Monday, September 19, 2011

Around Our Place


To start off this week, I thought I'd share a few random photos of what's been going on around here lately...

On Saturday, I held my annual fundraising party to raise money for Pink Ribbon Day (I'll share some photos later in the week). As usual, I had heaps of fun with all the planning and decorating, although I have to admit I had a 'what am I doing hosting an event at 36 weeks' moment on Friday afternoon. Despite rain last week, the sun came out and I was able to have my morning tea outdoors as I'd hoped. Above is a little sampler of things I used to style the table. For readers who are new to my blog, you can see my post on last year's event here.



I have finally made a start on packing my hospital bag. I still have a few things to wash before adding them to my bag as well as a few things to buy and a few things that can't be thrown in until the last minute. I found the pretty checklist above on The Coterie Blog although I've since added a whole stack of other items to it.




This book and magazine are currently sitting on my bedside table. I borrowed the book from the library last week as we had already decided on first names for bub but were yet to choose middle names. This is still a work in progress. The girl option is decided but as for boys' names, I find it really hard being a teacher as lots of names immediately conjure up images of naughty boys I've had in my class. As for the magazine, I'm hoping to spend some time relaxing this week flicking through it's pages.




My 'jobs to complete before 36 weeks' has taken a bit longer to work through than I'd anticipated, especially as most of last week was spent organising Saturday's party. I couldn't sleep last night and found myself lying in bed thinking 'what if I went into labour early, would I be ready?' So, I got out my torch and notepad and pen and jotted down the things I felt HAVE to be done before bub arrives. Thanks to trying out online shopping last week with Coles, I have already crossed 'stock up on groceries' off my list. I was happy with using this service and will definitely be using it again in the future. I didn't buy any fresh produce though, just packaged stuff, but it meant that all Grace and I had to do was pop to the butcher, bakery and fruit and vegetable shop, all of which could be done with me pushing Grace in the stroller. My pantry is now nice and organised and its top shelf is filled with spares of things we use often.




And finally, a package I had been waiting for arrived in the mail today with the cute little curio box above. I had been searching for one for Grace's room for a while now and found the above one on Etsy. Thankfully it arrived safely and is now ready for me to spray paint white and transform into something similar to the one in the picture below. I've already chiselled out a few trinkets that were still glued inside the boxes, now I just need to work out how to remove the remaining spots of glue before prettying it up.



Image source unknown sorry
Update: Photo by Tracy Nors via Ohdeedoh (via BabySpace)



So this week, I'll be pottering around the house, working through my 'to do list' and enjoying simple daily pleasures and moments with Grace. I also have a few little giveaways planned for the near future, so be sure to pop back soon...

20 comments:

  1. Amanda, I have a serious case of "pantry envy" I wish mine looked so neat and tidy. Even after I tidied it last week it doesn't look that neat.
    I hear you re the baby names. I am a teacher too and there are certain names that I could never use!
    The little shadow box is cute. I like the inspiration picture. I have a box I might try something similar with.

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  2. I agree - "pantry envy" definitely! I love all your labelled jars/storage containers. The curio cabinet is just gorgeous. I didn't know you could find things like that on Etsy? Can't wait to see it finished. ;)Sharyne

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  3. What a great trinket box! I did one for my son with an old spice rack, and I still look at it fondly. Good work on the fundraising efforts for such a great cause and good luck with the baby names. It's such a big decision. x

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  4. Amanada, I didn't realise, not sure why but I didn't realise you were expecting....
    I wish you all the best for the last few weeks and hope all goes to plan.....we are playing the name game at the moment but luckily we have found out the sex so its a little easier to narrow down...
    xK

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  5. Glad online shopping was a good decision for you, will makes things a lot easier over the coming months! I did have a giggle about your problems with boys names, naughty boy names do tend to stand out in my brain in a list of things not to name my child as well!

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  6. Your pantry is perfection! I'm inspired and have added 'pantry overhaul' to my growing list of things to do.

    I can't believe you're at 36 weeks already. I'm sure it doesn't seem so for you but I'm surprised at how fast its flown by.

    Good luck choosing a name. I found it so difficult!

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  7. Thanks for the kind pantry comments. I managed to cross this one off my to do list when Mum helped me clean the other day - she did the cleaning tasks I'm finding difficult to do with a bump while I organised my pantry.

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  8. Oh Amanda! I am getting so excited over here for you. I'll email your my hospital checklist in case it's useful. J x

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  9. IN LOVE with that little box! Have been looking for them for the preschoolers room too -- not easy to find in this part of the world it seems.

    p.s here's a link for the bottom image from baby space in 2010. Originally seen on Ohdeedoh: http://www.babyspace.net.au/2010/04/homespun-baby.html

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  10. I bet you must be feeling more relaxed now it seems like you're nice and organised. I hope you can sit back and relax now and enjoy these last few weeks with Grace. I love that little cabinet of yours, I can't wait to see what you use it for. Enjoy your relaxing week at home. xo

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  11. I can't wait to see pictures of your Pink Ribbon Day event, the table cloth and napkins are so pretty.

    I've finished my list of things to do before baby arrives and now I'm twiddling my thumbs waiting for him/her to make an appearance. Hopefully it won't be long now.

    I've tagged you in a post on my blog. Drop by to take a look and take part if you find the time!

    x x x

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  12. It looks like you are almost ready for your bub to arrive. Grace must be getting quite excited about meeting her new brother or sister. I also think your pantry looks fabulous, I wish I had so much space! All the best Amanda. xx

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  13. So much happening, and I've never seen a more organised pantry! Can't believe you've picked a name too that is so exciting :) Remember to rest up with your mag and cuppa and enjoy a little you time x

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  14. Hi, Amanda. Can't wait to see the curio box when it's finished, great buy! Not long for you now. I like your 'jobs to complete before 36 weeks' - hoping to achieve something simliar except for the unavoidable run of 3 yo birthday parties that strikes in mid-October...plan to spend alot of party time in a backyard folding chair :)

    Paula x

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  15. Sounds (and looks!) like you are super organised, Amanda. Although I have things still to tick off the to-do list, most of the important things are done and I'm just telling myself that anything extra is a bonus! Glad to see you've factored in some mag time :)

    I too understand re names (being a former teacher)...and I think boys names are bit tricky, anyway.

    Take it easy, lovely lady. x

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  16. Spring cleaning and nesting - perfect timing! The pantry looks great! Looking forward to some pics from the fundraising party!

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  17. Oh my - I want to come live in your pantry!

    What a fabulous idea for the curio box - can't wait to see what it looks like in Graces room.

    I feel like things are getting close - will be checking in regularly to hoepfully hear your exciting news soon. Take care and put your feet up!

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  18. I completely remember the name - teacher dilemma! I love you curio box and cannot wait to see what it becomes :)

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  19. I can't wait to see how this comes up, the image is lovely. I've been searching for one of these on ebay myself. I love the idea of the coloured backgrounds.

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  20. Yay Amanda....not long now :)))) {for us both!}
    During me morning sickness phase, I did a BIG pantry overhaul because everytime I opened the doors to our kitchen cupboard I would gag...haaaa!!! Crazy morning sickness!!!! So my latest 'nesting' phase is deculling anything & everything! I have donated so many full bags to charity lately. Poor Ella....blinks an eye & I have cleaned out her toys or clothes {AGAIN!} hehehe!!!! And I can TOTALLY relate to the teacher-name-thing! When I was pregnant with Ella, we chose a girl's name {Ella} and a boys name {can't say it....coz we're sticking with it for this pregnancy!} but I HAD to choose names that I knew noone with....because everytime I heard a name of a child at my school/class, I had 'labels' to it. HARD JOB deciding I know! Have you decided yet? Because we know we're having a boy, we have called him by his name the past few months. Ella lets it slip all the time....so our family already know it. I wanted to keep it a secret LOL, but its hard to get a 3yr old to keep a secret :)
    Good Luck my dear!
    C xo

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