renovate + decorate

i'm moving!

2009-02-19T16:14:00.005+11:00

Not house (goodness, who'd buy it?!), but web address. Also changing: blog name, host, look and some of the content. You can read all about over there. If you've linked to me here, I'd love for you to update your links to thehappyhomeblog.com - if you still think it worthy of linking to of course! See you there (hopefully!)
Bxx

kitchen reno part 2

2009-02-17T21:33:00.004+11:00

From the living room. I'm getting a light fitting put in over the dining table. I have a Tord Boontjie garland light fitting I was thinking of putting there but am worried it'll be too small - thoughts?

Slowly, slowly the place is starting to resemble a house again. I spent the weekend putting the doors on and the shelves in place and tidying up the endless supply of sawdust lying around the place (thanks to the rain, the benchtop and sink hole was cut inside. So you can imagine how pleased I was about that). And this is how it looks now.

The view from the hallway.

I had to go back to Ikea today to get the plinths (kickboards to cover the legs) and a few other things they either didn't have before (like LACK wall shelves) or that I totally forgot to buy last time I was there (shelves for the end cabinets that face into the dining/living room). I also was desperate to get the benchtop oil because it hasn't been treated yet. I'm hardly precious about things and quite like the timeworn look of wooden benches and tables. But I'm NOT happy that on the second day of the sink side being completed I discovered this...

Naughty naughty

Luckily, this should easily sand out (hope so anyway!). But people are still banned from my house now because I also discovered yesterday that the electrician had damaged one of the doors while leaning over to fix one of the power points with his tool belt. I'm going to turn it around and swap with the door next to it so problem solved but still highly annoying.

Plates and random glass collection!

Not annoying, however, is the fact I can access my plates and glasses by simply shoving my hand through the top of the cupboard (I haven't put the handles on the doors yet so the less opening and closing of doors, the better!). Obviously this is temporary until the benchtops get put on next week!

The sink, gooseneck tap and dishwasher - my true love! How did I put up with handwashing for sooooo many years?

So this is the sink side. I bought shelves for these base cabinets today and there will be an open shelf the full length of the wall just above the tap and then three horizontal wall cabinets above that. Now, my dilemma. I wasn't going to get a splashback for either side - just one little piece behind the stovetop. But I will, because I think it'll finish off the space and also because I'll need one!! The wall is so uneven there is a rather large gap between the benchtop and the wall. Plus, while being extra careful because of the non-oiled benchtop, I've realised how much water goes everywhere in a kitchen. Never noticed this before! Glass is out of my budget, stainless steel won't go and so I'm starting to lean towards tiles which I was sooooo against just days ago. Any other suggestions? I seriously considered pressed metal (a friend has it in her kitchen and it looks amazing) but I can't imagine that being very practical or easy to clean. So if you have any brilliant ideas/suggestions, I'd love to hear.

Here are the holes the electrician cut in the wrong space. Steve patched them up today, but the eventual splashback will cover them anyway. Phew. But note to oven manufacturers: I'd happily pay an extra dollar or whatever it'd cost to put on vinyl stickers instead of those crap cheap ones that DON'T COME OFF. Gotta get some metho or something. Grr

Still to do....

- Paint the back wall properly (and the little wall with bathroom door in it - plasterer only finished patching it up with this most recent job)

- Paint the ceiling

- Paint the window architraves

- Sand back and re-stain the floor

- Build and attach the wall cabinets and open shelves

- Place the other benchtop

- Hook up the rangehood

- Attach the plinths

- Oil the benchtops

- Get a splashback

- Figure out what to put above the fridge - there will be cover panels on either side of it so you won't see the sides of the fridge. Wall cabinets will be too shallow and base cabinets too high for the space, so maybe shelves? But they'll be too far back too. Might need to custom-make deep shelves for the space.

Hmm, that should keep us busy!!

you can thank us for all the rain and cold...

2009-02-16T22:09:00.007+11:00

I'm a fan of my new living room fan. I'm also a fan of the fact I can walk around this room again without tripping over a saucepan or slipping on sawdust! PS: That corner cabinet is usually home to linens and towels. This is until the wall cabinets go up in the kitchen. More on the kitchen tomorrow. PPS: I know I say this a lot, but apologies for crappy quality of images. Turns out, it's a crappy camera, not crappy photography. I know what I want for my birthday this year...

You know how when you wash your car, it rains? Well we had a double whammy: we had bore water installed last week and so it has not stopped raining since. We've used the bore water once. We also had fans installed in all the rooms, hence the wintery weather. And of course, to top it all off, we're all running out of clothes because nothing is drying in the awful weather and we didn't have much to choose from in the first place because I pretty much threw out the entire contents of my wardrobe one "I'm sick of my clothes" day and because the babies grow quicker than I can shop for them. So anyway, you might recall my whinging about the fact my husband wanted a different fan to the modern silver ones we were putting in the bedrooms? Well, I finally got him to the fan shop to choose this "different" fan and this is the result. Steve attempted to choose the bronze version but after headslapping him for such a suggestion, I pointed out the nice black version and SIX WEEKS LATER it finally managed to get attached to the ceiling. So after all my umming and ahhing about whether it'd look weird, it's in and I actually love it! It doesn't have a light on it, so we had wall lights installed on one side of the room and they're all glowy right now and lighting up the room up perfectly. Of course, none of the fan/light installation throughout the house was without drama: wiring in wrong place, no wiring at all, too much wiring, bonus studs and beams, complications in putting fan together... The fun of renovating an old place. Apparently, the previous owners had done some rather strange DIY electrical work. But considering these very same people tiled the back of the bathroom door, I wasn't even slightly surprised at this news! So what do you think of the fan? Fit in ok? We choose the eco version of the Futura Lucci for the bedrooms in the matte silver. They're great - nice and quiet and for fans, look nice too!

Share the love this Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T22:40:00.001+11:00

Share the love: give your pennies to the fire victims and use this as a card to remind your loved one how damn lucky you are to be able to see them, hold them, have them still in your life...

I'm in the process of packing up a big batch of clothing for the bushfire appeal, but I also love this idea I heard about today: Sydney artist Matthew Martin is encouraging lovers to print out this sweet design to use as a Valentine's Day card and donate the money you'd spend on cards, chocolates or other gifts to the victims of the Victorian bushfires. Go to this link to print it out and don't forget to call the Australian Red Cross on 1800 811 700 to donate. Hallmark will understand. I don't usually "do" Valentine's Day, but I'm all for it this year, in this way. x

kitchen reno part 1

2009-02-12T21:27:00.006+11:00

What I'm looking at right now. You should see the other side of the living room!

Am completely knackered, so not going to bore with all the details just yet, but let me update you in numbers and pictures...
Number of days without a kitchen: 8
Number of sandwiches eaten: 42
Number of arms incredibly sore from sanding and painting three times in one day: 2 (they would be mine)
Number of hiccups so far: 6
Most number of trips to the hardware store in one day: 6
Number of cabinets in place: 5
Number of cabinets to still be put into place: 10
Number of taps working: 0
Number of appliances working: 0
Number of holes in the wrong place the electician cut into the wall that was already sanded and painted? 2
Number of flies killed because the doors were open all day every day: 723. Wait. 724
Number of times we've fallen onto our butts because the floor is so damn slippery from all the swept up sawdust? Me: 2; Steve: 1; Z: 4
Number of days before my dad can come back and finish putting the kitchen in: 12 :(
Number of hours before we can get water and power on in the kitchen: oh god please let it be no more than 15!

Day 1: Looking better already!

The mouse's house (left) and grass growing inside the wall!!

Several floorboards had to be replaced. We nearly had this gaping hole overnight, but luckily the new floor was put in on time.

Day 2: Electrical and plumbing work

Day 5: new walls in and plastered and lights installed

Day 6: dad and his little helper putting together the cabinets. Funnily enough, that plastic hammer worked: teh nails actually went in!

Day 7: Pantry done. The other cabinets on that wall are not flush with the wall yet. Dad needs to come back and put the benchtop on. Am hoping the electrician can connect the oven and cooktop tomorrow. I'm tired of sandwiches and takeaway!

My temporary benchtop!! These are the offcuts from the other side's bench and the cut out from the sink hole!

And just because I don't have enough things in my life to keep me busy (!) I signed up to Twitter last week and actually spent longer than two minutes on it tonight working it out. I think I've got it. Here is where I'll be sending all those little quirks, annoyances or snippets of news too minor or time-consuming to blog about. And much excitement is the fact I can SMS the updates and they'll appear magically on my Twitter profile. How genius. Not sure how long I'll follow this fad (am really good at losing interest in things - Facebook? I only get on to look at friends photos now!), but for now, you can follow me at twitter.com/belindagraham

can you just imagine this coming towards you...

2009-02-09T09:42:00.009+11:00

How frightening.

I'd feel way too guilty whinging about living without a kitchen and blogging about the reno when so many people have lost their lives, homes and livelihood in the disastrous fires so I'm going to give it a miss today. On Friday afternoon there was a fire somewhere in our area - it would have been miles away, but the smoke and smell was quite intense and I found it hard to breathe at times. I thought to myself "here we go..." and sent out a silent sympathetic thought to the firies who we're in for a big weekend and made bets with my husband how long it'd be before the freeway was closed and the trains stopped running. Pretty much every year the central coast gets blocked off for a while due to fires. This is an incredible pain in the rear for anyone who needs to travel to Sydney or is stuck in Sydney trying to get home. It can be hours - at times days - before you're given the all clear. After this horiffic weekend in Victoria, we of course, have no right to complain. In fact, I'm sure every one of us up here would have happily been inconvenienced for a while if it meant Victoria had no fires, no deaths, no devastating tragedy. I cannot imagine the emotions being felt down there...

My husband suggested if the latest federal Stimulus Package is passed, they should immediately halve the amounts they'd planned to hand out and give the other half to the fire victims and to rebuilding the demolished communities. He also said part of it should go to upgrading our firefighting equipment, procedures and training. Because as temperatures rise year to year, our country is only going to burn faster, further and with more fury.

And for those insert-angry-adjective-here animals lighting these fires, I only hope they're found and punished accordingly. I might not be the world's biggest advocate of capital punishment, but in this case, I think being burnt at the stake highly appropriate...

is this the world's ugliest kitchen?

2009-02-04T21:04:00.005+11:00

The missing door: poor bugga nearly made it. Was hanging on by one tiny nail. But Steve kept forgetting its state and it fell on his foot one time too many and spent its last few days beside the fridge.

It might well have been. But unfortunately it can't claim this distinguished title because it NO LONGER EXISTS!!!! It's sitting all partly smashed up on my front sandpit (what pathetic grass we had has been fried in the heat). And it's never looked better. Even Z is glad to be rid of the "kitchen mess" as he calls it. Gee, do you wonder why I never posted pics of this room? I'm completely embarassed to show this, but seeing that it's all in the past, let's have a laugh, shall we? Yes, I've put up with this for five years. My medal better be in the mail...

A few incredibly exciting facts:

* I painted the doors white when we moved in because I couldn't imagine living with green doors for any amount of time. I did such a crap job, I was wishing for the green to come back.

* The previous owner's son thought himself a handyman. He wasn't. He installed the taps himself did such a bang-up job they didn't work properly. They were replaced numerous times and ground back and had lots of work but no makeover could save the cold one which exploded one day. I'm so used to using warm/hot water for everything I rarely turn the cold water tap on in the bathroom. He also cut a hole too big for the tap nozzle and didn't bother doing anything about it. My non-handyman husband figured expanding filler would do the trick temporarily. It sealed the hole, but, well, look at it! Ugh.

* The tiles are on big sheets of some asbestos-ridden material and weren't the same depth as the rest of the wall, so there was a weird uneven gap no one ever bothered fixing. I don't remember how the piece of wood make its way there but there it is!

Hmm, what's sadder? The contact-covered sheets? The mssing door? The paper towel stuffing the hole where the cold water tap used to be? The lovely aged yellow stains or the fish plug that for some INSANE reason I never replaced??????

One of the delightful tile prints I could admire while cooking. They clearly shopped at the Ugly Tile Shop - same place they got the sunflower tiles that were in my old bathroom!

And another one - I guess they just couldn't decide between the two beauties and chose both...

On a happier note, I did wonder if I was utilising the space enough with the new design. Would I fit everything in? Considering I was ruthless and thew out half the contents of the kitchen cupboards as well, I have a feeling I'll be just fine. Aside from another bag out of sight, this is all I have! I sense a shopping spree coming on!

I started building the cupboards so I had something to store it in. Four packages down, 48 to go...

So I was feeling the pressure with all your "can't wait to see the new kitchen" comments. But I guess, looking at this, anything is going to be a huge improvement isn't it?

bye bye hideous kitchen

2009-02-02T10:17:00.003+11:00

Oh the memories....

It's finally happening, people. THIS WEEK. Am so very excited. Builder starts on Wednesday to start ripping out the old one. This is how it looked the first week we moved in. We had all our stuff crammed in the bedrooms and former garage while we attacked the walls removing all the lovely mismatched wood panelling and scraping all the CRAP some genius thought would look great sprayed on the ceiling. There it is all over the floor, which is shame because it's hiding the delightful multi-coloured, animal-hair-covered carpet, which was actually better than what we discovered under the carpet... Once I've finished emptying the kitchen I'll take another pic of how it looks today. I'm afraid to say, it's actually worse: one of the doors recently fell off, the cold tap is no more and we changed the wall cabinet handles over years ago but never bothered to patch up the marks left from the old ones because "we're doing the kitchen soon..."

So soon has arrived. I'm going to start the new blog to coincide with this reno. I've called it The Happy Home because that's what it'll be with a new kitchen. Hopefully. So I'll redirect you when it's time - so far I've been blindly finding my way around Wordpress. Doesn't help that when I finally work something out my computer crashes and I have to start all over again. Am a little over technology... Have a good week. x

this week why don't you...

2009-01-28T10:01:00.009+11:00

...download this (well a similar one)...

After buying some stationery from Little Brown Pen last year, I begged them to design something our readers could download for free on the website - they graciously agreed, despite my continuous annoying emails. And now you can download a bright and cheery pinwheel garden stationery set right here. And of course there are a gazillion more gorgeous designs to choose from at their Etsy store, like the dandelions we featured in the March issue (pictured. No image of the pinwheel garden, sorry - looooong story, but it's adorable!). And if you're after a unique Valentine's Day card, look no further than their very cool range. So big, big thanks to Evan and Nichole who have just moved to PARIS. Lucky things.

...high-five this...

Good old Bonds have answered my prayers and designed an organic line. It was only a matter of time, of course, but how cute are these leggings?? I think Miss L might be getting a pair in every colour... Cute tops available too - perfect for upcoming winter, which is ridiculous to even contemplate when the weather forecast for the week starts with a 4 most days... Available from Baby's Got Style

...try this...

Next time you make spaghetti (so, possibly sometime this week, right?!) add about two thirds a cup of tomato sauce to the bolognese mix and a teaspoon of sugar. I use this instead of tomato paste for a slightly runnier, sweeter taste. It's YUMMO and makes my homemade lasagne extra awesome as well.

...buy this...

I realise school has started back already, but if you hadn't got around to all that labelling of the lunchboxes and school bags and books and clothes, go to Bright Star Kids! My friend Lou told me about these the other day and while I'd heard about them I didn't realise they also did wall decals, clothing labels, kitchen labels, bin labels - labels for everything! Lots of yummy colours and too-cute designs to choose from.

...meet this...

Ever seen ecostore in Woollies? I first noticed them while looking to try a new washing powder (my son has eczmea and so everything is a drama!). Then I noticed they did soaps as well and one sniff and I was in love. Seriously the yummiest soap I've ever smelt is their Lemongrass one. Coconut comes a close second... But aside from the delicious smell, they're good for you - no scary ingredients, artificial colours, preservatives or perfumes make them great for sensitive skin. Z loves to open the cupboard and take a big whiff! They've also got a great baby range - I tried the body wash and NO reaction! It's the only one he hasn't had a reaction to and he is a different boy since using their washing powder - eczmea has barely made an appearance, even with the crazy hot weather. I'm hooked. Check out the full range of their products (shampoos, cleansers etc) as well as where you can buy near you (they sell internationally too) on their website.

sneak peek: real living march issue

2009-01-23T08:20:00.000+11:00

March 2009: it's all about pattern on pattern on the cover

I know what you're thinking: it's still January and the March issue is hitting shelves on Monday? Ker-azy! Good for you readers who get another issue filled with goodies, but horrid for those working on it who had to work over Christmas to get it to the printers on time. Hopefully the April issue is a longer deadline... Here are a few pages to take you into the weekend. A little bit teasy, isn't it? Unless of course you subscribed - my mother-in-law got hers on Tuesday!

Tie-dye is, erm, leaving its mark on homewares

Office spaces you'll want to work in

Small-space tricks and plenty of eye candy

I didn't post too much exciting stuff this week, so apologies. I've been working crazily. But I have a few projecty things to show you soon. And if I can ever get hold of my builder, we should have a kitchen reno happening SOON. Hooray! Have a great weekend and happy Australia Day for Monday!

did you guess?

2009-01-22T15:53:00.002+11:00

Anyone pick what was unusual about my little hair makeover? Am hoping not, because that means I did good job! The whole thing was DIY: the colour and cut. And yes, this deserves its own post because it's hard work cutting your own hair without making it look like you cut your own hair. To be honest, there are a few floaty longer bits that Steve needs to tidy up for me, but overall? I'm rather thrilled. Haven't been to a hairdresser for about 18 months - Steve and I usually play hairdressers on the deck every few months. But I just might go soon and get them to do the colour properly. This is a wash-out, because there was no way I was braving anything longer than a week or so first time around! So yes, all that back-patting you hear is coming from me! And thanks for compliments! x

morphing into christy turlington

2009-01-22T07:00:00.000+11:00

I'll have this cut and colour please. Christy images from Elle magazine via here

Oh ok, not so much. Although I'd very much like to! But I've loved her hair in this photoshoot since the mag came out. In 2002. I've taken a snap to the hairdressers pretty much every time I've been, but it never made it out of my bag. I always chickened out. But the past year I've worn my hair a little shorter, still never past the shoulders, and I thought it's not that much further up the hairline. And it will grow back. And my hair is dark blonde so a darker colour shouldn't be tooo scary....

So, seven years is a long time to make a decision about a haircut and colour change, but I finally did it. I realised I had no major plans for the next while so if it turned into a disaster, noone would see me anyway because I'm always at home and if I did go out, I'd don a hat.

Practically twins! That's me on the left (ha!). Side note: if you're ever feeling too good about yourself, place a pic of yourself next to a supermodel. It's guaranteed to knock your self-esteem down a few notches!

But happily, it's not a total disaster and I love it. More and more every time I look in the mirror. I even want to go darker! There is a (small) point to me posting a pic of me and my hair. I did it for work. The beauty feature in the March issue (out Monday) is all about beauty sceptics. I wondered what I'd do on the web to relate back to it, so figured I'd write about my own little makeover. So, can you guess what I was sceptical about? And what is a little unusual about the process?

A side view. Never had hair this short before. Or dark. Feel like a whole other person! Z even told me "cool hair mummy". He's hilarious.

icy treat #2: freezies

2009-01-21T21:04:00.006+11:00

It was soooo hot today, this was pretty much liquid after the photo was taken.

For as long as I can remember, I've been addicted to slurpies. The petrol station near my home would see my every day in summer (and every third day in winter) when I was growing up. And I'm now McDonald's biggest fan since they brought in their Frozen Cokes - don't even have to get out of the air conditioned car! But my absolute favourite frozen drink is the one I do myself. Could not be easier. If you hate it when your soft drink goes flat towards the end of the bottle, throw it in the freezer. Once frozen, take the bottle out and smash it hard on the ground - it's a very violent game this one - to loosen it up a little and then shake, shake, shake the bottle until it's all mushy. Then squeeze it into a glass (you might need to do some more banging and shaking here - a rather good workout!) and eat with a spoon. Yum. The good thing is, the fizz of the soft drink (even the flatish stuff) means it doesn't freeze as hard as ice and so breaks up nicely to make yummy slurpies. And you know it's not half water, like the shop ones are! My fave is the Deep Spring Orange and Mango Mineral Water. Mmm. Or plain Coke. There are three things I will never, ever buy cheapie homebrand versions of: toilet paper, tissues and cola. It needs to be Coke - or nothing!!

And for the bubbies...

Sassy Teether Feeder, $7.95, Baby Nest. You can also get something similar from Big W.

Can't forget the babies. Miss L is starting to teeth and is chomping down on anything and everything. The ice ring teethers are good, but this is even better: I pop an ice cube (or two) into this mesh feeder, smash it up with a heavy spoon and let her at it. She gets to suck and bite on the ice and actually get a result, something the teethers don't do. But boy you should see the tantrums when the ice runs out! These are also great for messy fruits like mango and banana. Oh and a tip on ice. I've found out (by accident - we have no cold water tap in the kitchen at the moment. It's literally falling apart, hence the need to get on with the reno!) that by freezing warm water, it breaks up itself into nice little bits when you crack it out of the ice tray. Good for little kids who like to eat ice as a snack (or is that just my children who do that?)

little peek: kids' rooms by pottery barn kids

2009-01-20T22:52:00.004+11:00

Chalkboard paint rules. Really want to find plastic cookie jars like the ones on the bench. Anyone?

I was returning a book I'd bought my husband that he already owned (note to self: check bookshelf before buying classics) and instead of buying him something else he hadn't actually read before, I spotted this book and bought it instead. Most of the rooms aren't my taste at all, but I did like the way it was written and that the ideas are all doable. And if you just put your creativeness to good use, you can adapt the projects and ideas to suit your own style. Here are a few fave pages and ideas to steal from them...

Love this playroom: the table was a regular sized table but the legs had been chopped off so it's now child-sized.

I'm desperately seeking library-style book racks like the one next to this bed to pop at the end of my new kitchen bench (which is still in a box in my bedroom...) for the kids play spot I plan to create. Might need to get them built. Or maybe adapt a good-sized spice rack, perhaps!

Nice wall graphics (on right) and to the left is the back of a home office area that incorporates the kids and keeps them busy while you're working. Can't see any ideas to stop tiny children from demanding the "bunnies" (Sony Bravia playdoh bunnies commercial) on Youtube every time they see my laptop open. Damn. And damn me for introducing Z to Youtube.

Cute little crafty zone. Reminds me of my mum's preschool. The pegs and corkboard double as a drying rack and art display. And does anyone use wooden pegs to hang up clothes anymore?

This room I loved. World map murals look great in kids rooms. You can get one here from The Map Shop. And you can get similar box shelves from Big W. Yes, Big W! I think it's about $20 for three-different sized cubes for memory.

Sweet ways to display the plethora of books kids accumulate.

Shared rooms. Cute pic of the kids on the floor. Reminds me of when my sisters and I used to bunk together with our same-striped bedspreads mum made in our chosen colours. Mine was always lilac, Kristie was yellow and Gretchen was of course pink.

this week, why don't you...

2009-01-19T07:00:00.001+11:00

...do this...

Make your own library-like cards by simply filling in the boxes with text here. Great for blog to-do lists or unique messages. I thought I'd fill mine with some funny things Z has done in the past few weeks.

...shop this...

This lovely lady is called the Molly bag and is, like all her Louenhide sisters, going for 50% off at Real Shopping until January 29. Also, must check out pretty new cushions - might need to put the Paris one on my wishlist... And don't forget: free delivery for any purchase from this site.

...eat this...

Yes, even if you don't know children, Rafferty's Garden Apple, Pear + Cinanamon puree should be put into your shopping basket next time you get to the supermarket. Because if you heat it up a little bit and squirt it over a bowl of ice cream, you just might experience heaven. Also good without ice cream. My sister is a pilot and takes these with her so she has yummy healthy snacks at all times (cause we all know how good airline food is!). I'd love to see her co-worker's faces though when she whips out a pouch of baby food! Speaking of baby, no added anything and just what it says in the title also makes it good for the littlest ones. Miss L gobbles these down regularly. Oh, the site has great baby recipes too.

...join this...

Design, make, sell, buy, write about or do anything else that involves kids or kid's products? Join this brilliant online community - Skout - for all kinds of advice, friendship and networking. It's a great way to get your stuff known globally or just pick the brain of like-minded people.

...read this...

I had a flick through Oliver Heath's new book Urban Eco Chic on Saturday and was thisclose to buying it. Only reason I didn't was because I was looking for something specific and had to save my pennies in case the next book shop had it (it didn't, but anyway... ). But it did look lovely - lots of great pics and a heap of info on living a stylish, but greener, life. So I had to check out if he had a website - of course he does! Some lovely pics and info on his site and blog.

ice treat #1: rocket ice blocks

2009-01-16T07:00:00.002+11:00

I tried to get Z zooming it around, but he's not a very pilot. Oh wait - astronaut, right?

Apologies to those of you rugged up in your woollies watching snow fall outside, but over here, we've been sweltering in close to 40C heat. And nearly have to eat the entire contents of one's fridge and freezer when all the air conditioners in the area overload the power and cause a blackout. So to celebrate this typical Aussie summer, I thought I'd share some yummy icy treats we've been making in our house. It seems my love of frozen things has rubbed off on my son. He's obsessed with ice blocks, ice, frozen peas... So much so that the first thing I hear in the morning after "Hi Mum, I see Daddy and L?" is "Ice block? Please?" When I say no, he asks for ice. And damn our upside-down fridge, because I quite often find him sitting on the floor attempting to break up the ice cubes himself (cause they're too big for his mouth!). Anyway, Santa heard about this ice block obsession and stuffed his sack with these cool rocketship moulds from Chalet, $14. And here is what we fill them with...

Tingly tangly rockets
1 large orange, juiced (I do it by hand)
1 melon, chopped
1/4 fresh pineapple, chopped
Throw it all in a blender and whip up until smooth. You might need a dash of water to thin it out a tiny bit. Then pour into the moulds and freeze

Berry nice rockets
Half a punnet of strawberries
1/2 frozen raspberries
A nice large scoop of vanilla ice cream
Whip up in the blender, add some milk to thin if you wish then pour into moulds. This is a really yummy smoothie too, just add more milk.

These make six rocket ships. And one word on these Chalet moulds: the sticks that come with it catch all the drips, which is good in theory but in reality, it just means messy spillage when little kids zoom their ice blocks around. Also makes it impossible to eat the bottom of the ice block cause the stick is wider than the rocket. Annoying. So I just stick in some normal paddle pop sticks - the mixture is so thick, they stand up halfway despite them being shorter than the mould. And yes I know all this because I eat more of them than Z!

cute project: customised book covers

2009-01-15T07:00:00.001+11:00

Penguin Classics had a huge success with its orange, black and white covers this year. (They even let you design your own cover. How very cool.) But wouldn't you rather see the classics looking like this? Image via The Names Agency

This idea is possibly only for people with lots and lots of time on their hands, but I do love it so. I have a thing about paperback books. Of course I buy them because you're not exactly going to get The Devil Wears Prada in a hard cover coffee-table style are you? But I don't like how they look: all weird colours and slightly different sizes and widths. Brown craft paper is a popular recovering option, but I love this one the most. If I had a spare three years to recover each and every novel, travel guide and dictionary with pretty paper and uniformed custom-made book labels, I so would.

Even though it's a highly impractical idea for your entire book collection (unless yours is, like, seven), it would work well to hide the really butt-ugly spines or hardcover books you'd like to use to bulk up your coffe-table display but just aren't pretty enough. Or just with a small collection you'd like to pop on a display shelf or buffet top.

But I could especially see it working as a gift. Say you bought your sister all of Candace Bushnell or Jodi Picoult's books as a collection - how much would she love unwrapping it and seeing the books looking like this? The hardest part would be getting the spine labels the right widths, but you could always cheat and do it the other way, in which case you'd have more room to work with. Oh and did I mention it'd be a GREAT thing to do with leftover wallpaper? Because it would. And I don't often mention wallpaper, do I??? Ha!

hip hip hooray!

2009-01-14T22:25:00.005+11:00

Lovely Brooke is slaving away for me on a new blog header - yay!

For me! Because I was lucky enough to win the blog design giveaway at ohbrooke. Weirdest thing: there I was clicking through a few of the nicely-designed blogs I read trying to work out if they were wordpress or blogger (oh the exciting life I lead) when I decided to peek at Making it Lovely's blogroll. First one I clicked on was ohbrooke and I had a little read and there was this giveaway (I blogged about it briefly on Monday) for a blog design. Could it have come at a better time? Especially when I was so jealous of Lisa Tilse winning a blog design over at The Red Thread and thinking what an awesome idea it was for creative types to do and then I stumbled upon this one! So I entered, thinking "I'm going to win this on". And I did! I also had that feeling with the La La Lovely comp too where I won a Made By Girl poster. So, anyway, I sent through some ideas to Brooke today and hopefully it won't be too long before all is revealed! But if you want a redesign, she's posting her price list soon - and good news: it won't send you broke! Plus, if you put her ad up on your site, she'll give you a discount.

tiny chairs are taking over my house

2009-01-14T07:00:00.000+11:00

I can just see L all dressed up in her pretty yellow frock rocking away in here clutching a doll or some sort and sipping a pretend cup of tea. Cu-ute!

It's true. Soon, they will out-number adult-sized chairs. At the moment, we have 8: a Stokke Tripp Trapp (with another one to come soonish), two wooden Ikea ones that came with a mini table, a child-sized green suede armchair, a little wooden antique chair painted turquoise, a purple Bumbo, a black bouncer and now this little wooden rocking chair - my fave! I just need a baby-sized Cape Cod chair to match my own one and I'll be happy. Oh and maybe a tiny Eames rocker - anyone know if they exist?

But back to this little rocker. I'd just spent a few thousand at Harvey Norman on kitchen appliances when I decided to pop into a cute little baby store around the corner from it. This was the first thing I saw. I ooohed and ahhed, but decided I couldn't really hide it (as, um, I often do with some purchases. Then when the hubby finally gets around to noticing it I can say "had it for aaaaaaaaaaages". Naughty.) and told the lady so. But then she knocked off a huge chunk of the price and I practically robbed her at $60. How could I say no? Especially when you compare it the last purchase's receipt! The store is a must-see if you're on or near the central coast - it's called Blossom Bubbas (ph: 02 4367 6900) and stocks a beautiful collection of children's decor, clothing and gifts, including Oobi Baby and Lilly & Lolly as well as local crafties who've started their own lines and are just adorable like Four Little Cupcakes and Little Buddha.

And just because little baby wardrobes are too cute, here is the contents of L's. She likes to shop at Country Road, Pure Baby, Oobi Baby, Cotton On Kids and Pumpkin Patch. Well, her mum and aunties do anyway. The little yellow cardigan was made by my Nana. I "bagsed it" years before I even fell pregnant the first time with Z!

The chair has since moved into the already-overflowing-with-chairs living room because from lunchtime yesterday, this same space now looks like this:

My new kitchen - you like?

Oh yes, my kitchen cabinets, benchtop, sink and tap arrived. Fifty two boxes. The poor guys couldn't fit the truck through the gates so had to park in the street and walk alllll the way down the driveway, and then along the obstacle course of a deck into our bedroom where they're being stored until it's ready to go (hopefully a couple of weeks only). And it was HOT. So anyway, there were two young, hot sweaty men in my bedroom for a while yesterday. How horrid for me!

milk + cookies

2009-01-13T07:00:00.002+11:00

The aftermath: not too bad for a two-year-old!

In between the ridiculously hot days we've been having here, we were thrown a rather cold 17C day last week. Seeing as it came straight after a 40C day, I considered it freezing and was expecting snow. So, being all overcast and uninspiring, I decided it was a good cookie day. And just to blow my own trumpet here, my choc chip cookies are the yummiest. Look hideous, taste heavenly. Anyway, Z and I whipped up a batch and gathered 'round the coffee table to scoff them down, perched on my Chrissy presents from Steve (that I bought! And my gift to him was clothes that he bought! We don't really like surprises). Aren't they lovely? I'd been searching for these poufs for what seemed like forever. Well, I knew where to get them, but I was after a bargain. And finally - finally! - I found one. Bless eBay.

So, here's what you need to know. Even with the crappy Aussie dollar, each was $150 (inc postage from the UK), which is a good $50 less than the next best price I found for something similar. They're new, leather, handstitched in Morocco and are sold unstuffed to keep postage costs to a minimum. Stuffed, they stand at about 30 centimetres and are 50cm in diameter. They're perfect for the kids - Z has taken up residence on the one at the end of the table for lunch, drawing, reading and just hanging out. But don't let their size fool you - these things are bottomless pits of storage space. In one there is a sleeping bag, queen-size woolly mattress protector, two good-sized garbage bags filled with baby clothes and there is still space for more. The other has another two bags of old clothes, a doona and some of Steve's old shirts. Great storage for old stuff, but be warned: they do smell rather yucky on the inside so don't put good stuff in there in case it doesn't come out in the wash!

Want one? You can get them here: Leather World Shop. They also come in a range of other colours like maroon, fuchsia and turquoise. I know what my sisters are getting for their birthdays this year!

this week why don't you...

2009-01-12T00:55:00.000+11:00

...read this...

My latest blog obsession is Inchmark by a former Martha Stewart Weddings and Kids graphic designer. Everything is beautiful, the ideas are unique and you can tell special thought and love go into everything she creates. If there is such a thing as a blogger crush, Brooke Reynolds is mine at the moment! I'm going to steal this idea (above) to make door plaques for my kids' room.

...download this...

It's fab! It's funny! It's free! The ever-popular Stay Calm and Carry On poster has been spoofed and shrunk into a greeting card. Download it here from Creature Comforts and print onto card. Or you could probably even print out on A4 size card and frame as normal.

...cook this...

Make these yummy blueberry muffins now in time for your 4pm sugar hit. And if you do all that mixing by hand, the exercise will cancel out the bad stuff you consume!

...try this...

This pretty light started out as an odd little froggie lamp from Ikea's children section, can you believe it? Nicole from Making it Lovely shows you here how to glam it up easily. Oh look! Another use for wallpaper. Is there anything it can't do?

...enter this...

Blog in desperate need of someone to wave their magic wand over it? Leave a comment on this post at Oh Brooke and you could be lucky enough to win a blog redesign by the author/clever creative designer. You have until today (Monday, Jan 12) but luckily, we're ahead of the States, so even if you don't read this until Tuesday morning, it'll still be Monday over there! Tricky! Great blog too with all sorts of handy decorating tips and tricks.

welcome back!

2009-01-12T00:51:00.000+11:00

How I spent my holidays: lazing around home chilling out. Only not quite so glamourously... Maybe next summer when I get a daybed! Image via The Names Agency

How was your break? I'm happy to report I pretty much did absolutely nothing and barely crossed a thing off my to-do list. It was heaven being so lazy. I'm not one for making new year's resolutions, so none of that here, but I will take this opportunity to tell you a little about where I'm headed in blogland. I've been thinking recently about what direction I want to take with my blog. It started out as a record of my renovations and attempts at creating a home, but as I'm sure you're aware has taken off in different tangents at times. Then I started mini meez to satisfy the mum side of me, but I'm finding more and more than I really want to merge the two a little and focus on family/home life. And seeing as I'm also now going to be partly looking after the Real Living blog also, three is way too many for one already-busy person! So, as of today, I'm not writing mini meez anymore. I'm also going to be making a few tiny changes here in terms of content and eventually - if I get my act together - I'll be redirecting you to another blog altogther which I really hope you'll continue to read. But until then, I'll do my best to stay true to the title and post pretty pics, ideas and of course my never-ending renovation. However, they might be a little sporadic (what's new!?!) - between the blogs, the website, writing for the mag, looking after the bubs and renovating, my time is greatly stretched. I do see a light though - the kitchen cabinets are being delivered tomorrow, the electrician is upgrading our power box Wednesday and the appliances will be here within the week. Hoo-bloody-ray!

One more thing: if you've been re-reading older posts, you might have noticed the pics of kids are missing. I'd love to continue to share them with you, but I was always a bit nervous about posting them and then lately certain things have happened, certain thoughts have crept into my mind and certain people have helped me decide that it's time to keep them a little more anonymous. The baby pics are still there, but everything else I've taken down. They'll still make appearances, but I'll just have to be a little more creative from now on!

Ok, seriousness over, let's blog! Bx

pssst: a few more pages from the issue

2009-01-08T17:12:00.003+11:00

Love the nursery - my collection of driftwood was (previous post) to make a mobile but seeing as I left it on the beach I'm sure it's drifted back off to sea!

Happy new year! I'll be back properly from Monday, so until then, drool over these. Or just look at them! I posted them on Deb's blog today, which by the way will be updated more regularly this year - our new year's resolution! Bx

out now: jan/feb issue

2008-12-30T20:55:00.004+11:00

The Jan/Feb cover: my new fave!

Hope everyone had a lovely Chrissy and that you were all spoilt rotten. Am still on a break but had to pop on to let you know the Jan/Feb issue is out now and show off a few pages. Aren't they lovely?

Decorating with driftwood. I actually starting collecting pieces today down the road to possibly do one of these projects. But they're still sitting on the sand because I forgot about them!

Shopping for your bedroom: 3 looks

Folktastic! For a huge shopping guide for all things folk, go here

How to find your own style - from moodboard to room

And of course this means that the site has also changed so head to http://www.reallivingmag.com.au/ for great links, projects like how to make a giftwrap bedhead, a folk shopping guide, beach beauty, yummy summer recipes and a refreshing fruity margarita and a real reader's nursery makeover. Also, there is a free carpet bag pattern download that Amy Butler herself raved about while in Oz in November and an entry form for the British Paints competition where you could win one of five $1000 paint packs. Phew.

Style my... outdoor chill-out space. This was fun: I love, love the range of outdoor fabrics I found (7) and that beautiful recycled plastic rug (3). I have one of these chairs (2), footstool (6) and chimes(4), so I guess I was a little influenced by my own outdoor chill-out zone! And the tyre tub is on my to-buy list to stash the multitude of bats and balls and outdoor toys Zak keeps accumulating! Go here to find out where to buy all these items.

These last couple of months I've started a "style my..." section where I've had fun putting together little collections for a room. Last month I did style your party table; this month it's style your outdoor chill-out space. Ideally I'd love this space to be budget-friendly so I'm thinking things like "style my living room for less than $2000" just for the challenge. Is there anything you'd love me to try? A particular room? Colourway? Theme? Budget? Let me know!

have a peaceful christmas

2008-12-16T22:05:00.012+11:00

Isn't this adorable? From Brenda Leann's Flickr

Well guys, I'd planned to blog about so much before the break - gift guides, round up of 2008 trends and predictions for next year - but I am only one person with many hats and work, motherhood, chores and life in general seemed to get in the way. So, I'm taking my break now (not really, I'm working up until Dec 29 when the next upload goes live) and will be back early Jan for a new year. Unless of course I get bored or have something to share! I'm determined to find my way around Flickr this holidays, so check me out here - I'll attempt to get that sorted with pics of my place and what I've been up to on my break.

Yay! Blog awards for me!

Before I go... I was awarded two "Love your blog" awards recently - one by Jo Girl and the other from Ish & Chi, so big thanks for those! I'm meant to pass it on to six bloggers I happen to love, but I'm going to do it a little differently. Instead, I thought I'd hand out some virtual Chrissy gifts to my most regular haunts. I've come across a gazillion brilliant blogs this year and check out dozens every week, but there are a handful in my daily rotation - most of which I'm sure you also regularly check out. So here are the women who've inspired me, entertained me, made me laugh, taught me things, become my blogging friends or just kept me in touch with what's happening outside of the design world- and a few things I thought each blogger would like to receive. Of course, it'd be much nicer to receive them for real, but... it's the thought that counts, right?!

Merry Christmas... Holly Becker of Decor8 and Haus Maus
Holly's Decor8 inspired me to blog regularly. She packs it with so many inspiring images, thoughts and information every single day and is so nice and sweet on top of it! Then she went and started up a second blog documenting the decoration of her German apartment and she's put me to shame. In just a few months she's achieved more than I have in five years! But I love her eclectic style and eye from what I've seen in both her homes. It's been fun following her journey, during which I've discovered she has a thing for owls. So here is a lovely Letterpressed owl print from Bespoke Press (whose store has just opened and who has a great blog too, check it out!)

Merry Christmas.... Danielle de Lange of The Style Files

I know I'm going to see something beautiful when I log on to Danielle's blog. She has exquisite taste that I wish would rub off on to me via the internet! She's a stylist, a web store owner, a blogger, a corporate girl and has just added removator to her list of talents - I hope she invites us into her new world of dust and dramas as she makes her gorgeous little farmhouse just outside of Amsterdam a home. I thought she might love this beaded storage box by Attia. White, handmade, glam beads. Perfect! Maybe even something for her to stock in Le Souk!?

Merry Christmas.... Trina McNeilly of La La Lovely Things

I'm a newish reader of Trina's blog but have found myself returning daily. It's warm and friendly and filled with all things pretty. And I love finding out interesting things about people, like that her father is a newspaper man - just like my hubby and me in a previous life (well, I was a newspaperwoman! We met in shorthand class. Everyone say ahhh). Trina represents my all things girlie side - think chandeliers, flowers and pink. I think she'd love this chandelier stationery set from Pink Paris Design.

Merry Christmas... Jennifer Ramos of Made By Girl

I live my bright, bold and colourful side through Jen! I'm not brave enough to do it in my own home so enjoy the oodles of colour she features on her blog and in her work. I now have two of her artworks - the ABC and LOVE poster - and I'm sure there is room for more! I thought I'd found a unique store in Cox & Cox and had copied this cushion into my folder a while back for this very blog post and then Holly goes and blogs about it yesterday and ruins it for me - hmph! Hehe. But here it is anyway, I know how much Jen loves her Union Jacks!

Merry Christmas... Amanda of Swish and Swanky

I found Amanda via my own blog! And she quickly became a regular for me too. Her posts are a mix of personal and inspirational and she had a genius idea these past few weeks to feature a range of different bloggers and how they celebrate Chrissy. I was honoured to be a part and thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's responses. For Amanda I think this adorable little put-it-together-yourself felt birdhouse from Lola et Moi would be perfect - for her or her daughter's room.

Merry Christmas... Danielle of Danimezza
Danielle was my very first commenter and huge supporter of this blog from the beginning. From her incredibly interesting career choices to her love for her hubby to her battle with that horrid "I" word mums-wanting-to-be shudder at the thought of (and of which I can relate) to her dinner party table settings, she writes about everything and anything in her life - a true blogger I'd say! I know she collects turquoise glass and you just can't beat a Dinosaur Designs turquoise vase, so this one is for her!

Merry Christmas... Viv of Ish & Chi

I haven't known Viv all that long either but her nursery decroration sold me - this girl has style! She's just given birth to adorable baby Robbie but still finds time to blog about all things pretty, her eBay and market scores and her painting. Her red and white nursery is adorable and I thought this beautiful so-soft Luna Ninos blanket might make a lovely addition to it!

Merry Christmas... Mia Freedman of Mamamia

Not design related at all (in fact she's rather anti-homewares and renovations!) but my daily read for celebrity snippets and fashion eye candy which saves me from the painful Perez Hilton-type blogs I can't handle any more. Her life musings and family-life stories are always amusing and relatable and of all the blogs I read, she's the only one I've actually met in person (aside from Deb and Nat of course, but current colleagues don't count) - she was my former boss. Seeing as she's been wondering lately if Nicole Kidman's plastic-like face is really due to sunscreen as the actress claims, I thought this Nic doll by Noel Cruz would be the perfect tongue-in-cheek gift for her to spot the differences. One could argue the doll is more lifelike! Ha! (Oh and you must check out the other celebrity dolls he's created. Spooky how much they resemble the actors.)

And finally, Merry Christmas... every single one of you who's visited me here or at mini meez, commented on a post, emailed me personally, helped me, promoted me and inspired me.

It's been a joy being part of such a nice blogging community (unlike some others I've visited at times) and to thank you all, here are some little gifts for you too, beautifully wrapped by Rebecca Thuss. The gifts inside are whatever you wish them to be! So go on, treat yourself to something nice, you so deserve it! And I invite you all to give virtual gifts this year to your current faves - it's rather fun picking invisible gifts (within a realistic budget!) you think they'd like even when you don't know them that well. And if you do do, come back here and tell me so I can peek at what you've come up with.

Until 2009, have a fab, fun, safe and happy silly season.
Belinda x

corners of my home: zak + layla's room

2008-12-16T13:03:00.004+11:00

Boy + girl = pastels, apparently!

So I've finally figured out what I'm going to do in this room, I'll be working on it during the holidays, but here is a little peek at one corner. They're not both in there just yet. Zak has partially graduated to a big boy's bed (he's fine in it during the day, but ends up in cot at night at the moment) and Layla started sleeping in there in his cot during the day yesterday, which was interesting. So I'm slowly starting to merge their things. Here is where the Made By Girl LOVE poster I won ended up (thanks Trina!). It's going to be a bit of a challenge and a lot of fun (hopefully!) creating a combined space for a boy and a girl. Wish me luck!

Zakky's side features a Dazey Chic print, painted MDF dinosaur and (much-loved and therefore filthy dirty) knitted teddy my Nana made him.

Layla's half: ballet shoes, Belle & Boo print, an "L" I customised and paper butterflies.

The deer head is from Hart & Heim, the cow money box from Fragile and the wooden truck was $8 from Vinnies!

loving... lovestamp!

2008-12-16T12:41:00.006+11:00

Always with me - my babies!

Much love and big thanks goes out to Jo Petrie who's just opened two web stores selling gorgeous handmade stamped jewellery. I came home from Canberra last week to a mailbox full of bills (and a few fines, too. grr). But there was one lovely package in amongst all that: this gorgeous necklace she made and sent to me as a gift featuring my adorable children's names. I was very touched at the gesture and have worn it every day since. She said she'd sent some out to women who've inspired her, which is a gift in itself to think I've managed to do that to anyone at all amongst my ramblings!
So, Jo, I'm sending you hugs through the web and hopefully some visitors and customers too. Check her store out - Made it for Australia and New Zealand customers and Etsy for the rest of the world - she has various designs, all customisable, all sterling silver, all lovely. Great as gifts or just to treat yourself to a little reminder of those you love and those who love you back. Sweet. Jo also has a great blog Jo Girl's Journey so swing by and say hi.

dream chrissy decor

2008-12-12T10:13:00.005+11:00

I'm ba-ack! Turns out my mini break ended up being a sick-children-and-therefore-no-sleep-break so I didn't get too much work done. But it was good fun spending some time with my parents and being spoilt as only parents can do!

Lovely Amanda at Swish and Swanky invited me to be a part of her "My Christmas" segment of blog posts this week where she gets other bloggers to share how they spend their Christmas, their shopping spots and decor ideas. One of her questions was "your decorating wish". My answer was to live in the Northern Hempisphere for a year so I'd get to decorate to in that earthy, white and wintery way that the Scandinavian's do so well. I sent off some pics I loved of how my dream decoration would be - here is the rest of one of the sets. In reality? Nothing like it! Maybe next year... You can read all about my Chrissy here and see an incredibly dodgy pic of my tree as it was last night, complete with bare patch where a paper dove must have flown away without my knowing!

Aren't they sweet? All images are from Inside Photo. Thanks Amanda for the invite - it's a great idea and so nice to see how others spend their chrissy.

So what do you have planned this year??

mini break!

2008-12-08T09:00:00.000+11:00

hello lovelies,
Just a quick note to say I'm heading off to our nation's capital for the week to spend some time with my parents... translation: I have a HEAP of stuff to do and need a live-in nanny! hehe. So I'm taking a break from blogging but will be back next week. So have a lovely few days - I'm guessing what with all the Christmas shopping, meal planning, parties and end-of-work-year-stuff to sort out, you won't miss me anyway! Back soon.
Bx

Get a gripp(iks) of this!

2008-12-05T16:23:00.009+11:00

No messy wallpaper paste! Dress up the back of a bookshelf and sides of magazine files...

Like a good quarter or so of the world's population, you have an Ikea Expedit cubed storage system, a Lack coffee table, a Billy bookcase or a Malm chest of drawers. Right? Now, while Ikea Hacker blog has some fabulous customisable ideas, you just don't have the time, energy or creative ability to personalise your own. Correct? But you'd like to give it a teeny tiny bit of pattern or colour or both. Yes? Well then, if you can peel and stick, you can give your Ikea pieces a new look. Independent Australian company Grippiks Surface Accents (not related to the Ikea group, by the way, just huge fans!) sell patterned films pre-cut to fit a range of Ikea's most popular pieces (such as the above). Unlike decals, these stick to a surface through suction, not glue, so there are no bubbles, but they can still be repositioned and removed easily. And if you likey, they're available to buy online only and ship worldwide. Here are some more ideas...

...or the front of a dresser...

...or your bedside table drawers...

...or the storage boxes in your Expedit...

...or the tops of your tables. All images from Grippiks

paula's "made it myself" advent calendar

2008-12-04T14:28:00.004+11:00

Paula's version of Lisa Tilse's advent calendar

After posting about Lisa Tilse's clever advent calendar tutorial, I was all set to do it myself. Until a thing called time was robbed from me by work, renovations, babies and life in general. But I was happy to see someone had given it a go - a reader, Paula, emailed me a pic of her completed calendar and she's done such a great job, I had to share. And guess what? It even fits with my Ikea theme - she used Ikea paper! She says the cones are filled with little packets of sultanas which are a hit with her son. Snaps for Paula - it looks great!

Maybe I'll have more time to try it next year. This year, though, we used a rather large Santa Claus face my mother bought for Zak's first Christmas with little pockets in his beard. Considering he was a month old for his first one, and just one at his second, it hadn't got much real use. This year, though, Zak searches for the right number and is delighted with his "yummy yummy snaaake". So not quite as stylish as Lisa and Paula's, but super-excitment for him (and us, of course!). Except I've had to pop all the treats in the fridge and place in the appropriate numbered pocket minutes before he does it because ALL day he pulls on the beard and repeatedly yells out the next number, hoping I'll let him do it because he knows what to expect now. Little bugger!

The latest crafty project from The Red Thread's Lisa Tilse

Oh, and on the subject of Lisa: she's also created this beautiful Chrissy wreath too! You can check out the tutorial right here

save or splurge: cool coffee table

2008-12-03T07:00:00.000+11:00

Verve coffee table in light oak, $795, Globe West. Image by Tim James/Real Living magazine

So the thing I spotted while on my hurried path to the kitchen department at Ikea on Friday was the new Vejmon coffee table. It reminded me so much of the Globe West one we've used several times in real living but for a quarter of the price. And with a bonus handy shelf. It comes in dark brown/black in a coffee table and side table. I hope they add a dining table (without the shelf, obviously) because then it'd be just like the one in the first kitchen in the below post. And I LOVE that table. So, to compare: you can get the very lovely and original (I think?) Globe West version for $795 OR you can get this very similar one from good old Ikea for $199. The side table is only $129. I personally prefer the Globe West one, but it's nice to know there is a cheaper way to get the look.

Vejmon coffee table, $199, Ikea

Vejmon side table, $129, Ikea

my kitchen: update

2008-12-02T15:38:00.005+11:00

I wish I could say this is it, but nope, mine is still how it was a month ago only with less cupboard doors and more ants (does anyone else have this problem? What is going on with the ant invasion?) This, however, is a rather lovely looking kitchen from our October issue. Image by Dan Magree/Real Living magazine

Before I start, you just might think this week's lot of posts is sponsored by Ikea, but for the record, they're not! There just happens to be a whole lot of Ikea-related things to write about, so I thought I'd cram them all into one week.

On Friday I convinced my parents to come all the way up from Canberra to meet me at Ikea and help me get my head around the whole kitchen design thing. Well, they were coming up to Sydney anyway, but I used the babies as bait so they'd make a detour to Ikea. So mum babysat Zak and Layla and I put my blinkers on again and bypassed all the cool stuff and headed straight to the kitchen department (I did spot one thing - tomorrow - but that's because it was right in front of me. I swear I didn't look to the side once.)

It was rather helpful having Dad along - I can't imagine doing this with someone who hasn't done it before. He had clever inside knowledge such as how the wall microwave cabinets they have aren't deep enough for a lot of microwaves so I should just get a normal base cabinet and smaller door. And how the Gripp handles will avoid a repetition of my wardrobe handle debacle because unlike most handles you just screw them into the side of the door instead of drilling through it. And how I can use any size wall cabinet for the fan cause he'll adapt it. And that yes, I can use two small wall cabinet frames (because they're not as deep as the base ones) on the end of one bench side as open shelves into the dining room. Excellent.

I also - finally - put to good use a commenter's suggestion from way back and took a stick of wood in my wall paint colour to match the colour. On my last Ikea trip I was horrified to discover that the Applad white is actually not that white at all, rather a cream. However, it seems my Whisper White paint is also not that white and so the two together should come up a rather good match after all. So it's back to Applad! With Gripp handles. And birch wood benchtops. And a stainless steel sink with mixer tap. And if Domayne can't beat a price on the appliances, it'll be their ceramic cooktop, silver oven and rangehood too.

This almost made me want to reverse my materials, but I have a feeling - as lovely as it is - the wood bottoms will date quicker than white. Image by Dan Magree/Real Living magazine

So, if my estimations are correct (oh please let them be!) I'll be forking out around $2350 for cabinets, $2018 for benchtops, plinths, legs, handles, sink, cover panels, taps, and $1310 for the appliances. A total of $5678. My carpenter quoted me $3650 for all the other stuff (ripping it out, putting in a new window, resheeting the walls, the plasterer, the plumber and electrician) so that brings it all to a grand total of: $9328 which is UNDER the $10,000 budget we set out to do. Oh, hang on I forgot to add the dishwasher, but still, close enough. We can afford more, but why go crazy when I'm happy with this? Plus, we won't be here forever, so I can design and do my dream kitchen in the next place if it doesn't have it already.

My only drama was that when I checked the stock availability at Ikea I noticed some base cupboards and oven cabinet weren't in stock. I was all ready to call them to ask when they can expect more in when I discovered this nifty little tool: Ikea Webchat. It's like instant messenger - you ask a question, they answer rather quickly, and I found out the actual frames are in, it's the doors that aren't in stock, but they'll be in in a week and a half. Everything now rests on when I can get my electricty box upgraded because it's not going to be able to handle anything else and I'm not keen on finding out what will happen if it gets overloaded.

Soo, it finally looks to be happening. In fact in needs to be happening because my little '50s kitchen is literally falling apart: the cold water tap came off a while back and we didn't bother fixing it because "we were doing the kitchen soon". And then the other day the door under the sink fell off. We discovered that one tiny nail (not even a screw!) had been holding it on for the past five years. I think it was tired of holding up the fort and just gave up. Damn good job though. So, yes, it's time!

In celebration of my near kitchen renovation, I thought I'd share these pictures of two pretty kitchens from recent issues of Real Living I'm adding to our website's brand spakin' new image gallery (from next month, fingers crossed!) Aren't they lovely?

happy tree putting up day!

2008-12-01T17:00:00.003+11:00

Today is December 1 and usually the day to get decorating, twinkling and counting down the sleeps until the big jolly fat man eats all your cookies (oh, and leaves a few pressies under said decorated tree). I thought this little video by Little Brown Pen was a cute way to get you into the Christmas spirit - cheery song, flying objects and great inspiration for gifts and wrapping for a bunch of people for just $10. Can't beat that! That said, I still have a few more days before I put my tree up. My dad is German so we've always done it on the 6th (St Nick's birthday) so will continue the tradition with my own kids. And if you're like me and haven't popped it up yet, here are a few pretty things you might want to grab to decorate it with...

Set of six bone china finials, $120, Have You Met Miss Jones

Plywood snowflakes, $11 set for two, Venucci

Set of three laser-cut felt deers, $11.95, Mozi

Handmade ceramic Christmas baubles, $12.95 each, Paper Boat Press at Biome

mosey on down to mozi...

2008-11-27T22:10:00.007+11:00

This looks suspiciously like stylist Clair Wayman's handiwork. I recognise the chair from a Real Living shoot she styled for us. I could be wrong, but surely that'd be a first? Ha!

...and you'll see they've expanded their lovely range of homewares recently to include cushions, aprons, lingerie and tote bags, crockery, handcream and, well, lots more. Well, I say recently, but it might just be new to me! Plus, they still have their gorgeously bright designs and cheery colours on their stationery, iPod covers, mugs, olive oil decanters, bathroom bags AND a pretty red and white Chrissy range. Also good news: they have global shopping so you can buy online from anywhere. Check out Mozi's full range here

Flannel Flower side plate, $12.95

Tote bag in Waratah, $34.95

Lilly Pilly cushion, $49.95

iPod cover in Marrakech, $19.95

Fields in bloom gift card, $4.95

Gift tag in silver, $1.75

Flannel Flower bath bag, from $16.95

In other news, Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop site has finally gone live. So far, it's all her newsletters archived (I'm not sure if this is what it will only be?) and a few glitches with missing pics and wrong pics, but as a website editor I can totally sympathise!! I don't think I've uploaded an issue yet without dramas! But if you hadn't signed up the newsletter or missed some, head there for some great recipes, fashion advice and health and fitness tips. Maybe she should add chef, journalist, spiritual guru and tour guide to her list of accomplishments!!

twinkle twinkle little lights

2008-11-27T21:45:00.004+11:00

Love is... this pretty sparkling fairy-light canvas. Sure beats a lamp! Image from Apartment Therapy

I was happy to see my paper-covered plywood letter included on One Pretty Thing the other day. But I was even more excited to see this amazingly beautiful lightscape. Fairy lights (or, for Trina, Christmas lights!) have become popular away from the Chrissy tree, entertainment deck and the Griswald family's house exterior. They're often pinned to the wall in a tree-like pattern, hung over vanities or mirrors or wrapped around stair railings. But I love this the most: basically, little holes have been made in an art canvas in a pretty pattern with the little light bulbs pushed through. I imagine the back of the canvas is one huge mess, but the front is divine. How AWESOME would this look hung from the ceiling in a kids room? You can find the instructions here.

But this is just one pretty thing on One Pretty Thing and if you haven't discovered it yet, set aside a few hours because you'll be there for a while: it's crammed full of great projects, tutorials and freebies around the world wide web. Your to-do list will never be blank again!

are the doors closing on homes titles?

2008-11-26T11:08:00.005+11:00

Is Domino going to go down like, um, a pile of dominoes? Hopefully not! Despite the fact I can't buy anything from its pages (sometimes due to price; mostly due to geography), I love flicking through it and stealing ideas. Image from Habitually Chic

It would seem so in the States where, like everything else in the world, they're in a little trouble. According to the Observer, when times are tough, people usually look to making their own homes that bit nicer - hence the need for magazines full of ideas and inspiring images. After all, they'll be eating and hanging out there much more than usual seeing as movies and entertaining luxuries are usually the first things to be scrapped from the budget. But the feeling out there (especially in the comments section of the Observer article!) is that the magazines on the stands aren't catering for those who need them the most. That the overcrowded "shelter" market is fillings its pages with items so expensive, it'd be a good few months wages for some households. And yet, the magazines that did encourage stylish, budget living (Blueprint; Budget Living) have - poof! - vanished from the stands. I wonder if people were snubbing the mags more suited to them for the more aspirational images and glossier lifestyle. And because they didn't want to be reminded of their situation. Or is the internet to blame? Why fork over cash for inspiration and ideas when you can get it for free on a blog, design website or Flickr? I, of course, am guilty of all of the above, but there is still nothing quite like flicking through a brand-new magazine.

I'd like to think that Real Living is a magazine for this era - from the start we've challenged ourselves to fill our pages with items that are both stylish and inexpensive. Occasionally, we slip up, and boy do we hear it when we do! But it's a good thing to be kept on our toes by our readers who want us to live up to our title. So we should! (And for the record, everyone has been briefed again recently to "keep it real") It's more of a challenge to create a stylish room on a budget - as I'm sure real homeowners are aware - so are we doing the trick? Why do you buy our mag (and others for that matter) - for the pretty pics? The info? The ideas? The shopping? The recipes? The projects? The articles? The fact the prices are (usually!) in your price range? And what would be your ultimate interiors mag? I'd love to hear. Call it a little market research!

decorators i'd like to hire

2008-11-26T09:59:00.008+11:00

Love this little display. I just bought some gorgeous Moroccan Tea Glasses from Mighty Leaf (they'll be up on their site any day). I just might need to add to the collection with a few different ones and throw a cast-iron teapot into the mix to re-create this look!

Yesterday I fell in love with some images on Desire To Inspire by interior stylists Krakvik & D'Orazio. Of course they're from Norway - the best seem to be from that part of the world! - so I can't call them up to get them to work their magic on my place. But I did check out their website to see if they had any more pretty pics and from what I can gather, from following some links and my non-existent knowledge of Dutch, they've styled out an apartment complex (or possibly just the display homes). And each apartment style is very, very stylish as you can see here. I love their mix of old and new in the first one. I'm ready to move into any one of them, how about you?

Apartment 1: Light & airy

Apartment 2: dramatic and feminine

Apartment 3: family friendly

All images from Krakvik & D'Orazio and Rosenhoff Fabrikker

Check out the above links for more pics and another cool apartment.

need to know site: the book depository

2008-11-25T09:21:00.002+11:00

I've had a flick and I quite like. Love seeing the staff's rooms. I want to live in Deborah Needleman's living room.

Ok, so I'm a bit late in getting the Domino book, but I'm glad I waited and didn't do the pre-order thing through Amazon, because I found this via a commenter on another blog: the Book Depository. It appears to be a rival to Amazon with cheaper prices and FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY!!!!! Which is a huge deal for us Aussies who cop the highest shipping costs ever being so bloody far away from the rest of the world! I have to admit I was a little sceptical so did some Googling - found some good reviews so ordered, paid and a whole week later my new best friend - the delivery guy (he practically lives at my house now. He even has a name: Zak calls him "The Man") - popped it right into my hands. Didn't even have to go to the mailbox. Best news is, the whole thing cost me $AUS35 - compared to the $69.96 I saw one Australian bookshop selling it for. So, now that I know it's real and it delivered safely (and so quickly!), I thought I'd share because it's almost Chrissy and I know how popular books are to give as pressies!

real living december issue

2008-11-24T12:11:00.006+11:00

Oooh so summery! Out now!

Feel like you just got the Chrissy issue? Yes, it's only been three weeks. Which means everyone worked like mad people to get this to the printers in time. And just to keep us extra busy, we also had to put together a fabulous cookbook too as a free gift to you - even subscribers!!!! Hooray! So enjoy!

Bonus summer cookbook

The website is also up - I'm slowly working on a few changes. This month I've introduced a blog list - I'll add to it every month, so keep an eye out - your own blog just might pop up there soon. There is also a real reader's Chrissy room. And I'm also - FINALLY! - working on an image gallery so you'll get to see a fair few more of the pics online from the mag in the near future. Now if I can just get the site redesigned as well... Oh, and be sure to head there for a cool kikki.K giveaway too.

Make an earring display

How to create a party room

Make over a living room in a weekend. All images from Real Living magazine

And of course, don't forget to let us know your thoughts.
Bx
PS: Go here to find out where to buy a super-cheap leather Moroccan ottoman like the one in the second picture. I'm expecting mine to arrive any day now. In white, of course!

2 easy projects

2008-11-19T09:17:00.005+11:00

A stylish way to count the sleeps until Christmas. Pic from The Red Thread blog

1. DIY advent calendar
For as long as I can remember, Christmas was always counted down in our place with an advent calendar. We had a really cute one from Germany for years that didn't have treats in it, but tiny little toys you put on display in the appropriate window. This was our favourite. Until the chocolate ones came along. I've noticed they're not the most attractive things, though, are they? So I was happy to see this little project last week by Lisa Tilse, the clever artist behind the The Red Thread. She'd been winging it and writing about it as she went, and I noticed this morning she'd finished. Isn't it beautiful? She swears it's not that hard to do, so I want to give it a go as soon as this deadline is out of the way (it always seems like I'm on deadline, doesn't it? Was a very short month this time, new issue out Monday). You can find out what you need and how to do it right here.

Book-page envelopes. Sooo easy.

2. Storybook envelopes
The end result is in the Chrissy issue of Real Living, but here is a little how-to. If you have children and if they're anything like my son, you'll know that there's only so many times you can stickytape a ripped-out page back into a book before it falls apart completely.

You'll need: a book page (or photocopied page, gift wrap, scrapbooking paper etc), scissors, glue and an old envelope

So if you have random pages lying around the house or books beyond repair, put them to good use: turn them into an envelope and mail them off to the grandparents with a little note inside from their favourite little person.

Step 1: Open up a used envelope (it's all about recycling) so it's completely unfolded and lay on top of the page (or photocopied page) you want to use.

Step 2: Cut around the envelope shape.

Step 3: Fold all the flaps so it's an envelope shape. Glue the two side flaps, fold the bottom up and stick in place. Fill with goodies and glue the top flap down to seal.

Chances are, there won't be much room on the front for writing an address, so to ensure it's clear for the postie to deliver, pop on a sticky label or glue on a piece of plain white paper for the address label.

my latest inspiration: poppies for grace

2008-11-18T17:38:00.004+11:00

Here's a pretty special way to show off the kids' artwork!

If their products and gorgeous website aren't enough proof the women behind beautiful stationery line Poppies for Grace are creative gurus, these pics of their stands at trade fairs will be. I think you can tell an individual's passion for their product in the way they promote it and Alana and Sara have plenty of it. I love how they've gone over and beyond setting up a stall - what store wouldn't want to carry their pretty range of stationery, invitations and cards? I so would if I had a shop. And I'd ask them to decorate it for me too! These three images have inspired my upcoming decoration attempt of Zak and Layla's joint room. I can't quite believe it's time to do that already, but Layla is quickly outgrowing her cradle. Stay tuned for that one!

How cute are these bird houses?

I love the writing on the wall, the picture wall, the birdies... everything! All pics from Poppies for Grace

Coincidentally, I was planning to post a little tutorial tomorrow of a really easy project from the current issue of Real Living. While checking out their blog today, I realised the project was from them to begin with!

zakky's birthday party

2008-11-17T08:00:00.003+11:00

Before the table was set (or rather, crammed with food). It was help yourself to balled food: mini meatballs, chicken vol au vants, dim sims, mini pizzas and pies, potato balls etc!

My little boy turned two yesterday! Can't believe it! To celebrate, we had immediate family around for a lunch of balled food. Seriously. I was debating whether or not to do a theme and to be honest, I'm really not sure if I ended up with one! I thought I'd do balls (or round things) because he pretty much is attached to a ball most of the day - kicking, bowling, batting. He's obsessed. So I thought I'd make Martha's pom poms, blow up some balloons, and make a Happy Birthday banner with sewn-together round paper discs. I bought and made all round food (or as close to round as possible), decorated his number 2 cake with round icing balls, smarties and mini M&Ms and was going to collect all 214 balls from underneath the deck for all the boys to play with but completely forgot about it. But no matter, some of Zak's gifts included a soccer ball and goal posts, a golf set, a plastic pool/sand shell with 50 plastic balls and a backpack filled with sports equipment including a football, soccer ball, velcro ball and tennis ball. So safe to say, there were enough balls to play with. And play they did! Steve and his sports-mad family put the soccer posts and ball to good use (despite its mini status) while Zak ran happily amongst them playing his own game of soccer with another ball.
So the place looks like a paper bomb hit it, but here's a little look at how it did look. Before anyone got there! Here's what I did (yet again, not the best pics - it was a rather overcast day and quite dark inside. But still, I don't know why my stupid camera takes such grainy pictures...).

Our new purple stone wall. Needs yet another coat but getting there! Pom poms were over the table; balloons hanging from the fan over the living room. I chose a blue, purple and green theme. Love those colours together.

Cutlery, napkins and favours dressed up in pretty colours and patterned paper.

My happy birthday banner. I collected a range of scrapbooking papers in shades of blue, purple and green and spray painted them onto sheets of cardboard then cut out the circles, stitched them together and stuck on individual wooden letters. I'm very impressed with myself! Ha!

I originally ordered the birch cutlery but they wouldn't have got the forks in on time so I went for bamboo cutlery, plates and bowls. Plastic cups got the special treatment - wrapped up with paper.

My favours were little organza bags filled with pencils, colouring in sheets and a little book. I also attempted the Rebecca Thuss favour bags for lolly bags. I had grand plans to make EVERYONE one. But after the first, second, third attempt and a hissy fit over my sewing machine's inability to sew properly, I ended up handstitching the last two and was grateful only four children were coming. And I've just realised I hadn't even filled them when this picture was taken! They looked a little better filled out. But I do love how they look. If you have the time and energy, they're perfect for weddings and baby showers.

eye candy: stylist Sidsel Zachariassen

2008-11-14T11:41:00.004+11:00

Natural and nice. All images from Sidselz.dk

A few pretty pics from Danish interior stylist Sidsel Zachariassen to end your working week. Have a good weekend!

my swan princess

2008-11-14T11:20:00.004+11:00

Organic Swan Onesie, $US18 by Green Thread Shop

There seem to be a few select nicknames that babies get: bubs, monkey, princess. I'm afraid I'm not very original: Zak is monkey because he's so cheeky and cute. It's also his most fave toy ever, but for all the love, he refuses to call it monkey: he calls it "Ooh Ahh". And so far, Layla is Angel or Princess because, well, they seem so girlie. I was calling her Princess Layla and was a little horrified when it dawned on me we'd named her after a Star Wars character. But when I mentioned this to my Star Wars guru of a husband Steve, he assured me it's actually Princess Leia. Close, though.

Steve is of the opinion that because Zak's nickname is also his fave toy, Layla needs a two-in-one too. So Swan Princess she has become. He thought a swan was fitting for a little girl - white (which she SO is), graceful and beautiful. And if she inherits my long neck, all the more fitting! So far, not much luck in the swan toy department, but I did find this cute little organic onesie with a swan on it which I'm going to get her for Chrissy. But in a week or so because I discovered the seller is coming to Australia and will be shipping from here the week of Nov 22 which will mean it's cheaper! I'm a thrifty girl at heart...

Now I know I'm not the most original, but there must be some good nick names out there - so share away! And don't forget the story behind it!
Bx

PS: My monkey's 2nd birthday party is on Sunday. I decided on a bit of a "ball" theme (well, "round" theme) because he's completely obsessed with balls. I'll share pics on Monday.

PPS: DOH! I just realised when I posted this I posted it to the wrong blog. Meant for Mini Meez, but might as well leave it. I'd blame baby brain, but I'm starting to wonder if I have a brain to blame the baby on anymore!

celeb style: molly sims

2008-11-12T19:37:00.009+11:00

Oooh grey velvet - lovely!

Trina at La La Lovely Things' post about Molly Sims' Soho apartment yesterday reminded me I had another of her homes saved in a folder somewhere, so I thought I'd share. I love looking at celebrity homes, but I have to say that a lot of the time, more money equals less style (Mariah, anyone?). Their homes are so large, bathrooms look ridiculously sparse because they're living-room size, living areas are unlived in because there are so many of them and I often wonder how many of their seemingly endless amount of kitchen cabinets are empty. I'd say a fair few!! But this one I like - there is a nice mix of styles, eras and cosiness - and it's not too precious. There are even TVs! It can be annoying when aspects of real life are left out of the pictures in magazines sometimes. So, here is a little tour of Molly's Hollywood Hills home.

Do you think she did the picture wall herself? I love that it looks like the one in everyone else's home!

A nice, not-the-norm bed

For some reason I associate polka dots with Molly Sims so these deck chair cushions are very fitting!

Black + white = perfect!

Don't you just want to be sitting here with your fave people for a great big meal?

Look! A TV! And it's ON! Cute stack of suitcases

Large, yes, but this is nothing compared to some celeb kitchens!

Celebs use the loo too you know

White delight. All pics from Luxist

Want to see more celeb homes? Let me know and I'll drag a few more out of the files!

have a very etsy christmas!

2008-11-11T13:36:00.005+11:00

I wanted everything from this store - Maka Le Wakan - but alas, most of it is unable to be shipped to Australia thanks to our strict quarantine laws. Grr. I especially love the little wooden gift tags or ornaments with berries.

Christmas at Etsy is shaping up to be a bit lovely! Here are a few goodies I spotted in recent days to decorate your tree, your door, your home for the silly season.

1. By The Sea pendant by Kim Westad 2. Ceramic peace doves (set of three) from Mud Puppy 3. Whirl Ornament by Kim Westad 4. Crocheted bell ornaments by Tiny Little Stitches

1. Dried flower wreath by Dancing Circle 2. Fabric bird ornament by Textile Style 3. Stocking made from recycled man's suit coat by Mandinka Designs 4. Rustic snowflake ornaments by Flying V Designs

1. Rusty Cowgirl Ornaments by Nesta USA 2. Tiny ceramic mushrooms by Mud Puppy 3. Moravian paper stars by Once Upon A Star 4. Paper butterfly wreath by Royal Buffet

1. Ceramic angel ornament by Designerlicious 2. Porcelain snowflake ornament by Shoshona Snow (best name ever!) 3. Chipboard dove set by Designerlicious 4. Cream felt flower stocking by Rik Rak

Now don't go too crazy shopping! I have a few more non-Etsy Christmas decor goodies in coming days to show you.

latest obsession: angel wings

2008-11-10T09:58:00.005+11:00

So-pretty mirrors from Graham & Green

Not the angel itself, mind you, just its wings! It all started with the Urban Outfitter's angel wing hook I saw on eBay. I thought it'd look nice on the wall above Layla's bed as art, not as a hook. But the shipping was more than the actual item so I looked around for others on my own soil. Found! Via Have You Met Miss Jones. Only they were a dollar shy of THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS and I cannot justify that. They are lovely though. Then I thought maybe I could find some moulds and make them myself with plaster or concrete. Do you think this is possible? Nope. The ones I did finally find were about five centimetres long, so not quite the statement I was after! So, I'm still searching. And in my searches I've found other cool angel wing things. Aren't they heavenly? What's your latest obsession you find yourself Googling whenever you get a spare second?

The source of the obsession: Urban Outfitters Angel Wing Hook on eBay
The ones I really want: bone china wings from Have You Met Miss Jones

Coffee-lover's idea of heaven: angel-wing cups from Venucci

More hooks, from Rockett St George

Dainty. Pretty. Perfect. From Etsy seller Luxe Deluxe

Oooh, I think I need for my own little angel - they have shirts for kiddies too. From Cloud 9 Design Studio

quick question...

2008-11-08T22:54:00.004+11:00

The prettiest paper envelopes: a gorgeous baby shower favour - who cares what's inside!! Image from Rebecca Thuss

Anyone have any idea if these cute little envelopey things were made? Or bought (and then personalised)? I found them on Rebecca Thuss' site which, by the way, is THE source for any wedding, party decoration or favour inspiration. Was just wondering if they were made, if anyone knows instructions? I could give it a go, but obviously a how-to would make life easier... Thought they'd made cute little favour bags for Zakky's party next weekend. Of which I am still deciding what cake, what food, what decorations, what pressies. Am so organised, obviously! And just in case you have never seen any of Rebecca's styling work (she's behind most of the pretty pics in Martha Stewart Weddings), here is a taste at her creativity. Have a good (rest of) weekend! x

Rose-petal aisle - an essential at any outdoor wedding

Great paper party decoration ideas

Simple can be best for table centrepieces

Simple store-bought biscuits are given the special treatment with a little clear cellophane, pretty paper and nice messages

how's this for a picture wall?

2008-11-05T19:58:00.004+11:00

I spy... the Mona Lisa... and Deborah Harry... and possibly Brigitte Bardot? Image from Gaellele Boulicaut

How long do you think it took them to do? It looks rather cool in pictures, but in real life? I think I'd feel a little claustophobic. But a great way to keep the kids busy: just ask them to find Wally. I bet he's there somewhere - everyone else seems to be!
In case you're wondering, I haven't given up on my house. Completely. We did actually buy a new display cabinet at the weekend for a naked corner of our living room and have half-painted the chocolate brown wall with a stone paint. It was meant to be purpley grey, but it's.... purple. Of course. I THINK it'll turn out ok - I HOPE it'll turn out ok - but I won't show pics until it's finished because so far, after one and a half coats it's rather hideous. We decided the rough look was the way to go - to cover the damaged walls and also bring a little texture in. But has anyone used this stuff? It's like applying sunscream to sandy skin. Ugh.
And also, I'm still planning the kitchen. To be honest, I haven't done a thing about it for months as so much going on here (and my builder is away for several more weeks), but I'm doing the Ikea run again this weekend in an attempt to match up my paint to one of the cupboard doors. My goal to have it all done by Christmas is slowly vanishing... Oh well, perhaps it'll become a New Year's resolution! But I'm curious: am I alone in taking my sweet time to finish things? How do you go about a project?

Eye candy: French style

2008-11-04T14:21:00.005+11:00

Ooh Paris. I need to go again. My own memories are not so great due to the fact some crazy lady attacked my 11-year-old self at one of the Metro stations. It was actually rather amusing but when I think of Paris, I think of crazy, smelly, punching lady. I am, however, jumping on the Eiffel Tower decor bandwagon and had my parents pick me up a little statue while there last month.

I have to admit my complete ignorance here: when I think French interiors, I picture milky whitewashed furniture, Louis chairs, ornate chandeliers. And then I actually visited a few French homes via French Elle Decor and guess what I saw? These beautiful, unique and fabulously decorated homes. Not a chandelier or Louis chair among them. Instead, quirky collectibles, fairy lights, fab vintage pieces and oodles of style. I think I love! Enjoy...

"A" is for awesome style

Dark and dramatic. Love the fairy lights

These paper people would give me nightmares but I quite like the unusual pinboard

More fairy lights! And a coffee table that might just have been a crate.

Great shelving unit

My childhood bed used to look like this! But with a guard rail (my god how could anyone go up there without one? Even to sit?), a lot less cool furniture and much more mess.

A little quirky, a lot cool

Old school desks look good anywhere

Sometimes collectibles don't work as display items. But these do

I've seen a fair few black kitchens lately. They're making me rethink my own. AGAIN! All images from French Elle

a taste of the chrissy issue

2008-11-04T11:33:00.004+11:00

A few new ways to decorate your tree, or lack of tree, like this wall decal

Those screams of annoyance and frustration you hear? Why they would be coming from me! Here's why:
1. Website decided to warp itself today and has no scrollbar. Not sure why. In fact, no one seems to! Not even clever website people as they haven't called me back with a solution. So this means all you get to see is what is on the page when it loads.
2. Free Christmas planner and stencils are still not up to be downloaded. Not that it matters anyway right now because of point 1! Have been promised them tonight.
3. Mag sampler also not up - tomorrow, hopefully. Again, out of my hands. As much as I appreciate all the outside help for the site, I don't like having to rely on other people!
4. Being woken up every half hour last night by screaming son who must have known I wanted an early night to catch up on lack of sleep from last few weeks. Well he HAD slept through three nights in a row, so it was bound to happen eventually...

So I'll let you enjoy these few spreads from the latest issue while I go and cry into a cup of Milo!

The shopping guide. I've already flagged a few items. Not the pigeon cushion though. I think that could enter Design*Sponge's ugliest cushion contest! hehe

Stepped out Christmas party - invites, decorations, themes covered!

sneak peek: real living christmas issue

2008-10-31T22:17:00.003+11:00

Christmas is all wrapped up!

Santa is coming! And so is our Christmas issue. It's out Monday, so pick it up for pages and pages of gift ideas, wrapping paper, entertaining, decorating, recipes and also for tips on how to survive all of the above. I'll try and post some of my fave pages next week - there is a beautiful house feature I'm in love with. And don't forget to check out the website for a few freebie* downloads - a Chrissy countdown planner and stencil templates to make cards from - and a few other ideas and projects.
* Freebies might be a tad late in going live as poor old designers on constant deadline with a gazillion things to do. I'm sure my harassment for extra work was just what they needed! Sorry guys!

Time to... pick your chrissy cards (can you believe it?)

2008-10-31T21:55:00.007+11:00

Chrissy cards in everything from cool retro designs to so-Aussie beach style

What with putting up my Christmas tree at the weekend (and taking it down again. Check out the website Monday for pics and a completely awesome and totally insightful interview I did with myself. ha!) reading this month's Christmas issue of Real Living, writing about tree decorations and uploading yummy turkey recipes to the website, I'm very much in the Christmas mood! I've even kinda started shopping - so far though, for myself. So when the lovely Natalie Sullivan who designed and printed Layla's birth announcements for me emailed to tell me her shop had gone live and she was adding Chrissy cards to her range, I figured now is as good a time as ever for a gentle reminder that now is the time to get cracking on ordering personalised Christmas cards.

Sweet and simple.

For years I've attempted to do the Christmas photo card and every year they go out with a photo stuffed inside, but this year, I just might get my act together and actually get a family pic put on a card. Especially because we still haven't had a decent family-of-four photo! I love this one, above, from Natalie. Sweet and simple. And there's nothing quite like receiving a customised card - you feel oh-so-special when the greeting comes from the sender, not Hallmark. Check out Dizzy Wizzy Design and chat to Natalie if you'd like something different - she loves the challenge of creating something new.

calendar event: meet Amy Butler!

2008-10-29T11:23:00.006+11:00

Amy Butler travelling stylishly to Aus (oh ok, these are clearly not travel bags but gift bags from her new line, see below)

Queen of the textile and design world, everyone's fave domestic goddess, Amy Butler, is coming to Australia! And if you live in Melbourne or Sydney (or are willing to travel to either city), you can pick her creative brain - in the flesh! Living Creatively, Highland Quiltworks and XLN Fabrics have joined forces to organise two inspiring evenings with Amy in November where her latest designs and publications will be revealed and her cleverness deconstructed.
All the important stuff:
Melbourne: Thursday, November 13 2008 in the Carillon Room from 7pm at the Sofitel Melbourne
Sydney: Thursday, November 20 2008 in the Adelaide Room from 7pm at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Want to go? You must book now as places are limited. Tickets are $45 and include drinks and canapés. You can find all the info, plus book online, here at Living Creatively. Shame I live so far away. And have a baby. And am too much of a wuss to leave the baby behind and go. Does anyone have plans to go? Would love to hear all about it if you do. And if any of her genius rubbed off onto you!

Gorgeous wrapping just in time for Christmas

And on the subject of Amy, she's recently released and eco-friendly range of gift wrap, bags and tags as well as an eco line of pretty paper partyware. Giftwrap Green is 100% recycled while the party line is printed with 100% soy ink and can also be reused themselves thanks to a water-soluble coating. The range is so pretty you will seriously never be able to use regular paper plates again. And might even consider replacing your plain white dinnerware with them! Check it all out here at her site.

Have you seen prettier paper partyware? All images from Amy's site

Room with a (fake) view

2008-10-28T08:56:00.005+11:00

Image from VT Wonen

Here's a new way to dress up a boring wall. Wallpaper of COURSE features, but I really mean this very cool fake window picture. Cute, huh? I especially love the casualness of it pegged to a floating branch with bulldog clips, although I have no doubt this "casual" look was a rather well-thought out plan and not as easy as it looks to put together. A bit like all the make-up you use to get the "natural look!" A great idea if you'd like more windows or a cheeky window covering!

a pretty pic for friday

2008-10-24T09:02:00.004+11:00

I want the chair! Pic from Holly's Flickr

I've been following Holly from Decor8's adventures in Germany from the start on her other blog Haus Maus and love all she's achieved there. But I'm now dying to peek inside her New Hampshire, US, home after seeing this snapshot of her living room. Lovely, isn't it? I'll just let you admire the prettiness and hopefully I'll be back blogging properly next week. I have a fun-filled weekend ahead: am putting up my Christmas tree - yes, two months early - but it's all work-related, not because I'm a Christmas nut. Am photographing it for the Christmas special on the Real Living website from next month. Enjoy your own weekend! x

thursday eye candy

2008-10-23T07:00:00.000+11:00

I love that their precious daughter is on the wall instead of precious art! Pics from What We Do

This house is heaven. Who knew I could love brights so much? See the grand tour here

I like the idea of shelves just off the floor - makes the room seem more spacious

Inspired Wednesday: wallpapered buffet

2008-10-22T10:22:00.002+11:00

The wire bowl of wool is a cute decor idea for the crafty kids. Image from Elle Interior

My name is Belinda and I'm a wallpaper addict (which is rather odd considering the only wallpaper in my house is on a chest of drawers, in a picture frame and covering a canvas - not actually on a wall). It's been five days since my last post on the subject, but this was too pretty to not share. If you couldn't handle Cole & Son's Cow Parsley on a whole wall, why not do it on the cupboard doors of a buffet? Great idea for a less-than-glamourous second-hand one. Right, back to work for me. x

tiny blog hiatus

2008-10-21T15:09:00.005+11:00

No, I won't be relaxing in a tub on my blog hiatus, I'll still be glued to the computer, only for work only. Apologies, I'm not sure where I found this pic, but I absolutely love it. I especially love the Moroccan wedding blanket - it's on the top of my "things to buy from overseas if our dollar ever recovers" list!

Just a quick note to say my posts will be minimal for the next week or so. I've just started back at work after four months of maternity leave and am quickly running out of time to get the Real Living website all set to go live on November 3 (it's a special Christmas issue). And just in case it was way too easy adjusting to working life from home with two small babies, I also took on a rather large freelance job due at the same time (I like a challenge!!). I do work best under pressure, but I've got a lot going on here so I'll just be posting pretty pics on both blogs for a while, starting with this beautiful bathroom pic. And trying really, really hard to not search google, etsy or all your fabulous blogs and websites for anything other than work-related! But keep tuning in, please, and I'll be back properly soon. xxx

i'm a winner!

2008-10-21T13:46:00.008+11:00

Proof I'm a winner. And lovely! hehe. Hmm, never noticed how horribly off-centre the middle of my banner is! Oops.

Whoo hoo! After stumbling upon a lovely little competition at the La La Lovely Things blog, I gave my two-cents worth of advice and was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the top three AND drawn out as the winner! My prize? Aside from the satisfaction in helping someone, talking decor and meeting a nice new blogger - Trina McNeilly - I also scored a Made By Girl poster. Yippee! I think I'll go with the LOVE for my lovely Layla. Then my kids will have his "n" her Made By Girl posters in their room (Zak has the personlised ABC). Sweet!

Thanks a bunch to Trina for the competition - she was after ideas for revamping her family room. Here were a few of my suggestions and picture inspiration. To see what she ends up doing to her space, keep checking her blog. She's also promised more giveaways so keep your interior decorator hat nearby!

Trina's fireplace

Inspiration & suggestions: paint the whole wall the same colour as the brick - mantle top included. Balance out the imbalanced placing of the fireplace with a rustic bucket of chopped firewood on the right in that little corner with a few pics propped up against the brick behind it - you don’t need to buy anything; get your kids to draw something and frame that (and they’ll get a kick out of it too!) On top of the mantle, group a whole heap of samey objects - again like in the picture - on the left-hand side. I love these white things and it could easily be achieved by grabbing a heap of cool-shaped cups, vases, objects from a thrift store (or around your house) and spray painting them the same colour. I’m going to do this in white in my own place for my new recessed shelves. One day… I’d prop something large - a canvas or big frame just off centre to the right with a few framed pictures in front and to the end. Mix up your frames with your “Ms” and add to the collection like in the pic below or grab some cheapie plywood ones and customise them yourself. On the left-hand side a few pics just stuck on the wall casually - maybe a group of three (odd always looks better than even) different sized pictures; they don’t even have to be framed. Picture from Domino (this was one of my fave houses from Domino!)

A cute collection of "E"s. Image from Urban Grace Interiors

Trina's shelves

Inspiration & suggestions: go nuts mixing books with fave objects. I’d personally paint them white too because that way the objects would take centre stage, but as they've just been painted, maybe incorporate that greeny colour in the room with some cushions on the couch to lighten it up and a nice white throw. Pic from renovate + decorate

Trina's couch

Inspiration & suggestions: place the mirror over the couch or do the wall collage there instead with a mix of letters and picture frames. Pic from VT Wonen

My prize! LOVE poster by Made By Girl

By the way, I'm not for a moment suggesting I'm an expert on this, but if you ever want some advice or ideas for any aspect of decorating or renovation, I'm more than happy to help. It's good fun!

one more post on clever template people

2008-10-20T10:55:00.007+11:00

Free paper flower tutorial (looks sooo simple and how beautiful is this pic?) from Dozi

Yes, I've become a little obsessed with the people behind Little Brown Pen. But it's their own fault - they've got so many great blogs between them and I've spent way too much time browsing through them and getting so many great ideas. Little Brown Pen has sooo many pretty things and Amala is perfect for my new love for all things natural, green and organic. Both have also led me to many more brilliant Etsy sellers which you'll prob hear more of soon enough. And - the reason you'll love them too - Templettes is all about the best of the best templates available on the web. Want a greeting card, business-card envelope, cheap art or apron pattern? They'll show you where to get them for next to nothing and for nothing. This is the best category: freebies! Here are a few things you can download for free, or next to it, that Templettes have discovered for you. Enjoy!

Love this "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy" eye-chart print. From Poppytalk

Beautiful tree card from How About Orange

Cool chore chart by Little Brown Pen

and another top idea: fog and thistle's papercut templates

2008-10-20T09:54:00.007+11:00

Made him myself. Well, not this one, but I hope mine will look this good! DIY Papercut bunny, $US2

I really need to stop with all the Etsyness or I'll go broke. Slowly though - like a few dollars at a time - as everything is priced so well, but still broke!
You've probably seen the beautiful papercut artworks by Fog and Thistle's Rachel Weber (ooh, Weber was my maiden name!) around the blogs, but did you know she's generously offering mini papercut templates for sale on her blog so you can DIY? After considering whether to buy for a whole 100th of a second, I pressed buy now for this little cutie (above) who promptly arrived in my inbox seemingly moments later. It might stay there for a little while as I'm hideously busy attempting too many other things, but I hope to get him all cut out and sitting prettily on a wall or shelf somewhere soon - stay tuned!

Not a DIY one, but one of Rachel's beautiful works, US110

I love the fact Rachel has combined her passion for papercutting with other people's passion for DIY - it's a lovely way to share what you do and is a brilliant combination. Plus, for $2, even if you're completely useless at the cutting out part, you could always print it out again and colour it in instead to create a cute little artwork, couldn't you?

Another cute DIY kit, $US2

Thanks Rachel for allowing a little of your cleverness to rub off on us less creative folk! Check out the template range plus more intricate papercut art for sale by Rachel at her Etsy shop, more printable stationery by her at her other store, Along the Dotted Line and her blog.

wish it was my idea... little brown pen's printable stationery

2008-10-19T12:20:00.005+11:00

The simple and stylish 2009 calendar ($US5!) everyone I know will probably get this year! From Little Brown Pen

Have decided Etsy is probably going to be THE place for Christmas presents for me this year - to give and receive! I was looking for a nice calendar (it's hard to fine good ones in shops) and this was the first one that popped up - sold! Not just because it's simply stylish, but because for $5 I can print it out myself over and over and over again and give to everyone!

Sweet tweeties stationery set, $US4

The seller is Little Brown Pen and they sell printable stationery which is such a genius idea - you hand over a few dollars and they email you a PDF with card templates, all-in-one-notepaper-and-envelope, calendar or colouring-in cards. You can then do whatever you like - print out the templates and use as the stationery, cut up and frame, use in craft or other artsy projects whenever you like, as many times as you like. The prices are minimal because you do the printing yourself and there's no shipping so it's the closest you can get to instant shopping gratification online!

Printable colouring cards, $US3

I of course couldn't just stop at the calendar and also grabbed this cute little blue-bird stationery set (am going to use the gift tags for Chrissy presents) and the colouring in card set for Zak's birthday: can use them for invites, games, gift bags etc... They also have a few Christmassy styles which you must check out!

Holiday birds stationery set - get all your Chrissy cards and tags sorted for a whole $US4 (plus the paper to print it on obviously!)

What's more is, if I ever need a birthday card, thank you card, how-you-going-card or gift tag, they'll be on my computer ready for me to print send. Am so impressed with this idea!

i could happily call any of these places home...

2008-10-17T22:01:00.005+11:00

This is EXACTLY how I want my kitchen and dining area to look. Only it won't. Cause I have dark floors. And dark furniture... But I will hopefully have a similar kitchen - anyone have any idea what they've done with their benchtops? Are they limewashed or just birch?

...my husband? Not so much. I get in trouble when I talk about "white this, white that". So I have to get my white fix elsewhere. Thankfully, I finally found some time recently to delve into Skona Hem's lovely site and check out their house tours. Skona Hem is a Swedish magazine and of course the interiors it features are what the Swedes do best: white, bright and airy with pale wood and oodles of style. So, here's what I copied into my moodboard folder for future-house inspiration. Enjoy and happy weekend.

Any colour pops against a white backdrop, like this yummy turquoise...

...and cool red chandelier...

...and cheery yellow pieces

There is something about an Eames chair that turns any space into a stylish one. Must be why they're a classic!

Wicked wicker

My hubby is a huge spiral-staircase fan. I love white and pretty things. This could be the perfect combination!

How awful to have this view!

Warm wood stops the white from becoming sterile

Black chairs + white table = super style

Perfect for growing girls

Oh to have these windows; this kitchen; this light!

theatrical wallpaper

2008-10-17T21:17:00.005+11:00

Nope, it's not a professionally styled pic from the website, it's the Circus Silhouette in a real room! Check out more here

In case you hadn't heard, set and costume designer Catherine Martin (the woman behind the glamour of Moulin Rouge!) has partnered with Porter's Paints to release a range of bold and beautiful wallpapers. Stripes, flowers, birds and my fave - little circus silhouettes - could be adorning your walls sometime soon. It's sometimes hard to imagine a style in a room setting as usually the examples are shot up close with minimal styling to let the wallpaper shine. But I just posted a beautiful nursery tour at Mini Meez which shows the red circus silhouettes in a real room (part of which is pictured, above) and I must say I'm impressed! Here is a looky at some of the other prints in her collection. What do you think?

The blue version. The stripes are also part of the collection

Catherine Martin Eucalyptus in blue

Catherine Martin Lace Medallion in Aniseed

Catherine Martin Lyrebird in Grey Green

loving... anna whitford cushions

2008-10-15T18:52:00.004+11:00

Such prettiness! It's hard to pick a fave...

Blast the Aussie dollar and the whole-world financial collapse, it makes international purchases a bit more of a bugger with us having to mortgage our homes to be able to buy pretty things... But if your wallet is healthier than mine or you live in the UK where the pound is not such a shock, you must check out these beautiful cushions by Anna Whitford.

...but I think this one wins! White side daisy, 54 pounds

A beautiful pressie from bridesmaids to the bride: gerbera ring cushion, FREE! No, not really, but there is no price on the site!

Classic black and white: white waterlilly on black, 66 pounds. All pretty pics from Anna Whitford

Sooo pretty! I especially love her wedding ring cushions. If my youngest sister ever gets married (they're taking it slow - only been together for TWELVE years) then I'll be getting her the gerbera one - after the rings are handed over so stylishy, it'll be a lovely addition to their home and constant reminder of their big day. Sweet!

wanna be in cosmo pregnancy?

2008-10-14T21:59:00.003+11:00

Cosmo pregnancy's latest issue - out now

Of course you do! Well, the mag is looking for mums, dads and bubbies to feature on some of their pages. Do you have an absolute fave baby product of all time you can't stop raving about? Does your mini me have a can't-bear-to-be-apart-from toy? Then let other mums know all about it. Simply email your name, age, child's name, child's age, fave product and/or toy and why to Eleanor on EPendleton@acpmagazines.com.au. And don't forget to include a pic of you and bub in case they want to use. And by doing so, you'll sit side-by-side with other fabulous mums such as myself - ha! - who coincidentally is also featured in this issue (above) babbling on and on about Layla's awesome birth. Be quick - they'll be on deadline soon; it's for the November issue.
PS: Don't you think the model on the cover looks a lot like Jennifer Ramos from Made By Girl??? It's like a sneak peek at what she'd look like pregnant: all glam, gorgeous and glowy as she is not pregnant!
PPS: Sorry about the cheat same-as-minimeez and not-related-to-interiors post today, but superbusy.

eye candy: clair wayman

2008-10-13T23:05:00.005+11:00

The pic that made Clair internet famous!

Need a dose of pretty pics to inspire? Head on over to Clair Wayman's website. Clair is our Melbourne-based stylist and is kept very busy creating page after page of beautiful styling pictures and projects for every issue of Real Living. If you love, love an image in the mag, chances are it was styled by Clair. Here's just a taste of what she's been up to for us in recent months.

All images from Clair's website

have a relaxing weekend

2008-10-10T21:33:00.002+11:00

This random collection of fabrics (and some are rather hideous!) works beautifully as a patchwork. And is somehow glamourous in this setting. Love it. Picture from Getty Images

Am leaving you with my fave pic of the week. I love it all and it makes me wish I still had the clawfoot bath we left at our old place. If we still lived there or ever moved back (but we won't, cause it's on the market at the moment!) I'd do just this: hang a beautiful patchwork curtain from the ceiling instead of a shower-curtain rail for full dramatic effect, with a cheapie plastic one on the inside of it for practical reasons. And how cute is the flower heart on the wall? Sweet! It's inspired me: am off to sink in my not-so-glam-but-still-relaxing bath right now! x

look what i accidentally bought yesterday

2008-10-10T20:52:00.004+11:00

On its way to me right now... Blue Proteas cushion cover, $US17, Jezze

Ok, not accidentally, I did know I was clicking the "buy now" button. But I didn't check out Etsy to purchase a cushion. I was looking for cool Chrissy decorations and cards (for work) and somehow happened upon this cushion. I pretty much bought it on the colour alone, but I love, love, love the print. I was planning to give it to one of my sisters for Christmas, but I just might need to keep it for myself...
The seller is Jesse Breytenbach and she's a clever creative all-rounder: illustrator, comic artist, knitter, crocheter, blogger and is a wizz at whipping up cool designs on lino, cutting them out and printing them on fabric, paper - whatever! She's even blogged about how she does it here which takes me right back to art class in high school and the time we had to create our own lino tiles. It was my fave part of art and I think I might need to give it a go again one day now I've had this refresher course! If I find time, of course*!

*Completely unrelated topic but my son, Zak, has recently started to say "of course". Once we recover from fits of giggles every time he says it in answer to a question, we wondered where he'd picked this up. It only dawned on me today that I say it. A lot! I also write it a lot! Really makes you suddenly aware of all your quirks when someone starts parroting you! And it's a really good thing he can't vocalise explanation points cause he'd certainly be doing that a lot too!! Hee hee.

DIY destination posters

2008-10-08T17:16:00.004+11:00

Customisable destination bus scroll stencil, $240, Stencil Gallery

You just know something is a trend when a cheaper version of it pops up somewhere. In design we have replica furniture, in fashion there are designer rip-offs in chainstores within seemingly minutes of it walking down the runway. In the art world, if there isn't a print of it, there's probably a wall decal or stencil version! I found this destination bus scroll while doing some freelance work. It's a stencil, but it's a pretty good one I think. Just spray the back lightly with a temporary spray glue, press onto the wall and spray with an aerosol paint for the easiest version (maybe cover the vicinity in newspaper to avoid accidental graffiti). Good old Stencil Gallery does it again! What's even better about this one is - and that you just can't get from real vintage ones - is that you can customise it: you get to choose the 13 lines of destinations you want. So whether it's your surrounding suburbs, places you desperately want to see or a memorable world-wide trip, you're the bus driver! The stencil measures 150cm high x 75cm wide and is $240. Grab it here.

oh my god, the mess!

2008-10-07T11:03:00.005+11:00

You can see where the dropsheet ended! There is no stopping this stuff - it's pretty much in all rooms. It can even travel through doors!

My plasterer just left - covered head to toe in a lovely white powder he'd sanded off my walls. Sadly, though, it didn't ALL land on him or his dustsheets and I have this snowy wonderland in my new open-plan living space. And yes, I'm procrastinating by blogging instead of cleaning it up but the babies are asleep and vacuum cleaners are noisy. AND I want to let it settle as much as possible to cut down the number of times I'm going to have to vacuum it. It's not as bad as I thought it'd be, but still not going to be much fun.

Look! No more hole! And I just noticed this disaster paint job: the wall, architraves and door are three different colours! Good thing we're redoing!

Happily, my ceiling no longer has a hole in it and the thoughts of imaginary possums falling through are no more. I'm hoping to find a few spare minutes to start painting this week, but I just might be delusional. Fingers crossed I'll have something a little more exciting than dust and holes to show you next time I blog about my house!

sneak peek: november real living

2008-10-03T23:03:00.004+10:00

Notice the camouflaged coffee table? Just one clever colour trick in this issue!

It's out Monday. Be sure to pick it up at your newsagent or supermarket (and buy it too, of course!) and also check out the website. I started back at work on Monday doing the website - my first upload will be the Christmas issue (out early November). So far I've just written a list of some of the content. Hmm, going be interesting working from home with two little ones!
Back to the content: if you want to star on the website - or your handiwork, anyway - shoot me an email at bgraham@acpmagazines.com.au. I'm after great before and afters of rooms/furniture/anything. Cause everyone loves looking at makeovers!

x

Phew. Cornice crisis over

2008-10-03T21:06:00.005+10:00

I realise this picture has nothing to do with cornices, but I do have a question about the sink - below. Picture via Haus Maus

My plasterer managed to track down the cornice, thank goodness. But of course that wasn't without drama either - the place that makes it wanted to charge me $200 for delivery. The cornice will cost about $12. My plasterer quite rightly said thanks but no thanks and is going to get it for me tomorrow and will finishing on Tuesday. Yay! So if I don't melt from the hot weather and lack of fan (another point I forgot to add in previous post: fan control broke so no fan until we get a new one), I should be able to start the painting sometime next week.

Then we're on to boring stuff like moving powerpoints and the air conditioner so it's not in such a stupid place, installing new fans and a few wall lights. And then the kitchen. Poor old kitchen. It's always one step forward, three steps back with that one! I do have one question someone might be able to help me with: I'd love to have a white porcelain sink in a wooden benchtop but realise the lack of drainer, water and wood won't be the best combination. So, has anyone seen a sink like this one in the picture above in Australia? It looks like it has a cover over one side of the sink or it is a drainer, I can't tell for sure, but either would be ideal as I plan to do as little handwashing as possible seeing as I've been without a dishwasher for the last 10 years. And I don't want the Ikea one that sticks out of the cupboards. Oh so picky I am!

Have a good long weekend. And I'll try to be a better blogger next week. I seem to say that a lot, don't I? Sorry!

oh my god the drama!!!!!!!!

2008-10-01T14:29:00.000+10:00

Our old front door used to be here. Yes, right next to another door! We ummed and ahhed over what to do on this wall and recessed shelves were the winner. I didn't want them all in a row, so went for this. I think it'll look better once stuff on shelves (oh and it's painted etc!). Still deciding whether or not to wallpaper inside them - what you think? I'm on the hunt for a console/buffet to go underneath.

Quick question: why is there always a bloody drama when it comes to renovations? Everyone has a story. Granted, I didn't have huge dramas like a caved-in roof, a burst water pipe or a budget blowout of thousands of dollars, but I do have a hole in my ceiling due to a missing cornice that appears to be unfindable in plasterland. Let me explain the annoyances that made up this relatively small job that is still unfinished after a week.

No more wall. But a lovely hole! Excuse the mess, I haven't bothered to tidy up yet!

Drama 1. Phone line got chopped during wall removal, so no phone - obviously - and no internet. Thank goodness for mobiles. BUT, electrician, who is moving wires and powerpoints etc can't do phone lines. Oh no. Apparently, normal electricians aren't allowed to touch phone lines now and have to get special phone and internet man to do it. Writes name and number on plasterboard (as you do). Plasterboard is nailed to studs in wall the wrong way around, so no more phone number for special phone and internet man. And can't get electrician for number again. So builder (!) fixes phone line temporarily. Phone ok, internet crap. Wireless especially crap. And not clever enough to steal nearby wireless even though no security on it. Decide to wait until job finished to get special phone and internet man to fix phone line properly and move it so it's no longer in the middle of the floor and damaged more by young son who likes to deliberately trip on it because I told him to stay away from it. Nice special phone and internet man came today and hooked me up.

Drama 2. Am deaf from use of vacuum cleaner. Dust everywhere. On everything, in everything - including my nose. Still. And the bad news is the worst is still to come. Plasterer still hasn't sanded back his job. Which brings me to point three...

Drama 3. Cornice crisis! The lack of wall left a big gaping hole in the ceiling - "F's hole" as Zak called it (F being Jeff, our builder who was often seen dangling from it while inserting the world's largest beam into the roof so the whole house didn't collapse when wall removed.) "F" attempted to remove cornice as neatly as possible so it could be reused to patch hole, but plasterer elloquently told me it was "rat sh*t" and that I needed a new one. So smallish hole in ceiling which was fine until I realised it could be weeks before it's filled. Having all sorts of horror flashes of non-existent possums falling through hole onto me working below. Zoom over to plaster place yesterday with incredibly heavy sample of old cornice in one arm, tired baby in another. Nice man helps me with door and then tells me awesome news: never seen that cornice before. Can't find it online, or in catalogues. So much for "common cornice". Am sure it was in 1952. But today? Maybe not. Ask plasterer what happens if we can't find cornice. He tells me I don't want to know. I think this translates to having to recornice entire living space which thanks to wall removal is now HUGE. Decide to just ask him to use "rat sh*t" offcut but then remember builder taken to tip. Crap.

The good news is my recessed shelves are going to come up brilliantly once sanded (whenever cornice is found and attached); I have lovely smooth hallway walls with no dents and the living room appears to have doubled in size. Yay! I also now have new phone lines and three internet cables dotted around house so I can work in bedroom, kitchen or spare room if I want to. Hooray!

I'm (almost) back!

2008-09-30T21:05:00.004+10:00

Some of the plaster that is STILL lodged in my nose.

Oh, it's been a fun week. Full recap tomorrow cause I know you've been dying to hear all about it! Good news: ceiling did not collapse when wall removed. Just thought I'd let you know in case you were wondering if it did and that's why I've been gone so long. Nope. But bad news: job still not finished and had dodgy internet connection. Nice phone man is coming tomorrow morning to hook me up properly as the phoneline got chopped during wall removal. Oops. Will show you how it looks now tomorrow (much better but not perfect), but here is what it DID look like for a few days. Isn't it lovely? x

Gwyneth's a goop. Possibly, because I'm not sure what goop means, but it sounds like it'd be an adjective

2008-09-23T21:19:00.005+10:00

Gwyneth Paltrow's new website - Goop

Before I do pull the laptop plug... what do we think of Gwyneth Paltrow branching out and joining us on the world wide web? She's set up a lifestyle website featuring yet-to-be-filled categories such as "Make" "Do" "Get" "Be"... Apparently she'll be sharing snippets of all aspects of her life including lessons learnt, recipes, places to see and stay while travelling. Poor thing has been bagged online already with many wondering why we care what celebrities make, do, get and be, but to be fair, it's no different to her setting up a blog, is it? I'm a nobody and yet a lot of people read me, so why not read a somebody? I will - love Gwynnie and if she parts with any of her interior design wisdom she gained while decorating her Hampton's home, then I'll be happy. Not sure how "Martha" she'll be in terms of DIYing around the home outside the kitchen, but I'm curious to see where this will go! You can see for yourself what's she up to and sign up for a newsletter here

loving... attia

2008-09-23T20:42:00.003+10:00

My two fave Attia products: statement worthy in their simplistic style. Picture courtesy Attia

A flip through a recent issue of Real Living I noticed that everything I put in my if-I-had-spare-money-lying-around-I'd-so-buy-this cart was from a label called Attia. Never heard of it before, but boy, did they have some beautiful things: wool and linen cushions, skin cushions, beaded storage baskets, matte-black ceramic tea cup with wooden saucers... lovely!

Hand-beaded storage basket, $US99.95, Attia

Then a few more pages in, I found out it's owned by Rachel Brown - one of our freelance interior stylists, which explained it all. Attia is her baby - a collection of homewares that fits into Rachel's "stylist pre-requisites", namely through its main focus of form, texture and colour. The website is coming soon, but if you can't wait, Rachel also has an Etsy store selling a sample of the range, some of which is pictured here. See what I mean about beautiful?

Black ceramic cup with handmade wooden saucer, $US44, Attia

In case you're wondering, I have a half-naked hallway (the walls have been ripped off halfway up) but my office wall is still standing, hence the post. It goes tomorrow so I have to unplug the laptop now. Oh gosh, separation anxiety already!

bye bye wall

2008-09-22T21:20:00.006+10:00

Ta-ta office; ta-ta wall

I might be offline for a few days because the wall my office is on is to be no more! Unless I can manage to keep the modem plugged in and attempt to get wireless working. But considering the electricity and phone line is being ripped out of the wall as well at some stage, not sure how successful I'll be with that! I'm very much looking forward to this job as it means we can soon start the kitchen. But I am NOT looking forward to the yucky dust, mess and noise that will plague my house for the next few days. We're also getting the hallway reskinned because the previous owners of the house appeared to have used the walls to practice boxing or something and getting recessed shelves in another wall where the front door used to be.

A very, very old view of the room. The room will open up in line with the bathroom wall. This is the old bathroom. I miss it sooooooo much. Ok, I lie.

The not-so-great thing about this job is the fact I'll have to put my desk in my bedroom. I think eventually it'll fit ok once Layla is out, but until then, grr. So fingers crossed we'll all be able to breathe ok and that the noise will stop for nap times, cause life will be lots of fun with two overtired children! Back soon. x

PS: Yay for me! 10 followers. It's rather addictive logging on to see if anyone else joined! Oh the exciting life I lead.

PPS: I attended the Reed Gift Fair in Darling Harbour today. I was going to take some pics of the stalls for you to check out some pretty things but wasn't allowed. Sorry! It was a good day. Until Layla screamed all the way home and I nearly ran out of petrol. Good times.

Baaah, I'm a sheep

2008-09-19T21:52:00.012+10:00

Cutest sheep illustration ever by Paul Dallgas Frey. I found him doing a Google image search for a sheep but you must check out his website: he's funny and talented and full of life and postivity.
It's a great read!

Despite being a web editor, I have no clue about a lot of internet stuff, so completely ignored the two little "followers" that I noticed recently on my dashboard. But then I kept noticing it on other blogs I frequent so actually looked into it and being the sheep I am, added it too! Sooo, in the words of Facebook, will you be my friend? If you check here regularly, click the "follow this blog" link in the top right-hand corner. Apparently, it's more than a popularity contest, but I have yet to understand the benefits! x

letterpressed calling cards

2008-09-19T21:52:00.006+10:00

Business cards for the kiddies! Picture from Bespoke Press

I've always loved the look of letterpressed stationery - there's an old-world feel about receiving an invitation or card with etched patterns. And since my dealings with the lovely Alischa from Bespoke Press, I know why. It's a long, archaic process involving an antique printing press machine from 1893 to make something so beautiful and makes me appreciate the workmanship that goes into it even more. A few weeks ago Alisha graciously offered to make me some mummy calling cards after I blogged about the trend at Mini Meez. She sent me a few designs and I picked my fave, changed a few colours around and the result is above: beautiful and bright calling cards to exchange with potential playmates (for the kids) and their parents (for me). I received them on Wednesday and already used one on Thursday with a new mum we asked to join our mother's group (such the exclusive club it is!!!) Makes a simple and stylish way to give someone your phone number without having to dig through a car-sized bag filled with all sorts of, well, crap, with one arm with a baby on your hip and a toddler hanging off your leg to try and find a pen. Let alone something to write on.

How they arrived. I felt bad ripping the paper! Image from Bespoke Press

I just wanted to thank Alisha so much for my beautiful cards - and want to send you all over to her blog where you can not only see for yourself the step-by-step process of making my cards, but witness her own home renovation, and website to drool over gorgeous wedding packages (invites, menus, table cards) and invitations she's created for clients. The full website will launch soon, but if you're getting married, having a baby or just want to celebrate something in style, Alisha is your girl for gorgeously unique stationery. And too-pretty-to-unwrap packaging!

new book: madison living

2008-09-16T21:51:00.004+10:00

Out now: Madison Living, $29.95

I saw an ad for this yesterday in the latest Madison issue: Madison Living. See how far out of the loop I am while on maternity leave? My own company releases an interiors book and I have no idea! I'm assuming it's a collection of all the homes they've featured over the past few years in their lifestyle section, but am hoping there will be some new stuff too. According to the plug: "madison living covers beachside houses, winter country retreats and modern apartments. We profile women from all walks of life who take inspiration for their homes from a plethora of styles, including Moroccan, French, shabby chic, beach cool and many more. madison living has something for everyone and promises to deliver fresh, inspirational ideas for your home or apartment. Whether it's luxe or less you're after, our must-have book offers loads of ideas and tips to help you create your dream home. "
I'll let you know what it's like if I ever get a chance to flick through a copy, but until then, here is a little taste from their website.

Cute cupboard!

I'm not loving this collection of pics, but here they are anyway

If you want your own copy, you can get it online at Magshop or from bookstores for $29.95. I also checked out the home section of their website. Here are a few pics...

Fashion as art. I want that flapper dress!

Bold black and white stripes vamp up an old chair

Yet another use for wallpaper. But at a gazillion dollars a roll, maybe the Florence Broadhurst is not the best option as a table runner! All images from Madison magazine

and if you're tired of outdoors spaces already...

2008-09-16T10:50:00.003+10:00

How fun! I'd make this painted wall a coloured chalkboard paint for extra fun! From VT Wonen

I popped up a few cool kids rooms on Mini Meez today. Check them out!
x

outdoor spaces part 2: shabby chic

2008-09-15T21:29:00.013+10:00

You can't go wrong with a daybed. I love the base on this one. From Klikk via The House that A-M Built

Once upon a time, I fell deep in love with shabby chic. I wanted everything white with pale pinks and green accent furniture, vintage linens and floral plates. I bought Rachel Ashwell's best book: The Shabby Chic Home of her own home's before and afters and dreamed of replicating her look one day. Then suddenly the love affair eased off and I moved on to other styles.

Mismatched chairs, paper lanterns, floor cushions and candleabras make for a pretty girlie afternoon tea party. From Klikk

I've wanted a little summer house ever since friends in Wales had us over for dinner in theirs. It was so adorable and sparkly at night. From Flickr

The worn timber is the perfect backdrop for shabby chic's prettiness. From Flickr

Occasionally I flick back through my book (when I actually have it - my mother in law steals it often as she's completely in love with shabby chic now and wants to decorate her new place in that style.) and I still drool over some pictures. But they're all the outdoorsy ones - that's why I did this shabby chic post. Because I think this look works best outdoors. There's no carpet or feature-wall colour to clash with, it's not something you live with day in, day out, and where else is a flower more at home than in the garden? Let me apologise in advance for the crappiness of the photographed images from Rachel's books. I really need to get myself a scanner, but they're too pretty to not share.

Am not sure what I like most: the decorating or the fact this deck is so bloody close to the water! From another of Rachel Ashwell's books - Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things (I think it's this one) that I bought for my mother-in-law

A huge daybed on a deck: so nice I'd sleep out here on those hot summer nights. From The Shabby Chic Home

The entrance to her home. From The Shabby Chic Home

Sunbeds and umbrellas for poolside glam. From The Shabby Chic Home

Tiny turquoise tiles make this pool so inviting. From The Shabby Chic Home

Perfect reading spot. From The Shabby Chic Home

PS: I just noticed the photographed pics can't be enlarged so they look worse than they actually are. Will try and redo later but babies just woke up so my blogging time is over for now!

PPS: Pics fixed and should actually enlarge now.

outdoor spaces part 1: moroccan style

2008-09-15T09:49:00.004+10:00

I'm completely in love with this Riad courtyard. The tiles, the lantern, the pool, the furniture, the mirrored wall - perfect! Can't fault it. Pic from The Good Life in Morocco

Ooooh it's been so lovely these past few days. And actually hot on occasions! So I've been dreaming of a gorgeous outdoor space to chill in. Am obsessed with Morocco at the moment, so thought I'd start with a few beautiful images - there's nothing quite like authentic Moroccan style, but I've also found a few spaces inspired by this region.

The other side of the courtyard (above). How incredible are those doors? Pic from The Good Life in Morocco

A very cool rusticy pergola is modernised with classic black and white. From My Marrakesh

We loved this deck so much we've shot it several times for Real Living. To get a Moroccan feel, lanterns and poufs are essential! Pic from December 2005 issue of Real Living magazine

Anyone can re-create this: curtains, cushions and a few glass lanterns. From Flickr

Not sure how Moroccan this is, but hey, it has a lantern. And it's pretty! From Domino

Go for grand designs in small spaces to make an impact. Pic from Domino

Tomorrow: shabby chic spaces. If I get the time! x

summer's coming!

2008-09-12T23:04:00.002+10:00

I'm meant to watch my brother-in-law's rugby final tomorrow, but I just might be found here instead. From Living Etc

I can feel it! It was so beautiful today, I was going to blog about outdoor spaces, but instead, I sat outside and enjoyed being in my own (although that involved putting on blinkers so I didn't have to look at the weeds neglected plants and patchy grass) watching Zak kick, hit and throw his ball. ALL day. And the weekend is set to be even warmer - yay! So tune in Monday for some pics that will make you want to live outside. Happy weekend.

Did you know...?

2008-09-12T21:59:00.004+10:00

Amy's signature style, only smaller

Amy Butler has a new book out - for the bubbies. Little Stitches for Little Ones helps you style up your baby's nursery, wardrobe and life. Love the nappy bag and playmat. More pics here

Some of the projects: toys, quilts, clothes. Pic from Amazon

new towels + new project

2008-09-11T09:23:00.003+10:00

My new towels from Le Souk

For all my sob story about never being able to buy from great shops overseas, there is one you need to know about if you don't already: Le Souk. This beautiful collection of homewares is owned by Danielle from the Style Files and... drumroll please... ships worldwide! Which is good news if you fall in love with these towels like I did. Aren't they beautiful? Turkish, tasseled and terrific - I love the woven pattern and the softness. All up the two cost a little over $AUS100 to get here (good old international shipping!), but that's no different really to buying two good bath towels at David Jones is it? And plus, I'll do anything for love...

Last night I left my laptop closed and had a bath. Ok, I send off some emails and then closed it (it's really, really hard to not log on once the babies have gone to bed and have a little browse around). It was rather heavenly. I was so relaxed I decided to start a little project: a completely embellished cushion. By hand.

Time consuming, tedious and yet oddly relaxing: the start of something fabulous. Potentially fabulous.

Several years ago I did this to the top of a white singlet and loved it so much I only just parted with it recently to bin because it was no longer white and, in parts, no longer beaded. It took me a whole long weekend. Considering I had no children then and absolutely nothing else to do over those three days, I estimate it will take me until sometime in 2010 to finish this one! But, oddly enough, I find the tediousness of stitching on teeny tiny beads and sequins quite relaxing (except for when I jab my finger. Which is quite often.) My plan is for a rectangle-sized cushion with a smaller rectangle on the front completely embellished. Although seeing as it took me just under half an hour to do this much last night, it just might soon become a square (shorter amount of time!) We'll see...

inspiration from stores over the seas

2008-09-09T09:09:00.001+10:00

Idea to steal: a chandelier in the bathroom. It doesn't even have to be in the middle of the room - I love how it's over the bath here. I don't even like champagne, but I'd so drink it in here - the only drink fitting I think for such a rusticly glam room. Pic from Froke Nolsen

As I mentioned before, there are some brilliant stores out there. And most of them are overseas. Of course we have some here, but at the moment, my decor taste is running towards a mix of Scandinavian, moroccan and asian. And I realised as I uploaded these pics, that there is a similar vibe in all of them that reflects this. Here are a few pretty pics from overseas stores and a few ideas to steal from them.

Idea to steal: rustic old doors, gates or trellises can look beautiful resting against a wall or behind a bed as a bedhead. Pic from Tine K Home

Idea to steal: forget the closed-door buffet: show off your pretties with a glass-door cabinet. You could even age distress a new one with paint (Ikea have some similar to this) to give it an aged look. Pic from Tine K Home

Idea to steal: strips of leather as door handles. The ones in this picture are sold by the label Tine K Home, but I think you could easily do yourself with straps and some kind of screw. Ask a hardware expert for the appropriate ones.

Idea to steal: oooh this mirror... be still my beating heart. You might not be able to re-create the angles, but sticking a whole heap of different-sized mirror tiles into a large rectangle on the wall would create a similar effect. Pic from Graham and Green

Idea to steal: hanging lanterns or little birdcages from a four-posted bed. Securely, though, don't want any nasty accidents! Pic from Graham and Green

Idea to steal: ok, so letters on a wall aren't new. But using a heap of random letters and symbols in a cool pattern like this is. How effective! Pic from Graham and Green

Idea to steal: banana-leaf and French market baskets are hip and a staple in a lot of homes, but give it a paint job for a pop of colour and little individuality. Pic from Chenille Home

Idea to steal: old gates or screens make gorgeous bedheads. Pic from Chenille Home

Idea to steal: take your indoor decor outside like this deer head. Obviously best to be in the covered outdoor areas but don't feel the need to leave the walls bare: it's called an outdoor "room" now, not just outdoors! Pic from Graham and Green

cute and easy idea

2008-09-08T16:05:00.005+10:00

Draw your way to priceless heirlooms. Pics from Lille Lykke

And you thought plain, white modern wardrobes were boring! I've heard of wallpapering them, decal-ing them, covering them in photos and of course painting to jazz them up, but this takes the cake: a whimsical antique princessey armoir drawn on the doors. As odd as this sounds, to look at it, you really only notice the outline. Simple, clever, stylish!

La la lovely

Great idea for a girlie bedroom without the antique price tag, but perfect for little princesses!

eye candy: trine thorsen's fab photography

2008-09-05T21:24:00.005+10:00

My love for white rooms grows with each pretty picture I see.

First up, let me apologise for previously referring to Trine as a possible"him". She is most definitely a HER and a talented one at that. She's just launched her new website and it's filled with lots of her gorgeous images from everything from interiors to fashion to food. I thought I'd show you a few snaps here, but make sure you head over to have a virtual wander about.

Now this is a bathroom

Another white room. With a CHILD! Who said they can't go together?

All homes should have ceilings and windows this high

This reminds me of brilliant and beautifully-shot Aussie movie Picnic at Hanging Rock

Oh look! Another white room. Wonder if I could put my antlers on the wall like this. Love it but not sure how to attach...

Aren't they beautiful? I'm sure you'll agree that while the styling is superb, it's the perfectly glowy light that Trine manages to capture and the angles she shoots from that make the subject matter even more beautiful.

if i lived in germany...

2008-09-05T09:58:00.005+10:00

Metal stool from Impressionen

then I'd be snapping up this pretty metal stool (above).
And this rug I've written about before.

Ohh my rug. It's only 29.95 euros. My weekly train trip to work cost more! From Impressionen

And probably both of these lanterns.

So, so beautiful. Have yet to see lanterns this pretty over here. Again, from Impressionen

But I don't live in Germany. And even though I'm only one degree of separation away from it (Dad is German), unless they have the amazing magical ability to fold up to T-shirt size to fit in my parents' suitcase while they're visiting later this month or can be mailed in an envelope, then they have to stay in the store for someone else to buy. Sob.
That's the problem with all this blogging and Net surfing. I get attached to things in other countries or fabulous bloggers introduce me to amazing shops and designers on the other side of the world (like Holly at Decor8) and all I can do is oggle online and curse those fabulous bloggers for making me pine. My biggest annoyance is Anthropologie. Please come to Australia. Or at least add us to your international shipping. We love you. And if I thought an online campaign and petition would get you here to set up shop here, I'd start one.
I know there are mail-forwarders who will let you use their address for shipping within the country and then they mail it out to you. But all the things I want is usually bulky furniture and homewares. Still, if you're interested in these clever halfway mailing houses: try http://www.mailnetwork.com/ and http://www.usabox.com/. I think these guys belong in the "why didn't I think of that" category!

There is one upside though to the you-can-look-but-not-buy situation: the inspiration to be had from these stores. Most online shops will have their products shot beautifully and it's so nice to sneak a peek at other cultures and styles. I'll do some searching this weekend and show you what I mean Monday. Have a great weekend.

magazine storage at its finest

2008-09-01T09:27:00.004+10:00

Do you think this homeowner likes to read? Pictures from Taverne Agency

If you're anything like me, you have too many magazines than you have shelves, cupboards and racks in which to store them. I have the newest real livings and dominos on a shelf above my desk, a pile of my favourites under my desk growing dangerously close to the desk-top underside, while in my spare room the four-year's worth of Cosmo issues I worked on are in a cane basket, I have paper folders bursting from old issues of home mags, Madisons and Shop Til You Drop are strewn over the floor (I'm not very tidy) in front of a couple of other piles of new and ancient publications I just can't part with for whatever reason. And this is AFTER I half-filled a yellow recycle bin after a clean out. One day I will find a solution. Or have a house big enough to dedicate a room to a magazine library (and newspapers - my husband edits a weekly paper, so we have piles and piles and boxes and more piles of newspapers too. quite the fire hazard really. grr), but until then...

Creating a bit of a pattern by stacking them horiztonally and vertically ensures it's not just a stack of magazines! Pretty things on top seal the deal.

If I didn't have children, I'd so do this: create magazine storage using magazines - stylishly. This homeowner has neatly stacked a rather large amount of mags to form a console table. A piece of glass cut to size rests on top, creating a nice little station for pretty things. Perfect if you can't bear to part with your faves, but don't flip through them on a daily basis as unstacking and restacking regularly couldn't be too much fun. But it looks like she's got that covered: another two easily-accessible piles are on display under the clear coffee table.
I find it a great idea and love that it's an instance in which magazines physically help create a stylish room, not just tell us how with words and pictures. So, how do you store your mags? I'll be moving office space at home soon and would love to hear some more ideas.
x

sneak peek: real living october issue

2008-08-29T20:03:00.003+10:00

October 2008 issue of Real Living

It's out Monday and this month I'm happy to say no member of my family is photographed inside it (that I know of, anyway!). At first it was a novelty reading the mag from scratch without any knowledge about its contents, but that soon wore off and I've found myself logging into the system to check out the pictures and features. There are a some good ones, including an amazing kitchen in the shopping pages, a lucky reader's home makeover with a very dreamy buffet (below), the art of display and a peek into three friends' homes with a similar theme.

I'm a little bit in love with this Rodin Lattice Buffet, from $890, Touch Interiors. I wonder if I can sneak it into the kitchen budget...

You can check out some of these pics on our online sampler from Monday here. Enjoy!

fine and dandididliandi (that's in Flanders' voice for non-Simpsons fans!)

2008-08-28T20:10:00.006+10:00

"Dandigami" Lotus flower paper napkins. Download free instructions here

Even though I missed the Stitches and Craft show last week, I'm happy to say I didn't completely miss out on what I wanted to see: the Dandi stall. The lovely Caroline from Dandi contacted me to fill me in and show me what they got up to: demonstrating how to make this cute napkin origami - perfect for your next dinner party. The good news is, Dandi has a blog (fineanddandi.blogspot.com) and has posted the instructions on it for anyone to download - for free!

So-pretty fabric mobiles to dress up your home. You can buy the kits to DIY

And even better news, is the gorgeous little project kits they were selling at the show will soon be available on their online store (but for now, if you want one, best to phone or email them). I really want the mobile (above) - it's very similar to what I was coveting in this DwellStudio picture (below) in one of my first posts on mini meez. Perfect for hanging over baby's cot or dressing up a corner of your living room.

One example of where to hang the mobile!

Also available for purchase is the treasure box (below). Aren't they great? Kits come with everything you need to make it - instructions, fabric etc, and cost $25 each.

The treasure boxes would make great bonbonnaire at weddings

Just another reason why I love this Aussie brand! And yet another thing from them to add to my great gifts list! Check out their blog for other great DIY ideas and pretty things.