Aspen decided she wanted a Nemo cake for her birthday which begged the question: how does someone with absolutely NO cake decorating skills and only one round cake tin make a cake that looks like Nemo? I trawled the internets but even my handy 61 cake designs go-to link wasn’t helpful. I was about to give up and print a picture of the fella and stick it on a toothpick when the hubby stepped in and came up with this solution! (He’s quite handy with working stuff like this out). From a basic round cake shape, he came up with this:

Maybe not Nemo but definitely a fish – which would be perfect for an underwater themed party! Luckily in my case, the kidlet isn’t too picky when it comes to yummy gf chocolate mud cakes…

Here is a handy diagram for you to follow. Please note that I was limited by time and decorating skills but you could achieve realistic fish scales using a spatula and frosting or even layering m&m’s.

Yesterday was Aspen’s third birthday and it was so much fun! We played pass the parcel and statues and got LOADS of presents! It wasn’t a very fancy party but with that many balloons to pop and friends to play with, the birthday girl was bound to leave with a very big smile on her face (and an inability to nap after all the sugar she ate!)

I’m thoroughly exhausted but so proud of the little girl my little magoolie is turning into. Sure, she’s crazy as a coconut, but she’s also very sweet and has a fantastic imagination. Happy birthday, Aspen. Mummy thinks you’re awesome.

I’m very excited to be introduced to the world of Ollie Rose - an online store that combines handmade finds with groovy brand name items. Clearly curated for cuteness, the items range from baby to kidlet as well as homewares and accessories. I like the owl and matryoska theme going on right now. I think I need to poach my eggs in a matryoska doll! For babyshowers, I’d have a look at their rattles & teethers section – lots of cute handmade items which would make the perfect newborn gift.

Ollie Rose : Online Store  |  Facebook

In case you haven’t already seen this on Apartment Therapy, this is possibly the most adorable family music collaboration ever:

Is white a colour or not? Well to get really technical, white light is actually the combination of all the spectrum of colours. BUT if you combined paint colours they would NOT make white.  Just a mess.  That technically means that the colour white is an absence of colour.  Eeeeeeff that’s confusing. I’m going to look at it another way. Colour looks AMAZING against a white background. White, being a colour or not, makes other colours burst. White is the ultimate backdrop for the main event of colour – a stage for the happy emotions that colour emits. Sing to me cyan, turquoise, grass green and raspberry!

Room by Helén Pe

Let’s scope this room.
Start with white walls, window trims, roller blinds, parquet floors, shelves, radiators, furniture and lighting. White-a-rama. Next add primarily primary colours with wall art, toys, pendants, rugs, bedding, books and OB1Kenobi’s.

Let’s create this room.
My go-to white paints are Resene: Alabaster, Dulux: Okarito, Porters Paint: Absolute White.
Isolate a group of colours to add. The trick to a room like this is to make it look easy, casual and unintentional BUT to do this you need to be the opposite. Pick 4 or 5 colours that tickle and then use this scheme to choose the added elements. This room has identified the following colours: Red, Green, Yellow and Blue.

Sources:
• Hot Air Balloon Art   • Marimekko Fabric  • Apple Clock  • Red Rug  • Geometric Mobile  • Green Lamp

Tips
*  “Fill” your rooms but make sure you still leave it clutter-free.
*  Clean lines, simple shapes and bright colours.
*  White is your friend but this friend needs colourful buddies to shine.
*  Surround yourself with “things” that make you happy

I’ve never been a big fan of dreamcatchers but this Valentines Dreamcatcher tutorial by My Poppet might just have turned me around! Forget Valentines, this would make a sweet year-round mobile for a nursery.

Thanks to Sarah for finding this cute Rainbow Necklace tutorial. I’m hooked! (heh crochet humour)

Alrighty! Now that we’re all warmed up from the last challenge, let’s get into this month’s challenge:

Paint an item of furniture in a colour that makes you happy!

It can be any colour you like. It doesn’t even have to be bright. It can be a pastel blue like this gorgeous dresser. The only colours you’re not allowed to use are black or white. Grey is permitted because it’s so gorgeous in interiors. How does that sound? Keen? In case you need a little inspiration, here are a few I like from around the internets. Let’s colour ourselves happy this month!

Check Out the Originals:

Apartment Therapy  | The Verden

Chicago Now  |  Poppy Cottage

Blissfully Ever After  |  Gaita Interiors

Share your project with the group and I’ll feature it on the blog. I’ll even choose one I like the mostest to win this month’s fab prizes!

As usual, you can share your images thusly:

Facebook: Tag me in your photo : @Maddie Lilmagoolie or @Li’l Magoolie (with an apostrophe) or post it on my wall
Instagram: Tag your image with #colourmehappyproject
Twitter: Link to your image using the hashtag #colourmehappyproject
Your blog: Paste a link to your post in the comments

Not only is it my daughter’s birthday this month, it’s also Bubbalooz’s! Based in New Zealand, Bubbalooz stocks the coolest gear for Mums and kids around and because it’s their birthday, you’ll find some awesome buys starting today! My favourite products include this colourful calendar … this Fluf Backpack … this robot lunchbox … this Window Bag … actually pretty much everything on their sale page. Have a squiz yourself. Bet you’ll find something to drool over.

Bubbalooz : Online Store |  Facebook

Can you believe January is over already? That went way too fast. January was our inaugural month of the Colour Me Happy Project and from the sounds of it, a few good smiles were achieved! Julia: “I bought two cool yellow mugs with white polka dots on the weekend. They make me smile every time I make a hot drink ”  Sarah: “I hung a DIY star mobile. The project cost me about $8 USD and it makes me smile every time I walk into the room.”

For everyone who participated, thanks for sharing the happy! If you didn’t get a chance to send me your picture, feel free to link to it in the comments for everyone to see.

Here are some of the participants. I think you’ll agree that the wire and wool creation by Angela (aka Gaga) from Spain is worthy of our first prize. You can see more images here.

Thankyou everyone for joining in. I hope your yellow addition continues to make you happy. Stay tuned for our next challenge later today!