10 things that have made me happy this week

source

I really try to make these post positive and not focus on the negatives, however today was about the worst day I've ever had at work and positivity is a little light on the ground. After 15 minutes notice to get to work I then had about 30 seconds notice before being thrown into a situation which I have no training and no experience in. By my self. To say I was out of my depth would be an understatement. Now I'm taking a deep breath and trying to remind myself that it's not the end of the world and I survived. Just. Now to remind myself the good things that happened this week, here goes:

1. My Modcloth order arriving this afternoon - exactly the cheer up I needed after today, plus it's been cold enough the last few days that I've been crying out for the warm winter coat I ordered. 
2. The storm passing before Thursday's yard duty - so happy the rain cleared and I didn't have to be out in it!
3. Messages from some lovely friends checking in on me - I spend a lot of time 'meaning to' contact people and then just forgetting about it or not getting around to it so I'm always grateful when someone contacts me (Thanks for picking up the slack guys!)
4. Anticipating a cheese platter dinner and a glass of my beloved Alicante Bouchet.
5. Finishing The Raven King - I've been anticipating it's release for years and when I finally got my hands on a copy I read it in about 2 days. 
6. Watching The Court Jester with Mark - I loved introducing him to a film that holds such fond memories from my childhood.
7. The roasted capsicum and feta pasta sauce I made for dinner on Tuesday night - so easy but so so good. 
8. Labelling storage containers in preparation for organising the pantry - yes, I'm that kind of lame that labelling things makes me happy! (I may or may not have labelled the cat while I was at it)
9. Chats with my father that never address the things we need to organise because we end up just talking about everything else - not overly productive but just what I needed on the day. 
10. Curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and End of Watch - another final instalment of a series I have loved, I'm lapping it up at every opportunity and stolen moment. 

Whew. That was hard today. I'm off to have a lazy weekend around home and revel in the blissful mundane. Hope it's a happy one for you all.
A xx

*** Happy sharing inspired by Rosie ***

Outfit: Check Mate

I wore this little ensemble for a day out in Pirie. We had lunch and then scoured the shops for some much needed storage solutions. We stopped at Bowman Park, near Crystal Brook, on the way home to take a few outfit photos. These photos were taken while dodging the rain and fighting with the wind but I think we did alright in the end! I've been looking for a way to style this capelet for a while, It's been sitting in my wardrobe for a few years but I had never found a way I felt comfortable with it. Eventually I threw caution to the wind, bit the bullet, and all those other cliches and just chucked it on. I think it turned out ok! I did try and balance out the top with a skirt while still cinching the waist with a belt. I think I'll be wearing it a lot more often now I've got a fool proof look. What do you think?

Introducing: Tribbles

Meet Tribbles:

Tribbles is a rescue kitten, she was found discarded in an old beer carton on the side of the road at the end of April 2014. I didn't think she was going to survive the first night as she had a bad wheeze and I didn't know if she had been hurt when she was thrown out of the car window (the box had been thrown off of the side of an overpass and landed next to a road). After I nursed her back to health I knew she was going to be a keeper! Here's the important info:

• She is named after the tribbles from Star Trek because she made a high pitched trilling noise when she was a kitten (she still does occasionally and I have been told it's like and extreme purr and means she is exceptionally happy)
• She is extremely talkative and will walk around the house meowing loudly to get attention.
• She is both affectionate and playful, she hates being left alone and loves cuddles and endless games (usually involving biting something)
• Her favorite person is Mark, she was always very scared of people but she took to him within hours of me moving in. 
• She has a permanent but mild wheeze due to her early case of feline flu, while it doesn't really affect her health she does sound like she is snoring sometimes.
• Food is about her favourite thing ever, followed closely by snuggles and biting things.

What do you mean you have to work?

The assembling cats always be sure to read the instruction

She likes to throw things off the coffee table... then attack the furniture. Cat logic. 

While I was never really a cat person before I found Tribbles, I can't imagine life without her.

A xx

10 things that have made me happy this week

source

Todays late post comes to you courtesy of a very busy day, a good day but busy none the less. And by busy of course I mean that most of it was spent with the bunnies (yes, there was some playing with them mixed in with cleaning out their play pens, I just can't resist those little faces!) Of course I did more than that but this post is not designed to dwell on such things as housework or two hour drives! This week has been a bit of a slow one overall, in terms of happy things, mostly dreary weather and work but here's what brightened the days for me:

1. A new set of coloured pencils - my previous set only had 12 pencils this new one makes it much easier to use a diverse range of colours, which I find much more pleasing to the eye.
2. The new issue of Collective Hub magazine - devoured with a cup of tea and a purring cat on my lap. Bliss.
3. Watching old episodes of the X-Files - still one of my favourite shows after all these years.
4. Realising I'm still going to get a two day weekend at home, even after a night in Gawler - bring on the long weekend.
5. Cuddles with Tribbles on cold mornings - she's the perfect hot water bottle.
6. Mark getting home from work before me and welcoming me home with all the heaters going.
7. Keeping up with the news of Fuzzy Pants - while her story begins horribly she is an amazing soul who is finally getting the treatment she deserve. I've been so happy to see that she has successfully undergone surgery and is now on the mend. Hopefully her case brings rabbit welfare into the spotlight so more beautiful animals are given the treatment they deserve. 
8. Watching the cat explore under the slip cover of the arm chair - not at all where she was supposed to be but certainly made me laugh. 
9. BBQ dinner tonight with family - good food and great company, you don't get better than that. 
10. Trying out now makeup techniques - made me feel confident all day. 

Because you can't talk about a cat spelunking under the slip cover without photographic evidence. 

*** Happy sharing inspired by Rosie ***

Home Inspiration: things to put on my walls

The longer we live in our little rental the more I find myself dreaming of a charming, well decorated and organised home. One morning it occurred to me: why am I waiting? Yes, we could get a phone call any day to say we will be moving out in a month of two but more likely we will still be here for another six month. Yes, we have restrictions in what we can do with this house but that doesn't mean I have to do nothing. With that in mind I've been exploring ideas that can be moved with us when we move - one of those things is wall decorations so here's a little round up of what's been catching my eye recently! For more follow along on my Pinterest!

source

^ I love this gallery wall's mix of important photos, quotes and objects.

source

 ^ Cute and rustic.

source

 ^ This obviously needs to wait until after we have our actual home!

source

 ^ Pastels, maps, quotes - what's not to love! 

source

 ^ Because anything Frozen themed is a winner in my books. 

source

 ^ This is so cute - I bought something similar recently but maybe I need another one?

source

^ Love this idea and easy enough to DIY and personalise - Watch this space!

Hope you're having a good week!

A xx

Introducing: Captain Jack

I figure I talk about my animals so much on my blog that maybe some of you would like to know a little more about them, so I'm starting a little feature where I introduce them to you. This will either run for six weeks or six months depending on how often I get around to writing these posts! I thought I would start at the beginning by introducing them oldest to youngest.

This is Captain Jack, He will be 9 years old in September. I got Jack as a 3 month old puppy and he has been with me ever since. Here's what you need to know about Jack:

• He was already names Jack when I got him - I added the Captain for Captain Jack Sparrow or Captain Jack Harkness (depends on the day you ask me!)
• He lives for chasing his tennis ball and has even worn his teeth down into the correct shape to hold one (the vet says this is fine and doesn't make his teeth sore)
• He survived a battle with cancer when he was 7.
• His battle with cancer has left him with only 3 legs - he chooses to believe that extra leg was never necessary. 
• I have seen him run on two legs before.
• He is a Pomeranian cross something - we don't know what the something is but think it might be some type of terrier due to his attitude.  

Hope you like this little insight into this extraordinary little man!
A xx

10 things that have made me happy this week

Source

This week has been a busy one, following what was a very busy weekend, it's safe to say I'm very glad it's the weekend! I'm extra glad it's the weekend because I have a blessedly quiet weekend planned, housework, dog walks and many cups of tea inclusive. I don't usually talk about the little funny comics I find each week but can't let this one slip by without mentioning it. As the owner of 4 darling little house rabbits I can't get enough of this comic! So relatable and so funny, if you have bunnies or have had them it's a great little comic to have a giggle over. Here's what else has made this week a happy one:

1. My hot water bottle at about 4am - also checking the time and realising I can roll back over and sleep for another few hours.
2. Finally doing the grocery shopping and Mark and I standing in the shop and almost simultaneously deciding we didn't want to go back out to the pub for dinner, sometimes our train of thought is so similar it's scary!
3. Writing lists - to do lists, to buy lists, the lot! It gives me such a sense of purpose, not to mention the illusion of organisation!
4. The smell of other peoples' wood stoves burning - one of my favourite winter scents, even if it does make me jealous that I don't have one.
5. Scully bunny being back to her original weight - we're not there yet but she's getting better! 
6. The moment I knew Mark was home early on Wednesday because his phone automatically connected to my car as I pulled up next to the house. 
7. Putting my hair into a high pony tail, for the first time in about a year, without it all falling straight back out.
8. Tuesday morning's cheeky sleep in - it sure didn't help my productivity but it was definitely needed!
9. Tribbles' new sleeping spot on the bottom shelf of my clothes rack - it results in furry clothes but it sure is cute.
10. Jack's utter joy when I gave him a brand new tennis ball - definitely a lesson in appreciating the little things in life!

Hope you all have wonderful weekends lined up!

A xx

*** Happy sharing inspired by Rosie ***