Brave New World ... of pick up joints

from here

Hello lovely third-ites. I have followed Jane's lead from Life on Planet Baby and decided to name you all en mass. 

As I age, now past the no return point of 45, I notice things are a changing along with my saggy bits.  There is no correlation between my saggy bits and the particular change I am going to share with you today, in fact the opposite could be said to be true, although my saggy bits are part of the whole equation if I think it thru to the proposed  end.

Confused ... hang in there. 

For the last month the kiddies and I have partaken (love that word) in trips to Bunnings on either the Saturday or Sunday (one weekend both) to be part of the kids DIY session. Gotta love these sessions - free, out of the rain/wind/sun, practical mostly with a take home item created and did I say free? Today the boys made worm farms, previously they have made photo frames, tool boxes, a flower press and a cut out ply flower in a pot .. how rad.

Mic drops us at the door and heads off to grocery shop for an hour or visits a bro for some bro-bonding. I register the boys, settle them in and then go grab a coffee and the newspaper from the Bunnings cafe. I then head back to the site of the activity, look disinterested and read my paper. Well that's what I'd like to do. But no. 

Why no ... well all the other kids are bought by their dads. And in three out of four visits a dad has had to come and talk to me. Here I am, coffee, paper and no child or husband in earshot/sight and what does that say to you daddy in the chinos and the salt and pepper stubble ... well it must say 'let's go talk with her, she looks kinda easy/needy/non discriminatory'. Well thanks, not.

He must think I need to know a few things. So within five minutes of the conversation I know that ....

• you don't have a wife, only a partner (cringe - like there is a difference ... please, give me a gun now so I can be Dirty Harry (Harriette) on a bad day)
• you earn six figures (bully for you ...)
• you travel a lot for business (whoop dee do)
• there is friction in the home (like a fraction too much friction)

So I have decided that Bunnings has become the new pick up scene for mid 40s, wanna be affair flings for men who can't access the Internet privately at home. Or won't pay the rego fee for those kind of sites. I am thinking of getting a badge made, saying 'thanks, but no thanks - how dumb do you think I am - the grass is not greener' or words to that affect. 

The first time it happened I was mildly flattered, as you may well be when a stranger shows a seemingly odd degree of interest in your 45 plus self. I put it down to my red lipstick and stopped wearing that to Bunnings. I told Mic and we both giggled together. The next time I thought how weird. Now today, time number three I am reconsidering my entire approach. 

I might go market a concept to Bunnings. Speed dating at Bunnings ... a DIY class with a difference ... single mums and dads only need attend. So is Bunnings the new place to hook up, or do I just have that certain look and feel ... old but not too old, fair condition with some miles left to run ... Do tell ... have you felt the pick up vibe somewhere oddly suburban recently - do share ... 

Many hugs for a happy week ahead dear ones,  

ps I still love Bunnings and I will still be there at kids thing as the boys love it, but I might powerwalk the aisles  instead of sit ... after all if I am to be an object of desire I should maybe work on the merchandise a bit more - hee hee xox

Blue birds on the ceiling ...

from here

Afternoon dear ones ... isn't this kitchen the sweetest thing? I adore the blue birds on the ceiling - instant happiness. Here is the lowdown ...

New fiberglass chairs by Modernica contrast with the dining room's 1870s Italian worktable, which measures an astounding 11 feet long! Bethany found the dress form at Urban Outfitters and the 1960s glass lighting fixture at 1stdibs.com. The hutch is painted a color similar to "Sea Wave" by Valspar; the walls are "DKC-6" by Donald Kaufman; and the wallpaneling is similar to "Filoli Carriage House" by Valspar. Read more here.

from here

 And this is Bethany - who blogs here. The Glamorous Housewife is a blog I have just discovered and am enjoying. This has been a day of catching up with very important girlfriends ... don't we love and need the girlies in our lives ...

Hugs all round   

Above the snow line ...

from here 

Morning one and all. Now if you have read for a while you would understand I have an enduring love affair with the South Island of New Zealand. That's where our cold beach holiday house is. See I must love it - who buys a beach house that sits well below Tasmania, without a palm tree in sight. And I do go on about it a bit too ... you can read more here.

Well now I have found a house high on a hill, 14kms outside of Dunedin to share with you. See those tussocks ... well it must be above the snow line Mic thinks. I love it, he does not. Alas ....






This is a bit different to the usual houses I adore ... it's rather modern. In fact built in 2006. But the views, well they are ancient and massive and to live with would be wonderful!






I love the nooks and crannies of this place, a fish pond here, a Japanese inspired gravel garden there.






I adore the polished concrete floors with underfloor heating for cosy toes. I even think I'd embrace the bare bessar brick block walls. And those pendent with the inspired daisy like floral design are right up my alley.






Picture windows are a delight, so is the jet master fire. Who wants blinds with that view - just make sure the windows are double glazed ...







I wonder why  they did not drop the windows in the bedroom down lower ... It's not like you have neighbours. There are four bedrooms and one family bathroom and two ensuites. You know what that means .. you can have an au pair! As there is a bedroom with bathroom for her. I am factoring an au pair into the scheme of things so Mic can return to paid employment and I can get my three bathrooms cleaned once a fortnight... I am a thinker and a schemer, that is true.






So the house sits on over 11 hectares with six paddocks fenced and a quarry. Imagine how much fun the boys would have in a quarry with their dirt bikes ...






Mic says no no no, go look on the peninsula Le ... I did a big mature, raspberry at him and will dream on.

The government valuation is $360k for the house and $240k for the land. The market is sitting around the government valuation figure or a bit below.

The agent tells me a price guide of $850k- $950k. Some room for movement I think.





So are you with me or against me ... are you getting the vibe or siding with Mic. A girl can dream!

Many hugs, 







The listing says ...

Situated with panoramic almost 360 degree spectacular views over the Taieri Plains to the Brighton coast line this stunning home is sure to impress. Constructed in block and colour steel and blending into its surrounds this home bathes in sunshine throughout the day and is privately nestled off the main road. 


Comprising of a well appointed kitchen and dining rooms which flow easily to the roomy living/lounge area which has a Jetmaster fire. The master bedroom has a large walk in wardrobe and ensuite and is positioned away from the other bedrooms and is sited adjacent to the office/study. There are 3 further double bedrooms (one with an ensuite) and a large separate bathroom. 


This home has some interesting features including internal block walls and polished/urethaned concrete floors which are heated by an underfloor boiler fed heating system. The double garage is internally accessed. 


Outside features include a large north facing sun deck off the lounge, feature walls and fish ponds. Additional attributes to this property which comprises 11.8 hectares are the potential income streams which are provided via farming with approximately 6 fenced paddocks, an existing quarry and approximately 1 hectare of mature pine trees included on the site. 


Playing in Post of the Month 

New Nails - Fifty Cents!

Hello dear ones ... what girl does not love a new bottle of nail polish ... and when it cost $0.50 even better!

My wee darling gave me a bottle for mother's day. I didn't know then the source or cost. The source is Coles and the cost really was fifty cents.

I stumbled over the bargain bin last week.  Ya for me.

It's made in the People's Republic of China so who knows what it contains. But I have to say it sticks like glue!  As you can see I lashed out and spent $2.00 and bought four colours all in one go. I thought the white would be useful for putting under translucent colours that I want to be more solid. Works a treat.

Well short and sweet tonight, do tell me about your best bargain finds in the aisles of Coles, best 

ps read an article tonight that estimated the number of mummy bloggers in Australia as 300 ... 300 really, only 300 ... I think there are 300 in my street alone!

Beach House Love

From here ...

Hello there dear ones ... now I know we are very lucky to already have a beach house here, but on seeing this one makes me think I want to start a collection.

Master bed with a view worth waking up for

When I was a child I liked pandas and within months everyone was giving me pandas for my birthday and Christmas presents ... for years this happened. 

So following on from that theory if I say I like beach houses will you give me one lovely family?

died and gone to colourful Adriondack heaven 

Apart from the visual delight what I love most about this house is the sentiment of the owner ...

When educational consultant Bill Daggett travels for work, his wife, Bonnie, does not putter aimlessly around the couple's Albany home. Instead, she heads to their 100-year-old vacation house in Chatham, Massachusetts, and sends up the bat signal summoning her friends—a chummy band of women who've coached one another through everything from child rearing to retirement. By the carload, the ladies arrive at the five-bedroom retreat, clad in Capri pants, with "their paraphernalia, pocketbooks, and knitting bags," says Bonnie. Plus wine. "It's a party for three days," she adds.

What is not to love with that vibe going on ... count me in! And you too? 


Best 

Looking Back ... rewind series - May 2008

That was then ... some things just don't change that much at all - we still have shoe battles - just like we did in 2008 only now the shoes are bigger ..

the wee shoes-less offender - circa 2008 

Learnt your lesson mum ....MAY 28, 2008

I am still floored by the events of yesterday morning .... began at 5.00am with wee ones awake and relocated into our bed. Then around six ish me and the musketeers go for a walk - leaving MIC (man in charge) in the blissful state of home alone in bed .... 

We return, breakfast happens, jim jams are exchanged for school and kindy wear, lunches are made and bags are packed. 

MIC is the nominated shoe put-er on-er for the day. Shoes go on the three year old and stay on. 

Shoes go on the five year old and come off, go on again and come off, go on again with threats of star removal should shoes come off again. All this with irrational cries of "I want mum to do it". 

Shoes stay on for as long as it takes to walk to the car and get belted (seat belted that is) in. 
Shoes are now off with the accompaning dialogue ....

"Mummy my shoes are off so now you will have to put them on ..."

I spit forth some words communicating my displeasure at this bad behaviour - note here - not bad child - but bad behaviour - do you think they get the subtle difference ... me thinks not.

Five minutes later ....

"So mum I hope you learnt the lesson ...."
"What was that ..." I enquire.

He repeats " Mum I hope you learnt the lesson"
"What lesson is that ..." I ask 
"The lesson that if you want my shoes to stay on you should put them on me the first time like I ask - not dad"
I am gobsmacked ....

"Pardon .." I say. 

"Well mum the lesson is I want you to put my shoes on not dad". 

I look across to MIC - he gives me the despairing "oh dear" look .. I wonder how at five years we have raised such a manipulative yet entirely lovable child. I wonder that if I can't outwit a five year old how will I handle the badlands of teen years ...

I just wonder sometimes how this life is .... and I just love it for what it is - easier some days than others.... big love all round xoxo

Aga Dreaming ...

from here

Hello there dear ones ... If I lived in a big ole country house in a cool weather clime I would demand of myself  one of these babies ... ohhh ahhhh delight!

Cream is the only colour for me, although I do have to say they look rather flash in red. Tell me do you dream of kitchen appliances too, and if yes which ones?

Here's to a lovely for all of you, my best 

from here

Happy Sunday - Colour me Sis Boom + Little Wellies = LOVE!

from here - Little Wellies on Etsy

Hello darling ones ... Back here I had a small rave on and designer crush for Sis Boom fabrics and it's lovely creative force Jennifer Paganelli. The fabrics are all super sweet, bright and beautiful.

from here - Little Wellies

Here we have a clever Etsy creative - Little Wellies - turning them into beautiful dresses for wee girlies. Oh how I wish I had a wee girl in these moments ... But alas it is two boys for me!

from here

So if you must just have one I totally think you should ... send me a pic so I can ohhh and ahhh. Mic says all is not lost ... I can wait for grand-daughters .... Given the boys are only seven and nine I think it will be a looonngg wait! 

Best to you my colourful babes, 

The do in under ... not a fan!

nice Queenslander 

Hello there my dears - here's to a happy weekend! Took the camera on my morning walk a few days back. Was gathering fence inspiration when I stumbled upon a development notice. Another house to be raised and done in under ...

Oh shame I thought ... when you do in under the Queenslander it can go awfully wrong. I know some folk love it done in under, I'm not a convert. The top pic is not done in under. The batons are normal for this style of home.

Below is done in under. Shame. It's the removal of the stairs that I think really nobbles the design. I have some more pics to share so you can make up your own mind ...

Done in under - what is with the square windows on the right ... looked good on paper?

 This is the house with the development notice pinned to the fence. It is already a BIG home with an extension on the back. So now to raise and do in under .... really.

classic now ... check back after the reno and we'll see

Here is one of my favs ... keeping the old and blending the new. Instead of doing in under the people choose the mod add on at the rear. Just see the roof line peeking over the left back.

nice add on while retaining the Queensland character

Another do in under ... not a fan, nice house but something is just odd to my little eye.

white on white ... nice fence guys

Now here is a do in under I could live with ... The stairs were kept and the do in under did not come right to the front building line. It's a decent compromise to gaining space while retaining character.

nice

Not sure what we were wanting to achieve here. Street appeal has taken a dive.

just not right

Not so bad - do in under for garage space is quite acceptable. This one was on the market recently for a smidgen under $900k - ouch!

neat and tidy and cute to boot

Here we are in the middle of a do in under ... in forty years will a new wave of renovators being pulling out the do in unders and undoing the enclosed under for an open under.

in the middle of the do in under

Good try but still no winner for me.

nice try

Now to end with the cutie pie row. We have a small lane-way near our street and cramped jowl to jowl are a row of cutie pie houses with a common aesthetic.

cuti-ville

Well so what do you think ... are you a do in under kinda girl or more one for the traditional look and feel ...

Do tell, best 

Kitchen Dreaming ... Harsh Reality!

from here - Nashville USA - loving

Afternoon dear ones ... back from my wee break. Trusting you are all well and happy. So we had our lovely designer from Freedom drop by yesterday ... remember kitchen dreaming ... well wasn't it a lovely way to spend three hours ... yes indeed. 

So what did we come up with to replace the old girl I hear you ask in unison. A well designed galley kitchen that much is clear. Picture if you will our small third bedroom morphing into a white, bright kitchen. Well that is the idea anyway. 

So lets start from the door and work our way around the room. To your left there is what is known in the game as a microwave tower with pantry. So from the top one third cupboard, space for microwave and two thirds cupboard below. Next to that a 800mm space for the fridge, cupboard above. Pretty standard. 

Next to that the dishwasher under the bench, a sink and 3/4s above. Above that two slim line cupboards. Glass splash back between the sink and the top cupboards. Ok I knew tiles would be cheaper, but ... with VJs we get a fair degree of movement and we have had tiles pop off in the bathroom so just thinking ... glass might have been better. 

Now turn as you have hit the end wall. Nothing under the window, turn again and we are onto the next bench. A 300mm space with cupboard under then oven under bench and hot plates on top with exhaust fan above and glass splash back.  Then 1200mm of bench space with drawers under 400mm and the cupboards in the remaining space. Now you are back to the entry. Told you it was a small space. 

We chose white cupboard fronts and a white with flecks terrazzo look laminate for the benches. Matt sliver handles with a slight curve. Base range in both cases.

The clever designer did a few alternate concepts for us, including the U shape. Did not warm to the U as it created two horrid tight corners with those bi-fold cupboard door .. yuk.

So then we went and did other things while she priced it. Hold on Nelly! Lets start with the acceptable .. a great $999 appliance package with oven, hotplates, dishwasher, exhaust fan,  sink and taps. Nice. The remainder ... the cabinets just a squig under $9k, the trades $3500 ish, the glass $1200. 

We didn't have anything fancy, no stone, no big drawers, nothing much more than a base level, entry point kitchen. Except the glass. Tiles cheaper, glass not. 

Ah well it was nice while it lasted ... seeking new options now. Loving the open shelves in the image above - to the left. Must be a bugger to dust. Not a problem for me as not a great duster ...

We shall prevail, a new kitchen will be ours and the budget is $4k including everything. Mic is confident he can pull it off ... Go the Mic-ster! 

Best to you and yours 

ps have you done over your kitchen - any tips you'd like to share ... I'll post up the best to share.