expired

Expired petals scatter themselves over an expired issue of frankie, symbolic of the way I've been feeling these last couple of weeks. A little weary and past my used by date. Stagnant.

Perhaps it's just post-holiday blues. Or maybe it's Paddy working night-shift that has me all out of whack. It could be that I'm not fully recovered from the draining experience that is looking after a sick bub. I can't really pinpoint what it is exactly - I just feel a bit, well... off.

I have to say though, your kind words and votes really did cheer me up - thankyou!

I think today will be about throwing out vases of decaying blooms and decaying food in the fridge and replenishing with all things fresh. And sorting out clean laundry is just about as good a therapy as you'll get, right? I think that's a good start.

tickled pink - apartment therapy

Hello! I hope everyone had a fab weekend!

Just popping in quickly to share my excitement. Somehow, this little blog has wound up on the list of nominees for apartment therapy's best family blog award!

If you've got a minute to spare, you can check out the list of amazing blogs here. And if we take your fancy, we'd be tickled pink if you voted for us! :)

Image credit - Tim Coulson

inner west - marrickville market

We spent many a Sunday morning at these humble little markets. They're situated on Addison Road, at a community centre housing -among other things- artists studios, a gallery, a yoga space, a creative recycling center called 'Reverse Garbage' and a second hand store called 'The Bower'.

The Market held on a Sunday is predominantly food stalls (amazing food stalls!) and organic produce with bits of vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, pre-loved books, handmade preserves, wines and ports, fresh breads and pastries, damn good coffee and completely random crap thrown in for good measure. What it's got oodles of though, is positive energy. That place never fails to put me in a lighter mood and motivate me to live simply and healthily. Maybe it's got something to do with the chai tent where you can lounge on floor cushions and drink freshly brewed chai in the sunshine as you watch people stroll past with straw baskets overfilling with organic green stuff. I'm not sure what it is, but it's the kind of place that takes years off of you.

It's a slightly scruffy little place (just the way we like it) that attracts a real mixed bag of people including lots of young local families. This time, we were the young non-local family. The tourists. And that made me a little sad. But it did cheer me up to see Lalie enjoy the vegetarian dumplings just as much as she did when she was in my belly!

I would go as far to say the Marrickville Markets are the ritual we miss most about living in Sydney.

Pssst - and little shout out to two lovely readers who approached me on that particular market morning - Astred and Cecilia - hello! And would you believe it, I also ran into Gaby, I recognised her from her blog! It's such a small world after all!

inner west - part 1

Our old stomping ground - Newtown, Enmore, Marrickville.

As much as we enjoyed our stay in Bondi, we felt instantly relaxed and at home as we wandered about these scruffy suburbs. We like things a little bit rough 'round the edges. And the food around these parts is honestly some of the best we've ever eaten. Although it's always a tough decision - with exceptional Turkish, Greek, Thai, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Pakistanti, Indian, African and more all dotted within a 1km stretch of Road.

And the shopping... sigh. Turkish, Afghani and Moroccan homewares stores a-plenty (my favourite), seriously great mid-century furniture (Paddy's favourite) and vintage clothing stores galore. Beautiful little boutiques brimming with delightful handmade items (everybody's favourite). Insanely good coffee. Unpretentious, effortlessly cool folk. Industrial architecture. Young families everywhere. And doggies, lets not forget the abundance of furry four-legged friends (I couldn't resist that lovely old fella with the funnel around his neck - dogs always look so gorgeous and vulnerable with those things on)!

Most of these photos were taken walking down King Street from Zia Kel's (the lovely lass in the green top) apartment and along Enmore Road to the Marrickville Market. I took some photos of our favourite Sydney market which I will post soon.

Oh, and see that building in the last black and white photo? Our old warehouse apartment building - they very first home we owned - A very special place!

the other apple

Same day, different apple product. This time it was a custard apple from the tree in our back yard. The real deal. No cardboard cut-out here. Although she did take a bite, just to be sure. She won't be fooled twice!

Sooo... custard apples. Weird little things. I don't suppose any of you fine people know what to do with them? Any recipe ideas?

mi-phone

The singing plastic toy phones just don't cut it....

...so I cut it, literally, from an old iphone box. It had her fooled for a good ten minutes.

Please note I cannot take credit for this ingenious idea. Lalie picked up the box on her own accord and held it up to her ear. I just made the proportions a little more realistic :)

13 months

We've officially entered the teenage months! Lalie is getting taller, chattier (still mostly in her own little language) and faster on her feet. And it blows me away how much she knows. I can ask her where just about any toy or regularly used object (towel, washer, spoon, drink, bag, shoes etc etc) and she will go off and find it.

She has suddenly developed more patience for sitting and learning with puzzles and books. Prior to her walking I found it difficult to keep her interest in such activities - all she wanted to do was learn how to move. Now that she feels free and mobile, she's really enjoying her books, musical instruments and puzzles - making our days fun and interactive in new ways.

One thing that I am trying to adapt to is her waking in the night again. After a good 4-5 months of sleeping through most nights, I'm now finding myself up once during the night on every other night. I'm wondering if the holiday and then her being sick has jolted her out of her usual rhythm (I like that word too, Jodi!). Lets just hope it's a temporary readjustment period!

For those who are interested - I found Lalie's vintage outfit all on the one day, in three different op shops. Those checkered bloomers are so 'Bo Bo Choses' while the top is very 'Bo Bo Peep' (I love it all the same). Those red minnetonka's were a steal at $3!

Oh, and if vintage baby and children's clothes are your kind of thing - I've added a few more bits to the shop!

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

bondi

Just a few (!) photos from the Bondi leg of our holiday. We stayed with our dearest old friends, who live conveniently close to lovely new friends (a stones throw - literally!).

I have more -that's right, more- photos to come from our old stomping ground, the inner west, and from a little visit to the central coast. Yep, we were busy!