bellatutu divine

Gorgeous Cortni

2011-05-01T17:36:00.001-07:00

This week a friend of mine asked me to take photos of her grandaughter, Cortni. We had a lot of fun, we shot in 3 locations with 3 outfit changes. She looks really cute in all looks. The first shot here was taken on my verandah.

Mothers Day - Cherish the Moment

2010-05-09T02:09:00.000-07:00

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Well it's Mothers Day again and unfortunately I missed the girls and grandchildren today. I did speak to them on the phone, which was great. Our grandson Harry spent much time describing the zoo trip he went on yesterday, in an oh so eloquent little voice. Such Joy ...such gusto! such fun, wish I had been there....hope there's some happy snaps! Grandad started getting into the whole zoo thing and started doing all the lion sounds and Harry quickly told him to stop scaring him!!

Unfortunately I dont have any shots of the girls and I from today,but here is happy times when they were young.... mummy love! arent they adorable!!! Kelly to the left, Rowe to the right, and yes a slimmer me in the middle.

Rowe had a much deserved weekend off from photo editing and had great fun with her best friends who came to visit from Melbourne and Sydney. It was Dannys 40th birthday ánd so great fun had by all.. plenty of drinking, eating and probably HUGE hangovers.

I was thinking about my mum today(who has past)and remembering happy times, on Mother's Days and Christmas. She always loved Mothers Day, she loved getting slippers and chocolates, peanut brittle from darrel lea, lol. And her favourite flower was roses and carnations. She absolutely loved us making a fuss about her, insisting we shouldn't.'She would always manage to play some of her Frank Sinatra favourites, giggling and swooning over the crooner, saying " DOESNT HE SEND YOU!!"

Here is a couple of pictures that remind me of mothers day past.

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Kerry's Mum came to visit all the way from NZ, so that was real special for Kerry..a really nice Mums day. She is very special. We had a great healthy fruit platter for breakfast followed up with not so healthy cappuccinos. Marjorie relaxed on the verandah for a little bit soaking up the gorgeous view. Then we took a quick trip to Tumbulgum for a drink and a sit by the river. We had a lovely day in between all Kerrys scheduled drinks and eats. For those of you who dont know, Kerry is on the planned Gerson Therapy diet....that's another post!!!thats another day!

A much loved husband and mother

Princess Maddison

2010-04-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

This is my entry in the i heart faces challenge this week.

Make sure you head on over to iheartfaces and take a look, there are great entries there.

Princess Maddison, is the face of downtown doggy, my doggy couture business. We just love her to bits. At the home of downtown doggy we create upmarket couture for USA and the world, everything from vintage to leather jackets. We are even in Harrods of London! Maddy sometimes helps us with some fashion parades and media...that is when she feels like it!....... This day was an ok day....... More of Maddy to come!
Margox

POINT & SHOOT - Rays Gone Fishing!!

2010-04-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

The lovely Chantelle at fatmumslim has organised another fun Point and Shoot, please take a look and join in her fun. Sorry our weekend didn't have much fun this time, but promise next week will be super duper!! helping Rowe and Danny move. lol.

Kerry scattering my brother Ray's Ashes!

An eerie resting place, to be transformed on a sunny day, to the most magic of places...

Well Kerry and I took an important trip today, just down the road to Tumbulgum, the quaintest little town ever,we shared a laugh saying if we bought a house here it would probably flood for the first time in 60 years..'the way our luck has been running lately. Tumbulgum has art galleries, cafes, and a fantastic tavern... all too country..lol. It's right near the border, QLD and NSW. You see today was a very important day! It was a gloomy day weather wise, and very late in the afternoon, but I think the angels were waiting for us to deliver our special cargo..I really needed to do the trip today, "take care of business" and also needed to document it with some shots.I coloured all the shots vintage and dark to match the sombre mood of the moment. It seemed only right.

We actually went to deliver my brother Ray to the river so he could go fishing, well, that's a little silly, but true. You see he was in a box....we took Ray's ashes down to scatter them in the river as he requested... funnily he said.. he wanted no fuss, just wanted to go fishing....that's the kind of guy he was...loved the simple things, a good yarn and a nice cold beer! Loved summer, darrell lea nougat eggs, custard, prawns and lollies...
It all went well, I muttered some bits and pieces to Ray, (talked to him just like he was there), so did Kerry and that made it all OK!

Then we headed over to the local cafe and had a coffee. It was a little difficult today, but it gave us both closure.. now Ray can rest up there with Mum and Dad and the Angels! Bless! The whole "point and shoot" thing gave me a distraction, so that was great!

POINT AND SHOOT

2010-04-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well here it is the POINT AND SHOOT for this weekend. . These are shots of my husband, Kerry.

Here he is mixing up his cocktail of heavy hitters.

These tablets are herbal tablets, all natural products, we are hoping they will smash the "C" WORD out of the ball park! We are sending a message out there to the universe that we are not wanting chaemotherapy, or radiation help!!

Well its a long story. Kerry has prostate cancer, previously had a radical prosectamy, and is feeling a little distressed this weekend. He went for his 6 monthly (after op) check up to get his PSA levels checked again. Unfortunately this week was the bearer of bad tidings for us. The tests were done, unfortunately we had a bad reading, which distressed us both, we weren't expecting any reading at all. It was .03, and I suggested that these sort of things fluctuate so advised Kerry to get another, this time it read double that .06, so not anywhere near the result we were hoping for.

All's ok, he loves a challenge. Kerry is so determined and disciplined.

He is on a strict natural diet with exercise and meditation. Ill continue to post updates as we go along. More photos this afternoon....

Be sure to cick on over to Chantelles site and take a look. fatmumslim

Dramatic Black and White

2010-03-29T02:24:00.001-07:00

Tell Someone who Cares!

is my entry this week for

Dramatic- Black And White Photo Challenge.

Dont forget to head over to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com to checkout all the great photographers.

This the first time I have entered one of these iheartfaces challenges. I love looking at all the interpretations and entries, it helps you become more inspired and a better photographer.. About 3 weeks ago I did some shots of my grandson Harry and his cousin Annika and they were being so candid and ever so cute and it really told a story... my entry is this first shot, titled "Tell someone who cares!" he really was not interested.

"Maybe"

"The Cuddle"

"The Kiss"

And then came the Spider!

2010-03-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

Well it was time for another open home this weekend at our place in our quest for SALE!!!!! Of course Kerry had to do the lawns again, sun and rain makes a great combo for GROW!! Here is a shot of him mowing....down the hill, looking cute!

My job was to sweep and vac the pool...I felt something brush against my face, caught a glimpse of a huge spiderweb above me and immediately did the spider dance! You know the one! where you frantically turn into a crazy woman, slapping my head and hair with hands everywhere and screaming, while jumping up and down ..get the picture.....a pic of me would have made a better point and shoot. My neighbour was peering over the fence to see who was making so much noise.....genuinely concerned, turned quickly into a "laughing his butt off!!!"

Anyway, when I recovered from that trauma,I made a b-line for the house and grabbed the trusty canon, and quickly shot the guilty spider web as the sun came up and caught the dewy web with a gorgeous sunflare....amazing. I took hundreds of shots....special. Needs some work though....that will be tonights project, after I get sewing 100 dog jackets!! yeah! 100. Ill come back with some pics of the jackets in the next couple of days.I'm new at this blogging, so hope youll visit again.

Harry in Red

2010-03-26T02:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my grandson, the cutest little kid in red!!!

He has the sweetest nature and is a real little boy.

Beyond snapshots is having a photo competition....all about red!!! So what better way to enter, than show them my shot of Harry, he was feeling really sick this day but still managed a little smirk for his Nanna!!

If you enter you can win a cool epiphanie RED camera bag! Go the girls!

SO GOOD LUCK!

Ashtyn the Poodle

2010-03-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the pleasure of designing a cute couture outfit for a doggy called Ashtyn. He was entered in a doggy fashion show in Australia and needed something spectacular to stand out... so I designed a hobo denim harness with lots of badges on it........He looked super! didn't he!!!!! He really stood out...or was it his blue hair????.lol

Hey Guys please check out my website downtowndoggy

ASHTYN LOOKING SPECTACULAR

He looks just fabulous.Keep your eye on our blog because over the next few weeks we will be having great competitions where you will be able to win a couture outfit sized and designed to fit your baby.

At the same time we had a fashion parade in Chicago USA. It was Bella the bulldog who contacted us cause she needed to be the best!! This is the same jacket really, but look at how different it looks on a bulldog...It is a pair of old jeans cut and distressed and embellished with lots of badges and buttons to just fit his stocky build....He is just too cute. Rumour has it he was on the Daily News in USA...!!!!

Cheers till next time.

BELLA THE BULLDOG

Couture For Doggys!

2010-03-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

At downtown doggy we design and manufacture doggy couture, and sell all over the world, from Europe to Russia, Italy, USA and Australia. We are even in Harrods of London. With bad economy it got very quiet in USA but it seems to be picking up now.
All great shops slowly recovering there. I have just finished one small Europe order and the stlyes are all great. I spent a lot of time on choosing the ribbons and linings and embellishments to make it just right for the lucky babies. Most people buy our gear cause they dont want their babies wearing "every day run of the mill clothing" It is all hand made in Australia and lovingly prepared in the bellatutu work room...

This is a walking harness vest and dogs really love these cause they are so comfortable. This one is part of our hobo collection made from vintage jeans and embellished just right. I will make sure we get some pictures of Amittchi wearing it...and share them with you. Oh by the way that is a lace scarfe for Amittchi as well...I will get some pics of Amittchi around town in Austria...Keep an eye out..We will be having giveaways regularly for our readers,and lots of fun pics.

POINT & SHOOT

2010-03-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

I have been watching so many blogs having all the fun and it is great to finally be able to participate in one. Great to finally see you! Chantelle has organised another Point & Shoot so here I am, a real novice...lol. Here is a great shot of one of my favourite nieces Sharon holidaying up here from Sydney, we just love her to bits...

The visit was fun, it was short and over before it began... Lots of sandwiches, sausage rolls, and of course cakes. I threw together some chocolate muffins....

We cant wait till their next visit...Glad that Point and Shoot was scheduled for this weekend!

Who are these People?

2010-03-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

Well the weekend came and went, we had our open home!!! Did the manic bit again. We started getting the house ready for our unwanted guests! We were both laughing and carrying on...Both thinking no one would show up, as per usual for the Gold Coast! Still we prepared all the rooms and the yard, vacuumed the pool at a hundred miles an hour. Then we headed to the garage with the dogs...to stay out of the way. Played my music real loud, and joked about being jinxed and chances of selling , being ZERO!!!!! Both of us holding hands and fingers up with the loser symbol stretched tall........... then cracking up uncontrollably. Well as soon as it began, it was over . Holy crap all that work I m exhausted.............

One of the stragglers wandered into the garage and raved about Maddy (our red poodle), yeah, well that didn't score any points with us, and don't think we are negotiable....we are so NOT negotiable...and YOU ARE SO NOT GETTING MADDY!!!!!

Anyway, it was a good day, and a bad day.. Seven couples came through.....most went unnoticed except for one prospect..... The lady known as madame X came through twice before and news had it she was hot to trot! for the Queenslander perched on the hill! A bit weird her husband lived overseas 10 months of the year and she had been given the task to buy the new home. This was her third visit, and this time she brought her sister and brother in-law for their expert opinion.

When they first arrived I said hello and tried to muster up any kind of conversation, with the old bloke (as you do). Nope! not even a smile, not even a twinge or a blink! I think they had made a pact, that under no circumstance would they draw eye contact with us, or fraternise...and they didn't.. We were hiding in the study for a good while, and I kept sneaking out to listen, poking my ear around corners with out being seen, so funny. I saw him bending over scratching the edges of tiles, wood, opening drawers and doors, hoping to earn his stripes as the BEST friend ever! he was everywhere, he was relentless. Oh no! don't touch the bathroom cupboard, dear, the handle fell of... damn! I was going to super glue it on . lol hehehehe, I never made it in time...

Then I sneaked out the back way, to head to the pool area to pull the vacuum out before they got there. Here he was climbing up the wall to see a bit of wood I replaced.. 2cm x 1 metre. Who is this guy? What the? I quickly caught him by surprise, ha ha, eye contact and he actually turned away from me. I laughed and yelled friendly " the beam was just cracked"! He walked away with his head down..This is so funny!!!

Anyway,the agent reported this guy and his wife rubbished the place for 30 minutes to the woman looking seriously at it, and then the old bloke's wife said,

"This house is so overpriced, that it is not funny!" The agent defended it of course.
Let me at him !!

A few days have gone by and the good news is we have 3 couples interested in the house...
2 seeing their bank..... Hey guess what? the most serious contender is that woman who had the old bloke with her!!!!!!! Evidently, she is seeing her bank and probably putting in an offer! Oh my God!!!!!!! it was all a game! are you feeling it?.....I bet they rent him out!

Kerry is here saying, I am jinxing it, talking about it.....and I so want to do that, NOT! Who is this person I'm married to?
to be continued..........

To lunch or not to lunch?

2010-03-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

Well it was a great weekend, a little bit of gardening, house cleaning, and not forgetting sewing!! Wow it's so hard, I have Downtown Doggy packed up in the garage and just got some new orders from overseas. Where to begin. I went down to the garage sat in the middle of the floor and began to eat my fingernails to the bone. I needed furs, denims, ribbons, etc..I didn't label the boxes correctly....mmm all 50 of them. So looks like a job for super me!!! just couldnt get into it !! I decided I needed a break so made some chocolate muffins and home made hamburgers.

Then decided to photograph all the foods I made...Why?..... cause everyone with blogs does that? I don't know. It's like evéryone in the world has gone mad and never seen food before. I have now become this crazy blogger paparazzi woman, perched in doorways with a camera dangling from my neck......Shoot me now! lol

I decided to eat off our most treasured plates. Our very special grandaughter Audrey Luella made Kerry and I, our very own painted plates. She is really talented, no I mean, really talented...the artwork is so good..... and there is so much love......

We finally made it!

2010-03-13T03:23:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have a moment.... where you think...Oh my God!! we finally did it. Our house is ready to sell! It's been part of our lives for 9 years and it's a grand house, too huge for 2 humans and 2 doggy children, I'm told.

Sometimes, don't you just love that special corner nook.. a place to sneak a cappuccino and a fattening treat....just the way we like it, plenty of froth!! and sprinkles of chocolate on top...Make sure its hot. Then before we can enjoy it, Kerry wants one too. He's my husband for those who don't know. He claims he doesn't know how to work the cappuccino machine, that's so funny, we used to have a cafe and he was the barrista there and he made great coffee..go figure.!

Were lovin' playing our music so loud...and gazing out the window at the amazing view, wondering when and where we will be going...Views from every window, across the valley, yeah, it so has wow factor for me!!

I love the morning, when first sunrise light, hits the crystal candle holder and throws shards of reflection all across the room, so special, a myriad of hundreds of sparkles, a flash and it's gone, but it's memorable..It's that sort of moment when you run to get the camera and the moment has passed...too late!!

Have you ever been on the market.....waiting for the agent to come and bring the captive prospects to the set up! everyone knows the right thing to say. The house is prepped with flowers, candles and airozone, and all the rooms and gardens are at their best. It's so funny we have it down pat now, its a manic 1.5 hours to get it ready for the inspection, beds, carpets, kitchen bench tops, "hurry hurry theyll be here soon." They're just about here and we realise we forgot the rugs 'that cover stain and broken tiles, quick get the carpets down, too hilarious!!

They come and they go, and we wait patiently for that one person that will love itjust like we do. Then what???? heaven only knows where we will be then? I dont know, but one thing I do know is we will have internet and I will be blogging! hopefully I will get better at this.

I have to say, I could not have done it without the help of my son in law Danny, he's one in a million! He has been my driving force...and bossy to boot. He must have done 20 tender centre trips, when I was learning to declutter and simplify the house, and my life somewhat. I had so much junk!! Then he also did the "ever so important" trips to the tip! all 50 of them....... How great is that.... then there was endless days chain sawing gardening and moving furniture....BLAH BLAH BLAH unbelievable.
Cheers