point and shoot party

Chantelle at FatMumSlim offered a challenge to point at shoot this weekend. So here goes. Gal had three pals over for a pool party on Saturday. Much fun, giggling and splashing. Mezze plates and blue Mermaid Mocktails were the order of the day - along with a pool party cake that we decorated in mere moments.

There were games of musical mermaids {like musical statues where you freeze when the music stops - but, you know, in the water}. We'd bought plastic leis and the girls had to swim up and pop their head through them, handstand comps. But lots of spontaneous fun.

Summer lovin' - that's what it's all about

and chill...

Because things get so frantic and stressed at this time of year it's vital to have a little mental space to find your serenity. And look - I found a picture of mine! When things start to go a little haywire I'm laying back on this blissfully broad window seat, a glass of something french and bubbly on the coffee table and a great book in hand to read in between gazing out at that incredible ocean vista.

Where's your happy place and what does it look like?

monday motivation

Hmmm, so it's the Monday before Christmas - how's things in your house? After a hectic weekend it's all a bit low-key here today. Gal's watching telly and immersing herself in a craft kit while I'm about to get started on a spot of work.

Hey, how's this for an idea? See this pic? Well check out what they've done with their mags. Encased in perspex, which'd probably have me coming over all Twin Peaks every time I saw them... "Wrapped in plastic"...

Enjoy your monday, hope it's productive and stress-free. Life's short - let's spend it with a smile on our face shall we?

really, really nice family reunions

The three of us awoke at 4.30 this morning {oooh yeah, a.m.} to drive to Sydney to collect the English relatives from the airport. Morning people we are not.

However, this was all negated by the joy of watching sister-in-law, brother-in-law and two gorgeous nieces tumble through the gates.

We all went to Bronte for a breakfast before driving them to the in-laws. The sheer bliss of listening to the giggles of three reunited cousins - aged four, six and nearly 10 was sublime. There might be up-teen thousands of kilometres between us, but real love and affection really doesn't have a clue about distance.

Our Christmas this year is going to be all about the kids and the family. Oh, and the best news? My mother-in-law's serving up roast pork along with the beef and chicken this year {mmmmm, crackling...}. I'm looking forward to more giggles, champers, festive nibbles and precious moments spent over the next few weeks while they're here. The planning is on!

white out

Here's the pavilion with our freshly painted floorboards. Yep, our bar fridge is stocked with champers {and water!}. The iPod is loaded with tunes and summer's looking mighty fine.

parisian perfection

Guess where I've got a hankering to visit? Go on, guess. Ahhh yes, Paris is calling. Can you believe that this is an actual apartment that's available to rent? I wouldn't be game to stay in this delish apartment as I would seriously DIE having a view of the Eiffel Tower that sublime...

Check it out - and others just like it - at parisperfect.com

Must start saving...

cutey patootie on-line

Hey, if you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet or just want to get a start on next year's... May I suggest a very cute on-line boutique?

RudyandtheDodo have the most sublime toys, accessories and other fabulous things for littlies {oooh, and I spied a purse or two that this mama would love}.

Check it out - tres cute!

freaky friday

I just cannot believe that it's Friday - and that Christmas is only a week away!!! Why is time so zoomariffic at this time of year?

We've been busy - again. Last night I was a carpenter's apprentice to my new handyman hubby and I held slats while he nailed them in. Now the area behind the bbq has lovely white slats screening us off from the neighbours. Yes, pictures to come...

Husband's also been attacking anything that stands still with a paintbrush. The floorboards in the pavilion look brilliant in white. He also gave the storage box in the pavilion another coat and our outdoor table had two coats last night. Oh, our backyard's looking like a Hollywood smile at the moment!

We also survived the first day of school holidays - thanks to a playdate. This afternoon our gal's going into her Dadda's work for two hours after lunch {he's having an early mark to play golf!}. She's v excited and wants to take her satchel just like Dadda's, dress in a button-up shirt like Dadda and take an apple and a muesli bar just like Dadda. Bless.

I'll be working, and trying to do bits and pieces of housework in-between. So missing my live-in staff!

Are you ready for Christmas?

no words can describe...

New Alice In Wonderland trailer.

Am officially dying.

satin sensation

I've now finally forgiven Penelope Cruz for the whole Tom Cruise thing and can just appreciate her for her va-va-voomness {yep, it's a word}

Now, that dress, is it perfection? As the Fug Girls attest, it's a rare person that can drape themselves in satin - but Pene's done it. Oh, and she gets to do a rather hunky Xavier too {for reals this time I imagine...}

Ooh, and, can't you see those green shoes below peeping out the bottom of that frock. On Christmas Eve? And me in it.... Okay, that's calling on your powers of imagination far too strongly. But hey, you know what I mean...

festive footsies

Isn't this shade of green positively edible? These Louboutins may well be the ultimate Christmas shoe with their vivid green upper and scarlet soles...

With this, I may well go totally over the top {as I do} and wear the red satin dress I just saw on Penelope Cruz {will have to post that later on - it's to-die}.

First day of the school holidays for us - hooray - six weeks with a child who loathes school holidays with the equal passion that she loves school. Yep, created some kind of monster there... Luckily we pick up the English cousins on Sunday so that should soothe her somewhat.

My lunch yesterday went by in a blur - but what a fabulous blur. I was ever-so-blessed to work with the loveliest bunch of gals and catching up with them did wonders for my soul.

Oh, and after lunch I couldn't help myself. I called in at my old fave op-shop in Surry Hills. Ooooooooh baby! I found the most fabulous black frock and a gorgeous deep navy Country Road top {brand spankers!} You know what I love more than finding fabulosity in op-shops? Nothing.

Must get into work. Have two gals being dropped off at 11am, so will try to fit in a full days work before they get here. Will obviously need to supervise some swimming when they're here - or just let 'em loose on the Wii Sing-It {so cute!}

Enjoy your day x

lovin' lunchin'

It's now been a year since I left work to freelance from home. I know! I've loved it - but I've missed the gals I worked with.

Luckily today I'm getting a hit and going out for Christmas Lunch with them all. Yep, we're frocking up and hitting the Paddington Inn.

Can.

Not.

Wait!

this is it

Hey, guys, I'm a bit beside myself, because, guess what? It's my 1000th post. I KNOW!

I've met some pretty amazing people since I've been blogging - some I now consider friends. I think the blogging world is mighty spesh and am damned proud to be a part of it.

I'm a tad on the blown-away side that this here is number 1000 - so much so that I'm danged if I know what to write.

Well, apart from thank you for reading, for commenting and for sharing your life with me xxx

happy monday

Hi, how's your week looking? Mine's looking mighty fine. I've already sent off one of the articles due today, and now just have to polish off the other one and send it.

Tonight's the Christmas picnic at school where we get to watch our gal and all her friends sing Christmas carols {so sweet}.

Husband's at home slapping a final coat of paint on the floor of the pavilion {looks FANTASTIC}. I've decided to do a wee spot of on-line Christmas shopping to tidy off a few loose ends when I have a few minutes to kill. On Wednesday I'm driving down to Sydney to have a Christmas catch-up lunch with my old workmates - I've missed those gals and it'll be a hoot to meet up again.

Our lunch with friends yesterday was just blissful. The ideal recharge you need at times like this. I'm pretty sure now that all I need is that rug in this picture here - hello gorgeous!

Enjoy your week!

let's do lunch

Well it's a gorgeous summer day today and we're off to share lunch with some lovely friends. Chances are the children will be swimming, and the adults may sip some champagne...

So I'm off to poach some nectarines in rose syrup to make a raspberry and nectarine trifle. I'm forming individual servings in my retro crystal cocktail glasses. For the children we have tropical callipo iceblocks. I'll pop them in a glass and tie it with some gold ribbon to up the festive quotent!

We're in need of some downtime. Poor husband was painting the floorboards in the pavilion for 12 hours yesterday - finished at 10.30 {with a few boards still to go!} But wow, they're looking damned amazing.

Enjoy your sunday x

weekend whimsy

I feel quite certain that just 15 minutes of gentle back-and-forth on this pretty swing would ensure that all is well with the world. Isn't it a divine image? From Country Style - of course...

hey mr santa claus

If there's any space in my Christmas stocking I'd quite like this...

friday, ooooh fabulous!

We started our weekend really, really early this week with a fabulous dinner with friends last night. Champagne, cheese, radishes, baguettes, french butter, duck, crispy-fluffy roasted potatoes, spectacular salads, wine and all finished off with a delish fresh fruit salad made for the perfect evening. It got a bit chilly, so at 8pm the gals donned wetsuits and swam in the pool - having a blast. Sure, not the most sensible option - but it is the silly season.

Our wee lass slept in till nearly 8.30 this morning (after going to bed over an hour past her bedtime - whoopsies) but as school's winding down at the moment I don't think she missed much by being 30 minutes late.

Busy weekend our way. I've got quite a few deadlines, today, monday and next friday so I'll be working away. Husband-of-the-year shall be painting - the doors on the pool equipment room that my step-dad built - and hopefully the wicker furniture in the pavilion. On Sunday we're off to another set of dear friends for lunch. I'm taking sweets - so shall be devising something seasonal - and may well serve them in cocktail glasses {you know, cos it's christmas and all}.

Oooooh, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

grand inspiration

Now that I'm rather busy, I'm limiting myself to one hour's television per evening - and that show's Grand Designs screening every night on Lifestyle {hurrah}. On Tuesday night we saw an inspirational couple rebuild this manor house in Central France - and boy, were they amazing. Nothing fazed them, they just got in and did it. And now - well, look at it - it's beautiful.

What I found most inspirational was how quickly this guy moved. He always did everything with great purpose, never sighed and dragged his feet while heading to a task.

So that's what I'm planning on doing. To get through all I have to do I'm going to dive into everything with enthusiasm and with speed {but not haste!}.

Oh, and guess how much I want to stay in this house next time we go to France? Heaps.

If you're interested, check out their site here ps: the room with the big antique copper bath? That'll be mine...

mmmmm pretty

I love bows at any time, but at Christmastime? Hold me back... Now, if these little numbers from Valentino don't present you as the perfect present - what will?

I'm seriously swooning over these numbers and hoping that my love-smitten state will get me over the hump and allow me to finish all the piles of work calling, nay, screeching my name {harridans}.

I did at least work through half my pile of Christmas cards last night and plan on giving myself a 15 minute break at some stage today to do a few more...

Enjoy your thursday...