{Easter's a comin'!}

It's no secret to my family that I love to celebrate holidays and occasions. Whether it's Christmas, Valentines or in this case Easter...I love decorating with themed touches, and sharing a meal with those we love.

I have not really done many decorations For Easter in the past, but this year I couldn't resist. It all started with inspiration from this beautiful wreath.

So, here are a few things around our house that help to add the 'festive cheer' of this very special and significant calendar date.

{Being Intentional and Fighting 'Distractions' this Christmas}

I was challenged by something our pastor said at church last Sunday (not a rare occurrence) about not just preparing our credit cards but also our hearts this Christmas.
So, today I did something that's been on my list for the last little while.
Whilst at spotlight (I can tell your shocked I was there too lol!) I found a black board for $15. It was light so i knew it would hang on the wall easily with the 3M Velcro tabs I already had.

I have decided to put up a verse for the Christmas month and use it as a reference point with Mr 5 who loves to read and learn.
I also intend to keep it there and write more verses/ sayings all year round.

(p.s. excuse my terrible 'haven't practiced teacher writing since uni' handwriting lol)!

I love Christmas SO much and it's very easy to get carried away with the decorations and festivities.
Due to its location in the house, it's something we will walk past frequently and it is a nice practical way we are trying to put the focus back on the REAL reason for the season!

Lauren x

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

{Christmas 4 month countdown}

My favourite time of year is quickly approaching. Sorry if I scare you by mentioning the "Christmas" word too early. I am not a quickly shop on midnight Christmas eve kinda gal.

I like organisation.
I like order.
I like planing.
I am a list queeen!

So i have lists going on ages before the 25th of December. Lists of gifts, menus, shopping lists, time line to-do lists, lists for anything! So, yesterday as the 4 month mark arrived, I found some pretties online and swooned for a while.

In my 12 days of Christmas countdown last year I dedicated a post to the beautiful advent calendar.
I have been re-inspired from Pinterest and with 4 months to go until Christmas I have plenty of time to plan ahead and make one for us this year. Now to decide on the design. I want to do it in fabric so that it is something that will last and I can pass on. This is just the tip of the iceberg though....there are so many homemade Christmas decorations I want to do this year, better get planning ;)

Linaloo

Inchmark


Green Jello


Frugal Home Designs



Ucreate (guest post by wippleberry)



The House of Smiths

There were so many other pictures and eye candy I could post.....so if you want some inspiration for this (or anything) get onto pinterest!

I would love to know if you created an advent calendar idea at your place and what kind of design you have, please link it up in the comments or on the facebook page if you have ;)

Lauren x

Adorable Bunting

I know things have been a little quiet in bliogland lately.....I have had some big things on and am back for sure. Tonights post is dedicated to BUNTING! I am a little smitten with this stuff latley, whether its miniture paper bunting on a scrapbooking layout or fabric bunting to decorate a room/ event. Here are some pictures of this lovliness that just take my breath away for a second ;)

Who needs a living room?

I found this link on twitter through a retweet and was GOBSMACKED!!!! My boys would LOVE LOVE LOVE this to play with. Even if I could afford this incredible set up, I would need a spare room to put this baby (which they'd grow out of in a few years). BUT fun to dream right?!?!?

An outdoor playgym also by Cedar Works
(of course located in Maine- USA)

Family Creed

I saw this image on the blog "This Blessed Nest" and LOVED the idea of having a family creed or similar up for display. It started me thinking about things I would add or subtract. I wonder what would be on the wall in your house?



You could do it another way than Vinyl, but here are some of these places for vinyl wall lettering I found:
- Sticky Words (US company but have ordered from them before).
- Cool Art Vinyl (Australian)


Lauren x

Product Review ::: from Boys Germs

Here are a few of my favourite finds from a wonderful website called "Boys Germs". Have a browse and I hope you like these awesome products like I did ;)

Personalised Name Light from mylight from about $140 (different options available).





Not your average blocks from A + R for US$158.

Gumboots from Little Elk $49.95

Dorothy 'mini' lamp from Lilly and Lolly $145

Bubble Clox from Lilly and Lolly $39.95

Tyre wheel and wrench spoon from Wrenchware US$19

Table and Chairs Set from Hip Kids for $110

Enjoy;
Lauren x

Chalkboards

Unusual and quirky interior design/ decorating fascinates me. I found these pictures and had to share cause I thought it was a cool idea. The idea of having a chalkboard in a kitchen, especially a wall sized one captured my attention! How awesome would that be!

Lauren x

Interior Design ::: Staircases

I have a little bit of interior design on the brain at the moment. Since we have been immersed in it with the building of our new house and the constant dream of acerage somewhere in our future.

Here are some images of staircases to inspire you with the beauty of architecture!

Courtesy of Digs Digs

Enjoy;
Lauren x

Product Reviews ::: Interior Decorating for Kids

I have been a bit obsessed with interior design ideas for the boys bedrooms and the playroom in the new house (about 4 months to go - excited much?!?!!?). I have found some really cool ideas and I wanted to share some of therm with you. I will try to include some girls things too, but I am naturally drawn to the boys things obviously!

I love Supprting Aussie Buisness....So, check out Mini Me Designs (an awesome QLD based company) on the web and on facebook for some delightful canvases/ plaques. I just love their animal images - gorgeous!!!


You can find Designer Mum here and find some wonderful 'kid style'

They put together some decorator packs which is a cool idea....
....but my pick from this website is the birth details plaque that is a nice, neat modern way of displaying the moment your precious bundle came into the world!!! LOVE it!!




If you love buying product online from Australian Small buisnesses that are run by Working at home parents, then a wonderful directory of all things including decorating supplies can be found here at Support A Working At Home Parent network (Support a WAHP). They have a website with a directory and a facebook page too.

Daniels 1st Birthday "Twinkle Twinkle" Party - Part Two

One of the decorations I had my heart set on for Daniels birthday party was some pale blue/ yellow bunting. I wanted to make it but didn't have a sewing machine (at that point). I ended uip ordering it from a favourite website of mine - madeit.com.au. This is an Australian website with a whole bunch of people seeling things that they made. I bought it from a store called Mockingbird Designs which I was very impressed with. THe product was just perfect and they were a pleasuere to deal with and patient with all the delays for payment due to problems with our paypal accounts.
I definitley recommend popping around to have a look at their store....just delicious!!!!

Inspiration that takes my breath away

Hubby and I have our eyes set on a beautiful piece of acerage that we would LOVE to aquire in the near future.