This and That

Loving these JCrew maxi dresses, would be perfect for summer evening parties.  Was wondering Jenna, do you think you will ship to Australia any time soon?

Irene from BloesemKids has recently started a beautiful collection of children's pendants suitable for both boys and girls, the one above is my favourite.

A new online magazine and I just love it, I wish I had been quick enough to snaffle up the print version to keep.

A piece of art, this slate cheese board.

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I just love the earthy whimsical feel of this room, found in a Californian/Mexican restaurant in Paris.  I'm putting Taqueria Candelaria on my list of must check out when I'm next in Paris.

A really pretty shopper that zips into a pouch you toss in your handbag.

One of my all time favourite totes, lots of room and handy divisions for all my bits and bobs, I used it as a baby bag.

I would love to look at this honey pot every day on my breakfast table.

I'm hoping to watch this movie this weekend, I have a bit of a crush on Ms Tautou.

I just love this house, could happily call it mine.  Then check out their weekender, which you can rent.

Have a wonderful day.

The Best of Intentions

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Ah, life it can get so complicated sometimes can't it. 

Especially if you have a child with special needs.  We decided to intensify our little man's therapies both at sessions and at home, and exhausting as it has been for me with his "homework" and taking him to and from his therapists, the fatigue has been worth it as we have seen a remarkable leap in his development.  He is a real little star and we love him to bits.

We are about to start phase two by bringing a therapist into our home for 10 hours every week.  The idea is that by the time he starts school in 18 months that he will no longer need the "shadow" he currently has at preschool and that he will have caught up with his peers.

As it turned out despite all the best intentions of keeping up my daily posts, if only to provide a bit of "me" time with pretty pictures, it became impossible to keep abreast of other blogs let alone keep mine up to date.

But I do miss you all both my readers and also the blogs I like to read and I am determined to  return to the blogosphere. So, I'm back but it won't be daily and it may not even be weekly or monthly but rather intermittently, I hope you don't mind.

In the meantime, here are few pretty things that I'm loving a lot:

To carry my bits and bobs

By day

And by night

It was really wet a few weeks ago

Wishing it was summer

We're off to Fiji in a fortnight, this would be lovely for evenings

Sexy Scandi style

The most stylish height chart ever

And just to end the post with some family stuff:

The boys on their first day of school earlier this year

Comparing their Easter egg finds

On a day trip to the Zig-Zag Railway in the Blue Mountains

Have a happy day and see you soon.

Dear Santa ...

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I have been pretty good this year and have almost completed my gift buying and have begun the wrapping stage as well.

I am often inspired by Gift Lists in magazines and now of course in blogs,.  In fact a few lucky people in my life will be the recipients of gifts found on blogs as far away as Paris and New York.

I thought I would do something a bit different and put together a list for you, the wonderful woman that you are.

I have listed things that are predominantly Australian as there are plenty of overseas blogs that have other nations covered (my faves this year are Simple Lovely, A Cup of Jo and Design Sponge) and my apologies to non-Sydneysiders, there are a few things found only here, but you can find similar things in your neck of the woods.

So herewith my Chrissie list and happy shopping!

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You are a mum, nan, sister, girlfriend, no matter who this lady deserves some special stuff

Like a bit of silver and classic pearls

This calfskin shopper

An annual subscription to one of these companies

Some delicate smalls

This beautiful silk linen jumper

A degustation here or any other excellent restaurant

A day spa in the country

A subscription to your favourite magazines

Special letterpress stationery (not Australian, but Suann ships to Australia and I think this is the most beautiful stationery I have seen and deserves to be on my list)

And finally, my favourite way to be spoiled, a sleep in and brekkie in bed - pure bliss*

No matter what you receive ladies, I hope that it makes you feel special.

Have a happy day.

* Image from here

Texting

I love the dash of red in the otherwise neutral palete of this photo.

Packing

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"Two more sleeps Mama" L said as he jumped into bed this morning with F and I.  We're packing today and these are the looks I'm going for:

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Have a happy day.

Happiness Is

Last month I was the lucky recipient of two awards: The Happy 101 from My Sweet Prints and The Versatile Blogger from Let's Go Moerkabout!. 

First, a big, if rather late, thank you for the award.  I know I have said this before, but I never expected any followers when I started this blog and I have "met" some really wonderful ladies across the world.  I have had the great pleasure of actually meeting on a number of occasions Janette from My Sweet Prints (she lives in the next suburb) and hope one day to meet many more of you in person (even those of you overseas, especially if you live in the States, I am planning a trip there later in the year to visit my sister in Seattle). This is my long winded way of saying thank you to my followers and readers who comment and to those who are to shy to comment but still pop in for a visit.

Secondly, as a recipient of these two awards, I am now meant to post 10 things that make me happy, so here goes.

1. My Family

My mum and dad, siblings, husband and boys.  This group of individuals give me more happiness, love and understanding than I can ever describe. I only hope that what I give in return is just as wonderful for them.

2. Motherhood

I'm going to be honest, I have found motherhood really tough. The sleepless nights, the worrying about their happiness and wellbeing, their future in a world which sometimes isn't too nice. I worry about J and how he will cope with life as he gets older, will he ever overcome his developmental difficulties. But there is no way in the world I would trade my life today for that of the life I led before L was born. Motherhood has taught me many things (patience ISN'T one of them I must admit) and the thing I most value about motherhood is the magic of unconditional love. I don't think there is anything like it in the world.

3. Books

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Whether for escapism, education or eye candy, I just love books.  I spend a lot of money on books, new, vintage, thrifted, swapped or received as gifts.  I love my books so much I can't lend them, I feel they are a part of me, it would be like chopping a limb off me and handing it over to someone. I think my love started when I was a little girl and every week as part of her weekly grocery shop, mum would buy us all a little gift, for me it was a Little Golden Book. I still have many books from my childhood, including the Little Golden Books, which I share with the boys. I see glimpses of that same love in them and you can imagine how happy that makes me feel.

4. Breakfast

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You can probably tell from my weekly menu posts that I like food a lot and of course I enjoy cooking it, I find it relaxing and creative.  I have to confess my favourite meal of the day is the first, but especially if it has been prepared by someone else.  Yes I would rather go out to brekkie than to lunch or dinner.  It can be as simple as scrambled eggs on toast (my favourite) to pancakes, or porridge, or ham and cheese croissant. I just love sitting down to a lovely meal first thing in the morning. 

The reality of my breakfasts is nothing like this though: a couple of pieces of toast with a cup of tea on the run and prepared by me.  I look forward to the day when the boys can get themselves ready for school and I drop them off or they go themselves while I head off to the local cafe for a cooked breakfast like the one pictured above. It is the simple things ladies, the simple things.

5. Lists

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An organised life is a happy life, well for me anyway. So lists, charts, diaries and notebooks are everywhere in my house. I'm not talking electronic tools, all on paper, so pens and pencils are also everywhere. I have always been this way, I had a chart in my bedroom (which I shared with my sisters) for shutting curtains, turning off lights and closing the door to our room. Yes I was slightly retentive as a kid!!!!!! I am so much more relaxed since having kids (one of the gifts of Motherhood for me), but I still like to maintain some level of tidiness, organisation and schedule to our little household.

6. Summer

Sun, warmth, beaches, sand, sundresses, shorts, thongs (those toy wear on your feet), that is how I like to live. I grew up on the beach, our summers are pretty long and winters mild here. We lived near the beach so many days spent playing in the sea. There is no more perfect time than those long days of summer.

7. Chocolate

I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I do like to have a few squares of dark chocolate (my preference is for Lindt) every night after the boys have gone to bed.

8. Sewing

(Source unknown, please contact me if you know the source)

I really enjoy the sewing, apart from the crafting I do with the boys, nothing gets my juices going quite like putting something together from some material and string. A great way for me to relax.

9. Frangipani

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My favourite flower, it reminds me of summer, my honeymoon and my hometown Sydney.

10. Paris Perfume

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My favourite perfume, I wear everyday.  Makes me feel so girly and groomed everyday, even when I look frazzled from everyday life.

There, all done.

I'm supposed to pass this on, if you're up to it (don't feel obliged) I would like to pass the Happy 101 Award to Annie of Elsa May.

Have a happy day.