Spicerack makeover

My eldest son (Mr. 6) is OBSESSED with Skylanders. I've been hearing about them for months, and luckily the Easter Bunny must have been eavesdropping, because he brought the game and related paraphernalia with the boys' Easter baskets. And there is A LOT of paraphernalia!
Seriously, that is some clever marketing right there; in every other game, you unlock new characters by reaching a certain level or mastering some skill. In Skylanders you have to buy the characters (some are upwards of $25 each) and there are a bazillion of them.
I know there's a bazillion, because they kept taking up residence all over my lounge room floor.

I knew we needed to find a way to store them that pleased both me and the boys (no I was not forking out $50+ for one of their gaudy licensed storage options).
I had it in my mind that a shadowbox would be the perfect solution, not realising that a nice, simple shadow box was as rare as hen's teeth these days!

As luck would have it, the morning after I was a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding, we decided to pop into the local little country market.
And what should I spy as we rounded a corner, but a large wooden spice rack.

I couldn't believe my luck when the seller told me it was $4! I wasn't entirely sure the characters would fit, but for $4 who would turn it down?
It wasn't the most attractive of colours, but I knew with a few coats of paint it could be lovely.

I already had a sample pot of Taubmans "Iceberg", and 24 hours and 2 coats later, it was looking much better!

Mr 3's a fan too!

For $4 and the cost of a sample pot of paint, I think the result is much more appealing than one of the licensed storage options!

A "big boy room" makeover

I've been working on creating a "big boy room" for a while now. I have a million different things pinned on Pinterest and was starting to become overwhelmed, so I decided to make my own version of a "design board" or "inspiration board". I included lots of the things that were already in their room, and added a few extras to tie it all together.

1. I'm super lucky in that my sister works for the company that makes Hiccups kids bedlinen!
 

2. This red metal letter "O" is from a vintage marquee sign, purchased on eBay.
 

3. I love, love, love everything Sarah Jane Studios does. I'm especially fond of the "Be" art print set.
 

4. Ikea's Bekvam spiceracks are just so versatile! And at only $2.50 each, who can resist!
 

5. This linen was a purchase many moons ago. I don't believe the brand is in existence anymore.
 

6. The Ikea Hemnes Linen Cupboard only comes in red now, I believe, but the boys have a yellow one in their room serving as a bookcase.
 

7. Again from Ikea, the Snoig Desk Lamp makes for a perfect bedside reading lamp.

 
8. I think every little persons’ room should have some Belle & Boo!
 
9. Of course some art from my little company Love a Rhino.
 
10 & 15. ABC Throw Pillows from Land of Nod.
 
11. A little birdhouse from Provincial Living
 
12. The Ikea Hemnes Chest of 6 Drawers is great for storing their clothes.
 
13. This rug was from Land of Nod. The exact design isn't available anymore, but it's a great site to look at for some gorgeous options. Shipping actually wasn't too bad either.
 
14. Jasper and Ruby is a great etsy store full of gorgeous water colour illustrations I couldn't go past this adorable dachshund!

During this project I've discovered a (possibly unhealthy) love of spray painting.

I've painted frames and shelves and baskets, oh my!

I've had the ABC Throw Cushions from Land of Nod pinned for months, but somehow never noticed that they were different shades of green until I'd put this board together.

I'm fine with things not matching (in fact I prefer it that way, for the most part) but they need to look purposely mismatched.

I decided to look into alternatives (after briefly considered sewing my own) and that's when I stumbled across the gorgeous cushion covers available at Romeo and Juliet Design on Etsy. I was drawn to their bright, bold colours, and modern designs. I was lucky enough to buy during their Easter sale and scored 25% off!

These are the 2 designs I went with.

They arrived last week, and after a quick trip to Spotlight I was ready to start the process of "initialing" them.
This is the end result.

Not perfect, but they're ok if you don't look too closely.

And without further ado, the final result.

I think I'd still like to replace the fabric in the door on their sidetable, and perhaps add a bunting to their picture wall, but for the moment this will suffice.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

ANZAC Day - Their name liveth for evermore

Today we remember the sacrifices made by the brave men and women (both past and present) who risk (or have risked) their lives for us, the lucky country. These include my husband.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them

LEST WE FORGET

(and just remember dear husband, if you come home completely sloshed, I won't forget that either...)

I'm so ashamed

Last week, as I unsuccessfully scoured the shelves at Officeworks for a cute ring-binder (seriously, how can there be none anywhere?! I can't be the only person who wants one. I blame Pinterest for filling my head with US prettiness), I did manage find TWO different designs of "Pet Journals".

Image: Officeworks

I'm one of the biggest animal lovers you can get, but I couldn't help but scoff at the sight of these.

What the heck is a Pet Journal and why does Harry my Labrador need one?

Is to record their vet/ grooming appointments? Their dietary intake and excrement output? Their innermost thoughts and feelings?
Who exactly is the target market for a Pet Journal?

The next day, I had to scurry outside to break up an altercation in the chicken coop.
Standing there, scalding the culprits by name (Beatrice, it's always Beatrice) I came to the horrid realisation... I am EXACTLY the target market for a Pet Journal!

Beatrice the Welsummer hen.
We're sworn enemies (that fact alone should probably have alerted me that the Pet Journal was aimed at people like me!)

And so it begins....

A little about me:

I'm a 20 something, stay at home mum to two boisterous boys {6 & 3 years old}.
I'm married to a great man, who works hard so that I can stay home while the boys are little.
I really enjoy motherhood. Most of the time. The rest of the time, I wish they had a mute button, or a pause button. Who am I kidding, a lot of the time I wish they had both!
I'm of the opinion new parents should be taught a basic sleeper hold before leaving the hospital with their new baby. Imagine....

BK (before kids) I was a veterinary nurse. I think dealing with ferocious Fido and cantankerous Kitty helped prepare me for motherhood. If I can get a worm table down the throat of a hissing, spitting, ball of fur and claws, I'm getting these antibiotics down your throat kiddo, give it up!

I'm a baker, a crafter, a creator, a (wannabe) photographer and a tv tragic.
I'm an animal lover (except for Plovers, I have a deep rooted and unfounded aversion to Plovers), a people pleaser, a Pinterest junkie and a master procrastinator.

I hope that in starting this blog, I will be held accountable to actually finish the myriad of projects I start (probably not, bets are on as to when I lose interesting in this whole blogging thing).
I plan on sharing my projects, ideas and thoughts with you, minus the sugar coating.
Life and all it's happy coincidences...