Party!

Hi guys,

So Saturday was my birthday, hip hip, hooray! I turned 16 :) So naturally I had to have an awesome cake that just blew all the other ones away. So my cousin and I attempted the impossible mission of creating a Finding Nemo cake using these 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 tutorials and this picture as inspiration. We made the cake on Saturday and the party was on Sunday.

Can I just say that my cousin and I did awesome! Granted I did end up spending quite a bit of money on the supplies necessary for the cake but it was so worth it! I think the saddest part is that we spent all day Saturday making it and on Sunday it was revealed a minute before we cut the cake so it would be a surprise. Next time, if I spend that much time on a cake, it's not going to be left a surprise, I want there to be time to admire the cake before we cut it. Because it was just sooooooo saadd that we spent all that work on it, only to be seen untouched for less than a minute before covering it with candles and swiftly chopping it up! But everyone loved it, despite how briefly they were allowed to see it. And it tasted delicious! I used this recipe along with the frosting recipe, which I think pretty much lived up to it's name, although I won't say it's the best. I will save that for when I really do try the best ever chocolate cake.

 I don't mean to brag but, my presents were awesome too! The whole party was so perfect. My dad cooked a banquet of delicious food. As well as delicious snacks. And my party decorations were pretty great too if I do say so myself! I used pre-cut paper garland strips from Typo (I got it on sale at DFO) and blew up and tied balloons everywhere! Sorry I'm using a lot of exclamation marks, but it really was a happy day - at least up until the point on Sunday night when I realised it was school tomorrow :(
So for presents I got 3 bottles of Kester Black nail polish in the colours Acid, Bondi Rays, and Supernova. I got The Hand Book (a collaboration between Kester Black and Trophy Wife). an adorable OMM Fox plate from Made590. Also from Made 590 was two rolls of washi tape (dark blue with transparent stars, and glittery dark blue!) I also got LUSH stuff. Phoenix Rising bath bomb, Miranda soap, The Godmother soap, and Bubblegum Lip Scrub! Which I've been wanting for ages! It's basically sugar with colours and flavours in it but it tastes and smells so good! I also got a beautiful Melinda Young necklace, an awesome lava lamp, more washi tape and a washi tape book, a WWF species adoption, a fr***in' weekend in Melbourne with my cousin to see The Lion King Musical!!! and so much more. I'm so lucky and I was so happy to receive all these gifts. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm bragging. Well, it probably does. Sorry about that then. Oh well maybe it will give you ideas of what to ask for for your next birthday or Christmas present!

And later on, inspired by my washi tape book that I was given, I washi taped my bookshelf! Looks so cool!!

I don't know if I can ever exceed the levels of that awesome cake, so I think I'll just do sweet and simple cakes for myself from now on. But I must say, it was fun to make with my cousin! Just a lot of effort and very time consuming.

Anyway that's all for now. Hope you liked this post!

Jody

I'm Lovin' It

Hey guys,

Sorry to steal McDonald's slogan but that's the first thing that came to mind when picking a title for today's post which is: things I am loving at the moment.

First things first, Etsy. Very addictive. I like to think of it as ebay for the rich. A place where people can sell artsy things and buy artsy things. I'm just going to show you my favourites from this week because if I did any more it would go on forever because there is too much I love.

At the top we have really cute hanging terrariums/planters. They can be hung or just placed on any hard surface. The one sitting is here and the hanging ones are here.
Next we have the Lyra Pyramid Display Box. Perfect for displaying jewellery.
I just love this shop, they make wood cases for iPhones, iPads, Mac keyboards, and they are freakin' awesome! This beautiful Real Cherry Wood case for iPhone 5/5s. Even though I don't have an iPhone, it's still amazing :)
Kids costumes are so cute, especially when it's this wolf costume. Great as a Halloween costume or just as a dress-up for around the house. You should check out some of the other costumes in this shop too.
And finally this little Red Fox Sculpture made from polymer clay is just so cute - I want it! I want it! I want it!
If you'd like to see what else I love, check out Items I Love by Me. You can follow me if you have any Etsy account. If not, I will try and post more Etsy favourites up here if you like them.

Next up we have Hot Topic. This was a little while ago but I'll mention it anyway. I just recently discovered Hot Topic which I'm sure everyone's heard of but I only found out until quite recently because, well, I don't live in America. And I can't tell you how annoying it is that there is no Hot Topic or anything similar to Hot Topic in Australia. Everything here is expensive and crap, excuse my language, and it just makes me want to go to the U.S. that much more. Anyway, enough of that, the reason I love Hot Topic so much at the moment is because oh my goodness I've never seen so much beautiful Disney stuff in one place before :O I will just point out a few of the most awesome Disney things I've ever seen that is on my Wishlist right now

 Okay, first things first, The sweaters are amazing. I'm pretty sure most of these designs come in tank tops as well but I'm not sure about the Jasmine one. In order of the ones I want most, I would have to say Maleficent comes first, then Jasmine, then Belle. The two down the bottom I just added in because they are beautiful and on the right person these would look amazing. Unfortunately I am not that person. Even if I looked good in that kind of thing I probably still wouldn't wear it because I feel much more comfortable in pants. But how amazing are they, right?! Dress, top, and skirt.

Next, Pop! Cultcha. I've never really been into these things but recently I saw some really cute ones on the website. Sorry but I can't be bothered putting them up here so I will just name them. Timon and Pumbaa are so cute as well as Simba. WALL•E and Eve are super duper cute. And lastly I have to add in Jesse from Toy Story and Winnie the Pooh.

And finally, I have been getting a bit obsessed with interior decor but once that cools down I might write something about it. But I will say that all the interior stuff that I am researching is mainly going into the board My Dream Home on Pinterest. I put basically everything on that board; furniture, decor, photos, inspiration, and basically everything I could possibly want in the future.

Hmm not a very strong end to the post. There is so much I want to do and so little....time? motivation? opportunity? I think I'm just lazy, that's all.
Okay well have a great day!

Jody

Botanic Gardens

Hi guys,

Sorry I haven't written anything in two months but I was busy/procrastinating but I wanted to take the time to tell you about two great things going on at the Botanic Gardens in Sydney at the moment. Here's an extract from the website:

Cultivate: New Artisans

This exhibition celebrates emerging artisans, offering a rare opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent.  
When: 4th - 14th October, 10am - 4pm daily
Where: Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden
Cost: Free. All works are for sale

We went there today and they were both brilliant! So much stuff to see I'm sorry I'm only telling you last minute. There was so much to see in this little building and so many talented artists, sculptures, jewellers, and pottery makers and if you don't get to see them it will be such a shame but I should've said something earlier but I forgot to be honest. Anyway I'm kind of known for promoting my aunt, Mel, who is a lovely person and talented contemporary jeweller and her works were features in this exhibition too. So here are the pictures I took:

The beautiful Melinda Young with her works at Cultivate: Artisans

The next one was also beautiful and jam-packed with wonderful art, jewellery, pottery, sculpture from amazing artists.
Here's an extract from the website:

Artisans in the Gardens

This year’s exhibition showcases unique works by some of our best contemporary and traditional artisans. Including jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, and sculpture, the exhibition celebrates the beauty and complexity of nature.
When: 11th - 19th October, 10am - 4pm
Where: Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden
Cost: Free. All works are for sale

And here are the pictures I took:
(Sorry for the overload of pictures I'm not very good at choosing my favourites)

If you missed out, you should still head over to the Botanic Gardens because it's beautiful and it's right next to the Art Gallery of NSW so you can make two trips in one! Keep an eye out for upcoming exhibitions at both the Botanic Gardens and the Art Gallery and make a trip down there the next time you're in Sydney (if you don't already live there).

Jody