Hourly Instagrams ~ A Coastal Road Trip

We went to the coast for my youngest sister’s birthday this Saturday, so I thought I’d do a picture diary of the day.  ᵔᴗᵔ 

 
~ * ♥ * ~  Our outfits for the day and a sneak peek at my outfit that I am posting about later. ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  Rolly~polly baby and of course, the never~ending~baby~blanket~of~doomed makes another appearance!  ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  We stop at Braidwood Park to feed the baby; I took the photo while Theodore is nursing, and then driving down the Clyde.  ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  Crossing the bridge into Bateman’s Bay and first sight of the sea!  ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  Sour gummy worms galore; yummy! and feeding Theodore.  Again.  His little toy Scruff came with us.  ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  Husband building sandcastles with a friend and my sandy toes.  ~ * ♥ * ~

   
~ * ♥ * ~  Lunch was at 3 o’clock, late but good, with ginger beer, chips, potato scallops and a tandoori chicken wrap.  ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  The shore’s sentinel {a beach pine} and a view of Surf beach.  ~ * ♥ * ~

 
~ * ♥ * ~  Saying goodbye to the sun, surf and sand as we cross the river and pretty sunset on our way home.  ~ * ♥ * ~

It was Theodore’s first ever trip to the beach, but I don’t think he was that impressed as it was rather windy!  > o <  Still the sun was nice, and it was a lovely spring day.  A fun way to start the summer season don’t you think?  
^ ᴗ ^

xox,

bonita

Housekeeper ~ Outfit Forty Five

Hair Bow  ~  Diva    Pearl Studs ~  Christmas Present{?}  Pearl Flower Pendant  ~  Valentine's Day ‘11  Top  ~  Thrifted  Belt  ~  JayJay’s   Bracelet  ~  Dotti   Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Socks  ~  Best&Less; embellished by me with the lace   Saddle Shoes  ~ Amazon; you can purchase them here

~ * ♥ * ~

This is a really basic outfit, but I thought I’d show you the sort of look I go for if I am home for the day, and let’s be honest, can actually be bothered dressing properly!  When I don’t bother I opt for the Mom uniform of trackies and a plain top, but otherwise this outfit is my go~to style.  Simple skirt, easy knit top, and a belt for a little bit of extra oomph!{And to hide the mess that is my post~baby belly… > <}  

To be sure, you usually would see me swap out my saddle shoes for my slippers, but I thought that would look just a bit too scruffy, so shoes it is… : P    I thrifted this skirt along with my navy skirt & another purple one.  The three are made out of the same jersey material in the same style and shape and I love them!  I wear the teal and purple one at home because even though you can’t really see it in the pictures they are a bit worn and plooky so they are my around~the~house vintage. : ) 

I am also quite enjoying my pony tail hairstyle as well ~ I think it helps to keep the ‘grandma’ outfits a little more fresh and youthful ~ kind of like a teen 1950’s style.  I know it’s the standard “don’t know what to do with my hair” style, but I think when I am so dressed up anyway it does help to balance out the dressiness.   Which begs the question, is there any point to trying to dress down the dressed up style?  I don’t know.  I really like some of the casual vintage wear I’ve seen around, like cigarette pants, high waisted jeans, bandannas in the hair, etc. 

I haven’t quite got into the sporty/casual vintage just yet as I really don’t have any pants that would work, but I think I would like to try it someday!  *sigh*  If only I could some how acquire ninja sewing skills over night… There is so much I still have to learn!!! = x =’  Anyway, I’ll stop sulking over my decided lack of sewing skills and just DO some sewing!  Husband is helping draft my circle skirt pattern {yes, I am behind, but I didn’t have the materials I needed until Tuesday this week} and I shall hopefully catch up with everyone else next week.  I have to draft my pattern, cut out my fabric and then do whatever Casey has planned the week.  *Whew!*  I really don’t know where all my time disappears to, but it vanishes as swiftly as a footprint washed away by a wave….

The biggest testimony to the swift passage of time?  Theodore!  He is fifteen weeks old as of yesterday, which is 3 months and one week old already.  o___o   It’s crazy how big he is getting, and I am enjoying every day with him.  He smiles whenever I come to pick him up from a nap, giggles and laughs at his dad{and me!}, has tummy time without screaming now and can even roll over onto his back! 

He also has the biggest bald spot on the back of his head and likes to squawk like a strangled rooster now that he has discovered he can pitch his voice, but he is a really happy baby most of the time and that just fills my heart with joy.  And look how cute he is when he’s asleep! 

He looks like a little frog!  > ω < ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ History of Fashion Through Dance

Fun fashion & dance!

I found this quirky video through Beta Boutique Vintage ~ and it’s seriously so cute that I just had to share!  I love the early fashions/dances obviously, but it’s interesting to see how it all evolves.   My only complaint is that they change costume a little too fast to get a real sense of the clothes, but the outfits you see are super, and the dances are amusing so it’s well worth a watch!  Enjoy ~

xox,

bonita

Zentangle Inspiration

I was surfing the Net when I came across an art form called Zentangles, and was instantly intrigued.  Basically, Zentangle art is a method of creating an image through repetition of patterns and lines.  It’s simple and easy and anyone can do it because there are no rules besides repetition ~ Zentangles are just that ~ a tangle.  I thought the concept was pretty cool and wanted to try it out myself.  Just as I suspected, it’s quite relaxing and fun! 

I think that doing this kind of “doodle” art is actually a great way to unwind and clear your head.  Plus, there’s some well cool patterns out there that you can get ‘instructions’ for.  And the fantastic thing about Zentangle art is that you don’t need to have any drawing experience or skills ~ you just pick up a pen and go!  You could do this:

  

Or this: 

  

And hey, here’s some tangle pattern tutorials to get you started:

  

   

I did a few of my own tangles:

   

   

Mine aren’t quite as pretty or polished as some of the lovely tangles out there, that’s okay.  I am going to keep doing these just for the fun of it!  Plus, when I want to draw and can’t think of anything to do{yay, artist’s block…}, a tangle is a great way to get started. 

For more tangle~y goodness you can visit my Zentangle Pintrest board; and of course there’s always the ol’ Google images for loads more inspiration.  So what do you think ~ to tangle or not to tangle?  That is the question…..  ^ ω ^

xox,

bonita

CSSA ~ Do the Circle Skirt Swirl!

I may be a little bit behind everyone else, but I have been busy browsing Bing images to figure out what sort of details I would like to add to my circle skirt for Casey’s Circle Skirt Sew~Along.  Here are a few pictures that particularly caught my eye ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I am really smitten with the full skirt boarder~type print on the right; it’s so cute!   ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I love how the pink flowers flow on the left skirt and aren’t the stripes on the far right darling?  ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I really like the lace trim on the left and the gold roses are stunning.  Plus, the black fabric of both skirts looks ever so good.   ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~   Floral fabric ~ yes please!  I am really liking the square necked blouse on the right as well ~ super cute!   ~ * ♥ * ~

I have already decided that I would like two patch pockets on the front of the skirt, and then I got to thinking that maybe little bit of embroidery on each pocket would be just the thing to finish it off!  I have been really inspired by Katie from The Little Red Squirrel ~ she has embroidered some lovely pin ups on her skirt and it looks fab!

Here are my top embroidery patterns for this project ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I am favouring bows and flowers for my patterns, but that’s no surprise.  I think the one on the right is winning so far.  Simple, but elegant.  I like it.  ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I couldn’t resist these sweet little birds and the fawn is lovely too.  ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  Maybe one of these patterns?  I am really not sure… ~ * ♥ * ~

I think that writing this post has helped me to finalize exactly which details I want to add to my circle skirt.  It’s probably not that hard to guess where I am going, but none the less I shall leave the final decision a secret for the big reveal.  : D  Have a great weekend!

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Top 5 Nail Tips

Jaci from You’ve Got Nail is very knowledgeable and has gorgeous nails so when she gives out her 5 top tips for keeping your nails in tip~top shape you know I am going to sit up and listen!  My personal favourite piece of advice is to stop using your nails as tools, i.e. don’t pick at sticky tape, your other nails, use them like a screw driver….  Okay, so the last two crimes are my very own, { –___-‘ } so that just goes to show how badly I treat them.  Well, no longer!   For more tips please check out the rest of her post. 

Top 5 Nail Tips

One of the most common questions I get asked about my manicures is how I maintain my nails.  What tools do I use?  What techniques do I employ?  What secret witches brew do I use to get my cuticles soft.


Really, I have no secrets.  I’ve just found methods and techniques that work for me.  Today, I will be sharing with you guys my Top 5 Nail Tips for keeping your nails looking their very best...

xox,

bonita