This is what happens when you are on a beach holiday and the sun fails to shine.
Yes, it’s makeover time.I think you’ll agree, I’ve never looked better.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to my sister, who decided that the worlds largest makeup kit was an excellent birthday present for the nine year old. Just wait until she has a kid. I’m going to fix her right up. She’s going to spend her holidays looking like something out of ‘George & Mildred’, too.
Got to go. The rash is spreading down my neck…

Allow me to introduce you to my favorite Christmas present of 2011.

My good mate, Robyn Gibbes, runs CASCADA. She designs all this divine cashllama stuff and has it made in Bolivia, to help support the local communities… and I’ve got to say this beautiful turquoise throw she sent me is just about the most luxurious thing I own.

These products are fair trade, eco friendly, fully organic and completely divine.
I’ve seen the ‘Rebecca’ blanket in real life, and if it’s not the worlds greatest idea for a wedding present, then I don’t know what is!

Cascada wraps and blankets are stronger, lighter and warmer than cashmere products and as an added bonus can be washed in the machine! Music to my ears! Check out the baby blankets…soft as a you-know-what. Know anyone about to give birth? Look no further.

Have a read. You’ll get a bit of an idea about why I can’t help but love such a driven and creative person.

Just when you thought I had decided to let sleeping blogs lie, I’m baaack!
Happy 2012 to you all and thanks for keeping me amused with your goings on while I’ve been…

…Eating/drinking for Australia

…perfecting pavs

…getting pedicures

…sailing on Pittwater

…partaking in some junior crafting (Hey, Kootoyoo, this is how her garden grows! XX)

…and spending quality time playing ‘Guess Who’ with my daughter and her very informative white board.
(Yes, I love green, make heaps of sheets and am not too fond of a bogan.So shoot me.)

I’ve got big plans for this year…please join me X

The quilt was a hit! See below. Not quite the wii that was ordered, but reasonably well received even so.

Also a hit was the gingerbread house. I relinquished control, and allowed the newly minted nine year old to decorate it. I believe the results speak for themselves.

I have many, many more Christmas gems to share with you, but all in good time. I’m off to have a glass of champagne and do the dishes, but before I sign off, here’s a word from our sponsors…

…the gang here at Casa Salvation wish you a very Merry Christmas. They are off to vacation in their sparkling new purple Barbie Camper that Santa delivered this morning. I know, just what I need, more plastic crap to find a spot for.

XXX

Exactly nine years ago today, this was me.

Tragic case of ‘I’m in labour, someone tell me what happens next!’

This photo should also serve as a warning to heavily pregnant women who feel they need to drastically alter their hairstyles prior to giving birth.

Don’t do it. Your old hairstyle is fine. Just concentrate on rediscovering your jawline and getting out of stretch fabrics. You’ve got enough on your plate without realizing that you’ve turned yourself into a brunette sulfur crested cockatoo.

All jokes aside, that was the best day of my whole life. A mere twelve hours later, my daughter was born.

As I write this, she sleeps soundly in her calamine lotion coloured bedroom, no doubt dreaming of the wii device she thinks she is getting for her birthday. She is sadly mistaken…I made her a quilt. Spew.

Despite her bizarre addiction to popular culture and questionable dress sense, she is the joy of my life. Because of her, I understand what love is.

Happy birthday Lucia Elizabeth X