the art of being organised

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Are you naturally neat or untidy at home? I'm not especially one or the other. In fact, I always used to sway from one to the other. I was the kind of teenager that would accumulate mess over a time, until it would really get to me and then I'd have a massive clean up and throw lots of things out and get tidy and then the whole cycle would start again.

The older I get, though, the more I'm getting very particular about the house being and staying tidy and not messy. I can't relax if our house is too out of control. It really affects my mood and gets me down. I wish it didn't.....I think it stems partly from having children and knowing that I can't let things get too out of control otherwise the task of cleaning becomes too big and unachievable. The other part I think is from exposing myself to lots of inspirational people and houses in blogs and magazines and aspiring to have a space myself that is similar. 

I'm always at war with myself though because I'm not a 'naturally' neat/tidy/organised person, I really have to push myself to get my house looking the way I need/want it.

What about you? Do you 'need' your living space to be organised or are you happy in a more relaxed environment?

happy one year blog-iversary

Well, it's been a whole year since I started this little blog. It seems like much longer than that given all the things that have happened in the last twelve months. We've moved house, I had a really rough eight months of continuous sleep deprivation with Zoe, we've had birthdays, Christmas, babies born and unfortunately lots of family struck with serious illness. I'm hoping this next twelve months shapes up to be just as eventful in lots of positive ways.

As promised, to celebrate, I'm having a little giveaway of a few of my favourite goodies.

1. This Too Shall Pass print by Nan Lawson 2. Handmade buttons stamps in a matchbox by talktothesun

These two goodies I have found along my Etsy travels. Nan Lawson has to be one of my fave sellers and when I saw this print I thought it was just perfect to summarise my mantra for the past twelve months! I think I need to get one of these for myself. Would be great to have one in every room of the house as a reminder. 

The little stamp set was an accidental find, but I thought it was such a cute idea, and the seller is in Sydney! The buttons are so adorable and would make a great little addition to your little notes or letters.

3. Babushka doll card set by Melei

The third part of the giveaway is a set of cards from the gorgeous Jen at Melei. I've mentioned Melei a few times on my blog - I bought Zoe a lovely dress by Melei and was fortunate enough to finally meet Jen, the creator of all things Melei, at the last Mathilda's Market. She has generously contributed these latest creations for my giveaway. I have four of these lovely cards so will give two away as part of the main prize, and will have a second prize of two cards also. 

To enter my first blog birthday/anniversary giveaway, please just leave me a comment. Any comment. You can just say hello. You can give me some blog inspiration or tips.  You can tell me what you love about blogging. I don't mind really, I'd just love to see that you've stopped by.

On Monday next week, 24 May, I will draw two lucky winners. The first will be the recipient of the print, stamps and two Melei cards. The second will be the recipient of two Melei cards.

Start your comments now!

here i am!

Hello! I promise I haven't left! I've just been spending a lot more time trying to be a good mummy and have also been busy with some new work I've picked up. And Masterchef may be taking up some of my 'me' time too.....

These beautiful flowers were my gift to myself for Mothers Day. 'Twas very low key here this year. I even bought myself the Margaret Fulton complete cookbook as my present.....

Anyway, I'm hoping to get back to my little blog a tad more regularly again, and I've already got some lovely goodies lined up to share with you including some little giveaways.

As I've mentioned already, May marks my one year blogaversary (is that a word?) and I'll be doing a giveaway to mark my great milestone. I just have to get a photo of one of the lovely prizes that has been generously donated and then I'll whip up a post about that this week. So stay tuned!

What's been happening in your neck of the woods? Any exciting blog land news I should know about??

sweet winter's day

Brrr it's cold this morning.

I've just dropped off my sweet little boy who lets me leave him at preschool now with no tears. It makes the drop off so much easier now.

We've been doing a lot of pottering around our garden lately. We've planted camellias, gardenias and other little plants, and I asked hubby to plant me some rununculus bulbs so that hopefully I will have beautiful flowers such as these in my garden. Plans are underway for our vege garden too. Can't wait!

This month marks a year since I started this little blog....can't believe it's been that long and yet so much has happened during that time....

To celebrate I'll be having a little giveaway next week, so do drop by and have a look at the sweet little things that will be up for grabs! I will have two little prizes for two lucky readers.

Have a lovely winter's day today my friend.

{image: Kristybee}

my little munchkin

Pop over and see my little Miss Z over at the Little Munkins segement on the Little Sooti blog here. She's wearing all her latest and favourite gear!

shop til you drop

Well I didn't quite drop today.

It was such a beautiful day yesterday. I don't think there was a single cloud in the sky was there?

I arrived at Mathilda's Market yesterday without a hitch. It was just Zoe and I. It was great to say hi to some lovely ladies I've come to know of through blogs and forums: Mel from Paperklip, Helen from ensparkle ceramics, Chris from Billy Mac, Wynona from Ivy Designs and the lovely Jen from Melei. (Hope I haven't missed anyone!)

Ok, so onto the purchases....I was really trying hard not to be too heavily swayed by all the lovely girly things as Zoe has HEAPS of clothes and Josh seems to miss out a tad. So I found myself at Billy Mac buying him a blue long sleeved VW combi shirt. He was very impressed with it! He loves his cars and knows all the badges now so he was happy with his 'VMW' shirt (mmm, we're having a little trouble with VW/BMW...).

Then I found myself at Elki Design. I had been hanging out to see their clothing in real life. They use Liberty of London fabrics for many of their designs which I just LOVE. My mum used to use Liberty prints for a lot of the clothes she sewed for me when I was little, and it brings back lovely memories. I also have a beautiful patchwork quilt she made me with Liberty prints in it. 

I ended up buying Zoe this dress with the matching pants.

Beautiful don't you think? They had lovely gingham shirts for boys too and I'll probably end up getting one for Josh. Check out their online store! Elki is made up of two sisters who sew the clothes. They have gorgeous little rompers and singlets for babies embroidered with grub roses , as well as clothing for boys and girls up to age 8. There is even a little home ware.

Then I made my way over to Thula Thula wear I picked up a little short sleeved mauve cardigan for Zoe. Thula Thula sell handmade clothing inspired by the 30s and 40s. 

My next purchase was a handpainted ceramic plate from ensparkle ceramics for my six year old niece. It's her birthday this month so she is getting this gorgeous little personalised plate from our little family.

Go and check out Helen's other gorgeous work here. I've got my eye on the milk jug. Maybe if hubby is reading this before Mothers Day.....

And last but not least, I bought my gorgeous mum some knitted house socks from Wynona at Ivy Designs. These were actually a market only item, so you can't buy them online unfortunately. I was cheeky and gave them to my mum today. I know she'll get great use out of them. She lives in a pair every winter.

So there you have it. It was a great day out. Only thing is I can't believe I missed out on the cupcakes!!

Anyone else go along that has some goodies to share?

hurrah for mathilda!

Hurrah! I'm off to Mathilda's Market tomorrow in Sydney. Can't wait to say hello to some bloggy/internet friends, check out all the gorgeous things, eat some cupcakes and spend money!

I might even pick up a little something to giveaway for my bloggy one year birthday this month. Will keep my eyes out for something a little special. 

Will make sure I share any lovely purchases with you this week!

{image: Mathilda's Market}