A Confession From A Magazine Addict

Hello world, my name's Michelle and I'm a magazine addict ... there I've said it step one is admitting I have a problem! But times they are a changing and I've accepted I have an obsession with glossy shiny magazines and it's time to cull the collection.

 

 

Over the last 4 years I've subscribed to Real Living, Australian House and Garden, Delicious and Super Food Ideas .... now if you multiply that by 12 months in a year you have yourself a stack of almost 50 magazines a year ... that's a lot of reading and I hate to admit it but a bit of time wasting as well. 






To me there's nothing more exciting than getting a fresh crisp new magazine in the mail box ... I love the way they look with their beautiful bright colours and smooth glossy pages. At this moment I subscribe to two magazines Real Living is my go to bible for home inspiration and I cashed in my Flyby points for a years subscription to Super Food Ideas which have really simple and easy recipe ideas. 

With the steady flow of magazines coming into the home each month and my 6 magazine holders full, 2 huge drawers in the coffee table filled to the brim and now a secret stash building up in the study it's time for me to part with my much loved magazines. See that's my problem, after I've read them I can't get rid of them .... Well until now that is.

 

 
So I've been going through the food magazines and tearing out recipes I want to try and after I've tried the recipe if I like it and i'll make it again I write it into my recipe book. I now have a stack of 2 years worth of food magazines to pass onto friends.

 

 
The home magazines are so much harder to part with because they have so many pictures I like, interesting articles, how tos, they are like my inspiration bible. But to beat this addiction now when the magazines are about 6 months old I can finally bring myself to tear out pages I like and put them into my lever arch inspiration files - I have 4 files full of magazine pages, brochures, paint charts etc with inside and outside ideas that I can refer back to.
 

 

I'm proud to say I'm slowly getting through my magazine hoarding and culling the collection. Keeping what I like and then passing them onto friends ... I know they are going to be in good hands and it's one less thing collecting dust piled high in the corner of the study!  

 

What's your favourite magazine you just can't resist?
 

 

[All images my own]

 

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The Liebster Blog Award Nominations

I was lucky enough to get 2 Liebster Blog Awards recently so I have combined them both into this one post. This award gives me a chance to do a shout out to some new and happening bloggers which is always a great cause to support.

The first nomination was from the talkative but very smart studying to be a lawyer Karla from Love and Inbetween who nominated me for this Liebster Blog Award. Thanks so much Karla!

 

The second was from wine appreciator with the cutest blog mascot Raj the lovely Rachel of Hair of the Dog who nominated me for this award. Thanks a bunch Rachel!

I was nominated for a Liebster Blog Award about a year ago but thought it would be fun to do another one. I've combined half of Karla's questions with half of Rachel's so you don't die of boredom reading 22 questions!

What is a Liebster Blog Award?

"The Liebster Award is for blogs with under 200 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever nominated them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."

 

Here are Karla's 5 Questions and my Answers:

 

1. Why did you start a blog?

After moving into my first home with my boyfriend Mr P and we started to tackle our first renovation I wanted to keep track of the ugly befores and pretty afters and share my bargain finds and DIY creative projects. My blog has evolved from there and I don't think I could live without it now! I've recently added an About Me page which will tell you a bit more about why and what I blog about if you're curious.

 

2. What/Who inspires you to blog?

What - My home inspires me, there is always something around home that I can write about whether it's sharing a recipe or the latest renovation project we're working on.

Who - Other blogs inspire me, pretty images and interesting content. Also the world around me I find inspiration in my travels, when I'm out shopping, and the day to day happenings in life.

 

3. What do you usually love to blog about?

My house and the journey of decorating and renovating and turning it into a home.

I also really like doing my book reviews you know when you read a good book and your just dying to tell someone about it or worse you didn't like a book and you want to vent on the parts you didn't enjoy - my blog is my outlet to share my thoughts and opinions.

 

4. What's your dream vacation?

New York baby! I'd love to walk around Central Park hand in hand with Mr P sipping on a latte, picnic in the park, then off to Tiffanys for some pretty bling followed for dinner and drinks with a view over the dazzling NY city. I hope to travel to NY in the next year or two. For more travel musings check out my Travels page here.

 

5. What is the best advice you have about relationships?

Oh I like this question! Communication - talk to one another. Don't stay silent when you're upset and when they ask what's wrong don't say nothing ... tell them what's wrong! Talk and listen is the best advice. My other tip is don't go to bed angry - always stay up and make up!

 

Cocktails at Hula Bula Bar

 

Here are Rachel's 6 Questions and my Answers:

 

6. Do you have a dog? Please share a picture if you do!

I sure do my new addition to the house hold Lexi is a 1.5 yr old Rottie X Staffy - she's a cute mischievous digging chewing machine. I've had her for 3 months now after rescuing her from the RSPCA and she is well and truly a much loved part of me and Mr P's home.

 

7. What is your favourite beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic?

Is this a trick question? Alcoholic of course!

Preferably white wine, like a Sauvignon Semillon Blanc. I also love fruity cocktails with all the bells and whistles in the glass - umbrellas, swizzle sticks, the works (see photographic evidence above)!

 

8. What is your dream career or job?

I would love to work somewhere creative like for a magazine or interior design company - or a magazine about interior design would be perfect. I would also love to blog part time so I can dedicate more time and energy into what makes me truly happy and what I love to do - blog!

My real job is in the corporate world, working as an office administrator in a legal office. I've worked for the same company for over half my life ... going on 17 years now. I'm sure that must be a world record or something!

 

9. How would you describe your style (in décor or fashion)?

My fashion style is alternative, I'm definitely not a fashion follower if I like something and feel good in it I'll buy it, but I'm not one for following trends and being up with all the latest and greatest.

As for my decor style I'd call my style Modern Bohemian ... I like modern clean lines and colours but with a touch of fun and personality.

 

10. Do you have a guilty pleasure & what is it?

It would have to be home decor magazines. When I see their bright and shiny covers beckoning me in the line at the supermarket I can't resist throwing them in the trolley! I have been known to pass up a night out to sit on the couch with a glass of wine and my favourite magazine, definately my guilty pleasure!

 

11. What is your favourite annual holiday? Easter, Christmas, etc?

I love Christmas, it's the one time of the year the house gets decorating for the season, everyone is on holidays and relaxed and there's time to enjoy our amazing hot Aussie summer with friends and family. Oh and the presents, I can't forgot those I love to buy pressies for those nearest and dearest to me ... and of course getting pressies is pretty good to :-)

As promised, my dog Lexi the first day in her new home

That was fun thanks Karla and Rachel, I hope you don't mind sharing the questions! Thanks for reading everyone hope I didn't bore you to tears too much!

 

So here are my 11 nominated blogs - please show your support and visit them and say g'day

 

1. Any Way The Wind Blows - Book loving Sarah always has great stories to tell on her lovely blog.

 

2. Happy Girls are Pretty Girls - Adrian from sunny California writes about her home, hubby and pooch.

 

3. Blyth+Life - Blythe and her family get up to all sorts of adventures on the beautiful Gold Coast of Australia.

 

4. Elements at Home - Kristie is a fellow Perth home lover with a great eye for interior design and architecture.

 

5. Hair of the Dog - Yes this is the lovely Rachel who nominted me for this award and I already had her on my list of nominations so I'm keeping her on here because if my readers like wine and witty conversation then you will love your blog!

 

6. Journey to Contentment - Jodie is a talented writer and always has interesting tales to tell which will have you grinning at your computer screen like an idiot, guaranteed!

 

7. Seasons of Lust - Anya has made the move from New Zealand to our sunny Perth shores and writes about fun loving adventures, travel and everything in between.

 

8. Pour Ameliorer - Rebecca and her handy man hubby Tom are renovating gurus and share amazing before and afters of their homes as they renovate.

 

9. This Unscripted Life - Ashley from Illinois is a fellow book lover and where I turn for great book reviews.

 

10. Ruby Hoppen - Melbourne-ite Ruby is an artist and a seamstress and shares her talents and creative projects.

 

11. From Here To There - My overseas buddy Heather is a proud Mississippi girl who loves running and sharing yummy recipes.

 

Ladies, here are my 11 questions for you to answer:

 

1. Describe yourself in only 5 words?

 

2. How would your friends describe you?

 

3. What is your favourite season, Summer, Spring, Autumn or Winter?

 

4. What would you take with you to a deserted island?

 

5. What is your favourite line from a movie?

 

6.  What country is on your travel destination wish list? 

7. What is your dream job?

8. Where do you see yourself 3 years from now?

9. Why did you start your blog?

 

10. Where did the name of your blog come from?

 

11. What has surprised you the most about blogging? 

 

Congratulations ladies, I hope you carry on the Liebster Award and nominated other bloggers, make up some fun questions and keep this award going.

 

 

[Images my own]

 

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Put It On A Kitchen Tray

The thought that my kitchen renovation plan is underway has had me wandering around kitchenware shops these last few days getting inspiration for the kitchen decor for the new kitchen.

 

The extra bench space I'll have to display things on is what is getting me most excited, I won't know what to put where! I don't want it to look cluttered and think that putting items on a kitchen tray or plate keeps them neat and tidy and in their right zones.

 

My coffee machine can finally move from the fish tank wine cabinet and onto the kitchen bench by the sink. I want to put a tray next to it to display my espresso cups and collection of tea pots and the tea/coffee/sugar canisters. Turning this into a coffee station will be so much more practical and I won't be running from one side of the kitchen to get cups and the other to get the sugar like I am now.

 

 

 

 

I've also got my eye on a modern silver oil can (like this Curtis Stone one except a cheaper version if I can find it!) to sit next to the stove top with my new Peugeot Tahiti Salt and Pepper Mills I won thanks to Real Living Magazine 7th Birthday Competition. A pretty plate will probably work here if it's large enough. It will be so much easier to access these every day items right next to the cooker instead of going into the pantry.

 

 

 

 

Is it just me or does everything look so much prettier on a tray?

 

[Images via Pinterest Coffee 1, 2, 3 and Stove 1, 2, 3]

 

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Fridays Letters - Dear Last Day At Work

This Friday I'm on the downward spiral towards Christmas ... only 4 more sleeps!

 

I'm writing my Fridays Letters because I haven't for a little while and although Ashley from Adventures of Newlyweds said she isn't doing the link this week we can still play along so why not.

 

I'm imagining this weeks letters are written at this amazing library I'd be sitting back with my home design books taking in the views and feeling inspired.

 

 

Dear Last Day At Work - After today I'll have 2 blissful weeks of holidays. I can't wait for the Christmas holiday season, sleep ins, catching up with friends, watching daytime tv in the air con and enjoying our hot sunny Summer.

Dear Real Living 7th Birthday Competition - I can't believe I won a prize thank you so very much the Peugeot Salt and Pepper Duo has been on my wish list for a couple of years now and are now sitting proudly on my kitchen bench.

 

Dear Turkey - On the weekend I did a trial run of the Turkey Roast Roll in the Weber BBQ and because it was stuffed when carved it fell apart. So we went out and bought a 4kg turkey roast in all it's glory - the dream is becoming the reality afterall! I'm a little scared and a little excited about bringing this big bird on Xmas Day!

 

Dear Xmas Present List - I'm so happy I've bought all my presents and they're wrapped and sitting pretty under the tree. It's such a great feeling to have finished the shopping and not have to battle those crazy crowds of shoppers again.

Dear Council Knockback - You didn't accept the courtyard plans first time around but there is always a Plan B. I'll be back with more info and let's hope we get the go ahead soon.

Dear New Facebook Page - I've gone and joined the cool kids and created a Facebook page for Jarrah Jungle - I'd love for you to like my page over here or on my sidebar.

 

Dear Followers and Friends - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my awesome readers I look forward to your stories, advice, musings and things that make me smile in 2013 xx
 

 

 

[Image via my pinterest]

 

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Interior Design Course: Week 1

Here's a recap of what I learnt at the Interior Design Course I started last week

WEEK 1

Building Design and Planning

Reading and Amending House Plans

Identifying Housing Styles
Landscaping

The building design and planning stages is where it all begins so take your time to pick colours and what you want the builders to do and what you'll organise yourself. You can then ask them to take services off the contract and reduce the quote if you think you can get a better deal elsewhere (I can see myself doing this if I build).

Building companies want your money so they are going to push you into signing but the fact is they need to be patient because there is no way you can make such important decisions on the spot. Don't sign the contracts until you're ready and happy with the choices you've made.

We viewed house plans that were changed 3 times and how the house was redrawn, kitchen appliances moved, doors and windows changed etc. You can still see where improvements can be made to make the home more functional and I guess this is where planning and drawing a house at the beginning plays such an important part - once you've signed off on it that's it so best to get this bit right no matter how long it takes.

We learnt how to increase a plan by 1:5 (although this moved a bit quickly for me, but I have my notes and worked it out in the homework). Once to scale you can play around with furniture placement to see how everything will fit in the room. I can see this would be particularly useful if you were building a new home you could see where your couch would go, coffee table, side table and you would then know where you'd need electricity for lamps and feature lighting etc.

This was the homework to increase a room to 1:5 and place furniture inside and do the wiring for electrical points and lighting. We also had to do a landscaping brief (although this wasn't actually covered in the class as we ran out of time) I used the information in the file and my zillions of magazines to come up with something. I hope the landscaping is covered in the next session as I'll be pretty disappointed if it isn't seems as though planning the front design is pretty high on my to do list.

Lastly, we covered all the different house styles and why its important when renovating that you stick to the same theme as the home - don't renovate an old home and make it totally modern - keep some of the features of the home and renovate with a nod to the old and the new. This is harder said than done as of course I like the look of modern but I am being careful not to make our home too modern on the exterior - trying to keep it classic (which includes using cream not lime!) - I can always have fun with modern decor on the inside.

My favourite older style of home is Colonial which have the big bay windows

My favourite modern home is the Balinese Resort with the big grand entrances

and lots of outdoor living spaces

The ole Jarrah Jungle house is the Pre War style. Apparently it's an easy one to renovate - new roof, render the bricks and put in a high fence and hey presto! Hmmm we seem to be doing exactly that!

Our house before

Our house now rendered ... new roof and fence coming soon!

I can now clearly see how there is a process for all these things from the very beginning and planning everything down to your furniture placement and the style of home that you love so you can follow this through in your design.

Week 2 is all about floors and lighting

 

[Images via realestate.com.au - 1234, Plan Imperial, House Bay Windows, House Balinese]

[My own images - file 1, file 2, file 3, our house before and now]

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Picking An Interior Design Course

I've finally bitten the bullet and enrolled in an Interior Design Course 

I've just filled a new pencil case with my bits and pieces and getting excited about doing some study after 17 years ... I was always a nerd when it came to studying I love it!

Last year I went to a couple of 3 hour seminars at the Home Ideas Centre, one on Interior Design and the other on Kitchen Design which I found really useful (even though I haven't started on the kitchen renovation yet) I have all my notes ready to go!

Just last month I went to the School of Real Living / International School of Colour and Design colour masterclass I posted about here and here. This was the light bulb moment for me that I really do have a desire and passion for getting into Interior Design.

So I've been looking into a long course that I can do, rather than just short information sessions. I don't want to quit my day job of office management, but I do want to learn more about what I love to do in my renovating and decorating.

The International School of Colour and Design have an iStyle Colour Course that I was tempted by but as it's based in Sydney it would be by correspondence for me in Perth which I fear will be harder as I won't have the interaction with fellow home lovers and teachers and might lose the motivation to finish it.

The courses run by Tafe etc are a bit too full on for me, I don't want a degree from it or to make a living from it, I just want to learn some skills and get more confidence to renovate and decorate at home.

So the course I have chosen is run by Home Base Expo in Subiaco and is held 1 night a week over 6 weeks and the cost is $300. It covers all aspects of Interior Design - reading house plans, floors, lights, kitchen/bathroom/laundries, storage, colour, decorating etc.

I think it will give me a good insight into the different areas of Interior Design and help with my renovations as well as if I build a home from the ground up which may well be on the cards in the future.

The course starts tomorrow I'll let you know how it goes

[Images via my Pinterest here and here] 

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Fridays Letters - Dear Autocorrect

Thank god it's Friday! I have had a full on week at work and I'm so glad I can let off some steam with my Dear Friday letters thanks to linky party over at Adventures of Newlyweds

I am imagining I'm writing this weeks letters at this fresh light and bright home office I'll be tapping away at the keyboard and staring out the window at that pretty view

Dear Autocorrect - I'd rather my one word be spelt wrong than your totally unrelated word added to my sentence.

Dear Bad Day - I'm glad I found this quote don't let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life it's so true but sometimes hard to take in when you're having a bitch of a day!  

Dear Friends - I need to find time to see you more ... dinners, movies and quiz nights are high on my priority list with you next month.

Dear Exterior Paint Stuff Up - I felt like a right git painting the house lime green instead of limestone and I'm now $190 worse off. Note to self - don't make those amateur mistakes again and don't listen to the paint chick when picking colours!

Dear Interior Design Dreams - I'm following my love of interior design and just enrolled in a 6 week, 1 night a week Interior Design Course. I'm really exiting about it and hope I learn a lot to turn my lil ole house into an amazing home.

 

[Image via my Pinterest source Chezlarsson.com]

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Colour Inspiration and Mood Boards

I'm feeling really inspired after the School of Real Living Colour Masterclass I went to last week

It was really great to meet Jacinta Preston Interior Stylist from Real Living magazine who is as lovely and bubbly in person as she appears in print and Lucy Sutherland Trend Forecaster and Colour Expert from International School of Colour + Design whose job is to name paints among other things!

Here are some pictures of Jacinta's home published in the April 2010 edition of Real Living, Jacinta painted both her bedroom and her young kids rooms black - but as you can see they make a bold statement without being dark and dingy. I love how she is bold with colour but not overly fussy with decorations, everything displayed has a purpose and adds a pop of colour.

At the class we learnt what colours work together and what colours we hate - turns out I hate mission browns and love greens! Of course some people hated what others loved but that's why every home is different and everyone is free to decorate as they wish!

We also got our craft on and cut out pictures of inspiration and made our own mood boards. The room I picked was my Kitchen/Dining Room and my mood board has a primary colour of green using the view of the garden outside the windows and the colour pallet from the Living Room next door and red will be my accent colour with kitchen accessories.

Here's a peek at my mood board

Primary Colour - Green / Accent Colour - Red

Neutral Colours - Grey and White / Texture - Timber floors



Feature lighting over the kitchen island bench

The timber floors will offset white and grey marble bench tops

Some fun artworks and fresh flowers will be the finishing touches

I really enjoyed making a mood board and while I'm always flagging pages in magazines and have files with torn out pages of my favourites ie: kitchen, bathroom, decorating, etc to have my dream Kitchen/Dining Room on one board is really helpful to see what kind of look I want.

So tell me, have you ever made a mood board?

[Magazine images via Real Living and Mood Board images my own]

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Fridays Letters - Dear Concrete Floor

It's Friday which means it's time for this weeks Friday's Letters, once again a big thanks to Ashley at Adventures of Newlyweds for being the hostess with the mostess and putting on this fab party for us each week

I'm imagining I'm writing this weeks letters from this calm and cheerful home office with a funky spiral bound notebook and hot cup of lemon and honey tea!

Dear Concrete Floor - You were poured in the garage this week and I am so damn excited I did a happy dance under the stars outside and toasted a glass of wine with Mr P that this garage extension is almost finished.

Dear Workmen - Please wipe your feet before treading sand and mud and dirt onto my newly mopped floorboards. Yes I did just clean them. Yes I now have to clean them again. Grrrrr.

Dear Colour Masterclass - I'm so glad I went last night I really learnt a lot and am inspired to do some decorating this weekend. Thanks to Real Living for hosting there is a reason you are my favourite magazine!

Dear New Buss Route - I'm leaving home 5 minutes earlier but getting into work 30 minutes earlier - no idea how that works but I'm glad I was adventurous enough to try a different route. Why do we live somewhere for so long but are too frightened to go a different way for a change?!

Dear Fashionista Followers - Don't forget to enter my first giveaway closing at midnight tonight (Aussie time UTC/GMT +8 hours) and good luck!

[Image via Pinterest source bhg.com]

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The School of Real Living

I've just enrolled myself in The School of Real Living Colour Masterclass coming to Perth next week.

I've seen these classes advertise in the magazine before and kept thinking they'll never come to Perth (sad face) and what do you know they organised a Perth date so there's no excuse, I'm signed up and ready to go. There may be some spaces left if you're quick you can register here.

The class is presented by the International School of Colour and Design and they'll show us how to create a colour pallete and make a moodboard of a room we want to decorate.

Even though I've worked out the paint colours for the house I still feel I'm lacking confidence in how to add some wow factor so hopefully I can take home some ideas from this to make some bright colourful changes at home.

Now I need to decide which room needs the most help with colour - the rooms left to paint are the Kitchen, Dining area, Laundry and Powder Room/Toilet

What room would you pick?

Real Living is by far my favourite home design magazine (as you can see from past posts here, here, here and here) and I've been subscribed for about 3 years now and it's worth every cent I absolutely love the ideas and inspiration it gives me.

Can't wait to see what the masterclass brings

[Image via ISCD]

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Withdrawal Symptoms

I have been coming home from work lately and feeling a bit restless
Check the mail box
Walk inside
Pour a glass of water
Turn the news on
Sit down
Stand up
Put some washing on
Sit down
Look around thinking somethings missing .....
and I finally figured out what

My magazine subscriptions have all expired - Real Living, Australian House and Garden, and Delicious they no longer greet me after a hard day at work with their glossy pages and bright ideas

So thanks to the man for leaving his credit card laying around I signed up for another year with Real Living (3rd year in a row) and I get 3 bonus mags of Australian House and Garden.

The cost of the bundle was $44.95 a fair price to pay to keep me content for another year!

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

[Images via MagShop] Pin It Now!

Real Living

On the same date every month I race home and check the mailbox. Excited like a kid waiting for a letter from Santa. I eagerly walk towards the little white mailbox straining to see whether that glossy plastic wrapper sticking out is just junk mail or ... wait ... opens lid ... YES my Real Living magazine has arrived!

I cannot wait to race inside, rip off the wrapper, pour a wine, put my feet up and drool over this months glossy pages. A magazine subscription is a great gift for someone (or yourself). It's the gift that keeps on giving!

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