DIY - bringing new life to your home + {giveaway}

I confess , I am totally a  novice when it comes to sewing. I love browsing home furnishing stores and textiles for inspiration to bring new life to my living spaces.

Recently I was invited to attend The IKEA 2013 Catalogue and Living with Textiles launch.It showcased an inspiring introduction into the creative and limitless world of Textiles. A highly covetable , collection of stylish home furnishings and textiles at very affordable prices.

Plus a host of neat ideas for even the least crafty among us ...like me ! (and I was pleased you can do many without a sewing machine* ) I was amazed how 'seamlessly' IKEA has transformed simple Textiles into unique, personalised and statement pieces.

 
I especially loved the Children's extraordinary havens of play ...when they are not supposed to be sleeping ! The Children's range of textiles is awesome.

Ceiling canopy

Do you think this will encourage you and spark your child’s creativity ?
Would you let them join you with textas,

I love the TIDNY Colour in fabric ! We have a bolt of it ready to colour once I get new textas.

 
paint, scissors, glue and an open mind to transform their spaces into extraordinary havens of play!
Or then again  DIY - all by yourself.

Fancy a Teepee par'tee or picnic ?

We have these little $5 stools, I bought a while back - now I can't wait to play textiles with them.

I loved the Polka dots.

The new exciting IKEA interactive app has lots of ideas too.Hold your Smart phone or tablet over the phone to unlock an interactive world that leaves no cushion unturned.

I have the opportunity to share the exciting world of IKEA textiles with you - with two gorgeous copies of the SY – Love For Textiles coffee table book as a giveaway for two of my lucky readers.

WIN THIS !

 

This beautiful book will make anyone a DIY pro, and expand the creative horizons of even the most crafty designers. 

I'm excited about using the ideas in the book to bring fresh ideas into my about to be renovated temporary home. Easy ideas like refreshing a sofa with new cushions or throws, tranquil tricks with quick bed - headboards and maybe a canopy and new curtains.

My style is simple and snuggly - I like comfortable pieces and with two lively boys I have to be creative , so the less expensive fragile items the better. I also like to be bold and a little adventurous ...in the bedrooms.

To enter and win tell me your style or what room or area needs a little inspiration in your home.I'll chose the most original answers . Easy !

Closes 24th October.
Australian residents only.

PS - *I do own a sewing machine and I have plans to learn to use it more.

This is not a sponsored post , I received some fabric to colour in and I received a Book at the launch and the PR will be sending two two winning readers SY – Love For Textiles coffee table book.

Linking in with Jess @ I blog on Tuesday even though I published 8pm Monday.

♥

100 things declutter challenge

As we get closer to moving, even though we have not sold our house, I realise how much stuff we have accumulated over 20 or so years.

I feel sometimes I should join Hoarders anonymous.

Admittedly, the last 5 years it has 'tripled' with two of everything - like the fact we have 6 car safety seats at the moment - transitioning out of two car 0-4 seats to booster seats with harness. We don't have much chance of passing things down to siblings (except for some of the 18 yr olds toys we hadn't given away) 

My #30 day challenge - goal for July is to de-clutter as much as I can or start with a minimum of 100 things. It must be measurable and accountable.

To

throwaway

 giveaway
 freecycle

recycle

sell

I'm not that good at selling, though I do plan to use free sites and free ads on trading post online. The money should be an incentive you would think.

So far ...

In 3 days I have given away. 

1. 40 of /44 packet of new unused disposable nappies.I've had them for about 18 months sitting in a drawer.Waiting to give them away.
2. 2 new dummies ( when J spat the dummy literally because he didn't want new ones). I gave both dummies & nappies to my cousin for her 18 month old boy/nappies for 2yr girl).
3. 1 Parenting magazine (duplicate of one I was recently given)
4. 1 used baby bottle (to my cousin as well)
5. New Minnie Mouse soft toy.
6. New Mickey Mouse soft toy.
7. 4 kids bags/basic backpacks
8. 15 new preschool books
9. 3 Disney kid's magazines
10. Kid's used tracksuit pants (to a party guest who didn't have a change of clothes)
11. New Lamaze 0-6 toy I won in a competition (gift)
12. New baby's 'IKEA' rattle (gift)

Threw away

1. Used baby bottle (before my cousin came)
2. Half dozen pieces/ broken toys
3. Dozen used birthday candles ( from a few birthdays worth).

I can easily reach 100 if I counted individual clothes but I am trying to be true to my goal and not count every piece by piece 'just because'.

We were just given 3 bags of clothes of hand me downs too - my new rule is one bag in - one bag out so I have to give away 3 bags of too smalls.

We have also so many baby and toddler toys in very good condition for resale. I am just lazy and too often distracted by twitter or the Internet.

I have to actually just do it !

The twins had a birthday party Saturday, so we have a dozen new toys including Duplo/Lego sets, Transformers and various other toys & clothes  - so again it's one in / one out.

How do you organise your de-cluttering ?
Do you have a major toss out or piece by piece so the kids don't notice ?
Do you struggle with hoarding things - just in case you need it again ?
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Bloggers meet Brands

One of the incredible fringe benefits of blogging is the opportunity to be invited to brand preview and launch events.

I recently attended Lego Astronaut day & Magical tales DVD's launch.

Thanks to the effervescent and efficient Brenda from Mummytime (the brainchild of MotherMedia) and Hausmann Communications (the organisers of the P & G event) , I was invited to P & G House home care preview event last week ; sans children (though they had a Nanny for those who brought children). 

Wednesday morning, (coldest May day in forever) , I was spirited away by a black limousine from my driveway to the doorstep of a luxury, private Vaucluse residence . Hereafter known as P & G House (for a few days anyway).

If I lived in P & G house I'd need a cleaner 24/7, all that glass, overlooking the most spectacular Harbour and views in Australia. No fingerprints either. 

First up was meet and greet with Alex and her team from Hausmann Communications, Junji ( P & G 's specialist fragrance guru or Nose), and Shannon Fricke, our delightful hostess. Plus the chance to catch up with a bunch of very lovely bloggers (and meet Squishy).

After inhaling some delicious nibbles (catered for by celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita & his talented team from Flying Fish), a mineral water and then after a freshly brewed cappuccino it was time to get down to business and a science lesson on senses and air fresheners in the Ambi Pur room.

Bloggers are 'pretty' smart women but we all learnt a few finer points about the science of air fresheners and difference that is ~ Ambi Pur Air effects.

 

The floral displays were stunning, particularly without any scent to distract us.

Next up was Junji Hamano, 'Nose' - fragrance guru. Junji traveled from Japan to share his art and his story of designing fragrances. Junji was passionate about it. It takes over 5 yrs training to become a specialist 'Nose' and very few reach that status.

 

It was quite interesting how 'smell' is linked to our emotions, feelings and memories and creates a story.

 

It was very enlightening, even though harping on about cleaning products seems boring, to know how much effort goes into designing  fragrances in home care products that appeal to consumers.

While Peter was cooking lunch we moved onto secret cleaning business which we can't discuss yet but it is very exciting. It's still hush hush till the launch in June.

We received a swag basket of samples to try and already I am impressed. 

I freely admit I am not a domestic goddess. No white gloves here. 

It's been interfering with my social media life horrible having to keep the house clean every day and rush around early every morning being an uber domestic goddess because the house is on the market.

I doubt my readers are much interested in hearing about cleaning ...since most of us do anything we can to avoid it. Though , I am in awe of Shannon's inspiring designer blog ...

Some of your problems may soon be solved ladies.

That being said ... I think one of my new blogging goals is to be able to afford a cleaner :) , occasionally, or an interior designer to advise me.

Mrs Woog has written a brilliant article on Brands and Blogging - do yourself a favour and read it.

So what is your least favourite cleaning job to tackle  ?

PS : With all Blogger downtime last week I am very behind on posts I had scheduled to write/publish so bear with me I have a super giveaway to announce.   

Disclosure ...nil ~ I wasn't paid to write this post nor attend the P & G launch. I enjoyed it immensely.   
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