Catching up!

 

There is a lot I haven't blogged about due to a bit of a hiatus, so I'll just start with some of the most recent happenings! I bought some new lamps - MK thought they needed some more adorning so there are plenty of stickers around.

 

 

I have big custom framing plans as discussed in previous posts - but indulged in a cheap Kmart sunburst mirror ($19) for the interim! Not bad!

 

 

I have just completed a Circle of Security course, it was brilliant. I could do a whole post on that alone!

 

 

After our Caloundra holiday added a few more things to the wall! It's growing, growing.

 

 

And speaking of growing, my baby girl is growing, growing too! This is this morning, a rainy morning so had her gorgeous pink coat on to go to ballet.

 

Life is pretty wonderful at the moment. So incredibly lucky. Hope this post finds you all well, too.

Holiday fun!

 

It had definitely been a while since we have had a holiday - we calculated back to before Will was born!

 

We decided to flick the Hawaii idea for now and go somewhere closer to home, Caloundra.

 

It was all kinds of soul-good lovely. You wouldn't know it was Winter, that is for sure. We spent a lot of time at the beach, swimming in the resort Jacuzzi, the men went fishing and plenty of eating. The markets are on every Sunday and they were so great - worth even a trip up to the coast for those alone.

 

It was so lovely we are planning on going back in November - can't wait!

 

MK keeps asking when we can go on 'her holiday' again! Bless.

12WBT

 

There was a commitment months ago - perhaps 7 (!) that I was going to do 12WBT on my own - well you can imagine where I ended up - see after photo on the right below!

 

 

I signed up for the Michelle Bridges online program and I am loving learning to cook and I am very slowly losing weight - I actually think I am not eating enough calories as William is still feeding and more often whilst being sick the last month or so. I have been keeping an Instagram diary of sorts and I love having that visual outlet.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately my knees are causing trouble again and I am off to the podiatrist to get some orthotics to correct the gait. I am dying to run!

 

 

I am hoping to lose about 10kg all up.

A beautiful party for our babes!

So the party has been and gone and we all had a wonderful time! It was perfect weather and despite my concerns about the kids being entertained, they played happily on Adam's playground and kept themselves busy! There was more than enough food and the cake that Jean made was nothing short of AMAZING! 

Maddy and Will had a great time, young Will was so overtired but refused to nap for a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out)!

After all the guests left our neighbours came over and we reclined in the backyard while Maddy jumped away. Took this on my iPhone and it really was the perfect ending to a perfect day. I'm proud of myself for not getting too stressed and enjoying the day.

Planning a Picnic Party!

Madeline and William are celebrating birthdays this weekend! It's going to be a big party outside on the fort so praying for sunny weather. The lady who printed Madeline's first birthday invitations was so lovely to deal with, I sent her the following inspiration picture and asked her to come up with something.

I also love the ginormous balloons and have a couple ready to go!

A snapshot of the invite, details removed of course.

I bought some navy and white drill for a table cloth and raided the junk shops for party accessories.

Hopefully it all goes smoothly!

Master Bedroom bits!

The master bedroom always gets put on the back burner!

Firstly, my current jewellery storage is abysmal. It is an Ikea kids container! I have been eyeing off some jewellery boxes at Magnolia Interiors etc but the prices have been quite expensive. Instagram saves the day again, I found they were listed on downthatlittlelane.com.au and much cheaper! I love all colours - the pinks, white and Tiffany blue. I've added it to my birthday list!

Next up, I bought some black Euro covers from Target on sale. They look really striking with the rest of the linen (excuse the crinkles and wonky lamp haha!)

I had still been pondering what to do on the walls in our room when I stumbled upon this image via A Thoughtful Place Blog. 

So absolutely beautiful, I am going to have the below image framed very similarly (small picture/huge matte) and mount it above our bed. I think it will be stunning. (I would also love Euro feather inserts too!) Slowly but surely coming together!

Random musings!

Hi!

There has been a bit of a lull in house related things, but our little family has been busy.

Firstly, a night (kid free woo!) seeing the Rocky Horror Show. It was fabulous, Craig Mclachlan was fantastic. I snapped this on the way into the theatre. Dusk city lights, what a beautiful city we live in.

Mum and I took the kids to Eagle Farm markets last Sunday, amazing fruit and veggies, homemade wares and pony rides! I asked Madeline if she wanted a go, there was no hesitation at all! She loved it. I hope to go frequently, we go through fresh food SO quickly!

We had some family pictures taken last Sunday, our family and Adam's family. The photographer takes about 4 weeks, I can't wait to see them. I hope by some magic I look ok (the diet was going well, now it's not haha!) It was overcast and stunning at Roma St Parklands, perfect conditions.

I have seen this post on Facebook and have created an email for both kids. Since I can email photos for posts for the blog I thought surely, I could for the kids too. How fun would that be to read 18 years worth?! My kids won't believe I existed before the internet did! Haha!

Hawaii Dreaming...

This photo was taken in August 2012 from our room at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. We had a 15 month old Maddy in tow and we shopped, ate and swam our hearts out.

We had planned to put travel on the back burner for 5 years until the kids are older (and met some financial goals) but my Mum suggestively mentioned that she might travel to Hawaii for Christmas 2014 (along with a few other friends and family). I wanted to instantly but knew the 'plan'...

Adam surprised me by saying he was keen to go if I could fund it with my part-time work. Saving is not my strong point (spending most definitely is haha) but this opportunity is too exciting to pass up. 

A lot can happen in 12 months so we will play by ear but I can't help but dream a little Hawaiian dream... 

A weighty issue.

Unfortunately these are before and afters, in the wrong direction! After losing the baby weight quite quickly (anxiety and not eating will do that to you) I now found myself feeling mentally well but physically blah. Medications, breastfeeding and poor food choices/portions have meant I have gained a lot of weight and none of my clothes fit. (My jeans are undone in the second shot.)

Quelle horreur.

For me, my weight is my thing. I really don't want it to be an issue, I don't want to obsess about it. I want to model good body image to my kids. I think I have a lot of work to do on my psyche too.

I have decided to take part in the Michelle Bridges 12 week challenge. So many people have had success with it, the meals look delicious and the shopping lists and meal plans seem too easy?! And it's breastfeeding friendly. I love on the website where it says 'many breastfeeding mums will experience intense cravings and hunger pangs, particularly as they struggle through exhausting night feeds. But having healthy snacks in the fridge or nappy bag can help prevent bakery raids and coffee shop stops.' Oh my word that's me. The bakery raid and coffee shop stops. All over.

It starts February and the pre season starts now. Watch this space.

Happy New Year!

What a spectacular year. Feeling so grateful for so much - the arrival of our adorable guy, our girl getting more gorgeous and clever by the day, my mental health, incredible new friendships and being thankful for the friends who showed their strength by meeting me in my darkest times. And a husband who continues to love us all unconditionally. 2013 was full of lessons and I wouldn't change it for anything. Life is pretty amazing after all.

From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

Christmas 2013!

I hope this posts finds you all well and hope you had a very Merry Christmas. We had a really wonderful day and we all were spoilt rotten. Especially the kids - but that's what it's all about isn't it?!  Maddy got so many dress ups from Mum I enlisted Adam to hang some a board of hooks to keep them on (idea from Pinterest of course).

Among many other things we got this Wedgwood plate, probably something I wouldn't have bought instinctively but really glad we got it because I love it!

We did get the chandelier which is so generous and exciting - just a few more lights and power switches to buy and then we can get them installed! Yay!

Christmas in a bag ready for next year! 

I need to get my laptop fixed to get some photos off my DSLR to share! 

Getting Christmas ready!

It's that time of year where we dig out the tree and decorations from downstairs and embrace our inner Christmas spirit! Christmas is surely more magical since having children, Madeline will be completely adorable this year. The presents, the family, the Christmas lights and songs. I feel incredibly blessed. It's a big deal in the Edwards' family, Adam's Mum loves shopping and giving gifts as much as I do. Everyone is very, very spoilt come Christmas morning.

I have been hunting for a wreath that was inexpensive and pretty - I found a lot of cookie cutter wreaths priced at $20 or more. I wanted a bargain! I found this one at a random cheap shop for $14. I adore it. And our beautiful stockings ready to be filled! I have started shopping for those, the best bit! Our Christmas tree is awaiting the star - Adam and the kids do that each year.

Meanwhile, the hall-stand has lived in the elements for the last 5 years and has been re-introduced inside. I quite like it! I had visions of painting it black like these inspiration pictures I found on Pinterest. Adam has suddenly become a bit reluctant to paint it - so we might leave it for a while!

{Image via Pinterest}

{Image via Pinterest}

I can't wait to start my Christmas cooking - cherry ripe balls, apricot balls... Yummy!