Retail Therapy

I had a quick little visit to the shops tonight - had to get out of the house. First I whipped into Country Road - they have lovely bright colours arriving at the moment. I purchased a pair of charcoal linen shorts and a bright blue breezy blouse - a little see through so I will wear a white singlet with this.

Then I cruised into Oroton - now when I was a wee lass at highschool I love loved Oroton. Over the years I have drifted away but tonight I could have bought some earrings/sunglasses and a bag. Anyway I did not make any Oroton purchases BUT I did go to Kikki K next and bought the below bag for a whole 14.95. I have already put all the boys swimming gear in the bag.

Next I went to T2 and bought this teapot which is perfect for 2 cups. I also purchased some Vanilla Sencha tea which I am having now. Love shopping - love shopping XXOO


Also - last week I bought some bejewelled insect thongs from Nine West for $50.00 - great Summer shoe but need to get my toes done XX P.S having probs with uploading pics - will do later

Spring in the air!

Spring is in the air - however Brisbane is having a cold snap today. Life is coasting along. Last term of school is nearly upon us. Both my boys had birthdays last month and today I got my first hair cut and colour in a year.

Normally I have a few blonde foils in a creamy blonde colour. I did not go back to my usual hairdresser and due to the short lenghts of my hair the hairdresser suggested an allover blonde. Two hundred and seventy dollars later (product included) I am now a very strawberry blonde - very gold. I cried when I left the hairdresser but promptly pulled myself together when I thought of having no hair again. Anyway on my next trip to the hairdresser I will be armed with pictures of the colour I want.

I have been asked to speak at a Breast Cancer cocktail party in October in front of 400 people. I am not sure if I can do this at the moment - I will have a think about it. I am not a huge fan of public speaking and emotions are still raw so maybe next year.

I have taken delivery of a few lovely houehold antiques and bits and pieces that I will post pics of shortly. I have been searching ebay for some fabric to cover a chaise lounge and I have found a lovely Schumacher fabric that I have am bidding on. Looking forward to the weekend XO

Time is flying

A little while between blogs. I cannot believe we are in July - last nine months is starting to feel like a dream life is rolling along. At the moment we are school holiday pottering, 7 & 9 year old birthday parties to organise soon. A friends "Out of Afric" party to organise and back from a tropical island getaway to Fiji.

My eyebrows have been waxed and my hair is pixie cute short - I am not feeling the need to colour hair but this may change in a few months. I am going back to work in a new stress less role which I am looking forward to. I am loving Winter in QLD - cold enough for winter woolies!! Anyway of to watch some quality reality TV and enjoy a cup of tea XO

Food Glorious food!

Hubby home this morning -not so fresh after long flight. Lucky he has been schmoozing with the likes of Oprahs chef and co and has delivered me a lovely autographed cookbook. Food is love ! Cant wait to cook the Hummingbird cake and Blueberry crisp.

Also a little excited over my potatoes today - we are having a supper (NOT DINNER) of rack of lamb, brocollini and mix of kipfler and purple congo potatoes (bargain at only $1.50 a carton from Clayfield Markets!) check you the divine purple colour. I have drizzled with olive oil and the oil also has shots of bright purple. XXOO

Yummy yummy cake please!

I love this cake !! The boys will be getting this rainbow cake for birthdays later in the year. I found this via Anna Spiro and the Count it all Joy blog - check out the pics at the bottom of the page of the blog.

Photo from Count it all Joy blog

How divine is this cake!

Growth

It has been a while since I have been blogging - I have been busy trying to live life. Last week I finished my last radiotherapy!! My hair is growing back - still wearing a wig but it is growing quickly. I have eyebrows again and my eyelashes are nearly there.

The last seven months feel like a bad but awakening dream!!! Still feeling emotional under the surface but the process of every day living pushes you along. I am looking forward to a fabulous fiji holiday to Malolo Island with my boys. A few weeks ago we had cracker of a party for hubbys birthday and danced till 3am in the morning!!


Hubby in Chicago at the moment so today I stayed in the PJ's all day except to buy coffee as the coffee maker is away! I baked chop chip/condensed milk biscuits (recipe from back of choc chip packet) and beautiful vanilla/chic swirl cake from my favourite cook book Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros. Attention to detail lacking - forgot to add the cream but the abundance of butter ensured it was moist!

In regards to house things I am spring cleaning in Autumn (well I am behind everyone else!) I need to purchase some new lampshades next but will need to start researching!! I love this orchid fabric from the Raoul . Anyway better put the bunnies to bed. L KDXO

Goodbye King Vegemite

Sad day today - my little maltese Mintie (King Vegemite, Mintartis, Moochini) has passed away today from old age cancer can you believe. My faithful friend has never left my side during the last 12 years and during chemo he stayed within 50 cm of my feet the entire time. Even though he did not love the children he was very tolerant. He had a dislike for trade persons and males in general and loved sleeping on the lounge.

Miss and love you Mintie XO

Thonet Chairs

I have just ordered 4 classic Thonet Bentwood chairs - as luck would have it Thonet now has a distributer in QLD so I shall get my goodies in approx 3 weeks. I love Fridays -the mornings are slightly cooler at the moment and I am able to wear a light sweater/cardigan thing. I am also starting to feel better, week by week I can notice myself feeling more normal. My leg muscles are sore, like I have done a huge workout. Radiation is easy peasy, a little tired today but no other SE's. I got my shoe delivery from Blue Velvet shoes www.bluevelvetshoes.com from the UK, great prices for a ballet flat and super comfy. I ordered the suede navy ballet flats and the grey suede wth green trim. The green trim is gorgeous - better than the web picture. I am going to have a little glass of red tonight and relax XOXOXO

Cooler Weather

I am loving this ever so slight cooler weather. As much as I love QLD weather there is nothing better than a huge cold burst. I love wearing jeans, jackets, trenches and knee high boots. Unfortunately the time frame to do this in sunny QLD is not long enough. I wish we could wear beanies etc.

Last week I was exhausted but I am feeling a little more energised this week. This is a slow process. Today I was privileged to meet with a group of young women (all mothers) going through breast cancer. There are always tears at these meetings but it is lovely that we all know what everyone is going through and we can be there for each other.

I just had little ones parent teacher interview and am glad to say he is a very solid performer. Teacher is a little concerned about his hearing ( I will have this tested) but I suspect it is the selective hearing gene that afflicts all XY humans in the house!!!

In an effort to get organised I did something a little unique on the weekend - my plan that was implemented today is:

I picked 5 evening meals for the week (all easy, yummy and healthy) that I will cook for three weeks. This takes the guesswork and hopefully angst associated with the "what will we have for dinner" and makes shopping easier! Tonight was homemade hamburgers - salad, rolls and the lovely rissole made with carrot, zucchini, mince, 1 egg, tablespoon of wheatgerm. All enjoyed. Rest of the week is: nasi goreng, salmon pie, chicken noodle salad and garlic chicken with greens!!! no change for three weeks boys!!

Tomorrow is first day of rads - yah - no bloody chemo!! XOXO

p.s attached is a pic of my beautiful horn mirror circa early 1900's from the Victorian Chirnside family. and my wig to side!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Happy Birthday my beautiful Dad XOXO.

Hubby and Tom have been in rural Victoria helping my inlaws get ready sell their house and move. He has been busy mowing lawns. deheading aggies and enjoying family time. I remember helping my inlaws move from beautiful Chateau Yering (some are lucky to call this their family home) and we moved everything via car,ute and trailer. Beautiful antiques were piled high in the ute and the trailer - I think a few pieces were broken but are now fixed and we are lucky enough to have inherited some of these beautiful pieces from Chateau. Today at 1.15pm they are brining back a beautiful antique horn mirror for me. Lucky me!!! I cant wait.

I had my last chemo on Tuesday last week. It took the poor Nurse nearly an hour (or it felt like that) to find a vein. It was all getting to me and as I started to cry she found one !! I have complete and utter respect for these health professionals that look after people day in day out. I am starting to get over the tiredness but have been home alone for last few days - Note to self - stop googling cancer things - back to googling interior loves!!

My hair will start to grow back soon which will be liberating but I am truly looking forward to the small things - walking, going to the beach, spending time with family and cooking!!! and of course working a tad more!! I am organising a little soiree for hubbys birthday on the 30th April - I will be watching the royal wedding at the same time !!

I am looking forward to cooler weather - no more 25+ days - I want to wear jeans and boots !! I am going to start Easter Bunny duties this week XOXO p.s sorry for typos, poor grammar - attention to detail is lacking at the moment!

Lorne, Victoria

Feeling the chemo today - in bed on the computer. I cant wait till my beloved comes home tomorrow, we are all missing him!!

Now we have another holiday destination to add to our list since my inlaws are selling the farm and moving to Lorne - check out the view. This will be on the visit list this year - hoping for good shops and nice drives!!

One more Chemo to go and a Ficus ordered.

Only one more chemo to go!!!!

Just had 5th chemo today and no allergic reactions - thoroughly enjoyed a laugh even though the nurse struggled with my collapsed veins. Thankful for lovely company and a cupcake.

Cannot believe it but My hubby sent me white lillies for Valentines Day, he must be becoming soft in his old age of 34 years!!! I have also ordered my Ficus Lyrata for $60.00 from D.I.G in the Valley.

I want this house from http://www.hamptonsrealestate.com/

The IKEA bug!

New week - only one more week until next chemo and only one month until chemo finished!!

Hubby is in Russia - spoke to him very briefly and he said it was snowing. I told the boys and we all looked at each other in amazement as we cant imagine snow at the moment in the Queensland humidity.

I had a very fruitful trip to IKEA on the weekend. There is sooooo much cool stuff to pick from. I purchased a sisal rug for the spare room, entertainment cabinet and 2 black photo frames ($2.00 each).

I am loving Kayce Hughes clothes at the moment www.kaycehughes.com

I have already check postage and it is very reasonable - will order pink and vine dress after next chemo XO

Taxotere like a body bomb!

No blogging for last few days, on Thursday afternoon my body totally bombed. It was like a huge viral ache/attack on body where I could not move. This must have something to do with the sharp decline in white blood cells. At least no sickness or nausea and I am starting to move around a bit today - lounge to bathroom, lounge to kitchen, lounge to pillow, lounge to lounge. My universe at the moment revovles around the lounge (with Queen Lucy Bee next to me) !! I have enough energy to do school lunches - if not - tuckshop is on the cards.



Mr A all set to go to Russia on Saturday and will return after my 5th chemo. I so wish I could go to Russia and walk around in the cold frosty weather (not sure about the vodka and caviar tour!!!). On Friday I spent the day crying all day - a huge heart wrencher when my 8 year old said "Mummy it is ok I know the cancer medicine is making you sick as he was patting my face and not wanting to leave me alone" I can proudly say that he is one hugely caring little bunny. I did not realise he even knew what the word cancer is, anyway I want to protect them so much but they understand so much more than I had given them credit. Anyway with my day of crying over I have had handsome hubby painting all weekend - study nearly finished and what a fantastic job he has done. Nearly ready for all my books to go in and I am if to IKEA for a few purchases next weekend.



First week of school has been trouble free with all settling in easily and loving teachers for this year. Anyway of to google some yummy recipes. Also my notecards arrived from Belgium and I love them ! Heres to a week of feeling better, nice walking around shops and stocking the bookcase!

Drugs and Hot flushes!!

Four down - 2 to go. Just a hop and jump away from finishing chemo. Apart from the initial allergic reaction to taxotere yesterday (new drug) I am feeling good today, no sickness and waiting for Andrew to give me my white blood cell maker injection this afternoon. Lucky he is a farm boy and can just grap a layer of fat on my belly and jab me.

As I near the end this chemo stuff does not at all seem that bad, anyway my wig looks better tham my real hair, I have managed to lose weight and I am looking forward to countless holidays. Anyway I am now in the proces of purchasing a fiddle leaf fig for inside the house. See attached pics - I have loved these for the last 4 years but they are not your run of the mill nursery stock.

Birthday Glamour

I love this for birthday party planning - an inspiration board for a little girls birthday @ Shelter Interior Design. I would love to have some fun with the boys birtdays parties this year but no doubt I am sure they want to do boy things like Laser Force and Ten Pin Bowling!!! and I can gaurantee they will not care about the colour of the straws!!

King Vegemite and Queen Honey Bee

First day back at school for the kinder surprises!!! Had a lovely day doing some work, enjoying a coffee and folding washing.

Yesterday I moved my Merlin Cunliffe crayfish into the kitchen - I am quite in love with it.

Attached is a pic of Queen Honey Bee (Lucy) and King Vegemite ( Minty).

Tomorrow is my fourth chemo - only 2 to go after this. Feeling positive as chemo nears finish line. By the time Mr A gets back from Russia I will only have one to go. He has been by my side for every chemo and is an absolute tower of strength that I love more and more every day. I do this for my three boys XO

Last of Summer holidays!!

I am enjoying this last week of Summer holidays at the beach with my family. Lots of swimming in the ocean, reading and relaxing. I have the perfect bald head swim plan - I wear a swimming cap with a nice white hat over the top with the big black gucci sunnies !!!

Let me talk about the book I am reading at the moment - thanks for loan Chrissie!

Titled the "Party of the Century - the fabulous story of Truman Capote and his Black and White Ball" is a terrific book about Truman organising the most coveted ball in America (New York) in the 1960's. It also details his relationship with his swans - socialites C.Z Guest, Babe Paley etc Check out this pick of C.Z Guest at her Palm Beach home. I have just read that to be named on the international best dressed list during this time that apart from having style one would also have to spend approx $600,ooo (todays amount) on ones wardrobe. I so wish!!

Next chemo on Tuesday and then only 2 more to go - cant wait till finish line. Feeling great this week though - amazing what sun (even though Dr said to stay out of sun), sand and relaxing can do.

The perfect gift!!

What a week in Brisbane - such devastation from the floods. Words cannot describe this week, but each new day will be a day forward and my heart is with all those this week.


I have found the perfect gift - what are the attributes of a perfect gift for me:

1. Unique - not able to be found in department stores or at every gift shop
2. Will not blow the budget - governed by style
3. Has a practical use
4. I have to love love love it !!!

Ok these custom gift cards on etsy are gorgeous - loving the artichoke design. I am going to order some now!!

OK - just did my order - artichoke and bee for me and hummingbird for a friend - postage only $5.00 from Belgium!!!

Tastebuds!!

My tastebuds are officially failing, food is not tasting as it once did. I was told this was one of the side effects of the chemo. Fortunately these will regenerate and food will one day taste as it once was.

Darling hubby is of to the like of Moscow and Brussels next month for a nice two week work stint. I must say I am little concerned about the lack of wardrobe options. Current temperature in Moscow, Russia is minus 2. I think he has a nice warm woolen jumper and I am sure his R.M's will be warm !! Anyway I have tried to discuss this with him and he does not seem concerned therefore I will not worry about it. I think it is an excellent opportunity to purchase some lovely Russian warm clothing !!! I am liking the picture (side) of a local house on www.realestate.com.au. Currently we have sliding doors and I want to replace them white bifolds like the picture. I am not sure what we were thinking when we picked the sliders - my only reno regret which all is all is very minimal.

Can I just say how wonderful the junior bunnies have been these holidays, school is back in two weeks, rain is torrential but they are truly fun to be with. T has started calling me honey and I love it!! I am loving these cupcake liners from beach vintage.

Good Morning Sweetie

Weekend is nearly here and I am missing my boys. I am feeling tired and a little chemo bombed today but will slowly feel better over the weekend. This morning darling hubby made me a wonderful yoghurt, blueberry and mango mix. My heart goes out to all the QLD flood victims, life certainly throws challenges that test us in a multitude of ways. Miss you boys cant wait till you come home on the weekend, although I suspect you are having 2 good a time at Grandmas!! Love Mummy XOXO

Chemotherapy today!!

Broome August 2010 - Nan Nans Birhday

Today in about 4 hours I will have my last FEC chemotherapy and will be halfway there. Not long now until March 8th. I know I will be sick this afternoon and into tonight but I am ready for it.

Have to do a few run around things this morning and lucky the aricon is icy cool in the bedroom. Great news we moved the bookcases into the study yesterday and it looks fantastic. Next thing to do is get floorboard polishing quotes and fininsh painting.