Noah - 4 months

My baby is 4 months now. To be honest it feels like we have had him forever but other times I can't believe I have another baby! 

Jasper likes to tell me, "Mum, I love Noah and we're going to keep him forever!" :) 

Finn and Jasper are so much more "into" him now that he is looking at them and smiling and they can make him laugh. We also have started Noah on solids - rice cereal and apple at the moment and everyone wants a go of feeding him. It's enough to make your heart melt!

Noah is still the most easiest and chilled baby. I had to take him to the salon the other day for 3 1/2 hours (staying blonde is a long process!)and he slept happily in his pram for a while and other times was happy to look around and get spoilt by the other women there :)

This month we decided to start him on solids as he seemed ready. He took to it with gusto! We are sticking to rice cereal and apple puree at the moment and I will move onto pears, carrots, zucchini and potatoes in the coming weeks.

Noah is very interested in looking around at the moment so feeding (milk) is taking longer as he is so distracted. I have to do it away from the boys and the tv! 

There is lots of dribbling and chewing of fingers and toys. I must always remember to take a bib with me now. Noah is loving sitting up in the bumbo for short amounts of time, I guess it is fun to see life from a different angle. We are seeing more reaching and grabbing, hair is fun to be pulled!

His face is changing week by week and I can now see more of a similarity with him and Finn as a baby. He is just getting more gorgeous and divine!

Simone xx

Home Improvements - Kitchen/Bathroom

So along with a renovation with the floors and walls we are updating the kitchen as well.

That's the thing with renovations, once you change one thing you realise you have to change everything around it!

I pinned so many pictures and realised that what I like in a kitchen is white, white, white! So we will be changing the cupboard doors to white with white ceaserstone bench tops. 

Also a white splashback of subway tiles.

We will also cut our breakfast bar down to create more of an island type bench. After 10 years we know what works with our cupboards and pantry. So we will be adding practical touches like pullout shelves and drawers to cupboards. We want to utilise as much space in the cupboards as possible. I also want to add extra powerpoints and downlights under the cupboards as the kitchen is quite dark as it is. 

All those things you live 10 years with wishing you could change!

Basically it will look nothing like my "inspiration" photos just like my old kitchen but in white. I'm happy with that :)

Also thanks to everyone for Simon's birthday wishes. 

Control freak that he is, he ended up making his own birthday cake. I just bought the ingredients. He loved it, must of satisfied that specific craving of his! 

Here is a pic of it -

We ended up giving him a couple of "dad' type presents. 

Some new ties for work and 3 new t-shirts. We also went out for lunch and bought some new plants for the garden.

Who said romance was dead!! ;)

Simone xx

Happy Birthday Simon xx

Today is Simon's birthday :)

 He is the hardest man in the world to buy for so the one suggestion he has made is that I make a cake for him today consisting of chocolate sponge, chocolate mousse and raspberries. I'll see what I come up with. 

As Monday's are our usual day off together we will go out to lunch somewhere with Noah while the boys are at school. This will be slotted in amongst the school run, a tradie coming by to give a quote on the kitchen, swimming lessons for Jasper and all the other running around we try to squeeze in.

Gee birthdays are fun these days :)

So, Happy Birthday Sime! 

Hope you have a fantastic day.

We all love you very much xx

Simone xx

image via whatkatieate.blogspot.com

Sick Leave.

Noah and I have been struck down with the flu. 

It's oh so heartbreaking to hear his chesty cough :(

But doesn't he look cute in his fleecy pj's?

Hopefully we will be feeling a bit better tomorrow.

Simone xx

image my own

Home Improvements - a little refreshening.

I'm a little excited as we are doing a few improvements to our house. Simon and I bought the land over 10 years ago and built a Masterton house on the block. At the time we had stretched ourselves to the limit to buy the house so all our fittings and fixtures were what was in our budget. Not necessarily the things we loved. But now the time has come when we can afford to upgrade our space.

Exciting times!! I have been pouring over my old "Dream House" files and Pinterest and my taste hasn't changed over the last few years so I think I can feel confident in our choices.

One of the major changes to the house will be our flooring. Currently we have a cream tile and we are going for a huge change as we are going to have dark timber floors. I love the look of a dark floor and a white wall. Now, I know you are all going to tell me that they are a NIGHTMARE to keep clean but I won't listen ;) I want these floors and am prepared to vacuum twice a day if I have to! As we have to lay the boards on the tiles it will be a Bamboo floating floor in a strand woven bamboo. We have chosen the darkest chocolate colour although they call it Distressed Modern Black.

The floor is being delivered today but it won't be layed for a couple of weeks. So now I have this huge pile of timber in the living room. Oh well, it will all be worth it.

After the floors, we are repainting the walls. Kids, me moving furniture and decorating have left the walls looking a little tired. I am ready for some white freshness.

This painting with the floors is going to be a major change to the house. I really feel like it will give the whole space a lift and a newness. I'll share tomorrow with you what we are doing with the kitchen & bathrooms.

The top photo is from my Inspiration file and here are a few more:

Tell me what kind of floors do you have? Do you love them?

Simone xx

Top 2 images from my Pinterest page. Last 2 images via Megan Morton

I worked it out - Comment Love xx

It is something so small but I worked it out. I have been wanting to be able to reply to the comments here on this page. I knew I could do it, I just had to find the time to sit down and do it.

So now when you leave me a comment I can leave you a reply! Genius! I'm only a year or so behind with this ;)

Simone xx

Day trip to the Blue Mountains.

On Wednesday we decided to venture to the Blue Mountains for the day. It was the most beautiful Winters Day, crisp, clear and sunny. We couldn't have asked for better. 

We took the boys to Scenic World at Katoomba. Simon and I had been before years ago, but we enjoyed the day just as much as the boys did seeing it for the first time. Scenic World has 3 different "rides". The Scenic Railway, The Scenic Cableway and The Scenic Skyway. Also a gorgeous view of the 3 Sisters.

Oh the novelty of the Scenic Railway, Jasper couldn't believe that the train was going down the mountain. I was just hanging on tightly! It felt a little bit too roller-coasterish for me.

I didn't manage any pics from this one!

We caught the Cableway to a different part of the mountain and walked along the track. It was damp but so refreshing under the trees. Everyone was rugged up!

We had lunch in the revolving restaurant (another first for the boys!) and then took the Scenic Skyway across the valley where we viewed the waterfall. If you have a fear of heights, this one is probably not for you :)

We had a great day and it was fantastic for the boys to see a different environment other than the Coast or the City. We really don't get to the mountains enough, even though we only live about a hour and a half away. I guess with life and how busy it is week to week we stick closer to home but it is wonderful how a day trip can really feel like a great break. 

Where do you usually day trip? Which landmark do you live near?

Do you ever play tourist in your own town?

Simone xx

all photos my own

A home renovation.

Late last year my inlaws sold their family home of 36 years and downscaled to a unit near the beach. It was a little sad thinking of someone else living there, as it was the scene of so many wonderful family memories. It was the main meeting place for birthdays, mother's day or just a Sunday lunch. Also as it's just around the corner from our  house we were there quite often. 

It was the end of an era. 

Or so we thought, as it turns out my inlaws ended up selling the house to family. Simon's brother Anthony and his wife Emma and their 2 girls bought it and turned it into their family home. 

Anthony and Emma did soooo much of the work themselves, all of the painting and Emma brought the house to life with her decorating touch. Here are some photos of their home. 

It is completely unrecognisable in comparison to when Simon's parents lived there. I love how they have put their own stamp on the place. Em has entered the main living room pic in the Home Beautiful "Most Beautiful Room" competition. If you could pop over to here and vote for it, they would so appreciate it :)

Also Emma has a way of making a party look extra pretty. On Sunday she held a tea party for her 2 girls, my nieces Malia & Lani. It was pink, pretty perfection!

Isn't she clever? Have you ever done a major home renovation?
Did you do most of the work yourself?


Simone xx


All images taken by Emma Duckworth


**update - link to vote is now working**

Living in jeans.

I'm living in jeans at the moment. 

They are my "go to" item in my closet. Easy to get around in with the kids and they go well with my collection of jumpers and scarves. My little uniform as such. 

Do you ever feel like you just get up and put on the same type of outfit again and again? I do until the time that I find a new favourite. 

I'm not back into my old jeans yet so I have been keeping my eye out for a good pair of jeans that I can wear. Something flattering and on trend so I don't feel too mumsy ;)

When I received an email from Jeanswest's pr team telling me about the new Coloured Curve Embracer jeans, I was quite interested as they sounded exactly what I was looking for. I asked for a pair to try and as soon as I popped them on I knew they were perfect for me. You know how with jeans you just know as soon as you put your first leg in? Or is that just me?!

The jeans were a great colour, I chose the Princess Royal Blue as they gave a nod to the coloured denim trend without being too out there. I also thought they would go with everything in my wardrobe. Although I also have my eye on the berry pair as well. I loved the higher waist which held my tummy in. They have a straight leg with lots of stretch so nothing was too clingy.If anything I could have went with a smaller size as they stretched a bit by the end of the day. I think they are quite reasonable in price too, so they are the perfect way to jump onto the coloured denim trend.They are available to buy online or in store.

What are you living in these days? How many pairs of jeans do you think you have in your wardrobe?

Simone xx

**Disclosure - Jeanswest did send me these jeans free of charge but I was under no obligation to write about them. I am only sharing this review with you as I really did love the jeans.**

Sorry there is not a better photo of the whole outfit, I only had Noah with me that day and he hasn't mastered the camera yet ;)
Also excuse my filthy pathway, I am going out to gurney it asap!

Hello!

Just a quick pop in to say hello :)

 The school holidays are keeping me busier than usual, as I drop Finn off to various activities and get out of the house to do things as staying at home is apparently "boring!"

There is something to be said for the school term routine :)

How was your weekend? Do you have kids on school holidays? Are they running you ragged?!

Just some of the things I have been doing the last week are:

*  baking cupcakes - the kids are in a cooking phase

*  I find I am tidying up the house constantly! Kids at home make      more mess!

*  I got sent a pair of jeans from Jeanswest, I will let you know more about them, they are fab!

*  We are planning some home improvements/renovations and the deciding on finishes etc is tough. I'm scared of making the wrong decision.

I will share more details on everything in a couple of days :)

   

Simone xx

image via The Lane

I thought I'd love it but...... pt 2

So, I have made up another list of things that I thought I would love but hey, turns out I didn't! You know those things that people tell you to try, "you will love it" but sometimes you don't.
You can read my original list here :)


I have to start with the book Fifty Shades of Grey. Everyone was raving about it, although it didn't sound like something I would usually read I gave it a go and had to stop about halfway through. I couldn't get into it, I kept rolling my eyes to myself and smirking. Maybe I stopped too soon?!


Passionfruit -  I love the idea of the flavour, so summery and fresh but can't stomach it in shakes, cakes, spread over salads. I can handle a smidge on the top of a Pavlova but I think that is the sugar hiding the taste!


Fake nails - I love having painted finger nails but I do it myself. My nails aren't long but I hate when you see those oversize "talons". They look so fake and are not fooling anyone! Also sometimes I think about going to get a manicure in a nail bar but the thought of making chit chat whilst someone does my nails stops me :)


Hamish & Andy -The tv show. I love listening to these guys on the radio, they are so funny and can actually make me laugh out loud but on tv? Just doesn't translate.


Chai - Hate the taste, hate the smell. Love the idea.


Lavender icecream - For some reason Simon got a bee in his bonnet about lavender icecream. He wanted to make it himself and it was going to be divine. I thought the whole thing sounded a bit yuck. I kept getting visions of essential oil. Who wants to eat that? Anyway he bought an icecream maker and made the lavender icecream. He was the only one who ate it. Do you think Lavender should be an icecream flavour?


Nuts in salad - One of our local cafes does a delicious Warm Chicken Salad but they add cashews to it. I usually order it without the nuts but when I forget to I have to pick around the nuts to eat the rest of the salad. Do you like nuts in salad? 


Pineapple on Pizza - Ham and Pineapple / Hawaiian pizza is one of the boys and Simon's favourite pizza toppings. The thought of warm pineapple makes me shudder! Although I can't get enough of the fresh stuff.


India - I know it is somewhere I will never go. I can appreciate the thought of it, the colour, the senses, the culture but it's not for me.


Ice-skating - They have set up a little rink at our local mall and I'm surprised at how popular it is. So cold, so wet, sounds like fun but quite hard to do!


Over Groomed Men - I like men to look like men and I certainly wouldn't want my husband to be better groomed than myself. I like hairy chests and legs :) Trimming and a little grooming is fine but men with waxed eyebrows scare me ;)


Flanellette pyjamas - ahh so soft and snuggly but I can not sleep in a button up pyjama top. The pants are fine but the pj top feels so constricting! I like to mix my pj pants with a tee shirt instead.


Oh I could go on for hours, so tell me what did you think you would love but didn't.

Simone xx

photo via Lonny magazine

Nuffnang Blogopolis 2012

I went to Blogopolis on Saturday and wow, what a day. I left at the end of the day feeling a mix of emotions. I was excited and motivated but also drained and tired. I had the conflicting emotions of having been inspired with so many fabulous ideas but also the overwhelming feeling of "where to start?" 

I went with my blogging friend Belinda aka @MrsKypo from Billy and August. It was lovely to walk in with someone who was as excited as I was to be there :)  Once we registered for the day we stood around at the front of the Conference Rooms waiting for the day to start. I thought I saw a few familiar faces but when I pointed them out to Belinda, she laughed and said they looked really different to their profile pics. Turned out I was getting confused and had forgotten my glasses! They were totally different people! It was too funny and I decided to wait for people to say hello to me first to save myself any embarrassment ;)

After the welcome speech our first class we went to was Blog Design held by Katrina from the Block. She shared so much and it was all so helpful and relevant and easy to do. I have already implemented a couple of things such as the search bar at the top of the blog and I have added a RSS feed. Hopefully what I have done works! But I want to give my blog a little refresh so I am just doing up a mood-board of the feel and image I want to project and then I'll go from there. I will need help with this so I might have to employ Katrina and her company The Media Maid for those extras :)

Our next session was Branding your Blog - by Nicole Avery aka The Planning Queen. Nicole gave me something to think about as to whether I want to introduce sponsors/advertising to my blog. I am still undecided on this as I blog for me and to share snippets of my life and all the lovely things I come across. 
I like to think I have built a bit of a brand for Honey and Fizz and that is that this space is a very light, pretty and happy place. I try to keep things upbeat and that is how I like it. It is my escape. It is sharing the BEST bits of life. It is a lifestyle, fashion and inspirational blog. I like to think I celebrate the beauty in life. So that's me so far and the image I am trying to bring to you. Is this how you feel when you come to Honey and Fizz?

We then had a session with Rachel Devine from Sesame Ellis on blog photography. Rachel's photos are gorgeous and she gave us great tips on Light, Colour, Framing, Composition, Images that tell a story. Also tips on cameras and post processing. A lot to think about as well. As I love to use gorgeous photos here on Honey and Fizz and I usually source them from Pinterest, other blogs and tumblr sites. Rachel has got me thinking about improving my own photography and using more of my own shots. I guess I am doing this via my Instagram account as I am not overly interested in doing a Photography course. I am quite happy just to do the best I can with my point and shoot camera :)

After that brain overload (in a good way!) we broke for lunch, which was a delicious buffet of salads, chicken, salmon and desserts. This really made it feel like a "day out".

The afternoon sessions were in panel form and had it was great to listen to the other bloggers experiences and tips. Eden is an amazing speaker. So real. I could have listened to her all day. Also Mrs Woog made a good point on the Blogging Community sticking together and supporting each other. I love this idea as blogging is full of the best and most lovely people who can lift you up. All of this love and most of us haven't even met in real life!

I did meet some lovely bloggers I have been following in real life, Corrie from Retromummy, Jennie from Posie Patchwork, Nikki from Styling You, Mrs Woog from Woogsworld,  Katrina from The Block. I was introduced by Belinda to Zoey from Good Googs and Danni from Hello Owl.  It was great to be face to face with the voice behind the blog. I also saw some familiar faces from a distance:)

I was getting distracted halfway through the day thinking of Noah at home (our longest separation!) So I apologise to anyone if I didn't seem "fully there" :) After a fab day I was ready to get back home to the boys though. I walked in to a beautiful clean house and dinner ready. Also to find Finn with a cut lip and chin and a need for stitches/glue! Seems he had a football injury that day and they didn't want to call and tell me and spoil my day. Love them xx

So that was my first blogging conference and I loved it. I will definitely be going to more in the future. How about you? Are blogging conferences your cup of tea? (pardon the pun, the event was sponsored by Twinings!)

Simone xx

June Photo a Day

Well I have completed June Photo a Day with Fatmumslim. 

I am still enjoying the challenge of the photos and I have decided to do July Photo a Day but also try out a new Interiors Photo a Day with Jen from Interiors Addict.

Here are some of my photos from June Photo a Day :

And here is my first photo for the Interiors a day - Coffee Table

As some of you would know Instagram was down for most of Saturday and isn't totally back to normal today. I had major withdrawals ;) It's definitely my most favourite form of Social Media.

I also went to Blogopolis on Saturday which was great. I learnt so much and came away with heaps to think about. I will do a post on it tomorrow, a bit of a wrap up and notes I took.

How has your weekend been?

Simone xx

all images my own. Taken on my iphone