Summer colours in my garden

What we did last weekend

We have been blessed with stunning weather for a few weeks now.  Let’s hope it continues.

I did some painting job on the wooden planter.  Am currently working on this little project to beautify my deck with some colourful blooms.

We had so much fun at the Long bay beach.  The kids went wild.  Athan and his partner in crime were busy being heroes, fighting the sea monsters (aka Waves).  So I was told.  And when they were losing power, they headed back to the beach to recharge.  Ultraman of some sort?  LOL I am amazed by their imagination.  

After that, they turned their focus to flying fox.  Wheeeeeee!

And dinner was not till 9pm!

That was last Saturday.

Sunday morning, we went strawberries picking.  Arriving at the farm around 9:30am, were so proud thinking we were gonna have the farm to ourselves.  Hahahaha how naïve!  There were already people started picking!  Talking about being an early bird.  Anyway, no fun was spoilt.  I love fresh-picked strawberries.  They taste just so much better, juicier and sweeter than those from the supermarket.

And we are planning to return for more strawberry fix tomorrow!

Colour the winter

My life is slowing down.  Sounds rather depressing but hey it is winter.  It’s supposed to be slow…and growing fat.  LOL  

So the best activity for this frosty season?  SHOPPING!!  Both online and offline!  Hahahaha.  The never ending sales and incredible price slashes always keep the spirit up and high.

I am obsessed with colours lately.  I see it as a way to have a bit more fun in dressing up and of course lighten up this otherwise dull and gloomy season.  It is my new found game.  And so I have been collecting colourful winter gear mainly coats, scarves and knitwear.

It is an ongoing mission.....

Easter weekend highlights

Gardening!!  This activity has become quite a significant part of my life. I don't want to say that I love doing it but I certainly love seeing the result!  And I am loving my cone shaped topiaries!

We went apple picking with bunch of friends.  It was showering on and off but kind enough to give us a brief 1 hour window of cloudy period.  Thank you Sky!  We picked and we ate.  All sorts of apple varieties.  Apple overdose is an understatement I tell you.  LOL.

They got pears too, but we were a week or two too early.

Exactly my dear. LOL

AJ enjoyed walking a friend's best friend

We were intrigued by the owner's beautiful pet

Karen Murrell lipsticks

When you like something so much, you buy multiple of them, within a short time span.

Lipsticks by our very own Auckland based Karen Murrell.  100% natural, environmental friendly and non animal tested.  Her lipsticks carry the Ecocert organic certification.  And it cost only NZD30 which is far more cheaper than those high-end brands that I previously used.

The lipstick is long wearing and non drying thanks to all of the nourishing ingredients.  Although there are only 9 beautiful shades from the range, there is something for everyone from natural to bright and bold like ‘Fuschia Shock’ and ‘Coral Dawn’ which are among what I have owned so far. 

Another thing worth mentioning is all packaging is recyclable including the lipstick canisters!  The boxes are made out of 100% recycled paper and the canisters are made of a corn resin based material which once buried, would start to decompose within 100 days.  So now you can spend your money to be pretty and be totally guilt free!

December 2012

Albany Staying Alive Open Day - A day out to explore all emergency services and understand what they do on daily basis.  An exciting educational event for both adults and kids.  AJ was of course thrilled to be able to climb the fire truck, explore the ambulance and get up close and personal with the helicopter!

Roses in Parnell rose garden.

Skycity Christmas decor.  Not incredibly impressive, but enough to put a smile on the little man!

Attended Mike's wedding, both church ceremony and evening reception.  They are such a cute couple.  That was AJ's first ever wedding invitation!

What I wore to their church ceremony

Batman AJ, and green!

We were invited to Tommy's 3rd birthday party.  Our first ever pet birthday party!

Met up with two of my gorgeous cyber friends, Karen and Regina from Singapore while they were here touring for 2 weeks.  They are such a lovely babes. It was a fun catch-up session and hopefully we will meet again soon.

Had a catch-up session with my old friend and her family over yummy home cooked brekkie.  AJ and the cutie pie, Mia.  They looks so cute together, don't they?

Celebrated Rick's birthday.  Yummy mango cake!

Christmas eve high tea at The Langham.

A rather quiet Christmas for us.  Unwrapping pressies and paying Santa a visit at his snow grotto at Snowplanet.  Thinking of bringing AJ there next time for some snowplay!

Strawberry picking.  We didn't know there is a farm full of juicy juicy strawberries at just 10 mins from our place.  It was like a paradise found!  LOL.  The strawberries were so fresh the juice was oozing out even with just a wee press.  We were there for around 20 mins, picked enough to last a few days and off we back home!  With fresh strawberries just a stone throw away, I could see us becoming their regulars!

BBQ.  The weather wasn't too kind this festive season.  It was wet and unpredictable.  We were waiting day and day for our favourite summer activity, eventually the plan materialised on one fine Saturday of 29th, with the company of good friends.

Completed our lavender project.  Our summer is always filled with gardening/landscaping works.  I suppose it is good to get out there and show some love to the flowers/trees/bushes even the bugs.  LOL  I love lavender.  I love their colour, their fragrance and their look.  So, I would soon be able to enjoy my coffee while having natural lavender aromatherapy on my deck.

Before

After

Phew, there you have it!  A rather productive of last month of the year.  So long 2012....Happy 2013!