Cute Blog Award

This gorgeous little award has been passed on to me by the ever so lovely...

JODES from the beautiful blog "Running in Cute Heels" 

You must head over and follow this lovely lady - she is just wonderful! 

Here are the rules once you are awarded this 'Cute Blog Award'

* Thank the blogger that gave you the award and link back to their blog.
* Share 7 facts about yourself.
* Pass the award on to 10 other bloggers and let them know. 

 
My 7 facts ...

1. Social media is my life. Blogging, tweeting, Instagraming, facebooking...I'm hooked on it all. The connections and friendships I have made through social media has been life changing. I love sharing my journey with such beautiful, honest and special people.

2. I love burning scents in our house. I believe it is a key factor in making our house a home. I love changing the smells everyday and creating a new 'feel' to our space. I love burning candles, incense and melts. My favourite smells at the moment are "coconut and lime" from glasshouse "rosemary and lavender" from partylite and "strawberry and rhubarb" from partylite. They are just amazing and completely addictive!

3. I want to be a 'mumma' more than anything else in this world. People want to be nurses, doctors, lawyers or vets. I just want to be a mum. Everything in my life, every choice, every path, has been in preparation for this special journey. I am currently preparing myself mentally and physically for this amazing gift. I want to ensure that I am 200% ready and that I am my absolute best self. The day Rob and I become pregnant will be one of the happiest, most joyous days of my life. Motherhood will complete the perfect life I have with Rob. In every way!

4. I have a new found love of history and have a burning desire to learn more about it. I hated it at school and wasn't interested at all, but I found that learning through books has completely fascinated me. I first fell in love when I read 'Sarah's Key'. I now want to read and learn more. I want to learn about the wars, I want to learn about the Holocaust, and I especially want to learn about Australian history. I'm more interested in the personal stories from each of these eras and devastating historical events. They are very touching and beautifully inspiring.

5. My life long dream is to live on a farm. I have a dream of a beautiful house, on the land, where my children can grow up in the crisp clean air and be surrounded by pure beauty. Our children and our animals can run free, explore and be completely happy.

6. I am 100% obsessed with reality T.V. Tori and Dean, Khloe and Lamar, Ice loves Coco, Kendra, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I love them all. I don't know what it is but I'm completely hooked.

7. I am young at heart and will never grow up. I am a little naive at times and will always see the world through children's eyes. I always play make believe and the simple sight of a rainbow, sun lit cloud, butterfly,  children laughing, a sunset or anything that sparkles will make me completely happy. I believe in magic and it is the one gift that I hope will never fade.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Now I am passing on this 'Cute Blog Award' to 10 of my favourite bloggers. 
Please visit and follow their blogs. Each of them offer beautiful writing and inspire me every day.

Bindy @ Bella in Bindyland ~ http://bellainbindyland.blogspot.com.au/

Claire @ Scissors Paper Rock ~ http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/

Jess @ Living our Love Song ~ http://livinglovesong.blogspot.com.au/

Sarah @ Faith Hope and a Whole Lotta Love ~ http://faithhopeandawholelottalove.blogspot.com.au/

Rhi @ Humingbird's Song ~ http://www.hummingbirdssong.com/

Jenna @ The Three Little Birdies ~ http://www.thethreelittlebirdies.com/

Sonja @ Tied with a Bouw ~ http://tiedwithabouw.blogspot.com.au/

Ames @ Accidental Wonderland ~ http://www.tutuames.com/



Enjoy xx

A parent of the whole world


Elisa wrote a beautiful post for Grateful this week. As I read it, a memory sparked in me that was so powerful that I had to pause to catch my breath.

It is 2004 and Maxi is seven weeks and two days old. My whole body is feeling raw and tender with sleep deprivation and birth complications and the business of parenting a baby that cries and cries and cries and then smiles like a firework has burst into the night sky.

I was dozing on the couch, my baby nestled at the breast. We had been there for more than an hour; he was a very slow feeder, it's true. I was lulled by those breastfeeding hormones; dizzy with gentleness.

Something on the news about an under-age driver killed going 140km in a 60 zone. I sleepily thought of his parents and the anguish they must be feeling. The appalling, screeching, screaming anguish. And then suddenly I realised that I knew that anguish, I felt it because it was my painful, heavy anguish too. I felt all-at-once connected to that family in a way that was visceral and real. My heart was there for them, carrying their heart across their unbearable pain.

And ever since, whenever something is happening that sparks emotion in me - good or bad - I feel that connection. It is like I am the parent of the whole wide world. That the fragile world is sheltered by the love I have for my children and the care I pull across them night and day.

I am here and I am feeling and I am in you just as you are in me. We are all the parents of this world and together we keep watch. Together we carry each and every one of us across the pain and into a smile like a firework that has burst into the night sky.

[Image by Brendan Howard]

Easter Gift Ideas

I am excited today as I have the first of a new series of guest posts by one of my new blog contributors Nicole from Pretty and Print.  Nicole will be popping in every 4 to 6 weeks to share with us some great printable and paper inspiration and she kicks off today with a fabulous post about cute Easter Packaging.

Nicole says ...

Well it’s that time of year where bunnies are the talk of the  town and what could be cuter or fluffier than bunny tails, also a nice alternative to chocolate eggs!

So here are a few “Bunny Tail” themed packaging and paper craft ideas, ideal for some easter holiday fun, class gifts or party favours.
Easy and simple to prepare all you need is some sweet treats, a small jar or cello bag and a fun printable.


To make your own origami bunny you can view a great video tutorial at here


You can find the skinny cello bags, mini apothecary jars and chocolate beans in the Sweet Style Store
Printable's all available from Pretty and Print

About Nicole...
Nicole Hanna is the owner, designer & paper whisperer behind Pretty & Print, which combines my love of pretty paper, printables, craft and all things design. Please pop by and visit me on Facebook to discover more paper inspiration, printables and creations.

You can find Nicole on Facebook here


Leanne

Additions to Fern's Room...

There were a couple of recent additions to Fern's big-girl room last week that I thought I'd share with you today... coupled with my guilt at neglecting the kids' bedrooms over the last 12 months while I've been busy setting up my business and inspired by the pretty girl's bedroom I shared with you the other day, I decided it was time to start redecorating my daughter's little space!

It started when I bought this piece on a whim...


I was driving past Preston Hunter Interiors and was having a little bo-peep through the window when I spied this little cane and wood side table... it's up cycled and vintage, it was half price and I luuuuuuuuuurve it. Done!

My daughter previously had an even more vintage side table that was more than a little wobbly and in desperate need of a revamp. That one is moving to my 'get round to it one day' pile! This one boasts a drawer, space to hold books and toys and can be painted any manner of fun colours; Im thinking turquoise once I tire of the white gloss!

But when we installed the table I realised Fern needed a little light for next to her bed. I looked online and considered one from fellow Madeit seller Lulu's Lamps. Her lamp shades are handmade and divine but I couldn't find quite the fabric I was after, so I decided to make my own.

I found a base and shade at good old Kmart for a whopping $15:



Then Fern and I went to a couple of fabric stores and chose this fabric:


... and then we made this with it:




... loving that the whole thing cost about $20 so when we tire of the fabric or when Elliott breaks it ;) it is easily replaceable! 

So now that wall of Fern's looks like this:



... and Fern and I are happy! So pretty. But I have other plans for my daughter's room in the pipeline, so stay tuned, folks!  

Did you get up to any DIY over the weekend that was? 

Chocolate Nests

Molly's chocolate nest
On Friday I had the day off from work and my little niece Molly, who turns three in August, came over to make chocolate nests. I, of course, melted the chocolate for her but the rest she did pretty much by herself: an easy no-bake cake to make!


Inside my baking cupboard
We had so much fun and she loved making the nests, especially adding the sprinkles which she got to choose from Auntie Torie's baking cupboard!

Chocolate Easter nests (makes 12 nests)
  • 100g milk chocolate
  • 75g cornflakes
  • 250g Mini Eggs
  • Sprinkles

  1. Melt chocolate in microwave on low power for about 1-2 minutes (the exact amount of time needed will depend on the type of chocolate being used so remove and stir the chocolate every so often to ensure it heats evenly).
  2. Once the chocolate is melted, remove from microwave and gradually pour into bowl of cornflakes.
  3. Stir chocolate and cornflakes until the cornflakes are completely covered in chocolate.
  4. Spoon mixture into cases and make a hole in the center.
  5. Add sprinkles.
  6. Fill hole with mini eggs and leave to set.

Molly stirring the cornflakes and chocolate
Molly making chocolate nests
Adding sprinkles
Molly adding the Mini Eggs to the chocolate nests

Have a sweet day!
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