Colour Me Happy

Each year at Christmas I tend to do a 'colour' theme. Last year was blues and silver as seen in the pics below.

This year I'm heading down the 'red, white & silver' track...with a touch of greenery thrown in for good measure.

I have bought a few bits 'n' pieces for the Christmas lunch table, but at the moment I haven't worked out how I want it to look. Hopefully it will come together. Today I received an ebay purchase to help decorate on the day. I bought a couple of these pom pom & bunting sets:



    

I've pulled out the previous Santa photos and pegged them on string.

 I cannot believe how grown up they look this year...although I probably say that every year

From this just a few years ago...

To this in 2012...

Speaking of growing up, Connor turned 9 last weekend. Time flies, blink and you miss it and all of those other cliches are so true. I was so busy in the lead up to the day that I forgot about baking him a birthday cake until the day before. With a quick look on pinterest for SIMPLE ideas that took very little decorating ability I came up with this...

In fact he was a very happy boy all round on his birthday. And against my better judgement he got a skateboard. It was top of the wish list - I blame it on all these super cool retro style ones out at the moment - so I caved and got him one. Just a matter of time before another broken bone?? Hopefully not!

I am hoping to finalise pressie shopping this weekend...and fit in a run, read my 'book club' book, host a kids sleepover, visit my nan - the list goes on. I hope everyone else is keeping on top of things at this busy time!

Cheers
Kylie

Summer days = Happy Days

I'm not sure if it's because the holidays for me are getting so close I can smell them...or if it is this delightful weather. Are you mourning winter and the ability to snuggle in front of a fire? Or relishing these increasingly warm sunny days?

This house has 1 million times better insulation than our little old weatherboard, so winter and summer it's very comfortable. But I love nothing more than beautiful mornings like today, bi-folds open and pool ready for the after school swim.

This was their first swim of the season a few weeks ago.

This is where you will find me most weekends...and all holidays! I have 6 books I'm planning to read. A group of friends have started a 'facebook group book club'. Loving it.

I bought these gorgeous prints from Kerri at Driftwood Interiors last year. I was originally going to pop them in cheap frames, but decided to wait and get them done properly. DH's job this coming weekend!

 & when the chaos of this time of year starts to get to me...this is my mantra!

DH's birthday today and Connor's is Sunday. Set to be a great weekend!

Cheers
Kylie

Extremely Hectic...But is that the end in sight?

As my last post pointed out, I have been very slack with my blog for months now. Most days I check on everyone else's blogs and try to keep up to date with the goings on in blog land. And even though I have felt a little guilty about not updating my blog, I've been too busy to dwell on it.

One thing that has taken up a decent amount of my spare time recently is a Twilight Market Night, that along with two other wonderful mums, I've been organising for the kids school's P&C.

I am hoping for a fab night. We will have about 30 stalls, complimentary champers, lucky door prizes, canapes...fingers crossed for a great night with a big turn up. Weather isn't meant to be in our favour but...the show must go on!

Still procrastinating on some choices for around here and am looking forward to planning Christmas tables and decorations. Still running my little heart out - need to keep in shape for Fiji and now also for my sister's wedding next may.

So, although I know I've made the promise to myself before, I do plan to get back into this blog writing caper. Just know that it will be a bit more about 'stuff in general' and not all house & decorating.

Cheers
Kylie

From the Slackest Blogger on Earth!

I planned on updating my blog in the last school holidays...well they ended 3 weeks ago!

I did have intentions to update earlier but chickened out as I felt I was going to disappoint some readers with my non-creative choices I've made. But now I figure I'll just go ahead anyway.

Firstly I was tossing up what sort of bookshelf to buy for the spot next to my kitchen. Seeing as I had decided to go with built in rather than freestanding industrial style, finances came into the equation. These were influenced by us booking our Fiji trip and paying $2.5k on the most boring thing imaginable...gutter guard. So in the end I stopped by Ikea and I now have a cheap and cheerful bookshelf. I have enjoyed looking for nic-nacs for it! Since taking this pic I have added a couple more' things'.

Ferdi the fighting fish has pride of place.

I bought 2 of these cushions for the outdoor chairs...hence my colour scheme for this summer.

I wanted to brighten up my lounge. I'd been looking for cushions to add to the blue ones for ages. In the end I just went with the bright yellow and stripy ones I found at Freedom. Good value for someone like me who tires of things easily. Also for this area, I finally got around to going to my framers to get some prints I bought, from Kerri at Driftwood Interiors, ready to hang. The prints were a bargain...shame I can't say the same for the framing...will post when they arrive.

I have bought a couple of lamps too. I will post again soon and include photos. One goes in the corner in the picture above. I also hung some cheap sheer curtains I got from Ikea in Maya's room. They soften the look nicely.

 
In other news, I found time to run my second ever half marathon. I was joined by my same two running buddies from last time. This photo was taken near the end (I was dying!) running back under the Harbour Bridge. It was pretty cool running over it at the start. I improved on my time from my first run on the Gold Coast by 11mins...clocking in at 1hr49min. It was a beautiful morning in a beautiful city.

Coffee at the Opera House after the race was the best part! We then went back to friends for champers in the spa (great for recovery - NOT) and a BBQ. Great day! 

Other shopping...matching mother/daughter shoes.

Plus in the holidays we popped down south to the beautiful Lake Conjola...

Gosh the kids LOVE this type of holiday...friends and freedom - what more could a kid want?

Nice spot to read and chill out. The weather was gorgeous! Already feels forever ago!

I'll be suffering through school reports the next couple of weeks. I am also organising with 2 other mums a 'Twilight Market' fundraiser at the kids school which is on in 3 weeks - should be fun. Tomorrow night I have my 20 year high school reunion! I was adamant that I wasn't going, but have had a change of mind. Fingers crossed it's a good night.

Cheers
Kylie

There's a Pair in There...and Slightly Side-Tracked

On the weekend we tried to encourage spring to head our way. We embarked on a bit of weeding, tended to the grass which is in very poor condition and finally, after many months, sorted out some of the junk in the garage. 

We have now had the keys 1 year! So the garage was a little over due! We can finally fit both cars in the garage!!  

The 'before' shot.

Some of the shelving we put up. It makes such a difference with everything neat and tidy!

And I mentioned being slightly side-tracked. That's because really I should be posting about newly purchased furniture. But instead I got a little side-tracked and spent my money booking a trip to Fiji instead. Gasp! I know...but I couldn't help it. We don't go until next year but we wanted to lock it in Eddie. Malolo Island is our destination...
 

I promise to get back on track soon. I've spied a great piece in a window I run past most mornings (that's my other side-track...still running my little heart out as next half marathon is in September). I'll try to get a photo of the console so I can ask your opinions.

Will be in touch soon.

Cheers
Kylie

'The Shire'

My name is Kylie and I'm from 'The Shire'. There, I've said it. Proud of it too. I love it because it is and always has been my home. We enjoy the lifestyle that comes with living here and everything it has on offer. I'm not racist, have never had cosmetic surgery and my dad never bought me a Beema. Just wanted to get that off my chest!

On another note, I have watched a home undergo a huge renovation since it was sold a couple of years ago. It was my pick at the time for a property with potential. My friend (with a builder husband so therefore an expert) scoffed and said it wouldn't have views due to trees and that it was limited with what you could do on the difficult site. I disagreed (I knew the trees were ones you'd be allowed to remove) and thought it had huge potential. 

Well, today I noticed it's for sale. I'd say it's reached a pleasing outcome (to say the least). Here is a sneak peek of what you can enjoy living in, in my neck of 'The Shire'.

She was right...no views

Leave modesty at the bathroom door...

  
My type of house. My kids only question was 'where's the pool'. It hasn't one, but with 920sqm block, and a bit of cash to splash...

I haven't shopped again. Still thinking/looking/deciding. Mustn't rush these things! 

Cheers
Kylie

Just Spotted:

My research continues (online) of course. What did we do without the internet!! These first two are different angles of the same one. The one below is a little like No.3 on my previous post. This one costs around $1150. Too much? Bottom one is even more expensive.

 It occurred to me this morning that I could also save up for custom built in...thoughts?

Cheers
Kylie