Why I Love Sunday

Early morning light tangling with fossicked treasures
The mellow, chocolatey notes of a Toby's Estate coffee whilst people watching
Greetings from fury friends upon our arrival home from the farmers market
Spending a quiet afternoon tucked up in bed alongside my love, with good book or knitting project

I love Sunday...& then Monday rolls around.
What do you get up to on Sunday? - Do you spend the day with family? Attend church or prayer? Cook, bake & play 1950's housewife? or are you like me, & spend the day pottering about the house after a morning market run, before retiring to the boudoir at 5pm with icecream & the evening news?

An Adult Egg-Hunt

Sunday morning, Sam & I rose early, dressed in a hurry, skipped our usual early-morn coffee, & made the short drive to my parents house. This was the first year Sam had been invited to breakfast with my family, & a long time since I had had a meal in my family home. There were nerves & excitement.

Shortly after we'd arrived, everyone was ushered into my fathers beautiful native garden, designed & nurtured over several years, for an Easter egg-hunt - imagine five adults* running around their parents garden searching for chocolate like they're still wee one's - followed by a delicious breakfast of buttery croissants, gourmet cheeses, hot cross buns, fresh coffee, mango nectar & numerous bottles of  (non-alcoholic) wine. Small gifts were exchanged, a prayer was said & as quickly as we'd come, it seemed time to go again.
 

Sunday morning was simple & meaningful - a family coming together to celebrate the resurrection of the Son.



I hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend, in whatever way & for whatever reason.. I hope it was filled with laughter & love. 
xx

*Linking in with Em for Stills: A Weekly Collection.

Thank God it's Friday!

Another week is nearly over, and all that is left to do is crack open a cold one...or perhaps if your corner is like mine, put the kettle on for a hot cuppa...and welcome the weekend!

~ Love typography? I do, & so I am addicted to popping over to Type Connection, sending Archer on dates with Eurostile, & creating a happy couple between ITC Stone Sans & Utopia. Check it out!
 
~ I'm looking forward to trying my hand at baking Heidi's Seeded Popovers this weekend.

~ It's the last week to catch La Boite's production of Holding the Man in Brisbane // Herald in the new season at the Autumn Vibes in Sydney // It's time for Moomba Festival in Melbourne.

~ Many have eagerly awaited the arrival of this handsome boy & he's finally here! Congratulations Belle, Gaby & Biet! 

~ Last of all but certainly not least, I'd like to wish you all a very happy International Womens Day! It's a wonderful thing to be a woman, don't you agree? I sure think so!
This years theme is The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum, "celebrating the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. There is global momentum for championing women's equality."
There's plenty of events happening throughout the world, but if you're not munching on canapés and sipping on cocktails with 500 of your closest acquaintances at the local convention centre, rest assured that I'm thinking of each & every one of you - all the mama's, sisters, daughters, wives, girlfriends, cougars...well you get the picture! I hope you feel beautiful, appreciated, loved & equal for today, & the future!

 Now go whip up some homemade citrus soda , pour yourself a spritzer & enjoy your weekend!!


Sar xx


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Thank God It's Friday

Well, It's Friday, again! Is it just me, or are the weeks flying by way too fast? I can hardly believe it's 18 days until Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas, check out these Hidden Animal cups (and perhaps add them to your wish list?) I dug ours out of the cupboard this week for an extra special cup of coffee! The 'hidden owl' is my favourite!

I am over the moon to see that one of my favourite designers, Beci Orpin, has collaborated with Urban Outfitters to create some deliciously colourful and graphic bed linens! I have my eye on the Geo Duvet Cover and Shams - B.E.A.U-tiful!

Have you seen this film of our PM? (I'll admit I had a little chuckle ;)) I feel safer knowing that Ms Gillard is up to the job of protecting us, should the Mayan Calendar be true. Ha.

Is this not the most adorable doll you ever did see? Congrats to Gaby (and her Husband) who are expecting a lovely little lad or lady, in 2013 - joy! x

And last (but not least), this week I launched my next creative project* - Life in 3x5's.
Over the next 12 months I will be curating this 'exploration of our society' and posting the artworks created by people involved in this project. Click over and check it out - and while you're there, why don't you get involved, or even nominate someone you believe would enjoy this project!


 Hope you and yours are safe and well! Happy Friday!
Sar x


*an unashamed plug ;)

Thank God It's Friday

In a bid to be more present in my blogging I am dedicating a weekly post to Friday (and, in part, it's dear friends, Saturday and Sunday!) Part recap, part review, with a few recommendations thrown in for variety, TGIF will be an ode to the week that has been and the blessed weekend to come.
So, without further ado, I present to you...

This week has been very relaxed around these parts, perhaps too relaxed, as my body seems to think I have time to spare, 'blessing' me with a cold. Today has been spent in bed watching Modern Family reruns and eating leftover Chinese take out (it's always better the next day, don't you think?)

In this 'down time' I've been working on an upcoming project;

jumping on the Pinterest bandwagon for some Holiday decorating inspiration*;

checking out the arts scene around the country, and internationally - So, if you're in Brisbane, check out CIRCA ; a self-titled show by the Helpman Awarded, Australian contemporary circus comapany, Circa at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts ; it's closing tomorrow night (24/11/12) but this show is an extraordinary display of strength, beauty and pure talent, which I was privileged to preview during my secondment in October. I highly recommend checking them out if they're ever in your part of the word! They. are. AMAZING!
In Sydney, tonight, 10pm, a rad, up and coming band called Little Bighorn are playing at The Gladstone Feeling. They recently played at my little sisters wedding (more on that next week too!), and even have a cute, little, multicoloured xylophone in their tow!They play regularly around Sydney, so be sure to gather some friends for some sweet sounds.

We're having this for dinner, and whipping up a batch of Tahnee's favourite Christmas-inspired Chocolate Bark as a little (very) pre-Christmas/post-dinner treat!

Finally, a quick, 22nd Birthday shout-out to my dear friend, Ell! Cheers to you, lady!


Here's to a relaxed Friday night and a great weekend!
Sar x

*so addictive, right?!

Lazy Sunday

We slept in, snuggled under warm covers, every so often, snoozing the alarm.
We ventured out into bright sunshine and soft breezes, teasing of spring to come.

Sam sang, and I reveled in her voice.

 There was a petting zoo, photo booth and freebies galore.

Photos: Sam's phone.

We walked the dog, and enjoyed organic coffee and spelt pizza.

And as the sun set, all five of us crawled into bed, with lasagne and Greys Anatomy.

~ I love lazy Sunday's.

Happy Weekend!

It has been a busy busy week in our house; study and lectures, new routines (yay!), saying goodbyes, eating pancakes, dreaming of summer days, and not much blogging...but I promise to be back Monday morning with lots to tell!

So, for now I leave you with a very funny video thanks to one very very funny Mr Steve Kardynal. It's super silly, and I hate how catchy this song is, nevertheless, it managed to get me out of a very dirty mood and made my day a whole lot brighter!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :D

Happy Weekend! x

video via here  

To Market, To Market

So as I said in my last post, Sam and I went to the farmers market last Sunday and we've spent the week enjoying fresh strawberries and home-made caramel slice ever since. There's something relaxing and rejuvenating about waking early to enjoy breakfast at a local cafe followed by strolling hand-in-hand through the lane ways picking out the perfect punnet of berries or tasting 'sweet n salty' popcorn from vendors, all whilst listening to buskers and enjoying the early morning sunshine. Although I don't usually enjoy the chilly mornings up here on the mountain, I found the crisp breeze refreshing and found new appreciation for the dappled sunlight peeking through the trees and between tents which warmed our cold noses and hands.

I love these small, and somewhat ordinary moments spent with Sam. 

It's becoming increasingly harder to find time to devote completely to each other; between study and work and social events we're often exhausted at the end of the day. Even though it's just Sam and I (and the animals) at home, we often get so set in our everyday activities that we forget to savor the little moments spent together. 

I know I often think that we should be traveling more or going out to dinner more or spending more money on things in order to make our life together more memorable, but I'm slowly discovering that it's the little everyday moments spent together that I remember the most. 

Our little Sunday trip has stuck in my head for more than a week now, and I know it'll be a fond memory for a long time to come - no matter how mundane it may seem. 

* Photos by Sam and myself.

Highlights, Lowlights and Down lights

So, I haven't posted in about a week! I hate that, as I promised myself if I started a new blog I would be fully committed, and I feel as if I've failed already. Time has just gotten away from me this week.

Excuses aside, I figured I'd do a little check in and update you on what I have been up to this week. It's been a doozy!

Fri - Sam and I found out that our friend and university lecturer Dr Marilyn Meier Kapavale had passed away. A magnificent pianist, doting mother and dear friend; she was a truly inspiring woman, who put her family first and never ceased to bring a smile to my face every time I saw her. I'll cherish every memory. 

Sat - After a wonderful night celebrating the end of semester with friends, I spent most of the day pottering around the house and enjoying a relaxed and chilled day with Sam and the animals. This was probably the easiest day I've had in the last week...I miss its simplicity. We also capped our internet today...it's gonna be a low, slow week ahead!

Sun - It's rare for me to have a weekend off, especially a Sunday, so Sam and I woke up early for some brekky and a trip to the markets! It was a beautifully crisp winter morning (unusual for me to enjoy as I dread chilly winter weather) with great food and company. 
* I have a post in the works with some pictures from our morning, so check back soon!

Mon - Sam and I had planned to get away for a couple of days to Byron Bay, but after a few unfortunate family issues that put a damper on our trip. I have to admit that I was (and still am, to be honest) upset that we didn't get to spend some time away, but I'm sure we'll get another chance soon. We're madly saving at the moment to make our first overseas trip together in early 2013, to visit some of Sam's closest friends who live in the States. I'm incredibly excited for Sam, as she's had some of these friends for 5 or more years and they've never met in person, but often talk everyday via blogs and boards. We're so excited!

Tue - I had the most amazing bubble bath in the evening! I hadn't had a hot, bubbly bath in a couple of months and I have to say, it was divine! I set up the laptop, popped in a movie, filled up the tub and soaked my worries away for a good hour or so. It was made all the lovelier when Tig (our dog) decided that she would keep me company and slept on the bath mat. Precious. 

Wed - I changed my very first down light! It has taken me a long time to get around to doing it but I can now proudly say I have done it! I've had an incredible fear of changing the down lights in our house for a while now...the thought of creepy-crawlies coming our of the fixture-yuck! A few weeks ago the light on our front stoop blew and the only time I'd remember to change it was when I went to turn it on at duck. It finally got to the point that not having a front door light was getting beyond annoying, and slightly dangerous. 
Now that I've overcome that hurdle, there's handful of blown bulbs with my name written all over them!

Thu - Today I was back at work, which I really enjoyed as I like the routine of getting up early for work and then spending the evenings at home, cooking dinner and relaxing. Tonight, while Sam sleeps, I have been chasing the two kittens around the house and doting on them as if they were my very own babes. It's been beautiful watching them grow from newborns to plump-bellied, wobbly-legged 5 week old kittens. The next 5 weeks will be bitter-sweet as we prepare them to go off to new families who will get to enjoy more of their soft purrs and quirky personalities.  

 I hope you've had a wonderful week so far! and I promise to be back again soon! :)

TGIF

IT'S HERE! FINALLY! For the first time in a while I have a weekend free! This weekend is sweeter than most...and it's only Friday! 

So far today I have slept in, and rolled out of bed around 10am; just to get a glass of water and let the dog out for a run (It's been 6am starts for the last couple of weeks, having changed my work schedules; more hours and longer days = exciting but also draining.) then spent a little while catching up on reading some blogs and replying to emails, and now I'm writing here! Tonight we're having drinks with friends to celebrate the end of yet another trying semester of studies, and the weekend leaves possibilities for a little travelling* or even just spending time at home doing whatever we please. 

In the meantime, I'm preparing for tonight by popping open a bottle of student-wallet-friendly McWilliams Inheritance Fruitwood (which tastes surprisingly better than it's $5 price tag) and eagerly looking forward to celebrating the winter break with my friends! I'm so excited for the mischief we could get up to!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

* We received a paid-for trip to Byron Bay, on the NSW coast, as a birthday gift from Sam's mother, however leaving the pets at home and the costs of driving down there makes it a little bitter-sweet. I guess we'll figure it out over the weekend...I few days away would be nice.