Turning 40

A few people have asked me what I got...  

A framed vintage scarf. 

 R confessed me to me that he had no idea what to get me and I pointed him in the direction of the Table Tonic shop in Avalon.  A few weeks ago Jane from My Pear Tree House wrote a lovely post on blue and white scarves and included a photo of a divine framed scarf available for sale in the Table Tonic shop.  Lovely I thought but almost certainly snapped up already!  Then just before we left for Byron I was having a quick coffee with Carolyn and her lovely Beach House Brat in the cafe just outside Table Tonic and spotted it immediately.  If R hasn't bought me a present for my 40th this is what I want I announced to her and well... now it is hanging in my kitchen and looking beyond fabulous!!!

I only picked it up on Tuesday but it has already given me so much pleasure!!  Thank you R!! xx

Back from holidays and the giveaway winners....

We have just had a lovely two weeks away up in Byron Bay with friends and I am now frantically unpacking and trying to get organised for the school term.  Before I return to the giant heap of dirty washing and ironing of school shirts, here are the giveaway winners....

Giveaway 1 (the clam shell and drink bottle) was won by:

AllanaSeptember 19, 2012 11:35 PM

Ooh, our birthdays are quite close together, mines on Sunday :) huge happy birthday to you for next week! I wonder what wonderful adventures will come your way in your 40's! Exciting!
Gorgeous giveaway, thanks for the opportunity :)
Ps. Thankyou 100 times for your show of solidarity - nice to hear your neighbout have your families best interest at heart ;) xxx 

Happy Birthday Allana!  Could you please email me a postal address and I will send out to you pronto!

Giveaway 2, (the vintage Pyrex) was won by:

Thrifted TreasureSeptember 24, 2012 10:15 AM

PICK ME!!!! PICK ME!!!! Turquoise, pyrex, retro, you know it makes sense for it to live in my kitchen ;) PLEEEEEASE!!

TT it will look perfect in your kitchen and I know that you will treasure it! Could you also please email me a postal address so I can send it to you!  

Giveaway Part 2 - Vintage Pyrex

For all the vintage Pyrex collectors this giveaway is for you.  I found this lovely little bowl a while ago in an op shop nearby. As much as I love it I believe it should go to a true Pyrex collector.  I know there are a few of you out there!  

All the normal giveaway rules apply, although in this case I might be persuaded by the heartfelt plea in the comments rather than using the number generator thingy!!!  Feel free to enter multiple times by posting about it elsewhere as well! Good luck all and for those that missed the last post... there is another giveaway still on!  (In case anyone asks, yes you can enter both.)  This giveaway will end Monday the 1st of October.

A Milestone Birthday and a giveaway!

Yes, next week I turn 40.

  I have decided to celebrate rather than have a meltdown.

My Father recently said to me that as you get older Birthdays become much less about age and gifts and much more about spending time with family and friends.  I have thought a lot about this as my 40th has approached and I have decided to agree with him.  

(Side note to husband: this definitely does not apply to you R!  What's more do not even think of trying to tell me that my new, albeit expensive tennis racket is my 40th birthday present!!!! The cheek of it!)

Turning 40 is a significant milestone though and I do want to acknowledge it on the blog, so for all my lovely blog friends  I have a few giveaways organised.  

The first of which is a stainless steel drink bottle from Pottery Barn with a lovely rather William Morris like print of two parrots on it and a clam shell with an Ecoya Frangipani Soap to go in it!  To enter you must leave a comment.  You don't have to become a follower but if you fancy it you are more than welcome to!

Good luck everyone and yes you can enter multiple times by posting about the giveaway elsewhere and so on but please leave another comment telling me that you have done so!  The giveaway ends next Wednesday (the 26th of September).

I've been busy....

...but first,  Friday Phone Dump...

My sidekick, we both love Pablo & Rusty's

.

This is what he orders.  

I tend to have either a Flat White or a Piccolo Latte, depending upon the time of day.

Cute bedroom ideas from a magazine in a coffee shop... I think it was Country Style...

So love this!

And this!

Alfresco Emporium

Dinner with husband at Manly Wine, food so so.  Atmosphere... fabulous!!!

Armchair Collective (consistently good coffee, food and homewares!)

Love that orange piping.  Trying to convince husband to do something bold like this with the Parker Chairs he has in his office.

The Captain's latest art work.

It's a Thorny Devil!

Marc Jacobs Mouse Ballet Flats that I think need to come home with me. 

Also, think I need this.  My favourite drink is a toss up between a Pimms and a Champagne Cocktail!  

...and now to the busy side of things.  I have been organising a Trivia Night Fundraiser for 80 people and have been canvassing Sydney for prizes and donations!  Anyway, it is tonight so I have my fingers and toes crossed that it all goes well!!!  Have a lovely weekend everyone! xx

The apple didn't fall far from the tree after all.

 This is how I found him as we were about to walk out the door this morning.  Can you make out the cover?  I am beyond delighted.  (Apologies for the rubbish photo, I had to capture the moment quickly and get said child to school before the first bell at 8.25).

Advice needed....

Yesterday, about 6.30pm husband phoned me and said I know you won't be happy to hear this but I got the dates wrong for the (Ronald McDonald House Charities) Ball, it is actually next weekend.  Hmmm.  He is lucky it is Father's Day tomorrow.  Thinking I had plenty of time to get a dress for it I had bookmarked a couple of dresses online and made a hair appointment, but that is it...

My main fear is that I won't be able to find a dress this week, partly because I don't have the time to dedicate to shopping and partly because I don't want to spend lots of money on a dress I am not completely happy with and will get minimal usage out of, genuine Black Tie is not that common a dress code these days!  So... I do have a dress that I love, albeit one that I have got a fair bit of mileage out of already though, well for a floor length gown!  Bridesmaid at one wedding, guest at another and a St Vincent's Gala Ball a few years ago.  So my dilemma is, is it okay to wear the dress again next weekend?  There will be a few people that attended the St Vincent's Ball that will also be at this one, including colleagues of my husbands.

This is the dress in question.  I just took it out of the box so ignore all the creases!

This is what it looks like on.

This photo was taken at the Wedding but I wore it with the same wrap to the Gala Ball and wore my hair up in a similar style. Low bun, sort of messy and slightly to the right as the dress ties around the neck on the left.  Do you think if I change the wrap and do something a bit different with my hair I can get away with it?  There is a 2 year gap between wearings as well!  Or should I milk this for all it's worth and go and buy something new? I know, first world problems and all but would love to know all your thoughts!