tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51254753571644478682024-03-14T11:08:55.779+13:00Our Windy SpotOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-9649311725165366362012-09-16T17:15:00.001+12:002012-09-16T17:15:32.162+12:00It's a doll's life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was so super flattered that the fabulous parenting magazine <a href="http://www.littlies.co.nz/">Littlies</a> wanted to feature my dollshouse in its September issue (Littlies is my absolute favourite magazine for practical advice and fun inspiration - I also look forward to seeing what cover the amazing <a href="http://www.karynflett.co.nz/">Karyn Flett</a> has captured each month!!). The article provided some snippets of how I created my dollshouse but if you would like further detail, then here we go.....</div>
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When I saw the most gorgeous dollshouse created by Megan at <a href="http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/mousehouse-dollshouse.html">Mousehouse</a> I was completely inspired to create my own. I never had a dollshouse as such as a child but I remember turning the bottom of my wardrobe into a makeshift one and making all the furniture out of anything and everything I could find. So as an adult I just loved the idea of renovating a dollshouse for my daughter Mila and the idea that I could completely personalise it in a style of my own.<br />
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I had already given my husband Kent the task of building an outdoor playhouse for Mila from scratch so I thought I dare not ask him to build the dollshouse as well. So I set about the task of looking for one on trademe. After a few months looking I settled on a fairly new white mdf house that was originally kitset it cost $75. It is sturdy and required no prep work, it was a blank canvas to work with. We did however turn the ground floor into 3 rooms where it was originally one. Kent cut some pieces of plywood to size (a nice tight fit so we could just wedge them in to create the new walls).<br />
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The house has taken over a year to finish. I have done it bit by bit. Some months I went furniture, fabric and paint crazy!!! and other months I just put it away and didn't even glance in its direction. You need to have somewhere away from the children to work on it. I had to keep ours tucked away in our walk in wardrobe which was rather tedious. When we turned half of our office into my craft room it was sooooo helpful to have desk space up high to work on it.<br />
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So here it is, floor by floor...<br />
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And room by room, firstly the open plan living.... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The breakfast bar is made out of a wooden jewellery box that I bought at Bed, Bath and Table. I took the lid off and the hinges, flipped it upside down and painted it white. The 3 pendant lights are craft polystyrene balls and craft wire bought from a local $2 shop. I painted the balls white. The chairs came from a dinky little furniture set found at the same shop. The kitchen units are from Lundby (the famous dollshouse makers) which I sourced through <a href="http://www.iqtoys.co.nz/brand/lundby/">IQ Toys</a>. The fruit bowl and kitchen bits & bobs came with the units. I made the fruit for the bowl from playdough. The vase is a craft bead and the flowers came from a scrapbooking store in Hamilton East that has now shut down.</span></td></tr>
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I just ADORE this little cake stand I bought off trade me (miniatures is quite the craze on trade me, I always have a bit of a laugh at sellers who make it clear that they are NOT toys for children!). I made the cake inside from some yellow foam and a blob of pva for icing with some pink and white hundreds and thousands.</div>
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The dining table was a cheap little cut out set from trade me that I painted white. I also bought the cane bookstand, books and 'home sweet home' sign off trade me. I debated for SO long whether to paint the frame of the sign white or not. I decided to leave it natural for that authentic 'homely' feeling that the sign is all about. I made the tounge and groove panelling for the walls from box cardboard. I cut it into strips and then using a craft knife I cut down the vertical grooves and used my finger to then press along the cut creating an inward groove. Once painted it came off looking like tounge and groove (I have always dreamt of having this in my 'dream' home so here was my opportunity!!!). The wallpaper was craft paper I bought at the scrapbooking store. They only had a few sheets left so all botch-ups just had to stay. I loved the bright retro look of it. Also Mila's bedroom has a lot of pink and yellow so I thought this was one way to make the dollshouse really match her room and blend in. Throughout the house I used either PVA or decoupage painted on with a paint brush to stick the wallpaper to the walls. </div>
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I made the clock to replicate a wicker clock that we have in our house. I plaited together 3 strips of craft wire. I found the image for the clockface off google images and printed it on card.
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The sofa and armchair were a nightmare to upholster. They were originally bare wooden cut outs bought off trade me. I added some old cushion stuffing for some cushioning. Initially I had bought some very cool retro yellow fabric to cover them but the pattern was too difficult to work with so I went with a more simple polka dot. I tried to glue the fabric initially which was a disaster. In the end I used double sided tape to make it work and somehow it just did. By making the wooden base sticky and adhesive I could just stick the fabric where I needed to. I sewed the mini cushions with some fabric offcuts I had. The fabrics all come from spotlight. The lamp is from Lundby. The side table is a toy block I found around the house and the coffee table is a dip dish I turned upside down.</div>
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I made these mini Littlies Magazines by downsizing images from online and printing onto a thin card. I bent the card and used extra wide cellotape to give them a glossy finish. I used a tiny bit of bluetack to hold the mag together as the cover tended to spring back.</div>
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I made these artworks by printing the words on the computer and glueing to craft card. I made the frames from lollypop sticks glued together.<br />
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For Mila's room I chose a bold owl paper for the wallpaper because I thought it was just gorgeous and so did she. The furniture in this room is a mix of a plain set I bought from <a href="http://educationalexperience.co.nz/playways/">Playways Toystore</a> and painted white, together with some pieces that I "borrowed" from the dollshouse my parents bought for their house for all the granchildren to play with. I figured that given that house has been trashed and half the contents probably thrown down the bank to the beach, I was allowed to sneak a few bits. The artwork is a cutout of a Mila crayola original. The ornate frame is a fridge magnet I bought from Redcurrent. </div>
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I made this frame out of buttons that I glued onto card. The artwork is a miniature of the artwork that I have framed in Mila's bedroom. I think this saying sums up exactly how I feel in so many ways. I bought it off <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/curryonthecouch">Etsy</a>. The artist is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/curryonthecouch">Curry on the Couch</a>.</div>
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Again a simple block became a side table. These books came with the bookshelf in the dining room.<br />
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This frame was a little mirror I had lying around the house. I think from memory it came with a toiletry bag. The mirror fell out so it was the perfect frame for one of my <a href="http://www.karynflett.co.nz/">Karyn Flett</a> photos of Mila.</div>
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The chalkboard is a peg label turned upside down that I bought from <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">Dots n Spots</a>. I made the chalk by cutting a lollypop stick. I think this is one of my favourite things in the whole house!!<br />
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I cut the whole bunting flag out of scrapbook paper.
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The master bedroom was so much fun to create. I basically decided to decorate it how I'd like my own bedroom to be (if I weren't so scared of wallpaper in real life!). I bought the damask type paper from the scrapbooking shop. The master bed is just a block of wood. I used an old baby muslin facecloth as the wrap around bedding. I sewed the cushions and bed-end spread from some scrap fabrics I found at my parents house which they had bought from <a href="http://www.boltofcloth.com/">Bolt of Cloth</a> for their curtains (except the grey spotty fabric which is from spotlight). I made the bedhead from the top of the jewellery box that I discarded when making the breakfast bar. I used a layer of old cushion stuffing and then fastened the fabric using double sided tape. </div>
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The lamps are made from cut up toilet rolls and the lids off some $2 shop lipsticks. The beside tables are tealight candle holders I had at home that I turned upside down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMhD2wuy8xRiC5dIbuUp5hHGXPkG3H12Obwdhnc8wj-j304w2QhTImPU8daUsnwRtSWdCrnYFwn4LP_r6qPclFtAC1gt0nzWtE6KXDtwTP-uI2ZxQXYdQSdbHXTth9x2B9ltCUstapyJe/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMhD2wuy8xRiC5dIbuUp5hHGXPkG3H12Obwdhnc8wj-j304w2QhTImPU8daUsnwRtSWdCrnYFwn4LP_r6qPclFtAC1gt0nzWtE6KXDtwTP-uI2ZxQXYdQSdbHXTth9x2B9ltCUstapyJe/s320/DSC_0185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The chest at the end of the bed is the box that our wedding bands came in. The wardrobe came with the bedroom furniture set that I bought from the Playways Toystore, I painted it white. The vogue artwork above is a fridge magnet that I have had forever. The shoes are courtesy of Mila's barbie!</div>
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I just had to create a photo wall because I am obsessed with them. I bought the two silver frames from the scrapbooking shop. The silver bead frame is made from cut strips of beading glued to card. The pearl frame is individual beads glued to card. The white frame is card that I cut with pattered craft scissors. The plain frame is backed with thin polystyrene so it sticks out from the wall. The two jewel embellishments I had bought years back to add to my wedding shoes (which I never did) and have been lurking in my craft drawer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4g3M3ejiReAs0F14qAPZXCu531nxCLSxQGT8EGIIet55L1YnLYBNwyB8RYUtsz0fEIjDUqW9L_sVoixlP_RcuA0q-IRjLgBPNI_4cixooHV-by2NEjLBXEoOwmQWMhpN4-hffwr4D-WG/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4g3M3ejiReAs0F14qAPZXCu531nxCLSxQGT8EGIIet55L1YnLYBNwyB8RYUtsz0fEIjDUqW9L_sVoixlP_RcuA0q-IRjLgBPNI_4cixooHV-by2NEjLBXEoOwmQWMhpN4-hffwr4D-WG/s320/DSC_0089.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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The oversized mirror I bought from the $2 shop, it came on a stand that I removed because it was too big. Love this photo!</div>
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Love this photo too!</div>
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The bathroom was actually the first room I completed (as you can see from the botched wallpaper in the corner I hadn't yet appreciated the 'measure twice cut once' theory!!). I picked up a sheet of tile from mitre 10 and cut it to size for the tile floor. The bathroom fittings are all from <a href="http://www.iqtoys.co.nz/brand/lundby/">Lundby</a>. </div>
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Once again I made mini versions of the print artworks I have in the kids bathroom at our house. I also got these off Etsy from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/curryonthecouch">Curry On The Couch</a>. I made the frames by cutting and painting iceblock sticks and glueing them together.</div>
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Gotta love the little duckies that came with the Lundby bathroom. </div>
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I decorated Luka's room in similar colours to his actual room. The furniture came as an unpainted nursery set from the <a href="http://educationalexperience.co.nz/playways/">toystore</a>. I made the Luka sign from scrapbooking letters I bought at Warehouse Stationary. I made the bunting from a mixture of paper and fabrics. The giraffe is a sticker we were given in a goodie bag at a birthday party. The feature wall on the left is scrapbooking paper bought at the scrapbook shop. I sewed the changemat and bedding from fabric bought at the scrapbooking shop. The teddy was a keyring I bought at the $2 shop.</div>
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I have plans to wallpaper the righthand side wall also because I feel its lacking a bit. I'm waiting to find a stripe in the right colour tones.</div>
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I made this frame from lollypop sticks. The print inside is another mini version of the print art I have in Luka's room again bought off Etsy from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/curryonthecouch">Curry On The Couch</a>.<br />
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I decided to make the last room an office / craftroom because we were in the throws of doing up our own one at home. The craft desk was a piece I 'borrowed' from my parents set. The chair was an extra one of the breakfast bar ones. The shelf came with the dining table and I painted it white. The office desk and chair is from Lundby. The rolls of craft paper are sitting in an ornate toothpick holder.</div>
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I cut pieces of Mila's artworks she has brought home from pre-school for the walls. </div>
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I used a little mini 3M hook for the hook to hang the apron that I sewed from fabric and ribbon scraps. I made the broom from a lollypop stick and a little foam thingy with bristles that we had lying around the house. The little basket on the desk and shelf I bought off trademe along with the cake stand. I made the paint brushes from toothpicks (a tip I got from Mousehouse) and stuck them in a craft bead. The rug actually came with the Lundby Bathroom. <br />
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I made the craft sign by hanging twine and using mini pegs that I bought from <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">Dots n Spots</a>. The letters are stickers stuck to cut bits of paper that match the feature wall. The side walls in this room had a plywood finish as we added them. I decided to give them a whitewashed finish in this room.</div>
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This mini easel I found at my parents house lying around (I think it used to be a stand for something silly). I painted it white and added a little custom artwork by Mila. She had just started to obsessively draw stick people (rather unique ones!).</div>
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I made this art for the wall from craft flowers and a button.<br />
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I made the pinboard from cardboard, fabric, string and double sided tape. Did I mention how much I love double sided tape!!! I made the laptop by finding a laptop image on google images and resizing it. I printed it on card and then bent it to shape. I used extra wide cellotape to give it the glass like finish.<br />
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WOW what a long post!!! I'm sooooo glad the house is all finished. We are yet to officially give the complete house to Mila. We are planning on handing it over officially on her 4th birthday. Until then its up on a set of drawers in the garage where she can have a bit of a play now and then. I am totally prepared that the house is going to be demolished!!!!!!! once it can be played with fully. I am fine with that. Toys are to be played with, that is the point of them. However, I think there is nothing wrong with having a few small rules. I'm not so worried about Mila as I am Luka. I don't want the contents being dragged out to the sandpit etc etc. So we are planning to build a shelf in the bottom of Mila's double wardrobe where the house will sit (so she can still store shoes and toys and bags under the shelf). The only rule is going to be that the dollshouse parts must stay in her room. She can reorganise the rooms till her hearts content but "hopefully" the parts remain in her room. This way she can close off her wardrobe if she doesn't want Luka playing with it when he is in a spaz "I'm going to destroy all your precious things" mood. Well that's the plan lets see how it goes!!! <br />
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I would LOVE to see any creations others have come up with. In a few months once we have had some sunshine and I can finish painting the playhouse, it will be my next major project to share :)<br />
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Olivia :)<br />
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<br />Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-55361102521319107712012-06-18T11:46:00.001+12:002012-06-18T11:46:23.391+12:00Go Fish!Even though it's still 6 months away I have picked a theme for Luka's 2nd birthday party and started some mental planning. Age 2 is sort of the last year where I figure I still have a bit of creative freedom with the theme choice because they aren't quite old enough to voice their own opinion about what they want. Well Mila hadn't by the age of 2 so for her theme I went with some of her first non "mummy and daddy" words - "birds, trees, flowers & bees". If Luka does develop an intense love of something distinct over the next few months then i'll go with that of course but until then i'll keep making a plan for my theme choice which i'm so excited about because I haven't seen it anywhere before (touch wood!) and its super cute. For his 1st birthday theme I handed the reigns over to Kent and let him choose, and surprise surprise it took all of 2 seconds for him to declare "FISHING". So fishing it was....well I changed it a tiny bit... GO FISH !<br />
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I must say I still look at the little fish tank goodie boxes and smile :) I loved coming up with the little choccie fish swimming in the blue jelly beans!<br />
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Olivia<br />
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<br />Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-20853921818930163182012-06-14T20:33:00.003+12:002012-06-14T20:34:12.570+12:00celebration decoration...I've been thinking how I missed out on posting a few celebrations that I decorated shortly before I got back into blogging. One was Luka's "Go Fish" themed 1st birthday party (I'll do a separate post for that), and the others were my lemon themed 30th and a red & white Christmas eve dinner party I hosted for my family. So here is a wee recap.....<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">My 30th was at the gorgeous <a href="http://www.thelilypadcafe.co.nz/">Lily Pad Cafe</a> on Kaipaki Road in Cambridge. Kate and the team were fabulous and let me help design my own menu and special birthday cocktail (a moscow mule!). They were more than happy for me to decorate and add my own touches. It was such a stunning summer night and the garden al fresco setting was just perfect! My lovely Mother-in-law made my lemon/coconut birthday cake which was absolutely delicious! She also supplied all the gorgeous white hydrangeas from her garden. My equally lovely sister-in-law picked me mountains of lemons from her tree and I turned them into place settings using some raffia and double sided tape. I whipped up a little birthday sign for above the cake table using old fashioned doilies which are such a great thing to have on hand for some super cute decorations. I saw the idea somewhere in blog land a while ago to have a jar of cookies and milk bottle lollies for some 'milk & cookies' to have after dessert with coffee and cake. I was so happy to find a <a href="http://www.candycorner.co.nz/">supplier</a> of single coloured jellybeans on the internet so I could add another pop of yellow! Lanterns hanging from the grapevines was a really simple way to make the night special thanks to a mix from <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">dots n spots</a> and spotlight. I hired the very cool pewter charger plates from the lovely ladies at <a href="http://www.blakes.co.nz/">Blakes</a> hire company. Such a lovely night - lemony perfection!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">This is the invite I designed . My 30 favourite things at 30. I quite like having one on the fridge and I ponder how different the list might be by my 40th :)</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We hosted Christmas Eve dinner outside as we were cooking in the woodfired pizza oven that my very clever hubby made (see more on his website <a href="http://www.lineanddesign.co.nz/">Line & Design</a>). I wanted a fun table for the kids to enjoy too. I used lanterns, straws, goodie boxes and mini wreaths from <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">dots n spots</a>. I came up with an idea to use the wreaths as napkins rings - they just squeezed on and looked very cute. I made some Christmas truffles for the goodie boxes but forgot to make a batch without rum for the kids so they got some snowballs instead. I always pull out my charger plates for special dinners. These charger plates are actually platters that were on special at briscoes one day for super cheap. I nabbed 10 of them because I knew they would make great chargers. Chargers are such an easy way to add that bit of special. It was a great dinner and great night (followed by a very exhausting effort to get the new trampoline and playhouse positioned in the dark while the kids slept!!!!!!! especially when the tractor ran out of diesel half way through the trip carting the playhouse from the shed to the house and had to be bled arggggggggggggh)!! ohwell thats what Christmas is all about 10% drama.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Olivia</span>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-21722746498626400982012-06-08T13:52:00.001+12:002012-06-08T13:52:55.938+12:00Office Renovation - Part 1Our office used to be a total bomb site. For years we had the hugest computer desk that we picked up at the salvation army for $10 (it was clearly made in an era when computers were made bigger than me). Basically the room was chaos. After I got a sewing machine for Christmas I decided the room was getting a makeover and going to be functional as both an office and craft room. I had an idea that we should build our own desk to make the most out of the room dimensions. Kent had the idea that the opposite side of the room should be head to toe custom bookshelves. So far the desk is made and installed but the shelves are in the shed still only half painted. So we are getting there slowly and in the meantime I thought i'd share a few snippets of the things i've done so far (thanks to pinterest for so much inspiration!!)....<br />
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I got the idea ages ago for using individual clipboards rather than one big pinboard (sorry no idea which blog it came from back in the day - but there are lots on pinterest now anyway). I covered mine with some fabrics from spotlight. I attached them to the wall with 3M picture hanging strips. They are these great little strips with little tiny fungi looking thingys that lock into eachother - super easy!<br />
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I love the yellow lamp I got from the warehouse. I found it in a mailer and then had to search about 5 warehouses until I got my hand on the lucky last!! yah. The frames are from the warehouse and a bargain at about $12 each. The first frame has a print I bought at kikki k - LOVE that quote. The second print I made myself (gosh hope I'm not guilty of copyright infringement because I know I've seen similar prints on etsy - but I did just come up with this mix while playing around). The third frame is one of Mila's first paintings she came home with from babyschool. It was so hard to choose which one to frame - I'm such a hoarder even keeping post-it notes and serviettes she has scribbled on! I have lots framed in one big frame in her room that used to be a mirror of my sisters that broke. Its quite convenient not having glass because I'll be able to easily change and update them.<br />
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My husband Kent is fishing MAD so I knew he would happily sit and work around lots of fish! I made the keep calm sign using a special <a href="http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/">website</a> and used fabric for the background. I recovered the old office chair with more spotlight fabric. This was surprisingly easy. The chair had a plastic edging that isn't glued hard in place its just sits there so I had room to tuck the new fabric in. I used a thin paintbrush to twist and tuck the fabric in. I covered our old pinboard with this very cool spotlight fish fabric and hung it under the 13 pound 2 oz salmon that Kent caught in the Wanganui River when he was 11 :)<br />
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I'll post more as the renovation progresses...<br />
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OliviaOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-34205515850765049762012-05-15T22:14:00.001+12:002012-05-18T13:02:26.630+12:00a very mint Mother's Day ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mint is one of my favourite things. It is my favourite 'anything sweet' flavour (especially especially mint gelato), is my favourite herb (smashed up with garlic, lemon juice & olive oil I add it to almost everything I eat), is a main ingredient in my favourite drink (MOJITO!) and lately is also my favourite colour (just writing this is making me wonder why I had a lemon themed 30th?) ... soooooo seeing as my love of mint comes from my Mum I thought it was the perfect theme for a Mother's Day celebration this year. My mum is about to head off to Europe with my Dad on her first ever proper OE and seeing as we won't be seeing her for 3 months I thought we should make Mother's Day a special treat ...<br />
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In my last post I mentioned some free <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/05/mothers-day-breakfast-free-printable/">printables</a> that I wanted to work into my table. Well of course I ran out of time but I did manage to incorporate this lovely quote by placing it against a mint coloured card background. I also used the card printable for my Mum's card (had to get the twink out for a quick change from Mom to Mum)</div>
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My first ever attempt at macarons. I can see why they have the reputation that they do. You need your ingredients to be optimal and preferably should avoid having two small children hanging off you while you make them! I opted for using the <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/masterchef-new-zealand/macaroon-tower-4033420">NZ masterchef recipe</a> and also used tips from <a href="http://www.giverslog.com/?p=1089">here</a>. I think my downfall was not aging my eggwhites long enough, not having fine enough ground almonds and also I'm dubious as to whether the recipe should be mls rather than grams for the egg white measurement (not sure what difference it would make but I don't think there was enough egg white to get the consistency needed - my mix was too stiff therefore I couldn't avoid leaving the wee tip shape from the piping bag. However, I did try experimenting with some leftover mixture and added more whites but too many I think and the result was pancakes - which you can see below I turned into some little towers layered with ganache and topped with mint buttercream). All in all I was pretty happy and I thought they tasted delicious!! The white chocolate ganache filling is really yum :) (I'm just updating this post because I've just noticed that Bella Cupcakes (the most clever baker with the most beautiful blog!) has been on a journey to master the Macaron and she has narrowed down the <a href="http://bellacupcakes.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/french-macaron-journey-take-three.html">best recipe and technique</a> - wish I'd seen this earlier!!)</div>
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Loving my new <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">Dotsnspots</a> drinks dispenser filled with mint lemonade.</div>
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I made these mint truffles by blitzing 2 packets of mint slice biscuits in the blender and adding some white chocolate ganache to get a rollable consistency. After freezing them I dipped them in mint coloured white chocolate - YUMMO.</div>
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I decided I wanted to make a fondant ruffle cake but I knew I would never find the time to make a beautiful tower with a trillion ruffle layers so I aimed small (well what I thought was aiming small). I saw a photo of a beautiful cake that had more of a blunt cut fondant layering and I thought I would try that and add an ombre twist aswell (I love ALL things ombre). Well at 10pm at night it was all getting two difficult so I when I realised I couldn't replicate the photo I just went simple. I think the finished product is still quite pretty. I'm not sure why it is though that every time I make a cake I swear I'm going to take the time to level the top and do all the things necessary to get a flawless finish but instead once again I didn't bother and sin of all sins I iced it still a bit hot!!!! I think it was the washing machine and dishwasher screaming at me to attend to them that distracted me. Oh well there is always next time. I'll post the recipe for the insanely good cake below.</div>
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Perfect honeycomb balls from <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">Dotsnspots</a>!</div>
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This M comes from the 'Mila' sign I have in her bedroom. It was the perfect addition for a Mint party all about celebrating Mums.</div>
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I love making food labels. Its nice hosting a party for adults simply for these little touches. I never bother with kiddies parties because I know they aren't read. I made these using card and craft scissors I got at spotlight. These pretty tea cups I picked up for free at a neighbourhood swap party (thanks for the invite Jade!!). So cool how one person's trash is another person's treasure - such a pity I forgot I had a matching teapot and didn't put it out. My mint coloured table runner is a roll of wrapping paper :)<br />
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I love mint in savoury food aswell. We had mini chicken sandwiches with mint aioli....</div>
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Lamb mint meatballs with yoghurt dipping sauce....</div>
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Pork, prawn & mint vermicilli salad boats ....</div>
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Roast beetroot, feta & mint dip with ciabatta.</div>
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This wasn't planned for the menu but Dad turned up with his home hot smoked salmon (amongst other dishes). This salmon is insanely good !!!!!!!</div>
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This cake was so yum. If you love mint and chocolate you will love it !!! I've been meaning to share my favourite chocolate cake recipe, all I did was mintify it a bit. This recipe came from a friend of mine who originally got it from another friend's mother who got it from her friend and .......my knowledge of the recipe chain ends there. You know a recipe is good when it travels (I have made some small changes though).<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1 cup of made up espresso
or instant coffee (recommend de-caf for kids cake)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1.5 cups of
standard flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1 tsp baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1 tsp vanilla
essence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">2 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1.5 cups of sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">½ cup cocoa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">125g butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">1 cup of plain
yoghurt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">to make it mint omit the vanilla essence and instead add 1 tsp of peppermint essence, add 3/4 of a large block of whittakers peppermint / dark chocolate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Make up the coffee
and let it cool a little. Put all dry
ingredients into a bowl and mix to combine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Melt the butter and
add the vanilla (or peppermint), coffee and yoghurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Break the eggs into
the dry ingredients and mix a bit. Add
liquids and mix till just combined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Melt the peppermint chocolate in the microwave and then add to the cake mixture by gently folding it in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Bake in a lined
22cm round tin at 160 degrees for 40 min or until skewer comes out clean. Cool in tin for 10 min then cool on a rack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">This is the
standard recipe for a rather standard size cake. I always at least 1.5 times or double the recipe for a nice high cake,
then when it is cool I split the cake horizontally and add a layer of butter
cream icing in the middle, before icing the entire cake. It makes it that much
more moist and delicious!! for my cake above I actually went 2.5 times the recipe and then split it into 2 20cm tins for a smaller higher cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Such a long post!! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Olivia </span><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-90207121140844207662012-05-03T15:28:00.000+12:002012-05-03T15:28:40.133+12:00Mint + MumI'm planning a very minty Mother's Day this year. Just sharing some inspiration ..........<br />
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Wanted to also share the link to these gorgeous <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/05/mothers-day-breakfast-free-printable/">free printables</a> that I found:</div>
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They have been put to use in a gorgeous Mother's Day breakfast, see below (may have to show my husband this to give him some ideas for how breakfast in bed is done - although having said that he does make me great french toast!). I'm going to use these printables in my family Mother's Day morning / afternoon tea (not quite decided just yet) (may have to get some twink out though and change a few Moms to Mums).</div>
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Top images sourced from:</div>
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<a href="http://chanelcupcakescamerascrayons.blogspot.com/">Chanel Cupcakes Cameras Crayons </a></div>
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<a href="http://secretdiaryofatallgirl.tumblr.com/post/15771243633/a-hint-of-mint">Secret Diary of a Tall Girl </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://weheartit.com/">We Heart It</a></div>
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<a href="http://joursdesoleil.tumblr.com/">Jours De Soliel</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sweetenedwithhoney.com/2011/03/thin-mint-cake-pops.html">Sweetened with Honey</a></div>
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<a href="http://bakingbites.com/2008/05/mint-chocolate-chip-ice-cream-cake/">Baking Bites</a></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-65586674075310931912012-04-26T17:23:00.000+12:002012-04-26T18:46:35.321+12:00For Chace - Makeup Fundraiser Night<br />
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If I could redefine the word courage it would be Chace Topperwien and his family. His parents are my heroes. You can find out more about Chace through his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chace-Topperwien-Fundraising/101235743294415">facebook page</a>. I have followed his story (right back from the terribly unfortunate incident of his mistaken immunisation) as he is almost the exact age as my daughter Mila and it touched my heart back then. To learn of his cancer was heartwrenching. <br />
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When I heard about their plight to the UK, I knew I wanted to do something to help raise what I could. I entertained a few ideas but when my sister said she would like to help I thought why not just combine whatever talents we have. She is a fantastic makeup artist (follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gabrielle-Mobile-hair-and-make-up/108328065880734?ref=ts">facebook</a>) and while I'm on continued hiatus from being a lawyer I like to throw a party. <br />
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So throw a party we did. It was a makeup demonstration night. I themed it "What hue suits you?" (for anyone who doesn't know what "hue" means it is shade or tint. According to my family this is not a word but according to me and the dictionary it is!!). I went with a theme of pinks, reds & fushias teamed up against browns, caramels & golds to represent the most common makeup "hues!!".<br />
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I loved every minute of putting together the sweet treats table knowing this would be going towards such a great cause. All attendees paid $30. We also had a couple of silent auctions. My parents auctioned a weekend for 4 their beach house accommodation and my mother in law donated some gorgeous jewellery from her very super cool <a href="http://www.thegardenartstudio.co.nz/">Garden Art Studio</a>.<br />
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At the end of the night all the sweet treats not eaten were bagged up for sale (coin donations). It cleared the table and brought in lots more cash. We raised almost $1300 in total.<br />
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I'd like to thank Denise at <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">Dots n Spots</a> for donating for the cause some lovely bits of party ware. Also Alison Worth of Locavore (fine foods) for donating some lovely quince paste to be added to the sweets sale (they sell through the Saturday morning Cambridge markets).<br />
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I learnt to make these tissue pom poms from a <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to#slide_4">Martha Stewart Tutorial </a>found through the insanely gorgeous blog of <a href="http://bellacupcakes.blogspot.co.nz/">Bella Cupcakes</a>. </div>
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My CRAZY good rocky road invention. Cadbury milk chocolate & cooking melts mixed and melted, caramel marshmellows, honey roasted peanuts, hokey pokey and crushed homemade ricie slice. </div>
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I don't rate the recipe I used for this red velvet cake. I will try and conquer that cake another time.</div>
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I trialled a new piping technique for my buttercream icing. Its not really what I was after but I was in a rush and still think the mini rosette was very cute. I did this with a 1M tip but was recommended a 2D tip but couldn't find one for sale. Bella Cupcakes has a great <a href="http://bellacupcakes.blogspot.co.nz/2011/02/rose-swirl.html">tutorial </a>:)</div>
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Very cool <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">dots n spots</a> drinks dispenser.</div>
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I use my favourite ever chocolate cake recipe for these cupcakes. I promise to separately blog the recipe along with the icing recipe.</div>
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Some of the volunteer models :)</div>
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All the scrummy goods going home with guests for $$$!!<br />
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The invite / flyer</div>
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Me and my Mum. She was a model for the makeup and only has one eye made up with false lashes. Love this photo :) Love ya Mum.</div>
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Thanks to everyone who helped and came and supported. All my love and well wishes go to Chace and family xoxoxox</div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-87450717377291786022012-04-10T15:45:00.004+12:002012-04-10T16:22:16.775+12:00Yum Easter / Birthday Cake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgFVHZi4IqX6q9F3qG4CYdNtBlzR_YkuC2Z_niR7V57kxW2IEIYGma_CtUSBSnD4rGLWSzwMY77ie4pVz02Ap3KxIyG4lRyD1vz6afq8vX1wJO1Fmhb8l58bOsAQv88SPZ-yDnFK9z3vc/s1600/DSC_0445.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgFVHZi4IqX6q9F3qG4CYdNtBlzR_YkuC2Z_niR7V57kxW2IEIYGma_CtUSBSnD4rGLWSzwMY77ie4pVz02Ap3KxIyG4lRyD1vz6afq8vX1wJO1Fmhb8l58bOsAQv88SPZ-yDnFK9z3vc/s320/DSC_0445.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729619974666742834" /></a><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><span >I did throw together a very small Easter afternoon tea at my Mum and Dad's lovely beach home. We got together to celebrate my sister in law's birthday and let all the cousins have an easter egg hunt together (which they never wanted to end - I had to keep running around re-hiding the already found eggs due to the degree of desperation they were all exuding every time we said it was over).</span><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >I found the recipe for this yummy cake in the latest Next magazine while I was at the hairdressers. I tried to memorise it but kinda didn't do too well. Here is my guessed recipe attempt which turned out so yum and moist!!</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Date & fresh ginger cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing:</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >125g butter</span></div><div><span >1 1/2 cup of chopped dates</span></div><div><span >1 cup made up coffee</span></div><div><span >1 tsp baking soda</span></div><div><span >1/2 cup golden syrup</span></div><div><span >3/4 cup caster sugar</span></div><div><span >2 eggs</span></div><div><span >1 1/2 cups flour</span></div><div><span >1 1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div><div><span >1 finely grated ginger root (about a thumb size piece)</span></div><div><span >1 cup plain yoghurt</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Once the coffee is made up let the dates soak in it until it cools a bit then blitz it in the blender with the baking soda and golden syrup.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >In a bowl cream the butter, sugar and eggs then mix in the yoghurt. Sift in the flour and baking powder then add the ginger and the coffee/date mix. Mix it all until just combined. Bake at 160 degrees until it bounces to the touch.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >For the icing mix a tub of cream cheese with 2 cups of icing sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >tips - I always do 1.5 times a standard cake recipe to get a nice high cake (the above recipe is standard but the photo is 1.5 times). Add more ginger if you want it extra spicy. Add butter to the icing if you want it creamy and reduce icing sugar to make it less sweet. I always layer a cake with icing but on this occasion it made it too sweet so I wouldnt do it again with this particular icing. This cake would be so good hot with caramel sauce and icecream. YUM</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-24903232613668595892012-04-10T14:11:00.004+12:002012-04-10T14:45:05.795+12:00More birthday fun...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfnCxwZBPbSoiHj4ZO5SUdrBvp_uToJofwdddFc9KIGChU5LYM2CesPph_ntwZyKXACj4ZpD7Ze5rsyGTT_wNa8Pc_5Fhyphenhyphen99gePuHh5wbUQjO0wgWM_-4c_8Or4MENhnH_VJE2FGZ364Q/s1600/DSC_0382.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfnCxwZBPbSoiHj4ZO5SUdrBvp_uToJofwdddFc9KIGChU5LYM2CesPph_ntwZyKXACj4ZpD7Ze5rsyGTT_wNa8Pc_5Fhyphenhyphen99gePuHh5wbUQjO0wgWM_-4c_8Or4MENhnH_VJE2FGZ364Q/s320/DSC_0382.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729593937318821442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Under the sea cake with divine meringue icing!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3noPMnJHX_W1FEKe3WjKeLMx37ZpNo_5LAofOw7xPWVd0vmH5EDc_bUh_rKXWVbqIfdSEYEg_l9xGtQcCqjMN3m1VcVK6Ukf6hyphenhyphenbuPja6n92a4JfENzKBKHTmeDyKzi0WHdHTfusmKW2n/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3noPMnJHX_W1FEKe3WjKeLMx37ZpNo_5LAofOw7xPWVd0vmH5EDc_bUh_rKXWVbqIfdSEYEg_l9xGtQcCqjMN3m1VcVK6Ukf6hyphenhyphenbuPja6n92a4JfENzKBKHTmeDyKzi0WHdHTfusmKW2n/s320/DSC_0365.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729593928862884770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA-E3IlFt1cYJP61_L02sRsfeD0SEYMfUO__ZUL33ycRjaX_DcMxNCccalyPJeZ09JjLg51lEMa1CWCz34jnJz6TJbgh-yER3g5RVeT6wv5MbCxzXs1scx5Fmm3TuJ6PMb3cO3JEanceb/s1600/DSC_0368.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA-E3IlFt1cYJP61_L02sRsfeD0SEYMfUO__ZUL33ycRjaX_DcMxNCccalyPJeZ09JjLg51lEMa1CWCz34jnJz6TJbgh-yER3g5RVeT6wv5MbCxzXs1scx5Fmm3TuJ6PMb3cO3JEanceb/s320/DSC_0368.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729593921545997794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">gorgeous fish cupcakes courtesy of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kiddiescupcakes">Hot Cakes</a> </div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-NsYQH4FYFJmqgomy70iQLWiWJBA4PgWKaV2jy7yi-c7fpEM5VijR7HkQDsW817_yuJ4SNzSrjlNtF8GMvOx3uOE0t29s_23cckJ4uNRqt8CkMmqroUA7okYOX9ypFaxDxQEF0GMG7O5/s1600/DSC_0438.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-NsYQH4FYFJmqgomy70iQLWiWJBA4PgWKaV2jy7yi-c7fpEM5VijR7HkQDsW817_yuJ4SNzSrjlNtF8GMvOx3uOE0t29s_23cckJ4uNRqt8CkMmqroUA7okYOX9ypFaxDxQEF0GMG7O5/s320/DSC_0438.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729592245085266450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Elmo</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLO4PgcKOzm_uLuo4AhJVh_IBDxTJgW3z285VgfVsfQT_Ozxix2-5hXQUomi_hoGgWT-kIZaFBQ6Xz8RdYCBj5MooP-GxBH56OmJf2unt6X9oOxxKsscRXrHLThUQ5jvK8sd2J2n56gBO/s1600/DSC_0417.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLO4PgcKOzm_uLuo4AhJVh_IBDxTJgW3z285VgfVsfQT_Ozxix2-5hXQUomi_hoGgWT-kIZaFBQ6Xz8RdYCBj5MooP-GxBH56OmJf2unt6X9oOxxKsscRXrHLThUQ5jvK8sd2J2n56gBO/s320/DSC_0417.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729592231694444706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dora enjoying a jelly shot</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9S3MRkGz36ymHDpe5vz-2UM2DftnEBwEblvjDXHk290aOjq62lKSIKxrTqbGbuXhnK0Bur3qRDn4eOGGxKceVO_XzwQlgf8MTMOPfl2qKsvLBfD9C5Y5NoT5p7Bg4AEiO30yQf2L5FAS/s1600/DSC_0371.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9S3MRkGz36ymHDpe5vz-2UM2DftnEBwEblvjDXHk290aOjq62lKSIKxrTqbGbuXhnK0Bur3qRDn4eOGGxKceVO_XzwQlgf8MTMOPfl2qKsvLBfD9C5Y5NoT5p7Bg4AEiO30yQf2L5FAS/s320/DSC_0371.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729592225051660514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1Pz_-a1TG_-Gn7yaafiHGwOeVfZW2sBz30YK4zNOcHdkwuYc2s42tVCHQcAYWeT3WBN6BXtYeQ_KDouOYubigU9D6c12zTEglyNjaOaI1tQVHlxEgRTy5EZdUqwwOOt8aLPxUd2juUAs/s1600/DSC_0374.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1Pz_-a1TG_-Gn7yaafiHGwOeVfZW2sBz30YK4zNOcHdkwuYc2s42tVCHQcAYWeT3WBN6BXtYeQ_KDouOYubigU9D6c12zTEglyNjaOaI1tQVHlxEgRTy5EZdUqwwOOt8aLPxUd2juUAs/s320/DSC_0374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729592211739743618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUh3exSwcyR7jqUWDdTl5nTwNmrZOiRdVGEJO1coxX_TlJJ2tB_aitBw6wd_oFxP0Cys6hPjR2ScvCriOshDMsLeAwnidjBJ6PzQh3S-N1aQbAtZKsArGDezRKFGKdvUddyww-5H5X1sP/s1600/DSC_0462.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUh3exSwcyR7jqUWDdTl5nTwNmrZOiRdVGEJO1coxX_TlJJ2tB_aitBw6wd_oFxP0Cys6hPjR2ScvCriOshDMsLeAwnidjBJ6PzQh3S-N1aQbAtZKsArGDezRKFGKdvUddyww-5H5X1sP/s320/DSC_0462.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729592202896848434" /></a><br /><br /><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >My sister went all out for her daughters' 'under the sea' combined 1st and 3rd birthdays which both fall in April. Such a fun day, the kids loved it. The cake was AMAZING the detail was so incredible !!! I was devastated I never got a closeup of the octopus on the side of the cake!! The visit from Elmo was such a hit with the kids and it was such a crack-up the look on Mila's face when she saw her cousin and best friend dressed up as Dora!!!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >Way to go Gabes, your parties are so much fun!!!!! the decorations were fantastic!!! & love love love that you and Derek dressed up as Shrek & Fiona :)</span></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-9801967323346027002012-04-05T15:02:00.004+12:002012-04-05T15:25:25.436+12:00Happy Easter<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu84OPHs3b-52di0NhECw0dJMDKCXsYkAGbXg6-XpfBZg7Rs6cGJqrkQ_Tb_czSF5dkuzxX8mjXiii30aQr8iWy1I5owdg171pXstKgj6nRUnVXuJJ6N5cRd5y3Z6nxKDTNLH_t7Ec5iMb/s1600/DSC_0473.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span><span style="font-size: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu84OPHs3b-52di0NhECw0dJMDKCXsYkAGbXg6-XpfBZg7Rs6cGJqrkQ_Tb_czSF5dkuzxX8mjXiii30aQr8iWy1I5owdg171pXstKgj6nRUnVXuJJ6N5cRd5y3Z6nxKDTNLH_t7Ec5iMb/s320/DSC_0473.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727748731186725490" /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Easter nests</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu84OPHs3b-52di0NhECw0dJMDKCXsYkAGbXg6-XpfBZg7Rs6cGJqrkQ_Tb_czSF5dkuzxX8mjXiii30aQr8iWy1I5owdg171pXstKgj6nRUnVXuJJ6N5cRd5y3Z6nxKDTNLH_t7Ec5iMb/s1600/DSC_0473.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCpncBIBSgaoZtVBg6w65uvG1W_pn99sBcdsttwiT3C9jngxm5cirJQOw3rE74-BAJioMWG4bpbU7kB1omAtqHcmsmIFSpjGh37Os4wIN268p1k-ox34qA86oPy5RmUI3yhvXQf1qzqdn/s320/DSC_0481.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727748739035772850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center; "><span>A big nest for big kids and mini nest for babies.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_OEHFC02Pm60rx7pYALFbh2jBhNipHa2XL9QYEpAkdvGtqHOe3yl25TwUk5_sKNobVHQwdaKTrOZ0F4knYY6GbIRAy8-c5NYt8a2i0H3kBWqdYOLIeEJFrW0YffJosakhMkKrmpQOchX/s320/DSC_0484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727748747344770770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></a><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>In the basket ready for delivery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span >Just a quick post to show the little Easter treats Mila and I put together for her cousins and friends. I was lucky to have any eggs left to fill up the nests as she was sneaking them as quick as I could fill them!! She was a great help adding all the paper straw though:)</span></span><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >The little easter illusrations on the bag tags were free cupcake printables found at <a href="http://www.welovetoillustrate.com/">We Love To Illustrate</a> that I cut out and added. I just LOVE free printables, its so cool when people share their clever things.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span > I will post a blog if I decide to throw any type of Easter get together - it will have to be very impromptu this year with everyone I know having a lot going on. A shame as I cannot stand to leave the Easter decorations in the cupboard! I'll just have to get them out anyway, and hope to bake an Easter cake. At the very least there will be lots of chocolate in the house. I am soooooooooooooo excited for Sunday as I've been on chocolate lent fast for nearly 6 1/2 weeks. Excited is an understatement.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >:)</span></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-32337915811275012392012-03-23T13:50:00.004+13:002012-03-23T14:09:29.032+13:00Fab Friday Finds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR425Ix8yC8fB-TBYHSHtirlG-gB6Tlwb4j5SGtbFnmJtyHNDI10XL-MeFQ1Mc8WKvgCh5zUZ8_wadPiT8rNm5HYNou5TI6xulWo4mognjVrV72rD-sM9zTliezQBthXxwZYiMEPkWWvrF/s1600/DSC_0412.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR425Ix8yC8fB-TBYHSHtirlG-gB6Tlwb4j5SGtbFnmJtyHNDI10XL-MeFQ1Mc8WKvgCh5zUZ8_wadPiT8rNm5HYNou5TI6xulWo4mognjVrV72rD-sM9zTliezQBthXxwZYiMEPkWWvrF/s320/DSC_0412.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722891893554325970" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span >Found a fab find at <a href="http://www.redredred.co.nz">Red Red Red</a> interiors in Te Awamutu in their bargain bin ...this whole roll of Designers Guild fabric which usually retails at $350 per metre for only $80 for the whole thing. I LOVE the bold fushia, its just what I've been wanting to re-invent our lounge. So it will be either cushions, an ottoman or at the very least a new pinboard in the office in the very near future. Prob enough to even cover a new office chair.......</span></span> </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23O2hvEJA0ojM7Ygy-4NPSBkLpUPbeRrGPdrZjKpk72TOvPSUMAz8fgvurzIOLPc8EQEzVy3Ee4-XldfD0FZi8mA_36ObKfL70s0gaUKls_SFila71iDB7t1BGHxGuVZYp17pmDIxN_14/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23O2hvEJA0ojM7Ygy-4NPSBkLpUPbeRrGPdrZjKpk72TOvPSUMAz8fgvurzIOLPc8EQEzVy3Ee4-XldfD0FZi8mA_36ObKfL70s0gaUKls_SFila71iDB7t1BGHxGuVZYp17pmDIxN_14/s320/DSC_0411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722891514234491826" /></a><br /><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >Stopped in at the always lovely <a href="http://www.lilypadcafe.co.nz">Lily Pad Cafe</a> for a quick coffee today and came across these gorgeous handmade cookies from a local company Kiwi Cookie Company. I picked the owl for Mila and the frog for Luka to take home as a treat. Only $2.50 each :) How great would these be for a birthday party? Often cookies are the part I find the most laboursome when I bake for parties so if you were looking to cut your workload then buying a batch of these would be ideal. It would be great if they would be willing to do custom cookies to match a particular theme. Hmmmm must investigate. They don't have a website but ph 0277562491 or email Maryanne.W06@gmail.com if you want some. So cute and I love local!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-10311757032029796782012-03-07T08:51:00.012+13:002012-03-07T12:20:58.288+13:00Tutu Teaparty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaS5emzsOQ2YdRQys2taZlmcdEqrqnj7DLzuyCH47WFXuRIYbrezaSWk9oWO7ZK7xV3KmEuhZWLxAgEQG_bqP2cxrC8851IsfavfTUQczUGetGq01t3_BhIEllk_eUK8KhHgwiXDsKSuc/s1600/Copy+of+DSC_0176.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaS5emzsOQ2YdRQys2taZlmcdEqrqnj7DLzuyCH47WFXuRIYbrezaSWk9oWO7ZK7xV3KmEuhZWLxAgEQG_bqP2cxrC8851IsfavfTUQczUGetGq01t3_BhIEllk_eUK8KhHgwiXDsKSuc/s320/Copy+of+DSC_0176.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716927664761824098" /></a><span><span><span>Mila turned 3 on Monday and we celebrated with a tutu teaparty. I decided on the theme by mixing her two favourite things at the moment - ballet and teaparties. She loves to host teaparties outside her playhouse for teddy and her dolls, and she pretty much lives in a tutu. I've even checked on her in bed at night and often found her asleep in a tutu over top of her pyjamas.</span></span></span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>She declared she wanted her party to be pink and later decided she wanted yellow too. So pink and yellow it was. The only tulle fabric I came across at spotlight was more of a mango/apricot pink so I decided to throw this 3rd colour into the mix a bit aswell. That is how my parties seem to grow - from one idea and then as I come across things I add to it. I wasn't going to shop around or make further trips to spotlight just because they were out of 'pink' tulle. I just improvise because if I start agonising over not being able to find perfection then it takes the fun out of it. I just like to 'go with the flow'.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The party was a great success and the kids had soooooo much fun. All the girls looked adorable in their tutus. I've posted lots of photos below and some tips etc. You will see that I get a lot of pretty party things from Dots n Spots <a href="http://www.dotsnspots.co.nz/">www.dotsnspots.co.nz</a> they are a fabulous local online business with heaps of gorgeous goodies. Denise featured in the waikato times article last week - check out her great website.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj-5tyvRP30y1mnjIiYxqvcaryN8Neoi36qm39QYkRPjA5NxPTObsNAfu6QxINtP0dWWD97UTw-CGQlHSF9K2C7mxeIa-0GHnzAt5js9_VxfalTLEJ6lvenJBB5laQt4uX0WbBB-qzVuR/s1600/Copy+of+DSC_0178.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj-5tyvRP30y1mnjIiYxqvcaryN8Neoi36qm39QYkRPjA5NxPTObsNAfu6QxINtP0dWWD97UTw-CGQlHSF9K2C7mxeIa-0GHnzAt5js9_VxfalTLEJ6lvenJBB5laQt4uX0WbBB-qzVuR/s320/Copy+of+DSC_0178.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716927656372069986" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">A mixture of lovely lanterns. Some I've had in the cupboard for ages and the plain white ones from dots n spots.</span></div></span><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></span><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZqLjyPVMVlwA-ghUwaFcqOYN8gxvhyphenhyphen86j8rE1klPNys8N1m83fcXWuRX1suaZSIUBks4aHCBqn2ANwRnghQbsrb-udGLB_Z0JQQwBD0kLwaO3jGFIJ4DOjJ1horRzLIt9q6en_z4nd4o/s320/DSC_0179.jpg" /> </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><br /></div><span><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">I got a sewing machine for Christmas and it had its first outing this week. I used it to sew the tutu skirt for the cake. It took a while reading the instruction book to re-learn how to thread a machine but I got there in the end (with a few little helpers). A great tip I had for sewing a tutu is to use elastic and pull the elastic while sewing and then when you let go after sewing it pulls the tulle and creates the gathered effect. So simple. I loved the final product, it was just as I imagined it would look. I'm still a bit useless when it comes to getting a smooth fondant finish on the icing. I tried two layers this time to smooth things out but it was still bumpy. Ohwell, I love the homemade look and when i have time I'll google how to do it properly.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROexIQMFsUecyI4HcOx1T3EY6HTi6yU4LaFPAIl6F5GHo34cvUT-ATaYY21f1NM5AaZJS0et94G3Ak_-EWdzmdYmABi9zNK1NUkRfH9bqkJmRdYCTSy35Qmodox5SWnDCElMzIk1g8BJQ/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROexIQMFsUecyI4HcOx1T3EY6HTi6yU4LaFPAIl6F5GHo34cvUT-ATaYY21f1NM5AaZJS0et94G3Ak_-EWdzmdYmABi9zNK1NUkRfH9bqkJmRdYCTSy35Qmodox5SWnDCElMzIk1g8BJQ/s320/DSC_0165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716892458889865938" /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Chippie Bags - I Love how a simple bag and ribbon transforms something as plain as chips into something so pretty and fun for the kids. This is always the biggest hit with the kids.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wB2EqY-C2W9iHtAgUFn_yfXar-VJmMCvRWVTOWfI3XN4u2f3zxMRNlEx3_HjmTmpmc-_7K2eicryWEKLoy365qxIY-w8VzqqgTxX4ZHyN05vH3RX0KLPxSbWjr0BhP4bfjxZYpvSRe1L/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wB2EqY-C2W9iHtAgUFn_yfXar-VJmMCvRWVTOWfI3XN4u2f3zxMRNlEx3_HjmTmpmc-_7K2eicryWEKLoy365qxIY-w8VzqqgTxX4ZHyN05vH3RX0KLPxSbWjr0BhP4bfjxZYpvSRe1L/s320/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716892454436961010" /></a>Once again I got out my dots n spots bottles and straws. Another total favourite with the kids. They are such an affordable way to make a party so pretty.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLMrZJcLscLXChRwFNK4ys3K_XFDus68qaFxqCVdnrXx2xdJP6gJ1wweZdzuKNqvMJSqEL2Ft48yQXi3OyhZLEfkLluLOV23zX5zX4zw-XjyedfyhC_70PwrprvlcOQIuUM5w_2VkLXHW/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLMrZJcLscLXChRwFNK4ys3K_XFDus68qaFxqCVdnrXx2xdJP6gJ1wweZdzuKNqvMJSqEL2Ft48yQXi3OyhZLEfkLluLOV23zX5zX4zw-XjyedfyhC_70PwrprvlcOQIuUM5w_2VkLXHW/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716892444219725362" /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Time to put the pretty heart shape cookie set to good use :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBWfQ2FwlEWwSh93_UlwGagBCw2pwfPc3_MW3AFUfTz9i27If3mrQdNKuKj3DQXA1AExLEKVpDj6-eBoPMSxryz1UKESA-VjAMcX1VdnE5_VG5_bKRaXFbX4gRIxPVBCICKS4FQ7d5wRq/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBWfQ2FwlEWwSh93_UlwGagBCw2pwfPc3_MW3AFUfTz9i27If3mrQdNKuKj3DQXA1AExLEKVpDj6-eBoPMSxryz1UKESA-VjAMcX1VdnE5_VG5_bKRaXFbX4gRIxPVBCICKS4FQ7d5wRq/s320/DSC_0166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716889308985656914" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I had a brainwave to make these tutu gingerbread ladies when I was making the tutu skirts for the invites. So cute. Just eating one right now as I write this :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGTezIhJBWX-jVbn5b8hp3WfXQsyfJKxXSZwDHBWywj6HyBhHgEJSy3Vq8RX4h10sO0A1Ept5ERN752uALyWIsWFOFNuQzOUKdoJexMrJhXJfpt09K49zmtQtJwWsd0ojTK-Esb1gQ1Be/s1600/DSC_0207.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGTezIhJBWX-jVbn5b8hp3WfXQsyfJKxXSZwDHBWywj6HyBhHgEJSy3Vq8RX4h10sO0A1Ept5ERN752uALyWIsWFOFNuQzOUKdoJexMrJhXJfpt09K49zmtQtJwWsd0ojTK-Esb1gQ1Be/s320/DSC_0207.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716889302539221778" /></a>I whipped up some labels for the choccie bars at the last minute. So easy to pop over some Whitaker chocolate bars and what wasn't eaten got popped into the favour boxes.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK20Pz0haLa-4ms5G4grch6-eqaCQ2rCbeHj6fsRgnEeQu_cIZrpq7OF2ZTCq3wERPnr3nDNiDaXJ4zxmgd1dtAqSfGNuhN4XTBx5olAtpHf2oVc8J99DHRDxaOxt2XUKEVbXyjPSMsxJw/s320/DSC_0172.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; " /><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span>Gorgeous yellow favour boxes from dots n spots. The pretty glass lolly jar is from dots n spots also.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWysOG5fme_k0keQIKS9Rdt8bM7LIJy5Q5GABrqDu2ZRSVWsrEJiHLc7Wm5Q7HWuyfI55KATN-9nkE5jKy4L6FUwRq3FC5hIei7paev-5Kgbmu6ZNbboD8TN8P3Zl7GGJLhVq_whyn20CG/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWysOG5fme_k0keQIKS9Rdt8bM7LIJy5Q5GABrqDu2ZRSVWsrEJiHLc7Wm5Q7HWuyfI55KATN-9nkE5jKy4L6FUwRq3FC5hIei7paev-5Kgbmu6ZNbboD8TN8P3Zl7GGJLhVq_whyn20CG/s320/DSC_0185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716889290925681202" /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span>These miniature preserving jars were a great find from Farmers. I used strawberry dairyfood and thick n creamy custard to fill them. They would look so cool filled with a mixture of pink and yellow m&ms but I'm yet to find a supplier of single colour m&ms.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkK8ijTNK0oa8GCZfZub9zbfS94y4D81CCkKXFmyD7mrZOAx-dJbeLME98xORwe5LnrsTMrZbw84iFl3I_FPAEujfYJWujCCRCwOvWzVVFnnkydtRHSa-jaOw3Qz-a78XyPLf1fFLc_wa/s320/DSC_0187.jpg" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I love making cupcake toppers they are a simple way to add some personal touch. If you can't be bothered, dots n spots has lots of gorgeous toppers.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58GVq5QOhFEiAaug2Tv6INsPCUNBTBlaAOWiQ-Js4Xdf7fAy2c5y3gVkBlk85mCMNwMW4UfX50tS8gZz0lkrpEfOkTXSugx_51cNGmG5ufwOeNQS-40JuJS4Y71eQvJPDb_fpl6Ow-E0t/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58GVq5QOhFEiAaug2Tv6INsPCUNBTBlaAOWiQ-Js4Xdf7fAy2c5y3gVkBlk85mCMNwMW4UfX50tS8gZz0lkrpEfOkTXSugx_51cNGmG5ufwOeNQS-40JuJS4Y71eQvJPDb_fpl6Ow-E0t/s320/DSC_0158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716879844208906898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6NPCMr2AKvcWnLbQAfjJfhDegKRgRNHEFxVwrMQP-xkPp1WO6HSyBGYH1pKBjYZQ_61bUBdEyB5yPCyxXdoLMjuOAoUD66FDJtwJ5pgT4TK4t3WVXM2VAB43AFryKaSb_Q869Vn5DF_I/s320/DSC_0157.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span>This has become my signature icing - mostly because I have no idea how to do it any other way. I was a bit stuck when I realised the night before the party that I was out of piping bags and had to make do with cutting the corner off a sandwich bag. Time to invest in a good piping set!!!</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV52WQBSWjDC-qErl_WHQ9JAqGk3Y01-75BiEaL4_Od3CrmiK6qBL3VaLghSXYpQ8MCn4yJkoYwDLjDIhtYm3Y_a6z14iWKGnKs2jagLrE9H_NbMBCiOU7XBYQ8TtnAQDVCJrmJdCwcKe2/s320/DSC_0338.JPG" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_sHp-anVAbWYp82mRArDqGTr8QhIt9ya5ecvvHzodIaeg2t7ryXIPqdyOy0v6LNFUq-vZL6Mtqq2HZncaceCj8HlRp0dRXZH_LnEOFGDzjC4Ql6geli1TZ6P2cFPWafM-BSEpsbfbMJi/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "> <span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgPq4lV2vGo_lXKeT-NOwoZ-P55yW_V5EkZOqhpjkPV1CJXy0NAV_G0ObJltgAt0YvduK-CZFiBSPEtWoL_kO2qp5BbIgo-IGnGzVu_4zSjzjgOcZS_ezsb-G25N8ngTv3EFfXWr_wIji/s320/DSC_0358.JPG" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><span style="text-align: left; ">Last year I did a striped cake for Mila's birthday cake but it was a choc and vanilla stack and only 4 layers high. This year she wanted a pink cake and I decided to stripe it in pink and yellow to match the theme. I made the first cake and without really thinking I decided to use some raspberry compote to colour it. Well it turned bluey/purple. I was also using a very dense cake recipe with alot of moisture and the colour seemed to concentrate in the middle. But ohwell, I decided to just improvise and for the other layers I stuck with a simple buttercake recipe and food colouring. But the purple stayed in the mix. Only burnt cakes make it to the bin in my kitchen (and we did have one!!! ha ha) otherwise if its still yummy it just has to work, and I think it worked pretty well. Butter is far too expensive these days to be throwing away good cake.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvcui9mUD4i5LjGZX226DBqTdOm7mJllpJiPO-1u74UboGgzpd6-IOwaEnIQNR9SdGEbbaWk2ClGF9u5jhRxBPRyf_KG01J_lOcWiiTrtMGmxSXXe68k1BAXt_zVUqG9VaL1gUh_jgsjc/s320/DSC_0125.jpg" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">Homemade tutu invites. I love making the invites.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well another party done and dusted. So much fun. I'm glad i'm getting slightly better at taking photos with my fancy Nikon camera, as these photos do a bit more justice to my hard work than the photos I usually take. This party was actually supposed to be photographed by a certain fabulous photographer for a certain fabulous magazine but unfortunately the photographer had to cancel at the last minute due to an emergency. Such a bummer as I'd so love to capture one of the kids parties with professional photos one day. Such a memory for them to treasure. Oh well - one day :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm just trying to decide now whether to throw an easter egg hunt party for the kiddies. Not sure because we also have a combined birthday party for my two nieces over easter - could be too much chocolate for one weekend!! We shall see.........</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Olivia</div></span><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-55559120500264787452012-03-03T09:08:00.004+13:002012-03-03T09:37:35.993+13:00Back to Blogging!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq68MVgf3LFZH2nv_ZrPpsyMA7MpjUF9tQeYecsA0gZWljSKUgenHt-he2rI89k9U4WnkuwIiVOTrN64TW-0-D7U5paRdLyBErif_p5p7DYrGRmdk8PWK7vakJPEsSzrv1BITKfivzs9Qj/s1600/olivia4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq68MVgf3LFZH2nv_ZrPpsyMA7MpjUF9tQeYecsA0gZWljSKUgenHt-he2rI89k9U4WnkuwIiVOTrN64TW-0-D7U5paRdLyBErif_p5p7DYrGRmdk8PWK7vakJPEsSzrv1BITKfivzs9Qj/s320/olivia4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715398020432714034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhcQe6AyP_YOYGT9vUHv0qRsLvAjvfVqrTnMSSm-X39q6VLdELvthx80PuUpD_8eNNUbu9BKfEt4BDRzNcL4YvRirsLsPyQInvbpiA1j849xEhvbYNBhEGChNYhbwUjmJL5z35gDe1ZLD/s1600/olivia3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhcQe6AyP_YOYGT9vUHv0qRsLvAjvfVqrTnMSSm-X39q6VLdELvthx80PuUpD_8eNNUbu9BKfEt4BDRzNcL4YvRirsLsPyQInvbpiA1j849xEhvbYNBhEGChNYhbwUjmJL5z35gDe1ZLD/s320/olivia3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715398010779692258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKGesVZXgspc-x53gF0yos-wwCFecuDdVnVyiPwOc4xg_RBu8-rDMNqznDIP4anV3PMBnNJRWUw5gi2ar1tEbItYcWjfBARSnkIDJyweUGa0nFe39J_tVDe8hLiG_jnL1gaZ0NrEkwKI/s1600/olivia2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKGesVZXgspc-x53gF0yos-wwCFecuDdVnVyiPwOc4xg_RBu8-rDMNqznDIP4anV3PMBnNJRWUw5gi2ar1tEbItYcWjfBARSnkIDJyweUGa0nFe39J_tVDe8hLiG_jnL1gaZ0NrEkwKI/s320/olivia2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715398000733543074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HWXNUcgSiBhNWb8s5q_0NRgYpafr2tPQN9mj6iagzsRNhWRHbDozvI0ftjen1vYeHtHuuxyonP0ef421sU9VMk_Khyfqd__otFPsUjfAeNCL7uzMCdfCZbeqsz0E5WEErMskUtCTvniF/s1600/Olivia1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HWXNUcgSiBhNWb8s5q_0NRgYpafr2tPQN9mj6iagzsRNhWRHbDozvI0ftjen1vYeHtHuuxyonP0ef421sU9VMk_Khyfqd__otFPsUjfAeNCL7uzMCdfCZbeqsz0E5WEErMskUtCTvniF/s320/Olivia1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715397994510625282" /></a><br />I have decided to get back into blogging!! I haven't blogged in soooooo long because I've just been soooo busy with my kiddies.<div><br /></div><div>I've just been featured with my beautiful daughter Mila in the Waikato Times (Sat 3rd March - Weekend). The article is about the new generation of stay at home mums who love to bake and throw a gorgeous party. It has inspired me to put some time aside to get back to my love of blogging and sharing tips and ideas. I've decided that I'm going to blog alot more about my love of everything, including parties, craft projects for the kids and of course still home interiors that make me drool :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Above are some photos as shown in the waikato times of a little 'tea for two' tea party I literally threw together for the occasion. I'm throwing (well less throwing more putting together) Mila's tutu teaparty 3rd birthday party on Monday so I'll be back to blog on that along with a catch up on all the other parties thrown accross the year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also promise to post soon on the playhouse my husband and I created for the kids - along with a bit of a sneakpeek at the dollshouse renovation I'm working on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again.....I have no idea if anyone reads this but its nice to have a place to share pretty things!! even if just one of two friends want some inspiration for the day :)</div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-16693342566236311482010-12-03T15:02:00.000+13:002010-12-03T15:32:33.246+13:00Homestyle Magazine<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFwlkcPCAro4IFElRrh2QLULkPCKPn32wwfDJmQdnEWewh5chdBRLBrT48KrB6K55hsqHe3OMyrDKS1ixuy196tJh8RjepWY0ZbjUJgdVDDssa821gA8sqPilTFtlyPy2ExKsVotKNCyd/s1600/39_webcover.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546274288075764002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFwlkcPCAro4IFElRrh2QLULkPCKPn32wwfDJmQdnEWewh5chdBRLBrT48KrB6K55hsqHe3OMyrDKS1ixuy196tJh8RjepWY0ZbjUJgdVDDssa821gA8sqPilTFtlyPy2ExKsVotKNCyd/s320/39_webcover.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Our house has just featured in Homestyle Magazine! A great magazine that focuses on showcasing affordable homes. They picked us out from our builder's promo material. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It is really cool that a magazine supports more affordable homes. We would never have considered our modest home to be 'magazine worthy' but on the same hand we are really proud of what we achieved on our budget so it was nice to have that recognised. Being featured did have the downside of a frantic clean up to get the house photo worthy but it was a great excuse to do a long needed clean and it was a great plug for my hubby's fabulous landscaping.<br /><br />You can check out a snippet online <a href="http://www.homestylemagazine.co.nz/">here</a>. Our house is the lifestyle living article.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546275189838000722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q3ppLuh55OsyPtoQtH-xJsNsPunwXSyuzmSSuOH5roa8oIZTlM9xY3e43bcKNHjHxyC13qnaAl6Kt0_E6Nj1_oblH3kXaUSX4l5Y5_Zg0yrU5dYfGNE6ioYmh20WbshtCyogeqYZ8nyn/s320/Signature2_0.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546277306906903250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3nQQDb_6dCEmFenpSZAd7yTeaoTPejSnXvbKn8Do4CebKYczuYBOwy4qKf-zpfdTE-l0F_Fuy2G3-5r76bnrAp8TH_W-Z5Ng9NBb5lcqHV_XVa5ljIhpd_dym6bkYRkzX5agkpuEp1j1/s320/Signature.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div>The photos above are featured on the website. My hubby built the woodfired pizza oven and outdoor fire place and he also built the outdoor table - isn't he clever. You will have to buy the mag to see more photos!!!</div><br /><div></div><div><div>I'm not sure that anyone will even read this as I'm sure anyone following my blog lost hope on me ages ago!!! My pregnancy combined with a very energetic toddler (who refuses to sleep during the day) has left me with simply no time to blog which is a shame as I really love it and have missed it so much!!! I only managed this blog as hubby has taken Mila on a rare outing without me. Oh well, baby is due anyday now and as soon as we get Mila into our local daycare for a day or two a week I hope I can return to posting in the near future!!!</div><br /><div>xoxoxox</div></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-47352448651026522162010-07-22T19:48:00.000+12:002010-07-22T22:14:49.207+12:00Full Table<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf_PPlXdatISCFnGPYQ8GxDo4SOaiVRNdYEuyr8_mjmljr2qhM_9lN4-upqJ_u3yezCcnZS8FzwbrpZjQ5TKQrY-3tWzlXRLKf1R35B5yNAust0R94_E6J-aPOgPT4N7Ja5TSH2XVfRKk/s1600/DSC_0769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496645657778312754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf_PPlXdatISCFnGPYQ8GxDo4SOaiVRNdYEuyr8_mjmljr2qhM_9lN4-upqJ_u3yezCcnZS8FzwbrpZjQ5TKQrY-3tWzlXRLKf1R35B5yNAust0R94_E6J-aPOgPT4N7Ja5TSH2XVfRKk/s320/DSC_0769.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It has once again been far too long between posts!! It seems like whenever I end a previous post with a blurb about making sure I will post more frequently I jinx myself. This time the men in our families have been unwell again :( Between my dad, hubby's dad and hubby's granddad there have been angiograms, a stroke, heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery, - so lots of distraction. Hopefully they are all on the mend now!!!</div><br /><div></div><div>In amongst the chaos I managed to recently host a lovely catch up dinner party for 8 dear friends while a one of these friends was visiting from Australia - so 10 guests including us - which is the most i've ever cooked for other than for family (where the pressure to succeed is never so great).</div><br /><div></div><div>I thought I'd share with you my menu for the night. I decided to mix some old faithful recipes with some recipes I'd never tried before so that I was not being boring and challenging myself!! here we go....</div><br /><div></div><div>Canapes:</div><br /><div>- Artichoke, smoked chicken and cream cheese puff pastry pinwheels (new recipe I invented).</div><div>- Garlic, ginger and chilli prawn stacks (old faithful).</div><br /><div></div><div>Entree:</div><br /><div>- Parsnip and ham hock soup with apple and nutmeg (new recipe see in full below).</div><div>- Served with blue cheese and honey bruschetta (old faithful).</div><br /><div></div><div>Main Course:<br /></div><div>- Mustard, thyme and rosemary crumb crusted eye fillet.</div><div>- Roast beetroot, feta and mint, orzo salad.</div><div>- Gourmet potatoes with garlic aioli.</div><div>- Lemon butter brocoli (all old faithfuls).</div><br /><div></div><div>Dessert:</div><div> </div><div>- Baked chocolate marscapone cheesecake (new recipe see in full below).</div><br /><div></div><div>The meal and evening were a great success (except for the dreadfully overcooked brocoli). I have to say the soup and the cheesecake were DIVINE and hence I've shared the recipes below. I actually loved cooking for 10 as it was so satisfying to use up all the food instead of having mountains of leftovers like I usually do. I also loved putting all my cutlery and crockery to use, including my new charger plates that were such a great find last week (as seen in the photo). They are actually platters I found on sale and I thought they would make great charger plates and they did. Such a simple way to make a table formal and pretty. </div><br /><div></div><div>Anyway I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I did :)</div><br /><div></div><div>Parsnip and ham hock soup with apple and nutmeg:</div><br /><div>1 ham or bacon hock (confession I used bacon bones as I find they have more depth of flavour)</div><br /><div>1.5 litres of water</div><br /><div>1 sprig of lemon thyme or ordinary thyme</div><br /><div>4 large parsnips, peeled and diced</div><br /><div>1 small onion diced</div><br /><div>25g butter</div><br /><div>2 sweet apples, peeled and diced</div><br /><div>1 teaspoon ground nutmeg</div><br /><div>Garnish: cream, thyme, pepper</div><br /><div>Above serves 6.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Simmer hock in water for 1 hour (I did 2 hours which reduced the liquid and meant I had to add more water at the end process).</div><br /><div>Remove and set aside hock, striping meat to add later.</div><br /><div>Cool stock and remove fat (I cooled overnight).</div><br /><div>Add thyme, parsnips and onion to stock and simmer for 40min. </div><br /><div>Discard thyme and process till smooth, then add meat to soup.</div><br /><div>Heat butter and saute apple and nutmeg for 5 min, add to the soup and heat to serve.</div><br /><div>Add garnish.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Baked Chocolate Marscapone Cheesecake:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Crust:</div><br /><div>1.5 cups of biscuit crumb (I used a mix of malt biscuits and digestives and I actually upped this to 2 cups and altered the rest of the crust ingredients accordingly as I thought 1.5 would be a bit stingy and I was right!)</div><br /><div>1/2 cup sugar</div><br /><div>1/4 cup baking cocoa</div><br /><div>1/2 cup butter, melted</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Filling:</div><br /><div>16 ounces (480 grams) cream cheese softened</div><br /><div>1 and 3/4 cups sugar</div><br /><div>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><br /><div>16 ounces (480 grams) marscapone cheese</div><br /><div>6 eggs (I used 4 large eggs from our own chooks)</div><br /><div>7 ounces bittersweet chocolate melted </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For the crust, combine the crumbs, sugar and cocoa in a bowl and mix well, add butter, stir till crumbly. Press the mixture over the bottom and up the side of a 9 inch spring form pan.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For the filling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees (apparently around 180 celcius but I went with 160 for my fan oven). Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, add marscapone and beat till blended. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each. Add chocolate and mix together well.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Spread the mixture into the pan. Bake in a water bath for 1 and 3/4 hours. Cool pan on rack then chill for 8-10 hours before serving.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Note: I would recommend covering the pan with foil after an hour. I thought mine was burning and I took it out a 1/2 hr early thinking it was done. I chilled it over night and in the morning it was still a tad wobbly. After some trusty googling for a quick fix I braved another attempt at baking it in a water bath this time wrapping the tin in foil to avoid drying the base. I baked it for another hour and then thought I ruined it completely as the condensation from the foil made it look water logged!!! After getting over my defeat I decided to just stick it in the fridge and call it a "mousse cake" if it was still a flop. The end result?? a DELICIOUS cheesecake. It was soooooooo yummy and the perfect texture. The crust was like a brownie almost - soooo good. I would recommend sticking to the original recipe but it goes to show you can save a mistake (although I only had the luxury off the save as I had baked it the night before the dinner party and not the day of:)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Olivia :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-81622443413127970872010-06-25T16:13:00.000+12:002010-06-25T16:36:46.752+12:00Back to blogging :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCoGFK9cA-dhbLrddjTbTSDvTQ4v-yhU2fZQ7YA5G5TiqylhDIaBceueShcjptXKvIZroy9fRrV-CBeWaeD1LL42zoJCBm0zWSl_0oTJRxcYLDAkGbVqVmW3gCxRXlaIfi6sfCy8SQXZA/s1600/baby+feet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486564782273614626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCoGFK9cA-dhbLrddjTbTSDvTQ4v-yhU2fZQ7YA5G5TiqylhDIaBceueShcjptXKvIZroy9fRrV-CBeWaeD1LL42zoJCBm0zWSl_0oTJRxcYLDAkGbVqVmW3gCxRXlaIfi6sfCy8SQXZA/s320/baby+feet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It feels like forever since I've visited blog land - over a month to be exact !!! I said in my last post that I had a lot on my plate but it hasn't so much been a lot on my plate keeping me occupied as much as it is a bun in my oven keeping me very very couch bound !!! I'm thrilled beyond thrilled to be expecting again - I'm very nearly 4 months along now - but I suffer from terrible first trimester sickness and it means I simply cannot stomach many everyday tasks such as eating, cooking, cleaning and computering!!! My poor daughter has had to entertain herself around me lying on the couch for last couple of months. But I am now out of the worst of it with just some residual evening time nausea. I really don't know why morning sickness is called that, I mean, yes for me the bulk of vomitting was in the mornings but the malaria/food poisoning/dehydration/fatigue like symptoms were 24 hours !! But hey I am not complaining at all, its worth every single second of it and I have to say that while its hard to go through it with a toddler at home it was harder the first time round sitting in an office everyday and hiding my trips to the toilets from co-workers (toilets that backed on to the office reception and were shared with clients!!).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway enough about me. I cannot wait to catch up on all my favourite blogs. I would be lying if I said I missed you while I was sick, because I didn't, I missed nothing other than not feeling like vomitting. But now that I have returned to normality I miss you all soooo much. I even went shopping the other day and saw the most gorgeous upholstered chairs that I want for Mila's room and I couldn't believe how good it felt to be excited about furniture again!!! AND to top this off I'm hosting a dinner party for 10 people in a couple of weeks - me -cooking - cuisine - yah !!!! I thought I'd never care for another recipe again!!! so excited to care again.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok so this can be a catch up post and I hope to post every couple or few days from here on in. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Olivia :)</div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-8377957871322192752010-05-17T20:57:00.000+12:002010-05-17T21:30:53.743+12:00Thanks for awarding me :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0miFhxWse2FxrxvQ9gbHsq2lNIA4cg2MjHLCvjT12j9gMmvAEZ3wiEyoooglhTRGKa-pv07bD-iBPVMLgNBXmwMPUd3u-gWYP92aCw-KvPqzwMV9WXWZrWrWH5kW-EcL5BwENYoljLmxo/s1600/Picture_6[3].png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472168386429261666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0miFhxWse2FxrxvQ9gbHsq2lNIA4cg2MjHLCvjT12j9gMmvAEZ3wiEyoooglhTRGKa-pv07bD-iBPVMLgNBXmwMPUd3u-gWYP92aCw-KvPqzwMV9WXWZrWrWH5kW-EcL5BwENYoljLmxo/s320/Picture_6%5B3%5D.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I feel very undeserving of an award given that I have been a terribly absent blogger of late !!! But of course I accept it wholeheartedly :) I was finally catching up on comments and posts from my fellow bloggers and saw that the lovely Moerks had nominated me....how fabulous and kind !!! such a nice surprise (sorry I'm soooo late in noticing).</div><br /><div></div><div>By the looks of things I need to list 10 things that make me happy, so here goes....</div><div> </div><div>1. My Daughter and all her new little expressions and tricks (currently she has learnt to use my lipgloss to paint her toenails and I have no idea how given I never ever paint my toenails) :)</div><br /><div>2. My husband, he is my wonderful :)</div><br /><div>3. All the rest of my family, never a dull moment (seriously if I had a permanent video camera and no concern for privacy we could have made millions on reality tv!! pure entertainment)</div><br /><div>4. My friends - so loyal and so lovely.</div><br /><div>5. The surgeons, anaethetists and nurses at Waikato hospital for keeping my Dad around for the last 20 years (and many more to come), such angels!</div><br /><div>6. Mint icecream.</div><br /><div>7. The big bang theory (TV programme that I strangely happen to adore).</div><br /><div>8. A clean kitchen.</div><br /><div>9. Going out for Sunday breakfast.</div><br /><div>10. And the rarest of the rare................................... a sleep in :)</div><br /><div>Thanks again to the Moerks! I would definitely pass this award onto you if you had not already given it to me :) I'm not sure there are many blogs I follow that are left to pass this on to as I am so terribly late in getting organised !!! here are some of my fave bloggers and if you have already received the award just ignore it but please know I appreciate you all....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Rachael at <a href="http://aroomforeveryone.blogspot.com/">A Room For Everyone</a></div><br /><div>Kerri at <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/">Driftwood Interiors</a></div><br /><div>Kerry at <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/">A Tranquil Townhouse</a></div><br /><div>Karyn at <a href="http://homeandoutsidewares.blogspot.com/">Hope Island Home and Living</a></div><br /><div>Mrs C at <a href="http://theconlonhouse.blogspot.com/">Building the Dream in Ireland</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have also noticed I have a few new followers, so I would love the opportunity to visit the blogs of my new followers and I'll be sure to pass this award on further very shortly :)</div><br /><div>I have to ask that you bear with my sporadic posts for a few more weeks as I have a tonne on my plate. I'm looking forward to a bit of calm in a few weeks so I can blog till my heart is content, and catch up with everyone. I have such a backlog of ideas at the moment, just no time !!</div><div> </div><div>:)</div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-58442848877415865792010-05-13T12:00:00.000+12:002010-05-12T17:11:38.806+12:00Chic Shack<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAClwJIPcM3lkN665cntak7Q-1wO6Zl8EV46N3brdGUgFTKy2k7CYKWp6zHPznmBAhJyM4GzMcSLll92ZVo8qqoVshrvSyWuSdkkwAy2YF7dK8ejb7AVVx6XcaPvv_MgAHencTL9ZSMLb/s1600/1561.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470236522711054834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAClwJIPcM3lkN665cntak7Q-1wO6Zl8EV46N3brdGUgFTKy2k7CYKWp6zHPznmBAhJyM4GzMcSLll92ZVo8qqoVshrvSyWuSdkkwAy2YF7dK8ejb7AVVx6XcaPvv_MgAHencTL9ZSMLb/s320/1561.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW454HZwnBGK9U7ao_keodjSWnjkuxdIkWZeij8zdheP9KcfCtR9l44Mhyphenhyphen38F7ICx6hEehCIYOTccs1IB9fnAiMOi91pQTRm5x3QsUKrsxjib4zO6wT7aEthjTOk1GfYBKIKPvC2OhqPu/s1600/1624.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470236188153598866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW454HZwnBGK9U7ao_keodjSWnjkuxdIkWZeij8zdheP9KcfCtR9l44Mhyphenhyphen38F7ICx6hEehCIYOTccs1IB9fnAiMOi91pQTRm5x3QsUKrsxjib4zO6wT7aEthjTOk1GfYBKIKPvC2OhqPu/s320/1624.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStcTF0InCRsGPUpXnyv8FC0rfzddn0plYCQGvXeNpsvKWNBLxXXiFFLL3CA_kAdTK_Dn6LCY0IZN75A0b1do3uEmekwnexRy_sQXrJPKAcFWL-1eD2Pm3WHErHrUAqUq5KIxc_YL_n7w/s1600/1660.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470235969813460322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuStcTF0InCRsGPUpXnyv8FC0rfzddn0plYCQGvXeNpsvKWNBLxXXiFFLL3CA_kAdTK_Dn6LCY0IZN75A0b1do3uEmekwnexRy_sQXrJPKAcFWL-1eD2Pm3WHErHrUAqUq5KIxc_YL_n7w/s320/1660.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEqAkibde4m_PedO2u-3FY5gPJpcaprXGTpNeU_wwYfDxGewuf4K8H3_JU8wfqMXNy7ctPWCjJszC2cXD4XLsAAtctfGA7bruhVww-d3wJRis0xoI-BaP8C4GZmVhLJFfmirLdaSlDT-a/s1600/1633.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470235834317311922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEqAkibde4m_PedO2u-3FY5gPJpcaprXGTpNeU_wwYfDxGewuf4K8H3_JU8wfqMXNy7ctPWCjJszC2cXD4XLsAAtctfGA7bruhVww-d3wJRis0xoI-BaP8C4GZmVhLJFfmirLdaSlDT-a/s320/1633.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nVgjvWUqKZgglNmqZ8SjzlYlpe9EXh2XE8fV0oTLP0H_lIUOxjLmK5kgEGEPB0-x1Cjj_40F1tYwxZrKfO7IzNXEHRrVqfjHdSF9pjisiMIHFdVbq2s9-dvkoj5njmSc7tUILIf9DFhJ/s1600/1821.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470235748641127714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nVgjvWUqKZgglNmqZ8SjzlYlpe9EXh2XE8fV0oTLP0H_lIUOxjLmK5kgEGEPB0-x1Cjj_40F1tYwxZrKfO7IzNXEHRrVqfjHdSF9pjisiMIHFdVbq2s9-dvkoj5njmSc7tUILIf9DFhJ/s320/1821.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCl2UjbzlsSdwNAvN5TQDogYzokCGbwmkfCdfPiqxB7LND25W3c0J2g5c9qxg55v4dwg79VVA2ehLB6prcINH-TurzPk89sl3okfbAr26xrSsmihJuu3olQNfbiqXSJNxIsYi5gXWFCK0/s1600/1791.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470235652220077714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCl2UjbzlsSdwNAvN5TQDogYzokCGbwmkfCdfPiqxB7LND25W3c0J2g5c9qxg55v4dwg79VVA2ehLB6prcINH-TurzPk89sl3okfbAr26xrSsmihJuu3olQNfbiqXSJNxIsYi5gXWFCK0/s320/1791.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWO6VWTRWpfcVeT81OUvT_HSQzzIsHNym9xgL-gHW4TyBYfC_eOnZTVLzCX0ch0pu0gxx963SGyjvyoEfXOM3_CXs3-i9H9XgZjc08KBLuLXlCwjTsy25uE2Gb-RqwIPppAC0Dp2Zcou4/s1600/det_08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470235549457257618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWO6VWTRWpfcVeT81OUvT_HSQzzIsHNym9xgL-gHW4TyBYfC_eOnZTVLzCX0ch0pu0gxx963SGyjvyoEfXOM3_CXs3-i9H9XgZjc08KBLuLXlCwjTsy25uE2Gb-RqwIPppAC0Dp2Zcou4/s320/det_08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfRVkBOyNyh-lUTJIKTfLVS7nYrkfXPK0Wa92i06tRfxQQHbNN6-9ryj1KOOWrYEUhfjhVhVH4N3UfAovIDEv0Xs8Xvw1bY9xy6Gqd_FdVrx1ojD0LgGXJYj_PVEdqgytY-KHUk1TLtb-/s1600/1842.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470235411413081362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfRVkBOyNyh-lUTJIKTfLVS7nYrkfXPK0Wa92i06tRfxQQHbNN6-9ryj1KOOWrYEUhfjhVhVH4N3UfAovIDEv0Xs8Xvw1bY9xy6Gqd_FdVrx1ojD0LgGXJYj_PVEdqgytY-KHUk1TLtb-/s320/1842.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I feel like I have been living in the twilight zone the last couple of weeks. A mix of being super sick myself and having my poor Dad in and out of hospital (thankfully now recovering nicely from some pretty major surgery). I just glanced outside to see my 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets out on the line where they have been hanging for over a week now....opps!! Needless to say I haven't had the time to so much as glance at my lonely computer :(</div><br /><div>As a quick catch up post I thought I'd share the above images from a lovely London furniture store 'Chic Shack' that my dearest friend Amie showed me the website for. They may have been blogged about before but I have not personally come across them in blog land and I think its just gorgeous (I especially love the kids rooms and nurseries). Check out their website for some lovely inspiration <a href="http://www.chicshack.net/">http://www.chicshack.net/</a> </div><div></div><div>Olivia :)</div><div></div><div>hopefully no more sicknesses for a while we have had more than our fair share!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-57528468028443095642010-04-29T20:15:00.000+12:002010-04-29T21:47:44.376+12:00I dream of Persia....<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3Zwm5t7bsbpqN2xQWomMShpmG5WgUIbfL_ZaAr1lUs9DeMUjGe5jvwE5AidpnLloIlWsr3kgGZ-jg37smNNQnz6R59ccss4z9D5cuM1Ga9uBBJEE6xYCgu4gBQujxv_BUsL-1EJcDae7/s1600/pfr-hallway-persian-rugs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465479294279050722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3Zwm5t7bsbpqN2xQWomMShpmG5WgUIbfL_ZaAr1lUs9DeMUjGe5jvwE5AidpnLloIlWsr3kgGZ-jg37smNNQnz6R59ccss4z9D5cuM1Ga9uBBJEE6xYCgu4gBQujxv_BUsL-1EJcDae7/s320/pfr-hallway-persian-rugs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfLqTUtE5M40tNdUBu9xcAnUPSAokl6W3O5j1JPt6a7QKmjFMmeIV420AZ_Mx-5cLGva5YJ1Sy3csUj8ABh2-pHnoSCh0gokGNAGCI9mIB_9XTRslooGxMjf3U036adywCCQQvYhQ_Kgz/s1600/re_1700170221_1l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465476352057046706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfLqTUtE5M40tNdUBu9xcAnUPSAokl6W3O5j1JPt6a7QKmjFMmeIV420AZ_Mx-5cLGva5YJ1Sy3csUj8ABh2-pHnoSCh0gokGNAGCI9mIB_9XTRslooGxMjf3U036adywCCQQvYhQ_Kgz/s320/re_1700170221_1l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOn1d19nk8_jvKJ6h8NB1uqNfDwV_WXf33zLLs9vaO4V06A08Nk4TDdCQnfhuNznnLQ_7Y-e3qEGcJa6fBGic20cG3z6trBnhOGw4NQqQEPlBkyTgiw5tpwAc_xe1A4EGDZdm0S3N2ziZ/s1600/Nain-masterpiece.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465476147764336114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOn1d19nk8_jvKJ6h8NB1uqNfDwV_WXf33zLLs9vaO4V06A08Nk4TDdCQnfhuNznnLQ_7Y-e3qEGcJa6fBGic20cG3z6trBnhOGw4NQqQEPlBkyTgiw5tpwAc_xe1A4EGDZdm0S3N2ziZ/s320/Nain-masterpiece.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWZkZ5I_McTlFBKurhmknfP4MKXUHIl5EUs6vIXZ3CfW5nimQDLL7UBYQDHv7673JXD2Hg5hEfiZ9bBTGnK9K64VWwdSRlSeGfK1X6YWfU-URqZoCDld2aBh-P6-Zm7s3ZHtNslw1RLXN/s1600/floor2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465475929235288498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWZkZ5I_McTlFBKurhmknfP4MKXUHIl5EUs6vIXZ3CfW5nimQDLL7UBYQDHv7673JXD2Hg5hEfiZ9bBTGnK9K64VWwdSRlSeGfK1X6YWfU-URqZoCDld2aBh-P6-Zm7s3ZHtNslw1RLXN/s320/floor2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittkLlzhpjpwP1xHjIHwzcYu7zz1jwEwPQRAdRhkab_z1jmb9zez4QmMACgIrnTrcHlAB05mQCcN17gMazuJW1-F0On-ikjKPpgawvoassv2oWS2Uc0mhSR6PdwVexgNdiBae7DBvgGe18/s1600/persian1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465475685636434498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittkLlzhpjpwP1xHjIHwzcYu7zz1jwEwPQRAdRhkab_z1jmb9zez4QmMACgIrnTrcHlAB05mQCcN17gMazuJW1-F0On-ikjKPpgawvoassv2oWS2Uc0mhSR6PdwVexgNdiBae7DBvgGe18/s320/persian1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AcGFqXIB_OcZsSeIWluDJdoP3d781FMt4hmq8-pP_QNt5JQDYG9I9ku4xCnyEjEyguBLe8jxJ0U3Ywkhi15VChQcMeV4ZU2dr_JlIAq_MJtsgRhtzNf5GxiCTlCMsdhVzkXMml1oHHI4/s1600/antique_kerman_persian_rugs_433841.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465475449691486210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AcGFqXIB_OcZsSeIWluDJdoP3d781FMt4hmq8-pP_QNt5JQDYG9I9ku4xCnyEjEyguBLe8jxJ0U3Ywkhi15VChQcMeV4ZU2dr_JlIAq_MJtsgRhtzNf5GxiCTlCMsdhVzkXMml1oHHI4/s320/antique_kerman_persian_rugs_433841.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCR-6NnTIvaNc6ZKC7U3XQJ-wBBvGT_eJ1iiKjanlcXr89n2LAMsrtJmUkPECJ7KIEQp9YeZf3dzoLqKsYmLRMHGhaTpX8SVnLKWOqWM1aQ23hXhJ7Dgw4wu1ZHNFtFaSaSCg_hBDRZiI/s1600/1l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465473855440302898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCR-6NnTIvaNc6ZKC7U3XQJ-wBBvGT_eJ1iiKjanlcXr89n2LAMsrtJmUkPECJ7KIEQp9YeZf3dzoLqKsYmLRMHGhaTpX8SVnLKWOqWM1aQ23hXhJ7Dgw4wu1ZHNFtFaSaSCg_hBDRZiI/s320/1l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well I don't so much dream of Persia as I dream of a gorgeous huge authentic Persian rug to envelope my whole living area. A blend of wool and silk in soft light goldy, greeny colours, with a " I'm 100 years old and was handmade for a king" type look. </div><br /><div>Unless we win lotto I don't think its going to happen. A year or so ago hubby and I stopped into a roadside hall Persian rug sale (oh how the word sale had given me hope). Of course I fell in love with one of the most expensive rugs in the whole place, it was over $16,000 (apparently 50% reduced) and to top that off it was only half the size I actually wanted. Needless to say I sulked out empty handed.</div><br /><div>We built our house with one large open space - kitchen - dining - lounge. I had always intended that a supersized lovely rug would give the lounge some definition. I want the rug to practically touch the walls and for all the furniture to sit on it. Well finding this has been much harder than I thought. When I realised I couldn't afford the real thing I switched to fake rugs and even then I've really struggled. The colour schemes on the fake ones I've found are quite vile, either too pastel or too bright, there is no such thing as pale and understated!!!! (arggggggggh once again why cannot we have pottery barn here as I noticed they have a large range of rather pretty fake rugs).</div><br /><div>I just think a rug makes a home, and my childhood home was filled with them so I didn't give up.</div><div>I found this rug (pictured below) in Bunnings he he he (this is a discount hardware store in NZ). Its pure wool and was only $300 so I thought it could do in the interim. I would never have thought in a million years that I'd pick black but something just called out to me about this one and also it matched the large black flat screen tv. So even though its about a 1/4 the size I want and nothing like my dream rug it will just have to do. At least I don't mind getting baby spew and poo on this one :)</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465491560901902834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5Y1PgkBKHoOTi6Kvf5IPj-l-cT4lccxBZuyN8xyDzod6qNWfRZYBVjZq4_98qJ0WHpU95wSZwYeW5vHkSpxBGm7D3gGK7O29DGDJ-do8iDfIwvKpkcwLWusYNLh2lRFV4nicY8CJXnJE/s320/DSC_0468.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465491821997443538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKAXhNF1wb_NRzSxfQMBZniOEeQUyV62GyM265WS8iHLYmuTbgb7TX6cLn-RBLpkuaTRydxXlfS6Of0SUPPhYVr7s3FK0HqUDY66Y98sxbJ5SOA8pNYPy9u3Cm_3_vm_E1KVdRvFeYkja/s320/DSC_0470.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Olivia :)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-55667488827767705592010-04-27T20:45:00.000+12:002010-04-27T21:10:33.876+12:00Hit by the party bug.....On a 'bug' topic unrelated to the heading of this post my little one took a whole week to recover from that nasty tummy bug so alas blogging was off my list for the last week. Hubby and I have also been sick so its been a bit of a house of misery here. My intended posts on persian rugs and my kitchen shelves will have to wait a few more days!!!<br /><br />Today I thought I'd do a quick post to share the creative genius that is my sister. She hosted her daughter's (my niece's) 1st birthday on the weekend. Charlotte is 7 weeks younger than Mila so it was only 7 short weeks ago that I was in the thick of this myself. At the time my sister politely told me she thought I was "mad" for going to so much effort and as she put it she would be having "only sausage rolls at Charlottes", to which I just chuckled and said "wait till you get hit by the party bug....it will happen". <br /><br />I noticed the party bug creeping in a few weeks ago when she mentioned casually that she may have a garden theme given that Charlotte has always been our little ladybird. Well here is her little garden themed party (and yes there were sausage rolls too).....<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6liX9P8XtalWVGKgp2_cVjYHt7nx4PXqX9lNnZOg-BIWDiNCbpxFnn8pxc0xnylmUF82yhpie2PgjUnrOonhFpZNV1V_QQcWoSxRxWnxwL2cyQHwQQyK9QHHW-zcXcWG0-gpp5fwpbWE-/s1600/DSC_0300.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464738114286742354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6liX9P8XtalWVGKgp2_cVjYHt7nx4PXqX9lNnZOg-BIWDiNCbpxFnn8pxc0xnylmUF82yhpie2PgjUnrOonhFpZNV1V_QQcWoSxRxWnxwL2cyQHwQQyK9QHHW-zcXcWG0-gpp5fwpbWE-/s320/DSC_0300.jpg" border="0" /></a> The kiddie table</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibatSdm6XpSsEva71fbBs7Gv_L8JYVP73OcKJrdSDQxKepwZEDT4oCnRkTHC4A1lLDos4kLmCHPz_P8AT7QITLaIBuIu-58drTvOznBAD5MQS4xseXAOowEN-hzqP_h9UpRN9xhIYrzB3a/s1600/DSC_0321.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464737891403552130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibatSdm6XpSsEva71fbBs7Gv_L8JYVP73OcKJrdSDQxKepwZEDT4oCnRkTHC4A1lLDos4kLmCHPz_P8AT7QITLaIBuIu-58drTvOznBAD5MQS4xseXAOowEN-hzqP_h9UpRN9xhIYrzB3a/s320/DSC_0321.jpg" border="0" /></a> The ladybird cake<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxUqz7PBvv4pkU2iDS5IIfXBS9NweFgN4pYMGslhgkRZMZ-6GtN_P0pep_FoYNQNX7qzvPCKOrLDRaRSo-nKfknZqmftcZ707s3TDS_z5HfDtF0qPDGeUWqpqSN_gbxU4smcQnG3jnxUH/s1600/DSC_0324.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464737660001547298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxUqz7PBvv4pkU2iDS5IIfXBS9NweFgN4pYMGslhgkRZMZ-6GtN_P0pep_FoYNQNX7qzvPCKOrLDRaRSo-nKfknZqmftcZ707s3TDS_z5HfDtF0qPDGeUWqpqSN_gbxU4smcQnG3jnxUH/s320/DSC_0324.jpg" border="0" /></a> Garden gnomes<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464737460739750498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXLb7Gm9FmSqj8tKxPX5RmoGYjnNwquQ-ZzIVT9qZ4X4ndYwijgxZqFxd1AIL87-eOcJCVL52874L7hGbfrOKXCiLOdoavgv_W8xL5sNpjzMx08pu3oqroqY6df5bzYHyXcxsXxagK_Bi/s320/DSC_0322.jpg" border="0" /><br />cupcakes<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqdjpGyZE_XNArad-FnK8OdPLJc551nDh1MxCJyKMhfeT8EeuGuqaT68UYgQ6TQckAlUkS4J9_J2UMPtSvbkDIPiNwqB7qZe6w_mpo-BEj1vXmdIKopy9g8hufGyajE8EvkRnx3EsieY8/s1600/DSC_0302.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464737294845113058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqdjpGyZE_XNArad-FnK8OdPLJc551nDh1MxCJyKMhfeT8EeuGuqaT68UYgQ6TQckAlUkS4J9_J2UMPtSvbkDIPiNwqB7qZe6w_mpo-BEj1vXmdIKopy9g8hufGyajE8EvkRnx3EsieY8/s320/DSC_0302.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />toad thingys (can't remember what they are called)<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3ikNbyVnOMx6K-ek2_J9KgQDJappm6sFS9N4VA1GPaOc8MpnOsRWICn2ueRruAO9Isf1c1-E4tFFV6v2CxkdQE-SQQz-i9e_BRpptCjNfzwpQP7f4kxT4FHdlX4vPRWdHuGmIw6IHFdv/s1600/DSC_0311.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464737048134786562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3ikNbyVnOMx6K-ek2_J9KgQDJappm6sFS9N4VA1GPaOc8MpnOsRWICn2ueRruAO9Isf1c1-E4tFFV6v2CxkdQE-SQQz-i9e_BRpptCjNfzwpQP7f4kxT4FHdlX4vPRWdHuGmIw6IHFdv/s320/DSC_0311.jpg" border="0" /></a> toffee apples<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F75FL7GtgQGAzNAlslmgKADUgSlzghGSMaxGnhjnm1bVKOTD0e6hxFtWEMexRiIt6ymLua-PvmamXa0A-lhywvEVOYF74t4K1pQn1LM2XDbwWGhoeVaM99lJVWpbqkOnOlv43rItaY99/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464736784546274834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F75FL7GtgQGAzNAlslmgKADUgSlzghGSMaxGnhjnm1bVKOTD0e6hxFtWEMexRiIt6ymLua-PvmamXa0A-lhywvEVOYF74t4K1pQn1LM2XDbwWGhoeVaM99lJVWpbqkOnOlv43rItaY99/s320/DSC_0308.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />flower pops<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464736561226438850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOqQsRxCETv2nkUnedQew50Crys6OJ5pMlxG52qx5Os-2KAxI5XOe0svDPVe9Cb9DUX49yodeUOFMPDgSi5PA46UK6Z4qNQiOcAQh6caz2mPyBnRJJPHmDzwUQxXmEkXub58QAAAyLK5_/s320/DSC_0304.jpg" border="0" /><br />hedgehogs<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jfaIiD8ZDEIIfYyWJ8V7ZwNo-gOB2Y5M7gOafcfVId8MQ8Ra5WhOUnjNnpVqeQiP-t6J6nT75BlSoJaN2HAmtQvpSceqF0Ai-EmKrmQvi4bGUP118eA98XcOLcgbASEe1F16UsxRqHDV/s1600/DSC_0309.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464736317593979698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jfaIiD8ZDEIIfYyWJ8V7ZwNo-gOB2Y5M7gOafcfVId8MQ8Ra5WhOUnjNnpVqeQiP-t6J6nT75BlSoJaN2HAmtQvpSceqF0Ai-EmKrmQvi4bGUP118eA98XcOLcgbASEe1F16UsxRqHDV/s320/DSC_0309.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />flower bed cake<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfpPwHq2fFjTuwm-rYSsqm0ch_6WOTnkCXqLCQLc4bbhkuWVfqLkr_MY8TGw0PvZ8EFWsurmbIjmyrASa7iZITguCt-iz38WYG4pZBj7FYmBQTjY0Tz47NM0TblXlEzrqkQY6EDpdXLhv/s1600/DSC_0315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464736100909239298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfpPwHq2fFjTuwm-rYSsqm0ch_6WOTnkCXqLCQLc4bbhkuWVfqLkr_MY8TGw0PvZ8EFWsurmbIjmyrASa7iZITguCt-iz38WYG4pZBj7FYmBQTjY0Tz47NM0TblXlEzrqkQY6EDpdXLhv/s320/DSC_0315.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />lilypad pond<br /><br /><br />........and this is only some of the kiddie stuff, you should have seen the food for the adults...insanely good. Well done Gabes, love you xoxox</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Olivia :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-85548047072069616122010-04-22T20:07:00.000+12:002010-04-22T21:59:00.736+12:006th PhotoI've been out of touch with the blogging world over the last few days caring for my poor sick little darling with what seems to be a very nasty tummy bug!! I was delighted to find upon my return that the lovely Kerri from <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/">Driftwood Interiors </a>has tagged me in a game where I need to re-post the 6th photo I ever posted and discuss the inspiration (fyi - check out Kerri's gorgeous chair makeover !! love).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462898798845754850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUSeMqFbNB_nlKA1s3M98opocF6D89KYxWrkB5t49CDjfpy5k61blQSMKf49z7gQ1kaWN_5UUKc5MLuDI1mqEUmPUcydsocbx591sN6Iffgoa5hk44zQRzz3-NvTQ4nh9QKh_AQEu1Hvy/s320/vintage+frame+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Above is the 6th photo (well its actually an image but I thought I should technically count it). Its an invite I made for our Easter lunch. I sourced the image through the wonderful <a href="http://www.aroomforeveryone.blogspot.com/">A Room for Everyone</a>. It was a JPG image so I could use my computer photo software to add a text box over top to make the invite. I love the vintage look of it and it fit in with my easter theme. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I just love to create a little personal detail whenever I host a party or get together. I think it makes people feel special and really welcome. I've also taken to making all my own birthday cards and wrapping papers etc. I sooo look forward to Mila getting to the age where she enjoys getting all crafty with me!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well it looks like in my absence almost all the blogs I follow have been tagged already for this game! So i'll just tag the lovely Mrs C who is <a href="http://theconlonhouse.blogspot.com/">Building the Dream in Ireland</a>, if you read this I'd love to delve back into your blog history if you get the chance :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well this week I plan to post on persian rugs and finally my kitchen shelves so see you all soon.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Olivia :)</div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-82659302372599916092010-04-19T13:31:00.000+12:002010-04-19T13:39:57.446+12:00Icecream makes it all better...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryCaLeBYuFRKn7zIYJ6vZFhjTXydb05DYD5ah3oMc9SBP8zu5ZIgHCwAH_G7NaelJ8rS02zShTve8xf6GHqRDp-QJV807HXn_ekjeZf90rEPJNXphfGuWHk6sXS7rxN0p2dhWMd1U2ThD/s1600/DIY_ice-cream_parlour_buffet_01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461656819557723778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryCaLeBYuFRKn7zIYJ6vZFhjTXydb05DYD5ah3oMc9SBP8zu5ZIgHCwAH_G7NaelJ8rS02zShTve8xf6GHqRDp-QJV807HXn_ekjeZf90rEPJNXphfGuWHk6sXS7rxN0p2dhWMd1U2ThD/s320/DIY_ice-cream_parlour_buffet_01.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461656920966816306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7cGzBI69KERgSwYrbmjCKgvpZJqmv2u2A3y1CyFswL3vImqOAf1Eg-391uFZ0u_Js7Ivz8KBH77Zz0l1oW7YHkKhex4J0-RjtC7rHXk9Fb8P4IK5qwTUkzGmkhM0tVg6bh_RvIdL-92t/s320/DIY_ice-cream_parlour_buffet_02.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>My little miss has come down with a tummy bug and hence I'm a bit late with a blog. Even though I won't actually be feeding her icecream as a remedy I thought just the sight of this gorgeous icecream buffet setup could cheer up any sore tum!</div><br /><div>These photos are courtesy of <a href="http://eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/diy-ice-cream-parlour-make-your-own-sundaes-buffet-concept-for-wedding-or-party">Eat Drink Chic</a> and as I understand it the blogger Amy Moss comes up with ideas like this and does all her own styling just to give us inspiration. What a clever girl......this makes my sundae stand from Mila's party look positively tiny!!</div><br /><div>I'll be back on board with a big catch-up post as soon as Mila is on the mend.</div><br /><div>Olivia :)</div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-32555483700785519542010-04-16T19:49:00.000+12:002010-04-16T20:13:31.231+12:00Basil & Mint<div><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wGT81vpZWWyVzbZ6ca4VoKv_KkTaUb1K5wkukacCZkiFZKiPhCp8qEJhPHqQh6P3q52ml8KZCcs9JJM_yMuV4yH0-lwYtwpExrn_e1M7H_SLSBWlXL7BYELySMJAxUfkvP4rcaA51_EG/s1600/DSC_0719.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460641833529961602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wGT81vpZWWyVzbZ6ca4VoKv_KkTaUb1K5wkukacCZkiFZKiPhCp8qEJhPHqQh6P3q52ml8KZCcs9JJM_yMuV4yH0-lwYtwpExrn_e1M7H_SLSBWlXL7BYELySMJAxUfkvP4rcaA51_EG/s320/DSC_0719.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Our herb and vege garden - made with old railway sleepers</span></div><div><br /> </div><div>Just a quick post tonight to share a tip on my favourite herbs at the moment - basil and mint. I had never really thought to combine these two but recently my sister whipped up some homemade burger patties and they were DELICIOUS! her secret was fresh basil and mint. Since then I have been adding this delicious combination to absolutely everything I can including bolognaise sauce, warm potato salads, stirfrys, and pestos. So if you don't already do so, try mixing the two you will love it!</div><br /><div>If you don't have a herb garden already and don't have the space for something like ours check out these ideas from <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">pottery barn </a>that I think would be great for housing some favourite fragrant herbs!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460644589532130930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N94lMlrVTMzKT9TSsxnh6z-cIwAwH6wa4saHXsXIa0cIXCxvHd-JRUXqM2k6Ibe8sQOdPc9ebVmjdu9LTOUGLHzMtbjnWFkIEBaAAhV2L-zLhVwvMb42brrLtP9lx9VwQkYiJh7uHKmA/s320/img21m.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460644708146784322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3nSd8IIV938GJ5zvv3fbg7mrb-2kE9Umn4I7iaiJpeN-w-EneMoMQoWC46M5alFBTbHGfUFxMb7pOdtx7PzwPRzF1_KLohoVb72iatiXUdBIoa6K3sEdqCqYD6aAXdBnKe3XH_NZ_h9d/s320/img31m.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460644829717399762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoh4oGTShEuQYtTLd0nGUja_cIbJZUw4r0yFIsSBcjv7ZVTcEO6GV8Ptk6hn2IWNIkLbqLKK1nx7tT6cSX7QI8hhYh85D9EZWg1G7M1N7XIgsL36fD6-IGQGDUrsmFrR9A-Jiq7IUZ5YB/s320/img75m.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Olivia :)</div></div></div>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-33928525463800017432010-04-14T19:39:00.000+12:002010-04-14T21:08:29.983+12:00Wallpaper Dilemna Part 2...<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97AGe2SjjYZzvfut6QLSeF96bPOh9oSJNq1rYJZJvhnSSsHmv6fS6eVrqSydydfOCKHkQcew5x5Y4QU3nkVJN3XiVWhkrMRso9SC0GFwnVKnGBXw0Eye4_lBkNriJr6YmBzwqxksET1G3/s1600/DSC_0278.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459895541690656386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97AGe2SjjYZzvfut6QLSeF96bPOh9oSJNq1rYJZJvhnSSsHmv6fS6eVrqSydydfOCKHkQcew5x5Y4QU3nkVJN3XiVWhkrMRso9SC0GFwnVKnGBXw0Eye4_lBkNriJr6YmBzwqxksET1G3/s320/DSC_0278.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ok so here is our bedroom wall that my dilemna is about. The more I think about it the more convinced I am that these walls need some drama. Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments!! (p.s try to ignore my crumpled duvet cover straight off the line - I've never been one to iron bedding - its all too much for my weak arm muscles!!)</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Below is a close up photo of our headboard. Hubby and I made this. I have actually always always wanted a domed headboard ever since the headboard in the spare bedroom that Jack Nicholson slept in in "somethings gotta give" (see photo below - fyi I LOVE that entire house as does it seem everyone). Anyhow we decided we couldn't afford my dream headboard just yet so we decided to make one in the interim. The advice we received from an upholsterer was not to attempt amateur doming, so we just went with this simple headboard. Its a tad hard to see in the photo but its a raw finish upholstery fabric in a linen colour with a bluey silver grain running through it. It was so easy to make - just board, foam, batting, fabric and staples. As you may be able to tell though we never really got around to working out how to staple the corners properly. After much heated discussion over techniques (one wanting to cut fabric, one wanting to not cut fabric) we decided to just staple the silly thing quickly and be done with it ...</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459895875035132482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYTfSfI382tOR3ZWL-3igmxCTJdw_Jup6vp7M_rkjZ7RsQjZZan9B00bZwGv04JH-6rbCNgxmrZKn2oUWHBm8GsEQ4gKs4je0NsKUISw0FZaBxMlZ9F0ntyK9zVn9N4rY4pT44OiyDhL7/s320/DSC_0270.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459911499660207890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9mHLUDcbakXzM-HEMy_Vfy_NMuweS6RoCFxyiZOS-EppuNnriFBaaZQUvnQEo9x0jS5Hmgo64SpknAOod5_kX1BjE4b7TdNqWPaAJsRD0h_h-WwM8dot8MZFaxK0UelZUFWTgDNMZUC2/s320/harrys-bedroom.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image courtesy of </span><a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/05/04/the-beach-house-in-somethings-gotta-give/"><span style="font-size:78%;">hooked on houses</span></a></div><br />Opps I have seriously gone off topic!!! See below the chair in my room I am madly in love with. This colour willl be the inspiration behind my eventual wallpaper choice. I sooooo wish I had a pair of these chairs but they stopped making them in this colour (the photo doesn't do justice to the colour it really is quite blue tinged).<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ99T0NZve4X2uNcjI_kU5B7GxFB34Sy2UXGSWmw2V6kwLMsMrlZI2xj0JidXVvD28l9JErONIi0UiuBcf4kvIeliBKuILa2MuygA2jlUqhQM6kkAiJe_9R_0XrcBpYSSCVyKsVe9xRBd/s1600/DSC_0268.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459895259477998226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ99T0NZve4X2uNcjI_kU5B7GxFB34Sy2UXGSWmw2V6kwLMsMrlZI2xj0JidXVvD28l9JErONIi0UiuBcf4kvIeliBKuILa2MuygA2jlUqhQM6kkAiJe_9R_0XrcBpYSSCVyKsVe9xRBd/s320/DSC_0268.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway it seems my decision is made and I now need to hunt out the wallpaper!! I also need to decide if the wallpaper plus a photo/art wall above the bed might be too much? Also whether to do just the one wall or the whole room? I don't want to close the space in too much. Hmmm decisions decisions!!!<br /><br />Ok to finish off this post I wanted to show this photo. How beautiful is this.......<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459911037723139282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DZQiBD8B6CnrwvefhfwyGFNzCjngZkYgBJMggfVhgRVT_UUECdVEqaGPIZ4sba5Z7YeexLjonuBWuyuJeJAmsteLqjyY6TG9CnyOZz0OCEp5V7rYPrgHGTpkRElMWN6rbvW5FwxdTF27/s320/paloma+La+Dolce+Vita.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image courtesy of </span><a href="http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2010/03/dream-home-in-city-by-bay.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">La Dolce Vita</span></a><br /><br /></p>I wish I had a huge dressing room all to myself to house a little pampering set up like this but we had to stick with a basic his and hers walk in wardrobe (boring!!!!). This means my dresser for makeup and jewellery sits in the main bedroom and it happens to be the dresser I've had since 5 years old (see below).....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459912790757422786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJq9vV2-yD6wDxhZSMmPE77Onrj8uZ-vAJTr8qUuqikuuvyH4IldVsvn7LJlr2-4dhTSuMOz2CVE2HvS-xpXuNUYswYy8K1QOeKu_0x8Zg0AT5W46R4Lr7KHskX5EmPZo-_TiZNCS18hnE/s320/DSC_0282.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />I've decided its time to upgrade and I will use this little corner of our room next to our ensuite to recreate the beautiful spot in the photo. Maybe a chair like one of these from <a href="http://shop.lamaison.net.au/">La Maison </a>(the same place I got my blue one) will help...<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459915197778802722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97cancYCmbq4lrtTNSM7IioqXEWeokVkLb_Vugihpcz0cXxMth2LlzkysUH2RgLVJLslpaaz9ESMokVhMIo32ZJb-W4bQfBJUIFFTtoDgZH44KJWib9o2wvRrHVDoKoz9qjBPHwSaM2Gl/s320/IUFMT-BR_BRONZ_320.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459915297344497490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitteuWozZXnhio-7p-rU3w6Z1LcZZQsAIIBbIz_RJSY5x_89y3ImaFOgJNGfTXC6aidVA-AU8a3TInoXo7aFa3jB5MfinRmCrCrGVdIh9zS6NjdCE0S86MHOHm8KeUlrcdlpztoeh-Za10/s320/IUFGEN_TAUPE_TAUPE_110.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Ok lovelies. Enough from me, time to browse all your gorgeous blogs!!</p><p>Olivia :)<br /></p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125475357164447868.post-29392589581380759142010-04-12T19:37:00.000+12:002010-04-12T21:06:25.990+12:00Wallpaper Dilemna! Part 1<div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-uDEShhjlAG-9KKv4MzwrofdSrK9l-STNMFLKStVkWMEfts0RNJMHVCS3UzIfeJz4KmUni55P6bgTXSmvwYeRcJ6cKMIumZkAvtu88USVZpZjCmZr8JPEi9ZKEPylZ4FshMMLiLkwP0Q/s1600/gold-bedroom+little.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459157981685491650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-uDEShhjlAG-9KKv4MzwrofdSrK9l-STNMFLKStVkWMEfts0RNJMHVCS3UzIfeJz4KmUni55P6bgTXSmvwYeRcJ6cKMIumZkAvtu88USVZpZjCmZr8JPEi9ZKEPylZ4FshMMLiLkwP0Q/s320/gold-bedroom+little.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Image courtesy of </span><a href="http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2010/03/dream-home-in-city-by-bay.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">La Dolce Vita </span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">How GORGEOUS is this!!!!!!</span><br /><div><br /><div align="left">I love wallpaper but I'm terrified of it. I think my fear comes from the number of times I have assisted in house renovations where I have had to strip layers of hideous wallpaper away. I am scared that I will ruin the lovely paint finish of our brand new walls and that once wallpapered always wallpapered. I know that if done properly the finish of the walls should remain fine but still 'work' would need to go into restoration should my love affair with wallpaper end. So basically I'm being lazy.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">The dilemna is raised particularly with regard to our bedroom. The cream walls are just really starting to bore me and I really really really want to liven the space up with at least a feature wall. My colour scheme in there is fairly neutral with silvers and blues thrown in (including a gorgeous silvery blue velvet chair that Mila bought for me for Mother's Day with the help of her Daddy of course) so I'd like the wallpaper to bring out these colours (i'll post some photos of our bedroom & the chair in wallpaper part 2 - I was a tad too busy to take photos today). I want something classic but a touch dramatic like maybe a silver damask or perhaps a bold stripe - check out these examples....</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459159212400634978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 232px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu0aYCn7o2CFCSCvzn-b7t2D_C0-g3JqqLKktZf8hypX5D_GqHeDDTXcib91Wc_X3wUxSLLlsEhGwhxzyq0-RX5vh6Pk2349-ptGGgznTfqSxFon4Pzq38Xc2ri6Kr3y6c68wS01gsJN7/s320/indochine-silverfox-21641-hero.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.visionwalls.co.nz/colour-design/white.php">Vision Wallcoverings</a> - Indocine Silver Fox - I have a sample of this but I'm still very unsure.</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459162404110376818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb5zJIjt9_KYTRJpMynI44Bjz0xsjuyzZPI7ZkSEE5dJSTKKjVfBoYZ4ti3VzGMgsDc4cdosHAIwkDp9fqDH7fvlmTu6QQi0dEAlT6wTppSJTC5qY4CWDm0DxnAUMkPQ_-92Fc1i2h5ct/s320/nina+2.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.osborneandlittle.com/nina-campbell/">Nina Campbell </a>- Cremonia, I've seen this in person and its gorgeous the photo doesn't do it justice, hmm but do I want this bold??</span></div><div><br /><br /><div align="left">Any advice on whether I should take the plunge and go for wallpaper?? I wish someone would invent stick on wallpaper like the art decals that just peel off. That way I wouldn't worry so much about the decision being so permanent. In the meantime while I ponder lets drool over these lovely wallpapered bedrooms.....</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459157553268779586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYknsHg31sQ_xlSwMM5pDfGOWqazKR4M4PKYNP1IxC4b9wGVAcHyUCYGyTVKE1jWWtHFYsniuV-pv1vmmb4eNHxxrLLgWvPpjCcKeyL0kAl4QYUuFQhlK6MzFEsRWrc8TNPc52apXPL64s/s320/Lucyina-Moodie1+little.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /></div></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image courtesy of <a href="http://littlebitsoflovely.blogspot.com/">little bits of lovely </a>(along with image below)</span></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459157865187371442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwff7Qx61Rc05Cw2ESPA85WXWpSRQi1XugDkR7VTOdvY46w8aFA5Lv5vGUBzWzr8RnzpaBeztmRDo1H6i12Vq41Bb6BOka0TUf2Z3RbLvJEwFsY8fhbCt7yR0SUGnxi9kwKtt_iPOIlt00/s320/interiors+little.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459157731213706674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoBTtJ-TCE8xaTrP8gPfXyrEQPsZwfZmTWsk5sX-KdfpIurHtkrHC896bL_uIC3v_534qo4Q_tm3qWfqvuRiLPWKk7ptysLRosc3YAyi97sRb5IJjsjA5FOQf6soiw2BctFnkwgR0bFYJ/s320/house+to+home.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image courtesy of</span> <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/?menu=home"><span style="font-size:78%;">House to home UK</span></a></p><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459173274669299410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-TyTP6BG_NGbbOEhVtRkoDKWUVSPtdWKrN_Tn4sT96oxm82H7yt_MF9VbWv7S-tZnk9EpGCRVL5FnxcReoz54Ssvao7ZOzBoKOJXWDpF9T8wZdZn1l5-jffAk242nSS8y8k6f-x4K4Y2/s320/image1-1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459173143065593058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WHV17HKs5IM4gTOquL30u_pAnE65KhH9aDMqGDL1mufwDvsmoHegiSxdjf97mcnz9btB8QvnVU0dyIijWusiQb3u9Jd-CiqQnpy3Yck7y95oVLd5f66HZ2vzhrZp-w9PgVNqLPuVYDiM/s320/IdealHome.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459172695487300162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 232px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg7wLXEM2k7qliY7CCIQCS02I1LlmeVXAW537vLCQWZQbUOc08dvD9CCyxchL1YPfiUgOtupymvR56b1Pmo8kwjp3x_zmn-ccuVNaQyVqZq1g-jjvYehxtZoqcLY2dzLEuKpTamtLReeX/s320/25_3.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Above 3 images courtesy of <a href="http://aroomforeveryone.blogspot.com/search/label/bedroom">a room for everyone</a></span><br /><br /></p><p align="left">I'll try and post photos of our bedroom tomorrow - along with a bit more bedroom inspiration.</p><br /><p align="left">Olivia :)</p>Oliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651143778264777479noreply@blogger.com7