Oh, what a lucky girl I am.

Pip magic

2010-10-04T12:24:00.007+10:00

My eldest daughter Matisse is wanting a new look for her bedroom...she has had th same room for about 6 years and of course,now she is 12 things need to be more 'grown up'! I am in raptures with the Dutch brand Pip Studio ...LOVE LOVE LOVE it! (She thinks it is still to 'little girly' but I am working on her:) I have always been a big fan of Oilily (which I believe is related to Pip Studio) but it is quite expensive and I have only been able to afford a few little pieces for the kids over the years. So happy, colourful and sweet... Great inspiration.

To market, to market...

2010-09-28T13:23:00.006+10:00

If you are up this way (Sunshine Coast, Queensland) then you MUST pop into our local market. The Eumundi Markets are pretty famous...and fabulous! My little ones spend a good deal of time there on Wednesday's and Saturdays...busking and hanging out with friends.

Paris earns some pocket money:!~

A couple of keen supporters to my eldest daughter's group "the Mad Hatters':~

And Seb just LOves to cruise and taste all the delicious food!

Take a look here for more on the markets.

Holidays so far...

2010-09-27T15:47:00.009+10:00

The last day of Term was the Spring festival celebration at our Steiner school. This festival is certainly my favourite! At the pre-school we danced to music (provided by Matisse and friends which Seb thought was pretty cool!), ate yummy food provided by the mums and dads, made flower garlands and watched a beautiful puppet show. The main school had Spring Races. A wonderful welcome to Spring...and it was my birthday!

Spring table..Parents attempting the Maypole..this was hilarious fun.

and Voila!

and Lady Spring was there.
the flowers were brought in by all the parents...

and beautiful wreaths were made...

As it was my birthday, after the early school finish we had a few friends over for a BBQ, drinks and loads of Table Tennis. A big, fun day and night! This tasty LOveliness was made with Love from my friend Anastassia and delivered super early in the morning. Yum!!

How sweet to have my Matisse and her friends play especially for me!

Happy days..

A little wish or two...

2010-09-15T07:02:00.004+10:00

With my birthday just around the corner, in my last year of the Thirties I thought it would be nice to have little wish list ! The children always have a list of dreamy things; oh, to dream! So here is mine:~

I am actually reading this at the moment...it's great! A replacement would be LOvely thankyou:)

A lovely Spingtime perfume.

A great camera would be super good...

Any photos from Yvete Inufio...

and the piece de resistance... a Summerhouse in which to sit and read, smell good, take great pics and admire others!

Or a simple hug, kiss and a handmade card would be just fine:)

Twig and Grace

2010-09-14T13:43:00.004+10:00

Twig and Grace is the sweetest little store situated in Cooroy, a town approx. 7 mins drive from me! I LOve to go there to eat yummy things and drink GREAT coffee...and the homewares and flowers are sublime.

If you are ever visiting the Sunshine Coast, you must pay Dezley a visit!

Food glorious food!

2010-09-14T10:29:00.007+10:00

We had such a great weekend...just me and the 3 kids hanging out. And the food! It seems all we did was eat, eat, eat:) Seb is obsessed with Jamie Oliver. He watched his show on Friday night where he was doing all things Swedish. Yum. So off we walked to the markets at 7am on Saturday morning...a nice early start on a glorious spring day! We bought all the ingredients for mushrooms in a creamy sauce with lemon and parsley...sounds basic but seriously goooood! (sorry for the crummy pic)..

Then we continued with homemade pizzas and strawberry buns. This was my first attempt at cooking with yeast, and I'm hooked!

now time for some exercise...

Anniversaire Heureux!

2010-09-09T14:06:00.003+10:00

Today is our 15th Wedding Anniversary! Wow...how did that happen?!!! This day 15 years ago was a hoot...a great wedding that's for sure. So much fun and laughter. It certainly has been a challenging 15 years...and yes, you could say still a little challenging! But we are here together, and that is nice. I think we may have even mellowed in our 'older' age. Two strong headed individuals learning to work it out. He is pretty great.

You may wonder 'what romantic things do they have planned?' but alas, my dearest husband is away for 3 nights so it will be just me and my 3 LOvely children celebrating tonight! This is how I would like to be spending my day today...

a sweet picnic at the River. But that's okay...there is always tomorrow.

(images Yvette Inufio)

Love this...

2010-09-01T11:37:00.000+10:00

Spring is springing!

2010-08-23T20:37:00.015+10:00

My absolute favorite time of the year is Spring! The weekend was just perfect weather...crisp mornings and warm clear days. Here's a little taste of how spring is shaping up in my part of the world...

A trip to Noosa beach...beautiful. The water was seriously chilly though~!!
Flowers from our little pots...Good morning Mountain...Seb busily trying to see where the bird was building it's nest (he had watched it fly to and from with little twigs). Isn't it nice just to sit and wait...for whatever may come?

How are things looking outside for you?

Enjoy!

2010-08-19T10:50:00.006+10:00

I stumbled across these little Lovelies from 'Talking Tables' ... How sweet is the cake stand (made from cardboard), the paper flower garlands and 'Trivia' guest box? Perfect for high tea darlinks! I am thinking of having a 'ladies luncheon' for my birthday next month...perhaps with a few champagnes thrown in!

'Birthday Girl' is a fantastic blog, full of AMAZING birthday party ideas for boys and girls.

(This image from Sweet Soiree)

Enjoy indeed!

simply beautiful

2010-08-16T12:45:00.002+10:00

Frida loveliness!

2010-08-09T13:38:00.020+10:00

Wow, it has been a while since I wrote. I would have thought (after closing the shop) I would have much more time to blog, paint, craft and bake! Well, oddly enough I seem to achieve far less now that I have less to do!! It has been a really LOvely few weeks though.

Paris's Party was a great hit! Thanks to the ever amazing Erika from Miko Design, I was inspired to create a 'Frida Kahlo' theme for Paris's 10th Birthday. Erika went far beyond a 'blog buddies' call of duty!~: Thank you Erika!! I ordered these LOvely party bags from her ( well these are the ones I made up using her artwork as Austtalia Post STILL haven't delivered them!!!!)...

and she so kindly sent me the artwork to print out these gorgeous colouring books for each guest...

I had the most fun decorating our deck! I borrowed and hunted for cute "mexican-y' things and raided our 'downstairs' storeroom, which is full of props and fabric. What a blast. Think colour!

All in all, it was a FAB day. The 5 little girls played, danced, ate "mexican~ style' food, created their own cupcake masterpiece (with lollies and sweet treats that are usually not found at our house!) and painted self-portraits... I am always amazed at how wonderful these paintings turn out. Paris's heart sang!

Happy 10th Birthday, sweet Paris.

Revived~!

2010-07-29T08:43:00.007+10:00

I'm back...and feeling good!

I have spent the last two weeks laying low..and trying to mend my broken heart (ex-shop sadness, that is!). I've had many, many cups of coffee...too many sweet slices and perhaps a few too many wines. But is has done the trick! On with the show, so they say. And perhaps off to the gym...

I'm looking forward to getting back to 'blog' life. And re-arranging the house. That's always a good brain cleanser! (I'm hearing hubby sigh already). There's also a party to organise for Paris's 10th Birthday. And still the question of what to do with shop etc...but I'm in no hurry. Things will come. Right now, I'll enjoy the quieter pace of life...and the kids are LOving seeing more of me!

(yevette inufio image found here)

One door closes...

2010-07-15T11:43:00.006+10:00

It is with sadness that I have closed my little shop. As you may (or may not!) have followed through this blog, it has been 3 months of turbulent 'shop lease' talks...and many,many times where I have pulled myself up and kept on going. But now this little engine is tired! To save any further heartache and uncertainty, I have closed and will now re-assess. Do I set up elsewhere? Where to set up shop once more? Do I give myself a break to re-coup? There are still parties to create, which will certainly keep things ticking along...

For now, I will rest up and take a look around (which may be difficult with a house full of stock!!). I will enjoy my family and take some deep breaths. I LOve this :

"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other".~ Douglas H. Everett

(pic from Annika Vannerus).

New sweets

2010-07-07T16:17:00.005+10:00

We received some new goodies in today from Pigeonhole...I LOve unwrapping sweet new treats!

Sweet Diaries

Gorgeous little handmirrors

and cute as a button stickers

Too sweets!

Good Luck

2010-07-06T14:19:00.005+10:00

I stumbled on this wonderful space today...all the luck in the world. How inspiring, cheerful and gorgeous to look at.

You will find more LOveliness here.

Sweet breakfast

2010-07-05T19:06:00.005+10:00

Oh, how I LOve school holidays!

This morning Matisse made the family scrumptious pancakes for brekky...with my fav strawberries freshly picked this morning from the local farm...yummmmmmmm! I am enjoying that she is at an age where this can happen...and it actually turns out tasty!! She 'customised' too:
Seb LOves green, sooooooo Green Pancakes!

Paris LOves yellow, so voila! Yellow pancakes.

Bruce and I just Love the usual variety...but he made the BEST coffee. You know how sometimes it just all comes together...well, it did this morning.

Yipppeeeee!

2010-06-30T19:15:00.003+10:00

Finally the pain is over!!
The shop lease is secure~: we are staying put and I feel ELATED!!!!!! So, it is on with the show! Stock to buy, classes to organise and getting the word out there once more that our little place is back on track~!! I have learnt one very important lesson through all of this: go directly to the people in the 'know'...once I did that, all was done and dusted. Over two months of pain diminished in 2 minutes. Silly me for not being more aggressive earlier but lesson learnt. Happy happy me.
Paris made this little Lovely for me today...we will sew it into a cushion cover. She too is so happy.

Things to be told...

2010-06-23T21:23:00.003+10:00

The extended 'shop lease saga' continues.

There is to much to tell...yet nothing is certain. So much has been said, yet nothing is sure. When will the stories end and the truth be out? That is certainly what I am looking for right now. Nothing too life shattering...I am just needing to clarify and move forward~ and will keep you posted on the outcome~ which I am certain will be soon...well, hopeful. Please let it be!!

Love that Car!

2010-06-17T19:43:00.004+10:00

I just HAD to share this pic...

Last weekend Paris and her good friend Chenoa went and stayed at Chenoa's Grandparents house in Maleny....a piece of heaven on 17 acres. They spent loads of time climbing trees, making cubbies, having mud fights at the dam, toasting marshmallows on the open fire...and driving this Amazing little car!!! Chenoa's Great Grandfather made it for her Grandfather...yes~ MADE IT!! It actually works...I am still stunned. They so kindly sent this little card today in the post, to remind her of the LOvely time they all had. Inside are more cute pics...How sweet! Paris is the one with the strange look on her face!). Happy times x

Festival Fever

2010-06-15T19:47:00.004+10:00

It is all~systems~go here for our Childrens School Festival this coming Sunday. This is MASSIVE!
Our school is only quite small~ 150ish families (approx. 250 kids) and very 'community' based...but the Festival attracts tens of thousands!! It certainly is a great day...thanks to the huge effort by parents. Each year the Class 4 parents are responsible for organising the entire Festival: and each parent throughout the school is required to work on a stall for half the day or with the huge preparation leading up to the day. It has been monstrously big!

Hubby and I are in charge of decorating the entire event plus each running a stall:~ me on 'Fishing Lucky Dip' and Bruce on: 'Icecream Stall'...yummmy ones made with only frozen fruit. It is alot of hard work, yet at the end of the day I am always so thrilled to have been a part of such a beautiful event. If you are in the neighbourhood (Noosa way)...drop on by!

Sweet treats

2010-06-14T19:49:00.004+10:00

I LOVE STRAWBERRIES!

I just planned my day for tomorrow: We have the most fantastic local 'pick~your~own' strawberry farm up the road. Isn't it just so fun picking lovely fruit you know is going to taste Heavenly? So that is step 1...then the mobile Library van...then walk home, eat strawberries and read any new book loans! The week is looking great already.

(pic by Annika Vannerus)

Time flies...

2010-06-14T18:44:00.013+10:00

WOW! Where did that week go?!!!

It was a week of ups~ (like listening to Matisse learn a new piece on her violin) downs~(little Seb had an awful gastro bug all day) and round and rounds~ (the shop saga is NOT over as I had hoped)...but mostly LOvely and warm inside with my little family, eating homemade soup, lemon cake and scrumptious pasta~ with a couple of wines and a few hot chocolates...Decadent really!!! I may need to go for a few walks this week to keep on top of things!

Last week I mentioned this photographer whose work I have fallen deeply in LOve with...here is another of her pics AND (yippeee) you can buy them on Etsy!! Guess who will be taking the time this week to select a few?...Moi!!

Delicate, sweet, LOveliness. Here's to a great week ahead.

Reality...check.

2010-06-08T11:43:00.006+10:00

We are back from our little 'Sydney' adventure. How fun it was...and so nice to just think of nothing but 'what to eat/do/see' next. I do struggle to get back into the groove. Two nights just isn't enough...2 months might do it!

We agreed, our favorite spot was an amazing bookstore/cafe in Oxford St: Ambersand. Heaven,LOveliness.
We ate delicious food, drank yummy coffee and played for ages amongst all the books.

But now to reality...the whole shop lease drama seems to have sorted itself and we are staying. It has been exhausting , the 'are we/aren't we' saga of the last month or so. And a little bruising. For my confidence, passion and drive. Perhaps one more day of resting at home, tucked up nice and warm will inspire me. It sounds enticing anyway...I'm off to make a cuppa and find a comfy place to curl up...with one of my bookstore purchases!

Bon voyage

2010-06-02T21:09:00.007+10:00

We are off on a little trip...a break away from the everyday!

Just my man, my boy and me! (The girls are very happy having sleepovers at their 'sister' friends house...apparently with lots of tree climbing, busking and dressing up planned. yippeee!)

I hope you have a super weekend planned. For us it's Sydney, here we come~we'll see you Saturday!
(The image above I just LOVE. You can see more gorgeous pics by Yvette Inufio~ here.)

Fave fives fun

2010-05-31T19:37:00.000+10:00

I have been a little slack at this bit of fun, started by the ever~ amazing funstar Pip . I think it may be because I find it too hard to pick just five!!! My theme this week has a distinct flavour of SEB~ today he had one of those 'just because' days off school and we did things we used to, before he went to school fulltime. Oh, how I miss having him around!

No 1.

Today we picked these flowers at the park...this time of year the flowers are just Lovely. And I LOve Camillias.

No 2.

Seb's smile...and his little 'beauty spot'. Well, he likes to call it his 'handsome spot'...but it is so yummy!

No 3.

Seb's drawings. Apparently, this is me the 'Queen of Parties'. Too sweet..and very kind.

No 4.

My books. I LOve to flick through these on Mondays (my day off).

No 5.

Our Lemon tree. It is the 'native' variety..with very sharp thorns! But delicious fruit, that is getting closer to be ready. We Love to make Lemon Syrup cake.

Crisp Pastels

2010-05-31T08:55:00.000+10:00

Oh, what a beautiful morning!

So crisp, fresh and sunny...heavenly weather. And this is heavenly to me...

...A truly gorgeous photo from French wedding planners "Little Door'...yummy yum~!!!!!!!! See more of their amazing pics here. If I could have my wedding all over, I would dream of it being just like this...a massive room of LOveliness. You really should take a look.

LOve

2010-05-25T14:20:00.000+10:00

I LOve this...and this...

jingle jangle...

2010-05-23T21:24:00.000+10:00

On Friday night, we held a birthday party for our daughter Matisse~ now the BIG 12!!! Too loopy to even think about...first born , now 12. It both makes me feel old...and yet time seems to have stood still! I really am so proud of her. She is so clever..in a worldly kind of way. She is so kind...in a genuine kind of way. And she is just her...wonderful in all kinds of ways!!

So she decided this may be her last 'official' party for a while and seeing that we (hubby and I ) do the whole party gig, she chose an 'Arabian Nights' theme. What a blast!! We moved furniture and transformed our usual predominately 'white/girly' home into a richly colourful 'tent'!!

(Please excuse the quailty of the shots).

(Matisse and Paris gettin groovy).

Then there were her friends: only 6 were invited. All turned up in true 'Bollywood' style...with many bells jingling, jangling as they danced, ate curries and laughed and laughed. What a great bunch of kids. It was a pleasure to have them all sleepover and then they all trotted down to the markets the next day with Violins and Cellos (and a mini guitar to replace a drum kit that couldn't make it)~ to busk...and created 'beautiful music' (according to the stall holders). They were rapt too...pocket money!!! I am so excited for them all...the world is so full of possibilites. Go young women~and happy days for you, Matisse. I Love you!!!

(Matisse is second in from the back left...wearing a hat that her friend (next to her) made for Matisse...all these hats were made by her friend and her Mother...talk about CLEVER!!)