Awards

I hope everyone had a wonderful christmas & is enjoying the post christmas relief that I'm feeling right now.

My family where all very happy with their gifts, so I did well this year...YAY!!

We also had a fantastic christmas day with  family & friends, we ate great food, played crazy games & just had an all round relaxed day, with lots of laughs to go with it!!

How was your chrissy this year?

Now I have also been rather privileged of late & proudly accepted a couple of blog awards from two of my favourite bloggers.

The first is The versatile bloggers award & it requires me to share 7 things about Christmas with you!!

I know, I know, I am a little late...

  The very talented cake decorating Katena from
Taylor Made Baking

has honoured me with this award so pop by & say Hi to her if you haven't already. Be prepared to drool on your keyboard when you see some of her home baked goodies.

 I thought I would share a few of my crazy Christmas secrets

1. I am obsessed with how my Christmas tree looks, it MUST be colour co ordinated with my gift wrapping. I let the kids help decorate & then once they are over it, I move everything until I feel like its perfect..... he he he!!

Everyone thought the tree in the last post was mine, but alas here is the real dream house tree, LOL!!

2. My son asked why I always get to choose the colour scheme for the tree & expressed his desire to take on this role next year. I happily agreed to this & silently prayed that I could have 2 tree's next year...his tree & MY tree. Obsessed....never!!!

3. I get so excited by the thought of my kids opening their presents on Christmas morning that I can't sleep. I am usually so tired on Chrissy day that I feel sick & never enjoy the food!!!

This year was a little different though as my kids slept in until 8:30am, are we the luckiest parents on the planet or what!

4.My husband & I rarely exchange gifts, we leave it all for the kids.

5. This year I almost managed  to resist the temptation to go back to the shops & add little extras to my gifts.I was so proud of myself until we discovered on christmas eve that Harvey Norman where offering a huge discount on the Xbox 360 game consoles, we have one that no longer works  so we decided to replace it & use it as an extra christmas gift. Needless to say we have the happiest son on the planet, but I did feel we went a little overboard.

  

6.I love that we get to enjoy the company of our family & friends, I can't imagine how lonely it would feel to not be lucky enough to enjoy this privilege.

7. I love boxing day, I get to sleep in, eat leftovers & the kids never complain of boredom, definately a relaxing day!!!

The next part of the award is for me to pass it on to four more bloggers!

I have left it a little late to pass this one on, so I hope you all had a merry Christmas.

   I think everyone should take this award!!!

xxx

I hope you have enjoyed my pics of my chrissy decos! 

Now I have been a little slow off the mark to post about this award & I didn't realize that my followers have snuck over the 200 mark. I was so proud to see I have over 200 friends YAY!!!!



The beautiful Mimi from

At home with Sam & I

 has passed this along to me & here is what she had to say about the Liebster award.

Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest" and the award is given to bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.  The award has a few stipulations:

1.  Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it you.
2.  Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3.  Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4.  Hope that people you have sent the award to forward it on to their favourite bloggers.

So first & foremost a huge thank you to the beautiful Mimi for honoring me with this lovely award

xxx
Now to pass it on to just 5 bloggers is proving to be very difficult as I love literally hundreds, in fact I dont post as often as I should because I am to busy blog stalking to take the time out to write, he he he!!!!

Any way the award must go on so here are five lovely blogs that I think everyone should stalk...
Style at Home

B is building a house

Melli's Designs

Two beaches and a lake

Ledamae Design

Be sure to pop on by & say Hi to these lovely bloggers if you haven't already.

CHEERS
Trish xxx

Stylish Blogger Award

WOOOT WOOT!!!

Me, a stylish blogger, YAY!!!

I have always wanted to be stylish in some way!

I have to say a huge THANK YOU to

Michelle at Faith Trust & A little pixie dust

for passing on The Stylish Blogger Award

Michelle is a wife, mum & interior decorator. She is a wonderful caring lady who does a lot of great things in her community.

Michelle is also very creative often showcasing some wonderful crafty projects.

Drop by & say Hi to her!!

Now I am supposed to tell you a few things about myself

&

then pass this award onto a few other bloggers.

About Moi!!!

When I was an apprentice hairdresser, my dream was to own my own salon, it took me 20yrs,

 but I did it!!!

When I worked as a fitness instructor, I dreamt of owning a personal training studio,

I did that!!

AMBITION

"Aspire to climb as high as one dreams"

Now I am a stay at home mum & I appear to have lost my MO JO,

I  have NO dreams in the career department...

I hope it returns soon!!!

Having children has taught me to be a little less obsessive about my home,

I love to see things perfectly polished & in place, but some days its like fighting a loosing battle...

Oh well, tomorrow is another day!!!

Since I have began blogging I have really started to admire peoples photography skills & have a real desire to become more skillful in this area.

I have asked my dream guy if he will buy me a digital SLR camera for Xmas & a basic photography course to go with it. I would like to learn how to use all of the features on my new camera right from the start.

Blogs I would like to pass the Award to...

Tina at Rubies Place

Tina is a real inspiration to me, she is a mum to 3 gorgeous girls, a wife, she is doing a university degree to be a primary school teacher, she has an Etsy store full of her beautiful creations & she still finds time to decorate her own home, oh & email me some little tid bits of inspiring ideas she just knows will melt my heart

. A modern day wonder woman I say!!!

Drop by Tina's blog & her etsy store for some good old fashioned rural Australian inspiration!!!

Jane at The girl in the brick house

Jane is another one of those inspirational bloggers ya just gotta meet. Jane's blog is about the journey she , her hubby & two girls have embarked on to knock down their two bedroom cottage in Sydney, recycle & reuse many of the materials to rebuild a fantastic environmentally responsible dream home. I'm loving her story so far.

This week Jane also surprised her followers by announcing she had just published her first novel, now to me that is impressive!!!

Doesn't the cover look fabulous!!!

Drop by & catch up with Jane, you will love her!!!

Kerri at Driftwood Interiors

Kerri is another amazing talent I have come to admire in the land of blog.

Kerri is an artist & designer, a wife & a mum & her achievements are very inspiring. She recently started selling her incredible art work thru her new Etsy store & I don't think she has slowed down since, producing one master piece after another.

When I eventually get a house, one of my first shopping ventures will be to Kerri's to get some fabulous art.

You will also want to check out the super stylish renovating & decorating she does in her own home, its really lovely!!

Now I found this part a little traumatic & could probably just publish my whole blog roll for this award as

I LUUURVE YOU ALLL!!!!!

Have a lovely weekend every one!

CHEERS

Trish xxx

Super Comments Award

Now a while ago the very lovely Katena from Taylor Made Baking  had so generously awarded me with

The Super Comments Award

Katena writes a lovely blog about the AMAZING cakes & parties she caters. Her birthday cakes & goodies are truly inspirational. You need to drop by her blog for a peek, especially at the moment as she is preparing for her little girls FIRST birthday & its going to be a very special party indeed!!!

Now part of the Super Comments Award requires you to answer the following questions, I do hope I don't bore you to much!!!

Why do you blog?

I started blogging as a way to vent  my design frustrations. This whole renting while you are waiting to build really squashes any creativity you may have. I don't want to spend money decorating the rental when I know should  save for the new house & not all of our furniture fits in this house, so some of my most favourite things are in storage...Boo Hoo!! As it turns out this process is definitely going to last a lot longer than expected!

What are three of your best memories?

I don't think I could pin point just 3, after all I have 4 children & they each provide me with so many wonderful memories.

If you changed your name , what would it be?

I have never really liked my name, especially as a child. I always thought of Patricia as a bit of an old ladies name, I guess now I'm pushing 40 that means Ive grown into it...LOL!

I would have liked something that sounded more sophisticated, any suggestions!

 My husband is a great fan of the Simpson's, so he thinks it would be fun to do a Homer & change our names to "Max Power" & "Hooty McBoob", ha ha ha, thats not very sophisticated now is it!!!!

Five things I couldn't live without?

If I say my husband & 4 kids it will use this question up & we all know that goes with out saying. I feel that isn't a very creative response, so here goes; 

I couldn't live without this big guy, but I could live without the criminal hair style he gives himself!!

Coffee, although I am trying to make some cut backs on this addiction

Chocolate

Lucas' Paw Paw ointment, fabulous for all sorts of skin ailments, chaffed lips, dermatitis etc

Witch Hazel, the ultimate skin cleanser & toner & only $6.95 a bottle

My laptop, it keeps me in touch with all of my wonderful blog friends

Four best books?

I have to be honest, I don't often read & can't remember the last time I picked up a novel...so sad :(

Probably has more to do with my magazine & blogging addictions, I do plenty of reading!!!!
I do read lots of childrens books though, Dr Suess is a huge favourite at our house!

A unique & interesting fact about yourself!

Oooohhhh, I can't think of anything particularly unique or interesting about myself, I lead a pretty normal life & have no stand out talents, I'm just an average kind of girl...

Sorry, a very average answer there!

The best movie ever made?

I'm not sure on this one, if it where for special effects I would have to say

Transformers

For comedy I think my choice would easily be

The Hang over

& on the romance stakes I don't think any body could go past

The Note Book

If it where freaky Friday, who would you change with?

I know this sounds a little stalkerish, but, I would change with one of my teenage daughters, just to see what they are really like & the things they get up to when I'm not around!!

Look at all of that daughterly love!!!

Best thing about being a women?

Oh definitely the hair, make-up & fashion, I love all that girlie stuff!!

Allanah Hill Fashion

Now the next part of the Super Comments Award

Pass the award onto some fellow blogger's

This is by far the hardest part of receiving an award. I love so many blogs & would be devastated if I had offended someone by not thinking of them or make some one feel burdened by the thought of responding, so I am just going to award a few lovely bloggers & hope you will drop by & say Hi to them!

Sam from Style at Home

Christine from Sunshine & Lollypops

Briohny from French Doors and Verandahs

Congratulations ladies & a big thank you to all of my lovely bloggy friends who drop by from time to time to see what Im up to. I do appreciate your visits & cherish your lovely comments!

CHEERS

Trish xxx

Sunshine Award with a twist

Cameron from Ingenue mom has sent the Sunshine Award my way this week & I would like to say a BIG Thank you!!!

Cameron writes a great blog offering her experiences on life, pregnancy, being a first time mum & a wife, she also offers lots of tips & advice on many things including how to improve & manage your blog, I learn so much from her, its great.

Ingenue mom is a great read & many of you will relate to lots of Cameron's experiences, I know I do!!!

Because I only recently received a Sunshine Award I wont follow up with 7 things about me, as I fear I will bore you to tears, instead I am opting to show you 7 things on my decorating wish list formy dream house ....& I will say it is definitely a wish list, as by the time my house is built I will be wishing I could win the lottery for all the added extras us dreamy decorators require!!!

If your new to my blog & you want to read 7 things about me just drop over here

 Beacon lighting.

I would love to hang this chandelier over my staircase...

Recollections

I will be investing in a beautiful fire place for my formal lounge, I would like each room to have a feature of its own!!!

Time pieces Australia

It wouldn't be my wish list if there wasn't a clock on it!!!

I have no recollection of where I found this image, unfortunately, because I could see this lovely ottoman sitting on top of my white shag rug in front of the fireplace, in my formal lounge...

If you have seen this ottoman any where please let me know?

 interiors online

I would love this black side table to compliment the zebra print ottoman in the formal lounge

interiors online.

& it would be great to have a pair of these as well, I don't want  my tables to be to matchy. The general colour scheme of my house will be, cream, white, black & silver or variations of those colours with accents thrown in depending on the purpose of the room, some rooms will be quite formal, whilst others will be very comfy relaxed family spaces!

I think I could use a pair of these Chinese garden stools as side tables in the kids activity room, that way they could double as extra seating... we have an ink blue leather lounge for this space & if I get to ikea for a cow hide rug I think it could be a fun place to hang out!

Ikea

& what do ya know, here's the cow hide rug for the activity room floor!

Everyday Living

Now please excuse the photography, I snapped this picture whilst in the shop, but I would love this chaise style couch in a dark grey, for my family room, it also comes with a buttoned ottoman which is right up my alley.

As you can imagine my wish list is much longer than this, but I think these items give a bit of an insight into how I would like to decorate my home...

 What would you say my style is?

I loosely label my style as  modern classic or modern traditional, what do you think?

Now I'm supposed to pass this award onto some blogs I love, but I enjoy sooooo many, that I decided to  pass it on to just one new blog that I have recently discovered

Angie's healthy living

A lot of my followers mention that they would like to be fitter & healthier after they read my profile & discover I have worked as a personal trainer, so I think you will enjoy Angie's blog.She has weight loss tips, recipes & shares her weight loss journey. 

So if you want to be a little healthier drop by her blog ASAP!!!

CHEERS

Trish xxx 

Sunshine Award

YAY!!

 The ever so funny & effervescent Vic, From here to there  has bestowed upon me this lovely award!

Now if you haven't read her blog you really should drop by. I never miss a post because her wit & humour bring a smile to my face every time!!!

Now apparently I am supposed to tell you 7 things about me....without boring you!!!

So here goes...

I am the second child in a family of 4 kids, I have 2 sisters & 1 brother & yes as a child I did suffer from middle child syndrome, but I still grew up fine, according to me, anyway!!!

I  have been married twice & my second husband is by far one of the best things to happen in my life, he is very clever, highly motivated & handsome as well, lucky me!!!

I am a bit of a germaphobe & only like to pat my dogs with my foot, my new puppy however has other plans & forces his love upon me, I think he is training ME on the art of a good pat!!!

My 4 children amaze me with something new everyday, they all make me smile & laugh, alot & they all make me cranky at times as well. I find them very exhausting as a whole. I guess thats what you call motherhood. I am super thankful that I get to be a stay at home mum for a while, because working & parenting 4 kids proved to be a little to much to handle !!

I am a fully qualified personal trainer & nutritionist & I am lucky to exercise twice a week at the moment, because I can't tear myself away from reading everyones blogs!!!

My vices are chocolate, coffee & wine.

The only thing I hoard is my beloved magazines, my favourites being Home beautiful, House & Garden & My modern home.I do by a few others as well, love, love, love a good house mag!!!

So thats me, a slightly bored home body, but I think I  live a nice life!!!

Now I need to pass this on to a few fellow blog friends for us all to get to know a little better, which is an extremely difficult thing to do.

 Aaaahhhh so many lovely blogs..... eenie meenie, miney, mo!!!!

Elements at home

House of turquoise

Reckons of crass construction

The girl in the brick house

The laurel hedge

Fun and vjs

Taylor made baking

I hope you get the chance to visit some of these great blogs, I tried to offer a little variety in the styles of blogs to pass on this award to, so that you could see Im not just design obsessed.

Once again Thank You, Vic!!!

Cheers

Trish xxx

My First Blog Award!!!!!

Thank You Kym At Kyandra Rose for honouring me with my FIRST ever Blog Award... I was beside myself with excitement!!!

It has made me feel like I am a real  blogger...Yipee!!!!

Thank You Kym for making my day & being such a fabulous support, its great to know someone with so much talent is enjoying my blog!!!!

Kym has a beautiful blog with some very inspirational decorating ideas, she also shares my clock addiction!!!Kym  manages to do all these amazing things whilst working as a teacher & being a mum, I think that is impressive.

 I am a SAHM & write my blog because I was looking for a challenge & I wanted to have something to do, other than just being a housewife & mum. I couldn't imagine trying to fit in a full time job. 

I take my hat off to all you clever people that work & blog...

WELL DONE!!!

Now the award rules are that I have to list seven things about me

So here goes:

1. I have 4 children, 3 girls & 1 boy & they bring me a huge amount of joy, but like all mums cause me the most worries in life as well.

2. My husband is by far the most inspiring & motivating person in my life.

3. My sister Erin is definitely my biggest supporter in EVERYTHING I do & is also my partner in Design crime... I cant live without her ( she is also my partner in wine crime, LOL)

4. Teaching my teenage daughter to drive is by far the most challenging & terrifying task I have ever  had to undertake.

5. It makes me crazy if someone sits on my bed after I make it, I love to see a beautifully made bed decorated with lost of fabulous pillows!!!

6.I love an organised home with lots of storage.

& lucky No. 7

I have been so inspired by the talent I have come across since I started reading so many amazing blogs, that I now have very huge aspirations to refurbish, upholster & paint things, rather than purchase everything brand new.

 For this I say THANK YOU!!!!

The second Privilege is that I get to Pass this honour onto 15 other Fabulous Blogs.

Here is who I have chosen

The Five Year Project

Perfectly Imperfect

My Sweet Prints

The Paper tree Design

Blog Brew Review

From here to There

My Summer house

Nestled in Rosenberg

Driftwood Interiors

A Beautiful Mess

Being Ruby

The Pennington Point

fattii goes public

Design Dump

Colour me Happy

A Beach Cottage

So if you haven't already been visiting any of these blogs you should drop on over & check them out. Some are about design, some about life, some put a smile on your face, BUT, all of them are written by incredibly inspirational & clever people.

Than You again Kym

Cheers

Trish xxx