Lately.....

Writing.....I wrote a few words about being a working Mum for the lovely Trishie over on the 'Under Lock and Key' blog. I really enjoyed writing this little piece and hope you enjoy reading it.

Loving.....these 'handcrafted bali dolls' from Pigeon Pudding. These were an Instagram discovery and now a certain little someone is getting one for her 2nd birthday. I love supporting 'handmade', 'fairtrade' and 'small businesses'.  These dolls are handmade in Bali by the Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA) foundation. YKPA is a not for profit organisation and registered orphanage which provides much needed care, shelter and education to neglected and abused Bali street kids.

Eating.....I've been pinning lots of dinnertime ideas over on Pinterest. Our evening meals were becoming somewhat predictable and I was desperate to try some new recipes. The yummiest dish so far has been this 'Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken'. You should try it!

Buying.....I managed to buy myself one of the last few copies of issue 1 of 'Hundreds and Thousands' magazine. I can't wait for the postman to deliver it. Handmade at its best!

Anticipating.....the new homewares collection by Beci Orpin. arrohome.com.
 
Growing.....lots of lovely lemons. I love their imperfections, they say 'homegrown' and make them seem more 'real'.

Sending.....my very first pen pal package. Hopefully the first of many more lovely exchanges. I'll post some photos of my parcel next week.

Baking.....Millie and I made this 'Banana Cake with Greek Yoghurt Frosting' today. I'm loving our little joint baking adventures.

What have you been writing, loving, eating, buying, anticipating, growing, sending or baking lately?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Delicious Eats

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here. Middle Right: from here.

My recipe book is in desperate need of a clear out, as well as the addition of some tasty new recipes.  Out with the old and in with the new! I've been collecting lots of new recipes to try over on Pinterest, including: Wild Berry Tart, Cardamon Roasted Plum Ice Cream, Rhubarb Crumble Cake (recipe needs translation), Smoky Beetroot Hommus, Banana Bread with Greek Yoghurt Frosting and Firecracker Ice Pops.

Have you been cooking/baking anything delicious lately? I'd love to know.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: these are a few of my favourite things

Top Left: pinned here. Bottom Left: pinned here. Bottom Middle: pinned here.  Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here.  Middle Right: from here.

These are a few of my favourite things...

1. Mood lighting. Nude bulbs. Fairy lights. Inside. Outside. Anywhere.
2. Fresh flowers on cakes. So much so that I've just ordered 'Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers' by Miche Bacher.
3. Wearing pattern on pattern. Polka dots and florals are my all time favourites.
4. Dress ups. Tulle tutus and feather head dresses.
5. Garlands and wreaths of fresh flowers.
6. Simple gift wrapping with a touch of nature.

What are some of your favourite things at the moment? If you'd like to see more of my favourite things you can follow me on pinterest over here!

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Handmade Gift Ideas

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: pinned here.  Middle Right: from here.

I know it's only early days but so far my goal of making more handmade gifts in 2014 is going swimmingly. A few weeks ago I made this dachshund softie for a work colleagues new baby and at the moment I'm working on a mini journal and a gift card set for a friend who's following her heart to the other side of the country.

I'm on a roll and I love the feeling of 'completeness' I get when a project finally comes together. And best of all, other than time and a lot of love it really doesn't have to cost much to make a handmade gift. To assist my gift making over the coming months I've been collecting lots of crafty ideas over on Pinterest. I've compiled some of my favourites above. What do you think? Have you come across any great DIYs lately?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Happy Mail

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here. Middle Right: from here.

One of my goals for 2014 is to 'write more letters and send more happy mail to friends and loved ones'. I've been gathering some ideas of ways to add little handmade touches to my correspondence.

 

Some lovely ideas:

• Decorated envelopes: hand drawn, stamped, washi taped, the possibilities are endless.
• Pop-up paper goods.
• Handmade envelopes with contrast printed lining.
• Glassine bags full of colourful confetti, glitter or sequins.
• Folded paper goods - origami.
• Piles of papery goodness tied up with string.

 

Have you ever had a pen pal? If so, what special things did/do you exchange? I'd love to know.

 

Happy days to you!

 

Melinda x

Pinboard: Christmas Crafts for Kids

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here. Middle Right: from here.

I put my hand up to look after the all important job of organising and looking after the kids' craft table on Christmas day.  This is the first year Blake's family has done anything like this but it's the perfect way to occupy the increasing number of kids in his clan. And where does one go for an abundance of crafty inspiration??? Pinterest of course! Above are some of the ideas I've pinned so far. I particularly like the idea of the cardboard Christmas tree, and think it may be the winner for the day providing I can source enough thick card. 

Have you done any Christmas crafting with your little ones this year or come across any great crafts for kids? I'd love to know!

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Festive Baking

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here.  Middle Right: from here.

I *may* have mentioned it a few times before but Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year. One thing that I always look forward to is the baking. Indulging in rocky road and gingerbread biscuits is all a part of the festive fun. Every year I bake sweet treats to package up and give as gifts to my loved ones. White Chocolate Rocky Road, Gingerbread Biscuits and Roasted Pistachio and Cranberry Chocolate Bark always make an appearance but this year I've been collecting a few alternative ideas over on Pinterest.

1. Snowflake shaped gingerbreads. I usually always dust my gingerbread biscuits with icing sugar but I might attempt some royal icing this year. I love the snowflake shape too.
2. Mini strawberry galettes. These look so festive and would be easy to carry to a family get together. No assembly required. You could use sour cherries as an alternative to the strawberries.
3. Gingerbread house. I've always admired the beautiful houses/villages made of gingerbread but I never quite had the courage to make one myself.  On Saturday night my friend hosted a 'lets get excited about Christmas' party and we all made a gingerbread house to take home. It was the best fun and I can't wait to do it again next year. If you would like to see my first attempt pop over and follow my instagram feed @mooseandbird.
4. White chocolate dipped cherries. Yum! One of my Mum's favourite things is chocolate dipped strawberries. Cherries would make a nice alternative for Christmas.
5. Linzer sandwich biscuits. I love the little tree that has been cut out of these.
6. Christmas cake. I love the simplicity of this cake. Thick fluffy frosting and some simple silver trees. Perfection!

What do you traditionally bake at Christmas time? I'd love to know.

I hope your week has been delightful so far.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Gold Dust

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: pinned here.  Middle Right: pinned here.

With less than a month to go before I can officially put up our Christmas tree/decorations I've been gathering inspiration for creating a natural/woodland styled theme. I'm having a change this year. Gone are the bright pink and lime baubles of years passed! I'm welcoming a more rustic colour palette this year, white and natural timber/linen with just a hint of gold (or maybe silver). I love this look and I've gathered the above images for inspiration. I must hunt down a pine tree so I can make a gold cone garland like the one on the bottom right.

How are you decorating this Christmas?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

P.S. I'd love you to join me over on Pinterest. Pop over here and follow along.

Pinboard: Pretty Parcels

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: pinned here. Bottom Middle: from here.  Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here. Middle Right: from here.

After Tuesday's 'All Wrapped Up' post I decided to gather some of my favourite gift wrapping ideas for today's pinboard. I'm already starting to think about how I might gift wrap my Christmas presents this year and am leaning towards brown paper, jute twine and stars cut from silver glittery card. But I'm sure I'll change my mind multiple times before I make my final decision.

I hope your week has been a lovely one and that your weekend is even lovelier. I'm going to a Pink Ribbon fundraiser on Sunday which I'm really looking forward to. Fun times with the ladies, yummy food and raising some much needed funds for a very good cause.....can't wait!

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

P.S. I'd love you to join me over on Pinterest. Pop over here and follow along.

Pinboard: At Sunset

Top Left: pinned here. Bottom Left: pinned here. Bottom Middle: pinned here. Bottom Right: pinned here. Top Right: pinned here. Middle Right: pinned here.

A collection of images I've pinned lately.....I'm dreaming of a sunset picnic with my little family, complete with fresh rustic blooms, strings of fairy lights and a teepee full of lovely linens.

What are you dreaming of lately?

Happy Friday and don't forget to watch the world with glittering eyes!

Melinda x

P.S. I'd love you to join me over on Pinterest. Pop over here and follow along.

Special things.....

 

Image Source

I stumbled upon these words on pinterest and immediately loved them! Why save things for a special occasion when they could add 'a'little bit of special' to your everyday. Enjoy your tea in that vintage tea cup or pull out that heirloom cloth from the linen cupboard and throw it over the table for afternoon tea.

I love enjoying and admiring my 'special' things. Do you?

 

Happy Friday!

 

Melinda x

Pinboard: Cakes

Top Left: pinned here. Bottom Left: pinned here. Bottom Middle: pinned here.  Bottom Right: pinned here. Top Right: pinned here. Middle Right: pinned here.

We're planning a small gathering to celebrate Millie's 1st birthday in July. I've been browsing Pinterest for party inspiration and I'm not sure if it's helping me or hindering me. There's just so many lovely things to look at and be inspired by. Anyhow, we just want to keep things pretty and simple with a vintage-y vibe.

My younger brother asked if he could make the cake so I've been gathering some cake ideas to show him. I think I'm liking the idea of a layered cake with ribbon-y flags and soft/muted colours.

Have you pinned any lovely looking cakes on Pinterest lately? If so, please feel free to leave me a link to them in the comments below. I'd love to check them out.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

P.S. If you'd like to see my Cake board on Pinterest pop over here and follow along x