Spectacularly Busy

Hi there friends! I know, isn't everyone busy...but really I have been.

The beginning of a school year for any teacher is just a blur, but this year I am teaching infants for the first time in over 10 years so it has been extra challenging getting things set up. On top of that, I have had my own two to chase around and my new obsession with running to fit in.

If I look back and think of what to fill you in on...hmm where do I start. After my mammoth Tupperware party I received my bits and pieces. I didn't order heaps, as you know it does add up quickly, but I will buy it bit by bit until I have everything on my wish list.

Connor, although not 100% well, has been swimming his little butt off. We are a very sports keen area, so to come 6th in his age race at the zone was a great achievement!

I have renewed my love of books and reading. First I read these...

The Kite runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns were particularly fabulous.

These indicate my latest obsession - running and all kinds of inspiring stories about crazy people who run ridiculous distances. There has been a couple more that I have lent to friends...  

 And somehow I have found the odd moment to watch my kids favourite TV show...the Biggest Loser and the odd popcorn/movie afternoon - usually Friday after school. (apologies for the quality of these images)

On the home front, not much has happened. Gasp...how can I admit that? well it was a break that just had to happen. Unless you count my bamboo which is growing nice and fast. Will show some pics soon. I haven't been able to buy/pick up a house magazine for a couple of weeks now. I am drying out after a large overdose. I think after our trip to Noosa I will get back on the horse and look forward to a new project. 

I have still kept an eye on your blogs - just not quite as often. I am so pleased to see everyone id traveling well. I'll be back soon:)

Cheers
Kylie 

Calling Time Out

I love this blog. But at the moment I'm needing a little time out to re-inspire me and just refresh. I'll miss it, but I will be back shortly. Absence makes the heart grow fonder???


Stay tuned...
Cheers
Kylie

Blink and You'll Miss It

The weekend that is! It all started Friday evening posing as the hostess with the mostess...I held a Tupperware party!! 25 lovely friends came for champers, nibbles and a touch of shopping. Lovely night. Larena our Tupperware lady was great at her job and did her best to deal with a very chatty crowd. The room stood up to furniture rearrangements and accomodated everyone well. By the end of the night I was shattered after a huge week.

And how about mixing a little fashion with decor ideas...how cool are these! Converse All Stars in Marimekko fabric! (they come in other styles and colours too) Thinking I may need a pair!

Speaking of shoes, I took Maya out to get her first pair of soccer boots. Of course they had to be either pink or purple...

We had a friends 40th last night at another lovely spot. Taking advantage of a clearing in the weather, we drank in the beautiful warm sunset.

 The sun stayed out today so we headed for the pontoon to fit in an hour of one our favourite ways to relax (even though the water was muddy after all of the rain). We reeled in a dozen tiny ones - no keepers - but enjoyed getting some vitamin D! Miss smartypants Maya hooked one everytime she cast in!

Connor had a good week too. I am very proud to say he competed at his first school swimming carnival and has made it to the district carnival! Very much out of his comfort zone and it was a cold miserable summers day so it was an excellent effort!


I had planned to blog more about furniture research, but I really am not up to it tonight. Need to turn in early so I can be up for my run tomorrow early. I missed today due to pure exhaustion and slept in til 10am - can't remember the last time I did that!

Hopefully the craziness of the start of a new school year will calm down soon and I'll have more time to do the decor dreaming I enjoy. I have struggled to even keep up with all of the blogs I usually read religiously. Hope everyone is well though and all builds aren't too affected by the weather. 

Cheers
Kylie

BedHeads

Just thought I'd share pics of some of the bedheads I've been looking at. Here is how the bedroom looks now...

This photo clearly shows where the bedhead would be. Can you picture one?

The mirror is in between the WIR and ensuite.

My corner is a work in progress. I sat here this afternoon after work and finished my book...bliss. Definitely need a floor lamp for reading light. And a mini side table for my cuppa to sit on! 

Make-do deco on the chest of drawers. Picture I stumbled across and the other two things were gifts. Am on the look out for a cute tray to sit them on.

These couple of bedheads are from 'Heatherly Design Bedheads' (link on my previous post I think).

I love the 'winged' sides of this one. I think this design is called 'Hamptons'. I won't go for a pattern fabric even though this one looks devine. I'll keep it plain and neutral so whatever changes to other things in the room, it will be easy to match.

This one is (I think) The 'Richmond'. I love the simplicity. 

The next couple are from an ebay store which another lovely blogger reminded me of.

design.inspired have a lovely range of bedheads at a very reasonable price. Here are a couple I like...

 Will remain on the lookout. Busy times at work so my research time has shrunk at the moment. No rush, still working on building up the money jar again! 

Another family member found out this week that they have a health battle on their hands. The same day I happened to stumble across this quote, which I think we can all apply at different time in our lives...and now especially for them.

Have a good weekend everyone. Let's hope for a bit of sunshine to brighten things up!

Cheers

Kylie

And So it Begins Again

I am back on the treadmill that is 'real' life. Work and school indicate the return to the grind, hectic pace and all, and holidays already feel soo long ago.

One thing I had promised myself was that I would 'pretty' up my hands and get my nails done (fakies) after so much work landscaping, and I did fulfil this plan on one of my last days off.

 I also managed one of my other favourite things, which I hadn't managed to fit in during my 5 weeks off...a visit to my Lindt cafe. Skim flat white with a hazelnut macaroon.

 
I will have to avoid my cafe - except for the odd treat - as I have set myself a new goal, and macaroons won't help me achieve it! I have decided to commit myself whole-heartedly to training for...a half marathon. Perhaps no big deal for some, but a very big deal for me. I am not a very good runner so this is a huge challenge. I plan to participate in the gold coast half marathon on the 1st July this year. As always I throw myself into these things, and am reading the latest 'Running' mags like they're going out of fashion!

On the home front, I purchased my big wicker hamper for the kids school bags and other school things. Looks great and is very handy!!

Kids were all smiles here coming home from their first day back at school yesterday - what else can you hope for but happy kids!!


I am about to start researching bedheads again too. Very keen to get one in the not too distant future. Heatherly Designs is one place I have looked at before - they have gorgeous bedheads! A little expensive though...


Cheers
Kylie

Oztralia Day!

Hope everyone had the chance to enjoy Australia Day today! We had a gathering of special friends and were blessed with much better weather than anticipated. Kids had a ball - especially in the pool. Adults ate, drank and were very merry. Our friends have voted that we have the job of hosting Oz day every year...must be a compliment!

Back to reality and work for me tomorrow. 5 weeks off is a luxury, I have loved this time with my 2 beautiful kids and should be thankful for the chance to bond like this with them.

Will be in touch again soon. Hope you all had a lovely day!

Cheers

Kylie

I survived...the new IKEA.

Sydney had a new Ikea open up late last year. I have been on holidays for nearly 5 weeks, and it took me until yesterday to make my first visit there. I was joined by my little buddy (Maya) so I didn't do the long slow wander I a would have liked, but she was content with her little yellow Ikea trolley and I don't think she ran over too many toes. Although I only went to grab a couple of things, I (as predicted) came away with a few other bits n pieces, but nothing big. I really needed to tidy up my study - it's been my ' dump things without a home' room and Maya has made a huge mess had a great time playing in there too. A few extra baskets, some book holders, a small table for the printer and ta daa...

This is the second time I've tried unsuccessfully to get another chair the same as the one in the picture above - both times they've been out of stock! At least the new store is much closer than the other Sydney one so I will have to call back again soon (Nooooo! says DH!) The other side of the study is still a work in progress - but at least in the meantime it's neat.

One of my searches at the moment is for a book shelf/ cabinet/ something for here:

 I spotted this in Ikea...what do you think? I'm not really sure if I should go conventional here or look for something more unique. It's part of the 'Hemnes' range and at $450, a fair bit more expensive than the Expedit shelves. Is it worth the extra? Too average for next to my lovely kitchen? Keep searching for that something special?

 

In other news, DH finally got around to completing a couple of odd jobs on the list.

We have house numbers up!

These pics are finally up. Beneath them will go my large wicker hamper for storing school bags. Can't wait to pick it up next week.

I bought this print on Etsy for Connor's room.

Describes my beautiful boy to a T!

And my 'little gem' is flowering.

He also fitted some speakers in the ceiling of the outdoor room (and lets just say, any jobs that require hours in the roof space will next time be designated to someone else!). My house will get a much needed clean tomorrow before being trashed the next day. With wet weather predicted and about 30 guests here, I hope the house stands up to it. The plan was to all be outside and kids coated in sunscreen for a day in the pool...if only I was in WA! (although it sounds a little too warm for my liking over there!) I'm back to work Friday and don't want a huge mess to deal with throughout the house!

Happy Australia Day to you all. Make the most of the conditions and have a good day.

Cheers

Kylie