Our Day at the Easter Show - 2015

On Thursday we picked the kids up early from school and took them out to the Easter Show. It was a last  minute decision but we thought it would be less crowded than the school holidays and the weather was good so we decided to go for it. We got out there at about 2pm and hit the rides.

There were no lines and no waiting. It was perfect!

It was Noah's first time at the Show and he took to it with gusto and kept up with the big boys.

After the rides, we all needed a Snow Cone before moving on to the Nursery Farm.

We also took in the view of the Show from the ferris wheel.

I also introduced the boys to a Dagwood Dog ( or Corn Dog as they are now known)

I can't say they were fans!

We did a few more rides, watched the Wood Chopping, Rodeo, stunt motorbikes + cars and the finale of the fireworks. Noah was then ready to go home. We'd been there about 8 hours but still didn't fit everything in. So much to see and do!

We didn't really go in with a plan, we just went with the flow. We did the rides at the start as the kids were excited to do them immediately and they are there as soon as you walk in.

We moved on to the Nursery, got a bite to eat, did a loop on the ferris wheel and then moved onto the big stadium to watch a few events. There were about 4 events in a row we were interested in seeing so this was a good opportunity to have a rest, have dinner, chill out and plan a few more things.

We bought some food at the Show but I also took a few of our own snacks and water bottles. It's always good to  have snacks for on the go. I did take the pram for Noah, although he mainly wanted to walk. The pram came in handy for carrying the bags! 

I also used the Sydney Royal Easter Show app to see what was on at certain times and the boys loved walking around with the map they give you at the gate. 

Comfy shoes, hats and sunscreen are also a must plus an umbrella or raincoat for this rainy Easter weather we've been having. Also jumpers to pop on once the sun goes down and it gets a little chilly.

 We drove in and found the traffic fine and the parking easy. I always love having our own car at the end of the day as everyone can relax and sleep on the way home. 

Have you been to the Show this year?

Any tips or must sees?

Interior Inspiration - my favourite things from Down That Little Lane

I was asked to put together my favourite things from Down That Little Lane for their current newsletter.

With one week left until our renovations are complete and we move home, I was drawn to all things homewares and interior related. 

I can see the look I am going for in my head, now just to bring it all together. I was leaning towards all the neutral, natural tones with interest brought in via different textures and finishes.

Here is what I am loving over at Down That Little Lane at the moment...

I am really loving it all! I also love the excuse of a new season to change things up a bit. It's the perfect time to put away the summery stuff and add a few more cosy things ready for Autumn/Winter.

Anything catching your eye?

Do you change things up seasonally?

Noah turns 3! Balloons, the zoo and donuts.

The littlest member of our family had a birthday today. Our baby is 3!

He woke up to balloons and a table full of presents.

He was very excited and knew it was his special day.

It was so cute to see him unwrap his presents and the older boys made sure that he knew it was his birthday and the presents were all for him.

Noah received some new puzzles, a wooden Fire Station and fire truck, a Wiggles lunchbox and figurines, pj's and a couple of jumpers, books,  2 trains, tickets to the movies and the aquarium.  

After we dropped Finn and Jasper at school we drove to the Zoo. Noah had been as a baby but this was the first time that he really knew what was happening. He really wanted to see a giraffe.

The fake animals were just as much a hit as the real ones!

Noah doesn't stop for photos! I had to snap him while he was engrossed with the animals!

Simon and I loved our one on one time with him and we were a little sad that it's our last "first" zoo trip. These boys are growing up so fast!

Noah was so tired after the zoo, those little legs walked a lot!

He had his afternoon nap and when he woke up we had his "birthday cake" and sang Happy Birthday.

I did donuts instead of cake today as the homemade masterpiece (!!) is being made next weekend when we have a little family party. I didn't have 2 cakes in me this year!

We then celebrated with family on the weekend at Clontarf with a picnic.

Happy Birthday to our gorgeous Noah. We love you so much!

It was a lovely start to the week. Have you been to the zoo lately?

Any birthdays coming up?

Kids Birthday Party Inspiration

Noah turns 3 on Monday and I have been pinning a few ideas on how to celebrate his special day.

It will be all about the cake and a few balloons. 

Simon and I will do something special with him on Monday while the boys are at school and then we will do a birthday cake for afternoon tea.

As we are still out of the house with the renovations, we will have a little party with family next weekend, probably a picnic. Fingers crossed for lovely weather!

I love celebrating birthdays and I always try to make that day a little extra special.

Here are a few party/birthday ideas that I love - 

You can see some of Noah's previous birthdays here and here

I also love this Superhero theme!

Have a wonderful weekend! Any birthdays coming up?!

Home Tour of Brooke Testoni - via Gritty Pretty magazine

I'm loving the new online magazine Gritty Pretty for all things beauty and health. 

It has a fresh look for it's beauty editorials and there are also some great interviews too. 

I came across this Home Tour of Brooke Testoni and was drawn to the light, white space. Also the classic features of the terrace and the elements of black and white are timeless. 

It's quite simple but still luxe and glamourous.

Have you seen the magazine yet? If not you can read it here

All photos by Caroline McCredie for Gritty Pretty Magazine

A weekend in the Blue Mountains.

On the weekend we drove up to the Blue Mountains to catch up with some family and check out a few of the local sites. To go from the beach to the mountains in a couple of hours is amazing. 

I love that we have all of these beautiful spots so close to Sydney. 

We arrived at Leura around lunchtime and popped into Leura Garage for a quick bite. The floral wall was stunning and the food was pretty good too ;)

We then drove to Echo Point and had a look at the Three Sisters. 

The view is breath taking. All that green!

Of course I had to take a photo of the 3 brothers and the 3 sisters!

 The streets of Leura are lovely and green with lots of interesting shops to browse and cute restaurants to pop into.

We had a browse in all of the shops in the main street of Leura and finished up in the lolly shop

Lots of lollies from our childhoods here!

It was a hot day in the mountains so we decided to head to The Fairmont Resort where we were staying for a swim to cool off. The resort is reminiscent of a country lodge and is really set up for families. They had an indoor and outdoor pool, 2 games rooms, tennis courts, a mini outdoor maze, train rides and movie nights.

Every Saturday afternoon they have a train ride that does a couple of laps of the carpark. 

The boys were happy with that although it would have been nice if they did a tour of the grounds as they are gorgeous and so big.

We decided for dinner in the buffet restaurant as it was quick with the kids. The food was really fresh and lovely and lots of local produce was used. The pumpkin soup was delish!

The dessert buffet was the perfect finishing touch.

After an after dinner run around in the games room we got the kids settled for bed. 

We were all in the same family room which had 2 double beds for us to share. They were so comfortable we all slept in until 9am the next morning. Thank you black out curtains!

After a leisurely breakfast (another fab buffet spread) we headed off for a bit more sight seeing and drove to Medlow Bath to the Hydro Majestic which has recently undergone a huge refurbishment.

We were having lunch in the Boiler House Cafe but as we were a little early it gave us a chance to have a look inside the main restaurant and Pavilion and a wander around the grounds. It was all stunning!

The fresh white really pops against the blue sky and green of the trees.

(Boiler House Cafe)

They also do an amazing High Tea in the most beautiful room overlooking the Megalong Valley. 

I will definitely be coming back to do this!

(Wintergarden - High Tea)

We had a great weekend in the Blue Mountains but of course there is so much more to see and do.

You tend to forget these amazing places so close to home. 

We will be back to do more soon!

Have you been up to the Blue Mountains recently?

Where do you stay? What are your favourite places to visit?