Finding Flowers In The Garden:: Bored At Home

I've had three days in bed. Do you know how bored I have become? I sleep. I wake. I sleep. I wake. I blow my nose. I have a cup of tea. I watch some iView. Then I fall asleep again. And then I do it all over again. 

Today was the first time I'd stepped foot outside during these past few days. That sunlight - wow! And kapow! 

The highlight was getting up to put some washing in the washing machine. High times friends, I am telling you what. Except, really, the highlight was as I was walking back inside - I found these orchids growing in what I would classify 'the ugly part of the garden'. This is the section that the landlord thought might look good with native flora - and it might, if every year it wasn't covered in a camellia heads, a wasteland of rotting petal corpses.

But these orchids were like a gift. Highlight of my day. 

What's been the best bit of your day?

PS - Sam Stone, how was P!nk??

Spring Cleaning

After a day out discovering (more on that tomorrow), I got all my cups and saucers out of the cupboards, washed them and rearranged them. It took me longer than anticipated, and half way through I regretted starting this exercise. Nevertheless, I kicked on, and am lying on the couch checking out the new set up.

I must admit, it was quite nice washing such pretty pieces. Each of them different, with a story all of their own. I love my pre-loved pieces, it's a shame I don't get to use them and admire them more often.

I'm beginning to think eating from a really beautiful plate is far more of an experience than eating from a plain white dinner plate. What say you?

Oh Hello Darling

Camellias are in season. I love a pretty camellia. So many hues of pink. My Mum picked these for me.

I'm having my hair cut today.
It's bitterly cold.
I'd like to be in bed.
I want to bake a cake but am too cold to move from near the heater.

But the camellias are in season, and they're one of nature's prettiest creations.

Buttons You Can Not Push

Well you can push them, but they're not going to do much except sit there and look pretty, are they?

I've got an addiction and I'm not afraid to share it.

I love pretty buttons. Each time I go near a fabric/haby shop, I seek out the prettiest buttons. I have a real penchant for vintage looking buttons. And I also love the real deal, vintage buttons.

What do you love right this very minute?

Palm Beach, Baby

Last week, when I was on the brink of going bananas due to rain and the subsequent cabin fever that had set in, we set to the road and drove up to Palm Beach. I love going to Palm Beach, not only to perve on the grand beach-front houses, but also to soak up that ever-present holiday vibe. As soon as I get to a certain point, I can almost convince myself I am on holidays (even if I'm on my way to a meeting) and that I most certainly should be wearing some whispy piece of Indian cotton and Italian made sandals. Almost darling, but not quite.

So we showed the smalls the beach. It was raining so we stayed in the car. Very tame (and a little lame?). And then drove on to breakfast at the Beach Road Cafe where the smalls refused to have anything other than a hot chocolate. It was raining. It was cold. Matt enjoyed Eggs Benny. I enjoyed my rather large plate of blueberry hotcakes (what's not to love?). We left happy. Ready to adventure.

And my friends, here is where it gets quelle excitemente! Love, Loans and Linen is a small shopfront away from the main stretch of shops. Not far, close enough to walk. And I could have spent a long, long time in there, had it not been for Matt and the Doctor lurking outside. Tiny was handed a bottle of bubbles to keep her occupied, and then took over re-merchandising a small section while I bantered with the lovely owners, and oohed and aahed over the beautiful stock. If you're in this part of the world, drop in, they show local ceramicists (LOVE!), and a beautiful assortment of products (I loved the wish boats and the hot air balloon). Actually I loved it all!

old school image via

Blogtoberfest Day 13: The Grand Ol' Oppie

really cute vintage tea cup - made in England

a wee vintage children's mug. made in Japan. of course.

gorgeous old dish, totally crazed, but i'm totally crazy for it; small Royal Albert saucer with spots

I haven't been getting to the op shops much lately, mainly because the one closest to me, I hate to say it, is a complete rip off. I realise it's a charity shop, but seriously, I have to think twice before I buy something because it's not so price-friendly these days.

But today it is so Spring-tastic, the junior burgers and I went for a walk, and I worked in a visit to the oppie before heading to the park for a spell.

I hit the jackpot. I got all of this, and two kids books for $10. Have you found anything fab at the oppie lately?

PS - Did you catch the stellar sunset last night? So pretty!

Some More Pretty

I've found even more pretty in my tidy up. These are certainly not things that I would ordinarily buy. In fact, I bought a 'lot' at an auction. I only bidded on this 'lot' because no one else was and I felt sorry for it (am I the only one who takes pity on inanimate objects?). But in that lot I got a whole lot of treasure. For $20, I couldn't be happier. There was a bunch of Villeroy & Boch vintage goodies, and just a whole lot of random stuff (such as the plates from yesterday). And while they're not designs that I would see myself buying knowingly, I love how they all just go together. Those florals meshing with the worn-down turquoise design, that dainty rose sitting with the Potter-esque flowers. Perfectly feminine and destined for great things this Summer. Girlfriends, I'm ready for tea parties a-go-go.

Think Pink

Some think pink stinks? Me? I think pink is the clink de la clink. Look at it sing. It's sweet and sappy, always snappy. Pink.

Other things I like:

- tea-cake fresh from the oven

- old school stylie Sesame Street - welcome back!

- perfectly brewed cups of tea

- that swimming is over for the holidays

- hugs and wet kisses from my smalls

- the sound of the front door when Matt arrives home

Et tu?

Serendipity

I've kind of gone insular at the moment. There's lots going on (heck, I'm sure that's true of most lives). I'm sure I'll write about it later, but right now, I'm just digesting. It's a quiet thing, but there's serendipitous moments that gleam through it.

Tiny's keeping me on my toes by getting into everything. Including the garbage bin (she must have got that gene from me - though I tend not to eat two day old peanut butter crusts found in there with dustballs).

The Doctor is tired, and almost at the end of the term. Holidays next week. I think we'll get out of Sydney for a few days and breathe some country air.

Matt and I. Well we're enjoying the odd spot of sunshine creeping in our windows. Fingers of it in the mid-morning. I'm enjoying turning the oven on with no idea what I'm going to bake. But I just gotta bake.

And right now, aren't these camellias spectacular, spectacular?

Polka Dot Kerrrazy!

Merde! Blogger is once again at it, rotating my photos. I've tried rectifying the situation, but to no avail, so my friends, turn your head instead.

Today we went to the MCA to see The Mirrored Years by Yayoi Kusama. I was expecting polka dots, and she sure delivered. Spotty mirrors on arrival, spots, spots, spots, and - in my books, you can not fault a good polka dot. The Doctor really dug the mirrored room, and in fact, most of the exhibition (particularly the spotty ultraviolet room - super cool!). We met up with one of my best friends and looked around, enjoyed a chai latte, and then caught the train home.

Fact: The Doctor woke up at 4:30am this morning. Here's cheers to daylight savings ending. Who wakes up at this time by choice? Certainly not me. I'm longing for a sleep in. I've been reminisicing about sleeping in all weekend. These vibes did not rub off on the smalls no matter how many psychic thoughts I put out there.

Do You Ever Take Pets Shopping?

Tiny and I went grocery shopping today. I had been putting it off for almost a fortnight. We'd been living on rice and red beans. Not really, but it was beginning to feel that way. I managed to pry myself off the couch and go where no trolley had been before. Ok they've been there plenty of times. Let's face it. Those trolleys are dirty, heinous little creatures that stay out late and get... trollied.

Tiny and I conquering the aisles. Look at us shop. Woohooo! We're like Thelma and Louise of the supermarket. Watch us ride over the edge of the frozen section.

It was only when we got to the checkout that I realised I had inadvertently brought one of our pets with us. I saw a silverfish scuttle from one of our green bags under the scales. Yuck. I pretended I didn't see him, though he was a rather over-sized little blighter. Double yuck. Anyone got any cures for silverfish? I keep bringing them up here because they keep appearing - right here. Right in my little home. I don't dig 'em.

On a brighter note, the Doctor stayed home and hung out with my parents in law. He came back into our house hauling some mean loot. One of which was this delectable box - how gorg is that? Now I'm just figuring out how many Thomas trains it will take to switch it out and make it mine. Mwhahahaha.

Less Talking, More Walking:: Days 14-18

I am just three days shy of forming a habit. It's amazing. Be astounded. I am the girl that cricked her neck playing La Crosse way back at high school - and then wanted to go home because my neck was so painful. Unfortunately my English teacher thought I was just trying to get out of a debate, so made me stay, with my neck cricked to one side (I couldn't move it) - and then I wound up at the physio, prescribed Valium, and off school for three days. Yep, that's the sort of relationship I have had with exercise. Anyway - this habit. It's a good one. I like it. I feel good. I like saying hi to strangers. I like spotting diggers and dump trucks with my little man. Impromptu trips to the park to push my little babe in the swing (my oh my - she digs it!). My pants are feeling a little loose. I've started getting outside more. Spring has sprung and I am out amongst it.Thank you Mikes!

Day 14: We walked down to the butcher - then down to the train station (which are in opposite directions). I talked my three year old into walking the entire way, which was no mean feat given it was over 3 kms - a pretty long walk for those little legs. He kept telling me he had wobbly legs, but I told him it was good for him, good for his heart, and he seemed to like that idea, so onward we went.

Day 15: It was teeming with rain. My sister told me to pretend I was walking in Europe, so I did. Layered up with wool, scarves, plus a rain coat, hat and brolly in hand. It was a walk with a purpose - to the supermarket and back. I took my mobile just in case I needed rescuing. In hindsight, I probably should have used it - but for some reason I like to punish myself, and so struggled home with $75 worth of groceries on one shoulder, contorting my body so I was walking like a wounded soldier, and my brolly in the other. I arrived home thoroughly wet and thoroughly pooped.

Day 16: Father's Day Family walk - another walk with a purpose - to the video store (I just can't call it a DVD store - it sounds weird), then to the park. Does it matter if I had an ice-cream in the middle of the walk? Nah. That's just a sprinkling of goodness. On the way home, we walked past a few bridges - since it had been raining, it was teeming with water.. Well, the water was running. We introduced our little man to the delights of sailing leaf-boats down the creek, and racing them. He delighted in this game, and we stayed far longer than we had planned, it reminded me of my own childhood. This is what memories are made of.

Day 17: To the post office to pick up my latest naughtiness. All $1.80 of it. Yep, I am officially the last of the big spenders, dropping money like there's no tomorrow. On the way home we played leaf-boats again, were directed which route to take home by our little dude, and got home in time for me to pull dinner out of the oven. Probably the first time in history our dinner has been perfectly timed. I can probably stop patting myself on the back now.

Day 18: It was just my wee babe and I today - so I made the most of it. Post office, oppy, then supermarket. I set a brisk pace because it was close to lunchtime and there's nothing worse than a sad little baby being pushed around. It's a cracker of a day - sunshine, spring on a quiet breeze. I spotted a bird's nest. I saw lots of activity in the neighbourhood. I totally scored at the oppy.. I do have such luck at the moment. And may it continue - it might even be catching? I have been thinking I want to get my train-fanatic son into something different.. Lately he's been showing interest in rockets, space ships - and I thought for Christmas I'd get him a rocket. Lo and behold, what was sitting at the oppy today?! My friends, a wooden rocket. Bingo!

I've bought a lottery ticket (someone made this suggestion in comments - funnily, just as I was purchasing said ticket - are you tapping my thoughts too?!). I am ready for my luck to continue. The Universe seems to have my phone (and my thoughts tapped - or is it ASIO?). If we won the lottery maybe then instead of looking at all these crummy rentals we could buy a little cottage of our own. Ha! You've got to dream big, right??

In lieu of throwing my computer out the window, I am leaving this formatting. I've tried correcting it four times, to no avail. What is with Blogger???

This Is...

Just a few of my favourite travel photos - how could I choose just one??

There are a few reasons this trip was one of my favourite ever. It was my first (and only - so far) trip overseas. Matt and I were newly engaged, and we had the best secret ever. I was pregnant with Noah but had only told our immediate family. It was a great secret to share together, run away overseas with our happiest secret, all the while discovering London and Paris together. I was probably the happiest girl on the planet.


But how could I sum up my favourite travel pic with just one photo? I can't. Whenever we're travelling, it usually means a ten on the fun-o-meter.


The first one is me feeding squirrels in Kensington Gardens. I thought they were the cutest things I had ever seen. Unfortunately after I started feeding these two, I heard a strange noise - looked up and saw Matt quickly walking away from me. I was puzzled. Moments later, a whole blanket of pigeons descended around me. Yuck. Thanks for the warning Matt!


Beautiful painted doorways in Notting Hill..


Galleries Lafeyette at Christmas time (and pretty well the only blue sky we got to see during our trip).

And this one totally captures us at the time. Happy. The beginning of our big love. On an adventure.

I can't wait to go back overseas, this time with the little ones. It's not on the cards at the moment, but you have to dream big to get anywhere! Travel gypsy style for a couple of months through France, Spain and Italy.. Then onto NYC!

Thanks to Hila for this weeks fun theme! And thanks to Three Buttons too!

The Opposite of Procrastination

So yesterday I continued my leap of faith - I kept ebaying. I've now listed quite a few things, it feels good.

I also got stuck into an ugly corner of our house - or rather, an ugly shelf. In our kitchen we just had a mass of clutter. It was dusty. It was messy. It was making me feel IK! So I tidied it up. I should have taken a before photo so you could feel proud of me. But this is the after shot. I've been sneaking glances at it because it just feels so good to have purged this mess. Receipts from 2006. Hmm. A dying ground for old paperclips. Yes. A total cesspit of dying forgotten objects no longer of desire. YES!

So I purged.

Is there a rehab for purging? It feels so darn good it almost hurts.

Pretty Things!

Recently I made a great purchase. A really great purchase.

It's something that I admire each and every day, and I know is going to be a favourite for my baby girl as she grows up.

I've had a bit of an Etsy addiction for a couple of years, and bought some great things from sellers on there, from all around the world. It's amazing to think how many talented people there are in this world!

But this one, this one is definitely one of my very, very favourite purchases.

Tactile and very pleasing to the eye, each time I look at it, there's something new that catches my attention.

onegirl is one very clever lady!

Just look at that. Beautiful!

Now I am just waiting for someone to have a baby girl so I can give them one too!