So I'm feeling a little fragile...

Only I go away to the Gold Coast and spot something large, heavy and fragile to bring home. Well. Nearly only me. My mother-in-law (with whom I was holidaying) also spotted something. But she decided to live without it. However since I couldn't leave mine behind, I went back and got hers too. And posted both to myself in Melbourne.

It was actually a lot cheaper than I anticipated. $25 each to post. Not bad given mine was a large ceramic garden stool.

 

Stool similar to the one I found on

the Gold Coast. Mine is more a subtle

grey/blue and is to go in the front room.

Mother-in-law's item was a similarly sized ceramic hand painted Japanese style pot. She really really liked it - and given she was so generous taking us to the Gold Coast I wanted to surprise her with it.

I am reasonably confident the garden stool will make it here intact. It's relatively well packed and quite sturdy. I am less optimistic about the pot which was not so well packed and had to be shoved into a second box (after a lengthy hunt around Pacific Fair the other day to find something the right size). It's also thinner so probably more delicate.

Anyway. Will wait and see. I sent the pot on Wednesday and the stool Thursday - so am hopeful they will arrive next week some time. Hopefully intact - I'll let you know! Really hoping they arrive in good order and look well in their intended spaces. Both took a lot of work to pack and post so I am hoping they're worth it!

Christmas Lights

Being part of a street that 'lights up' at Christmas, we've started really getting into the swing of things. This has involved getting new powerpoints under the eaves for Christmas lights, as well as buying new light up items.

The plan is we will add to the selection of lights - 1 new thing a year. This year we actually got three new items - 2 'star' rope lights hung in the 2 front windows, as well as a set of 3 illuminated present boxes. Next year I am thinking of getting an outdoor illuminated Christmas Tree to sit the presents beneath.

It's hard to get a decent photo of it, but here's a couple I snapped off last night.

 

With the flash - so you can see the window

stars and the presents by the front door

 

As it looks from the street at night

Have also decorated the tree for the year. All it is missing is a new set of Christmas lights. I had planned to go a two-toned colour scheme this year, but in the end I am liking the plain silver. Need to get the ladder out to straighten up the star - and I will invest in a new set of lights as the set we have is very small and not really up to the job.

 

It is nice to sit in the front room

and look at the tree

Can't believe it's nearly the end of the year - our first full one in our new home. I still have so many plans for decorating this place, so hope to continue having things to write about in the new year!

Electrified!

So when we built I thought we'd thought of every POSSIBLE powerpoint and plug. Apparently not!

Yesterday had sparkies out to do bits and bobs. None of it took that long, and it was relatively inexpensive, but little things make life easier! We:

• Had the 2 plug powerpoint behind the main TV replaced with a 4 plug powerpoint - this makes using a DVD player there so much easier!
• Had a 4 plug powerpoint added above the deep freeze. This is my 'charge' spot for batteries and appliances so it's handy to have so many points here
• Added an outdoor powerpoint on the side externally for the Kaacher
• Swapped the mecs in 3 spots so they are more logical
• Had 2 powerpoints installed under the eaves for external Christmas lights
• Had another powerpoint installed next to Sean's sitting room chair so he can work on his laptop easily there
• Had an outdoor sensor and light installed over the driveway and bin area to light up the driveway and path for pedestrians and vehicles

All simple things - all have made a real difference :)

 

The external Christmas lights - 

here installed under the eave on a timer

Draped, too!

So with Oscar getting curtains and bunting, little Miss has been more than a little vocal wanting the same. As far as SHE was concerned, things were promised and not (yet) received. The jury rests!!

So today there was a trip to IKEA. To get some cheapie sheers for her curtain rod, and a cheapie frame for a print I've had lying around and thought would be nice in her room.

 

Pole in. Waiting for sheers.

No bunting. No curtains.

Little Miss not happy!!

 

With a set of 2 sheers.

IKEA LILL for $6 a pair.

 

Here shown with one curtain each side of the centre.

 

And a bunting for a bit of decoration.

 

Am seriously considering buying another pair.

$6 is hardly going to break the bank.
Here shown with both panels on one side -
double thickness.

 

And I really like the fuller feel.

 

Also framed up an old Ida Outhwaite 

print to go into Adelaide's bedroom.

A busy but productive day. Oh if every household wish could be satisfied by a $6 purchase. $12 if I decide to get a second set :P

Draped

So our lovely friend Margie was kind enough to start her long weekend coming by our place to put up a couple of curtain poles.

While the blockout rollers we've had in the kids' rooms are fine, we've needed a little extra colour to make the rooms 'pop'.

In Oscar's room have added navy side drapes. They can close to fully cover the window - but basically they're there to frame the space. I am so pleased with how they've turned out!

 

With the pole - waiting for the right drapes

 

Room with navy side drapes added

 

Rest of the room

Have gone with pre-mades as chances are they'll be swapped over as room colours and tastes change. I didn't want to spend a lot. Am pleased with the look, though! Now all I need is a cushion, or two, for the arm chair and his room is done. For now at least ;)

In Adelaide's room, I am thinking of adding white sheers across the whole expanse. I think it will add a little softness to the space.

 

Am yet to find the right sheers for Adelaide's room.

I have my eye out, though ;)

A small project completed, but another step in the right direction :) In time I plan to do likewise in the guest bedroom. However being a low use area, I'll probably have curtains made for that space as I don't mind paying a little extra to make the space right.

More Art

In my other post I showed 3 artworks Sean bought for my birthday. Well. Loved them so much he bought me the other 2 in the series!

I am so pleased with how well they look at either end of my kitchen table. The table itself needs styling up - but the art makes a good start!

 

The Shrine and Luna Park -
the new additions

 

Here hung at the Northern end of

our kitchen table

 

A perfect complement to the three

hanging at the Southern end of 

the table

Very pleased with the overall look :)

Wishes do come true

Adelaide has been desperate for a bookcase 'of her very own'. I wanted something wide enough that she could use the top to house her dolls house as well - and nothing seemed quite the thing - until I found a half-height extra wide bookcase on EBAY.

Bought it for next to nothing, and in the next week or so Sean will paint it white. In the meantime, though, here it is in pride of place in her room - ready to surprise her when she gets home from Grandma's this afternoon!

 

The new bookcase in Adelaide's room

 

Will paint it white and add some

baskets to store her toys. 

<7/11/13 Update>  Need to come back and update on how little Miss reacted to the new bookcase. Well - after being led to her room for a 'surprise' Adelaide ran screaming up and down the hallway thanking Mumma and Dadda for her 'very own special boo'case!!!'. Numerous cuddles and kissies of legs (interrupted by running back to her room and re-checking the surprise) ensued :D

A few initial books were provided by her beloved Grandma. An entire bookcase has now been furnished with lovely books - and the top with her dolls house. Still not painted. It will be - but it's a particularly busy period at home right now.

But it pleases me our lovely girl has a space for her books and treasures <3