Baked beauty

Oooh I want to bake this one day!

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That looks like the best birthday cake EVER! I bet it tastes like it too!

Favourite Interiors Destinations in Melbourne

Melbourne has so many beautiful interiors shops it can take forever to look around, but there are a few that I frequent often just because I love them, not because I can afford to buy anything. Here they are:

Fenton & Fenton

471 High Street, Prahran 3181 & 377 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141




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Loom Rugs

575-577 High Street, Prahran East 3181



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Tarlo & Graham

60 Chapel Street, Windsor 3181

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Pomegranate

251A Coventry Street, South Melbourne 3205

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Safari Living

579 High Street, Prahran East 3181








Hermon & Hermon

566 Swan Street, Richmond 3141




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Dinosaur Designs

562 Chapel Street, South Yarra 3141

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Prettiness

As I was meandering through the blogosphere this morning, I came across several lovely pics that I want to share:

{The Design Files}

{Design*Sponge}

{Lemon & Lavender}

{Caught the Light}

{decor8}

{Up in the Air Somewhere}

I think I have a thing for pink, yellow and gold?

Maternity Leave Bliss

Adele 'Rolling in the Deep'

Maternity leave is lovely! No work! I can go at my own pace and do the things I want/need to do all in my own good time. I'm going to savour every day of this as I wait for the day when I meet little Cuddles. Dr Zap and I are soooooo excited to be parents... it's really incredible that we have been entrusted with such a beautiful and precious gift!

Glamorous Maternity Wear?

I have a wedding coming up that I need to look appropriately glam for, however I'll be 36 weeks pregnant by then and have no 'big lady' items that will do the job. Thanks to cankles, my gorgeous heels are a big no-no and my preggie dresses are all too casual. I have been hunting around all the maternity shops to no avail (unless I wanted to look like a gigantor tomato or black lacy blimp) and I have therefore ended up looking online for inspiration. Here's a few ideas I have so far:


Queen Bee - Cameron Angel Nursing Dress



Kate Spade - Hula Too Sandal





Kate Spade - Shimmer Triple Chain Necklace

Kate Spade - Single Ball Earrings



Bloom - Millie

OR...

Queen Bee - Yvette Pleated Nursing Dress

Kate Spade - Vonya Hot Pink Sandal



Kate Spade - Tutti Frutti Collar Chain



Kate Spade - Dot to Dot Studs



Bloom - Ginger

 So, what do you think? I think the first combo is probably more evening wear than the second, but I like the colour and fun in the second outfit. It's pretty easy to tell I'm a huge fan of Kate Spade! All her dresses, shoes and jewellery are just dreamy!

Lounge Room Wishlist



Jardan 'Sky' Modular



Grant Featherston 'Contour Lounge Chair R160'





Miranda Skoczek 'A Simple Tiled Floor'



Exhibit 'Badroom Mirror' 



Table Tonic 'Moroccan Pouffe Powder Pink'

Table Tonic 'Bamileke Feather Juju Hat Yellow'



Tord Boontje 'Garland Light Shade'



Madeline Weinrib 'Wool & Silk Paisley Bone'

Ahh if only money weren't an issue! I'll just keep dreaming...

Daylesford dreaming

A few weeks ago, Dr. Zap and I tripped off to Daylesford for an emergency baby-moon. Knowing we were going to be there no more than 24 hours I had my doubts about how relaxed we could become, but the town oozes with so much calm and relaxation we found the one night had the just right effect on our work weary bones. I must say thought, the trip was made all the more perfect by the beautiful accomodation we found. I booked the little cottage in the morning and stayed there that night. It was only $175... the price was right!

NEST Daylesford is the name of this quirky little cottage. I believe it is used as a holiday house for the owners and serves to create a little extra dosh for them as well when they are not holidaying in it themselves. Due to this fact, the snug wee abode house many homely decorative items of an industrial, feminine, vintage vibe.

There was one bedroom boasting a queen bed from Ikea. A second bedroom was locked up, maybe so they didn't need to clean it later knowing one couple were staying?

A wood fire, cozy couch and shaggy rug all made for a very snuggly lounge room. The owners also kindly offered an eclectic collection of DVDs, anything from 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'Caddyshack' to 'The Count of Monte Christo' and 'Moulin Rouge'.

The cottage is baby and pet friendly and has a lovely fenced-in backyard perfect for special four-legged friends. Also, the lake is but a short walk across the road and main drag two blocks away! Bliss!

Only 1 1/5 hours drive north of Melbourne, this little beauty is a delight we will be sure to visit again!













You can find this little gem on the Stayz  website.

Another dull day

The National 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'

It's just the beginning of March and it's only 18 degrees outside... the weather has been rather dull of late with the sun is always hiding behind grey clouds. Oh well, I'm just thankful it's not 40 degrees! Then I'd really be complaining! I love the temperature, just wish I could see a little more sunshine for any trace of summer has gone. Anyways, enjoy this song... Most definately one of my favourite songs at the moment. When I hear it I imagine I should be in a car travelling deep into the countryside without a care to where I am going and how long I'll be. Happy Friday!

Nappy Bag Dilemma

Oh my goodness there are far too many nappy bags to choose from! From chic leather to funky functional, there are many gorgeous bags. Basically, I want a bag that will hold all my essentials, can be easily cleaned and looks fashionable too. I don't want a huge chunky thing that is awkward to lug around or anything too small that only holds enough for a walk around the park. I have done some reasearch and found several I like for different reasons. We are getting this pram, so it would be nice for the bag and pram to look good together too.

Here they are (in descending order according to price):

Storksak Kate Black Patent Nappy Bag $299.00



OiOi Pompeian Red Leather Pocketed Hobo Nappy Bag $280.00





Storksak Jess Red Shoulder Nappy Bag $219.00



Storksak Dori Black Leather Messenger Nappy Bag $199.00

 

Isoki Reversible Hobo Retro Paisley Nappy Bag $177.00

Skip Hop Duo Delux Pop Flower Nappy Bag $99.95

Skip Hop Dash Delux Red Nappy Bag $99.95

So what do you think?
I think the OiOi bag looks just like a handbag, a bit more chic than your average nappy bag. As is the Storksak Kate bag.
The Storksak Dori bag looks very versatile as a gorgeous and simple nappy bag for Mum that Dad could also wear without looking twee.
The Storksak Jess bag is a beauty of a casual bag, but may be hard to keep the canvas outer clean.
The two Skip Hop bags come with enviable price tags and look super functional and cute.
However I think my favourite is the Isoki Reversible Hobo. It comes with a removable insulated bag that can hold 4+ bottles and snack boxes of nibblies; a fully wipable change mat; and a removable storage bag to hold nappies, wipes, wraps, toys, etc. The storage bag can also be clicked into the large strap and function as a mini bag for those quick short trips. And of course being reversible, you can have two different looks in one!
Hmmm... much food for thought!

(All prices found on Tots N Tales.)