Fill in the blank friday!

It’s Fill in the blank Friday over at the little things we do, so i thought i’d play along!

1.   Fridays are : for fun, frolicking and food.

2. My husband, my family, my friends and my cat make me terribly happy. As does chocolate.

3.  Something that inspires me is the ANZACS. This coming Monday is  ANZAC Day – you’ll find me at the Dawn Service, paying tribute to the brave Australians & New Zealanders who died keeping our shores safe.

4.  If I had the day off today I would…well i do have the day off! I’m spending it with the Mr, doing chores and getting ready for Easter tomorrow.

5.  If I had to put a label on my home decor style, I would say my style is vintage and eclectic. Our house definitely reflects my style over the Mr’s. It’s quite bright and feminine with lots of books, vintage ornaments and photos.

6.  Concerning politics I would say I’m pretty disappointed by our current Prime Minister. The opposition is even worse though, so what can you do?

7. I’d like to go to Europe so I could see the sights. Must do that in the next few years!

I hope you’re having a lovely Easter weekend! ♥

Have you met Clare?

Clare of Clare Metcalf Photography is a dear friend of mine, who happens to be a fabulous photographer in Melbourne, Australia. Her unique style is natural and fresh, and always captures the essence of the event or subject.

 

Not only is she talented, but she is also incredibly versatile – she can switch from wedding photography to children’s photography in a flash (Pun intended).

A few months ago i posted some photos from our wedding – Clare flew to Tasmania to be one of our witnesses and photograph our day. You can see the blog post Here.

Visit Clare’s Blog or “like” her Facebook Page to stay up to date with her latest work !

♥

I am not a domestic goddess

I had Vine-Ripened Tomato with Baby Spinach & Feta Soup for dinner. It was delicious. Thick, full of flavour and just the right amount of chunks 🙂

It came from a carton.

Did you just faint?

That’s right, a carton 😛

You see, as much as i love to cook, sometime i just can’t be bothered. I felt somewhat fraudulent mincing about the Blogosphere full of amazing home-cooks and their amazing creations, and then there’s me who busts out the occasional moment of deliciousness.

And then i got over it. This isn’t a food blog, it’s a life blog…and sometimes i create share-worthy meals and share them. I love food, love reading about it, cooking it, eating it, photographing it. I have a ridiculously large collection of recipe books. But i’m not going to even attempt to create the facade of perfection…because that’s just not me. Give me real life any day!

I feel like i’m starting to find my feet in this cyber world of Blogs. The Fancy Flea has been around for 4 months now, and in that time i’ve almost walked away countless times. But along the way i’ve been propped up by complete strangers who took the time to comment on my post, and “met” some truly lovely people who i’d love to someday meet. I’ve been blinded by shiny pretty things, inspired by creative genius and had a glimpse of the lives of people on the other side of the world.

I feel secure in myself.

Well…that went in a totally different direction than i thought it would! Check out Donna Hay’s Roasted Pumpkin Soup , you won’t be disappointed ♥

A favourite…

I took this photo about 6 weeks ago when i was home – this is my second family and i love them to bits. We had a very impromptu “sesh”, and this is one of my most favourite photos that i’ve ever taken.

It shows a moment in time. A perfectly imperfect moment in time. This is how i think a family portrait should be!

I also wanted to say thank you SO much to everyone who shared their hints and tricks in flea elimination. I’ll get rid of those suckers if it’s the last thing i do! 😛 xx

…And then the cat got fleas.

I picked the wrong week to go AWOL. My darling friend Katie from Chicken Noodle Gravy featured little ol’ me on her lovely blog! You can read the post Here 😀

Katie is a total wordsmith, the way she writes is so…melodic. Her words just flow. And her words about me made me cry happy tears! Thank you Katie, it means the world to me that you think so highly of me and my photography ♥

I haven’t posted in a couple of days, i think i’ve been in a slump. I get that way sometimes, i’m kind of a diva 😛 This is what i’ve been up to…

Sweet potato, asparagus & portobello mushroom risotto

Thats me in a wheel. Its just the way i roll.

 

A glass of red at dusk. Nice.

 I’ve also discovered a new TV show. It’s called Leverage. Have you seen it? I’ve been watching it online.

We also had a rental inspection by the real estate. I went mental cleaning and tidying, but they barely checked anything and then told me it was the most nicely furnished/decorated place on their books. Naturally the oven died the next day!

And last but not least, the cat had fleas. I never thought i would find it so embarrassing, but it seems to be on par with how you’d feel if your kid came home from school with headlice. You know it’s normal, you know it can happen even if your house and kid/furkid is clean…..but it’s just so gross!

So we’ve been madly washing sheets and cushions and vacuuming and accosted the cat with an assortment of flea products in a frenzy of flea elimination. I’d love to hear any handy hints or tricks you may wish to share!

The Mr now thinks the name of this blog is hilarious *cue eye roll from me* 😛

I hope you’re having a lovely weekend, and don’t forget to drop in and say hi to Katie at Chicken Noodle Gravy xx

Bloom Bloom

Yesterday i had fun playing around with my macro tubes, doing super close ups of some flowers. I love that if you get it close enough, it’s almost unrecognisable as a flower and makes you take a second look 🙂

These little darlings are so tiny and dainty ♥

Macro tubes are so much fun! You can get good expensive ones, or really inexpensive ones from ebay to play with, which is what i did 🙂

Picnic @ Peacock Park

Yesterday the Mr & I went on a little expedition  to the Lake a little way out of town. It has a huge fenced park nearby, where peacocks roam free!

I packed a delicious lunch of chicken sandwiches, cheese, fruit and a few little treats. And we drank raspberry lemonade. It was delicious.

The peacocks were very interested in our lunch…but there’s something not quite right about a peacock wanting chicken sandwiches…..it’d be like eating your cousin!

We ate passionfruit and figs and oranges too.

Isn’t he handsome? I love that man.

After lunch, the Mr had a little siesta

And i wandered the park, getting back to nature

Isn't it gorgeous?

On the way home we had Sugarland up loud and car-danced all the way home 🙂

I live for perfect days like these ♥

Butterscotch and the letter L

Good morning! How are you this fine Saturday morning? I was supposed to get up early and go with the Mr to a garage sale….but i slept in. And then the Mr & I were supposed to go to the gym bright and early…but i slept in.

I suppose karma bit me in the backside as i had dreams of a purple bird stabbing me, and then Kris Jenner (The Kardashian Mum) yelling at me for making them late for an event….hrmmm….

I have some pretty vintage things to show off! Check out this old tin, isn’t it cute? Perfect for filling up with secrets ♥

I’m not sure that i’ve mentioned this before, but my name isn’t…flea. It’s Lauren. Which is why i had to have this cute vintage letter L!

It doesn’t really show, but L is actually made of tiny shards of black glass. So pretty!

And speaking of the letter L, have you met The Pink Leopard?

The Pink Leopard is an heroic, moral cat with pink fur and the manners of an English aristocrat. She only becomes flustered or angry at obtuse or offensive humans who try to disrupt her existence, or at troublesome gadgets, rodents, or insects. In most of her life, she stumbles into a difficult situation and stoically endeavours to make the best of it. All the while cooking.

Miss T is wonderful, be sure to pop over and say hello!

When I was a teenager…

…I was in awe of my parents cocktail cabinet. For the “exotic” liquers, for the alluring colours of Midori and the like, but mostly because it always seemed so full. Didn’t they ever drink it? Did they just restock it all the time when i wasn’t looking?

My teenage self couldn’t get over the fact that there were half-full bottles in there. Why didn’t they drink it in one go like my friends and I did with our vodka cruisers? How could they stand it!?

Which brings me to my current day self. There are half-full bottles of things in my cupboard. And on top of my fridge. And in my fridge. How can i stand it?

*Yes Mum, i remember the time i got into the Midori when you were on holidays. You made me pay for a new bottle. 😛

**First two pictures courtesy of Weheartit

***Last photo is me boozing it up 😉

****It’s Thirsty Thursday on FTLOB 😀

For Katie ♥

So the Mr used all the eggs. We had like, two cartons last time i checked, and today when i was about to get stuck into a day of baking………………no eggs to be found. Argh!

So instead, i’m going to do a post for Katie at Chicken Noodle Gravy (if you haven’t visited her page, do yourself a favour 😉 ) because i found out she collects copies of Black Beauty!

I found this one in a second hand bookstore for 50 cents. Isn’t it gorgeous?

This is the best bit, i think. How lovely is the handwriting! Lucky Tony 🙂

 Katie, I hope you had a most excellent birthday and that all your wishes come true xoxo