Just Like Martha

August...and a reality check!

Oh my is it really August.....I cannot believe it has been months, my poor little blog has been quite neglected.

What started as a place for me to share my creative passions for crafting, card making, cooking, repurposing and holidays has morphed along the way. It was never really for anyone else but myself, kinda a place to 'dump stuff' and an online book of memories.

As my life seems to get busier with no end in sight (ha, I thought as my children grew up and became independent that I would have more time...!) I have decided to change my little blog around a little.

Now from time to time it still will be a creative hub but for now its going to be a memory keeper, a little blog to share and store holiday memories, weekends away and the like.

So without further ado...

I hope you continue to come on this journey with me... xox

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2018 - welcome

Welcome to 2018 - HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Wishing you all a year full of wonder, health and happiness, love and laughter and a few surprises thrown in to keep you on your toes xox

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To market, to market....to buy some flowers

It was an early start this morning to head to the flower markets....the temperature gauge was just on 5' when my buddy picked me up at 5.30am...was it worth it??? ABSOLUTELY.

Lots of beautiful produce out there today, the roses were stunning....sometimes the choice can be overwhelming, I try to go with a plan and stick to it its easy to get carried away sometimes...We took a "newbie" with us someone who had always wanted to go but had never made it out there...she was not disappointed and came home armed with lots of goodies to play with.

The roses were amazing!!!

So where the Hydrangeas....

And don't get me started on the Australian natives.....

I contained myself to some Australian gum nuts, a couple of bunches of roses, my favourite peonies, some beautiful tulips and a cyclamen plant!

I came home and "played" and my home is now filled with beautiful flowers...all before my morning coffee!

Have you every been to a flower market???

Anzac Day 2017 ~ Lest We Forget

We will remember them........

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I HEART Flowers

Yes I'll admit it, I HEART Flowers...there is ALWAYS flowers in my home, the more the better lol!

So, when Taylor suggested that I might like to take a trip to the flower market with her girlfriend and mum who have never been...well I was 'in the car'...!

There really is nothing like it, walking into the huge warehouse and the smell of flowers 'hits you', the hustle and bustle of the traders 'selling their wares' ducking and weaving as the florists choose the best blooms and the novices like us wondering in awe, oohing and aahing!

Usually a visit is planned before 'an event', as we get ready for a party or special occasion, so it was nice just to visit with no plan in mind, just to wander and buy a few bunches of whatever took our fancy...

Our home is now filled with the 'sweet smell of floral goodness', yes spring is well and truly here and I am loving it!

Hmmm might need to invent another reason to go back before Christmas.....LOL x

 

Spring has SPRUNG!

If Spring was a photo I think it would be this....

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House update.....

Have been MIA for a few weeks (more on that in a few days) but just realised I had not posted photos of our house renovation update. After much deliberation we decided to 'bite the bullet' and have our house painted externally. We originally renovated many, many years ago and the house was in dire need of both a new coat of paint PLUS a new colour palette.

The photos don't really show but the 'cracks' were starting to appear in the old paint work and it was chipping and generally looking pretty tired....so thrilled with the "new look"

The "team"arrived early one Monday and worked solidly for a week...we are very happy with the outcome and our colour choices...what do you think????

 

 

Kitchen makeover...

Finally some photos to share of our amazing kitchen "transformation"...so, so happy with what we have achieved!

Our kitchen was almost 13 years old and whilst there was nothing really 'wrong' with it, a little tweaking was needed including a revamp of the cupboard doors. We found a wonderful 'kitchen man' that we trusted and together we forged a plan. A few cupboards needed moving to accommodate my TWO (yes you read right lucky me I now have two ovens) ILVE ovens and new 90cm gas cooktop....the roller door that hid appliances such as the toaster and kettle could not be painted so had to be replaced....I had started to hate the open shelving (trendy when the kitchen was built) that I was forever cleaning so decided to build another cupboard to house a fabulous new bin system (is it wrong to love a garbage bin so much LOL)...and of course we decided it was out with the old timber and laminate bench tops.

But first before any of this could happen we were off to choose the new stone for the island bench. I never thought this task would be so daunting but there are SO many to choose from and after a while they all look the same...after a lot of second guessing we decided on "New Romano White" and now that it has been installed I could not be happier!

Once the bench tops were removed we were well underway and it all started to take shape quite quickly...like most renovations its the deciding that takes the time, with good tradesman the actual renovating is easy!

Then the big day, the stone arrived! Our island bench was transformed and became the real feature of our new kitchen, we went bigger so the overhang means we can now sit on stools without hitting our legs on the cupboards underneath. The quantum quartz on the other bench top is subtle and perfect for the look we were after. The electrician came the following day and installed our new hanging lights and the tiler transformed the back wall with subway tiles...we were well on our way!

Now we were ready to paint and once again the process was quite painless...they sprayed all the cupboards onsite...lucky the weather has been exceptional and with all the windows and doors open for a day there was very little smell and a day later I was putting my kitchen back together again!

We still need to purchase some new stools but I haven't exactly decided what to go for...but apart from that its finished...what do you think??? She is pretty special!

 

Feels like Autumn....finally

We have had quite a late summer this year and for a while there I didn't think Autumn would ever arrive.....now I may have been 'ticket into believing Autumn is here' but today there is a chill in the air...I hope this Autumn ......I am ready....!!

Oh yeh...bring it on, jeans, jumpers, boots, scarves...crisp apples...rainy days and delicious hot chocolates....my favourite time of year (could you guess LOL)?!

 

The weekend is here....

Missed this weeks MONDAY MANTRA as it was Easter (and I completely forgot - oops) so here is one to end the week!

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