[happy colour injection]

Jonquils from my lovely friend Al...

They smell absolutely divine!  I'm pretty sure they're winter's subtle reminder to smile even though it's miserably cold and you're freezing your bum off.  They also look amazing the "brunswick heads" jug - It's his first day on the job).
Jx

[charli-pie and the powerhouse]

Nothing quite like a cheeky friday drink overlooking brizzy's poo-brown river.  Took the opportunity beforehand to fiddle with the camera and play with a few shots (and not of the river - sad face).

[sneaky peeky]

We're in!!! Did some cushion shopping earlier in the piece to style up the bed when we moved back in.  We're yet to hang pictures and curtains, have fans and switches installed, and I'm in the market for a bedside lamp, soooo I've omitted the room-reveal photos till later.

 The pink damask is an oldie of mine.  Really loved playing with different textures and patterns.

 Kas citrus ruffle cushion which I later spotted in the latest Home Beautiful - snaps to me!

My beautiful lilies only just made it into the room.  Doubt they have much life left but for now they smell amazing.

...and Shirley's old glasses, back where they belong on the bedside table.

Jx

[kat mcleod tidbits]

I fell in love with Kat Macleod's watercoloured mini fashionistas years ago when she illustrated for a magazine's horoscope page.  You can purchase limited edition prints of her work at Lamington Drive... it's on my list.

I particularly love these images of hers, especially the vintage look trunks and luggage, another one of my love affairs.  Makes me want fly somewhere european.

Here would do.

Jx

images via lamington drive and mademoiselle rose blog

[blank canvas]

The painting is done and the carpet is finally in - too exciting!  I'm really happy with the result.

It looks so fresh!  Still need the new fans to be installed but I'm not waiting - I'm moving out of the living room TODAY!

bedroom 1.

< before.........after >

 bedroom 2.

before

after

[cute cottage]

I was perusing the Real Living site for some decorating inspiration and came across these photos of Heather Nette King's little cottage.  I distinctly remember dog-earing this very article last year.  What a happy dining table!  I was after similar old bentwood chairs that I could freshen up with some white paint when we first moved in but struggled to find any.

Love her colour clustered bakeware above the cupboards - a very adorable kitchen (particularly the mint coloured Kitchen Aid - Yum!)  It's on the list, amongst twenty-thousand other kitchenware items.

images via Real Living

[what an arrangement]

These are the lilies my very thoughtful friend Sarah bought me for helping her move and store some furniture last week.  Unfortunately my little unit is still in such a state that I didn't have anywhere to display them... so they ended up here, in the entrance, on a step ladder, in front of a half undercoated wall.

They haven't quite opened yet which I'm feeling it a great thing.  After a little hiccup (mis-measuring) of the carpet in the main bedroom, it had to be reordered.  Hopefully it can be laid tomorrow which means we can move out of the living room into our bedroom which means my flowers will have a home, a less industrial home.  Can't wait!

[friday deliciousness]

Italian with my favourite people - a perfect way to start the weekend!

Lamb Ragu with Homemade Fettucini

[Lamb Ragu]
derived from a recipe from the Slow Food Bible
4tbs olive oil

1 red onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

2tbs fresh rosemary, chopped

1 cup button mushrooms, quartered

500g diced lamb

2tbs tomato paste

1 cup red wine

400g can crushed tomatoes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Beef stock (if looks to be drying out)

Preheat oven at 120deg/C.
Heat the oil in an flameproof casserole dish.
Add onion, garlic and rosemary sauté for 5 minutes or until onion has softened.
Add mushrooms and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add lamb in batches until browned.
Add tomato paste and wine and bring to boil.
Add tomatoes, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stir occasionally.
Place in oven covered and cook for 3-4 hours.
Keep checking and if drying out, add some beef stock or water.
In the last 30 minutes you can add split kalamata olives if you fancy.

[Basic Pasta Dough]
Taken from The Essential Mediterranean Cookbook
300g plain flour
3 eggs
30ml olive oil
pinch of salt

Flour in the bowl, make a well in the middle.
Add the eggs, olive oil and salt.
Mix with a fork and gradually mix in the flour.
Knead for 6 minutes on a lightly floured bench.
Wrap in Gladwrap and rest for 30 minutes.

Whip out the old pasta-maker and roll her through.

Wine an optional additive but highly recommended! Such a yummy comfort dish! The first time I've made the ragu but will definitely be making again!

[emmadime knitted]

Oh my god I'm in love!  I have, by chance, stumbled across this cute little site Emmadime Knitted and I want it all!

Now the difficult part... picking colours. Too many choices!  Would have been perfect to wear in Melbourne next week.  Oh well, next chilly visit!

[shirley]

I can't believe it's been three years today without having my little Nan around.  I feel very lucky to say that she was one of my best friends.

Started the day in the perfect way! A walk around the burbs with my sister and then apricot and cinnamon spiced porridge and a cup or three of Melbourne Breakfast tea from Nan's teacups.

All my love Nan, miss you x

[under a tree clothing exchange]

Had a fabulous afternoon at the Under a Tree Clothing Exchange yesterday with my friend lozzy (of Bodily Romp PT ;) I spent the morning sifting through my wardrobe (currently a corner in my lounge room), chose my swaps and ironed like a madwoman.

The Laura Ashley dress I picked up (which I had previously scouted on Miss Louise's blog).
Loved the colourful pattern and a perfect fit - Yay!

The exchange is held quarterly and supports Project Futures, a charity raising awareness and funding to combat human trafficking. I'll be definitely attending the next!

image via A Pot of Tea Under a Tree Blog

[painting times]

Here's a few shots from our mini reno job.  Neither Dan nor I have any experience with this sort of thing so it's been a good learning experience... at times.

First some perspective...

Bedroom 1.

Aside from the deliciously stained carpet, my favourite feature of this room is bedhead-arced scud on the lefthand wall - noice!

Bedroom 2.

Similarly as dank as bedroom 1 with slightly fewer stains and chocolate coloured dusty curtains instead of olive green.

The removal of the mouldy carpet.

Encountering our first major challenge: The vermiculite ceiling.  I was truly close to tears that night, sponging the gaps  with kitchen sponge.  Fine now that we've discovered the joys of mini sponge rollers. A messy job regardless.

The painting is now slowly creeping out into the hall so the carpet can go in next week.  I'm very excited- we'll be able to move out of the living room!

More to follow.....

Jx