Oh babies! Double the love...

So it's taken a while for me to sit down and write this post. Finding the time to sit at a computer is a rarity these days!

But I wanted to share this overdue post...

Introducing...

Maveric Hudson

+

Tallow Harper

21st December 2016

Maveric Hudson

14:31pm

1820 grams

4 pounds

47 cm

Tallow Harper

14:33pm

1860 grmas

4 pounds

45 cm

 Its been just over four months that these two precious little boys have been earthside. What a beautiful journey its been. A whirlwind, a learning experience, but so rewarding. We are truly blessed to have two healthy boys.

We have concrete & frames! A house update...

So much has been happening with our new house build, I thought I would do an update as a bit of a wrap up for the end of the year.

Here is a little recap:

++ The house purchase settled in early July and we spent about 8 weeks drawing up and finalising the house plans. See the before photos here.

++ Plans were then submitted to the Engineers and Certifiers to make any needed adjustments

++ Plans were submitted to council and we were sent the big approval tick about two weeks ago

++ The house demolition was approved and the house has now been demolished, ready for the new build.

But whilst all this paperwork and planning was happening, we have been busy working on the landscaping, studio building and demolition of the existing home.

So the house started off like this...

- a tiny two bedroom brick home

- an existing concrete slab that had approval for us to build on

before

 Nathan has been solidly working over at the house for the last four months now and has completed:

- a boundary fence

- front retaining walls

- a liveable garden studio

- tree removal

- demolition of the house

Here is some of what that looks like!

House before demolition

Roof was removed - then the excavator took over! It was demolished within an hour!

Pool is in - notice the boundary fence too?

Acreage style fencing so we can still see the bushlands and views from the rear of the home

The finished garden studio

The retaining wall progress and before the front fence was built (above) and after (below)

Foundation blocks being laid, ready for the concrete slab pour

Levelling the ground ready for the concrete slab pour

Saturday's concrete slab pour - where the house used to sit!

For anyone who has built before - you too know the most exciting part is the pouring of the concrete. Finally you can see an outline of where the house sits on the block, get an idea of room layouts and the overall vision. On Saturday afternoon we went and stood and took it all in - it was so exciting!

Yesterday the framing for the walls, ceiling and roof trusses were delivered to site. Today I couldn't help myself, I had to do a drive by and some walls are up - yipee! By the end of the week we should have some serious progress. Hopefully by Christmas all walls will be up and when the New Year comes, we will be ready to start roofing.

Piles of framing and we have progress with some walls

Coopar the site 'foredog'. Can you spot him in this picture? He thinks his job is to sit in the shade and guard the new delivery.

So that's a wrap from me and likely my last blog post for 2016. With our babies due any day now, I am madly ticking things off the to do list and throwing last minute items into my hospital bag. I am so worried about over packing now, I have so much jammed in! You can never know though what you might need. Literally everything is jammed into my bag, but the kitchen sink :P

So thank you, each and every one of you for following along and another year of Glamour Coastal Living blogging and adventures. I truly appreciate each and every one of you who pops in for a read, leaves comments and says hi via my social media. It truly is the best!

I wish you and your family a wonderful festive season and hope 2017 is your best year yet - I know I cannot wait! Merry Christmas and see you all in 2017! xx

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Christmas Gift Guide (+ Giveaway)

Note - giveaway now closed

Christmas and the festive season is well and truly in full swing now isn't it!

I am seeing lots of beautiful pictures of Christmas trees and elves on the shelf across my social media feeds - such fun!

We celebrated Christmas day a little early this year, with a ethical Christmas lunch. Did you see all the details here?

I am super excited as today I thought I would share the ultimate gift guide for those summer lovers who enjoy a day at the beach and turquoise blues...

Plus I have a giveaway in the spirit of Christmas thanks to Sodastream (worth rrp $249!).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Christmas is about celebrating with those we love.

Entertaining, turquoise beach days, summer breezes, BBQ's...

Icy cold drinks, shady beach umbrellas, floppy hats and sandy toes.

I hope your Summer will feature some sunshine, cheer and lots of merry memories.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If I was to write a Christmas wishlist, I know some of these beauties would feature!! If you are looking for a perfect Christmas present for your friend, a loved one, or maybe a treat for yourself then this list is for you...

1. Jungle canopy beach umbrella $249 

2. Shipwrecked straw hat $59.95

3. Power Sodastream Sparkling Water $249

4. Uberkate cocktail ring $195

5. Rattan beach bag $70

6. Escape cushion $29

7. French blue sunglasses $89.95

Today you can enjoy a more sparkly Summer - Thanks to Sodastream you can win yourself a new Power machine (rrp $249). Enjoy refreshingly cold drinks, perfect for those hot days on the beach or summer BBQ's - it truly is the ultimate entertaining sidekick. Make fruity flavoured water, cocktails and much more.

Note - giveaway now closed. Congratulations to Anne of "Let me be free blog"

to win:

lEAVE ME A COMMENT BELOW. super eASY!

tELL ME, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT SUMMER?

For an extra entry, visit me over on Instagram and leave a comment on the competition post.

terms and conditions
1. This is not a game of skill. Winner will be drawn from a random number generator.
2. There is one prize: 1x White SodaStream Power machine valued at $249
3. Entries open Tuesday 6th December 2016 to Sunday 11th December 2016
4. Open to Australian residents only.
7. Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Linking up with the wonderful Aussie Bloggers at #IBOT - come and have a read at some fab Aussie Blogging talent!

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An Ethical Christmas

have yourself a very ethical christmas

This Christmas, consider buying an ethical Christmas gift, to help shape and better the world we live in.

If just one in four Australians made one ethical Christmas purchase, we’d raise more than $2.2 billion for people living in poverty. That’s enough to provide clean water for every family in Zambia. Incredible huh?

Read on to see how we had an ethical Christmas...

Lunch at the Broadwater

Yesterday I did something very spontaneous.

I skipped half a day at work and convinced Hubby to as well (perks of having your own business I guess, you have to do it sometime!).

We had a long lunch on the Gold Coast Broadwater, thanks to Coles Supermarkets and their Coles Food Truck which is currently on tour around Australia. Look at the view of the Marina Mirage and parklands we were able to enjoy, it was the perfect day for it!

Oh Babies! My Baby Shower

On Sunday we celebrated the soon to be arrival of our twin boys with my baby shower - read about how we revealed their gender, if you missed that post!

I wanted a simple 'do, one that wouldn't be too much fuss. I was concious when setting the date to ensure I wasn't 'too pregnant'. I wanted to be able to still move around with ease, not have kankles and enjoy myself. I was also concious, that carrying twins, being 28 weeks pregnant that I am equivalent to the size and weight of carrying a singleton baby at 34 weeks. So the date was perfect, I was able to still get around with ease and the day was a perfect with blue skies, not a hint of rain as forecast. It was terribly hot though!

Feature Friday: Metricon's Southamptons

I have been home stalking on a full time basis lately - looking for design and interior ideas for the new home we are building. 

We have designed the home ourselves, taking inspiration from the natural layout of the acre block the home will sit on, the leafy tree surrounds and the aspects of the home.  We have kept it light with lots of high ceilings and windows, big stacker doors and all designed around a focal open plan living area. Designing the floorplan yourself is daunting and for most of it, we just winged it - lets home it turns out okay! Thats the thing that is tricky with building, you never know what it will look like, or if there are design flaws until you are living in it and then think 'oh should of added another window there' or wondering if a room needs more storage. So lets hope we have nailed it! 

When designing the home, we didn't focus on what others are building or designing or whats on trend. We focused on what we love, what is timeless and what works for the block of land and aspects. It is only now, that I am turning to Pinterest more (oh man it is addictive!) and also looking at other builders and what they are designing and doing at the moment. I then stumbled across Metricon's Lookbook page on their website and its brilliant - from high end glamour looking interiors, to a natural Scandi look, Hamptons or vintage, there is a home and lookbook for all!

If you’re new to my Feature Friday posts this is where I love to show you inside both real and designer homes.