baysidemama

Style notes: A bayside native garden

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 02:48:00 +0000

For this bayside gardener, a parched piece of earth became a labour of love....with stylish results.

The owner inherited a perished piece of lawn with the house five years ago.

She says there were also a couple of random tall trees which weren’t fabulous but provided shade at various points.

"The thing I liked best was the existing bluestone front fence - with its deep grey colour it was going to provide the perfect backdrop for my vision of a modern urban native garden,'' she says.

"I have always loved native plants, their variety of textures but especially their colours – from superb lime green grasses to that unique silver grey foliage of a towering banksia tree.''

Drawn to the features and colours of coastal design, this was her starting point in deciding on the colours for this garden.

Her first job was designing a sort of coastal style walkway which would meander through the garden.

Inspired by the coastal walking tracks along the clifftops in bayside Melbourne, she got a contractor in to lay a path of compressed sand.

However that is where the outside help began and ended - she completed the rest by hand.

"I started with my grass garden first and used my local council’s indigenous nursery as a starting point, finding grasses unique to this part of Melbourne.

"I wanted to mix up the colours to provide contrast and interest, with a row of grasses lining the main path to the front door.

"The other parts of the garden needed to have more height and colour.

"I mixed correa, rows of westringia, grevillea in the most shocking lollypop pink and mini flowering gums. Later I filled out empty spaces with a native hibiscus and woolly bushes.

"Along the side fence I wanted a traditional hedge but using native trees and I chose coastal banksias,'' she says.

To complete the mix the owner has dotted some timber chairs and benches found by the side of the road along the path as places of respite, and added some birth baths as a water source.

News and views: Jenny Macklin and her weekly budget.

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:55:00 +0000

So Australian Families Minister Jenny Macklin declares she can live on $35 a day when asked by a reporter if she could live on the level of welfare payments the Government will be paying single parents. Frankly it's hard to think of a more insulting aside to the many Australians struggling on this amount of money. And that's why her comments have caused such uproar. All I can say - as are many others - is that it is time for Jenny to stand up for what she says and actually try and live on that amount for a couple of weeks. Then she will be qualified to make a judgement call. It's interesting when you think about $35 and then think about what sort of costs as a family you incur on a typical day. Petrol, school lunches, dinner, bills, etc etc. And that doesn't even begin to account for all the little incidentals. Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt has cleverly put his hand up and declared he will give it a go and report back. Looking forward to hearing about his experiences.

Style notes: Dressing the tween - and other great fashion dramas

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:55:00 +0000

I had a vision when I had a little girl - a fashion vision. It would be navy, navy, navy for me...well, for her, maybe with touches of raspberry and other reds and whites. Pink didn't really cross my mind but is most certainly burst across my my front door step very quickly in the shape and form of the many frilly polyester clothes my daugther gravitated to. We found a happy medium, I think, in those early years and now I find myself on the threshold of yet another great fashion trasition - the modern tween. These girls have clear ideas of what they want. As someone who has occasionally forayed into bits and pieces of fashion journalism and has always loved it, I hope I have imbued her with some appreciation of the art of fashion. But what she chooses to do with it at such an impressionable age is another thing. Truth is, this age daunts me. Much of the choices on the market I find are versions of women's clothing, with motifs and cuts with way too much attitude for young kids. So I am slowly finetuning an approach to dressing a tween which hopefully satisfies my vision as well as hers......here's hoping! Finding dresses in great styles and fabrics which are still in essence, girls dresses I find I stick to a couple of great labels and then supplement with fun little sun frocks picked up at places like Cotton On Kids and Gumboots. One of my favourite labels is One Red Fly, an Australian label which make the most divine girls clothes in vibrant stunning patterns and colours. I have included a couple of pictures of some of their dresses I have kept even though my daughter has outgrown them! They are so lovely they look beautiful draped on hangers on her wall. Tees and basics I like to source out cotton sleeping gear amid the great sea of polyster pjs out there. Recently found great top and bottom pjs in packs for around a tenner at K-mart. As for t-shirts, I stick to plain solid colours and avoid those with text on them for children - that way they look great under anything and my daughter is not a walking 'statement.' Jeans Love the Next website for denim in all colours for kids. FOr locals, take a look at another fave of mine - the Little by Little boutique in Black Rock where Helen presents a fabulously well picked lineup of children's clothing every season. Visit: www.littlebylittle.com.au

Style notes: Nail love

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 05:54:00 +0000

I first discovered Butter London nail lacquer at a pharmacy in Byron Bay. In true northern NSW style, they were stocked because they are one of the rare nail products on the market which don't contain many of the usual harmful ingredients. For me, that was a huge appeal. But what drew me then and keeps drawing me back is the almost candy like nature of the colours. So beautiful I could try them all. I now find them stocked at lots of little boutiques all over Melbourne. Take a look at the website for some serious colour temptation. www.butterlondon.com

Neighbourhood: BEAUMARIS CHRISTMAS MARKETS ON TONIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Beaumaris North Primary School Christmas boutique markets is an event which has been growing steadily each year. Put together by some creative mums with a great eye for stylish goods, it's a great spot to get the Christmas shopping kickstarted. It's on tonight from 4-7pm at Beaumaris North Primary School, Wood Street, Beaumaris.

Home & Hearth: My 'greening' thumbs

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:35:00 +0000

My gardening journey began about ten years ago, although it began primarily indoors. I was one of those people who used to love devouring gardening and design books, but had no idea how to actually transform my own patch, which at the time consisted on a small courtyard.

These days I am addicted. I love everything about the garden, it's colour, texture, scent....and the fact it changes every day.

After stumbling out of bed and attending to the dietary needs of my brood, one of my first daily tasks is to take a stroll around my newly planted and designed front garden and just take a peak at what's doing. Amazingly I can usually see changes happening every day.

I also love the fact that almost everything about this space is it is my own construction. Apart from bringing in two guys to construct my compacted sand pathway, I have planted every plant, a process which has provided immense satisfaction in a kind of meditative way.

This area of the garden was just six months ago a patch of dying lawn with a few exotics (read azaleas and other totally impractical plants).

I've filled it with Australian grasses, kangaroo paws, grevilleas, native hibiscus, mini flowering gums and banksias. When it started to flower this spring I also realised I had planted mostly white and purple flowering plants. I love the crispness of white blooms in a garden and the mix of pale and deep purples work really well with our bluestone fence.

There's a lot to go and a whole backyard to do, but I'm amazed just how much this area already looks like it has been here for years.....

I will post more 'macro' shots soon....

A return from the wilderness

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:15:00 +0000

OK it's been so long between snippets on this site - the urge, time and ability to post was somehow lost amongst all the other daily demands.
So to mark the return to Baysidemama being an active site, here's a pic of another fresh face - our new household member!'

Neighbourhood: Ways to help the wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:20:00 +0000

I have been at a loss to post anything on this website as I watched the utter devastation of parts of Victoria over the last week. As a wordsmith, words fail me at this point.

Much has been written about the wonderful ways to help the thousands upon thousands of people who have lost loved ones and their homes. This includes the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

I thought something useful to post here might be some links to helping wildlife who have somehow survived this inferno. It is estimated that one million animals have perished. There is some amazing work going on, including the work of Wildlife Victoria and its volunteer workers who are now on the ground and in desperate need of supplies. On Wildlife Victoria's website, there is a list of what they need at this point and drop-off points. You can find Wildlife Victoria here.

Also, the always amazing Animal Aid animal shelter at Coldstream - which is itself now on fire alert - is also organising supplies and vets and doing supply runs and work in the field. It too is in need of all sorts of supplies and money and also residents to put their hand up if they are able to foster an animal for a period of time. You can find Aninmal Aid here.

The amazing response of our community during this time has been something uniquely inspiring. The rebuilding of parts of this state is going to be a mammoth task and is going to require every inch of that spirit which has been so in abundance this week.

And if you are an international reader, there are fire report updates here.

Style notes: A (Junior) Corner Of One's Own

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:09:00 +0000

With a little one just starting school I felt she was ready for a slightly larger work and play space. I had found this amazing old wooden children's desk at a trash and treasure market and took it home - although at the time I had no idea where to put it or use it for. It was just so lovely. It has a pull down top and lots of little words scribbled into the old wood from previous owners.

Anyway, I thought I would find a nice little sunny corner for it and set it up and she absolutely loves it. She has stacked all her paper and pencils and other bits and pieces in it and it has become an active hub of home. The little plastic figures on top are other market finds.

Speaking of school, what an amazing yet strange transition it is - for child and parent alike. With the younger starting kinder, I have returned home to feel quite conflicted about the domestic silence. While it offers a brief few hours of freedom to GET THINGS DONE, I've realized it also signals the end of those long open days where we could just do what we felt like that day - be it a bit of pasting or a walk, with no rules or structures. How quickly that time passes......

Neighbourhood: Bleak heat

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Green and blue reflections, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

Early this morning the men with their chainsaws were up at dawn across the road, tearing down a magnificent gum tree. When I wandered over to find out why, it appears it is yet another victim of this terrible drought - dried out and ready to fall.

This searing heat - 43 degrees again today - always makes me feel bleak about what we have done to our land. The lack of shade in the suburbs and such poorly designed homes mean we are a country dependent on air con.

Last night, before it was even dark, I found the ringtail possums desperately trying to drink from the pool.

I urge any locals to leave some bowls of water - both low and high - out for our wildlife today and tonight. I figure if we razor their habitat as we have as a people, at least we can offer them a drink.

Neighbourhood: Red Hot Heat

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:25:00 +0000

Red, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

Heat is the word.

Summer has kept its full wrath hidden these past few weeks and now it's here with full velocity. Searing heat as red as this flower. It's going to be reaching 40 degrees here all week and talk is all about will our ageing power grid cope with a city hooked on air con?

I can still well remember when the whole city's gas supply went down a few years ago now.

That was during late summer heat and modern civilised life hinged on an electric wok and a plastic solar shower bag.

Let's see how the infrastructure goes this week.

What mama thinks: The 'housewife' returns....but is she welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:52:00 +0000

I recently interviewed Stacey Murray of the Sheeps Clothing blog for a piece I did for the Herald Sun newspaper on the rise in popularity of the domestic crafts among women.

I argued in a related opinion piece in the same paper that this was very much about women proudly reclaiming the personal realm, as opposed to earlier incarnations of feminism which roundly rejected the domestic sphere.

As Stacey points out on her blog, the pieces have incited much debate - such as this piece by Adelaide columnist Clementine Ford and heated reaction. It is intriguing as I believe Ford and many of the online comments have misunderstood my argument - that embracing the domestic realm is a sign of moving forward for women - that they finally have the voice to reclaim this space.

Anyway, take a look at what Stacey has to say over at her blog, and by all means, feel free to add your thoughts.

There are also active discussions on this article going on in Adelaide here, in Brisbane here and in Maryland, USA here, and in Oakland County, California, USA here.

Home & Hearth: Green tomatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:55:00 +0000

Green tomatoes, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

I am ridiculously proud of these little babies. My first batch in a couple of years and they are growing nicely. So easily in fact that I don't know why I didn't get to planting more this season. However the herb patch is booming, with rosemary, basil, chives and mint in copious supply. These will taste great with some lovely mango chutney that has proved a daily summer staple in our household.

What mama thinks: The New Housewife

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:40:00 +0000

Here's a link to my column in today's Herald Sun. It's about how domesticity is back and why this is an empowering thing for young women. Did you know that sales of things like sewing machines, fabric, knitting materials and vegie punnets have enjoyed a boom in the last six months. I argue it is partly the economic situation, partly green concerns and partly women proudly taking back and owning the domestic crafts. Take a look.....

www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24857435-5000117,00.html

Home & hearth: Vintage teak table

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:55:00 +0000

White with vintage teak table, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

I've had this dining room table for quite a while now - it was recovered from a beach house on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula and dates from the 1960s. Although the surface needs a little work, I like it's shape although there have been points when I have been tempted to trade it in for a new more solid table.
Since we've added a lot of white to this room in the form of sheer blinds and light shades, I am enjoying it again.

Home & Hearth: CHRISMAS WREATH - INSPIRED BY JANE CUMBERBATCH'S PURE STYLE

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:33:00 +0000

CHRISMAS WREATH - INSPIRED BY JANE CUMBERBATCH'S PURE STYLE , originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

Merry Christmas everybody and I wish you a safe and happy 2009.

Home & Hearth: Have yourself a vintage little Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:31:00 +0000

I have a great little collection of new and vintage Santas, collected from everywhere from Quebec City to Vienna and good old Bentleigh market. I'm pretty sure these two numbers came from local op shops for a couple of pennies each. The vintage balls above also came from a lovely box of six very old ones in a local op shop. The santas look most charming with their collective red hats bobbing on the tree.

magnolia square back in bayside

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:00 +0000

For all you locals, the Magnolia Square market is back on November 27-29 at Brighton Town Hall. Lovely handmade goods. The last one I went along to I found some great beanbag covers for the kids in fabulous vintage fabric. But be warned....the crowds are big. And speaking of magnolias, how lovely is this shot. Take at look at: www.magnoliasquare.com.au

Vintage find - cast iron dog hook

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Vintage find - cast iron dog hook, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

This was a relatively recent market find for me - a woman was selling heaps of these amazing cast iron dog hooks. I decided on one and then when I went back the next week, she'd sold out. A bargain I guess at $5 each. The dog sits on a wall overlooking our back area - a perfect hook for summer beach towels, or in this case, a lantern (also a vintage find)

Red at sunset

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Red at sunset, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

This was the light around here at sunset yesterday. Have a happy weekend.

Lanterns

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:52:00 +0000

Lanterns, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

I haven't taken these down yet - they were for a party but look so lovely and colourful swaying in the breeze. There are so many great shops for paper lanterns and all sorts of wonderful finds in Victoria Street in Richmond - it's worth a look if you're visiting Melbourne.

kangaroo paw

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:20:00 +0000

kangaroo paw, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

I'm a stickler for indigenous plants in gardens however I make an exception for the kangaroo paw. Besides, it's still a native and still provides feed for birds. I find it a remarkably beautiful plant in a very structured, striking way and have spent the last two weekends planting masses of red and pink varieties along our driveway. The garden is coming to life as the weather heats up - walked out the front this morning to find two very adventurous lorikeets literally heads inside our possum box to take a look at the sleeping possums. Luckily they survived without a big gash to their feathered heads.

Mermaid party

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:22:00 +0000

Mermaid party, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

Party season and been alive and well around here and I recently hosted a mermaid themed party. This was great fun as it meant decorating wise, I could move along from the absolute all encompassing pinkness of early girldhood. Blue, green and purple were great fun as a decorating base. We set this little mermaid up on a collection of rocks from the garden and then added green sparkly seaweed. I used balloon, material and bird netting to create an undersea cave and vases filled with water coloured with blue food dye as water tanks.

A new vegie garden begins

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Blooms on our orange tree (above)

My new pot of mint

Yes, I know it's been a little while between posts here.

And in keeping with the current fiscal theme of the times, my first return post is a little peak at the beginnings of our vegie and fruit patch. We have one magnificent existing orange tree that produces so much fruit we can't keep up with it - much of it has been sent off to more experienced jam and marmalade makers than I.

But in a bid to stem the ridiculous amounts of money fruit and veg was now costing us, we have started to grow some of our own. First up is a little herb garden, and already mint (see above), rosemary, parsley and basil is growing with wild abandon.

Next up, planting some tomatoes, strawberries and corn (the corn is courtesy of my pre-schooler who loves the idea - not too sure how successful that one will be).

Spring has arrived

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:08:00 +0000

Spring has arrived, originally uploaded by Baysidemama.

Fresh flowers, and brighter morning light....warmer weather must be on the way.