Father’s Day gift ideas…

I have 3 wonderful men in my life I buy for come Father’s Day… My own wonderful Father, my loving and caring Father in Law and of course the incredible man I married and the Father of my children. Each of them different and all 3 are very hard to buy for. I have been having a look around for some ideas and thought you might like some ideas too…

1. Sterling silver collar stays | 2. No. 1 Dad card | 3. Shoe shine kit | 4. Hankerchiefs | 5. Classic panama hat | 6. Flash Boy by Michael Lewis | 7. Anchor memory book | 8. Tiffany and Co. T-clip ballpoint pen | 9. Digital meat thermometer | 10. Leather passport cover | 11. Wheelmen by Reed Albergotti & Vanessa O’Connell

Have you got Father’s Day sorted? Care to share?…. I need all the help I can get.

Jx

My Dad…

I am blessed in life to have such a wonderful Father…

My Dad…is a wonderful role model…because of him I knew what qualities to look for in my Husband and the qualities I hope to impart on my Son.

My Dad…is wonderful, kind, supportive, compassionate, patient, slow to anger, loving, not afraid to show affection, understanding, a great confidant, smart, a people person, professional, a perfectionist, successful, a man’s man, a snazzy dancer and loves a good party. He has an unbelievable work ethic and a terrific thirst for knowledge…

My Dad…always told us…if a job’s worth doing…it’s worth doing well!

My Dad (and Mum too)…have sacrificed so many things for themselves to ensure we (my sister and me) need and want for nothing. They have worked their tails off so they could give us the best in life.

My Dad…has allowed me to make mistakes so I could learn from them and has always been there to help me through the good and the bad. He has driven hundreds and hundreds of kilometres taking us to school and back, taken us to country parties, moved us from house to house (so many times between my sister and me I hate to think)…

My Dad and little Sis

My Dad…agreed to give my hand in marriage to my wonderful Husband…whom I would be lost without. Dad recognised my love for N and his for me and support us through everything we do together as a couple. In his beautiful and moving speech at our Wedding he gave us some words of wisdom…those words were…”There are books written on marriage, but it is very hard to give advice, as each person is an individual with a unique personality. The only thing I know is, that like a business, you have to work hard at making a marriage work. There will be times of great joy and sadness, but like any relationship there are give and take rules. Above all, be loyal, love, respect and give space to each other”…

Image: Craven Images

My Dad…is a wonderful, doting Grandfather. When I gave birth to my Son I was most excited to ring Dad to tell him he finally has a Jackaroo. I look forward to all the fun times and little gems of wisdom he will pass on to his Grandson…

My Dad…is a remarkable man. I struck it lucky to get him as my Father, my mentor and my first Hero.

Dad…I love you… Jx

Father’s Day Gift Ideas…

With Father’s Day around the corner I need to pull my finger out and get something sorted for N and our Father’s…

If the men in your life are anything like the ones in mine then they are incredibly hard to buy for!!!!

I have come up with some ideas I thought I would share with you…

A pair of engraved cufflinks from Koolaman Designs… a gorgeous and meaningful keepsake…

A subscription to his favourite magazine…

A new pair of PJ’s in preparation for Summer…

A tried and tested present… a book…

For my Husband…

For my Father…

For my Father in Law…

An Apple TV… to watch all your itunes movies, music and photos on your TV…

A gift voucher to a Men’s Salon for a session of pampering… if you’re in Sydney I recommend here…

A new gym or overnight bag… the Country Road ones are so colourful and versatile…

A Leatherman… for the handy man and wanna be handy man in your life…

In preparation for Summer… a Seafood BBQ Cooking Class…

An Aqua phone case to protect your iPhone to get those priceless underwater shots…

Happy Present hunting and I hope you find these ideas helpful… 

Jx

Family Holiday…Destination Fiji…

Bula!

Last month we were lucky enough to have a week in Fiji for our first family holiday. It was my first time to Fiji and it did not disappoint…from the moment we landed until the moment we left it was excellent!

The Fijian people were so hospitable and in our experience couldn’t do enough for you. We had heard all of this from friends and family and we found out very quickly just how lovely they are.

H was a big hit and it wasn’t long before he developed an attachment for two lovely ladies. He would look for them every morning and flirt with them to get their attention…

With or without children it’s a wonderful holiday destination. We can’t wait to hopefully go back one day.

Here are some photos from the trip…

All photos copyright Jessica Flett

Some of the real highlights of the trip were…

Seeing H enjoy exploring, he had only been walking for two week when we went away so he was loving his new found independence.

Being serenaded by the lovely island band… they went around to each table and sang a song just to them…when they got to us they sang… ‘Burning ring of fire’ by Mr Johnny Cash (a highly interesting coincidence in light of how many curries had been on offer over the last 2 days!!!)

This was not a highlight but was definitely memorable. The most embarrassing moment was after H’s dinner one night…for his dinner we would head down to the main bar and have a drink whilst feeding him dinner. The gorgeous staff would be setting up for dinner and would come over and say hi and have a chat. This one evening the gorgeous Va took H for a walk to say Hi to the guys in the kitchen and when he came back he was wrapped in a towel…unbeknown to us he had gone to the bathroom and had leaked all over the lovely Va. We were mortified and she was sooo good about it… Ah the joys of parenthood!!

Vanaka to everyone at Vomo Island Resort, especially Va, Mere, Maria, Maci, Henry, Vuli, Sarah, Shane, Maddi and Noah for making our stay so special. We hope to see you again.

I would love to hear about your first family holiday…where was it, did you enjoy it and would you go back there?

Jx

The ‘Uh Oh’…

The ‘Uh Oh’ is H’s new ‘word’. Everything is being dropped over the edge of highchairs, his cot, the neighbours fence and the back of the couch…

After every sleep I hear little chirping through the monitor followed by ‘Uh Oh’ on a loop cycle… I walk into his room to find both teddies and dummy on the floor and H standing in the cot smiling and pointing to said items saying ‘Uh Oh, Uh Oh, Uh Uh Oh’…

On Sunday he was a huge “help” to his Father in the garden. As N was pruning dead wood off a vine H was promptly pushing them through the boundary fence… thank you to our lovely neighbours for finding it endearing.

His latest exploit was to half eat a milk arrowroot, paint the windows and couch with his yummy biscuit then climb up onto the couch, stand at the back of it, look at me, then back to the job at hand where he promptly said ‘Uh Oh’ as he dropped the arrowroot down the back of the couch!!! CHEEKY LITTLE MONKEY!!!

I was on the phone to his Father where I took great delight in telling him what HIS son had done (he is always HIS son when he’s done something cheeky!!) We both had a giggle at how cheeky and cute it was…

When retrieving the biscuit I found his toy mobile and the DVD remote. Ladies and Gentlemen… we have a new hiding spot!!!

IT’S LUCKY HE’S SO CUTE!!

I know this is the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come but I am loving watching him explore and seeing his little personality develop and push his boundaries.

Have your kids/nieces/nephews/babysitting charges ever enjoyed the ‘Uh Oh’ and had hiding spots? I’d love to hear your stories…

Jx

Bath Time…

Bath time here is lots of fun. H loves his bath, especially when Daddy is home for it (Mummy is a huge fan of that too)…

Some of our essentials for bath time are…

Gaia body wash…visit their website here. We were given this in a gift pack and have used it from day one. I love the smell of it and it’s so gentle on H’s skin.

Johnson & Johnson No Tears Shampoo – the smell reminds us of when we were kids. We started using this when H was about 6 months old. My Mother gave me a gift pack to use when we went home to the farm (saving me from carting our supplies home). Once we smelt the shampoo that reminded us all of being children we continued to use it. When he was a newborn we used the Mustela foam shampoo for newborns and it was terrific. It is a foam so is really easy to use and is gentle on their skin… he never had a day of flaky scalp.

Eeni, Meeni, Miini, Moh hooded towel – H looks so cute in it. He has nearly grown out of it sadly but I’m thrilled he got as much use out of it as he did. You can find one here.

Bath toys. H loves his ducks and fish…for similar visit here

All images copyright Jessica Flett

Jx

P.S The dummy doesn’t always accompany H to the bath but just happened to this night…whatever works right!!??…

The Airport…Happy Homecomings…

Yesterday morning H and I went out to the airport to meet N off the plane…I was very excited to have him home.

I love the airport…whether you’re coming or going it is a hive of activity with such a sense of anticipation and excitement.

It was a zoo out there yesterday…I am told Sunday is their busiest day and in the early morning there are many flights coming in at the same time…this all added to the excitement…and frustration..imagine trying to contain a busy toddler who if you allowed to walk around would surely get squashed. There was lots of dancing on the spot, waving to strangers, chirping and singing.

I loved watching all the happy welcomes and the many tearful homecomings…I couldn’t help but well up a little myself at seeing these happy reunions. There were lots balloons and flowers and lots and lots of hugging, kissing and tears. The whole scene reminded me very much of the ending of Love Actually (This is one of my favourite movies of all times)…

I finally spotted N walking out and when he was close enough I was able to point him out to H…and well…to see both their faces light up brought tears to my eyes…it was so gorgeous. When he reached us H fairly leapt out of my arms into his Daddy’s arm…SO MUCH EXCITEMENT!!!

There were lots of cuddles and chats on the way home…and when H woke from his morning sleep and heard his Dad’s voice…the excitement all over again was so funny and LOUD!

Welcome home honey…we missed you!!

Jx

Happy Birthday & Happy Friday…

Hi All,

I hope you’ve had a good week…

I have been a single Mum this week as my darling Hubby is away for work…which sucks…especially as he’s celebrated his Birthday whilst being away.

Happy Birthday my darling man….marrying you is the best decision I have ever made!! You are a terrific father and we love you so very much! We can’t wait to celebrate with you when you get home…

Image copyright Jessica Flett

Here are some lovely links I thought you might like…

I’m loving the Eloquence Collection…such gorgeous furniture…

I love the green on this dining room table…

Neon…

I love this bathroom renovation…

Magnifique Marion…

On my wish list – City Twilight Collection…

Bastille Day Sale at French Dressing…

Kamilla Johns real food…delicious and healthy ready made food delivered to your front door…

India Hicks fine jewellery…simply stunning…

Meet baby Zachary…a gorgeous newborn photographed by the talented Caroline Tran…

Have a good weekend all…do you have anything exciting planned? We are celebrating Hubby’s Birthday with family and also farewelling good friends who are off on an exciting travel adventure…

Jx

Just like Pa…

I love looking at this photo of H with my Dad…


The caption of this photo should read…’I’m doing this just like you Pa’

Image: Jessica Flett

My heart completely melts watching my Dad with H. He is an amazing Grandfather and adores his little ‘Jackaroo’.

Jx

You’re never too old to need your parents…

Image: Craven Images

Sorry for my absence but we have been under siege…..attacked by the nasty gastro bug that’s currently doing the rounds here in Sydney.


I came down with it late Friday, within 4 hours of my parents arriving for the weekend. My parents live on a farm in Central West NSW and came down to visit their Grandson (his parents too..) Well…the poor things, they didn’t bargain on a sick daughter and then a sick Grandson.


I felt terrible for ruining their weekend but I was also relieved to have them in town to help my husband with all the work of looking after two sick people. 


Mum and Dad were great sports and a terrific help to my husband who is an absolute angel!! He was a superstar and took care of everything. Touch wood he has escaped the nasty bug. Mum and Dad weren’t so lucky and came down with it when they arrived home on Sunday night. Thankfully they are on the mend and feeling much better.


A huge thank you and all my love to the three of you for your help and care.


It just goes to show…you are never too old to need your parents.


I hope all of you are keeping well and those of you who’ve had this bug…you know what I’m talking about…it’s a nasty one!

Jx