I did make these 9 months ago

So you will have noticed that my irregular posts have morphed to almost non existent. Sorry about that. Sorry me. I really would love to be chatting here, reading what you have all been up to and generally keeping in touch with the world, but it just ain't happening. While attempting to finish Quinn's "first 6 months" memory book (you may get to see this one day), I found the following pics and realised that there are things that I have accomplished in the last 10 months (in addition to raising a beautiful happy baby girl) which I haven't managed to brag about, oops, share yet!



Bassinet and cot sheets made from thrifted sheets (except the middle image, which is an Anna Maria Horner fabric from the Folksy Flannel range, called Fortune in colour Marine)

#10. The new sideboard.

Number 10 Find a low line sideboard for the Lobby on the 40 before 40 list has been completed and I couldn't be more chuffed with the outcome! But it was a long time coming.

Sometimes finding a piece of furniture that matches the image you have in your mind can be an impossible task - especially when the budget if tight. I've scoured the second hand and op shops for months on end and found nothing. Zip. Problem is, everyone is looking for the very same thing at the moment as retro furniture is so in demand. I was looking for a 1960s teak timber low-line sideboard which seems to be popular for flat screen TVs. Apparently they are going off at the auction houses which is all good and fine if you have a few hundred dollars. I've been watching them go on eBay for months, ranging from $300 - $1100 depending on the size and condition.

So my brief was to find a sideboard for our Lobby which can hold all the day to day stuff. Bags, keys, phones, umbrellas - you know, the things you dump as you enter the house and then can't find when you leave. We currently have this lovely buffet which is slightly the wrong decade for our house. The 60s styling and darker teak colour is not true to our 1950s decor and it feels too big and heavy in a space that already has a lot of timber. Not to be parted with, it will be relocated downstairs into the kids playroom and used as the art/craft storage cupboard.

before- the too big 1960s buffet

after - the new 1950s sideboard

Finally last week I found something different on eBay. It jumped out at me - 1950s blondewood - great legs and not too big. Higher than the low-line I had been imagining but ample storage for what we needed. The 2 supplied photos looked a little dodgy and I really couldn't tell what state it was in but hey, the bidding was only at $14. Much to my surprise I placed the winning bid a few days later at $37. I waited in anticipation on Monday night as Dean picked it up after work and bought it home. Much to our surprise it's not nasty at all. It's brilliant. Perfect size for the space. It comes with a few scratches and dings but that just adds character and matches the rest of our loved but not-so-perfect house :)

my me day

One day a week I have both the kids in kindy/childcare. It's usually the day when I run around like a crazy woman trying to achieve a to-do list the length of my arm. Most times I get to the end of the day and feel deflated - only managing to cross 1 or 2 things off my impossible list of expectations.

Yesterday was not one of those days. Instead I wrote the day off to Mummy well being. It went like this.

• Drop kids off to kindy & childcare.
• Haircut (also involving coffee, trashy magazine reading & plenty of child-free chit chat)
• Leave salon feeling polished & presentable
• Pop into vintage clothing store & try on retro frocks (almost purchase but still wearing sensible hat at this stage)
• Head to favourite cafe for leisurely lunch & cappuccino while reading the local paper front to back
• Pop into 2 favourite op shops (thrift stores) and find a few gems

• Feeling like a million bucks with new hair cut decide to ramp it up at the end of the day and hit the shops. After a 15 minute power shop exit the store with 2 dresses & 2 orange cardigans... woo hoo!
• Pick up the kids a new Mum. Happy. Refreshed. Recharged. Bit more spunky :)

This is a highly recommended way to occasionally spend your child free day!

1 rabbit, 2 picnics & a bargain

A week in my life.

....one rabbit

.....2 picnics

.....and a bargain find at the local thrift shop, $5 each