Shop Pittstop

I hate to be a stereotypical girl, but I love to shop. Not in a shopping centre though. Honestly, knowing I'm going to be in a bustling westfield filled with people could send me into an anxious panic. However, lovely one-of-a-kind shops have the complete opposite effect. On Sunday afternoon, after our beach escapades, Andrew took me to a completely divine little store. Even from the side of the road I could tell I would love it. Filled with sweet nick knacks set upon the most beautiful tables and shelves, perfectly situated with a gorgeous coffee shop next door. I'm pretty sure the high that I got from being there has carried me through my work this week. To top it all off, I got to come home with some hubby-approved goodies!

Think Twice, Talk Nice

I remember reading somewhere that you should be aware of how you speak about your partner, and always do your best to talk about their good traits and be respectful. It's so easy while chatting to your girlfriends, to start complaining about things that don't get done around the house or how you want to do something other than watch footy on a Friday night. But really, when you think about it, these aren’t the things that matter.

So, on that note, I want to let you know that Andrew is a really great husband. He’s kind and thoughtful, he always wants to include people and make them feel important. He’s fun and spontaneous, best of all; he knows me and still loves me. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy he makes me. This hint I read somewhere likes to pop up in my mind as I chat away, and I like to think it's helping me to be a better wife. I hope so, and I hope it finds a little place to hide in the back of your mind too.

Sunday Spontaneity

This weekend I had planned to do a big clean of the house in time for spring, clear out all the winter clutter and air the place out. I was looking forward to being in my comfy trackie dacks for the majority of the weekend. While I love how great it is to be home after doing this type of cleaning, I usually get to the end of my weekend and feel like I missed out and need another one. Luckily, my thoughtful hubby Andrew had other plans in mind.

On Sunday morning, he told me to grab my camera, get dressed and get in the car, and he whisked me off on a mini road trip. I was so excited for the first 45mins of the trip, after that my smile started to turn as I thought we’d never get out of the car (I’m a little impatient when I don’t know where I’m going). Then luckily I saw the sign pointing to Palm Beach and I got all excited again.
It was the most brilliant, warm winter's day, I barely found a moment to put my camera down. We wandered along the beach, taking the scenery in; and even stumbled across the Summer Bay Surf Club!
Here are a few of the pics from the day, I'll pop up some more later in the week so I don't bombard you with too many! 

My new spring/summer go to refreshment!

So I might be a little fussy with my choice of beverages, as you'll usually see me with a bottle of Mount Franklin in tow or a nice cup of tea. But I think I may have found the perfect go to drink for my spring and summer gatherings! It's fresh, citrusy and super delish. Best of all its easy.

All you need:

3 limes

2 lemons (I prefer lemonade lemons)

a punnet of strawberries

fresh mint

a few scoops of brown sugar

a bottle of your favourite lemonade

and a lovely big jug to put it all in

As you can see I'm not one for accurate measurements, just add or subtract as you see fit until you get a flavour you love.

All you have to do:

Cut the lemons and limes in quarters, and squeeze them into the jug. I find it's easier to squeeze if you cut it into quarters, but you can do it however you like.

 Add a handful of roughly chopped strawberries, some ripped up mint leaves, then pop a couple of scoops of brown sugar into the mix too.

Add the lemonade to the jug and a bit of brown sugar around the rim of your glass. Mix it all up with a wooden spoon and hey presto! Perfect summer deliciousness! 

You can add alcohol for the adults only version, or blend it with ice to make it more summery, but it's fabulous on its own too.

Can you smell it?

Spring is in the air. I just love whenever the season changes, it's like everything that has happened before is forgotten and replenished. Especially spring. The naked trees are starting to sprout new life in them, the breeze is carrying smells of wattle and the air is thicker and warmer. It's just too glorious to not be infected with happiness!

The Nursery - a photography workshop by Tim Coulson

So I'll tell you a secret, my friend: I don't like famous people. I don't get excited when a movie star is going to be somewhere adjacent to me. I don't want to go to concerts with bands playing music I love. I'm more likely to roll my eyes than scream excitedly at a TV celebrity walking by. I could never understand why people did that. It's just another person, like you or me, with better skills than you. Now I finally get it.
On August 11, on a bright early Saturday morning, I drove on my own down the coast. And when I say drove, I'm pretty sure I could have turned my car off, taken off the handbrake, and the wind would have taken me the whole way there. Probably above the speed limit at that! As I was pushed through winding, roads past the beautiful coast to my left and gorgeous rolling countryside to my right, I couldn't get my thoughts straight. I had butterflies the size of elephants causing more chaos in my belly than what the wind was doing to the trees I was coasting past. I was about to meet a couple of the very few people I secretly thought were flipping amazing!
I arrived kinda early and pulled up behind someone that I was desperately hoping would be a fellow picture taker who was as nervous as I was. As soon as she hopped out of the car and I saw her cheery face, I relaxed (a little) because at least I wasn't alone. We wandered in together and met the others who all seemed a little nervous and really excited too.
My mind was ready to explode when I went in and sat down, because I had seen this room  before. It was like I was in the internet!
Despite how super excited I was to be at Tim and Kesh Coulson's actual home, I felt like my mind was completely opened to how to properly use my camera. I really focused on what Tim had to teach and for the first time, I actually felt empowered to take great photos.
All this time reading Tim's words (in his blog and on his instagram), and feeling the love that overflowed from his pictures of Kesh, I was floored as she told his story of how he became who he is today. It was beyond an honour to be in their home. And I think the reason it felt so amazing was because it was like we were welcomed into a part of their story, as they were in mine.
I have never really learned things well in a normal school environment which I think worked perfectly in my favour on this particular Saturday because Tim isn't your regular teacher. It was such a relaxed, fun environment with a bunch of people brought together for their passion for photography, no one competing for attention or reward. After all the learning, we set out to the windiest hilltop on earth and tried out our new found skills. We flicked our dials to manual and started clicking away at our lovely model Gaby.

It was one of my favourite days, and if you're keen to move from an "auto average" photographer to someone who can get the most out of their DSLR, I cannot recommend The Nursery high enough.

Oh hello there

Hello you, welcome to my creative space, I'm hoping to be popping by every so often to scratch my creative itch through photography, sewing and cooking, (among other things)  and sometimes just to say hello. 

So nice to meet you, friend.