~ Fallen Blooms and Shabby Chairs ~

These blooms have been falling down from a lovely blossom tree at the side of my house. They looked so pretty laying on the grass. We gathered some up for display this morning. Tiny delicate petals. Pure pretty.

~ Seeding for the Soul ~

I don't know about you but I never had a vegetable garden when I was a kid. It would have been so much fun. Maybe that's why I have one now.

Every time I head out to our "little plot" I always take my daughter and she helps pick whats needed. So this day was no exception [apart from the fact I had my niece over too]. We decided to make a salad for dinner. The girls picked what I told them to and then washed and prepared it all. Just like a pair of old ladies. Sorting, laughing and most importantly learning.
It made me stop and think and smile.
Have you stopped and smiled lately?

This Weeks Love Affair

This week I have discovered a house so beautiful that I have fallen in love with it in an instant! It is a beach house available for holiday lettings in New Zealand. Can you see why I feel this way? Looking at these pictures, I just can't fault it. I will have to let my husband know the bad news. I have to go there. Soon.

PS: thanks for all your well wishes and concerns for my friend & I last week. xx

~ Sorry ~

Today I had a wonderful project to share with you. A shiny happy feel good one. As per usual I had pre-photographed every thing during the week. It was all ready to go. But here I sit at 5am and I can't press the publish button.
You see yesterday something very sad happened to someone close to me. Something that has dampened my spirits, weighted my heart and stolen my good mood. So today I decided I can't pretend to be happy. I cant pretend the world is good and everything is great. Because today my friends, things are not great. Hope you all understand that I will share this project when the sun starts to shine again. Simone xx
photo from flickr

Watch This Space

It's not often that I recommend other peoples websites. But I recently discovered Louisa's Ebay store "Vintage by Lou Lou" . I must say this girl has really got an eye for vintage finds and I love her style! I want to buy everything she has for sale, purely because of the way she styles her adverts. That's right, all of these pictures are items she has for sale in her webstore. And most of it starts at $10! What a clever girl she is. I am bidding on a few of her items so please don't outbid me. Hope I win them!
PS: Winner of my Coastal Living Giveaway chosen by randam.org is #19 Melinda from Country Dreaming. Congrats Melinda, please email me with your details.

Sew Happy Right Now

When I returned home on Monday I had a parcel waiting for me at the post office. I was so excited to receive my book order from Amazon. Why? Because, among other books, I purchased "Sew Sunny Homestyle" by Tone Finnanger. I had been aching to get my hands on it. There are loads of easy projects to make. And of course I got started straight away. Making fabric ice-creams. A bit of fun. A smile or two. That's made me happy today.

Back from Heaven

How ever can I describe my mini break? Amazing? Stunning? Heaven? Well it was all of these and more. Just take a look at this place. Everywhere I turned I saw beauty. Here are a few snaps I took whilst away. Sorry there isn't more. I was swimming, eating and drinking most of the time!
photo's all taken around Shoal Bay, Nelsons Bay and surrounds.

Project Day: My Holiday Attire

I am off for the weekend to another beach that I have yet to explore. A mini break to a place called Port Stephens in NSW. A short fly/drive stay for us. But before I leave here are my new look flip flop thongs which I whipped together this morning. I can't take credit for the original idea ( I saw it somewhere in a magazine). This is a fun way to add a little glam to the sometimes drab looking shoes I frequently wear when I am on holiday.

• Grab your old worn flip flops / thongs....I know you have some somewhere.
• Using grosgrain ribbon and some glue wind/stick the ribbon around each strap of the shoe.
• Glue some embellishments on the top of each.
• Head to the nearest beach, bay or lake and have fun.

Take care this weekend. Don't forget about my Coastal Living Giveaway. Will catch up with you all next week I promise. Simone xx

Vintage Sunbeam in Action

I had an overwhelming response from last weeks post on my vintage pink Sunbeam Mix Master. Lot's of you wanted to see some pictures of it in action. Well here she is. In all her glory. I made cupcakes for Australia Day. She worked a dream. I couldn't stand a bright blue icing so I compromised for pastel blue. I am so happy. Lock me away with her all day in the kitchen and I wouldn't care.
pictures taken in my kitchen (helping little "baking hands" are my daughters) by me

February Coastal Living Giveaway

It's that time again. The February issue of Coastal Living is on sale and take a look at my pick from the issue. The 15 Prettiest Island Rooms. A collection of Coastal Livings favourite tropic-inspired living spaces. And I am in just love with these images. My personal favourite is that blue bathroom. I could just sit in there all day.
And of course my good friends at Coastal Living have given me a copy of this issue to giveaway. To win just leave a comment below. I will post anywhere. Winner drawn Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010. Good Luck!

Other Coastal Living reviewers are: Completely Coastal, The Lettered Cottage and Coastal Nest.

Remember that Baby Bird ?

I know I said I was not going to post today ( it's Australia day tomorrow) and that I was taking a long weekend. But I had to post this photo. Do you remember that baby bird I saved last October? It was only a few days old when I found it. Well I have tried to release it 3 times and every time it keeps flying back to me. It wont go. So I decided to keep it a little longer. A lot longer? He/she seems to be fitting into the Beach Vintage lifestyle quite well don't you think? Oh whatever have I done....

photo taken this morning by me

Project Day: Bits and Bobs Lamp

I found the vintage shade first, it caught my eye immediately upon entering the thrift store. A few tassels missing here and there which added to it's character. For $3 I couldn't say no.
Then I went on the hunt for a base that may suit this style of shade. It cost a little more at $7. The lamp base was a bit tired and scuffed. I didn't wish to repaint it so I decided to try something a little different. And you know how I love to mix colours up!

• I used a vintage yellow doiley.
• Using a glue gun I wrapped the doiley around the base and glued it neatly behind. Keep your tension firm.
  
• To hide any messy bits at the back I glued a few crochet flowers on - (purchased on etsy).
• Put the shade back on and the face good side front.

This took 10 minutes to do. Now I just can't decide where on earth to put it!

Have a blast this weekend, I am taking a long weekend. It's Australia Day! Where we celebrate all things Ozzie, like BBQ's and beer, backyard cricket and lamingtons. Kind of like Thanksgiving mixed with Independence Day I guess. Hooray! See you next week.
original oil painting on my wall by the lovely Jennifer Beaudet