still here

Hi there! I'm still here, I promise. Things have just been a little bit quiet at the Ayling household lately, so I don't really have much to blog about. In fact I worked all last week AND weekend - exciting life huh! But I have been feeling such an urge to nest around here lately, starting with our living room which is the most decorated room in our house so far and my favourite room too. I love sitting in it enjoying the white fresh walls and tall cathedral-like ceilings - it's my happy place for sure :) We have a few lovely pieces which we have loving bought and made but it has taken me so long to work out what colours I want to go with that we haven't got further than that. And then I found this amazing artwork below which has inspired the look and tones I want to go with. So I put together this mood board with some pieces we already have and some wish list pieces too...

from left to right:

1. artwork - I have no idea where this came from as I just found it by a happy accident. But I'd love to credit and then buy it!!!

2. Eames rocker (already have) we got ours from replica furniture.com

3. 'Lappljung Ruta' throw cushion - Ikea (only $12!!!)

4. Jacob Floor lamp (we already have) - Beacon Lighting

5. Linen and gold throw cushion - by me longings on etsy

6. Elizabeth Hurley Zelda Cushion in gold

7. Gumball Ottoman from Kush Living

8. Curio + Curio orange parrot cushion from Crate Expectations

9. White storage basket (sorry I forget where I found this image)

10. Grey Lounge - Hilton Lounge from Freedom in esquire pewter. We won't be getting a new lounge this time around, but we will be covering our existing lounge in a fabric similar to this - yay!

11. I also forget where I found this image but it is inspiration for my feature chair re upholstery project (chair shown in this post)

12. I also forget where I got this image from, but colour inspiration for throw cushions

Now I have some direction and a mood board to keep coming back to, I am excited to really see this room take shape and become a little more styled. I promise to record our progress here too :)

doing as the russians do in mexican restraunts..

I made this card for my friend Leesa's birthday last Saturday. She has a facination and love with these little guys (see here) and what better present to be in that little bag than a set of babushka dolls in red and black (as Leesa calls the colours of their lives). aren't they cute? They sat and had dinner with us.

and Heres M and I and the litle rat is not wearing his sombero! grr he is also pulling his 'yeew' face, which is not my most favourite but this is the only photo I have of us on the night. This is also my new haircut! I had about 6 inches cut off and a new colour. I love it and it is so easy to manage. I'm thinking of going a little shorter next hair cut so it is in more of a bob. But as I haven't had my hair this short since I was about 4 I thought I should do it more gradually... and have fun with more hairstyles on the way!

and heres the birthday girl and her husband Sam complete in sombero gear. The funny thing was that out of all the people who actually wore somberos (one of Leesa's-crazy-requests, and there has been a few of these!) we all brought them from the same shop, so it looks like we are just passing the hats around but there truelly was more than 2 people at our table wearing somberos in this little mexican restraunt. Hurray for cheap $2 shops that actually charge $3.95! grr...moving on.

I also must make mention to Sam's suave jacket.. which I don't think I'm supposed to tell anyone that they got it from Aldi. Ah Aldi my love for you is large! avocados are always 69 cents and then there is the excitement of never knowing what random items you will find in the 'random section'. I have brought a yoga video, morgan has brought a GPS system and Leesa and Sam even brought a violin! which they returned because neither of them knew how to play it hehe (I don't think I was supposed to mention that either... :) Do any of you have stories of crazy things you have found in Aldi?
I'm excited because they are currently building an Aldi within 2 mins of my house yay! like really excited. as in I should not. be. this. excited about a grocery store!

and thats whats been keeping me busy lately, thoughts of Aldi, work and trying to get my sassy apron swap complete. I should finish it tonight so I can post it Friday.. why did it suddenly just start working the week before it was due?! Before the fabrics would just not be friends and go together nicely!

mmm...

mmm these are todays finds from urban outfitters. i just like them. alot! i like looking at them and imagining them in my own little house..

steal of the week!

I brought my friends Leesa and Sam a fondue set as a wedding present . Kmart we're having a big sale on thursday so i thought ohh its defiently the day to buy! so i got into the store found what i was looking for and was abit dissapointed that it was still marked at $35.00 and was one of the only things in that asile not marked down (but oh well thats not too bad a price right??!) so then i got to the counter (with a few other items of course, hello did someone say sale!) and it scanned through at $11.90!! being the nice and truthful person i am, i asked if this was correct and was ensured that 'the scanner never lies!' so i ended up with a complete fondue set with a lazy susan for a bargain price of $11.90!!! (it's a stainless steel set, and is not the one pictured above) so now i've got quite a few extra monies to get something nice to go with it! i'm thinking a nice fondue recipe book or a platter or something.

Anna (our receptionist) also gave me this cheese and tomato recipe, which she says is a family favourite. so i've eagerly put it on the list of things to try! (after the next two busy weeks of formals, weddings and busy sewing bees!) i think it's pretty similiar to our family recipe one, just with the tomato and garlic..which i am excited to try.

Cheddar Tomato Fondue

2/3 cup finely chopped drained canned tomatoes

2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed

2 tablespoons unslated butter

3 tablespoons dry white wine

1 tablespoom cornstartch

12 ounces of Cheddar, coarsley grated (3 cups)

Accompainment: cubes of French Bread

Cook tomatoes and garlic in butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderatley low heat, stiring occasionally unti most of the liquid is evaporated (about 5 mins). Stir together wine and cornstartch in a small bowl, then stir in tomatoes and simmer gently, stirring for 1 min. Discard garlic. Add cheddar by the handfuls, stirring until completly melted. serve in a fondue pot and set over flame.

YUMMY!

p.s: this little elephant tea set is my 'find of the day' *grin* it's the 'Kimba Teaset' from Freedom and is AU $39.95. isn't he cute!? i think he would look very cute in my glory box..*wink wink, hint hint ughm* morgan, daddy, mummy!? or put somewhere in my room till i have my own house!