Decorate, play and learn… Designed and made in Fance by Mimi’lou, this large world map wall sticker comes with removable smaller stickers featuring the names of capital cities, flags, animals and symbols from each country – the kids can add them to the map as they learn and explore the world! Available now at Little Living.

This has to be one of the sweetest cardboard kitchens I’ve seen. The white cardboard makes all the difference and the coloured door seriously bumps up the cute-factor. If you’d like to make your own check out the tutorial and other project ideas on this crafty blog Kinderpendent which will make you want to set up a craft box and take up finger knitting again. Have a great weekend xx

This was my Easter weekend DIY project… some cute new cushions for the lounge! Following on from my earlier Facebook post detailing my first foray into tea towels as pillowslips… these ones I wanted to be less shabby chic so I filled them up more. Also made from some tea towels I bought a while ago I just washed and ironed them, zipped around the edges with the machine, popped the inserts in and sewed them up. I used a synthetic filling so I could throw the whole thing in the wash if (ahem, when) needed. Easy Peasy.

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Pinterest… collecting and saving ideas and inspiration has never been easier. We’ve been having a ball pinning lots of favourite finds and ideas for kids spaces and home decor – and have even added a few original ideas. You can follow our boards HERE.

Door handles are a quick, cost effective way to brighten up an old piece of furniture. They come in all shapes, colours and sizes and you’ll need little more than a spanner or screwdriver to remove old handles and tighten up the new ones! These cute polka dot handles are hand painted ceramic and perfectly sized for little hands. Available from Little Living in green, blue, yellow and black with spots.

Look what we made this weekend! All we needed was an hour to remove an old table cover , a map, some clear plastic from Bunnings, my trusty staple gun and viola! A new desk for the kids! The legs are from Ikea and have been reinvented a million times – if only they could talk! We have a slightly smaller (personalised) map in the shop.

Also… it seems my husband is reading this blog (see post from last week!) because look what turned up in our backyard this afternoon! yippee! So… a daybed, a coffee table…. what will it be folks?!?!

For some reason, pallet furniture fascinates me, I love it… and in looking around I suspect I I’m not the only one… maybe it’s the eco factor or the rustic charm or the idea that with just a little inspiration and a couple of pallets you can create a new piece of furniture in the blink of an eye… Also they look just the right width for a daybed, which I would love on the deck. But every time I look in the direction of a pallet just waiting for me to rescue it and turn it into the next iconic furniture design, Steve pips up with a reminder about the unfortunate and undeniable splinter-factor of most pallets. And with 3 smalls at home eager to get in, on and under every piece of furniture in the house, pallet creations move reluctantly to the back burner again for another day. But a girl can plan, and look – there’s no splinters online…

The options are endless...

1. this dreamy daybed overlooking the ocean looks seriously do-able. maybe 4 pallets and a mattress, an old sheet or blanket and a few pillows. You could even cart these outside on sunny weekend days if you couldn’t leave them outside. I’ll have the view too thanks.

2. this coat rack is a cute idea… there is even a how to on this site which has some other great pallet ideas too.

3 & 4. the Christmas tree is fun, any kind of left over wood would work, might be a good project for the kids to do any time of the year! the headboard idea I love as you could leave it bare or cover with some great fabric and just tuck the whole lot behind the bed (no splinters required). Both of these pics are here…

ps. this is the disclaimer part… once you start reading about pallets you come across a couple of things to be aware of… one is the use of chemicals to treat some pallets so you have to be careful where you get them from and how they have been treated. The second is that companies hire and sell and reuse pallets so, although they look lonely on the side of the road, the reality is they are probably waiting to be collected and put to use. So be inspired by pallets but buy them (they are still cheap and cheerful) from a second hand wood yard or industrial sales yard.

Valentines Day rolls around every year and I always, without fail am completely unorganised and so do nothing. NOTHING. I will admit that ignoring Valentines Day as a statement against commercial pressure to spend and be involved in retail Valentine cheese has been a great cover for my lack of planning, however this year will be different! I’ve decided to go with the theory that a day set aside to say “I Love You” to the most important people (hubby, kids, Mum, Dad, siblings, friends etc doesn’t have to be romantic lurve) in life might just be a nice idea… we’ve got a week to get sorted so let’s be creative, and avoid the ugly plastic stuff, it just ends up as landfill anyway. So with that, I give you 4 cute and easy ideas (not mine unfortunately, baby steps please folks) and some links for where to find even more inspiration!

Hand Print Messages and cute as a button HEARTS – from a HUGE collection of craft ideas for kids from the inventor of craft Martha Stewart.

Heart – Friendship and other Valentine poems and activities for the kids over at KidSpot

Mmmmmm, these chocolate covered strawberries would be a lovely treat and so easy and fun to make with the kids! Find this recipe and many more Valentine-inspired recipes at the ever fabulous Taste

A few readers have mentioned they would like to enter the Style and Win competition but can’t get a good shot of their room… I have to say I agree – it’s difficult to get a great shot inside so I’ve done some homework and have compiled some general hints. I’m going to try and get some shots this weekend too! Give it a go, it doesn’t have to be perfect and you might win a $100 voucher!

Start with these tips…

Declutter – #1 on the hit list… hide cords, move bins, remove papers and toys you don’t love and other bits and pieces. This makes a huge difference to the end result. Move it all back when you’re done!

Open all windows as much as you can to get as much natural light in as possible and turn on the lights. Try and stand with your back to the main light source

Use a tripod if possible and a wide angle lens if you have one

Rearrange the furniture a little to get a better shot. And add fresh flowers or other items to “style” the shot.

A good time to shoot is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Take photos from different angles and close up of smaller features or items you love.

Do what the pros do and take many different shots of the same room from many different perspectives.  Choose the ones you love.

Happy Snapping!

Stuck for Christmas ideas?  Like unique things for your kids?

We love reading www.’Babyology.com’ to see the amazing children’s products they find from all over the World to show us.  We can all stick on our ‘design’ hats and “Ooh” and “Ahh” at the various new and exciting pieces of children’s furniture, accessories or toys!

If you are stuck for inspiration this Christmas, you have to visit :

Babyology’s Christmas Gift Guide – for 5 years and up

for some fantastic ideas – again very unique, modern and amazing things! They also tell you where you can source them from.

We feel very honoured Babyology has chosen our ‘Paperpod‘ products from Little Living as part of their gift guide! We think they are special too.  Click here to see the amazing Paperpod range at Little Living!