Coloured Pencils

Posted by Andrea

A friend of mine posted these pictures and the link below them on Facebook a few days ago…

http://trendland.com/500-pencils-in-20-months/

It reminds me of my first job in London – well, not exactly of the actual job, but rather the route I walked to work from the tube station at London Bridge, and what I saw along the way…

Every day I would pass by this architectural firm with huge glass windows that a nosy parker like me could easily see through – the studio was filled with gorgeous big Macs, and along the walls and window ledges were shelves filled with jars and jars of colour-coded pencils. I loved that. I always thought that I would like to do that in a design/craft studio of my own some day…

{ image source }

So simple and so pretty!

Makoti Goose Down Products

Posted by Andrea

Guys. Seriously. Winter is here now. Despite lovely sunny afternoons in KZN, as soon as the sun sets, it turns mighty cold! Not a problem if you have a snuggly, warm goose down duvet to drown yourself in though…

{ Our bedroom }

When we moved back to SA, my folks promised to sponsor us ‘a bed’ – luckily this included not only the actual wooden base, but a mattress and duvet as well. Seeing as they are currently obsessed with South African made Makoti goose down duvets and pillows (they have them on all the beds in own house), they decided to treat us to some serious luxury. We gratefully received a summer and an autumn Makoti duvet – and the best part is – they clip together to make a chunky winter one… WIN!

{ they come in cool carry bags that you can keep and use for storage when/if you swap the duvets out between seasons }

Can’t explain how amazing they are. Cool during the hot summer weather and ridiculously warm during the cold – complete temperature control courtesy of Mother Nature. Their pillows are amazing and they have a great range of luxury linens too – definitely worth a gander (excuse the pun!)

More interesting info directly from their website:

“All products are fully washable and flame resistant with high fill power. Down is natures greatest insulator – it is not only lightweight, but also warm and long lasting. At the same time, it allows humidity from transpiration to pass through, while absorbing the air – which means that you stay dry and warm. Our products are manufactured from finely woven imported 100% cotton. Duvets are sectioned throughout – each section / compartment is seperated by baffles – and is hand-filled with superioir filling and sealed (for limited movement, preventing “cold spots”). Our down is specially treated, sterilised and de-dusted using our in-house imported German machine – this ensuring it to be hypo-allergenic. Makoti is a member of the European Down & Feather Association EDFA. Makoti goose down can be used by people who are allergic to house dust mites and all products carry the NO-MITE label.”

{ see how it clips together? }

While these products are not exactly the cheapest on earth (download pricelist here) – THEY TRULY ARE AN INVESTMENT and will last for years.

* * *

Widely available across SA and online – find out more on their website www.makoti.co.za. All pics featured here are from the Makoti website (except the one of our bedroom obviously). This is not a sponsored post. Although I wouldn’t mind if they gave me some free stuff. A girl can dream.

My new desktop image and other Designer Desktops from Design Milk

Posted by Andrea

How gorgeous is this free desktop image I found online (via Design Milk) – created by artist/designer/illustrator Rafa Jenn?!

It incorporates beautifully illustrated birds, and the Chinese proverb: A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

* SEE HERE FOR SOME OTHER AWESOME DESIGNER DESKTOPS *

It’s Monday – change your view ;)

Happy Mothers Day to me!

Posted by Andrea

Found this beautiful quote on Pinterest that completely sums up my feelings for my precious Baby Bird on my first Mother’s Day ever*…

I don’t need any fancy presents or gestures – I already have the best gift ever, and she arrived one year and 6 days ago ♥

* because Addi was born in the UK and they celebrate Mother’s Day before her actual birth date, I missed out, so technically this is my first Mother’s Day ever :)

Addi’s Birthday Cake: Petal Icing Technique

Posted by Andrea

As you probably know, my darling Baby Bird celebrated her first birthday a few days ago and I’d been busy crafting and planning her party for weeks. I saw a picture of a cake on Pinterest ages ago, and KNEW that that was what I wanted to make for her – this is how it turned out…

It’s called ‘petal icing’ for obvious reasons and it’s simpler than it looks – trust me.

First though, I have to make a confession… I cheated – I didn’t actually make the cake part from scratch!

There was so much going on, so I took a risk and grabbed a couple of boxes of Ina Paarman’s Vanilla Cake mix at the shops – and my risk totally paid off! The cake was amazing – not too wet, not to dry, solid enough to be stacked easily (I made it three layers high) but light enough to the taste – simply delicious.

The icing was a simple buttercream that I tinted with red food colouring until the desired colour was achieved. You need quite a bit depending on the size of your cake – I had to make two batches – as I mentioned, the cake was three layers high (so icing required for between each layer, as well as to ‘crumb coat’ the entire cake before then piping the petals on) so stock up on loads of icing sugar and butter!

An now – here is a link to the tutorial I used to create the petal effect – as I said, easier than it looks!

Mine isn’t perfect but not bad at all for a first timer! I figured out that I should have put the dots closer together in order to eliminate spaces between each petal. A ‘crumb layer’ of icing is also essential (in case you do have a few spaces, but also to keep the cake moist – mine was slightly darker than the outer icing so it looked quite cool) and you don’t have to use a special cake knife to smear each petal, you can use a spoon like I did.

Mmmmmm…..

Addi’s Birthday Party

Posted by Andrea

Here are a few snapshots from Addi’s party on Sunday – a small family-and-close-friends affair at at Yellowwood Cafe in Howick… We were originally going to have them cater for us, but I changed my mind (for various reasons) and we ended up just paying the venue hire fee (which included Tea & Coffee for the adults) and did all the food and decor ourselves – FUN, but super exhausting!

Party prep…

photo 1bd Washi tape makes everything look pretty…

Party favours

flowers-2 Paper flowers (make your own here with a simple DIY!)

photo 5efsc My pride and joy – the cake (will be doing a separate post soon on how to achieve this super easy icing technique!)

Veg crudite and homemade hummus dipPickle skewers (these were a big hit!)Cocktail sausages, mini meatballs and bacon-wrapped prunes + dip – courtesy of my parentals…

The Birthday Girl seemed to enjoy herself – all that really matters!

It was such a lovely afternoon and I think our guests really enjoyed it. I loved all the planning and crafting involved – not easy when you have a little critter to run around after, and other work on the go too, but super rewarding!

I’m kind of sad it’s all over and part of me feels a tiny bit disappointed – like I didn’t get to set it all up exactly how I wanted it to look (I know – the perfectionist in me is a killer!) There were two tables instead of one at the venue so had to spread my wares across both which wasn’t ideal PLUS some of our guests arrived half an hour early, just after I started setting up, so it all began with a bit of a fluster on my part! I didn’t get to use some of the stuff I bought/made because there just wasn’t enough time! (I’ve learnt my lesson though – next time I start setting up 2 hours before!)

As I said though, we seemed to pull it all off without any hitches, and my little darling was so spoilt by all the love surrounding her – what a beautiful day!

Thanks to everyone who was part of it, and to those who made the effort to join us from far away x

Baby Bird is ONE!

Posted by Andrea

I can’t believe that my tiny little baby is now ONE – walking around, laughing, learning, playing – developing an amazing personality. I’m so proud of her and every day she brings me more and more joy, what a gift!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE ONE x

Less than 24 hours old (born 6 May 2012, 9:36pm, London)

2 weeks old

11 weeks old

3 months old – first swim

17 weeks old

5 and a half months – crawling around our new house in SA before we moved in

6 months old – fun in the summer sun

Christmas Angel…

9 months old – enjoying her first ice cream (courtesy of a naughty grandmother!) with cousin Josh

9 months – fun at Top Tots

10 months – playing with the ugliest clown doll ever (a Top Tots toy that kids just seem to love!)

11 months – apple noshing

11 and a half months – ” I know where dad hides his iPad, you guys cant fool me”

Today – one year old!

LOVES:

anything that mom has (!)
books (and chewing them!)
other kids and babies
going out and about
her secret “hiding place” in the lounge
all food (literally!)
the xylophone app on my iPhone
the giggle gang app on dad’s iPad
keys – preferably sets with remote controls on them
dogs – especially Nana’s standard poodles
playing catchers and “where’s Addi?”
carboard boxes/ paper/ toilet paper (anything she can shred up and make a mess with really)
bathtime
and her mom and dad of course :)

HATES:

having her nappy changed
when dad goes to work
not being allowed to play in the cupboards and draws
having her nose wiped
getting dressed after a bath
when mommy takes the iPad/ iPhone/ Macbook away from her (yip, we’re Apple people clearly)

DIY: Paper Flowers

Posted by Andrea

Over the past few days, I’ve been crafting away for Baby Bird’s first birthday party – floral themed! I made these awesome flower pom-poms to use as table / general decor and cant wait to put everything together on Sunday to see how it all looks!

flowers 2

They are super easy, inexpensive and fun to make – a great way to keep things simple but still looking beautiful. I based my flower making on a tutorial I found online, here is what you need to do to make some paper pretties of your very own…

WHAT YOU NEED:

Tissue paper or crepe paper (anything really that is easy to manipulate – for my green flowers, I actually used paper napkins and they look awesome!)
Thin wire (I had some spare scooby wire lying around but anything will do)
Scissors

HOW TO DO IT:

{the images above are from the original online tutorial I used at thoughtfullysimple.com}

To achieve the different flower effects, here’s how to trim the edges once you have folded your sheets of paper up, accordian-style… white-flowers-with-labeling

Happy crafting x

PS. Here’s another really simple and cute paper flower tutorial:

Mothers Day Gift Ideas from Woolies

Posted by Andrea

This is not a sponsored post – I just love Woolworths. It feels like UK shopping. And ermahgerd, do I miss UK shopping! Here are some great gift ideas for Mothers Day which is on the 12th of May for all of you who don’t have it diarised yet!

I used to think soap was a boring gift – that was until I discovered the amazing range at Woolies – packaging design heaven! This honeysuckle bar comes in a beautiful tin, and I love the wrapper on this Orange Blossom one…

For the Glam Mummy – a beautiful, practical and boldly coloured sunglasses case – who wouldn’t love it?

Love Woolies food and it’s packaging design – it’s one of my favourite reasons to shop there. Just look at the print on this tin of shortbread – the perfect treat for a Mom who loves home comforts…

I saw this in store a few days ago and nearly died – it’s amazing – an all-natural soft knit throw, lined with a fleecy wool, to keep Mom warm this winter!

Another example of great packaging design – delicious smelling hand and nail cream – a must for any Mom’s handbag. 502021818_MULTI_large

For the Domestic Goddess in your life – a fabulous stripe and floral print apron – this would definitely inspire me to spend more time in the kitchen! 501902036_WWHITE_large

Soft and oh-so-useful white knit shawl/pashmina for all the Style Icon Mama’s out there…

A beautiful rose coloured floral tealight votive to inspire some time-out for Moms everywhere… 501979298_WHITE_large

Prevoir foam bath – give Mum some time out and luxury in a bottle…

And of course, you can never go wrong with flowers!

All images used here are from the Woolworths website – have a look online for more info and individual product prices: www.woolworths.co.za

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Beautiful KZN Weddings

Posted by Andrea

Some iPhone snaps from the three beautiful weddings I recently attended… Sadly, I didn’t take enough photos at any of them, but they were all stunning and hubby and I had a great time catching up with old friends, eating good food and toasting to the happiness of special friends!

Kate & Andrew – 23 March – Hilton Country Estate & Spa

An urban chic feel to this one – the actual venue was an old shed that had been fixed up for the event. Draping was hung on all four walls, exposed lights hung low from the high ceiling, and long beautifully decorated tables finished off the look, with amazing flower arrangements by the bride’s mom. Colour pallet included mushroom pink, black, white, grey and a dusty subtle red. Our wedding favours (potted herbs) doubled as table seating aids – we were on the ‘rocket table’ and got to take our rocket plant home with us!

Carla & Glydd – 30 March – Cranford Country Lodge

The beautiful bride arrived by horse and carriage – nothing more fitting for horse-obsessed Carla ;) I love Cranford and think it’s a great setting for a wedding. Drinks and (delicious) cake at the boma overlooking the dam before entering the splendidly decked out reception hall… The French country style decor was stunning (no pics, boo hoo!) and the food was divine – it was a cool and wet evening so warm butternut soup and a hearty roast did all the guests well. Highlight of the evening was watching the kids on the dance floor – have you ever seen a couple of under 12′s doing Gangnam Style – HILLAIR! Such a great evening. Loved the cute little ‘promise pot’ favours too, so different.

Che & Warren – 6 April – Netherwood

WOW! This wedding was like nothing I have ever seen (in a good way, obviously) – exactly what I expected from the creative little Miss Indieberries! Traditional, yet nontraditional – a myriad of colours and styles – it was amazing! I loved how the couple’s love story was told throughout the evening – each item on the menu chosen to represent an aspect of their life together. Che loves paper and stationery (as do I) and did an incredible job with the decor and details. Was so much fun catching up with old school and university friends. (So much so, that even as a sober cobra, I got onto the wrong highway home at 2am in the morning!) LOVED the Photo booth that they had at the reception, so clever – you could pick up your strip of photos a few seconds after pulling your pose – fabulous!

A BIG CONGRATS TO YOU ALL AGAIN and thank you for sharing your special days with us! xxx

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