A Valentines house

I know it feels like Valentines Day was forever ago, but I thought I may share our house full of LOVE.
We seem to be having a run of bad luck around here, dodgy thumb for me being held together with stitches and glue , a broken washing machine and its sad to say but we are waiting for the 3rd thing in the bad chain of events.
BUT..... better late than never , right?!

Our entry way buffet

Ollie Rose heart garland across the mirror (above)

Salt dough hearts from last year, seen HERE

Our button hearts from last year , seen HERE

Some 'love' based books to read in the playroom.

Our sideboard in the dining area also received some 'lovely' goodies (pardon the pun!)

The heart ribbon garland was back again, simple and easy. I made this last year, see more HERE

Some more love based books in a cute love heart basket.

And some photos of my beloved.

Still 'love' these XOX letters that I spray painted last year.

And I didn't let the day go by without some yummy muffins to snack on.

I love decorating for seasons and occasions but I do love when the house is back to normal and

clutter free too!!

Lately...

Lately.. I have been busy trying to keep my head above water.

Adjusting to full time school, after school activities and day time ones for Max and Lacey also.
Throw in a few meetings, sports and windups plus a broken washing machine and a major slice to my thumb resulting in stitches and lots of glue, its been rather busy!!

So forgive me for being so tardy, a blogger that doesn't post but I am feeling a little more back on track.

But can you blame me? These cherubs are worth it!!
Well and truely!

Totally worth it. x

Bunny love

After posting this photo on Instagram and later to my blog facebook page, I have a barrage of questions as to where to source such gorgeous bunnies.

Now to be clear, these are bunnies in waiting. Gorgeous floppy eared bundles of love that are stashed at the top of my wardrobe, for Easter and birthday gifts.

Its no secret that I like to shop during sales , online especially, and at times where the budget allows. I prefer this method of gift shopping as its less stressful, I can do it in my own time, in my own home and we aren't faced with a financial issue in the weeks leading up to events , especially where parties are concerned too!

 Now , our bunny collection is getting up there a bit. Most of them are Angus', but the other kids have one each as well. Angus doesn't play with his so much yet, but the other 3 sleep with their Henry, Molly and Poppy every night!!  So sweet

Seeing as though some people have been emailing and messaging me about where to find such gorgeousness, and they have trouble, I thought I would share where I found these cuties!

The little lady in the front with the tartan skirt, Big boy/girl at the back in the white and blue stripes and gorgeous red girl with bow were all purchased from various baby and kids boutiques online in clearance and post Christmas sales but I have found them for sale HERE

The sweet little angel girl (tiny one in front) is for Stella for her birthday as she wants a big and small girl, and was also bought on sale from Sweet Creations and they have the most gorgeous and large range of Maileg bunnies, my absolute fav. See them all HERE

And the little man at the back in overalls, was found online, last one and I can't seem to find someone else that stocks him. Sorry , and he's cute too!!

But wait!! There is more!!
One of my most favourite online shopping haunts, Ollie Rose have a few of the Alimrose bunnies on order , and are offering Bizzy Dayz readers an opportunity to pre order them, with a 15% discount!!

Sweet little things like Le Lapin are available to Pre order now, and when using the discount code - bizzydayz you can receive not only 15% discount off him, but all of your order placed at the same time.

Cool bananas or what?

Now this is a spare of the moment offer from the gorgeous girls at Ollie Rose, after they saw my post on my Facebook page, and have kindly decided to make this offer!!

So if you are in the market for bunnies, for birthdays, Easter or just because, then get shopping!!

Conditions

You are able to order and receive discount on your whole order placed with Ollie Rose by using the code bizzydayz , as long as you have a bunny included in your order!

Orders will not be shipped until the bunnies are in stock (most likely after the 15th Feb) and the whole order will be sent together
This offer expires on the 14th FEB

Back to School Cake

Today marked the second day of Stella's Pre Primary year at school. The first few of many days of full time schooling. This is it, what things will be like for her for some time to come.

To show her how proud I am of the way she has handled the transition and for something a little special, I decided to tizzy up afternoon tea for a change.

I baked a basic Simplicity Cake (this time in the thermomix but a basic mixer is all you need) , smothered it in some yummy buttercream icing and then used these gorgeous 'Back to School' printables from eighteen25 to make a cake bunting and flags.

All you need for a cake bunting is 2 sticks (sometimes I use white cake pop sticks, sometimes skewers) , some glue and your bunting flags.  I like to tie the string on the sticks first and add a dab of glue so the string won't slip. Then run some glue along the top of the flags and stick them down. Easy

Stella loved coming home to something a bit special and it didn't take a lot of effort either!

The cake was pretty delicious, if I do say so myself, and I loved sitting down to a yummy afternoon tea with my big girl and other kiddos, and talking about our days. Such a wonderful tradition and routine I would love to continue for all their schooling lives.

Do you make afternoon tea for your children? Ever make anything a bit special,  'just because'?

Well why not pop some cute bunting on a cake and make their day, or memories for a lifetime?!

A bit of Quote love ...

Every now and then I need to change things up a bit around our home. I am constantly doing something to improve and renew, whether it be big or small,  but I am struggling with it all at the moment, as our house in For sale. I am at the point where I can't make any permanent changes and don't really want to spend money on things that we aren't going to be able to take with us when we move. Insert FREE printables and some cheap frames. Such a perfect way to add some cheer and enough change to satisfy my nesting.

These 2 Love prints have been sitting in the cupboard for a while now, I got a bulk lot of them done at the photo shop, all printed on 5 x 7 paper and they look great. I have a few put away for our Valentines Day display, and some Christmas ones also.

I found these gorgeous plastic frames as a pack of 3 from Crazy Clarkes not long ago for just $5.95.

Bargain and child safe!! Perfect!

 This printable is available HERE

Gorgeous love quotes for our bedside tables!

This printable is available HERE

And I have also had this gorgeous Scrabble tile 'HOME SWEET HOME' print waiting to be framed for some time. It was a free download and I found it HERE, and I just had it printed at a photo shop as a 5 x 7 and its gorgeous and clear. Perfect colours for the toy room too, and I placed it in a great spot for it to be seen every time someone enters our house and living area.

Next on the list to have printed and pop in a frame is this quote. I just love it!!
I think it will make a great addition to Stella's photo/art wall!!

Printable available HERE

So art and decor doesn't have to be expensive. Infact $6 for 3 pieces of art is pretty budget savvy if you ask me ;)

Back to school preparations

Tomorrow is the day. Back to school for WA kids. ( I know most other states have been back for a week already).

And our Stella is starting Pre Primary. Full time school.

Bitter sweet.

We have loved the relaxed pace of school holidays. Cruisey mornings, playing in pyjamas and being able to choose to do something as a spare of the moment thing and just.... do it!

But on the other hand, we are also ready for some structure. Routine and distractions.

The kids have been playing so well. The girls have really become the best of friends and play constantly with their prams (Christmas presents) and role play scenarios but they are all having their fair share of fights too!

Anyway, I had planned on sharing some back to school posts over a week ago, but have been having laptop issues. It has been playing up and driving me MAD, so its off to the doctors!!

So , a little late , but here is a bit about our back to school preparations.

Stella is going into Pre Primary, and at her school she doesn't have to wear a uniform until starting Year 1 and can also use whatever school bag she likes.

Her school bag is the same as she used last year , and truth be told,  she has had it for a few years now. Its a gorgeous Penny Scallan PVC apple bag , and I love it for all the pockets and compartments. A good scrub and line dry and its as new again.

Her cooler bag is also by Penny Scallan, (and of course matches her bag) and is the perfect size for her at the moment. It fits a Tupperware sand which keeper plus a yoghurt and cooler, and some other containers and snack cups.  I also like to use sand which sacks for things like grapes, crackers etc and love the gorgeous colours and Velcro fastening (Stella finds these easier to open herself as well).
I bought mine from Ollie Rose.  Stella will also be using 2 different water bottles, just so I can have one freezing and one in the wash. At home , the kids use Tupperware bottles but I have bought Stella cheaper ones for school in case they get misplaced. This aluminium one and a Princess one from Coles.

In the bottom front pocket of her bag, is where I like to put her change of clothes. A spare top, shorts and knickers , all in a drawstring bag with her name on it ( a party favour from a few years ago, clever hey!?) and a wet bag for the dirty set of clothes. We have never had any accidents at school, but in the warm months they do a lot of water play activities using a trough and scoops etc. Last year she got quite wet a few times and they prefer to change the kids than let them sit in wet clothes, thankfully.

This year I am able to use the same labels I had for her from last year, ordered from Stuck on You, but I have just bought some gorgeous ones for Max and Lacey from Tinyme (they have great name puzzles and wall decals too!)

In the top pocket I have popped a small Bag Tag from 2Kool4Skool with a few coins in it. Just for those moments that she made need to go somewhere and I don't have the money/may have forgotten (heaven forbid) or just in case.

Her school and dancing bags live on a set of hooks just inside her door. At a convenient height for her to reach and put away.

We have also been getting back into the groove of school and familiarising the kids, especially Stella by reading some School themed books.

And we have been counting down the days with this gorgeous countdown from Bianca at a little delightful.

Her wardrobe is ready to go, with her school clothes down one end. We find this makes it easier when dressing for school, and saves all her good clothes from wanting to be worn to school!!

Luckily Stella hasn't really gone up a size all year. She has definitely grown , especially taller but she is also thinner. I just purchased a few new tops and a skirt in the clearance section at Target like I did last year, see post HERE.

So we are set. We are ready.

Her lunchbox is packed, everything is labelled, the clothes are set out and most importantly, the camera battery is charging!!
She is ready, more than ready in fact.

But maybe, just maybe, her Mum is not.... x

I will miss my little friend and helper. Precious girls she is