Winter Warmer

This is the first winter we’ve been in our house and it’s been freezing cold lately, not just in the early morning or night but allllllllllll day long now! I thought the new roof insulation together with my little electric heater and ugg boots would be enough, but no we DEFINATELY need something to take the chill out the air! We had the option when we had the air conditioner put in to get reverse with heating but for an extra $8,000 it was way too extravagant.

So on the weekend we decided to make use of the gas points in the house and go get a shiny new gas heater. It was the quickest purchase so far, we wanted the Rinnia Avenger 25 in sexy silver and went to the usual competitors Kambos, Harvey Norman and lastly The Good Guys who won us over (they always do) by reducing their price the most to beat the others ‘best price’ by $100. Went straight home and plugged it in and the house temp showed a freezing 11 degrees, not for long though it now cranks at a toasty 20 degrees. So far it’s working great covers a really big area. Now just need to set the timer on it to turn on before my alarm goes off to make getting out of bed that bit more bearable!

So how do you keep warm in winter ... More blankets? Wood fire? Hot chocolate? Share your winter warmer thoughts ....

[Images via Rinnia]

Daily Dose of Vintage Humour

I love the humour of vintage advertising. So much in fact I have a flipbook That's Queen Bitch to You that looks right at home in my retro kitchen, and turn the pages regularly to show the next hit the bitchy humour and domestic incorrectness! Highly recommend to anyone with a quirky sense of humour ....

[Image via Photobucket]

Homewares in Highgate

Beaufort Street in Highgate would have to be one of Perths best shopping strips for finding funky pieces.

This weekend I found a few one offs I couldn't resist (and 2 out of 3 were on sale, not bad hey!).

I bought an antler style candle holder, all it needs is a rustic fireplace and shaggy rug to feel at home!

Some ceramic fruit, about the only fruit-like-thing in my fruit bowl!

An oil burner by Melbourne designer Jennifer Dumet, the design looks stunning when lit with a little tea light candle inside and the shadows dance on the wall.

You can find them here:

Candle Holder $20 Behind the Monkey, Fruit $32 Items; Oil burner $30 Allure

Have you bought home any homewares lately?

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[Image my own]

A day at the library

Today I went to my favourite freebie place for advice.

Advice I can take away, digest, and return when I'm done with it.

Any guesses where?

Ok heres some more hints .... there's rows and rows, everythings used but nothings for sale, guessed it yet?

The Library of course!

I know I'm a nerd.

But why pay heaps of money for designer books that you might only want to flip through a few pages (or if your like me just look at the pretty pictures) for ideas.

So I dare you to summons your inner-nerd and go check out your local library!

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[Image via Corbis]

Shoe closet envy

I watched Sex in the City 2 this week and am subsequently suffering shoe closet envy. Since the first movie Carrie's dream wardrobe has been divided into his and hers (much like myself, having to SHARE a wardrobe for the first time ever!). This pic shows Carrie's most fabulous heels are kept in a glass cabinet on shelves fitted with lights to make them shine in their utmost glory.

Being an Aussie suburbian chick I never thought it could be possible to have something remotely close to that sassy Manhattan showcase .... that was until I started renovating! The plan is to convert the hallway cupboard into my very own shoe haven (squeal!). Thanks Carrie for unleashing my inner shoe-obsessed self from a dream into a reality.

[Image via nydailynews.com]

Recipe: Herbs & Mojitos

I'm no green thumb. In fact plants usually die as I'm bringing them through the front door. I assumed nothing was safe from my freakishly unpredictable plant-killing powers until I hit upon herbs.

I'm growing parsley, oregano, mint, thyme, coriander (ok so I'm up to no.3 with this one its not liking me!). They're all thriving in their containers, which means no weeds. Most are planted from seed or cuttings, seriously SEED!

And you know the best thing about having lots of mint on hand .... Mojitos are only a shake away !

Mmmmmmmm Mojitos!

Here's the recipe from our cocktail bible Shaken sure to get your Mojo going!

Mojito
Serves 1

8 mint leaves

half a lime, chopped

15ml sugar syrup

ice cubes

60ml white rum

soda water

Muddle the mint and lime with the sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Add a scoop of ice, then the rum.
Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled tumbler 2.5cm from the top, then top up with soda water.

Enjoy!

What's your favourite drink to make with herbs?

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[Image 1st mine and 2nd via Murdoch Books]

DIY Wall Art For The Bedroom

I came across this gorgeous picture and was drawn to the quote thinking those words would be perfect in the bedroom ...

THE SUN COULDN'T RISE WITHOUT YOU DARLING

So armed with a blank canvas, some leftover black and grey paint, tracing paper and rhinestones I made this ....

And here's the finished product in the bedroom ....

I absolutely love it and so does Mr P it's such a sweet and romantic DIY art work that is perfect for the bedroom!

It cost me just $15 to make, here's the cost Breakdown:

Canvas, Crazy Clarks  $5

Bling Stickers, Spotlight  $7

Tracing Paper, Jacksons  $3

Paint (already had)  $0

If you join Blitsy a one stop shop for discounted craft supplies and make a first time purchase it would be awesome if you use my referral code HERE - you will get great discounts and I get a $10 reward to spend on my creative obsession so I can share more posts like this with you guys!

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[1st image unknown other images my own]

Inspiring Reads

The Nest Home Design Handbook has given me heaps of inspiration. It's full of awesome pictures and ideas to get your creative juices flowing. I couldn't find it in stores so bought it online through Borders for just $25 (subscribe to their newsletter to get discount vouchers). I later discovered The Nest is actually a big name brand in USA and have a stack of books by the same lady, though there mainly about marriage and coo chi coo babies (not my scene!) but the housey books are worth a looksy.

[Image via Random House]