Retro Beach babe

                       All images copyright Corrina Tough 2012
                                      The day is hot, a basket and hat......

                                        Sunglasses are a must .....

                                          A stairway to heaven....

                                              Stop for a rest.......

                                               Paradise

                                    Scope the beach for the best spot

                                 Chrystal clear water and beautiful bush

                              Gidget eat your heart out!

         All images Copyright Corrina Tough 2012

                           Overexposed but how cool does this look?

A day at the beach with a beautiful model, a blissful realisation of how gorgeous this place is that I live, a swim in the ocean, sunkissed skin what more could you ask for?

Tribute to Louise Moen Tough

                                                copyright 2012
On Monday 27th March we farewelled Louise Moen Tough. My husbands' nana who lived to almost 98 years old. She passed away on Thursday 23rd March about 2am. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Louise had seen some amazing changes in the world in nearly 100 yrs, had lived on a sugar cane farm in north Queensland, lived in Sydney and in her final 7 years in a nursing home in Portmaquarie where my in-laws live. Louise had impeccable taste in clothes, and gifts as well as the fine china she bought over the years- living through the depression must have made an impression and she never went without in her later life. She worked tirelessly even as an elderly woman to help her local community centre and had a special affinity with children. She will be greatly missed. Louise played a huge role in my husbands life and consequently mine too and we all have very fond memories of her. Louise is the oldest of the three children in this photo- I think she was about 8 yrs old here, this image then must have been taken about 1919. What an amazing life. xxCorrina

The way to a man.........

                                 poulet roti estragon (roast chicken Tarragon)

                                             prune gateau (plum cake)

                      Speculoos and vin chaud (spiced biscuits and mulled wine)

                                    All images copyright Corrina Tough 2012

The way to my man's heart is through his stomach. With all the hype over Valentine's day, I know no matter what day it is, if I want my man to feel loved I can make him a gorgeous dinner and he is like a pig in mud! Especially if it is a roast. Add anything else to the menu and I know he'll be happy. Plus, I enjoy giving love that way, and we can enjoy it together. These shots are of one such feast, my very yummy poulet roti estragon (roast chicken Tarragon), prune gateau (plum cake) and vin chaud ( mulled wine) and speculoos (spiced biscuits). I made this yummo menu earlier this week and we enjoyed it imensely. Anyone else have ways of showing love to their special person? Let me know xxCorrina.

Green

                                                                Vineyard

                                                    succulents and conifer

                                                          Peacock feather

                                                                chameleon

                                                   race on the lawn

                                                             Mulberry tree

                                                               Carlton Ware

                                                     Water plants in pond

                                                       Historical building

                                                         feather boa

                                                    butterfly magic

                                                           peeling paint

                                                             potager

                               All images copyright Corrina Tough 2012
Cool, calm, green represents growth, new life, fresh, food... Sometimes it hides in the background but it makes other colours pop! It can be subtle, rustic, vibrant, electric, olive, lime, pale and bright. I had to stop to think about green today. Here as the gentle rain washes the earth and everything green seems clean and bright. I trauled through my photo archives to find anything green that I could share with you. What do you think about green?xxxCorrina.

Momentus day momentus year

                                       Copyright Corrina Tough 2012

Hi all, today was a momentus and very emotional day as I sent my youngest child Curtis for his first day of kindergarten at school. This week has been huge with my seven year old going back to school on Monday- however we changed schools so first day at a new school. My son Jesse (19) started his transition to work program as he has finished school. This is for people who are disabled or disadvantaged and is a wonderful start for him. Finally, my daughter Phoebe (19) was accepted into Uni and we have spent the week emailing, filling in forms, organising accomodation etc etc. So in three weeks my oldest baby will be moving out of home!! How much can a mother take! Anyhow, back to Curtis- he has been hanging out for school for nearly 2 yrs and was so excited to finally go. He is extremely happy and had a wonderful start to his first day. I got lots of cute pics of him in his uniform - needless to say this is one of my favs- I love my little darling and will miss his company immensely. He is continuing on his journey of learning and it's very exciting. xxCorrina

The weekend and the unmade bed

I love perusing decorating blogs, magazines and books. All those beautifully styled rooms with everything just so. It does pressure you sometimes to feel like you need to have everything just so in your own home. I have four children and this is probably not the kind of pressure I need. I do feel like I can think straight if my house is tidy, dishes done and bed made. I love my bedroom- it always feels like a beautiful b&b to me and each time I have to go in there I feel like I am on holidays. But come the weekend and unless visitors are coming I like to give myself a break. I woke up last weekend and went about making pancakes for everyone, when I went into my room to make the bed I saw the beauty in its unmade form. The light was just hitting the bed so beautifully throught the leadlight windows. I decided this is beauty too, even some of the masters of the art world have captured the unmade bed as a still life. Here is my version. Go ahead- let yourself go this weekend- leave your bed unmade! It is liberating. xxCorrina.