Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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


15 comments:

  1. Hi Fiona, happy birthday and what a lovely way to spend it! I really like you dinner setting, can you tell me what brand/design it is? Jennifer xx

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    1. hi Jennifer, there is not a brand stamp on the bottom but I bought it super cheaply at Haven and Space in Berry. I paid about $1.50 for each plate/bowl etc. an absolute bargain in a big sale they had. I don't think they have it any more though as I didnt see it the next time i went. sorry to not be more helpful
      Fiona

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  2. love that little table and all the snippets from your sweet life! the cake looks lovely! :)

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    1. thanks Cassie, i'm enjoying the sweetness of it all!

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  3. All totally lovely! Happy birthday-pleased you were spoilt! x

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  4. It looks like you had a fantastic birthday weekend. What a beautiful setting in your home. Everything looks so beautiful. and I love the mirror you painted - great job. Beth x

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    1. thanks Beth - the mirror was huge!! I was so spoilt on the weekend, still on a little high.

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  5. Happy birthday! Love your table setting and the painted mirror. I also really liked your duck egg blue coffee table - wish I had the space for another coffee table.

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    1. thanks Elaine, that's lovely of you to comment. and the coffee table sold last night which is great.

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  6. Glad you had a lovely birthday Fiona, Phil really understood how you would be missing your mum and made it extra special for you, that was such a wonderful thing! The clock from your sister in law goes really well with the painting behind it, I do love thoughtful presents.
    Take care
    Stacey x

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    1. thanks Stacey, Phil is a champ. The little painting is from a Far South Coast artist and is of Eden fishing boats so it's extra special. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Fiona xx

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  7. Obviously I missed a post - I didn't realise it was you birthday. SO - Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a great day, and by the looks of that clock, received some very lovely gifts :)

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    1. thanks Catherine. I did have a great day. hope you also had a good weekend
      Fiona x

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  8. Wow I like your authentic style, I have a life blog if you have time check it out and leave a comment :) http://suchislife94.blogspot.com.au/

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com