Home Sweet Home

Once upon a time there were six little bears.....

They lived in a sweet little cottage with a white picket fence and a rose filled garden. It was a home filled with love and laughter and much excitement.

There was Mamma bear, Pappa bear and four baby bears.

Each little bear had his or her sweet offering to the world.

This one particular day , the house was buzzing with excitement. It would be Mama bear's birthday the next day and there was going to be a beautiful birthday party. The six bears were all busy making plans and wrapping gifts and whispering secrets to each other.....

Mamma bear was closing up their little cottage for the night. It was Winter and chilly outside and tonight they would need the fire on. She would soon begin dinner preparations to fill the hungry bellies of her babies and her loving husband.

One little bear was out shopping, searching for the perfect birthday gift. Her's would be a thoughtful gift full of love and given with a beautiful smile. She was a gorgeous bear and her Mamma's only sweet princess.

Another little bear was sitting in his 'cave' with plugs in his ears listening to music and contemplating the days events. He was Mamma bear's wise one, quiet, reserved and old beyond his years. 

The next little bear was out kicking his ball with a huge, happy smile on his face. He was her little bit of mischief who had her giggling all of the time.

....and then there was baby bear who presented his Mamma with two of the most perfect white Camelias from their garden. He was her sweet little man who adored his Mamma and was generally somewhere very close behind her during most of her day.

Then came Pappa bear. He was a warm, caring bear who enjoyed the simple things in life. He would do anything in his life with a smile. He lived wholey and soley for his family and would have done anything for any of them. The family loved Pappa bear very much.

Mamma bear sat on her special chair by the fire thinking of her life and how fortunate she was to have been blessed with so much love. She smiled at the thought of her husband and four little bears and felt very much at peace.  She felt excited by the celebrations to come the next morning when her little treasures would wake her up with big "Happy Birthday's" and lots of kisses.

What a wonderful life she thought.........


and so the cottage came to settle in for the night. They would share their days stories  with each other, eat their dinner, have a big sleep and wake up in the morning and do it all over again.


and so they did

The End

xo

Queen Adelaide.....

Who dares disturb the queen....

Vintage Miss Mely

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Melanie.
She had big brown eyes and a head of golden  curls flowing down her back. She was the apple of her parents eye and was described by her special Aunty that she looked like a little doll in a box.

Melanie was a delightful child who had boundless energy and loved creating from a very early age. She would keep herself occupied in her cot every afternoon by having merry conversations with herself. It didn't really matter that no one was listening because she was content with her own company.
This quality would remain with her during her life. She loved to talk and learn about people. Friends were something that she was quite choosy about right from the start. She did not suffer fools and guarded her heart carefully.

Everywhere Melanie went, she took her knitted teddy that her beloved Nan had made her. She had teddy in one arm, a bottle in the other and a dummy stuck in her mouth. (Possibly to stop her talking !)
She would run and play chasings with her little brother and  then if her mummy was lucky she would sleep in the afternoon.

One day when Melanie was around 5 years old she and her friend decided to play hairdressers. Well, her little friend had bottom length long, dark hair, quite spectacular really (all of her friends said so !).  Melanie was feeling very creative this particular day. As a matter o f fact I think it was the day she discovered the meaning of self expression. She decided to give her friend a completely new hairstyle....after all it would grow back wouldn't it ?

So the beautiful long mane of hair was shed, just as a snake sheds it's skin.  Melanie chopped and chopped and chopped some more. She was feeling very enthused by the whole experience. WOW she just loved her work !!!
Too bad her friend's mummy and daddy didn't though......

Melanie found herself in a mountain of trouble with a varied assortment of people. She was sent to her room where she thought about what she had done.  After having a conversation with herself about her "naughtiness", Melanie decided that it would be safer to  stick with cutting her Barbie dolls hair in future. It was a whole lot easier too and it would be less trouble for herself.

So today her vintage Barbie collection shows her early creative skills with  her Barbies sporting an arrangement of bob cuts and Farrah Fawcett flicks. She giggles to herself at the memory of these days and knows that indeed she shall go down in history as "that naughty girl who cut her friends hair off into a very short buzz cut !!"

and her creative spirit still lives on today.......

A Shabby Chic Chook named Melanie.......

Once upon a time there was a little Princess named Angelina. Angelina loved animals and begged her Mummy and Daddy to buy her a pet.  She loved to visit her friend Melanie's house and would play with her cats and listen to stories about her rabbit she used to keep.  She would sit there with her huge big brown eyes and listen with great intent. How she wished she could have her very own pet.

One fine day Angelina's Daddy decided to go and buy a pet rabbit for Angelina and her two beautiful sisters. The girls were so excited and were thrilled to bits when Daddy arrived home with two rabbits instead of one.  The three girls were happy and excited and their Mummy and Daddy looked on with love.  

The rabbits were much loved, their names changed from week to week and Angelina chased her little pets around the garden in sheer delight.

Then another fine day arrived and the family decided to add to their menagery.

A chookhouse was created and a little family of chickens moved in.

"What would you like to name your chicken Angelina ? ",asked Mummy

Thinking very carefully, Angelina's little voice piped up, "Melanie !", she said. "I would like to call mine Melanie !"

The End

So there it is !  It seems I left a great impression of love in this little ones heart and she named her prized chook after me. I had to giggle at the thought of  it but I was also very touched. This little Princess makes me smile. I don't get to give her many hugs anymore since her family moved away, but she is always in my heart and I love her so, so much.

Goodnight Princess Angelina.....I hope you liked your bedtime story 

xo 

The chookhouse pictured above belongs to a lovely lady Jenny who owns the most stunning bed and breakfast you have ever seen. Jenny turns a patch of baren land into a plot of love. Every space in her garden has been planted lovingly with something pretty.  This gorgeous chookhouse is stunningly beautiful inside and out. It comes with it's very own chandelier and if I were truly a chook then I would be more than happy to live in this beautiful abode.

Stay tuned for more stories about this wondrous little piece of heaven.....and inspiration will hit you with a mighty thump, that's a promise ! 

xo

Domestic Goddess Monday.........Cath Kidston Labels for your Kitchen Jars

A bucket of soapy water, a scrubbing brush and a lot of elbow grease. Not my idea of a good time but it has to be done unfortunately.  (Well unless you have direct contact with the fairy realm and you hire them in for the day).  Today was clean out the pantry day

To inspire myself I gathered a few "pretties" to help with the organising. A lot of the labels had washed off my jars so I had some pretty new Cath Kidston labels that I had been saving to reapply. I have to admit I am a bit of a neat freak in my pantry and I love everything to be neat and tidy. I always line my pantry with non slip grip which also protects the surface from stains from leaking bottles of sauce and spices. 

In my pantry I always have a tea tray set up just in case surprise guests turn up. I have an assortment of teas and coffee and hot chocolate to tempt tastebuds.

Keep rotating your cans and sauces rather than placing new purchases at the front because you'll end up throwing food away that has seen it's used by date.  Keep your food fresh in containers and don't be tempted to fold over the top of that biscuit packet because we both know that they'll be stale in no time. Invest in some Tupperware that will keep your food fresh.

In Love With a Teapot....

The Victorian Teapot

This gorgeous teapot belongs to a beautiful friend of mine. It has been handed down through her family and sits pride of place on her kitchen dresser. I adore the fine china of the Victorian times, they were so creative with shape and detail. I love the violet print on this teapot and the draping at the bottom of the pot. I can just picture well dressed ladies in a front parlour room of a grand manor house drawing tea from this beautiful pot and sampling delicate little cakes.......

Pretty Floral Shabby Chic Teacups

Shabby Chic Teacups with Ribbons

Aren't these pretty tea cups and saucers just so gorgeous hanging  on this dresser.
What a great way to use old chippy sets that are too pretty to throw away.  My friend simply superglued the cup to the saucer and tied pretty ribbons through the handles and hung them up.    I could imagine these little pretties hanging from the underbranches of a tree in a garden setting. Pop some tealights inside the cup and hang multiples in the tree and what a spectacular display !

French Blue Pretty Things........

Once upon a time my little girl was just a wee dot of a thing........

One day when we were shopping in our favourite store together we spotted this beautiful powder blue linen dress with a pretty scalloped collar and a satin and tulle underskirt. It had a wide blue sash around the waist and when little miss tried it on it swished and twirled like a fairy princess.

Well this beautiful dress became a party dress. I still remember watching my little princess twirling around listening to the sound of her beautiful dress and dancing in her little ballet flat shoes that we bought to match. Her blonde curls and big brown eyes and wide grin are as fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday.  I can still see her little baby doll tucked under her arm and her little purse under the other. Where oh where did those years go ?

She is well and truly still a princess and her big brown eyes are as gorgeous as ever. Pretty party dresses have been replaced with lipstick and high heels but her beautiful heart is still as pure and gentle as those early days.

xo

Happy Birthday To You !

It's Birthday Time at our house again.....
I found these pretty pink silicon rose cake molds on a shopping trip. I'm thinking of baking a buttercake and drizzling pale pink icing over the top of the petals.  
I must admit I have yet another fetish for baking supplies. I have so many cupcake cases in various colours and I love Vintage cake toppers.  The  "Happy Birthday" topper pictured below isn't vintage, but when I bought it a few years ago I was told that these old fashioned toppers were no longer being made. Of course I grabbed a couple to stash away in trademark pink and blue.
I am loving the bright, happy Cath Kidston tea towel. It is a pleasure to bake with pretty utensils and accessories. Makes the baking process all that more fun.....


Enjoy your day my special little person......I love you as big as the sky xo

Antique White.....A Plateful of Inspiration

White represents new life, hope, love and peace.

Before I create, I gather a plate of pretty bits and pieces to be inspired by. Often the pieces all work together somehow and turn into something beautiful. I found these paper thin swing tags at my local dollar store the other day and loved the off white colour and the texture of the paper. Instantly I felt a project coming on......
I am thinking of a range of pretty cards to sell at my son's school fete that is coming up.  Scraps of lace, a sprinkle of glitter and an antiquing pen in the colour of brown are on my mind.   The mind is thinking,thinking,thinking.......I just love to create xo

A Treasured Friend's Sewing Box....

Once upon a time, there lived a man named Garry. He was a friendly man who always took the time to speak to you and make a fuss over your children. He always had a tale to tell and a joke to share.
This man lived alone and enjoyed his own company.
Garry's favorite thing to do was to swim in the local ocean baths. He would methodically at the same time each day make the journey to the waters edge and enjoy the fruits of God's giving to man, the ocean.   He would swim and talk to his friends and thoroughly enjoy his time there.  He would then drive home completely refreshed and live the rest of his day.

Garry had a lovely daughter and the most wonderful Mother anybody could ever hope for. He would always speak of his lovely Mum and clearly he adored her. Garry was a family man and he enjoyed his family's company. Whilst he was much of the time a loner he enjoyed a bet on the horses and a drink with his mates on a Saturday.

Whilst at home he would often talk over the fence to his friendly neighbors. They were firm friends and their love and support towards each other was unwavering. The neighbors thought the world of Garry and laughed at his stories. Frequently the neighbor would be hanging washing on the line and Garry would sneak up behind the bushes and "BOO !",  she would be scared to death but giggle her head off that he had managed to do it again !  Always the clown was Garry, it made him all the more fun though.

One grey day at sunset, a knock came at the neighbors door. It was the family of Garry, one look on their faces painted a very sad story. Garry had come to pass. The Angels had called him home, his life's work had been completed.

Hearts and minds were numb, sadness gazed at them over the fence each day at the empty home once filled with laughter and jokes.  A good friend had come to pass and no goodbyes had been said.

Weeks and months passed by and family arrived to do the terrible task of packing up Garry's belongings. They called the neighbor in and asked if they would like a momento of their dear friend.  The neighbor spotted an old chocolate tin, she opened it and found a collection of sewing implements. The needles and scissors had once passed through her friends hands and she knew instantly that this would be hers.

The old chocolate tin now sits on a table in the friends living room. It is a constant reminder of Garry and his warmth and funny ways. The friends speak often of Garry. The way he would buy donuts and lollies for the children and Chocolate filled Christmas stockings at Christmas time. He would forever be in their thoughts. He had touched their souls and they would be grateful forever.
It is almost time for the first anniversary of his passing. It will not bring tears but indeed it will bring joy and laughter. The thought of a dear friend fills ones heart with joy and not sadness. A life had been led and then it was time to return home. The circle of life.... and truly a life to be admired and from one that lived and loved  to the best of his ability.

Resting peacefully until we meet again......xo

Glass Domes

 

Glass Domes are both pretty and practical.

Their history began as mini greenhouses in Victorian Times when people were trying to protect precious plants and seedlings in the Winter months. Snow and frosts couldn't harm the plants and little seedlings had a headstart to Spring.

My use of Glass Domes in the garden came to a very quick end when "fairies" at the bottom of my garden "accidently" kicked their ball at one. Therefore I have banished the use of Glass Domes until my little "Fairies" have grown up and left the garden......

On a brighter note I use my pretty domes for displaying a variety of items eg. bird nests, Christmas displays, bowls of lace or buttons and of course food.

I have been fortunate enough to pick up domes that were the tops of cheese boards at boot sales for only a couple of dollars.

Shabby Sheilas also stock a stunning variety of Glass Domes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

You will find Shabby Sheilas in Hamilton, NSW Australia or visit their online store at

http://www.shabbysheilas.com/

Lucky in Love

May Love Always fill up your cup of life.

This is my lucky horseshoe, I keep it right by our front door. I am not really superstitious but I still love the thought that this magical horseshoe brings us some luck. It is wonderfully rusty and well worn by some old horse that probably no longer walks the earth. I tied a big old floppy pink bow around it and it rests against a pretty pot of violets.  xo

No Dream is Too BIG

THINK BIG and DREAM BIG

 People will always be there to tear us down and try and prevent our happiness. Find your spark within and keep moving forward toward what your desires are.
Speak the truth and never be afraid to speak your mind. No one will ever know how we feel unless we tell them.
Surround yourself with positive people who love and support you and don't drag you down.
Dream big and think big.....go out and claim your dream !
                                                             xo
                                 
 

Self Confessed Handbag Addict

Handbags !, LOVE them !   A girl can never have too many, it's our given right to buy as many as needed.  Well.....that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it !  haha
I have names for all of my handbags. When planning our outfits for a shopping date my Mum will often ask which handbag I will be taking. I have both plain colors and bright pretty florals and different fabrics.
My very favorite handbag is 'Alice', she is a very pretty purple shot ruffly,silk bag that I spotted in the window of a little overpriced boutique. I slobbered all over the window at her but restrained myself as she was on the expensive side.  A couple of months later my lovely Mum handed me a beautifully wrapped birthday gift and out popped 'Alice'. I squealed with delight and she has remained my firm favorite ever since.
Another favorite is 'Cath', she was a request from my Mum's last overseas trip. She is a pretty raspberry red floral, bucket style bag from Cath Kidston in England. She is made of oilcloth and is big enough to fit all of my unnecessary daily carrying's. Goodness knows I carry every thing but the kitchen sink in there.
Our handbags are often a reflection of ourselves, they reflect our style,taste and personality.

On a recent shopping trip to Pigott's Store in Sydney I spotted this cute little pile of oilcloth bags in a little corner. Oilcloth is such a great fabric choice for handbags because if it gets a little grubby you simply wipe clean and it's as good as new again.  I actually had a number of oilcloth bags that I used as nappy bags when my children were babies.
http://www.pigotts.com.au/

Little Boy Blue

Once upon a time there was a little boy. This child had an enormous amount of love to share with all who met him. Big brown eyes and a cheeky grin were his trademark features and he would have folk all around him in fits of laughter with his tales and charming personality.
He was quick on the uptake, wise beyond his years and had the most compassionate heart and mind for a child of his age.  He had been blessed with amazing sporting ability which would without a doubt be where  life's path would take him.

This child showed enormous love towards his disabled Uncle and others of special needs with whom he shared his playground with. He would stick up for others who were being threatened with unjust and be the one to offer another way of looking at the situation.
 He was remarkable with his insight towards others and his Mother wondered how a child of his age could possibly know so much with such short life experience.

This boy however stumbled in his life with learning and paying attention in school. He would bumble his way through his work and out of sheer frustration would play class clown to amuse himself. The powers that be came to judge him and lose their patience and he felt as though the world was closing in all around him.

He would come home from school and breathe a sigh of relief that for a short time he would not be met  with any harsh judgment and that love would be shown, instead of hate. He would be free to be himself and not conform to the way in which was expected of him. He would find kind people who would not judge him and who would actually listen to what he had to say. He felt that no one would listen to his needs at school and that if his teachers would listen to him they may begin to understand him.

The boy's Mother looked on lovingly although worried about her beautiful boy. She knew him well and felt his frustration. He was an old soul and offered so much good to the world. If respect and compassion was shown in return she knew things would improve for him. She was proud of the beautiful person that her son was. The pureness of his heart was obvious and if only others would open their hearts to this, then things would surely change.  Creativity lay await within him for somebody to come along and unlock it. If the key to this could be found then the abundance that would come would be endless. 

The moral of this story.....

Never judge others and what they can achieve. Everybody in this world offers greatness in different ways. What one man is good at may be completely different to the man next to him. Do not stereotype others and try to conform them to what you would like them to be. For we have no right as human beings to expect this of others. Embrace each others differences and open your hearts to the stories of other men. As their stories come with completely different chapters. No man has walked the same road since the beginning of time. We may not judge until we have walked in their boots. Emotions run very deep and although expressed in very different ways, we are all of same blood. We are one man with many different faces and homes. We all FEEL love and hate and exclusion.
Hold each others hand with compassion and offer our neighbours support instead of hate.

This little boy will achieve many great things in his life and undoubtedly his Mother will always love him with every inch of her heart. A Mothers love will keep a child going until the end of time, so never turn your back on him/her. Offer him unconditional love and support and NEVER EVER give up on him.  Love conquers all dear friends and with a little heart we can do a lot to change this world of ours. It's not to late to try and I know that like this little boy, I will never, ever give up trying.
                                                                       xo

My Wish For You

My WISH for all of you dear friends, is that you may all know love in your lives. For nothing in this world means a thing without LOVE.
May laughter always fill your hearts with JOY and may you all fulfill your wildest DREAMS.
Dreams may be just dreams to some, but it is within each and every one of us to act on these dreams.  They can indeed come true. 
I am leaving for another search for all things French Blue and Peachy Pink.  My world turns happily as I search for pretties to share with you all.  

WISHING you all much LOVE, PEACE and HARMONY
                                    xo


WISH tickets found at Prue Trollope.....Don't you just adore these ? x

Girls Must Always Wear Ribbons.....

"Girls must always wear ribbons !,"
Something that I used to tell my daughter and still tell my little nieces today.
There is nothing prettier on a little princess than a sweet little hair ribbon or rose clasp. My daughter had quite the enviable collection of hair ribbons as a little one because I just can't help myself when I see a pretty display of ribbon. Piggot's Store was one of my very favourite ribbon shopping places and the colours were always just perfect.  I love to buy metres of ribbon and keep it in a pretty box so when it comes time for wrapping a gift I always have a pretty ribbon to trim the gift with.

The pretty bias binding shown in the above picture  is an assortment of their lovely range for clever people who love to create their own pretty things. Cushions, linens, towels etc can be given their own pretty look with a simple trim of this binding.

Find these ribbons and bias bindings at Pigott's Store
http://www.pigotts.com.au/

Cath Kidston Pretty

 

With Winter well and truly upon us all, curling up under this wonderfully warm Cath Kidston print eiderdown sounds fabulous to me.  I spotted this little treasure at Pigott's Store on a recent French Blue and Peachy Pink trip.

It would look so pretty and inviting folded up on the end of a bed or laid flat as a bed topper. 

When my daughter was born I opted out of the traditional pink girls bedroom and went for a fresh raspberry toille print. I only wish that Cath Kidston had been around to coordinate my fabrics with. She offers such happy, bright prints that  fit in with any age.  This pretty quilt would look lovely draped over  a nursery chair in the early years, then laid upon a single bed when the little one outgrew her cot. This fabric is sweet and timeless and would coordinate well with spots, stripes or simple plain block colours.

You will find this quilt at Pigott's Store, Woolahra Sydney.

http://www.pigotts.com.au/ 

Pigott's Store

Pigott's Store  is one of those beautiful stores that you walk into and there is amazing colour  absolutely everywhere.It is nestled in the stunning tree lined streets of  Woolahra in Sydney.  When visiting I never know quite what to look at first because it all looks so good !   I  must admit I always gravitate towards the pretty fabrics, ribbons, trims etc.   I adore the gorgeous blue and white percale cotton sheet set on this bed, it looks so pretty and fresh.
http://www.pigotts.com.au/

A Beautiful Garden

I stumbled upon this beautiful garden in my travels ....The Camellias were blooming happily and the Buxus hedge was perfectly manicured.  I love the no fuss of this garden,  it is so pretty !

Prue Trollope's Divine Store

So......after a fantastic weekend away searching  for all things French Blue and Peachy Pink, I bring you some absolutely divine pretties to share over my future posts.  I am sure you will all be oooing and aaahing as much as I was when I found them!   My first story goes a little like this.....

Once upon a time there was a beautiful store, it was a special place I loved to visit (maybe too often).
It was full to the brim of the most beautiful linens and laces you had ever seen.  From the minute you walked into the store, beautiful things jumped out at you. There was the sweetest fragrance of rose and Gardenia in the air and raspberry painted walls showed up the crisp, white perfect linens that were on display. 
There were walls full of perfectly starched antique linens, handmade marcella cushions trimmed with the prettiest red and white ginghams, toille quilts, bowls of wonderfully perfumed soap and the sweetest little baby's section where I bought pretties for my own babies.   There was never a time where I would visit and not walk out with a purchase.

Two of the sweetest women owned this amazing store and their warm presence made the visit all the more lovely. They would fuss over my babies and always make time for a chat. They would carefully wrap each purchase as if they were wrapping a gift and a scattering of sweet smelling rose pot pourri would be within the layers of tissue. 

After a time, I moved to a place far away and I could not visit anymore. I would send money to these beautiful ladies and tell them to choose me something special and send it to me.  I would wait longingly for my parcel to arrive to see what they had selected for me.  It was of course always something I would love and I would happily find the perfect place for it in my home.

Sadly, the store closed it's doors and the women moved on to other things and I lost touch. I always thought about them and wondered how they were doing and wondered if one day I would ever see them again.
Many,many years later it was my birthday and my dearest friend bought me a gorgeous gift. It was a mossy, green, resin rabbit and a gorgeous gardening set.  It was deliciously packed into a beautiful pink reusable bag which had the trademark print of the owners own design on the side. I HAD to visit this store and begged her to take me.

Low and behold the gorgeous owner Prue Trollope was the daughter of one of the owners of the store that I had adored for all of those years.  I was so excited and couldn't believe my luck when Prue's Mum happened to be in the store visiting that day and I had the chance to meet up with her again.
Precious memories were reignited and we caught up on all of the years gone past.

The wonderful thing about this story is that it has such a happy ending........

Now I get to create new memories in another perfectly inspiring store which gives off the same happy glow as my old favorite. Prue is just as lovely as her beautiful Mum but has her own look. She stocks a blend of new, antique and vintage.
It is a pleasure to walk through the doors of her store and again I find myself leaving with a smile on my face.
I visit when ever I can and again  I find myself unable to leave without something pretty to take home.

I hope you will enjoy looking at the pretty things in Prue's 'oh so pretty'  store.
View Prue's online store or visit her store for yourself in Balmain, NSW Australia.

http://www.pruetrollope.com.au/

I love this VINTAGE 3 FOLD FLORAL SCREEN.  It looks absolutely stunning in this display. It would be the perfect addition to a bedroom, sitting room or even bathroom. It's Shabby Chic white washed timber frame sets the fresh floral print out. Create a new look to a plain timber bed with a lick of pretty green paint as pictured and it will breathe new life into a bedroom without having to purchase a new bed. Teamed with starched white glorious linen and pretty scatter cushions who wouldn't want to hop into bed for an early night.

http://www.pruetrollope.com.au/

http://www.pruetrollope.com.au/

Words From the Heart

 

        Let Your Heart

Guide You

     It Whispers Softly

     So Listen Carefully ...

Happy Birthday Lucy xo

Shabby Chic Mosaic Chair Fit for a Princess

Broken china doesn't necessarily have to end in tears. These little school chairs have been transformed into works of art with precious little pieces of bone china.  Think twice before throwing your little 'accidents' in the bin, put them into a container and begin a project !  If a chair is too big a task, begin with something smaller like a flat picture frame.

Stepping stones for the garden are also very pretty when they are mosaiced.  Tile shops often have unwanted tiles that they cannot sell and you can pick up cheaply or if you are lucky free.