Photos from Sydney

Apologies that it is well over a week since we returned from the beautiful city of Sydney and I have not till now shared our photographs with you. Here are quite a few to make up for lost time!

We had the most fabulous time there and look - the sun shone for us too! The eagle eyed amongst you will see that the dearest, darling daughter has had an image change and gone brunette whilst she has been in Australia. I have to admit that it was quite a shock to begin with but now I rather like it. Oh, and there is also the small addition of a nose piercing that I was not so 'cool' about - in fact I burst into tears. Yes, I know I am rather silly at times but I guess it could have been worse. (Just letting you know that all is not always a bed of roses in the Semi Expat household as may be depicted via the blog world) .....

No matter... back to our weekend. A very happy Semi Expat basking in the sunshine outside the cafe at the Museum of Modern Art in Sydney.

And on the ferry over to Manly Beach.

The iconic landmark, the Opera House .... one photograph with a very happy and smiling daughter!

Getting ready in our lovely 'marble-ized' bathroom at the hotel.

The view from the window where we had dinner.

As you can see from the shopping bags we also had some time for a little sale retail therapy too!

Quite a bit actually!

Photo above taken for us by obliging security guard at the Opera House... wonder how many times a day he gets asked we wondered!


So there we are... a selection of photographs for you. Today I am rather sad as I say goodbye to the dearest one. She flies back to UK tonight so we are off to spend the last day in Melbourne together...

Off for a mother and daughter weekend

And this is where we are going..... Leaving very early tomorrow morning - on an 8am flight.

We are so excited - we have each packed a 'capsule wardrobe' for a little sightseeing, browsing/shopping and outfits for a Saturday evening in this beautiful city. I can hardly wait. This is a first for my daughter - she has never been to Sydney before and I am delighted to be able to share this with her - I have been a few times but don't know the city all that well so it will be fun to discover new places as well as going to see the iconic landmarks again. I could never tire of the Sydney Opera House for example.

We will be sure to take lots of photos for a few posts next week......
A wonderful weekend to all whatever you may be doing and wherever you are.

New Boots (and a date)

I have to say it does seem a little strange at times that all my lovely, fellow bloggers in the Northern Hemisphere are delighting in signs of Spring this week ........
whilst here in the Southern Hemisphere we are about to welcome Autumn - saw some lovely acorns just the other day actually, not quite as advanced as these but nonetheless acorns... (and silly me, I didn't think they had Oak trees here in Australia!) It certainly felt a little chilly here in Melbourne today - very 'boots and tights' weather so I think it is about time that I showed you.....

MY NEW SUEDE BOOTS....

They can be worn with the 'cuffs' down - rather 'Pirate Stylie' as in the photograph above or....

with the 'cuffs' up - a little Dick Whittington, Puss-In-Boots style!! For the purpose of the photograph I did hold my dress a little higher so you could see the boots... (I don't usually go round in quite as short an oufit!) And I am thinking... leggings and a tunic top would be good with them or straight (skinny-ish) jeans too. What do you think?

Also, I have to report that Mr SE has invited me on a 24 hour 'date' !

He texted me this afternoon whilst I was at work at MA MAISON (lots of new goodies in btw, will do a post about them later this week) to say that he has to go to Sydney tomorrow, returning Friday. Did I want to go too... oh, and that he is staying at the 'Four Seasons' hotel?!!

Think this is rather as they say, a 'no-brainer' and so as soon as I have pressed 'Publish Post' here I am going to pack a few things, including the new boots...... Hope it is cool-'ish' in Sydney!!

Back from Sydney

Returned back this afternoon after a lovely time in Sydney. We stayed at a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast place in Woollahra called Kathryns. It's situated on Queen Street and the whole road is full of lovely little shops... Click HERE for more information about the B & B.

Front door - gorgeous tessellated antique tiles on the front porch...

Looking through into the hallway. Chinoiserie wallpaper and chequered black and white flooring... (sorry this photo not brilliant quality though).

My bedroom... the bed was amazingly comfortable - antique white linen and squishy pillows - I slept ' like a log'.

Little writing desk in my bedroom.

And so cute - a tiny balcony leading from the room.

The bathroom. Black and white.

With a shot of colour with the fuchsia pink petunias in the window box.

Such a pretty flower shop on Queen Street.

Flower displays spilling out on to the pavement and arranged outside the shop.










And this was the most FANTASTIC antique shop....

A view through the front door.. wonderful armoire.

And a view out through the the back of the shop.

Antique stone ware, pots, garden furniture and big generous shrubs.

The area we stayed was so delightful - lovely little breakfast cafes and restaurants too... We had a good session at the InStyle Gift Fair taking in all the stands and exhibits at least twice - and I made sure that I took notice of the lovely stand Bianca Lorenne as described by Claire at HAVEN HOME blog... (do check her out - just great)......

All in all a wonderful weekend. Do hope yours was too.

Thinking of Easter bunnies ....

Yesterday at Ma Maison we were preparing the Easter window display.... Cute 'moss' bunnies all waiting their turn above....

some had to have their little bows put on them and then

hop into the window along with some egg candles.

Another shot taken through the shop window... do think that they all look rather sweet. Will post a full picture of the window when it is completed.

I am off to Sydney later on today for a couple of nights attending a gift fair - am really looking forward to it and will take some photographs (although do not think I will be able to take them inside the fair unfortunately)...

However, we are staying at the most gorgeous place which I think you will like and I will take plenty of photographs there. I'm not sure about Internet connection though so I may be 'off the air' for few days... Normal service will recommence just as soon as possible!

Meanwhile wishing you all a wonderful weekend wherever you may be ........

How could I forgot - the most Iconic One!

Could not possibly miss out this wonderful landmark .............

Friday and tomorrow I am off to Sydney pour le weekend!

Wonderful feeling - Friday evening ..... have finished my stint (3 weeks and 1 day) working in Peony and although I have enjoyed every minute (well almost every minute - some were a bit nerve-wracking) I am pleased to hand back the reins to their rightful owner who is on her way back from Paris as I type! Phew! - Made it ! And this evening I have had such a lovely evening on the COMPUTER most of the evening as MIL and Mr SE are NOT IN .... They are their way (by car) to Sydney having left first thing this morning - they are taking the coast road and I am 'taking the high road' - literally - by plane tomorrow.

I do love Sydney (but not as much as my adopted home city of Melbourne) - and particularly love the harbour and going across to Watson's Bay on the ferry - hopefully we will have time to do that....

And...... roll of drums..... for my last photograph of 'what I wore in the shop......' - Black waisted scoop neck dress bought in Australia last year (no name on the label - sorry - just two little pink elephants on label holding trunks) but it has an 'up and down hem' - bit quirky - I love it - surprised MIL did not comment my hem wasn't straight actually!! And, black suede flat slouchy (sp?) boots from Zoe Wittner (Australian make too).... Bone circle necklace from Indigo in UK and horn bracelet bought AGES ago from a little shop in Lewes in Sussex.

Am back from Sydney on Monday evening - will take some photographs to post early next week - so I guess I have made up my mind - I will carry on blogging (thanks Struggler!).....

Great and happy weekend to ALL......