art installation...

just a little more about Sydney...on Saturday afternoon Ryo and I went in search of Kinokuniya book store and on the way along George St, down a little side street I spotted bird cages hanging between the buildings (above). On closer inspection it was revealed that it's an artwork about the species of birds that were pushed out of the city as it became more and more developed. Very interesting...there were even recordings of the the different species chirping. The shadows the cages cast were just as impressive!

a packed weekend...

more about Sydney.. so on the Saturday morning we enjoyed breakfast in Surry Hills with one of my brothers and his wife. Then we meandered up Crown Street to Mushu which has a wonderful selection of bags, jewellery and homewares. Then it was time to head into the city where we surprised my sister who literally couldn't speak when she saw us. After a bite to eat we went to check out her office...what a view (above)!! How her and her colleagues get any work done I have no idea!!

flying visit...

We flew to Sydney on the weekend to surprise my sister for her 30th birthday..it was great..the whole family sitting down to dinner together on Saturday night....wine, food and the best company in the world.

Sunday saw us swimming at Balmoral, drinking coffee and enjoying lunch before jumping back on a plane to come home. I just wish we all lived closer so we could meet more regularly.

Thanks for a great weekend sweet family and Happy Birthday sweet sister! xx

seriously?

is it January 12th already?

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

For the past 4 years I've chosen a motto or mantra for my self to try to make the balance between work and life healthier. Working for your self tends to take over your life a bit..especially when you do it from home. Last year it was LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE, the year before KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON, the year before TRY TO LIVE LIFE and this year it's simply STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES. All of them are based on signs I've seen around and this year is no different..I pass this sign on the highway all the time...it's also something my Dad always says..goes something like this..'Old Brother Joseph used to say - take the time to Stop and smell the flowers'....just one of the many pearls of wisdom Dad remembers from his days at school!

So this year I'll be making an effort to STOP and SMELL THE ROSES and enjoy the simple things in life..coffee with friends, walks with Pochi, tending to the garden..all the small things that make me feel good and make my life richer!

What will you do?

hello...

...just popping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season xx

contact hot toffee...

hello, just popping in to let you know how to contact me as it seems my web hosting company is having 'catastrophic issues' and I have not been able to access my website or email since Friday afternoon. Apparently it will not be fixed until Thursday or Friday! If you are waiting for a reply or would like to order something please accept my sincere apologies.

In the meantime here are hot toffee contact details:

email: hottoffee@ozemail.com.au

mobile: 0423 185 750

my etsy shop will be updated over the next few days

puzzled?

...not sure what to buy your nephews and nieces? Mr Frog's Toybox has a gorgeous selection of Djeco puzzles, tin toys and art supplies!

Bardon Christmas Market TODAY - Bardon Hall 246b Simpsons Rd, Bardon 9am - 1pm

twilight markets at portside wharf..

I'm heading here now..hope to see you there!

busy but good...

my only purchase on the weekend - bought from this amazing textile designer. I also had my eye on this the whole day - so tempting!




a sweet gift from this lovely lady..



lovely note accompanying the above earrings from Curly Jo..




gorgeous sunflower field on our way to get our weekly vegies






the winner of my little giveaway...



The silly season is quite silly indeed! I've been working seven days a week and my stock answer when people ask me how I am these days is 'busy but GOOD'. The brisStyle market was fantastic I just wish I had a helper on the day so I could have seen all the amazing talent there. The Young Designers Market was yesterday and the sweetest, sweetest lady came up to me and said 'I've just been sitting in the restaurant across the road and could see you are struggling with the heat so I asked them for some water for you' and with that she handed me a large milkshake cup full of icy water! This very thoughtful gesture brought tears to my eyes - it really is the people you meet in life that make it so special ...not only the people you know and love but the people we all walk past everyday or have brief encounters with. Later in the day I walked over to the restaurant for another drink and the waitress said proudly with a smile 'that was my mum who gave you the water' and of course I replied with 'ohhh she was so sweet' and the waitress said again with a proud smile 'I know and she's mine'.

oops..

This market is 12th December NOT tomorrow (Dec 6th as incorrectly mentioned in my previous post)