my boys

My boys are growing so fast.

Hudson is now in week 4 of Kindy and getting older day by day.

Harvey has started preschool and is hilarious but quite cheeky.

These snaps were taken in the last few days. Harvey discovered hair gel and Hudson got a 'well-done' sticker.  Equally stoked but for different reasons.

xx

what did you do new years eve?

We have had a lovely week spending time in the sun with family and friends. The weather has been perfect start to the new year hasn't it?

This is lovely too... you know Zooey is one of my favourites and watching 500 days of Summer is on the list to watch these next few days. It's so cute that they are real besties!

Enjoy xx

Mathilda's Markets today

Thank you to all that visited, said hello, and bought from us today at Mathilda's Market - i loved it.
Though i'm absolutely shattered now, the morning was fun, we sold lots of goodness to new and regular customers and i even bought a few new things for the store.. i couldn't help it!

 What did you get upto? hope you didn't get caught in this strange weather! 
.....so excited, christmas is getting closer... xx

swoon... the honey trees

 a beautiful cover of river moon by the honey trees.. so perfect for this windy afternoon in Sydney..

Chistmas light in Ashbury!

I'm not sure about you but I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year. December is in a few days and then it's 4 weeks to holiday time.

With Hudson starting school next year and Harvey moving into pre-school (and also that little bit older), I want this christmas to have more meaning, not just food and presents!

So to kickstart the festive spirit, the tree was put up yesterday (looking simple but lovely in vintage glass and white), i'm installing the Christmas window instore tonight and for the first time ever! i'm making an advent calendar for the little h's..... (goodness knows how it will turn out and more about that later).

What better way then to end last night stopping in Ashbury to enjoy the Christmas lights in Second Street.

They have done a beautiful job this year and the boys absolutely LOVED it. We enjoyed watching them and yes, it did make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

The locals told us that the street was filmed for a Christmas Special on lifestyle next Sunday night 7.30pm.

If you have street lights around you, take the time to enjoy them. It's Christmas!!

xxx

it felt like a sunday so we acted like it was...

xxx

Passenger

Irish Lisa Hannigan's new album 'Passenger' came out yesterday on itunes and we have been enjoying it in the H house this morning.  If you get a chance, have a listen... im thinking you will like it.

She's also featuring at The Songs of Nick Drake tribute at Sydney Opera House 11 November.
xx

in case you dont know She and Him...

Sqqquuuuueeeell! She and Him have just released a Christmas Album. Oh my goodness! Its so lovely and dreamy and perfect for listening to in December to get you all happy and in the mood for Christmas..

This is the album cover (how cute is it!) and in case you have never heard of them, the clip above is a track of their music... and yes it is that awesome actor Zooey Deschanel, she is the 'she' in the band..

Have a great weekend!
xx

Happy Dad's Day!

What did you get upto for Father's Day? We had a lovely one at Clontarf with family, friends and sunshine.. nothing better really for a sunday!

Happy Birthday Sofia!... we celebrated that too. xx

.....when one runs out of puff!

Today was Ava's birthday, my 4 year old niece and to celebrate, we went to Disney on Ice.

The kids loved it, Mr H fell asleep before intermission and on the way home we decided to stop for a late lunch at this fantastic new cafe/restaurant/deli Coffee Warehouse Cafe and Deli (Parramatta Rd, Homebush). By the time we parked and walked in Poor Little H had just ran out of puff... 

...... We decided it was sign he had a good time! Hope your enjoying your weekend too xx

weekend shoes....

After a very busy week in the store renovating we got the flu... again. And, though super busy with heaps still to do, we decided friday night, late, to drive down the south coast.... our prescription for getting well.
The weather was great, kids were good and we had a really slow weekend... just what was needed.

As I packed up the house sunday arvo, I noticed that Mr H had bought 5 pairs of shoes for only two days away.... can you believe it! Of course he had a logical explanation for each pair of shoes.... mmmm how times have changed!

xx

Remembering our diggers

Yesterday, on Anzac day, my Uncle Vic (who has passed away) was recognised by the RSL and given a memorial plaque for his time in Vietnam in his home town of Greenthorpe, NSW. 

Mr H took this photo a couple of months ago at the Vietnam's Veteran Motocycle Club in Menai, Sydney. It touched us both...

Lest we forget.

love sunday collector

Do you subsrcibe to Sunday Collector? Briar is a stylist that works for a number of mags and studios and her daily images are a visual delight. She lives in Sydney and always shares fantastic finds, tradesman and shops.... awesome really!
This week she has been sharing images of her trip to Bali last week. The colours alone are an inspiration!  
Read her blog here and hope you enjoy it as much as I do! xx

the art of making good coffee...

This is Mr H's brand new shiny toy.
He sold a bike (a very good push bike) just so he could get the one he wanted. I had no say, it just arrived Friday before last. And its not for our house in Sydney where we spend most of our time.... no, its for the weekender, our fibro shangri la..

I have a tummy ache from all the coffee I have sipped and critiqued in the last 24 hours.... He may not be the barista he had hoped to be by Sunday, but you cant fault him for trying!

xx
ps. if you have any tips on making a good coffee, please write me!

a little something I found yesterday...

As a kid I always had my head in a book, I loved reading. but i also kind felt a little nerdy too, a secret i kept from my friends at school.

Yesterday I took the kids to Manly for a play at Queenscliffe and met up with my sister and kiddies who live on the Northern Beaches. Afterwards we had a great lunch at North Steyne Emporium and then afterwards I couldnt go past having a quick squizz at Neck of the Woods, one of my favourite shops in Manly. In the window was this mug that just had to come home with me.

Made from 100% corn plastic, its just the cutest mug! The question i now  have is am I being spoilt if i keep it for myself or should I do the right thing and give it to my husband as his birthday is coming up? He would find it very amusing too I think...

It looks so right too next to our home phone too!
xx

The cottage industry

I have always loved cushions made from pre loved fabrics and for the new holiday shack I really really wanted to use Pene Durston's touristy tea towel cushions. Some might ask why I didn't want to make them myself, but for me, it's one of those ideas where of course you could, but to find the right materials! I knew Pene would have the exactly what I wanted and I just wasn't willing to wait.

Three days before Xmas I called Pene and though she didn't have any NSW south coast cushions, she sent me this photo of what she thought would work in my room.

Aren't they perfect!  (we wanted souvenir tea towels, Australian, blues with some bright).

It was such awesome service - we talked that night, I paid for it in the morning and 4 kitsch aussie cushions arrived for me on Christmas Eve ready for the big move!! I know how tired and busy Pene would have been so close to Christmas.... THANK YOU!!

This is now what they look like

Cottage Industry is a must see visit in Fitzroy next time your in the area.
67 Gertrude St Fitzroy 3065
03 9419 2430
Monday to Saturday 11am - 6pm
xx

The bell jar cafe

For those that visit the store, you would all know Ange. She has worked instore for nearly two years and I have valued her heaps throughout that time.

Sadly she left us in December to begin her own business woith partner Sam - The Bell Jar Coffee Shop and I'm so happy for her!

Yesterday to celebrate Hudson's 1st day at a new pre school, he and I went for an early coffee/poppa at the Bell Jar. We loved it! Little marionette coffee, fresh produce, great vibe, i know it will be a success.

If your in Newtown, Enmore, St Peters or Tempe pop in and say g'day to her and Sam. It think it may become your new local.....

Bell Jar Coffee
Shop 2/104 Alice St (just off King St or Edgeware Rd)
Newtown NSW 2042
open 7am-4pm



ps. and doesnt little H look happy... he was so excited about starting at the school and had a great day too!

down the south coast....

This year we bought a fibro shack down south.. of sydney.

It has always been a dream of ours to have a holiday shack so that we could escape the busy-ness of our lives in Sydney. After many years of wishing and whats if's, we realised our dream.

2.5 hours from Sydney in a little fishing village we found it. The house is small, hadn't been lived in for over 6 years and didnt have a working bathroom or kitchen.....but we could see the potential straight away.

Every weekend for the last 6 months has been working, getting it ready for the family. We have sanded and washed floors and walls, ripped out and installed a kitchen and bathroom, rewired, add a deck, repaired the roof, and painted both inside and out.

We have loved it, brought new energy to the place and it now feels like a home.

The Wednesday after Christmas we finally finished painting, loaded up both cars with furniture (and lots of bits and bobs) and drove to our new abode.    .......drum roll.... What do you think?

We just cant believe that's it's finished and are so pleased! The kids love it, we love it, it's re-energised us.....

The idea was that we would also rent it out on stayz when we weren't using it but we have grown so attached.......

Would you like to see more pics? I'll keep you posted as there is still a little bit to do. It's been a lot of fun (in between working in the store) finding the pieces that make the house feel like home. We want it to be easy so are keeping it really simple using mostly pre-loved furniture or ikea. We found most of our favourite pieces locally in the 2nd hand shops. There is still a tv unit to find and a book shelf... oh and maybe another piece of 50's 0r 60's art.

Back to work on Wednesday, so ready for this new decade! ....I think the house is already working it's magic on us xx

holidays....

Christmas holidays is a time to unwind, relax with family, reflect on the year past and make resolutions for the new..

Being computer-less for most of December, I didn't get a chance to say  Thank you for your support and kindness in 2010.

It was a full-on year both with family and business but after reflection, there were so many positives and great times.

2011 is going to be a great year, I can feel it! Happy New Year. xx

Kid Independent!

Discovered Kid Independent?
This neat little blog is written and designed by 2 Australian chicks that have a love of all things handmade, vintage, sustainable, limited edition and independent.... sounds a little like me!
There is always something featured that would so work in My Messy Room and I'm constantly inspired by how many creative people there are out there!...... I like it so much i've become a sponsor too. Click on the link and have a read..... do you like it too?
xx