My $200 Kitchen Make Over

If you are reading this hoping for “wow factor”, or dazzling before and afters done on a teeny budget,  or really any kind of inspiration for updating your own kitchen – sorry, you might be disappointed. If you are reading this to see how a couple of small and inexpensive additions can make a world of difference to your cooking happiness, then you might just be in luck. You may have seen my post recently on my dismay about my kitchen and my conundrum as to whether to spend money on renovations or wait until we buy a bigger house (someday). My kitchen has many faults, some of which require a complete overhaul, but some, like the ones I am talking about today, have such simple solutions I am kicking myself I didn’t do them years ago!

Listography–Things I’d Change About Myself

The lovely Kate at Kate Takes 5 is asking us to look inwardly this week and list a few things that we would like to change about ourselves. She hasn’t made it easy either, she has specifically instructed us to not focus on physical appearance but rather examine some of our perceived personality flaws. As I read through her list I realised that I probably would have listed these things too especially to be more affectionate and more patient, but lucky for you it turns out I have quite a few things that could use a little work…

Hooray for Colour!

Ok, so I am no fashion expert and I have no intentions of trying to keep up with likes of Styling You or Fox in Flats but after months of jeans and a thousand variations of grey something I am so excited to see all the bright colours being previewed in the new Spring Fashion Collections. A couple of weeks ago I was most displeased to see that the summer clothes were starting to hit the shelves but as the weather has warmed up nicely I am ready to shed my winter woolies in favour of a little fun.

I blame this handbag really, I was quite happy in my muted tones and heavy boots until I spotted this beauty from Country Road. The colour is so bright and happy and I have long had a love affair with their beautiful bags. I wonder how long it will be before my Aldi savings can pay for one of these baby’s…

Once I saw this I was on the hunt for as much colour as I could find, and it would seem that this season is not going to disappoint. Everywhere right down to the budget friendly Big W is getting in on the action, check out this cute skirt, I am also a little bit in love with the red shoes.

I defy anyone to be cranky whilst wearing a pair of yellow shoes (Wanted Shoes)

Of course some items may not totally fit my current lifestyle, but I still thought this kaftan seen in the latest David Jones catalogue was too special to not mention. What? You think it might be a bit much for hanging the clothes out or ducking down the street for some milk? Yes okay, fair call, but in my head I would totally rock it.

Have you ventured into the new bold colours of summer yet? I would love you to share your favourite new finds.

I’m Grateful For… Thoughtful Neighbours and Random Acts of Kindness

I have to say we really lucked out when our new neighbours moved in next door. Our previous neighbours were lovely too, but we mostly kept to ourselves apart from the occasional nod and wave over the fence. Our new neighbours aren’t really that new, they have lived there for almost 2 years now, but they have been so easy to live with its hard to believe it’s been that long.

As they are retired and are home most days (when they are not travelling around in their massive campervan), when Luke and I both worked full time and were rarely home they would always keep an eye on our place to make sure that Bundy (the dog) had not escaped, or felt too neglected while we were out. If any council work or blackouts had happened during the day they would always make a point to pop over and let us know. We collect each others mail if either of us is away and I know that if I ever needed anything while Luke is working away that I would only have to ask. Things that I imagine were probably standard neighbourly behaviour at some point, but that doesn’t happen so much any more.

Happiness Is…

A mummy reaching the bottom of the basket…

Even if it is only temporary.

Have a great weekend x

I Like to Nude It, Nude It

Don’t panic, I’m not going to post any unsavoury photos of myself in the buff. Today I am talking about my nifty little Nude Food Movers lunch box that I use for Skye’s Day Care day. Now I’ll admit, I am a little uneducated when it comes to lunch boxes and the like and I only happened upon these by accident, but it has worked out to be the perfect way to package Skye’s enormous array of lunch and snack options.

Who Is She Trying to Impress Part 4

Following on from the insightful and thought provoking posts by Gemma at My Big Nutshell and Daisy at Daisy Roo and Two this week I wanted to share my own experiences of taking on too much and not knowing when to ask for help. As Daisy said, the concept of motherhood as a sacrifice is fairly common even though she herself does not see it that way. I sometimes feel I have sacrificed a few of the things that I once thought defined me, but each day I discover new rewards for the things I gave up. I know there are times when I resented having to be the responsible one while those around me continued to live their lives seemingly unaffected by my shift in priorities. But like anything, with time comes confidence and through this confidence I have been able to embrace being a mum.

Aldi: Reloaded

I feel that the Matrix reference is apt since it’s kind of like entering an alternate world and you have to be able to move like Neo to keep up at the checkouts. Its been a little under a month since my first venture to Aldi and while it still freaks me out a bit, I am starting to come around. I learnt my lesson and have avoided going there on a Thursday when crazy Kill Zone sales begin and I have found the list making facility on their website quite useful in planning and comparing items. I have also had a chance to do some research via Aldi Mum and some very helpful reader responses since my last post and I have felt better prepared on my subsequent visits, to the point where I could almost say I am converted!

 

I Think I Just Outed Myself

As I have mentioned before, I have been keeping my blog on the down-low from most of my family and friends (and hubby) to avoid the questions about why I bother and the smart remarks about having too much time on my hands. I am fairly happy with this arrangement and don’t really have any plans to change it, but it seems that a little alcohol impairs my judgement (who knew?) and I may very well have blown my own cover…