This and That - Life lately and projects

hi everyone, firstly thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes. I was actually dreading my birthday in the week leading up to it as it's my first birthday since Mum died and it just felt weird. In the end I had an absolutely lovely day, so thoroughly spoilt by Phil and the kids.

We set off to Enmore for breakfast at Cafe Shenkin. If you live in Sydney, you have just got to go. Delicious Israeli food, the best coffee I've had in ages and great service all in a groovy cafe. Phil ordered the house speciality of shakshuka. We cook this often at home but Shenkin's was superb. I ordered a stuffed pastry served with tomato, egg, coriander dip and hummus. We will definitely be going back. I love food cooked with love and passion.

After a long bike ride to burn off breakfast, we had a quiet afternoon and then friends started arriving for champagne - a surprise Phil had arranged, and then a surprise dinner with my sister and her kids. Phil cooked a beautiful meal and even baked a butterscotch cake with caramel icing. He is the best!  I felt thoroughly loved and special.

So that was one special day and I definitely didn't need to eat much today and made sure I went for a run in the afternoon.  We just went to Callan Park which is right near our house and ran and kicked the ball around and watched the sun go down. It was very cold but a beautiful afternoon. Can you spot Charlie?

I have had lots of little painting projects lately. I recently painted a mirror for a customer and it turned out beautifully. I don't have a before photo but it was very dark brown Spanish style and Renee wanted it looking more French style to go with a cabinet she had bought from me.  I painted it in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint French Linen with Pure White Trim and waxed it with both clear and dark wax and gave it a little distressing. 

I also painted a sweet little bedside table in Paris Grey with white trim with some slight dark wax antiquing for another customer. I love the crystal knob on this piece - a little bit of bling.

I've got some lovely pieces of furniture coming up - a very pretty white sideboard, a beautiful serpentine front chest of drawers, some other home wares and also a little kids table with 4 chairs. I've also decided to sell the ornate coffee table in duck egg blue. Please contact me if you are interested.

oh and look at this beautiful clock my sister in law gave me - she knows me well! it's gorgeous isn't it.

I hope you all had a good weekend also

Fiona xx