little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

today marks the first day of the second week of my new exercise plan...



and so far, i'm quite enjoying getting them done and ticked off the calendar. there's been a couple of stiff, sore days... but nothing too intense thankfully!

i threw some clothes on to go to work in on friday (i'd left my dry cleaning at work!)



it wasn't until i was jumping off the bus that i realised that the cardigan AND the skirt i was wearing were both made by ME! and then i was pretty chuffed!

speaking of buses... i've taken the bus to work almost everyday this week!



and there's been lots of working on this blankie! i really don't mind taking the bus, as it gives me a chance to just sit and be (and knit) before or after a busy day of working.

this morning, i suggested to bb we head out and check out our local 'craft' market. and i'm super thankful we did! as well as some really nice looking fruit, vegies and eggs, we also found some nice succulents!



i took the opportunity to replant this little terrarium i was gifted for my birthday last year. i managed to kill the succulent that was planted in there with a little bit too much water and not enough sunlight!
hopefully these new plants will fair a little better!

and speaking of plants...



these guys were absolutely singing the other morning when i was leaving for work and i couldn't help but snap a photo of them!

what's been putting a smile on your face this week? can you keep succulents alive? do you make clothes that you wear?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

this guy never fails to put a big smile on my face...



he's so great at 'helping' me make the bed...

i decided during the week, that rather than buying a new pair of shoes, to replace the ones that i had almost worn completely through, that i would take them to be repaired by a cobbler...



and i feel like i definitely made the right choice!
they weren't cheap to have repaired... but they don't need to be worn in, and i'm reusing something, rather than buying new.
he also gave them a really good polish, so they actually look a bit BETTER than they did when i bought them!

i've also SUPER enjoyed the cooler weather we've been having this week...



there's been wooly sock wearing happening...

and soup making and consuming...



this was the french onion soup, i threw into the slow-cooker before work on friday afternoon.
it was AWESOME to come home to on an ever so slightly chilly friday night. and absolutely perfect with a toasted and cheesy english muffin dunked into it!

what's been making you smile this week? do you have a helper to entertain you while you're doing chores? how's the weather where you are?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

i mixed up this cake mix as promised...



as well as it being my bloggy birthday, i also had a co-worker with a birthday sunday too! i baked them up and took them into work as a bit of a happy birthday gesture!
hopefully it helped make her day a bit special (particularly because she was working, poor thing!)

i also started on one of my february goals



i pulled on my ridiculously BRIGHT exercise clothes, and went for a run. it was only a short one, but yesterday my muscles were aching a lovely ache, and i'm keen to pull those hyper orange runners on again this morning!
it was really fun!

this guy didn't just want hugs last night...



he also wanted to steal my chesse!
he's lucky he's cute i tell ya!

and lastly, this morning, i'm getting back to one of my favourite past-times...



list writing!
what i want to get done today, tomorrow, in the garden over the year... lots of lists!

what have you been up to this week? what has put a smile on your face?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

this week, i've lured a friend to the darkside.



and by darkside, i mean instagram.

i put my newly painted table to good use.



after having all of the food on there, there's a few marks and things on the finish, but not too bad considering!

this was by far the thing that put the biggest smile on my face...



my cert iv is officially finito and i am officially qualified!
it makes no difference to my job or anything, i just officially know what i'm doing now i guess...

and this little mutant strawb,



he made me smile because well, he looks cool, but he was also SUPER delicious!

what's been making you smile this week? any delicious fruit?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

belated christmas gifts.



in the past week, i've received not one but two belated christmas gifts!
the above was from bb. he was SO prepared, researching and purchasing this gift for me, several weeks before christmas. the spindle is handmade though, and made to order, so it didn't quite make it in time... i still appreciate it though, and probably more so now, as i ALMOST have the mental space to take on something new, like spinning!
the second gift, was a beautiful necklace, made of rope, in the most beautiful mint green.
it's so lovely and i feel so spoilt this week!

i found a discounted bag of tomatoes in the green grocer earlier in the week...



and on thursday night, they were chopped up and went into the oven, becoming the most delicious pasta sauce.
making something so delicious from such simple ingredients is always so nice.

farm time is something that will always put a smile on my face.



hanging out with my mum, this gal, and the rest of the animals is always such a treasure. i didn't even cop too many headbutts this visit!

earlier in the week, i whipped up 2 and a half dozen bread rolls for the bbq i have planned tomorrow...



they've been hiding in the freezer ever since. but i love the fact that i made them myself, and that bb and i haven't bought any bread all year so far!

and finally...



how could that video not put a smile on your face?

i'm not sure how long the pianos are around for, but i'd love to go into the city and have a play!

what's made you smile this week? are you a spinner? do you bake bread?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

over the weekend, i got to harvesting my first crop of onions!



they've turned out a little small, which may have been due to a lack of water... but is most likely due to the rock hard clay soil i planted them in...
i was hoping they'd help to break it up a bit, no luck there!
they've been a staple in salads this week though and they're super tasty and delicious!

during the week, i received some happy mail!



magdalena was having a clearance sale on instagram of some of her bits and bobs so i splurged and bought myself two packs, mostly for the fabric (for hexie-ing... need to get back to that soon!) but how lovely are those buttons? and that bias? and the lace? swoooooooooon.

monday night, i pulled my ballet shoes out of storage after deciding to take some ballet classes.



unfortunately, the class i can attend (in the evening, after work) is already full for the term! i'm on the list for next term though, and i've started yoga-ing in the mean time!
i'm following this yoga challenge to help me get started, though i'm resting on days when i'm feeling too sore... some of the days have been quite challenging already!

the one thing that has put the biggest smile on my face this week though, is this guy...



four straight days of temperatures above 40 degrees would have most certainly been unbearable without this little portable air conditioner... they were almost unbearable WITH it!
there are very few times that i am thankful that i work in a crappy shopping center, but this week was one of them!

what has made you smile this week? have you survived this heatwave? or is it cool where you are?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

home-made pizza will ALWAYS put a smile on my face.



bb and i have had a really great week of eating this week. taking lunches to work, eating home cooked meals, sticking pretty closely to our meal plan. and THAT will always make me happy!

sunday morning snuggle sessions.



he looks so blissed out in this photo, but in truth, he HATES hugging like this. he always wriggles away within a couple of minutes and is none to happy to be there in the meantime.
i got a friendly little nip on the nose just after i took this photo!

beautiful fresh flowers.



or maybe not fresh... these were marked down at the greengrocer but they're still damn pretty to look at!

this week, i brought home some new prescription sunnies from work.



my old ones had an older prescription in them, so i can see much better with these newies! oh, they're also gorgeous!

working on getting the last few ends woven in on the scrappy heart blankie.



it's nearly complete! huzzah!
i'm super thankful as my fingers are literally itching to start something new! so many things to make, not nearly enough time!

what little lovelies have you stumbled across this week? do you have a non-snuggly kitty too? what are you making at the moment?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

cocktail drinking on nye.



i was gifted this wee jar of christmas-spiced gin from a co-worker and boy it was delicious. and strong. quite strong.

on new years day, i spent a little time getting myself organised for the new year.



this is my third year using the frankie diaries and i do so love them!

earlier in the week, i spotted this little guy...



a raspberry! i am beside myself with excitement!

and speaking of excitement,



i had a veritable handful of blueberries for breakfast the other day! they were a little tart, but still super delicious!

and finally, last night bb and i got out and about in the city. spontaneous date night!



we headed to the cricket! t-twenty only though... i'm not the biggest fan of cricket, but in the shorter format, i can get around it... as long as i'm allowed to bring my knitting that is!

what little lovelies have you noticed this week? what has made you smile?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

a flower almost in bloom.



my onions are starting to look super pretty. as well as coming along in the ground too hopefully!

i cast on a new project on my couple of days off this week.



there's nothing like christmas to get me knitting away at a feverish pace!

this flower, is not almost about to bloom, but is already there!



this beauty was waiting for me on my grandma's bench when i popped in to visit on wednesday. they are my absolute favourites!

and finally, last night, i was lucky to head along to this event.



it was super awesome to put faces to blog names and to catch up with some lovely folks i haven't seen in a while!

what little lovely things have been happening this week for you? anything blooming? are you knitting for christmas? did you get along to the voices of 2013 do last night too?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

a cute little bag, full of goodies, to start off the craft sessions.



the awesome businesses sponsoring the weekend were so generous, i felt so spoilt! and i can't wait to get creating with all of these materials!

during the week, i spent a fair chunk of time creating this meal,



biking around to source the ingredients, slow cooking them to make a delicious ragu, making pasta and bread from scratch. it totally paid off though, it was DELICIOUS! and also made me feel like i'd done great things with my day off :D
more importantly, there were leftovers for the freezer. now on a busy day, when i feel like i've achieved nothing tangible, i can come home with little effort and relive the experience! excellent!

a quick trip BACK to the yarra vallery earlier in the week to retrieve something left behind after the weekend, yielded a sweet discovery.



the yarra valley chocolaterie is DEFINITELY somewhere i'll be going again!

and finally, a parting gift from last weekend.



"i craft for joy"
i most certainly do.
i'm hoping to pick up a frame for this beautiful print, and get it hanging on my bedroom wall asap!

what has been putting a smile on your dial this past week?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

burger dates with my bestie



the most delicious food comes out of food trucks. for sure.

gifts from clients at work.



he was super stoked i was able to fix his glasses so quickly after he'd sat on them.
i'll be remembering his name ;)

my shadow.



he'd follow me around all day if he could.

and getting moving again. in my new shoes.



it felt pretty good, now to keep it up!
definitely getting inspired by this awesome lady and her exercise habit!

what been happening this week to make you smile?

little lovelies.

every week, i try and share a little list of lovely things that have happened throughout the week in my neck of the woods, to try and keep myself looking on the bright side of things.

this week, there's been lots of new stuff happening!



new wool to start a new project.
i think my favourite part of buying wool in bulk like this is to play with it! stack it up, make it look pretty!



lovely brianna picked me up this clock from ikea.
it's soon to become a modpodged hexie masterpiece! it should look great up around the house!



my parents bought this cute little cross-stitch home from their trip to the states. i can't wait to get it done and framed up in a little black frame.
i think it'll look great up on my wall!



oh and speaking of things that i had brought back from the states for me, a brand new pair of running shoes!
how lucky am i??

maybe this is the inspiration i need to get running again ;)

what little lovely things are making you smile this week? do you play with your new wool too? or enjoy the odd ikea hack?