25 Things...

I know I don't have many followers on this little ole' blog yet, but I personally follow a few. And out of that few, I have a couple that I follow {ok, stalk..} daily. One of them is the gorgeous and extremely talented Shaunna from Perfectly Imperfect. She lives in America and restores beautiful pieces of furniture, literally breathing life into forgotten treasures! She has also just recently opened her AMAZING store in Alabama which I am currently saving up to go visit - her & the stunning Kelli from Restore Interiors will have me knocking on their doors in the not so distant future, so put the kettle on girls!!

Shaunna doesn't just restore furniture, she is a Mummy, a wonderful blogger, a teacher & a decorating guru just to list a few of her talents! She also has an awesome thing she shares with her readers on her blog called '25 things..' - which is really just 25 random things at random times about Shaunna and her life.

 As an avid reader of hers, I LOVE catching her '25 Things..' lists as they make me feel a little more connected to all that is Perfectly Imperfect, even all the way over here in Australia. And recently it has inspired me to do the same for my followers here & on the Little Miss Fascinated facebook page. I want all of my likers and followers to know a little bit more about the real life person behind all those posts and pictures!

So, without further adieu, here are 25 Things about me..

1.    I am a coffee addict...  No, seriously - an ADDICT! We're talking 15+ cups of coffee a day...

2.    I'm the mother of a gorgeous, sensitive 7yr old boy and a feisty, independent 5yr old girl {my angels}

3.   I am deathly terrified of spiders.. like, run-out-into-the-middle-of-the-street-until-someone-kills-it afraid!

4.   I LOVE to sew and make pretty, vintage inspired little girls clothes

5.   I dream one day of having my own clothing line for said little girls clothes

6.   I love, love, love cats

7.   Currently I am thinking of returning to university to get my degree in Sign Language

8.   I hate peas

9.   I don't drink alcohol

10.  I have a passion for photography, especially black & white

11.  Pastel mint green is my favourite colour

12.  I'm sure I was born in the wrong era and LOVE the fashion of the 40's & 50's {though I don't have the figure to wear them!}

13.  My husband is one of the sweetest, most romantic & thoughtful men I have ever met, and our life is like a real life romantic comedy.. {also, he could be Colin Farrell's twin brother, he's extremely handsome! Lol}

14.  Everyday I listen to American Country Music straight from Nashville - I'm a true country girl at heart!

15.  I'm allergic to citrus

16.  I have a gorgeous big Sister

17.  Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory {original} is my favourite movie

18.  From ages 4 to 13 I traveled around the country singing professionally & in competitions

19.  If I could only eat one dessert for the rest of my life it would be Banoffee Pie!!

20.  I have backpacked around the world

21.  My Mum & Dad are my best friends - and truly the BEST parents any child could ever ask for..

22.  I played the drums from age 5 to 9 and went EVERYWHERE with a pair of drum sticks in my back pocket

23.  I spend way too much time on Facebook - but it's hard not to when you run the base of your business on there!

24.  John Mayer is secretly my 'other' husband.. {wink, wink..}

25.  I am a night owl and often don't go to bed until 1am in the morning

WOW!! That was harder than I thought to think of 25 Things about myself on the spot like that! Lol.. I hope some of them make you feel like you are getting to know me a little better!

Well, that's enough randomness from me in one post! I'll leave you with today's Photo A Day picture..

Day #3 - Heart.. 

An absolute LOVE of mine - reading and collecting old, antique books..

Smiles and Happiness, Haylie xx

Being Grateful..

Today is about 'Gratitude'..

As I had mentioned in the past couple of posts, I have started the fabulous Fat Mum Slim - Photo A Day Challenge, and while scrolling through the Facebook Page for members who have joined in, I noticed several people posting photo's of their 'Day 1 - Today' pictures that included diaries & journals of some sort.

Now, I have NEVER been able to keep a diary! I always figured that since I'm such an open & talkative person, I kind of had no need to write down the things that occurred during my day since I pretty much spoke them out loud to whoever would listen {thanks Mum & Dad growing up and now my patient husband that constantly puts up with my never ending chatter! Lol}

However, after being inspired by one picture & post in particular by Kairan at Three Grateful Things, I have decided to start my own 'Daily Photo & Gratitude Journal' - combining the Photo A Day Challenge with writing down at least 3 things I am grateful for each day. Whether it's as profound as the health & well being of my family or as simple as being grateful for air conditioning {one of todays - phew it's hot!!}, I am loving the idea of keeping track of all the little AND big things that make me grateful each day.

My journal also co-insides with the Photo A Day topic for today!

 Day #2 - Something New..

My husband actually bought me this journal 3 WHOLE YEARS AGO and it has been sitting in my office waiting for the 'perfect' thing to be used for - and I know I've finally found it..

Smiles and Happiness, Haylie xx

Hello 2013...

I can't believe it's actually here - a New Year already! I honestly don't think you realise how fast they start to click over until you are older - I'm sure during my 20's it was just another excuse to party without actually realising the effects of a whole new year beginning!! The years seem to be getting shorter and moving faster now. But I must also say that the quality has improved so much since my twenties, even if the quantity seems to lessening!!

Today is also the start of the fun Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day Challenge!  So, here's to the beginning of what I hope will be a fun, entertaining and slightly quirky look into the life and craziness that is behind Little Miss Fascinated via my 'Photo A Day' diary.. {join in with me and post the links to YOUR Photo A Day pictures in the comments below so I can follow you too!!}

Day #1 - Today..

Relaxing & recovering in bed with a good coffee and a good book...

Smiles and Happiness, Haylie xx

In With The New...

So, it's almost here already...  2013!!! Oh my goodness, where has the last 12 months gone?!? Only 2 more days {here in Australia} and everyone will be yelling HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

To start my New Year I have decided to have a little fun - and create some memories along the way..  I am going to participate in the "Photo A Day Challenge" over at the wonderful Fat Mum Slim!! Even though I know my business 'plate' will be full straight from the start of 2013 {Yay!! Thank you my wonderful clients xx}, I think taking 10 minutes a day for ME by doing the January Photo Challenge is a great way to start off the year with a little balance..

Here is the January Photo A Day List, click here for all the information!

I'll be sharing my photos here on my Blog as well as on the FMSphotoaday Facebook Page, so feel free to follow along in my fun - or join in yourself!!!!

Hope you all had a 'fascinating' Christmas and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the support with Litte Miss Fascinated over the past 12 months. I look forward to sharing the next 12 months with you all too!! Let's 'Enjoy The Journey' !!!

Smiles and Happiness, Haylie xx

Phone Home...

You are wandering through a Junk Market or Garage Sale when you see that one piece that no matter how bad in shape it is, or how random a piece, you can already see the finished result in your head...

Well, that was this gorgeous Antique Telephone Table I found at a secondhand market last Saturday!! I knew as soon as I saw it what I wanted it to look like after it had come home with me and had some loving put into it...

Antique Telephone Table Original

And the end result..

The After..

 

The drawer was left in its original wood and a dark stain added... 

I had been saving this DIVINE fabric for the right project and I knew this was it.. 

Some finishing touches - Like my parents Wedding photo taken 41 years ago..

The Before and After..

I'm SO, SO happy with the finished look!
Now, if I can only find that perfect antique telephone to go on top one day...

Smiles & Happiness, Haylie xx