First Spring Weekend

 

This past weekend, the first weekend in Spring

we decided it had to be celebrated with an Adventure.

So we set off to the city

soaked up the city buzz,

played at some new playgrounds,

and then explored at the beach.

 

 

Even though it was still a little cold,

{hence the hats, jackets and winter boots} 

they both asked if they could go swimming.

To them, Spring means warm weather 

and warm weather means Summer

and Summer at the beach means swimming.

Soon, I said, oh so soon......

First day of summer

Today marks the first day of summer.  

And it was a spectacular day, one of those perfect days when you wake 

and can see the sunshine and blue sky before you even open the curtains.  

I love this time of year - there is a real energy to December, 

with the excitement of the holidays coming, and the promise of all that is summer....

long evenings, running through the sprinkler, barefeet, picnics, 

driving with the windows open and the music up.......summer, hello you.

I Love Carterton - The Simple Things

A year ago (really, a year???)  I started to post about why I love where we live so much.  I have a whole list of reasons in my head, but I only got to #2 here on the blog.  I am not the world's best blogger am I? 

Here in this blog, this is where I like to share little tidbits about my days, but this space is also my reminder of steps in my journey.  And in amidst the busy-ness that is life at this time of the year, I am all about enjoying the simple things.

So #3 on the list of 'why I love where we live' is The Vegie Garden.  Back in our rentals in Melbourne we would daydream endlessly about what our backyard would be like when we moved and had our own home.  All daydreams involved a vegie garden.  I want to learn how to garden ~ how to not only grow pretty flowers that I can bring in and put in old milk bottle vases on the windowsills, but together with the kids how to grow our own vegies.  And finally, this past week, we have our vegie garden.  Nothing extravagent, just a few lettuces, tomatoes, peas, strawberries and marigolds to start with.  I am in love with this garden.  It represents so much to me, for our family.  Every time I look at it out the kitchen window, I smile.

What simple things are you enjoying right now, as life gets busier?

Cupcake of the Day

I am playing along again today with Sarah over at Faith Hope and a whole lotta Love for Wordless Wednesday.   And with a birthday coming up, have cupcakes on my mind.

The Start of the Garden

When we made the move last year, we couldn't wait to start on the garden.  

However waiting is what we did, as we seemed to be busy every weekend with other things.  

Now that spring has rolled around, and we have had time to think about each garden space, 

we have started planting.  Roses, ranunculus, sweet peas...I have plans for many more.  

A little bit of colour in the garden is so lovely.  As is expired 600 Polaroid film.

What is planted in your garden? Happy weekending to you!

The year of 2010

2010 will be remembered as the year we swapped a townhouse rental in our beloved beloved city Melbourne.....

....for our very own divine 1920's weatherboard in gorgeous small town New Zealand.

and now here we are, living a much more relaxed life...surrounded by beauty, and I am ready for whatever opportunities the wind blows our way.  I have goals and dreams for sure, but this year, I have no desire to write them down.  2010 taught me that whatever will be will be, when the time is ready, all will fall into place.  So this year, no stress about the what's and when's, more of the enjoying today...celebrating the moment, and being ready for the opportunities that present themselves.  

Happy New Year to you all!

Dear Santa...

please may I have some more Polaroid? I am down to my last pack of film.....

{The Globe}

{Ring Ring}

{The Imperial}

{The Hermes Baby}

{The Olivetti}

Photo Jewelry

{You and Me Photo Locket  - $40USD}

I am so thrilled to be working with Lori of Heart Works by Lori, together we have created the most divine jewelry.  Lori's pieces are stunning, brass lockets, rings, pendants...in which she mounts my (printed on metallic paper) photographs, and covers with a protective layer to give them an incredible shine. 

{The Ikonette Ring - $32USD}

 {The Minolta Ring  - $32USD}

{The Minolta Photo Locket  - $40USD}

I received my first order a couple of weeks ago, and most sold before I even had a chance to list them.

{She Wore Butterflies in her Hair Photo Ring - $32USD}

At the moment I have only one locket in stock, You and Me, a silver Minolta pendant, and these three rings.  I am so lucky, as Lori has just sent another order my way - even though she is flat out with her own orders, she made up more lockets for me.  Thanks Lori!

{The Minolta Photo Pendant -$35 USD}

{Pale Simplicity Photo Locket  - $40USD}

I think Santa will be giving me another one for Christmas!  I love them.

{Today would be a lovely day to be a Butterfly Photo Locket  - $40USD}

{The Resting Place Photo Locket - $40USD}

If you see one here in this post you would like listed in either the Etsy (USD and international shipping) or Felt (NZD and shipping within NZ) shop, please contact me to reserve it as they will sell quickly!

{I Wish for a Blue Sky -  - $40USD}

You can also purchase this locket from Lori's shop, featuring my 'I Wish for a Blue Sky' photo. 

 I am shipping orders (all gift wrapped!) as fast as I can, most within 24 hours, and for all you lovely kiwis, I will be shipping right up until the post office closes on the 23rd - with courier delivery available to guarantee a delivery on the 24th.  Happy Holiday shopping!



The Simple Things

The simple things in life are the best, hey.  Like country Christmas parades followed by fresh fruit frozen yoghurt on a hot day....little boys who would rather eat bananas.....but love watching their big sister enjoying the cold treat.....

What simple things make you smile?

I love Carterton

and so the 'why I love where I live' list continues...

#2.  I love that most places we need to go to are within walking distance - kindy, family, friends, supermarket, train (Shannon commutes - more on that another time), post office, parks, swimming pool - you get the idea.  And if we do need to drive, then within 5 minutes of leaving home, we are surrounded by country and quaint little towns.  So every drive feels like we are taking a 'Sunday country drive'.  And I do love a country drive....all the farm animals, the sky, the clouds, the hills, the trees, the fields...in every season it is beautiful...

The Letter Writer

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Herman.  

I don't know Herman's story, but he looks like he was a traveller, like he has seen the world, and if he could, he'd tell a great story.  

He looks as if he were a letter writer.  

I like to imagine that Herman wrote love letters to a very lucky lady.

My very best friend

It's Friday, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, it's not getting dark until just after 6pm, today I drove with the car windows down and ate my lunch in the sun with bare feet in the grass!  Everywhere I go I see signs of Spring....this year I am loving the magnolias.  There is a huge magnolia tree right outside the front door here, and unlike the trees in town that are already blossoming, I can only see a peek of the most amazing deep purple flowers.  I imagine when they open, I will spend quite some time under that tree with my cameras.  Until then, I am stopping frequently on our trips into town.

I think Spring is, as Annabel would say, my very best friend.

Wandering

We used to go wandering the neighbourhood for cats and dogs.
Now we see alapacas...sheep....horses...goats.....cats....birds.....dogs....cows.....
The kids are loving it. 
Last night we feed the alpacas and the sheep, and watched huge flocks of birds fly overhead as the sun set behind the snow capped hills. 
How life has changed. 
We are loving it. 

A trip down Melbourne memory lane....

Some of the places in the city that hold a special place in my heart.....

I did it...and it feels grand!

I couldn't stand it....all night and this morning thinking about tulle....and watching her dance around again as soon as she woke up...I just had to join in properly.  So while out doing some errands this morning, we popped into Cotton On Kids, and I bought the biggest kids size tulle skirt they had.  In bright pink, with sparkly stars.  As soon as we got home Annabel changed into her ballet shoes, and I managed to get into the skirt, and we danced....and it felt grand, and twirled, and Annabel loved us being 'twins', and I plan on dancing around again this afternoon with her, and tonight, and every other dance party night.

So there you have it, it's not just 4 year olds that have all the fun. 
Anyone else feel like getting out the tulle and having a dance?   Spread the tulle love!

{Please excuse the poor scan quality, our scanner is playing up but I've no time to try and fix it now!}

I believe in daydreams

Today we are...all still in our pj's....making up photo blocks for tomorrow's market....focusing on all of the positives for our move....trying not to let the doubt creep in...listening to great kiwi music...(Goldenhorse, Jess Chambers, Dave Dobbyn, Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, Woolshed Sessions)...daydreaming about the possibilities that lie ahead.....I believe in daydreams......do you?

Moving - in a daze

I am in a daze.  A hazy blurry fog.  We are moving to New Zealand.  And I am oh so excited.  And oh so scared.  I am from New Zealand, and it has always been in the back of our minds to move to be closer to my family and friends, for our kids to grow up in a tight knit community.  As many of you will know, without family or close friends in the same city, raising little ones (and also trying to nurture a small business!), is hard work.  But we kept putting it off, as we really do love Melbourne.  It's where we fell in love, where our children were born, where my dreams started to fly.... But after our trip in April, we both felt that the time is right, to swap the big city we love, for the country that we also love.  We have big dreams for our little family....most involving a back yard, bikes and a trampoline for the kids, a vegie garden, and kiwi accents...and for me - a studio, fields of wild flowers, and vintage props for my little business to grow.....

I know we are in for an emotional roller coaster, I think that is why everything feels so hazy.  I feel a bit like the red balloon in the polaroid, caught in a dream.....

So the Sisters' Market this Saturday (June 12) will be my final Australian market.  I will be keeping Etsy and Madeit open until mid July, then will be closing for a 3-4 week break while we move (I will post final dates when I have it all sorted).  If any of you are in Melbourne, I'd love to see you on Saturday. To say hello, and good bye.

My assistant

She takes it oh so seriously.

My Little Ladies

Could I be any more in love?