Sasse Avenue

Christmas has come early this year - Kikki.K.

2011-11-16T11:14:00.006+10:00

Every year I splash out and buy myself a Christmas present from Kikki.K. I am a mad stationery lover and Kikki.K. and I go way back. This year my beautiful best friend gave me a big fat voucher for my recent birthday and I went CRAZY. Look what I got in the mail today....

Kikki.K.

I am hyperventilating.

Storage boxes, magazine holder, to do lists, magnetic shopping lists, weekly planners, diary, goals journal, study notes, acrylic pen and pencil holder, the cutest little wooden pegs and the biggest 2012 family calendar I could get my hands on. We live and breathe by this calendar. If we were to lose it (hardly likely given its size) our family would come to a screaming halt.

Kikki.K.

Look at the pretty Christmas packaging it arrived in.

We moved to rural Queensland last year and the nearest Kikki.K. store is about a 5 hour drive. Thank goodness for online shopping. When I jumped on the Kikki.K. site to spend my voucher and realised you could not use vouchers on the website I had a wee panic attack. I fired off an email to ask how I could use my voucher and being a little cynical when it comes to customer service, I braced myself for a negative response and the imposing battle that would follow. This was the response I got...

"No problem at all, Kellie. Just send me an email with your order and your voucher number and I will process it for you".

I LOVE YOU Kikki.K.

Please tell me I am not the only one that goes a little nutty over stationery.

Kel x

Flavia, you are the BEST. Thank you, Sweetheart. x

2011-11-11T13:39:00.000+10:00

Remembrance Day 11.11.11

Hello long lost friends

2011-11-11T07:43:00.002+10:00

Image from here

It's been too long, I know. What a crazy week I have had and it does not look like slowing down any time soon. It's a good busy though. Renovations nearly finished, packing up to move house, revising for uni exams, back to back school functions, and the day to day ~~mischief~~, ~~trauma~~, ~~drama~~, FUN that is parenting. It is all happening at Casa Kellie.

I have to say that I have missed our little chit chats. It occurred to me that blogging is the only place in my life that my hearing loss makes no difference. Everywhere else (even at home) is a struggle and exhausting, quite frankly. It's nice to have this forum to meet and chat with the most fascinating people from all over the place. I love it.

Big change of subject. Are you bursting at the seams with excitement over Christmas? I am. I'm worse than my girls. It's absolutely killing me that I can't put up our tree or decorate until we move into the new house. Only three weeks to go and that tree is the very first thing I will unpack.

I'll be dropping in to as many of your blogs as I can over the weekend to say hi. I have missed you.

Happy happy Friday!

Kel x

Oh! the places we will go....

2011-11-02T10:18:00.003+10:00

A little eye candy for you this Wednesday.

My top five must visit holiday destinations.

Paris Image from here

No secret here- 1.) Paris. Read about my Paris dream here

New York City Image Via http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com

2) New York City. This photo is amazing!

Vail in Colorado Image from here

3) A white Christmas in a little village just like this.

Nelson Bay in New Zealand Image from here

4) A campervan driving holiday around beautiful New Zealand. I have done this already as a teenager and would love to do it again with my own little family.

Thailand Image from here

5) An extended beach holiday in Thailand. My husband and I love Thailand and have been there many times but not altogether as a family of four.

What's at the top of your wish list?

Kel x

p.s. I'm taking a little break as I have a BIG assignment to concentrate on. I will miss you but your beautiful blogs are far too distracting. I will catch up with you all on Monday.

Entertaining friends

2011-11-01T07:05:00.000+10:00

We have a plane full of visitors arriving in early December and being the annoying planner that I am, I have started to think about meals. To cater for such a large number of people we will be dining outside on the deck or under the trees. I went straight to www.pinterest.com for pretty table setting inspiration and it did not disappoint.

If you were having close friends over for a special birthday lunch what would you choose;

A) High tea on the verandah

B) An Italian feast with crusty bread and carafes of wine on the table

C) Classic style with beautiful linens

D) A relaxed picnic with a buffet table and beautiful decorations

E) or would you glam it up with frills and chandeliers.

I'm going with B). an Italian feast with vino close at hand. It feels a little more relaxed and inviting. A close second would be C). Classic and simple.

And you?

Kel x

Did I mention what I want to be when I grow up?

2011-10-31T07:49:00.000+10:00

Image from http://matchbookmag.tumblr.com

A Librarian!!!!

Yes, a little bit of stereotyping associated with this career choice. I am a notorious hair in a bun kind of girl (lazy) and I do a lot of SHUSHing around my house, so I probably fit the stereotype perfectly. Appearances aside, books and libraries have been a life long passion for me. I would go so far as to say libraries are my 'happy place'. This quote by Germaine Greer sums it up for me;

“Libraries are reservoirs of strength, grace and wit, reminders of order, calm and continuity, lakes of mental energy, neither warm nor cold, light nor dark.... In any library in the world, I am at home, unselfconscious, still and absorbed. ” - Germaine Greer

I'm a terribly slow learner and it was only in my thirties that I realised this was the career change I wanted to make. Beautiful babies came into my life and my plan was delayed for a few years until I finally emerged from the overwhelming, zombie like, sleep deprived state of being a new mother. Off I went to sit for the mature age entry to uni exam. I passed, despite being paralysed with nerves and earlier this year at the tender age of thirty-seven, I began a Bachelor of Arts (Librarianship and Corporate Information Management). I LOVE IT! My brain is alive and humming.

Did you know that librarians twitter and run their own blogs to promote their products and services? At least I'll be a bloggy expert by the time I finish this degree.

Never too late, I say.

Anyone else contemplating a life changing career move?

Kel x

Counting down to our Christmas holiday

2011-10-28T08:55:00.004+10:00

I'm so excited I had to share. Our Christmas holiday is all booked - Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

A beautiful resort located around a lagoon and it also has its own beach. I plan on booking the girls into the kids club (so fast it will make their heads spin), taking my husband's hand and heading to the pool or going for a walk along the beach.

Our room is positioned over the Lagoon.

They also have a circus school for the kiddies and Gary and I might give this a whirl....

Image from here

Riding a Segway. I can't sloth around with a book the entire time, can I?

The icing on the cake will be the Beach Carnival on New Years Eve with carnival rides, live bands, food stalls, sideshow attractions and fire works. The girls will love it and I'm so excited I might burst :)

Have you made any holiday plans yet?

Kel x

I wish I knew more about you....

2011-10-27T09:52:00.000+10:00

Image from here

This house, framed between two giant trees, stopped me in my tracks today. It exudes character and I would so love to hear its story. I might have to be content with letting my imagination run wild.

Kel x

At the beach with my baby

2011-10-26T15:44:00.000+10:00

This is my youngest daughter, Isabelle. Clearly, this three and a half year old is not a baby anymore but you know how it is - she will always be my baby.

Bargara Beach

We spent the morning at her absolute favourite spot - Bargara Beach.

We always start with a babycino and marshmallows.

Bargara Beach

And then across the road to the playground and the beach.

She hurtles herself from one place to the next and I'm running along behind her.

Turtle playground at Bargara Beach

Behold the turtle playground. Can you spot her?

Shell collecting ritual.

Footprints

These are precious times for my little sweetheart and I. She will be off to school, full time, before I know it. For now, we spend our days together, just the two of us and I want to savour every minute of it.

Kel x

Blogging mistakes - a warning to new bloggers

2011-10-26T08:02:00.000+10:00

Image from here

As I said yesterday I am a newish blogger and have been all wide eyed and innocent until recently, when I made two mistakes that led to a torrent of unwanted visitors. Both of the mistakes involved the letter X and it's placement in the post title. For the remainder of this post I will now refer to the letter X as 'bad letter' (It's easier for me to blame the letter than my own stupidity :)

The first post was on movies that defined my generation (see HERE) and I titled the post 'Generation 'bad letter' movies'. The second mistake was in the title of a happy birthday post to my 6 year old daughter (see HERE) 'Happy 6th Birthday my Sweetheart' after sweetheart I put 3 kisses using the 'bad letter'.

In the stats section under search keywords I started to see the most VILE searches being entered for movies and they were finding their way to my blog and straight to photo's of my daughter. To say I felt sick was an understatement. I contemplated deleting the whole blog but my husband being the calm and rational one, talked me out of it. I quickly changed the titles and everything is back to normal expect for the fact that I am not so naive anymore.

In hindsight, it seems so obvious that they were bad choices for post titles but at the time I just didn't think for a second of the possible repercussions. These sickos will always be out there but giving thought to how your posts might show up in a search could protect your blog.

Does anyone have some of their own what not to do advice or story to share? Love to hear.

Kel x

Most popular post

2011-10-25T08:53:00.002+10:00

Alexa Chung long bob image via here

I am relatively new to the world of blogging and it never ceases to amaze me. Let me tell about my most popular post. It is titled 'Long Bob' (see it here) and as the name suggests, it was a post about a hair style I was about to ask for at the hair salon. Now this post involved not a lot of thought and I threw it together in roughly two and a half minutes on the way out the door. Day after day it attracts the most page views and all up it has raked in thousands of hits?? So, a two second post that has me lamenting the condition of my hair is my most popular (not something to be proud of) and the posts that I spend hours thinking about and preparing - not so.

The reason for it's popularity lies in the title being a popular search engine entry and if you look at the photo's I have tagged them with as much detail as possible. When someone out there searches for 'Alexa Chung's long bob' (and a lot of people do) they find their way to Sasse Avenue. The majority of traffic would not be interested in my blog but of the thousands that have visited I'm sure some have come back again. For any new bloggers out there reading this, the moral of my story is to tag your photo's with as much detail as you can. It can't hurt.

What have been your most popular posts? Put the link in the comments section if you would like to share.

Kel x

Tomorrow, I want to tell you about the two mistakes I made that had the seedy, sicko world of the web visiting my little blog :(

p.s. last night A-M from The House That A-M Built posted an email she received from a reader in the comments section for her '10 sort of interesting things about me' post . I am appalled that someone could take the time to bring down another blogger in such a way, especially A-M. If you know A-M pop over and read it. I had better toughen up because my skin is not thick enough to handle that sort of nonsense :(

My birthday and a question of age

2011-10-24T08:00:00.001+10:00

Image from here

I had the most wonderful day on Saturday. It was my birthday. I gave myself the day off study and spent every minute with my husband and girls. They spoilt me. My girls were so well behaved at the restaurant we went to for lunch. That, all by itself, was the best birthday present I could have been given.

We have a disastrous track record when it comes to restaurant outings with the girls. Up until Saturday they had usually involved spilt drinks and food, kid wrangling, tantrums, tears and deathly stares from other patrons. I hope Saturday was not a one off because I would LOVE to dine out more often. Fingers crossed.

So, this was my big 38th birthday. Quite a nice age to be. I was wondering, if this would be the year I would start to feel self conscious about telling people my age but, so far, I don't. I am simply, not in the slightest bit concerned with telling people how old I am. Maybe this will change heading into my 40's, 50's and 60's.

How do you feel about discussing your age?

For those of you that aren't too keen to shout your age from the roof tops, tell me, is it because;

a) Privacy - it's no ones business but your own

b) Denial - if you don't say it out loud it isn't true :)

c) All class - a lady or gentleman never divulges their age.
d) All of the above

e) Other - please explain

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

Kel x

Wardrobe essentials

2011-10-21T10:54:00.002+10:00

My essential wardrobe item = denim jeans of various shades and styles.

Image from here

Teamed with a classic trench and heels - my favourite look. When my three year old stops wanting to be carried everywhere, I vow to return to my first love, heels.

Rachel Bilson image from here

Stripes and flares


image from http://emersonmade.com

High waisted

Gorgeous French girl source unknown

Add a beautiful French girl, frills and cardigan and you have sublime.

Giselle Bundchen image from here

Jeans and T

Image from here

Rocking the skinny jeans.

I would wear a different pair of blue jeans and ballet flats probably 3 or 4 times a week. Boring ? No! Timeless, comfortable and sexy - Oui!

What are your wardrobe essentials?

Kel x

Have a fantastic weekend!

I'm still dreaming of Paris

2011-10-20T10:17:00.004+10:00

Paris image from here

I have posted before of my goal to move my family to Paris for a year HERE. I am forever dreaming and scheming, plotting and planning in an attempt to make this dream come true. At times it seems so unattainable and then there are days like today, when I just know that somehow I WILL make this dream come true. (Cue the eye roll from my husband) :)

Do you have a lofty dream you would like to share?

Kel x

A Burst of Colour

2011-10-19T08:09:00.000+10:00

Fluorescent colours (or neon as my American friends call it) are every where I look these days.

Image from Etsy.com

So lovely paired with beautiful brown skin and a bright white smile.

Image from here

or as a stand out accent for an outfit.

Image from here

To try on a beach holiday - maybe.

Image from here

YES PLEASE! I have just the spot for this piece.

Image from here

An attendee at Paris Fashion Week

Image from here

Wow!

Image from here

Attracting an audience.

What an amazing impact these colours make. I love the necklace in the first image but the $425.00 price tag is too much for a piece of jewellery that won't stand the test of time. I really do want it though :)

Fluro is back with a BANG! I think I'll make room for a big burst of bright colour in my life. How about you? Brave enough?

Kel x

Words of wisdom to pass on to our children

2011-10-18T07:41:00.000+10:00

Image from here

There will be times

To hold open a door

To surrender your seat

To thank someone, in writing

To let bygones be gone

To remember your parents :)

To listen with care

To surprise with a gift

To mind your table manners - always

To honour tradition

To give with your heart

Via http://bouboubisou.blogspot.com/

Kel x

Ageing gracefully

2011-10-17T07:46:00.000+10:00

Lauren Hutton Image via Pinterest

How beautiful!

Audrey Hepburn image via Pinterest

They were drop dead gorgeous in their youth so it is only fitting that they are or were just as beautiful in their mature years. I wonder how they handled the aging process? Did they really embrace it as they seemed to? It's obviously a very personal decision and probably not a topic too many would want to discuss on these pages but a question for the brave - would you ever consider plastic surgery? I can't say categorically that I never will. I can tell you that right now I have absolutely no intention but also no need. Will I feel the same in ten or twenty years? Who knows.

A young Priscilla Presley

Honestly, I don't think I would ever be brave enough. You might start with a little nip here but were does it end?

Priscilla Presley transformed

It is painfully obvious that Priscilla did not know when to draw the line.

Sophie Monk

Oh for crying out loud!! Isn't this a whole new level of wrong.

On that note, I'm off to have a facial. That's as far as I'm willing to go today :)

Kel x

Real Estate Stalking

2011-10-14T06:44:00.001+10:00

This is where my virtual real estate travels ended last night.

Montauk, NY. US.

Price:- $9 950 000.00

4 Bedroom

4 Bathroom

2 fireplaces

Ocean front with private beach

My dream house is almost the opposite in style to this house, see here, so I'm surprised that I LOVE this one so much. It's all the glass and clean lines. The location and having it's own private beach is rather appealing too.

What do you think? If someone gave it to you would you cope? :)

I will see you back here on Monday morning. Same time, same place. Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Kel x

All images from www.sothebysrealty.com

Olivia Palermo colour blocking in VB

2011-10-13T07:50:00.000+10:00

This little number caught my eye. The ultra stylish Olivia Palermo always gets it right. Here, she has taken a signature Victoria Beckham tangerine shift dress and added her own little twist.

Olivia Palermo in Victoria Beckham Image from here

Who would have thought adding sky high Leopard print heels

Charlotte Olympia Spring/Summer 2011 Bebel Leopard Print Platform Pumps. Image via here

together with a hot pink satin petal clutch would have worked so well?

Image from here

Mrs Beckham wearing her own design.

Victoria Beckham Image from here

A bit ho hum in comparison.

Do you think a soon to be 38 year old could carry this outfit off? I'd have to do something about my whiter than white legs first.

It's my study day today. Please may it be productive.
Enjoy whatever you have planned for today my lovely friends.

Kel x

Dinner in a hurry

2011-10-12T07:34:00.001+10:00

Image via an old, old Woman's Weekly magazine

Mushroom, Tomato and Parmesan Tarts

Oh my lord, these are yummy! And fool proof. Here is the official recipe -

I like to improvise with whatever I have in the fridge and sometimes I substitute fresh produce for these:-

Yes, I know fresh is best but you have to work with what you have :) I served the tarts with a side salad of green beans and asparagus.

Kel x

p.s. I took my own photo's of the tarts I made, however, Cannelle et Vanille I am not and my tarts did not appear in the least bit appetising, so I opted to post my well worn tear sheets from an old Women's Weekly Magazine.
Note to self - take a photography course - PRONTO.

Scary ' Before' house photo's

2011-10-11T07:32:00.001+10:00

We are about a month and a half away from the completion of our house renovation and I thought I would share a couple of photo's of our house when we bought it. It was old and smelly back then, so you can imagine what it was like after it sat empty for nine months while we had plans drawn up and sourced our builder.

Overgrown Jungle

We are basically stripping the house inside and extending the back area with a new bathroom, laundry and deck.

We have come to the realisation that this house will not be our dream home but, more than likely, a future investment property. I believe it has potential and know it will still be a lovely family home for us.

We must first evict some of the current residents of the garden. This is some sort of Dragon lizard. EEEEK!

And this was taken of the inside two weeks ago. No walls, no ceiling, no anything.

Woo hoo! It's exciting.

Kel x

Tea Party

2011-10-10T07:42:00.002+10:00

Image from here

Every year I throw the most elaborate tea party for my girls and in honour of a little girl, Ava, who never had the chance to have one. We go all out with a vintage inspired tablecloth, teacups, teapots, cupcakes on stands, bite size sandwiches and strawberry milk tea. The girls and their guests present in all of their finery and wonderful time is had by all.

Image from www.pinkfrosting.com.au

I recently received an email from Pink Frosting Wedding and Party Shop showcasing their latest and utterly gorgeous, kids vintage party theme and now my head is spinning with plans for our next tea party. I'll be sure to post some photo's, in the meantime, here are more of my tea party inspiration images.

Image from here

http://www.avasteaparty.com/details/vision.html

Have a wonderful day.

Kel x

Beautiful words

2011-10-07T07:53:00.000+10:00

What a beautiful sentiment. It makes me want to cry.

I had to re-post this quote which I originally viewed at

style.life.home Facebook page

Kel x

I love this - Rue Magazine

2011-10-06T11:20:00.000+10:00

From the latest edition of Rue Magazine

Image from the anniversary issue of Rue Magazine

It reminds me of when my husband and I first met. We were so in love and still are twelve years later. I knew within a couple of weeks that he was the one. Three years later I asked HIM to marry me. We are amazing together :)

Kel x

This and That Wednesday

2011-10-05T08:32:00.000+10:00

Image and instructions via here

Double band, messy bun style. My do for the day.

My best friend in Perth sends me little presents every now and again, for no particular reason, just because she is thinking of me. Love her! My last surprise package contained these mouth watering macaroon recipe books.

Pistachio and Orange Blossom Macaroons Yummy!

Image via here

A secret passage library! This would be my happy place. I'd never leave.

Image via here

Every so often I come across an image that stops me in my tracks. This is one of them. It is a home on the Isle of Krk in Croatia. The crumbling steps, shutters, vines and flowers capture my attention. I would love to see inside this home and more of the surrounding island. After some searching I found the original Flickr stream with more photo's. A breathtaking part of the world. See here

Image via here

I so need more fluro orange in my life :)

Kel x

Happy 6th Birthday my Sweetheart

2011-10-04T07:01:00.001+10:00

Six years ago my obstetrician said " It's a ........ GIRL!" and I sobbed the happiest tears I have ever cried in my life. My wish for a little girl had come true and I knew in that moment that it would never be just 'Me' ever again but always 'Us'.

Four days after she was born

Our darling daughter, Layla, is six years old. YEAH! What a journey we have been through to stand here today and see that she is so perfect in every way, super smart, curious, loving, kind, feisty, happy and healthy. I thank God for her everyday.

Our 6 year old girl

We love you to the moon and back, baby. xxx

Kel x

In support of Libraries

2011-10-03T07:24:00.000+10:00

A very talented paper sculptor has been leaving little works of art, anonymously, in libraries around Edinburgh. They are made from books, have hidden meanings and come with little notes attached.

A poet tree and paper egg

This sculpture was left on a table in the Scottish Poetry Library

The note attached read:-

" It started with your name @byleaveswelive and became a tree.… ... We know that a library is so much more than a building full of books… a book is so much more than pages full of words.… This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas….. a gesture (poetic maybe?)"

A gramophone and a coffin, sculpted from a copy of Ian Rankin's Exit Music

Found at National Library of Scotland

The note attached read:-

"For @natlibscot - A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..... (& against their exit)"

A Paper Cinema

Found in the Filmhouse

The note attached read:-

"For @filmhouse - A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..... and all things *magic*"

Dragon nesting in a window

Found in the Scottish Storytelling Centre

The note attached read:-

"For @scotstorycenter - A gift in support of libraries, books, works, ideas..... Once upon a time there was a book and in the book was a nest and in the nest was an egg and in the egg was a dragon and in the dragon was a story....."

The preservation of our libraries is an issue close to my heart. How wonderful to have such a talent out there, whoever they are, bringing awareness to the topic in such a magical way.

See more sculptures and the full story here.

Thank you, Carolyn, for bringing this story to my attention. You were right, I find this fascinating :)

Kel x

Memorable Moments of the Week

2011-09-30T16:32:00.002+10:00

One scary moment ....

My girls and I were driving to the shopping centre when my three year old says "Mummy, look at the spider" I looked around and saw nothing and remembered she had called a fruit fly a spider recently, so thought no more of it. We parked the car and all of a sudden my five year old starts screaming "SPIDER!!!". She looked terrified and was pointing at the dash board. HOLY #?$#?&*#@!! A Huntsman spider the size of my HAND was walking across the dash towards me. Well, I have never moved so fast in my entire life. I pulled the girls out of their car seats in a flash, threw them in the nearest trolley, kicked my shoe off and caught it, in one movement, and ran to the passenger side door all wild eyed and crazy like. All I could think of was if it vanished, to where ever the hell it came from, I would never be able to drive the car again. EVER! I flung the door open and it was still there. "I smacked it on the bottom and shooed him out the door", that was the version I gave to the girls :). Just to clarify - I don't live in the Amazon, I drive a nice car with no gaping holes that would allow a prehistoric spider access and I can only think it was transferred into the car on a bag, or shoe or head OMG!!!! I feel sick.

I could not bring myself to post a real picture of a spider. This one might be a slight exaggeration of the size :)

Not the end of the world but a little bit sad moment......

The girls won four tickets to see Zookeeper at the cinemas. Fantastic, given the cost of taking a family of four to the movies. Off we went and it was lovely apart from the fact that I didn't hear one word. Even with the best bilateral hearing aids money can buy, I could not make out one spoken word, only noises. It was a confronting moment for me as it brings home the reality of how bad my hearing has become. At home everything we watch has captions and lip reading kind of helps me when talking to people. I had not realised it had deteriorated so much. In fifteen years I have gone from having perfect hearing to almost being deaf. I don't think I would be so upset if it were not for my little girls. I worry I won't be able to do all the things a mum needs to do for their children. I know there are lots of deaf mothers out there doing wonderful jobs and it does help to put things in perspective. I will always be there for them and we will continue to work out ways to communicate and cope. It just makes me a little sad every now and again.

My Sweethearts xxx

Onto happier moments...

We went into Spotlight to top up our art and craft box for the holidays .......

BE STILL MY CHRISTMAS TRAGIC BEATING HEART!

Look what was stacked on the shelves in September! Is it getting earlier and earlier?? I think so but having said that I felt that rush of excitement that Christmas brings and allowed my self a brief moment to think about those extra fairy lights and decorations that I need to buy. Having children has turned me into the biggest Christmas tragic of them all :)

We survived the school holidays. All back to normal next week.

Have a wonderful weekend my lovely friends.

Kel x

Exciting Times

2011-09-27T07:25:00.000+10:00

"Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it." - Claude Monet

I feel exactly the same, Claude. It's exciting times :)

Kel x

Quote via wit and delight tumblr

Movies that define my generation

2011-09-23T09:49:00.004+10:00

My current university assignment is asking me to reflect on the aspects of my life that have lead to my current world view. Having the attention span of an ant, today, one thing lead to another and before I knew it, I had a list of the defining movies from generation x. Me being of a 1973 vintage :)

The Breakfast Club

An all time classic and my favourite.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

"Bueller, Bueller, Bueller"

Dirty Dancing

No need for words. You know what I'm feeling .

Footloose

How could they even attempt to remake this classic. I'm appalled!

St. Elmo's Fire

Judd, Andrew and Rob. Hmmmm

Less Than Zero

The brilliant Robert Downey Jnr. and a case of life imitating art.

Reality Bites

What on earth happened to Ethan and Winona? I idolised them.

Pretty In Pink

Hey look, it's the guy from 'Two And A Half Men'.

Pulp Fiction

Violent but trippy and very Tarantino.

Love the soundtracks in all of these movies.

Yes, they are all very American. I do have another list that probably reveals a bit of a split personality on my part. It's full of foreign films that are a little darker, edgier, usually French and oh so not politically correct. That list is for another post, maybe.

Anyone care to add to my list? I'm sure I have missed a few.

Kel x

Ryan

2011-09-22T12:24:00.000+10:00

I'm sorry to go all 13 year old and girly on you but sometimes it just can't be helped.

Ryan Reynolds

Hmmmm. Not bad. Just an observation ;)

Kel x

Images from here

I Love A Good Stripe Part 2

2011-09-21T08:46:00.000+10:00

Like so many others, I am drawn to anything with stripes. They stop me in my tracks.

The New WALNUT Rope Sole Espadrille from here

I think it's becoming an addiction, hence a part 2 stripe post and then there is the 23 striped items of clothing I own. See more stripey love here.

Kel x

All images from here

Pondering

2011-09-20T07:12:00.004+10:00

Our first outing to the local pool this Spring

School holiday pandemonium is in full swing in our neck of the woods. The weather is absolutely perfect and we have plans to go to the beach a few times, back to the pool, trips to the library and the cinema. I want to insert a couple of do nothing days for my sanity and to let the girls run wild with their imagination.

Out and About

Whilst watching my darlings play, I have been pondering some of the great mysteries of child raising and thought I'd share:-

1. Why is it that I can beg, plead, rave and rant until I turn blue in the face but it is not until I start counting backwards from five that my girls actually take any notice of me and move at the speed of light???

2. When I read the girls a bedtime story I yawn approximately 43 times per page, so the whole story is effectively read to them in a distorted muffle. What's that all about? Yes, I'm tired but a yawn a sentence?

3. Why is it that every time I cook a rice dish for dinner I find rice strewn throughout the whole house, even in the spare bedroom that has had the door closed? The girls have not even left the table yet. Mystery!

4. How is it that a gorgeous, sweet, little five year old girl can overhear her daddy slip up just once and say a swear word, while watching his silly football team lose again, lock that word away in her brain and then decide the appropriate time to use this strange word, that starts with F, is in front of her whole class and several teachers. OMG! I am beyond mortified.

Is it just me? :)

Kel x

If Only....

2011-09-19T12:05:00.000+10:00

If only I had the occasion and the unlimited budget, I'd be gallivanting around in these gorgeous gowns.

Halston via http://www.style.com

Source unknown

Ralph Lauren via www.searchingforstyle.com

Jason Wu image via www.newyorkfashionweek.com

Ellie Saab via here

Valentino via www.vogue.com.au

Valentino via here

Camilla Alves in a Kaufman Franco dress image from here

Miranda Kerr models Alex Perry via here

Elie Saab via http://www.style.com

Oh, to be a movie star for a day...

If I had to choose a favourite it would have to be the extremely sexy black Elie Saab with sky high split above.

And your favourite?

Kel x

Family Movie Night

2011-09-16T11:15:00.002+10:00

Tonight we are celebrating the start of school holidays with a family movie night.

Homemade pizza comes first

(my girls don't like takeaway pizza- can you believe it! They don't like cake either. Strange.)

We pile the couch with pillows and quilts and then snuggle up with popcorn and chocolate frogs. Lights out, it's movie time.

It was Isabelle's turn to choose the movie, so tonight we are watching.......

Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 - The Squeakquel. Woo Hoo!!!

Whatever makes our girls happy :)

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Kel x

All images from here

I must have this

2011-09-15T08:06:00.001+10:00

Image from here

This is my idea of a perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon. A simple setting consisting of a lounge swing, comfortable cushions, an overhead fan and a large potted palm. Just the spot to curl up with a book or have a little siesta with my girls.

Kel x

Ballerinas

2011-09-14T11:43:00.000+10:00

I cannot imagine the discipline, perseverance and fitness levels required to reach Prima Ballerina status.

Utterly amazing!

Wow!

Their bodies are transformed into sculpted works of art (crippled feet aside).

I am full of admiration for their talent and grace. But for my own little ballerinas....

I'd much rather they continue hanging upside down on the bar with great big smiles on their faces.

Kel x

All images from here

Getting down to business

2011-09-14T10:25:00.001+10:00

Image from here

I have been burning the midnight oil studying every night, ploughing through my chocoholic husband's chocolate stash, doing not one ounce of exercise and as a result I'm dragging myself out of bed every morning feeling utterly exhausted. No More! It's all going to change. I have launched a Spring fitness campaign.

Image from here

I found the above picture on Pinterest.com and the attached caption read " Don't wish for it, work for it", Well! lightning bolt moment. No more sitting around feeling Blaaaahh for me. I have been hitting the streets, at the crack of dawn, this week and pounding the pavement. Actually, I'm walking and will step it up to a shuffle in the coming weeks before attempting to run. That's the plan anyway. I think now that I have blabbed about it all here, I will feel obliged to see it through. Anyone else launching a Spring fitness campaign?

Kel x

p.s. I'm sorry for reposting this but I'm having issues with Blogger not updating my blog on other peoples blog rolls. I have deleted my last two posts and will now upload them again. ARRRGGHHH!!! hope this works.

These are for you, Madonna

2011-09-12T11:42:00.001+10:00

Image via Pinterest

Image via A Country Farmhouse

These may not be Hydrangeas but what a lovely setting anyway. Image via Pinterest

What's not to love about Hydrangeas ????

Kel ;)

We will never forget

2011-09-11T09:09:00.001+10:00

Image from here

The day that changed the world.

Kel x

A night off and other riveting bits and pieces

2011-09-09T16:49:00.002+10:00

I am having a much needed night off from study to indulge in my magazine addiction. Home Beautiful, Australian House and Garden and Country Style. That's it! I won't even look at magazine shelves in the newsagents or shopping centres because I have no will power when faced with pretty covers and can quite easily spend a small fortune.

Exciting news on the home front, after nine months, let me repeat that NINE months, of drafting plans, then changing those plans another two times to achieve an affordable renovation, five building quotes, approvals, soil testing etc. our builder finally started the renovation on our little house this week. I have never been so happy to see a Porta-loo in my whole life. I have no photo's due to the cyclonic weather conditions and to be honest, the house is horrible, old and smelly in it's present condition and I'm too embarrassed to post before photo's :). We have been renting elsewhere through this whole procedure, while our little house sat empty and grew smellier by the minute. The garden at the house resembles an overgrown, tropical jungle. I wonder what little surprises I will find when I start poking around in there. I have already had two heart stopping moments with a Blue Tongue Lizard. What the! and a prehistoric spider of gigantic proportions. Fingers crossed we will be moving in at the end of October. YEAH!!!!!


Me (gigantic, shiny forehead!),Gary, Isabelle and Dad. Mum runs away from the camera.	At Isabelle's Kindy

My Mum and Dad have been and gone. I absolutely loved having them here. They have been divorced for 30 something years so being in the same place (My family is spread out all over Australia) is a very rare thing and so very special for the girls and I.

Have a wonderful weekend my lovely friends.

Kel x

What do my favourite books say about me?????

2011-09-08T07:27:00.002+10:00

When travelling around blog land, I have noticed that one of my first stops, on a new blog, is to see if there is a list of favourite books on their profile. A book list seems to tell me so much more about a person then their own description ever could. My book list is ever changing and I'm sure that tomorrow I'll remember twenty books that I should have included in this post. As at this minute, here is my short list:

Jane Eyre - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

Gone With The Wind -Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

The Alchemist - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

Great Expectations - Info and review via

www.dymocks.com.au

Memoirs of Geisha - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

Twilight - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

Wuthering Heights - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

Atonement - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

The English Patient - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

The Godfather - Info and review via www.dymocks.com.au

Pride and Prejudice - Info and review via

www.dymocks.com.au

I could keep going and going but have to draw the line somewhere. What does this list say about me?

It reflects the fact that I have been rereading all the classics I can get my hands on and that I am a hopeless romantic with a penchant for grandiose epics that span generations.

I take great comfort in knowing that no matter how long I live I will never run out of fabulous books to read.

Kel x

Advance in the direction of your dreams

2011-09-07T08:14:00.000+10:00

Image via dustjacket attic

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

- Henry David Thoreau

This quote has pride of place on a pin board above my desk. It has struck a cord with me and proves to be a never ending source of motivation.

Go forward my friends ;)

Kel x

Spring BBQ

2011-09-06T07:32:00.000+10:00

My darling Mum and Dad are in town and I plan to celebrate with a big family lunch. Now that Spring is here it's time to take the fanfare outside.

Summer Outdoor Dining via http://pinterest.com

It has to be simple, with the majority prepared in advance.

Antipasto with Grissini via www.taste.com.au

Chermoula Prawns via www.taste.com.au

The boys can man the BBQ, while I

beef,pancetta and mushroom kebabs via www.taste.com.au

swan around with a Margarita in hand (The reality is I'll probably fall asleep if I attempt to drink during the day but the thought is nice. The sleepiness thing is caused from nearly six years of being woken up EVERY night by little people :)


Watermelon Margarita via martha stewart

Hot Dogs via www.taste.com.au

Hot dogs for the little ones

Green Garden Salad http://www.taste.com.au

Caprese Salad via www.taste.com.au

Grilled Strawberries and Ice Cream via www.taste.com.au

Strawberries fresh from the farm.

All sorted. Fingers crossed for nice weather.

Kel x

Caribbean Paradise

2011-09-05T08:01:00.001+10:00

I'm sure this house has appeared on many a blog before but Oh, how I love it...

King's Treat

Harbour Island, The Bahamas.

Restored, designed and styled by India Hicks and her partner David Flint Wood.

Image via http://hibiscushillharborisland.squarespace.com

A perfect mix of British and Caribbean styling. It just does not get any better than elephants, plantation shutters, deck chairs and wrap around verandahs.

Kel x

To the two most important men in my life

2011-09-04T21:01:00.000+10:00

My Sweetheart.

Never before has there been a better father or husband than you.

And My Darling Dad.

How lucky I am to have you both.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!

I love and adore you.

Kel x

My Paris Dream

2011-09-02T06:35:00.001+10:00

Image via here

I have a huge dream that involves moving our family to Paris for one year and immersing ourselves in all that is fabulously French. I began reading Jordan's addictive and inspirational blog oh happy day, which tells of her family's exciting move from America to Paris for the year, and that is when my dream turned into a steadfast goal.

Markets in Paris image via http://ohhappyday.com

I want us to experience Paris in all of the seasons-

Image via here

Spring

Image via here

Summer

Image via here

Autumn

Image via here

Winter

Image via here

This little Australian family of mine has never seen snow, so a dreamy white Christmas would be the icing on the cake.

Montmartre Image via here

My fully online university study will come with me and I hope to organise the practical components at the American Library in Paris ( I am nothing but detailed in my dreams :) ). Of course, I will blog about our adventures.

Image via here

I would love for my hard working husband to take the year off. I don't think Radiographers are in short supply in France so it may be difficult to secure the appropriate working visa. Gary has a fantastic book within him. Maybe in Paris???

Image via here

Image via Scrapbook via Inspired Design

I want to rent a little two bedroom apartment in a lovely family friendly arrondissement (suburb) in Paris, close to school and within walking distance to cafes, patisseries and markets.

Image via here

Via here

I would love to make this all happen within three years to avoid distrupting the girls schooling when they are older. They are five and three now and I think they will love the experience of going to school and learning French in Paris, whilst they are young. The International schools are VERY expensive, so I am searching for something more affordable. To give them a head start we will start French lessons soon.

Image via http://parisandbeyond-genie.blogspot.com/

Paris will be our base from which to explore surrounding countries like these-

Germany Image via here

Germany

Italy Image via here

Italy

Greece image via here

Greece

I am well aware that this is a very romantic little dream and I have been brought back to earth by reading these two fantastic books-

A Family In Paris by Jane Paech - via here

Almost French by Sarah Turnbull - via here

Whilst these books detail all that is magnificent about The City of Lights, they also highlight some of the difficulties foreigners can sometimes encounter when trying to assimilate into the French culture.

Source unkown

I have much to figure out including the BIG one "How can we afford to do this????", as for everything else I'll keep planning and plotting because this much I know, I have a habit of making my dreams come true, especially when I put it down in writing or just put it out there.

Luxembourg Gardens Image via Parisien Salon

We only have one life people. Dream big!

Kel x

Verandah Love

2011-09-01T07:34:00.000+10:00

I would live on my verandah if it looked like any one of these...

Image via http://sunsurfer.tumblr.com/

Stuart Membery Home Collection ????

Source Unknown

Image via Stuart Membery Home Collection

Image via here

The House the A-M Built via here

Oh A-M! "The House" is up there with the greatest. Image and story via The House that A-M Built

Image via http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com

Image via here

Every image is perfect and they will be my inspiration when styling my own, much smaller verandah, when it is built. If only I had an A-M or Stuart Membery to help me :)

Kel x

This and That Wednesday

2011-08-31T07:03:00.001+10:00

Issue 2 Paper Runway Magazine via here

This online magazine is choc full of paper delights. That's right! Paper products, paper sculptors, artists, illustrators, DIY and so much more. I marvel at the talents some people possess. Read this fabulous magazine here.

The Block final update

The Block Josh and Jenna sell house image via here

Josh and Jenna have sold their house to the tune of $1 million dollars which means they will take home $50 000.00 for their efforts.

The Block Rod and Tania sell house image via here

Rod and Tania have also sold their house after passing it in at auction, for the tidy sum of $922 000.00 and pocketing the $72 000.00 above the reserve. This leaves Katrina and Amie as the only couple not to make any money from the sale of their property :(.

Amongst other things, this article says that each person received $700.00 per week for the eight weeks they lived on The Block. I didn't know that. They earned it.

Look what arrived in the mail yesterday. The beautiful pair of Oliver and Co. flats I ordered. So pretty. They are better than I had hoped. Thank you Kimberlee from Brown Button for posting about the Oliver and Co. "Kick ass shoe sale" (well put Kimberlee).

Miranda Kerr Via here

OH! Stop it Miranda. You take perfection to a whole new level.

Kel x

Spring is here!

2011-08-30T09:14:00.000+10:00

Only I think we might have skipped over the pleasant Spring temperatures and moved straight into Summer. It was sweltering hot here on the weekend and it took me completely by surprise. I have pulled out my summer dresses and have my eye on these little summery must haves to add to my collection-

J.Crew Ikat beach coverup via here

Emersonmade Trench dress via emersonmade.com

French Connection Playsuit via www.asos.com

Yarra Trail Pintuck dress via birdsnest.com.au

J.Crew striped maxi dress via www.jcrew.com

Pomegranate Melody Pocket dress via www.zodee.com.au

Now the search for swim wear begins.

Kel x

Celebrity Style

2011-08-29T07:35:00.000+10:00

Camilla Belle

This 25 year old American actress has some serious style. She seems to live and breathe fashion. In fact, I think she is better known for her sense of style then her acting career.

Camilla Belle image via here

A classic beauty

Camilla Belle image via here

I'm experiencing some serious eyebrow envy.

Camilla Belle image via here

And hair envy too.

I have only seen one of her movies and that was the 2006 remake of 'When A Stranger Calls'. I don't do scary movies very well and I was terrified in an addictive/good kind of way. I know that doesn't make sense but I could not walk away from this movie, I kept coming back for a little more torture. To tell you the truth, I think the star of this movie was the house, pictured below. They made this house from the ground up as a set for this movie. Lots of glass walls, very modern and many nooks for serial killers to hide in.

House set for When a Stranger Calls image via

http://www.flickr.com

Anyway back to Camilla, I'm sure her star is on the rise. She has that IT factor. Keep an eye out for her.

Kel x