after 7 years....I left.

For the past seven years I've been to the same hairdresser.  Nick. A male hairdresser.

He was nice.  He made my hair look nice and every three months we would chat, laugh and I would leave swishing my hair feeling good.

But. Then it was over.

I left.  It was me. He stopped listening and I just felt that I had to move on.  Part of me feels bad.  I didn't even tell him.  I've just never been back.

So now I found me a new one.  And she's a she.  Maree - she rocks. She listens.  We have plans.  Nice ones.  I'm wondering if having a male hairdresser was my issue all along.  I mean, my male hairdresser was bald?  hmmmm.....is that like a vegetarian cooking a barbeque full of chops and snags? I dunno.

Have you had to break it off with a Special Professional in your life?  How did you do it? Was it mutual, did you leave a note?

Do you think some professionals like hairdressers have an expiry date or are you still soldering on in a great relationship??


or did you walk away and never look back (like me)? 


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my creative space...{finally!}

Oh the benefits of crafting are many.  There is the joy of planning, preparing, selecting fabric, and then watching it come to life as you start the construction.

This project is one of these cases whereby I enjoyed this process fully....

however somewhere during the making, it took a back seat to other projects that propped up and lo and behold, two and half years later was still not complete!

This patchwork quilt, inspired by my daughter who was 6 months old at the time, was made for her cot however next week I shall be dismantling it in place for a bed.

The saying "better late than never" has never been truer than in this case.  So whilst not perfect, this little cot quilt will have a story to tell.  I do hope it looks OK at the end of a single bed!!!!  fingers crossed!

Now, don't take your time to check out more creative types!!!  

out-smarted Cinderella style

I've been out-smarted by my four year old son. 

The other night I read him the story of Cinderella for the first time.  What a magical fairytale....I love it.  He loved it too. 

Except! 

Ok, so you know that bit where the clock strikes midnight and Cinderella leaves the ball and her glass slipper falls off leaving one for the Prince and Cinderella keeps the other.....  

Right, so you know that bit, we're all agreed that it happens?  

"But mum!"  My son interrupts!  "Every thing is supposed to change back when the clock strikes twelve - why didn't her shoes disappear?" 

Oh dear.....

My whole life I've known the story and never once did this occur to me.  The fairy God Mother does say that EVERYTHING will return back when the clock strikes twelve.  That's the deal.  Is it that girls are just too caught up in the romance of it all, the fairytale, the ideal, the love and beauty?

I was a little baffled by how to answer, "Oh no, the shoes can't disappear - they're made of glass." I bumbled out....

Have you been outsmarted by a little person? How did you handle it? 

xx

Anzac Cookies {with macadamia's}

It's very obvious in the household that I go nuts for nuts!  So when any occasion arises to bake, I will often sway heavily to a recipe that includes nuts, or that I can take artistic license to and add nuts.  Luckily for me, none of my family members suffers from anaphylaxis, because then I don't what I would do!

These Anzac Cookies with added macadamia nuts are just divine, they add a little extra crunch without sacrificing that traditional taste we all know and love.

Bake them with some loved ones today!

you'll need...
1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup desicated coconut
1 1/4 cups plain flour
2/3 cups brown sugar
125g butter
1/3 cup water
2 tbsp golden syrup
1tsp bicarb soda
1 cup roughly chopped macadamia nuts

1. Turn your oven on to 180 degrees and get your baking trays ready.
2. mix the oats, coconut, flour, nuts and sugar together in a bowl.
3. Place butter, water and golden syrup in a saucepan and bring to the boil.  Remove from the heat and add the bicarb soda and stir as it becomes frothy (the kids loved watching this but just be careful of the hot pan!)
4. Pour mixture onto the dry ingredients and mix quickly.
5. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on the prepared trays, allowing some room for spreading.  press down gently.
6. Bake in a preheated oven for approx 15-20 minutes or until golden but still soft.

Allow to cool  and then transfer to a wire rack.  Try and tempt yourself from eating them all straight away!  Oh, don't listen to me, I ate six in one go, so go on, stuff youself silly!

xx

Paper Giants!

Did you watch it?  It was on the ABC last night.  I had no idea it was, and just coincidently checked to see what was on and was enthralled.  An epic tale of the rise of CLEO magazine back in the 1970's and the rise of Kerry Packer and his empire.

Asher Keedie plays Ita Butrose and she is just amazing.  I mean, I love Asher anyway (think Offspring!) and she is just a dynamite in this two part series.

It struck me how difficult it must have been for working women in these times, and the challenges they faced and the boundaries they pushed (and pushed and pushed). They way they just take a punt and start this magazine that has become iconic is just phenomenal.   If nothing else, the fashion is amazing!

Part Two on tonight, 8.30 ABC!

fancy pants {the what-ings}

Jeggings!  Have you heard of them, got a pair yourself, seen them on others or in the store.  They are everywhere right now.....

And to tell the truth I'm loving them.  I wasn't always convinced, but as with a lot of items, it pays to try things on, and a few weeks ago I found myself doing just that whilst I only had one child in tow.

Jeggings are the love child of Mr Denim having a raunchy affair with Ms Leggings.  So comfy, practical and yet oh so versatile.  I've already dressed these babies, up, down and sideways. Today, with a little splash of sunshine it was perfect with a loose tee and some wedges.

 Oh, so comfy for lounging about with one's feet up.....

These fancy pants will certainly get a lot of wear this season!

And just to let you in on a secret - no longer will I have to refer to our gorgeous host as just a bloggy friend - we're catching up in real life this week!  whoo hoo! So join up with this fancy girl and show us your outfit!

Wearing;
jeggings and top - both Sussan
wedges - Betts
beaded amber necklace - an old one I restrung.
bracelets - Tilkah

I'm grateful for {the team}

A spring in my step this morning, it's been productive.  Two loads of washing, lots of chores done, date scones baked and eaten with family and shared with neighbours.  The sun is shining and it just makes you feel all warm and wonderful that it;s the weekend.

Joining in with one special lady....

Today I'm grateful for....

  Teams.

We are all apart of a team in some respect.  Work team, family team, sports team or club or committee.  Teams can be good.

I love how my little people are now joining in with their dad in barracking and supporting their footy team.  It brings back memories from my childhood of going to the football with my Dad and brother and us all supporting the same team.

Last week another wonderful woman invited me along to join in with a team of crafters for a catch up and craft session at a local cafe.  It was wonderful sitting and chatting and crafting away a few hours with such inspirational women.

So to check out a whole team of Gratefuls, head over here!!

Banana pikelets

A few weekday mornings when there is no set activity to rush us out the door it seems that baking and cooking run high on the agenda.  The other morning we make Banana pikelets and they were so good they dissapeared hot off the pan and the next morning I had a request for another batch.

They are from the CSIRO Healthy Kids book - Here's the recipe.

3/4 cup of wholemeal self-raising flour
1 tbs brown sugar
1 cup light milk
1 egg
1 ripe banana, mashed

1/2 tsp cinnamon
spray oil.

1. place flour and sugar in a bowl and mix
2. whisk together egg, milk banana and cinnamon and pour into the centre of your flour mix. mix until combined and then let it rest for 10 minutes (so put the kettle on and make a cuppa).

3. heat fry pan on medium to low heat, and lightly spray with oil.  Drop tablespoons of batter into the pan and cook until the bubbles appear (a minute or so) and then flip for another minute.

These babies are lovely warm or eaten cold.

*the next day I didn't have any bananas left, so I substituted it for 1 1/2 grated apple and just added a little more flour to make the same consistency - they were equally delicious!

xx

fancy pants {fashions on the field}

Oh my!  What a weekend!  

Invited to a country race meet, by the main sponsors.  My hubby and are were treated to a day out (yes, without children) and were spoilt with the pleasure of being amoungst a great group of people, in a marquee, lovely food and the champagne was flowing....

But, then, alas I look at my race form guide and notice the Fashions on the Field was due to start in 30 minutes - "Oh I must go watch!" I say.  "Watch - huh!  I think you should go in it!"  was the reply i got from a few on my mates on the table.....

With more and more crowding around me, egging me on...I was not about to disappoint them!  So I entered, just for fun, not really thinking my outfit race-wear worthy!  I literally raced out the day before to get a fascinator! 

But lo-and-behold!  I came in third!  Oh, reminiscent of the day I also came third in another race, this one seemed much more fun!  

Linking up with a fashion winner always.....

The first picture in the post made it into the Local Chronicle - your can check it out here. 

Wearing; 

Dress - Wish

lace shrug - local dress shop

shoes - sirens

bag - olga berg

umbrella - big W 

fascinator - local shop

ps - hubby backed the winner of the main race too!  Winners all round 

xx

my creative space.....{cosy lovin'}

Well, autumn is most certainly here - although you wouldn't know it in Melbourne these past days - how stunning is this sunshine!!!

A few weeks back the chilly evenings and fresh winds had me thinking it was time to pull out the winter pj's for the kids.  Upon searching, it yielded little options for my youngest since her summer growth spurt!

Never fear!  with a quick measure, and use of an old pair (plus some), a bit of gorgeous floral stretch jersey, some sewing and ironing...

A new little pair of pj's were done.  I had a long sleeve top perfect for sleepwear and adorned it with a heart.

Now my precious little bundle can sleep cosily in her lovingly handmade pj's.....

No time for a nanna nap, you must visit lovely creative places!

xx

Shhhh.....do you keep a secret??

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Since blogging, I've been very interested in the way others promote or talk about their blogs with others.

When I started blogging just over a year ago, it was totally on a whim and I had no idea what I was getting myself into or what I would actually be blogging about.  But I fell in love with such a wonderful blogging community and have got to know some amazing people and be inspired.  I feel, now, my blog is finally a nice representation of me, what I like doing and my current journey in life.  I'm blogging because I want to, nothing more or less.

Anyhoo - I'm wondering, do you keep your blog a secret from those near and dear to you?  Perhaps not consciously, but do you just "not mention" it?  Or do you yell it from the rooftop to anyone and everyone that know you?

Do you email out or twitter about your latest post* and do you sit in the tea-room at work discussing your latest comments from those that follow you?

I'm curious, because I reckon it's taken me a good year to finally get the courage to tell people I know I have a blog.  Why?  I'm not entirely sure.  Would they think me silly, odd or judge me differently?  Not sure, but then of course incidentally some friends started to find out and I was getting comments like "why didn't you tell me?" or "I really love checking into your blog!" and then last week, a dear friend text me to say, "Oh i love the slice you made me, now put that on the blog, so I can have the recipe" and my confidence grew.

So perhaps my need for unconscious secrecy were unfounded.   Is it that it's easier to put your self out there to those that don't know you?

So, secret keeper or yell from the rooftop - Which are you?



*I do neither of these, just for the record

Fancy Pants - The Copycat

Fashion inspiration can come from many a place.  The least likely for me is now a fashion mag - I hardly buy them or flick through them at the checkout because to me, it's not real. 

The blogging community has also become a great fun for fashion creatives.  I have lots of blogs that I love to check into for the latest on how they put together a stunning outfit. 

I also get inspriation from websites like here, and even certain stores will give you inside scoop on what's  On Trend for each season.  Besides, there's also the lovely sport of people watching and catalogue flicking which is free and gives you nothing but ideas (instead of bombardment of advertisment!) 

This outfit was inspired by a glimpse of a fashion catalogue my local shopping centre made up.  It was free and contained some great ideas for Autumn/Winter.  I didn't buy anything for this outfit - i had everything already.  So there's proof that sometimes you don't need new clothes, rather you need to arrange them differently! 

And this cheeky smile is for our host - who always has the most stunning smile each week! 

where do you get your fashion inspiration from?  

Join in here! 

Wearing:  Pants; Portmans

Blue singlet - Dotti

Black Cardi - Portmans

Scarf - Sportsgirl

Belt - Susan

Boots - Target

Today I'm grateful for.....{SURPRISE!!!!}

Oh what a week!!  And so lovely to be joining in with Bron for Maxabella Loves and our list of gratefuls.

I have but one grateful today!

And that is....

For THE SURPRISE!

My dearest Dad celebrated his 70th Birthday mid-week.  I acted aloof and unperturbed by his resolve not to have any fuss made his way.  We all agreed that we would oblige, however could not help ourselves when it was discovered that co-incidently my parents would be dining out with a group of their friends on that particular evening for their Food and Wine night.

Hubby and I packed up the kids for the 500km round trip to surprise him at this dinner!!  My brother also made the trip up, so he was surprised - twice.  I had only spoken with him a few hours before the dinner and apologised that his birthday hug and kiss would be perhaps two weeks late.....little did he know!!  I love surprises, he was chuffed to have his family appear before his very eyes - and I'm sure I caught a tear in his eye!! 

Happy Birthday Dad!! 
LLPPMM
Your pix
xx

munchy muslie slice

We made this the other day - after a session with playdough didn't quite go according to plan and everyone in the house needed to calm down.  Yes, there were tears, and shouting and bit too much threatening on my behalf, so I did what I like to do when I need to regroup - I bake.

So this muslie munchie slice got my kids up at the kitchen bench, pouring out ingredients, eating ingredients straight from the bowl and packet and then making a mess with flour and giggling merrily - ahhh much better!

Here is what you need....

1/2 cup caster sugar
1 cup self-raising flour
1 cup shredding coconut (I used discatted coz that what I had)
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup sultanas
1/2 cup raisins (or you could use cranberries like I did)
1/2 cup of dates or apricots
1/3 cup of sunflower/pumpkin seeds (either or both)
125g butter
2tbsp water
60g honey
1 egg

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees

Mix together the sugar, flour, coconut, oats, dried fruits and seeds.
Melt butter, water and honey together and pour over the combined ingredients whilst still hot. Stir well until mixture comes together, then add the egg.
Spoon mixture into a lined lamington tin and bake for 30-40 minutes or until set and golden on top.

Allow to cool before cutting into slices.

A few slices were packaged up and shared amoungst friends who gave it their nod of approval! Great for morning or afternoon tea...
xx