A Productive Few Days

This week has been great so far. Rather than just making plans and adding image after image to my ‘Inspiration Files’ (I know, I must set up a Pinterest account), this week I’ve actually managed to get stuff done. I’ve found a great print I want to order for our family room, made some progress on decorating Sophie’s nursery and tomorrow, I’m heading to Bunnings to buy some blue paint to freshen up a little bedside cabinet for Grace’s room. It feels good to have finally brought to life decorating ideas I’ve had floating around in my head for so long.

Today, I whipped up a simple little mobile for above Grace’s bed. Using four inch paper doilies I bought from Wonderland Room and some pink die cut flowers I bought from Gr3een, this little hanging string literally took me a few minutes to put together.

Once I paint the wooden cupboard tomorrow and sort out a bed head, the transformation of Grace’s room from ‘nursery’ to ‘big girl space’ will be complete. I’m so excited and can’t wait to finally share some photos of what I’ve made and bought with you all very soon.

Now it’s onto Sophie’s nursery. I’ve finally settled on grey, white and mint green with some pink accents. I’ll share my ideas with you for her room as they come together...

On The Hunt For…

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you’ve had a great weekend and your start to this week has been good so far. With Paul back home now and able to help out with the girls in his second week of holidays, I’ve been able to spend a bit of time browsing online for some bits and pieces I’m after for around our house. Here’s what I’m on the hunt for…

… a striped throw, preferably in ivory and navy blue.  There was one that Country Road used to sell, but I took so long to make a decision, it’s now no longer available.  I’m hoping to check out one at Adairs later in the week.

…enamelware pieces.  I already have the Ikea jug above but I'd like a few enamel plates.  Donna Hay also has some lovely new enamelware pieces in her online store which I have my eye on.

…embroidered linen.  I’ve been searching on Etsy for some pieces to re-purpose and turn into other lovely things for around our home.  Last week, a cute embroidered tea towel I’d bought arrived which I plan on turning into a cushion for Grace’s room.

 …a retro looking radio. While the girls nap, I like to have music on for background noise. There’s a spot on our kitchen bench I have earmarked for a small, light wood coloured radio. I love the one above but its price tag is a bit hefty for what I’m after. I’ve seen some on ebay but I need to do a bit more research before a purchase is made.

I’ll let you know if any pieces end up in my shopping trolley…

Images sources: #1 unknown sorry, #2 erinnish, #3 FlorenceandRuby, #4 Tivoli Audio

Our Mornings

This is how most mornings start for Grace and I.  She occupies herself at the kitchen table colouring in while I get our breakfast ready.  Then we sit down together, eating our toast and cereal and chatting about our plans for the day ahead before Sophie wakes.  I enjoy this quiet one on one time of ours together.

Slowly, we are beginning to have a bit more of a rhythm to ours days and while we aren't in a set routine just yet, I know roughly when Sophie will be due for a feed and when she will be due for a nap and so our days are becoming that little bit easier to organise.

This week it's just been us three girls at home as Paul is away on a fishing trip with some mates.  We've been managing well so far and are enjoying simple days at home together.   It's hard to explain the concept of time to a two and a half year old though.  "Will Daddy be home after my nap?" Grace asked on the morning Paul set off.  Tears welled in her eyes as I tried to explain that he would be away for longer than a day, longer than 'tomorrow' even.  She's definitely counting down the days until Daddy comes home.

Hope you are all having a great week so far. 

28 Sleeps Until My Birthday

In almost exactly one month’s time, it will be my birthday… my 30th birthday. To be honest, I’m really looking forward to being 30.  While I know no one’s life is ever perfectly rosy, I think I’ve had my fair share of difficult times over the past decade including watching my grandfather deteriorate from lung cancer, having my parents’ divorce, experiencing someone close to me go through a breakdown, my father-in-law’s passing after a six month battle with pancreatic cancer, going through IVF twice after a long period trying to fall pregnant and losing my dear Dad to a sudden heart attack. Of course, my happiest times have also occurred in my 20’s with memorable occasions like my wedding day, buying our first home and the birth of my two beautiful girls just some of the major highlights in a long list of wonderful times.

So, what do I have planned for this next chapter? I look forward to watching my gorgeous girls grow into young ladies, to spending time together as a family having adventures and fun, to continually making changes to our home and to nourishing my hobbies and passions. I did contemplate making a list of goals for the next ten years, but with my current New Year’s resolution to ‘live in the moment’, I’ve decided to do just that instead… to take each day as it comes and to welcome new experiences and opportunities with open arms… while of course, sharing every special step with you all along the way…

Image above from Pinterest

Container Planting Suggestions

This morning I've woken to a much cooler day with a dull grey sky and rain falling gently outside - bliss! Yesterday, as Grace played happily in our backyard while Sophie had her morning nap, I sat on our patio, Yates Garden Guide in hand, planning some things to do in our garden once it cools down more. With the recent extreme heat Perth has had lately, there have been a few casualties around our place and I haven't had a very good record with our pot plants which seem to dry out very quickly.

I've been trying to research options for container plants. I have a large pot and a few smaller ones in the sun as well as a few under my patio to be filled. There's currently a hydrangea in one but I think it would be better in the ground and it tends to look a bit bare in the winter months anyway so I'm after something with year round foliage. My book recommends a Camellia, a plant I've always loved so I'm thinking that might be a possibility.

Can any of you suggest some options for pot plants that you've had success with?

Image above from Sunshine Ceramics where you can buy the cute little garden sign.
Be sure to check out Tracy's cute herb markers too.