(image via here)

Hey there middle/almost end of January…you're here already!!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and kicked off the New Year doing something ah-mazing perhaps?? I spent mine rather quietly and enjoyed some extended time off work with family, pottering around in the kitchen and finishing off a few projects. It was bliss. Seriously.

I feel like so much of 2013 kind of flew by and there were things that I forgot to, or just didn't get around to sharing with you. Over the next coming days I thought it might be nice to put together a catch up, so keep an eye out 🙂

And so the countdown to Christmas begins!!

https://hellonicabella.com/nicabella/2013/12/and-so-the-countdown-to-christmas-begins.html

And can I tell you they have been on my crafting 'to do list' for just as long as, EVER.

Although a little fiddly to make, I couldn't believe how gorgeous they looked once finished. Just like a pair of baby ballerina slippers for a future little ballerina perhaps…

Thinking of you today A and your little precious one xx

The day Archie came home I picked up a couple of toys so there would always be something around for him to play with…not to mention help prevent too much idle time for chewing furniture! Of course he was too little to pay them much attention at the time, but now that he's a big dog (tips the scales at a whole 2kgs!) it's suffice to say they regularly take quite a beating.

First there is 'Foxy', a non-stuffed fox just like this one that has a squeaker inside, which once upon a time was twice his size. It's his favourite 'comfort' item when he has to go anywhere in the car and quite often enjoys leaving it somewhere in the hallway for me to step on and squeak once all the lights are out. Win win.

Then there's a green rubber teething bone which can be found stuffed in one corner of his bed most mornings and a red soft-spiked ball which up until recently he had rather a love hate relationship with.

And then there's my slippers. Purple, puppy proof, moccasin style slippers that I bought during winter. These were literally a god send for my feet after well, socks simply didn't cut the mustard when often dragging a fiesty little puppy around attached to them.

Hands down these slippers are Archie's favourites that provide endless entertainment, with or without feet!

(image via here )

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend xx

Ever since my polish collection began, I have been on the hunt for the ‘perfect nude polish’.  It's just like the quintessential little black dress, every wardrobe must have one.

Never one to back down from a challenge you see,
I soon became a serial googler of polish swatches and often scoured countless other blogs
for recommendations. Turns out what ones take on the perfect nude,  is not always so for another. Lesson learnt, albeit repeatedly and so it seemed that the ever allusive shade of beige, was destined to do exactly that.

Tried and tossed (not literally): just some of the hopefuls
in the photo below.

P.S Don’t judge.

From left to right – Zoya Shay, Zoya Kennedy, OPI Mimosas
for Mr & Mrs, OPI Barre My Soul, OPI Step Right Up, OPI Bubblebath and
Sally Hansen No. 22 Café Au Lait.

My top five polish criteria;

1. Colour – have to love it.
2. Consistency – must glide on easily.
3. Opacity – in no more than two coats, preferably.
4. Application – a generous sized brush with no
   uneven fibers
5. Drying Time – 
   if it really is like watching paint dry, forget it. Ain’t nobody got
   time fo dat.

With that in mind, usually OPI is my trusted go to, followed
closely by Zoya and then pharmacy favourites Natio, Sally Hansen and more recently Max Factor's Glossfinity range. That being
said however, none of their frenchs, beiges or nudes have worked out for me.

Enter Designer Brands 220 Natural Nude. Another pharmacy find
and just $6.95 a pop. Naturally I was sceptical of using yet another cheaper
alternative, but was desperate willing to give anything a try.

This polish is a winner on all accounts! Truly an 'hallelujah' moment and warrant of a little happy dance, or two.

The colour is
great, it’s a lovely consistency, easy to apply, the right amount of coverage
and each coat dried within minutes.

Finally the perfect nude polish found!

{image via creaturecomforts}

Counting down the hours until news of my little niece having entered the world. Oh the suspense!

In just three short weeks my sister Amanda and her husband Colin will be having their first baby. I haven’t mentioned anything about this thus far here on the blog, but that isn’t to say it hasn’t been cause for much celebration, excitement and joy that no doubt arises when there’s a baby on the way.

They have put together the most gorgeous nursery in anticipation of meeting their sweet little girl, and here are just a couple of photos.

And here a few of the baby shower….

Delicious treats: vanilla cupcakes, cider apple macarons, creme patissiere tarts with strawberries and apricot glaze, an assorted cheese platter, caramel and hazelnut tarts, mini mac and cheese tartletts, chicken finger sandwiches and ‘take home’ sugar cookies.