Bon Voyage!

That's it... TERM 1 of school, done and dusted. No more early mornings, making school lunches, finding school uniforms or getting the bikes on the back of the car (yep.. everyday morning routine here so I can bike and pick the kids up on their bikes from school). Nope no more of that - for a whole 2 weeks!

Instead we pack our bags and jump into our car to drive down the coast. We have rented a little pearl of a beach house, with great sea views and a balcony we can have breakfast on (OK here's to hoping the weather Gods offers us a bit warmer weather than we have gotten the last few days!) We have packed some warm denim goodies that goes great in both warm and cold conditions so I am sure we will be fine!

I am bringing the camera so I am sure we will be back with some nice memories to share...
until then, have a really HAPPY EASTER!

Moments | Setting Sun

D wears: Tee by Mini Rodini / Denims by Kulör / Shoes by 10IS. 

Golden sun you beauty! Your warm rays is like a blessing on a Autumn afternoon. A rare chance to just wear a tee and play outside even though the watch says its time to "go inside". We are having a week of golden Autumn, where the leaves scream out "change" is in the air, and the blue sky looks even more magnificent against the red, yellow and green leaves.

Moments | Weekend

First week of school holiday has passed. We have managed to do quite a lot together and still been able to squeeze in some work in there as well. We have also celebrated a special 7 year old, and had a fun packed day on Thursday where everybody was off work/daycare to make the day special for M. When I get through the photos we took that day I will share some of them here.

There will be a lot of exciting Brand Watches to come up next week so keep an eye on the blog to see some interesting and fairly new labels that have some amazing design in their collections.

Today is Grand Final day here in Australia (which for the non Australians is Australian Football finals) and pretty much all of Victoria stands still. Since we are not major footy fans we will try and visit a couple of places that are normally people packed, and enjoy the lack of long queues ;) Enjoy your Saturday out there!

Ps: and no my desk is normally not this clean... usually its full of notebooks, pens, photos and toys! So I had to take a photo to remember how nice it looks organized and clean in hope it would look like this again soon.

To love the Routines...

It is funny how life sort of reminds you every now and then to just love the little things in life. It is natural for our mind to wonder far and away from the routines and the busy mornings and travel far away to dreams of rest and holidays and greener grass. It is good to dream, and dream we should. But just sometimes, it is good to realize what we already have, right here in front of us. Every time I do I feel that urge to want a little bit less, and the need to love, a whole lot more...

Scooter Sunday

Big scooter love today. Little man D finally got his wish and got his very own scooter. We have had this debate on weather we should get a two wheel scooter or a three wheel scooter. The two wheel one has worked great for M, but it did take her a while to get really good balance on it. The three wheel Micro scooter is an instant zippidy zap scooter that almost every little kid can figure out. The negative is that it is not foldable and it is more than twice as expensive than for example a Razor scooter.

We finally decided we would get a Micro one since the little guy is just so eager to get going and he would be too impatient to practice for several months before getting his scooter abilities up. And as you can see he gave it two thumbs up! Now we are just hoping he won't want to switch it in for a two wheeler until he is at least 5! Here's to hoping...haha. Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Some details...

Had some time by myself today and when you don't have to focus on kids and keeping them in sight I enjoyed just wandering down by the bay side watching the waves and taking things in, without any interruptions. I noticed things, like how Spring seem to finally be on its way!

Wild

Was feeling creative tonight so I designed a tee collection inspired by some of the iconic last wild animals of Africa. Would love to venture into something where you could give some profit of sales to a good cause, such as wild life preservation. Print would continue on the back and be printed on 100% cotton or bamboo mixed tees.

Young Art

I was looking through my sons childcare bag and found this...with his name scribbled into it and a date. I was speachless.. how he has pulled this one off I have no idea, and I am sure I can't get it out if him either... I guess Picasso was right!  

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. (Pablo Picasso)

Summer, We Miss You!

Ugh, it was hard getting up this morning. Too many lazy mornings in a row to be used to a beeping alarm clock at 7.30am. Even the kids were snoozing and seemingly far away deep in sleepville somewhere. These are the days were you wish it was summer outside... the holidays has just started and the whole family was getting ready to hit the beach for some warm sand between the toes and the beach bag filled with watermelon and sunscreen. The reality is a different story though, and today school started again. M was off without too much fuss, except wondering just how long is 7 weeks anyway (it is hard when your little brother just had a birthday and your own seems to be ages away).

Well here is to hoping Spring and Summer will hurry up, more birthdays comes steaming ahead and we all manage to get some sunshine to get us through more school terms and winter time! Until then, here are some Summer photos to get us by!

Birthday Bash

It was a busy but WONDERFUL day today. Little man D turned 3 and I think I was just as excited as he was. I think it is the first birthday where he really gets what it is and means, and he was so jumping for joy. We got a day full of smiles and new toy noises, and laughter... just as a birthday should be. I just wish the day could have lasted even longer, I bet he still think it is his birthday in the morning..haha.

Winter Weekend

After 2 weeks of school holidays we are making sure this weekend will be a relaxing one before the busy routines start all over again. The little man D turns 3 tomorrow, so that will be an event for sure. It is funny how you start looking forward more to the kids birthdays than your own. The excitement on their faces in the morning, the wrapping of their presents knowing they are going to be torn open in seconds, the joy of seeing them playing with something they have really longed for... it is so great.

The weather is in real switchero mode here. Yesterday it was actually quite warm and sunny and today it was back to windy and rain, but we managed to sneak out and have a bit of beach ball play in between the showers. I am so dreaming of Spring and Summer right now. I have had enough of runny noses and rain in my face... A couple of more months to go though, this is when a trip to the Caribbean would be so welcome..haha. Would love to switch the jacket and beanie for swimwear instead!

A fun Experience!

We had a great day today. The alarm clock rang early and before we knew it we were in a taxi traveling across the city in the rainy morning light. We met up with lovely Nick & Amy who had received the samples of their wicked winter collection. M quickly jumped into some Minti threads and then the shoot was in full swing. Luckily M wasn't too shy in front of the camera ( gosh I think I would have been at that age!) and pretty soon she started to get the hang of it. For obvious reasons I can't share any of the photos I took there since most of them features the new winter collection, but I can tell you there are SO MUCH awesomeness coming your way in FEB 2013! Start saving up already..haha.

After the shoot we took the opportunity to try some Fitzroy sushi which was just what we needed after a busy morning.

A good place to find your own Minti threads is Wild and Mini! They also ship worldwide :)

Conversations with a 5 year old

So the first tooth finally fell out. You might think it's not really worthy of a post, but the conversation that came out if it certainly is. When M ate a corn on a cob last night the wiggly tooth that has been hanging in there for longer than I can even remember finally came out. Oh the joy! There is nothing that makes you feel older (in the good sort of almost 6 year old way) than loosing your first tooth. We quickly located the tiny tooth, still stuck on the corn and put it in a cup of water. Here is what followed.

Me: Wow so now the tooth fairy will finally come, you better put it in water.
M: Why?
Me: Well so the tooth is clean. The toothfairy likes clean teeth. 
M: Oh, alright. Will I get money for this?
Me: Of course! The first tooth is special.
M: Great! Can I rather get a small toy?
Me: Eh no, that is not how it works.
M: Oh OK. So is the tooth fairy coming tonight?
Me: Yes, when you are sleeping.
M: Is she tiny?
Me: Yes, very small.
M: How can she carry the money then?
Me: Eh... Not sure really, but it seems to work out, maybe she is really strong?
M: Oh Ok. How does she get into the house?
Me: Eh.. well she is tiny remember, she can get in, in a small hole somewhere.
M: Ah.. great. I hope D is not snoring so she gets scared away!

All while this is taking place the 3 year old, is trying to wiggle loose his teeth, because clearly this loosing teeth business is a lucrative one. So then commences another explanation on how his teeth is clearly not ready to fall off yet... and certainly not for money!

Moments | School is Out

M wears: Big M tee by Mini & Maximus, available here on sale. Took about 10 Minutes and then she had decorated the tag that came on the tee..

Next week is School Holidays for two weeks. That means 2 weeks with my girl and LOADS of time to do fun things on. I have already ordered tickets to Disney on Ice and I am hoping M will like this as I have never been on that myself. Trips to the cinema is also on our list, Aqua land, and numerous of play dates are planned in. I have to say this is the first time I have been some what organized for holidays. Somehow it feels like the older they get the more organized you have to get. Not that you HAVE to go places but you know by now just how much an almost 6 year old does in a day so I think it will be good for both of us to have some ideas ready. I still haven't written out a short trip somewhere.. a little get away, but I am still working on that one.

Memory Lane

I was uploading some photos and came across a folder of some of my first photos from back in 2000 when I started to get interested in photography. Wow, the amazing thing about photographs is that they transport you right back in time, like a time machine. Here are some photos from Copenhagen, Denmark, Los Angeles, California, Paris, France.

Moments | Super hero in the Sand

D wears: Beanie by Cotton On, Sweatshirt by Beau Loves, Baggy leggins by Popupshop.

Sometimes it is easy to see why some designers put designs that kids themselves would like to wear in a heartbeat. Not to mention how easy the morning dressing routine gets. As soon as D saw this sweater by Beau Loves in the morning he insisted on wearing it. It is funny how they connect a mask to something fun and super hero so quickly. He was zooming around the living room and making kapow sounds and nothing were more obvious than it was what it took to put a special super spin on our morning. Our heater decided to die yesterday evening so when we woke up it was freezing in the house. I rugged myself up and even wore a beanie inside the house! Yes it was actually that beanie in the photos. D saw it and instantly claimed it! Oh well with that big noggin of his he can pull it off! Haha.

Here are some photos from today. Yes we are back on our favorite nook in the bay. Here D can run around freely and get some nice dog pats in if he is lucky too. We managed to squeeze in lunch and snack time in one big go and I have to say we felt lucky to not be rained on. I am hoping for some warm rays for tomorrow (and hopefully we get our heater fixed as well!).

Moments | Sticks & Stones

D wears: Knitted jacket by Cotton on Kids, pants by Zara, Longsleeve by Katvig, shoes by Zara and cap by CTH Mini.

Another lovely day with SUN. Blue sky and crispy air. Oh how I wish all days would be like this during the winter months. Me and the little man was on a proper excursion today. Took the train to a close village and did some vegetable/fruit shopping. Checked out a couple of shops and playground, and ran a few errands. We ended up in one of our favorite cafes, where we stopped for lunch and a nice Friday treat. D found a stick which have already become his favorite thing. Its funny with boys.. they seem to just love the simple things. D's favorite things is a ball, something with wheels and sticks. It was a great day... even though we had lots to do, we took it slow and enjoyed every moment of it. I wish I has the sense of having lots of time like today every day! Enjoy your weekend out there peeps!!

Moments | Weekend

M wears: Hoodie by Witchery Kids, leggings by Molo, skirt by Molo, shoes by Native. D wears: Jacket by Geggamoja, pants by Rittenhouse, beanie by Mini Rodini, shoes by puma.

Gosh the weekend just disappeared! I know most weekends feel like they just go in a hurry but this one took the cake! It might have had something to do with the cold weather and the limited time you could spend outside before the chills got your bones. It is such a different cold Down Under compared to the Scandinavian cold that I am used to. The winter sort of sneaks up on you here, while in Sweden it just hits you and hard. You can still see Australian kids running around in t-shirts and shorts here, and sometimes not even with shoes on! It is like they have missed the memo that winter has arrived completely. Luckily my kids loves their beanies and the thinner ones are great here to cover small ears from chilly winds.

During the weekend I changed a few things on the blog. I personally like larger images on blogs so I fixed the width and some other small things so if some post look a bit strange just bare with me and I will fix it as I go along. I hope you like the new size.