Remove Clutter - Before It Arrives!

Do you like to shop? Do you often buy new clothes or household items? Something for the kitchen? Another book to read? Well listen up because this one is for you! Lets look at how remove clutter, before it even arrives!

Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/715077

So you like to shop, love the feeling of new clothes, decor or making over a room. That's awesome! The only problem is, as you buy an item, it gets added to all the items you already have and can result into an out of control clutter problem.

Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/859634

The Trick

Here is the ultimate 'trick' to remove that clutter before it even arrives. Buy something, throw something. Now by throw, I don't mean it has to be tossed in the garbage. An item can be sold/donated as well. Lets put this into a scenario. If you go out shopping and buy a new top - awesome! But before trying to find room for it, find a top you haven't worn in 2 years, take it out and replace it with your new top. If you buy a new book to read, find a book that you have already read and won't read again and replace it with your new book.

If you are donating the item, you should try to do so the next time you go out. If you need to recycle it or trash it, then do so appropriately. If you plan on selling the item use a site like eBay or even social networking. Sites such as Facebook usually have a 'buy, swap, sell' site for your local area so check it out.

The aim is to buy something, throw something... do not hold onto it in another cupboard, in the to-do pile or garage. You are only creating clutter and more problems than necessary.

Start with Less

If you are up for the challenge, how about trying to start with less? It's great to implement the trick and replace items rather than add to the pile - but what's your house look like at the moment? Do you need to purge and get rid of a lot of items before you can truly de-clutter and use the method above? If you're someone who struggles with parting with possessions, try to use the mind-set "if a fire burnt all my possessions, would I replace that?". Be honest with yourself.

If you use this method, I promise the results will be worth it!

*Extra tip: when purging items, check the contents, check the pockets and inside items. You'll be surprised what you may find! (Money? Old chewy? Earrings?)

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DIY Pillow Bed Tutorial

Let's make a Pillow Bed!

I was recently inspired by some photos I saw around Pinterest on Pillow Beds! The only problem was that the company's that make these charges a fortune - $145+! So if you would rather DIY for free, or a fraction of the cost - let's do it!

FREE VERSION - Use an old doona cover, sheets or any decent sized fabrics that would be suitable. Use old pillows you have for the inserts

CHEAP VERSION - Buy material (I used 2 pieces of 2m x 1.2m on the small one and 2 pieces of 2.5 x 1.2m on the larger one). Buy pillows to insert! I bought cheap basic pillows from KMART.

OK, here goes. I am not fantastic on tutorials, so I took the time to draw a version and then created a 'mini' version (pinned not sewn) to try to make my explanation work!

and for the photo versions (remember this is a MINI version!) ...

If all went well you should have a wonderful Pillow Bed like so!

I made the head part just slightly wider to allow for 2 pillows.

Please comment if u have any questions or need clarification. Happy sewing!

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We have arrived in Paradise!

Thanks to all our loyal followers! I am pleased to announce that we have arrived in our new home and it absolutely paradise.

Today we took a little drive to check out the scenery and we were blown away. No matter how much we organise our lives and try to contain the chaos, there really is no better feeling than the serenity nature brings to us.

Here are some photos to share with you from our new destination. A beautiful light at end of the tunnel that was our massive interstate move :)

Waterfall at Crystal Creek, QLD, Australia

Waterfall under bridge built in 1930 at Crystal Creek, QLD, Australia

Swimming waterhole at Crystal Creek, QLD, Australia

Swimming waterhole at Crystal Creek, QLD, Australia

Native Kookaburra's scope our lunch at Crystal Creek, QLD, Australia

TIPS: Decorating a Rental Pt 1

"I can't make my rental have a wow factor." WRONG! 

So as many of you may have experienced, decorating a rental property inside and out can be quite frustrating due to the never ending rules within your lease. You want to paint something, you want to hang pictures, you want to change their disgusting curtains or even rip up their awful carpet. Don't worry, you're not alone!

I can't change the rules and regulations, but I can certainly give you some ideas to get around them! Here I'll show you a few simple ways to decorate a rental without 'breaking' the property, or your budget!

Balcony Pots for the Railing!

Perfect for an apartment. Available at http://www.greenbo.com.au/

Hanging Vegetable Garden

Use guttering to create the perfect vegetable garden. Make them higher if you need to keep them away from little hands or paws

Extra Storage Space

Perfect for those smaller areas that are just wasted space.

DIY Hoop Chandelier

Create this centrepiece chandelier by wrapping fairy lights or even christmas lights around a hoop!

Fabric Wall Coverings

Using fabric to create a feature wall without any need to paint is simply genius. Here are some examples that I really love. You coulkd hang fabric on curtain rods, using 3M removable hooks. Or if it is light even using drawing pins could work. Sky is the limit!

Area Rugs

Area rugs do wonders for unsightly carpets and can make the room appear larger. Always make sure the rug is large enough to go under the front feet of your lounge to create the desired effect.

One of my Own

Here is my favourite wall in my own home. This was a plain white wall in a very large room. The room felt draining with all that white so I dressed it with fringe curtains with a nice centre picture to balance it out. The fringe curtains are on curtain rods held up by 3M removable hooks.

Fake Plants

These add colour and ambiance to any home. No watering required. Just occasionally dust the leaves! No need for dirt to go all over the place, no stains on the floor when you move... they really are a simple but effective way to brighten any home. If you believe in Feng Shui they are also great for good Chi.

I hope some of these ideas have inspired you to create a space in your home that reflects your style, makes you comfortable and most importantly does not damage your rental in the process! Stay tuned for the next installment!

Dress Up Your Wall

Due to my husbands employment, we are on the move regularly and are required to live in rentals. This means living with plain and boring white walls. Our dining/family room is quite large and open, yet the overwhelming extent of the 'white walls' felt sterile and uncomfortable.

It was time to dress it up! I used one of the empty walls to create a decorative piece which gave warmth, comfort and gave our home more character. Using 3M removable wall hooks, curtain rods and fringe curtains, I was able to create a feature wall effect - minus the requirement for any paint! A picture in the middle balanced it out and as I love Feng Shui - it is believed it will bring us good luck.

Don't let rentals hold you back from making it your home! I hope to share lots more ideas with you to dress up your rental without a massive repair bill come move out day.