Happy Sunshiny Packages

This week I have been working on a few little odds and ends to put in a celebratory package for the lovely Christie. Her fave colours are orange and yellow - so I tried to work with that as much as I could.

Some little gift tags. These were made with vintage wallpaper, card and paper stock from my stash (the little blue background papers were gifted to me by Rockmellon), and re-purposed ribbons - so they are a little bit eco-friendly.

One of my signature cupcake keyrings. I started making these as baby shower favours for my SIL two and a half years ago, and have had a few requests for them over time. I have often wondered if anyone would actually buy them, but I've never tried to find out. What do you think?

A piece of my FAVOURITE vintage fabric in my stash.

And lastly, the wrapping "paper" a scarfette from Just Wonder - a little local boutique. I added the white ribbon (purchased on my last holiday in Queensland), and a little of my new ruler ribbon from Kikki K for an extra touch.

Hope you all have a sunshiny day and wonderful weekend!

S&R xo

Linking up with Our Creative Spaces and 

Slighty frugal but fabulous

You can tell a little about the economic climate at the moment by the way people shop when there are sales on. The other day while out shopping with the boys, I noticed people rummaging through sales racks, but even if it was good stuff, they would leave it there unless it was really something that they were after. I'm a little that way myself. There were a lot of things I looked at... but since I had no use for them I just left them there.

While out and about, I did pop into one of my fave stores at the moment that was having a sale... Kikki K, and picked up a couple of things from their new range for a niece who is about to have a birthday, and while I was at it I got some fab ribbon and a new little zippered pouch for myself.

Short term plan is to use it instead of my wallet (which I have had since 1997!!! Go Billabong!),  after that, I plan to keep my little camera in it as it doesn't have a lens cap, and I am always getting the fingerprints of small people on it.

Check out the cute lining. :) Just looking at it makes me smile. It's a little bit tween-ish, but hey, let your inner child play occasionally! lol

Have a great day!
S&R  xo

Eat a little bit gourmet at home.

During the week I felt inspired to do something a little bit creative with our salads instead of the same-old, same-old style of serving up the ingredients. Since we had been to the Farmer's Market last Sunday, and I had purchased a whole lot of great fresh produce (at great prices!) I really wanted to do something with them while it was still fresh.

While the photos are far from worthy of the taste (Oh, I know, I can never wait to be bothered with a GOOD photo when dinner is staring me in the face and two small children are pleading to eat it!) I had to share it with you anyway!

First up is a Warm Green Salad.

1 medium head of broccoli, chopped into small florets
1 Lebanese cucumber (or any other type) sliced into thick circles and then halved
* 250g Spinach and Ricotta Agnolotti
2 Fresh tomatoes - cut into wedges
Pine nuts
Drizzle of olive oil
Ground salt and pepper to taste

I added the tomatoes as an after thought, and it made it SO much better! Cook the Agnolotti as per instructions. as they start to puff up, add the broccoli. They should then be ready at the same time.
Add to all other ingredients and toss.  Bon Appetit!

* I got a 500g packet on sale - being thrifty you know! ;)


The second is Mediterranean Roast Chicken Salad that  Mr. Kelp found the recipe here.

He scored a large container of Bulgarian sheep feta (rather like a cross between Danish and Australian in texture - and tasted wonderful!) on sale, so we went looking for recipes. :) We also used rocket the first time (Which looked SO much better), but I ran out and had to substitute lettuce this time around... and yes, those are grapes - not olives. We also skipped the chicken and the sugar snap peas (because we didn't have the latter on hand).

Linking up with Nifty Thrifty Sundays.

I'm grateful for ...being in the right place at the right time

Remember about a month ago when I showed you some of the goodies that I picked up at the Farmers Market in Thornleigh... well a couple of weeks later a friend sent me a message saying that he'd just seen my picture in the paper, and that I was the "Lucky Shopper" from the markets. I remembered being asked at the markets if we would mind having out photo taken, but had no idea at the time what was about to happen.

So last Sunday, armed with my newspaper (thanks for giving us your copy Matt!), we went back to the markets. Rotary generously let me have a wander around and choose my prize from one of the stall holders. I thought I'd try something a little different so when I saw Astrid's Unique Taste of Australia stand, and then her desert Quondong Jam... I'd made my choice!

This is what I ended up coming home with...

There are quite a few stalls at the markets (just off the rd. behind the Ibis, if you feel inclined to go there some time), including a sweet girl with gorgeous couture cupcakes - hand made. I must remember to get a photo of them some time to show you all...

So there you go! I realise that it is a marketing strategy for the Markets (ha ha, oh dear!), but I am thankful to Rotary  for the opportunity just the same (And Astrid for having such yummy products!). So now on this lovely sunny Saturday, I'm off to have a slice of toast with Desert Quondong jam... have a great day!

Linking up with Maxabella Loves