Being Thankful

It's Friday and I'm so glad the weekend is here. Sure I don't have anything exceptionally interesting planned but I think that's why I'm so happy it's arrived. The past few weekends have been full of busy plans and going out till late but for the next 2 days  I have an agenda full of sleep In's, face masks, casual coffee's, and shopping for some new staple items for my wardrobe not to mention I'm also determined that this is the weekend I find and purchase a lounge suit! In light of it being Friday however and me being in a great mood I thought I would make today's post about being grateful, and what I am currently thankful for in my life.

[ I thought I'd share with you one of my 'special' photos that always makes me smile laugh out loud and his part of what I'm always grateful for. This photo was taken on my 23rd b'day that was a dress up wine tour. We were on our way home so so boozed and I went for a kiss and missed his lips completely. I love moments like this that are captured on camera. NOTE: he is wearing a wig,  his hair isn't that tragic in real life ]

Today, I am grateful for:

• my health & my families health
• living with my gorgeous bf in our new favourite place we call home
• the newest addition to our growing family (my niece!) Delilah
• my beautiful girlfriends
• my job, and all the incredible opportunities I get to experience everyday.
• bubble baths and gossip magazines
• coffee, brand new socks, throw rugs in Winter
• the excitement of all that the future holds

It's just one of those days

Do you know those days that feel like they're never going to end and you're just never going to get anything productive done? TODAY friends is one of those days for me. I don't feel guilty as I think we're allowed a little day 'off' every now and then and today just happens to be my unscheduled day 'off'. I have had to keep myself motivated by reading gorgeous quotes - I'm that friend who loves all those lame cute emails about inspiration and jokes that aren't funny, and scouring through my favourite online websites for some shopping inspiration. Here are some pictures that have helped me keep smiling today that I hope bring a bit of light to you too.

[ Maurie & Eve Winter 2011 collection 'Daria Twist Dress that I STILL love & am still trying to get my hands on - sold out everywhere! ] 

[ Sweet words to remind me that relationships are what's important in life ]

 [ Style Stalker jacket I have had my eye on for a few weeks ]

[ Finding inspiration with Chic office designs to give me ideas for my own office space ]

And to share a little bit of cute with you - here is what Tarzan my beloved boy of 5 years was doing last night during our big Thunder & lightening storms.



Winter must haves

My favourite 'local' designer (sure she hails from Sydney, not Perth, but STILL) is Erin Louise. Her designs are whimsical and my perfect Winter must haves in the colder weather. These gorgeous pieces are my wardrobe staples as they provide the perfect amount of warmth whilst dressing up any pair of jeans if I'm heading out for dinner, drinks or shopping. When I first saw her neck warmers I feel in instant love (as seen from my obsession with scarves first seen here) and then I just HAD to (I'm sure you all understand) purchase one of her beanies too. As I'm learning and being inspired by different things in fashion the one thing is constant to me now - if you feel great and can wear something with confidence that is what is important and Erin Louise clothes do that for me. So enjoy whatever is currently in your closet that makes you feel amazing and give you that secret ingredient to looking great - confidence! xx

p.s The shoes are Siren (Erin Louise doesn't do shoes - yet?) I got online here

Let there be Rock .... (& punk)

[ Luke, one of my friends I met in the Mosh Pit - We had to get his Tattoo's in ]

In light of always seeking new experiences and having fun along the way, I let Mr M take me to my first Punk Rock concert this last weekend. Sure I Love (with a capital L) music and my taste is far and varied but I had actually never been to such a concert before. My concert 'resume' consisted of dance music festivals in Summer, Hip Hop artists I used to dance to when I was a teenager and chilled out events with a picnic rug, bottle of wine and equally chilled out music. The verdict from Saturday night? I Loved it. Sure I may have only known 1 out of the million songs the band played, and sure I was getting pushed around by sweaty boys with long hair, but it was such a different experience and one I got to share with people who have a genuine love for "their" music and "their" band. You can't beat that. I got to drink booze out of a plastic cup I normally wouldn't touch, (in light of trying ALL the experiences at such a concert) and chatted to mean scary looking 'dudes' in the mosh pit* whilst we were all waiting for the band who turned out to be intelligent, lovely people. It wasn't my kind of music/scene or cup of tea in general but being there with my love Mr M, and experiencing fun new things made it an amazing night out.

[ Some of my view from the night ]

*yes, you read right. Mosh pit! It was sort of almostttt an accident I got in it but once there I was like hey, why not. I messed my hair up and got a bruised foot (my war wound I proudly showed off the next day to Mr M's friends who visited) but now I can say that I have been in a mosh pit.

**Apologies for the bad quality of photos! It was from my iphone in the dark.

What's on my Monday's mind

[ Source ]

• What isn't on my mind.
• I think is the more appropriate question here.
• I still find it incredible that one human being could open fire and kill 83 people without even showing remorse.
• Are people born evil?
• Or do they get that way from experiences.
• I have thought that a lot today.
• My verdict on which sits more comfortable with me still is out - evil from experiences would mean they have something to blame it on. Excuses.
• I dislike people ever feeling they can use an excuse for behaviour or how they've turned out.
• We all have a choice to do right, be kind and be respectful.
• It all starts with a choice.
• I think I need want another holiday.
• Where I can laze by the pool, drink cocktails and refresh my mind & soul with late night dancing, sleeping in and pigging out on food from other lands.
• I can take photos of the culture so I can be reminded of the fun when I'm home and wanting another holiday within hours.
• Such peaceful thoughts holidays are.
• Don't wish life away.

[ Source ]

[ Source ]

[ Source ]

[ Source ]

**Photos posted today are from my old / new fascination with Polaroid photos. I love that they can make modern era seem like photos that were taken many moons ago & no matter what you snap there is always some dream like, romantic feel. I found the photos from this website (She hit pause studios).

Long Distance Love

[ Perth City - 162km from Pops country town ]

I always forget the comfort and peace I feel when I go to visit my Pop. He lives in the country, which is about 2 hours drive from where I live so I don’t get to see him as often as I would like but I got down there this weekend to see him so am feeling full of bear hugs and love only a grandparent can give. It could be that nothing ever changes with Pop which gives me that sense of comfort - the house is always the same, his always in his same chair,  and he always greets me with his infamous sing song ‘HEL-LO’. I went for a quick stroll to the town to go and get some lunch and you forget – well I do – how different the ‘country folk’ are to the city slickers. I got honks, waves, smiles, hello’s, and how are you’s from almost everyone I passed along the way and when I accidentally bumped in to a lady at the shops and said sorry, she replied with the friendliest ‘what are you sorry for?!’  This trip down Pop taught me how to make the perfect cup of tea, reminded me to keep my goals thriving and we sat and had some quality time watching the football. I will leave you with my lesson to you from him that I took away from this weekend which is to find beauty in the small and simple things of life. Next time you get a visit to your grandparents in, remember to hug them tighter and let them know how much you love them because they truly one of life’s greatest treasures.

The pictures in this post are all the little trinkets from Pop’s house that I adore!! – they are gorgeous antiques that were my Nanna’s (who sadly isn’t with us anymore) pride and joy. I love old things in today’s modern era.

[ The very old Brunswick Hall in the town centre ]

[ The infamous cow that has been in Brunswick for over 45 years ]

[ The 3 'old ladies' that sit on the ledge in the lounge room ]

[ An old photo of my Mum and her brothers and sisters from when they were kids - bangin' 70's ]

[ The old pot belly stove ]

[ Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg 'jars' ]

[ An antique piece that decorates a bedroom ]

[ The quiet space out the back ] 

[ The quiet space out the front ]

[ Pop's tea pot - that is older than I am ]

Perth city photo source was found here

Daydreaming of distant lands

I keep telling myself to calm down as it is after all a year away - but what the mind wants, the mind gets (mine anyway) so today has been all about daydreaming for Mr M & I's Europe adventure starting next July. We are off July 2012 on a 4 month adventure to Europe (& some of the U.S) and I can't stop thinking about eating pasta in Italy, kissing under the Eiffel Tower, dancing in Spain, skiing in Switzerland, drinking in Greece and so much more. Here are just some of the pictures that kept my attention today as I let myself wonder in to my travellers imagination.

I'm looking forward to this weekend too! I have plans to go and see my gorgeous Pop, be taken to my first punk (or is it rock?) concert by Mr M, and relax and do some baking Sunday. So here's to wild imaginations and exciting times ahead xx

Photos today I found here, here, here, here and here

Splash of Summer on a Winters day

I found this dress today here and couldn't resist buying it - it was love at first site! I have been wanting to change my hair for awhile now from beliage' (dark to light) to just a flat dark but have had no inspiration to do so. Then I found this dress! I am not lucky to be one of those Blonde's who is able to pull of Yellow so now going Brunette* has never been more attractive so I can pull this dress off. I think it will be gorgeous for Warm Summer nights and evening date nights with Mr M, now to just find the perfect shoes ...

*will post a picture when I take the final plunge to the 'dark side' and go Brunette!

Mums the word

I've been lucky the past couple of nights, as I've been spending lot's of time with my Mum. Now I know everyone claims that their mum is in fact the best mum in the world but I would have to say that mine really takes the cake, so this post is just for her. We both love yoga but she has been going on at me for quite awhile to go to her class she does (vs my packed, rush classes I do at the gym), and last night I finally got there and me oh my it was amazing. I swear the instructor at this class is the master of soft talking and helping you find zen. If you've never done yoga it's something I would encourage you to try out like my mum encouraged me! Tonight, I then backed up my 'I need some more mum time' style, and went over to hers for an amazing home cooked roast meal and some red wine drinking by the fire.

So mum, thanks for supporting me in everything I do, everything I want to be and all my hopes and dreams. You're my wonder woman and someone I'll eternally look up too. Love you to the moon & and back xx

[ Mum & I at my University Graduation 2010 - she cheered the loudest! ]

[ Mum & I at my "when I grow up 21st 2009 - me, a ballerina, her, Marion Antoinette ]

[ I had to put this pic up from dinner at Mums tonight. This is Possum who mum got us kids 12 years ago when we first moved to Perth! She sits at the table thinking she's a human. So cute. ]



Making me happy

[ New place mats that tell a story ]

I absolutely love these place mats that I picked up from my local Sunday Markets . I’ve taken to rugging up, coffee in hand and scouring my local Sunday markets for little treasures. These are my latest purchase – place mats that tell a story. They were a cheeky $2 and I can’t wait to have guests over for dinner to use them for the first time. 

[ Long chained Compass necklace ] 

I bought this compass necklace to support a ladies new business but when they actually arrived I fell in love. My compass necklace matches well with my other chunky chain necklaces or looks fine on its own (it doesn't actually tell the real direction but who needs practicality when you can have cute?)

[ 'Below the belt' Essie Nail polish ] 

Having recently moved and now having 2 bathrooms to use I have managed to spread my girly luxuries necessities across both and in doing so uncovered some forgotten nail colours. This white one is my new fav  and is different to the bright colours normally worn. 

[ 2011 - 2012 Entertainment Book ]

This book is so worth its weight in Gold! Considering Mr M and I have just moved a street off the cafe strip it’s already come in handy for all our little impromptu coffee and dinner dates. Everybody loves a bargain and I’m certainly not exempt from this. (I got mine through Radio Lollipop too which means money is raised for a good cause, if you haven’t got one yet get one here & help raise a little more for an amazing cause)  

Weekend in Snapshots

I had grand plans this weekend that included making my own vitamin C fask mask and finding a red antique lounge/chair that could go in my study. Although I succeeded in purchasing the ingredients for my mask, I didn't end up getting to try it, and I ran out of time to go shopping for my must have chair. Not all was lost this weekend however. Mr M & I set up our first joint bank account, I baked a caramel & walnut slice, I had a boozy night out with the girls, tried out a gorgeous new restaurant on the beach with a gf and had a day trip down to Mandurah.

My DIY facemask is now on next weekends 'to do' list and I am determined to find my perfect antique lounge chair for the office so stay tuned (I also want to try my hand at making some DIY bangles, but I will post how that all goes). Below are some snap shots from my weekend.

[ The base of my Walnut & Caramel Slice ]

[ Caramel layer added, starting to smell delicious ]

[ Breakfast venue - The Naked Fig, so gorgeous ]

[ Lounging on the front of the boat with some wine & a fantastic companion ]

[ Snapped enjoying the last bit of the amazing Winter sun ]



Food, or something like it

I was busy in the kitchen last weekend baking sweet treats (big choc chip cookies) and then hosting a mini dinner party Saturday evening - hello Pasta & Wine on a cold Winter's night - although Mr M's Carbonara was far superior to my good ole' Bolognese!! Alas I digress. I grew up with a Mum who stayed at home with us 5 kids (my brothers & sisters & I) up until we were all in school so I was lucky that I could learn from her in the kitchen as she was big in to baking (which was great when we got to lick bowls and spoons as kids). Although I am super lucky that Mr M is the main chef in our household, I do love to cook and will jump at any opportunity these days to try a new recipe. This weekend I have my eyes & mind set on making a Walnut & Caramel Slice (& I really must get around to making that coffee ice cream I have been saying I'll attempt!) but here are some pictures from last weekends efforts in the kitchen.

[ My mixture pre cooked ]

[ I like to make my cookies imperfect - the way desert should be! ]

[ The final result - I did get yum reviews ]

[ Pasta night well under way - Carbonara & some Bolognese ]

P.S The Carbonara above has been perfected by the man of the house and it might seem bias - but I swear it's better than a restaurant quality dish!! Delishhhh. Here is his recipe he was happy to share!

Fresh thick cream  600ml

Broccoli

Bacon pieces

Garlic paste

Butter

Parmesan cheese

Chicken breast 600g (small cubes or strips)

Pour cream into saucepan

Add a nob or 2 of butter

Add a few teaspoons of garlic paste

Heat on medium, once everything starts to bubble a little bit grate in approximately 100grams of Parmesan cheese. 

Let simmer for 5 minutes on low

Cook chicken pieces until Brown, and remove from fry pan

Do the same with the bacon and broccoli and combine with sauce.

Keep on heat simmering for 5 - 7 minutes.

Serve with hot yummy Pasta!

P.P.S It was a great weekend to be cooking as we had Lot's of visitors come by to see the new place and stay for cups of coffee, tea or wine. My Favourite visitor though was my sister who did her first house visit with Delila - to mine! Here is my new favourite picture of Mr M with my little niece for the first time (I just love her expression looking at him!)

And then there was 3...

[ Beth & bump at 38 weeks ] 


It is with immense pride & excitement I can announce I am an Auntie to my amazing sister’s new little girl – Delila Grace. You hear of how you instantly fall in love as a new mum, but any other Aunty’s out there can relate when I say you also fall in to instant Auntie love too and I also have a new understanding of the word bias, and truly believe she is the most beautiful little baby I have ever come across.

My  sister went through an unimaginable 33 hours of labour, but Delila you’re here now & I can’t wait to be the best Auntie for you possible.

[ Sleeping beauty ]

[ The little bella with her gold engraved bracelet - for when she's a little bigger of course ] 

[ Her staring up at me for the first time - I was muffling my squeals of delight! ]

[ 12 days old and getting cuter by the day ]

[ My fav picture of my sister and Delila - snapped on her first visit to mine, sleeping peacefully after a feed ]

Congratulations Beth & Jay on the new arrival of your beautiful little girl and making your new family of 3. 

x x x

[ My first hold of my new beautiful little niece ]