What my iphone saw

Just a few iphone (and instagram) snaps from the last month or so.  My window display and customer wall from work are there, my NEW CAR too.  My gorgeous boys and my family (would you look at my nieces and nephew!) 

After scrolling through these pics I know for sure that my Gus is a HAM!  Oh, and my boys look SOOO much like each other!

Love Lil xx

The Culberts go to Melbourne

Over the weekend we did a 2 day fly by of the wonderful city of Melbourne.  It is our absolute favourite, and we always feel totally at home as soon as we arrive.

We stayed at the Grand on Spencer street, and as the name suggests....It's Grand and old and choc full of character.

It was the Bug's first time in Melbs.  There was a lot if pointing, 'What's this?' and chasing the pigeons by the Yarra.

I finally got to shop at Zara (behind the times I know) and of course Gus was the recipient of the buying.  Their kids range is adorable!  Lots of trams were rode.  We got to see the Myer Christmas window displays (AMAZING)...oh and we saw Anthony Callea at Starbucks.  (He is really little!)

Here is a few snapshots of our time away.....

Obligatory family shots.  We got to spend the weekend with my in laws.  They are kinda the best!  We were standing in house totally made by basket weaving branches and leaves.  It was all kinds of awesome and smelt like the bush.

More shots of said awesome tree house! And some amazing vintage decorations in a little arcade off Burke street.

Flinder's St Station.  Just the prettiest railway building in all of Oz.  Some of Melbourne's skyline, and the tranquil Yarra.

My little dude!  Looking super cute in Zara jeans, chucks and baseball tee!  Chasing the pigeons and sharing his snacks.  Rocking his new haircut!

Selfies.  Other people in stick tree house were thinking 'loser'.

My spunk of a husband.  What Gus thought of the airport.  Utilising sleeping toddler with Mags, coffee and blog reading.  And Docklands by twilight.

Melbourne, we adore you.  Love Lil xx

A Little Catch Up

I've been absent from my little space on the net.  I have wanted to come and type and share, but there has been a big shift in our lives.  I went back to full time work 6 weeks ago.  We have all had to get used to a different routine, being super organised and not seeing our Gusbug so much.  He is having a blast every single day with his cousins Ava and Mia and his Granny and Auntie Bec.

It feels good to be back.  I was getting a bit gaga at home every single day.  But, working 10 hours a day takes away time that I used to have to commit to this little space.  I have missed it!

I thought I would share a few snap shots of what we have been up to lately.

My Boys.  This was on Ross's birthday. Gus is wearing his new 'Giggle and Hoot' Dressing gown. He would wear always (if we let him)

Some op shop treasures that were admired but not brought home.  And a certain some one's op shop face. 'Really Mumma, Again?'

Cooking the flattest choc chip cookies in the world.

Enjoying a little mama/blog catch up/late lunch time.

My first piece of amber ware.  It's lovely.

Flattest cookies before devouring began.

Road trip to Bathurst the weekend before I went back to work.

The Bug charming a whole restaurant with his sweet facials.

My sis being creative and having a bit too much fun with Gus's blocks.

Just about the best Vegetable Khorma that I have ever had.  And I made it (shock horror)

Back burning in the Royal National Park that scarily resembled the real thing.  Our little house was filled with the smoke.

That blissful hour when the bug is asleep and the house is tidy. Blogs, coffee and maybe a wee bit of chocolate.  Bliss.

Look at that orchid and amber ware vase and that sunshine.  

A family afternoon spent in Manly.

Bug having the time of his life at Ikea and trying to share chips and be best friends with the little boy behind him.  He is such a friendly, happy and cheeky little boy :)

A day spent in the afternoon sunshine and in the company of the BEST people.  Eating too much hummus and beans.  Wendy's garden has to be seen to be believed!  It is magical.

So that is what has been going on in our neck of the woods.  Work, work work.  Gus is growing like a weed and walking.  Like proper walking!!  We are going up the coast this weekend with our Best Friends.  I can't wait for sunshine and long lazy lunches and laughter.  What have you been up to lately?  Would love to know.  Love Lil xx  

Op Shop Show and Tell #7

Hi thrifty friends!  I have to say that it hasn't really been a winning week (in thrift land).  For the first time my local Vinnies didn't come up with the goods.  Or, all the goods have already been bought.  It was sooo busy when I went.  Racks were empty and people hunting for treasures everywhere!

I came out with two little finds, and spied some vintage goodness that hopefully some lucky person went home with.

The Australian classic, The Magic Pudding was $2.00 and in perfect condition.  It smells like the books of my childhood, takes me back to bedtime stories instantly!

Pink, neon and gold bangle for $4.00.  I am seeing this colour everywhere at the moment.  Will be on high rotation in spring.

This red, vintage beauty case was $12.00 and was in pretty good condition.  I hope it went to a happy home!

And this lamp.  Oh it was retro-tastic!  It was $20.00.  In hindsight should have snagged it up cause when hubby saw the photo he said he would have loved it for his bedside table.  I'm sure it was gone within minutes of me leaving.

Hope I have more luck next week!  Am linking up here with Sophie from Her Library Adventures and here with Liz at the Blue Eyed Owl.  There were SO many amazing finds last week.  Can't wait to have a look at all the new treasures this week.

Love Lil xx

Last Saturday.........

You know there are those Saturday's that are just about perfect. A Saturday when our bug lets mama and daddy sleep in.  A lazy coffee in pyjamas and some haphazard, put together, but so yummy breakfast.  Then a phone call from our besties (who we see totally not enough of) with the invitation to come down to Cronulla.  This little family LOVES Cronulla.  If we could afford it we would buy a little house near the beach, and spend way too much money on eating out and getting coffee.

So, it was down to Cronulla.  We met at Grind.  A coffee house that is kinda famous, and has the BEST coffee in the Shire.  Then it was a lazy lunch in the sunshine,  meeting more friends for an afternoon stroll, a play in the playground, and more coffee.

A quick trip to vinnies, which is so tiny, but so full of little treasures.

What an awesome day!  Here are some snapshots.

Oh my goodness, that dress!!  What a beauty!  Imagine the balls that dress went to.......

That evening we went to Ross's cousin Amy's 21st.  Gorgeous decorations, yummy food and ice cream cupcakes!!  Oh and that phone, which we didn't think even existed anymore.  Oh, and a selfie, cause sometimes I'm just that girl :)

What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday?  I'd love to know

Love Lil xx

Our Lazy Afternoon

I had grand plans for our afternoon.  A walk, a massive vat of coffee and maybe even some thrifting.
This all changed when I decided to make Beef Strog in the slow cooker.  Is there anything better than the smell of a slow cooked meal wafting through the house, especially when the weather is a bit questionable outside?


So, I decided that we needed to stay in, to tend on the strog of course.  And thus began the gusbug's and my lazy afternoon.

The slow cooker in action.  A quote I just found that has already become a favourite and a knitting project that I really need to finish.

Gus and I played and played and read and played some more, and then a certain someone had a little time out.

I then used the 'time out' to have a browse through the latest shop, have my daily afternoon coffee date with my Sis, eat way too many rock cakes and then I sat my butt on the couch to watch some friends goodness for the millionth time.

I love a relaxing lazy afternoon, don't you?

Love Lil xx

P.S -  I'll let you know how the strog turned out!

Bec's Bridal Shower

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of helping host my lovely sister in law Bec's Bridal Shower. I wanted it to be girly and feminine and beautiful, just like Bec!

I made the bunting with pretty patchwork fabric.  Used all my own white crockery and vases. The felt hearts I got on super sale from a craft store after valentines day. I Bought some beautiful roses from a local store and made all the cupcakes and cupcake flags with my little sister. The final result was pretty and girly.  We had such a great afternoon and Bec got totally spoilt, which she totally deserves!!

The beautiful Bride to Be and Me xx

My Stunning Fabulous Little Sister!

Bec kept the bunting I made, took the 'I do' off the flags and it is now hanging in her gorgeous twin daughter's room :)

I CANNOT WAIT till her wedding at the end of the month!! And I am so honoured to be a bridesmaid and be part of her amazing day!!

I LOVE styling and decorating events like this!! I wish I could do it every day!

Love Lil xx

Mini Break in Brisbane

So hubby and I finally did it!......We spent a night away from our precious Gus for the first time.  Ross suprised me for Christmas and got us 2 tickets to see Mary Poppins in Brisbane!  It was only one night away but felt so good just to be together and get to sleep the whole night through! We both forgot proper cameras, so Iphone it was.  
These are just a few snapshots of our little getaway :)

I love him

We got the sweetest reunion with our Gusbug at the airport! I think we missed him more than he missed us.  He had the greatest time with Granny and Granda (his first sleepover) Thanks Ross and Meg (mum and dad)for looking after him.  You guys did the best job!!!

Thanks for having us Brisbane!

Love Lil xx