Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Homely Snippets


A few homely snippets from these parts today…

 
Over the past few weeks, as part of my night-time wind-down ritual, I've been reading a chapter or two from my current book of the moment 'The Happiness Project'.  However, there's also a stack of books currently piled up on my bedside table which I'm desperate to delve into.  Some were much loved Christmas gifts, others are titles I've recently treated myself to.  I'm trying hard to read them slowly one by one and to take in all that each has to offer, free from distractions.  I think it might be time though to mix things up with a fiction book perhaps...

 
 
As part of my ‘leave no stone unturned’ de-cluttering and sorting frenzy, I whipped up some visual labels for the girls' toy storage crates today.  Labelling things neatly makes me feel so organized and is one of the aspects I loved about having my own classroom back when I was teaching.  Sophie and Grace both have some toys stored like this at the bottom of their wardrobes which I drag out and rotate often. 


 
The throw draped over my lounge above is the cosy and ever-so-soft one I’ve ordered from Wallace Cotton… my friend lent me hers so I could see if the colour was suitable before I ordered my own.  I can’t wait to snuggle under it as the cooler autumn weather approaches. 


 
Yesterday I let Grace loose with some paint and asked her to cover a page in flowers for us to use as wrapping paper for our baby cousin’s first birthday this coming weekend.  It will look amazing when we package it, although part of me wants to keep this painting for myself now… maybe we'll have to drag out those paintbrushes again tomorrow when Grace has a non-kindy day...
 

22 comments:

  1. What a delicious pile of books! Wouldn't it be lovely to have just one rainy afternoon to delve into them with cup after cup of hot tea. (I shouldn't wish too hard because I know this beautiful Mumma business will be over in the blink of an eye). We've been sorting here too. It must the teacher in us! Hope your week is lovely and that you and your Grace are settling into kindy life :) x

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    1. Nothing like a rainy day, snuggled under a blanket with a cuppa and a good book :) And sorting and organizing always makes me feel calmer and at peace. We're getting there slowly with kindy - some tears this morning at drop off, but according to the teacher, Grace had a fantastic day, was mixing with the other children and was happy :)

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  2. Oh Amanda. I swear you and I live parellel lives sometimes. So many similarities and likes!!!!!
    I have been meaning to make VISUAL LABELS for Ella's clothes drawers and toys boxes for weeks now. I want her to be able to put things away {in my anal, organised spots} on her own. I want to embed some more home-independence into her...to take the load off me, but also to keep things in place!!!!!
    I love the snippets of your home. And Gracie's painting {wrapping paper} is all kinds of PERFECT!!!!
    You've inspired me to do a few snippets of my home too in a post soon. See...how we bounce off of each other ;)
    xx
    P.S. Have you started The Gift of an Ordinary Day yet. I'm making the last few pages last FOREVER!! Love it.

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    1. That's what I think every time I read a post of yours :) I love things to be all neatly organized too, especially when it comes to wardrobes... although Sophie has taken to thinking Grace's drawers are'dress-ups' and has been whipping shorts and tops out left right and centre :)

      Still haven't started that awesome book you recommended... am DESPERATE to make a start but have promised myself to just read one at a time, rather than having three books on the go like I tend to.

      I'd love to see some more snippets of your place... it's fun getting to see a bit more of other bloggers' worlds xx

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  3. Grace's painting is absolutely gorgeous, I think you should keep it and have her paint another tomorrow! xx

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    1. I've been thinking it would a cute piece to frame :)

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  4. You must keep the painting it's adorable x

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  5. I am going to pop back here often .. Your blog is so refreshing. So, thank you

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  6. Love the painting Amanda. I think it deserves a frame and a special place on the wall.

    You look REALLY organised! I wish I could say the same here. lol
    Lesley
    xx

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    1. I wish I was so organized in other parts of our home... or when it comes to things like paying bills and replying to emails :)

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  7. Lovely book stack, have been enjoying the bottom one myself.The others look very interesting. Grace's pic would look lovely in a bright yellow frame, it's so cute. Throw is a perfect match!

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  8. Wonderful, Amanda! Seeing organisation like this always puts a smile on my face! :)
    Gorgeous painting, and gorgeous throw!
    Ronnie xo

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  9. Yep keep the painting and ask her the little Picasso to do another! (only risk is wanting to keep that one also). Is The Happiness Project good?

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    1. I've had her paint two more... the original has since wrapped the present and one of the newer is all set to go into a frame :)

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  10. your lounge room looks like such a lovely place to sit down, read a magazine and feel peaceful.

    and that wrapping paper is gorgeous! you must keep it and have grace do another. :)

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    1. Thanks! At the moment, this is more of a 'sitting room', where I'll occasionally blog or read. The other corner of this room (currently the unused formal dining room) is where I'm thinking of making an activity area for the girls with a table for crafting and lots of floor space for spreading out toys like Duplo :)

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  11. Your stack of books looks very appealing. I wish I were more of a reader. In the evenings, I fall asleep when I try to read. Maybe I need a Kindle or other electronic device. I never seem to get tired when I'm on the computer! I have been reading Fahrenheit 451 since December. I find it interesting but not compelling, and I tend to let a book sit for weeks untouched if I don't find it compelling.

    Glad to hear that Grace is settling into school nicely.
    Claudia

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  12. Your throw is beautiful, love the white and tones of blue in your lounge, it looks great :) and they look like a fantastic selection of books!

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  13. You've got a lovely collection of books there Amanda. I don't know if I could resist reading a new one before I finished the old one;) I am so much like you with labels, I still use them for myself but not as much for the girls these days. I would label the girls clothes drawers when they were little so they knew what drawer had what type of clothes in there. It's probably a bit pedantic but it was quite helpful for them and gave them a bit more independence. That throw looks beautiful and suits your lounge perfectly Amanda. Grace's painting is so so sweet I can understand why you wouldn't want to give it away:) Have a wonderful weekend. xx

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  14. the painting is just beautiful ... head to office words and photocopy in colour a couple of times. you can keep the original and the photocopy versions for family and gift wrap maybe ? xx

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  15. Oh that stack of books! Would love to know if you think the Happiness Project is worth getting...but I must say, I'm dying to read some fiction. I feel like I've had non-fiction on the bedside table for waaay too long...Hope you kept the flower painting - beautiful! x

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