Paying homage to my favourite blogger chics!!

Vintage dress with square dancing petticoat, gorgeous Annah S cropped cardy, all second hand, and thrown together to pay homage to my favourite blogging chics!!  For Sarah the most gorgeous Misfit in the land of Oz, because I have a gate to swan about in front of, and in my bare feet!!  For Helga the most fabularsehole Trollop of the Southern Island because of the dress, petticoat and cardy ensemble and BOOBS!!  Sincerely hope I have done you two woman proud.  Will admit to not wearing this out today as it was a swetty Betty sort of day here in Hamilton.  But, this is destined for Monday at work!! And I will wear shoes and a bit of lippy and eyeliner.

Frocking up tomorrow because it is Friday and that is what you do!!   Off to the Hamilton Gardens to prance about.

♥♥♥

Little shop called Glamour

So when we were in Raglan on the weekend I managed to slip into this little shop called "Glamour" (my sister manages the one at Whangamata) and came out with this gorgeous frock, and the colourful bracelet.  Now I know it's not Friday but I frocking well wore it to work today!!!  Just perfect for the 29* we had to endure.  Thank goodness I had fans, as in three of them!!! One on the floor blowing cool air up my frock, now that is Glamour!!! TOF gave up on the hanging of the gate, well it is hanging just doesn't open very far, bit of a design fault!!  Maybe next weekend he will have calmed down enough to give it another crack!!

That is all, as you were!!

♥♥♥

          

Gotta love a long weekend in Summer

This weekend has been one of those 3 day jobbies  here in Hamilton.  Anniversary weekend and the weather has been fantabulous for the entire time.  On Saturday morning I collected my sister and took her op shopping.  I haven't shopped with her for years  but I am pleased to report that obviously age has mellowed us both and we had a very enjoyable morning out, and I would do it again.  Traditionally my other sister the one that lives at the beach is my shopping buddy (and best friend) but she is on a break from the family at the moment and that's fine.  I am hoping with all my heart that  she will want me back in her life soon 'coz I miss the beejezus out of her but I am giving her the space she requires.  Anyway, TOF and I decided to go out for dinner on Saturday night.

His boss had given him two $50 vouchers for the Casino in town, which included eating, drinking and bowling but no gambling!  I though a hundy in the casino gambling would have been brilliant!!  No no, so we had a meal instead. We only used one of the vouchers because we paid for our drinks, this way we can go back!!  We sat outside on the balcony and watched the comings and goings on the Waikato River, and looked into the backyards of some beautiful homes.  It was windy but nice, hence my wind swept look.  The green bag I found at the Hospice for $3 and it was perfect for taking out.  TOF was showing that he is my 10!  After we had eaten TOF gave in and we went into the casino, woo hoo!!!!  I got out $20 to play with and play I did on the pokies, TOF even had a crack but he thinks it is all a tad on the boring side.  But when I cashed up and we had $94 he wasn't complaining!!!! I love having a wee gamble every now and again, the trick is to set a limit, and not a silly one either.  We went to the supermarket on our way home and got a box of bevies and some other bits and bobs as we had a night out on Sunday.

On Sunday I had to pickle my gherkins as they were ready to be done.  TOF always calls them Ferkin Gherkins and won't eat them so this is what they have been labelled and I got 4 jars of them.  I also made some Basil and Cashew pesto, 1 and a 1/2 jars of that and it is delish!!!  Being the bargin shopper that I am I went out to the Base (shopping Centre) and got me some potting mix stuff and things from the Warehouse.  Then I wandered in to Briscoes were the Purple spotted jug was begging me to take her home.  Last one left and half price, so OKAY come with me.  Found some very cute and cool sauce bottles that were only $2-50 each due to being half price, great for apple or tomato sauce, but not together!!  The very last Sweet peas have been picked and placed in a vase.  The wildflowers have been stripped away now and I think TOF has put cauliflowers and or cabbages in the vacant spot.

On Sunday night we headed out to Raglan to our friends Diane and Grant.  We call Grant the G Rant!!  They have a lovely home out there with fabulous views out nearly every window of the sea (even the loo has a view).  We took spuds and corn from our garden plus some lamb snags and some steak, and plenty of beer.  So we cranked up the BBQ and ate out on the deck as the sun started to set and the moon started to rise.  Absolutely perfect.  I would live out there in a flash, but where I want to live is EXPENSIVE so visiting is what we will continue to do.

Another glorious day today so me and TOF have been pottering about in the garden.  I can hear him now hanging my gate.  But I will steer clear until I get the call to admire the grandness of the working gate!!  We have white bait and planning on making fritters with them for our dinner tonight. 

♥ Does life get any better than this!!

A gate to just DYE for!!

The other day I remembered that I had my collection of dyeing gear stashed in a top cupboard that I used to use when doing batik.  Dragged it out of the gloomy cobweb filled cupboard and found I only had two colours and not really sure what colours they were.  Procion dyes you see numbered not named.  And then of course I no longer had my recipe on quantities, thank god for google!!  I had a pair of leggings in a pale blue that needed to be revived from nanasville and a top in cream that just wasn't working for me either.

A bit of tie dying took place and a few trials and errors with dying and ta-frickin-da, here is the result!!  Oh and my new gate scored from the Dumporium yesterday for $10, cheaper than making one and funnily enough the same colour as our fences so it was meant to be!!  TOF has the project of hanging the gate so it is useable over the weekend, lucky its a long one here!!

Of course I slipped into a few oppy shops while out yesterday and came home with this  little haul of goodness.  Scintilla skirt $$s, 2 brollies at $1.99 each, top $6, tray $3, cruet set and spoon $2.50 the lot, bangle $1, skirt $6.  The Scintilla skirt has a gorgeous hot pink screen print of Toi tois on the hem.

Moving right along now to the Gifts from my garden and others.  Tex and Sheba are checking out the Gherkins I picked from my sisters house, with Rhubarb from TOFs patch.  I platted up the garlic this morning so I can hang it in the kitchen and the girls had got serious about laying.  The jar of fresh Basil is from Dawns and my car smelled so nice after driving home with this in the back.  Thinking Pesto!!

This huge platter/bowl I picked up today for $6 from the SPCA and the Pink Hydrangea was $7 from Habitat.  I dropped of a big pile of magazines and a stash of plastic bags at Habitat this morning before going out to Dawns place.  It would have been rude not to have gone inside so I did and found the pink Hydrangea near the door.  It will go in a pot and I will have to find out what I need to feed it to keep it Pink.  Just want a white one now.  I called in at the SPCA on my way home from Dawns as it was en route because I had to get chicken feed which is sort of near by.  True it is!!

Long weekend here in the Tron so me and TOF will no doubt be pottering about in our designated gardens.  We have things to harvest and things to plant.  A drive out to Raglan to see friends is on the cards as well. I am keen to tie dye something else so that could well happen too.  I forgot to take a pic of the cream crocheted cardy I got for $2 that is now the most beautiful orange.  Maybe tomorrow.

♥♥♥ Good-night ♥♥♥

I have been busy, time for a catch up.

The lovely lady I work for on Mondays, took a long weekend so I worked in her shop on Friday, Saturday, and then Monday and yesterday. Totally enjoyed every day but wasn't sad not to be needed today.   It was so nice not to rush breakfast and pack a lunch , so I chilled out for a wee bit before I was collected by two Poms and a French woman!!  Actually it was Sue and her English mate Liz and her French visitor Alice, and we were going on a op-shop-a-thon.  Except I only went to one as I had things to catch up on here due to being a working girl for the last few days.  So we went to Habitat and I wandered across the road to my local Salvo just before lunch, (new ladies running it so the pricing is  better). What did I find?  Well this is what I found:

At Habitat I found the vintage apron pattern for 50c, the cutest honey pot for $4, and a Thomas the Tank Engine container for my great nephew who is a TTTE fan at the moment.  Oh and the purple skirt for $5.  At the Salvo all shoes were only ONE DOLLAR a pair!!!!  I found some pale blue Minx Mary Janes and colourful Briarwood slip ons.  The Green bag was $6, the blue dress was $6 and the palest pink and sequined cardy was also $6.But my find of the day has to be my vintage sun umbrella for a mere $5-50!!!!! 

It's a beauty and I am pretty sure my eldest sister will want to borrow it to take camping, she has a caravan and just got some Pink Flamingos to go outside the door.  I was pretty casual today in 7/8 jeans, sleeveless top and my ultra comfy Birkies.  All second hand!!

Ok, I am working backwards with my catch up so stay with me!! The other night I was doing a spot of weeding out the front where Tex hangs out and he decided to join in.

Lets just call him CAMO CAT!!  So helpful.  Today I found him spilling out of the pet bed that he and Oscar alternate in using.  As in if Oscar has been sleeping in it, Tex decides it is his bed.

Yesterday I frocked up for work and went for Green and white!!  Change of bag of late, I have been using this gorgeous one my darling friend Lou-lou-belle made me.  Isn't it fabulous?  She is a clever old tart she is.

On Sunday, remember we are going backwards, I went out to visit my niece and her wee boys.  Kyden (6) has a go kart and a small motor bike that he can tear about in one of the paddocks.  He has a bit of a track and he was desperate for me to watch him.  Arlo (3) was awfully busy inside doing his puzzle!!

Kyden being a bloke!

Arlo puzzling out.

I think they have about 4 acres of land, so Jade has  two dogs, Lonnie the Jack Russel and Tank the big bitzer, some sheep and four chickens and two roosters.  Also a pretty good sized orchard that she has added to. Big old Plum and apple trees that are loaded with fruit.  It was so nice to be out in the country relaxing with her and her little family.

And finally before I sign off, a few flowers from my own garden.  Just loving the colour!!  Tomorrow I am off out to my Potter friends place, she has some new things to be photographed.

♥♥♥ BYE ♥♥♥

The fish survived

First thing this morning I whizzed outside to see if my 5 fish were still alive.  My track record with goldfish indoors isn't quite up to scratch.  Well I am pleased to say all 5 were doing swimmingly!! 

And I totally got frocked up for Friday and had a fabulous day at the shop!!!

♥♥♥

Crickey it's Friday already tomorrow!!!

Some weeks are just about over before you know it, and this has been one of those weeks.

I worked on Monday as per, and found a beautiful off white tunic top/dress that I felt the urge to own.  The pink leather bag I got last week and forgot to share.  This happens when you are over 50!!

Work was amazing, the day just went off, I was so busy and made lots of lovely sales to lots of lovely peeps.  I am working tomorrow, Saturday, then Monday and Tuesday as the owner is having a long weekend away.  Should be fun and the $$$s will be welcome in my purse!!

Tuesday morning I had to drop Jak off at the building site at 9am as he and one of the blokes he worked with had gone to see the "Red Hot Chillie Peppers" in Auckland the night before and were allowed to sleep in.  On my way home I decided to call in at the Dumporium and I was pleased with what I found.  Pond for only $5, such a score as these go for far too much on trade me, and an outdoor bench for $3.   know, only $3, what a bargin that was!!!  I found a couple of other small things but these were my best and a project just begging to happen.

After lunch I took a drive to Cambridge a very English little town only a short drive from the Tron.  I had the heart shaped bevel edged mirror to collect in the pic to the right.  $15 from Trade Me.  It is for a mate that wants one, if she isn't happy with it I will be happy to keep it.  I naughtly perched my camera on my steering wheel in the car to get the road shots!!  Tsk!!

Cambridge has gorgeous old buildings, fabulous cottage houses, Antique shops to die for, lots of lovely home ware shops with names like "Simply Divine" and it is.  And a handful of op shops. So I picked up the mirror, popped into see my lovely Aunty Jeune (dads older sister) for a quick catch up, and then felt it would have been rude not to wander about the shops as I was in the vicinity and I also missed my turn to get back onto the main road back to Hamilton.

I had a wee spend in the op shop above and that was it really.  I suppose with the school holidays still being on most of the op shops are being well picked over by holiday teenagers, and good for them I say.  I was just enjoying wandering about looking, but not looking lost or anything, which I wasn't.

Before I headed for home I stopped to take pics of the lovely old church that is iconic to the town.  It is smack bang on the corner of a major intersection so hard to miss in all its white glory.  I love old churches, I always think how cool it would be to convert one into a house.  Not this one tho' too big for me and TOF!!

I think I mentioned that I purchased a new toy for the kitchen.  The kitchen is not really room I spend alot of time in unless making jam or the odd pie or muffins.  Meals is not my bag, that is TOFs department!  Anyway TOF informed me that the leeks in his garden were more than ready and there was quite a crop of them.  I pulled the biggest ones out and set to with my Vacuum Sealer machine.  I liken it to laminating and it is hugely entertaining, or I am easily entertained!  I wanted to slice them, TOF wanted them whole, so bit of both!!  All now stashed in the freezer awaiting winter casseroles and soups.  Thinking this will be happening with the corn that is having a fabulous time growing!!

Wednesday I talked Sue W into coming into town for a quick going over of the op shops.  And a quick going over is what we did. She bought her lovely French girl Alice in with her and we were on a mission.  Above is a selection of goodies from then and Tuesday. I love magazines for 20c and 50c, all have had a thorough going over and now are ready to be re donated to Habitat.  The book is what I am going to be reading next, I have seen it before but not read it and I think it will be a goodin!!

Today project pond was implemented and I rather like the result.  I went to Petworld and got some fish, good deal of buy 3 and they gave me 2 for free, WHY NOT!!  So I walked out with a bag containing 5 golden fish of a good size, a pond plant, some food and plenty of good advise.  I have temporarily fenced the front so Oscar doesn't go swimming as he likes swimming in Ponds, and hopefully Sheba won't drink out of it.  Once the plants are established and the fish are bigger then the fence can come down.  The bench seat I have placed under my huge Idesia tree that my swing chair is under, but this is on the other side.  Not going to name the fish at this stage but TOF thought he would call them, Tahi, Rua, Toru, Wha, Remu which is Maori for 1,2,3,4,5 (hopefully spelt correctly).  Ponds usually have Gnomes adorning the outer area so I thought my Tui Beer Gnomes could take on the job.  

I also made Jam I did.  6 jars of Strawberry and 6 jars of Plum.  I am the Jam Queen at the moment and they look super duper all lined up on the shelf with the other jam I have made.  We shall not run out that is for sure.

Oh big excitement, I have been interviewed on a blog called Coffee with a Canine, well I think that is what it is called but you can find it here, you may have to scroll down as this was a couple of days ago.  Well best I go and chill out before I have to deal with 2 days of work in a row!!!  Piece of cake!!

♥ catch you later ♥