I'm happy about...

This past week has had joy and sorrow. I have had the joy of catching up with a favourite but far flung cousin, a friend's happy birthday celebration and a weekend visit from my number one daughter (I only have one!)
Sad announcements of illness and passing always remind you of the fragile nature of life.
We have had some perfect winter sunny days and the sunshine always has a way of putting a smile on my dial.

 High tea at Hotel Nest was a lovely way of celebrating my friend's birthday

 Sandwiches with the crusts cut off - very genteel!

 The Birkin bag took my fancy.

 And I look very pleased about the iced cupcake too.

 I had the white tea and roses brew - fragrant and delicious.

 I love interesting light fixtures.

 My afternoon tea dress was from Asos and the pendant is House of Harlow.

This is number one son (I only have one!) projecting light in a very arty way at an Ovals gig in Melbourne.

Across the Bay

I live on the Mornington side of  Port Philip Bay and its a long way round to Geelong on the other side. So on a recent visit we caught the ferry back to Sorrento to make for a leisurely trip home.

Near the foreshore in Geelong

Ferry from Point Lonsdale to Sorrento

Pavilion at McCrae

 Back on my side of the Bay I went to McCrae the next day for a scrumptious pizza at Pavilion. The seaside decor and breezy layout is perfect for this little coastal town.
Urbanspoon have ratings on it here.

The little boys room.

The little girls room

Interesting light fittings

birdy bag

I wanted to make something for my friend's birthday and as I have been making prototypes of bags to sew with my students I thought I would give this bag a whirl. (click on Farmer's Market Tote)
I used pure cotton flock backed fabric from Spotlight, magnetic snap closures and 1 1/2 inch cotton webbing tape.

 I used Heat 'n Bond to fix these little birdies to the pocket, then I stitched around the edges.

 After sewing the base piece to the sides I laid the bag flat and pinned the strap in one continuous loop.

I sewed the straps in place.

 I made up the lining, placed it inside the bag, sewed around the top and turned it through. I then closed up the gap left in the bottom of the lining for turning the bag through.  oops look like the strap is attached a little too low on the left  there - I'll just hand sew it a little higher!

 I'm happy with those magnetic closures -I found instructions for attaching them here.
So I hope my friend enjoys her shopping bag..... Happy  Birthday L.

shoe dreaming

Just when I though it was safe to have a browse on Shopbop I saw these shoes featured in their Summer Edition Obsessions. Thanks Shopbop - I didn't really need any more things to lust after.

Edmundo Castillo sling back kitten heels in caramel/leaf ❤

rapt in clay

Last week I had the pleasure of being scrubbed and polished and then wrapped in warm silky clay at Red Hill Endota. The clay was washed off and followed by a warm lilly pilly all-body moisturise. What a pick me up for my winter skin.
The Red Hill Endota will open in the next few weeks and the owners are fine tuning everything for the seamless spa experience that they are known for at Mornington and Lindenderry.
Well done girls - the spa looks beautiful!

The really good news though is that as I am trying to eliminate as many nasties as I can from the products I slather on my skin I was pleased to discover that everything used in my treatment was Australian Certified Organic with no parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrance, glycols, silicons or PEGS.
The Endota brand products are all certified organic which has very strict Australian guidelines.
So I might be trying a few of their other products.
The quiet location of Red Hill Endota is a lure for a midweek/weekend destination to make a day of it with a lunch at one of the local wineries and restaurants that are dotted all around.
This is my local area and it is so beautiful in any season.

I'm happy about...

This week flew by - holiday Monday made for a short week.

 I've been cooking up a storm lately and will dine on restaurant food for days to recover. A natural cook I am not.

 I just can't get enough of this lemon syrup cake - here is the recipe. I used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I made extra syrup so I could serve a drizzle on the warmed cake.

 Niece S took some photos in the marina at Hastings.

 This last one is a bit of a catalogue shot.

 Inspiration for a little shopping bag I'm going to make.

 I had a lovely little lunch at Food on the Hill in Red Hill after a glorious clay wrap treatment at Endota. They haven't opened yet but I will post the details next week.
Red Hill is only 20 minutes away from my house but it is like going back in time to shops with organic produce and no plastic bags! I will be a frequent flier from now on so that I can float out of Endota all polished and relaxed. Thanks L!

How cute are these little stools out the front of the Red Hill food market?  I bought a gourmet pizza to have for dinner. Too easy.