its the most wonderful time of the year

Oh I love Christmas! I hope you all had the most wonderful Christmas! I certainly did, spent with my family all day long! It was magical. Having children in the family really make it so much more special. One of my favourite things about christmas is Giving presents! I received some amazing ones but today I'm going to share some special ones i gifted!

I gave this Jen Booth Necklace to my sister in law, i'd really like one for myself

These aren't the exact Blackmilk tights I got my little sister but they are similar I got some too I LOVE them

My mum gave me some catbird stacker rings and I got these gems for my friend casey 

I got a thief and bandit dresses for my three nieces, they are beautifully handprinted and super cute on

and how could i not get this mug for my friend stacey 

I'm sad its all over for another year, but super grateful for how special it was!

Have a safe and happy new years xoxox

June is for Birthdays

What a crazy busy few week's we've had! June is getting more hectic every year. Especially over the last few years when people very close to us have decided to pop out June babies. The birthday week started on the 11th with Willow Bebe's 1st birthday. We went to visit the little poppet on the Monday but her proper party was last Saturday. I then had Toby's birthday on the 12th, my Dad's birthday on the 13th and our dear friends welcomed a beautiful baby girl Gracee into the world the same day. And then my mum's birthday on the 16th which fell on Willow's party. It was a crazy few days!

We gave Willow a mini Teepee for her birthday but I also wanted to make her something. I got out the old paints for the first time in ages and created her a Ben Quilty inspired portrait. Here is the finished product.....

And here's a pic of the two of us on the jumping castle.

Jessica and Dean put on a great party for the little princess. It was styled beautifully, alot of effort was put into the food and decorations and a great time was had by all!

Now only another week before Blairs birthday!

A trip to the Zoo

Last Saturday Toby and I went out for the day with our families to the Zoo. We had gifted our older sisters Taronga Zoo tickets for Christmas and as they only have a 6 month expiry last weekend was the last possible weekend we could go. Unfortunately last weekend was wet! Wet, wet, wet. We arrived just after nine to light showers but we knew it was only going to get heavier. Jessica and I were the only two that had umbrellas so alot of Zoo ponchos were purchased. 

Despite the rain we all had a really lovely day! I only wish I took more photos.

Blair like the pussy cats (aka Koalas, everything with fur were pussy cats) 

Millie just loved every aspect of the zoo. She said at lunchtime "this is just the best day" and when we left she asked Kadi if we could come back tomorrow. I think Millie is looking at her favourite here, the Zebra's.

One of my favourite the Giraffes, trying to keep dry.

Two little monkeys, this was taken seconds before a Chimp jumped down to look at them, Blair's face and the way she backed back was priceless. I spoke to her on the phone last night and said who did you see today, she replied "the monkeys" (a week later, she loved them)

and Mum's favourite the gorgeous Giants, the elephants, not bothered by the rain. 

Only regret was that I didn't take more photos, i started taking them on Jessica's camera (since its an amazing camera) I'll have to get copies off her. I think Willows favourite part of the day was playing with Millie and Blair in the cafeteria. 

Wedding Wednesday- Bridesmaids

After finally deciding on a venue I thought it was definitely time to ask my bridesmaids. I wanted to wait so that I could give them an idea of when and where the wedding would take place and what sort of wedding it would be. I've known since we got engaged (and really before that) who I would like to have but just wanted it to be right when I asked them. I think this put a little pressure on me as I was trying to think of a creative way to ask them and I had come across the most beautiful way over at Rinse repeat where Bethany made little boxes for her bridesmaids filling them with lovely things (go and look). I decided not to copy (i did look for boxes though haha) ad created these myself.

Photo taken by Jessica

I purchased some vintage style handkerchiefs from ebay at christmas time and I was tossing up with printing on them or what I ended up doing was wrapping a printed note around them that said "will you be my bridesmaid". Since I had to post 3 I didn't want them to just be pulled out of an ugly envelope so I decided to wrap them in pink Tissue and print a verse on some paper that was an intro to the Hanky, which said "I need something old, new, borrowed, blue and you". I would have loved to have them over for a morning tea and ask them all but as three live away it wasn't going to work. So I posted three and asked the other four individually. Yep thats right seven! :)


They all said yes and here's a little bit about each


Kadi, Matron of honour: my older sister, someone I've always looked up to, shared so much with and has given with me the most wonderful gift, beautiful nieces. 
Hayley: My oldest best friend, an adopted sister. We've had so many adventures together, between a car washing business, creating future houses, sharing tears and many a dessert.
Jessica: a ten year friendship that has blossomed into a strong sisterly bond. A fashionista, so generous and a lovely person. Oh and Toby's sister and Willow Bebe's mum.
Stacey: one of my best friends who I luckily get to see the most! We've shared lots of trips and events over the years, too many drinks, not enough sleep but a whole lot of fun!
Peta: so many special memories. The keeper of all my secrets, a beautiful soul that I couldn't live without. She always knows what to say and make me feel better.
Rebecca: first a colleague, now a wonderful friend. Someone I've always admired, works hard, knows how to have an awesome time and has the greatest taste in music!
Ellise: my baby sister, an honest soul in her prime. Brave, kind and gorgeous!


I'm so lucky to have such amazing women in my life and I'm so excited to share our special day with each of them! Now it's toby's turn to ask his boys! I don't think he will be giving hankies, i'd say it'll be over a beer haha

Jessica's 30th

Yesterday was a great Day! We went to Lovedale Long lunch to celebrate my SIL Jessica's 30th birthday. I've been going to Lovedale for quite a few years and as always it was a superb day. Lovedale is an area in the hunter valley vineyards which puts on a long (progressive) lunch between 7 wineries. Yesterday we went to 3 Saltire, Sandalyn and my favourite Tatler's. Not only is there great food and wine they have amazing entertainment. Its always the 3rd weekend in May.

And the best part of the day was the company! 

 Dancing with this little poppet was fun too!

head to LLL site for details about the weekend

One year Old

I missed the blogs birthday (because I was too busy enjoying my own birthday) I can't believe it's been a year! It has flown. I have been quite slack these last couple of months as i've been busy with work but I have a goal to get on here more regularly. I celebrated my birthday with family after work (on my actual birthday) Toby took me to a lovely restaurant, Muse last night in the hunter valley and today I had lunch with friends at Merewether's surf house which was also nice. I've been spoilt.

On thursday (My birthday) i came home to find a lovely surprise. Toby had baked me a chocolate cheesecake from scratch. I couldn't believe it. He's never baked for me! This is what I found in the fridge.

On my birthday night my nieces got to know each other a little better Millie amd Blair (my sisters girls) were completely smitten with Willow (toby's sister's baby girl) 

Here's Blair and Willow about to smooch.

and here's on of me and Millie! I love how her eyes go when she's really really happy!

Thanks to everyone for making my birthday great! 26 is turning out to be a good year so far

Life lately according to instagram

I'm getting a little bit sad I have to go back to school next week (on Friday but it's still next week) I've really enjoyed my Holidays this year although I haven't done a great deal. Somehow they've disappeared fast. I have been participating in FatMumSlims january photo challenge on instagram which has been fun (not all of these are from it) but you'll get the drift of what I've been up to.  

 

As you can see I've been Sleeping in, Spending some quality time with the puppies, i attempted running once (lots of walking though), a few arty trips, hanging with the nieces, a minibreak in Canberra (where I had a cocktail in a noodle box and had my first white wine sangria Im inlove and visited the tastiest place on earth Koko black, and most importantly got to meet baby Elsie and spend time with my favourite GF's), received some lovely mail and I've been doing lots of schoolwork in preparation for the year ahead.

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas

It has been for a week but I thought I'd share an Instagram of the outside of our house.

toby got up on a very high ladder last weekend to hang the icicle lights. I think it looks pretty spesh. I had my little sister over tonight to watch one of our all time favourite Christmas movies

What's you favourite Christmas movie and Carols? I also watched A Santa Claus today and Family Stone on Thursday. I still have a small pile to get through before christmas. I love this time of year.

Life lately through instagrams

 

The last week has been pretty busy, varying from Ring-a-ring-a-rosy on my sisters trampoline, to homebake in Sydney where we got to see some great Aussie (and kiwi) bands (and catch up with a few friends), to xmas decorating and card making, to chilling out under our Apple tree. Life has been busy busy. I haven't worked the last two days as school is starting to wind down so I have tried to get into some Christmas crafts. I think December is busy for everyone but that's one of the reasons I love it so. 

A trip to the park

Have I told you that my sister has a sweet little family? Last week they all came over for dinner (mum and my little sister too) since i'd got home later then I thought we set off for a walk to my local park while Toby was finishing off dinner. This is how we walked there

Isn't Blair precious! the girls (and us) swung on the swings and explored the equipment, Blair even braved going down the slippery dip alone. Nothing scares that kid.

Look at her little toes....

and Millie's face <3 sheer concentration. And this is how we walked home (my shoulders got a rest)

They make me want one of my own (Not yet though) I'm happy to just share these guys at the moment.

My weekend in instagrams

I just had the biggest whirlwind of a weekend I thought instagrams would describe it best.

A day at the races, breakfast with friends, a new hair do, lunch and cardigan shopping with my boy, opening engagements cards (and early gifts) rugby union with chocolate spiders and Willow. It was a great weekend. How was your weekend?