Crafternoon with the Munchkin...

It has been fairly uncreative around here the last few months. The Munchkin is a creative gal and has been drawing, painting and creating potions but we had sadly not done anything together for ages. This changed after we watched the movie "Rio" together. Bright, dancing, singing birds and talking animals - yes please! (We'll ignore the typically over the top bad guys who are way too "dark" for a kids movie in my opinion shall we?) 

So we decided to create a bird based on Blue. I drew a rough approximation of his character and The Munchkin chose some coloured card to make his feathers. We happily glued, and coloured and stuck on the one feather we could find in our craft box and then The Munchkin suggested we cut it out and glue it to a tube thing... well yes! Awesome! Love that she can expand on our ideas! She had just the tube in mind in her useful box and with the help of some pretty fabulous Super Glue Mr HMH had acquired for me (Loctite 401 BTW - amazing stuff - grown ups only obviously!) we turned our collage into a super awesome puppet. 

I LOVE crafting with The Munchkin. I love that she has her own ideas about what will be fun and is able to share them with me. We are actually on a bit of a roll now as we made something else yesterday which I will share soon. 

Love my clever, sweet, caring and crafty girl :)

Yours in awe, 

Allana xxx

Oppie finds...

It had been awhile since I had felt like Op Shopping, surely a sign all was not well.  I did however head over to a church fair (In Sept!) and was lucky to pick up a few little treasures. I always feel bad about this particular fair as the lovely stall folks charge crazy low prices like 20c. The vintage plates, bowls, lambie and kokeshi dolls (?) set me back all of $4. 

The gorgeous vintage Sunbeam Mixer however was $15 and they did not know if it worked at all. Seeing as it was for a good cause, and that I knew my Nan would dearly love the beaters to replace hers and the small glass bowl if it hadn't worked, I took the risk. I grew up with my Nan having a similar Sunbeam and I clearly remember turning the dial on it whilst helping her bake. My Mum was given a vintage one a few years ago also and I used it for all my market cooking last summer. This beauty does work, only on one speed... fast... but I am still happy. I handed Mum back her vintage Sunbeam and am satisfied that this will last me until I can afford the KitchenAid I dearly desire. 

I picked up this fun vintage bag last week at our local Lifeline for $4. Bath mat bag anyone? I almost didn't buy it, but the nostalgia factor and the thought that it would make an excellent beach/pool and Brown Owl craft day bag sealed the deal for me. So glad I did too, I love it!

I'm linking up with Sophie of Her Library Adventures today and I can't wait to stop by and see all the great treasures you guys have found too! 

Yours in Oppie envy, 

Allana xxx

Music I'm loving...

Sometimes we need to remember the good...

Yours in contemplation, 

Allana xxx

Thankyou...

I big, warm, squeezy, from-the-bottom-of-my-heart THANKYOU to everyone who has stopped by and offered love and strength.

You guys are AMAZING and I am so grateful to be part of such a supportive community. 

Seriously. Blown away.

Gratefully yours,

Allana xxx

So...

For those of you still popping by - THANKYOU!

 I am still popping by all of your blogs but have been pretty slack in responding lately... I am working on making connections again... in all aspects of my life.

 Mr HMH and I are on a break. Yep. Sucks. Unfortunately we had lost our connection and things had gotten out of hand. This break is the best thing we could be doing however, while we still care about each other and while it could still be retrievable. 

Relationships are complicated, evolving, and sometimes like quicksand. My hat goes off to those out there that make it work against adversity.

So day by day our lives go on no matter what Big Things are happening, or have happened. It makes me stop and think about all those people in the world who have Big Things masked behind their 'everyday' faces. Makes you feel a bit more tolerant and compassionate really. 

Hmm, I didn't mean for this post to be about this actually. I guess this is the crux of blogging, the journal aspect where we can work through things and share the 'real' us. I hope you don't mind. I feel better for it anyway. 

Till next time,

Yours in contemplation, 

Allana xxx

NB. Both pics Instagram filters from our local park. Afternoon sun reflecting on the duck pond, and Daisy Fields.

They have turned out to be two of my favs :)

Fantastic giveaway happening over at Sweet Little Library Girl...

Head on over here to enter a great giveaway to win your very own set of Frank & Dean Co customised postcards, and while you are there check out this great blog all about books!! 

Till next time, 

Sickly yours, 

Allana ooo

 (they're hugs so you don't get my virus!) 

New me, new clothes, new hair...

Please excuse my narcissistic moment here won't you? Just thought I'd share my cute new Country Road silk cami which was one of the many bargains I found at the DFO outlet in Brisbane (top pic) I couldn't decide between the cream and red, so I got both haha. Hmm, please also excuse my unmade bed ;)

On Sunday I thought it would be a great idea to blonde highlight my hair but couldn't be bothered using the pinhole cap thingy so used it all over... my dark hair only went down to, lets call it chicken yellow... so after a call to my hairdresser sister (yes the one who just moved to Brisbane!) I settled on "fixing" it with bright red hair dye. I must say I love it! I will go and get it done professionally next week as it is fading already but it is SOOOOO much fun having such bright hair!! I admit to being tempted by the purple rock hair colour but forced myself away from the shelf, I'm not quite that outgoing :)

FYI - after the bleach and colour it feels a little strawlike - oops :p 

Till next time,

Yours in adventurous hair colours, 

Allana 

Collections - Delicious colours...

These little colour coordinated collections on the top of our microwave make me smile whenever I look at them. 

The colours weren't planned at all, just evolved nicely. I couldn't believe it when I found the yellow Twinings tin - I didn't even mind paying $12 for it at the antique shop! 

The dishes are strangely all different brands; one Agee Pyrex, one FireKing and one English ones with the J insignia (??) but they all stack and coordinate nicely. I make a point of using these in the microwave instead of the plastic Tupperware I have used in the past, seems a bit less toxic.

Till next time,

Yours in colour coordination, 

Allana xxx

My theme song right now...

I was lucky to get hold of a copy of "Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and The Little Hillbillies" at the library last week. I am not really a country fan but I love the Aussie-ness of Kasey, her Dad and the children. The Munchkin and I have been loving it loud in the car! Her favourite is "Dad do you remember" and mine is "Before You Came Along". I can definitely relate, have a listen and see what you think! :)

In lieu of a decent Youtube clip, pop over to their webpage here where you can have a listen to the full album!

Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and The Little Hillbillies

Till next time, 

Crazily yours, 

Allana xxx

NB. The drawing above is something The Munchkin sneakily saved to my iphone from one of her apps - sweet girl xxx

I'm back!! You didn't notice I was gone... hmmm... awkward...

So the last month has been... interesting. It has been filled with all kinds of crazy things and has not been very blog friendly. But... I'm back, and raring to start blogging again, cause I miss you guys :) 

Last weekend my littlest sister moved to Brisbane. The Munchkin and I were not at all ready for her to go and as my other little sister has just moved to Perth we were pretty devastated. I am however so proud of them both for flying the comfort of the nest and making their way out into the world and am so excited to see where their roaming takes them in life. I know both of them are strong and brave and will be able to do anything they set their minds too xxx

The Munchkin and I flew to Brisbane with Liv on Saturday to be able to spend a little more time with her and to have a bit of a break from the day to day stress. We shopped at Ikea and the DFO, swam at Southbank, BBQed my fingertips at the Caravan Park (hmmm) and generally had a great time spending money, hanging out and being warm. It was just what I needed, well except for the fingertip bit!

We enjoyed super cheap Bananas...

...bought, amongst other things a pretty dress from Sportsgirl...

... and a pair of yellow Saltwater Sandals purchased just before our trip turned out to be everything I had dreamed they would be! Comfy straight away with no rubbing, looked brand new after swimming in salt water and the faux beach/pool at Southbank. Brilliant, and highly recommended to those out there like I was that are on the fence!!

So home we came on Thursday to glorious Spring days, a new marketing campaign on our house with a dynamic new agent and hopefully sunny days ahead!

 Till tomorrow, 

Optimistically yours, 

Allana xxx