Project Day - Coathanger Candy

Time for some pretty coat hangers at home this weekend.

• White paint, glue, trimming [ mine is vintage cotton] and a wooden coat hanger.
• Slap some white paint on a clean coat hanger. No prep required. Just paint it on. One coat will do [I wanted it to look a little worn].
• After the paint has dried run some craft glue along the base of the coat hanger.
• Apply trim making sure you take it around the ends of each corner a little.
• Trim off any excess ribbon at sides.
• Grab some more trim and tie a ribbon up the top [ this hides any little mistakes too!].

I am spending my weekend wrapping soaps and pruning roses.
Simone xx

~ Why I Do the Things I Do ~

Here are some more pictures of my pretty vintage plates, which I use everyday. Visitors often ask why on earth do I use vintage china the way I do. Scrape them off, bash them about and plonk them in the dishwasher. Some have scratches and some are about to get them. But that's just how I like it.

Beach Vintage Goes Country

Apparently I am a homemaker with vintage flair? If you grab the latest copy of Australian Country Collections [Nov/Dec issue] you can read more about me and get a glimpse inside my home and heart! I was featured in the magazine and am delighted how the article has presented. Thanks to stylist Tahn Scoon for writing a wonderful story to accompany the equally wonderful photo's by Anastasia.

Project Day : Love Heart Cake

Spreading the love this weekend. I am having some friends over for dinner tonight and I thought I would make a cake with some love in it!

• Do yourself a favour and buy yourself a love heart cake tin. Round and square ones are so boring to me!
• Grab some roses [real please] and some white ribbon.
• Wash your roses thoroughly. Dunk them good in some cold water. This will remove any bugs, bits and pieces.
• Cut each rose off at the bud, so just a teeny piece of stalk remains.
• Peel off the little bud leaves underneath each rose.
  
• Bake your cake [mine is vanilla bean cake] and make some frosted icing. The real thick stuff!
• Ice your cake and be generous. Slap it all over quite thick. Smooth out the edges. Make sure you ice the sides too.
  
• Grab your ribbon and lay it on the bottom of the cake to imply a bouquet.
• Place your roses randomly into the cake. Don't make it look to arranged. Just plonk them anywhere.

Now you have a pretty little cake that just screams out love. I guess it would even make a cute wedding cake. Cheap one too!
Have a love filled weekend. Simone xx

~ My Roses ~

If there is one positive thing about all this rain we are getting it's that my roses are thriving. Take a look at them! If they didn't need water to survive I would leave them right here on my daughters vintage chair looking as pretty as they do.

~ Holiday Thrift Finds~

I am back from my break and had a fabulous time. Here are a few things I picked up at a little op shop at the historic town of Ulmarra in NSW. At a grand total of $6 for the lot I was quite pleased. A cute rose vase [complete with a few broken leaves] , a sentimental "mum" vase [ I can never go past these] and a vintage scarf. Hope you are all having a wonderful start to the week.

~ Beach Vintage at Night ~

You know that time of the day. It only lasts about 15 minutes. It is the time when the suns last rays push through your back windows. It's almost dark yet the sun wants one last say. Last week as the sun set I looked around my home and realised that I have not published many photo's of my home at night. I thought it about time to share some. Don't you love how the light changes the mood at this time of day? Take a moment to look around your place tonight and appreciate this, as most of us don't take a second glance.
PS: SALE in my online store. 3 days only 25% off store wide. Use code 'shells' on checkout and the discount will be applied.

~ Better Homes Giveaway ~

One of my favourite shows on TV is Better Homes and Garden. I love curling up on the sofa on a Friday night with a glass of wine and watching this iconic Australian TV show.

And I am so excited to hear that the show is now going LIVE! This fantastic event will be held at Sydney Showground, Olympic Park 15 to 17 October and will feature inspiring talks and demonstrations hosted by your favourite Better Homes and Gardens personalities; Graham Ross, Tara Dennis, Rob Palmer, Jason Hodges, ‘Fast’ Ed Halmagyi and Dr Harry. There will be thousands of products for your home and garden and plenty of activities for the kids. This will be a great day out for all the family!

If you book your tickets in advance you save $5. Go to www.bhglive.com.au or of course you can buy at the door.

My friends at Better Homes and Gardens have given me 4 family passes to giveaway for this event in Sydney. Just leave a comment on todays post for your chance to win. Winners announced tomorrow.

Blogging by The Sea { & Rain }

Well it has rained, and rained and rained! So here I sit in this pretty little beach house by the sea watching the water pour against the windows and the wind howl through the old frames. But I am making the best of my break. Every now and again the rain stops for a brief moment and we run outside and kick come sand or collect some shells. Here are some photo's I took yesterday. Charli collecting flowers, our back fence, our beach house and some serious beach running!

Project Day: Coastal Frames

I can almost smell it. My next holiday which begins today. It's my birthday on Monday, and my daughters Tuesday. We are off for a few days to Wooli, a small coastal town in NSW. You may recall I was there last year. Today's project is all about these kind of beach holiday's. Even if you are not going away why not pretend a little...... Here is what you need.

• 2 x plain white frames [ mine are from Ikea and are 5" x 7"].
• Download these wonderful poster prints HERE.
• Choose what size you want your printer to print, to match your frame sizes.
• Cut out your pictures to size and then frame.

These look great on a bedside table, hall table or even on the wall.
Meanwhile friends, I am a packing my bags. What is inside? Bathers, a couple of kaftans & champagne [ oh, and sunscreen of course]. Take care. Back soon xx

~ From the Shop Today ~

I am blogging from the shop today. There are so many pretty things here! I thought I would give you a little virtual peek at what is making me smile here, right now. Some pretty pink birdy plates/cups/cake stands, a beautiful handmade bag , some stunning jewelery and a cute little mug and swallow spoon. Sweet. I am having fun.