Curio Box Transformation

Today I thought I’d share with you a little project I finally completed last week. Back in September using the image at the bottom of this post for inspiration, I bought a little curio display shelf off Etsy as I had been unable to find a similar one in second hand shops. You can see the 'before' version here.

After very carefully removing the remaining glued down miniatures (no easy task due to the strong glue that had been used to adhere them), I gave the whole piece a good scrub with sandpaper. Paul then gave it several coats of spray paint for me. However, the paint didn’t adhere that well to the textured surface of some parts and I ended up using a paint brush to coat the inside walls of each compartment before giving it all one final coat of spray paint. Finally, I cut cute scrapbooking paper to fit the inside of some of the boxes.

I’m really pleased with the end result and now it’s waiting to be hung in Grace’s room. She’s already added a few treasures like shells and leaves and gemstones to it. I also gave her my two precious little owls. Having sentimental value I was always reluctant to let her play with them (especially after she broke one in two pieces when she dropped it on the floorboards and it had to be put back together with Supaglue). However, I recently decided that they would be perfect additions to her ’treasure shelf.’ The smile on her face when I said she could have them was worth more than their sentimental value in the end.

Multitasking And Thinking Ahead

The other night, I was fairly organised for tea but just needed to fry some bacon for the potato salad I had made. Not wanting to risk fat spilling on her with such a task, I palmed Sophie (who was due to go back to sleep) off to Paul. “Just rock her and pat her on the bum while you sit down and colour in with Grace,” I told him. As Sophie’s cries became louder, Paul suddenly dropped his bundle, “I can’t do it,” he said. “How can you expect me to do two things at once? I can’t settle Sophie and play with Grace at the same time.”

I laughed. Welcome to my world.

As a Mum to two under two and a half, I’ve learnt that multitasking involves doing a minimum of ten things at once. For example, I find myself hunting around the house for clothes so I can throw on a load of washing while I help Grace do a jigsaw puzzle, carry around Sophie and begin to organise dinner all at the same time.

I no longer walk from room to room with one purpose. If I head into our room to grab a nappy for Sophie, I’ll bring some clothes I’ve just taken off the line and folded with me to put away. On my way out again, I’ll collect a toy Grace has left lying in the hallway.

As well as multitasking, thinking ahead has become routine. I’ll sometimes set out clothes to wear the night before so I’ll make less noise in our bedroom (where Sophie’s bassinette is) in the morning. Plates and cutlery for tea are often waiting on the kitchen bench in the afternoon. Components of meals are made in advance to take advantage of moments when Sophie is sleeping or settled. One morning recently, I had boiled eggs and potatoes for a salad, poached some chicken and cooked some rice all before ten o’clock to make meal preparations for the following three days that little bit easier.

I realise that this pace of life is just a stage and that as Sophie gets older each month, daily life will become easier but I also realise it’s important that each day, I have a little bit of time to just be in the ‘now’. As someone told me recently, I need to sit down and just have a cuppa and take some time for me occasionally too. And so, that is what I’ve been aiming to do more of lately –to wander around in our yard seeing how things are growing, to browse a few blogs or write a post, to sit down with a magazine and a cuppa and to learn to appreciate simple daily pleasures without worrying about whether the dishes have been done or being bothered by a pile of washing yet to be folded… and most importantly, to enjoy all the special daily moments with my two precious girls.

My Current Ikea ‘To Buy’ List

I think a trip to Ikea in the near future is in need. While browsing online recently, I wound up at their site and it was here that I found several new items to add to my wishlist.

Back in August, I had seen a cane armchair on Gumtree which I was disappointed to miss out on. Since then, I’ve been hunting for one with Paul still saying ‘why don’t you just find a new one you like that you won’t have to bother painting.” I do really like this one from Eco Chic, but it has a hefty price tag and I don’t want to really buy a chair online when I haven’t actually sat in it. Then, I discovered the new Ikea chair above. So long as it’s comfy when I sit in it and a suitable size, it looks perfect for what I have in mind.




The lanterns above would also be lovely on our patio where we are hoping to inject a bit of character. I like the effect of glowing candles when entertaining outdoors in the evenings and now that we’re hoping to have more barbecues, we need to add a few more around the place.

Have you been to Ikea lately? What was your most recent purchase?

Image from Ikea Share Space found via marte meee
Image #2 marte meee (originally from the Ikea website)

Giveaway Winner

Firstly, I must apologise for taking so long to draw the winner of my giveaway. Between our stay in hospital and the busy Christmas / New Year period, it wasn’t at the top of my priority list. But I’ve finally added all your names to the bowl and had my little helper above pick out a name.

The winner of my giveaway is Kate of Mamma Musing. Congratulations! Please send me an email to the address on my sidebar to let me know your postal details and I’ll get your goodies in the mail to you as soon as possible.

Thank you all for entering.

Happy New Year!

New Years Eve with little ones isn’t quite the same and so ours was a quiet night at home. I was tucked up in bed by ten o’clock which I find is the latest I can stay up these days without feeling exhausted the next morning.

At this time of year, I always find myself reflecting on the twelve months that have passed and making plans for the ones ahead. Looking back on the goals I had set myself for 2011, I was happy to see that several had been completed. I finished Grace’s first year album, started up my Cooking Club, had a few little child-free outings once in a while and not only became pregnant, but also had our bub Sophie in the same year. Unfortunately, my intentions of learning to crochet and improving my photography skills will have to roll over to this year’s list.



I have lots of plans floating around in my head for 2012. Lots of homely projects I’d like to complete. Places around town I’d like to visit. Things I’d like to learn (like crocheting and using our DSLR). Activities I want to try with Grace. Recipes I want to cook. However, my motto for the moment is to slow down and enjoy the simple daily pleasures that make my life so special, to live in the ‘now’ and to take each day as it comes.

And so on that note, I wanted to wish all of you out there a Happy New Year. I hope 2012 is one filled with much happiness for you. Thank you to all those who read my blog, who take the time to leave comments or send me emails and who make my whole blogging experience such an important part of my days. Here’s to a wonderful year for us all!