Organise Me Please

I have spend the last few days deciding how best to organise the house and my collection of assorted treasures. The goal is to stay on top of the housework and not end up on an episode of Hoaders in the foreseeable future.

The plan of attack is:

*Have overhead cupboards installed in the kitchen with lovely glass doors so I can display my gorgeous china/crystal collections. Unfortunately having an open-plan house means there is no wall for a china cabinet to stand against however moving my beautiful collections into the kitchen will free up the...

*The linen closet! Yes this is packed full of china and not linen. The linen is sitting in the master bedroom wardrobe along with clothes everywhere but..

*We purchase two very basic and very boring chest of drawers (thanks to Fred for sorting this for me while I was at work the other day) for our walk-in wardrobe to replace our walk-on wardrobe. This will allow me to fold the massive washing pile sitting on the spare bed which means...

*The guest room gets a makeover! As I can move the guest items out of spare room two which will be turned into...

* A craft studio! Where I can finally tackle my growing list of projects that are sitting in garage which will allow me to...

*Clean the garage and park my car inside.

Exciting times ahead!

I Heart Vintage!

I have been so short on time that my favorite hobby (treasure hunting) has fallen by the wayside. A shame really as the last time I went (about three weeks ago) was a very successful trip.

Funnily enough I seem to attract light fittings. On this particular trip I found FIVE. Two chandeliers and three outdoor light fittings. Zia and I shared the chandeliers however I kept the coach lights as the colour and style match the frontage of our house perfectly:
 

This vintage fan was in good shape - albeit missing an electrical cord - but I had to have it. Besides Fred thinks it is easily fixed:

The gods of vintage were smiling on me this day as I found the most gorgeous hatbox in a front yard. Luckily it was dark when I grabbed this as I *shamefully* had to sneak to the back of the pile:

And for the most random item of all? A french puzzle!

Free and vintage and French? Yes please!

In Search of Perfection

If you happened to ask my significant other what he considers my most irritating quirk to be he would most certainly refer to my unfortunate habit of purchasing an item that I already own purely for the reason that the item is nicer/better/prettier than the one I own.

I will freely admit that I will purchase any household item purely for the reason that I find it pretty. Whether I need it or not. Usually it is not.

Hence the issue of multiples of the same items beginning to emerge.

 My list of shame:

*Bedside tables twice over - the first ones required re-painting to match the bedhead I bought for the master bedroom. Then I decided I could not be bothered so I purchased the matching ones instead. The first set are currently sitting in the guest room and I intend to paint them to match the bed frame in there.

*Bedside lamps twice over - the first set were from Target. A local lighting place happened to have a sale and I saw ones I liked better. End of story. I fully intend to put the first set in the guest room.

*Mirrors - I found a beautiful mirror second hand. Then I found the same mirror second hand but in a cream colour frame instead of a bronze. The cream one is currently in the bedroom and the bronze in the entry way.

*Dinner sets - Every time I see a pretty pattern I have to buy it.

* Wall-mounted water fountains - I bought one that I liked but not a great deal because I wanted one inside. Then I saw another one that I fully intended to put outside. For all of five minutes anyway. Hell I had no intention to put it outside. I just told Fred I did.

*Placemats - God only knows why I have the strange compulsion to buy every pretty one I see. I own at least seven or eight sets.

*Birdcages (the decorative kind) - I LOVE birdcages. I bought one a year ago. Then I found a pair and bought those too because I felt these would suit the house more. I was right.

*Black cats - strictly not a household item but I felt sorry for Voltaire so I bought him a playmate.

*Candles - as far as I am concerned there can never be too many!

*Candle holders - I believe Fred asked me to promise him I would not buy any more at one stage. My bad for breaking that after all of five minutes.

My motto is that if it's not perfect it's not worth having. Therefore how can I be blamed for buying things that would look even better than the old ones?

Prune Challenge

The boys have decided to re-try what they have termed the 'Prune Challenge' where Fred, Mike, and Glen have all consumed about a kilo of prunes each.

The trip to Spud Shed involved the five of us crammed in a medium sized car, numerous games of corners, a couple of late night calls, a decent amount of booze, and much sober eye-rolling from myself and my sister.

Throw into the mix a very ill kitten and it's just another random Saturday night at my house...

I Believe in Signs

A couple of months ago my beloved nonno passed away.

The week after he passed I came across two gorgeous items that left me with a powerful impression of his presence and bought a tear to my eye as I recalled the memories I had of him.

I found this barrel at a vintage market:

My Nonno was an avid wine maker. His wine was potent enough to fuel a car yet was delicious. Very surprisingly it not leave any ill effects afterwards. I have two bottles of his lovely wine that I cannot, as yet, bear to drink.

These espresso cups and sugar bowl I found at an op-shop:

I always enjoying having an espresso with my Nonno. The unusual pattern and the combination of metal and ceramic also caught my eye. When I turned them over to look for a price I discovered the saucers, the decorative handles, and the lid of the sugar bowl are Stirling Silver! And that they were made in Italy. Oh and by the way, the set of six plus the matching bowl was a measly $15! For Stirling Silver!

Think what you may but I like to think that these gorgeous things were a sign from him to let me know he is ok and finally at peace.

Pretty, Please!!! (Updated)

Pretty things make me happy.

I believe practical and pretty can happily co-exist. I cannot fathom why any item has to be purely functional.

Surely I am not the only person who thinks this?

I found these lovely cups and saucers while op-shopping with Zia a few months ago:

At the moment this set is in storage until I find a china/display cabinet I like. I did purchase these with every intent to use them as, well, why shouldn't I feel like a queen sipping my tea from a gorgeous cup?

And to complete the experience a delicious macaroon from this pretty cookbook would suffice:

I purchased this a few months ago after searching high and low for months. Sadly there was an unfortunate incident involving Fred, the book, and water. I was rather upset to say the least but life moves on and I forgot about it. A few days ago a package appeared in my mailbox with this message:

Fred found the same book online, had it gift wrapped and sent to me to replace the wrecked (albeit the damage was superficial) copy.

Love is a pretty thing indeed.

An Ode to Tables

I love tables.

In fact, I like any surface that can be used as a table. Yet another reason why I love vintage suitcases - see Vintage Luggage: A Curious Obsession

Why the overwhelming love for tables? I would hazard a guess it is due to the fact that I have so many objects d'art (or dust collectors or stuff or crap - whichever takes your fancy) to display. And an elevated flat surface is an efficient way to do so.

This table was a freebie find that happened to cross my path a couple of months ago:

The door knobs were missing however a quick trip to the local hardware store was enough to remedy the situation. It is rather study and seems to be a few years old. The paint work is battered however it leads the table a shabby charm so I decided to leave it as is. It is currently sitting in the entry way.

This side table was another recycled freebie:

As far as I can ascertain it is at least twenty to thirty years old and made very well. No chipboard or MDF here! The paint work is almost pristine and the door knobs (surprisingly) were still attached.

Who says that side tables are only for the bedroom?

I like to think these side tables were presents from the recycling fairies or some good karma had I due my way from doing my best to re-use, re-vamp, and recycle.

There is, of course, a LOT of new things in our home. I will post about them as the house becomes more finished.

Can I Borrow Your Cleaning Fairy?

House Cleaning.

One of the very few things that puts the fear of God into me - amongst spiders, moths, and my Nonna coming to visit.

I am not a filthy person. Untidy at times I will admit. I am a very house proud person and cannot bear the idea of anyone entering my home when not in a pristine state. I find it distressing to have my house judged and score poorly.

I am happy to scrub, vacuum, do the washing, etc but at the moment I cannot seem to get on top of the every day things like putting away the clean dishes and putting away the clean washing. Possibly this is due to a lack of motivation and pure exhaustion. 

I have been tossing around the idea of hiring a cleaner. Temporarily. Until I can get myself organised and into a routine that works for me and Fred (which I am not having much success with at this point).

A waste of money? Maybe. Potentially encouraging laziness? You could say that. Do I care what snide comments people may (and will) say? Honestly...not all that much.

Electrical Cords Styling?

Whilst thumbing through the April issue of House & Garden I was astonished to see - the bane of my existence - an electrical cord!

Check out the link here (slide 5 of 7).

The photo in the magazine shows the cord gracefully trailing to the floor ending in an elegant tangle with the plug sitting on its side.I love the idea that an ugly necessity such as a cord has been displayed so artfully. Unfortunately for myself and others it is very impractical.

Since my post Damn Electrical Cords I have compiled a list of ideas on how to hide them:

* Change the cords to while or a cream colour. This could potentially be pricey (if hiring an electrician) and/or life-threatening (if attempting a home job). Too much hassle either way as far as I am concerned.

* Artfully place objects in front of the cords as much as possible - I have tried to do this but I still find them very obtrusive and frustrating.

* Attach the cords against the wall and paint them the same colour as the wall to blend them in. Placing objects in front will distract the eye. In my opinion this is the most workable option this will only work with electrical items that will not need to be moved.

* Re-arrange the furniture - There are only so many ways couches and lamps and end tables can be displayed.

Not much of a list I agree. Until inspiration hits again...

Crappy Internet Access

Please be advised I am having massive internet connectivity issues so I may be unable to post every day.

I will continue to keep trying so please watch this space!!!!

Handcrafted but not forgotten...

Browsing through markets, op-shops, and the like it disheartens me to see handcrafted items jumbled together without a thought for the care and effort that went into the making.

For some reason unbeknownst to me I find it especially saddening to see pretty stoneware languishing on the shelf. This leads to a compulsion to buy it. Which leads to the item languishing in my linen cupboard that is currently moonlighting as a china cabinet.

This recently caught my eye at an op-shop:

While I have absolutely no need for it...I felt guilty walking away. It has been sitting in my pantry for over a month as I had nowhere to store it. The little strainer I found at the same place however I had absolutely no idea I had purchased it until I photographed the server (I found it inside).

I found this little platter at yet another op-shop:

Strange how the pattern is very similar yet it is cute nonetheless!

This decorative plate was pointed out to me by my mum (Hi mum!) in another op-shop a few months ago:

Funnily enough I found the exact same plate in a different colour for sale in a homewares store for ten times the price. I also have this stored away for the time being until I can find a place to display it.

At this moment I cannot think of anything handcrafted that I have purchased new. However I have an amazing amount of items that have been made especially for me.

I have some beautiful pieces of furniture made by my Nonno. I have amazing doilies and jumpers created by my Nonna. My mum has made countless crafts over the years for me and my sister. I also have some adorable knitted slippers and a very chic beret knitted by Patrizia. I have shawls knitted by another Aunt. I have toys that my sister made for me whilst she was still at school. Hell even my cats get into the act with making what they make (although that is not nearly as appreciated).

I am so blessed to have such creativity in my family. Maybe the appreciation of something "handcrafted" is so deeply ingrained into me that I cannot help but feel sad the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of something can be so carelessly forgotten.

Dedicated to Mike

After an eventful day of curb crawling, lunching, and the like I arrived home very tired and ready for bed.

But no such luck.

Twenty minutes after I get home (eleven p.m.) the door bell rings. Who should I find on my door step but my sister, her husband, and a mutual friend of ours - Mike (check out his blog here)

After a few mintues of drinking, relaxing and laughing Mike decided he wanted to visit the mecca of cheap 24-hour grocery shopping - Spud Shed - for a kilo of prunes. And off we went.

A kilo of prunes consumed during the car trip home and a few minutes later, I currently have two very relaxed boys on the couch about to fall asleep.

As long as the effects don't hit whilst they are here...