A little piece of history...

This is a plaque from the sun dial at my grandparents farm near Dunsborough (my obsession!). It was created by a dear family friend.

Lobethal is German for "valley of praise". I think it is fitting for this beautiful property.

 

I am truly blessed to have known such a place.

 

H x

Healthy (not boring!) snacks...

One thing I really struggle with is trying to find convenient, healthy snacks. Often pre-packaged foods are laden with calories not to mention uber amounts of preservatives and other additives.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love a good old Big Mac, but I am trying to eat a little healthier and explore more options with food in general.

 

On Facebook I follow a women's personal training group, Babes on the Run. This great pic came up on their feed.

 

These snack ideas are more innovative than simply 'having a piece of fruit'.

 

I'm off to find edamame!

 

H x

 

PS - I think I just love saying edamame. Edamame edamame edamame.

go-go? Yes please!

I was lucky enough to stumble across this fabulous furniture store purely by chance. go-go is located in the northern Perth suburb of Osborne Park, adjoining an industrial kitchen fit out store which I visited for a project I am coordinating at work.

I have been eyeing off these stools for a while so you can imagine my sheer joy when I spotted them at $46 each! 

The showroom has only been open for eight weeks, and the online store can be found here.

Here are some other delights that are on offer.

 

 

As you can see, the stool I purchased has been approved.

H x

Last minute decorating...

I was quite excited to be hosting Christmas Eve with the family. A's Mum P flew over from Sydney, and my parents and sister K made our party up to six.

 

A and I had a test run of the paella we intended to make the week before with friends N and V. It was suprisingly easy! We used this recipe from Poh's Kitchen with a few personal tweaks to make it just how we like.

 

I had ordered some bits and bobs from Lark to decorate the table. I chose bunting (I'm in love), classic red and white napkins, and vintage jars with the hope of picking up some pretty flowers on the day. I was super excited to have a chic setting.

 

But the order never came! So this is what I came up with last minute.

 

I did feel quite proud of myself, and lisianthus are my new favourite flower. Divine.

 

H x

Life is short...

 

H x

T Dog Tuesday

Happy New Year team!

I have had a stupendous holiday at my family's property just out of Dunsborough. Madness.

My BFF Tessie came too - here we are prancing in the paddock.

I love to play ball, and am amazing at it. I look hot right.

You all know I'm fabulous at swimming too!

Chillin' in the garden. 

Obviously popular.

Winning (at life).

We were there for over a week. I need a holiday to recover.

T x

I choose to like my job...



So it's the start of the new working year and I am trying to look on the bright side. I always seem to get fairly depressed after a holiday but this time I am trying to look at the 'glass half full'. I often tend to wail and moan, procrastinate (who knew counting drawing pins could be so entertaining) and wallow in self pity. I think up excuses not to come to work and try to extend my summer holiday just that little bit longer. I need to snap out of it and be grateful for what I have.

 

I was talking to my sister K and she had a great philosophy (borrowed from a friend of a friend) - she said, "You just have to decide to like your job". I do like my job - but I don't love it. There are plenty of other things that I would rather be doing, and considering both of my parents are 60 plus and still working, it's a long road ahead. Talking to my friends and family, many of them love (or at least enjoy) their jobs and look forward to getting up each day, raring to go. I do not feel like this.

But maybe I am one of those people whose job funds their lifestyle, and it is outside of work where the enjoyment and fulfillment lies. There are many things that I would like to try (trendy cafe owner anyone?) but I don't know if fantasy is better than reality.

My summer is spent trawling through glossy mags, staring at pretty people having a great time. I know that this is not reality (they are more likely in fact starving models who work three jobs) but I sure as hell wish I could be a part of whatever they are all doing, instead of sitting at my computer wishing the time away.

So I think that it is all in my mindset. I am not forced to be here, but am rather choosing to be here.

I choose to like my job.

We shall see.

H x