The Real Block - Part 1

It's been a long time coming, but we are about to start building. Regular readers (thank you for persevering) will remember that we moved a cottage off our block and then moved a Queenslander onto the block in August 2010 (Moving the Cottage). Since then we've been busy getting all our Council approvals  and thought we were ready to build in September 2010 but we hit a brick wall. In January this year, we finally got our development approval. Since then we've also obtained our final building approval, a driveway approval, pool approval and a plumbing approval. Phew! So now we've got all the paperwork and spent $20k on the paper trail, we are actually ready to start the real work. Stumping has finished, the pool has been dug and the builder will start next week. I'm watching the new series of The Block on Channel 9 and thinking that the contestants have go it easy! We have about 100 times the amount of work to do at our place (which I'm now calling the Real Block)  and there's no way it's going to be finished in 10 weeks. The builder has said 6 months if the weather is good.  I don't really mind if it takes longer as long as I'm in by 1 December, that's my absolute deadline. I can survive in our decrepit rental house with no dishwasher, a dodgy bathroom and boxes up the ceiling until then. No doubt there's going to be bumps along the way!

Herringbone in the Kitchen

Isn't this kitchen gorgeous? Love the herringbone blind. So sunny and fresh.

(Photo from TradMagazine, design by Grant K Gibson)

Console Table

I like this. The large picture behind the console table, the metal lamp, the cane tray holding bits and pieces, the metal vase. It looks pulled together. By the way, I'll have an update on our house renovation later in the week.

(Picture from TradHome magazine, design by Nick Olsen)

Red Shoes

These are my new patent red shoes. They're ballet flats so they'll be great on the school run. The brand is Walnut and they're made in Melbourne. I bought them on sale at DJs. Coco always likes to inspect new shoes. I think she likes them.

Sale - Chinoiserie Dining Table

I've had such a great response to my super sale (everything sold except for a couple of cushions), that I've added a few more pieces to the sale including this dining suite from the beach house. It's in a Chinoiserie style and includes six gorgeous chairs. I love the woven detail on the back of each chair. You can find it on ebay here.

White Jumpsuit

I recently had a birthday and as I'm on the wrong side of 35, I wasn't overly keen to celebrate. But my girlfriends were. So we went out to dinner at Sake. It was a great night. And I wore something I've never worn before - a white jumpsuit. It's from Theory (see picture below). It was a bit of a risk as I was worried that I'd be mistaken for Elvis.

No-one yelled out "Viva Las Vegas", so I'm pretty sure I got away with it. Although, Rose Byrne looks absolutely killer in hers. Truth be told, this is my second jumpsuit. I've got a black silk one from Witchery that is about to be retired. I've worn it so many times and loved it. Don't you hate it when a favourite item of clothing has to go? Do you dump it in the bin or hold onto it for old time's sake?