Shopping with a purpose!

I love nothing more than buying gifts for my mum.

I think every mother should be gifted with a beautiful, heartfelt token of love from their children on Mother's Day.

It doesn't need to be expensive and if you are up for it, you can make something using your God-given talents.

(like a beautiful meal, flowers from your garden, a special photograph set into a pretty frame, or even a day's labour - like gardening, a DIY project, some spring cleaning - especially fitting, seeing as she gave up at least a day "labouring" to have you!)

I love buying my mum something pretty to wear, as she never really  treats herself to clothes. In fact, when she does buy something, she usually hangs it in her closet for a suitable grace period until (and I am guessing here) the "newness" wears off. I didn't inherit that trait: As soon as I buy new clothes, they are on my back!

I have my gifts for my mother all wrapped and ready for when I go and visit her next weekend. I cannot wait! It has been four full months since I have seen her and I am so ready for one of her hugs.

 

Because I (like you) have the BEST mother in the world.

For real...

Now, if you want to win your mum a spectacular gift, then head on over here to enter to win the PERFECT present.

Did someone say, Anthropologie?

And while you're there, why not buy her a copy of the best magazine of the summer?

And I'm not kidding...it's really that gooood!!!!!!!!!!!

Bittersweet...

Like many, I awoke earlier than my usual time to watch the royal wedding of William and Kate (Catherine). Sure, I could have waited and watched it via the internet, but I like living in the moment. I'm old-fashioned like that.

After watching William and the other members of the royal family arrive at Westminster Abbey, I rustled Sophie from a sound sleep to see Kate arrive at the church and get that first glimpse of the wedding gown.

To say I loved it would be an understatement. Very reminiscent of Grace Kelly's gown, and flawless.

It was very different from Princess Diana's wedding gown. 

Even though I was an enamored young girl back then, I knew it wasn't the most fashion forward dress and very wrinkly...but it took my breath away. I thought she was stunning and magical as only she could be.

Which is why after watching the service today and witnessing not one, but two, brief and chaste kisses, I found myself crying. I am just so sad.

As a mum, I just wish that Diana could be here today to witness her beautiful boy's happy day. It breaks my heart that she can't and I can only imagine how much she is missed by her boys today. 

In fact, while searching for images to accompany this post, I stumbled upon one of Diana and Dodi just as they were driving off on that fateful night and I wanted to will her to stop. It takes my breath away that one moment can change so much for so many people. Mothers shouldn't die. Shouldn't be taken from their children. It is cruel.

So, I picked up the phone and dialed the only person I knew who would understand and not laugh or roll their eyes as I choked out a hello through my tears:

My sister. And she cried with me.

Ans now I am going to call my mum (who is much more stoic) and we will have a proper chat about the fashion and hats, and we will drink our tea and chew our toast over the phone, which neither of us will mind.

Because my sister will have none of that: no eating while on the phone!

Easter...around the house

 

Best Easter ever, without a doubt! 

Living with TOAST

I love TOAST. Whether for your home or your wardrobe, the mix of colour, layers & textures combine key pieces with simple touches to create an endless thread of inspiration...

http://www.toast.co.uk/

Spring, Sprung... I'm done!!

(photo from the project that has been keeping me so busy!)

Sakes alive!

It feels like forever since I've taken a moment to update my blog.

To be perfectly honest, it has been a side effect of writing so many stories for the summer issue of Holiday. 

I was "typed out."

But I am on a "pseudo break:"

I am focusing my week on cleaning my house, picking up things to put in my children's Easter baskets.

Because you know that teenage boys are so big on that! hah!

Thank goodness Sophie is till little; she loves Easter!

Today we decorated the house for the holiday and if it wasn't freezing out I would feel like spring is truly here!

Utah was wonderful!

(Can you believe those mountains?!!)

Meeting Stephanie Nielson and her sisters was amazing.

Stephanie is so  kind and warm and has a quiet humor about her.

I think she was quiet because she was so exhausted by her week. She had spent the days preceding our visit being interviewed and filmed by Elizabeth Vargas for 20/20. It is airing some time in May, I think.

I also got to have a chat with Courtney, aka CJane.

She is every bit as funny and charming as she appears on her blog and vlogs. I had to tell her that I love her writing. Because I do. It is killer!

Before I went to Utah I made a pit stop at Matthew Mead's studio to shoot my story.

We had some great laughs at how some of my photos turned out.

You had to be there, I know, but I can be seriously unphotogenic.

It's why I don't load my blog with photos of myself.

Well, except for my fan photos, above!

Here is a very small sneak peek at my story. It involves a few of the traditions I have carved out with my kids for summer.. It is truly "me" and I love that. 

I have also been doing a lot of Zumba lately, to counteract the fact that I am on my rear-end, sitting at my computer so much. 

I LOVE it!

I can't believe I have finally found an exercise I enjoy.

I look like a dork doing it but I pretend I don't.

I have yet to find a pair of workout pants that don't fall down, though.

I even sprang for some Lululemon pants, but they manage to inch their way down, too.

And they are stupidly expensive. But Sophie thinks I'm cool, so that is worth something, right?

So I figure I burn a few extra calories by tugging at my pants as I dance/exercise.

You know, to hide my stomach...

And I am still afraid of my new camera.

I went from someone who took oodles of pictures to someone who never picks it up.

Isn't that stupid?

Why, yes. Yes, it is.

So, I am thinking of making a departure from my usual Easter dinner and recreating the luncheon that Matthew served Stephanie and her sisters. It was dee-licious!! Not that I got to taste anything. I was too busy schlepping stuff and being a good styling assistant. Believe me, there is nothing glamorous about assisting on a shoot. But it is FUN! I still have to pinch myself that I get to meet the people I do and be part of something I have always dreamed about.

Speaking of meeting people: When we were in Provo, we wre invited to dinner at the home of the amazing, renowned photographer, David Meredith. David has shot so many features for a multitude of well-known shelter magazines (including Country Home) and has photographed many of the gorgeous home interiors shots for Anthropologie.

Like this one:

And these ones:

His home was amazing and he and his wife made the most delicious meal...the mushroom soup and beef tenderloin...well, I still think about them and wish for that soup recipe! 

David is a true jet-setter, flying across the country non-stop to photograph projects for Barbara Barry, Diane von Furstenburg, and Anthropologie, among many others. He and his wife and Matthew and Jenny had a great time catching up and sharing stories about work and the people they know while I ate as slowly as I could (didn't want to reveal my true self) and took it all in.

It was truly a fun but tiring trip!

Phew!

Long-winded much?

I do promise to check in more frequently.

I have a giveaway I'd like to do (and I don't do them often!) and some more news to share.

If you hung in for this entire monologue then hats off to you and I am grateful that anyone still comes here!

I have missed the interaction this blog gives me, but I have been peeking in on you.

And yes, I am bad not to comment as often as I should, so don't feel like you should comment on my rambling post!!

Now, back to sneaking chocolate eggs from my stash!!

The Millswyn

Yesterday I enjoyed a fabulous girls' lunch at The Millswyn, my second since it opened only a few months ago. Located opposite the Botanic Gardens, & site of the once infamous formal dining institution, Lynches, it has been completely reinvented with new soul & energy & is absolutely divine. It is testament to a brilliant design interpretation between owner/entrepreneur, Davis Yu, & renowned interior design team, Hecker Guthrie. Working with a neutral base palette, the detail in the fittings & fitout also reveal an appreciation for Scandinavian design & New York style.

The service was both efficient & enthusiastic, & the food a perfect Saturday menu of gourmet delights. We lingered longer over wine & coffee, savouring the atmosphere of the cocktail bar & the music in a very understated, relaxed & welcoming ambience at this fabulously chic new dining establishment. Now, to organise dinner...

The Millswyn

http://www.themillswyn.com.au/

Holiday Solitude...

Autumn, my very favourite season. Whether Easter or a cosy weekend away, a coastal retreat is my ideal getaway as the nights get cooler, the leaves change. Fresh sea air, sleeping, reading, movies, no time restraints. Brunch at all hours, walks along the beach, a picnic with friends...I'm looking forward to relaxing & enjoying a few simple pleasures, to re-energise & have time to do little that we all need to find.