photo friday challenge {sparkle}

They have liquid eyes.

Deep, black pools.

These four eyes light up my life, fill my heart with joy, give me reason for being. 

And  yes, they sparkle.

10 on 10 [loch sport]

 heading out at the start of the day

 me and my boy

 me and my man!

 ours...

 ... alone!

 freedom

 summer toes and lazy days

 sand kissed

 safe - if Daddy's there

tired and happy - the end of the day

photo friday challenge {self-portrait}

This year I would love to improve my photography skills.

 At the end of last year I was mulling over in my mind (and with my gorgeous sister) as to whether I had the commitment required to undertake a 365 day photo challenge like lots of bloggers do.  An image posted each day, for the whole year.  Short answer. No!

 So when Carly shared the idea of a Photo Friday Challenge I was signed up in a heartbeat.  This one should be really do-able for commitment-phobes like me.  Each Friday (my Saturday) Carly will put up the theme. And then in the next week we participate.  At least I think that's how it goes :)

So without further ado (but with a little embarrassment) I give you ...

Me!

(header by Carly)

self-portrait of me (and a cut-off husband!) summer 2012

Ex

wrapping up

So this Christmas, as many before, came and went too, too quickly.  I feel like I practically blinked and it was gone.  Life became so busy in the lead up to Christmas with all the normal prep and then throwing in a series of Christmas craft markets too!  Fun and fast!  Of course that left no time for this little space sadly, which is I'm doing the Christmas wrap up now :)

This year in a bid to be more organised I set up a wrapping station on a sideboard next to the tree,  which made it so much easier to handle the mountains of presents that needed to be packaged up and placed temptingly under the tree.  I loved having ready access to all the ribbons, tapes, tags and tools.  So efficient, which was crucial given my crazy schedule in the lead up to the end of the year.

I have to confess though (especially as my Mum actually knows the truth) that although the wrapping tray looks lovely the rest of the house was completely upside-down! 

There was sewing on the machine, packaging all over the kitchen bench, products were hanging on clothes racks drying, the dining table was totally covered!  Even I was covered, in threads,  and nearly left the house to collect Tigs with my tiny scissors or a tape measure around my neck on more than one occasion.   Just keeping it real here, but not real enough to actually show you the creative chaos! 

We celebrated on the 24th with Greg's family and on the 25th with my family and some of Greg's.  And topped of at my Mum's for Boxing Day.  All three days were lovely and really captured what I love about Christmas.  Children, family fun and togetherness . 

And now it 's over for another year.  Time to tuck all the ornaments back into their tissue blankets and away in the trunk.  I did it today and the house feels a little bare, plain and still but at the same time calm, clear and fresh again, ready for the new year to unfold and reveal itself.

E x

the year that was

January = Cuddles

February = Sir Tigs

March = Cute Woo

April = Tigs +Woo cook

May = Succulent

June = Tigs 7 + new jammies

July = The Bush

August = Woo 3

September = Cozy Hot Water Bottles

October = Gracie

November = Vintage treasure

December = Frantic, Festive, Fun

And lots of fun to come in 2012!

May yours be wonderful too,

E x

have your cake

Yesterday was ice the cake day.
I didn't buy enough fondant icing so I improvised
and decorated with polka dots from the scraps of icing that were left over.

I really didn't waste a bit and I actually love the way it turned out. Doesn't it look pretty?

That was until this happened. That cheeky little sweet tooth of mine got to it. Grrr.

And I thoughtlessly left the cake on the buffet,
well in Woo's mind it could be regarded as 'kindly left it on the buffet' as she went back for more
and it now has 4 very large chunks out of it.
I can assure you that she is one child who has her cake and eats it too!

Have great day!

E x

favourite things - inviteL

Okay, so this is a goodie.

Carly from The Simple Things manages to find the coolest of simple things. 

A while back she showed this gorgeous notebook, A 1000 kinds of stories, on her lovely blog and I just had to have it.   

I love it.  It's the book where I note all the hilarious, cheeky and plain whacky things that my funny children say.  Including today's at the shops, whilst trapped in the queue at the checkout (ie nowhere to hide). 

Woo full volume, dancing around me. 

Woo: "Mummy I'm thirsty, please can we have a bottle of that water?" 

Me:"In a minute we'll go to the cafe and get some" "Okay.  Mummy, do we need some chippies?" "No honey we don't right now" 

Woo: "Oh, not fair.  Mummy do I get diahorrea?"

Me: "Oh look the lady's ready for us."

People laughing their heads off all around me! Oh well at least they thought it was funny!

You might remember I made a bag organiser some time ago.  And I said it was a one-off and that there were plenty of places you could find them professionally made.  Well if you'd like to own one you can find it here.  They come in three sizes and an array of gorgeous colours.  Sure to set you off well in the New Year.

High on my wish list! Anyone?

These stunningly simple photobooks are also on my wish list - anyone? 

I love the colour palate, especially the three on the left.  Anyone?

inviteL is a fabulous Korean stationery company.  I just adore their products. And they offer free shipping worldwide - even better.

Anyway ... Carly is hosting a biggest and best giveaway ever.  If you hop over to her blog you can find out how to enter into the running for some of their wonderful products.  And even if you don't you can use the special promo code also at The Simple Things  to receive a surprise gift with purchase. 

Hint:  It's at the bottom of her post.

Happy shopping :)

E x