It's The Company You Keep {plus giveaway winners}

Be in good company and sponsor The Beetle Shack for the month of June.

from top left

and joy made, foundry, the horse, dwf photography,jonah and the girl, as days go by ,hello milky , Pura, heidi walks 

Do your self a favour and have a browse around our sponsor's sites- there are some amazing blogs, products, and brands on board.

If your interested, prices start at $16 and go up to $70

Thanks to everyone who has already enjoyed add space here, your support means so much to me.

xo

oh, also

Giveaway winners have been announced over here

A Clean Secret

 I have a secret. A secret cleaner. She comes in like a fairy and cleans the house while I take the children out with these ladies - its a Wednesday thing.

Today, she arrived a little earlier than usual with a bouquet of blooms from her protea tree, as if I didn't love her enough already. Every time I apologise about the toys on the floor, the toddler pee around the toilet seat or the dishes in the sink she replies with 'oooh, don't worry darlin' (I LOVE being called darlin') and quickly carries on with business. She is a marvel.

On Wednesdays (once a month) we arrive home to a sparkling house that looks and smells oh so fresh. The beds are made, counter tops polished and every single surface is dust free. The dishes are neatly stacked, the bathroom is spotless* and the toys are in their appropriate places.


It's pretty much the only day of the month that Dave comes home to a clean and tidy house. I usually like to ensure that dinner is also on the go for his majesty's arrival, just to complete that picture perfect package. Tonight I offered him a bacon and egg roll. I'm just that kind of woman, ever prepared to meet her husbands needs.

Surprisingly, he opted to cook an alternative?!

tell me, do you have a cleaning fairy? 

If not, do you struggle to keep on top of the vacuuming and mopping like I do?

Does your toddlers wee end up ALL OVER the bathroom house?

also, i blogged earlier today if you're interested.

* p.s I am not a princess, i totally scrub my own dunny.

Wearing - a little bit of animal print

Nothing like a little animal on animal.

Personally, I like leopard spots the most and am currently searching for a pair of winter boots sporting the ferocious print. Seen Any? 

Wearing Country Road top

Faux Fur vest c/o Anna from The Glass Onion Society

Levis Jeans

Sportsgirl Necklace 

Zoe Wittner Shoes (bought for this occasion)

Wearing Aztec

Wearing Fruit Salad

Wearing Everything

How's the cringe factor coming along? Growing an immunity yet?

no, neither.

oh also, this giveaway will be drawn tomorrow so make sure you enter today!

Thank You Park Ladies

photo's from our Spend Free Weekend

I've been meeting with a bunch of other mothers at our local park ('The Park Ladies' if you will, i've mentioned them before) ever since they invited me into their inner circle some time around the writing of this desperate post.

It was the first time in my very short parenting 'career' that I'd been fortunate enough to meet with a group of women who were so deeply honest. They didn't brush over times of hardship when telling their stories, instead they each spoke frankly about their experiences. They didn't smile and provide sweet superficial answers to my questions on what their lives as parents were like.

With no expectations and no pretenses they told me their stories, complete with failure and triumph.

Over our months of meeting together they have taught me more about being a parent than I had learnt in the 2.5 years prior. They have taught me the value of allowing my kids some space to learn and make mistakes without their mother hovering about. Through example they have showed me the importance of being prepared - wipes, nappies, snacks, tea cups, tea bags, thermos, toys, sultanas, camera, phone and spare change always at the ready. They encouraged me to re-think the 'first baby, mother to one' ideals (I do believe I heard laughter when I said Zeph couldn't watch TV).  They have loaned me literature (promise i'll return those books ladies) that has changed the way I parent and offered more support than I could have imagined possible.

Mostly, they remind me that I am normal - on the good day's I'm normal and on the bad days I'm normal.

So park mums (you know who you are), THANK YOU will never be enough.

If you'd like to perve on one babe'n park mum, you can visit her blog here.

These Two (they have so much love)

These two little besties make my heart swell each and every day - they haven't yet learnt to 'be cool' about how much they love each other.

They spend their time running laps of the house, laughing like hyenas and pausing to 'mmmwha' kiss. When Zephie is at preschool the Lady Baby wanders aimlessly through the house calling his name and playing with his trucks.

Today, when they were reunited at 2:55 after almost five hours apart they hugged each other for long time, right there in the middle of the big grey mat in the main room at preschool. They embraced, exchanged hello's and shared a knowing smile. They have their own thing these two. They are completely and utterly adorable.

Growing up, my brother was well and truly my best friend and that makes seeing this blossoming love even more special. 

They are blessed beyond measure.

Treasures of Trade

Wooden handled saws, antique cigar tins and decades worth of memories. These are the treasures passed down to Dave from his Dzia Dzia. Some of these tools have travelled across the seas from his home land, Poland. Many were bought in Perth, W.A but each and every one of them has been meticiliouly cared for, cleaned and polished after every use, as was the nature of Dave's grandfather.

They are a beautiful and treasured keepsake for our family and with every use we will be reminded of that generous, talented Dzia Dzia. They will prompt the telling of stores about his journey through war torn countries, his new life in Australia, his skills as a fitter and turner and his snappy sense of style.

For us, sentimental things are the best things. 

p.s thanks so much for your encouragement about this exciting news.

Exciting news

My mother in law looked after the lady baby yesterday morning while I went to a very exciting meeting. 

It was a meeting to finalise a job with amazing online boutique Down That Little Lane. If you haven't already perused it's pages filled with beautiful handcrafted clothing, giftware and children's items then you really must! 

I promise you will find many a fabulous treasure.

 prints by urban road

 bubby makes three            Gecko Toys

mud by nest                      Naughts and Crosses

and the most stunning clothing like this frock by Zephyr Graham Paris

So if i'm not on facebook, instagram, twitter or pinterest here at The Beetle Shack i'll be over at Down That Little Lane managing all of their social media accounts.

You can find Tess and I @ DTLL on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Make sure you come and say hi!


If you can't already tell, I'm seriously excited to be working with Tessa and part of the DTLL family.

I drove home from yesterdays meeting with a smile from ear to ear and my excitement was only exacerbated  when I arrived to to a very happy darling girl and a seriously tidy house (including vacuuming) thanks to my gracious mother in law!

Best day this year? 

Pretty much.

xo

p.s don't forget to enter the duplo giveaway

Duplo Giveaway {closed}

If there is one toy that takes me straight back to the 80's it's Duplo. The sound of it tumbling to the floor, the rewarding 'click' when each block fits into place and of course the all important crash when your pesky sibling goes into demo mode.

The duplo dudes sent my little ones a good few boxes of fruity coloured plastic earlier this week, ensuring that I wear my scrunch socks and leotard everyday (too much?)

Gone is the simple colour palette of red, blue, yellow and green. Welcome edible gelato hues and an assortment of juicy brights that would tempt even the most savvy colour collector. This stuff is too good to pack away, i here by declare it ornamental!

As soon as Zeph opened the "My First Zoo" package, he became a zoo keeper (or a circus master... I couldn't quite tell). I could see his mind ticking over and the possibilities becoming tangible, together we made animal noises, built an enclosure and helped the elephant feed his comrades (the feed shovel slots into his trunk you see, it's only logical).

Zephie, the Lady Baby and I have spent quite some time with these little fellows below. They are part of the awesome "Creative Sorter" package that is compact, beneficial for the growing mind and pleasing to the eye. Got a kids birthday coming up? Hunt this one down- it's honestly excellent.

 I must say the "Creative Cakes" pack is pretty exciting for the little lady within all of us. While I stopped myself from rolling Pippi for the last pink icing topper, I did rather enjoy putting together perfectly formed cup cakes. Even at her tender age the Lady Baby could stack and top a duplo cake with the best of 'em.

So lets go bonkers with a giveaway.

Seriously dudes, you want in on this action.

As a follower of The Beetle Shack you have the chance to win 1 of 3 LEGO DUPLO prize packs including;

1 x LEGO DUPLO My First Zoo RRP $39.99

1 X LEGO Creative Cakes RRP $49.99

Keen?

There are two ways you can enter this giveaway

1. simply be a follower of The Beetle Shack and leave a comment below

and/or

2. head over to facebook and 'like' The Beetle Shack before 'sharing' this post


you can enter both on facebook and on the blog

as always you can gain extra entries by blogging this, sharing it on pinterest, instrgram or twitter. Just leave a comment on your chosen platform (ie facebook or blogger) telling me that you have

Winners will be announced one week from today. Please leave your email so I can contact you!

PARTY ON WAYNE

you will be getting the top two itmes

and you should probs just go and buy this one, cus it's ace.

WINNERS ARE


CONGRATULATIONS HOTTIES


please email me your postal address asap,
 thanks babes (gag)

SarahMay 25, 2012 1:50 PM

Oh YES PLEASE!!! It is our youngest 3rd birthday in two weeks. These would be perfect (wink)

KirstyMay 30, 2012 9:04 AM

Holy Moly - lots of ladies want that Duplo!! (Count me in!)

dear oliveMay 26, 2012 2:28 PM

My O Bags would go nuts for the duplo zoo! Seriously. Kellie xx

Wearing - Aztec Scarf (and a nana skirt)

For me, a scarf is the perfect way to hide grubby fingerprints and unwanted bulges. It can cover a multitude of sins and can be worn in twenty seven million ways.You can loosely wrap it around your neck or drape it over your shoulders, you can use it to cover your hair when dashing from the car to house or to shield a sleeping baby from the suns rays. Plus, they can easily make a daggy Nana outfit a tiny bit cooler.

See, I totally know stuff about fashion (eehum)

oh would you look at that, a typo ... perfect.

Sporstgirl white t and skirt

Aztec scarf

handmade necklace from The Glass Onion Society

Shoes by Sole Society

So tell me, how do you wear yours?

p.s watch this space for a fun giveaway later in the week!

Five Beautiful Blogs

Over the past few weeks I've found a few new beautiful blogs that i've added to my reading list - I simply can't get enough of them. Make sure you visit these peeps, but only when you have enough time for a tim tam and a cuppa!

Deer Circus

Imogen Eve

Paper Crowns

Sappy Apple

Tart

I've been spending all of my spare time working on my version of this story, I just can't seem to get the words out.... but i'm trying!

Happy whatever-day-of-the-week-it-is friends 

i just can't keep up anymore

xo

Spend Free Weekend

It's a five week month my friends, and that means nothin' if it don't mean 'broke'. We always find ourselves strapped for cash by the end of week three so this weekend was a Spend Free weekend.*

We took ourselves on long drives, walked deserted beaches (gag, they were totally populated but it doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?), had piggy back rides, watched movies, made pizza's and spent endless hours actually engaging with each other. It's been such a long time since Dave and I have ignored the calling of house maintenance in favour of dedicated and intentional fun times, it was much needed. 

We even spent a little slice of time in the kitchen in honour of the almost-but-not-quite-forgotten Month of Sundays.

Man it was good to ignore 'reality' and enjoy real life. The perfect reminder that the washing can wait and that tripping over duplo every time I walk down the hallway is actually not that bad.

How did you escape this weekend?

* with the exception of $8 for hot chips.

Happy Weekend

yeahhhhhh. it's the weekend.

It's been a bloody long week at The Beetle Shack and I am so looking forward to spending time with my sweet-as-sugar family.

I hope you get to gobble yours up too.

***

Sorry i've been a bit of a no hoper blogger this week, but like my mum always says, if you can't say something nice- don't say anything at all.

 So i've been pinning like a mad woman instead (and discovering what twitter is all about). The beautiful image above is from the most delightful blog I have only just discovered. Do yourself a favour and take a look over here.

***

opps, there I go telling the truth. Please do excuse my french.

How To Make A Fabulously Fruity Dangling Succulent Garden

How to make a fabulously fruity dangling succulent garden

 (ie. a terrarium)

It feels like an eternity that these little glass baubles have been ethereally floating above our dining room table, sometimes filled with candles, other times with flowers. Always hanging by fishing line and little white thumbtacks pushed into the ceiling.  

In this incarnation, they are suspended by fluro pink string and stuffed full of plants and soil. 

I thought you might like to make some too, so here's how it's done

You will need

* A collection of glass vessels. I'm using some candle holders that you can see hanging from my ceiling back here. I've actually seen some in hot dollar and other junk shops quite recently. 

* Very small stones. They can be bought from your local nursery or pet store.

* Some moss. I collected mine from our outdoor pavers that don't catch much sun.

* Potting mix

* Succulent plants 

Steps

1. Add a layer of small pebbles to the bottom of your container. Make sure you rinse them first. I've used black here but i'm dreaming of making more with fluro pebbles, you know, like the ones you put in the fish tank? Imagine the glory!

2. Add a layer of Moss on top. This prevents the soil in your terrarium from escaping through pebbles.  If you don't have any moss handy, a very fine screen will work well here. Personally, I think the moss is really pretty.

3. Add soil. I used a long handles tea spoon to make navigating the small space a little easier. 

4. Add the plants. Take a little time and consideration to make sure it looks pretty.

TA DAAHHHHH

I couldn't resit making a few more (in fact I filled every empty glass vessel within reach)

now all you need to do is add fruity string in the colour of your choice, find a thumb tack, climb atop your table and you're done.