in case you missed it

Beth's gorgeous home - by the fabulous Tim Coulson

This week heralded the real start to Spring, well according to a calendar anyway. I'm still eagerly awaiting that glorious Spring sunshine and a fog/frost free morning. I'll know it's Spring when we consider not keeping the fire going. I well and truly booted winter good-bye this week, good riddance, see you next year! I think God made a wise decision in making seasons only three months long - just enough to make you want a change at the end, but enough to get you excited in the beginning.

What are you looking forward to this Spring? We'll be busily preparing the marquee site for our wedding, as now some grass can really get growing (I'm hoping for a dry Spring so it doesn't end up a mud pit as it has been all winter long), and doing lots of projects for our DIY early summer nuptials. Stay tuned!

Here's something to click about...

A fifties fair full of coifs and cherry red lips and full skirted jiving' and dapper young gents.

Totally lovely to 'meet' Beth - the voice behind one of my favourite blogs, Baby Mac (can I please live in her house?!)

Cornishware pudding bowl...coz y'know, my birthday is coming up...

I may, or may not, have just purchased one of these babies

Oh to have a powder blue Aga...or a fire engine red one...or a glossy black one...

One day we will have a tufted bedhead, maybe we could make it?

Super cute airmail thank-you card printables

YHL has had a makeover - and I loooove it

Have a happy weekend :)

in case you missed it

Happy Friday!

Here's something to click about...

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Possible honeymoon. When we win the lottery.

I want to sew here forever.

Really, really, really wish I had an exposed brick wall to try some moss graffiti. I don't think a weatherboard wall will cut it.

Beautiful Havana.

I feel some pie making coming on, and it's going to look just like this.

My latest wedding crush. Enough said really.

Anyone else obsessed with The Block? Love the sisters, but Josh and Jenna will win. For sure.

And I told you I loved cardigans...

Have a great weekend, I'm off to Melbourne tonight to do our bridal gift registry, look at some pretty invitation paper, then tomorrow I'm meeting with our florist and finishing Chateau le Chookie hopefully. Hope the sun shines for you this weekend, however you spend it...

in case you missed it

via Style Me Pretty

This week I was sick, sniffly and feeling poorly, still busy at work, contemplated upgrading my photography website (well overdue) and we welcomed a friends baby into the world. A beautiful healthy baby girl. Always an exciting time, can't wait to meet her. I also shivered through blizard like conditions here in my part of the world. Because we're elevated above the rest of the Latrobe Valley weather patterns seem to really set in rather than roll through. Boo. 

Here's something to click about... 

I really do think baby Eleanor is the most deliciously pretty bubba I ever did see.

Beautiful artichokes.

I attempted to make pink marshmallow's once. They most certainly did not turn out like this.

Loving everything this clever lady creates.

Pretty, pretty cake pops on madeit.

I really want to do this. You know, with my imaginary future not-conceived-yet children.

Have I mentioned how much I adore cowboy-boot-clad bridesmaids?

And wearing cute caridgans? Love.

Have a happy weekend, I have loads of sewing, baking and gardening planned. How about you? xxx

in case you missed it

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And another week comes to a close. Is it just me or did mid-May suddenly creep up on you? Goodness, soon it will be July...then Spring, then our wedding, then Christmas and harvesting again and we'll do it all over! Ok I am officially sounding like my mother.

This weekend we are hoping to get away camping with some friends - nothing fancy or too far from home, but it was all part of my new years resolutions (all others are failing dismally in case you were wondering). I hope your weekend is productive, or not productive, however you like to spend your 'S-days' :)

Here's something to click about...

Etsy is coming downunder!

I discovered a really cool (new to me) illustrator, and I think I'm in love.

In Woolies the other day I saw that these delights are now stocked. Is it bad that pretty packaging and not-so-clever marketing works on me?

A gorgeous new crafty blog I've been devouring.

Mollie Makes. Yes she does, and she does it well. This mag looks yummy.

I don't even bake that many cakes...but I think I would try and go all Masterchef if this fandangled device lived in my bakeware drawer.

Big ol' timber top table, modern Eames chairs, white sideboard, classic wallpaper, gorgeous dining room.

Perfectly purple.

One day I would love one of these to sit in the corner of our bedroom. You know, so my pile of clothes on the floor doesn't look quite so unglamorous.

Don't forget to pop over and take my quick survey :) 

in case you missed it

Tonight I am hosting a Royal Wedding Watch party. Well when I say party it's basically me and two of my girlfriends having a few bubbly drinks, gawking at Kate's wedding dress and giggling at the bad British humour. The boys however have opted to go shooting, yeah because watching a wedding really made them feel like they had to go and kill something, that's how unmanly it is apparently. 

This weekend will find me hopefully planting some bulbs in the garden, doing a spot of sewing in my new happy place, a friends birthday dinner in Melbourne and meeting up with our way-too-awesomely-cool-who-also-happens-to-be-the-best-mans-uncle-minister (phew!) who is going to marry us come December, no fancy cathedral or pomp for us though! 

Have an absolutely splendid weekend in the sunshine however you are spending it :) Here's something to click about...

Cross stitch on the walls, literally.

This is how to really rock your veil.

Please keep Ashley and her family in your prayers, she's had a rough trot poor thing.

The cutest darn mothers day card (love you mum vibes being sent all the way to Greece, having the time of your life no doubt mumso!)

Need to make these - stat!

A beautiful way to capture something blue on your wedding day.

Goldfish are back baby.

Rhi's officespace has me all in a flutter - the potential is endless.

Image via Grey Likes Weddings.

in case you missed it

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This weekend I am headed to the Portobello Bride boutique wedding market at St Kilda town hall, and as if that's not enough excitement for this little blogger I am then headed to Finders Keepers market, followed by pizza, beer and DVD's at my sisters house and then bright and early at the Camberwell markets Sunday morning. My sisters and I lived in Camberwell when we were at boarding school in Melbourne and have spent many misty and chilly Sunday mornings scouring the market. I haven't done it in years and am hoping to pick up some nice vintage things for some wedding decor. Wish me luck! Oh and I have a million and one other things to do in the big smoke as per usual, the errand list is a big one.

Have a lovely weekend, here is something to click about...

I have access to so many great old industrial pallets, I need to do something like this.

Of all the places in the world I want to magically teleport myself here.

And here too please.

This week I am dreaming of having so much spare time for things like jam making. My jam would be chunky and delicious and have gingham lids and tags like these.

Who knew a chandelier could look so striking on a simple Hills hoist? Love me a good elegant, Aussie country wedding.

Gadgets for the DIY-er - uh hello laser fabric scissors, you can come live with me.

If you're stuck for music to include in your wedding day this is a great selection (pssst some of these we have already chosen for our ceremony/cocktail hour/reception)

On top of our wardrobe (which we still use in our master bedroom) I would love to put this vintage red doll's trunk. Imagine the junk I could stuff in there! And a pop of red is right up my alley at the moment.

in case you missed it

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This week I have started something which I have wanted to do for a very long time, but never really jumped into the deep end and committed to. I mentioned last week about the Blogging Your Way e-course which Holly and Leslie are teaching for the next month. It began on Monday and has my head swimming with ideas and inspiration of where I want to take my creative endeavours and my blog. I'm feeling very lucky to be able to tap into the minds of two of my favourite bloggers who I respect and admire enormously.

The weekend ahead should bring some more productivity around the ramshackle farmhouse. We are hoping to finally pull down the old garden fence and tidy up the jungle out the front of the house. It seems we haven't really got started on anything new around here, just still cleaning up, treading water with no propulsion. Sigh. But I can always immerse myself in blogland (not very productive Emma...) and find the most delightful little gems out there. Enjoy.

I really want to do this, I heart doilies! I'm such a nanna...

Really cool numbers. I love enamelled signs and I love baskets, so perfect really.

This belly band is so pretty and would make the perfect prop to add to my photography bag of tricks.

A very simple way to create the perfect backdrop, I love the colours and textures in this.

Can not believe the sweetness of Jen's husband for Valentines day - and the cake! Oh the cake...ruffles galore.

Every parent needs to get to Ikea now and stock up on spice racks! You'll get it when you see it.

Some very cute little critters that are clever too.

Have a lovely weekend, however you are spending it xxx



in case you missed it

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Lots of things to check out this week around the net. I am hoping that this weekend will be super productive (more fencing!) We are hoping to get to our local organic berry farm to grab the last of their raspberries and blackberries for jam making. We need about 30 kilos. Yup. Lots of jam. May be a wedding related project, more on that later.

Enjoy :)

I need a super cool cocktail party to wear this amazing dress to.

Doilies and kraft paper and pretty colourful mini-bunting - oh my, the cutest party.

Oh. My. Goodness. This cake has got to be the most amazing cake I've ever seen...yet so simple. Love!

A very understated bridal bouquet. Love king proteas.

Button love!

The most beautiful way to reveal a babies gender. So cute.

And please deliver one pretty as a picture glasshouse to my garden this weekend. That's all.

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 Summer is still trying to peek through...I know they said it was going to be a mild summer, but seriously?! I know I will be complaining with a string of high 30 degree days but I do really love summer and hang out for it all year. It seems it is taking an awfully long time to arrive.

This week at the farmhouse we have been knocking in some fence posts after work for our new fence to go around the yard. We are extending it out alot on one side, putting it on the other side of the driveway at the front to (eventually) incorporate a cattle grid, and pushing it out a mere metre on another side. Yes a metre, due to the fact that a) the existing fence really isn't up to Mr M's exacting fencing standards and he hates to look at it *shudder* and b) in order for our dog pens to fit next to the shed we need just another metre.

Have a splendid weekend - here is what I found this week in my clicking adventures...

Major wardrobe envy. The shelves for the shoes and bags...the chandelier...the space!

Really cute ceramics.

The most beautiful family photos.

The coolest summer outfit in the coolest retro engagement shoot.

Depending on your mood interchangeable necklace - cool huh? I love it because it has a girl with a camera :)

Great little project to use up felt scraps (I have a lot of those!) and promote pretend play.

I'd love to make one of these for my nieces and hide under there all day!

Is there anything cooler than a chalkboard artist at your wedding?! I want.

And finally a very cool transformation from dark and scary attic to bright and breezy usable space.

in case you missed it

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This week Dorothy Mackellar's poem 'My Country' seemed all too real. A land of flooding rains indeed. Amongst it all though you may feel overwhelmed by all the news coverage. Sometimes it's just all too much and you might need some escapism. Click around with these links to see what you can find...

Always hard to find a really nice christening presents. These cushions are super cute.

Really sweet wedding favours. Nom nom nom!

I love all things EmersonMade - and now they do tshirts.

A totally funky nursery. Love the blackboard wall (wondering about the dust though above the cot??) and the grey walls with pops of bright colours. Grey is such a cool colour for gender neutral nurseries - never would've thunked it!

The sweetest thing I've ever seen. Simple, everyday love. Sigh.

This is kind of what my sewing room looks like at the moment. (The before shots!) Am 'making-do' until I have the energy to tackle it. Plus Mr M keeps reminding me of the 20 million other things to do around the farmhouse before the sewing room gets a look in. Clearly we have different priorities.

I freaking love this. A suitcase + a dolls house + storage + itty bitty clothes for dolly. Oh my.

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Hello. How was your week? I am starting to feel the warm breeze of summer here in my corner of the world. This week we started irrigating our potatoes, which always makes me start to think of summer with the smell of dam water, having to stop on the road for the irrigator to pass over and wet squiggy mud through your toes at night checking the winches. More on that next week hopefully, am planning on a few more farm related posts if that's ok with you all.

Here's what I found this week around the traps...

The most gorgeous scarf I simply must have.

This seems so far removed from my surroundings at the moment, talk about escapism! Beautiful.

Hopefully the cold feet don't last until her own wedding day!

Lofty ambitions.

Big, bold statement. I would have never thought to paint it that colour. Bravo!

Re-usable fabric wrap for your gifts, really nice idea with a really nice sentiment of 'give luck' to match.

Ruffle me up there's a shrug on sale!

Sophie has created the ultimate learning space for her little girls, one who starts school of the air soon. I love everything about this room, it's function and it's aesthetic all rolled into some educational fun!

The most picture-perfect engagement session from a fellow Gippslander, Louise. I am besotted with these images, love love love.

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Happy Friday people! Hope you haven't had too much of a frantic week running about Christmas shopping, baking or decorating. I'm a bit disappointed that it's only a week until Christmas to be honest, I thought I had so much more time to get my craft on and bake some Christmas goodies, have some Christmas cheers drinks and put some more thought into my gifts. Alas I am running out of time. Sigh. Here are some inspiration hits for you lovelies though...

A very beachy Hanukkah.

Belinda's new kitchen had me totally rethinking Ikea flat-pack kitchens and open shelving.

This year I'm putting our tree in the corner of our dining room, and this is how I pictured it in my head. Hmmm...maybe next year after some new curtains and a lick of paint.

Ha ha ha. Funny funny.

The most eco-friendly, sweet and thoughtful nursery.

In the seventies my mum had a very rad kitchen with red pots and pans and utensils. She says she was so hip and groovy amongst her friends for dinner parties. Sometimes I still find remnants of the rad kitchen, like playing play dough with my nieces and using a (somewhat chipped and faded) red rolling pin that has been sitting in the play dough container for twenty years. I think these came from the rad kitchen of yesteryear.

A very pretty dress.

New Years resolution #1: attempt to learn to knit (again!) to make this blanket for pregnant friend. Love.

A very simple but effective felt wreath if you are struggling for last minute decorating ideas.

Next time I don't know what to get my Dad for Christmas/birthday/Father's day please remind me of this.

{ Living The Dream - Happy Friday }

Today is my last day at work. Tomorrow is the beginning. Of everything.

It is bittersweet of course - I am sad to leave my fantastic colleagues and all the clients I deal with on a day-to-day basis, but I am oh so excited (albeit somewhat scared, but that's ok) to take my leap of faith into my new ventures with photography and Little Miss Emma.

We will be going home tomorrow for a week to touch base with family and friends in Gippsland - it will be great to have a whole week at home. The last two years of living in Yea has been fleeting weekends home running around like headless chooks from Mr M's family, to my family, to our school friends etc. Too much to cram into about 36 hours, so a week shall be grand!

So, I may not be blogging that much next week but come Australia Day weekend this will be me dancing around in my lounge room, soaking in the freedom and empowerment of self-employment.

{ Image found here }

{ Happy Friday }

I have seen a lot of wedding place setting ideas that I love, but this is far and away my favourite.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend unwinding from the first week back from holidays. This is only the beginning, remember! I will be heading down to Phillip Island where my mum and sister have rented a house. The weather is meant to push past 40 degrees (which means about 45 here on Ythanbrae) so I am hoping for a cool coastal breeze! Here is some more eye candy from this fabulously rustic chic wedding...

{ Found here }

{ Going To The Chapel }

This afternoon Mr M and I will be traveling home to Gippsland - tomorrow is the wedding of two of our friends from school. I am doing a reading at the ceremony and Mr M is a groomsman. The ceremony is in a cute little Catholic church and the reception at a very nice winery - can't wait! The bridal couple have a two year old little girl who I can't wait to see toddle down the aisle as a flowergirl. Too cute. Everyone loves a wedding! One problem - new dress I bought to wear still has security tag attached. Don't you hate that? May have to reassess wardrobe very quickly...

Hope you have a lovely weekend spent with friends and wine like mine will be xxx

{ Image from Once Wed }

{ Happy Friday }

Have a splendid weekend. What are your plans? I am planning to go to the little market in Yea tomorrow morning. It is new and improved apparently, new location and new stall holders so we shall see how that goes. I hope well, for a little community a market seems essential. It is now held at the old railway station which is a beauitful building and it looks like it's going to be nice spring weather. Perhaps I will find a cute pot of jam like this?

Then I plan to help Mr M with some cattle work {we are very busy at the moment at Ythanbrae coming up to embryo transplant time}, give the cottage a once over with my magic cleaning wand {pffft I wish} and I may even have a furniture transformation in store for you next week. Stay tuned!

{ Image by Marina Oliphant and styled by Caroline Velik }

{ Happy Friday }

Have a great weekend, hope it is spent with girlfriends and cocktails like mine will be! I've got a friend from school's hens party in Melbourne - should be good fun with good friends from way back.

Bring on the champagne and big belly laughs!

{ Images found here }

{ Happy Friday }

Have a lovely weekend!

What have I got planned this weekend, you ask?

Absolutely nothing!

How glorious, you say. Well I'm sure we will fill it with lots of busy bee Spring things. Dependant on my mood I might continue Spring cleaning the cottage, or begin to plant our veggie patch down the hill next to the chook run. I might even dig up my to-do list and see what needs ticking off. A lot I think.

Mr Archibald needs to be ridden, or at least exercised, Miss Tessa needs a bath, and we might be having guests for lunch tomorrow afternoon with their adorable four year old twins. Mr M recently killed some of our lambs so a barbeque is in order, fully Greek style I'm envisaging. If you haven't had farm fresh Spring lamb you MUST! My herb garden is overflowing with mint so the more lamb I get to season and marinade the better.

What are you up to this weekend? I'd love to hear.

{ Image found here }

{ Home }

Hope your weekend is going to be splendid. Mr M and I are off HOME to Gippsland. I haven't been home to Thorpdale in the longest time and am extremely homesick. Pity my Mum won't be there but she's off jetting about in Vietnam and visiting my sister in Cambodia where she now lives.

The above photo is the classic Thorpdale image, taken by me when I was at uni. I used to get terribly homesick living in Melbourne and would run away home to take images like this, they always seem to be better the more homesick I was. So, with this in mind I am going home armed with my camera, hopefully I will get some great shots of where I grew up - rolling hills, red volcanic soils of the potato paddocks and plentiful water sources. Aaaahh....can't wait to go home. As much as Ythanbrae has become mine and Mr M's home, Thorpdale will always will be home to me.

{ Happy Friday }

We're off to sunny Brisbane for my cousins wedding. Everyone loves a wedding, right? We are flying up tomorrow morning, leaving Ythanbrae at 5.30am {yawn!} and flying back Sunday morning. I hope your weekend is filled with family and good times like mine will be xxx

{Image via Oncewed }