Birthdays and blessings

Wow...what a weekend it's been! On Friday I celebrated my 35th birthday. Yip, I'm now entering the latter thirties, a slippery slope towards the big 40! In all honesty, I did have a few quiet moments of self reflection, trying to gage whether life is all I'd hoped it to be as I hear yet another loud tick on the old biological clock. Did I come up with any answers? Well, I realised that I may not know everything, I may not be at the destination I envisaged as a twenty-something year old, but this I do know...I am blessed. I am well and truly blessed.

I awoke on Friday morning, feeling that it is just a day like any other, with the morning rush kicking off with packed lunches to be made, school projects to hand in, a frantic search for swimming goggles, and empty grocery cupboards to fill. All this staring me in my slightly older, wrinklier face. So, lots of chores to be done, and no birthday frivolities planned. Thus is life when you're 35, and mum! But, the day quickly turned into one continuous party, with my gorgeous sprogs singing a sped up version of 'Happy Birthday' to me as we quickly opened pressies amidst the school morning chaos. They were under very strict instructions from Daddy to do the birthday wishing as he had to leave for work early and wouldn't be around. And did hubby surprise me this year!? Oh yes he did! I was bowled over as I opened my pressie, and found it was the vintage necklace I had been admiring for quite some time now in our local Antiques Centre...'The man done good...'

Gifts from Mom and Dad

Vintage necklace: Gift from Hubby

Scrumptious scarf from a friend

At lunch time my dear friend Dianne turned up and cooked me the most amazing lunch of sea bass, and vegetables, and joined by the another lovely friend Sue, we tucked in with gusto, laughter and cheer. Such fun! And so the day continued...

More friends came knocking bearing gifts and wishes, and dinnertime turned into a party as my gorgeous South African friend turned up with a huge pot of curry she'd lovingly prepared. I was completely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. I spent the day surrounded by the love of friends and family, with phone calls and messages from loved ones far away.

Beautiful Butterfly Wall Art, made by Dianne...

Katie Alice Tins! Pretty!

Treats from South Africa...home comforts!

Homemade shortbread...Yum...

Shoes! Gorgeous shoes!!!

Shabby Chic Photo Frame

Posh Perfume!

Retro Style Tins...

'Girls night in' in a basket

Homespun Style and my favourite flowers...

On my 35th birthday I feel filled with a deep sense of gratitude for all the blessings that have come my way. Although Graham and I are so far away from our family that are back in South Africa, Namibia and Dubai (yes, they are EVERYWHERE!), I am thankful for Skype so that we can still talk over a cuppa, and feel the distance narrowing ever so slightly. And then I am very thankful for having friends who are like family to us, friends that go above and beyond any expectations, to make one feel loved and treasured. I thank my heavenly Father for surrounding me with His love. My life has been a bumpy one at times, but His love has never failed me.

I am blessed!

'E'-xperimenting...'attempt at something new'

Do you sometimes get in a rut of doing the same things in the same way? That's how I felt these last few weeks with regards to my crafting and styling of our home. I think I have a definite 'style' that usually appeals to me, but of late I have felt like a chameleon on a Smarties box...confused as to which colour I should go for! The urge to change things up a bit is pulling me towards trying out new things, and my tatsebuds are hankering after something slightly bohemian and eclectic, as opposed to the country look that I normally go for. And it all started with an 'E'...

As you probably know, I have been working on our family photo wall over the last few weeks, and I've been focusing all my creative time on this little project. So, needless to say, I wanted to add yet another little something to it, an 'E' in fact, standing for Egan, our family name. So, I obtained a blank 'E' from the craft shop, and had to decide how I was going to alter it. Normally I would take the 'shabby chic' route, opting for limewashed creams, pinks or blues...Something like this lovely 'B' from www.notonthehighstreet.com...

But, a very yummy metallic green acrylic paint was winking at me in the store, and before I could say 'no', I had parted with my cash and it followed me home! I kid you not, it stalked me! I then found these gorgeous pocket tissues, and before I knew it I was decoupaging butterflies onto a very bright green 'E'!

'You know you want to...!'

Pretty pocket tissues!

Once I'd painted my letter and decoupaged it, I decided to take sandpaper to it for a distressed look. A little rub of gold paint in places, and some metal photo corners added, I am quite pleased with the end result! It is very different from what I first had in mind...

I think I have been slightly influenced by the tastes of interior stylist, Selina Lake, who's homespun style is something I absolutely adore! On that note, check out her new book: Homespun Style.

 I'd like to encourage you to experiment, and to try new things. I think the key to homespun style, is to not over think things. After all, being a homemaker is being your own stylist. Seize the opportunity to express yourself in your own way. It's tons of fun and very liberating! Drop me a comment below, and let me know what you think!