Jikana Damaru

~ Happy Christening ~

This weekend we celebrating Indiana's Christening.

We had a lovely lovely day filled with love and laughter from our families.

Indi was a gem and we did not hear her cry all day - happy to watch everything going on around her and sleep in between.

The cake was so yummy and was demolished very fast!!

Most importantly the kids had a wonderful time together ...

here are 10 of the cousins (just missing Indi who was sleeping and Marcus who we couldn't catch to sit still long enough).

It is so lovely having a big family with lots of kids around.

And the new house survived it's first "party"!!!

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you a Winter Cream palette with these gorgeous pics. Check back soon for some more of the most inspirational photographers on Flickr.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

The adorable hand stitched The Guardian (Palomino) by What Delilah Did
The delicate flea market treasures by Suzanne Duda
The cute deer and embroidery in anabela! by simple tess
The calming colours in more finds by skblanks

Have a great day!

Only one week left ....

There is only about one week left until they are gone for another year. How beautiful are my favourite flowers...

1. lenabrown

2. eyeful

3. anneclarke

4. kristinenoel

~ Lovely Toes ~

Finally found 20 minutes for a quick pedicure this morning!

The feeling of perfectly shaped toes and lovely nail polish makes me smile.

Busy weekend here as it is Indiana's Christening on Sunday. Mr A has just mowed the lawn and now I am off to do the grocery shopping (and yes it is 8.44pm as I type this).

Had better get moving - have a great weekend everyone.

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.

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.

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!

Vintage Chic Wedding by Daisy Pink Cupcake

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.

Christmas decorations from Department 56

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!