Jogirls Journey

sparkle & shine

2011-09-19T00:47:00.004+10:00

i am a little obsessed at the minute with all this sparkly and shimmery. i have no idea why...just a thing, so i thought i would just share with you some of my faves at the moment...enjoy & don't forget...

all sparkly images from here...

coke addict

2011-09-14T23:30:00.000+10:00

image via pinterest

ok, so this post is a little hard to write. It is always really, really hard to admit when something is wrong, or you know you are doing something you shouldn't, but as "they" always say the first step is to admit it and second it to do something about it..so here I go.

I am a coke addict. Not the coccaine sort of coke but the coca-cola sort of coke. I have been a huge consumer of the sugary sweet fizzy concoction for god knows how long, years and years..cannot go a day without it, and have way way way too much, sometimes up to six cans a day...I know even as I write that I cannot quite believe it. So, suffce to say, I hate it, as much as I love it, if that makes sense, but for awhile now I have had this horrid nagging voice in my head telling me this is not good, and you need to make a change. I think I just didn't because I was not strong enough, or willing enough to let this crutch go. But, I want to lose some weight and I want to get myself healthier for me. In turn making my life better for myself, my family, my work and especially my kids.

Now I know, you may think, urgh addicted to coke, boo hoo, yeah right get over it. But I have spoken to my doctor about it and she is totally convinced that it is an addiction so I am not just making it up! lol.

So 7 days ago, I did it, I decided that was it, I was fed up and was NOT having it anymore. The stuff is now banned from life, my house, my anything. I have gone 7 full days without one single sip..and you know what, I feel great. I have only had two cravings, and one set of the shakes, which I think was more caffeine withdrawal than anything..I don't drink tea or coffee so the caffeine withdrawal was gonna be a toughy. So that is that...I am on the beginning of a path, I have a few other things I need to give up, but that is another day, baby steps...I will let you know how I am going in 6 months..

Do you have any addictions you would like to beat or have beaten? Please share...xo

retro house reno update

2011-09-10T00:00:00.000+10:00

So lots of people who read this blog know that we are renovating our little piece of the coast, The Retro House, as we have named it..in the past few months we have done a few things..it is a work in progress and we really love it...so here are some pics of what we have been doing, before's & afters....the story so far...

Freckles room before (note this is NOT our furniture it was the tenants!)

and after... the kids each chose their own feature wall colour, I am not a fan of feature walls at all I must say, but they each wanted their room a colour so we compromised, freckles wanted fluro green..bit scary but it works so well for you, she loves it...

The boys room before, once again not our furniture the tenants..note all the lovely tiles throughout...yuck!

After - The boy wanted a black wall, so he got it..we love it it looks great...

Before - Our room, mmmmm isn't this a stunner...it was like a hospital room, I hated it..

After - this is how it looks at the moment..not the ensuite is the next on our list!

also here is the boy sleeping on our bed at the front door whilst we were doing the painting...

We have also recently painted about 80% of the rest of the inside of the house..including the poo brown wall that I loathed..it has all been painted in Resene Quarter Tea, and we love it..no after shots yet as we are still deciding on curtains, and light fittings..but very soon...

We also did a bit of a makeover on the party zone out the back, sorry for the crap photos but I took these tonight..will have to get some during the day...

project : drinks trolley

2011-08-28T13:01:00.000+10:00

ok, so i love a good project, well I love to start them, not so great at finishing them. Anywho..I have one at the moment, (one of many!). I am in love with the concept of a drinks/bar, butlers trolley for my living room...I don't know why there is just something cool about it...so I found one on ebay.. and here she is...

I was inspired by some gorgeous pics, that i found on one of my new addictions, pinterest. have a look the beauties i found below..just gorgeous.. now mine sweetheart is going to be painted in a gorgeous shade of grey... cannot wait to see how she turns out, and then to have some gorgeous girls round for a g & t or two..anyone interested??

check these out in the meantime..

(all images, othere than my ebay one are from my pinterest board here)

do you pin?

2011-08-18T23:23:00.000+10:00

so do you? do you pin? i have to say I do, and I L O V E it..the above description if accurate though..it is crazy! You can catalogue all your fave things from online in one special little place..it is just gorgeous..if you have not done so you should definatley check out Pinterest.

You will not look back..and if you do make sure you follow me...see you soon and have fun!

daniel

2011-08-14T22:47:00.000+10:00

We have all seen this photo of Daniel a million times. Living on the Sunshine Coast, I don't know, you just cannot turn around without seeing those beautiful blue eyes. The news in the last 24 hours has been harrowing, especially for Daniel's family. Words cannot express how this family is coping with the news that this animal has finally been charged with the murder of their precious boy. The thing that struck me now they are searching a site is that he has been so close to home all this time...I cannot even think what this is doing to his family, and especially Denise, his battle worn and strong mother. Tomorrow the Morcombe Family has asked for people to wear red in honour of Daniel, we will be doing this, we hope you can too. Daniel's disappearance has forever changed the way we think and measure the safety of our children. His legacy has been that he has helped save countless, maybe even thousands of beautiful childrens lives, children he never knew. For that we thank you Daniel. May they find you sweet boy, so your Mum and Dad can give you the rest and peace you deserve and in turn hopefully they will gain some themselves. God Speed...

you go girl..

2011-08-12T23:13:00.000+10:00

Normally I am not one to buy trashy gossip mags unless -
a. I am on holidays
b. I am sick in bed
c. it is Who mag which I buy religiously...

But..this week I just had to buy the current issue of Ok Magazine..Ricki Lee Coulter was on the cover and I could not belive my eyes..this amazing Australian woman has transformed herself, with guts and determination and damned hard work..She looks incredible and is an inspiration...

Another couple of Aussie women who have caught my eye and definatley my attention, is the gorgeous girls from The Block, are just the coolest mums going around...let me just say they are rockin! If you are not a fan of the block you probably have no idea who I am talking about, and if you are you may have your favourites and that is all cool, but these two ladies are just the best.
They left their families, homes, jobs, everything to risk it all on The Block and they have done the most outstanding job..they make me laugh, they make me cry but mostly they inspire me.

So to these three aussie women, I salute you, thanks for inspiring this old girl...and hopefully many others as well.

ps. you can pop on over to Katrina's blog here, and oh she is an amazing graphic artist, see here!

Hello!

2011-08-08T21:03:00.000+10:00

Yes, Yes I know..it has been a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGG...time since I have been here..my poor little blog has been neglected...but no more! I promise to be around a bit more....drop by and say hello!

{MEGA Christmas Giveaway...you don't want to miss it}

2010-11-08T21:55:00.000+10:00

Okay so all of you know by now the gorgeous Elise from Le CoCo Photography..well Elise and I have teamed up again for a MEGA christmas draw!

Seeing our October giveaway was such a huge success, Elise from Le CoCo and I have decided that we would LOVE to have another, only this one is a little bit different.. a special Christmas giveaway! We are SUPER excited about this one! :)

A four piece giveaway this time, something for the whole family. Mum, dad, girl and boy. A perfect and personal gift for your family just in time for Christmas.

Mum – vintage frames – circle

Dad - sterling silver dog tag

Girl – heart charm bracelet

Boy – leather & sterling silver cuff

All you have to do is pop on over HERE to Elise's blog and leave a comment under this post for your chance to win! That simple!

Winner will be drawn at Random on Friday at 10am, so be quick!

le CoCo and Lovestamp are also on facebook, we would love to have you support us… you can find

le CoCo right here and Lovestamp right here. Come say hi, don’t be shy!

Merry Christmas!!! almost ;) and GOOD LUCK!

2010-11-04T00:26:00.003+10:00

my kind of porn...

2010-10-19T22:19:00.000+10:00

I was stumbling around the www today, checking out lots of lovely blogs..and as I clicked on to Table Tonic...I nearly died...ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh my god!

This is furniture maker extrodanaire Mark Tuckey's house with his beautiful wife Louella Potter an outstanding stylist.. These two pictures are the before photos..and below is a sneaky after..

I am so in luurve with this house...I mean, in love..if you want to check out more you can see more of it here over at Table Tonic's blog..oh and check out the gorgeous Table Tonic store...but beware...the credit card will get a battering...

shout out

2010-10-14T11:30:00.000+10:00

The beautiful Amanda from Calico & co contacted me last week to let me know that she had featured one my rings in her Handmade Sterling silver post..The ring that was featured was my lovely Big Band ring...one of my very favourites..I was so very chuffed as I adore her blog..please jump over and have a gander and say hello. I was very honoured to be in with such esteemed company..thanks Amanda...

new look & reminder...

2010-10-10T22:34:00.000+10:00

just a quick one today..the gorgeous Jen from Studio71 has just done a little bit of a makeover on my business cards...not really sure why I wanted to do it but just needed a little freshness...and also some happy yellow Jen also did my product stickies as well...Jen is super talented and has done all of my graphic design work since Lovestamp began. So pop on over to her little store on Etsy and check her out!

PPS ... Don't forget to enter the giveway over at LeCoCo, it is drawn tomorrow morning at 10am so pop on over HERE now...

grateful

2010-10-08T22:58:00.000+10:00

Namaste....Tonight I had the pleasure of attending the movie Eat, Pray, Love with a fabulous bunch of women. As I sit here now on my bed, my little boy fast asleep beside me, my daughter in her room with two of her friends having a not so sleepover..my husband falling asleep on the couch..and the rain pelting down..I feel so lucky. I don't have a flash house, a flash car, a house full of designer furniture or a wardrobe full of the latest styles..but I do have a beautiful life, people who love me - for who I am, faults and all. Eat, Pray, Love is one of the best books I have ever read..so good I read it twice..and I never do that. Liz Gilbert is an inspiration...and a very brave woman. Sometimes my life can get well totally whacked out and off kilter..sometimes I find myself getting so overwhelmed with my kids, my husband, my work that I sit and wonder scarily how in the hell I am going to get through the next hour let alone the next week. Alot of nights I find it hard to sleep because my mind is racing with all the these I want to do and all the things I have to do. I know I am not alone and alot of mothers/women and probably men fell like this, but somehow I get through. I know I am rambling, and I am sorry. Maybe I need a silence badge.

But, as I drove home tonight with two of my friends laughing, I looked out the window at the rain and thought about the incredible month I have just had, travelling to foreign countries with my family and friends, experiencing the utter fabulousness of floating on a cloud in a hot air balloon, and travelling north to visit my beautiful friend and her family..I am so blessed...I am so grateful for what I have today. I know tomorrow that those thoughts will creep in like they always do of wanting more, being better, beating myself up for not spreading myself far enough around..but in these moments of calm and peace..I can see the big picture and for this moment I am grateful..so thank you all of you who come along on my crazy sometimes completely f^%C$d up journey that is my life....

Now I need to sleep...

have a beautiful weekend....

ciao x

October Giveaway with LeCoCo & Lovestamp!

2010-10-06T22:55:00.000+10:00

Ok so the gorgeous Elise from LeCoCo photography has teamed up with me, Lovestamp to have a gorgeous October giveaway..the first of many to come from this unbeatable combination...

You can win the gorgeous Sterling Silver Circlet pendant as seen in these stunning photos taken by Elise above.

All you have to do is pop on over to Elise's gorgeous blog and leave a comment on this post...

How easy is that!

Winners will be announced at 10am EST on Monday..so be quick..and don't forget to tell your friends!

Elise is the brains and talent behind LeCoCo Portraits by Elise Photography in Sydney. Elise creates beautifully stunning portraits that you will just love...make sure you take a moment to jump on over and check out her website here and peek at the beautiful images she creates!

So go on what are you waiting for!

adults only

2010-09-28T19:56:00.000+10:00

image from 100 layer cake

So anyone who reads this blog will know we are on a very loooooooooooooooong journey to renovate the retro house! So I have been thinking for awhile now about our bedroom. Our bedroom is shit! There really is no other way to describe it...we have repainted it which makes it like a thousand times better..but it is still shit. It has horrid, and I mean HORRID tiles on the floor that make it look and feel like a one hundred year old hospital room..it is so grose and nothing nice about it. And then there is the furniture...you know I am not renting anymore, I am not 19 anymore..and I am so over having secondhand hand me down furniture in our bedroom...I want something special, something nice, something that never belonged to someone else before! Don't get me wrong, I love Salvo's shopping I love old furniture and 98% of what is in our house is secondhand..but the time has come people, I need a bedroom overhaul! For example, our bedside tables, they where my dad's, the dresser - my dad's, the bed - a lovely one from my hot friend Renee when they got their new bed!...please! So in my quest to attain the bedroom I want, I have opened an online savings account and am going to save for this magical dream bedroom makeover...(we don't do credit cards here!). So watch this space people..it is coming I can feel it....my sanctuary awaits!

floating on a cloud....

2010-09-27T11:20:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was one of the most wonderous days...yesterday I had the pleasure and joy of doing something I have ALWAYS wanted to do..and thanks to my gorgeous sister in law..I got to do it and share it with her. It started Satruday afternoon with drive down the coast and checking into a gorgeous suite at Surfers Paradise...

Then off to the local to watch my beloved Pies end up in a draw (boo!) only to have to play again (double boo!) then down to the beach to watch the sunset on the sand...

Then off grab some dinner and drinks and back to the room where the view was specatcular, the food delicious, the drinks frosty and the company awesome!

Then to bed early, not much sleep as butterflies in my stomach and didn't want to miss the 3.30am wake up alarm..

Got up...very nervous, got picked up for our trip to the paddock...

And when we got there..this is what was waiting at sunrise...

A magical balloon ready to take us for a flight...

It was unbelievable, me I had a panic attack at 3,000 ft but managed to calm myself and enjoy the flight..Jacinta, was in Heaven..literally..it was so magical and wonderous..and the silence, incredible...just gorgeous..like nothing I had ever done..

After an hour we where down and helped pack up the balloon and basket..then off to a lovely breakfast at the O'Reilly Vineyard...complete with bubbles!

After that we were exhausted so back to the hotel for a nappity nap before heading home.

Thank you Cinta for making today one I will remember forever...it was one of my best days ever!

Hot Pies!

2010-09-24T15:23:00.000+10:00

This weekend I am going to enjoy a cold beverage and (hopefully) watch my beloved Pies win the Grand Final tomorrow...hope you have a good weekend!

Pink Princess...

2010-09-22T12:47:00.000+10:00

She arrived.....

So while we where away on our trip OS...one of my bff's popped out her second wee baby..a gorgeous baby girl Sienna Alice...as soon as we hopped of the ship we headed straight to the shops and stocked up on pink stuff for the "Pink Princess" and then headed to the hospital to gobble all her delicousness up! The photo above is of Freckles and said princess..we had to fight each other to hold her...

So ever since she came along I have been dreaming of anything pink, frilly, sparkly and fun for her..here are some lovely things I love...

Plastic No. 3 baby set from Twisted Twee

sweet poms pom pom on etsy

Baby Bloch Baby Bon Bon Chipolla Pink Ballet Shoes at Cradle Rock

alex & charli tutu skirt from Little Styles

custom word art from ruffhouseart on etsy

today..

2010-09-20T23:44:00.001+10:00

raver wellies #26
Originally uploaded by lomokev

well today if you lived here you would definatly need a pair of these..
I wore my gumboots to swimming lessons today it was raining so much. The boy's swimming lessons are out in the middle of nowhere on a property and it gets MUDDY! I love my gumboots, they are black Hunter's and I adore them...so bring on the rain so I can wear them again tomorrow..

Do you have gumboots? are they as fancy as these?

It's our birthday & you get the presents!

2010-09-18T00:00:00.004+10:00

Well it is my little store Lovestamp's 2nd birthday this week coming..it is officially 2 years since I started pounding away and made my first piece..wow how things have grown. I love my job so much, I love hearing the stories, the tears, the love that comes from everyone about every piece. I am very fortunate to do a job that I love. So to say thank you we are giving you the presents.

From Saturday the 18th of September to Saturday the 25th of September if you spend $50 or more (excl postage) you will recieve a pair of our brand new Rondure Sterling Silver ball earrings valued at $29.00!

So if you have been eyeing something off, then this week is the time to get it!

How special is that..so jump online here to shop all the sweet loveliness..

(only available at our online store www.lovestamp.com.au, not available at our etsy or madeit store..sorry!)xo

to do this weekend...

2010-09-17T11:23:00.000+10:00

So the weekend is nearly here..hooray! This will be the first weekend in over a year that Hubby will be home and not working! So we have a to do list ready to go of some of the things we want to get done..

1. finish painting "the cell" aka the granny flat so my mum can move in..
2. start pulling out all the hideousness that is our front yard so we can redo it.
3. go to Nippers, first day back of the season..6am start sunday..grrr a little
4. sleep...sleep...sleep
5. spend some time together hanging out

what is on the list for your weekend?

popping up...

2010-09-16T22:25:00.000+10:00

Ok so now we are back and I back into blogging again which I have really missed..I will try and do it every day, but please forgive me if I don't!

So Lovestamp and Jogirl's Journey had popped up in a couple of places this week so I just wanted to give a shout out to those places, thank you for the support, the love and for sharing what I do with many, I am truly grateful...so here are the lovelies who have been spreading the love..

Mrs Robinson & Jemma over at Handmade Kids..Mrs Robinson thank you for naming my little Lovestamp in your top 3..super chuffed..and good luck with your impending Bambino..cannot wait to see the Brista!

The current issue of Notebook Magazine, a huge shout out for including my little blog in your blogroll for mums! Super super chuffed about this one and especially the fabulous company I am in, with FatMumSlim, RetroMummy, Mamma Mia to name a few...never thought I would ever make a list with those awesome superladies..so thank you so much..oh and check out the story on "glamping" had me nearly rolling out of bed laughing last night...love the mag...xo

big love to you all xo

2010-09-15T21:24:00.000+10:00

Ok so we have been awol on here for awhile! Busy busy busy is an understatement...crazy busy with work at Lovestamp and crazy busy just in life in general...so something had to give and it was my lovely little blog..BUT I am happy to say that I am back and ready to blog..recharged and ready to go..So we have just returned from a fabulous holiday..a gorgeous friend of ours turned 40 and invited us to cruise the islands with her and a whole bunch of others...it was INCREDIBLE and so much fun that we never wanted to go home! We cruised to Noumea and Lifou Islands in New Calendonia and Port Vila in Vanuatu! It was so much fun that we cannot wait to go again! Here are some pics of our adventure!

this weekend..

2010-07-03T09:10:00.000+10:00

sorry I have been away from the blog, the poor little thing is so neglected at the moment..will try really hard people to get back on top of it all..

This weekend I plan to do the following..

1. tidy up some

2. have lunch with some girlfriends

3.spend time with my family

4. cook Beef Bourginon

5. sleep

6. try and relax

7. finish my book for book club

8. defuzz my legs

9. fold the Everest of washing in my laundry

10. do a little bit of work

what are you up too?

2010-06-14T23:37:00.001+10:00

Soccer Mum

2010-06-11T21:40:00.000+10:00

Ok yes I am a fully fledged soccer mum. Also a woman. So I am totally into the World Cup. I was raised on a diet of football. My dad played and I spent alot, and I mean alot of weekends toddling around a soccer field. My dads team..Chelsea, so I am an avid follower. I know my dad will be watching every minute, whereever he may be. I will be one of the crazy people up watching the first game against Germany this weekend. Everything crossed. But, I thought I would just share this gorgeous pic of our man Harry, Harry Kewell that is. Just because..well I can..

Go Socceroos!

let go.

2010-06-10T13:45:00.000+10:00

LETTING GO TAKES LOVE

To let go does not mean to stop caring,

it means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off,

it's the realization I can't control another.

To let go is not to enable,

but allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means

the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another,

it's to make the most of myself.

To let go is not to care for,

but to care about.

To let go is not to fix,

but to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge,

but to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,

but to allow others to affect their destinies.

To let go is not to be protective,

it's to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to deny,

but to accept.

To let go is not to nag, scold or argue,

but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,

but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

To let go is not to criticize or regulate anybody,

but to try to become what I dream I can be.

To let go is not to regret the past,

but to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more

Remember: The time to love is short

- author unknown

caught my eye...

2010-06-09T20:46:00.000+10:00

Olive & Joy blog..just loving it..

Just some things that have caught my eye this week..enjoy..

i love love love this print..get it here.

these sweet little darlings I found on etsy, but cannot remember the name of the store..

another image that I loved but no ide where from...

2010-06-07T22:44:00.000+10:00

ok so I am back, sorry for the hiatus but things have been a little crazy around here. Firstly my point and shoot for today. This is a photo of my boy that I snapped yesterday sitting in the sun, he was mucking around with his daddas hat, how handsome is he??? Yesterday we spent a fabulous winters afternoon at the Peregian Originals. What are they you ask! Well it is a free concert put on in the park at the Surf Club Peregian every second weekend on a sunday afternoon. Lots of lovely local bands come and play for free while we lull the afternoon away, sitting in the sun, watching the kids play and drinking beer..perfect huh! Yesterday was the first time we had been and we will definately be going back. We spent the afternoon with new and old friends and had a blast..so much so the kids were passed out in the back seat on the way home at 6.30pm yeeha! So if you are every on the Sunny Coast, go to the website above and do your self a favour!

Now, to the rest of our week...last weekend I was in Melbourne for Mathildas and had a fabulous time, lots of loveliness to be had and had a hugely successful day..thinking I might be back in August!. I spent the weekend with my gorgeous family and stayed with my awesome cousine Rach at my Aunty and Uncles house..which just felt like home. My cousin Rach came and helped me at the Market and we had a fabulous time, lots of laughing and talking and some crying (long story). Melbourne I love you and will be back.

I got home Monday and the days then rolled into one another, busy busy busy trying to catch up. Then it all came to a crashing halt on Friday morning. Something happened, I got sick, very sick very quickly and ended up in hospital on Friday afternoon on god forsaken drips, ECG machines and then to top it all off Morphine..(now that is good stuff!) In the end they sent me home with "Undiagnosed Pain" and tole me to take it VERY easy and keep and eye on it. So Saturday I spent in bed all day, thanks to my gorgeous family of nurses! Saturday I babysat the lovely Miss Trin and my kiddies while the adults went out to play at the local boxing derby....very funny watching intoxicated people try and hold a conversation when you are not intoxicated! Sunday dawdled around home then out for some socialising...all in all a good weekend.

Me, still not feeling 100%, but getting there...Mr Petrie has "The Man Flu" so struggling..I have to take the boy to the docs tomorrow as he is not well and then the dentist on friday for me..oh the joys! But Saturday I have a date with the girls for Sex and the City and tomorrow night is book club night..YAY..some lovely lights at the end of my tunnel...

I hope you all have a lovely week, and I promise I wont be away for so long next time..

Here are some pics of Melbourne..

aww baby Trifun and his gorgeous mumma stopped in to say Hi in Melbourne, with her lovely new Stacking Rings!

beautiful Malvern Town Hall

It was crazy busy and we loved it!

Mathildas Market Malvern..we will be there!

2010-05-29T06:19:00.000+10:00

Come on down and say hello to Lovestamp in Melbourne tomorrow..we would love to see all your happy smiling faces! Lots of gorgeous wares for you and your wee one.

See you then!

sorry.

2010-05-23T09:39:00.000+10:00

Sorry for not being around so much lately..got alot on my plate at the moment. Just a lot of juggling and trying to get things done so my little blog has been neglected..

Hopefully I will be back soon on a regular basis..xo

Reunited

2010-05-12T22:43:00.000+10:00

Imagine if you will, just for a minute..you have a child..and one day for no reason you say goodbye to them as you drop them back to the other parents house, and then do not see them again. Can you imagine that?

Well this is the scenario my little brother has been living with for over 5 years. His story is long, I mean very long. He had a son at just turned 17. It is dotted with lots of ups and downs. He has tried to see his son on numerous occasions, but it never eventuated. Imagine that.

Today however was a new day. Today he got to hold his boy in his arms again and hear him say "Daddy, I love you, Daddy I missed you". Today we cried........alot.

There are so many things that could be said. Lots of heartaches, tears, anger, resentment, disappointment, frustration and probably even hate. But in the end it all came down to that moment when he held his son in his arms again..now an 11 year old boy..not 6 anymore. No matter what has happened, he needs his son in his life, and his son needs his Dad.

I am so proud of my brother for stepping up and working so hard towards seeing his boy again.

I cannot wait to see you again...You have never been far from our thoughts, we have thought of you every day.

To my mum, the foreve rock and light at the end of the tunnel. You are by far the most supportive, patient, understanding, loving, unconditional person..words do not ever seem enough.

All my love.

{image}

take a photo..

2010-05-06T19:01:00.000+10:00

Oh I love it when I get these. The gorgeous Leah from David Moore Photography has been a fabulous customer of mine. Leah is super talented in her own profession..so when she sent me the following gorgeous photos of one of the pieces I created for her recently. Leah also put on a gorgeous silver key to her piece and I think it just makes it..it has definately got me thinking about some new designs..Make sure you jump on over to Leahs website here and check out her gorgeous work...

FREE SHIPPING! Urban Outfitters to Oz...yes FREE SHIPPING!

2010-05-05T20:33:00.000+10:00

this lovely red rose hook to go with some other things I got..see below...

ok so I SOOOO did not need this email this morning from Urban Outfitters...but I got it..FREE SHIPPING TO OZ for orders over $100US..so I thought, ah what can it hurt to have a look, even just in the sale section...BIG MISTAKE! So will guess what I got my free shipping, and some yumminess to boot. Just thinking of it as my late birthday, early mothers day pressie...justification plus! So here is what is winging its way to me...

this very cool Writing on the wall coat rack, for my entry.

the most divine gorgeous Citrus Rose Tapestry Queen Blanket {this was only $19.99 us}

a truly wicked grass toothbrush holder, you know to encourage the kiddies!

this awesome mat that I am going to give Mr Petrie as I must say this too him a thousand times a day

this set of two Alexander Girard Pillowcases..get this you get two for $4.99US..I know right!

this yumbo 60" Peacock Rug, loving it.

So that was it..and guess what it was all in the Sale section...excelent, cannot wait for the package to arrive.

So jump on over now and get shopping people while you have the chance.

Go here and use this code at checkout SHIPAUS3

So go on what are you waiting for!

Motherhood, the movie

2010-04-28T22:25:00.000+10:00

So once again I seem to have fallen off the blogging radar. It is really really busy here at the moment with Mothers day just around the corner and a million orders to fill for all the lovely mums out there. I did however take a moment on Monday night to indulge myself and watch a whole adult (no not the porn kind!) movie. It was called Motherhood and stars Uma Thurman..and to say it was like looking in a mirror is an understatement (minus the actual looking like Uma Thurman when I look in the mirror..you know!). It ended up being quite ironic, I felt like I had taken this little bit of time to sit and watch a movie and then up there on the screen I felt like I was watching myself. It is a great movie, not great in the Avatar great but great in that it is light, easy to watch, funny and though provoking. She blogs, she manages, she cooks, she cleans..blah blah...a great movie you shoud definatley watch it.

In other news..I jagged some Powderfinger tickets today, which is very un-mother like! I am going to rock my ass off at the concert because I just love them and it will be my last chance. I cannot recall how many of their concerts I have been too, but I love them all.

No other news, just working...so be back soon!

mathildas market wrap up..

2010-04-22T22:04:00.000+10:00

So last Saturday Lovestamp went on the road to the lovely Brisvegas. It was a fabulous day out..with lots of gorgeous customers new and old {not literally old, but you know what I mean!} It was a long day but a great one...a huge thanks to my lovely sister in law Jazz for coming along and selling up a storm as usual, she is a great motivator and really enjoys mixing it up with the people. Two other huge thanks go to my mum, for always coming along and supporting me, also allowing me a loo break! Also thanks to one of my BFF's Sonya for taking my peeps for the afternoons so I can earn a coin to buy some cocktails on the trip later in the year..you are a legend.

So whilst I was there I picked up some loveliness...check out my stash..

a sweet little Hot Rod Lounge wear set for the boy to take away on our cruise later in the year..I got this set from The Clothesline.

Also these sweet little upcycled shorts from the lovely Katie at Baby Bird Clothing

and this sweet tiny little red wagon..

i heart pantone..

2010-04-21T00:07:00.000+10:00

pantone leather chair i want one of these!

I love colour...give me colour and I am in heaven. Yes I admit it I am one of those people who puts things in colour order..I cannot help it...it just doesnt seem right if it is not in colour order..well too me anyway...
So when I saw these gorgeous Pantone items I really thought I had died and gone to heaven..check it out people...

pantone friendship bracelets...

pantone pepper mill

pantone folding chairs...

book club...book 1.

2010-04-19T23:39:00.000+10:00

So last week my gorgeous friend Claire invited me to join her lovely book club. To say I was honoured was an understatement and I am really looking forward to getting together on the Tuesday night once a month to discuss the books...it will be full of laughs, maybe a wine or two and pizza...how fabulous..
The first book I am reading is from one of my fave authors..Jodi Picoult...it is her new book...House Rules...So I better get off to bed and start reading..

Are you guys in a book club? Let me know what you have read...would love some suggestions...

You go girl!

2010-04-18T23:10:00.000+10:00

Wow! I have just finished watching the finale of this season of the Biggest Loser. I write this with dry tears as I have cried my way through the last bit. From day one I wanted Lisa to win. Wow, what an inspiration she is...so you go girl! You deserve it all...you have inspired me!

time keeps on ticking..

2010-04-15T16:37:00.000+10:00

{image from here}

So I have been super slack lately with the posts. It has been crazy around here, so I do apologize. Just seems like there are just not enough hours in the day..I really do need to consolidate my 5 thousand to do lists and try to tackle them..

What have you been up too?

{Connect2Mums 2010 Conference}

2010-04-13T12:48:00.002+10:00

Connect2Mums is a wonderful place where Mumprneurial Mums can get together and help each other along is this crazy world that is the Mumpreneur! They are having a conference in Brisbane later in the year that I would dearly love to attend, so here is my entry..

Why you would love to come to the 2010 Mumpreneurs Conference.....

I have thought long and hard about writing this post. I have written it and re-written it. Ever since I saw that the conference was on, I have been thinking about taking the plunge and going along. But, and there has always been a But! I just wasn’t sure if I really qualified for the fabulous things on offer.

You see I never have really thought of myself as a Mumpreneur. This got me thinking though and assessing what I do. I have thought about the comments I receive about my work, not only from friends and family but from complete strangers and other wonderful women out there in the blogosphere, market world, online, wherever. I have worked hard to turn a small hobby I suppose you would call it into a thriving business that is growing everyday. I am always seeking new ways to build my business but also hopefully help others along the way on their journey.

A very good friend of mine is continually telling me “Jo you are a business woman, you are successful and you need to believe that, because everyone else already sees you that way!” And you know what she is right.

So with that being said, I would love to come to the conference, to do something for myself, to be surrounded by intelligent, motivated and successful women and hope that some of that rubs off on me.

It really is that simple, nothing too complicated, just honest.

I read this poem once, and really love what it says.

The Empowered Woman by Sonny Carroll

she moves through the world

with a sense of confidence and grace.

Her once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom.

Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation

and the life she leads is of her own creation.

She now understands what it means to live and let live.

How much to ask for herself and how much to give.

She has a strong, yet generous heart

and the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart.

Like the mythical Phoenix,

she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence,

unfettered by the things that once that posed such resistance.

Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly.

She hears the wind rustling through the trees;

beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly.

She feels the softness of her hands

and muses at the strength that they possess.

Her needs and desires she has learned to express.

She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life,

overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.

And the one thing she never understood,

she now knows to be true,

it all begins and ends with you.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Please leave a comment as I would love to hear why you think I should go to the 2010 Mumpreneurs Conference.

Thank you.

Jo.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T00:02:00.000+10:00

Just popping in to say a big Happy Easter to you all. I hope it is filled with love, laughter and heaps of chocolate. We are heading off in the morning camping for a week by the seaside with my bestie from school, her handsome hubby and my gorgeous godson..cannot wait! So I will see you all when I get back.

Oh also a little thank you to all of you who sent messages on my last post, I have read them all and thank you so much for the support, it is nice to know I am not alone.

Love ya guts peeps..

a year ago..

2010-04-02T00:33:00.000+10:00

A year ago today I lost a friend.

Not to a tragic accident, or passing away or anything like that, although at times it did and still does feel like that. No, I lost a friend via a disagreement, an argument, a misunderstanding. It was and still is really awful , hard and painful. It made me so sad, beyond words sometimes, that this could happen, but it does sadly. We had grown quite close i thought, popping around for a coke’n’smoke (yes I know shocking!!) at all times of the day and night, looking after each others kids, laughing till we cried, having a couple of quiet beers and prattling on about our husbands , life, the world, as we did. And then it all ended with an almighty bang. It was horrible, and the does not even begin to describe it. We both said things we probably regret, we both got down and dirty in the end, something I am not proud of. I do miss my friend, I miss how she made me laugh amongst other things, {the girl could tell a tale!}

Now, we pretty much pass each other like we never knew each other. I still go to wave when I see her car on the street, but then stop when I remember - we aren’t friends anymore. A couple of days ago we actually spoke for the first time in probably over 8 months, it was strange and unexpected. Just a small hello at the local shops, but it got me thinking about it all again and how in a year everything had changed. Our kids still go to school together, they chat and laugh as we do with each other’s girls..but us..not anymore. It really broke my heart to lose this friend...I hope she is happy and content with her lovely family, I wish her nothing but well, even though I will be honest this has been harder than I thought possible. Good friends are hard to come by, so to lose one hurts...alot.

image

mmmmm....melbourne

2010-03-30T08:39:00.000+10:00

So a couple of weekends ago I headed off to Melbourne for four days. I guilted my mum into coming along as she has not been back in over 20 years. We had a fabulous time..I didnt get many pics as I was just having a relaxing time, but here are a few.

We spent Friday night in St Kilda..I love St Kilda..we had the dodgiest accommodation in the world thanks to booking over the net..but we where so tired it didnt matter. We headed into Ackland street for some delicious food, dinner at Roccoco's, and few wines. We then hit the cake shops...belive me if you are a dessert person this is the place for you. Me, I dont like cakes so not great, but mum got the most amazing French Vanilla slice that was the size of a small island. She could not eat it after dinner so she ate it for breakfast!

dodgy accommodation!

mum & I having dinner in St Kilda

On saturday we trammed it into the city for a bit of retail therapy..went to Bourke Street and Vic Markets. Then back out to St Kilda to the Magnolia Square Market. Wow how awesome is that market...lots of loveliness and a few online friends...

lovely ladies from sweet william, one of my faves

another fave Printspace

I then headed to my cousin Rachaels place. The whole reason I was in Melbourne was to attend her 30th.

It was cracker of a night at a pub in St Kilda.

We then spent Sunday and Monday with family catching up. Mum saw all her sisters which was great and she was so overwhelmingly happy.

Great trip..too short..back in Melbourne in May for Mathildas Markets...

see ya.

crazy

2010-03-25T23:45:00.000+10:00

{image from flight of the concords, love these boys!}

ok so I am sorry for my lack of posting over the past week...pretty much total chaos this week and not a minute to spare, seriously. Between my Melbourne trip, Freckles coming home, school, daycare, school sores on the boy (grrrrrr), work, Mr Petrie's work x 2, no kitchen at all, new kitchen organisation, the house looking like it has been left to homeless party hard teenage squatters and just ordinary day to day shit (sorry!) I have not had a minute to scratch myself..so that is the go here in our world...so hopefully we will be back to normal programming in a few days..love ya guts peeps!

away I go...

2010-03-18T22:55:00.000+10:00

So I am all packed and my suitcase is by the door. I am off to Melbourne early tomorrow morning. I was supposed to be going with my little brother but he had to bail as he has to work. That makes me sad as I was really looking forward to it. Anywho I convinced my lovely mumma to come instead. Anyway, off I go. I am going to check out a few stores, to tout my wares and hopefully drum up business. Catch up with old friends and of course my gorgeous family. The reason I am actually going is for my gorgeous cousin Rachael. It is her 30th on Saturday night and she is having a wild party at a pub in St Kilda, cannot wait.

I am also going to me my newest little relative, baby Chase. Cannot wait to kiss him to death.

I am going to miss my boys. They are having a boys weekend, working around the house and going out on a boat fishing, so they probably wont miss me. Freckles update, she is having a wild time. I spoke to my lovely friend Kylie and she told me she is missing us but doesnt want to come home yet..nice!

So I will be back next week...

I will leave you with some pics of our current kitchen reno in progress. We are currently ripping out our old kitchen, which was HIDEOUS and a brand new one is going in next weekend..I am SO excited.

have a great weekend!

mmm yes well..check out all those lines...nice hey...NOT {photo from real estate}

check out my oven...held in by rocks...yes I said rocks are holding in my oven!

and ta-da disgusting kitchen gone!

remember me..

2010-03-18T09:09:00.002+10:00

So on Tuesday night I went to the movies with two of my lovely girlfriends..Renee & Sophie. It was a sort of last minute, not so last minute thing..and we had a ball. I won some tickets to see the new Mr Pattinson film - Remember Me. For anyone who knows me I am a huge fan of Mr Pattinson. Okay I am in love with him okay..so moving on when we went to go to the movies I could not use the free tickets I had because it was Tuesday - bummer. Anyway we still went and the movie was FABULOUS...we laughed and cried, well I balled as I always do..oh and there was alot of drooling and ogling..(by me). So I have had my R Pattz fix for another few months..New Moon comes out on dvd soon and then roll on June for Eclipse...

Thank you girls for coming out with me and making me laugh, I love you guys.

And thank you Mr Pattinson..for being you.

to be sure, to be sure...

2010-03-17T19:23:00.000+10:00

cushion from helkatdesign

Green is my all time favourite colour! So I love St Patricks Day!

Happy St Pats day to you! Here are some of my favourite green things..

get this from mojospastyle

{images} #2 from marthastewart, #'s 3,4,5 from here.

sweet stuff

2010-03-13T21:59:00.001+10:00

I stumbled across these babies a few days ago..they are so divine I want them!

you can get them here at dashingetc on etsy

Having a quite weekend at home with my boys. Freckles is now on the houseboat and having a ball...miss her like made though.

We are just about to put in a new kitchen here so spent the day with mum cleaning out the cupboards..it now looks like we are "camping at home" as the boy put it. Some crappy weeks with no kitchen but it will all be worth it..before and afters to come later..

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend..x

a little Dory wisdom..

2010-03-11T08:55:00.000+10:00

{image}

So for the past few days I have been a little lost for words..since Freckles left on her amazing adventure I have been a little nervous. Not nervous about her going, just the long two day drive they where taking. But now they are safe and sound at their destination, I feel like I can stop holding my breath. It is funny I have had mixed reactions to letting her go away for such a long time and also for such a long way. Mostly they have been supportive, lots of wow's and oh I could never do that's...it's funny and has made me think. I even found myself questionning my decision, which I dont think is a bad thing. But in the end I was not going to let my fear of what "might happen" overshadow what "could happen" which is a load of fun and a time she will never forget. I miss her so much it hurts, but I know she is with people who love her and will take care of her as their own. I would never have let her go if I did not think this or feel it in my bones. I also remembered a quote...funny but true. It is from that fabulous movie Nemo..and it is from the gorgeous Dory....

"I promised I would never let anything happen to him" Marlin

"That's a funny thing to promise. You can't never let anything happen to him.Then nothing would ever happen to him." Dory

So true.

I think I have talked before how I want my kids to grow up with lots of different experiences in their lives, not things. I went on many different trips with friends when I was younger and I loved them and still talk about them today.

I cannot protect her every minute of the day. I can only guide her and try and do my best in making decisions that will be the best for her, but ultimately their is a higher power, whatever or whomever that may be, and what will be will be.

So here is to me overcoming my fear and having happiness in my heart for the fabulous time she is having, and counting down the days till she is back in my arms.

x

Point + Shoot plus a farewell...

2010-03-08T21:06:00.000+10:00

Well here is my picture for the Fat Mum Slim point and shoot this week. There is a little bit of a story to this so I will try and make it brief. My baby girl Freckles has left on a lovely adventure tonight. She is off with one of her besties and her mum and dad for a two week escapade. They are driving to South Australia to go on a houseboat along the Murray River. They will be gone for 2 weeks! Yes, my baby girl has left to go on a fabulous adventure for two whole weeks...It has been a little hard tonight saying goodbye to her, but she was so excited, and I love knowing she is going on a fabulous adventure with people who love her like their own. I will miss her every minute, but know she will be back in my arms very soon, with lots of stories to tell. So now onto the picture. Because freckles was going away for such a long time...I wanted her to have a piece of us to take with her..along with a pashmina of mine that she made me sleep with for the last week so she could smell me on it..I made her a surprise, this pillow. I got the photos and put them onto transfer paper and ironed them onto a new pillow case. I framed the pics to look like polaroids..and ta da, a pillow she can have close to her, and we will be with her every night. To say she loved is was an understatement.

I love her so much, and know she will have so much fun.

Have a great week!

2010-03-06T07:36:00.000+10:00

{image Vogue Italia}

so just giving the blog a little bit of a makeover...needed a fresh change..what do you think?
still in the process...but getting there.
Have a great weekend...x

Happy Mail!

2010-03-04T23:38:00.001+10:00

So I have just finished wrapping, sticking and packaging up my little bit of Happiness that is my Happy Mail..

Hopefully the Happy Mail recipient will love it...if not well there is always re-gifting...!

So off to the PO I go in the morning to mail off some happiness...

If you want to know what this happiness is all about..jump on over here to Chantelles blog..and you can join in next time!

{image)

Melbourne here I come...can you help me?

2010-03-03T23:10:00.000+10:00

So I am off to Melbourne on the 19th of this month for four days (yippee!) I am going with my little brother and we are heading down to go to my funky and gorgeous cousin Rachel's 30th birthday party in St Kilda on Saturday night. We are then going to visit lots of family after that, which will be great. I have not been back to Melbourne since my nan passed and it was the last place I spent any quality time with my dad before he too died a few weeks later. So it is with a heavy heart that I return, but I wanted some happy memories of the beautiful city not just sad ones...

So, we get in about mid afternoon on friday and are planning to shout ourselves a night out on the town with some friends..but in between this and on Saturday I want to get in some awesome retail therapy..so I need your help!

Can you give me some great places to go shopping? Favourite op shops..anything...let me know, thank you.

aqua

2010-03-02T21:38:00.000+10:00

ok so it has been raining for like...ever! It has not stopped..I love the rain so I don't mind at all. Today it was cold so I put on one of my fav tops and it was aqua in colour I wore it with my skinny jeans (the only time you will ever here me say skinny about myself!) and my white converse..this is my all time fave colour other than green.

It was nice beacause I got 5 comments on how nice I looked..It must be the colour..i love it so much that my bridesmaids all wore aqua..today was a good day...

Here are some of my fave aqua picks...

What is your favourite colour...?

room with a view...

2010-03-01T23:00:00.000+10:00

Just a couple of pics from the weekend..you can check out where we stayed here...it is just gorgeous...

for you..

2010-03-01T00:33:00.000+10:00

to my darling husband, thank you for everything..for all that you do, for all that you are..for who you make me, for our beautiful children, thank you.

i carry your heart with me

(i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it

(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate

(for you are my fate, my sweet)

i want no world

(for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

e.e.cummings

dirty weekend

2010-02-27T07:05:00.000+10:00

Well today is my anniversary (really bad scanned image of us on our wedding day..)..sorry our Anniversary..it was 11 years today that Mr Petrie and I tied the knot and where stuck with each other forever..and we are still here! I cannot believe it..have to say we have had our ups and downs...but on the bumpy road we have definatley had more ups than downs..

So to my husband (that still freaks me out to say that) thank you for putting up with me for so long!

Here is to many more years of smiles, tears, arguements, but most of all love and fun. I love you babe.

Mr Petrie is whisking me away for a lovely 'dirty weekend' sans the peeps..cannot wait..catch you all on Monday...

xo

{image}

if you are the praying kind...

2010-02-26T09:59:00.000+10:00

If you are the praying kind, please say a prayer to whomever today for little Conan Rusters family today. Little Conan was tragically lost at his home on Sunday night after he wandered off and drowned in the dam on the property. Conan's family is part of our community, he attended the daycare the boy goes to and his big sister Ella is in the same class as the boy.

They are farewelling him today at 3pm. Please keep them in your thoughts and hearts today.

all our love.

1, 2, 3,.......

2010-02-24T22:38:00.000+10:00

Counting sleeps...

3 sleeps until a weekend away to celebrate our 11 year anniversary..

9 sleeps until Freckles heads off into the sunset for a 2 week holiday with one of her best peeps..

23 sleeps until I head to Melbourne for a fun filled party weekend with my little bro & family..

38 sleeps until we head off camping with awesome friends for a week at Easter...

192 sleeps until the fabulous Cruise with fabulous friends..

I love counting sleeps..what are you counting down too?

{image}

Point & Shoot..

2010-02-23T20:26:00.000+10:00

So the beautiful Chanetelle over at Fat Mum Slim held a Point & Shoot thingy over the weekend..now I must say my weekend pics will be coming later in the week, so my point & shoot was actually from Monday morning..

A beautiful morning spent at the river with the boy and his best mates...I love these pics so much..I have two I just could not decide!

Check out the rest of the shooters here, and join in next time...

Today I cried..

2010-02-22T20:16:00.000+10:00

If you have been watching the news in the last 24 hours you will know that in our local community here on the Sunshine Coast and now as far as Bundaberg it has been a horrific 24 hours. This morning as I sat and watched the morning news..which by the way I never do..tears streamed down my face as I heard about our local bubba Conan Ruster. He was found this morning drowned in the dam that is on his property here in Tewantin. He was just 22 months old. I cried for his parents, his family and friends..I cannot begin to comprehend what they are going through, but we are a small community and they will be rallied around and supported as much as possible.

Then, the story of the 8 year old girl, stolen from her bed in the night, horrific things done to her and dumped in a drain. What the f*&k..I am sorry but this story has just dominated my thoughts today along with little Conan. I cannot evern fathom how those parents are feeling. As the mother of an 8 year old daughter, it sent chills through me as I watched the story unfold..I just do not understand it..to put your baby to bed, kiss them goodnight and wake up to a now, neverending nightmare. Who are these monsters who think they can take these children..I just dont understand...

Then there are the 3 young men who fell to their death at Pt Arkwright yesterday. Alcohol and and arguement and now they are all dead, early 20's young men, lost. We also lost 2 other young men in an accident just a kilometre up the road last wednesday..more death on our roads.

I cried today for the 7 mothers of these beautiful children they have lost. I cried for their pain, for their questioning, for their lives as they know it now. I do not know what it must be like to lose a child, and I hope I will never have to..but today I cried for these mothers.

So please do as I did tonight, hold you kids a little longer for those mothers who cannot..

I hope they can find a light at the end of the tunnel, some peace somewhere, sometime soon.

x

Happy Birthday

2010-02-21T23:05:00.001+10:00

Happy Birthday to my hubby for today...we love you more than words can say xo

See you at Mathildas Market on Saturday..

2010-02-19T12:12:00.001+10:00

I have been crazy busy the last week trying to get everything ready for Mathildas Market on Saturday in Brisvegas...

So if you have nothing to do, or want something to do, jump in the car and come on down for a lovely time with all the gorgeousness there is on offer...

Lovestamp will be there with bells on..so pop on over and say hello!

the important how to get there info and time stuff...

■Saturday, 20 February 2010

■Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm, 230 Lancaster Road, Ascot

■From 9am to 4pm. Plenty of free parking all around Racing Club

You can check out all the stalls info here...

See you Saturday..oh and it is all undercover indoors so no excuses!

inspiration for the uninspired...

2010-02-18T09:38:00.000+10:00

I love blogging..I have been in blogland for just over 2 years now..and this is actually my 453rd post..I cannot believe it..

Sometimes though you can just be uninspired, bored or just lost for words..so thank god there are such fabulous women out there such as Chantelle from FatMumSlim.

Chantelle has just published her first ebook...{Let's give them something to blog about}

Let me tell you a little bit about it: {All info taken from the Fat Mum Slim blog..}

♥ Something To Blog About is a cute little eBook to give you ideas on what to blog about. If you often get stumped for ideas, and get a little blogger's block, then Something To Blog About will help you to get your mojo back.

♥ It's fun. It's pretty. It's easy to read. Something To Blog About has 40 ideas for you to blog about. Each idea has a small paragraph or two to go with it. I'm pushing you in a certain direction, inspiring you to blog, without holding your hand the whole way.

♥ I get lovely emails every other day asking about blogging ideas and tips for blogging. Something To Blog About is what other bloggers have been asking me for, for a while now, in one neat little package.

♥ It's printable. So print it out and keep it near your desk {or blogging spot} and refer to it whenever you feel the need.

♥ There are 40 ideas in Something To Blog About but you can make this into many, many blog posts. You can interpret each concept into many different Blog Posts, and your perspective on each will change as time goes on, and you grow. I look forward to seeing how each blogger that purchases it turns into their own little piece of themselves.

♥ Ten percent of all profits will go to The National Breast Cancer Foundation. I thought it would be nice that we donate a little to something very special.

So what are you waiting for..I have mine..go grab yours..and be inspired!

You can get you copy here...

rising star winner...

2010-02-16T23:31:00.000+10:00

Well..the Handmade Kids Rising Star challenge is now over...I just want to take a minute to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who nominated Lovestamp and then Voted for us. In the end we didnt win, but we feel as though we are winners anyway.

The gorgeous comments, emails and feedback we have recieved has been absolutely awesome and somewhat overwhelming.

So thank you so much!

I would like to take a moment to congratulate the winner { the fairy ring } and also to say a huge Thank you to Jemma and Caz for the wonderful oppurtunity. x

So on to the winner..

Yes, when you voted for Lovestamp in the Handmade Kids Awards you went into the draw to win a $50 gift voucher from Lovestamp....

So with no further ado....

The winner is....

Bianca from peekaboo

Congratulations..I will be in touch very soon...

image source

pixelate

2010-02-15T21:11:00.000+10:00

How gorgeous is this?

Today the boy and I had to do a couple of things around our little town. We had the most yummiest iced chocolate ever and then we stopped by one of my favourite stores on the coast, Evolve at Peregian.

Whilst there I picked up some gorgeous wrapping paper, I just could not resist. I got the one above and also the same one in greens. I also got another one that you can see here.

I am going to frame them at some point once the house is painted (sometime soon) and put them up somewhere..they are just gorgeous..cannot wait.

If you want to get your hands on some you can get them here..and check out all the other gorgeous stuff.

Tick Tock..Voting Closes today!

2010-02-15T05:40:00.000+10:00

Hello all my lovelies out there...just a quick one today.

VOTING for the Handmade Kids Rising Star awards ends today!

Please pop on over to Handmade Kids and vote for Lovestamp!

Just click here and you will see the voting panel on the top right hand side.

Once you have voted please email me at info@lovestamp.com.au and let me know so I can put you in the draw for a $50 gift certificate from Lovestamp!

You can also leave me a message on our new Facebook Fanpage here.

Good Luck

drawn at random tomorrow..!

2010-02-14T12:09:00.001+10:00

Anything less than mad, passionate,extraordinary love is a waste of your time.

There are too many mediocre things in life and love shouldn't

have to be one of them."

{dream for an insomniac - 1998}

Love Week - iNSpirAtiOnaL WorDS

2010-02-13T06:00:00.001+10:00

i am a lover of inspirational words and sayings..i don't know why, but just ask my kiddos and they will tell you I am always quoting some silly little saying I picked up somewhere..just like a mother! Here are some of my faves at the moment...

most of these images sourced from here.

Love Week - InK lOVe

2010-02-12T01:00:00.001+10:00

So anyone who knows me knows that I am a little bit partial to bit of body inkage (I have 5 myself). I know I know it is not everyones cup of tea, but there is just something about it..I dont know. I think it is an addiction of sorts..anyway, love it or hate it, this artform has been around since the dawn of time..and I love it..so that is why I have included it in Love week...

images source

Love Week - mADeiT loVe

2010-02-11T10:42:00.000+10:00

madeit, if you have not checked this wicked online handmade shopping mecca out, you should...NOW!

madeit is the love child of Bec the most talented! She brings together all things handmade and wonderful from our own backyard. Lovestamp is on there and so are many many other brilliant and very talented sellers...it is the Aussie form of Etsy..so go check it out here...oh they also have a great read blog here...

valentine unisex shorts : from miss haidee garland : from 3girls&agoat

thepapertieaffair i love you brooch : from twirlingbetty

heartfeltcard : from truthbetold red box love : from inaluxe

Love Week - vOyeR LoVE

2010-02-10T07:00:00.002+10:00

ok I admit it I am a voyer of other peoples homes...I am crazy about interior design...I crawl the net looking for my next fix of inspiration..I love it..I go all over the world searching for it and then keep a file on my laptop with all the loveliness tucked inside...i have everry single copy of InsideOut & RealLiving mags since the day they where published stashed all over my home..we are at the start of a renovation so they are coming in very useful (finally Mr Petrie says!)

here are some of my favs of the moment..

(ok so I dont know where I got all or some of these images, if they are yours please let me know and I will link straight away...and thank you to all the lovely people who inspire me with there gorgeous homes)

Love Week - pEeP lOve

2010-02-09T08:56:00.002+10:00

Today I just wanted to share a couple of pics of my peeps..I love my kids..like every mum. Sometime they drive me to insanity..but 99% of the time I love them so much I could burst! So here are just a couple of fave pics of my peeps being peeps! I really love kids just being kids, lots of experiences rather than things in their lives...doing things that challenge themselves but also just hanging out playing with neighbourhood kids..simple stuff, not structured timetables of a million activities..just fun!

the boy..just waiting for his first ever train ride

freckles...reluctant model for mum

And from the weekend just past....

This was Sunday morning, it was raining cats & dogs, the kids decided that the garden bed that is being re done at the moment looked like a great place to be, making a mudslide and mudpies..I love my mud monkeys!

Love week - MuSiC

2010-02-08T14:07:00.002+10:00

I love music..we always have it on..and I love the way it can take you back to a certain time and certain place..sad, happy whatever..here are few of my fave love type songs..to make you cry, to make you think, to make love too, to take you back..enjoy..add them to you playlist..

Adore this song, Adore.

Nothing need be said, the man can sing.

This song reminds me of my nan & my dad...

Emotive & Beautiful

Mr Buckley, takes me back to when Mr Petrie and I met..

for my man..

one of the most beautiful songs ever...

LoVe lOvE LoVe..

2010-02-07T21:59:00.000+10:00

Ok so I have deemed it "Love Week" here on my little blog...coming up to Valentines Day on the 14th why the hell not I say..so this week I will share the love, all things love, things I love, things you might love..just anything love..so prepare to be loved...

First up....

Etsy Love..things the caught my eye and I love from the wonderful world of Etsy..If you havent discovered this worldwide shopping heaven..then prepare yourself and click on over and have a look around..you will fall in love.

sweet little lovebird earrings from gloriousgirljewelry

love message cushion from chocolatecreative

Meadow White Georgette & Blue Navy Silk Camisole from HOPELESS

love dish from thebrickkiln

forever personalised poster from SILHOUETTEBLUE

black leather love cuff from loveatfirstblush

more tomorrow...

the weekend lowdown..

2010-02-06T07:22:00.000+10:00

This weekend will consist of the following...

1. soccer sign up for the boy

2. Nan coming for a visit

3. Catching up on some work

4. Have a yummy bbq

5. Maybe sneak in a nap

6. go for a swim in the ocean

7. early morning Nippers

8. visit the nursery for some plants

9. take the boy to a birthday party

10. watch The Reader on dvd..finally

What are you up too this weekend?

stuck up..

2010-02-05T14:34:00.000+10:00

okay I have a slight obsession at the moment, Japanese masking tape...its crazy stuff, you can rip it, write on it, decorate with it, it is just gorgeous and comes in a trillion different colours and patterns...get some stick

stuff here.

sometimes things creep up on you..

2010-02-04T22:25:00.001+10:00

sometimes things just creep up on you, catch you off guard.....blindside you.....like my daughter asking me yesterday about dad and how he died, why he died, where did he go, why did he go, what are we going to do with the ashes, what happened...questions that I try to answer as best I can for an 8 year old, but yet I struggle to find the answers myself, the guilt just creeps in again, of why I didnt stop it, why I didnt do something more....then it creeps up on you like seeing a picture of my brother, his smile, his hands the familiarity of them, the are my fathers hands and smile. Like opening up my makeup bag and the scent consumes me..the bottle of aftershave, the one my dad was wearing the day he died...I miss him, words do not begin to cover it..so much to tell him, so much to say..this song keeps playing in my head and my spun up on my ipod today, making me catch my breath...again...

to the nice lady I hit today...

2010-02-03T21:20:00.000+10:00

Just what it says above...so let me clarify, I did not actually 'hit' a nice lady today. But I did smash into the back of her car this morning whilst distracted by my daughter who had my $50 dollar not in her hands and was waving it around like a flag near the open car window..in my distraction I did not see the nice lady stop suddenly and therefore hit her fair in the ass! So as I swore my head off at how "Murphy got me again.." we pulled over to the side of the road, and all I could think is Mr Petrie is going to kill me as we only just had the front end repaired (um, he swerved to miss a possum and hit a tree!!)...the nice lady got out, as did I, me all apologetic, are you okay..and she goes looks at her car, looks at mine and says 'its okay love, no damage done, this and that dent where already there', then I go (after I come out of shock of what she is saying) I say no but it was my fault and here are my details..and she says nope, no worries...all good...see you. And drives away...leaving me standing there shocked!

So to the very nice lady from this morning, you are a wonderful person and I am sorry for running into you this morning. x

Please Vote for Lovestamp...& Win!

2010-02-02T22:09:00.000+10:00

Ok so we have made the TOP 5 of the Handmade Kids Rising Star Awards..and to say we are super excited is a total and utter understatement!

So voting is now open! So we would love if you could please take 30 seconds to vote for us!

How to Vote

1. Click here to go to Handmade Kids.

2. Have a look up on the top right of your screen and you will see the Top 5 List.

3. Go down to the bottom of the list and click on the little circle next to Lovestamp

4. email us and let us know you have voted at info@lovestamp.com.au and go into the draw to win a $50 Gift Voucher..

Simple hey!

Voting closes 15th Feb, so be quick.

Oh and if you want to earn extra entries, you get 1 extra entry for each of the following..

1. blog about voting for Lovestamp

2. tweet about voting for Lovestamp

3.Join our Facebook Fanpage.

4. email your friends and CC lovestamp in on the email and you get one for every person on the email.

Just let us know if you do any of the following via email at info@lovestamp.com.au and go in the draw.

Winner will be chosen at random on the 16th of February.

So, thank you so much in advance for voting and good luck for the giveaway!

I just want to take a moment to wish all the other stores in the competition good luck!

look what I made..

2010-02-01T12:23:00.001+10:00

After

So I just wanted to share some pics of a little project I have done. It is actually part of a bigger project, called "Renovating the House" which I will get too at a later date. A few weeks ago we set about swapping the kids rooms, and then painting them, no mean feet in a trillion degree heat and school holidays (what were we thinking!) Anyway the rooms are pretty much done now and look great..(more on this in a later post) the only thing left is new carpet.

Above and below you can see the before and afters of a little project I did for the boys room. I got this old display tray at the op shop for I think it was $3, and have had it for a year or so, not knowing exactly what to do with it..and then it hit me...

Before

So I got out the old spray paint (I Love spraypaint) and gave it a few coats of gloss white. It now takes pride of place above the boy's bed with a stack of his matchbox cars in it. He loves it because he can change it around whenever he gets a new favourite. I love it too because finally this little piece is being put to good use..

Let me know what you think??

The finished product!

somewhere near tapachula..must see

2010-01-31T22:48:00.002+10:00

If you believe in love, hope, faith, kind hearts and souls, and people in the world truly doing magnificent things..then see this movie...

If you get a chance please support and see

'Somewhere in Tapachula'

Here is a little about the movie...

Somewhere Near Tapachula is a truly inspiring story of love, life and hope. Set in Tapachula, Mexico, this documentary looks at the horrific childhoods of 50 kids, their new life at Mision Mexico, and the exciting future of following their dreams.

It also focuses on the unique surf community that they have pioneered in Tapachula, a coastal city with no other wave riders. To these kids the ocean is not just a place of fun, its an escape from what life used to be

This movie will challenge you with the important things in life, and open your eyes to the power of riding waves, whether you are a surfer or not.

Pam & Alan Skuse, are Sunshine Coast locals, with beautiful hearts and misson to achieve. Please help if you can.

You can view a preview below...