A long time in the making.....

So for those that do read my rambles, I am now 35 weeks pregnant and have been busy baking the bub, working mostly full time hours, which leaves me little to no time to be creative. However I have managed to squeeze in a helping hand for my friend Di from Paper and Style Co. with a wedding expo and a market or three! So check out her web site for my photos of her amazing styling!
BUT I have been busy decorating, and perfecting the nursery, and am finally able to share it with you.




The colours for inspiration - we ended up using Dovetail Grey from Taubmans




The tape required to paint the striped wall - my dear husband was reluctant to say the least when I said I wanted a striped wall, but for my birthday, along with a beautiful card, I was given this tape! Some might not think very romantic, but for me it was the sweetest thing ever! And the wall looks amazing!




Finished product! Exactly as I imagined.
As for the furniture, I was very lucky to be given a change table and cot. I sourced some drawers of eBay for a bargain price of $20! but of course I imagined them white, so again hubby had to bring out the paint, and even he is proud of his painting and now likes the pieces white.
Before's:








Didn't get a photo of the cot as it was in pieces, but it was a similar colour to the other pieces.
After:








Along with a shelf like this, bought from Target.




And then I had seen online (in the states of course) a chevron grey and yellow valance/cot skirt. So the hunt began for the fabric at a reasonable price, right shade, and easy to sew fabric. I finally after lots of research, found it at $22.00 a metre at www.alittledifferent.com.au - a great quilting store in Geelong.




The finished valance, inspired by Pottery Barn Kids and Carousel Designs




The finished cot




Yellow rug bought from Target well before bubs, but I just knew I'd use it one day!




Lamp also from Target, and crochet owl from a local market.




The beautiful frame of Peter Rabbit, was a gift.




Moses basket from Mothercare, knitted patchwork blanket from old jumpers I had cut up to make this blanket.




Bird mobile, still a work in progress, will be hung above the change table.




Well I hope I have inspired at least one of you! Now that I will be home a little more, stay tuned for regular posts!
Thank you for reading!
X
M
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Please do the right thing and post photo credits if you use a photo.

Baby's been a bad blogger...

Hi there!
I am sincerely sorry that I have been a bad, bad blogger, and not posted in a while.
I have good reason, I promise.
I have been working on my biggest projects yet.

First one has been a year or so in the making. But I couldn't do it alone.
I had the help of my Dear Husband.
We are expecting our first child in early May!
Now I'm not going to be one of those bloggers who's blog turns into everything baby, so I will get it out of the way now. It's been hard, tiring work. I have been trying to enjoy every minute, but we have had a couple of trips to hospital, which has meant I have been doing pretty much sweet zero after them. But alias all is well with the little one. I have also started a new job, which has been a little time consuming to start off with, but will allow at least one or two days (other than weekends) to do the things I love! My photography and learning about styling!

So this brings me to the second big project, the nursery!
I had been secretly collecting a few things over the past year or so, just things I knew I would miss out on when the time came.
I have decided on colours, yellow grey and white. Exact colours yet to be confirmed. I also would like to paint some stripes on the wall, and this will take a lot of convincing to the Dear Husband.
So I will post the work in progress and the pieces I pick up along the way, so in about 5-6 months time, my little bubba will have a stylish room to be zen in!

Stay tuned!

X
M

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Please do the right thing and post photo credits if you use a photo.

Ikea....to love or hate?

Ok so I get the impression most actual stylists and interior designers don't like Ikea.
But I stumbled upon Emily Henderson's blog, www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com, an American Stylist and Interior Designer, and amongst her taste for amazing pieces she does like, maybe love, a few Ikea pieces. I have also recently discovered there is a plethora of Ikea DIY type ideas on Pinterest, and really, who doesn't love to either make something or buy something they love, it completes the room, or is the perfect object for the photo shoot, at a bargain price! And that's where Ikea comes in.
I admit I kinda love Ikea, yes I know it's mass produced, but you can make it your 'own' by painting, distressing, etc. They really do have some amazing ideas, and make is easy for those that have no inkling of how to put pieces together.
Anyway, this Ikea magazine came in my mail box the other day. I must say, I was impressed. I have taken some pictures of some of the things that jumped out at me. Hopefully it inspires you too!






In love with the classic wing back chair.


DIY ottoman, with instructions!



Butterfly print, flora print, I'm thinking great pieces for kids rooms, or just because!



Great mix of old and new, with your favorite or vintage crochet table cloths as a valance.



Love this quote!

Enjoy!
X
M

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Please do the right thing and post photo credits if you use a photo.

Fur Babes

I wouldn't usually think or refer to fur babes as 'stylist's' assistant, nor would I recommend getting one!

These are my two little 'helpers', Amy Moss from EatDrinkChic has a dog called Sukie, who I think is my fur babe's sister! Oh my gosh they look alike...and from what the amazing Amy describes, they act the same too! 

Mackenzie, who is now 3 years old and is a Bull Mastiff x English Mastiff, and certainly has some kooky habits and has a slight fear of the ironing board! We have no idea why, but we think its the squeaky sound it makes when being expanded.
Lulubelle is a Pomeranian x Jack Russell and a perfect model most of the time, but as she is getting older and at 13,  she doesn't appear to have the patience as she used too! She would much prefer belly rubs now days.
It could be that  Mack always 'helps' with the photo shoots..

From that cute face and those eyes...

 Getting bigger and slowly making friends

 To this!

 Mackenzie loves her Snooki bunny

 Lulubelle was 11 here, but still cute and looking like a pup!

 Now they can't be apart from each other for very long, and the small one rules the roost.

Enjoy!

x

M

Sweet Little Indulgences

I LOVE packaging! Especially when they are products I enjoy! Most of the time it is the packaging that has drawn me to them but here are a few products that I use almost daily, and I consider sweet little indulgences!

I HEART Tea - Especially T2!!
As much as I love Spring/Summer (see previous post), I will miss the little winter luxuries that I indulge in. Baking a fresh batch of muffins, and having a hot cup of tea with them!
I will certainly still have tea all year round but not keen on baking when it's 36 degrees outside!
This yummy batch was cinnamon crunch and T2 Madagascan Vanilla tea

Another winter indulgence to me is a nice hot bath!
With their amazingly designed package range is the MOR Bath, Beauty, Body and Home Products are divine and always get a gush from the lucky person receiving a gift from the range.

 Of course a good glass of wine and a book help with the relaxation!

And last but not least - Aesop Products.
I LOVE LOVE the complete range - Each store is designed differently but the products are the same range. Clever themes for their travel and gift packs, but above all simple, and effective labels and clear clean bottles, backed up by products that work, smell amazing, and work!
I look forward every night to washing my make up off...it's my therapy!

With organic ingredients such as chamomile, rosemary, and lavender, I'm already indulged!

Enjoy!

x
M

Slightly obsessed with...

YELLOW!
I don't know why or how but over the last few months I been drawn to anything yellow.
With spring in the air, the wattles are blooming, jonquils, daffodils in bloom, my creative mojo has been brewed by the color...so of course I have had to add some of the yummy color in my abode!
I'm loving all shades from lemon, buttercup, honey, mustard, and all of it reminds that winter is nearly over and spring and summer is on its way!











Cushions from Target.

These beautiful jonquils just smell yellow! And of spring...








And I added some of this deliciousness to my bathroom, kinda helps make the morning better...




Bathmat and hand towels from Target.
On another note, I found this amazing supplier of vases, pots, urns and faux flowers and plants a little while ago, however had not been to visit for a while - self imposed decor ban - but boy, I will be making regular trips. Apparently the have been having some clearance sales, but I didn't miss this one - 75% off all stock!
I really could have blown a budget or two in there, but with the amazing prices and equally great product, you could not resist. And being that it's changing seasons what better way than to change your decor or stock your styling cupboard with some indoor plants and flowers.
Rogue Imports are located at 2B Slater Pde East Keilor. Check their website link for further information on opening times.
















All Photos taken by Mandy Rodrigues - Please use your credit manners if using or pining photos, thank you!

Party Time!

My dear friend G's son turned 1 on the weekend! G kindly asked me to come up with a simple invite that reflected the theme of Giggle and Hoot, for his party. It was my pleasure to create a simple photo type invite in record time as we had 3 weeks to plan and organize this darling little mister's birthday. Along with G's sister L, (we have all been besties since high school) we are usually called the party queens amongst our other friends. We can't help that we LOVE to plan and throw a party! Especially a kids party! Now L is as just as obsessed with collecting things as I, mainly in the name of a gorgeous party theme, and G has some great ideas too, so you can imagine between the three of us, sometimes it's hard not too go overboard, but to strike a great organised balance, well we did it! Or at least I think so! The lolly table was very popular, as we're the delicious cupcakes made by L, I attempted to make Hoot cake pops, but they were a tad more challenging than I thought, but still tasted great! G made the bunting, using some free printables found on www.marabous.com.au
Enjoy!

Photos taken by Mandy Rodrigues Photography