Weekend delights...

Well I had a lovely weekend with my Mum. On Saturday we went to two different auctions and one antique market. The first antique action is a bit of a tradition in our family- I remember every Saturday morning getting up early to go and have a bacon and egg roll and a long troll through the goodies. There are normally four sections- the really good antiques up the front, the glass and ceramics, the old garage sale style junk and the bits and bob boxes- my dad and I fav's are the garage sale junk and the bits and bobs boxes as there normally is the most random array of goodies!

Anyway I always talk about auctions and the fantastic deals they house; Mum said that the other day she saw a butchers block that went at an auction for about $1,000 and now being sold in an up market antique store for $6,500. So there are definitely savings to be made- all it takes is time. Make sure you do your research go to a couple of auctions and see what they are going for, look at the quality of what is around and go into the stores and compare. This to me makes the purchase so much more fun as when you do find the right one you get the joy of knowing what a great buy it was and having a story behind the purchase!

Here are some of my picks from the weekend:

Chandeliers- these two were amazing for a big room...



Some beautiful smaller ones... make sure when you are buying at auction to look carefully at the crystals! Make sure they are all there and in good condition before you buy.





A mid sized blanket box in great condition...



Country Kitchen sideboard- fantastic project.



This was my favourite- a kitchen storage unit. I am not sure how clearly you can see it but each draw is named- there was a even a prune draw and tapioca draw! Fabulous- I asked the price range and it was est at somewhere around the $1,000 mark. So many people were looking at it I noticed so i am sure it will go for more!







A great shabby chic outdoor table...



This was a cool outdoor sign and thought would make a great single bedhead.



A shabby chic single bed for a little girl...



This was a fabulous basket of old shoe forms.... this will be snapped up by a dealer and sold at about $50 each...





I loved this an old movie projector and films...



A great big blanket box (when I first saw it a little girl was inside and it was the size of her- so cute!)... this would be great under a window or the end of a bed...



And lastly I did happen to get something for myself... a fantastic pair of vintage Dior sunnie's that were straight from a shop and never worn... I am totally in love with them!



Sorry the only photo where I am smiling properly I have my eyes closed! I really am bad at taking photo's... :)

I am hoping this blog looks better on your comp then mine as I left my laptop at home and seem to be working on a 1990's style computer which doesn't even have a good version of paint! xox

Time to get ruthless...

So over the weekend I completely cleaned out my room and it felt amazing! I should right up front say I am a hoarder- I think that if I have spent however much money on something I really should not get rid of it, even if it is 3 sizes too big and 5 years out of date. Hey I might wear it again right? Finally this time I was ruthless. I chucked out anything that no longer fit (luckily for me that meant anything too big not small for once)or I thought was not my personality any more. A friend wrote and said she once heard a saying that goes 'Your wardrobe should only reflect your personality, anything else should go!' I so agree and it is quite liberating. I now have about two thirds more wardrobe space and the best part is I am going to enforce a strict rule of one thing in one thing out!

I am lucky though, I have a quite big wardrobe and it is all mine! But I do have to look at space how how to maximise what I have (mainly my shoes! I have so many shoes!). Here are some great ideas for bedroom storage solutions.

I love the suitcases in this shot! Great for winter storage of blankets and jumpers.



And this is a beautiful old blanket box. Go looking through actions as heaps are out there!



If you have the room this is a great idea a low chest of draws can store extra bulky blankets and pillows or jumpers for winter. A great idea is to line it with a scented wood to keep them smelling good! Or add a long cushion to turn it into a seat for when your getting dressed!




I love the idea of featuring your books in your room- especially if your like me and a massive reader. But you could also use different baskets and hide your mess and use as additional storage.



This is a great idea- if you want to hide those books add drapes in a great fabric which could be a great and practical feature.



If you want to combine storage with your bedside table another great use for old suite cases to stack them- fill them with blankets - old books - memories and add a wonderful light for a feature.



Ikea is KEY!

I have one section of my wardrobe that is shelves and only small amount of floor space for shoes- so I have turned my shelves into shoe storage by buying lots of these clothes boxes from Ikea. The small ones perfectly fit one set of heels and the large fit my boots. (these are current design in Ikea mine are cream and green stripped- so just keep an eye out for a design that suits you!)



I also have an old brass bed so I have a bit of height under my bed- which I would like to say I could keep pristine and empty but in reality I use as extra storage. I have a variety of wicker baskets under there that hide all my bits and bobs. But these are great from Ikea coz they can close off and you can't see in at all!