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A Joyful Ordinary Life

Caramel Mud Cake Recipe: Easy Layered Birthday Cake with Caramel Buttercream
How to Make a Stunning Pavlova Dessert Board Everyone Will Love
Easy Vegetable Side Dishes: Simple Make-Ahead Recipes for Entertaining
Stress Free High Tea Ideas: How to Host an Easy and Elegant Afternoon Tea at Home
Lemon Eton Mess Recipe | Easy Mini Dessert for Entertaining
Homemade Whipped Lemon Curd: The Perfect Filling for Cakes, Pavlovas and Desserts
Meatball Lasagne: A Delicious Way to Use Leftover Meatballs
Easy Hot Party Foods for Feeding a Crowd

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One of my favourite little corners in our home...

One of my favourite little corners in our home... 🤍

This old timber box is filled with vintage serving utensils and well-loved timber boards all collected over the years. They’re not tucked away in a cupboard waiting for a special occasion—they’re used and enjoyed often.

I love surrounding myself with beautiful things that are also practical. Pieces that tell a story, make everyday life a little prettier.

#cosycorners #collectedlifestyle #usethegoodstuff #enjoythesimplethingsinlife❤️ #gathertogether

Pavlova Dessert platter There’s something so spe

Pavlova Dessert platter

There’s something so special about a pavlova at Christmas.

Crisp on the outside, soft and marshmallowy in the middle, piled high with fresh fruit and ready for everyone to help themselves - dessert always becomes part of the celebration.

One of my favourite ways to serve it is as a pavlova dessert board. It’s beautiful, relaxed and perfect for entertaining because guests can build their own little masterpiece. No slicing, no fuss... just lots of fresh fruit and other toppings.

If you’re already thinking about Christmas entertaining ,this is a recipe worth saving.(my apologies to those who are stressed by this post - but I blame those who have been sending me Christmas countdowns!!!🤪),

Head over to A Joyful Ordinary Life for the full tutorial and all my tips for creating your own festive pavlova dessert board. 🤍

Are you team pavlova or trifle at Christmas?

#christmasentertaining #christmasdesserts🎄🎅 #pavlovadessert #dessertboards christmasrecipeideas
Australian Christmas, Entertaining At Home, Holiday Hosting, A Joyful Ordinary Life, Celebrate

Thankful Thursday This week I’m feeling especiall

Thankful Thursday

This week I’m feeling especially grateful for the simple moments that fill up my life.

1. Catching up with some former work colleagues for lunch.
2. Staying consistent with the gym. It’s not always easy!!!
3. A lovely morning wandering around beautiful Canungra for the Petite Brocante. Sometimes a change of scenery and a little vintage shopping is exactly what I need.
4. A nice chat with my bestie. Good friends really are one of life’s greatest blessings.
5. Em and Mitch who are just the best new parents ever, so proud of them and not at all baised 😁😁
6. And, as always, our sweet little Hazelnut. She changes every single time we see her and somehow becomes even more delightful. Watching her discover the world is such a gift, and being her Gigi is one of my greatest joys.

It’s funny how often the best weeks aren’t made up of big milestones, but of ordinary moments spent with people we love.

What are you feeling thankful for this week? 🤍

#thankfulthursdays❤️ #feelingblessed❤️ #feelingblessed❤️ #gratefuleveryday❤️ thankfulthursday🙏

For years, I thought retirement was something you

For years, I thought retirement was something you planned when it was almost here.

Now I see it differently.

Retirement isn’t a finish line you suddenly arrive at—it’s a new chapter that takes shape over many years.

The earlier we begin thinking about it, the more time we have to make thoughtful decisions about our finances, our health, our relationships and, perhaps most importantly, the kind of life we want to create.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that it’s worth talking to a qualified financial planner sooner rather than later. Understanding where you stand financially gives you the confidence to make informed decisions about when and how you’d like to retire.

This article is the first in a new retirement series where I’ll be sharing the things I’m learning as Tony and I begin planning for this next stage of life.

I’m certainly not an expert. I’m simply someone asking the same questions many of us are asking and sharing what I’m discovering along the way.

If retirement is five years away—or even fifteen—I hope you’ll join me for the journey.

Head to A Joyful Ordinary Life to read the full article. 🤍
I’d love to know... when did you first start thinking seriously about retirement?

#retirementplanningtips #preparingforretirement #financialplanningaustralia #retirementjourneys #lifeafterwork❤️

Over 50 Living, Simple Living, Life Well Lived A Joyful Ordinary Life

For a long time, I thought a joyful life would arr

For a long time, I thought a joyful life would arrive when everything finally fell into place.

Now I believe it’s built in the little moments we often overlook.

A meal shared around the table. A conversation that lingers long after the dishes are cleared. A quiet afternoon at home. A celebration of life’s milestones—or simply celebrating an ordinary Tuesday because we can.

Joy isn’t something we find all at once. It’s something we create, one ordinary day at a time. 🤍

What ordinary moment has brought you joy lately?

#simpleliving❤️ #joyfulliving❤️ #meaningfulmoments #gatherandcelebrate #lifewelllived❤️

Our next renovation project is underway! This li

Our next renovation project is underway!

This little area has a few issues, so it’s time for a fresh start. I’ll be sharing the transformation as we go, and I can’t wait to show you what we have planned.

As we’ve started thinking more about retirement, we’ve been making thoughtful changes throughout our home to ensure it works beautifully for the way we want to live in the years ahead. This is just one more step in creating a home we’ll continue to love for many years to come. 🤍

#renovationprogress #ʀᴇᴛɪʀᴇᴍᴇɴᴛᴘʟᴀɴɴɪɴɢ #poolrenovations #backyardrenovations #backyardtransformations

Why Life in Your 50s Can Be the Most Beautiful Cha

Why Life in Your 50s Can Be the Most Beautiful Chapter Yet

For so many years, life is filled with responsibilities. We spend our time raising children, building careers, caring for others, paying mortgages, and simply trying to keep up.

Then something unexpected happens.

We reach our 50s and begin to realise that this season isn’t about slowing down—it’s about living differently.

We know ourselves better. We worry less about what others think. We start choosing experiences over possessions, peace over pressure, and joy over perfection.

For me, this chapter has been about simplifying, celebrating life’s everyday moments, and creating space for the things that matter most—family, friends, home, travel, gratitude, and meaningful connection.

If you’re in your 50s (or approaching them), I hope this reminds you that some of life’s most beautiful moments may still be ahead.

✨ Head over to A Joyful Ordinary Life to read the full article and discover why your 50s might just be your most rewarding season yet.

✨ What is something you love about this season of life?

#lifeafter50❤️ #simpleliving❤️ #Livingwell #midlifejourney #joyfulliving❤️

AJoyfulOrdinaryLife SimplePleasures LifeInYour50s CelebrateLife

Thankful Thursday 🤍 This week’s list feels a lit

Thankful Thursday 🤍

This week’s list feels a little lighter, and I’m so appreciative of that.

This weeks gratefuls are:

1. A morning spent making slices with Em for her wonderful midwives. It was lovely to spend some time together.
2. A quick catch-up with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
3. A wonderful morning with my bestie and her sister, who is visiting from New Zealand. Good conversation and old friendships are such a gift.
4. Tony taking the morning off so we could choose new pool coping tiles together, followed by brunch in a beautiful little spot he found for us.
5. And last, but by no means least, Em and Mitch surprising us with an unexpected visit—and, of course, plenty of Hazey cuddles. She is just so yummy, and every cuddle is one to treasure.

This week reminded me that joy often isn’t found in the big milestones. More often, it’s tucked away in ordinary moments shared with the people we love.

What are you thankful for this week? 🤍

#thankfulthursdays❤️ #feelingblessed❤️ #feelingblessed❤️ #gratefuleveryday❤️ #thankfulthursday🙏

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