Hello Spring!

Here in the Southern Hemisphere today marks the start of Spring (cue cheering from all rejoicing in the warmer weather this brings).

 

Spring = "Spring Cleaning". Now, I hate cleaning more than anyone; normally my Spring cleaning happens sometime in Summer (if I'm lucky).

 

This year its time for a change!

 

Here, I would like to share my top 10 list of Spring Cleaning "To Do's:

 

1. Clean out the fridge and pantry. Throw out anything expired. I also like to make a point of trying to use up anything that has been sitting around for a while, write your next shopping list around these items.

 

2. Clean all fan covers/vents. This includes ceiling fan blades, air conditioning vents and filters, kitchen exhaust covers and filters, dishwasher, dryer vent and washing machine filters.

 

3. Dust/Clean light fittings and lamps. Also a good time to replace any old globes with new longer lasting, energy efficient globes.

 

4. Treat any timber furniture or decking.

 

5. Book a professional carpet clean. Most can also do heavy duty tile & grout cleaning (good for kitchens, bathrooms and tiled floors), upholstery and rugs these days.

 

6. Replace smoke alarm batteries. (Unless of course you have hard wired or 10 year lithium - make sure this isn't approaching expiry either.)

 

7. Clean/vacuum curtains and blinds. (Some curtains may require professional dry cleaning so check this first.) 

 

8.  Clean the gutters. (Practically speaking this something best down at the end of Autumn after the leaves have fallen and before the rain starts, but in case you missed it then, now is as good as time as any to make up for it.)

 

9. Flip and rotate your mattress.  

 

10. Clean out your wardrobe. Bag up anything that no longer fits or may be "out of fashion" and you haven't worn in over a year. (You can put these into charity bins or most cities and towns have vintage or car boot sales you could take them to and for a days work earn yourself some spending money.) Also, if your have a pile a clothes you keep meaning to repair and haven't yet - Now is the time to decide, repair or throw away.

 

11. Now my favourite - Open a bottle of wine and a block of chocolate and reward your hard work!

Divine Nine - Coffee Tables

 

I have recently completed my home office and as a result found myself in the market for a new coffee table (the old one was a desk/workstation/coffee table and has seen better days!).

 

 

This time around I have the freedom to choose a coffee table based on aesthetics and not how well it doubles as a desk.

 

I thought I would share some of my favourites....

 

 

1. Modern

2. Functional



3. Scandinavian

4. Glass

5. Rustic Industrial

6. Glamour

7. Retro

8. Colourful

9. Ottoman

 

A Change Is As Good As A Holiday

I have recently noticed that I have been loosing inspiration and focus. So I took some time out to think about why and what to do about it and I've realised that I am not doing, writing and posting about all the things I really want to be.

 

I still love DIY, design and my Etsy shop but there are so many more facets of my life and loves. I also have an insatiable desire for travel, for food, to be entertained, to enjoy life.

 

The result... I have decided to makeover my blog. I want to make it a lifestyle destination. To celebrate I am working on a bit of a new look and maybe even some new branding. One thing that won't be changing though is my commitment to original content. 

 

Exciting times ahead xo

 

Bedroom Makeover - Pt 1 - Bedside Table Styling and DIY

Recently I embarked on a makeover of my bedroom. I am super happy with the results and since been wondering "why hadn't I done this earlier?"

 

Answer:

- I had been worried about cost

- I thought it would be too hard to do on my own

- I thought it would take forever and didn't want to live around a half finished room.

 

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I should have known better.

 

The full room reveal will come soon, but lets break it down a bit first.

 

 

Step 1: So over Red! Time to soften the room up a bit. Simply replacing the candle in the birdcage and bringing in a family photo with softer tones made a big difference. So cheap. So easy.  

DIY: The lamp - The base and shade were actually from the Target mix and match series and I embellished the shade by hot glue gunning on the crystal drop bead fringe (found at all good craft stores). Such a cheap and easy way to add a bit of glamour.

Step 2: Contain clutter. Grouping similar items together on a tray or dish creates a sense of purpose.

 

Step 3: Bring in nature - adding flowers or an indoor plants to a room is a must. I myself am only recently converted. I either thought I'd probably kill real plants, real flowers were costly to keep buying or fake flowers look really fake. I now have a mix if low maintenance indoor plant and carefully selected fake flowers.  

DIY: Here I have actually taken an Ikea Vinager Bamboo Dish and painted it pink to tie together with the pink candle on the other side table. (Coincidently the dish originally came in red - I can't escape it!!).

New Product - Concrete Tealight Candle Holder Set

New concrete product range now up on my Etsy and Madeit stores!

 

 

Starting with this adorable set of tea light candle holders

Great for industrial, rustic or natural interiors.

 

 

Hand poured into moulds and allowed to properly cure these unique candle holders have a natural, unpainted finish.

No two are the same and each has its own rustic charm.  

 

$15 AUD + Postage

Each holder is approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall

Spotlight On - Tropical North Queensland

 

I've been absent for a while now but the time away has not been wasted. I have so many new projects to share, but first... I recently spent a week in the beautiful Tropical North Queensland, Australia and can not say enough great thing about the region!

 

If you like clean and beautiful beaches with rows of palm trees and a lush green backdrop where it feels like summer all year round then this is the place to come.

 

 Clifton Beach 

 

We flew into Cairns and decided to hire cars for the week - best decision, we had so much freedom to explore and also allowed us to stay "where the locals live" and not in amongst the busy tourist spots. We hired a house through Stayz in Clifton Beach which is about a 25 minute drive North of Cairns, 45 minutes South of Port Douglas and a 5-10 minute beach walk from the popular beachside tourist town of Palm Cove.  

 

 

Being somewhere in the middle of Cairns and Port Douglas gave us the best of both worlds with so many tour operator based out of each and so much to see and do in between. The first attraction that comes to mind is of course the Great Barrier Reef. Its a must see and you are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to tour operators.

 

Great Barrier Reef

 

 

Other must see attractions include the Port Douglas Markets which are on every Saturday (great place support local artists/creators and pick up some souvenirs direct from the makers!! Think clothes, art, jewellery, homewares), the Daintree Rainforest, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and Kurunda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Cairns.

 

 

Mossman Gorge

 

For idyllic freshwater swimming holes visit Mossman Gorge or Crystal Cascades and for a great scenic drive cross the ferry and head as far North as you can go before you hit the dirt tracks up at Cape Tribulation.

 

 

 

 Lastly, I have to say I truly fell in love with the house we stayed in. Laid back, airy, beachy and it had the loveliest tropical garden and pool. I have definitely come home with the inspiration and motivation I need to get stuck into my garden!

 

which is where I'm off to now x

 

 

New Product - Chalkboard Milk bottles

Just launched on my Etsy shop are these cute Milk Bottle drinking glasses featuring Blackboard / Chalkboard labels which come in sets of 2 for $8 + postage.

Great idea for parties - never forget which glass belongs to who!

Vintage style milk bottle glass with a black board label for you write on, rub off, then start again.

Also great for personal notes or why not use as a sauce/garnish jar us the label to tell your gets what flavour it is.

 

Each glass is 12cm in height.

All orders are carefully packaged for postage.

Etsy Treasury - Australia

I've been a bit absent recently (very busily working on some projects around my home which will be revealed very soon!) but I was updating some info in my Etsy shop and thought I might play around with a Treasury.

 

This is the first one that I have curated, however I have had some of my products feature in other people's before.

 

I thought I would start with one close to home, literally.... I have chosen the theme of my first Treasury as AUSTRALIA.

 

Here is a sneak peak at some of my favourite Australia items on Etsy.

 

(Click on the picture to view the Treasury in more detail..... happy shopping!)

 

 

Custom Order - Pink Name Canvas

I recently completed my first custom order for an Etsy shopper in New York. The customer saw my listing for my 4 piece pink "Love" canvas set and decided she wanted something similar but featuring her daughters name.

A few sketches and layout ideas were bounced around and this was the end result...

I hope Bella and her Mum love their new canvas set.

 

 

If you too would like a custom piece made please contact me via my Etsy Shop.

New Product - Milk Bottle Vases

I would like to introduce my new range on Etsy...

 

A selection of vintage inspired Milk Bottle Vases

 

 

Great as vases, table centrepieces or just cute vignettes around the house

 

 

 

Set of 3 vases for $16 AUD + Postage

 

 

 

 

Set of 2 vases for $12 AUD + Postage

Divine Nine ~ Valentines Day Special

Valentines Day is fast approaching so I thought I'd share a collection of last minute, easily accessible and affordable decorator items for those of you planning a cosy night in this Friday!

 

 

 

 

1. Haighs - Half Milk Heart With Berry Chocs

2. Target - Emporium Love Candle

3. Kmart - Wicker Woven Heart

4. Typo - Chunky Bookend (Red)

5. Kikki K - Big Heart Mug

6. Lincraft - Floral bouquet of Roses  

7. Typo - Shine Bright Lanterns

8. Homewares Direct - Maxwell Williams Red Heart Cake Tin

9. Kmart - Love Photo Frame

 

 

 

 

  

Living Room Inspiration Board ~ Purple Accents

Do you love purple and wish you could have some in your home but don't know how to do it without going overboard?

 

Look no further...

1. Replica Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table

2. Freedom Cecil 3 Seat Sofa in Light Grey 

3. Beacon Lighting: Copenhagen Floor Lamp in Teak

4. Beacon Lighting Habitat Pendant Lights x 3 clustered

5. Freedom Buco Ottoman Open Weave Cylinder in Natural
6. ART: Greg O'Leary - Deep Purple Medium: Canvas, Oil paint

7. Purple Numbered Cushion Cover – 0 The Queen St Collection

8. Designer Living Comfort Classics Parkway Knitted MicroTec Throw

9. Domayne - Cowhide Rug - Natural Solid White

10. Domayne Bloom Cushion Purple

11. Nick Scali Taddeo TV unit

12. Flock Wall Clock Hug Me Harry

13. Freedom Foliage Phalaenopsis Orchid  

14. Flynton Armchair

15. Freedom Charade Vessel

16. Freedom Filly Statue

17. Raspberry Ripple Cushion Lilly & Lolly



Etsy Treasury Feature

Can you spot my item featured in Candace's Etsy Treasury 50 Shades of Pink?  

 

To celebrate the appearance of my Pink Love Canvas Set I have cut the price from $45 AUD to $40 AUD



https://www.etsy.com/au/treasury/MjA3MTkxNjN8MjcyNTUzMDc3MA/50-shades-of-pink

New Product - Australia Typography Cushion

With Australia Day just around the corner I would like to introduce my newest cushion cover design...

 

The design features 100+ towns, cities and points of interest all positioned in their approx. geographical location.

 

The design is 100% my own and I am incredibly proud to see it come to life in a cushion cover. Both sides are 100% cotton and the cover has a zip closure.

 

The covers can be purchased from my Etsy Store! 

 

Perfect for any Australian home or for anyone who has been here and loved it as much as we do.

 

$40 AUD + postage

 

 

 

 

(White reverse side)

 

 

Hello 2014!

So I know I'm a couple of weeks late but I have an excuse... I've just returned from some rest and relaxation on holidays in Fiji!

(Bula: Traditional Fijian greeting = Hello)

I was lucky enough to experience the true laid-back and oh-so friendly Fijian lifestyle and really felt welcomed in as part of the extended family.

 

The simplicity of their lifestyle has made me appreciate the simpler things and I will (with some reluctance) say I enjoyed the change from the hustle and bustle of the city and the lack of technological distractions.

 

 

 

 

I was also very excited to find that the beaches and water in "those" desktop/screensaver images we're all use to, actually do exist and I can now say I've been there, seen it and photographed it myself!

       

 

 We stayed in some gorgeous (disclaimer; also very basic, so don't be too fooled) beach front huts and rooms. There were a couple of places that I worried high tide might have nearly washed us away we were that close to the waters edge.

 

 

I've come back refreshed with lots of new ideas and inspiration and ready to get into full swing (hammock pun intended) this year.