Light and airy.

I love this picture.

I am especially loving that lamp and the mix of chairs adds interest.

Something light and airy to look at on this grey and rainy day :)

Simone xx

image via pinterest

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope your loved one showers you with hugs and kisses today :)

Have a lovely day

Simone xx

Perfect Brunch idea.

I love this idea of a pancake station.

Who doesn't like pancakes?

Perfect for a Sunday brunch!

What is your favourite pancake topping?

Simone xx

Getting crafty.

Yesterday I did a little craft in preparation for Valentines Day. 


I had seen these around in blog world and thought they looked simple enough, just stamps and paint sample cards.
Hmmm, note to self practice my stamping!

I'm going to put some in the boys lunch boxes on Monday :)


I always received something on Valentines Day from my mum. So sweet! I'm keeping that tradition going.


Have a gorgeous day
Simone xx


PS- we have cancelled the picnic for tomorrow due to life getting in the way! Too many lovely people couldn't make it so stay tuned for a new date in late March xx


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (can't take a good pic to save my life!)

Wisdom from Marilyn.

Simone xx

image via pinterest

Book Club

I have always wanted to be part of a book club and when I mentioned it to Belinda from Cupcakes, Frocks and Pink she kindly invited me to her book club!

So I have my first "meeting" tonight!

I had to read the book "Room" by Emma Donoghue which I was a bit apprehensive about at first as I was thinking it might be too sad but I was surprised.

What a fantastic book, one of the best I have read in quite a while!

Other book worms out there should definately read it :)

Are you a member of a book club?

Simone xx

image via etsy

We're having a picnic :)

Hi everyone,

How is your week going so far?

I just wanted to remind you about the picnic I am having on Sunday to catch up with some of my blogging friends which I posted about here.

Sorry for the late notice but these weeks are flying by!!

I'd love to see you there.

Simone xx

P.S - To the ladies who have rsvp'd I will send you an email to confirm time etc and what we are bringing :)

A new favourite thing.

Instead of brown paper packages tied up with string,  I will be using some of this gorgeous lace tape.


Just beautiful.


Simone xx


image via pinterest

Balloons.

I love the use of balloons at this gorgeous garden wedding.

Sometimes simple is best.

Simone xx

P.S - Thanks for all your kind words yesterday for Finn's surfing contest. Would you believe after delaying it and delaying it the Surf Club finally called the comp off due to surf conditions! 

He was very disappointed but there is always next month :)

A surf contest.

Finn is having his first surf contest for the year today.

He wrote out a list of goals at the start of the year and one of them was to win a surf contest. 

I love that he has goals at age 8 and is on the road to achieving them.

The current career ambition is professional surfer :)

Simon (avid surfer as he is) is all for this. 

He has offered his services as board carrier if the need ever arises.

Last years career ambition was a professional NRL football player.

I love that my boy aims high!

Simone xx

image via once.daily.chic

Fresh and Summery.

The latest Donna Hay magazine caught my eye the other day.
Love the cover. Those colours really pop and it looked sooooo Summery!

Don't the flavours and colours look delish?!

A look behind the scenes of the Oprah party.

Oh I wish I could have been there.

The attention to detail looked fantastic!

Hope you have a gorgeous Saturday :)

Simone xx

A beautiful dream.

Ahhhh if only......

Unfortunately I am spending the day doing some cleaning.

Time to turn the music up and get scrubbing!

Hope your day is more exciting than mine :)

Simone xx

image via stylemaniac.blogspot.com

I'm loving.......

I'm loving Iced Tea at the moment. 

I am loving experimenting with different flavours and when I saw Jamie Oliver make some Hibiscus Iced Tea on tv the other day I had to make some to!

I think it is perfect for this scorching weather we are having!

This is not Jamie's recipe but it is similar.

Ingredients

For the tea:

• 4 berry-hibiscus herbal tea bags (recommended: Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger)
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup simple syrup, or to taste
• 1/2 orange, cut into wedges
• 1/2 lime, cut into wedges
• 8 frozen raspberries

For the simple syrup:

• 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Put tea bags in a heatproof pitcher.

In a saucepan bring water just to a boil and pour over tea bags.Steep tea 5 minutes and remove tea bags. Cool tea and chill, covered, until cold, about 1 hour.

Stir in simple syrup, to taste. Squeeze orange and lime wedges into tea and add wedges. Serve tea in tall glasses. Garnish with frozen raspberries.

To prepare the simple syrup:

Add sugar and water to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute; stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Let syrup cool.

Doesn't it sound delish?!

Simone xx

Confession.

I buy Hubba Bubba bubble gum for myself (strawberry or original flavour) and I keep it in my car.

When I am alone, I chew and blow bubbles.

It's fun.

How about you? Any secret car business?

Have a bubblicious day!
Simone xx


image via weheartit

I need this.....

I think I need one of these for my backyard.

I have the perfect spot for it.

I can see myself here reading, watching the boys play on the trampoline, umpiring the backyard cricket, sipping a cocktail watching the sunset. Sigh......

Do you have your own swing?

Do you get the chance to use it? :)

Simone xx

The sound of silence.

After the whirlwind of this morning getting ready for the first day back at school, all I can hear is silence.

I am going to miss the boys today.
We have had such a great time these last 7 weeks :)


Although 3 o'clock will roll around in no time at all.
It doesnt take long for life to get back to the same old routine.


The up side to the boys being back at school is the house will stay tidier for longer and the cupboard and fridge wont be opened every half hour or so! And I am looking forward to those smiles and hugs at school pick up time.


Can't wait to catch up on all their news.


Simone xx

300 posts!

Cheers!

I noticed I had reached 300 posts the other day!

That is quite a lot considering I have only been blogging since May 2010 :)

I guess I do try to post each day and I was very eager at the start , sometimes posting twice!

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read my posts and for all your lovely comments.

I love my little blog and it is so wonderful to have something just for myself and it has introduced me to so many lovely people.

Have a gorgeous Sunday!

I have my god daughters bday party but I am thinking of stopping off at Ikea on the way home. 

Just for a browse mind you!

Although I don't think I have ever walked out of that place empty handed :)

Simone xx

A beer tasting.

Saturday night, do do do do do do. Saturday night do do do do do do.

We are having a few people over for dinner tonight to celebrate Simon's first batch of home brew!

No, it wasn't my idea :) Actually it's not the beer above it is an alcoholic ginger beer.

I won't be tasting the beer, blah! I'm thinking about making up a little cocktail for myself.

I'm just making something simple tonight - lasagne and salad.

Followed by........

a giant cupcake. I just have to ice and decorate it! Simon chose a choc/orange flavour. Fingers crossed it tastes ok!

What are your plans for Saturday night?

Simone xx

What I bought yesterday......

I bought this yesterday from Alfresco Emporium.

A giant cupcake mold!

I've always wanted one of these. 

I'm going to make it tomorrow so I will be sure to show pictures.

I am going to make an orange and chocolate pound cake. 

I think chocolate icing is a must too!

I also bought some copper cookie cutters.

I guess you can say I am in a baking mood!

Although I did also buy a loaf of bread and some school shoes for Finn too.

Exciting stuff :)

Did you buy anything yesterday?

What did you get?!

Simone xx

images via alfresco emporium

Fashion fades, style is eternal.

This is what I call style.

I really must dust off my bike :)

Simone xx

Happy Australia Day!

Happy Australia Day Everyone!

We are heading to the beach followed by a BBQ. What could be more Australian than that! 

There may be a slice of Pav thrown into the mix as well :)

What are you up to?
Have a wonderful day
Simone xx

Making the mundane pretty :)

I saw this photo the other day and thought what a pretty addition to a bathroom.

Cotton buds as an accessory? Who knew!

I love those beautiful jars and bottles and adore fresh flowers in the bathroom.

I might have to borrow this idea :)

Have a fab day

Simone xx

image via wicker and stitch

Picnic with my Sydney bloggy friends?

I was wondering how my Sydney blogging friends felt about meeting up and having a picnic?

We have had such beautiful weather over the weekend, I thought why not enjoy it?

Of course I would have a contingency plan but how nice would it be to sit in the sun, with a shady tree nearby if needed, having a chat with some delicious eats and maybe a cheeky glass or two of champagne?

I was thinking of a little spot outside Government House, (round near spot DL48)overlooking the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.  I thought that would be central for us all near the buses and train stations and parking if needed.

Maybe a Sunday in a few weeks time? 

(either the 13th or 20th February) 

Anybody free?

Anybody interested?

Simone xx

Tech savvy kids :)

I am in awe at how tech savvy kids are today.


I am the first to ask Finn (8) to help with the tv when things go wrong. He's shown me how to use the video on my iphone (I sound really blonde at the moment!)


He videoed himself doing tricks on the trampoline the other day and then uploaded it to my facebook. Just crazy! 


Look what he did to his poor mama!

We have loads of these artworks around the house :)

Hope you're enjoying your weekend

Simone xx

A fresh start!

I've had a little face lift and I feel so refreshed!
Light, bright and airy!

I  still have  a few little tweaks here and there but I'm working on it :)

Have a gorgeous weekend
Simone xx

My latest Obsession!!

I am obsessed with the tv show Grand Designs on Foxtel lately.
I can't get enough!

The program follows people as they build their own houses. I just love seeing plans turn into a home. I get all caught up emotionally with them when they go over budget and stress with them over building delays and I am so happy for them when it is all over and they have their house!


Some of the gorgeous houses include this stunning Queenslander in Southport.

This home in Cottage Point.

This house on the Victorian coast.

This home in Fish Creek.

This home in the Victorian bush.

So do you watch it?

They also do a Grand Designs UK which I watch too.

Building is such an emotional experience and I have yet to see one that went exactly to plan.

Even so, I would love to do it myself again.

How about you?

Simone xx

An award!

I was sooo excited the other day to be given the ........

from Jeanette at jvw home.

When you are given this "stylin' blog" award, then you have to pay it forward and honor the rules:


*Thank and link back to the person who awarded you
*Share 7 things about yourself. 
*Award to 10 great bloggers.
*Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award.


I've  shared a lot of bits n pieces about myself in the past so I will try to find some things you might not already know :)


1. I'm hoping to get a new car this year. Maybe this .....

Toyota Kluger

2. If I could look like any celebrity I would choose Kate Bosworth. To me she is so gorgeous!

love the red lip!

love her hair here!

3. My ice block of choice through the Summer months is a good old Frosty Fruit!

the tropical is my favourite :)

4. My favourite scent of candle of all time is Vanilla.

5. I went through a stage where I would only have white flowers in the house.

6. My favourite dip to take to BBQ's is a Nacho Dip. It ain't pretty but it is delicious! The bowl is always scraped clean.

To make you need - 1 can refried beans, 2 avocados, lemon,1 carton sour cream, 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper, 1 tomato, 2 shallots, grated cheese , lots of corn chips.


-Spread beans in a shallow dish, mash avocadoes (guacamole), spread over the beans, Pour over sour cream and sprinkle with the cayenne pepper. Chop tomatoes and shallots and layer over the top of the sour cream. Top with cheese and serve with Corn Chips.  Enjoy!


7.  The last book I read was this one.

So there you go,  I would like to pass this on to :


Emma at Emma Burgess


Nicole at Bubby Makes Three


Angela at Wicker & Stitch


Lisa at ledamae


Corrie at retro mummy


Paula at eggshell blue


A Paddington Perspective


Maxabella Loves...


Anna at Cornflakes and Honey


Pink Patent Mary Janes




Thank you so much again Jeanette. It made my day xx


Simone xx