Sunday 060610

Another early rise. English muffins. The Simpsons on Fox8. An uneventful morning.

Left apartment to pick up cupcakes from bakery and they are closed. Try other cupcake shop around the corner, also closed. GAH!

Drove to my nephew's 2nd Birthday party at The Kings School in North Parramatta and enjoy 2 hours of fun, laughter and family. Eat my Mum's famous chicken sandwhiches and mini hot dogs. Skipped the fairy bread though, woo! Some cute pics below of Mikey and Abigail.

Leave Kings and head to my in-laws house for James's grandmother's 80th Birthday party. My brother-in-law had prepared oysters with caviar, seared tuna, grilled lobster and wild rice salad topped off with Dom Perignon Rose 1998 champagne. Didn't overdo it but had no room for coconut cake afterwards.

Drove home in the rain again, Abi fell asleep as we listened to Band of Horses, Crystal Castles and The Middle East.

Had a few slices of pizza for dinner. Shower, stories and in bed. Exhausted. Tired. Sunday.

Rewind - 1997

Rewind back to Vail Ski Resort, Colorado, USA in 1997. James proclaimed his love to me, singing this song. I thought he was pretty cool.

Oh young love, I miss you sometimes.

Saturday 050610

Woke early from a bad nightmare about bushfires (which terrify me).

Ate English muffins watching The Simpsons.

Went house hunting in the Hills area. Saw 2 great houses. Close friends of ours bought one of the houses we liked, which is excellent. I'm so happy for them both.

Went to the Supa-Centre (full of homewares and major retailers like JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman etc) and grabbed a few items.

Stopped in at my sister's house to see her and the kids. Abi fell over on her tiled floor and has the BIGGEST egg on her forehead. She cried and cried. Is now sporting a black lump on her forehead. My Mum and I nearly cried watching her fall over. The sound of her head smacking the tiles was painful, even for us to hear.

Drove home in the rain and feeling tired, decided to stop in at Cafe Sopra in Walsh Bay for dinner. We visit this cafe at least once or twice a fortnight. The food is devine, the staff are excellent. Abi loves it. So do we. Had stuffed zucchini flowers and ragù alla bolognese. Left before the pre theatre crowds arrived.

Once Abi was in bed, she cried every time she rolled over onto her head. Lots of crying and whimpering, poor little cherub.

Went to bed way too late for a Saturday night. Lots of drunks down at the wharf. Lots of girls screaming, taxi's honking, and general noise pollution for a weekend evening. Cannot wait to move out to suburbia.

New Purchases

I really shouldn't have...

1. ASOS Skinny jeans

2. 'Love at first bite' oversized tee

3. ASOS Ripped boyfriend jeans

Shipping from The UK to Sydney was $17 for 3 items which isn't too bad. I am really impressed with ASOS, the clothes are true to size and are excellent quality. I wore my boyfriend jeans today to my nephew's birthday party and they were so comfy.

After struggling with terrible board games in Bali, I decided to add to my collection at home with:

I cannot wait to have friends and siblings over to crack open Pictionary Man which looks a-w-e-s-o-m-e!

Places I'd Rather Be Right Now...

All images via weheartit

Open Home Photos

It's been awhile since I posted any kind of house update.

While I have no news on actually purchasing a home, here are some of my latest favourite open home photos from domain

A blank canvas with room to get your sweat on.

Top points need awarding here for decor. Just brilliant really.

Imagine sleeping in here. Imagine making babies in here.

I loathe cats. Couldn't someone take the cat outside?

Brilliant photo. The simple things in life... TV and a plant.

Look at this bathroom. It's amazing. The purple toilet is amazing. GAH!

Loves it.

Nothing wrong with this house at first glance, then I noticed the pink and white well in the front yard. BWAHAHAHA!

Amazing colour scheme here.

I struggle to picture myself preparing meals here. I don't know why.

Currently - The *late* May Edition

I'm officially 1 day late...

Current Book (s): Do Abi's books count? Have been reading online so much lately, haven't opened a new book in a few weeks.

Current Playlist: So much good music in May. Felt very inspired.

• Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane
• Caribou - Odessa
• Crystal Castles - Celestica
• Foals - Blue Blood
• Hot Chip - I Feel Better
• M83 - We Own the Sky
• She and Him - In The Sun
• UNKLE - Where Did the Night Fall album. Absolutely brilliant and suits my current mood.

Current Shame - Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Completely shocking eating habits lately. It's ridiculous really.

Current Color: Black. Black. Black.

Current Drink: Hydralite sachets due to the disgusting parasitic infection I picked up in Bali. Hydralite makes me gag. My husband seems to love it, no idea what's going on there...

Current Food: Walk into your nearest Woolworths. Chances are, I have something from EVERY aisle in my cupboard right now. No sweet biscuits though. I finally ended my affair with Arnott's Honey Jumbles. It was hard :(

Current Favorite Show: While J was away overseas, I watched 'The OC' on the telly in my bedroom to curb loneliness. I miss my OC teen drama! Also watching United States of Tara and The Office, both NBC / BBC versions.

Image

Current Wishlist:

• Airplane tickets to Los Angeles
• 50 x sessions with a personal trainer
• A shopping spree at The Gap, Zara, Ted Baker, Paul Smith and Marc Jacobs.

Current Needs: Clarity. The usual winter blues have hit hard. Need lots of motivation and focus right now.

Current Triumphs: One word. CAR. We bought one. Well, we bought my father-in-law's car from him. We are having my personal number plates being put on this weekend, then the beast is mine. Finally, a car. Breathe out. Phew.

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: Lack of focus. I'm off with the pixies at the moment. Constantly.

Current Celebrity Crush: Ben Bridwell, lead singer from Band of Horses.

Current Indulgence: Angry Birds app on my iphone. It's beyond addictive.

Current #1 Blessing: Life in general. I need to be more grateful for it. My grandfather just passed away. Death always reminds me of everything I am blessed with.

Current Slang or Saying: Using the word "totes" in my every day vocab. I don't know why I love it, but I can't stop. I'm terrible Muriel.

Current Outfit: Right now, grey Bonds trackies, black Bonds oversized tee. My unofficial uniform.

Current Excitement: Trying to pick a destination from the globe. We have a voucher with Qantas that needs to be booked before the end of June. We are tossing up between a mid winter break to our holiday house in Noosa, QLD or a random trip to the USA for sun, shopping and amazing mexican food.

Current Mood: Grieving. But loved by Abi. She now says "I wuv you mumma' when I put her into bed. It melts my heart every night.

Current Link: Kidspot for parenting tips and new friends to be made. ASOS for new threads from London town. Moshtix to give my credit card a real workout buying tickets to shows.

Island In The Sun...

Trying to get in the mood about the trip tomorrow but my mind is elsewhere.

We are still heading heading to Bali tomorrow, because I know Pop would have wanted us too. All my family and my in-laws have insisted that we still go. And not stay home for the funeral. I'm not 100% ok with the whole situation yet, but what can you do. Since we have had a few months to prepare for Pop's passing, it isn't as much of shock as sudden death.

Next Wednesday, the same day as the funeral in Sydney, is actually James's 30th Birthday. We will celebrate life and love and family.

Back to the packing now.

Gone Fishin'

June 28th 1927 - May 19th 2010

Gordon John Sinclair

Dear Poppy,

The pain has stopped now. You are at peace.

I'm sure you are looking down on us. But now are you together again with Nanna and Pippen.

Only time will heal our hearts full of sorrow.

My heart is heavy from your passing.

You were loved by many. You were a strong family man who provided well for your 3 children.

I have fond memories of you. Many are at your house on the Central Coast. Learning to fish with you. Watching you sing to your dog. And just telling stories, such great stories.

My tears are plentiful tonight, but I am also crying happy tears. You were a wonderful Poppy.

You loved fishing and music. In February, one of your last outings out, you went to see the The Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the SCG with some of your friends from Port Macquarie and you dressed in your Sinclair tartan. Mum said this was one of the best nights of your life.

Goodnight but not goodbye.

xxx

Holiday. Celebrate. It Would Be So Nice.

Fast-forward to Friday afternoon. This very well might be my rendition of 'Holiday' as we board the plane. After a few champers at the lounge, trying to shake my predictable flying jitters + my current medication...

No, I promise I will hold it together!

Seriously though, I can really relate to the lyrics too.
"I live at my in-laws aparrrrrrrment"
Genuis!

Happy Birthday Sis

Image

Yesterday, my older sister Jacki turned 31.

We didn't attend her Birthday dinner last night because J and I are both not 100% and didn't want to pass our unhealthy germs to my family.

Here's my sister in a nutshell.

She is 2 years and 3 months older than me.
She loves books. I mean, LOVES!
She is a great mother to her 2 children.
She is a wonderful sister, our conversations mean alot to me. Laughter, tears, support, advice.
Family is the most important thing to her.
She is loyal and caring and patient.
I love her very much. We are better sisters now than we have ever been.

Mum, Jacki and brother Tim. 3 very important people in my life.

Sunday 160510

Sunday.

Abi woke up early but J got up with her letting me sleep in till 9am. Bliss.

Have razor throat feeling and need vitamins pronto.

Grilled haloumi with scrambled eggs with parsley and cherry tomatoes for breakfast.

Drive to Mosman and buy coffee, fresh orange juice and banana bread.

Walk around shops. Buy Abi these things.

1. Fred Bare Nylon Parker
2. Minti 'More Sleep' tee
3. Bobble Art Travel Bag

Drive down to Balmoral, get the rockstar carpark right in front of the park and takeaway shop. YES! Sometimes getting a good car park, REALLY excites me. Only because I know how much it upsets me to NOT get a good car spot.
Walk over to Rocky Point and take photos.

Sit on rug while Abi eats her lunch and we share a *naughty* bucket of hot chips. Abi chases birds and is adorable. People walk past and smile at her. She is squealing and laughing.  Resisted to kiss her because of stupid razor throat.

Took some photos with my new lens. And here's the best of them below;

OK, so I tried. I can't resist, a kiss on the cheek!

Dark stormy clouds appear.

Drive home and Abi has a 2 hr nap.

Look at houses on the internet. Feel slightly depressed.

Have a late afternoon cuddle in bed with J. Accidently fall asleep. Having an affair with my doona.

Leftover rissoles for dinner which means NO cooking or cleaning up, woo!

Flick between The Osbournes, Black Adder, True Blood and other random shows on cable.

In bed before midnight (hooray) and fall asleep with a Strepsil in my mouth.

Sunday.

Saturday 150510

Brother-in-law stayed the night.
Woke up at 7am, watched Yo Gabba Gabba with Abi and cuddled.
Chatted on the sofa with brother in law and husband till midday.
Went to lunch with my old assistant at Cafe Sopra in Walsh Bay, my favourite cafe nearby.

Had stuffed zucchini flowers followed by the BEST ragù alla bolognese.
Walked home in the breezy sunshine and took these photos on my iphone.

Crunching leaves on my walk home

One of my favourite buildings in Sydney. Hotel Palisade in Sydney

Walked in the door just as Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbour and docked at the Opera House foreshore. Cried tears of joy for her. What an achievement for such a young woman.

Also, has anyone noticed that Jessica Watson looks similiar to actress Mischa Barton? Maybe it's just me who thinks this!

Spent the rest of the night flicking movies.
Made homemade beef burgers with pineapple and egg on turkish bread. They ROCKED.
Went to bed way too late for a Saturday night.
Hmmmm

Have A Good Weekend

Happy Friday to everyone.

Had a lovely Friday today. Crumpets for breakfast. Abi counted backwards from 10 which was delightful. Was naughty and had pizza for dinner. Watched 500 Days of Summer.

This time next week, we will just be arriving at the villa in Bali, unpacking and putting Abigail to bed in her fancy room. Preparing for the sun and sand and pool and cocktails and reading and... Bliss...

Have a great weekend, here is something to get things going.

xx

I love...First Wedding Dances

I love the idea, but don't know if J and I could have EVER pulled anything like this off on our special day.


This 1st video is my favourite and actually made me cry the 1st time I watched it. The bride's face as she finally dances down the aisle is so precious.





This is fantastic. They are both quite skilled dancers, and are having the time of their lives. Also, this dance lasts for 4 minutes and 31 seconds. There is NO WAY I could jive for that long!





This video, while not very flashy, is hilarious. If you have seen the movie 'Old Skool' you will know why. Listen to the lyrics of this song. It's an edited version of the original. This bride must have a terrific sense of humour to let her husband play a naughty song like this for her 1st dance.





I don't know why I like this one, I just do. The groom is pretty into it, bless his heart. Also, anything with Motownphilly by Boyz II Men has to rock.

Girl Crush

In terms of girl crushes, I have a massive, huge, gigantic one on Zooey Deschanel. She is adorable, devine, wonderful, delightful, talented, sweet and I want to know her. She sings, she acts, she is multi-talented. Her band, She and Him are a super cool, folk indie duo, check them out here.

Images from weheartit

This song is amazing. I love Band of Horses. I first discovered them watching one of my favourite teen dramas, "The OC". They are touring Australia in July / August for Splendour in the Grass which I am not attending. But I'm sure they will do a sideshow, which I will attend for sure. I have had this song on high rotation for the last 3 weeks, it makes me feel calm and happy.