Easter Table Decorating

 I've been getting in the mood for Easter...I usually don't decorate all that much
at this time of year and like always I try to keep it very simple.....

One of my favourite things to look for at the market are Easter Daisies.....don't
you just love how beautiful & long lasting they are. They always brighten my day!

So I thought I would share with you my Easter table decorations - all in that
rustic yet elegant country style I love so much, with lots of white thrown in too!

Fresh white daisies in a glass jar, Easter daisies in a favourite white Ikea jug, 

a rustic timber board to add texture & height and a French vintage linen sheet
that I use as a tablecloth.

A simple table setting of white linen napkins tied up with 

string & decorated with a tiny sprig of Easter Daisies...

A sweet little iron bunny, glass jar with daisies & fresh eggs from our chickens. 

I made the little nest from an old Christmas wreath I had lying around.
Simply wet the wicker till soft and reshape and tie. I then gave it a quick
whitewash with acrylic paint.

 Are you busy with your Easter decorations too, I would love
to hear what you have planned!

 I am linking up with the following lovely parties -

White Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday 
What's It Wednesday
Transformation Thursday
Tablescape Thursday 

Feathered Nest Friday

Inspiration Friday

Creative Inspirations  

Flaunt It Friday

Handmade Soap

Hi everyone, hope you are all well & happy!

I have been enjoying the beautiful weather here at the moment. Lovely sunny days and cool

evenings - perfect! Warm enough for a t-shirt & jeans during the day and cool enough to snuggle under

the quilt at night. I always sleep better when the nights are cooler, don't you?

I made my first batch of olive oil soap yesterday and was really surprised at how easy it was....

As you know I have been reading Rhonda's lovely new book Down to Earth

I followed her simple recipe for cold processed soap - using some very basic ingredients

available from my local supermarket.- olive oil, rice bran oil & coconut oil.

There is also a wonderful tutorial from Rhonda on her blog....

Now we wait 5-6 weeks for the soap to cure....then we can use it!

My next batch will be scented with herbs from my new herb
garden - verbena, sage & rosemary....infused in the oil to give a subtle scent.
 Stay tuned for a tutorial on my scented soap coming soon!

I am really enjoying this transition I am going through at the moment....paring down & simplifying

our lives. Cutting back on packaging, chemicals & processed foods....

Have a lovely week and also a very big welcome 

to my lovely new followers!

linking up with Kathleen at White Wednesday
 Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday 
Feathered Next Friday 
& Inspiration Friday

Labour Day Weekend

Did you do anything exciting this weekend? We had a long weekend here in 

Victoria to celebrate Labour Day, which was a great excuse to escape

 to the beautiful Yarra Valley for the day.

 The gorgeous Yarra Valley is famous for it's many vineyards & gourmet foods 

and autumn is the perfect time to visit!

Our first stop was at Yarra Glen for morning tea of freshly baked scones & coffee...

Next on our must see list was the beautiful Chandon Winery to stock up on some bubbly. 

Established by French champagne house Moët & Chandon in a stunning historical setting the gardens 

around this estate have a distinctive european feel.

We then headed into Healsville for a gourmet lunch of sourdough bread topped with goats cheese,

 proscuitto & fresh figs at the Harvest Cafe...yummy!

Till next time

Simple Living

It's funny how a book can call to you from the shelves of a bookstore.

I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but this one really caught my eye the other

day when I was out shopping with my daughter.

Down to Earth

I picked it up, read a few pages, put it down and walked away.....

and I thought about it ever since...

regretting putting it down....

I have been trying not to buy too many books lately, as I tend to buy

on impulse and then there they sit, looking very pretty, but gathering dust.

While shopping again this morning with my older daughter I made a

beeline for the bookstore and promptly bought it and I am so glad I did.

Written by Rhonda Hetzel an Australian lady who has had her own

blog - Down to Earth for what seems to be a number of years.

Where has this lady been all my life....her thoughts and advice

 are exactly what I have been looking for.

'Simple ideas to enrich your home creating a warm & secure environment 

without unnecessary spending'.....I like that idea a lot!

I'm off to enjoy some homemade vegetable soup on this cold & windy autumn day

and spend a few hours reading Rhonda's lovely book.

If you get a chance pop on over to her blog to have a look at her list of tips and advice

I'm sure there is something there for everyone!

Have a good weekend everyone!