Pottering About

I'm trying to tie up a few loose ends these days. Stuff I've been putting off for eons. Like tidying and organising kids rooms. It's a never-ending task really. Well a baby room is not so bad, they can't mess things up too much. But a three year old? A three year old has the capacity to discover a pile of 'new' old things and spread them out and then some.

So today I did part of my little man's room. Guiltily I must admit I did it when he wanted to play trains, and I was avoiding those clickety-clack tracks like the plague. So what did I do, I threw myself into another activity I abhor, and tidied.

Here's proof.

I know it's nothing ground-breaking, but at least I am finally being accountable.

Ages ago I vowed I was going to get rid of one bag of stuff per day. That was probably a month ago, so roughly thirty bags of stuff and things. Have you seen one of those bags? No... I was also going to resume my yo-yo project. How is that going you might ask? (or maybe you won't). Well, I haven't done a darn stitch.

So this is me being accountable.

I've also been listing things on Ebay again. Some Rykiel pants. Some vintage bits and pieces. I'll be slowly adding to my listings over the next few weeks. Since we might be moving soon (you hear me Universe??), I thought it was as good at time as ever to resume culling.

Thrift This!

Another piece of family history that my mother-in-law kindly bestowed upon me.. These great curtains! They were formerly the kitchen curtains, and now their destiny is my little girl's room..! I love the upbeat print, it's got panache, it's got punch. Big, fat flowers. Or should I say PHAT? Who's a lucky girl then?

Me!

PS - I'm sorry I am so slow to respond to comments these last couple of weeks. I do love you, it's just that I've had more work than anticipated, so I have less blog time, more nose to the grindstone time. It's boring, I know, but someone's got to bring home the bacon.

SwaddleMe

Some days I wish I was swaddled. I mean, who wouldn't love being wrapped up tight, popped into a snug little bed, and patted off to sleep. I know I would. Definitely today.

I've been meaning to post about this for ages, and since today is one of those days, here it is.

This is SwaddleMe by Kiddopotamus.

I must admit, when one of my favourite friends gave me this, I wasn't convinced. I am a muslin cloth wrapping gal from way back. I prefer muslin to any other kind of wrap/swaddle. Not only does it have less give - for me that means less Houdini manouevres - it just seemed more wholesome. More crunchy.

But one day, when I was feeling reckless (probably the same day I decided not to brush my hair), I decided I was going to give the SwaddleMe a go.

My baby girl was restless, wriggly, overtired. It's difficult to wrap a wee babe when their limbs are flailing all about. And against my forethought, SwaddleMe came to my rescue. It turned out, SwaddleMe (say that many times and it starts to sound a little like swami - ok it did to me, but I am delirious) was a bit of a saviour.

Particularly good when babes are overtired, their wee little arms are tucked in snug, and their legs are in a little cocoon.

It's all secured with velcro, and is easy to change nappies without unwrapping them, the leg pouch pops down, it's super easy..

AND - this is the clincher - you can easily strap them into their car seat/capsule as there is a back slit where the harness can be connected. Too easy.

I've also read about people that find them particularly useful when they're at the grandparents place, rather than teaching them the origami art of wrapping. And while we're on the origami side of things, have you ever seen this book - Baby-gami? It's beautiful. I borrowed it from the library yonks ago, and it's sooo beautiful. Such gorgeous ideas, and plenty of beautiful babies to get you lactating.

Ok enough. I am off. Wishing I was snoozing somewhere in the sun, but instead, driving Miss Daisy.

Don't forget to pop over to Leni & Rose for today's tips and tricks!

This is... My Trade Secret

Amelia nominated this week's theme, and as always, Angela at Three Buttons is the hostess with the mostess.

I'm not going to make any 'crafty' statements here. Everyone knows I am a novice, so I won't go off giving you tips on something I am still learning.

My trade secret is this... Stila Convertible Color.. Unusual choice I know. But when you're a sleep deprived, time hungry mama you gotta have some tricks on the roll. This little beauty is a cheek and lip colour all in one. My my, it's a goodie. A little on the cheeks and you look like you've just returned from a looong weekend in Byron Bay. A little on the lips and you're ready to slip into that meeting, perfectly made-up, like you've had a long eight hours sleep (and not been up and down, up and down with wiggly babies that like to sing out at 3, 4, 5am). It's a steadfast friend in my make-up bag, and the compact, my oh my, the compact is so cute and girlie, which instantly makes it a must have.

A Finished Project

I'll give you time to pick your jaw up off the floor.

I know. I know. This pillowcase project has been in the works since, oh , forever.. Well at least since early June - and it's not even that large a project, but I have said before, I am a slow stitcher! And my friends, it's now finished. I tossed it aside in favour of pom poms, but I returned today, faithful as ever, and it's ready to be slept on.

It has endured a funny path. It was intended for one of my friends birthdays, but given my hate of measuring things, my transfers went a wee bit wonky (that's the understatement of the year) and I decided I couldn't give it to her. So who in my life deserves a little haphazhard pillowcase? Well, my dear husband had put his hand up for something featuring this swallow, so it's his. And given he's my 'beauty' (and I really do call him that), it was destiny's child - but without Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and that other girl no one knows the name of.

There's one thing complete. Feel proud of me. Raise a glass to me. Something. This is a rare occurence.

The Ultimate Love Story

I read this story today in SMH. I can't get it out of my head because it is such a beautiful, romantic story. So much so, I wanted to share it.

I'm a sucker for romance, but this, this really is beautiful, it takes the cake. Such dedication, compassion, and a great example of life-long love. Sigh.. If only everyone could experience this, wouldn't the world be such a beautiful place??

Can I say the word beautiful anymore? But really. Truly. This is something special.

Read it and weep friends.

The Secret

By now, most people have heard of 'The Secret'. You know that book that Oprah et al were banging on about? Where you have to put your desires out to the universe, and before you know it, that boyfriend, diamond ring, or great six-figure paying job will be knocking down your door. Well, I didn't read it. But I feel like I get the crux of it.

So I am putting it out to the universe. I could even be tempted to live the secret if it really worked.

We're STILL looking for a house to rent. Seven months and counting. We're lucky that we're not in a huge rush, otherwise we could have struck a deal with something less than desirable. A three bedroom (hey, I'd take four!) simple little home for our little family. It doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles. It doesn't have to have any bells and whistles.

It does have to have a little garden.

It does need a kitchen.
It does need a bathroom (preferably two different rooms, not big on bathing while cooking.. but remember Kramer in the shower peeling vegetables?)

Get my drift? Or is The Secret that I have to be more direct. Do I have to say, I want a house with wooden floorboards, large rooms, a gas kitchen, a nice flat backyard, a big tree to hang a swing in, a shed for Matt to paint in, lots of light, in a leafy quiet area close to a train station?

So I've outed my secret.


I've been thinking overnight, if The Secret is such a secret, then why go on Oprah and tell everyone? Surely you don't want everyone to catch on and realise that if all you have to do to fulfill your dreams is to tell the world, then you don't want everyone doing it, do you? If I have a secret, I don't go on international TV and tell everyone. Not that my secrets are that exciting - mine are more like - 'Oh I was going to have one piece of chocolate, but it wound up that that one piece really was the whole block. One piece, whole block, well it still was one piece, just one very large piece.' Not really scintillating stuff.

Back to my brief for today. A house. Cute is good. Preferably not edible. Preferably not made by two out of the three below.

This is cute.

So Universe. This is my secret. Help a gal out!

What's your secret? Pop it in my comments, maybe the Universe is reading my blog too.