Joy From Sheplers

My Cowboy Boots arrived the other day and I have been having great fun getting used to them and strutting around the house. I can feel boot scooting classes are in my future.

Can you guess which ones are mine?

Supermarket Fashion

I've noticed a worrying trend in my family! Every time we go to the supermarket my children decide to dress for the occasion. Now this is not because it is the most exciting outing of the week, at least I hope it isn't. I didn't even notice it at first - it kind of crept up on me. This morning I realised that I had a full-blown problem on my hands.
I really shouldn't blame Emma as she is rarely the instigator - it is all about Ben!

It started innocently enough with Emma wearing her new fairy skirt to the supermarket a couple of years ago. I could handle this as it was only once or twice and she has never shown the inclination since. Now Mr Benjamin is a different story. A month or so ago Ben took to wearing his padded Spiderman suit everyday. I was horrified but realised it was the only way I could get him into something warm. The suit stayed and I tried to pretend he was someone else's child. Then came the Power Ranges faze where he added a sword to the Spiderman suit and karate kicked his way down the isles!


Last week was the highlight....James picked me up from work and we decided to do the family shopping experience. All good I thought. As Ben alighted from the car I realised my mistake. He was wearing a skivvy, a WETSUIT (short arm, short leg) and boots!!! Not only this but he had his boogie board that luckily he was content to leave in the car. If you have seen my son you will know that he has legs like pencils so the whole ensemble looked hysterical.
Emma and I did the only thing we could do - we ditched them!

This morning as I herded them into the car to hit Coles I realised they both were wearing their super hero capes! So if you were in Coles, Yarraville this morning and Buzz Lightyear and the Hi5 super hero passed you by - that was us!

Bling Bling!

I am now the proud owner of a pair of 'Caitlin Boyce earrings'. I'm very excited as I've been wanting some for ages and finally bit the bullet and treated myself. Caitlin is a fabulous jewellery designer and maker from Seddon. You can see Caitlin's jewellery at e.g.etal in Little Collins St or Flinders Lane in Melbourne. You can also email her at caitlinboyce@hotmail.com to visit her at her home studio. I am now in the process of buttering James up for the matching necklace!!

flashback friday

Here's my latest Flashback Friday photo. I'm pretty sure I did not always sleep in a Corn Flakes box. Mum and Dad assure me this was taken on a camping trip and not at home but I have my doubts. (this must be from around 1969)

Burnt at Elwood

I was viciously attacked by a cup of tea yesterday!! It was a cowardly action as I had my back turned and had done nothing to provoke it.

I have become quite addicted to my travel cup this year and always take tea with me in the car. While getting in the car yesterday with arms fully laden, the wind knocked the car door into my upheld elbow which unfortunately was carrying my tea. Scalding hot tea proceeded to pour down the side of my neck.

The funny thing is it didn't hurt that much when it happened but I decided to grab the ice pack just in case. Thank god because by the time we met Mum and Dad it was excruciatingly painful.

I spent the entire lunch with the ice pack pressed to my neck and when that had died the lovely waiter at Elwood Beach House kept me supplied with ice.

Which brings me to my second reason for posting...What a great place the Elwood Beach House is when you have kids. We sat at a table by the window and were able to enjoy our lunch while E and B ran around in the playground. For those who haven't been there, the play ground is completely fenced in and provides hours of entertainment. All our meals were delicious and the wait staff were extremely helpful. My hot tip would be to park out in the street as the parking in the car park is expensive.

Definitely my pick this month for outings with kids

Secret Stash

These aren't really out in the shop yet but if you ask Mick very nicely I'm sure he'll get them for you. They are hiding in our secret stash and I think they're a ripper. This may have something to do with finding out yesterday that my cowboy boots are on their way from America, or just 'cause I'm a sucker for a girl in a cowboy hat.

If you look closely you'll notice they are Rip Curl hats. We have been lucky enough to order a small range from them this season (due to friends in high places) and I think we're the only kids boutique doing them. Usually Rip Curl is the domain of the surf shops but this year we'll have boardies, tees, and accessories to show you.

Potter Paranoia

I can't turn on the TV. I can't listen to the radio, I'm too scared to read any blogs, and the internet is a complete no go zone!! I am literally too scared to leave the house. The reason for this is of course 'Deathly Hallows'!
Every year when the latest Harry Potter installment is due I re-read the entire series. Now this was fine when 'Chamber Of Secrets' came out as I only had one book to re-read. This time around I have miscalculated and 6 books later I am finally nearing the end of 'Half Blood Prince' and can start on the holy grail. 'Deathly Hallows' is sitting on my bedside table teasing and tempting and so far I have been very good and not read more than the 1st page (couldn't help it)
I'm so glad I have taken the time to read the others again as I know it is going to add so much more to the final chapter.... but now to my problem. I'm so bloody scared someone is going to tell me something about the last book that I'm virtually housebound.
I swear I will place a curse (I can do that you know) on anyone who tries to ruin it for me, accidentally or intentionally!

OUCH! is instore & other stuff.

Having not posted over the weekend I thought I'd make up for it and do an extra long one tonight. (Happy now Ali Babar?). Here are some shots of the latest OUCH range that arrived instore over the weekend.

We are going to have so many gorgeous dresses this season. I am in love with the big spotty one on the far left and can't believe I can't squeeze into one myself! I am again going to have to live vicariously through my daughter which could end up being a life long trend! I see psycho-therapy in her future.

OUCH have also done infant wear this season which we've been really happy with. (see above)

And as usual I can't keep away from the PJs. Mick thinks I have a PJ problem as I can't resist buying them whenever an agent shows me new ones. He's put a limit on me but I snuck these through and the Snugglebum summer range should arrive soon.

I had a lovely visit at the shop with Dana and Kerri from Market Baby. Always so great to meet people in person that you have got to know through their blog. Hopefully we will be able to stock some of their wonderful products in the near future.

Thank you to everyone who has been sending lovely emails - I know the comments page takes a while so I appreciate you leaving your comments on email.

Lastly I wanted to show you the finished bunks... I can't show the whole room as I'm not clever enough but the bunks are the most important bit anyway. The kids are loving them and they have proved to be a great play space too.

And to JEN and THE MAN! This is for you in honour of your Gilmorness! I salute you!

GOT HARRY!

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's off to work I go!

11 HOURS UNTIL 'DEATHLY HALLOWS'

I saw Harry Potter - 'Order Of The Phoenix' today.

BRILLIANT!!!

Can't wait to get my copy of 'Deathly Hallows' tomorrow!

How will I serve any customers with that tempting me under the desk?

ONLY 11 MORE HOURS!!!!!!

Flashback Friday - 1976ish

Welcome to Flashback Friday.

Angela at Three Buttons has started Flashback Friday and CHALK is joining the fun.

My daughter particularly likes this shot although she still does not really believe that it is me. I'm loving the 70's tan I'm sporting. (And I wouldn't mind those thighs back!)

Join in and I'll add your blog to the list.

Time For a Holiday...

Elle Decor via Stylecourt

Via Bijou Kaleidoscope

Via Coastal Living

Via Sarah Kaye

Debi Trelour via Terramia

Paul Costello via Desire to Inspire

Via Casapinka

Via Girl Meets Glamour

Via Katie Did

Via Bijou Kaleidoscope

I am signing off for 2 weeks to spend some much needed time with my family. Thank you everyone for visiting and for all your wonderful comments. I love hearing from you. I will be back on Monday 6th August. In the meantime I have left you some beautiful images which I have found around blog land of late which I adore. And while I'm away please be sure to check out some of the fantastic blogs I have listed on my side bar. Bye for now!!!

xo

Anna

Children's Bathroom

If I had lots of children I would definately want a bathroom like this - almost dorm style! But I only have 1 child so I don't need as many basins as this but if you have lots of little ones around why not consider this idea for a children's bathroom.

Image courtesy of House & Garden.

Jeez snow is cold!

Well we finally made it to the snow..well we made it to the mountain where there was NO SNOW, it all having melted in the rain! The lovely man at the Mt Dandenong lookout said

"You should have been here yesterday - there was heaps of snow". Yeah good on ya!

Much discouraged and cursing the poor man under my breath I turned the car around and started heading back down the mountain. The kids were flabbergasted. All this way and NO SNOW.

The day, and my temper were saved by a gorgeous (nearly missed it) patch of forgotten snow just off the roadside in the national park! Out we tumbled and had a good hours fun in the snow.

It really is gorgeous - I was as thrilled as the kids and we all got sopping wet, freezing cold and ravenous. Time to head back to Olinda for a cozy lunch at 'Noel's'. Just perfect - steaming mug of tea, roaring fire, lollipops and sticky date pud. Perfect day.

summer is coming

You may not realise it, especially those who are freezing their buts off here in Melbourne, but summer is officially on its way!

Ben's all ready for summer!

How do I know this you may ask.

I know this because today couriers kept dropping off multiple boxes of stock from our lovely suppliers and if I'm not very much mistaken they are chock full of SUMMER CLOTHES!!! I'm itching to get in there on the weekend and gaze at all the summeriness (nice new word I just developed). I just know it is going to smell of coconut oil and sand is going to spill out of the pockets of all those pretty summer dresses.

As soon as I can I'll post some preview photos so you can all see what the fashionable 4 year old will be wearing this season!

Bizarrely enough, while dreaming of 40 degree days, sunburnt shoulders, and zinc stained t-shirts, the kids and I are planing a day trip to the Dandenongs tomorrow to see ourselves some snow.

We were meant to go today but as we were getting ready Grandpa rang and offered to take them to Scienceworks. I was unceremoniously dumped and off they went to catch some science germs. As luck would have it the rain, and some dive bombing Peregrine Falcons forced James home early and we met for coffee and actually had an uninterrupted conversation. Believe me this is a rare treat these days.

Kids happy, Jen happy, falcons happy!

Still Winter in Stars Hollow!

The Photo Shoot

What at day! I am so relieved it is all over. Jason the fantastic photographer flew up from Sydney last night and was at my home at 8.00am this morning. We spent 6 hours there photographing my home and then we drove into New Farm to Black & Spiro and spent another 2 hours photographing the shop so it was a huge and tiring day! Jason was FANTASTIC and I really enjoyed spending the day with such a creative and talented photographer. I must send a huge thank you out to him for all of his hard work and also a big thank you to Real Living Magazine. I have been asked by alot of my international readers to post some scanned images of the story once it comes out in Real Living magazine so I promise I will post them once the issue is out.

Girls Girls Girls

Don't you just love a good girl's night out? Well especially if you are, in fact, a girl!

I've got 2 on this week and after the girlie drought I experienced while James was away I am getting back into it with a vengeance. Dinner at Lisa's fantastic new pad will be followed up on Thursday with dinner in Richmond with the cutest group of lovelies you're ever likely to see....well we are lovely, and we think we're cute!

I'm even taking myself off to the SUN Theatre on Friday morning to see Harry Potter. WOO HOO. Emma's at kinder and Mum is taking Ben for the day so I have a whole morning to myself.

Now I am fully aware that there are many other things I could be doing with my time such as cooking, cleaning, CHALK work etc but bugger it I'm off to the movies.

May even squeeze in a couple of pots of tea beforehand, and a browse at The Sun Bookshop. AAAHHH Heaven.

The Gilmores at the movies.

St. Lucia Bedroom Completed

A little while ago I posted a sneak peak of a bedroom I was working on in St Lucia, Brisbane. I finally installed the last bits and pieces today and thought I would share with you some pictures of the finished room.