Desperately Belated Award Thanks

With my blogging time more limited these days, I've been a tad slack at passing on any blog awards I'd been tagged for recently, blog awards which were appreciated so very much and which I would love to continue on in order to share around a bit of blog love...

Going back a little bit now, I was kindly tagged for a Liebster Award by two lovely ladies, Claire of Scissors Paper Rock and Catherine of A Time To Create.  Thank you so much ladies!!  This award is all about the number 11... I have to list 11 random facts about myself, answer 11 questions and pose a series of 11 questions to the next bloggers I tag.

However, before I get writing about myself, I also want to thank Claire of oscarlucinda who passed on a Sunshine Award to me a few months back and Sue of Sweetpea Family who tagged me for a One Lovely Blog Award.  Rather than boring you all with too many insignificant facts about myself, I'll use the Liebster Blog Award to continue sharing the blog love.  Here goes...

1. I am attracted to anything blue - duck egg blue or navy blue in particular.
2. I have only ever lived in two houses - my childhood home and my current one.
3. I have a mug of Milo each night after tea.
4. I'd love to have chickens in our backyard - sadly Paul and our council laws don't agree.
5. My favourite thing about Christmas is wrapping presents.
6. Growing up, I wanted to become an architect, a graphic designer or a journalist.  I became a teacher.
7. At 18 months of age, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - I outgrew it in my early teens.
8. I still have an 'old school' mobile... time for a long overdue upgrade soon...
9. The only time I brush my hair is right before I wash it as brushing curls = frizz
10. I have a freckle on my nose.
11. I have never tasted oysters or mussels.

Here are my responses to the questions Claire asked me...

1. One word that best describes you? This is a hard question... I'd like to think 'thoughtful'
2. Sweet or savoury?  Sweet (there is a raspberry muffin on my plate next to me as I type!)
3. Why do you blog?  To connect and share with like minded people, to record memories for my family and to fulfill my love of writing
4. What are you reading at the moment?  'French Children Don't Throw Food' and 'Simplicity Parenting'
5. Favourite film of all time?  There's a few... Little Women, Anne of Green Gables and The Notebook.
6. If you were a colour, which would you be and why? I Googled 'personality colours' for this question... I would have to say white because of my strong desire for simplicity 
7. Reality TV, love or loathe?  In general, love it
8. Describe a perfect day...  Cups of tea, fun with my girls, a clean house, time for blogging and crafting, pottering around the house, a family outing in the sunshine, not having to cook tea and an uninterrupted night's sleep 
9. Somewhere in the world you're dying to go to?  The UK
10. Biggest fear?  Ill health

I'd like to pass on the Liebster Award to the bloggers listed below...no pressure, only if you feel like joining in and haven't yet done so...

• Jenn of From Me To Mum
• Shelley of Four Point Four
• Nicole of Milk & Manna 

And the questions I'd love for them to answer are:

1. Favourite flower?
2. What colour is your handbag?
3. How long have you been blogging for?
4. Poached, fried or scrambled eggs?
5. Winter or summer?
6. Do you have a regular holiday destination?  If so, where?
7. Favourite day of the week?
8. Which famous person would you love to invite to dinner?
9. Do you have any siblings?
10. Daily must have?
11. Favourite perfume?

Thanks again to the lovely ladies who thought of me for these blog awards!

Recent Blogging Awards

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been kindly passed on some blogging awards from some lovely ladies and have yet to post about these or say thank you, so today I thought I’d put them together in one post...


Melissa from Undomestic Mumma, Chrissy from A Country Wife and Steph from Bondville all passed on the Stylish Blogger Award to me recently. Their blogs are all ones that I really enjoy reading and so it makes me very happy that these ladies have such kind things to say about my little blog.

To accept this award I am to share seven random things about myself and pass it on to some fellow bloggers…


1. I am currently reading a book called ‘Toddler Tactics’.

2. My least favourite household chore is handwashing.

3. Raspberry, cranberry and strawberry tea is my favourite herbal tea.

4. Tuesday is grocery shopping day in our household.

5. I can't remember the last time I indulged in a nice, relaxing bubble bath.

6. There are only six weeks until my birthday.

7. “Doing my hair” in the morning literally takes me ten seconds.


I’d like to pass this award on to…

Stephanie Sue from The Merry Way
Sharyne at The Views From My Valley
“MB” of Mama Bear’s House
Sonia of Raine and Sage
Emma of The Adventures of Baby Pirate and Captain Nicholas
Bron at Baby Space




Also, Anna from Around My Table recently passed on the award above to me too so a big thank you also to her.

Hope you all have a wonderful start to the week!

Top image from Papermash via Suziebeezie

Two Lovely Awards

I had a lovely end to my day last night after discovering I was the recipient of two blogging awards from two lovely blogging friends…

Mirela from Melli’s Designs has passed on the ‘A Blog With Substance’ award to me. Mirela is so sweet and such an encouraging friend and I am honoured to receive this award from her. Now I would like to pass it on to two bloggers whose blogs I feel make for great reading and provide lots of inspiration:

Jane of Life On Planet Baby
and
Abby of Two Little Dicky Birds



Also, Nicole from Bubby Makes Three passed on the ‘You Are Gifted’ award which she’s started up to celebrate the Christmas season and to recognise the gifts of fellow bloggers. Nicole’s posts are always entertaining – I love her wit and her humorous style of writing and I relate to so much of what she shares. I was so happy to be included in her list of bloggers.

I would like to pass on this award to the following lovely ladies:

Anna from Lona de Anna – Anna's blog is full of inspiration for all things interiors and she is such a supportive blogging friend. The comments she leaves on my blog are always so honest and wise and for this I am very grateful. Her gift is the way she encourages others through her kind comments.

Sarah from One Perfect Day – Through her blog, Sarah shares the special day to day moments with her precious little boy. Her gift is the way she encourages others to appreciate the simple pleasures in life and for being such an inspirational mummy to me.

Tina from Rubies Place – Aside from being one of the loveliest bloggers I have encountered here in blogland, Tina is extremely creative and shares the most wonderful ideas and tutorials on her blog. Her gift is the way she inspires us all with her DIY projects and for the generous way she encourages us to give such projects a go ourselves.


There are so many bloggers I could have passed the above awards on to – so many of you inspire me every day with the posts you share and are such wonderful supporters of my blog – I appreciate each and every one of you.

Thanks...

Thanks to lots of ‘obstacle courses’ set up in our living room, Grace has taken her first steps this week and although she still likes to crawl, is officially ‘walking.’

Thanks to sunny skies yesterday and my lovely mother-in-law letting us use her dryer, I have an empty laundry basket.

Thanks to my wonderful Mum who kept Grace occupied while I did some housework, our bathroom and ensuite are sparkling clean.

Thanks to my friend for organizing a catch-up, Grace and I enjoyed a nice brunch here this morning.

And finally, thanks to some sweet fellow bloggers, I’ve recently had a few blog awards passed on to me.

The lovely Shawna of Poppies and Sunshine has given me the Blog Love Award and I’ve had the Sunshine Award given to me by Simone at Honey and Fizz, Michelle at Sprout Gallery and Christine at Sunshine and Lollypops. These blogs are all great reads so please pay these ladies a visit if you aren’t already familiar with them.


As part of this award, I’m to share 7 random facts about myself…

1. My favourite holiday town is Denmark in WA.
2. I love the smell of anything coconut.
3. One day I’d like to visit Coral Bay to swim with the whale sharks.
4. I wish I could speak French.
5. Episodes of Fawlty Towers never fail to make me laugh.
6. I love Sunday morning walks on the beach in summer.
7. I met my husband when I was 19 at the wedding of mutual friends.


I’d like to pass this award on to Katie at Katie Bird Calling whose blog posts I always enjoy reading and who always leave sweet comments on my blog.

Now I'm off to make myself a nice hot cuppa and enjoy catching up on some blogs while Grace is napping...

Image above from here

Q + A

This week, the lovely Mirela of Melli’s Designs tagged me to play along with a fun little game where I am to give my answers to the following questions. Here goes...

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ve always thought it would be nice to experience Parisian life. It would be lovely to spend my days wandering through the streets, stopping in all the quaint little shops and enjoying delicious treats in the cafes.


2. What is your favourite band?
I like listening to a little bit of everything. However, my favourite music to listen to is anything by Norah Jones.



3. If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
I’ve always admired Donna Hay – I think it would be fun to work on all the many projects she is a part of (and sampling all those delicious recipes wouldn’t hurt either!!)


4. Concert or Broadway show?
I’d pick a Broadway show – I love seeing a production come together on stage.

5. Theme song for your life?
Tricky question – I was trying to think of something about happiness - maybe Happy Days??

6. Would you choose a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant or a picnic in the park?
I’d pick dinner at a nice restaurant. However, I prefer a café or one that isn’t too fancy.

7. Favourite place to shop?
I love buying things on Etsy – I always get so excited when a little parcel arrives.

8. Favourite movie?
Definitely The Notebook (I sob like a baby every time I watch it). I also love Dirty Dancing, Notting Hill, The Holiday, Amelie and Moulin Rouge.


I'd like to tag the following bloggers for this game. There’s no pressure whatsoever to join in but I’d love to read your take on the questions above...

Nicole at Bubby Makes Three
Catherine at Little Glowing Lights
Katrina at Katrina Chambers
Anna at Cornflake
Sophie at The Littlest Things

While I’m on the topic of blog games and awards, a few weeks ago, I had been given the Happy 101 award here by two lovely bloggers and since then, I have also received it from Catherine at A Time To Create. I won’t repeat my list of things that make me happy but you can see what I had previously written here. Thank you Catherine for passing this on to me.



Also, Michelle at Paper Tree Design had passed on the Versatile Blogger Award to me. For this award I was to write 7 things you may not know about me and to pass it on to fellow bloggers. I won’t bore you with more facts about myself today, but I would like to pass this award on to…

1. Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds
2. Christine at Sunshine and Lollypops
3. Maja at Bella, Beach and the Bush
4. Megan at Somewhere Along A Winding Path
5. Shawna at Poppies and Sunshine

Please visit these lovely blogs and say hi if you’re not already familiar with them …

Images sources: #1 #2 #3 #4

Belated Award Thank You

I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekend. Here in Perth it has been lovely and sunny today which is a nice break from the cool, autumn days we've been having.

I have recently been passed on the Happy 101 award by two lovely fellow bloggers who I have yet to thank… Thank you to Janette of My Sweet Prints and Donna at Rosebud and Bluebells for thinking of me.



As part of the Happy 101 Award I am to list 10 things that make me happy. My list of 10 would include:

1. My fantastic husband and our precious daughter
2. Our wonderful home
3. Hopping into a freshly made bed
4. A clean and tidy house
5. Cups of tea
6. Decorating and renovating
7. Reading through my Real Living magazine each month
8. My favourite dessert – crème brulee
9. Discovering a great new recipe
10. Blogging and gaining endless inspiration from all your lovely blogs!

Thanks again Janette and Donna. If you haven’t already, be sure to visit their wonderful blogs and say hi from me. Have a lovely Sunday evening everyone!

Belated Awards

Image above from here

I've recently been given two awards and haven't yet gotten around to saying thank you to the lovely bloggers who gave them to me.

Firstly, I'd like to thank Silvia from Casa Bella for passing on the Happy 101 Award to me. Silvia posts about all things beautiful on her delightful blog and always finds the most stunning images to share. Pop over and say hi if you haven't already.



Secondly, the gorgeous Mirela from Melli's Designs gave me the Master of Friendship Award. Mirela is such a sweetie - she always writes such lovely posts about life with her family and her creative projects and I always enjoy seeing what she's been up to.

Thank you so much girls and thank you to all the lovely fellow bloggers who stop by Homely One. I'm so glad I decided to join this little blogging community of ours all those months ago!

If you commented on this post and your comment hasn't appeared I'm sorry but I had blogging issues and had to re-post this which meant my comments disappeared :(

Blogging Award

This week, I have been kindly given the 'Sunshine Award' by two lovely fellow bloggers - Nellie from McCarthy Designs and Louise from Illume Design. Thank you girls - you are both so sweet and I adore your two blogs.


The rules of the Sunshine Award are:

1.Put the logo on your blog or in a post
2.Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers
3.Link to the nominees within your post
4.Let them know they have received it by leaving a comment for them
5.Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award.

I've decided to pass this award on to the following lovely bloggers:

1. Catherine at Little Glowing Lights
2. Flick at Everyday Chick
3. Melissa at Undomestic/Mumma
4. Catherine at A Time To Create
5. Sarah at Sarah Elizabeth
6. Leah at Little Maison
7. Belinda at Nest Design Studio
8. Kerri at Driftwood Interiors
9. Karlyn at Rosa's Room
10. Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds
11. Lesley at Life At Number 10
12. Rachael at A Room For Everyone

Please don't feel obliged to play along, just know that I have passed this award onto you because I enjoy your blogs and want to share the 'sunshine'...

Hope you all have a wonderful end to the week...

Top image from here

My First Blog Award!

I woke this morning and turned on our computer to find the loveliest surprise awaiting me… thankyou to the gorgeous Anna from Lona de Anna who has passed on the above award to me. I am so very excited! I love Anna’s blog so it is a real compliment getting this award from her. The rules of this award are that I must list 10 things that make me happy and 10 bloggers who brighten my day…

1. Paul & Grace – my husband and daughter mean the absolute world to me.
2. Our house – I get immense satisfaction from renovating and decorating our humble home.
3. Cooking – I love trying out new recipes.
4. Blogging – have found some lovely fellow bloggers and it always brightens my day to see people have taken the time to comment on my blog posts.
5. Shopping for homewares - it's always exciting to find something new for our house.
6. Interior Magazines – I eagerly await each issue of Real Living and Ideal Home.
7. Cups of tea - English Breakfast tea gets me through each day :)
8. Sewing – I like the challenge and sense of achievement (even though each project usually involves copious amounts of unpicking and restitching!!)
9. Beautifully wrapped parcels – hence my love of Etsy :)
10. Flowers – fresh flowers in my house always make me happy

1. Catherine from Little Glowing Lights has long been one of my favourite blogs. She has been so encouraging since I have started Homely One and hers was one of the blogs that inspired me to start my own in the first place. Catherine takes amazing photos which are always perfectly styled and is very creative.
   
2. Simone from Beach Vintage has been very supportive of Homely One since I started out. I love the way she has decorated her own home and I always eagerly await her posts.
   
3. Belinda from The Happy Home has been a longtime favourite and is a constant source of inspiration for me. I love all of the clever ideas she comes up with for decorating and life with littlies. I’d love to be a kid in her house!
   
4. Erin from The House of Turquoise always sources the most amazing eye candy. I adore browsing through her blog (blue is definitely my favourite colour).
   
5. The Wifestyle Files has the loveliest sense of style. It's author (whose real name I've just realised I do not know!!) sources great products and images for all things stylish and I always look forward to her posts.
   
6. Angie and Kristin from Blonde Designs Blog write one of my more recent blog finds. As former art directors at Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings, they have some great ideas on their inspirational blog.
   
7. Candace from A Pretty Trip shares some lovely finds and writes some great posts on her blog. I always appreciate the comments she leaves for me.
   
8. Sarah from Molly’s Maison has been one of my favourite recent blog finds. I enjoy seeing her own homely projects and reading the lovely comments she leaves for me.
   
9. Nicole from Bubby Makes Three writes a lovely blog. She has great ideas for everything from decorating nurseries to first birthday parties.
   
10. Lesley from Life At Number 10 always leaves me lovely comments. I have really enjoyed seeing the renovation projects she herself has been undertaking.

There are three other blogs I must give a mention to also. The lovely ladies from The House that A-M Built, Ada and Darcy and Brabourne Farm have all been so incredibly supportive since I started Homely One and leave me the most encouraging comments. I remember being so excited when A-M wrote about one of the recipes I had posted about :) These lovelies all have such stunning blogs and are definitely on the top of my list of blogs to visit each morning. I would have passed this blogging award on to all of you, but seeing as Anna already has, I didn’t want to double up :)

And to the lovely Anna, I am so glad I discovered your blog. I truly do look forward to your posts – you source the loveliest images, leave me the most thoughtful comments and I adore your sense of style. Thanks again for making my day!