August 2026

What’s Up Wednesday:August 2026

5 Comments / Family Life, Home, What's Up Wednesday

Hi friends! It’s time to link up with Shay for the August edition of What’s Up Wednesday. Here’s a little peek at what we’ve been up to during August. Thanks so much for stopping by! WHAT WE’RE EATING Some days, knowing what we’re eating is a mystery until I decide what I can make as I walk home from work. A big appetite after a busy work day is very motivating! For the last couple of weeks, I’ve kind of had a rhythm going and have been making a few meals on repeat. This week I’m still rolling with this rhythm, so our menu looks like this. Monday Pot roast, which I actually made on the weekend, and we had leftovers until Monday night. We love leftovers. Tuesday Chilli con carne. This time I served it over half a purple sweet potato, sprinkled with cheese and coriander, with a dollop of sour cream and roast capsicum on the side because I forgot to chop it up and add it to the chilli. Wednesday Chicken, snow peas and cashews with rice. You can only see one lonely snow pea in the pic, but I promise there were more buried under the chicken. Thursday Chickpea and silverbeet casserole. My younger son is keen to try more meatless meals as he’s thinking of becoming a vegan. But the good egg has said that’s a long-term goal for when he moves out, as he knows that cooking vegan would be a big ask for his meat-loving family. I guess if he does decide to go vegan, I won’t be able to call him a good egg, will I? But good tofu doesn’t quite hit the same. He’s got plenty of time to work out the vegan thing — I’m certainly not in any rush for him to move out! Friday Meatballs made with turkey mince and a mushroom gravy. We’ll serve these with mashed potato and veggies. WHAT I’M LOVING Sitting in the courtyard after work on warmer days and enjoying a cup of tea without worrying (sort of worrying) about the neighbours seeing me from their two-storey house next door. I think I’m going to go to IKEA soon to get a sun umbrella for spring. It will look nice out there, and it will help me feel less self-conscious. It probably sounds a bit silly to be like this, but that’s where I am, I guess. August is the countdown to spring, and even though it’s still cool, I know that it’s only weeks before we hit my favourite time of the year. As always, I love my walks to and from work, especially when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. I’m loving the spring flowers that are starting to pop up. These flowers sleep all winter and then, one week before spring, boom—they bloom! They’re right outside our house as I walk in, and I was sure they weren’t open when I left home in the morning earlier this week. They probably were, and I just didn’t see them as I dashed by on the way to work. Anyway, it was so nice to see them in the afternoon when I got home, because do you know what they mean? Yep, spring is coming! Yay!! WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO On a sunny winter’s day in early August, I went to look for the GreenWay, which I can’t wait to explore in the spring school holidays. By the time I found it, it was starting to get late and, with no daylight saving, I didn’t have long until it got dark. So I pretty much found the GreenWay, snapped a couple of pics, then turned around and went home. It was good for shaking off the funk I was feeling that day. We went reminiscing with Steve for the 150-year celebration of his primary school, spending most of the day at the fair they organised to mark the milestone. Haha, we enjoyed the day and the funny stories that went with it. Steve celebrated his birthday in August with a low-key dinner, just the four of us. My eldest son came over, minus his partner, as she works all sorts of hours and couldn’t make it. I made chicken schnitzel, salad, cheesy baked potato and rice because everyone loves rice. Double carbs is a winning combo! Instead of a cake, we did what we did for my birthday and went to a local cake shop and picked out a selection of sweets. Hehe, I like the card we found for him.   WHAT I’M DREADING Nothing, thankfully. Phew! WHAT I’M WATCHING Call the Midwife! I’d watched an episode here and there over the years, and I remember my lovely mum used to watch it, but I never got into it. It’s streaming on Stan over here, and I decided to give it a go. Well, now I can see why it’s made it to 15 seasons — it’s brilliant! I’m up to season 3, and every night Steve comes home (when he finishes before 1 am) and finds me watching. Initially, he wasn’t keen to join me for an episode because, you know… childbirth scenes. But one night he got home around 10ish and was too tired to move off the couch, so he joined me. Now he loves it too. He closes his eyes during the childbirth scenes, though, haha! I’m loving Call the Midwife so much that I said to him last night that I’m happy to rewatch seasons 1 and 2 with him so he can catch up. That way he’ll know who’s who and what’s happened, and I won’t have to keep stopping to explain! WHAT I’M LISTENING TO Big emotions in the playground! I’m typing this during my lunch break, and the weather today is bleh, which might account for why I can hear so many kids in the playground sounding less than happy. Why can’t we have world peace? WHAT I’M

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Winter Outfit Ideas for Going Out: What I Wear

6 Comments / Fashion Files, Home

Working as an early childhood educator means my wardrobe has to be comfortable and washable. I need to be able to sit on the floor and get up again without offending anyone. And I definitely don’t want to be devastated if I get paint, playdough, or, God forbid, something else on my clothes. So I have a minimal winter capsule wardrobe and a summer one. For work, I basically rotate between two or three outfits and wear pretty much the same things on repeat every day. But I love clothes! I love finding a great piece, putting outfits together, mixing and matching what I already have and getting inspiration from Instagram. And when I do have somewhere nice to go, choosing what I’m going to wear is half the fun. So, let’s talk fashion. We’re at the tail end of winter here in Australia, and even though it’s been a mild one (thank goodness), I’m still reaching for my winter layers. So I thought I’d share some winter outfit ideas I’ve put together from my wardrobe for those times when I have somewhere nice to go. It’s nice to wear something other than work clothes, don’t you agree? Winter Outfit Ideas A Really Nice Lunch I love this outfit for a long lunch. The gold blouse makes it feel a little special, while the tailored pants and loafers tone it down a little, so it’s dressy without feeling too dressy. Dinner Out For dinner out, I’d go for something a little more dressed up. The flippy detail on the skirt makes the dress feel fun as well as dressy, and I love the way it moves when you walk. The black suede pumps are a classic, and surprisingly, they’re really comfortable too. A Winter Day Trip For a winter day trip, I’d keep things comfortable but still put together. I like the mix of the cosy knit, short trench and white sneakers, and these loose straight-leg jeans from Uniqlo are such a winner! Perfect for a day of walking around and exploring. A Night Out This is currently my favourite outfit for a night out, and it’s actually what I’m wearing on Friday. I love the combination of the tailored pants and cropped jacket. A Day Shopping in the City For shopping in the city, I want to be warm and comfortable, and this feels just right. I love the chunky boots with the black coat   So those are a few of my winter outfit ideas. Now I just need to get out of hibernation and give myself a few more reasons to dress up!

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Hurstville Public School 150th Anniversary

7 Comments / Friday Favourites, Home

Hey there, friends! I hope you all had an amazing week! I’ve been all over the place with blogging lately. I haven’t really been posting regularly or following any kind of schedule or pattern. But I’m glad to be back today to link up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favourites. I joined the Share Our Lives link-up on Monday and chatted all about my favourite current music, so I didn’t do my weekend recap. I thought I’d do that today and share what we got up to last Saturday. Last Saturday was the 150th anniversary of Hurstville Public School, and to celebrate, they had a big fair. My husband went to Hurstville Public School, so we were excited to go along with our son and his girlfriend and see the place where so many of his childhood adventures took place. Over the years, we’ve heard plenty of stories about his school days, and some of them have become family favourites that we still tease him about. I’ll just say that he was more mischievous back then than he is now. Our sons find this particularly hilarious because anyone who knows him today would probably describe him as a bit of a goody-two-shoes! But we know better. Haha! First stop was the school hall, where they had all the school memorabilia on display. When we spotted the naughty book with all the students’ names who had been given detention, you should have seen Steve’s face! Luckily for him, the last entry was 1966 — way before his time. I’m guessing they must have had another system by the time he was at school. There were quite a few food trucks, and the smells made us hungry, so we stopped for an early lunch. Then wandered around all the stalls. We checked out the grounds and saw one of the original buildings. I think there are quite a few original buildings, along with some newer additions, but they were all blocked off. Seeing this building made me wonder what it must have been like 150 years ago. There must have been so much open land around back then, and it’s so different now with all the high-rise apartments in the area. We live about a seven-minute walk from the school, and I’d never actually been inside the grounds, so I was surprised by how big it was. Spotted a few vintage cars they had on display. Saw the ponies. We sat down for a while to watch the current students perform dances and play in the bands. Before we knew it, we’d been there for hours and decided it was time to head home. On the way out, Steve bumped into a friend he didn’t even know had been in the same Year 6 class as him at Hurstville Public School. Oh my goodness, we were in stitches hearing all his stories! I won’t go into detail, but they involved the principal, the cane, his mum at the principal’s office, and then having to face his dad when he got home. And it was all over footy cards! I mean, it sure must have been traumatic for him at the time. But on this day, hearing him tell us the story, we were all laughing so hard. Poor guy! Sounds like school was way stricter back then. Do you think so too? Anyway, it was a fun way to spend last Saturday. Reminiscing and laughing about school days. Time goes way too fast, doesn’t it? Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Friday 😊

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My Favourite Current Music

8 Comments / Family Life, Home

When I saw that this week’s link-up was all about favourite current music, I initially thought, hmmm… Oh, I don’t really have a favourite type of music. And as far as what I’m currently listening to, well, it really depends on my mood. I’m a mood-listener kind of gal. I go with my mood. What I listen to can change completely depending on where I am, what I’m doing, and whether I need calming down or cheering up. And all of that can change in the space of one day! Maybe I’m like the weather – changeable. So here is a little look at what’s currently playing on the soundtrack of my life. Calm and Chill When I’m home alone, I love putting on something chilled-out. It could be ambient, lo-fi, jazz or anything calming. I listen to it on TV through YouTube Music, and the bonus is that it comes with a beautiful scene. So I can choose whether I want to be in a swanky New York apartment, a cosy coffee shop or a little cottage somewhere in the countryside. And I don’t have to leave home. I love having it playing in the background while I’m getting on with chores around the house, cooking or having a cup of tea. I can also pretend I’m in one of those calm Nordic slow-living YouTube videos. My husband, however, absolutely cannot stand it. To him, this music is total auditory torture. Whenever he hears it, he practically has a seizure. So I tend to save it for when he’s not home. When I Need a Pick-Me-Up: Latin Music When I need some energy, give me some upbeat Latin music, and I can usually shake off a funk (usually). Latin music makes it almost impossible to sit still. The beat is too contagious and, as Gloria Estefan says, the rhythm is gonna get you! 80s Music Will Always Have My Heart And then there’s the 80s. No matter how much new music comes along, the 80s will always have a very special place in my heart. I especially love the new wave era — Duran Duran, OMD, Talking Heads, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, The Cure, New Order and Depeche Mode. These are the songs that can come on, and boom, instantly transport me back to my teens. That’s one of the best things about music, isn’t it? One song can take you straight back to a particular time in your life. I am 100% convinced that the 80s was the best decade EVER! When I Want to Travel Without Leaving Home I also have playlists for my trips to the USA and Japan, and I love putting them on when I feel like reminiscing. USA: A Bar Song (Tipsy), Counting Stars, Blinding Lights, A Sky Full of Stars, Alive, Heaven is a Place on Earth, Walking on a Dream, Titanium Japan: Tokyo Drift, Blue Monday, Just Can’t Get Enough, Smalltown Boy, Hit That Perfect Beat I used these songs as the soundtrack to the videos I made of the trips, so I think that’s why I associate them so strongly with those holidays. Whenever I put these playlists on, bam! I’m back on that road trip through Utah or walking around busy Tokyo. There was actually a time when I couldn’t listen to these songs because I had the post-trip blues so badly, especially after the US trip. I’d hear one of them and actually start crying. Dramatic? Maybe. But I really loved that trip! I’m OK now, though, and can listen to them without crying. Haha! And Then There’s Preschool Music… Last year I discovered Stephanie Leavell, and she is an absolute godsend with a voice that will calm a room full of wild preschoolers. Her voice is so beautiful and soothing, so any educators out there, take note! She’s on Spotify, and I kid you not, she saves my sanity weekly. Sometimes the children are behaving like they have been playing in a windy playground for six hours. Everyone is talking. Everyone is moving. Someone is calling out. Someone is poking someone Someone else is running around. I play Stephanie Leavell and… calm. So, What’s My Favourite Current Music? Well, I’m not sure I have one. I have chill music when I want peace, Latin music when I need a lift, 80s new wave because it will always have my heart, travel playlists when I want to revisit some wonderful memories, and Stephanie Leavell when I need to restore order to a room full of… ahem… excited children. I think that pretty much sums up what I’m listening to. And it all depends on my mood. Linking up with Adrienne, Dara, Joanne and Jen  

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Hello Monday

9 Comments / Home, Home Decor

Happy Monday! Time to link up with Holly and Sarah for a weekend recap. Thanks so much for stopping by! A Slow Saturday at Home I had such a lovely, slow Saturday at home. It started with avocado on the best rye and wholemeal bread. I have to say, this was so much nicer than the rye bread I bought a while ago. Rye can be a little bitter, so when Steve brought this one home from the fruit shop, I thought, “Ugh, now we have to eat a whole loaf of bitter bread.” But I was wrong. The wholemeal mixed through made it much nicer, and I’ll definitely be getting this one again. I spent some time folding laundry. Not piles and piles, though, because I’m winning with my laundry routine at the moment! But let’s not talk about my meal planning routine. I had YouTube playing on the iPad with videos of cosy homes in Nordic countries. I find them so calming. I love the background music, the minimal-style homes and all the little ASMR moments. My favourite is probably the sound of opening packets. Is that weird? Oh well, maybe it is, but I find those everyday sounds so satisfying. Movie Afternoon In the afternoon, we watched The Castle. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to watch this movie. It never really appealed to me when it first came out way back in 1997. The humour is so Australian, and it’s funny realising how many phrases from the movie have just become part of everyday conversation here, like “Tell him he’s dreaming”. People say that all the time, and I had no idea how much the movie helped make it famous. We also spotted a very young Eric Bana. The Castle was clearly way before he hit the Hollywood big time! Maybe now is the time to finally watch Crocodile Dundee. Another classic Australian movie that I’ve never seen! After Steve left for work, I scrolled through Netflix for far too long trying to find something to watch. I started about three different shows and one movie, but none of them grabbed me, so I gave up and looked at fashion inspo on Stylebook instead. You know what? Next time I’m going to read a book. I used to read all the time, and now I don’t! Sunday Adventure Then Sunday arrived I’ve been getting the Sunday scaries a little lately. Ugh! You know when your mind keeps jumping ahead to Monday? Then the next week, and oh my goodness, I’ve got to do this and this and…… Last Sunday afternoon I couldn’t switch off those scaries, and I felt bleh. So this Sunday I decided I wanted to do something different. Walking is one of my favourite ways to clear my mind. I love that I can do it by myself, at my own pace, and listen to music. I love looking at gardens, trees, the sky and people’s homes as I walk past. Usually I’m just walking to work and back, so I thought it would be nice to change things up and explore somewhere different. The sun was shining, and even though it was cold, it was a beautiful Sunday. Perfect for exploring the GreenWay. A Quick Explore of the GreenWay I first heard about the GreenWay on Sydney Weekender, and the little bit they showed looked really interesting. But getting there was more complicated than I expected, and Google sent me on a trip around the world to get there. After Steve went to work, I left home at 2 pm and wanted to make sure I was back before it got dark. The plan was to take the train to Sydenham, then the bus to Dulwich Hill. But after I got off the bus, I kind of got lost. I found myself walking down a laneway that looked a little sketchy, and I thought, “Great, this is where I get mugged.” Thankfully, I had told Steve where I was going. At least he would know where to find my remains. I came across a lovely older couple and asked them for directions. They pointed me in the right direction, so I backtracked and finally found the signs for the GreenWay. It was a lot further from where the bus had dropped me off than I expected, and hardly anyone was around. After a fast-paced 20-minute walk, I found it. Phew! I was also glad to see a few people around enjoying the day. I took some photos and decided this was definitely somewhere I wanted to come back and explore properly. What I didn’t know at the time, and only discovered today after talking to a work colleague about my adventure, was just how massive it actually is! She told me it’s a walking and cycling path through Sydney’s Inner West, with parks, bushland and different neighbourhoods along the way. NEIGHBOURHOODS! So now I’m planning a proper explore for the spring school holidays in eight weeks (who’s counting!). Sunday Night Pizza and a New Show On the way home, I was so happy to see that It’s getting darker just a tiny bit later now, and that is a huge mood lifter. Can you tell by now I don’t love winter? I stopped at Woolworths to pick up a couple of things. And in usual style, I left with a bag full of groceries. Once I got home, I made what is becoming our Sunday night tradition: homemade pizza. I’m using a cauliflower pizza base from the supermarket (for a little less guilt) and added a whole lot of tasty toppings like bocconcini, cooked turkey mince, salami, olives, mushrooms and capsicum, it was great! With a little rocket, walnut and goat cheese salad on the side, it was a perfect Sunday night dinner. Then it was time to find something to watch. I wrote the other day that I thought I didn’t like period dramas, and yet here I

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