Sunday Breakfast with A+O

A+O invited us to Sunday breakfast at their lovely home yesterday.  You may remember that James contributed to the initial design concept for the house and it really appears like it's all coming together quite well after almost a year.  Their garden is thriving, furnishings are in, everything feels homely and lived in now.  French toast made with the yummiest brioche, homemade ricotta and fresh berries were so delicious...

The table setting on the deck was beautiful in my favourite colour scheme of course... blue and white!  How can you go wrong?  So summery...

O+A recently put their vintage scalloped mirrors up in their entrance way... I love the way it all looks!

I had fun wrapping our Christmas gifts for A+O in this bright turquoise patterned paper... the pattern reminds me of David Hicks wallpaper...  I hope they like what's inside too!  

It was the loveliest start to Sunday and a much needed break from working at the office all weekend to hit today's project deadline.  I felt refreshed and recharged.  Thanks again A+O!

Sunshine Beach and the Australian PGA

We have just arrived home after spending our first weekend at the beach since the end of winter... and it was divine!  James bought tickets to attend the PGA at Coolum and organised for us to stay at Sunshine Beach just south of Noosa.  I love the fact that Sunshine Beach is much more tranquil and tucked away than the busy Hastings Street stretch Noosa is known for.  The perfectly hot Queensland summer weather is definitely upon us.  This is how we spent most of our time...

This is the view from the top of the beach...

The water felt amazing...

We spent a lot of time looking at this view...

And of course some time watching these amazing golf players.  There were so many people at the Hyatt Regency Coolum!  It was really hot walking around the course so we found a shady spot for a bit of lunch with a good view of all the players coming in.  This is Robert Allenby on the 18th green just before the playoff.  Greg Chalmers won the championship...

I stopped in at Montville on our way back to Brisbane today.  I have always loved this cafe called the Poet's Corner.  The food is ok but the setting is what is amazing, amongst lush hinterland greenery overlooking the Sunshine Coast stretching way out below.  It's usually packed with people on weekends but it was lovely and tranquil on a Monday afternoon.

Back to work tomorrow but looking forwards to many more summer weekends just like this one!

Peony Season

This weekend has been the first one in a long time we could both enjoy without deadlines looming large.  We took advantage of every moment to catch up with friends and family.  The day started with a morning run along the river with a couple of friends from work followed by brunch.  We then headed out to enjoy barefoot bowls under sunny skies and invited friends over for afternoon drinks.  Homemade lemonade is always a favourite.  James bought me beautiful pink peonies.  They are so luxurious to have as the season is so short.  I wish they were always available!

Spring Weather

I can't believe it's already near the end of September but I am glad for all the warm weather.  Summer definitely feels like it's just around the corner.  This weekend we went out for brunch by the river at Bulimba and a wander through the Powerhouse farmers' markets where I picked up fruit and flowers.  James and I then strolled across to South Bank where we found a tranquil comfortable spot overlooking gardens and the water to while away the afternoon with cold glasses of Campari and soda and a chance for me to catch up on the latest issue of Vogue.  Clear blue skies, sunshine and water must be one of the most mood enhancing combinations, I wish I could always enjoy these kind of days as we did on Saturday. Here are a few snippets from around the apartment this weekend including market flowers in some old jam jars, our vintage sunburst clock in its new spot above the bamboo desk and my new straw hat I purchased at South Bank for a steal sitting happily at the entry.