Sneak Peek into Jenni's Home

A little while ago Jenni commented on one of my photos on instagram (my kids bathroom). When i get comments on photos I usually click on the person's name and have a little look at their instagram. Sometimes you stumble across gorgeous homes this way. And that's exactly what happened. I loved what i saw and I wanted to see more!

I contacted her via commenting on one of her photos asking if she had a blog/website where i could see more photos. Unfortunately she didn't... but lucky for you guys she loved the idea of featuring her home on Lime & Mortar.

As you've noticed throughout my home I have lots of lime green touches, well for Jenni its all about aqua.....another favourite of mine! Jenni is still doing some renovations to her home so today I have a little sneak peek for you. In 2015 we will have a post (or two) showing off her gorgeous home!

If you would also like to follow Jenni on instragram you can do so here: AquaAbundance

**Photos Copyright MJPlaydon 

Lime & Mortar 500 Likes Giveaway

Yay we reached 500 facebook likes... our little community is growing. How exciting!

To celebrate i have another little giveaway for you!! All you have to do is TAG a stationery loving friend on this image on either Facebook or Instagram. You can enter as many times as you like... just tag a different person per entry.

Competition is open to Australian & NZ readers only and entries close 21:00 wst Saturday 20th December. The winner will be selected randomly and announced on Facebook & Instagram Sunday 20th December.

Prize includes: Weekly planner, shopping list, notepad, 2x washi tape, 2x pens, sticky mini notes & scatter love card.

** This is not a sponsored giveaway. Just goodies i love and wanted to gift to a lucky reader.

Facebook Doesn't Like You...

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook and it seems you may too!

I set up our Facebook Page as a good way to communicate with you lovely readers and for you to be able to get notifications of new posts. However Facebook has other ideas and most posts in the last couple of weeks now only reach 1/4 of you. It's a shame really...i remember the day that if you liked a page all the posts showed on your news feed. It was great! I'm now missing posts from pages i follow despite the fact i often interact with them.

If you are not seeing Lime & Mortar daily links to new posts on Facebook and would like to get a notification then the best way would be to subscribe your email using the top bar on the right --------> Don't worry i wont be sending you any spam, you'll purely just get my new post each morning.

Alternatively come join in the conversation on Facebook and hopefully Lime & Mortar will show to you more often. I would hate for you to miss out on anything great!

I'm The Builders Wife's Guest

The lovely Nicole aka The Builder's Wife has asked me some questions about my experience when building our home. Head over and check out my answers. Whilst your there have a look around as Nicole is renovating her beautiful old Queenslander.

If you ever have any questions about building please feel free to email me. With Julian away most the time i dealt with admin and construction phases of the build. I love looking and helping with floor plans or colour selections and no question is silly!

To see my interview - Click Here

Recipe: Rudolph Treats

This Rudolph Treat is super fun and cute. The adults love these and the kids love them even more. They use simple ingredients but look very impressive. Wow your friends and family!

RUDOLPH TREATS

INGREDIENTS:

Bag of Mini Pretzels 

Bag of Marshmallows

Bag of Mini Marshmallows

Bag of Milk Chocolate Melts

Bag of M&M's (you just need to get red ones out so i used Christmas ones)

Packet of Butternut Snap Cookies

METHOD:
1) Prepare the decorations first. Cut marshmallows in half, on the sticky side stick a red m&m for the nose. Cut mini marshmallow in half to create a set of eyes. For the antlers cut the star shape pretzels in half (see photo).

2) Place 2 butternut snap cookies on paper towel and place in microwave for 50 seconds (time may vary, you just want to soften the biscuits). Push soften biscuits into a mini muffin tin. Repeat until your have desired amount.

3) Melt the chocolate melts over boiling water. Once smooth fill each biscuit cup

4) Place the noses towards the edge of the biscuit. Stick in the antlers and place the eyes on top.

5) Using a toothpick dip into any remaining melted chocolate and make a dot on the mini marshmallow.

6) Leave on the bench to harden. Once hard remove and store in air tight container. I store mine in a dark place rather that in the fridge.

TIPS: Previous years i have used a black gel pen for the eyes but this ive used chocolate so it's one less item for others to buy. Also must buy mini pretzel packet as normal pretzels don't contain the star shape. Spread biscuits out in the tin to make decorating easier.

To save these instructions for later click the title and pin this image

Christmas Guide: Men

Most people will say men are the hardest to buy for... i agree. I tend to buy Julian lots of smaller gifts like underwear, tops, favourite foods and bits and bobs. It's easier and all together makes a great gift.

a) Peter Alexander - Moustache Boxers
b) The Body Shop - Hemp Hand Cream
c) Target - Wallet & Multi Tool
d) Typo - Novelty Pen
e) The Body Shop - Modern Shaving Set
f) Jeanswest - Ethan Belt
g) Target - Mug Shot Glasses
h) Adairs - Nautical Beach Towel
i) Jeanswest - Aldo Shirt
j) Jeanswest - Christian V Neck
k) Target - Bonds Trunk 2 Pack
l) Typo - Eye Mark
m) Myer - Whisky Rocks
n) Target - Grooming Kit
o) Myer - Waterproof Speaker
p) Target - Men's Weave Fedora
q) Kmart - Desk Golf

Colour Pop: Wood

Wood adds warmth and texture to a room. Light wood suits a bright space specially coastal homes. I prefer dark wood in the home. I love the richness and depth it adds.

a) Down That Little Lane - Animal Coat Rack
b) Freedom - Reef Doormat
c) Typo - Stag Head
d) Freedom - Basby Floor Lamp
e) Leo & Bella - Cloud Bread Board
f) Beacon - Norway Table Lamp
g) Beacon - Edison Table Lamp
h) Leo & Bella - Geo Cut Wall Hooks
i) Country Road - Cloud Mobile
j) Zilvi - Wood Letter Tile
k) KitchenAid Truffle
l) Freedom - Alonzo Checkered Basket
m) Country Road - Salt & Pepper Grinder
n) Freedom - Host Serving Board
o) Freedom - Seaforth Bathmat
p) Typo - Pineapple Chalkboard
q) Zilvi - Hello Wall Art Black
r) Kmart - Decorative Balls
s) Leo & Bella - Mini Chalkboard

What Food Makes You Think of Christmas?

I cannot have a Christmas without Walkers Shortbread. I don't buy it anytime during the year, its purely for Christmas and reminds me of Christmas anytime i see or taste it. It's the one constant in our Christmas feast.

I asked a lovely bunch of ladies what food that they love to eat makes them think of Christmas. The answers varied between sweet and savoury. The most popular food mentioned was trifle!

Everyone has their preferred trifle. I like mine simple... jelly with sponge fingers, custard and fresh cream. I don't need anything else however i would never reject any trifle offered.
See links for recipes: Chocolate Trifle, Strawberry Banana Trifle, Raspberry Cheesecake Trifle

Of course there was the traditional Christmas desserts.. pudding, rum balls & mince pies. I don't like any of these so more for you!

The more fruity options of cherries, pavlova and mango

Along the lines of biscuit treats....wafer cigars, gingerbread and shortbread

Savoury choices were roasts of all kinds... turkey, ham (most popular) and pork. Also prawns were mentioned too

I'm not much of a drinker but i do enjoy a drink on Christmas.... seems many others do with egg nog, cold beer and champagne being popular choice

Tell me.... What food that you love to eat reminds you of Christmas???