farfaraway.

Once upon a time, there was place far far away, that you could run away too and escape all your troubles. It was a place where you could find endless happiness, laugh all day have no resposibility, be healthy and content. Lets pack up our suitcase (and our gobstoppers), lets GO!

Oh, if only a place existed...

In all seriousness there's no reason it can't. Well at least for a while anyway? Everyone really should have there own escape, whether its painting far far away landscape, reading a book that takes you far far away, or swimming in a ocean that takes your mind far far away. Its so important that everyone has there own "FAIRYTALE", and have "YOU TIME!"

OK, after snapping my fingers and getting back to reality... What a week I have had! As per usual I have been run of my feet with SOC's (summer of coconuts). But to really top my week of my poor baby cat Alice is now at the vet and I dont know when she's comming home. (yes i am a crazy cat woman!)

You see I put Alice in to get a routine spayed (desexing). No probs, right? WRONG! If anything could go wrong, everything did. Alice came home after her operation, they told me keep her quite, dont let her run around. I bought the bitter spray they recommended me, so she wouldnt bite her stiches out.... The thing no-one predicted was that Alice becomes hypo-active, from the anaesetic. So instead of her being groggy and sedated, she was running around like an energiser bunny. The bitter spray didnt work, and she bit through her stiches so her stomach was all exposed. I quickly run her down to the vet, she had a second operation and the stitches were repaired + a collar put around her neck.

Two operations later I was grumbling - having to pay double the money, thought it would be the end of it? Right, maybe? NO! Sunday came, she started vomiting everywhere, then she formed a large lump just above her stitches and it starts growing really quickly... I rush her down to emergency (which I might add, is expensive!), they tell me it does not look good and it might be a hernia, but it could be fluid.. gave her some antibiotics, and told me to take her to my vet first thing in the morning. So I took her to my vet, he confirms he really thinks its a hernia. He said it looks really bad and wants to operate straight away. So third operation later... (wont say how much it all cost me :-(..... She did have a hernia, she most probably got it when she became hypoactive from the anaesetic, and was flipping around like a energiser bunny.

She's at the vet right now... and she will have to stay there for a few days, as I really want them to monitor her.

What a nightmare! Has anyone else have a problem like this from getting there cat spayed?

Ok - I might go to my far far away place right now. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm x

mysunday.

These day's Im actually becoming scaryling organised, and very routined. Especially on Sundays! Let me share this Sunday with you! Photography is by Laini (my daughter). Every Sunday I sleep in - I love a good sleep in and Sunday's is the only day I really can do it, as I work 6 days most weeks! I leisurely get up, and head for the local markets. I buy all my fruit and veges there (Im a mad juicer and I don't trust supermarkets manufactured fruits!). At the moment Im absolutely crazy about mangoes, so half my budget went on them. Because of all the floods in QLD they tell me that this will be the last lot, so I stocked up..

After I finish all my fruit and veges, I purchased some multi-coloured roses (who wouldnt for 10 for $8...), had a bit of a wander (I really should bring more cash with me as there are some pretty cool stuff there), then decided to buy myself a snow cone coz it was so stinking hot! Now I havnt had on in years... and Gee's it was good...

After the markets I always go to Aldi's, to pick up Laini's school lunch stuff. Aldi's is a strange supermarket isnt it? I think that's why I go there coz it isnt main stream... I love it how they have other stuff like TV's, washing machines, fridges. Last week I bought an air-conditioner, this week a cat playground. That's Laini's cat Alice - isnt she beautiful? (No she's an evil lioness).

After Aldi's it was time to play and I went around to my life time friends Lisa's house (I have known her since I was 3 years old... Im now 35, long long time). I bought around some of the fruit I just got, and natually a couple of those delicious mango's..., Then we decided to make some headbands.... Luka (Lisa daughter is wearing one, isnt it so fun?, and Luka's just a treat :-))

Evening soon came and Laini and I put on a face make and had a relax.. It was nice, and that was my Sunday.

Why did I tell you all this? No reason, :-) x

redrosesformytruelove.

every sunday I go to the local markets and buy my fruit and veges... as I were pondering around the stores I came across a store selling roses. Those babies were only 10 for $6, so obviously they were a MUST HAVE. To top it off, the store owner wrapped them in newspaper which just gave the all so vintage look. I was so inspired that I decided to do a photo shoot using these exquisite beauties..

As I was photographing my whimsical gorgeous daughter, it dawned on me, red roses, LOVE, soul mate, valentine. My true love would defiantly have to be my daughter Laini. She has to be the most beautiful kindest person I know. She truly is my best friend, and a inspiration to me. 2010 was a tough year, going through my diagnosis, losing a breast, doing chemo, losing my hair... Lets just say I had some moments! But my eleven turning twelve year old daughter went through it all too... And truly she was my rock. She picked me up when I was down, she was optimistic, joyful and always dependable. I am truly blessed to have the most joyful, kindest daughter ever. The two of us have gone through alot, but we have come out of the other side smiling and shining, and have a unbelievable bond, that I believe no other could match.

So laini, these roses are for you. I love you. I thank you. You inspire me. You are my true love. xoxo

aussieday.

We really do live in the luckiest country in the world. Australia is a natural wonderland of beautiful beaches, crystal blue waters, amazing ancient rock formations and pristine rainforests. We have historic townships, bustling cities, vivid landscapes and exotic flora and fauna all adding to its unique appeal.

Our lifestyle is second to none, and let's face it, Aussie's are cool people!

I particularly appreciated Australia when I did chemo this year... I had no insurance so I had to go through the public system.... Now I know a lot of people complain about our health care system, and I must admit even my files were misplaced which held up me getting my chemo done. But I also knew just how lucky I was to be able to get treated for free. If I was living in another country I would have has to pay for all the chemo and medication out of own pocket. I have read breast cancer blogs over in America,and if you didnt have health cover, it would cost you tenths of thousands dollars to get treated. I jokingly said to my Oncologists nurse that I was surprised the government was keeping me alive! If thats in America, imagine if you were in a third world county with a life threatening medical condition. In Australia we are very muched looked after. So yeah, I partied this year for Australia, and boy does Australia know how to party!

This Aussie day I went to Mooloolaba beach for the Havaiana big thongs competition.... I have never seen the beach so crowded. It was an awesome day. There were tents set up on the beach... people bought there bbq's down, eskies and there Aussie spirit! There was the Australian flag everywere... people even dresses up in costumes... the atmosphere was captivating...

Every state competes participants by buying a big blow-up floating Havaiana thong and paddling out into the ocean and linking hands..

Bondi won - getting a whopping 2068 inflatable Havaianas on the water! Mooloolaba finished with 1167 floating Havaianas...

Across the states nearly 7,000 people took to the water in a huge showing of Aussie spirit, raising over $60,000 for Nippers and $20,000 for our mates recovering from floods in Queensland.

Hope your Australia day was great xoxo

imissedyou.

Dear Beautifuls, I missed you....

I have been offline for a while, and I have missed all you lovelies sooo much xoxo.

About 1 year ago I was on fire! I had so many plans and inpirations for summer of coconuts... BUT as some of you might know, I had the shock of being sick with breast cancer, and my plans were placed on hold while I did chemo etc (yuck, yuck!).

The great news is i'm back... feeling the most healthy, happy and relaxed, that I have been in a long, long, time..... So great infact that I have overhauled the business to reflect exactly how I feel. Everything is now bright, loving, healthy and happy :-)

Just recently I went for a routine blood test, and finally after a year of being first diagnosed my results came back as normal. I was so overly estatic that I treated my daughter and I to an oversea's trip! So far I have only booked a one way ticked to Maylasia... but I have plans to go to Vietnam, Cambodia and India... I intend to go for about 6 weeks.. I want to do some volunteer work in an orphange. I have done some research and apparently you can pay to do volunteer work.. More and more people of privilage countries are opting to do these sorts of holidays. I personally think it will be incredibally grounding. And I think for both my daughter and myself, it will open our eyes to realise just how spoilt we are, and have a greater appreciation to the simpler things in life.

Theres also some exciting news with SOC (summer of coconuts). We have so much new stock coming online... More and More clothes. Accessories,necklaces, earrings, bracelets, shoes, hats, scarfs - everything is just so amazing. Checkout some of my favourites that are online at BUY IT NOW prices.

LOVE YOU GUYS - glad to be back xoxo

gifts that keep on giving

As some of you lovelies might already know we are selling sterling silver toe rings for only $9.99 100% of our profits will go to our sponsor children and whatever money is left over from that each month, will go to the Geraldine Cox organisation. (Geraldine Cox organisation, is a orphanage that care's and nurture's orphaned children). These are a perfect idea for a gift - A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING :) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

This little venture is taking a little longer to take of the ground... Prob for a number of reasons...

1) With me being currently been diagnosed with breast cancer, a lot of my time has been taken up with Doctors, Oncologist, Surgeons, Naturepaths + not to mention the running of summer of coconuts - Therefore not all my time and effort has been put into charity that we support...

2) Toe rings are really a summer thing... so I guess not a lot of people are wanting these, this time of the year..

But yes, I am excited to let everyone know we have sold 1 (most people would want to give up after only selling 1, but not me, this fuels me to only do more). So instead of giving 100% of profits to the Geraldine Cox organisation, I decided to up the anti, and match that sale and donate a whole $20.00! (Two sponsor children also get sponsored each month regardless what money is raised, but I would like to sponsor more!)

I know I know, a lot of people out there might say this is a pretty dismal effort, but I promise you all you lovelies out there this is only the start, and bigger and better things will stem from this. Im thinking I might branch into other types of jewellery - or maybe into hats and scarfs (now thats appropriate to both me and Geraldine) and 100% of profits will go towards the Geraldine Cox organisation. (If your wanting to purchase one of these sterling silver toe ring... here's the link)

But you know there are so many charities out there that sell stuff, and the money raised goes towards their plight. I think these types of money raisers are the pefect gifts! Gift that keep on giving... So next time you need to buy a gift for someone, and they just dont need anything, you should consider some of the following charities xoxo

1) http://www.commonthreadz.org/ - I adore this idea! What happens is orphan's paint a picture, then that picture is screen painted on a TEE-SHIRT, you buy the shirt, money is raised, then the dosh goes back to a orphan. Its a WIN WIN situation. (I have given a few of these shirts to my boyfriend, he loves them).

2) World Vision Australia

World vision has got a few gift idea's. They have some particular nifty idea's for christmas gifts..... Check out there website!

3) Pink Ribbon Shop

This organisation is the plight against breast cancer... There are some lovely gift's that you can purchase for your gal pals - and yes another WIN WIN!

For those of you know that know about the Geraldine Cox organisation - I have put a copy of our previous blog for you to have a little read...

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Geraldine Cox organisation

Geraldine is an amazing amazing heart warming lady who devotes her life to caring for orphaned children in Cambodia. Please check out her website to get detailed information about her & the organisation... http://www.geraldinecox.org/

She is known affectionatly as Big Mumma, Geraldine is a Mother to over 200 cambodian kids. She is a well known figure for hope and development for both orphaned children & for those whose parents are simply just to poor to keep them.

I have always had a sponsor child, and my heart really breaks for people living in those conditions. People like Geraldine Cox have my utmost respect and admiration. To devote there lives to these homeless hungry lives...

I have been particularly drawn to this organisation as this lady with an amazing heart hasbeen diagnosed with breast cancer (like me) . Breast Cancer is another things in life that just dosnt make sense. It targets anyone. It has no preference to age, nationality or even gender. It dosnt care if your one of the nicest person, the hardest worker or you have the warmest heart... and it dosnt care if your a person who devotes your life to orphan children, like Geraldine Cox.

I am praying for a swift recovery for Geraldine Cox, so she can contine her amazing work for the orphans in cambodia.

welcome winter 01-06-10

{Dress LUKA, Jacket SUNNYGIRL - both items found on our ebay store xoxo-summer-of-coconuts-xoxo}

I LOVE YOU WINTER, I really really do... I just wish you were a little bit warmer :)

The top 3 things about winter:

1) The fashion! Let's face it, winter does walk all over summer when it comes to fashion! Boots, Jackets, stockings, beanies and scarf. Winter is so whimsical and fashionable.

2) The food! Hot roast with a glass of red. The aroma's of amazing food cooking in the slow cooker!

3) The photograhy - outdoor photo's always photograph unbelievably crisp and clear...

Another thing that I love about winter finally arriving is that summer is getting closer to saying hello. Let's face it, I truly am a summer person, it says it all in my name!

So with the winter sun shining brightly Nicole quickly put together this outfit inspired by our vintage theme, and we put together a much overdue photoshoot. Dosnt she look adorable? This little floral number can be found @ our ebay store xoxo-summer-of-coconuts-xoxo