I have a sister. She is 9 years older than me. When I was I teenager she was my best friend, my mentor, my mother! She was the greatest person in my life. I shared everything with her. She took me everywhere with her.
We had a very strong bond! And then I moved to the other side of the world. I got married. Now my husband is my best friend, my mentor, my everything!
But my sister is still there, we still have that special bond even when we haven’t spoken for a long time for various reason (time difference, work, kids, life).

When I found out I’m expecting a daughter when I was first pregnant I was so happy. Then second time around I was devastated! I was expecting a boy! The first 3 months before finding out if I’m carrying a boy or a girl I was dreaming about having another girl The tea parties they would have. The bond and special connection I had with my sister will be transferred to them. And then it hit me, I was having a boy. I couldn’t stop crying. My husband didn’t know what to do. I felt so guilty that I’m crying when I have to be joyous! I’m carrying a healthy baby and that’s what should matter. But I missed my sister terribly! I had that idea that only sisters could be special. A brother and a sister won’t be. They won’t be close. They won’t be friends. That little boy wouldn’t love me the way my girl loves me, because he’s a BOY. He won’t cuddle me. He’ll get married and forget about me!
On the 3rd day, surrounded by all my girl’s baby clothes, that won’t be worn by my new baby, red & puffed from crying, my husband hugged me and started talking to me. He started telling me how I wanted the same experience for my daughter that I had with my sister. But just because they will be a brother and a sister, doesn’t mean they won’t love each other or be close. It all depends on us! If we create a strong and loving family, they will be strong & loving & close!

I’m so ashamed when I think about that period. I’d love to blame it on hormones!
I love my boy so much, words can’t explain it!
I wouldn’t change him for anything! He’s cuddly and loving. Of course, not like he’s sister, but he’s loving, caring & cuddly!
And she’s the best older sister!
Yes, they have their moments… he screams, she lets him have everything. She teases him and he screams. She cries that he wrecks all her games and he laughs. Then he goes to her, hugs her and says “Sowy Emmy!”

But then I look at pictures like this one and my heart melts. And I know they will be close. And they will love each other!

My poor blog has been greatly neglected, but I have a pretty good reason for that, or at least I think I have one, so I feel better.

For the past 6 months I’ve been working on, researching, bying, testing and so on for my new venture. But about that a little later.

Easter came so quickly this year. What happened? It was Christmas yesterday!

Even though Easter sneaked on me this year, we managed to make few treats for my daughter’s friends at school. Mooo have some beautiful free printables, which we used, together with some craft takeaway containers.

And if you would like to download your own copy of the Easter printables there are 3 different designs to choose from. They are all very beautiful:

Link

I’ve heard this quote from Dr Seuss a long time ago and every time I feel low, I remember it and feel better.

It reminds me that I have a beautiful family and they are the people that matter the most and I can always be myself with them, because they are the ones that matter and they will never mind!

Image from here 

Until next time

Love,

Lately I am a little obsessed with macarons and Pinterest.

Here are some yummy macarons and gorgeously styled images:

You can see more gorgeous photos of macarons on Pinterest here.

1. Tartelette 2. Call me cupcake 3. Canelle et vanille 4. Tartelette 5. Canelle et vanille 

And if you’d like to whip up some quick macarons now you can. The queen of styling and easy meals, Donna Hay, has a new range of “Almond chocolate macarons” and they are easy to make as promised.

I’ve made some last weekend and they didn’t last even a day. Just make sure that the macarons are not too big or they won’t rise too much.

Until next time
Love,

Hello world! I’m back! Not sure what happened, where did the time go!
Christmas is over, 2011 is here, the school holidays are all finished now too and kids are back to school!
I’m back too. I had a very busy weekend just before the start of school. I’ve prepared two dessert tables one for my niece Liana and one for my friend Becky’s daughter.

I’ll start with my niece Liana, as her birthday party was first, on Saturday.
The theme for her party was a Pool Party. So the colours I’ve decided on were yellow, blue and purple/dark pink.
The colour theme worked very well and I have to say my new favourite colour is yellow! It goes well with so many colours!

Here are some pictures from the party:

White chocolate mousse

Home made lemonade

Banana cupcakes

Popcorn

Water bottles

Chocolate covered pretzels

Lemon cake pops (yum)

Rice krispies

Cake

Pom poms (made by me)

All the food and decoration for the party was created by me (except for the cake). Colour inspiration from Sharnel Dollar, little spoons and shot glasses idea from Tracey Lau.

Last Friday was Master N’s 1st Birthday!

Happy birthday beautiful boy! Hope you stay smiley and happy as you are now always!

Where did the time go, you are 1 already!!

Here are some pictures from the birthday party, which was “Rainbow Party”.

I’m so busy with Miss Em’s party on Sunday, so I’ll post only few pictures. We had a lovely time. The kids had a ball! And that’s all that matters!

I’ve been a little absent from blogworld lately. With two parties to plan, plus the usual daily stuff I’m quite busy.

I thought I have everything under control for Miss Em’s birthday party in 2 weeks, until I received an email from Miss Donna Hay. She launched her new website and I am very excited that she has a bigger range now for online shopping. I’m sure the credit card won’t thank me for it, neither do my lovely husband! So, all nice and lovely! The website is great! Until I came across these:

I’ve found them a long time ago, but they were sold only in US and with shipping they were getting quite pricey. Oh, my excitement when I saw them on Miss Hay’s store! Now the whole party for Miss Em is getting a turn! As I mentioned in one of my previous posts it will be a cooking party, and I’ve been quite busy cooking and testing recipes for the little ones to try. From the moment I saw them months ago on that US website I was dreaming about a cupcake decorating party (not sure if I’m more excited about this party or Miss Em). My wish has come true and I have to run now to order those cute stands!

Bye for now!

It’s Friday again! Another week has past! Unbelievable!

So it’s time for another “Friday Eye Candy”. I have so many favourites this week, but I can’t post them all and I will have to compromise on two.

Number One:

Oprah has opened registrations for her Australian Show. You can register on her website. The registration is a lottery and you can register once only! As you can guess I’ve already registered and I really, really, really hope I get a ticket! I’ve added my sister-in-law as a guest – she doesn’t know yet, but I’ll tell her if I win .

Number Two:

As I posted previously I’m madly planning for Miss Em’s 7th birthday party. But we have another birthday in our family in November as well, just 11 days before Miss Em’s. Our little baby boy will be turning 1 on November 19th. We did a huge party when Miss Em turned 1. It was so stressful and she had no idea what’s happening, just that her mummy is running around like a mad woman, while she wanted a cuddle. This time I’ve decided no big celebrations for the little man! As the day is coming closer I started thinking that it’s not fair on him not to have a birthday party! Oh,, well… another birthday party planning is on me, but it will be a very small family affair. Just our family, plus Dim’s sister’s family. And the theme will be a “Rainbow Party“.

Here I want to share some rainbow printables I found and best of all they are FREE! Thanks to Paper Glitter! Downloads through here!

Enjoy!

I love Fridays! They are my favourite days of the week!

• You can stay up late and still have two days to recover (not that I do it anymore since the kids came along).
• The [work] week is over and you can relax – no more drop offs, pick ups, luch boxes to be made.
• You can have a guilt free glass (or two) of wine and not worry about a hangover at work the next day (not that I can handle a hangover anymore with two kids, one very likely to wake up at 5 am if I stay up late, I’m sure there is worldwide conspiracy between all kids to wake up very early when their parents stay up late).
• Saturday is my children free morning for 2 hours – I take Miss Em to art classes for 2 hours and in that time I can do whatever I want and I don’t have to rush, because somebody is having a screaming fit. I usually check out the shops at Northbridge, or go to Chatswood, or have coffee while reading. Pure bliss! Northbridge is about 30 min drive for us, and a girlfriend asked if I can’t find art classes any close. I can, but they are all 1 hr long and I have to take Miss Em during the week, while still looking after the little one. I’m more than happy to drive to Northbridge every Saturday, knowing I’ll have 2 hours for myself!

And since it’s Friday, my favourite day of the week, I want to start a weekly column about favourite moments [of the week or in general], new finds, new blogs, etc.
I want to start my first weekly “Eye Candy” with Etsy. I’ve know about Etsy for a long, long time, but was never interested in checking it out. Until today!
Forget about Ebay. Forget about other online stores! (Ok, not really…) Etsy is packed with goodness! And for unbelievable prices.
It’s already close to 10 pm, but I’m looking at ribbons for Miss Emm’s birthday party. I’m looking at cupcake fabrics. I’m looking at hand made cards! Oh, i have so many windows opened, I don’t know how my laptop is coping. I can’t decide where to look first and what to order first, without braking the credit card!
But I want to start with Percivalroad. The best thing is she’s based in Sydney! I can’t help myself, but order some of the Christmas cards and gift tags:

These Xmas tags are just devine:

Pretty red and white bakers twine:

Gorgeous fabric tape:

So I can make these (should I even bother… I might buy them as well):

The colours of these gift tags are just gorgeous:

Lately I have become a big fan of Amy Atlas! She’s my inspiration for Miss Em’s birthday party. Here are some of my favourites: