When Love Comes to Town

Are you loving When Love Comes to Town as much as me?

Okay, so it's a bit cringeworthy but good on those girls! I don't have the guts to do it . . . a friend of mine actually nominated me for the show and the producers called her up . . . but nothing ever eventuated.

I was also in the running for another reality tv show just recently - I had a screen test and everything - but the truth is, I don't want to be on reality TV. I just want to find a bloke!

So I got the shock of my life when I saw an ex-boyfriend of mine's best mate on the ad for When Love Comes to Town.

Alfy, you could've saved us both the trouble (and years of searching!) and just given Josh my number!

Who is your favourite country bloke? Mum has a soft spot for Tom. I don't think I would've got off the bus just yet . . .

Playing dress up

 

Okay, so we've all seen it already but I couldn't help myself.

 

I do get a bit gushy with a gorgeous country landscape. Just wish dear old Isabel had a gorgey brother we could perve on. Nothing like a bloke in RMs, moleskins and an Akubra to get the heart racing.

 

I digress.

 

This is my pick from the collection. My friend Alice had already emailed it through to me before the Country Road email landed in my inbox. We are on the same page, this Alice and I.

 

 

Buy it here.

 

I want to get a felt hat for Winter. I think it will be very 'Melbourne' of me - but I don't want to look like a try-hard. The name on everyone's lips is lack of color (the spelling annoys me, especially  because it's an Australian brand) so I'm keen to invest and experiment. Surely black is safe and I'll totes look the part? Yay or neigh, friends?

 

 

 

Shop it here (sans saucy bra thing)

 

Speaking of hats and looking the part, think I need one of these beauties for the footy (don't mention Sunday's game, but we can talk about the Showdown for a bit longer yet can't we!?)

 

 

 

Question is, which colour? Isn't Tina a scream? Couldn't ask for a better model for Lady Chatterley's Affair than the pretty lady herself.

 

Beat the rush and get your mitts on a beanie yourself here.

 

xx

 

 

 

 

I love a sunburnt country

 

How good is this campaign!?

 

#aussiepride

Chicken soup for the 30 year old soul

Nothing clears the mind like country air.

And I'm lucky enough to have one of my dearest friends living on the most gorgeous little farm only two hours out of Melbourne.

I took some time out last week to bake some biscuits (recipe to come - they were SO easy!) and head out to Dean's Marsh to stay with Carri and her beautiful family. Carri is Mum to the sweetest little six month old Alice who just warms my heart. A smiley, happy baby - she was just what the doctor ordered.

We drank cups and cups of tea, fed the ponies, feasted on baked goods, toured the farm, pondered the new farmhouse (it's going to be DIVINE!) and just chilled out. It was the most relaxing and rejuvenating 20 hours I've had in a long time.

It's times like these I think "what could've been" if I had said yes to Farmer Wants a Wife . . . !

Yellow fields

Love me a bit of country time.

Have headed up to the mid-north for the races and relaxation on the farm.

A few big nights at the local provided hours of fun and generated many 'quotes of the year' that will provide laughs for years to come.

Heading home tomorrow, probably ten kilos heavier after all this country hospitality!

Thanks Kel and JB x

Lost in Canola

Please indulge me while I have a proud Godmother moment.

Isn't Max just the cutest little thing? Happiest kid on the planet, I tell you!

Mark and Zara look pretty stoked too.

Kelly was behind the lens for these pics . . . doesn't the canola make a gorgeous backdrop? I won't embarrass Mark by revealing his age . . . but will say he was back home for the weekend celebrating his 20 year school reunion.

Whoops. Secret's out.

Make sure you get in the shot next time, Kelly!

PS. Did you find me a farmer while you were out there?

Introductions

Who's your pick this year?

I've been a fan of Farmer Nikko since his profile first appeared on the Farmer Wants a Wife website back in April. I know a good thing when I see it . . . 

Maybe I should've taken the plunge and applied again this year.

No! My mother would've disowned me. And I cringe at the thought of kissing someone on national TV. But the gorgeous Jo threw her hat into the ring with Farmer Rob and it turned out very well for her. To think, that could've been me doing an All Bran ad this season. But no, I accepted a job at a law firm instead. Sigh.

Anyone have any lovely eligible farmers they could introduce me to?

Let's have a ball

When's the last time you had fun for fun's sake? Not for a wedding, or 21st or engagement or Christening. Just for fun!? Well, Emma and I packed up the car and headed to the country on the weekend for just that - some serious fun. 

It's amazing what some fresh air will do for your soul!

Packing was difficult as we were heading to a black tie ball in a wine shed. Fun, yes, but cold, yes!!!

I settled on my favourite bridesmaid dress (thanks Jo Jo) with neon pink accessories (thanks Kimbo!)

The new yellow jacket also made an appearance for the daytime activities.

And see my pretty new pillowcases from Bowerbird Bazaar. I know, they're pink. So?

We had a great drive over to the Yorke Peninsula with the Dixie Chicks providing the perfect soundtrack. When in Rome . . .

First stop was in with our old blogger friend, Letitia Linke of The White Shed.

And look what we found when searching for her farm?

A big white bow, gorge!

Letitia took Em and me for a little farm tour and turned on the country charm like you wouldn't believe.

Her house is every bit as beautiful in real life as it is in pictures. Even better. I was blown away by how perfect it was, not a thing out of place. 

We enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon tea with her raspberry friands and my lemon drizzle cake (that was a disaster - would've helped if I had measuring implements in my kitchen and didn't have to guess quantities!). Really good coffee too.

The weather was just perfect!

Love love loving my new neon yellow jacket. Felt very patriotic!

And here it is, THE White Shed. Yes, the one and only!

Teesh's hubby and gorgeous little boys were at the bike track but called in at home to say hi before we left. They are DARLINGS! And apparently we made quite the impression, ha!

With sore bellies from laughing and eating too much, Emma and I trotted off to beautify ourselves for the ball, and leave Teesh to get ready for the big night also.

We had so much fun, dancing, drinking and making new friends.

And there was a photo booth. Awesome.

All smiles on the bus ride home . . .

And then we woke up to this stunning view of Tiddy Widdy Beach Sunday morning.

Hard life, hey?

Totally spoilt by Jo and Greg who kicked out their kids to put us up for the night and then treated us to a yummy hot breakfast (hangover, what hangover!?).

We drove back to the city completely rejuvenated . . . and contemplating full time life in the country. If only we'd met our Farmers . . .

Bowled over by bathrooms

I've never normally been one to get excited by bathrooms.

My own little brown/mustard box does the job - I have a bath and a shower which I'm grateful for, but the tiles kind of gross me out and my wooden toilet seat slides off its Royal Doulton base every time you sit down (did you like that little mention? I have a Royal Doulton toilet and basin. Posh, hey?! Shame you slide off it every time you sit down though!).

Whatevs.

But during my daily morning read of the local online newspaper, I stumbled across this BEAUTIFUL home in the Adelaide Hills. And out of all the gorgeous pics in the photo gallery, the ones that excited me most were those of the bathrooms (yes, there are three in fact).

Who am I!? Excited by bathrooms? Gosh, I'll be eating vegetarian next (no way, never, not in this lifetime).

But come on . . . do you blame me?

Look at these tiles!

And that beautiful stonework . . .

Looking down the other end, all that light!

And that window (although, are they bricks from another building I can see through the trees? Not sure I'd be wanting to bathe in quite as much um, visibility!)

And look at the entrance to this spectacular bathroom . . . through what look to be concealed doors within the built in robes. Fabulous!

And then these gorgey blue tiles. Hello lover. 

And here is a pic of the outside.

Stop it, already!

I know, you've turned green, right?

Check out more deliciousness here.



Country fun

Ladies, they're baaa-aaack!

Farmer Wants A Wife is set to hit our screens again soon so I thought I'd get in early and pre-judge the bachelors.

No South Aussies in the cast this year which is disappointing . . . but Farmer Nikko from Queensland has caught my eye. Not enough to entice me to apply (remember how that went last time!?) but he will provide a bit of eye candy for the next few months.

Sounds like a pretty cool catch . . .

 "I have travelled / worked / partied in nearly every state throughout Australia, (Kimberlys NT, Goondiwindi QLD, Naracoorte SA, and slipped in two cheeky years at AG Uni in Geelong VIC). Loves a girl who is confident, willing to jump in and have a crack, fits into many crowds, thoughtful and can pull back and talk about anything, can yarn with the boys and gossip with the girls. I’m thoughtful, entertaining, cheeky, courageous, work hard and play hard."

Now that's a man after my own heart!

Here's to Wednesday nights on the couch with the girls x

In pictures

I had a very busy, random yet fun-filled Easter long weekend.

Here are my adventures in pictures . . .

Donna Hay hot cross cookies that I took for morning tea at Flavs's wedding working bee on Good Friday

Quick cuddles with my niece in between social catch ups (she's yet to master the 'smile at the camera' command!). Was desperate to include this pic anyway, just to show off my fabulous new neon pink flower earrings thanks to Kimberlee. HOT.

Prawn and scallop pizza treats whipped up in the wood fired oven at Liam's annual JKL Good Friday 'linner' (reverse brunch ie. lunch mixed with dinner). 

He did well to cater for the Good Friday 'no meat' rule.

My Donna Hay pavlova with home made lemon curd, blueberries and strawbs. To quote Liam "best pav. ever." 

Why, thank you!

Early morning at Clare Easter Races - gorgeous Autumn day in the country. 

Think I bumped into every boy I've ever kissed. So Adelaide.

Easter Sunday Fashion at The Races at the Penola Cup on the Limestone Coast. 

So surreal bumping into Brooke from The House on Chambers. Felt like a bit of a stalker (and I'm sure Farmer Joe thought I was too!)

No rest for the wicked . . . up at 7am on Easter Monday to pick up my bestie from the airport. Awesome breakfast at Grind It in Glenelg.

Hot cross muffins for lunch with my Grandparents, Mum and Dad, bro and sister-in-law and cutie pie Ruby.

We also demolished a Donna Hay packet flourless chocolate truffle cake. Have you tried these? Out of control ah-mazing. Took the leftovers for dinner at my favourite DINKS house, Andy and Kristie.

And then I rolled into bed by 9.30pm (ridiculously early for me) and slept like a log.

I hope you all had stress-free and relaxing weekends surrounded by your loved ones.

I'm off to finish my bag of Haigh's Berry Chocs. So good.

Editor's note: My Mum did most of the cooking. She wanted me to add that.

Lavender love

We had the beautiful wedding of Christina and Craig last Friday and everything about it was perfect.

(By the way, I'm on this Friday wedding bandwagon, it was awesome having two days to recover!!)

The deliriously happy couple looked gorgeous and everyone had such a fun night.

The flowers were spectacular - full of lavender and purple blooms. Bliss Events did a wonderful job, really capturing the vintagey, country chic, barnyard vibe (Cat will probably kill me for that poor description which really didn't do her any justice! Just trust me, they were ah-mazing)

And this is me with the bride. Isn't she a vision!?

I tried to channel my inner Elva Fields and convert a new necklace into a masterpiece by adding a brooch. Hmm, not sure I really got there, but am so lucky to have such creative and talented friends - Emma helped with my jewels and hair (and also played chauffeur) while Sally did my makeup. She is a master, that girl. I felt so pretty!

Here's to a happy and healthy long life ahead Christina and Craig x

This little rabbit

I have a new crush.

His name is Max, and he's gorgeous beyond words.

And did I mention Max is my Godson?!

Yep, I became a Godmother on Sunday.

Me. Single, crazy, loves a champagne, Port supporter ME!

I think Max's Dad (and his Pop Peter!) questioned their choice in me when I turned up to lunch - late - with neon orange fingernails and hot pink lips. Oh, and polkadots.

I did come armed with Greek Salad for 40 people though, and gave a killer Christening present (thanks to the talents of White and Wander), so all was forgiven!

The day started with a two hour drive to Maitland on the Yorke Peninsula where we had the most stunning lunch at Max's Dad's family homestead.

Max's Mum Kelly is known for her themes and she did not disappoint! (Think back to Humpty Dumpty, Little Bird and Rainbow)

Hello bunny!

Kelly's Mum Carole and sister Abby produced this ah-mazing cake. Watch out Planet Cake, here come the Walker girls!

After a gorgeous lunch of yiros and Greek salad, and the most heavenly desserts thanks to fellow Godparent Rick, we trooped off to the family church for the formalities.

And of course, a perfectly 'blue' afternoon tea in the church hall.

Such a gorgeous day with a gorgeous family (who I have inherited from one of my besties Bree who moved to Hobart this year).

All I can say, is good luck Max. You'll need it with me as 'spiritual guide'!

(Be afraid, Mark, be very afraid!)