Interior designing dilemas

Pretty Iceberg roses in my new Ikea vase thingamy

We have been in our house for just over 3 years and we are still using an old sheet as a bedroom curtain and have no decent storage in the same room. Everything is crappy, nothing matches, in fact it is all very mismatched in a bad way (as opposed to funky mismatching).

We have had enough. It's time to start sprucing it up.

Being on a budget and not living near Ikea is rather a pain at times. Built-in wardrobes are not a budgetary option and the hardwood to build out own built-in would be scary expensive, so it's looking like secondhand, or "vintage" is the way to go.

I just can't decide on what "look" I am after for the room. Soft and romantic, contemporary, dark and moody or "eclectic" (ie I can't decide so just mix it up).

Sometimes I wish I wasn't so indecisive! Do I want light coloured walls? A feature wallpaper wall? I was keen on some nice silk curtains but do I go for a print or plain?

I found a heavily marked down Louis-style bedside table the other day. Took a photo off home to get Lyndon's opinion, decided to go for it and wouldn't you know it the darn thing sold. Arrgh!

I wish I knew what I wanted to do. By the time I decide another 3 years will have passed.

I'm too embarrassed to show you the current shots of the room (hence the nice rose image) but hopefully there might be something nice to show before too long. Don't hold your breath though.

How do you guys make these decisions? Do you just know what you want? Do you have distinct tastes or are they many and varied like mine?

xx

My new pooter!

Hip hip hooray! I have a new computer!

Lots of exclamation marks!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

As I mentioned in my last post, I have never owned a computer so this is very exciting for me.

After talking to a lot of people and comparing what I could get for my limited budget I am now the proud owner of a very pretty pearl white Toshiba PC.

I know, not a Mac, but it would have cost me almost twice my budget to get the features I knew I wanted. It has a lovely big widescreen, lots of storage and RAM etc etc.

The white colour does seem to attract Molly hairs though!

Looksee, I took a rather dodgy pic with the webcam :)

I'm so pleased, it was a big purchase for me and I am sure it's going to make blogging life easier for me.

I have so much housework to do but I just want to play on my new toy!

Have a happy week friends.

xx

Friday flowers

I bought these single stocks and mini carnations at the local Farmer's Market last weekend. There's hardly anything blooming in my garden at the moment so these were a nice treat. I'm really enjoying the shadows in this image too.

I'm counting down the days until I purchase my new laptop. I've been window shopping and am now waiting for the inevitable mid-year sales to make my purchase. I am convinced that when this happens I'm going to become a much more active blogger, that's the plan anyway.

Do you know I am 40 years old and have never owned my very own computer? Yep. Exciting. I'm going for a PC as that's what I am most used to. I know you Mac peeps love your computers but it has been 20 years since I've used one. Anyway, not too long now!

Happy Friday!

xx

Looking forward to spring

Taken almost a month ago. The roots have just started to grow.

I'm trying something new to me this year. I'm attempting to grow a hyacinth in a bulb vase. Have any of you had success with these?

Taken very recently. See how much the roots have grown?

I have had it in the cupboard under the sink for a quite a few weeks and the roots have started to grow. I also have a smaller vase in the fridge with a crocus bulb in it. I'm interested to see what happens.

Somehow I also managed to find a little bit of room outside for some more ixia bulbs and have planted a small bed of lemon and purple fringed tulips.

I already have so many of my spring bulbs starting to emerge. The poor things will get a shock when winter sets in.

Like me, do you feel sorry for flowers that bloom out of season?

xx

ps was excited to see Downton Abbey back on the screen last night. Do you watch it?

Friday flower...so simple

A very simple chrysanthemum bloom in a mini bottle vase for this Friday.

The flower broke off last weekend whilst I was making up Mother's Day bunches for my mum and MIL. That's where those mini juice bottle are so handy. It's now sitting on one end of my mantelpiece and looks so simple yet so pretty.

Happy Friday and here's to a lovely weekend for us all.

xx

Doodle-whipped

Sniffing out treats on my photo shoot.

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but Lyndon and I are completely doodle-whipped.

A certain furry and rather domineering labradoodle rules this roost.

Each week I am compelled to purchase a box of Lucky Dog bones and generally every fourth week I also add a box of Brownies to the shopping list.

Over a year this adds up to $280! I had no idea until I calculated it yesterday whilst writing my shopping list.

Add to that the Schmakos and other treats, along with her regular food and this is one spoilt pooch.

I know, I know, it's all our own fault.

She is such a creature of habit and she has trained us so well. I have to say, Lyn is more "whipped" than I am.

First thing in the morning she gets a bone and after she's eaten her dinner she gets a "chaser" bone for being a good girl. Sometimes she's super sneaky and bothers both Lyn and I separately to score two bones. She opens the pantry door and lays in there with her head poking out, waiting for one of us to come along and treat her. Funny thing is that the bones are kept on a low shelf that she could reach if she wanted to.

It's just not worth the hassle to not buy them for her. As you can see in the photo above, if she doesn't get one she can get very snappy!

Peace is restored, the dog has a bone :)

Are you slave to your furry kid?

xx

PS. this is (unfortunately) not a sponsored post, but Purina, if you read this, Molly would be most happy to tell everyone how much she loves your bones if you wish to send us, say, a shipping container full. Thank you in advance :)

Friday flower ... For mother's day

I picked this beautiful bloom this morning. The plant came from a man who shows his chrysanthemums. I couldn't bring myself to pick off the excess buds so it's not super huge, but it is lovely and curly. I hope you like it too.

What a week it has been! Work has been crazy and resulted in a very painful, strained back. Have you guys tried those sticky heat pad thingamies? They're fabulous!
Have a great day :)

Xx

My heart wanders...

My homemade kiss biscuit on a vintage plate

As many of you will know, I have been having a lot of fun on Instagram lately.

Imagine my excitement when author and blogger Pia Jane Bijkerk posted one of my Instagram shots on her blog the other day! I have to admit I was very excited. Lyndon couldn't quite understand my thrill!

I also found a link to my Instagram feed on the net so here it is if you'd like to take a look at some of my shots. Many of them have featured on the blog already, but there are some cute pooch shots as well.

But then, how could I not take a cute shot of my Molly girl?

Well, I'm sorry I have been so slack with my blogging. It just seems like a mammoth effort at the moment with my dodgy old computer technology. I am hoping by midyear there will be a shiny new computer addition to the family which will make things a lot easier :)

Have a lovely day friends!

xx