Saturday, November 12, 2011

{ Hand Made Christmas }

Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier this year.
And I'm all for it!
All for the handmade decorations too.
There never seems to be enough time to shop, make food, see friends & family...
So, this year I'm getting a jump on the handmade Christmas items I've been dying to make.
Here's a few I have n the works...
Mitten Advent Calendar
by the Lettered Cottage


Medallion Ornament
by Jones Design Company

Moss & Cranberry Wreath


Tree Topper
by Miss Mustard Seed

Paper Ornaments
by Jones Design Company

Mason Jar Outdoor Lights
by Melissa Michaels

I think I'll set aside a craft night for the girls and get some of these goin'
I hope you set aside some time to make some handmade Christmas stuff.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Meatballs Anyone?


Some of my friends have been nagging me to get back onto the blog. Apologies for my absence if you are a regular reader and have missed me!
I still have plenty of ideas and design opinions so here we go...

The New IKEA store in Sydney.
I went along on the opening day of the giant new store near Sydney airport to pick up some kitchen bits and pieces for a beach house we are doing for clients. Any excuse will do to call in to Ikea, really. And yes, the meatballs were on...

I always feel a little envious of Mr Ikea as I wish I had thought of it. Even though it has been around since the forties, it is still as relevant a concept today as ever - even more so now that more and more brands are heading to warehouse style outlets.

Naturally, you can't possibly reach the cash registers without a trolley full of stuff. My haul went way beyond the kitchen cabinet legs I went in for. Some of the Christmas bits are lovely this year, particularly the huge, illuminated cardboard stars which I wish I had got more of.

My Picks at Ikea:
• The Christmas decorations with matching fabric, candles, dishes, cards, gift wrap, paper napkins, santa sacks - you name it
• The slip covered furniture
• New kitchen designs
• Feather cushion inserts
• Lighting - its cheap and looks great

Room For Improvement:
• There are some great products but the room styling is not really inspiring and fairly predictable. It wouldn't be that difficult to add some pizzazz to the rooms - why not ask some guest stylists for a fresh take?
• Love the kids range but it cuts out at about age 5 - what about the older kids?

Saturday, November 5, 2011

{ Girlin' up the Dan-Cave }

sorry Danny...
I just had to add this flower embellished pillow to the Dan-Cave.



And I snuck in a few other patterned pillows too.
(since then, there's been a moratorium put on throw pillows in this house,
who ever heard of too many pillows? silly men).


It's a long way from when we first laid eyes on this room...


Wheels have been added to this trash find to create roll up bench seating when we have company.


And this little lady will soon be covered in coffee bean sacks.


The room is really taking on a "lodgey" kinda cozy feel.