What is your ideal Escape?

Sitting here today in this cold weather, the first thing that springs to mind when I think of escape is the thought of sitting somewhere lovely and warm :)

But sometimes life doesn't provide this luxury!

So I have found my own little escapes closer to home......

You can't beat a night out dancing with the girls. A drink, a chat and a dance is the perfect escape! 


Although the boys and I have been known to turn our lounge room into a "disco". They especially love dancing to the Black Eyed Peas "I gotta feeling..." and I was considered veeerrrry cool the other day when I performed and taught Finn the "running man". Apparently some kids were doing it at the school disco last Friday and he couldn't believe I knew the moves ;) BTW, can you believe the "running man" is still around!

I also love escaping into a different world through reading. 
Ahhh my geeky book worm side is coming out!


I love losing myself in someone else's world for a while. At the moment I am rereading some books from school. Remember Seven Little Australians and The Harp in the South? I found them in the orange Penguin Classics and had to snap them up for my new bookshelves :) Any other book recommendations out there? 

Water is also a wonderful escape for me. Whether it is my bath at night (no, mummy can't hear you!) or swimming, being surrounded by water is so peaceful and calming.

But the best escape for me is the break from routine. There is something about the school term and all the extra curricular activities that is really tiring! School holidays start this afternoon and I can't wait for those leisurely mornings where there is no scramble to be out the door and at school by 9. We have some loose plans but we're playing it all by ear. Bliss!

I'd love to hear how you escape when that holiday is just out of reach? Is change just as good as a holiday?

Simone xx

This post was written as part of the Kidspot and Win a Ford Territory Challenge.


all images via pinterest

The Style File. This is me.

Evolving  mother   blogger   hugs  inspired green tea  ballet slippers  heart   family  optimist   shy  but getting braver  friend  art  cotton sheets sunshine finn  trampolines  jeans  comfort  a million books to read  squishy pillows  kisses  memories  coconut body-wash neat  pretty things  home  comfy slippers  vodka lime and soda  cheesecake jasper iphone beach holidays  magazine addict  lover  laughter  shopping   bicycles owls  confident homemade pizzas intelligent dancer  home is my sanctuary  peonies coffee table books scented candles notebooks sunday drives coco chanel byron bay bubble baths jane austen paris popcorn walks  hammocks cocktails  banana bread  puppies babies in pyjamas raspberries
snuggles with my boys  iced coffee kate moss  happiness architecture long lunches washing drying in the sun chocolate icecream typography  neutrals photo walls scarves cushions white chesterfields leopard print necklaces  simon entertaining family and friends spring bbqs

swimming in our backyard pool vintage cutlery stamps  

Mor Marshmallow reality tv new york new york faded beach towels cute stationery  lazy days love love love weekends in a hotel chandeliers afternoon siestas strawberry lip balm daydreams

So this is me, this is my style. 

Ever evolving, ever changing but the core values remain. 

What are a few words to sum up your style?

Simone xx

PS - This post was written as part of the Kidspot/Ford Blogging Challenge. 

Road Trip?

What would be your ultimate Road Trip? It's got me thinking....

The  School Holidays are coming up and I will be taking the kids and driving 7 hours to visit some family. My essentials with the boys are food (I try to get a mix of healthy and "fun" snacks!) and entertainment (ipod, dvd player, games etc)plus pillows, blankets etc to encourage that fabulous thing called sleep :)

The reality of my Road Trips is depicted in this picture below!

Think National Lampoons Vacation!

Think "are we there yet?", Wiggles songs, endless games of Ispy, squabbles between the boys, need I go on?!

But my Ultimate Road Trip would look something like this!

A girls Road Trip, heading to a gorgeous Beach Destination :)

Anywhere with sun, sand and surf would be fine with me!

Swoon, the perfect holiday cottage?!

My Road Trip Essentials include :

1. Fabulous company - a great friend up for some fun interspersed with relaxation.

2. Yummy snacks - Favourites from my childhood are Chico babies, Minties (remember the competition to unravel the wrapper into the longest piece?) water, fruit (boring but makes me feel virtuous!) I always intend to pack healthy sandwiches, dried fruit etc but you will mostly find me doing a Maccas stop or chips from the Service Station ;)

3. A comfy wardrobe.

 Think denim shorts, Havaianas, sunglasses a MUST! 

4. The Playlist - My taste tends to run to the Golden Oldies when driving thanks to my parents. I still remember every song to John Williamsons "True Blue" album (thanks dad!) 

Growing up the tapes played were Kenny Rogers, Dr Hook, Credence Clearwater Revival, Jimmy Barnes and I love to have one or two Power Ballads to belt out. Think "Total Eclipse of the Heart" or anything by Pat Benatar :) 

My eldest son and I share a love of Top 40 Music, so when we travel together we are singing along to Katy Perry, Rihanna, Adele, Bruno Mars etc. It's an eclectic mix!

But on my ultimate Road Trip to a beach holiday I would have to have The Beach Boys playing. I especially love Little Deuce Coupe.

So Summer, So Fun!

I've had some fabulous Road Trips in my life so far. 

Family holidays to the Gold Coast, Girls trips away to the South Coast (there is a coastal theme happening here!)and the most adventurous was Simon and I driving around Europe together before we had the boys. I can't wait to create more Road Trip memories for the boys and for us as a family.

 So tell me all about your Road Trips so far. 

What would be your ultimate trip? Who would you take?

What is your favourite driving song? Favourite snack?

I'd love to know :)

Simone xx

PS- This post was written as part of the Win a Ford Territory and Kidspot Challenge.

The Adventurous type?

As you know, I am so honoured to have been selected as one of the Top 5 in the Kidspot Top 50 Bloggers Competition. I have a chance to win a Ford Territory for a year and $5000. Squeal! So my next step in the challenge is to write a post on Adventure.

Hmmm, I never really saw myself as the adventurous type.

 I've always been what you would call a "sensible" person.

 I've always had a plan. Yes, I have had adventures. Yes, I've had wild nights out with friends, unsuitable boyfriends, exciting plans and schemes but who hasn't?!

I've travelled to different countries and experienced various cultures but I never threw everything into a back pack and took off! No, all my travel was pre planned, pre booked, nothing too off the beaten track. Hardly adventurous!

Even my fashion tastes are "safe". I've never mixed my patterns, never worn florals with stripes. I don't "do" hats ;) 

So I was struggling to think about something Adventurous to write about. I looked up the definition of Adventurous. The dictionary described it as "willing to take risks, to try new ideas, methods and experiences"  

Ahhh, this got me thinking. I guess I have been Adventurous....

I took the leap into the Adventure of Marriage almost 12 years ago. I wanted my "happily-ever-after", despite growing up with divorced parents and not having role models for a happy marriage, I was still willing to give it a try. So far so good ;)

I also stepped into the Adventure of Motherhood 9 years ago. 

I am still experiencing the most beautiful, nerve wracking, fulfilling and exquisite Adventure I think I will ever go on.
 I learn something new everyday and you just never know what may be around the corner :)

For the last year or so I have created my own little Adventure, in looking for something more for myself. Trying to round off my life a little more. Creating my own little business, my blog, my voice, learning new things, making new friends, pushing myself out of my comfort zone. This took courage, this is Adventurous for me!

I have many more Adventures I want to begin. I want to take a Cooking Class (something exotic), go back to learning a Language (either Italian or French), take the boys to Disneyland and Hawaii. Revisit New York and Europe with my husband. Go on a Girls trip away, do a Dance Class, take up Yoga. The list is endless!

There is nothing too "radical" or nail biting on my list but the thing is that they are all new experiences waiting for me.

Maybe I will succeed in them, maybe I won't.... 

I guess that is the Adventure!

How about you? 

What is the most Adventurous experience you have ever had? 

What Adventure would you like to embark on? 

I'd love to hear them.

Have a gorgeous day

Simone xx

image via Pinterest

Reminiscing.... my first car.

So, I just had to share with you all that I have made the Top 5 in the Kidspot Top 50 Bloggers Competition!

 You should have heard my squeals last night after I read the email! Ford is loaning me one of their new Ford Territory's for a month to drive. Woohoo! I'm sooo excited!

So now I have to complete some "challenges" (well, it is a competition!)and this week's one is about my first car.


Ahhh my first car, it is such an important memory, right up there with my first love. Sigh....


I got her for my 16th birthday.
 She wasn't very pretty, she was older than me but she was a reliable vehicle.(dad's words of course!) Hmmm not quite what I had in mind but beggars can't be choosers. She was a 1974 Corona. Not exactly white, more white with a hint of green (mint?) and the biggest and widest bonnet I have ever seen to this day!
 I decided to name her Connie (everyone names their cars right?). But what I loved most about her was her smell. 
The smell was freedom!


I had driving lessons with a driving school (things didn't work out with mum and dads teaching skills!) and on my 17th birthday I passed my driving test and Freedom was mine! 


We were inseparable. If you needed milk at 11pm at night, I was off to the shops like a flash. If someone needed a lift somewhere, I was more than happy to be chauffeur. I couldn't get enough of driving! Driving myself to and from school was the ultimate luxury, no more hurrying to someone else's timetable. Bliss!


My social life improved dramatically! There was no party too far away, friends could be seen at anytime. I remember hours spent cruising with friends, tunes blaring, laughing and going through drive thru McDonalds for chocolate sundaes. Also romance with my  boyfriend was at an all time high due to all that extra privacy! 


I loved my little car and she loved me back. (well she never broke down on me!) I was so proud of her and every Saturday you could find me with my bucket and chamois, making her sparkle!   


But then the day came when I outgrew Connie. I wanted something cute. I wanted something cool. It was time to trade UP!
 I bought myself a red Ford Festiva (another girl, I named her Fiona, Fee for short). We had some fab times too but that is another story......


So I would love to hear about your first car, tell me you named it! What is your best memory from your first car? What songs did you love to drive to? 


Simone xx


PS - I have gotten all sentimental and now want to dig out some old pics of Connie! I know I have some somewhere!


image via pinterest

What drives me? -“Help me to win a New Ford Territory for a Year and $5,000”

In keeping with one of the challenges in the Kidspot - Top 50 Blogger competition, I had to come up with a post that centred around "drive". This will help me in the running to win a New Ford Territory for a Year and $5,000. Yowsers! I never thought my little blog Honey and Fizz would get the chance to compete for this! What a fantastic prize, I'm loving the opportunity to take part!

As I was thinking of a title/ blog post that centred around driving, drives etc. I kept thinking metaphorically.

 I kept thinking what DRIVES me through life? 

What are my essentials to give myself and my family the best life possible? I decided that it all comes down to happiness.

I have always loved this quote from Tom Bodett-

( I think it sums up everything I am trying to achieve and enjoy in my life.)

"They say a person needs just 3 things to be truly happy in this world.

Something to love, something to do and something to hope for"

Well, I am truly covered in the love department. I spend my days surrounded by love thanks to my gorgeous boys Finn and Jasper and my husband Simon.(YES, Simon & Simone, I know, I know!) My beautiful mum, in-laws and extended family, and supportive friends keep me feeling loved up!

I also love making our house into our beautiful home, I love being surrounded by gorgeous things such as fresh flowers , books and photos of my loved ones :)

Now when it comes to the "to do" bit, I really feel that I have hit my stride only this year and everything has fallen into place. I have been mainly focusing on the mummy thing for the last 9 years (broken up with part time work) but I was looking for more. I needed something more for me as Simone and I needed to use some of my creativity in other ways than rearranging my furniture! 

This is where my blog Honey and Fizz came into it. 

Since starting blogging my world has opened up to so many new opportunities, friends and I have found myself with sooo many new interests and things that I want to try. I love the feeling of never having enough time to do everything. It makes me feel that the experiences and possibilities are endless!

I took it one step further in April this year when I started selling prints that I had designed around my love of quotes, words and typography. It has taken off better than I had ever dreamed and now I am full of plans for the future to grow my little Honey and Fizz "brand". I have found the drive to revel in new adventures and ambitions and I couldn't be happier.

Personally I have gotten back into my gym routine, joined a book club, started cooking new recipes, catching up more with friends, planned holidays,and took more photos to capture "those" moments.
I have realised that I am the driver on my own road to happiness and contentment.

I have felt renewed and so full of life in the last few months and this can only bring more happiness to mine and my family's lives. Like attracts like and all that :)

Which brings me to hope. Ah hope. I have so much that I hope for.

Number one is health and happiness for my loved ones.

I hope for lots more family time and holidays. I hope for travel.

I hope to continue getting so much joy from blogging and my work and I also hope for this.....

 Maybe just one more? :)

I'd really love to know what drives you through life? 

What road are you travelling down? Do you have a particular destination in mind or are you just enjoying the journey?

Let me know what you think :)

Simone xx

P.S - Love you to pop over to Kidspot and vote for me.

If I'm lucky enough to be one of the Top Bloggers maybe I can pick you up for a drive in my new Ford Territory ;)


PPS - Thanks for making it all the way down here!
 It's one of my longer blog posts xx

 all images via pinterest, except the 2nd one is my own :)

I've been nominated!! - Kidspot Top 50 Bloggers.

Squeal!!!! Wow, I can't believe I have been nominated as one of Kidspot's Top 50 Bloggers!

I am so honoured to be nominated with so many other fantastic blogs. I'm up there with some of my favourite daily reads!

Kidspot is setting a few challenges for us to compete for "the title" and I will be posting these in the next few days but today 

I just wanted to ask you to "Please vote for me!" - 


If you follow on the link and like Honey and Fizz, I'll be your best friend forever!! 

I'm off to a little do tonight to meet some of the other nominees and fellow bloggers and the Kidspot team. I'm both nervous and excited in equal parts!

I thought I'd share with you below my little interview with Kidspot about why I blog and why I started Honey and Fizz.

Thank you so much to my lovely bloggy friends who take the time to read my little blog each day and leave comments and encouraging words. You truly make my day.

Happy Reading :)

Kidspot - Why did you start blogging? 

"Introducing Honey and Fizz…"

I've been blogging for almost a year now and I can't imagine not doing it. It has become one of my favourite parts of my day and a constant source of happiness and inspiration for me. Honey and Fizz is "my" place, somewhere I can disappear, into a world of love and pretty things. It is all very light and airy fairy and that is just the way I like it!

I started blogging as I was looking for something "more". More than just a wife and mum. I was looking for me, the person I used to be and the person I wanted to be. I stumbled across a couple of blogs and was so inspired my them I decided to start my own.I chose the name "Honey and Fizz" as it conjured up to me a combination of the sweetest and the most exciting and happy things in life. Exactly what I wanted to write about :)

Kidspot - Why do you keep blogging?

"Blogging is a lifestyle!"

I blog every day. My posts are not long but a prerequisite is a gorgeous picture. Gorgeous pics are a very important part of "Honey and Fizz"! I love that my blog is a constant in my life. I adore those moments to myself in the morning to post my feelings, inspirations and tidbits of my life. I love feeling a part of the blogging community and I have made some wonderful friends through this little world. I will keep on blogging until my inspiration disappears. I hope this never happens! Instead I think my blog will evolve and change and reflect the changes I am going through and my new loves and obsessions.

Kidspot -What is your inspiration to blog?

"Inspiration Overload!"

My inspiration to blog comes from everywhere. I don't really have a choice. It is something I NEED to do! My inspiration may come from something I read in one of the thousands of magazines that I read, a colour I love, something I bought that I just HAVE to show my bloggy friends, the need to share my rearranging of my furniture, which I know my friends will appreciate :)I follow lots of other blogs and constantly find inspiration in their crafts, clothes and style. It makes me want to make "Honey and Fizz" a prettier and "nicer" place. I love words, quotes and typography and this is a must on my blog. I want people to read "Honey and Fizz" and think, wow this is a nice place, I want to stay a while.

Kidspot - How do you overcome blogger's block?

"Beating the Blogging Block!"

My sure fire way to overcome writers block is to use a beautiful picture! I have sooooo many in my files waiting to be used that I always have something up my sleeve. Sometimes I find the less words the better. There is nothing worse than someone waffling on with nothing much to say, just to fill the space.I also think that is why I blog every day. It is easier to keep the rhythm going but in all honesty, I never really run out of things to blog about. Because above everything else, "Honey and Fizz" is for me. Don't get me wrong, I love all my followers and the interaction with them but this place I have created is like my own diary filled with thoughts and dreams and pretty things I covet and want to own one day.

Kidspot - What's been your best blogging experience to date?

"The Sweetest Thing!"

Out of everything I have gained through blogging this last year the best and most rewarding experience has been my friendships I have made through this blog world. From comments on blogs that led to personal emails, that led to phone calls that led to coffee and drinks and resulted in real life friendships.To be around like-minded people who are positive, happy and interested in beautiful things and exploring new horizons as been so wonderful. It has let me be Simone again and not just mummy. It reminded me of a big, beautiful world out there that doesn't revolve around school pick ups!I have discovered new restaurants, gorgeous homewares, fantastic books to read, new destinations to add to my "one day - travel list", the sweetest and most supportive community. I can truly say it has been nothing but a positive experience and one I would definitely recommend. I have already converted a couple of friends to Blog World!

Hope you have a gorgeous day

Simone