Remember when you were a kid and the most vivid summer memories were always about simple fun under the Australian sun with your best friends and your family? {With Fluro zinc cream on your nose}
I’m talking bright blue skies, hot hot days, ice blocks melting faster than you can eat them, slip n slide with detergent for extra speed, Bbq’s, the sound of neighbours kids playing, cicadas providing your summer soundtrack, sand castles, jumping over waves, and riding your new bike on Christmas morning.
Sun, sand, salt and surf. Friends, fun and family. These were the ingredients to our stay-cation and it was bliss. It was one of the best holidays we’ve had and we didn’t even need a suitcase or a passport.
Boogie board over one shoulder, towel over the other. Bucket and spade in one hand, child’s tiny hand in the other. A visit from Pa who lives interstate. We bought furniture and we de-cluttered. Room by room, cupboard by cupboard. I donated 6 bags of clothing! And another 4 bags of baby things.
Maybe this is why our stay-cation was so good. We got a holiday AND we got super organised ready for whatever 2015 will throw at us.
The Huz had a list of household handy jobs that could all be completed with a cordless drill, a phillips head screw driver, a lawn mower, an Ikea provided allen key, a can of Wd40 and a bottle of weed killer.
Side note… I don’t recommend visiting Ikea with two kids under five after four hours at the aquatic centre. It looks like this…
After the events of last year {both on a personal and global scale} all we wanted to do was be close to home with those we love and our stay-cation was a reminder that it really is all about the simple things.
And you know you’ve had a good break when you are actually ok at the thought of going back to the rat race and getting back into some sort of routine. I think the key to this is the magic three weeks. Two weeks is just not quite enough. Three is just perfect. But of course I’d take more if I could!
So here’s our perfect Aussie summer in pictures.
Christmas went something like this…
Home made gifts for our besties & neighbours {thanks The Organised Housewife for the idea}
Taronga Zoo
Home Stuff
We bought furniture, the kids got new beds and we finally did my picture wall which was months in the making. Thanks handy man Dad for hanging my Frames!
{Oh Happy Days foil print from Down That Little Lane. I just couldn’t part with the pineapple and watermelon Scatter Love Cards from Fat Mum Slim and Emma Kate Co. They were screaming to be framed!}
Date Day!
We had an amazing date day. Yes, a whole Day! Hot stone massage for two, lunch at my current fave restaurant. Papi Chulo @ Manly, a big long romantic walk and frozen yoghurt whilst watching the waves roll in. Romance!
We swam. We beached. We did picnics. We slip n slided…
Manly To Spit Coastal Walk
I did the manly to spit walk with my fave gals on the most divine day ever, followed by a dip in the ocean! It was sooo good and we’ve vowed to do it more often.
Yep, I really do love this city!
Sometimes the best vacation is a stay-cation. We will definitely be doing it again!
Have you even done a stay-cation? What was your favourite part?
This post just oozes happiness – your stay-cation looks spectacular! Who needs to go away when you have all this in your own backyard?! Christmas looked magical, your picture wall looks ace and everything looks so sunny and summery. Every year we promise ourselves to do the Spit to Manly Walk and every year we never do it. You’ve inspired me. This will be the year!
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Thanks lovely.
You MUST do the manly to spit. Its soo beautiful. We have vowed to do it more often as well as other walks all around Sydney. We are so spoilt for choice in this amazing city aren’t we! Xx
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Looks like you guys had an amazing time on your stay-cation. You packed so much into your 3 weeks. I love how happy your daughter is with her new bike! We haven’t done a stay cation but it is definitely a great idea!
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You packed so much into your stay cation! Feels good when you get all those little jobs done, doesn’t it? I love the photo your daughter on her new bike. She looks so happy! We’ve never done a stay cation but it looks like fun so something we might have to plan! Xx
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Highly recommend it Fleur!
De-cluttering actually gives me the same awesome feeling as when you buy something new. Who would a thought! Xx
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It’s really not hard to have a gorgeous holiday at home when we live in such a beautiful part of the world. All we need to do is just get out there and enjoy it! x
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Totally Bron.
We’ve vowed to do just that and keep the staycation holiday feeling alive as long as possible. Xx
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Such business and love captured in this post!! I love stay-cations too!! Although i love stay-weekends also…in fact, I’d never leave home if I didnt have to eat! Or if the supermarket delivered 85km out of town! haha!
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Haha. Oh yes sally. I love being home on wkends these days. Xx
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We are already planning a stay-cation for the end of this year! Last year and the year before we headed up the coast to a cute little holiday house we found online. I’m going to miss that place but I am looking forward to our stay-cation at the same time…even more so now that I have seen yours!!
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Oh how lovely! Such a good thing to do! I love the idea of renting a holiday house too! We will definitely do that one day. Xx
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Awesome Summer. Stay cations are great!! You have been flat out!! Well done. I really must get the kids to the Zoo. Jx
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Oh they will love the zoo! It’s a big day for them and each time we go we only ever cover part of it! So fun though. Xx
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what an incredible summer! I had a giggle at your three kids…you totally have three!
I absolutely adore your photo wall too! What a good idea framing the post cards and quotes! xx
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Thanks lovely. Yes… when people ask if I’m having a third I always say “I already have 3”. 🙂 xx
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Love having a stay-cation. We have such a beautiful city to do it in. So much to see and do…right at our door. Love that you were above to do so much.
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Yes! Us sydney-siders are so so lucky! Xx
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Looks lovely – and I so completely agree about those giraffes and their view!
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Thanks Amanda! Aren’t they the luckiest! Xx
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What an awesome summer stay cation. And omg the food on your day date looks amazing. And I love how your picture wall turned out.
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Thanks Deb!
The food was incredible. I’m not a huge meat fan, but the flavours were so Delish! Already planning another outing to the same place! Xx
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What gorgeous, happy pics! Although the IKEA one is my fave. That’s my kids at the supermarket after a swimming lesson. x
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Haha! I dont know what we were thinking! Next time, I shall visit IKEA alone!
Thanks for popping by xx
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We havent done one for quite a while but your gorgeous pics have just inspired me to get of my ass and organise one. Man we have a beautiful city dont we xx
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We really do Son! Especially our neck of the woods! Xx
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Looks like an awesome staycation was had by all. And hitting IKEA with 2kids is a mission, let alone 2 exhausted kids.
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Oh I know! Next time I’ll be visiting IKEA alone! Xx
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Thanks for joining in my #wendesdaywanderlust link party x
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