Monthly Round-up: February '26

Skip to: February Top 10

Getting back into the routine of school days as we're now a month into term 1. I'm really trying to be more consistent with lunchbox prep this year - having snacks that I know both kids will eat, and it saves me time in the mornings when it's just grab and go. Making my own snacks is great because firstly - I know what's in them (not full of excess sugar or other nonsense!) and secondly - I'm not buying them weekly which is expensive and awful for the environment (so much single-use plastic!!). Can you tell I'm pretty passionate about this? :D Check out my blog post on our favourite lunchbox snacks.

Here's what else we got up to through Feb:

• We made the most of the last month of Summer with some outdoor adventures, starting off with a lovely day trip over to Phillip Island. It's always been a special place to me ever since we moved to Melbourne, and I try to visit at least once a year. First stop was lunch at Cowes and we tried out a highly-recommended fish and chip shop - Nat's Rustic Beach Feed. Fresh, homemade batter on the fish and deliciously crispy chips sprinkled in chicken salt; hunger was definitely satisfied! Then a little walk down to the beach, where we explored rock pools and played cricket. Our final stop was The Nobbies - rocky cliffs overlooking the crashing ocean below, and home to native wildlife including Fur Seals and Little Penguins. We strolled along the boardwalk, stopping to admire the incredible scenery, and were lucky enough to spot a Little Penguin hiding in it's nesting box on the grassy hillside - a wonderful end to the day.

• To celebrate my sister's birthday, we went berry picking! Never have I had more delicious berries than ones that I have just picked myself... So. Good! We went up through Gembrook (VIC) to Fieldberry Farm, where we were free to pick as many blackberries and raspberries as we liked. The owner gave a short introduction and walk through the rows, telling us about the different varieties (all pesticide free!) and a little on the farm's history. We tasted each variety, and they were all delightful - especially after being warmed by the sun. They were jammy and sweet, and so much fun to pick. We took home about 1kg - plus a tub of their homemade berry ice cream. Other than just eating them fresh, I also made some muffins and smoothies with them - the best!
  

• Something else exciting this month, was watching my Stapelia cactus grow it's first flower! If you don't know - this plant produces a "carrion" flower, which smells of rotting meat to attract pollinators (flies). Pretty gross, but also fascinating to see and experience first hand (if you're a #plantnerd like me!). So yes - it sure does stink, but since the flower is quite small, you have to get pretty close to actually smell it. I reckon it totally looks like a little demogorgon :D

• While I'm on the topic of my garden, I did spend some of the milder afternoons out there, re-potting a few plants that had really taken off over Spring and Summer. Many of my indoor plants were bursting out of their pots and absolutely flourishing with new growth, so I treated them to some fresh soil and a larger home. It's super satisfying seeing my care and work paying off, and my little indoor jungle thrive.

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February Top 10

Here's what I've been loving this month. A random assortment of whatever I had on high rotation, whether it was a snack, a TV show or a song - maybe you'll discover a new favourite of your own!

drink of the month: margarita

currently snacking: choc raspberry bliss balls

currently watching: house of guinness

current favourite songs

local shout-out: the bakery store, pakenham

outfit of the month: crop tee and jeans

currently reading: the spellshop

currently playing: kid-friendly board games

what's cooking: simple home edit recipes

adding to cart: cute Kmart finds

1. Drink of the month: Margarita!! I was gifted some beautiful cocktail glasses a while ago, and decided I must try them out with this classic cocktail. Fun to make and to drink!

2. Snack obsession: These raspberry bites are so good, it's hard to believe they are healthy! I just wish I could get more - they came in a gift hamper so I'm not sure where to buy. I haven't seen them in Woolies or Coles, do I need to look in health food shops perhaps?

3. Currently watching: House of Guinness on Netflix, a story (partially accurate, partially fictional) set in 1800's Ireland of the new generation of the Guinness family, who had their sights set on exporting to the world. If you liked Peaky Blinders, you'll probably like this. Really hoping a new season is announced soon, I need more!

4. Currently listening to: These songs are my most-listened to this month, all of which can be found on my 'It's a Vibe' playlist on Spotify. Maybe you'll discover a new fave here too!

   • Talk Of The Town - Fisher

   • Aperture - Harry Styles

   • Every Time I Look For You - Blink 182

   • How I Learned to Love The Bomb - Glass Animals

5. Local shout-out: The Bakery Store. French & Swiss style pastries, breads, sandwiches and damn good coffee, what's not to love?! Oh yeah, and only a few minutes up the road from my house, perfect!

6. Outfit of the month: Cropped tee + high waisted jeans. Such a cute combo, and feels youthful and fun to wear - perfect on a milder summer day. Top was op-shopped, jeans from Muji.

7. Currently reading: Sometimes I'll switch between audiobook & physical books, depending what I'm doing. At the moment I am listening to The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, which I'm really enjoying. It's a cosy fantasy story, featuring a talking (pet?) spider plant - cute! I've been really getting into this genre since reading The Lost Apothecary last year <3

8. Currently playing: Kid-friendly board games, as our 6 year-old has recently taken an interest! These are a few we've been playing lately: Forbidden Island, Forbidden Desert, Dragonwood, and an all-time fave - Sushi Roll.

9. What's cooking: Have been trying out a lot of Simple Home Edit recipes this month! If you don't already follow her, she's got awesome, simple, family-friendly recipes and meal plan ideas every week. Pictured here is the Baked Chicken Rissoles, with Parmesan Broccolini & chips. Every recipe I've tried has been 10/10 would make again!!

10. Adding to cart: Cute things spotted in Kmart recently - I adore the socks, and think I need to go back for them when the weather starts to get cooler :D

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And that's a wrap on February! I hope you've enjoyed my stories and recommendations. Let me know if we share any favourites or if you've found something new to love from these posts - tag me on Insta @pinelime.designco or comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Jess