{Summer's A Comin'}

Over the last few months I have been feeling quite tired. I had no exact reason to, either. I wasn't sick.I wasn't pregnant (although I did check). I wasn't sleeping horrendously. I was just not making it through to the end of the day without the 3pm feeling of needing a nanna nap. Which doesn't fit into the school pick-up schedule at all. 

I normally eat my main meals very healthy. But I am not regularly exercising. 

Then it clicked!

{Crafty Supplies}

I thought I would take a moment to share a few of my favourite online crafty suppliers. There are many i visit, but one of my favourites at the moment is "Craftumi" which I found on madeit.com.au. This place is an Aussie craft shop that never closes (that could be very dangerous lol).


The other one I love is the infamous 'ETSY'. I love buying handmade, vintage items on there, but there is a whole section dedicated to supplies. Just select supplies in the drop down menu at the top of the page (third option) and search away. With the Aussie Dollar being so strong, I ordered some supplies today and it was actually cheaper than listed in the US dollars (woooo-hooo! Gotta love a bargain).

I hope you find some great things online and I would ove to hear from my other crafty friends if you have a place as a 'go-to' for supplies.

Enjoy;
Lauren x

{Bags with a difference}

As a part of my blog - a weakness of mine is following and reading what other bloggers have to say. I have found many fascinating blogs latley - one of which is Naomi's blog "Seven Cherubs" (named after her 7, yes 7, kids! I think she deserves a medal for that alone. Apart from her wonderful happy inspiration, I found a post recently that moved me.
She posted on twitter about a giveaway which I just had to check out. And this one stopped me in my tracks.

It was for a bag from a non-profit company called "Biddy Bags". This is an Australian buisness (love that) making bags like nothing I've ever seen before.
The concept is that in Redcliffe QLD, mature aged Australian women create handmade products for women. They sell them on the website and when you receive an order, you also recieve the story of its maker. How amazing is that!!!
You get to benefit from women who have spent many years perfecting handmade crafting skills, support them (they recieve over half the profit) and help keep these art forms alive! It is a great initiative and as they say "Biddy Bags is a social and a fashion statement". Find out about their cause and meet some of the beautiful, wise and creative Australian women who create for them.


So, go over to their website and check them out, I know I have an order coming soon!
Enjoy;
Lauren X

{Winter Warmers Wish List - Bargain Time!}

It is no secret to many of you how much I love supporting local crafters, artisans and buisness people. Many of which I have found at local markets and online on madeit.
So, since the weather is cooling down in Sydney, I thought I would go online and form my winter wish list from some local buisnesses. Shopping inside in the warmth - what more could you want in winter huh?!!? Here are my top finds that I might just find being delivered here soon and all for $40 and under - BARGAIN!!! (attention hubby ;)

1. Hot Water Bottle Cover $15 from "notbyamber"
2. Bohemian Crochet Alpaca Wool Hat $35 by "Mel P Designs"
3. Alice in Wonderland Teapot $28 by "Zinnia Pea"
4. "Winter warmer" hand blended green tea $15 by "Precious Things"
5. Paradisi milk bath $12 by Rhasdala
6. Glittens - convertible gloves and mittens $40 by "Shazzas Knits"
7. Ruffle Scarf - berry mad $25 by "Cactus and Rose"
8. Tea for two playwood coasters $35 by "snowfawn"

I hope you enjoy some of these bargains....pop over to the stores and browse around from the comfort of the couch in the warm ;)

Lauren x

{Mothers Day = Pecan Brownies + DIY Soy Candles}

Well, last weekend for mothers day we had some of my husbands side over for a family dinner and we ate very well as we often do! We had a long roasted beef and pork with tonnes of veggie sides inclding homemade apple sauce. Then dessert was individual homemade brownies with a twist of adding pecans (in hommage to my mother law who loves pecan pie) served soft inside with a raspberry reduction and cream. SO GOOD!!!



Then a few weeks ago I had some glass jars laying around and wanted to re-use them somehow as they were too pretty to throw away. So, I decided to attempt candle making and have loved my candle making morning - it was A LOT of fun.
I am not one to just post this and keep the source to myself, I love supporting local ingredients/ buisnesses so check this out. This online store will support you in starting your own candle (or soap) making journey.
With plenty of wonderful supplies and tutorials in text and video, its a one stop shop, and so much cheaper than anything I could find in retail stores. Make sure you give it a go - its fun and a great way to make some homemade gifts for someone special or to fill your own house. And they turned out great I thought. If you have a go, let me know how it went.


Enjoy,
Lauren x

Product Review ::: Pollini Design Accessories

My last post was sharing a purchase from Hide&Seek Market that I was VERY happy with. The second (and last) review from the market I wanted to share with you was my new ring from Pollini Design Accessories. My ring is the white flower as above however the band is more of a gold colour.
I saw a ring like this years ago (with a VERY expensive pricetag mind you) and have always wanted something like this. Then I found this stall and the white ring stood out at me like it had flashing lights on it!
I have loved wearing this ring and have had so many comments on it.
To find more of her designs, see you at Hide & Seek markets or go to her facebook page or Etsy store :)

Enjoy;
Lauren x

Product Review ::: Eve's Soy Candles

I have been a little slow in blog land as we had sickness visit our house in a nasty way last week and also a family wedding to energise for on the weekend. So appologies for my absence.

Last Sunday I went to the third ever Hide and Seek Markets and had a ball. I am loving the way this market is expanding each month and seeing the new stall holders. I want to highlight two of my purchases that I am so happy with!

Today I want to share Eve's Soy Candles with you all. Why Soy Candles you ask? Well there are many reasons why this important. Whether it is the health reasons or the ease of cleaning reasons that attract you, soy candles are something I am definiltey hooked on!
The scent I bought was hazelnut and cappuccino and WOW! I just wanted to eat it, it smelt so delicious. The beautiful candle left a beautiful scent in the house as I spent the night crafting. Just lovely.

You can find info about this handmade buisness on facebook or on the web.

Enjoy these as much as I did;
Lauren x

Product Review ::: from Boys Germs

Here are a few of my favourite finds from a wonderful website called "Boys Germs". Have a browse and I hope you like these awesome products like I did ;)

Personalised Name Light from mylight from about $140 (different options available).





Not your average blocks from A + R for US$158.

Gumboots from Little Elk $49.95

Dorothy 'mini' lamp from Lilly and Lolly $145

Bubble Clox from Lilly and Lolly $39.95

Tyre wheel and wrench spoon from Wrenchware US$19

Table and Chairs Set from Hip Kids for $110

Enjoy;
Lauren x

Web Review ::: Boys Germs

I have been quite frustrated (and I am not alone) with the gender imbalance in clothing/ accessories on the net and in stores.

There are SOOOOO many tu-tu's, clips, and t-shirts with wings etc....for girls, but why is it so hard to have something equivilant for the boys.

As a mum to 2 lovley boys (1 and 4yrs ) i know thay love to
dress up/ role play as much as the girls do.

The other problem I find is that alot of the clothes/ shows etc.... aimed at boys have a subtle (but not always) violent edge to them. I want to encourage them to be masculine, but don't think we need violence and grotesque scull and cross bones to achieve that. So I have been on a litte quest to find 'BOY STUFF'.

I came across one website that I loved called boys germs. Dedicated to all things 'boy', you will find every thing for bed time, bath time, party time, play time and also furniture, gadgets, and clothes too. If you have boys or boys in your world.....check out BOYS GERMS HERE!

Lauren x

Product Reviews ::: Interior Decorating for Kids

I have been a bit obsessed with interior design ideas for the boys bedrooms and the playroom in the new house (about 4 months to go - excited much?!?!!?). I have found some really cool ideas and I wanted to share some of therm with you. I will try to include some girls things too, but I am naturally drawn to the boys things obviously!

I love Supprting Aussie Buisness....So, check out Mini Me Designs (an awesome QLD based company) on the web and on facebook for some delightful canvases/ plaques. I just love their animal images - gorgeous!!!


You can find Designer Mum here and find some wonderful 'kid style'

They put together some decorator packs which is a cool idea....
....but my pick from this website is the birth details plaque that is a nice, neat modern way of displaying the moment your precious bundle came into the world!!! LOVE it!!




If you love buying product online from Australian Small buisnesses that are run by Working at home parents, then a wonderful directory of all things including decorating supplies can be found here at Support A Working At Home Parent network (Support a WAHP). They have a website with a directory and a facebook page too.

Daniels 1st Birthday "Twinkle Twinkle" Party - Part Two

One of the decorations I had my heart set on for Daniels birthday party was some pale blue/ yellow bunting. I wanted to make it but didn't have a sewing machine (at that point). I ended uip ordering it from a favourite website of mine - madeit.com.au. This is an Australian website with a whole bunch of people seeling things that they made. I bought it from a store called Mockingbird Designs which I was very impressed with. THe product was just perfect and they were a pleasuere to deal with and patient with all the delays for payment due to problems with our paypal accounts.
I definitley recommend popping around to have a look at their store....just delicious!!!!

Imagination play time

Something inside me smiles when I cast my eyes on my boys playing with their wooden blocks and toys. Too often in these times the toys are leaving the imagination aspect out of play. But there is nothing like the 'chicnking' (just made that word up....hehe) sound of wooden blocks turning into people, cities, a bbq, a castle or even simple towers that tumble with a CRASH - the options are endless!!! Well, I found a few websites that have these kind of toys and just had to share.....nothing like pure play!
Enjoy :)
Lauren x

Too cute for words ;)

I am a sucker for vests for boys....and I love the hat too!

The bows on the gloves - do they make this in grown up size??? cuuuute ;)

The scarf and the jacket - what a gorgeous outfit!

What girl doesn't just love the details....like pom-pom's - awwwww!

Found Seed on facebook first and just love their classic and sophisticated clothing looks for little ones! Hope you enjoy them and I cant wait to get my hot little hands on their gear soon :)

Noo Designs!

I found this group on facebook, but I just love the simple and cute baby clothes that they come up with....the kind of outfits that just make you say "AWWWWWW"!!!! Check out their website for full gallery and information. Just Gorgeous :)

Provincial Home Living

One of my favourite stores online is this amazing homewares stores. They are mostly located in Victoria with one store in New South Wales. That store isn't close by in Sydney though, and Albury is a distance to travel. I would love to see some of their furniture in person, so I have emailed them in to ask about potential expansion into Sydney metro. Hopefully in the future ;)

Check out their gorgeous stock, I just love their rustic style that mixes contemporary and classic - just my style! Have a browse, i know you'll be impressed at the product, but also the prices (which is a big plus in
my opinion)! Can't wait to order some things for our new house from here. YAY!!!
www.provincialhomeliving.com.au

Ahhhhhh - "Miss Chacha "

Yes I am a mother of two, a wife to my man and wear SO many other hats. Although I am not one for the superficial, I do have an insatiable passion for HOT shoes.
There is something about sporting a pair of pumps or out-of-this world wedges that makes me a little giddy! It sounds silly I know, but for a split second, I am transformed from a world of changing nappies, preschool drop offs and mashing bananas into what seems like another universe!
These caught my eye whilst browsing online....YUUUU-MMMMY!!!!! I have a pair similar to these in black (granted they're not Christian Louboutins' "Miss chacha's") and they are my favourites!
So, even if you think you would develop a fear of heights on these baby's - just admire them for the style and craftmanship! In my eyes - this is heaven on heals :)

My Favourite Online Shop :)

Appologies for being quiet over last few days - been busy cooking up a storm for a Valentines Day event - YUMMM!

Now I know I have mentioned this website before when I first discovered Susannah Tucker Photography. The diversity and quality of the ALL AUSTRALIAN handmade wares at madeit.com.au is never ceasing to amaze me!!!
I ordered something for a friend and it came today - the delivery was so quick. So, check it out and I am sure that you will find something to suit any occassion....(appologies for the time you will spend window shopping online-hehehe)! ENJOY!!!!