A Bouquet

Beautiful palest pink roses used in a bouquet for a bridal fashion shoot which was styled by my talented daughter.

This photo is on the sidebar temporarily so I couldn't resist including it on my blog to share their sheer beauty and keep the memory forever.

Perfection.

Which leads me to ask...'which is Your favourite coloured Rose'?

Annie xx

Shellac and A Few Bits and Bobs

Lo and behold I have experienced the new revolution in nail varnish.

Shellac.

Am I impressed? You bet!

But...I'm now having an internal debate about the health implications concerning the use of a UV lamp which is used to dry and cure the shellac. A quick google search informs one about the health implications of these rays. I did read a tip which was to slather sunscreen on one's hands before application. Next month I'm visiting my Dermatologist and I shall ask for advice because there's a mass of differing opinions being expressed.

 I do adhere to safe practices where sun protection is concerned and no doubt will be somewhat swayed by my health professional. 

I would like to have shellac applied before a special occasion or travelling because it really is brilliant. This pretty pink was applied nine days ago and it's still as good as new other than the colour slightly moving due to nail growth. Two weeks seems to be the length of an application before removal.

Are you a shellac devotee and what's your opinion?

Here's a few snippets from my thrilling life of late...
Whipped up a big beautiful slab of chocolate cake. My mother taught me a baking trick...extend baking paper up higher than the sides of a cake tin to produce a level cake and prevent burning the edges.

Purchased a new frock. This was a no-brainer because I like the designer and it was On Sale.
The fashion Gods dangled the carrot and I did bite.

By now you know my abhorrence to packing for a trip but is unpacking even worse? To enthuse myself in the task of finally putting away freshly laundered apparel from my recent jaunt I figured new hangers would do the trick. My favourite hangers are the faux velvet variety. Great for their non-slip properties. Nabbed these pink beauties from BigW.
My wardrobe is grateful.

Recently rediscovered a love affair with music from the band Supertramp, their sound brings back wonderful memories of life in the 70's and turned up to a decent level this music puts a spring in my step.

A gift of pretty red roses and I'm ready to enjoy the weekend. Our autumn weather is magical..just perfect actually.

I shall leave you with a clip from youtube featuring Roger Hodgson the singer from Supertramp performing my favourite song (there are few original clips in existence apparently since the group disbanded).
The lyrics never fail to move me.



Annie xx

Going Organic

Do you choose to eat organically grown foods?

Occassionally I like to indulge my family's taste buds on food which tastes like it did when I was a child. Unfortunately the cost is somewhat expensive but I've discovered that choosing wisely and only buying exactly the amount I need there is no wastage. 

Yesterday I called into the organic produce shop and stocked up on some goodies. Every week I remind myself to get organised and check out one of the farmers markets in Brisbane as I believe they are very worthwhile. 

To reduce this cost we have constructed a small makeshift vegetable patch in an area that will eventually be landscaped and the proper bells and whistles vege garden will be housed in another area in raised beds.
We've planted cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce and silver beet. The architectural structure comprising of old fly screen doors is to keep out the bush turkeys. The turkeys don't bother eating the growing produce but they do like to scrape the dirt and mulch into enormous piles. Hence we've not gone overboard and have only planted a few things as an experiment in hardiness.

On a previous property we enjoyed a huge vege patch and ran free range chooks and Mr redroses would love chooks again but I'm being a meany and saying no because we could never bring ourselves to 'do away' with the old girls once their laying days were over and so we nurtured and fed geriatric poultry for years after their productive lives ceased. I'm sure the old timers around about had a good giggle at our expense.
Dare say I shall just keep paying extra for free range eggs.

Yesterdays lunch was thick cut spelt fig and pistachio nut bread with organic cheddar, tomato, avocado and chutney. Rather yum. I am not a fan of figs but the flavour in this loaf is subtle.
Another reason to purchase a decent mixer to start making my own bread again.

Then amaranth apple slice. Pity I was out of cream. Please note I do not always serve goodies on fine china, when I'm overdue for lunch and the old blood sugar is in free fall I could practically eat the brown paper bag too!

Sorry but here is another gratuitous rose photo. I'm beside myself with excitement to see these blooms on my wee rose bushes. The perfume is divine and leaves the shop bought specimens for dead in this regard.

Do tell.....are you into organic produce, do you mind paying extra for it and what is your favourite food item in the organic line?
xx

A Touch of Pink

This morning I was lying in bed waiting for blog post inspiration. These freshly cut roses, yes from my garden,   I knew I must share and so this set me to thinking about the little touches of pink which pervade my home and life. Pink is so soothing, calming and pretty. As I searched for the pink items around my home I was pleasantly surprised with how it's subconsciously entering my life.

Is this because pink and it's varying hues are soothing, calming and pretty?

By the way aren't these roses the most divine shade of dusty pink and the scent is out of this world!

So here are some random pics of my subtle pink world...

My go to cake contribution for an event usually involves cupcakes layered with pink rose water icing. Whilst my efforts don't exactly resemble these from the Crabapple bakery cupcake cookbook, I do my best.

A bit of fun from Tarjay...I couldn't say no to those sweet pom poms

Circa 1982 Mikasa Silk Flowers. Maybe I have admired pink longer than I realised.

Royal Albert Moss Rose

And last but certainly not least, a cute pink piggy money box my darling grown up son gifted me last Christmas because piggy's face looks so happy!

Is there a colour in your home/life which is not always glaringly obvious but pops out surprisingly here and there and gives you pleasure?
xx

Round and Round we go...

Today has been somewhat industrious with the electrician installing ceiling fans in anticipation of hot summer days and nights ahead. For aesthetics we choose fans which hopefully blend into the surrounds rather than look like an eyesore, well that's the theory. A wall mounted air-conditioner is placed in the kitchen/family area but as we're not lovers of air-con, fans are in all rooms and the a/c super burst of chill will only be used on ridiculously hot days.

The formal living area has a massively high ceiling and installing this fan was difficult for our electrician but he rose to occasion and there she is...can you see it? I think it blends very well and because it's a large model it packs a punch but is very quite at the same time. My nerves were on edge with two extension ladders being moved around the light fittings!
See the ripple effect on the ceiling? This delightful scene is cast from the crystal baskets. Took this pic this afternoon in dim light so you can imagine the shadows at night! Another aahhh moment upon entering this space.

I apologise now if you see this photo continuously throughout the blog because I am in love with these crystal basket beauties.

Photo quality not great here but you get the idea. A stainless steel finish for the family area to tie in with the black/white/silver kitchen and furnishings. On first installation the pole was the same length as the light fittings so it was shortened to unobstruct the line of glass dome lights. My pedantic ways have come to play in this house and there have been certain things I've insisted on!

Another little insistence was the light switch covers. Adhering to a certain colour scheme involves renewing jaded white with silver. Yes there's a few to replace!


Today's activities necessitated another long discussion about the formal living area. This space, for several reasons since we recently moved in, has not gelled. More ideas thrown about today and I'm excited because we've finally determined (hopefully) how this area should work for our family.
The new idea necessitates the removal and selling of furniture that holds sentimental value to yours truly ( how many dining tables does one actually need?) I'm happy with this decision as I've struggled over parting with these pieces.
Have you discovered in life that holding onto something because of sentimentality is not conducive to your wellbeing? Even if it's only furniture?
Now I must confess Mr redroses eyes did glaze over but he realises this room has to evolve and be utilised efficiently. All he could mutter was 'will it involve flat-pack furniture'? Bless him.

Sooo I busied myself and moved some pieces around to 'feel' this space. Have I told you I love moving furniture? Drives the family nuts.
Stay tuned, just need to twist Mr redroses arm a little more to activate the final touches, although a large built-in is in the pipeline so might be a little bit before this room is finally revealed.

Gave the old farmhouse table a nice polish today during my industrious mood. This beauty I can never part with. Purchased in 1986 during a trip to Melbourne, then set about having it trucked up to Sydney where we lived at the time. Many a happy family celebration has been enjoyed around her plus I designed the kitchen specifically to suit the inclusion of this table. There were a few anxious moments on moving day in anticipation of 'will it work'. Yes it does.


And in breaking news.....here is my first red rose, picked this week! Two pink buds are also ready to pop. Very exciting!

May everyone enjoy a pleasant weekend and take care

xx

Entertaining

A spot of entertaining was in order over the weekend and of course roses featured. This rose garden I am planning is actually a plot of weeds at the moment so I must activate my deeply buried gardening gene and get it sorted. Or I run the risk of going broke from purchasing cut flowers.
You know I actually enjoy gardening once I'm outside but fear that after battling drought conditions living on acreage for many years it was hard and a little soul destroying trying to cultivate lush foliage only to watch it curl up and wither. After three years my visions of a cottage garden evaporated and only the hardy drought tolerant Aussie natives survived.

Do you gain pleasure from setting out a table for guests? I learnt so much from my mother who was a superb hostess and while I'm far from being superb at this art I have fun displaying little bits of bling, a candle or two, a lovely tablecloth and pretty crockery. My parents vintage Noritake dinner set is a must along with some jazz music playing softly in the background. Funny how our musical tastes change over the years because I've never been a fan of jazz but nowadays it soothes my soul.

Not for the faint hearted this crockery...it is non-dishwasher proof. I figured I should start using my finer pieces because quite frankly how can I enjoy them if they are stuck in a cupboard.

Now that my children are grown and we are done with renovating houses I really wish to embrace the finer things in life and enjoy the beautiful bits and pieces I own. It will be a little tribute to my Mum and her generation who went above and beyond when it came to entertaining. Plus guests get a kick out of the effort involved which makes it all worthwhile.

Do tell....What tactics do you use for entertaining?
xx

Starting...

Oh to be this fresh faced again.

Well, after being an avid commenter for a long time I have decided to try this blogging caper myself. Never in my wildest dreams did I harbour notions of doing this but I've gained some lovely friendships through blogs.

 As the little blurb above my profile insinuates, I will share bits and pieces of everyday life. Whatever takes my fancy. Home renovation, travel, my vain attempts at gardening, clothes etc. Oh and while trying to choose a name for this blog (that had not already been taken)

I thought of two pretties that fill me with joy. 

Fresh flowers and bling.

So here goes......