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!!).