Take a look @ a Meringue Bakery in Paris

Au Merveilleux de Fred: A Meringue Bakery in Paris

(post found via Hip Paris blog)

Garden Party Dresses

Last Wednesday, I went shopping to see if I could find something to where for my birthday. 

Over the last 5 months I've lost over 15kgs, and was looking forward to rewarding myself with a beautiful dress for my birthday. 

Problem was, nothing fit... still. 

It was massively discouraging... 

and now I keep thinking I won't be able to fit into something beautiful before my birthday. 

I really wanted to wear something lacey and feminine and it is really hard to find that in larger women dress-sizes.

Tonight, I thought I'd just have a quick look to see if there were any shops around with something like what I had dreamed of wearing. 

The first site google showed me, had 3 dresses I liked! 

Pity that their only store location is in Melbourne!!!

Anyway, have a look...

What do you think?

Choice one - because look at that lovely lace!

This would probably be choice two, because of the soft colour and long flowing nature of the dress.

Choice three... because of the gorgeous ruffles... this probably ties for second... the colour would look better on me.

Early Birthday Present!!!

Yesterday afternoon I taught my flute students before racing to dinner, before getting back to church to run a meeting in the evening. 

But I found an absolutely beautiful surprise at my first student's home. 

They had bought be a beautiful 3 tier high tea cake stand for my birthday! 

And I totally love it!!!

I can't wait until my birthday party (which is in early May...) to serve High Tea delicacies on it!

Thank you Sandra, Jessica and of course, Agnes!!!

It is absolutely perfect for me!!!

Hanging Decorations

I've been dreaming away about how I want to decorate for my birthday party. 

I love the idea of hanging decorations throughout the garden we will be in. 

I was looking on the Martha Stewart and look what I found. 

I can't have them all... 

but still love looking at them!

I love flowers, so these would be a gorgeous combination!

An occasional twinkling light, peeping through the tree boughs

I love the lacy edge to these. I'm so into lace at the moment.

And this just looks so bright and happy!

The best part about all these pictures,

 is that there are instructions on how to make nearly all of them on the Martha Stewart website! 

How fun!

A Walk in the Park

On Saturday I was invited to go to a concert held in the Sydney Conservatorium. 

Kaori and Yuki Fujii are Japanese sisters. One plays the flute, the other the piano. 

I heard what must be one of the best renditions of Clair de Lune and some stunning flute pieces that I haven't heard before. 

Quite inspiring!

Prior to the concert, my friend and I had a stroll through the Botanical Gardens. 

Have a look at this incredible lotus lily...

After the concert we went and had dinner at a pub in Wooloomooloo, 

and this was the skyline looking back at the city.

So, I enjoyed a lovely evening - experiencing some of God's wonderful gifts to me... 

creation...

music...

friendship...

Tarquin

It has been a while since I have made a consistent effort to report my God Sightings to you. Part of it is that I have been really busy, but part of it is that I'm really not paying enough attention to it. Other things have been consuming my mind. And in all honesty, I don't think it has been very healthy.

In the last few months, there have been things in my life that have broken my heart. But even in this, God has been walking with me. He blessed me with a cute flat to live in, which is so close to church, great coffee, good florists, is surrounded by trees, lots of beautiful bird songs can be heard, but MOST importantly allows me to have Tarquin with me.

I've treasured coming home to Tarquin's welcoming meow. Sitting on the couch and having him come and sit with me the next moment, having dinner with Tarquin beside me and even having his whiskers shoved in my face at 3am, demanding to get under the covers. Incidentally, recently he has taken to 'pawing' my face. He puts his whiskers in my face, but I've ignored them, so to make his point, he 'paws' at my face - right where the covers are! I'm always amazed how insistent, yet gentle he is - he could easily scratch me.

Anyway, enough ranting on about my treasure, Tarquin. The point is, he has consistently been a God Sighting to me over the last few months. I have regularly thanked God for him, allowing me to not be entirely alone.

Let me share some photos.

That is my leg that Tarquin is cuddled up against! That night, my leg was his pillow!

This is one of Tarquin's favourite positions. 

He crawls up as close to my face as he can, then finds a way to curl up.

Incentives

So, I'm still on the weigh-loss train. I've done pretty well... Since late October last year I've lost 13 kgs. Not a bad effort. But still more to come off.


A friend of mine suggested I should think of how I would like to celebrate my 30th birthday (in a couple of months time). As I've been weaving plans and dreams, it has offered me with the opportunity to give me some incentive to continue my weight-loss challenge.


Here is a poster that is currently stuck up in my kitchen, used to inspire me towards this goal...

Over the next couple of months you should see some more ideas and crafty activities that happen as I prepare from my birthday. Oh, and I really need to keep accountable to continue my weigh-loss journey!