Saturday, December 11

Another Award?

Carys of La Ville Inconnue  is totally awesome ~ she’s so sweet and this is the third award she’s bestowed upon Depict This!!   It’s so nice when all your hard work is recognized, and I really appreciate it.  Thank you Carys.  ^__^

onelovelyblogaward

I am going to pass it on to:

~ Amber Rose from Laughing with Broken Eyes  ~

~  Jennifer from Jennifer’s Blog ~

~ Katie from Katiefoolery ~ 

~ L. from Only Half Dressed ~

~  Lulu from Lulu and the Locket  ~

~ Miruku from Milk Tea   ~

~ Violet from Tales of an Ingénue ~

 

I really enjoy reading your blogs and I hope you don’t mind if I call some of you ‘friend’.  I like getting to know you all through your blogs and also through some of the lovely comments I get at Depict This!.  Isn’t the world wide web fantastic at promoting communities of people that would never otherwise meet? 

I think so!

xox,

bonita

Friday, December 10

Quick Share ~ The wrong era?

Please visit this link to read an excellent post on the merits of being vintage in 2o1o.  I found it an excellent read ~ very thought provoking for the vintage lover. 

Snoodlebug: Born in the wrong era? A vintage rant.: "I am a tad (read hellishly) hungover and so I apologise for the rant but this blog is about something that really bugs me.

What is it that causes me such rage? It is when perfectly intelligent, reasonable, adult women state that they were "born in the wrong era." So many vintage aficionados seem to do this and it is something I'm seeing mentioned more and more. Personally I find this sort of comment incredibly naive and shortsighted...."


xox,

bonita

Thursday, December 9

Rain drops are falling on my head ~ Outfit Twenty Two

Okay, these photos were taken on Wednesday last week.  But the weather has been the same from then until now!!  Wet, wet. wet.  I can hardly believe it is summer, because it sure doesn’t feel like it.  I am only just now going out without a cardigan for the day. 

And last week this outfit was constructed around a wool skirt!   Wool!!  In an Australian summer!!!  Trippy….   > > ‘

Raindrops_1   Raindrops_2

Because of all the rain, it sure makes it more difficult to get on with normal life ~ like looking after Copper {my horse} or doing an outdoors photo shoot!  Yays for verandas because I have no where nice to take photos inside at the moment. 

Raindrops_3   Raindrops_4

Raindrops_5

Accessories  ~  Silver Hoop Earrings {Christmas Present 07}   Hair Bow  {Best&Less} 

Pearl Necklace  {Thrifted}    Floral Cardigan  ~  SES     Top  ~  La Pearls

Skirt  ~  Thrifted     Shoes  ~  Payless 

Raindrops_6     Baby Bump at 4 months.  

Gosh, my spine looks like it’s made of jelly the way it is curving so much!   I used to have a much better posture, but thanks to the little one, that’s flown out the window….  > <

The greatest news I have to share is that DH and I have finally gotten through some of the things that have been keeping us from finalizing on the house we wanted.  The bank has decided to play nice, so we have signed our lives {and subsequent children….. Just kidding!  > <} away on the mortgage documents and completed the exchange.   39 days and 5 hours until we can move in!!!   *eeeee*  >______<

It is all very exciting.

xox,

bonita

Thursday, December 2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED: Packages, Presents and Stuff ~ Modes4u Review

I was online a week or so ago, and the cuteness of Modes4u brainwashed me into making a massive bulk purchase!  Deco, stickers, stamps, and more ~ I just couldn’t resist.  And when the package turned up on my doorstep yesterday?   >_____<     *eee*  Very happy!!   I couldn’t wait to share it with all of you.

Modes_1      Modes_2

Modes_3

   L to R clockwise  ~   Face Clothes: my favourite is on top!     Two stamps:  one panda with strawberries and a cupcake one with sweets and a bunny and a bear      Two packs of puffy stickers:  Food bunnies and cute kitties      A fairy tale note book:  No lines ~ perfect for my notes and pictures!      Pacer pencil: cute bears, cakes and doughnuts and I love the doughnut charm hanging off the top of it!!      Deco items: Large roses, small roses, and cookies with strawberries on top    

Modes4u had really great customer service ~ there was some sort of problem with my order and it wouldn’t go through, but they sorted it out really quickly and helped me finish the payment.

I was also very happy with the quick delivery ~ I ordered these items on the 22nd of November and received them on the 1st of December.  It was only just over a week before I got my items!  Plus, everything was packaged well, so that was great.

I am not so much a fan of the prices though….  I love what Modes4u do ~ their shop is clear, easy to order from and, obviously, they sell super cute stuff.   The only drawback for me was the prices of everything.   The Australian dollar is doing pretty well at the moment, so at least I didn’t have to worry about the exchange rates.  But even then, I found that while the notebook was a reasonable price at US$6.49 the pacer pencil cost US$5.07 which seemed excessive to me for what you got.   I don’t think I’d buy many of the deco items either ~ I love the strawberry cookies I got, and I want to get some of the cherry cookies too, but at US$2.59 for 5 pieces, when I can buy more than that for AUD$2.00, it just seems a little over the top.

All in all, I found the service and items from Modes4u great, but the prices a little expensive.  I’d save and buy things you really want from the site, but I’d also think twice about what you want to get.  To be perfectly honest, you might find it cheaper else where, and I’d rather having to wait a while longer if I could spend less! 

holly

I know it’s early, but I am very excited for Christmas this year.  I think it’s going to be awesome and that’s why I have a special surprise!  I thought it would be really nice to do something celebrating Christmas on Depict This! so I am going to randomly give a Christmas present to one of my readers.   Okay, so it’s more like a really small version of a giveaway, but it’ll be fun anyway.  ^ w ^

PresentGiveaway2

~ *  You’ll receive an ice-cream bubbler, a snowman coin purse and a mystery present!  * ~

To put your name in for the present, please just comment and leave your email address so that I can contact you to send your Christmas parcel to you!

There is just one rule; please follow Depict This! publicly through Google Friend Connect so that I know you actually read DT!.  Other then that, anyone can enter.  Good luck everyone.  ^__^     GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

xox,

bonita

Saturday, November 27

*o*

*dies*  Seriously mind blowing cuteness…  

See?   ‘Nuff said…..  > U <

xox,

bonita

Thursday, November 25

How to ~ Vintage Style Hair Bow Holder Tutorial

Sorry it has taken so long to get this up ~ unfortunately I am having a bit of passport drama at the moment; trying to lodge my form before Monday and I keep forgetting important details like, oh, I don’t know ~ the copies of the birth certificate, marriage certificate, previous passport, driver’s licence and Medicare card!!  {I.e.  ~ Everything you need except the form itself….  *facepalm* Doh!}

Anyway, it is all good now.  On to the tutorial!  I was inspired to have a go this DIY craft by two amazing bloggers.  Jill from Baby Rabies and Violet from Tales of an Ingénue.  They both did gorgeous bow holder tutorials that you can find here & here

However, as much as I admired the work they did, I decided that I’d like to try another style which is why I came up with my own version of a hair bow holder!  > ω <

Prequel to the Tutorial ~

At first I had the idea to use a vintage doily for my project, but I only had one the right size and I didn’t want to use it because once I did, that was it.  Instead I decided to use this lace top I bought and have never worn.  

The only problem was that it was too white for a vintage look!  So I decided to dye both the top and the hoop darker to make them look more ‘old’.

HB_1 HB_2

To create the dye, all I did was grab eight tea bags, a hot kettle of water and a container!  Make your “tea” in the container, stir and place object under water.  Because the hoops kept trying to float I weighed them down with some jars and left it over night.

Next morning I put the top in the same brew.  I tried tying it up for a mottle effect but that didn’t work {it probably would on cotton or something, but this was made out of a weird material.}.  I still liked the results after I rinsed it out and hung it to dry, so I was ready to start. 

HB_3  HB_5

How to make a vintage styled hair bow holder ~

  HB_7

Gather your supplies:

~  Material

~  Embroidery hoop {can be bought at any craft supplies store.  I got mine for under $10.00 at Spotlight.}

~  Ribbons  {you’ll need at least two rolls of ribbon in whatever colour/s you choose.  I decided on two different widths and shades of pink.}

~   Hot glue gun  {also found at craft shops}

~  Scissors

~  Small roses  {I used Vivaldi 25mm Foam Rose Head in White ~ I think they were $7.00 from Spotlight}

 HB_8    Step 1:  Stretch your material over the smallest hoop and place the large one over the top and tighten.  I did this so that it would be easier to cut it out.  You can measure a circle if you want, but this is the cheat’s way out!   ; p

HB_9    Step 2:  Cut the excess material off leaving a 1 1/2 ~ 2 cm allowance all around.

 HB_10   Step 3:  See the allowance?  You don’t want too much or you will see the leftovers from the front.  {That’s the trouble with see through materials}

 HB_11   Step 4:  Hot glue the allowance down to the inside of the hoop.  Only do a small bit at one time and please don’t forget to wait a few seconds before pushing the material down onto the glue.   The glue is hot and it will burn you if you touch it straight away!  {Like I learnt the first time around…  >.>’}

 HB_12    Step 5:  You should end up with something like this ~ see across for the close up.HB_13

 

 HB_14    Step 6:  Lay your ribbon over the front of the hoop as you like and cut to size, leaving a few centimetres on either side so that you can glue the ribbon down.   I just eyeballed the distances apart, but you can measure it if you like.  : )

HB_15   Step 7:  Starting with the middle ribbon, put a small dot of hot glue near the top of the strip and then attach it to the top outside of the hoop. 

Do the same with all of the ribbons, then repeat on the bottom.   When you are doing the bottom, make sure to pull the ribbon taunt {but don’t pull it off!} and straight.

 HB_16   Step 8:  Turn the hoop over ~ you should have a bunch of ribbon tails that you want to glue down for extra security.

 HB_17   Step 9:  Once you have glued down all the tails, make sure you cut off the excess, because again, you’ll see it from the front if you don’t.

 HB_18   Step 10:  Place the outside hoop on again and tighten.   Make sure the screw is up the top and in the centre because the next step is to cover it up!

 HB_19   Step 11:  Get your roses.   You could use any other type of fake flower head if you liked.  Or maybe even a bow.  Really, it’s entirely up to you.  

 HB_20    Step 12:  Decide on the arrangement before you glue in place.

 HB_21    Step 13:  I put a healthy {read as huge} glob of glue all over the back of the roses and over the screw to make sure they wouldn’t fall off.

 HB_22    Step 14:  Cut a length of ribbon and attach it to the top of the frame in a loop shape ~ this is what you’ll use to hang the bow holder up with.  And you are finished!!

~ Enjoy Your New Vintage Style Bow Holder ~

 HB_23    HB_24

I am really happy with how it turned out ~ the only problem is that I need to make another one as I still have half a box of bows to hang!  

I have to say, I laughed when I had finished hanging all of these up.  I didn’t realize that I had such a theme going!  I mean, black, red and white are great colours, but do you think I should get some other shades?  I kind of do…  >o<

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and I hope you all have a great Friday. 

xox,

bonita

Tuesday, November 23

Into the Sunset ~ Outfit Twenty One

The DH and I had a little road trip to Wagga Wagga over the weekend {three hours away from Canberra or 250kms distance if you are into that kind of measurement}.  It was chiefly for DH’s work ~ a code camp for developers {or a numeral collection of nerds as my husband aptly described it}.  However, I think it was myself that ended up benefiting the most from the trip.

One, because DH has excellent taste in accommodation and booked us into the cutest little cottage called “Forget Me Not” ~ it was so lovely and in a beautiful location with lemon trees and roses rambling absolutely everywhere!

Plus, the equine friends over the fence helped to make an even better impression on me ~ especially a darling foal that was over the road.  I went up to say hi and he was most inquisitive….  We made friends very quickly!

Two, because while DH was at the camp, I got to wander around Wagga and check out the scenery.   Lots of photographs were taken and because there was a fantastic antique junk~esque type shop and a spring fete, lots of shopping was done too!

I had such a relaxing time, which was really great.  I had been feeling quite ill the last week thanks to hay fever and a mild cold; I wasn’t even sure if I should go.  But I did, and I am very glad that I did.

With the help of DH, I also happened to snap the best outfit shoot I have ever done, and with one of the best outfits I think I have pulled together recently.

Farmland_5

I have been feeling totally uninspired with my wardrobe recently ~ not because I don’t have enough clothes to work with, but rather a complete lack of energy and less than average creativity.

I felt that this outfit came together perfectly and felt so me.  I love it.  It’s not a usual style that I wear, I tend to avoid empire waist dresses/tops like the plague, because I always felt that they did nothing for my figure and made me look pregnant. 

But now that a baby is actually on the way, and I don’t have a waist any more ~ it’s the perfect thing.  The baby~doll look is really reflecting the stage of life that I feel that I am at ~ soft, feminine and a mother to be. 

Farmland_3 Farmland_7 Farmland_4

It’s funny how sometimes things just fall into place perfectly and you can look back and say ~ yes, at that point I knew where I was, who I am and where I was going.  It’s nice to be able to feel the comfort of that moment ~ where God is in His heaven, and all is right in the world.

Farmland_1  Farmland_6 

Of course, the moment does not always last as long as you would like it too ~ sometimes that feeling can stretch over days, weeks or months.   And sometimes it as fleeting as a breath of wind or a heartbeat. 

Whatever the case may be, we need to hold onto those moments, because in those seconds, you know that everything is going to be alright ~ no matter what the future holds.

Farmland_2

We are all here for a reason, and we all are given the strength to make it through each day.  Every day we have is gift…   I believe it is a gift from God, although I know there are others who might not feel the same way.  I also know that we all can still agree that each day is a gift of life.

And for that gift of life that is me, and growing inside of me, I am so very thankful.   

Farmland_8

Accessories  ~  Hair Ribbon {Recycled from goodness knows where}   Hat  {Thrifted ~ it’s an old school hat but I love it!}

Blue Floral Dress  ~  La Pearls    White Eyelet Dress  ~  {Florence, Italy.  Worn underneath for a more suitable more length!} 

Flats  ~  Tightrope {yes, they are the same pair that were in the last outfit post.  Terrible of me I know, but I love them so much atm.}

 

I hope you had a great weekend like I did, and please keep an eye out for a tutorial/DIY I aim to share with you later this week.  It’s going to be fun.  ^ w ^

xox,

bonita

Saturday, November 20

sassyNpunk feature ~ cuteness overload!

Okay, I would like to do a post featuring sassyNpunk.   Yes, I talking about how awesome I find the shop.  No, I haven’t bought anything from there yet, so I can’t give you a full review.   I am however, writing a disclosure so that you know that a}.  While I might receive a gift from sassyNpunk for doing this, I am writing out of my own experiences and opinions.   That being said, I haven’t had the full experience yet, so I can’t tell you if it is good or bad. 

And b}. If I do happen to receive something for my work I will do a review on it and let you know what the products are like in real life, not just internet land.  So I hope you don’t mind the topic, and hey, you might find a new favourite store too. 

The main reason I decided to do this feature post is that I heard rumours that sassyNpunk were doing a special offer where you can blog about their store and they’ll send you a package of freebies…   And who doesn’t love freebies?

For myself, I actually found this one pretty amazing.  I don’t know many shops that will give away items in return for a bit of publicity.   Most of the time you have to be famous in blog land before any company will look your way twice. 

I am glad that sassyNpunk are doing this offer though, because I have been drawn to their website on numerous occasions, and I think I leave a little piece of my heart with them every time I go there… 

I love, love, love their products.  Like this Happy Mushroom Cameo for AUD $10.13 ~

Happy_Mushroom

Or this gorgeous Cherries Necklace {which would look great with my new dress btw!}

Cherries

Or the Cherry Cameo Necklace ~ which I love even more.  Cherry obsessed much?  Why yes!

Cherry Cameo

Then there’s the Hello Kitty stuff {Hello Kitty in a tea pot?  Love it!!}, the hair stuff, the cute stationary stuff ~ all of which could pretty much be on my wish list at any point.

However, let’s not forget the other side of sassyNpunk.  The shop does not just cater to the cute and cuddly ~ there is a wide variety of goth/emo/punk type items for sale too.

I am not so fond of the punk stuff…  Too many zombies and guns and knives.   Not up my ally, but sure to appeal to anyone looking for a lot less cute and a lot more punk.   {Actually, that would be my sister!  >o<} 

In my mind, it’s a good shop for online cute and you can find a range of stuff for almost any girl.   Sorry, guys, but it is pretty gender specified!   sassyNpunk would be great at providing Christmas gifts ~ for you or some else you know. 

Check it out if you like, and let me know what you think.   > ω <

xox,

bonita

 

P.S.  ~  All images are from the sassyNpunk website and are copyright to sassyNpunk.

Friday, November 19

Baby Talk Part II ~ The Trials and Tribulations of Being the First Mommy in your Circle.

So you’ve done it.   Out of your artsy, singleton, cool hipster circle you are the first to settle for the Husband, House and 2.5 Children.

You’ve crossed the line to official adulthood, even if you still feel like you’ve got a long ways to go until you get there.  {When I grow up, I’d like get a novel published!}

Now what do you do?  

I’ve read quite a few stories about Moms who are the last of their circle to get with the baby program, and how awkward they found it.

“Little Jimmy has pink eye…”  

“Oh, um, that’s not good.”

*silence*

“And Chelsea is getting to be such an excellent ballet dancer, I am sure she’ll get a part in the end of year production.”

“How wonderful.”

*more silence*

“……”

“I think I’ll go get another drink.”

*escapes*

Just like that invisible lines are drawn in the metaphoric sand.   You vs. Them.   Married vs. Single.  Children vs. The Goldfish. 

Want to know why?   Baby Talk.   That’s why.  Being the last ~ being the first, it seems to be much the same boat.   The one christened “The Only Equals So Lonely”.  Because when you are the only one in your circle to be that stage of life you are pretty much stuffed when it comes to conversation.

Yeah, my girlfriends are so not dying to hear about my indigestion issues {These days I am relying heavily on Mylanta which is an Antacid.  ‘Nother words ~ OLD people medicine!}, or that I had to buy a bra TWO sizes bigger than my regular size and it’s only been three months!!

And all this new found knowledge that I have on the female body during this time?  Oh, you can definitely keep THAT to yourself!!  When Sister number Two, who is studying human biology, and I got into a friendly discussion about *mumble*  cervixes *cough* and their nature all I heard from Sister number Four was “EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!   Can you NOT!???” 

Mind you it turned out I was right {Google is good for something!} but in the meantime I found out that Sisters Two, Three and Four pretty much do not want to know all the scintillating facts that I have uncovered through hours of trawling the Wide Webs for information.   {Well, my doctor wasn’t coughing up the goods ~ I had to find out this stuff somehow!}

So what do we talk about? 

The topics that they know.  Single boy dramas, runs in with the local Lady Loves to Make You Miserable, uni trouble, travel, work ~ all the things that used to be the centre of my conversations oh, about a year ago?

It’s not like I have forgotten what life was like at that stage, and of course I love hearing about all the things that are important and even the not so important to them.  Basically because if they didn’t share this stuff then I’d be really upset because we don’t talk anymore!  Ugh.  Don’t want to even go there.  It is not a happy place to be.

But it’s also hard because the things that are important to me now, like babies and houses and housekeeping ~ not so much on the conversation role.

So I guess I kind of feel like it ends up being one sided sharing….   What do I do?  Wait until they catch up to my stage of life and then share all the stories? 

Or just start another blog so I can share all that stuff there without totally disgusting you guys?

Of course I talk to my Mom a lot more these days, and it’s great because One: she’s interested in that stuff being a Mom herself {even to three adults and one teen} Two: she’s a first time grandmother, just like I am a first time Mom so that definitely exciting!

It’s just that I miss being able to connect with my friends.  I miss feeling like they get it.   I miss sharing what’s up with me and having them relate with stories of their own.   And that, everyone, is one of the downsides to being the eldest and being the first to doing almost everything.   It not always that fun.  In fact, sometimes it is down right lonely.

xox,

bonita

Tuesday, November 16

Cherry on Top ~ Outfit Twenty

Wow, I have already posted twenty outfits?   For someone who didn’t really find her calling as a lifestyle blogger until July this year, that seems a lot to me.   Of course, it would be more if I was only posting fashion, but we all know that my scatter brain could never cope with concentrating on a single subject!

One thing at a time….

Cherry_1.

 Cherry_2  Cherry_6

Cherry_4 Cherry_5 

Cherry_3

Accessories  ~  Lace hair band {Diva}    Lace Bow  {Diva}  Silver Hoops  {2007 Christmas Present}

Dress  {Jay Jays}   Underskirt  {Thrifted}    Shoes  {Tightrope}

As you might be able to tell Spring is out in full force down under, and we are experiencing really hot days mixed with LOTS of rain!  Still, it is definitely the season for pretty dresses and I am happy that I can finally ditch all of the layers so necessary in winter.

Speaking of pretty dresses ~ this one is new and I was so excited to find it.  I love cherry print and when I saw this dress in Jay Jays last week I had to have it.   Plus, the vintage styled buttons down the front are such a nice touch for something so mass produced….

And do you like my new glasses?   I actually really love them.  I wasn’t sure about the style, because I ordered them online and couldn’t try them out first, but when they came they were just perfect!  I surprisingly don’t mind having these on for photos, where as I used to hate it and would always whip my specs off when the camera came out.

I don’t think I’ll wear them all the time for photographs, as the flash reflection is annoying, but if I forget to take them off at least I don’t need to insist on taking the photos again.   Not that I ever did that before…  > >’

Not me!

xox,

bonita

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