[a very blonde sunday...]

So this the result of a very forgetful Sunday...

stupid thing number one:

I was meeting my friend Renee for a catch-up lunch.  I hadn't seen her for a while and so I made a special trip to the markets that morning to pick up some flowers for her...

...and then left them in my car.

...while she drove home which is a good hour away.

 

I did call her as soon as I realised to find out if by chance she had stayed in the area to shop etc.  No such luck.  She asked me to take a photo of them so here's your poppies Renee. Hope you like them!  I took these shots this morning.  When I came out for brekky there was such a yummy light beaming in.

stupid thing number two:

This is the biscotti that Jane made...
... chock full of almonds and dried cranberries.
... to take to Sunday dinner at Sarah and Mirko's.
... who is allergic to nuts.
... which I already knew because I asked if he had any allergies only the day before.

So now I have very pretty poppies and a jar of tasty biscotti.
Wouldn't it be nice if all my lamebrain moments turned out this well!
Jx

[vintage trunk find]

I have always wanted one.  Found it last weekend at a brilliant price.
Needs a teeny bit of love on the inside.  Maybe some lovely candy-striped lining.

Have a happy week everyone!
Jx

[trinkety dressing table]

So this is my mum's old dressing table that now features in our bedroom.  She apparently rushed home from school knowing it had been delivered that day and was waiting for her.  It feels even more special to me knowing that it brought her so much joy.

 

Found my last queen of hearts on a driveway last weekend.

My dad's baby teddy.

Nan's old crystal, screw on earrings and glomesh.

...and teeny-tiny ceramic teacups from the travels of Al.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

Jx

[valley photography lesson - part 2]

Here's a few more pics from our valley out-about...

the ever-sweet Little Jane St. shopfront

[gift wrap love]

When if comes to gifts, I'm a bit like that toddler at Christmas...way more interested in the wrapping than what's inside!  I had a little go at making spiral flowers out of old paper to adorn this prezzie for a bridal shower.

If you feel like having a go yourself I found a great little tutorial here.
Happy hump day! Jx

[oh how the nights are chilly]

Brisbane... you are not supposed to be this cold/wet/windy.

Too cold, in fact, I couldn't be bothered trekking out to the supermarket so Jane's Pantry-dregs Soup we had...

Pumpkin and Sage Soup

Cook chopped onion in olive oil til soft.
Add garlic clove for 1 minute.
Add chopped 1/2 butternut pumpkin, 1/2 sweet potato and carrot (or other left over root veggies)
Add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 4 cups vege stock (or just covering veggies)
Bring to boil then simmer til veggies are soft.
Add 15 torn sage leaves and S&P to taste.
Process and serve.

Dan even had the granny rug out with his cup of tea (watching The Block of course).
Hope you're all keeping dry and warm.
Jx

[pretty recycled pages]

Thinking of what to do with the rest of the lovely aged pages of my second-hand find...

 via Cherie Chic Life

 via Jackie or Marilyn

 via Vixeninc Art

via ArchGrafix.com

Jx

[down the rabbit hole watercolour]

Twas Ms Charli's birthday party last night and as theme was "Down the Rabbit Hole" I thought I'd paint her a little alice.  It was my watercoloured version of one of the original illustrations from the book.

...and all wrapped up and ready to go.  I also managed to sneak in a mini crafternoon with Al to play around with gift tags using pages of an old book. Jx

[rspca cupcake day]

So Monday was RSPCA cupcake day.  I found out about it far to late to properly register and fundraise so instead I simply made a donation (and the requisite cupcakes).

I baked them yesterday as it was Brizzy show holiday. Also, on Monday I was still recovering from my overindulgent (and very delicious thank you Al) night before, so my sweet tooth was due for a rest day.

I vote my oven the most unreliable there is.
If you google the brand name, the first sites to pop up are forums of ramblings as to why the oven is so crap - not a good sign.
My little catering wiz of a cousin Tash was very sad to learn this.  Yesterday, however, my oven took it's prozac and my little (betty crocker) vanilla cupcakes turned out a treat so...

I hereby dedicate this batch of cupcakes to Tash.

I added a 1/4 cup of lemon curd to the batter and same to the icing which eased my packet-mix-guilt a little.

Happy Thursday! Jx

P.S. there's still time to donate here!

[valley photography lesson]

The other day Dan and I went on a little photography expedition in the Valley so that he could teach me a few fiddly camera functions (photography 101 for most I'm sure!)

I found some doors...

Just loved the weathered detail and the vibrant colours.
A couple I found in the very trendy Winn Lane.  Check it out here!
More to come! Jx

[blank canvas - living room]

Yay!!! We've finished painting the living room and it looks so light!  It was definitely the largest area of satanic vermiculite ceiling in the unit so our necks aren't the happiest they've ever been, but it's done!  Here's some before and after shots...

before.

The single young male who used to reside here was a huge fan of Michael Jordan hence the Nike tick bookcases- eek!!

after.

Goodbye poorly painted sage wall!

before.

after.

Now for the interior decorating on a shoestring phase.  I'm pretty sure I have a photo of me sitting on the poo-brown couch shown above in my christening gown.  It is, however, the most comfortable couch to feel sorry for yourself after a night of a little too much.

Jx

[gran's 80th and the nude...]

My most recent visit to Melbourne was for Gran's 80th Birthday.  At a guess, she's been bugging me for a life-drawing of mine for about 8 years.  So I got my act together and here it is...

She was either extremely excited or after 80 years she's really mastered her acting skills.
The next day was her party and geez our family like our food!

 Me and my sister.

 The divine raspberry macaroons my Aunty made.

(the next foodie challenge I'm setting myself)

 ...or you could have taken your pick from any of the other ten or so desserts.

Gran's amazing tiered and toffeed cake that my very talented young cousin Tash created. If you're a Melbournite and are looking for a caterer, you can find her here.

 The youngest cousin.

 Me and my Daniel San

...and a few more cousins.

Happy 80th Gran.

Jx