Blogopolis

Twinings sponsored the event so we drank out of pretty teacups and used spoons that went missing in great numbers by the end. #spoongate

Yep, blurry.. I was talking.

By far the most exciting thing about attending a nation wide blog conference, for me, is meeting your fellow bloggers.... ones who have been commenting on your blog from day dot, ones who have seen you through tough times in your life, having never even met you. It's amazing meeting your 'friends' for the first time, having shared so much with them.... for years!!!! I smiled a lot yesterday.

I have to make special mention of the girls, from 'Something Gorgeous', and Lou, from 'Louwink', Fiona, from 'Lilyfield Life', and darling Jules, from 'One Pink Chair' who sat at my table with me and Katrina and my gorgeous cousin Marina, from 'Alexandria Emporium'. We were pretty chuffed with our table and giggled like school girls. I have a severe headache this morning, from giggling? from excitement? from talking my lungs out?... or it could be the red wine I drank with 'the food bloggers' last night... but that's the next paragraph or so!

I attended Katrina's cracking session on Blog Design (but of course!)... and took notes for her, for the Wordpress Blog she is designing for me... just in case she forgets her own stuff. Katrina will be summarising her session on her bloggy I'm sure.

She spoke so well.... and knows so much... and I am not ashamed to say I am her biggest fan.... even though she keeps telling me to put a lid on it! I think she was scared I was going to sit in the front row and embarrass her! I didn't. I behaved.

I tried to be all creative and took photos of the ceiling with my iphone. 

I also attended a wonderful session on blog photography... which made me realise that my tragic photos  via my iphone... well ... are ... tragic. I could do so much better, even with the iphone and no 'big lettered' named camera.

Lunch was seriously good. I ate for two. You never know when your next meal will be.....

....although I did know I was going out for dinner... but momentarily forgot.

Yep, looks like all we did was eat our way through the day. True. The table descended into 'half eaten cake, empty creme brulee cup chaos'.

Some of the missing spoons were found hiding in vats of cream, used for the scones 6 hours prior. #spoongate

Someone out there will be conscientiously writing up notes on all the conference sessions. As I find them I will add them to this post, as links down the bottom ... how's that? I was lazy. I didn't really take many notes... I just soaked it all in.

The day highlight was heading off to 'Pony' in 'The Rocks' with the foodie bloggers and savouring the most delicious tapas I have had (big statement but true). I even met another 'Ex-Dietitian' like myself...much excitement.... one who has moved from Dietetics... to blogging about food, interiors and 'lovely things'. I am not the only Dietitian who 'crossed over'! A special thank you to Catherine Saxelby from 'FoodWatch' ('Australia's Leading Dietitian'), Natalie, from 'Eat Read Love' (gorgeous blog!.. head over... pronto... well, after I finish here) and Hannah, recently graduated Dietitan (@hancgilbert on twitter... we're talking her into a blog).... for inviting me to your soiree! We were loud and very appreciative of the morsels that passed out lips. It was a true gastronomical experience......every bite, 'a taste sensation'.

I have a headache.

Happy Sunday!


Katrina's Blog Design Tips: HERE
Tina Gray, on SEO and Analytics HERE
Tina Gray, on Idea Sourcing HERE
Great post from Retro Mummy! She paid attention and took notes: HERE

Moving On

Dear Readers,

After months of contemplation, I’ve decided to say goodbye to my blog.  *sniff, sniff*  I’m finding that blogging about design has settled further down on my priority list…if that’s not been obvious by my lack of posts.  My time is taken up more than ever before…three teens now in the house (delightful so far, but time consuming…lots of eye-to-eye conversations involved that I wouldn’t miss for the world),  ramping up homeschooling of our special needs daughter, and of course, I can’t leave out the two middle girls who need their Mommy’s attention as well. 

I’ll still be decorating obviously, and will forever be rearranging, tweaking, and will continue to be inspired by your projects and pictures.  You can still keep up with what’s going on over here at our fixer farmhouse via Pinterest and Houzz.  I still want to share, but just in a way that works better with my life.  Hopefully I’ll see you over there!  This blog led me into a fun, surprising journey, and I’m so glad you were all a part of it with me.  Thank you!

Love to all,
Rie

DINING ROOM INSPIRATION / ÉTKEZŐ INSPIRÁCIÓK

Az étkezőasztal már megvan, már csak székek hiányoznak hozzá. Egyik ötletem a fehér (esetleg fekete) Panton szék. Nektek hogy tetszik?

We bought our dining table, but have no chairs. One of my ideas is white (or maybe black) Panton chairs. What do you think?

Sources on my Pinterest

SICILIAN FARMHOUSE / SZICÍLIAI KÚRIA

Ma olasz napom van úgy látszik. Biztos a meleg miatt.
It seems to be an Italian day now. It must be the heat.

Monaci delle Terre Nere boutique hotel

Via 1 Kind Design

CASTLE FOR SALE / VÁRKASTÉLY ELADÓ

Mindig is Toszkánába vágytál és szeretnél királykisasszony vagy királyfi módra egy várkastélyban élni? Nosza, csekkoljátok ezt az eladó középkori várat!

You've always dreamed about being a princess or prince in a castle in Tuscany? Check this out, because it's for sale now!

Via Homedit