Wayfarers

We made it folks. Friday is here. It’s getting a bit crazy around the house with boxes piling up and the agency having an open house tomorrow (so freaked out about the prospect of strangers walking through our house) so we have no choice but to be out on the town. I’ve asked my ever-patient husband to take me to Ikea in the new ride so we can pick out furniture and bits and pieces for the new place. He has reluctantly agreed. And for the rest of the weekend, who knows? I’m in the mood to do some serious damage to my credit card. Top of my list is a pair of badass Wayfarers. I’ve got numerous knock-offs but you just can’t beat the real thing.

  Fact about me: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is my favourite movie

A Humble Retreat

Remember when we went glamping in a shepherd's hut in the middle of a llama field… in December… in the coldest UK winter for 20 odd years? It was a decision that had my coworkers and family completely baffled but nearly 2 years on, and it’s still one of the most memorable getaways we have ever had. The pipes froze so we had no hot water, we had to use a storm kettle to heat the water, llamas spat and farted at us, there was no electricity and we spent 3 days sliding in the mud. Doesn’t sound like bliss but it was cozy, quiet and an unbelievably fun weekend. If you are tempted to join the madness (perhaps in summer, like a normal person), check out The Shepherd’s Hut Retreat in South Somerset. I loved the look of it so much that I have bookmarked the site for our next trip to the UK.

Source | Remodelista – Images | The Shepherds Hut Retreat.

Every Little Thing

Phew. That week was a toughie. Packing and arguing and working, and working and then working some more. There were times where I just wanted to throw in the towel but on Friday evening (at the 11th hour) it all came through for us. Our present rental agency has agreed to release us from our lease early, we have signed the lease for our new apartment in Little Bay and on Sunday, we bought a car. Our lives are now firmly entrenched in Australia. We’ve still got some work to do yet but I can hardly believe we have been here for nearly a year! On Sunday, I took inspiration from Lauren by doing some serious de-cluttering (4 giant bin bags later). It felt good. Even if my back is a little twingey and my knees are a little bruised. Stay tuned for more change peoples.

| T-shirt weather (and of course a little bevvie or three)|

  | They look like they could survive my gardening skills? Does anyone have a name for them? |

| Because I have so many of them |

| A blank notebook. Nothing better. |

| I rearranged coloured pencils. Really. |

Spellbound

By co-incidence, this discovery also comes straight out of Byron Bay (all signs seem to point to this town for me at the moment). Meet Spell. A boho/gypsy clothing and accessories store started by Isabella and Elizabeth who say “for as long as they can remember, they have been enamoured by the feeling created when you combine feathers, leather and turquoise”. Being fairly tall and willowy, not to mention a child of 70s hippies, boho is a style that I am always drawn to. I have already got my eye on a few beautiful pieces. Now I just have to start saving some dollars!

P.S – if you like their style, be sure to check out their blog too. I’m already addicted.

Images | Spell

Just Bring Your Surfboard

Before we booked our weekend away to the Blue Mountains, colleagues suggested that Byron Bay was where it was at. I did some investigation and found I had about 5 million jaw dropping choices of accommodation to choose from and just as many beaches and places to eat. I quickly realised we would need more than a paltry three days to do this little town justice. And so I shelved those plans for another time. Since then, I seem to come across taunting Byron Bay wonders every day. Take a look at the Atlantic Byron Bay that I found on Remodelista. A boutique hotel which offers several different beach cottages (and an Airstream) which the couple who own the property renovated themselves. This place has moved to the top of the list.

Source | Remodelista – Photos | Atlantic Byron Bay

Every Little Thing

I’m pooped. Bone deep exhaustion sucks me under into a deep sleep just after 9pm these days. We moved offices and I had to work on Saturday so I have chipped fingernails and a twinge in my back, permanent bad hair days and a crappy attitude. To add insult to injury, we are toying with the idea of moving out of our apartment in the next 14 days as the owners plan to sell. Moving house in 14 days. Can this be done? I think so but there will be more chipped nails, stubbed toes and general moving misery. Will it be worth it? Absolutely. This will be two steps from our new home. And that’s life in a nutshell at the moment.

| Lunchtime at the Smiths |

| Bell garland which hangs on our bedroom door |

| A pretty pattern from my favourite snood |

| Knitting to keep me calm |

| The only plant I have ever kept alive… because it’s plastic |

Little Wooden Stool

A few nights ago (while I was snacking chocolate on the sofa), I looked around our full-to-bursting apartment and realised that I didn’t even own half of its contents less than 8 months ago. After years of watching what I bought and assessing how much it would cost to ship over, I went a little shopping nuts once we had settled in Sydney. I still buy one or two things a month to put the finishing touches on the place but the days of an overloaded car from Ikea are thankfully over. We are settled and comfortable. Now I am just after the few wishlist items that will complete our little abode (before we move again in a month and the whole process starts again). I am currently looking for a wonky little wooden stool for my bathroom and deck. Somewhere decorative to rest my towel or moisturiser while I am in the bath or shower or a place to rest my coffee while I am reading on the deck.