Out and About at Easter

We had a lovely Easter. Phil also took Tuesday off work so we had 5 days of family, friends, beach, and other outings.

Shark Beach at Nielsen Park on Good Friday morning. 

Divine sunny weather so we swam a lot.  That's my kids in the middle of the photo below digging in the sand.  They were so engrossed I was able to swim 1 km while they were playing on the sand.  I found it much harder to swim at the beach than in the pool but I thought as I'm training for an ocean swim with my friend,  Jen, that I may as well get used to it.

Much sunnier than this Instagram filter below suggests. 

But what a lovely spot to moor your boat.

  Beautiful patterns in the Sydney sandstone

 Then it was home to prepare a big seafood lunch shared with Phil's sisters.

Fish, scallops, prawns, calamari, home made chips and salad. Followed by baked peaches and nectarines in a caramel sauce.

Saturday we went to the markets early and then back to the beach for almost the whole day. It was wonderful. Sydney really had a late summer.  The beach was much less crowded on Saturday and we scored a nice position under a tree just above the sand. I swam 1.5 km and found it a bit easier as the swell was more gentle.

 Saturday afternoon was spent making hot cross buns (that then got stored in the fridge ready for baking Sunday morning) and sorting out home dyed eggs and cards for the Easter bunny.  We made the nest using brown paper shredded by the spaghetti attachment on our pasta machine (idea thanks to Pretty Handy Girl) 

Sunday morning the Easter bunny had left some beautiful bowls and a few chocolate surprises.

 Easter Sunday and Monday we spent at another beach. We decided to book a hotel deal for a night - at Bondi - (just 15 minutes drive from our house). Even though it wasn't far it was lovely to spend a night in a hotel, go out to dinner, walk along the beach and swim at Icebergs again. Although it was much colder at Icebergs than when I swam there last week!

Tuesday the weather turned and now it's suddenly autumn. We took out bikes to Bicentennial park and rode for hours around the parklands and along the river. We found a great cafe (the Armory Wharf Cafe) and an amazing playground. We'll definitely be heading back there. 

I also squeezed in time to read Anh Do's memoir "The Happiest Refugee".  What a beautiful man and family. I was laughing and crying throughout the whole book.

So that's our Easter. What did you all get up to? I'd love for you to share something special you did.

cheers

Fiona

BTW I used Instagram for all my photos today. Did you hear that Facebook bought it? What a lot of money to pay for a business that's never posted a profit.  Crazy times we live in!

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Vintage French Style Drawers, now fresh and white

I've finally made time to paint this chest of drawers that I bought last October. I bought them for my daughter's room as previously she had a tall boy with big drawers. It wasn't working as the drawers were too big and deep so when they were filled with clothes she struggled to shut them, resulting in messy drawers and clothes being left all over the room. Now she has this chest with it's nine little drawers that all slide smoothly the room is almost always tidy. 

She's got a drawer for each sort of clothes and it is such a good system. And gorgeous to look at!  I've got to get around to hanging the curvy mirror as don't want it resting on the drawers. This room has a picture rail so I'll hang the mirror down on ribbon rather than drilling into the wall.

The paint colour is Dulux Lexicon White at Quarter Strength. I use this colour for all my bright white pieces of furniture. I have waxed this piece and buffed it. Look at the photo above for the lovely sheen you get.

Be careful with Lexicon White at full strength as it has a very blue undertone that doesn't look good on large pieces. (in my opinion).

My daughter's bed and the French armchair which was one of my first upholstery projects I did last year (in material selected by my boy and he has laid claim to this chair). The doona cover is from the clever ladies at Prints Charming at Annandale - I love this shop and how talented Cath and Kirsten are. They are very generous with their knowledge also.

and before - I'm sure at one stage this would have been cream but oil based paint discolours over the years and this had ended up mustard yellow (or baby poo, as my kids called it)

I'll share the rest of the bedroom soon. The kids have decided to share a bedroom for a while so I'm still in the process of moving things around.  I do like them sharing a room seeing them tucked up in bed at night in the same room. They have a beautiful relationship and are so sweet with each other.

cheers

Fiona

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Bondi Icebergs @ the famous Bondi Beach

Bondi Icebergs call themselves the home of winter swimming since 1929 but today, even though we are well into autumn (fall), it was like the middle of summer. Jen and I headed to Bondi Beach to Icebergs to do our laps.  I promise that I'll share some furniture projects in tomorrow but in the meantime I had to share this stunning location with you. (all the photos are straight from my camera - no filters required!)

If you ever come to Sydney (or live here already) this pool must be on your to do list. I had the best swim and was just so happy (actually, joyous) from being there and enjoying the experience. The sun was shining, the pool was a turquoise green and fresh and a little brisk (just how I like it).  And for a measly $5.50 entrance fee - pretty good value!

I had to share these photos of this lovely old lady and her swimming cap. Just perfect for this pool. Probably similar to what they wore on their heads in 1929.  

We followed our swim by a sandwich and a latte up on the deck overlooking the ocean.  Soaking up the sun and the view. Isn't Sydney just wonderful! No wonder they call us the Lucky Country.

 I'm thinking of returning tomorrow...I think I'm hooked!

I had to share this from the Bondi Ice bergs page about their membership. They take it very seriously. Read through their rules - they are hilarious!

How to Join the World Famous Bondi Icebergs

Potential Icebergs should note that induction days for the Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club are held over two weekends in April. NB You should confirm these dates and times at the club.  Complaining about getting it wrong and citing this information, will get no hearing.

After being “Lofterized” in the Members room (don’t worry it doesn’t hurt...much), filling out a form, paying membership up front, you swim a 50m time trial.

a.  To establish you won’t drown.  You need to be able to get from one end of a 50m pool, to the other, via the water, self propelled.  (For stroke correction see “Jo the Mermaid”.  Have noticed a few improved swimmers around the pool and even “the Spy” is vowing to learn to freestyle, so get on with it.)

b.  To establish your handicap time.  I’ll repeat that, your handicap time.  So swim faster, if possible, than you’ve ever swum in your entire life.  (If you don’t get it by now, oh well...)

However, be real, the Icebergs is a commitment and the Club makes no apologies for that.  It is what makes the Club the largest, most recognized winter swimming club in the country, if not the world.  You are obliged to swim 3 Sundays a month over the 5 month winter season.  You will be considered a novice  i.e., not a Long Service Iceberg, until your 75 swims over a minimum of 5 years is up. Being an Iceberg is a responsibility and taking responsibility for yourself.  As JFK said when he was an Iceberg,  “Think not what the Icebergs can do for you, rather, think what you can do for the Icebergs.”

Can’t make the Induction Days?

No worries - You can’t be an Iceberg.

Live too far away to make the commitment of every week?

No worries - You can’t be an Iceberg.

Former Olympian “I don’t like swimming in cold water.”

No worries - You can’t be an Iceberg.

You want special rules, that you’ve decided to make up, to apply to you.

No worries - You can’t be an Iceberg.

You think you want to be an “Iceburger”, like it’s something you get at Macca’s.

You’re an idiot - You can’t be an Iceberg

You’re a hand wringing, slim hipped, purse carrying, nancy boy, who’s blaming everyone but yourself for not having your current membership card on Winter Season Opening Day.

Be an Iceberg - Pay the Pool Entry Fee, it’s about taking responsibility, remember?

Being an Iceberg isn’t for everyone and that’s why being an Iceberg is special.  There are plenty of other winter swimming clubs you can join.  They have limp wristed names like Dolphins, Seals, Crabs or Eels.  None of them are the Icebergs.  None of them have “Rule 15B”.  It wasn’t a Penguin that sunk the Titanic was it?  You’re not going to walk into some gin joint anywhere in the world and proclaim proudly “I’m a Splasher” and expect anyone to care...oh please.  None of the other clubs have hundreds of swimmers turning up week after week after week, rain or shine.  It’s what makes the Icebergs great.

Wrong Question:  How cold does it get?

Correct Answer:  It’s never cold enough!

You’re an Iceberg!  Toughen up!

So why do it?  It’s fun, whether you like it or not!  It’s a point of contact with people from all walks of life, you can bag a local Fireman (everyone does) and an aspiring Prime Minister on the same morning.  You can drink beer and eat meat pies.  There’s healthy food at the “Crabbe Hole Cafe” on pool level.  (The best coffee in Bondi, no contest and food is good for you, scary but true.)

At a time when sleazy public figures try to dictate what it is to be an Australian, this stands above all that sludge as a Great Aussie Institution.  If you need exercise, REAL men and women swim the Bay, 800m each way, before, or after their race, or both.  Even Tex has done it and everyone knows what a pussy he is.  (What do you mean SHARKS?  There aren’t that many.  Well, maybe a few...)

Be a man, not a mollusc.  Do it for yourself and do it for AUSTRALIA!  See you there sport.

If you want to live vicariously here's the pool cam

I then got to relax for 2 hours while I got my hair cut and streaked. Talk about feeling totally luxurious to day!  Probably not the best photo as I'm really squniting in the bright sunshine despite my big dark sunnies. But as I haven't had my hair done since August last year when I was heading to the US I'm pretty happy to have nicely cut hair for a change!

cheers Fiona

Sydney's Summer Continues

Today was another glorious day in beautiful Sydney. Not autumnal at all. Very summerish, in fact.

To make the most of it, my friend Jen (who blogs about her love of coffee and cafes at Espresso Snaps) and I went for a swim at Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool.  I love this pool. When I was a teenager, our school swimming carnivals were held at Boy Charlton. Our school did have a pool but it wasn't big enough for our carnivals so we trekked into the city for them every year. 

The pool has undergone some lovely renovations in recent years and it really makes the most of it's location right on the edge of the CBD, just next to the Botanic Gardens.  The glass walls give a great view over Garden Island, Woolloomooloo and Potts Point. A very nice view to relax with after some laps.

There is a cafe at the pool also (see the umbrellas and plants on top of the section with the orange wall below) but it was closed for a private event today, so we just grabbed a chicken and spinach wrap and a coffee at the kiosk. Very nice.

I edited this photo below with the Cinemascope filter. I love how it makes everything look so "vintagey", but it does wash out the bright blue water and the sunny skies.

If you don't know, "Boy" Charlton was an Australian Olympic swimmer at the Paris and Los Angeles Olympics in the 1920's and 30's.

Tomorrow Jen and I are swimming at Ice Bergs in Bondi Beach and then I'm getting my hair cut (which I do about once a year as I'm not that good at sitting still for the 2 hours that it takes to cut and streak my hair).

I'm off to bed, very tired now.
cheers Fiona

French Chair makeover (and again)

I've had this French chair with a wicker back and upholstered seat in the works for a long time, since November last year and I'm finally happy with the outcome. 

I bought this little chair at auction and it was in a sorry state. The wicker was all discoloured, the upholstery was filthy and the wood was not looking too good.  

 

I painted the chair with my home-made chalk paint, waxed it and reupholstered in it a drop sheet. I thought it was a little bare and bland so I never bothered to add the trim as I knew I wouldn't leave it as it was. 

Then in January I bought a Paris stencil from Maison de Stencils and thought this chair would be a good candidate.  The stencil is lovely and cost $40. Maison de Stencils has a fabulous range. go check them out here.

 

However I didn't like it. I thought it was a bit too tacky/try-hard.  Really not my style. So I finally worked out what I needed to do. I've not seen this done before and I am beyond happy with it.  

A woven drop sheet!

This was quite time consuming - all afternoon - but I was able to use a drop sheet I had on hand. The colour of the drop sheet perfectly matches the paint I've used on the wood, but the woven pattern gives it some interest.  I even made my own binding using the sewn edge of the drop sheet.

To ensure that the woven fabric doesn't pull apart, I've used a little glue from the glue gun along the joins. The glue isn't visible but it will mean the weave will be durable) and will be safe from prying little fingers. 

To make the trim I just rolled up some a strip on the edging seam of the drop sheet and then glued it together and then glued it on to the chair. It looks great! 

The corners were very tricky to get looking good especially as there was a lot of material to deal with but I think it's turned out okay.

So what do you think?

I'd love to hear about some of your projects that have taken a long time to get right. Come on make me feel better about how long this has sat in the corner of our bedroom half finished!

cheers 

Fiona