The sound of silence

What's that? Can you hear it? No, neither can I...it's silence. Ahhh, I had almost forgotten what it sounded like. Now, I'm new to this whole school holidays thing but, sheesh, its hard work. Four days of bad weather teamed with a 5 year old that has an endless list of questions and I'm done. Stick a fork in me. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that he is full of wonder and curiosity but for the last time NO YOU CAN NOT LOOK IN MY EARS AGAIN!!! What's with that?

I digress. Some pretty pics to get into the mood for the weekend.

I'm thinking of running away to here.

or here..

or here!

I have a huge file full of images of Hampton style homes. 

The one above is a definite favourite.

Isn't she lovely? 

Have a great, relaxing weekend. I'm off to a Baby Shower in the morning for a friend who is expecting twins. How exciting. 

J xx

PS: Quick google search before bed 'Do jellyfish have brains'? He stumped me on that one.

PPS: I really do love getting to hang out with my boys soaking up all their 'littleness'. It really is a shame we have to grow up. 

Wall Decals

Play Room Update: So it seems the wallpaper feature isn't going to happen due to the small roll size and the large price. Bugger. It really was perfect. Back to the drawing board. Am now looking high and low for the right feature wall colour and decals. What do we think of wall decals? Traditionally I've never been a fan.  I do have some bunting decals in the nursery, which I agonised over, and they turned out to be great. I also have an aversion to painted feature walls but I think if we get the colour and picture right it could work.

Here are some of the possibilities...

My pick so far...

A cute option.

Goes with the colour scheme.

Too baby?

Great wall colour.

Would frame the wall mounted TV and media centre

But do I actually like it?

I guess I'll keep looking until I find the right one. I'm not sure when exactly this research will get done being that its school holidays and RAINING!!! My big son has a serious case of Cabin Fever. We're off to the movies today to try to spice things up. Little Man is staying with Grandma while we catch a flick so even though the prospect of watching a cartoon doesn't excite me I am, however, planning to eat Maltesers without being puked on...or climbed...or having my hair pulled...etc etc. Ice Age 1246 (or whatever its up to now) here we come!

J xx

What about if we painted wide stripes on the wall??!!

That would work, wouldn't it?

Things and stuff...

Firstly, big news in the Whoa Nelly! camp. I got me some business cards. They came all the way from the Netherlands and after a long wait they finally arrived...wet!!!!! How does that happen? Did they float here from the other side of the globe? Thankfully I can salvage most of them and the shear excitement of receiving them lessened the blow of the water damage. I love them. A lot.

Now, for a recap of my retail activities for the week...feast your eyes!!!

Introducing Mr Bunny: Kitsch Night Light and Monster Scarer-Offer.

Happy Camper cup for the littlest Happy Camper in the house.

No home is complete without one.

And Tah-Dahhhh. My 'new' old desk. 

Isn't she a beauty.

I finally made a stop at the Cottage Garden Nursery in East Brissy (I've been meaning to stop for about 2 years now...I'm not joking) and now I have been twice this week. My lovely Niece and I called in on Thursday and this little gem stopped us dead in our tracks. Dead! Once I regained my circulation (and I ran a quick 'what do you reckon' check with the husband) we snapped it up and and jammed it into the ole wagon and here she sits. Oh, and before I am inundated with comments (ha ha) about how huge the computer is I do plan to replace it with my laptop. I have very strong feelings about offensively large technology. 

Disclaimer: My second visit to Cottage Garden Nursery this week involved breakfast this morning. It was delish and I shall be returning for bacon, eggs, and the best smashed potatoes the world has to offer. I managed to eat and leave without a single furniture and/or bric-a-brac purchase...although there was a sweet little blue and white ginger jar that may make it home with me in the near future. As you can see from the pics above I found lots of great treasure this week. And there is only so much loot one little house containing 4 peeps, one cat and zero storage can contain. Right?

Happy school hols Folks.

PS: My motto for the week going forward...If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. 

And whilst I'm being all cryptic up here on my soapbox I'd also like to point out that 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit'. That is all.

J xx

The Playroom Project Part 2

We have a sofa...

Image via Freedom Furniture

Its called Studio and the fabric is 'Cement'. I love the feet.

We also got floor stock at a heavily discounted price.

Image via Freedom Furniture

We also grabbed this great Spindle Side Table in yellow.

It is currently sitting in my lounge room until I drop it off tomorrow.

It may be hard to hand it over...I love it!

Again with the yellow.

Image source unknown

And a little something cute and quirky for the art.

As well as a few surprises to come.

I can't wait to see it all come together.   We're off to the shops tomorrow to scout some desk accessories and to pick up the 'Vision Board' from Kikki K. Too much fun. I hope the girls love it as much as LF (Lovely Friend) and I are loving putting it together.

Happy Tuesday xx

The Playroom Project

My friend (the lovely one who gave me the lanterns) and I are redesigning the playroom in her house in the bayside 'burbs. She has lovely twin girls who are almost 5 and we wanted a space that could grow with them and reflect their fun loving personalities. All that on a budget. Thankfully 'kid stuff' and 'bargain buying' are my 2 areas of specialty!

This is what I came up with...

 Image via Porters Paints

Delicious wallpaper feature wall.

This is called 'Looking for water' and its from the Cloth range for Porters Paints.

Image via Matt Blatt

A couple of cute little replica chairs

Image source unknown

Either in white, yellow or grey depending on final wallpaper selection.

Topped, of course, with some kind of cute kitsch lamp.

I'm thinking Bambi!!!

Image via Ikea

And Media Storage

This is just a sneak peak of some of the pieces we have selected. We still have a couch and a rug to select as well as all the cushions and accessories (i.e. the fun bits). Will keep you posted on the progress. Too much fun!!

Have a great weekend.

This week...

Just sharing a few quick snaps from my week so far.

Its a cup. I know.

My Sister in Law came over clutching this little beauty the other day and I love it.

The pattern is fab.

And so was the hot chocolate from all reports ;-)

This little gem was the 'man chair' outside the dressing room of a boutique at my local Westfield.

Cute, huh? I do love a bold botanical print.

And in big exciting news my lovely Niece is coming to stay next week while she does Work Experience. She wants to be an Interior Designer (yep, she's my Niece, alright) and will be working at Lily G for the week. I'm not sure who is more excited, her or me!!!! 

Image via Lily G

Image via Lily G

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Melinda does such elegant work.

See why I'm so excited?

Good Luck, Emily. x

Jxx

Kitsch-tastic

I love a good souvenir. And my rule for buying them is to make sure they are as kitsch as kitsch can be. I'm talking spoons, snow domes, tea towels and the like. This tablecloth is one of my fave finds.

Its a map of America tablecloth I picked up from a gift store in Calabasas, California.

If I am truthful I made my Husband take me to the original Dash store in the hopes of running into one of the Kardashians. I'm not ashamed. I like them. I think they're funny.

Anyway, I found the Dash store very underwhelming but the little gift store around the corner was fantastic. I got this tablecloth and it even comes with a matching bag!

Now, if its kitsch you like then feast your eyes...

Exhibit 1: Kitty Pillow

Exhibit 2: Squirrel Lamp

All images via Naughts & Crosses

Exhibit 3: Deer Figurine

Happy Sunday.

J :-)

  

Lanterns, lanterns & lanterns

Look what I got today! My lovely friend gave me these 3 lanterns and I'm mad for them. Mad I tell you!!

The big problem now is to find just the right spot to display them. 'Lovely Friend' and I both thought outside would be the best spot. What do we think?

In amongst the outside display bits?

I can't wait to get some candles and "light 'em up".

 Ahh...Lantern Love. What a great way to finish off a challenging week.

Thanks again Lovely Friend!

J xx

Disclaimer: I know I tend to overuse the the Exclamation Mark. I am very much aware of this and I actually make a concerted effort to hold back, but, I'm an excitable kinda gal. I'm embracing it!! 

Happy Weekend 

Vanilla House

One of my very favourite stores ever (yep, big call) is Vanilla House in Coorparoo. They always have the most beautiful window displays and the range of homewares and gifts is always nothing short of divine. And the shop smells as beautiful as it looks!!

I popped in today with 5 minutes up my sleeve before the school pick up and I snapped some photos to share. My dodgy iPhone photography doesn't do the displays any justice...and it's always difficult trying to take a photo with a baby trying his best to grab the camera!

I am in love with the Butlers Tray.

And the beautiful lamps 

(including the large Pear lamp in the window

I'll do my best to get back next week to take a pic).

And the chandelier is amazing. 

It sits over a long rustic table brimming with delicious glassware, books, 

flowers, linen and all things divine. 

Since my quick trip this afternoon I can't get a certain timber serving tray out of my mind. Hmmm, I may have to pop back later in the week to treat myself. 

Check them out online here and be sure to add yourself to their Facebook page.

Now...where to put that tray...

J xx