Back to School

Well off they went this morning, neither of them too happy about it!

I wouldn't be either if I was 6 & 8 years old and had had their summer.

Beautiful Berry Bay

Beaches, skiing, surfing, tubing, kneeboarding, swimming, snorkelling and motorbike riding.

All right here in our own back yard on the Yorke Peninsula too!

Ollie's first ski of the summer at Black Point

Another amazing day at Black Point

Tommy at Balgowan

The cousins on cousin Bruce's on farm track

I was very sad to see them go. They are so lucky to have each other and have had the best time together this summer. 

I will however embrace the return of routine! 

I'm Back!

Sorry for the absence bloggy friends! I've taken a little time out of blogging over the summer holidays to spend lots of time with theses precious lads!

Boy we have had fun. They are such a fabulous age.

Lots of swimming, skiing, snorkeling and fishing!

The motorbike from Father Christmas has been a hit!

But they have now gone back to school. 

My big year 1 and 2! Are they really that old already???

Toys for the Boys

A good old fashioned rubber- band powered spitfire has kept the boys entertained for hours!

My boys don't have a DS. They don't have a Wii or a PlayStation.

I am not anti them at all. I just don't think they would use them.

They are Lego, Meccano, box creation, insect collecting boys (at least for now they are).

I was so delighted to come across these crafty and inventive toys at my favourite children's shop Boo & Child in the gorgeous town of Stirling. And what great timing for the school holidays!

Ollie had so much fun building this with his Dad and has played with it non stop ever since

Belinda has sourced the most beautiful range of children's clothes, accessories, toys and decor all available in her stunning shop at Stirling. And she can post to you too.

Tommy the train man loves his new toy

My boys have had hours and hours of fun with these already.

An Update

Mother's Day Flowers

Tommy's Painting, Olllie's Card & Flower Brooch

Things have been more than a little hectic around here of late. I have some exciting new interior projects underway, developments with furniture and stock for the shop and am still trying to juggle being the best mum possible to my adorable boys.

Lately I have found myself working much more than I ever planned to. I will be setting some new rules so that I make the time I need to for my family!

 I was extremely spoilt on Mother's Day. Showered in kisses and cuddles!

Flowers, new pyjamas (picked by Tommy online) but the best of all were the handmade card and flower brooch from Ollie (which I proudly wore all day) and the painting from Tommy (in which my ears seem to have grown rather a lot!).

My lovely mum and step dad came for a roast lunch at our house with my husbands parent's and then my dad and step mum came for dinner.

It was a fantastic day and one where I am reminded that material gifts mean nothing but the greatest gift of all is motherhood. 

Off They Go!

Boys off down the driveway to catch the bus

Today my little Tommy has headed off to his first day of school!

He was sooooooooooo excited.

My little boy wouldn't even let me take him in to school, so off he went on the bus with big brother Ollie and I met him in there with his heavy books.

As a mother, farmers wife and business owner  I am amazed at how many people have asked what I am going to do with my 'free time'!!!

What free time?

This discussion has come up quite a bit with some of my other friends who are working mothers.

It seems that if you work part time or from home people think you in fact don't work. 

Working mothers or mothers working from home more often that not are still trying to fit in everything with no extra help.

There have been times when I have considered closing my business to lessen the load and focus more on my children and home life, but I still need an outlet and interest of my own and so that is why I do it!

Enough said, there is my vent for the day. Now back to the orders, book work and juggling act.

Happy Happy Easter!

A few years ago- boys playing with Ned our own Easter Bunny!

Just got back from a few fabulous days at beautiful Black Point with the family.

So much fun had, water skiing, tubing, snorkeling, socialising and relaxing.

Black Point is one of those rare places where the bay is lined with beachfront shacks, where kids can walk along the beach and run in to friends from school or children they see each summer.

We were lucky enough to share the shack with my brother and sister in law and their gorgeous children.

The cousins have had so much fun! Early starts, busy days, followed by early bed. Lots of fresh sea air and sand between their toes.

Hope you all had a lovely safe and happy Easter too.

Dress ups!

My beautiful niece Charlotte turned 7 this week!

This was the cousins all together at the beach celebrating her birthday with her. They were quite a sight marching along the beach in front of the shacks all in a line.

Charlotte is wearing the outfit I got her from Poppy & Rose designer tutus and tops. Doesn't she look beautiful?

The cousins had their first sleepover at the shack together then went for a tube ride together and played some beach cricket.

Don't die of shock but I am actually starting to enjoy my time at the beach and I think I have these little people to thank for it!

Our New Arrival!

A few weeks ago we headed over to Kangaroo Island to pick up our gorgeous new family member Harvey the Border Collie.

He is a very good puppy so far and the boys are absolutely smitten! 

Tommy is cuddling him as I write.

Special Time

Just took a few days 'off' to spend with my special little boys during school holidays.

Always hard when you work on your own in your own business but it just has to be done!

Action packed with Cars Movie, Birthday Party & Train Ride, Tram Ride, Visiting Family and Friends and a session of Theatre Bugs!

I did have to do a little work whilst away though. Ordered a huge amount of beautiful new stock and also my Christmas range, yes silver and white.........again!

Hope everybody else is enjoying the school holidays.



Beautiful Room

Home Beautiful

Recently one of my best friends in the world had her first baby! A beautiful (understatement) little boy.

This was one of many images I saved and emailed to her throughout the pregnancy.

I just love the shutters, cot, linen chair and soft colours.

We passed on our treasured cot that my two baby boys slept in.

I was a little sad at first but it was so nice to hand it on to such a special little man who means so much to us and will be a big part of our lives.

Hope you are having a good week!

Happy Easter!

Really looking forward to Easter this year!

My sister arrives back from the UK, I am off to visit a very special baby boy 

and catching up with family and friends for my nephews birthday.

The boys are hoping Ned our rabbit has told his friend the Easter Bunny how good they have been this year!

Have a safe and Happy Easter!

Beautiful Queensland

We have just returned from our wonderful holiday to Noosa. This was my first ever visit to Queensland and boy was I impressed! What a truly beautiful state with lovely friendly people. I will be going back again!

Thanks to all who gave me advice on where to go and what to do. I tried to get in as much as I could including, a trip to Sunshine Beach and Peregia, a venture inland stop in at Twig and Grace in Cooroy, the most amazing breakfast recommendation ever from Simone"Corn Fritters"at Bistro C, adults only dinner with friends at Sails, Signature on Hastings for a new pair of Walnuts and Pearl earrings, a trip to the Eumundi markets, The White House for a beautiful pearl necklace and on the way back to the airport the highlight for the boys visiting Australia Zoo.

Oh and Kate from Third Avenue Style and I just happened to be at Bistro C on the same day.....don't you just love that!

Noosa!



Main Beach, Noosa Heads. Photo: Tourism Queensland

Very soon we will be off to Noosa! 

It is our first REAL family holiday and after an extremely busy year we are all looking forward to the escape.

So those of you out there who have been before, please tell me where someone who doesn't love the beach (the boys and husband do) and is obsessed with homewares and design should go.

Thanks to all of you for your very kind, understanding and supportive comments on my last post.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your words.

An Opportunity!

I was recently contacted and given the most awesome opportunity!

 I was totally flattered and applied with out a lot of thought......

Next thing I knew I had made the shortlist and had an upcoming audition.

Details emerged that if I was successful I would have to spend up to 7 weeks away from my family.

This got me thinking. Would I have applied had I not been asked? Probably not! Why would I do it? 

Well certainly not to change my life or further my career (these I am more than happy with). 

I would merely be doing it for the life experience.

I have just turned 31, have 2 beautiful young boys, a gorgeous husband, home, wonderful country life and a business that I love working in every day. I don't need or want the lights, camera and action!

To those of you going ahead with it (which I am sure there are some of you out there), go for it! 

I can't wait to see the show and I will be cheering for you from the comfort of my home on the farm!

Should the opportunity arise again later in life.....I might just be tempted.

to find out more go to 

http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8195173

Birthday Weekend

Well I have just celebrated the anniversary of my 30th and spoilt I am!!!

Out with my gorgeous hubby to see The Kings Speech, a drink at new bar Grace The Establishment, lunch, then out to an amazing dinner at Assagio Ristaurante, followed by breakfast on Hutt Street with my family!

Poor Kindy Teacher....Tommy looking cheeky with big school boy Ollie!

Then on my actual birthday it was my little Tommy's first day at Kindy, I went to the gym the 42 degree heat, out to lunch with the mums and kids followed by dinner cooked for me at home and a funny looking but delicious cake coooked by Paul and the boys....just lovely!

Oh and I was very spoilt in the present department Chanel Perfume, Tickets to the ballet, Magazine Subscriptions, Champagne, a Beauty Voucher, Chanel Nail Polish and chocolates just to mention a few.

Big thanks to Nanny and Grandad for babysitting and taking the boys to Greenhills Adventure Park.

Grateful!

There are times in your life when you realise how truly lucky you are and should be so grateful for all you have.

After a few days away we arrived home to our house, space, things and country lifestyle with our beaufitul two boys and each other.

I am so glad those I know have made it through the floods in Queensland safely.

Spare a thought for those who havent, have lost everything, take time to reflect on all you have................ and be grateful!

Harvest is Finished!

Custom Bus Scroll

Hip horray, at last our harvest is finally over!

It has been a very long one this year, we started on the 11th November and finished yesterday.

Also my first year of harvest with the shop open and online orders, trying to work with the boys home and missing their dad on the header immesely!

I am going to spend the next few weeks heading back and forth to Adelaide, shopping, catching up with friends, taking the boys to see a dinosaur exhibition and other fun things, going out to dinner with my lovely husband and ordering beautiful new stock for the shop.

Hanging out for our holiday to Noosa in a couple of months now too!

All the way from the UK!

Super excited when a parcel arrived from my talented sister Melissa from the UK today!

In it was this amazing Union Jack cushion she made for my little nephew Hugo. 

Here it is on my Ollie's bed............now he wants one too.

Also some gorgeous Christmas stockings for the boys which they love and have hung up ready for next year already!
Pop over to her blog Hand Made Me by Lulliloo and take a look at some of her other items.

Thanks all for the response to my last post. Still undecided!

Oh Fiddlesticks!

 

Don't you just love a talented friend.............

  I am so excited to introduce to you Fiddlesticks Design by my gorgeous friend Sarah Hollams. 

This lovely lady is a local girl, mother to 3 beautiful boys, a dedicated farmers wife and one of the most talented decorators I know! (You should see her house!)

She was so shy when she first showed me her designs.

As soon as I saw them I just had to have them in my shop. 

I absolutely love Sarah's style and they compliment my wares so well.

For more take a look in my store!

Pop Over for Some Honey and Fizz

Pop over to Simone's gorgeous blog Honey and Fizz where she takes a peek in to my home this week.

Thanks Simone!