Wednesday, June 24, 2009

brand junkie.

Ok, here we go. I'll admit to being a brand junkie. When I find something I like, I am happy to tell, or should I say 'sell' it, to other people. So, occasionally, I would like to post about something that has just blown my world. It will probably teeter around nipple shaped feeding bottles and smashingly good wine, so all-in-all well worth the read.

Today's Product:

Velvety Vanilla Muesli

Product Picture:



Thoughts:

I've always wanted to be 'into' muesli. But, after being raised in Dublin (along with four other siblings), I was only ever introduced to cornflakes. In winter it was cornflakes with warm milk. Delicious. But, in Australia, with the sun nearly always shining through your kitchen window in the morning, sometimes Cornflakes just don't cut it. Besides, everyone who is anyone will tell you that muesli has much better things in it and goes well with fresh fruit, milk and yoghurt, all of which constitute a really good start to the day.

However, I have never found a muesli that hit the mark taste wise. Until now, of course. Introducing Velvety Vanilla Muesli from Table of Plenty (little Melbourne business). Here is the greatest combination of toasted and untoasted oats (the good and the bad, the yin and the yan, the devil and the saint) nestled amongst dates, nuts vanilla, honey and a touch of coconut. I tried it. I liked it. I buy it every week. It is especially good when you combine it with Jalna Bio-Dynamic Bush Honey yoghurt.

Damn. That's one hell of a way to start the day.

Monday, June 22, 2009

lastest loves.

As promised, I wanted to share some special purchases I have made in the past few weeks. We headed up to Bens parents farm a few weekends ago for a little break. When we got there the fire was roaring away and Maggie had immediately found a pine cone to drop at our feet. Annie had no idea she wasn't at home and settled in very well indeed. During our stay we drove 20 mins down the road to the Loch Food and Wine Festival. As we headed down main street, Ben and I were instantly drawn to two separate delights.

Me: 'Ooooo, fabric shop!'

Ben: 'Ooooo, pork pies!'

I went one way and Ben and Annie went the other. I rummaged through the $1.50 fabric piece bin for about half an hour and came out with these little beauties.



Don't know what I'm going to make with these yet. I was thinking perhaps clothes for Annie. She needs some and I have a burning passion. Will keep you posted on that one.

My other burning desire at the moment is collecting vintage 70's plates. I figure with children I don't want to be using Mums Best China everyday. So instead of buying (consuming - argh!) more stuff, I would set out of put together the most higilty pigilty set of dinnerware you have ever seen. All of this is of course for our new house (whenever we get one) and the lovely solid Tasmanina pine dining table that George, Ben's brother, made us for our wedding pressie. At present it sits in our garage taunting me to have dinner parties, but alas, our house is too teeny tiny for a knees up just yet.

Oh yeh, ah hem, the plates...



Especially loving the bottom one. I plan on mixing and matching, with a kinda theme in mind. All my little op shop lovelies are slowing coming together. It delights me!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

busy. busy. busy.

My oh my how the days are rolling into one. I just can't believe that time can move so quickly. That so much can happen in such a short space of time. Ben and I are busy looking for houses every weekend and catching up with family and friend nearly every night of the week *phew*. It all gets a bit too much after awhile, fun as it is. We look forward to being strapped to a mortgage which limits our outings and keeps us snug at home painting fences or planting chili trees. Yum!

On the weekend, besides having a great dinner with my sister and brother-in-law Friday and a smashing roast with Em, Jo & Tiff last night we also went to a 1st birthday party. The party was only 5 minutes down the road (novelty for Melbourne) and it was dress up! The invite said, 'come as your favourite animal'. I thought, 'oooh fun, I'll make something!'. Annie has her eye on Octy the Octapus (soft toy) since she was about 6 weeks old. She LOVES him. So, I figured I would make her an Octapus Outfit.

Only problem was, after I had sewed the last tentacle on and double checked the date on the invite with anticipation, I realised that the title of this particular birthday party was 'James' Jungle Party'. *oops!* Annie would have to be a fish out of water. Literally.

Here she is, looking somewhat fishy...









You will note the bottle of Champagne on the kids table. Don't worry, there was no under age drinking. I was one of the few people at the party who ensured the kids didn't touch a drop, by drinking a fair amount myself. A hangover at a 1st birthday party. Noice.

On a recent outing to Southland, I got ridiculously sidetracked in Lincraft starring at all the wool. I was instantly addicted. In fact, I started a scarf for our Annie and she can't even hold her head up with conviction! Whoa, somebody stop me!



I have lots of other rants and raves to share. I've been storing posts in my head all week. I just need to find some time is all. I promise to share the vintage-looking fabrics I picked up at the Loch Food and Wine Festival, the frustrations I am having with a little Sleepless Annie and of course, the 'How to make your own Jalapenos' tutorial. Hang tight. It gets better.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

my choice.

After much debate, I ordered the prints that I won at the Tiny & Small fair. We have a bit of a tree theme going on it Annie's room, (as much as one can accomplish when her daughters bedroom is also the study and also a sewing room - bring on that new house!) so I picked these two delightful ones to match.





To order your very own set, simply head to the website and browse, browse away...many thanks to Mara and Nicolas for picking my name out of the hat!!!!