Lucky Me!

I have been awarded this Kreativ Blog award by not one but three super tallented gals. Bec from fun with a little wise owl, Jessica from Imagination In Flight and Katie from Bird and the Babies. This is my first ever blog award, how exciting - thank you ladies!



Here are the rules that come with the award



1) Copy the picture and post it on your blog.

2) Thank the person that gave it to you and link to their blog.

3) Write 7 things about yourself we don't know.

4) Choose 7 other bloggers to pass the award to.

5) Link to those 7 other bloggers.

6) Notify your 7 bloggers.



So my 7 picks are:



Bianca Jae Makes Stuff -Best Crayon Rolls I have seen

Here we go Loopylou  - Beautiful Fabric Covered Cards

Halle Jay - Lovely Custom Necklaces

Little Rose - for the sweetest girls clothes around

MiniLala - For my next baby i want one of these in every style please.

Paisley Jade - Her Softies are divine

The Red Deer - Read Alicia's blog and you will be wiping drool off your laptop every time she posts



and heres the 7 things you probably dont know about me....



1. I spend way too much time on the computer

2. I have a huge crush on Dexter Morgan - this is bec's but I'm joining in on this one :)

3. I can't seem to keep a single plant alive - no matter how hard I try. Major BLACK thumb.

4. I never watch daytime TV - Hate it - yet before baby thought that it would be great.

5. I usually have to edit my posts about 3 times before I am happy with them.

6. Sorry but I can't stand Vegemite

7. I have 3 younger brothers but they are ALL taller than me.



There .... done.

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Reindeer Cupcakes

With his usual propensity to give me, oh five minutes notice, my husband informed me on Tuesday that we are hosting his work Christmas party at our house on Saturday (tonight). Which gave me three days to work out, shop for and prepare a menu to feed a table of hungry men. 

Yes, I realise its still 6 weeks til Christmas, but things tend to get very busy in December and last year we didn't quite get around to hosting a function for my hubby's hard working staff, so this year we're getting in early!

Because my talents do not extend as far as the kitchen (I cant even defrost frozen peas without scorching them) I consulted my dear friends Nigella and Donna for assistance. As usual, they did not disappoint. 

We'll be having a simple bbq, with some yummy salads (thanks Nigella)... but the real piece de resistance is the reindeer cupcakes I have prepared for desert. The cake itself was supposed to have raspberries inside it, but in my excitement of decorating, I forgot. I got the idea from an old Donna Hay (Australia's answer to Martha Stewart) magazine, which I ironically collect, despite the fact that I can't cook. I think just owning the mags give me a certain domestic-smugness, despite my lack of cooking prowess. I look forward to the Christmas edition each year for its chic styling tips and yummy goodies I may or may not attempt in my own kitchen.

Anyway. Check these out:

I am offering these to guests along with some vanilla icecream, waffle cones, and an assortment of sprinkles, nuts and toppings to make-your-own-icecream. Happy times!

ps. For years, I've wanted to make my own Christmas cake. And for years, I havn't quite got around to it. This year, I'm gonna do it! Please hold me to this. 

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Christmas Inspiration - bright vintage

Above two photos from Yvestown.

I love the freshness of these pics with the bright green and pink accents. I must get a pink bucket for my tree this year!




Above photos by Daisy Pink Cupcake.

I am so in love with these pics. I love the old wooden sign, the pretty pattern used to line the cupboard and the adorable cake stands.



Above photo from Department 56.



Above photo from Cath Kidston.



Top row: Cath Kidston fabric.
Bottom row: Tilda fabric.

I love making things from the Tilda range of books by Tone Finnanger so have ordered some of the fabrics from her to make reindeer heads, as well as some from Cath Kidston to make stockings.



Photo from Department 56.

Department 56 does, in my opinion, some of the loveliest decorations around. I have a few from the gummy drop range a few years ago and would love to get a few more this year.

This Christmas I want to go for a bright 50's inspired Christmas in a palette of pastel pink, pale blue, lime, green and bright pink, with lots of polka dots and candy!

Have a sweet day!

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~ Happy 90th Nan ~

Today is my nanna's 90th birthday - she was born on the 11/11/1919.

Here she is holding Indi back in July.

She has 4 children, 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Happy Happy Birthday Nan.

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Nik the Mountain Bike Chick

Over the weekend, I competed in my very first mountain biking endurance event. Just 60 km's through the Southern Highlands of NSW between me, 750-odd other riders and the finish line. Piece of caaaaake! 

You might recall I was panicking about my somewhat lacklustre training regime during the leadup to the event, and I never quite got around to doing a 60km training ride before the actual day. But I do a fair few spin classes, I have a home trainer and I did get out onto the trails as much as I could in between feeding the milk-machine that is my 10-month-old... and somehow all of that plus my fierce determination and competitive nature paid off!

It took me 3 hours and 40 minutes but I finished and even came a respectable 13th in my women's category of 58 riders to my surprise and delight. I won't lie - it was hard, and I've never been more grateful to see a finish line in my life! But I had a ball and best of all finally gained some confidence in my own ability. Baby or not, the moral of this story is to not make excuses, chase your dreams and believe you can do it!

So... what goal are you going to set yourself in the coming months?

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Cox & Cox

"Cox & Cox embraces the philosophy that it is possible to create a home that is both beautiful and nurturing, taking inspiration from all over the globe.

Fiona Cox and Lizzie Thornton-Allan launched Cox & Cox Mailorder in 2001. They wanted to create a catalogue full of unusual and beautiful yet practical products which were not easily available from the homogenised marketplace."

Cox & Cox certainly have succeeded in doing just that, and have a wonderful collection of pieces for you and your home. There definitely seems to be a vintage twist to what they do and a lot is in neutral faded palettes with a weathered finish.

I am loving the picture frame in the first pic to store all my nik naks in and have been wanting a seed box for my Garden shed for such a long time!

Have a sweet day! x

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~ The Bedroom ~

Finally remembered to take some photos late this afternoon as the sun was going down so here is a few shots of our bedroom.

We have a fantastic new king size bed which I love.

We love our beautiful red rose painting which hangs above us. A friend painted it for us a few years ago and it looks perfect in our bedroom.

We have a pretty wonderful view from our bedroom balcony (yes that is the ocean in the far distance).

And I love my new curtains which make the room feel very glamorous.

I love my new bedroom - the only problem is that I seem to be going to bed so late and getting up very early so I am not spending nearly enough time in it.

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