Mother's Day is just around the corner and if you guys are anything like us, we aren't organised! We could easily run to the store and purchase some soaps and chocolates, but we all know that is a you forgot present!

So I have made a collection of quick and easy gifts from the heart! Thank me later ... P.S The kids can help too!

1. Mother's Day Mason Jar Gifts .... Yesterday On Tuesday

2. Decorate a coffee mug! Personalising a coffee mug is a simple but effective way to say i love you ... especially when you fill it with her favourite lollies or chocolate!

Find all the details here

3. Writing is an age old habit that is being lost in the digital age. So why not creatively (& cheaply) decorate a plain diary to make it something special for your mum!

The directions are all here ...

4. If you are handy with photoshop, these babies will be an awesome gift!! Photo magnets, made with love <3 

Idea from Sundaesins

5. Got an old pair of the kids gumboots that are about to head out? DON'T THROW THEM AWAY YET! Pour in some dirt and plant some of mum's favourite herbs and you have a gift that keeps on giving.

From the clever Homespun With Love

6. I must admit, I'm loving these popsicle stick photo frames! They are so cute and fulfil my washie tape addiction!! They would look super cute on my desk or in the kitchen too!

eighteen 25 posted this amazing idea

7. Popsugar, bless you! I found these gorgeous glasses ... I LOVE THESE (hint, hint)

So I hope this helps all those looking to make a special little something that doesn't cost the earth! Enjoy and happy making!

Halloween is almost upon us, and although as Australians we tend not to get involved, I think it is a wonderful opportunity to use our imaginations and let the kids wild for a bit of fun! Obviously, safety is the main hiccup most people have, saying that we spend all our time teaching stranger danger then let them knock on peoples doors for lollies. But if you can teach your children the difference between having fun with mum and dad there and not doing it any old time, then you should be ok! 

So, I have done the usual 'Halloween is three days away, lets try and find some decorations and costumes' and lo and behold! There's nothing left!! So I have been scouring the internet for some creative ideas that we can use to make our ghastly house more ghostly! Here's what I found!

1. Glow in the dark pumpkins

As I mentioned before, we Aussies don't usually celebrate Halloween so the idea of carving a pumpkin is a little daunting! I think this is a much better idea! Find yourself some pretend, plastic pumpkins and decorate with glow in the dark paints! The kids can create their own designs and they won't rot after Friday has passed!!

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2. Monster Puppets

These are too cute! Great for little ones to get in and make something too! Sometimes crafting can be a little too complicated for the smaller children and I love that we can all do this!!

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3. Gone Batty!

These are just adorably spooky! Without freaking the kids out, it can be a little tricky decorating the house, but these bats look as though they are flying past with their 3D look! I love it!! Head to the Country Living site to download the template.

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4. Ghostly Balloons

It is super easy to create glowing ghosts to hang in a window or from the roof! Just simply add a glow stick to a white or clear balloon, blow it up, tie it off and add a spooky face and there you have it folks! DIY ghosts for your halloween!

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 I hope these quick, easy and kid friendly ideas come in handy! I know they will be dangling in our windows!!

Hello all!

Sorry it has been a little quiet on my end! It has been a mad house over here. May and June always are!

We've had birthdays, a Baptism, and plenty of school and out of school activities happening! As you already know we went away to Healsville too!

Firstly, I had a birthday! Yippee! Happy Birthday to me! This is what 32 looks like ...

I had a wonderful day! Hubby took the kids to school and Aerotots, before dropping me off at the beautician for pedi, massage and waxing! I had lunch with my Lexi when she finished, a snooze with her too. We picked up the kids, played for a while before dinner at the in laws. I was spoilt rotten too! New iPhone cover, slippers, voucher, perfume, jewellery stand and cardi! It was a great day with my beautiful family!

It was that weekend that we went away, only to return to the chaos of organising Mr Nate's Baptism. I had so much fun doing this. All this boy stuff is new and exciting and I love it! Trying to keep the budget tight, I did a lot things on my own, like the invites and the thank you's!

These were super simple and cheap too! The pillow boxes are from Kmart and were about $3 per pack, the ribbon I had left over from the invites and I got the labels from Officeworks for about $15, I had plenty left over too. The best part is that Avery have a website designed for their products, with templates so you can create what ever you need! Awesome! Then I filled them with Hershey's Kisses, because they are so damn yummy!

We had and amazing day. Surrounded by family and friends, we showered that little guy with so much love! After what was a horrible start, with me losing my bank card and then relocating to the MIL's house, the hair straightener and hair dryer dying, we were relaxed and were able to enjoy our day. 

Father Ian Baptising Nate

Nate with his Godparents

The Cake Table - Adorable cake made by my sister in law!

Love this idea! Created by Let's Celebrate

I was so pleased with it all. It had been such a wonderful and memorable occasion. I love my little family so much that it hurts, but on occasions like this I love sharing that feeling with those dearest. 

A huge thank you to my sister in law for the AMAZING cake, my in laws for opening up their home (last minute) and assisting in every other way, to Nate's godparents (even if Father Ian did forget your names) and to everyone who shared this special day with us! 

Miss Ellexah is almost three! I can't believe it!

We are hoping to have a party for her this year, maybe something little at home. But what theme do you choose for a three year old? Since my Kara Allen workshop, I feel this need to have a colour palette, a theme, a design.

So I have been searching the world wide web! Here are my favourite themes for a 3rd birthday celebration!

Pink & White ...

Pink & White Theme

Pink and white are such go to colours for a girls party. Whether it be a 1st or a 16th pink and white can be incorporated into all areas. It is easy to style and can work into other themes too, like Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, a polka dot party and many more.

Pink & White Themes

Yes, the Easter school holiday are in full swing now. We have already been fighting, soaking, robbing on each other and I believe there was a bitch fight that I missed!

So the activities begin!

No more fighting over barbies, or iPads, its time to get our creative hats on! I have been scouring the internet for some fun and exciting activities, Easter is our theme for today ... this is what I have found!



Crayola have an awesome site that have lots of creative activities and colouring pages! We found Easter wreaths, egg hunts and colouring pages to keep them busy!







Get your paper squares ready guys! Oh So Very Pretty has the cutest origami bunnies! These are great for the older kids or the artistic over achievers (ie. not me!) There is also a YouTube clip to walk you through it too!

Maybe you need a handmade card for grandma or an Aunty! These guys have some very cute printable cards and more!








Enjoy guys!!!

Yes, in just over a week it will be Valentine's Day again!

Hubby and I used to do a little something on V'day but since the kids we tend not to, especially since it is also Zarah's birthday! But I still like to give a little something just to say I love you!

If you are anything like me, then you wouldn't have bought anything yet either!! I have been so consumed with Zarah's birthday that I haven't had time to think of anything else!

Crafty Ideas

I love these homemade coasters for the man! This could be something from the kids to dad or from you to your dad, as well as a special something for the love in your life. These babies are from the Sew Craft Cook website, click on to check out all the amazing crafts she has available!

These are adorable, another great gift from a child to their father or grandfather. With nothing but scissors and paper, it is something you can do with minimal effort. I sourced this awesome idea from Pinterest, but it is an unknown source

An idea that we started to do was have a special dinner at home with the kids. This gives us the freedom of eating what we like, doesn't cost the earth and we can share it as a family.

To make the dinner special from any other family dinner at home, is to bring out the nice placemats, or make some! Simply print out or draw on a piece of paper and laminate it!! Decoration like these adorable heart chains make the room look lovey dovey!

The ancient art of writing is making a comeback at the moment! Why not write your special someone a romantic letter or poem and seal it in a heart shaped envelope. I made one of these a few years back and they are super easy ... especially if I can do it!

Click here for all the instructional bits!

If you are looking for a unique and stylish gift that comes from the heart, this is the site to click to! Craft Project is a section of the Charles Parsons group and they have some amazing DIY's that are sure to blow you away! For step by step image instructions click through to the DIY posts Canvas Art & Photo Frame

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Continuing our DIY Crafts here on the blog, I would like to share another amazing Charles Parsons craft idea from the site Craft Project

This one is a gorgeous photo frame, you could use to coordinate a room or to add a pop of colour. Which ever way you want to go, these easy step by step instructions will get you there!

Collect all your materials 

 Release the tabs on the back of the frame

 Remove the backing, outline and glass, leaving just the frame

 With your material cut to size (including overhang) glue in place and cut a a cross through the middle

Glue the excess in place and you will be left with your own stylish photo frame!

Happy making!!

Have you ever seen something in a shop and thought, I'm not paying that! I could make it myself!

Then you leave the shop only to realise you wouldn't have the faintest of an idea where to start!

That's me baby! I do this on a regular basis, well no more! I have been armed with the right tools!!

Follow these simple in striations and you too can be making the items that decorate your home! Or better yet, use them as gifts for your loved ones! They are definitely gift worthy!

Setting yourself up so you have everything you need will ensure that you have a perfectly finished product at the end. Be creative with the covering you chose, but make sure it is thick enough not to tear while your working or show the canvas through.

 Cut you material to size, leaving hangover so there is material to secure to the back

 Using your glue gun, glue in place

 Staple overhang to the rear of the canvas and trim away excess

And your finished product will look a little like this! Quite easy don't you think?

These DIY ideas are from the Charles Parsons craft site Craft Project. For more great ideas head on over and start making!

What happens when your children watch too many episodes of Better Homes and Gardens? You end up making juggling balls! What happens when your children take them to school to show their friends? You end up making MORE juggling balls!!

Playing with playdough is a fun way to enhance your child's creative side. Let their imaginations run wild while they create a world of animals, cooking or simply just banging it on the table.
We use playdough a lot in our home and we make it all ourselves. Some playdoughs that you but can be quite toxic, you should be mindful of this when purchasing. But when it is as easy to make as this, why would you buy it?


So, to make your own playdough, follow these simple instructions and you're on your way!

What you'll need ...

2 Cups  Flour
1 Cup   Salt
2 Cups  Water
4 Tbs    Cream of Tartar
2 Tbs    Cooking Oil
Food colouring

What to do ...

* Add all the ingredients to a medium size saucepan and place over a medium heat.
* Stir continuously until the dough comes away from the side of the pan.
* Add colouring.
* Remove from pot and knead colouring in (Be careful it will be hot!!)
* Store in an air tight container or sealable bag.
Ideas on taking playdough further is extremely exciting for me. We mix and add colours as well as scents and glitter to make play time more fun!