I heart Christina..

Dearest Referendum,

I write to you to share a new love of mine...

As you have been aware for some time now, Amy Butler has had quite a fan in me with her lush, rich and heartwarming fabrics, however my heart has been stolen by another. That of Christina Lundsteen and UNION.EIGHTEEN.

I am not sure if I have fallen more in love with Christina, or Chrissy as I will call her, or the stylist that styles her shoot. Both make me swoon and provide me with an overwhelming urge to buy an apartment where I can paint the floorboards, put the richest wallpaper up, some damp lighting and throw a morroccan feast on the floor, lit up with the most organic of candles and infused with the most delicious aromas of homemade cooking... sssiiiiigggghhhh.....

My other new love is UNION.EIGHTEEN. Now, while I thought the scene before was enough for me to live happily ever after, the scene could not be set without going in to my lounge area to grap the hooka for an after dinner treat of apple cinnamon tobacco (crossing cultures here, I know but stick with me...) and being able to step accross my UNION.EIGHTEEN rug (draped accross my painted floorboards) in my bare (but beautifully pedicured) feet.

A UNION.EIGHTEEN rug is as original as it gets. The concept behind their company is that they collect recycled pieces of carpet and stitch them together to make a rug- kind of like a patchwork quilt. Each rug is therefore original and made by hand, yet while each rug is dictated by the remanants found by it's creator and the size provided by it's owner to be, each one is put together and finished off with the same accuracy of a carefully crafted eames chair. (Note: I don't have the pleasure of having an Eames chair however I imagine they are seamless).. (Um, well I don't mean the rugs are seamless because it is the seams that make them even more attractive. I mean it is similar to an eames chair in that they are also mastercrafted. Yes, that is what I mean).. ssssiiiiggghhh again...

I'm off to consider my Moroccan feast menu..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxsj

I'm dreaming of a white... bathroom!

I am torn between this bathroom and the one below. I think it's safe to say that the white theme is generally a winner for me.

One of Selina Lake's pics

So lovely!!

Love, love, love...

I am a definite fan of chairs hanging from the roof- love, love, love...

Dearest Referendum,

Well, when it doesn't rain, it pours. That's what 'they' say, isn't it? Well, Ref, it seems with my blogging, that very concept applies.

It also seems, Ref, that I am getting my mojo back. For a little while there I focused on myself rather than my inspiration, which was just perfect! Now that I feel like a brand new me, I am being inspired in so many ways again that I am almost bursting at the seams! It is slightly frustrating because I would really love to be drilling holes in the roof of my unit and putting in gorgeous white swings like in the picture below, however as a renter, I just don't know how appreciative my landlord would be. So, in the meantime, I am going to blog so that when the time comes, I can use this blog as my inspiration board. I have also found a few things along the way that I thought you would love to know about!

The first thing I found for you is a website called http://www.girlatplay.com/. It is about a lady called Alex that shares her experience and knowledge of being a self-employed writer. She has a website, which I love, called Hygge Home. 'Hygge' is a Danish word (hu-gah) that describes "the feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary everyday things simply extraordinary. It's about owning things you only truly love or that inspire, being present in yourself and your life"- a concept that I adore.

One of the things that I love in my house is the book you got me for Christmas, 'Bazaar Style'. Well I have also come accross the writer, Selina Lake's blog, which is filled with beautiful things like those in her book, and like the gorgeous outdoor pic, which I have posted above.

I have also posted a few other pics that I have collected along the way, which are 'Hygge' to me. They are only inspiration at the moment but I plan to make them come to life one day!

That's all for now, hope you are good and Milly Vanilli is great. And boy Ref too.

Love you like I love warm, yummy, delicious smelling baths in Winter...

xxxxxsj

PS- For some reason, my paragraphs aren't showing in this post- annoying.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Dearest Refalicious,

I hope you have the most fabulous birthday, filled with cupcakes, beautifully wrapped gifts and classy cakes such as the one above. I am sad I am not there to drink champagne with you but promise that it will certainly be done soon enough!

Love you to the transformers..

SJ xxx

Got any Greeeen???

Now, Ref, with my new amazing tip, the answer to whether or not you have any herbs can always be, "YES"!

I know I have ALWAYS got bits of different herbs laying around in the bottom of my vege draw. I just heard of a great trip though whereby you put herbs into an ice cube tray, fill the tray with water or even better, stock, and freeze! Then when you are cooking, you just throw one of the cubes into your dish- GENIUS!!

Just wanted to share that with you. I would also like to ask you to have another look at that amazing swing chair in the post below- I am absolutely in LOVE with it and certainly plan to have one, one of these days....

Catching Up!

I LOVE THIS!!


Lunch for two..

Ref, meet Andrew..

Sunny's cake

Ellie, Me and Sunny at Currumbin (Sunny is having a stand up nap)

Spencer Tracey

Me and the lovely Wa Wa- Wayne, on the seaplane

Johnny K and Brad from work getting ready for seaplane action

Hi Ref!!

Goodness gracious, long time no blogging for both of us! So much has happened, in fact so much that I haven't really had time to blog. But now that I am taking a few minutes to sit down, relax, have a glass of wine and write, I am excited about sharing the past few months with you. While i write, I am listening to the most awesome song from 'Habib Koite and Bamada'. Youtube it- it is so different and uplifting!

So, as you know (derrrr), I have moved. I need to post some pics of my new abode but unfortunately John has the camera so I can't take any pics! I am going to have to buy a new one methinks. He went to a party last night and wanted to take it with him and it was at this meeting that I told him about Andrew. Not a fun conversation (quite heartbreaking actually, but necessary) and one I can't really post request the camera back for. So, looks like I might be in the market for a new camera and you may have to wait a little longer to see my new digs.

I do have some pics on my computer though that will give you a brief picture update on what I have been doing. One of these things was going on a seaplane! Soooooo cool. I think I told you about it at the time- you have been on one before so you know how amazing it is so I don't need to tell you again but see pics for evidence.

I have also attached a pic of Sunny, my Korean student and her friend, Ellie, from when i took them to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. There is also a picture of the sun cake I made her for her bday. Sunny moves out on Monday and to be honest, I am looking for it. She is very time demanding and does things like interupts me on phone calls to ask me to make her dinner or hang out her washing. In the beginning I was happy enough to do these things but after she told me I didn't pay enough attention to her, I feel a bit used and abused. Note to self- check into post homestay student counselling group.

Sadly, you haven't met Andrew because you were so sick when we were in town, so I have posted a pic of him and I when we went to the Hunter Valley. We had such a magical weekend, it was just perfect. There is a picture as well of where we went for lunch at Bistro Molines- Roberts new restaurant in the Valley at Tallavera. it was absolutely spectacular and the perfect end to a perfect weekend. I can't believe sometimes how life works but I am so grateful for it all.. things do really work in the most wonderful and surprising ways.

And of course, no post could go live without a pic of Spence sleeping on the couch. Oh Ref, he is so cute when he does things like this, but sooooo naughty and cheeky too!

So that should keep you up to date for now. Now I can get back to posting things that I have seen and loved (that aren't new boys or cute dogs that I own) and tell you about all the wonderful things I am going to get when I am once again a homeowner.

I love you to the moon and back. I can't wait to see you soon. Miss you terribly and wish you were here with me, drinking port and eating dark chocolate.

Love you,

SJ xxxxx

My Martha Stewart Moment

Hi Ref,

Long time, no blogging. But I am here now and I am excited to share with you the details of Milly's 1st birthday party. It was a low-key affair, but one in keeping with Milly's refined nature. Needing to cater for adults and children, I choose a simple selection of sweet and savoury delights. Cupcakes with pink butter icing; walnut, honey and rosemary tart; leek, sweet potato, mushroom and feta frittatas; and tea sandwiches - chicken & baby spinach, cheese and beetroot chutney and, the classic, smoked salmon and cream cheese. Drinks were champagne, of course, and beer, lemonade, and tea and coffee.

The birthday cake was Pauline's Famous Banana Cake, which I blinged up with vanilla buttercream icing and silver cashous. The '1' candle was a kitsch, but neccessary addition to the cake!

The only decorations were the tissue paper poms, in bright colours (made with the help of my obliging family). They were such an nice alternative to balloons (not that there is anything wrong with balloons!!) and looked really festive. I loved them!

Anyway, check out the pics. It was a gorgeous day, really relaxed but very special for my beautiful girl.

xxx

Some Things Will Never Change..

I thought in order to reference my previous post and provide further proof (probably mainly to myself) that I will always be the same person, I have attached the above pics. I am seeing a theme that runs into my everyday life still... eating, sleeping whenever and wherever I can and getting nude. My posture remains the same and it is good to see the pointing finger- a common

It's not time to make a change, just relax, take it easy...

Dear Ref,

Well, my baby has sold- that's right, my gorgeous little dream home that I put my heart and soul into, is going to someone else. Thankfully it is going to a really nice couple who I think will love it almost as much- she cried when we accepted the offer- but it doesn't make it a whole lot less heartbreaking.

So in the absence of photo's of current projects around my home, I have taken a trip down memory lane. I know we have been there before but this time it has been really nice looking back at photos of the people that created me. Going through a seperation has started to make me reassess who I really am and what parts of me I may have compromised while in a relationship. I am thankful to John in a lot of ways that he never made me change who I am- which as he once defined and which I think he was on the money for, as quirky, genuine and loyal. Looking at the photo's of the people who brought me into this world and then nutured me even to the day, I can see where these 3 afore mentioned characteristics were derived from and I am very proud to be carrying them through into mine and the peoples lives around me that appreciate that. As someone that knows me very well, I have no doubt these photos will mean the same to you!

So while the trip down memory lane has been quick, it has also been significant. I realise that I will always be the same true person, perhaps just doing different things at different times. And I am grateful too that as I get older, I feel more confident to be the person that I am! I hope I can pass these characteristics onto Spencer and should I ever have children, onto them as well...

Love you long time,

SJxxx

Dad and Dave.. and Me..

I thought you would like the one of me bending over- true form..

Me with Saint Niklaus- Dutch Santa...

I think Dave would be horrified to know I have posted this pic!

I however, am once again posing in true form, shrugging shoulders- 'I don't know...'

Dad going to the Deb ball and Dave ohhhh so cute...

Um, I am quite sure my Dad might have dabbled in recreational chemical enhancements by the look of this photo on the right....

Hi Ref!

I hope you are well and happy and that Angel Child and Boy Ref are also well!!

With mothers day coming up, I have been giving some thought to what I can get my mum. I always find her difficult to buy for but this year I think I have found the perfect solution. It is a book from Kikki K that prompts questions about your memories and experiences with your mum- check it out! http://www.kikki-k.com.au/catalog/category-Gifts_For_Her-product-Memory_Book_Mum.html

It also got me thinking about Dad's birthday this year. He turned 59 (oh my goodness!) so Dave and I decided that I would fly down and we would both devote a weekend to hanging out with him, just eating, drinking and talking. We hired a scanner that can scan multiple photos at a time and went through all of Dads photos (literally tens of thousands), put them into an order and saved them on a terrabyte. It was a great weekend- we spent a lot of time reliving the good ol days, chatting, and laughing over old pics. I have attached some here for you so that you too can have a laugh.

Love you lot's.. sjxx