I don’t really remember being four. I’m sure it was a fun time though, before school started for me, but was well and truly occupying my three older brothers. I guess I hung out with my lovely mum and grandparents a lot. I think I must have gone to preschool part-time (maybe 3 days per week) and I do remember that place a little bit. I swear that War Memorial Preschool had front gates with black jail-style bars, but will need to fact check that (if the building hasn’t yet been bulldozed to make way for an apartment block).
Anyway, enough reminiscing. I’m currently enjoying a little holiday over in WA, where my middle brother lives with his lovely wife and daughter. Milly is four. And I’d better keep spell-checking as that gets autocorrected to Milky. Which would be slightly too wacky as a name, even for WA.
It’s fun to catch up with Milly, and I’m learning a lot. For starters, I didn’t know there were different varieties of Vegemite; or that tiaras make surprisingly practical headbands; or that the free Playschool app is actually really clever. In return, I’ve shown Milly the genius of the funny filters on Snapchat; introduced the celebratory fist bump; and generally complemented an already impressive repertoire of wackiness. We’ve watched some movies and read some books and done some shopping. Good times.
We highly recommend this book. Spoiler alert: the book is mostly a hit because of funny sounds like these. Inducing snorts of laughter. And you can never have too much bling. [Disclaimer: I actually bought this one.] We recommend this movie – it’s like Barbie meets James Bond. With weapons like a glitter bomb, lipstick that turns into a tazer, a robot dog. Usual spy stuff.So, I never saw the original, but this sequel was ok. The age old tale of the struggle between being a mermaid and a girl. Featuring the worst fake Australian accent I have ever witnessed.Because four is the perfect age to rock a gold puffy vest around town. #gangstalyf
It’s winter time in Australia now, and for Melbourne, that means some colder temperatures than I’ve been used to as a Sydney-sider. Which I don’t actually mind at all – it’s a great excuse to wear lots of layers with faux fur trimmings and to watch tv under a crocheted nanna blanket. And maybe even wear a beanie, although I’m still not sure beanies really make anyone look that great.
Well, I did think that, until I rediscovered the etsy store ToScarboroughFair. Now, I’m not a crazy cat lady, but I don’t judge you if you are. And why shouldn’t cats be able to style up their looks like humans – maybe without the faux fur trimmings, as that would be a bit creepy, but with a beanie or little hat, especially as the weather gets cold. Here are some of my favourites. You’re welcome.
Now that I’ve given you some ideas on what to cook for St Patrick’s Day, I thought I’d share some suggestions about fashion choices for the day that’s in it. Not that you should limit yourself – most of these looks are versatile enough to carry you through any occasion, or even just a trip to buy groceries. In putting this ‘look book’ together, I have left out the vast majority of items on sale for St Patrick’s Day (lots of shirts featuring puns about being lucky or Irish or drunk or green or beer or leprechauns)…
If you’re looking for something understated that could easily transition from work to play, I suggest this ‘tuxedo style’ t-shirt from The Bee Tees. It is available in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, so you could even kit out the whole family. If that is something that you want to do.
The class of a tux with the convenience of a t-shirt. I especially like the detail of the pockets. [image from The Bee Tees]This next item caught my eye on etsy because of its sparkle and its green-ness. Then I read the title and was shocked. Shocked, I tell you. Here’s the title: emerald green st patrick’s day shoe cake topper sugar edible glitter sparkley glass slipper. Now, I know that is a lot of detail to take in, but the main point is that THIS IS MADE OF SUGAR. If you have a chance, it’s worth checking out the amazing range of items in the Sweet Pea Sugar Art shop. (Technically, I guess this should have gone in yesterday’s food post.)
A (sugar) emerald slipper. Genius. [image from Sweet Pea Sugar Art]I was looking for some fashion suggestions for the ladies, but unfortunately it would seem that most of the St Patrick’s Day ‘costumes’ for women are – how shall I put it – not in keeping with tradition. There are a lot of skimpy outfits such as ‘sexy leprechaun’ and ‘beer girl’ and ‘Irish lass’, but if that’s not your thing either, then perhaps you will consider these ‘neon green furry leg warmers’ I found on ebay.
Now THAT’S hot. [image from ebay]And we can’t forget the (real) little people on St Patrick’s Day. This ‘beard hat’ from By Miss Sally caught my eye because (a) it’s a great crocheted hat and (b) it’s being modelled by a child stuck in a big green pot. But mostly because it’s a great hat.
Just chillaxing. Nothing to see here. [image from By Miss Sally]Last, but not least, here’s a way to get your pet involved in the festivities. This dog hat will make sure that your pet is stylin’ it up on Monday (or whenever the mood strikes). I also feel like this dog is trying to communicate in this pic from Doggy Diva Boutique in the States. In fact, most of the photos displaying the shop’s wares are intriguing. But, I think that’s another post for another time.
Not sure this dog is really feeling the luck of the Irish. [image from Doggy Diva Boutique]Whatever you’re wearing, I wish you and yours a very happy St Patrick’s Day.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I love finding quirky gift ideas to help you with presents for those tricky-to-buy-for people in your life. And when I saw this series of items, I just had to share. Whether someone really loves animals, or isn’t allowed to have real pets in their apartment, or is a stressed-out big-wig Exec VP GM CFO OMG, or just needs a funky carrying device, I present to you some of the highlights from Ben Tsang’s etsy shop: BENWINEWIN. (And I have to say that any shop that has wine and win in its name has already got me.)
Well, hello kitty! “Brown Cat Bag” includes cat-like straps, apparently. [image from BENWINEWIN]I feel like this Panda Purse would help to save money. The guilt trip from those sad eyes: do you really need those expensive shoes? Will you really wear that hat again? Are the sequins really a wardrobe staple? Got bamboo? [image from BENWINEWIN]This owl cushion is basically a menacing whisper: YOU’RE ALWAYS BEING WATCHED. [image from BENWINEWIN]The Pomeranian. Happiest dog-bag in the world. [image from BENWINEWIN]And my personal favourite…
Because everyone needs a giant raccoon by their side. [image from BENWINEWIN]I hope you like these as much as I did – and please feel free to share this post with any friends who might also like what BENWINEWIN does. And if you needed another reason to visit the shop, Ben Tsang also takes custom orders…so you can carry your little Pixie or Spot or Roger (the raccoon, obviously) everywhere you go. You’re welcome!
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget how lucky we are. In the midst of running around and paying bills and cooking dinners and catching buses and shopping and walking and sleeping, you can lose sight of those little everyday sparks that make you smile. So, in case you’re having trouble finding yours, please share mine from yesterday – a beautiful necklace made for me by my five year old niece, Lauren. Yes, that’s a silver Barbie logo and little silver handbag (Carrie Bradshaw, eat your heart out) and there’s a pearl and a shell and too many other good things to mention. And it fits over my head and sits beautifully, like a designer necklace should. Tiffany & Co, look out.
![I especially like the detail of the pockets. The class of a tux with the convenience of a t-shirt. [image from The Bee Tees]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/thebeetees.jpg?w=840)
![A (sugar) emerald slipper. Genius. [image from Sweet Pea Sugar Art]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/emeraldslipper.jpg?w=840)
![Now THAT'S hot. [image from ebay]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/green-leg-warmers.jpg?w=840)
![Just chillaxing. Nothing to see here. [image from By Miss Sally]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/babybeardhat.jpg?w=840)
![Not sure this dog is feeling the luck of the Irish. [image from Doggy Diva Boutique]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/paddysdoghat.jpg?w=840)
)!["Brown Cat Bag" includes cat-like straps. [image from BENWINEWIN]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/benwinewincat.jpg?w=840)
![I feel like this Panda Purse would help to save money. The guilt trip from those sad eyes will keep the zipper closed tight. [image from BENWINEWIN]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/benwinewinpanda.jpg?w=840)
![The Pomeranian. Happiest dog-bag in the world. [image from BENWINEWIN]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/benwinewinpomeranian.jpg?w=840)
![Because everyone needs a giant raccoon by their side. [image from BENWINEWIN]](https://everydaysparks.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/benwinewinraccoon.jpg?w=840)
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