Things I learned this week including that everything has its place



I've had a great week. I'm not even sure why. Sitting on my front verandah having a laugh with a couple of friends on Wednesday morning was near perfect. Happy children exploring the rocks to the side of our house, happy mums enjoying a cuppa, happy chocolate chip cookies munching themselves (seemingly!), happy weather smiling at it all.  Yes, that's why I had such a great week.

Plus, I learned / was reminded of a fair bit of really important stuff. Mostly about the human character.

1. For all my talk last week of rarely wearing makeup, I frocked up for an awards dinner on Friday night and it was great fun (the frocking up, not the actual dinner, that was Dullsville). I learned that dressing up and looking your best is just as much fun as I remembered. Still wouldn't want to have to do it everyday, but everything has its place.

2. There's a fantastic search cheat sheet for Google out there. It really helps to refine your search terms and find what you need more quickly

3. The grass really isn't greener on the other side of the fence. I knew this, of course, but my Working Mother Guilt post really brought it home to me. And it reminded me that when I first went back to working life after having my first baby I felt guilty because I didn't feel guilty... is there no end!? The only solution is to stop focusing on the negative and start loving the beautiful positives. And always be grateful, grateful, grateful.

4. Sometimes what you're looking for is right in front of you all along. Gifts of Serendipity posted up favourite poem of mine from long ago, Max Ehrmann's Desiderata and I was reminded to slow down, reflect and appreciate.

5. Typedrawing is just about the most fascinating thing I've found in weeks. You create pictures with words. If you love typography - as I do - you will love this to pieces.*

6. Fabric bags are my new must have. Look what Piou Piou is up to ... such a fantastic way to store kids' stuff (or any stuff for that matter!)

7. An unexpected, thoughtful gift 'just because' is a wonderful thing indeed.

8. I learned that we really are just born either sunny-side up or down. Imagine a junior burger trying to figure out the motivations for a friend suddenly wanting to play with someone else. Some kids just shrug their shoulders and say 'he's got better toys' (this was Maxi-Taxi's response), other kids worry all day that there is 'something wrong with me' (this was his bestie's response). Are your kids sunny-side up or down?

9. You've got to have band-aids in your first aid kit. They are the world's great placebo treatment. If you run out, buy some more immediately lest you be caught short with a stubbed toe belonging to a child not your own requiring said placebo... and 'what do you mean you don't have a band-aid' ringing in your ears.

10. LOML is quite possibly the kindest, most supportive and handsomemost man in the world.**




How about you? Did you learn anything new this week?




* Thanks to the lovely Kellie at 74 Lime Lane for this and the Google cheat sheet tip!

** Of course I'm cheating here: of course I didn't really just learn that this week. I learned it about a half hour after I met him all those years ago...



Are you flogging? I'm flogging at Lori's... Oh, and while we're on the subject of linkys, don't forget to link up to the August Chronicles. I wanna see your fridge!

Recycled Art

This is the first giveaway I have entered in my young blogging life!





Check it out on freckles and fudge! 
How cool are these personalized recycled blocks from Waste Not Recycled Art! 
Click on 'freckles and fudge' just above to find out how to enter!

Sienna's Vintage Circus Party


Blue skies and a perfect winter's day helped to make Sienna's Vintage Circus Party a wonderful success last weekend. I am so thrilled with how all the details turned out and the 18 friends and family that came along had wonderful smiles on their faces all afternoon.

The theme of the party was inspired by Kim from The Tomkat Studio's wonderful Vintage Circus Invitation.
I hope you enjoy the details of Sienna's party as much as enjoyed putting it together (all the links can be found at the end of the post).



The lolly jars were filled with all things pink and yellow - smarties, mini ice cream cones, banana's, marshmallows, mini lollipops and jelly beans

I made the cupcakes and found some beautiful cupcake toppers by Joanne at The Cupcake Gallery



Strawberry Milk with vintage paper straws

Tissue Pom Poms for the ceiling and bunting behind the table and on the cake

Delicious cookies, individually wrapped chocolate bars and cute take home boxes for all the guests

Caramel Popcorn

Pink and Yellow Donuts


A vanilla butter cake with that lovely bunting inspired by Kristina at Modern Frills



Paul from Paul's Magic had the girls mesmerized

With my girls

Thank you to all the wonderful and creative people who have inspired and helped with the details for this party and incredibly thank you to Amy Atlas who has today featured my party on her blog - talk about do a happy dance (as Kim would say).

Invitations, party circles and menu labels - The Tomkat Studio
Bunting both large and small - Modern Frills
Cupcake toppers - The Cupcake Gallery
Square Cake stands - Sharnel Dollar Designs
Magician - Paul's Magic
Tissue Pom Poms - Ah Tissue
Paper Straws - The Party Studio
Photography - Vincy So


Leanne

Whitney Smith

Whitney Smith by Torie Jayne
This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy", I am featuring the gorgeous ceramics from Whitney Smith, whose designs are based around her love of flowers, birds and other organic forms found in nature.
  1. Bird Ceramic Vase in Vintage Green
  2. Five Nesting Ranunculus Rose Bowls
  3. Bird Cupcake Ceramic Stand
  4. Dogwood Flower Ceramic Lidded Vessel in Vintage Green

Have a sweet day!

mum who makes

a little interview I did for Bec @ Madeit has been published here


I have lots of fun creating & making for my little online store


you can read a little more about me & also have a look around at all the other crafty peeps on madeit!





{Little Sooti} Guest Post

I have been guest posting today over at Little Sooti. Come on over and check out my post all about cupcake Styling - you can find it here.

My party post is coming soon I promise!
Leanne