Harry!

Have I posted this picture before? I can't remember. How cute is Harry! He's the puppy equivalent of a teddy bear. So placid and happy. That's why we sometimes call him Happy instead.

xxx Mummy loves you Harry.

Hello There!

House circa 2004

Early 2010

I wonder if anyone is still reading!! I'm so sorry I've been away for months.... goodness, since December. Yes, there has been a few challenges this year, but things are looking better now.

It's funny though, I thought about my little blog a lot and my friends and family seemed perplexed as to why I had stopped. The time away as made me realise something... I wasn't being entirely true to myself. Oh goodness, I'm probably being too honest.... but that's who I am, especially when I write. You see, I really just want to write about life and interesting things... but somehow it kind of went in another direction and I spent all my time searching other blogs and sites for gorgeous interiors eye-candy, rather than reading, absorbing and being inspired.

I don't want to do that anymore. I've just spent the last few hours reading an adorably awesome and glamourous blog called Faux Fuchsia and it reminded me of the joy of blogging. I loved it. It was so honest and true to its author. And it inspired me - not just to improve my grooming habits (you have to check it out), but to start blogging again - such was the joy that this blog exuded.

Anyways... I thought I'd post some pics of my house that has been taking up so much of my time this year. Yes, not that much has changed in the 6 years we've had it.. but we're young.. we saved up our money to renovate each stage! It takes ages!!

Now it's happening at a much more rapid pace. A postive outcome from a very frightening and stressful event that happened earlier this year to my husband. More on that another day.

The potential in our little Queenslander is endless!! Do you know for only the past month have I been able to use the front door!! We've always had to go up the back because we took so long to lift the house, enclose underneath and get internal stairs in. But boy do I appreciate a front door now!!! So much better for my heels!

Love to all

xxxx

Candy

My messy life

My desk is so messy at the moment, in fact my whole life seems that way at the moment.  All I can seem to do at the end of the day is sit down...

The good news is I managed to finish one present!

Maybe I'll have more luck these next few days.... How are you going? Have you managed to have the lead up to Christmas that you planned?

If I had some children..

This is what I would do. What a fabulous idea. And where does fabulous embroidery come from - the tiny happy blog which has totally captured my heart. Even more so because it's a kiwi blog and kiwi's have a special place in my heart - it is truly such a beautiful place.

Anyway, Happy Weekend everyone. I'll be making some gifts. I have to start finishing some, I keep getting distracted with new projects and not finishing any. Plus, I really need to think about what to give Benny... I'm still drawing a blank. I know it will come to me...

xx

Christmas fever + ramblings

You're not getting sick of my endless stream of Christmasness??? I'm sorry, I can't help it. There's so much gorgeousness out there. I just feel a bit sad that I can't really immerse myself in it at the moment - why is that work gets crazy just before the holidays? But anyway - how adorable is that amoire - just buy a few paper doilies and trim away!

A new take on a Christmas tree... easy for the kids to decorate!

Anyone stuck on what to buy their partner for Christmas? Ben is so impossible to buy for. I know he'd much rather me just make his lunch each day for work rather than spend lots of money on him. I've already embroided him a poem a couple of weeks ago, then I made him cute optical-art I posted earlier this month.... I'm running out of creative ideas when it comes to him!!

What are doing for the special people in your life?

Pics from country living.com

Totally hearting Christmas

What a great idea for those special ornaments that you might have! I've got a few ornaments that I picked up from a lovely christmas store in Germany last year which seem to get lost in my tree. They'd work much better like this.

Using the remnants of a tree is so Australian - especially for Christmas, it just conveys that relaxed vibe that always permeates here because of our blazing summers and our propensity to gravitate towards water and shade on the holidays.

So many great ideas!! I'm thinking of making some lovely personalised gift tags this year. I'm definitely going to do that for my gifts to charity this year. At work, my team organised for everyone to give gifts to kids in foster care. I'm going to wrap their presents up with all the Martha-ness that I can summon. I'd love for all those kids to get something really special on Christmas day. If you live in Queensland, you can easily join in too. Just drop the presents (wrapped and labelled for the appropriate gender and age) at your local child safety services centre or your local electorate office.

xx
Candace

Pics from countryliving.com

Time to get with the season...

I haven't got my christmas tree up yet!! I know, terrible. Story of my life lately, just a bit behind the 8-ball in general. But, I think this pic from Country Living has sufficiently inspired me to get a holiday move on.