Australia Day

Like most other aussies, my Australia Day was spent with friends, some sort of BBQ'd delight in hand and a pool not too far away. This was my contribution. Mini Pavs, with all the trimmings.

Big Year, Small Things

Its like starting a diet on a Monday, I always feel great in the New Year. As cliched as it may be, its a clean slate, a chance to start again, to be a better version of you, to close the door on any negativity that the past year brought.

I have only ever made one new years resolution, and it remains the same every year. Dont let fear get in the way of an opportunity. '08-'09, I was true to my resolution, really I was. So i feel its time to move on from this mantra. 2009 was not a great year for me, lets be honest. And not for one big earth shattering reason either. I just wasn't happy, dont ask me why, I have plenty to be thankful for. But it was while i was reading this that it clicked. And because I cant say it any better than she did, here it is;

"what i realized is that a lot of things i always assumed make me unhappy, actually make me happy. i avoid cleaning and organizing like it is the plague and yet, it makes me happy when i do it. i have always assumed that it is much more pleasurable to fall asleep with my makeup on and then show up for work the next day with that day old eyeliner and some fresh lip gloss (not cute), but as it turns out spending 10 extra minutes before bed and the same in the morning makes me feel better"

I cant tell you how good i felt reading this. Why didnt I think of that? Thank-you Jen. Its all the little things that have gone by the wayside in my depressed state, which, in turn, have sent me into a state of despair. Exercise, cleaning, cooking, organizing, throwing out- all things i avoid, yet all things that make me feel good. How did i miss this? So here it is, the start of a list of the small things that make me happy (minus the obvious ones like chocolate and wine with friends, holidays).... (I also stole the first one from Jen because i never would have thought of this, but its so very true)

• Being able to walk barefoot on the floor without getting cat hair, my hair, misc. shrapnel, etc on my feet
• Replying to Emails/Messages straight away.
• Getting up early
• Going for a walk in the morning
• Actually making that toy/dress/card/quilt/thing that I have only ever talked about.
• Staying up that little bit longer to get organised for the morning.
• Afternoon sunlight
• Cooking
• Not buying lunch even if it means being super resourceful in the pantry that morning.
• Going through a day without spending money
• Clean Sheets
• Exercising
• Posting on my blog

The list will continue to grow im sure.. but for now, thats enough to remind me how to stay on track. Speaking of which, its 11.15pm, and I just finished baking Blackberry pies for an upcoming post, cleaned the kitchen, hung out some washing and am about to head to bed with a clean face. Lets see how long this lasts kids, but tell you what, Im happy!

Christmas Wrap Up- The Gifts, The Food.

I set myself a challenge each year, wrap purely in recycled or very very cheap ways, but still make the present look priceless. This year i revisited my childhood and made paper snowflakes by folding and trimming paper. Very addictive. I also used some of the afore mentioned decorations i made by using an inked stamp and stamping it into a rolled out piece of "air dry" white clay. Paired with super cheap kraft paper, string and paper doilies from the $2 shop, i think the combination worked well.

Oh and fruit mince tarts aplenty, yum. I shared mine with Spence, my adorable oddson.

Christmas Wrap Up- The Tree

The hunt for the perfect tree. Symmetrical, full and delightfully lush. My american friends laugh at our Australian version of the christmas tree. It remains probably my favourite (and most time consuming) christmas tradition. The divine smell of christmas fills the house. It usually takes me a day or two to complete and after months of decorating fake trees for work, I enjoy the decorating challenge a real tree presents.

Every year a few more are added and the theme differs slightly year to year. This year after trawling stores only to be disappointed with variety as well as price, I decided to have a go at making some of my own.

Ply Decorations; snowflakes from David Jones $2.99

Big Baubles from $2 Shop, Small Laser baubles from Prague.

Glass Decorations; Acorn $3.99 from The Works, Antique

Silver Bauble from The Works.

Ceramic and Lace Decorations; snowflakes from The Works,

Ceramic Bauble from Adairs, Glass Text Bauble- handmade by me,

Stamped and cutout circles- handmade by me, doily bauble-handmade by me.

Crocheted Bell Decoration- $1.00 ADRA Op-Shop, Mitcham.

The finished product.....

Christmas Wrap Up- The Lights

Its about this time each year that i get a little sad, its all over for another year. People who know me, know that I am a christmas nerd. Apart from the usual good food, friends, family and gifts, for me its a holiday all about styling; Styling the tree, styling the house (inside and out), styling the food, styling the gift wrap, styling myself. Christmas for me starts in October with the styling of many a christmas tree for upcoming catalogues.

Christmas for me is a time for tradition; the first of which is putting up the lights on the first weekend of December. I used to do this with Dad every year since I was very little. We started with a humble set of party lightbulbs and added a new set every year... I used to walk the boulevard on a balmy evening with the family; dreaming that I lived in a street lit up like that. Fast-forward 20 years and I am. If only he could see my house now.

Inspirations

Papier Mache

Open House

Ok, I have two new online "time waster" addictions that i thought i would share with you.

1.Papier Mache- a online childrens mag with cute articals, great links and loads of inspiration- photographic, crafty and otherwise.

2.Open House- and it literally is. Like your favourite homewares mag but in blog form. Love.

Enjoy xx

A Country Weekend

Maldon, Canon 5d

This weekend I was lucky enough to get away for a night to the gorgeous little town of Maldon, Vic for my godsons Christening and 2nd Birthday. T'was a weekend of good food, great company and lots of laughs....

...oh and a visit to one of my favourite Maldon stores, Lavender and Lace. Full of divine linens and yes, Lace.

Lavender and Lace, Maldon, Canon 5d.

On the way home, I just couldn't help myself and stopped into Daylesford to fuel my love affair with all things Bromley with a visit to his Day On Earth shed store, as mentioned in the last post. Is there anything this man does that I don't love? Fairytale come to life.

A Day On Earth, Daylesford, iPhone.