Outfit: Cottage in the Forest

Given my penchant for pop culture references in my titles a part of me really wanted to name this post 'Cabin in the Woods' however, I restrained the urge and used the much friendlier sounding 'Cottage in the Forest.' I do find it interesting how word choice can bring such different meanings to a phrase when essentially the words mean the same thing. Anyway, off of that tangent, I thought I would showcase my beloved blanket coat. It's become a staple in my wardrobe and definitely my go to when I get a last minute phone call to go into work, it's only downside is that I can't wear it when I teach Tech, which is often. Paired with jeans, a soft shirt and my tall boots it made the perfect outfit for a weekend dog walk in the forest (my old trusty pair of ankle boots decided to start letting the water into them so I sadly had to say goodbye - now I'm on the hunt for the a new pair).  I've been embracing much looser and free flowing styles recently, what do you think, do I pull it off? would you wear something like it? 

Introducing: Hutchinson

This is Hutchinson. My first bunny. The bunny set up requires a little more explanation, so they are hard to set out as individual introducing posts, but I will do my best! I have 4 bunnies, 2 bonded pairs. Each bonded pair contains a male and a female rabbit (they are all desexed) but the two pairs do NOT get on at all so one pair lives in the laundry while the other pair lives in the kitchen for the most part. ALL my bunnies are house bunnies and get time out in the main part of the house daily. Here's what you need to know about Hutchinson:  

• Hutchinson was found in the middle of a paddock just after easter 2015, my suspicion has always been that he was bought for easter and then dumped when the festivities had worn off (unfortunately a common occurrence)
• Despite the grumpy face he is quite affectionate often giving me 'kisses' on my hands or neck.
• Hutchinson has many nicknames including Hutch, Hutchy and Mr Grumpy Face.
• His full name is Mr Hutch Hutchinson  - While he was originally just named Hutchinson all the other bunnies has full names so we added in Hutch as his first name. 
• He has been assigned the role of Private Investigator as his name sounds like something out of an old film... plus he clearly likes to investigate things!
• The other half of his pair is Daisy (more on her next week) - The love each other but they have very independent personalities and often spend time sleeping on seperate shelves. 
• Hutchinson is the only one of my rabbits who conforms to the standard conformation of his breed (he is a dwarf lop)
• He is very fastidious and spends large amounts of time 'cleaning' his house, this mostly involves him rearranging the bedding and throwing things out onto the floor.

Weekend Wanderings: Bundaleer Forest

Just a quick update on very lovely weekend. This weekend saw us barely leaving the house, sleeping late, indulging in cheese and wine and a quick and wet trip to Bundaleer Forest to walk this little 3 legged munchkin. Jack's day was utterly made when he found a discarded tennis ball on the oval next to the forest. A few mad games followed, I don't think he's had this much fun since! After thoroughly wearing himself out, and getting sufficiently muddy, at the oval we headed home and he crashed! I think he is a very contented pooch this weekend. And a happy relaxed weekend was just what I needed to recharge too!     

10 things that have made me happy this week

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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

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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 ***