Nail coffee morning

I went to my friend's house for some crafting (we were going to do some origami crafting) but we ended up doing this instead!





Takako took some nail art course in the past and had lots and lots of nail polish for us to choose from. I was going to get mine done with vivid colours again but in the end went for a girly look with some nice stones.



We had so many nice cakes and biscuits over coffee. What a lovely way to spend a relaxing morning : )

My first pair

Luca received these gorgeous pair of shoes when he was born. I couldn't wait to put them on him.





Unfortunately he is growing so so fast, it won't be too long before he will grow out of his very first pair...

My birthday dinner

Last night Matthew took me to Deals Restaurant in the Radisson Hotel in Bandar for my birthday treat. I am not sure when we went out for fine dining last. Must be a long time, before we had Luca. I was so excited because I knew a kiwi chef had started there and created a fantastic new menu.

For a starter Matthew had cauliflower and blue cheese panna cotta and I had warm duck and mango salad. They were both divine. So unique and so yummy!





Our friend ordered different starters, so of course I had a wee bite of theirs too!
Prawns on grilled watermelon - who would have thought you can grill watermelon ha?!



Before I left home I was determined to have a big steak for my main. So I ordered the NZ Angus tenderloin steak. It was so delicious and perfectly cooked. I almost forgot to share it with Matthew. His two way lamb was fantastic too. I must have eaten most of both of our dishes.



Our friend ordered a 600gms sirloin steak for two. The head chef told us that the meat is from New Zealand and they are grass fed cows. And he sliced the meat and served each plate. Yes, you guessed it right, I did have a taste of their main too!
It turned out to be a very popular meal. While we were dining three other tables ordered the same dish (some were groups of 4 people so they ordered two of them).







Even though my tummy was nice and full I couldn't miss dessert. But when I was going to ask for a menu this beautiful birthday cake appeared with the happy birthday song! How lucky am I : )





I totally enjoyed our dinner out with delicious food and lovely company. There were some items we didn't get to see/try on the menu so we will be going back there soon to check them out (and to try the dessert menu)! What a fab way to celebrate my birthday. Thank you!

My little peacock

RWC 2011 final

YEEEEESSSS! We did it!! What a fantastic feeling! (we were so stressed during the game tho... it was a bit too close...)

We had some friends over to watch the RWC final yesterday.
We wore black and and did some face painting to show our support:









Some kiwiana icons on the table:





The last 10 min was just so intense! But we did it! We are number one!



The Webb Ellis Cup!



After the great victory we carried on our celebration having some curry and more drinks.

Feel of Autumn

Only a week till Halloween. I love putting some Halloween colours around the house. It gives me a nice cosy autumn feeling (in Japan Halloween is an autumn event). Corin helped me to decorate the house during his stay.



I received these gorgeous orchids for my birthday. They add extra autumn colours to our entrance:



I can finally use my handmade Halloween coasters (which I completed last year after Halloween...).



Our garden is looking a bit Halloween-ish too:





We are invited to a costume dress up party, and there will be a party for kids at the yacht club this weekend. Will be lots of fun!

Birthday breakfast at the Empire

To celebrate my own birthday (which was on the 22nd) we went out for a family breakfast to the Empire Hotel.



Corin was very impressed by the size and luxury of the hotel, but mostly by the buffet breakfast. There was so much to choose from!





Matthew and I were amazed by Corin's appetite, boy he can eat a lot!







Having extra adults at the table I enjoyed my warm coffee and hot food : ) Lovely way to celebrate my birthday, thank you!

Happy birthday Linnea!

We were all invited to Linnea's birthday party this afternoon (including Corin). The theme of the party was Rainbow! Yes like what Oliver had for his birthday.

Here is Corin and Luca ready to hit the party!





Merryn and Yvonne

I was pleased Boel could recycle some of my decorations from Oliver's party (It took quite some time for me to prepare all these rainbow things when I was still heavily pregnant with Luca).





The party food table:



Birthday girl Linnea getting a colourful drink (and drunk it already...)



Lots of rainbow craft activities were organised. Make your own rainbow bracelet, make your own rainbow door knob sign, make rainbow beads. Oliver was there being crafty!



But best all of all, the most exciting activities for the children was to find a treasure at the end of the rainbow! They had to find rainbow coloured papers to find the next clue.

They were hidden very well, in the letter box, under the bed, in the cubby house etc etc.







The last clue lead them to a treasure box full of chocolate coins!!



And... an awesome awesome rainbow birthday cake (you are just so talented Benaal!!).







Corin had a ball. He stayed there even after I left with Luca and Oliver. Thank you so much for inviting us Linnea!