Relentless

For the past few days (or weeks even) I have been sprinting to keep up with life. As a result I'm sweaty and puffed but strangely not any slimmer. Whilst chatting with Rumballs during her visit on Monday she mentioned that she was exhausted right down to her bones and I'm joining her. 

It'll be a few more weeks before things slow down though. Early next week The Young Man turns three (I thought he just turned two, but it would appear that that was a year ago) and I'm yet to organise a party for him. Not because I haven't wanted to, but because I actually thought his birthday was still weeks away. He is insistent upon receiving a helicopter and who am I to let him down? Shopping must be done and a cake must be made. The Lady Baby is sick AGAIN and so am I. 

On top of this, it's The Beetle Shack's first birthday some time near the end of April.  Since birthdays are not birthdays without parties - a party must be had. I've got oodles of goodies to share around so heres hoping we all get better and that my nose stops dripping on the keyboard (imagine a broken computer in the mix).

Thanks again to those of you who voted for this. It genuinely means stacks to me.

Happy weekend friends
xo

KidSpot Top 50 Bloggers - Party On Down

It was with great anticipation that I bundled myself into the car on Wednesday afternoon and set of to meet the attractive bunch of broads pictured above. Yet since having children cripple my social life I tend to overcompensate every time I'm let out on a leave pass. Last night was no exception. ..... Emily form The Beetle Shack in OVERDRIVE! I just can't help it. I get SO excited to be out, wearing heels and makeup and having real adult conversations that aren't even about babies. I put my foot in my mouth once or twice but for the most part  had so much fun chatting with FAMOUS bloggers (hello edenlad- i kinda like, umm, love you) and checking our the new Ford Territory. 

 I feel truly honoured to have been included in the Kid Spot Top 50 Bloggers and have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the women who inspired me to blog in the first place.

 If you would like to go into the draw to win $5000 and possibly provide me with the opportunity to attend the BlogHer conference in New York (which would make me all kids of crazy happy) you can head over here and vote for The Beetle Shack.

Party Clothes

Like I've said before, my wardrobe consists of junk from Galssons. This makes if difficult to dress for functions and parties, especially at the last minute. Fortunately for me, I have some stylish friends who are more than willing to lend me their designer threads. 

I'm off to a little event tonight. I'll be pouring my fat arse into some black skinnies and donning some fruity accessories.

See you on the flip side.

I Hold My Breath

The end of each day here at The Beetle Shack, is marked by that magical moment in which Dave and I open the flimsy hollow core doors into our children's bedrooms and kiss them good night. As we slowly twist the handle, hoping that it won't creak and disturb their slumber, I hold my breath and wait to hear the deep rhythm of theirs. 

 I creep up to their beds, breathing them in as I do*. Taking a long moment to look them over in their entirety, from their lashes to the tips of their toes. I scan their wonderfully tiny bodies before resting my eyes on their mysterious faces. 

 I've know them for such a short time, their whole lives but only a moment in mine.

 Yet it feels like an eternity that I've been kissing them goodnight. 

* dave just read this and suggested it was 'creepy' that i would breathe them in. Sorry to freak you out peeps.

Spoilings

It was my birthday over a week ago but it's only just now that the spoilings are coming to an end. I have enjoyed dinners with family, champagne breakfasts with my favourite friends, beers and rugby, gifts, treats, cuddles, kisses and all the attention a self absorbed almost thirty* year old could hope for.

I've been given clothes, perfume, furniture, books, music and more - but you know what my favourite part was?  The cards. Those customised, love filled little pieces of paper containing the hand writing of the people I love. 

The cards that tell stories of shared pasts and hopeful futures.

Heres to that! 

* PLEASE NOTE, IM NOT 30. I'm so young.

Keke Is Happy To Have You

There is nothing that makes me feel more alive than perving on fruity artists. Imagine my complete and utter delight when a friend alerted me to this amazing blog. Excuse me Kirra Jameson, you complete me. 

What a service to man kind. 

A blog filled with amazing recipes from 'keke's' smokin' hot friends, photography that will make you want to update your camera and food that will put 'getting fat' at the top of your list of priorities.

get there. Keke is happy to have you!

Taking It's Toll

The Young Man had dropped his day sleep. It's official and it's full on.

Gone are the days where I would get a quiet hour to pic up after the kids, throw on a load of washing and most importantly - take a greedy minute to read your blogs and ponder my own. There is no longer a single, solitary 'still' moment during the day and I can feel it taking it's toll. 

Chaos reigns. 

I need a moment to pause, catch my breath, catch up, get organised and devise a plan. 

What do you do with your sleepless toddler so you can have a moments peace? 

Kilim Perfection

Like I said yesterday,I have finally found the perfect rug to compliment this side board.  After weeks of searching online, begging friends if I could buy theirs and trekking through large commercial retailers I decided to give eBay go.  It wasn't long before I found Innova Wares and their delicious collection of genuine Turkish kilims. The vibrant colours on this one won me over and I only had to wait one sleep until it arrived on my door step. I managed to resist the temptation to add this woollen kilim bag to my cart also (best winter bag ever?)

The quality is outstanding, especially considering some I looked at in other large retailers were triple the price and seemed to be little more than a piece of fabric.  This one is beautiful thick, soft wool. Call me crazy but I'd even throw it over the bed or the couch during the winter months. 

What do you think friends?

One Room Two Ways - Captainkk to the Rescue!

We've been mixing things up in the living room department round here. Out with the old, in with the new-old. We've been selling stuff on ebay and collecting other bits and pieces in an attempt to pull this room together. We had it set up like this but it didn't quite work. 

Captain kk to the rescue!

The Captain sent me the below sketch along with the selection of inspiration images. I have pestered her ever since, seeking her approval on every decision.

Slowly but surely the room is looking much better. I got rid of these dining chairs, have taken some fresh artworks up to the framers (that monograph above the dresser wont stay there, kk would never approve) and have found a fabulous rug that i'll show you tomorrow!

Teaching Love

 When my brother and I were growing up books and music were always deeply important. Each year their shapes were easily recognisable under the christmas tree, sometimes if you smoothed the wrapping paper over the hard surface, you could make out exactly what was underneath. Evenings were spent taking turns to play our favourite song or tell a story from the novel we were reading (and we weren't even the Brady Bunch, not even close). 

My mum always loved Winnie The Pooh and I have countless childhood memories of snuggling up on the lounge and listening to her read AA Milne, each character had their own voice, but Pooh's was always the best. 

Now my children enjoy the sacredness of this experience.

Nothing like nanny love (and Pa love for that matter).

Mum and Dad, your kids love you. Your grand kids love you. In those two things I believe you have accomplished life's greatest achievement. 

You have, and continue to teach us love.

Birthday Weekend

                                   

Hi Friends, it was my birthday on Saturday and i've have a weekend full of good times, beer, gifts and love. Life has been excitingly busy over the past week and I have lots of fun stuff to show and share but until then i'll share a cider with my darling and keep on relaxing. 

 Happy Sunday night peeps!

xo

Confessions of a Two Year Old

I threw on a floral frock yesterday morning - it had a crocheted neck line that extended through the bodice. I then swanned (bra less) into the kitchen, Zeph announced with a beaming smile 'Oh mum, I love your dress'. I thanked him and felt really beautiful. As I moved closer to give him a smoochy cuddle, his smile turned, his face looking both confused and concerned. He examined the crocheted bodice, gave the section between my boobs a little tap and remarked 'you just need to put something on under there to hold 'those*' up'! 

that's right - he always, always, always tells the truth (except he told me that I was going to get a helicopter for my birthday tomorrow).

*'those' meaning boobs, you knew that right?!

Everything is Borrowed

...i came to this world with nothin' and I leave with nothin' but love...

Remember when 'The Streets' first got big? If my memory serves me correctly I was at uni studying Fine Arts, listening to 'The Strokes', working at Stussy, wearing converse and a red leather jacket (every.single.day) and drinking red wine.

where where you?

Cook It- Chorizo, Tomato and Feta Frittata

 This meal has become a staple in our house at the moment. It's easy, quick, cheap and we always have the ingredients on hand.

3 extra-large free-range eggs 40ml milk 15ml olive oil ½ red onion, finely chopped 1 clove, crushed garlic 1 chorizo, peeled and sliced pinch of dried chilli flakes 400g rosa tomatoes sea salt block peper 200g feta small handful coriander leaves, rinsed Whisk together the milk and eggs, and set aside. Heat the oil in a small frying pan over a high heat, adding the onions, garlic, chorizo and chilli, and cooking for 3 to 4 minutes or till the onion is softened. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes or till the tomatoes are softened and the mixture is slightly thickened. Add the egg mixture, top with feta and cook for 5 minutes. Place under the grill for 2 to 3 minutes or till the frittata is set and golden in colour. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve. source also, 20% off sale over at bug and beetle ends today. Just follow the 'shop' link in the nav bar.

Vintage Sunday - bug and beetle sale

Autumn has well and truly arrived here. The leaves are falling from the magnolia, the nights are cooler and the days go from crisp to deliciously warm before becoming crisp again.

It's time to dig out the jumpers from the back of the wardrobe and bring the trackies back into high rotation, not to mention finding the stinky old ugg boots. Claire and I have spent the past little while collecting gorgeous knitwear for the shop and as a way of celebrating the change in season, Bug and Beetle are listing a fabulous range of trans-seasonal knitwear AND having a 20% off everything sale. Just enter BUGANDBEETLE at checkout.

Make sure to head over and check out our range of handmade rompers (only a few left), vintage pinafores, baby bloomers and overalls.

Pretty good excuse to grab a few pieces for your little ones.
Linking up with Sophie, as always.

P.S thanks so much for your kindness on this post- truly- i can't express how wonderful this community is.

Case In Point

When I was a bit younger, a bit skinnier and a bit hotter I thought I was pretty good. I mean, I had a nice family, lived in a nice suburb by the beach, finished a uni degree or two, got married to a babe, bought an apartment, had a good job, bought another house and did some travelling. I could drink beer and not get a hangover, wear high heels everyday and not hurt my feet, buy designer threads without running out of cash and I didn't have hairs on my chin. I probably thought I was a little superior, truth be told.

 Life is a great leveller.  

In the past three years I have watched my body expand and never quite return to the shape it once was. I have laboured for days, breathed through contractions, declined offers of drugs and taken long hot baths believing that my body 'knew what it needed to do' only to find that it didn't, and I couldn't. I have fed those babies from my breast, my now tiny, empty, saggy breasts. I have been out of the workforce so long I wonder if it would ever take me back. My wardrobe consists of size 12's from Glassons and the last holiday I had was to my in-laws weekender. 

I now have two children to raise. Two individual people who I can't control, only shape. 

Motherhood is a tough gig, one that  know I'll always struggle with. But it is the most joyful and humbling experience. I am both loved and completely and utterly disrespected each and every day. My life is nothing like it was and I am nothing like I was.

 I'm broken, stripped bare and unworthy, yet I have been given the richest blessing imaginable in those two little people. Those sweet creatures that call me mum and clearly state my inadequacies, faults and prickles. Just this morning while giving Zeph a big bear hug, he pulled away, rubbed my chin and said 'what's that? oh, a prickle... i don't like that mum'. hump. case in point.

We are a collective, us mothers. 

Happy International Women's Day. 

Rainy Day?

Got children?

Got pillows?

Got masses of fun!

We've got some rainy days heading our way, in fact it just started raining as I typed that. Here at The Beetle Shack there are a few staple activities we do to keep us entertained.  Making pillow towers and jumping of the lounge is just one of them. We also make these, play in here and dance about to good music (Lady Baby has quite the style I must say, she can really get those hips a-swingin').

The Warmth of Early Autumn

We had such a magical weekend here at The Beetle Shack. The humidity of Summer has given way to the warmth of early Autumn and on Sunday afternoon we made the most of it. Under the shade of the magnolia (which is hastily losing its leaves)  we set up the slip 'n' slide for a little family 'slide off'. We soaped that sucker up, prepared our launch pad and wasted the afternoon away.

Laughter came easily and once again the blessings of family were real to me.

*Winners announced back here. 

Unleash Your Inner Stylist... again

Okay my stylish friends, help me out. 

As soon as we saw this retro sideboard we fell in love (in a superficial kind of way, not real love love... but close), it was my favourite colour, in perfect condition and actually within our minuscule budget. Once we got it home we realised that it kinda didn't actually fit in our living room and that some changes would need to be made. We removed one lounge and put the old TV unit into Zephie's room, the vintage glass cabinet is now holding my fabrics in the study. The dining chairs will be replaced with replica eames chairs.

We have temporarily borrowed some arm chairs from my parents until we decide what to do. These issues are very pressing and one would want to make a rushed decision, right? 

There are a few options to consider;

1. Keep the wing backed chair that you see on the right but have it recovered in this or this or this or something else from Fabric Studio's collection

2. Remove the other chair under the windows and replace with a small table and chairs (for morning paper and coffee sessions) 

2. Keep both chairs and have them both recovered

3. Get rid of both chairs, go with idea 2 and get this chair or maybe this one.

4. All of the artworks need changing, replacing or something.... not sure what to do here... one or two large works, lots of smaller ones?

5. Paint the duck egg blue wall another colour

Should we be going for an eclectic look or just go retro?

We need your help with these very important issues peeps, lets just pretend there are no budgetary restraints.

The Best Retro House EVER

I'm seriously dreaming of living here

Read all about his live/ work space over here

HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS! 

xo