When you put your knee through the "new" granny cabinet

This is what you do when you get impatient and decide to move a heavy cabinet by yourself......like I did.  I put my knee through the (probably expensive to replace) curved side glass on my new retro cabinet.

Queue gasps, a scream, lots of OH NO's and tons of cursing!  I've been wanting one like this for ages and after a popping in and out of second hand dealers in town for a while now, I found this one.........in mint condition.  I should have taken a photo, but imagine a great big fault line through the centre of the side panel.

So after I broke the glass I decided to fill it and then after a bit more sulking I decided I needed to take action, so I got out my pile of retro wallpaper pieces and went to work on a bit of patch working.  A quote needs to be done on how much it will cost to replace the glass, but for now it will probably stay like this.  I really like it and may even properly stick the wallpaper pieces down (and move the phone and modem to another spot).

The original granny cabinet has been moved around the corner and now holds my Pyrex and big retro kitchen pieces.

So there you have it one newish but slightly broken china cabinet.  Happy days!

Weekending..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend I've...........

 

Started my retro quilt.  I have been collecting and cutting retro sheets and Fat Quarters.  I have a favourite blue flower sheet which will be my backing.  Tonight I plan on pinning and sometime this week I will start to everything together.  Can't wait to show you my progress.

 

Enjoyed dinner out with friends Friday night for cocktails and fresh seafood.  The very best of combinations I think.

 

My amazing friend Leigh gave me a Crown Lynn Swan.  She always gives me such beautiful gifts.  And this completes my set of 3.

 

Bell and I had a girls morning in town, cold drinks and warm pastries.

 

I op shopped and found pink Pyrex and retro spice canisters and salt and pepper shakers.

 

Our school gala was on Saturday afternoon, the boys had a great time and loaded up on sugary treats, as you do.

 

Reading old cookbooks, loving a particular one from the early 1980's.

 

And later on Mr H and I enjoyed a quiet night in.

 

Sunday we stayed in PJ's till noon.  I did a bit of gardening and then spent the rest of the afternoon building Lego with Tom.  I think I have earned my Lego Degree by now.

 

A laid back weekend after a busy week.  Even working "just part time" makes my weekdays full, not to mention the constant picking up and dropping off of children for kindy, school, swimming, appointments and errands.  I really look forward to my weekends.  There hasn't been a lot of time for blogging or visiting favourite blogs, but with the cooler months just around the corner I expect that will change when we start to spend more time indoors.

 

Have a great week! xo

 

 

 

 

Vintage kitchenware

Phoenix glass cookware was produced as an alternative to Pyrex using lovely primary colours in their heatproof glass cookware. 

Makers marks – “ Made in England Phoenix “

Thought I would share a bit of mid week eye candy with you.  Vintage kitchenware from the 1950's.   An early Birthday present to myself from a favourite Retro store in town.

In mint condition, I wonder if it was ever used.  It is the most beautiful turquoise colour, with quirky handles, thick glass lid and a beautifully moulded base.  Made to stand the test of time for sure.  I won't cook anything hot in it but may use it to serve up (cold) desserts or similar.  It certainly won't be going in the dishwasher either.  Gently, gently.

Happy week lovelies!

Pyrex, op shopping and meeting Kimberley

 

 

I found some Pyrex!  I love Pyrex but don't come across good pieces very often.  The pieces I do see are usually scratched and chipped, the really amazing Pyrex only seems to be online, but it is always so expensive.  I always hope that I will come across some pretty Turquoise pieces........I will keep dreaming.

 

Op shopped goodies found lately - wooden egg cups which made there way to the boys outside kitchen.  And an old (ish I think) tea tin with still vibrant colours.

 

And last week I had the pleasure of meeting up with fellow blogger Kimberley from Creative Chaos.  She was in town with her family for the holidays so we met up for some op shopping and lunch.  She was just as I thought she would be.  So lovely, funny, passionate about her job and boy can she shop.  She has some superior shopping skills!  She gave me a bag of "confetti" products to match up with what she sent me for the Christmas Cracker swap.  Thank you Kimberley!

 

It was so good to finally met her, after all the emails, blog comments and the many blog swaps we seem to always get paired up for.  I hope we get to meet up again soon one day.  And next time I won't be too chicken to pull my camera out and take some photos!

 

It is still the school holidays here in NZ.....I don't return to work for another couple of weeks (yay).

 

It has been so hot, not "Australia" hot but hot enough.  Stinking hot is what we Kiwis would call it.  Tom has been asking when Winter is coming........oh dear, it's a wee while away yet.

 

More swimming is on the agenda and catch ups with friends.  I hope these next few weeks take their sweet sweet time.

 

Found anything great while (op) shopping lately?

 

Have you ever met up with a fellow blogger?

 

 

 

 

Retro Blue

Be still my beating heart!  I bought this treasure of a set home this week from my favourite Retro store in town.  It wasn't cheap, this shop has beautiful retro items but they are not op shop prices.  I paid this set off over a few weeks.  So glad I did though. 

The colours caught my eye, blue being my favourite colour and I love anything with a flower or three on it.  It's a Johnson's Bros of England set complete with six cups and saucers, milk jug, sugar bowl and the beautiful coffee pot.  The flowers look like they have been hand painted.  An absolute treasure.

Bought anything beautiful lately?  Does the hubby know?  Mine doesn't!!!

 

Happy weekending.....

The Isla and Olive Giveaway finishes this Sunday - click here to enter.

Good things

The rain came then then sun showed up........along with the wind.  But that's all good, massive amounts of washing done and dried in just a few hours.  A bit of a novelty after the winter months.

And when the sun comes out, so do the jandals (flip flops).  Bought myself a new pair - I live in these over summer.

Toes done, check!  And my sister talked me into getting a Shellac manicure - I haven't had a manicure in years.  I'm a nail biter, and tend to garden without gloves so it has never been something I bothered with.  But I'm hooked, no chipped nail polish and I've stopped chewing on them.  (Penny - love how you spotted them in my review).  Feeling a bit fancy!

Baking.............

Try not to look too closely at the photo above - there is a lot of butter in these vegemite scrolls.  I never got to sample these ones.  I packed Tom off with a tin full when he went to a friends house to play.  I had a few sitting on the bench, ready to have with a cup of tea.  The phone rang, and when I came back they were gone!

Clams for dinner.  Delicious.

A lovely treat in the post from Kimberley of Creative Chaos.  Kimberley sends Lego magazines and posters for Tom which he pours over for hours.  And tucked inside was this beautiful wash cloth.

Thank you so much Kimberley - you are always spoiling us xo

School holiday mess.  It's a give in.  It's easily dealt to - I'm a bit Sargent Major when it comes to mess -  I have a "place for everything" (this really does work) so it is easily tidied away when the time comes.  I love seeing the boys engrossed in books with them scattered around them.

Gave the boys room another going over.  I emptied out the wardrobe and re-organised it.

I'm a fan of plastic boxes.  They aren't terribly pretty but they are so practical.  I like to be able to see what's in them.  And they are easy for the boys to take out (buy the medium sized ones) and carry to the lounge or where ever they want to set up.  It makes for a quick and easy tidy up too.

Eggs!  21 eggs each week........any good egg recipes you want to share?!

This handsome little chap is my nephew.  He took a huge liking to our dog Maybell.  Maybell is great with children and has the patience of a saint.  I have spent the last ten days with my sister and my niece and nephew who were visiting from Brisbane.  We had such a great time.  I loved spending time with my sister.  So pleased they are coming back for Christmas.  He started walking while he was here too.  Wobbly little steps.  Am in love with this little guy.

Discovered "Day of the Taco" a pop up restaurant.  Open on a Friday night.  Mr H and I went last week.  Frozen Margarita's and a Set menu.  Food was delicious and so filling - I couldn't eat all mine - Starter, main and dessert. All for $25.  I invited a group of friends for dinner there last night.  A lady's night that we plan on repeating very soon.

One more week of the school holidays to go.  I've been keeping everyone busy with play dates and fresh air.  I enjoy the school holidays, I love the break from kindy/school runs and after school activities.  Can't believe we will be heading into the final term for the year.

Have a great weekend where you are!