I have developed a new blog for work.
This project has been on my ‘to-do-list’ for a long time but due to my teaching commitments in the first semester, I haven’t been able to spend the required time on it.
Now that our students are on mid-semester break, it has enabled me to get my ‘geeky’ on and while away many hours at work, without any distractions!
Here are a few photos of our students in action!
Today I am loving these Bunny Bombs and Biggie Bombs by Charlie Horse of Course.
Charlie Horse represents the creative outlet of designer Charlie Perry. Each unique bag is lovingly created entirely by hand, from the selection of leather, to the stitching and hammering of hardware.Designed in New Zealand, Charlie Horse offers a small collection of clutches and bag accessories all featuring top-quality materials and workmanship. Every piece is slightly different from the next but maintains a consistency in high quality and design.Our fur is all ethically sourced and are bi-products of the economic food industry.
The perfect accompaniment to any bag, set of keys or clothing. Now … which colour? Mmmm … I love the hot pink. X
I have just ordered these pants for Poppy from Printebebe. She is having a growth spurt at the moment and all her tights are either too small for her or have holes in the knees. Time to mix it up with some floral. xx
I feel blessed to have three gorgeous sisters (and one brother) and it is indeed a special relationship that only comes from growing up together and knowing all those idiosyncrasies about each other.
These idiosyncrasies are often used as a jibe now in our adult lives, such as Robyn throwing a bread knife that stuck in the door; Cath building cubby houses all over the farm; me crashing Dad’s truck into a power pole when I was 13 and Janelle nursing numerous calves and lambs.
My eldest sister Rob lives in Castlemaine, Victoria. She is the epitome of a fit and healthy 35-year-old but she is about to turn 49 in July! She practices yoga on a daily basis, grows her own vegetables, rides her road bike with her husband, is a talented artist and works in their own business as an Interior Designer for Lifehouse Design. I love when we hang out.
My youngest sister Janelle lives on a gorgeous farm at Bracknell in Tasmania. She has three beautiful girls – Molly, Lucy and Jessie and owns a contracting harvesting business with her husband. She can often be found driving large combine harvesters, tractors or wind rowers with one or all of her girls on board. A very practical lass indeed and one whom I don’t see enough of.
My other older sister Cath has two grown up girls and moved to Hobart from Deloraine, two years ago. We have had an amazing time in Hobart together which has included lots of time on the water, enjoying live music, dancing, eating out and seeing lots of movies.
Cath is about to embark on a six month overseas adventure that she has been planning for the past ten years. She plans to immerse herself in the cultures of Spain, France and Italy where she hopes to go to numerous music festivals, yoga retreats and farm stays.
I felt really sad saying goodbye to her last night, yet so happy for her. When her girls were young and she was in the ‘full-on Mum’ mode, I was overseas, travelling to my heart’s content in Canada, Alaska, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Nepal. We are at the opposite ends of the spectrum – she had her girls in her twenties and is now free and easy. I am now in my forties and I am in the ‘full-on Mum’ mode.
The tables have turned and it will be so fabulous hearing of her travel stories! We will miss you Cath! Carpe diem (sieze the day!). Xxx
My husband loves fireworks! Fortunately, one of my dear friends is an ‘official’ Pyrotechnician and owns Brightstar Fireworks. We have enjoyed many a fine show over the years!
The classic ‘Bon Fire Night’ brings back many memories from my childhood, where we would gather with fellow farming families at Hagley and your Dad would light the big ‘bonny’ that he had been procuring with his tractor for several weeks. The fires were so big you couldn’t actually stand beside them without melting your gumboots! We would don our Bluey’s (woollen felted coats) hats and scarves and your brother would always threaten to throw a tom thumb into your ‘gummies’!
There would be a haphazard display of roman candles, wailing wheels, fountains and sparklers … whilst your cousins would be running around, madly letting off Po-Ha’s. My favourite was the Parachuter – we would chase after the elusive fella, trying not to trip over cow paddies in the dark and to beat your sisters to the prize.
We would bundle back in the ute, clutching our parachutes and return home cloaked in that familiar wood-fire-smoke smell … eagerly awaiting next May.
This short film – Cracker Bag, definitely takes me back to the 80’s where you saved your pocket-money and bought your fireworks at the local store.
Eddie spends her pocket-money obsessively hoarding fireworks and carefully planning for cracker night. When it finally it arrives, Eddie and her family head to the local football oval. In the frosty air Eddie lights the fuse of her first cracker and experiences a pivotal moment, one of the seemingly small experiences of childhood, that affects us for the rest of our lives.
Set in the 1980s, Cracker Bag is a gentle suburban observation which subtly reflects a disenchanting prelude to the coming of age.
Last Saturday night was no exception – our friends Jacinta and Brett hosted a fabulous show on their block. The fire was as big as I remember from my childhood, the sausages were tasty and the fireworks were a total crowd pleaser … apart from our little Poppy who thought they were a little too loud! Ah … until next May (or sooner)!
This morning we stocked up on our fresh fruit and veggies from the newly opened Hill Street Grocer in West Hobart, and our experience deserves a dedicated post!
I have tried all manner of combinations in regards to our food shopping. When Poppy and James were babies I had Woolworths deliver our groceries on a weekly basis. Then over the last year, Poppy, James and I would all go to the supermarket – making it an adventure in itself. However, there were too many occasions where James and/or Poppy had a meltdown over Peppa Pig yoghurt v’s Woody and it all became too stressful!
I also found it was a work out in itself to push James in the trolley, plus all of our shopping around the supermarket and loading/unloading the car. Once I got home I then had to schlep all the groceries from the garage into the kitchen … exhausted!
It sounds very dramatic but I have now returned to my weekly delivery from Woollies – I can plan our meals in the ‘comfort of our living room and uggies’ and hey presto – the very next morning our groceries are being handed to me by a friendly fellow – right at our door!
I have always tried to buy our fresh produce from the local markets or Hill Street Grocer – the cutest little store in West Hobart. Even though I have to cross a couple of suburbs to get there (not a huge deal in Hobart) it is one of those shopping experiences that I have always loved having. These hard-working folk have got their recipe just right – fantastic customer service, beautiful surroundings and the most amazing fresh produce that is displayed in a way that could be an art form.
So you can imagine my excitement when they opened a newer, brighter and bigger store just around the corner from their original one. It is so fabulous in every way – modern, beautifully designed and featuring a European deli, a cheese section, a dedicated florist, housewares and all those gorgeous locally grown fruit and veggies.
With no ‘Domino Stars’ or balloons in sight, no loud-speaker announcements: “Security to Aisle 4″ and most importantly … no fluorescent lights! Thank you Hill Street Grocer – you have nailed it!
Today I am loving the Smith Chair by Barnaby Lane. We certainly don’t need anymore chairs in our home but it never hurts to ogle right?
The Smith chair is our most popular – it’s pretty obvious why! This sling leather chair is a stunning feature to any living room, bedroom or study. Available in natural, black or raw tan. Every home should have a Smith.
Lately I have been loving all things navy blue. I have always preferred a black base for my clothing and accessories but I find these gorgeous blues a little bit softer, especially teamed with white, hot pink or vibrant green.
Blue ♥
Poppy and James gave me this ‘Longline Lounge Wrap‘ from Country Road with a little bit of help from their Dad.
I am certainly looking forward to ‘lounging’ around in this baby!
On Mothers Day we popped out to the MONA Rooftop Plaza to see that ‘light thingy‘ (as my husband described it) which was indeed, very apt.
What we experienced was the James Turrell installation – Amarna:
Turrell harnesses the numinous potential of light and space; kind of like what God would do if He decided to build a gazebo. We see Amarna as an elevation of the museum’s hitherto subterranean ponderings of the human condition. If that sounds vague, that’s because Turrell‘s art must be seen to be believed; or, perhaps, not seen, but believed nonetheless.
It was truly amazing. I will be back … especially for those heated seats!
The Poppy Files 