happy mothers day

via modern hepburn

JD and I spent the day celebrating with our mothers : a big breakfast : a football game (with mother & son one eyed Essendon supporters) : and a cosy family dinner with my mum and gran. A very happy Mothers Day to all you mothers out there!

crazy sweet september

Thank you for the birthday wishes. It was a lovely yet frantic week :)

We both don't like making a big hoo ha out of our birthdays, so we spent them with just the two of us, out for lovely dinners. On the Saturday we had a small back yard gathering - Mum and Grandma (with the help of my little brother) made an absolute feast and in usual form, Mum sent people home with food.

My sister, who knows me too well and got me some Gorman flats and Muji slippers. My brother contributed to this vintage school map (he's very practical like that). Very pampered with some Diptyque candles, JD's siblings gave me oranger which reminds me of chai tea and my sister gave me tubereuse. Our friends got us a lovely outdoor garden setting for two, feeling very spoiled!

This weekend we celebrated more September birthdays and the watched the footy finals.

I scoured some local op-shops and I found lovely patterned side plates and vintage bedcover. I'm so chuffed - the bedcover was new in it's original packaging for only $4!! And very similar to some I had been eyeing off from Urban Outfitters.

Hope you had a nice weekend!

hip hip hooray

via herriott grace

Excuse my absence for the next week.

It's our birthday week - the boy's was yesterday and mine on Thursday.

Back soon!

via summer goals

Home now, eye lids are heavy, feeling tired and jet lagged. Back in to the swing of things soon...

hello from sunny LA

via jose villa

Just a quick hello and good bye, I'll be away for the next few weeks lapping up the lovely sunshine. Take care.

happy friday

via lotta agaton

Hoorah for the weekend!

We're moving into our new digs tomorrow. I'm so excited I did a little drive by today and collected our first lot of mail - just boring utility connection letters but it excites me none the less. We've been staying at the in-laws (to-be) over the last 2 weeks so posts have been light.

Desparately wanting to watch this movie, New York, I love You as I'm now counting down the days.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!

farewell flat

The last couple weeks we've been running around completing odd jobs which have been on our to do list, like forever. Funny, how we get complacent. I have cleaned and re-cleaned the same surfaces a zillion times more - getting a tad carried away I think.

I have pared back the knickknacks (would you believe I love colour, although it's lacking in these photos) and have put the 'excess' furniture into storage for the rental inspection. Our kitchen looks boring, but I figured best to keep the benches clear. We've had those baskets for a few years now, if we were to stay I'd replace them with galvanized ones.

On our last night, with bare rooms except our bed, felt like our very first night there 8 years ago. A restless sleep and a belly full of nervous butterflies.

bare

via elodie rambaud

Hello weekend,

I'm a little daunted you're here.

The flat is looking empty, almost ready for new tenants. Not much else instore for today and tomorrow but packing and cleaning.

Have a beautiful weekend.

happenings

via jenifer altman flickr

Some weeks ago I eluded to some happenings..

A little over a month ago we went to an auction bought a little house nearby the beach. We saw it for a total of 30 minutes, after only 1 pre-sale viewing, come auction day and some major heart palpitations we had ourselves a new home.

It's a small semi detached 1920's Art Deco on a long block, in a livable condition (meaning we don't have to update anything in a hurry, lucky for us slow pokes). There's a good size backyard, with room to extend. Archie will finally have some grass and possibly another fur friend. I can't wait to finally have somewhere sit outside, a little garden and attempt a vegie patch. Equally excited about new places to eat, deli's and grocers and a new neighborhood to discover.

We'll be moving out of our flat in a month. As much as we'll miss it, after 8 years we've out grown it and knew it was time to move on. Amid the chaos, 7 days after we get our keys, we'll fly out to LA, San Francisco and NYC on a whirlwind holiday.

We booked our flights pre-house auction when we convinced ourselves to give up on house hunting and just enjoy life as it was.. but then, I guess what's meant to be is meant to be. I occasionally freak out but know it will be an experience that we'll never forget. A final hoorah to live selfishly.. who knows it will likely be our last ever holiday :)

So folks, if there's any eateries, cute parks, museums, music gigs, bars or shopping secrets you'd like to share, please do!

Many thanks!

xx

way up high in the sky

For our engagement friends bought us a hot air balloon flight over Melbourne. We took flight last Sunday.

It definitely made for a comedic morning; blurry eyed, hung over frantically stumbling, profanities flying (think opening scene on Four Weddings and a Funeral) racing to get to the meeting point at 6am. We made it just in time, not a minute to spare. Arrh, we can only look back and laugh.

When we finally woke up to the crisp morning air, we breathed in the beautiful city view..

happy friday... and a life that was

via andaherzt

JD and I went out for dinner tonight.

Friday nights particularly after a long working week, not wanting to be disappointed, we're suckers for returning to favorite haunts. Bosisto's did not disappoint. We chowed down to the white wine mussels with fittes, and anchovie buffulo mozzerella tomatoes and the warm roasted chorizo, chickpea, mushrooms & goat curd to share. And oh extra bread for mopping up the mussel sauce. Heaven.

Full bellied we rolled down Bridge Road to walk it off.

Over the years so much has changed about Richmond, the suburb of my childhood. I recall walking up & down Richmond Hill from my primary school. The big blue stone church disappeared from view as I made it closer to home.

The corner milk bar on Coppin Street which my brother, sister & I used to buy Red Skins and chewing gum after school is no longer. I remember during winter we used to buy these chocolate candy cigarettes and mimicked cigarette smoke with our warm breath blowing into the cold fog air. Argh those were the 80's when political incorrectness rife and kids could faux smoking freely.

I remember the op-shop on the corner of Bridge Road & Hunter Street where I dragged my first thrifted chair home when I was 13. I still have it, and it's followed me to my current home.

During high school visiting friends in the 'burbs on weekends meant jumping on the number 70 tram or waiting on platform 2 at Burnley train station. Two hardworking parents meant my adolescence was independent and with my young parents blind faith that I'd be ok.

Getting my drivers license once I turned 18 was pointless and prolonged. Walking home from a big night out was a 20 minutes and a visit to the bakery at 3am in the morning meant my girlfriends and I could devour freshly baked chocolate croissants - Oh warm chocolate ouzing from the flakey pastry..

No longer the modest working class suburb but now the hub of buzzing cafes and bars, home to Ikea, towering apartments, subdivided blocks of town houses and homes to young professionals and uni student renters.

Oh but Richmond you'll always be mine.

suddenly summery

Lauren Withrow via Day Dream Lily

Whoa. Where has the week gone?

I've been a tad neglectful of blogging. The Melbourne weather has been too nice and the last couple few weeks I've stuck to my new years 'resolutions' and have been swimming after work.

I mustn't be very goal orientated as I don't count my laps. Instead I distract myself by getting songs in my head to stop me from piking and going home early. Harmony to my Heart Beat by Sally Seltmann has been doing the the rounds (or shall I say laps) with me. It's so up beat and summery. Little bro got me onto this one.

a new year to do better

via Abby Try Again

As another year pasts a time to reflect on things I want to do better:

:: Plan more short day trips with love ones

:: Enjoy simple things :: like lying on the grass

:: Look after myself :: go to the darn dentist, exercise, get health care

:: Don't be so hard on the guy :: you're not the easiest person to live with

:: Re-connect friends who I still think about but should make time for

:: See, eat, smell, walk in this beautiful city I'm blessed to live in

:: Learn guitar :: I've always wanted to but now should because my beloved has spoilt me with an acoustic for Christmas

:: Be productive :: I love you blogworld but you kill me with hours of procrastination

:: Set the date to become Mr & Mrs :: plan a honeymoon!

my lovely ladies

image via Once Wed

Apologies, for the lack of posts.

It's been a frantic week of milestone birthday celebrations for the beautiful ladies in my life: my big sister turned 30 on Wednesday & Mum turned 50 on Friday.

Festivities consisted of a sunny afternoon bbq with the extended family, and ghoulish halloween celebrations...

For the long weekend I went away with my sister and her friends to Apollo Bay for 3 nights. The rickety weatherboard house we stay in was situated on a 3 acre garden; it was like something out of a Jane Austin novel. The garden and additional guest house backed onto a river. Next door were a paddock of cows and a short 3 minute walk was the beach... Cute.

snap: a surprise

image via le love

Friday night I got home tired, a wee too eager to get comfortable and just veg out on the couch.

So when JD tries to convince me to compete with Archie (yes, the dog) in a treasure hunt, I was rather miffed (yes, what a bitch). I was tired, cold and didn't feel like trawling around the house.

So Archie wins. JD had bought a fancy pants SLR camera, hid it under our bed and placed a dog biscuit near it so Arch would lead me to it. As it turns out JD had this planned for some time. His credible sweet thoughtfulness swelled the cockles of my cold heart (yes, being the bitch, that I am) and I gushed over my new toy for the rest of the night.

As I recall, I failed year 9 photography, so be patient it may be a while that I present anything decent.

vietnam: hoi an

One of the many distressed buildings in Hoi An, Vietnam.

It was this time last year JD and I packed our bags, crisp passports and made our first overseas trip. It was an amazing experience for us both. I met some family for the first time and imaged a life which could have been..

I loved Hoi An for it's beautiful architecture and enjoyed the slower pace in comparison to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh, which JD loved. I felt dainty riding bicycles around and watched the dreamy lanterns float down the canal at night.

Sapa and it's people were beautiful. Breathtaking views - literately breathless, whilst trekking up mountains and weaving around rice paddies. JD and I were crowned the king and queen of Sapa momentarily for the day.

At the end of our trip in Ha Noi, to much surprise JD proposed; spontaneous, simple, sweet and heartfelt.

nine years

image via Anna Szczekutowicz via Le Love

Dear J,

Happy Anniversary!

I love you for making my packed lunches for work

I love that you break out in little spontaneous dancing jigs

I love that you hide chocolate bars in my bag

I love your silly made up words

Thank you for your love and the beautiful life we have together.

You are my sunshine.

Love, C

xx

birthday boast

Erin Tyner Photography found via tiny k

It's been a few weeks now but, I thought I'd do a little shout out to my beautiful family and friends for the sweet and thoughtful gifts:

An ipod touch and short course gift certificate from the boy (I want to do a sewing course to refine my skills)

Some Funkis Swedish Clogs and a frock from Preap & Coutts and a vintage leather handbag from my big Sis.

A charcoal crochet scarf from one of my best friends.

A wooden Elk necklace and perfume from JD's parents

The Handmade in Melbourne book from my little brother - not bad for a 17 year old!

My mum and grandma to what they do best; put on an amazing feast!

Spoilt rotten!

sheesh, what a week!

image via Cinnamon via Design Is Mine

Is it just me, but where has the week gone? Absolutely flown past! The new job is definitely keeping me on my tippy toes...

a long time between posts..

image via Audrey Hepburn Complex

Gosh so much has happened.. A snapshot of the week that's been..

Friday: Finished up work!

Fare welled some lovely work mates. Was given a gorgeous bracelet & ring from Dinosaur Designs as a parting gift! Love it!

Saturday: JD's 30th Birthday celebrations (a day early) -

Long lunch with friends and family which kicked on until the early hours of the morning, for some..

Sunday: JD's actual birthday -

Shared celebrations with Fathers Day. Spent most of the day doing whizzy dizzies with JD's (almost) 2 year old nephew. Weeeeee!

I made a yummo fennel, dill and lemon baked salmon and homemade mayo tartare sauce.

Monday: First day at work -

All I'm the sudden 'new girl' again.. New challenges, people, bosses, environment. Very refreshing!

Wednesday: My 28th Birthday..

Nothing more awkward than strangers a.k.a the new colleagues singing Happy Birthday. I was hoping I could avoid it but caught out. Crazy, funny, awesome dinner at Mum's - Was spoilt ROTTEN!

JD jokes that we can now go to those rather tragic "over 28's" discotheques together :)