Lime & Mortar's Most Popular Posts 2014

Whilst everyone is busy getting ready for their New Years Eve plans I'm reflecting on Lime & Mortar and seeing what style posts have been the most popular. According to Blogger these are the top 5 posts.

Both of these posts were in the top 5 at 1st and 5th place. Inside My Walk In Wardrobe and My Wardrobe Fit Out.

At 2nd place is Fun Edible Gifts For Kids. The Snowman Poop label was very popular on pinterest.

Third place is Minimal Maintenance Frontage. This is the front of my house. I recently updated the photo. I still love the front of our house and get enquiries about it often.

At forth is place is Readers Room: Girly Nursery. This is a good friend of mines daughter's nursery. We both did not expect it to be in top 5 posts. It's so pretty though!

My 2015 Goals

It's that time of year now where some may like to think of their goals and plans for 2015. I don't often set resolutions but I like the idea of goals, something to aim towards.

Personal:
* Go to Problogger - I'm hoping Julian's roster will work out for me to be able to go to problogger. I'm little nervous bout the idea of flying interstate on my own.
* Feature in Fat Mum Slim's Top 4 - each day Chantelle chooses her top 4 photos for that days prompt for FMS Photo-a-day. I'd loed to have a photo chosen in 2015.
* Loose weight - yes the typical one for many. But for me its more about cutting out the crap (reduce sugar) and try avoid the emotional eating.
* Go on a family getaway - spare money goes into the house as we still have so much to finish. But I'd love to have a getaway somewhere... perhaps a road trip somewhere.

Blog:
* Find more balance - I started Lime & Mortar 16th July '14 up until recently I had published a post at least once daily. I will not be posting on Saturday's in 2015 however this will give you a chance to catch up on the week of posts and I'll load the links to Facebook too.
* Further grow our community - we reached great milestones in the last 5.5 months, im hoping our community grows and enjoys reading Lime & Mortar.
* Support more home businesses - since joining instagram I've discovered many 'little' businesses who make gorgeous handmade items.
* Increase my range on etsy - I've recently started a new venture of selling planner stickers on etsy this past fortnight and I really enjoy it. I'll do a post to talk about this more next week.

What are some of your goals for 2015?? 

Lime & Mortar's Top 5 Recipes

I love getting into the kitchen and making simple but delicious recipes. I prefer quick recipes as most the time the kids will be hassling me... im sure you mums out there can relate. Each week i post a recipe in a range of savoury, sweet or party food. I love to inspire others to get into the kitchen and with recipes this easy with easy to find ingredients there is sure to be one for you.

These recipes are the top 5 recipes for 2014. Just click the image to be taken to the recipe

Merry Christmas To You!

I hope you are all having a really lovely time with your families. I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and enjoy all the yummy Christmas treats!

Colour Pops 2014

Look at that lovely range of gorgeous colourful homewares. We are getting close to 2015 now so im going to list all of 2014 posts here in one spot as id like to clear the 'Colour Pop' tab for next years range. Next year we will look at colour combos and styles.

If you have a style/theme or colour combo you would like to see please let me know!

Click images to be taken to the original links

FIFO Life at Christmas Time

Julian's job is FIFO (this means Fly In Fly Out). He has been doing this work since Master T was 6 months old (almost 5 years). We have been lucky enough to be on a 2/1 roster (away for 2 weeks and home for 1 week) for most of that time. He has just started a 4/4 roster... We just completed 4 weeks away and now get 4 weeks together... which is most of the summer school holidays. Yay!

There are many pros and cons to FIFO and it's not for everyone, but it works for us. We love having solid chunks of time together. Only downfall for us is when he misses out on special occasions/events such as Christmas. He has missed 2 Christmases so far. One of the years a good friend of mine invited me and Master T over to have lunch with her family. It was really nice to watch our boys play and be included. If you have any friends whose partners are FIFO (or defense) workers reach out to them this Christmas. Don't assume they have friends and family to spend the day with it's really hard to sit at home on your own on Christmas. No one wants to be alone on Christmas.

We are so lucky Julian is home for Christmas this year as we never really know when he will be home as rosters and jobs change. I will be fairly quiet this week as i take some time to enjoy Christmas celebrations and spend time with my family (and get some 'me' time after 4 weeks on my own with the kids). After Christmas i will be back posting most days and im excited for 2015!

**Image Copyright A Little Part of the World

Recipe: Jelly Slice

One of our lovely readers sent me a message a few weeks ago asking if i could please post the Jelly Slice recipe. I make jelly slice for my kids birthdays and coordinate the colour of the jelly with the party theme. I like to cut mine into circles as looks little fancier.

JELLY SLICE

INGREDIENTS:
1 Packet of Granita Biscuits
95g Butter (melted)
1 Lemon
1 Can Condensed Milk
3 tsp Gelatine
1/4 cup Boiling Water
1 Packet of Jelly

METHOD:
1) Prepare packet of jelly using 350ml boiling water. Set aside to cool
2) Process or Crush the biscuits. Mix in the melted butter. Press into a lined tin. Place in the fridge whilst you complete step 3.
3) Combine boiling water with gelatine until dissolved. In a bowl mix gelatine, condensed milk and the juice of 1 lemon.
4) Spread the filling mixture evenly over the base. Place back into fridge to set
5) Once the filling is set pour the cool jelly mixture over the top. Place back into fridge
6) Once jelly is completely set lift sides of paper and place onto a chopping board. Using a cookie cutter cut the jelly slice into circles. Store in fridge until ready to serve

If you'd like to save this recipe for later click the title and pin this image

Christmas Guides for Everyone!

Over the last 4 weeks i have created Christmas guides for everyone. I'm putting them all together to give you Lime & Mortar's ultimate gift guide.

Don't forget you get discount on the items shown below - 5% off items over $50 and 10% off items over $100. See post for links and codes.

Colour Pop: Multi Rainbow

This is our last colour pop for 2014 so I've decide to do multi colour... a rainbow of colours! I love bright colours and look forward to sharing my kids rainbow activity area in the new year. Bright colours are not only for kids bedrooms. Have fun with colour in your home!

a) Hard To Find - Colours Wall Chart
b) Little Lola Boutique - Pom Pom Garland
c) Down That Little Lane - Large Bamboo Bowls
d) Pillow Talk - Spot Bath Towels
e) Target - Lantern Tealight Holders
f) Lime Tree Kids - Larry Felt Rug
g) Down That Little Lane - Wooden Rainbow
h) Cotton On - Watermelon Cushion
i) Leo & Bella - Nesting Dolls
j) Adairs - Lena Floor Cushion
k) Pillow Talk - Dream Cushion
l) Target - Triangle Print
m) Target - Palm Cove Cushion
n) Adairs - Sundance Beach Towel

Red Leaf Tea

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What's your most favourite tea?