a thrifty birthday!

Apart from a few things, everything iris got for her recent birthday was op-shopped/garage-saled and stashed away for the big day.. it is SO easy to do, and she really could not have been happier!

See that box of bits and pieces? She LOVES all that stuff. She has recently been given a doll's house so along with that and this stuff it has kept her amused for hours.

Birthday cake on the day.. All the cousins came over and she partied with her brothers all day.

Birthday party a few days later with her buddies, while the boys were at school.. 

Heaven for 3 year olds!

She wanted a Cinderella cake but that's the best I could do. Just a random doll cake. Princess coz that's her latest thing. 

Me and Arlo on cake cutting duties.


I have to say, that after 3 boys, I quite like doing a few girly-ish kinds of cakes and parties. Here are the previous creations. 

2nd

First!

pest

I have been stressed in the last 3 days..

There is a mouse in my house!!

I wish I did not have this phobia but it is quite debilitating!

As in I can't go into my kitchen or open a cupboard or drawer...

True Story! I have to leave the house all day...

 how the lovely folk at Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en like to party.
Just to brighten up this dreary post. 

In these situations there is actually only one thing to do...

The lovely people at Velveteen Lounge Kitschen will save me. They have a drink and/or recipe idea for every occasion, as well as terrific ideas and tips.

Random collections and corners

I took a few random photos around my house. I decided NOT to photograph my collection of washing that hasn't been done. Or my collection of toys that need picking up... etc.

No.. I found corners that made me smile!

I would like to add that literally everything you see in the photos is thrifted. Including most of the shelves etc.

The block set was from a junk market in Paris. 

And that's just a few random collections from within the walls of my crazy house.
Happy Days

A Sunny Saturday

Off across the field to watch the football. 
We live just on the edge of this field and that's the kids' school over there.
So nice perambulating distance!

Not the most terrific angle on me right now!
Never mind.

I've had this necklace since I got it at a Jumble Sale when I was about 15.
PLastic Fantastic.

My Dad came to visit..

And because it's been World Breastfeeding Week, I shall leave you with my favourite BF image ever, taken from this terrific book (that I found at an op shop of course):

TOTALLY ADORABLE.

Happy Days.

Olympics Champion

Inspired by Ms Helga to do an Olympics themed style shoot.. I donned my red white and blue.

I do believe the NZ flag should not actually be red white and blue, but it is. Plus, Team GB are doing a terrific job, and London is defo doing the job as hosts. 

PLus I am half english, you know. 

Me Dad is a Londoner..

The events I am participating in this year are:

The watching marathon. 
It's quite exhausting. 

The washing and folding duathlon. 

Here I am NOT doing very well.

My necklace has mussel shells on it. 

Because, well, all athletes have muscles you know.

I am actually a gold medal winner in Breastfeeding. I practise a lot. 
Have done for years on and off. That's why gravity isn't my friend, as you can see in this pic. 

Baby wearing/weightlifting. 

In the old days they called this 

Strong Woman contest. 

I need to work on the putting-clothes-back-in the-closet and Cleaning-the-mirror events.

Planking is probably my favourite discipline right now. chance would be a fine thing.

So there we go.
Olympic champion.
Half dressed of course, coz that's where I'm at right now!

Dress: thrifted a LONG time ago.
Cardy: from a charity shop in London
Necklaces x2: Fiji, handmade by a lovely woman(my dad used to live there and I used to visit him there.) I couldn't work out which looked best with the dress. I think the white. They are both symbolic of the fact that I am down here in the Pacific at this end of the world. Yet some of our athletes still manage to get a medal or 2 Yayar!
Beige and brown trackies (retro Golden Breed) : op shop of course
Slippers: from my mother-in-law!!!!
Total cost of what I'm wearing would be about $3 I'd say. 

hHappy dDays..

Why not take up the Olympic Fashion challenge at Ethical Fashion Bloggers?!
Join in! 

op shopping just a little bit..

I went to a couple of op shops a few weeks ago, for the first time in MONTHS! I know!! 

Just a few things. But I love them all..

Never can pass by fruit/vege shaped things..It's a kitsch attraction.
$2

3 new cushions. The yellow one is super shiny and often features in the kids games, eg as the golden throne etc..

I am SO in love with this glass canister..
It used to have salted cashews in it..
SO groovy.
$2 for a glass jar seems excessive but my non op-shopping sister said that you would pay $2 or more for a new plastic one at Briscoes or The Warehouse.
So there we go!


My op shopping feet are getting itchy again. Hopefully it won't be that long between drinks again!!!

Happy Days!

Parcel of Joy

While my computer was having a breakdown I received a parcel from my bloggy friend Maraea from Brian's an unusual name for a girl..

SUCH a cool woman.

I love her blog. She speaks her mind and I generally agree wholeheartedly with her points of view. She speaks with passion and compassion. 

And I'm hoping to meet her at some stage in real life.. I know we'll get along swimmingly!

This is Arlo with his new friend.  I'll leave him to give it a name when he's older.
Cutest octopus ever.

For now we're calling him Wheke (pronounced Fear-care, kind of! Hard to explain..) and means octopus of course..
Iris, when asked, said his name might be 'Red and white and Green Octopus" Mmm could be catchier!

This blanket is beautiful. I love it. It's Arlo's new pram one.

Very cool jumper..

..and even booties.

This is where I found Wheke this morning lol..


Maraea, you're SO sweet to share the retro baby stuff/blog love!I love it all.
Thank you so much!

I wish you a whole heap of good karma and happy vibes!
x