today i love....

this

and this

and this

any ideas for fathers day?

Isn't this just the sweetest thing you ever did see?

I'm currently stumped on ideas for father's day gifts for my hubby, so I started digging around on Etsy and found this little store, the belle and the beau. I'm too late to order this from the US I think, but it was so totally cute I couldn't not share it with you all!

I also found this little gem from here......

This would be perfect for my hubby. We have this little area underneath our back deck that the boys go in to do 'boy stuff'......whatever that means. Ever since we moved in here just over a year ago, my hubby has nicknamed this area the 'man cave'. I didn't realise this was such a popular name for a designated area for males, but there you have it. I might have to whip up my own version of this!

My dad on the other hand, he's easy. I think I'll be getting him one of these:

a Keep Cup! My dad loves his coffee and I can help him love the earth at the same time. In fact I wouldn't mind one myself.

Have you chosen something for your dad (or you children's dad) for fathers day yet? Got any fabulous ideas for me you'd like to share? (hint, hint....)

today

Today I shall:

+ have a coffee (or two...)

+ work, work, work 
+ try to go about my day with a positive attitude
+ try to find a new bed (co-sleeping here we come, more on that later!)

+ breathe in the cool fresh autumn air
+ care for my wheezy little boy and my cheeky little girl
+ look to the sky and be thankful for all that I have

{image TheLightFantastic}

how true, how true {unfortunately}

image persimmonandpink

love is in the air......

Clockwise from top left: 1. plantable mini valentines by girlingearstudio 2. he loves me he loves me not vintage heart necklace by TiffanyOriginals 3. valentines day heart ring by LauraliLarson 4. button love 8 x 8 print by lolasroom 5. two wheeled valentines cards by the craftpantry 6. lovely day valentine card by belleandboo 7. be mine hand stamped valentines ring by fabuluster 8. heart stripe yarn valentines wreath by ItzFitz 9. she wears her heart on her sleeve valentines 8 x 8 print by janeheller 10. looking for love 8 x 10 print by irenesuchocki

Well it is on Etsy anyway! Here are some LOVE-ly valentine-y Etsy goodies for you to enjoy this Friday.

We are not ones to care much for Valentines Day in this household - we share the love everyday and we are consumed with a certain toddler's birthday that is on the 13 February anyway.....but nevertheless, I'll share some love with you guys!

Have a great weekend, and stay tuned for a sweet little giveaway next week. xo

{thursday} etsy favourites

I'm so tired. We had the worst night ever. I had a lot of accounts work to do and so of course it was the night that everything had to disrupt me. First it was Zoe who was inconsolable for quite a while, then Josh falls out of bed while Zoe is crying, finally both kids back to sleep and my phone/internet line goes down, then I have a lengthy call with Optus to fix line at 10pm, Zoe inconsolable again, hubby gets home late, I madly scramble to finish my work and email it into the office, re-settle Josh, then fall into bed at 1.45am.

I'm not doing any more work today.

So of course I thought I would trawl Etsy for a bit!

 image

Isn't this little print totally adorable? Would be soooooo cute in a child's bedroom. I have an idea to start an art wall in Zoe's room. I want to put up an eclectic mix of little prints just like this. I also have a reading corner in our dining room that I'd like to do the same.

Here are a few more of my favorite Etsy goodies for today: 

sweetbeets

NanLawson 

 

SewKatiepie

olivemanna

mmmmmmm

image ashleysummerphotos

Don't you just love m&m's? These have been the BIG focus of this week as I have been using them as bribery. Yep. We have been toilet training here in our household and food works best to motivate my toddler. So each time he successfully manages a wee in the potty, he gets a few m&m's. He needs to be as trained as possible before he starts preschool in mid February after his third birthday.

I've actually been surprised at how well he has done, as we have had a few casual goes at toilet training in the past, but this week has been the first time I've really gotten serious about it and had him in 'big boy undies' and only nappies for sleeps. We are yet to get #2's successfully in the potty, and then we need to make it from potty to toilet......but he is doing REALLY well. My boy is growing up....

We went out for a coffee and 'babycino' a few mornings ago, and the cafe we went to serves m&m's with their babycinos and put 100s and 1000s on the froth. Josh saw the m&m's and proceeded to tell me that 'you have to do wee in the potty for those'. I, of course, told him it would be ok if he had these ones without having to go to the potty. Later that night I overheard him 'praying'  and after saying 'thankyou for grandma and grandpa' he said 'and thankyou for the lady who brought the chocolate and sprinkles'. Totally adorable. I had to stop myself from giggling while pretending to be asleep next to him!

wednesday will do's

image unikalinka

What are your 'will do's for today?

Mine are:

• i will reconcile the accounts for the quarter for hubby's business (urgh!)
  
• i will pick up my latest ebay buy for Josh
• i will enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and afternoon
  
• i will smile
• i will appreciate my life
• i will remember my place in this world and the One who loves me beyond comprehension
  

{etsy love} where the wild things are

Everyone is a little 'Where The Wild Things Are' crazy, have you noticed? I had a little squizz around Etsy to see how completely mad people have been getting over this book/movie and this is what I dug up!

L-R: 1. 'Where The Wild Things Are' costume by inkybluedesigns 2. Max 'Where The Wild Things Are' inspired kokeshi wooden doll by farfelue 3. Max tote bag by PaulaAndErika 4. Max 'Where The Wild Things Are' locket by yellowsquirrel 5. Wild Thing Max - Illustration - 8 x 10 print by NanLawson 6. 'Where The Wild Things Are movie monster t-shirt by BABYWOOD 7. Handmade stationery set 'Where The Wild Things Are' envelopes by adnagam 8. 'Where The Wild Things Are' charm set by marlaot 9. Max 'Where The Wild Things Are' brooch by yellowsquirrel

Phew!

And last but not least, check these out for some serious style!

'Where The Wild Things Are' handpainted Vans by lyndartiste

Have you gone 'WTWTA' crazy?

{giveaway} don't forget

Image: BrooklynCraft 

Just a reminder about the 'one hundred' giveaway for my blog followers. Don't forget to leave me a little comment here to let me know you are a follower and that you stopped by!  

This Thursday morning is when the winner will be announced.

one hundred

 

Wow! There are now 100 lovely followers of my little blog and I'd like to celebrate that by having a little giveaway.

Because I've decided that 2010 is the 'Year of Me' and many of you are with me on that, I'm giving away this lovely 2010 garland by paperklip design. If you like the garland, you can look at more lovely goodies at paperklip's etsy store where they are having a January 20% off sale.

I'm also giving away a little gift for a mum, a toddler and a baby in honour of my blog name. 

For mum: a Ladybird vintage magnetic shopping list

For toddler: a vintage crafting/art smock in blue

For baby: the BinkyBaby (a dummy holder that doubles as a cuddly toy for sleeping with - no more lost dummies!)

All these lovely goodies are from The Lark where there is a one-week sale until the 12 January so head over there now to pick up some more vintage and handmade loveliness.

To be in the running to win this lovely little prize, you just have to be registered over there >>>> as a follower of my blog and leave me a little 'hello' comment below to let me know you've stopped by. I will leave the giveaway open for one week to give any lovely lurker readers (:P) the chance to become official followers and be in the running too! I will randomly draw a winner next Thursday morning (14 January) and announce them in my first post for the day.

A BIG thankyou to all of you who read and leave me comments. They all brighten up my day and keep me motivated in growing this little blog.

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely January day.

Me: I've been working on my chair project. One chair has been finished and I'm still painting the remaining four chairs. I'm hoping to have it all done by the end of the week and then I can share pics. Am finding it a little slow going as the enamel paint I'm using sets off a huge headache in me even though I'm painting out in the fresh air.

My mum and dad are coming over this afternoon for an early BBQ dinner and I might find a chance to take a dip in our spa with a glass of champagne too!

Hear from you all soon! xo

{wisdom for wednesday} peace

Image: inkandiron

i need...

I think I need me one of these!! So true (and what a great idea these are).

You can find them at quotesandnotes.

And I would love this adorable little banner from GiggleRoom in my room to remind hubby what I think of him!

I'm off for my compulsory NYD nap!! I'll try and get back later to share my first A Day in the Life of project.

etsy store feature {freya art}

A few weeks ago I stumbled across this fabulous store on etsy - FreyaArt. Freya makes beautiful prints including these personalised baby announcements with the most gorgeous messages. I wrote a small article on FreyaArt as my first piece for Skout's Kids Product Directory. You can read the whole article here.

today's etsy love is brought to you by

marysgranddaughter

finkgifts

LittleMaryMoo

KathyPanton

MEANDMAC

soop

le jeune Christmas bunting

A few of you commented on how lovely the Christmas bunting I hung up is and so I wanted to share the lovely store where I purchased it from.

Alexandra at le jeune hand crafts items with vintage paper, fabrics and trims, and she works right here from Sydney. Go have a look at her store.....I'm sure you will find something you love. I also love the Dr. Seuss bunting. So very cool for a little boy or girls room.

nearly done

I've been at it again. Shopping that is. And I'm pleased to report that I'm nearly done with all my Christmas shopping. I will probably buy little bits and pieces closer to Christmas, such as photo frames but mostly I'm done! I can't believe it. This would have to be the most organised I have been for Christmas. Ever.

To share with you again, here are some more of the stores I have been supporting in my 'buying online/handmade/small business' venture.

As well as all that, I have already ordered my Christmas cards and stamps too. Since having children I decided to get cards printed as I just find it so difficult to sit and write lots of cards now. This way I can still add a small message if I like but otherwise they can be sent as is. The first year I did a photo card but since having Zoe and Josh becoming a toddler it is impossible for me to get decent photos of the two of them together so I opted for a Christmas design this year instead.

Image: tiny*prints

This year I decided to use tiny*prints  for my cards and I have to say I was VERY impressed with their customer service, reasonable postage, fast delivery from US and outstanding quality of the cards/printing. I will definitely be using them again.

Spring cleaning is going well. Trip to Ikea will happen tomorrow while my mum can look after children. I have been crazy enough to take both kids in the double pram to Ikea before, but not keen to try it again. My aim now is to finish styling our dining room by getting the bookshelves  and the Christmas tree up on the weekend, tidy up my work space corner and then add further Christmas decorations. Phew! And I still have my bedroom to attack after that.

smile

Image: printspace

zoe will be a softie

Isn't this doll just divine? I'm so glad that I recently stumbled across the nooshka store on Etsy. Casey at nooshka makes the most gorgeous dolls and softies including custom made designs. Her dolls are adored worldwide and are even being sold in boutiques in Switzerland and France now. The detail in these dolls is just amazing - the faces, beautiful outfits, their character.

I have asked Casey to make me a doll for Zoe for Christmas and I'm so excited about it. I've enjoyed every minute of looking through many photos of dolls Casey has made in order to pick and choose the elements I especially like and that will make the perfect Zoe doll.

And I can't wait to share a photo of the final product and the two Zoe's together!

mathilda's market stash

Here a few quick snaps of the two dresses I bought for Zoe at the recent Sydney Mathilda's Market:

This dress is from Loz + Dinny

and this dress (and its matching hair clip) is made by the lovely Jen from Melei who I said hello to but was too shy to tell her who I was....

I've also been fortunate enough to have just won a giveaway at Jen's blog! Thankyou!

I also bought a few little gifts while I was there including:

: three cute little coin purses from alfalfa

: custom name garland from Mel at paperklip

: a print from little envelope

There were so many more things I could have bought, but I did have to restrain myself a little!

Anyone else go to Mathilda's Market in their state?