shades of yellow and grey

I have a penchant for bed linen; I'm completely unashamed of my love for soft sheets and beautiful blankets. I've always adored the look of a messy white bed, the crumpled and ruffled effect is rather endearing, don't you think? 

As we venture into summer I have swapped the white for sunshine yellow and grey, happy floral and ticking stripe, bohemian and classic. It's a welcome change, particularly for Daniel who believes there can sometimes be "too much white" (there can never be too much white). 

For Che's bed I have always chosen stripes or spots in blues and reds. But his room can be a little dark so his new map cushion and golden stripes add warmth and light. Apparently it's the perfect choice for someone going of to school next year. "It's really cool," he says. 

Yesterday I admired the linen on the line as it billowed and dried. Today I have a good incentive to actually make the beds. Which begs the question: do you make the bed?

Adairs were ever so generous in gifting me new linen (the perfect early Christmas present). Thank you! I chose Aura Peony Pillowcases, Aura Ticking Stripe Sheet Set, Bamboo Cotton Sheet Set (in white, of course) and Home Republic Florida Stripe Set. 

sprout, grow, bloom

There is an undeniable pleasure that comes from watching plants grow; especially the edible variety. 

At the moment my balcony garden is green and lush, a range of my most-loved herbs and salad greens sprouting from pots - some gifted, others found and collected. Perhaps my all-time favourite herb is society garlic; a hardy plant that withstands all conditions (even lack of attention). Sometimes it produces delicate lilac flowers but even when it doesn't this is one of the richest plants I have ever eaten. It has a strong scent and taste and it works wonders in Italian dishes and garden salads. Blend it with butter and garlic and spread over toasted sourdough and you have the best garlic bread in the world. 

Tonight I'll be cooking spaghetti bolognaise and a rocket salad - infused with society garlic, of course. We'll be celebrating Daniel's return after five days away. We have missed him terribly, especially at night when the house feels a little too quiet and there's a definite lack of dramatic voices at storytime (he does the earth worm from James and the Giant Peach oh so well!).

Tell me, what's your favourite herb and how do you use it in the kitchen? 

and we have...

pigtails.

moving on from the ever wonderful top knot.

Kid's Christmas Gift Giveaway

It's less than seven weeks till Christmas and as the shops fill to the brim and the frantic pace steps up a notch, I'm intent on keeping it simple. 

My children will be gifted something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read but I needed inspiration and I'm guessing you would like some too. So I contacted some of my very favourite companies and asked them if they would like to suggest one or more of their much-loved items for a gift guide. Before long, I was organising a giveaway! Once again all the companies involved have been incredibly generous  - thank you.

Because Christmas is all about giving and sharing it seemed only right that I divide the gifts into three beautiful packages. There will be three winners.

Gift Pack One includes:

1. Purdey Bonnet by Dover & Madden - a handmade 1970's inspired ski bonnet featuring a bubble design sized from 3months-36months. Winner will choose size and colour - $41. 2. Customised Child's Birth Print by Playfield. Featuring favourite colours and theme this unframed design is printed on 300gsm quality satin stock  - $60. 3. Bohemian-inspired Blue Dreamer Mobile by Made by Mosey. Wire hoop wrapped in embroidery thread with handmade patchwork feathers and wooden beads hanging from white string - $70. 4. The ever-wonderful Bertie's from Jonah and the Girl. Winner will choose one pair in the size and colour of their choice - $40. 5. For the little gypsy this las flores dress from Little Tienda is vibrant and joyous. Winner will choose size and colour - $59. 6. A sweet Maze & Vale oobee to call your very own (there's two in my household!). Handmade by Leslie Keating this one-of-a-kind creature is perfect for all ages and is made with handprinted soft pinwale corduroy and stuffed with 100% natural wool fleece - $40. 7. A book pack from Harpercollins including three new release hardcovers - This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers / There is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts by Tim Miller / Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp - $69.95. Total value $379.95

Gift Pack Two includes:

1. Basket Cable Car Kit from Dragonfly Toys -  perfect for transporting little passengers, a secret message or a tiny treat (Che will be getting one from Santa) - $45.50. 2. The latest book from talented duo Jane Godwin and Anna Walker, Today We Have No Plan celebrates the beauty of doing...nothing! - $24.99. 3. Clover Hat by Dover & Madden - a chevron-inspired earflap hat for 3months to 48 months. Winner will choose size and colour - $44. 4. For the babywearer, this children's play sling is perfect for the little muma and her dolls. Made from a single layer of handwoven dupiono silk by Sakura Bloom - $38. 5. Nature Baby French Singlet Suit, an essential item in Poet's wardrobe. This simple one piece design is made with pure certified organic cotton which is incredibly fine, soft and strong. Winner chooses size and colour/pattern - $34.95. 6. The ever-wonderful Bertie's from Jonah and the Girl (love this new yellow!). Winner will choose one pair in the size and colour of their choice - $40. 7. Quirky fairy/bear flip doll (remember these from your childhood!) by Miszko Maszko - $22. 8. A book pack from Harpercollins including three new release hardcovers - This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers / There is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts by Tim Miller / Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp - $69.95. Total value $307

Gift Pack Three includes:

1. A fabulous cape and mask set for the little superhero in your home. Made from 100% cotton fabric which has been hand printed and hand dyed, this set features white spots on a mustard yellow background. By the always beautiful Udder - $40. 2. Bird in a Tree unframed art print by Ella Leach Designs - $30. 3. Camilla Pixie Hat by Dover & Madden - a quilted design featuring a two colours, sized from 3 months to 36 months. Winner will choose size and colour - $44. 4. The very best gumboots - red Bergsteins from the stunning collection at Fawn & Fox, winner chooses size - $59.95. 5. Rustic Raindrop Mobile from Udder that tinkles in the breeze - $18. 6. Cuddly Leroy the Lion from Melbourne-based Hello Milky - $20. 7. A book pack from Harpercollins including three new release hardcovers - This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers / There is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts by Tim Miller / Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp - $69.95. Total Value $267.

You can enter this giveaway a maximum of three times:

• first entry - follow Che & Fidel (over there on the right)
• second entry - popping over to Che & Fidel on facebook and hitting 'like' 
• third entry - sharing this giveaway on facebook/instagram/your blog

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (if you can't see your comment please press the 'load more' option under the comment box) - open to Australian and NZ readers. The winners will be chosen by the random number generator and will be announced in this post on Sunday November 11 2012 at 9pm est. The first winner will get to choose their favourite gift pack, the second winner will get second choice and the third winner will be given the remaining gift pack. 

Best of luck!

COMMENTS CLOSED. 

The first winner is #236 - Ash n Tim
The second winner is #76 - Hels
The third winner is #217 - Claire

Congratulations lovely ones. And Happy Christmas! Let's chat over email about the details...x

Graphic designed by Lena of Visionfield Design House

44/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2012."

Che: He hasn't stopped talking about school since Friday. He is happy, excited and a little bit weary.

Poet: Is wearing my new BOXY beads...15 months old and already borrowing her muma's jewellery. Hmph. 

Mexican Serape c/o Little Tienda

52

i'd call it good luck

Yesterday, after our emotional morning, we headed to the beach with Uncle Josh and Imi for a coffee and some hot chips (celebrations were in order). We live so close to the very best kind of playground and Che jumped right in and sat down, not bothered by the fact that his undies were filling with sand. At one point we looked up to see a pod of dolphins swimming close to shore; the perfect omen.

If it wasn't enough that our first born is heading off to school, our baby is walking and is requesting she wears beads. Enough of this growing up please! 

school : a new beginning

This morning we tentatively walked through the school gates in preparation for kindergarten orientation. I was sad, Daniel was nervous/excited and Che was a little overwhelmed. 

We are really blessed to live in the catchment area for a small, sweet school that has a wonderful reputation. We were welcomed into the courtyard with open arms and within minutes Che was introduced to his "buddy," Liam, who turned out to be the loveliest 11-year-old boy I have ever met. I watched him guide Che around the school, gently placing a hand on his shoulder and then crouching to make eye contact as they talked. 

Daniel and I stood back and observed. And then we exhaled. I'm not sure if Liam will ever quite understand the extent of his kindness but as a mum quite reluctant to send my first born off to school, he made the transition so much easier - for all of us. He even pronounced Che's name correctly - oh thank you!

While Che and Liam visited the kindergarten rooms and made fabulous paper hats, Daniel and I went to the library to meet the principal and hear a little bit more about uniforms, school procedures and canteen. It all feels very real now...it all feels really good.

After sampling the pizza and cupcakes from the school canteen (for the very reasonable price of $1.60), Daniel is rather excited about volunteering for "snack shack" duty.