Merry Christmas 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my online friends!

I had so many planned posts coming your way this holiday season but with so much work to do before the big day I'm afraid all my big plans for this little ol' blog have fallen through. But the good news is photos have been taken, projects have been completed and others are on their way to being completed so I will have a full Santa sack of new DIY projects and posts coming your way in the New Year.

So for now, I wish all a very happy holiday!

How to Organise Your Bookshelf When You're a Decorator and Bibliophile

After ordering far too many new books recently and swapping the bedrooms in the house around, it was time to organise and arrange my books. There were a couple of problems with this. 

Bibliophile & Decorator Problems:

1. I have too many books to fit on the shelf

2. I actually want it to look pretty

Question: 

So how do you organise a bookshelf when you're a decorator and a bibliophile?

Answer: 

Organise by colour!

Top 10 Ways to Make Money at Home Through Online Surveys

It's been a long time since I've had to supplement my income through participating in online surveys thankfully but if you're in a position where you have some free time and want to earn a little something then online survey's are a great way to make a quick buck and earn rewards in either cash or gift card form.

Here are my top 10 sites that will allow you to earn by participating in online marketing surveys and research. The sites you like most will be different depending on what you're looking to get out of it, whether you're after Coles, Woolworths or other grocery store gift cards to help pay for food week to week or gift cards to treat yourself at your favourite clothes shops or of course a little extra cash to help pay the bills. On many of the sites you can also choose to donate your points to charities. I also know many people that use the gift cards they earn at Christmas time to give as presents. Clever!

10 Things to Take on a Kombi Holiday

A few years ago now Andi bought us a completely awesome Kombi bus which we occasionally use as a daily driver (we have a Volvo and motorcycle too) but mostly it's our getaway van. Not a Bonnie & Clyde style getaway van of course but a "let's leave the world behind" kind of holiday van. Oh I should also probably tell you that she isn't just called Kombi or van or anything, her name is Wanda, because you can wander around in her.

If you're a Kombi lover like us or are thinking about getting a camper of some sort then this list should help you decide what to take on your trip. There will be a whole bunch of generic 'what to take on your holiday' type articles out there and while this list will cover some of the basics, when you're planning a driving holiday in the middle of the Australian bush you need to cover more than just the basics.

Subscribe to My Email Newsletter

Hi lovelies! Just a quick one from me today letting you all know about my new email newsletter. I know we all get way too many emails these days but I do hope you'll sign up and follow along. I'll be sharing my DIY & craft projects with you + social media & blogging tips which I will be delving further into on the blog as well. The emails will be short snippets and they won't be sent out often. Only after I have posted a few times on the blog and knowing me that could mean you get one once a month or once a year!

Yep I'm a bad blogger but I will be a lovely newsletter sender-outer-er so please sign up. The sign up form is just to your right there >>>

Hope you're all having a beautiful Valentine's Day and sharing it with those you love!

-Kirsty

Happy New Year 2015, Resolutions and Puppy Love

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you've all been able to celebrate and make wonderful plans for 2015! I have quite a lot of new years resolutions... I'm not sure whether that's a good thing because it means I have hopes and dreams or whether it's a bad thing because I'm not already doing everything I want. Either way though, I do and one of them is getting this whole blogging thing organised.

6 Ways Tech is Changing Our Health for the Better

As a blogger technology is my friend, I've always been loyal to a fault with friends and a glass half full kind of person so when the entire rest of the world continues to use technology to within an inch of its life yet spout on about how it's responsible for all the evils of this world, including all our ever increasing health issues, I'm here to say SHUT UP! I'm standing up for our good pal Tech and asking the media to please stop the tech bashing.

So, to help everyone remember just how awesome tech is and how tech can help us, I have 6 ways tech is changing out health for the better. Why 6? Because 6 is my favourite number and I'm getting sick of Top 5 and Top 10 posts. Bring on the number 6!

Who is this person?

 I was tagged a little while ago by my awesome online buddy Nadya on instagram to share 20 unknown things about me. I figured I'd be a good blogger for once and make a post about it. It's going to be really hard to come up with things but hopefully it won't be too boring and it will bring all of us bloggy pals that little bit closer!

1. Sonia's latest post at Life, Love and Hiccups got me thinking about my favourite reads. My all time favourite book is the Thorn Birds, the real issue with that is I don't really know why it is. All my other favourite books make sense and match certain likes and areas of my personality. I normally hate books that are set in the same place and time as me. The time is slightly off, I wasn't exactly born in the 30's or anything but the norm for me is 17 or 1800's so it's way off but I am from New South Wales originally. The characters personality traits aren't a bit like mine, I should actually hate them. But I don't.

Witch House Inspiration

Since I was a wee child, I've loved everything Witchy! Houses included. My top 5 Witch Houses are:

1. The Practical Magic House
2. The Charmed Manor
3. The Witches of East End House
4. Roxie's Eastwick House
5. The Good Witch's Grey House

Playing in the Garden with Spot

It's been far too long since I shared my last photos of Spotty on here with you all. If you missed my last post then you may not be aware that I recently homed and fell in love with this little Kelpie x Smithfield puppy. You also might not be aware that even though his name is Spot, he recently lost the spot that he was named after. It's currently just two tiny little white hairs on the back of his neck! 

Warning to anyone with a slow internet speed, this is a super cute photo heavy post.

Vintage Stacked Tea Cups and Saucers

 

It's been so long since I shared some vintage finds with you all...  these gorgeous stacked vintage teacups and saucers come courtesy of my thrifty brother and sister in law. They're always trawling the antique shops for my presents... Gotta love that! The glass rose is also from my brother, he got each of his girls a different colour. One for me, one for each of my sisters, our Mummy, his wife and his super cute little baby girl. How sweet is that!?

A Happy Easter Vignette

 

I have just spent my entire day trying to log onto the internet... finally the lovely woman from HP figured it out for me! I think I may have to do a post on that soon, in case any one else is having similar issues. I have a million post ideas coming your way too including a bunch of new finds and treasures, photos and even much needed desk/office makeover!

The Bay

Is there any point writing anything with this post? Screw SEO today! These are just some pretty pictures of the Bay with my brand new camera phone. Enjoy. Oh and be sure to follow along on Instagram, this is the kind of stuff you’ll see! My username if you’d like to find me on your device is of course kirstygirl.

Indoor Garden

As some of you are aware, Andi and I have been experimenting with indoor gardening (as well as outdoor gardening). Check out this post about our hanging indoor kitchen planters. So far we’ve been having a lot of luck especially with succulents. Andi planted some in a Keen’s Curry tin. We also have a chilli plant, some lavender, rosemary, thyme and mint in the kitchen.

How to Make Clay Tag Christmas Ornaments and Decorations

These little white heart clay tag ornaments are really simple and easy to make and you definitely don’t need to go searching tutorial after tutorial to get it right.

Christmas Decorating {Christmas Tree and Stockings}

Depending on what kind of blog reader you are, you’ll either think I’m super fast or really slow with my Christmas decorating. Well here you have MY first ever Christmas tree in my new home. I have been very excited about getting the tree and made Andi rather unhappy with me by choosing the largest, most expensive tree I could find but I just HAD to!
I’m not a big fan of plastic ornaments so I decorated with burlap ribbon, red and white ribbon and made big red bows out of red satin. I also made little white clay heart tags, there’s a house and a cat to come too and of course a tutorial!

I have always loved the idea of hanging stockings and Andi decided some stockings would look great hanging from the lights either side of our antique green mirror and of course I went full steam ahead with the idea, searching for hours to find the perfect Christmas stockings. I got these beautiful socks from Etsy seller, Ben Loves Birdy. These are Pottery Barn red cable knit stockings that were personalised with our names. I love them!
Linking up with: 504 Main, A Delightsome Life, A Diamond in the Stuff, Alderberry Hill, A Night Owl, A Stroll Thru Life, Be Different, Act Normal, Cheerios & Lattes, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Claire Justine oxox, Coastal Charm, Common Ground, Cozy Little House, Crafts a La Mode, Create with Joy, Cupcake ‘n’ Bake, DIY by Design, DIY Dreamer, Domesblissity, Ducks ‘n a Row, Elizabeth & Co, Feeding Big, Green Willow Pond, Happy Go Lucky, Hickory Trail, Home Maker on a Dime, Ivy & Elephants, Katherines Corner, Kathe with an E, Lil Luna, Live Laugh Rowe, Liz Marie, Lolly Jane, Mop it Up, Love Bakes Good Cakes, Milk & Cuddles, Mostly Homemade Mom, No Minimalist Here, Our Delightful Home, Petals to Picots, Pursuit of Functional Home, Salt Tree, Say G’Day Saturday, Savvy Southern Style, Serenity Now, Shabby Creek Cottage, Share Your Cup, Sincerely, Paula, Six Sisters Stuff, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Sugar & Dots, The Best Blog Recipes, The Trendy Treehouse, This Gal Cooks, Too Much Time, Weekly Creative, We Like to Learn as We Go, While he was Napping, Charm of Home, French Country Cottage, House on the Way, Primp Junktion, Romantic Home, Diana Rambles, Dukes & Duchesses, Ginger Snap Crafts, Katie’s Nesting Spot, Life we Live 4, Redoux, Say Not Sweet, Sunday Showcase Party, Tatertots & Jello, Knick of Time

How Do You Stop Cats Fighting?

As most of you already know, this is my little baby Duke, sitting in our bird bath. Isn’t he super cute. He loves it in there. I’m not sure that the birds do though.
I know a lot of my readers have lovely pussy cats too and I want to know how you stop them from fighting with the neighbourhood cats. And here’s where this guy, Harry, comes in:

Harry and Duke fight, a lot. Like.. full on brawls. Duke has heaps of holes in his ears now. You all know I’m vegan and I love all animals but I have mixed feelings for this one! haha I kind of want to kill him for beating up my little boy. Don’t get me wrong, Duke is huge and can definitely hold his own. The problem is Harry has always been king of this neighbourhood and used to be best friends with the cat that used to live here, before we moved in… he even comes inside using the cat flaps.

There are other neighbourhood cats, lots of them in fact. When they come over Duke beats them up and they don’t come back. Harry and Duke however are both massive and too evenly matched meaning both of them keep going back for more and more.

So aside from getting out the hose, which I have done many times, what are your tips for fighting cats. Got any ideas?

Linking up with: 504 Main, A Delightsome Life, A Diamond in the Stuff, Alderberry Hill, A Night Owl, A Stroll Thru Life, Be Different, Act Normal, Cheerios & Lattes, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Claire Justine oxox, Coastal Charm, Common Ground, Cozy Little House, Crafts a La Mode, Create with Joy, Cupcake ‘n’ Bake, DIY by Design, DIY Dreamer, Domesblissity, Ducks ‘n a Row, Elizabeth & Co, Feeding Big, Green Willow Pond, Happy Go Lucky, Hickory Trail, Home Maker on a Dime, Ivy & Elephants, Katherines Corner, Kathe with an E, Lil Luna, Live Laugh Rowe, Liz Marie, Lolly Jane, Mop it Up, Love Bakes Good Cakes, Milk & Cuddles, Mostly Homemade Mom, No Minimalist Here, Our Delightful Home, Petals to Picots, Pursuit of Functional Home, Salt Tree, Say G’Day Saturday, Savvy Southern Style, Serenity Now, Shabby Creek Cottage, Share Your Cup, Sincerely, Paula, Six Sisters Stuff, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Sugar & Dots, The Best Blog Recipes, The Trendy Treehouse, This Gal Cooks, Too Much Time, Weekly Creative, We Like to Learn as We Go, While he was Napping, Charm of Home, French Country Cottage, House on the Way, Primp Junktion, Romantic Home, Fishtail Cottage

DIY White Painted Side Table

Andi received this little side table from someone at work for free… score! I had the perfect spot for it in mind. The colour definitely had to change though… to white of course!
I started off by sanding all the edges down to the raw wood so I could sand again after the paint job for that shabby look you know I love!

Duke decided he wanted to help too and I couldn’t stop laughing at him. Eventually he calmed down and decided to have a rest… he did work very hard.

After sanding down the sides and corners the painting began. When we bought the house there were about 10 cans of white paint in the shed… it was fate I tell you! So this whole project didn’t cost me a cent! Woohoo!
I think I ended up applying about 5 coats of paint to get rid of the mahogany colour. If it was plain wood I would have just whitewashed it and it would have been much quicker!

Afterwards I lightly sanded over the edges again for the shabby look which unfortunately you can’t see in the photos, I had to edit these shots a lot as you can see because we have been having some crazy wild weather in Aus lately and there’s no light for good photos!
The perfect spot for my dragonfly lamp and yellowstone bear!

Oh look, you can see a tiny shabby mark there in the corner of the leg!
^{Linking up with: 504 Main, A Delightsome Life, A Diamond in the Stuff, Alderberry Hill, A Night Owl, A Stroll Thru Life, Be Different, Act Normal, Cheerios & Lattes, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Claire Justine oxox, Coastal Charm, Common Ground, Cozy Little House, Crafts a La Mode, Create with Joy, Cupcake ‘n’ Bake, DIY by Design, DIY Dreamer, Domesblissity, Ducks ‘n a Row, Elizabeth & Co, Feeding Big, Green Willow Pond, Happy Go Lucky, Hickory Trail, Home Maker on a Dime, Ivy & Elephants, Katherines Corner, Kathe with an E, Lil Luna, Live Laugh Rowe, Liz Marie, Lolly Jane, Mop it Up, Love Bakes Good Cakes, Milk & Cuddles, Mostly Homemade Mom, No Minimalist Here, Our Delightful Home, Petals to Picots, Pursuit of Functional Home, Salt Tree, Say G’Day Saturday, Savvy Southern Style, Serenity Now, Shabby Creek Cottage, Share Your Cup, Sincerely, Paula, Six Sisters Stuff, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Sugar & Dots, The Best Blog Recipes, The Trendy Treehouse, This Gal Cooks, Too Much Time, Weekly Creative, We Like to Learn as We Go, While he was Napping, Charm of Home, French Country Cottage, House on the Way, Primp Junktion, Romantic Home, Diana Rambles, Dukes & Duchesses, Ginger Snap Crafts, Katie’s Nesting Spot, Life we Live 4, Redoux, Say Not Sweet, Sunday Showcase Party, Tatertots & Jello, PoPP, Lilyfield Life, Time Washed.}

UnCommon Goods $50 Giveaway!

Woohoo! Welcome to my very first giveaway courtesy of UnCommon Goods! I have made little collages of my favourite picks from their home decor, garden and dining & entertaining categories because it was way too hard to only make one! They have soo many beautiful things to choose from.

If you’re a follower of this blog you’ll know that I chose these beautiful puppies! Oil and Vinegar Wiener Dogs. They’re so cool! You can view that post here.

Entering the giveaway is super easy! All you have to do is comment on this post! Entries are open to everyone no matter where you are in the world! Yay! Just make sure your comment is connected to your email address so that I can contact you! (If you have recently connected your blogger account to Google+ you’re probably now a no-reply blogger) if you’re not sure whether you’ve left your email just email me telling me you’ve entered the giveaway: kirstygirl7@gmail.com

Entering is super easy. You need to leave a comment and click on this little button here letting me know! Once you’ve done that you can put in additional entries for a better chance of winning! Woo hoo! So get liking and sharing!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with: The Best Blog Recipe’s, French Country Cottage, The Charm of Home, Someday Crafts

UnCommon Goods Wiener Dog Oil and Vinegar Bottles

A little while ago I was contacted by Rocky from UnCommon Goods who asked me to do a review of one of their products. I got to choose anything I liked and boy was that insanely hard! I think I literally spent about 5 hours or more browsing through the online store. They have so many amazing things! You know when you see really innovative and inspiring products on Pinterest? This shop is full of that kind of stuff.
While browsing the site I got so many great present ideas. I’m the kind of person that likes one of a kind and unique gifts to give people, something special you know! This is definitely a shop I will be heading back to over and over!

Ok enough of how awesome the store is, I think you get it now right? It’s AWESOME! After ages and ages of trying to find the perfect thing, I finally found these puppies! Aren’t they rad!? I love them.

They look totally cool on my shelf, on my table and they actually work really well too! Plus now I can buy my oil in bulk and save a heap! Win Win! Obviously we put some oil in the oil puppy and instead of vinegar Andi and I actually chose to put soy sauce in the other because we figured he’d get used a lot more that way. They’re working out great!

I was thinking of showing you how awesome the shop is by including some more of their products in this post but I can’t bring myself to go back there just yet… not until I have some more money anyway because I will get stuck looking and wanting! But you should definitely stop over there because GUESS WHAT!? I will be hosting an UnCommon Goods Giveaway very shortly and you could win a voucher for their shop!!! So keep watching this space! P.S. The giveaway is open to everyone! Whether you’re in the U.S., U.K., Australia, wherever! You could win!