just a minute in june

A few snapshots and a little update of what's been happening in these parts during the past month:

Buying...At the more exciting end of the spectrum, some beautiful new ankle boots. Slightly more mundane: a couple of heaters and a tumble drier because it is so cold here at the moment and we were growing extremely tired of having a freezing cold house and clothes which we could never get dry.

Enjoying...My 29th birthday this weekend. It was the first birthday for which I've had a proper celebration in a few years (when babies come along their birthdays have a habit of taking over). We had a great dinner out followed by a few glasses of champagne. I'm looking forward to making the last year of my twenties one to remember!

Reading... There's not been much time for reading lately and I have a stack of books building up now waiting to be read. When I get immersed in a good book it usually takes over my entire life and I can't do anything else until I've finished it... reading while cooking, reading while eating...thank goodness I'm a pretty fast reader :) I felt in the mood for a classic so I've just started The Cranford Chronicles by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Listening...Curt recently bought a record player so we've been slowly starting to build up a collection of classic vinyls and it's been so good to introduce the girls to some of the standout sounds from the '80s and '90s which take us straight back to our childhoods (hello Direstraits and Simple Minds). Though unfortunately my dear husband thought it would be amusing to pick up a Culture Club album which Lila immediately latched onto and now 'Karma Chameleon' is constantly ringing in our ears.

Watching...We well and truly got sucked into the Australian version of The Voice, which has left a bit of a void since ending a couple of weeks ago. I also get my weekly fix of Downtown Abbey on a Sunday evening which Curt can't abide but I am not exactly enraptured with Robson Green's Extreme Fishing on a Wednesday so that evens things out a little. 

Eating...Everything in sight! Winter does nothing for my waistline, I just crave comfort food and I've been letting myself go wild. Time to exercise some restraint in an attempt to avoid a huge panic before summer shows up again.

Creating...I've been experimenting with making some beads from coloured clay and turning them into necklaces which stemmed from an idea to replicate one I'd been lusting after for some time. Despite the whole concept sounding like something ten year olds do for art class in school, I've been pleasantly surpised with the results and itching to try out some more ideas.

Pictures...afternoon rainbow spotted from our garden // Lila and Rose at the adventure playground // first ponytail // ballet class

just a minute in march...2012

It's been a fairly mixed bag of a month so far with a few rough patches- primarily Lila Curt and I coming down with a horrendous sickness virus...urgh...enough said about that. We've had some beautiful weather though, supposedly it's now officially autumn but we're still getting balmy, sunshine days. We enjoyed a lovely long weekend with a trip to our new favourite beach Half Moon Bay, just a 20 minute drive down the coast and complete with an actual shipwreck. Curt spend the weekend at the Melbourne Grand Prix, getting his fix of fast cars and free food and drinks thanks to all-access tickets from a kind friend while I got my hair cut, hung out with my sister, went to a friends BBQ and pottered about in the garden with the kids.

Reading...Home Love by Megan Morton which I picked up from the library. Definitely a winning source of inspiration on the interior decor front and it's given me more ideas for a few little projects around here.

Dreaming.... Of books, books and more books! There is a beautiful bookshop just a short walk away from our house and I often find my self wandering in for a browse if I'm taking Rose for an afternoon walk. I have to physically restrain myself from walking way with armfuls of beautiful, expensive coffee table tomes and novels with enticing titles. Needless to say, my amazon wish list is getting a bit out of control now (am all for supporting independent booksellers, and do wherever I can, I just wish books weren't so insanely expensive here in Aus.)

Inspired...By looking back over all my pinterest boards. I've been pinning for about six months now (thankfully slightly less obsessively these days, as frankly it was getting ridiculous) and have amassed an embarrassingly large amount of images I love of everything from style inspiration to DIY project ideas which is probably one of the reasons I haven't embraced the TV now it has finally arrived. Nothing better in the evenings than settling down on the sofa with a glass of wine and the iPad for a spot of escapism and visual eye candy.

Buying...A few necessary items I was lacking ready for autumn/winter (when it arrives... there's no rush though, d'you hear me weather!) I picked up a casual canvas parka jacket and a cream, chunky Aran knit sweater from asos for day-to-day wear out and about with the kids. Now I just need a couple of new pair of jeans (got my eye on this burgundy pair from my wish list).

Planning...A little trip. We have some domestic flight credits to use up before the end of the year so we are thinking of a city break to Sydney in the next few months.

Sleeping...for a blissful 8 hours interrupted. Rose finally slept straight through the night last night. It's only taken nine months!! Hoping it's not just a one off but we'll have to wait and see. We definitely didn't appreciate how lucky we were when Lila was sleeping through at 4 months.

Saving...very hard for a trip back to the UK in the Autumn for a very good friends wedding and to see the family. Debating if we could possibly financially manage to fit in a visit to South Africa on the way back to Australia to catch up with Curt's family and all our friends there. Lila and Rose have four cousins in SA, Lila has only ever met the eldest two and Rose hasn't met any of them!

Images: // the shipwreck at Half Moon Bay // our bountiful herb patch// Blair and Curt at the Grand Prix // track side // clear water at Half Moon Bay // air display at Grand Prix //Rose practising her wave // our olive and lime trees // Lila strikes a pose // South Bank in the city- and Curt's office // a stroll down the promenade in Port Melbourne

just a minute in ... november

This is little late seeing as it's now already December, but it's been a whirlwind of a month for us with a very exciting new development on the horizon. More on that to come in a few weeks or so. In the meantime, here's a glimpse of what's been going down here lately.

Wanting... The month to be over as soon as possible so Curt would get rid of the monstrosity growing on his face. Don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome that he got involved and I fully support the cause of Movember, it just really creeps me out on seeing a mo on my own husband.

Wearing... My beautiful new dress from Topshop, after some deliberation over the midi length, I decided to embrace it and I really love it.

Selling... Some of my unworn clothes. Out with the old to make way for the new! We've been undertaking some pretty major clearing out around here, trying to scale down and simplify. The amount of extra possessions you accumulate when you have children verges on the insane.

Organising...and wrapping a little package of gifts to send over to the UK, the last Christmas posting dates leave you with no choice but to be super organised. At least it's one less thing to worry about during December.

Watching... Finally got to see the movie 500 Days of Summer which has been on my must watch list for about two years. Embarrassingly enough this is only because it was shown on TV but it was worth staying up to see. You can't go wrong with a bit of Zooey D.Which reminds me I really want to get the She & Him Christmas album. (She & Him is Zooey Deshanel's musical collaboration with M Ward).

Planning... Our mini getaway to the Bay of Islands (at the top of the North Island) for a few days over Christmas and then our trip over to Melbourne for New Year to see my sister and her husband and my parents who are flying over from the UK. We're staying in an awesome holiday home on the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula stretch of coast which comes complete with a tree house, pool and trampoline. Needless to say, Lila can barely contain herself.

Images above...Curt sporting his moustache......some flowers gathered on a walk.....my new dress...... His recently aquired vintage 70's surboard (the new love of his life, never mind me and the kids)

just a minute in...october

October has been a really great month in Auckland. Spring has definitely arrived now and fingers crossed the warm weather is here to stay. My sister hopped on a plane from Australia to come and stay with us for a long weekend and we had the best time hanging out with her. Lots of lazy lunches and brunches, delicious sea food, walks on the beach, beer gardens in the sunshine, cocktails and tapas at my new favourite bar, catching up with old friends and a spot of shopping.

And of course the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup this weekend so it has been party central at every turn. It never fails to amaze me quite how seriously they take rugby here... this was a major deal for everyone. We watched the final at at a friends place. The kids all bunked down for a sleepover in the bedrooms upstairs while we enjoyed an epic BBQ and some drinks before all eyes were glued to the screen for kick off. Driving home afterwards in the early hours of the morning, there were people out in the streets celebrating and just generally going crazy, it was a pretty cool thing to witness.

So this month I've been...

Reading...Free Range Kids by Leonore Skenazy. If you have children, are planning to or just have any interest at all in our future generations then take a look at this book. A really refreshing read all about loosening the reins a little and allowing our kids some freedom. If you only ever pick up one parenting book in your life, you should probably make it this one.

Watching...Series two of Downton Abbey has just hit our screens here in New Zealand. Woop. I'm a sucker for a good historical drama with a grand house, lots of scandal and beautiful dresses.

Buying...I purchased a couple of things off my recent wish list...this book and this swimsuit (which went on sale!) Incredibly pleased with both of them. I couldn't put the book down until I had read the entire thing and soaked up all the stunning images.

Eating...I baked some lemon and poppy seed muffins when my sister arrived which were pretty darn good. I've been trying to cut out some of the baked goods since then to make sure I can fit into the aforementioned swimsuit but failing quite epically so far. I had an urge to make a huge chocolate cake on the weekend which didn't help.

Loving...The fact that heaps of our friends are either pregnant or have recently had babies. Finally we aren't out on a limb any more!! I've been excited for this to happen ever since I was pregnant with Lila. Still love all my child free friends just as much of course, for generally being awesome and reminding me that I still need to go out and drink too much wine every once in a while. And for providing some respite from discussing baby stuff/tantrums/sleeping routines, which is always good.

In pictures...Chilling at the beach and Rose enjoying her first tastes of baby rice and apple puree...

Lila and I getting down to some Latino music at a street festival- wherever there's music that girl will dance...

Curt having a quiet moment with Rose before her big sister steals him away to play...

just a minute in....september

A little snippet and some pictures of what's been going on in our household this month...

Watching...Well seeing as the Rugby World Cup is currently being held here in Auckland,

it's been a bit hard to miss (especially when you have a rugby crazed South African husband). He's already been to a couple of the games and is taking me along to one at the end of the month. Though I definitely can not be classed as a rugby fan, I'm looking forward to taking it all in and experiencing the awesome atmosphere.

Eating...My current favourite lunch is avo on toast with a pea, feta and mint salad. Yum. As an alternative, I've been revisiting the good old banana and peanut butter sandwich.

Enjoying...The arrival of spring (hmm, though after it rained literally non stop today I may need to retract this statement). I've been taking Rose out for long walks in the afternoons and it makes me happy that I'm still discovering new things about our neighbourhood. I came across the sweetest little cafe and some pretty boutiques just by taking a new route the other day.

Wishing...Curt hadn't put my new indigo skirt in with a wash of Lila and Rose's pale clothes. We now have a lot of pretty little pink and cream garments covered in blue splotches. Sigh.

Reading...My Mum sent over 'The Snail and The Whale' by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler for Lila which we've been enjoying. They are the creators of 'The Gruffalo' and all their children's books are great.

Buying...I know it's insanely early to even mention the word and I promise I'm not one of those weird people who puts decorations up at the start of October, but I have started to pick up a few bits and pieces for the girls Christmas stockings. Just because I usually leave it all until the last moments and bankrupt us in December so I'm trying to spread the cost this year.

Curt with our friends Sue and Ajit on their way to watch on of the South Africa rugby games.

Lila (in the blue princess dress) at one of her 'Drama Queens' sessions.

Little chubby blue eyed girl.

just a minute in...august

It's almost the end of August already? How the heck did that happen. Well as the month was racing on by, this is what I've been up to, accompanied by some pics from the weekend.

Reading...The latest issue of my all time favourite Frankie magazine and also a random selection of magazines that the postman keeps delivering to us (someone else is getting their magazine subscriptions sent to our address by mistake. Winner!)

Watching...Being a highly squeamish person, I'm never usually one for medical dramas but I can't get enough of the new series of Grey's Anatomy. Forgot how much I love that show...and a certain doctor ;)

Listening ...On the journey to trying to educate Lila in good music, we've been rediscovering the joys of Jose Gonzalez . She still seems a lot more keen on The Lion King soundtrack however. Hmm, well at least it's an improvement on 'The Wheels on The Bus' CD. I also dug out a classical CD my mother bought for Lila when she was a tiny thing and it's been great at chilling both the girls when we all need a bit of quiet time.

Buying...a little too much in the way of clothing. But they were all such great bargains!

Enjoying...A gorgeously sunny weekend spent wandering around on the waterfront admiring all the yachts and eating ice creams, visiting friends and baking a particularly delicious chocolate cake. Spring seems to have arrived, yippee. Also grateful for some extra sleep as Rose is now only waking for one short feed in the night. Thank you my darling girl.

Wanting...Not really wanting for much at the moment- except for the usual, you know, winning the lottery, wishing all my friends and family would also move over to this side of the world! Right now, life is good :)

just a minute in... july

Haven't done one of these posts for a while but thought it might be fun to reinstate it. So here's a snapshot of what I've been up to this past month. Accompanied by some pictures from our weekend.

Reading... The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Watching... Curt and I are quite into a cooking show they have over this side of the world called 'My Kitchen Rules'. An unfortunate choice of name but very addictive viewing, sort of a mix between 'Come Dine With Me' and 'Masterchef'. New Zealand's Next Top Model is fulfilling my quota of essential trash TV.

Listening... I'd love to be able to list some amazing new band or even just some good old indie rock 'n' roll but the sad truth of the matter is that all I seem to listen to these days is 'The Wheels on the Bus' CD that Lila insists we have on in the car EVERYWHERE we go. Obviously all that great music we played for her when she was still in the womb to refine her music tastes early on did not have the desired outcome. A very sorry state of affairs which needs to be rectified immediately.

Buying... Currently on a bit of a spending hiatus after the ridiculous amount of goods I purchased when back in the UK but I did buy a new cake tin this morning and we just bought tickets to see the Foo Fighters play in December.

Loving... Talking to baby Rose, seeing her smile and cooing back at me, family trips to the beach for long walks in the crisp Winter sunshine and epic birthday parties such as the one we attended on Saturday night.

Wanting... More hours in the day or at least a little more sleep would be great.

just a minute in...january

Ooops... I just realised that we are actually already in February so this is now a day overdue. But better late than never, so here's what rocked my world during the past month. The pics above are of our little lady Lila out and about during January.

Reading...I have been reading the wonderful novel 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows. I had seen rave reviews about it everywhere but that weirdly had the adverse effect of making me not really want to pick it up. Just because sometimes it's more gratifying to unearth something that isn't in all the bestseller lists but is more of an undiscovered treasure and when you find it and love it so much it's like a secret you want to keep all to your self.

But this really is worth all the hype, I have fallen for it in a big way and can literally not put in down. I have even been wandering around the kitchen with my head buried in it while I cook dinner.

Listening...I went to a gig to see these guys with a couple of my friends. I'd never heard their music before (my friend Jenny's cousin is their Manager) but I was really impressed. Very atmospheric, very different and altogether captivating.

Watching...Seeing as the X Factor is now over, I needed to find a new guilty pleasure, viewing wise and thankfully the second series of the new 90210 series stepped in the fill the void. So trashy, so bitchy, so glamorous and so messed up. Total escapism. Just what I was after!

Buying... A couple of things in the sales. Namely a pretty rose print cardigan from Topshop and a tight floral print dress from Zara. It would seem that 2010 is already shaping up to be a flowery year for me!

Loving...Kiehls Creme de Corps body lotion. This stuff is amazing! This is another instance where I should have taken heed of the hype sooner. I knew it was a cult beauty item but had never actually tried it for myself (probably something to do it being quite pricey) until my friend Steph bought me some as a gift. It makes skin so soft and is not even the tiniest bit greasy. Just what my poor dry body has been crying out for in these harsh winter months.

Wanting...The Spring to hurry up and arrive! Admittedly one of my resolutions for the year has been to be more present. To enjoy every day for itself and not wish time away, but I just cannot help being so over this freezing, dreary weather. I miss the sunshine! I am simply not a winter person and that is just a fact of life :)

just a minute in...november

Just realised I am a running little late with this. Please excuse the fact it is now actually December! The cute vintage style pictures above and below are by the photographer Cassia Beck. Check out her etsy shop, she has some really sweet prints.

Reading...I've just started the novel 'The Lighted Rooms' by Richard Mason. I bought it a while ago and it's been sitting on my bedside table sadly neglected, waiting for me to pick it up evening when I'm not so tired that I can actually keep my eyes open long enough to read a few pages. I'm only a chapter in but it's caught my attention and I like where it's going so far.

Listening...I've actually been listening to a lot of Jack Johnson which I hadn't done for ages, (not really since he seemed to enter the conciousness of the general public a a couple of years ago and was played absoloutely everywhere which killed it a bit for me). However Lila is responsible for this renaissance as she absolutely loves all his albums. She might well be his biggest fan-as soon as she hears one of his songs she starts dancing and just carries on and on and on until the music stops. Brilliant.

Watching...I finally got around to watching 'The Edge of Love' with Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller. It had been on my list for ages and I picked up a copy of it on dvd. I was mainly in it for the amazing 1940's cotumes, hair and makeup (which did not disappoint!) but I also enjoyed the story. Definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet.

Buying...Hmm, mainly baking ingredients actually. I went on a bit of a mission this weekend and whipped up a batch of peanut butter cupcakes and a tiramisu for a dinner party that my friend Natalie was hosting.

Loving...Making christmas decorations. I have been getting into the christmassy vibe by embarking on about a million crafty christmas projects. I am currently half way through creating a pom pom wreath in red and white, snowflakes out of white pipecleaners and a merry christmas banner. Will I finish any of them in time?! Hmm, that remains to be seen. I am notoriously bad at trying to do too much at once and not seeing any thing through to the end.

Wanting....Some new makeup. All my makeup seems to have just run out at once (does that happen to anyone else?) which is typical now that the party season is upon us! I find myself needing a new mascara, concealer and blusher and now payday has arrived I am off to replenish my makeup bag :)

just a minute in...october

Gorgeous photos above by whynat on flickr

I thought I'd join in on this for a bit of fun...Liss from Daydream Lily (one of my very favourite inspirational blogs) has been doing it for a while. Click over to her post to read a bit more about 'Just A Minute' and where it originated from. If you're a blogger feel free to join in too, coz it's always fun to hear about what's rocking other people's worlds! Comment and let me know if you do and I'd love to come over and see.

Reading... Hmm, mainly magazines. My mother has a suscription to Vogue and she saves them all for me so whenever I go back home for a visit I settle myself down in the evenings for a blissful catch up on all the ones I haven't read yet. I've also been eyeing up the latest issues of Lula, Elle Decoration and Nylon but have sadly been without the necessary funds to purchase them. Sigh.

Listening...to Lungs by Florence and The Machine. I have this album in my car so everytime I drive anywhere I can usually be found singing along to it at the top of my lungs, generally hideously out of key.

Watching...the X-Factor, religiously. It's my guilty pleasure. At least now I am a mother I have a valid reason for staying in on a Saturday night (who am I kidding, I would so stay in to watch it anyway).

Buying... Very little! Thank goodness today is pay day as I've been scaping by with literally pennies for the last two weeks. I blew my budget in the first half of the month doing fun stuff when my Canadian friend came to stay. I did however purchase a a high waisted, tulip shaped floral skirt that I am very in love with.

Loving... Being a wife..it's all been peachy so far! Also, my Matthew Williamson perfume, my red check flannel shirt, Lila's new words (night night, lovely, and bath time) and our official wedding pictures- I'll share a selection of them soon.

Wanting... To constantly eat sweet, delicious, comforting things. Food is never far from my mind but this month I've been craving all the bad things-cakes, chocolate, anything with ridiculous amounts of cheese involved. Arghh, must stop eating! I blame it on the change in seasons.