hothouse

Last week whilst we were down in Brissy for a couple of days, we got the chance to catch up with some very good friends of ours. Firstly on Friday Tracey (not her real name) and one of her peeps organised a little trip to the Powerhouse in Brisbane for some musical stuff. It was good...but the workshop the 8 year old girls were booked into was probably a little too young, but once it had started it was too late to back out and we had paid..blah blah, so they "endured" it as freckles would put it if she knew what that word meant. The one child that it was probably more aimed at, the boy, sat basically under my chair, back to the action, playing with his cars the whole time, apart from 30 seconds when he sat next to his sister for a millisecond so I could get a really bad photo! All in all a great day with Trace and her little gorgeous Peep. We also got to visit all too briefly some of my fave shops on James St, but alas not so fun with 3 wee ones in tow! We did however go to one of fav shops and look at a divine dining table and chairs for said Traceys house, LOVE IT LOVE IT, want to marry it! On Saturday we then went to Trev & Trace's place (again not their real names..you know who you are!) and had a scrummy bbq with some other awesome friends of ours Mr & Mrs Royboys, and there sweet peeps. I just lurvve their new reno, here is a sneaky peek...

Just getting ready to head to the big city, leaving the family to fend for themselves and going off to Mathildas Market in Brisbane on Sunday...but more on that tomorrow...

one down, two to go!

So, for the past month or so I have been gearing up for what I have termed Market season for lovestamp. Three markets is one month = very busy me! So the first market was last weekend, and I have to say I was extremely nervous to be doing it. It is sort of easy to sit here behind my lappy, but to actually get out there, that is a little harder. The build up had been hectic with school holidays, me being sick as a dog with a horrendous 3 week flu, that is still hanging on, and just life in general, but we got there, and it was all alright on the night as they say. Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to a few people, first of all my amazing mother, who sewed for me, babysat for me, fed me, looked after me and wiped my tears over the past few weeks, where would I be without you mum, I love you. Mr Petrie, my husband, supported me, helped me immensly, helped me get prepared, tackled the little peeps and just nursed me while I have been ill, you are a super husband, even though you drive me bonkers! You got up early in the cold and dark on sunday to help me with the market, you spruiked, you raved, you got people interested, you handed out over 250 business cards, you were a lifesaver, even when I had an anxiety attack mid afternoon you still kept going, thank you. To all my lovely family and friends who made the trek out, Sonya & Georga, Madonna Carl & the kids, Vanessa & Isobel, Ange Ray & Sophie, Mary Terry & baby sam, Jacinta, Christine from Little Diva, Claire & her kids, all my lovely customers, and all my new ones, thank you. It was a fabulous day, beautiful sunny skies, lots of chocolate and coffee and a huge crowd. Lovestamp had a hugely successful day, and we are very proud, but could not have done it without all of you, so thank you. Lovestamp will definatley be back at the Boutique Markets soon!

Boutique Markets Portside Wharf...lovely images of the day!

Now on to the next market this weekend - Mathildas Market Brisbane. On this sunday there are around 70 stalls I believe so it should make for a great day, rain or shine! So come on down and say hello!

Mathildas Market

Brisbane City Hall

Main Auditorium

This Sunday

9am to 1pm

Other than that lots has been happening, spent some time with our lovely friends, had a bbq, went to music show with the kids at the powerhouse, to the park. Freckles had a few sleepovers with best friends and cousins, a truly busy few days in the big smoke.

Lots of new stuff happening with lovestamp. New products to tell you about..see below, they will all be in the shop by the end of the week, and at the markets this weekend!

1. Sugar & Spice, sweet little girls necklace

2. Little Sentiments

3. Sterling Silver Guitar Pick

4. Baby Love, baby bracelet available in heart, circle or square

5. Lovely, gorgeous large heart with fresh water pearl

6. Ambie, amber teething necklace for children/babies, customised

7. Sterling Silver tag keyring

8. Baby Love bracelet

These will all be available by the end of the week in the shop & at the markets!

Hope you all have a great week! xo

Crazy busy..

Balance

Hi everyone, I am hoping to be back to "normal" posting in a few days.
School Holidays are in full swing and with two at home and trying to unpack a house and finish all Lovestamp Christmas orders it is all a little crazy. I have some lovely pics to share in the next few days..but I will leave you with two new items add in the etsy and madeit shops!

Peaceful Heart

We are back from our lovely weeks Holiday in Yamba!
We had a fantastic time, lots of eating, drinking, laughing, loving, playing, swimming, running, freezing, sleeping, and everything else! I would like to thank all my lovely friends for making it a special week and roll on next year. The week was great and went way to fast..to many photos to post so check out the slideshow!

Back to reality now..school etc..also have to start packing up the house for the move to our new house in early December (yippee!)

Anyway more in the next few days...hope you are all fantastic!

Weekend wrap up..

It is the end of school holidays today...it has been really fun, sometimes I dread the school holidays, with the I "I'm bored, where are we going, what are we doing, what can I wear" etc..but really we had a fabulous holiday with so much fun.

So anyway this weekend we had a fairly cruisy one..lots of beach time, which we love.

Saturday spent the whole morning at the beach, running, swimming, boogie boarding, soccering, making sandcastles etc.. then came home for our usual siesta and then tackled the cleaning of the car and the tidy up of the garage. We then had a yummy bbq with some outlaws and some friends.

Today, was Nipper Sunday, so off to the beach at 7.30am, it was beautiful and freckles had a fantastic time. Came home and had a siesta, (well the boy and I did) as I felt like my ovaries were going to explode (a whole other story) I woke up to discover that my darling hubby had let my 7 year old ride her bike around to her friends place about 1klm away! She had NEVER EVER done this before...and to say I was unimpressed was an understatement! Anyway, lawn was mowed, and washing was done..all good.

Today was also "The Festival of the Boot" in our house, it was the rugby league grand final, so here is the picture of the boys watching the footy!

Other than that, good luck to all the mums out there with getting all the kiddies to school tomorrow.

Oh, and I just had to include this video that is obviously doing the email rounds, but it just makes me nearly pee my pants everytime I see it...Have a good week!

Watch it and have a laugh!

day 10

Day 10

Last week day of holidays..and we had a wonderful day. Spent the day with my lovely "sister" and her gorgeous girls who had come down from up north to visit family and we were lucky they were close by and could spend the day with us. We had a fantastic day, went to breaky with the girls and the kids, then just hung out at home whilst the kids played.

A lovely day, I was so lucky to see my gorgeous friend (sister) again.

I love you girlfriend. xo

A Clean House Is A Sign Of A Wasted Life

images from Martha Stewart website

Day 9

So today brought with it cleaning, you know all those jobs you put off, well I do anyway, would much rather be out in the sunshine, with my kids, reading, or creating something..but it has to be done..but you know what I dont have the "cleanest house" in the world, I know that, especially at the moment, with school holidays on, I am not going to drive myself mental trying to keep the house clean..

But, my home is you know lived in, like a good old pair of jeans or pj pants, comfy, suitable, functional, maybe not so stylish, but you always feel great in them, that is what my home is like, so who cares if the bed is unmade, their are matchbox cars everywhere, and the washing is piled up. I really love the saying above "A clean house is a sign of a wasted life!" So true. So I will do what needs to be done, and spend the rest of my time with my kids..so please excuse the mess!

Tomorrow I am spending the day with my gorgeous bestie (sister) Amanda and her peeps...I cannot wait!

Day 7 & 8, also Thrifted Weekly..

Day 7 & 8

Day 7

brought with it a trip to the movies..we went and saw Wall-e, fun was had by all, lots of popcorn, frozen cokes and m&m's. The movie was good, the kids enjoyed it and so did I. We then went to McDonalds for lunch as a treat and then home for a quiet afternoon, of drawing and playdough, all in all great day.

Day 8

Today was pretty quiet, the kids went off in different directions as it is usually a work day for me, but instead the car went in for a service and I stayed home and did some stuff for a new enterprise I am on, and also some housework. Nothing too exciting, but good just the same

The only down side was the some horrid person STOLE the boys little bike. It was his first one he ever owned and his absolute favourite. And to top it all off, tomorrow at kindy he has an excursion - a bike riding adventure to the park with cupcakes - so guess what I will be doing in the morning, going to get him a new bike. I swear I cried, they stole it right from out the front of our house - pigs! Karma people Karma!

Anyway, now on to my thrifting finds for this week...

Firstly a sweet little board craft thiingo from Italy. It is so sweet and folds up in on itself. The kids have been fighting over it. They love it. Only 50c

A sweet little clear perspex bowl with lid, cannot wait to fill it with loveliness! I snagged this for a grand total of 50c.

This is one of the said Russian Dolls that I got the other day (see previous post). It is a little overloved and needs some tlc but still awesome! Only 50c

This gorgeous linen wall hanging, just loved the vibrant colours and cool design - will look great in our new house! $2-

L to R - On the left is this gorgeous retro strawberry print square tablecloth, and on the right is a trio of sweet vintage pillowcases..yum all round.

day 6...roll on summer roll on...

Day 6

Day 6 brought with it the most beautiful day...a gorgeous Monday, with some great plans to boot! We headed off early to the Op Shop, to grab (hopefully) some great bargains from the weekend clean outs! Mondays are great days at the oppy as all the big stuff from the weekend comes in and you can often jag something really cool..but...I have to admit I did get a little "thrifitng-rage" this morning. It was hot, two kids in tow and a few people waiting to get in the shop, so we go in and I head in, have given freckles 80c for the lolly machine with strict instructions to get 40c of lollies for each of them..so that is fine, she is all over it..(good girl!) So anyway I head down an isle and their they are, staring at me, calling me..4 beautiful russian dolls (matroyska, nesting dolls), so I head to them (quickly) and grab one and have a quick look at it, as I am doing this, this guy grabs all of them off the shelf and throws them in his basket without a second thought, I mean I am standing in front of them, one in hand about to grab them all, when no, he basically railroads me, I say very loudly "EXCUSE ME" and hes says "Well you gotta be quick round here..LOVE" with that I reply I was about pick them up and he says "Too BAD". GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.... I could have...well you know..anyway, I took my 1 doll and grabbed a few other things and left in disgust, karma baby, karma. Anyone else out there had a little "thrifting rage"? Please..do tell....



Anyway after that...we headed to the river for a fabulous morning of frolicking in the water, lazing on the towels under the trees, playing in the park, eating cupcakes and fruit, general banter amongst the mummies and a really lovely time! The kids then came home and played for the rest of the afternoon eating iceblocks and playing under the sprinkler..

All in all a fabulous day, tommorrow we are off to see Wall-e at the movies..

You know what I am loving the school holidays..(well today anyway!)
Later Peeps...

Ps..guess who started wearing his first pair of undies today...

woohoo...roll on the days of no more nappies!

wax me baby

Day4 school holidays

Not much going on round here today, freckles went off to vacation care today with all her peeps so she was happy as larry and then off to a play date afterwards..did the thrifty run today and then out to my girlfriends house for some waxing..eyebrows and arms for summer...ooh so silky smooth I love it! She has a fantastic place on a little bit of property so we wandered around and looked at her lovely garden and the chooks and the dog and the cat and everything else..then came home and did some stuff on the computer and then some housework before picking up the babies and coming home..thats it..nothing else..good day all round!

well here I am..

Well here I am, back again and what a week.... very busy busy busy, doing lots of bits and peices..the following is pretty much a run down..

Took the boy to a twins birthday party on Saturday, was very hot and we had a lovely time creating and eating cake..we then came home for a lovely nap before heading off down the street for an evening bbq with some friends..all in all a great Saturday..

School Holidays : Day 1 :
Spent the day at home on Monday just chilling out, the kids did some painting, I did some washing, we watched a dvd and then I dropped the kids off at a friends so I could do some groceries without being hounded..then freckles had her friend Miss T come for a sleepover...

:Day 2:

Went down to Del's place this morning for "Playgroup at the Beach". We met there and then all walked down to the beach for a morning of fun in the sun, then we all came back and had lunch under the shade of the trees.. then a lovely afternoon of pottering at home and naps..a good day..once again...

Tomorrow hubby and I are heading off the big city for the day to do some things, so need to get some sleep..

We have some big news that I will share tomrrow...

Day 7

Roger Federer

Friday..day 7 of winter holidays..had a great day, not very productive one, but great all the same..freckles had a playdate with her gym friends for a few hours this morning so I dropped her there, then off to day care for the boy..then off to breakfast with the girls..yummo..i love this..we do it every friday morning and it is just awesome..then off to the shops with the lovely kylie to buy some knee high boots..and she looked smokin'. Then to work, the stationer..love that place, and then back to pick up freckles and home for an afternoon of drawing and movie watching, oh and a nana nap! Then off to pick up the boy, make dinner, bath, teeth brushing, storytime, and bed. Phew..just a little worried about freckles, she has had two migraines this week, that have completely debilitated her, may have to take her to the docs tomorrow...Other than that all is well...just sitting watching my main man Federer..play Safin at Wimbledon...so off to get another diet coke and snuggle down for a great match..GO FEDERER!

Toodles till tomorrow...

Grateful for..

All the love and positiveness I have in my life.....

Day 6

Today well..what a day started out by getting up early to tackle the Big W massive toy sale that started today..running shoes on, comfy clothes, catalogue with circled items, call and check opening time, get up early and make sure dh can stay with the kids...all good..until.. I get there stroll in, no crowds..get the Nintendo ds that freckles wants for her birthday, and few other things for chrissy, stroll to the layby counter..ladeedah...no wallet...YOU ARE KIDDING ME! I knew it was too good to be true...ask the lovely Amanda at the counter could you just hold this for me I will be back in 15 mins...run, run as fast as I can to the car, speed home, get wallet, return...to be faced with a ginormous crowd of insane mothers with a million trolley loads of toys that they definately do not need, go to the back of the line, cursing my stupidity..when suddenly an angels voice calls me..it is my lovely friend dell, she calls me to the middle of the line and asks if I can mind her trolley while she takes her girl to get immunised, she pretends I am her sister as to not disturb the crazed mothers in the line..she gets back just as I get to the counter..so all done..thank goodness..

Other than that, spent the rest of the day at the bmx park with freckles and her friends, it was great, sitting in the sun, chatting to my lovely friend Mel..

Now all I want to do is sit in this chair....

And read this book that I got at the library...

Cheers..

Day 5

Day 5 of school holidays...all going well apart from one comment..this has been our week so far..

Saturday - house inspection (kids climbed trees and picked mandarins and lemons, also played with the dog next door), then went to the bmx park/ playground with Nan and played and had sausage rolls for lunch. Went home and the boy had a nap whilst freckles and dad went around to a friends place to fix the bike, freckles played with her school friends.

Sunday - Dh & I had food poisoning, so took the kids to Maccas for a shake and a play in the morning, then back to the house and the park in the afternoon.

Monday - Went to Jodes, they live on property so the kids ran with the dog, cat and chooks..also made mud pies all morning, then came home and freckles had a friend to sleepover Monday night.

Tuesday - went to the library in the am for story time and craft, then came home for a dvd and lunch then down to the new pirate park for the afternoon, all with the friend that slept over.

Wednesday (today) - Freckles had a playdate at school friends all day. The boy had daycare as I had to work.

So that has been it so far...and freckles has the nerve to walk in the door this afternoon, in the door 5 minutes and mutter..' I AM BORED!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Can you believe it..to say my blood boiled in an understatement...I had to count to ten, tell her to think about what she just said and walk outside...

Why is it never enough?????????????