Summer To Do List & Desk Inspiration

So, there's just one more week of the Summer Holidays left.  We havent been away on holiday anywhere but we have had some excellent days out and we have managed to tick off almost all of our to do list which is a first I think!

To Do List Printable Via Pinterest

There have been so many half finished jobs around our house, but it feels like we are finally getting to the bottom of these months list.  Of course there are always a million more things to get on with, but let's say we've made a good start. As I mentioned earlier in the week we finally spruced up the front garden with some paint, plants and gravel and today we fixed some bookshelf doors which we have had lying around for months as we were missing the screws.  However, after 3 trips to Ikea to get the right ones they are now in situ.

The next thing that isn't actually on the to do list is to find me a new desk area.  I was happy to be holed up in a small corner of our bedroom.  I was hoping a few bookshelves and a nice stool would be a good area to really get my business ideas in motion.  However, Neil doesn't think that will work in the long run as he thinks I need a bit more space.  He has suggested I take over a little area in the living room which would hopefully give me a bigger space and would also be more accessible in the day time whilst I look after Nye.  So, with that in mind I've been scouting around for possible ideas. So without further ado feast your eyes on the crafty beauty of work spaces below!

I think that's enough food for thought.  What I go for pretty much depends on what type of cupboard I manage to track down.  I'd like something neat and tidy and if I can't find anything that would allow me to get  a desk I might just go for something like this fold up desk below which is nice and wide.

p.s for these and more storage ideas check out my Pinterest Board!

5 ambitions for 2012

Morning and Happy New Year!

I thought I'd have a go at writing down some ambitions for 2012.  I have in the past had a habit of setting some rather tiresome goals for myself that tend to trip me up before I've even started.  I remember one year I set a list of 15 things I wanted to do each day, like read a chapter of a book, drink at least 2litres of water etc. Things like that though admirable shouldn't be attempted in one go they will only lead to failure, and I find once one falls off the radar I tend to give up on them all!

The first of the dinner table meals.

Last year I don't think I set myself any goals, other than to get married in April, which we did successfully.  But, nevertheless 2011 was a big year for us.  Not only was it the year we got 'hitched',  it was also the year we settled properly into our home and even learnt how to DIY together.  But I suppose most importantly it was the year we started our family, or at least the prospect of being 3 + dog.

2012 will be one hell of a year.  It will be the first time I am ever called mum, the first time I really learn to put the needs of someone other than myself first.  That's not to say I'm a selfish self centred person, but I just know life is about to change forever and for the better in many ways.

My goals for 2012 are things I'd like to improve upon this year, things that will keep me focused on living better and in a more content way.  Part of my is a bit nervous about writing them down in 'print' if you will because that makes them official things I have stated, but also because many of them are so traditional in that I want to be better at organising our house!

So here goes nothing:

1. Create and maintain a home routine, revolving around our babies needs, feeds, sleeps etc.
(i.e mission keep baby happy)
2. Look after meal times, always have breakfast, lunch and dinner and make lunch for Neil to take to work the night before.
3. Create a (REALISTIC) weekly & monthly cleaning schedule to keep on top of housework so I don't get overwhelmed.
4. Watch less TV, take more walks & make the most of National Trust Membership.
5. Learn more about blogging (tips and tricks) and practise my photography skills.

I started off thinking I'd do 12, but uncharacteristically I thought I'd set myself less challenges in the hope that I can keep to the ones I have set without being a slave.

Bathroom's at 50%

Yet again it has been too long, yet things have been chugging along nicely.

Since my last bathroom update we have tided up but we're still in the in-between stages.  After Neils parents left on the Sunday (weeks ago now) we were left with a fully functioning bathroom but with a long list of finishing touches to be done.  

Here's a breakdown so we can cross them off one by one.

• Fill in holes in wall left by tiles, screws, nails and bad plastering. (Sunday 13th November)
• Make good bumpy walls
• Choose paint colours (Saturday 5th November)
• Test paint colours next to tiles/coving etc. (Sunday 20th November) 
• Clean and repaint bath
• Tile remaining walls
• Stick and paint skirting board
• Finish cutting and sticking down flooring
• Wipe down and paint all walls, (decide which colour goes where)
• Find and hang bathroom mirror
• Find bathroom cabinet and arrange delivery
• Choose bathroom fittings

The bad news for today is that although we love the white we have chosen for the bathroom (that sounds mad to me, how can there be a good or bad white but I am convinced).

Oyster by Wickes

Our bargain blue paint from Homebase just doesn't look dramatic enough to really make the room and it should.  I think it should be bold and grand to suit the rest of the suite.  So it's goodbye mountain rain (which is no longer on their website) - it looked a bit like this...

So we were thinking of going for something a bit more like this instead...

Hague Blue @ Farrow and Ball

I feel so close to you right now!

This is me today, oh boy I feel on top of the world!

There has been this HUGE list of things to do for oh so long and finally I think I can confidently say we are getting to the end of it, or at least getting through it!

Life is made up of lots of small achievements like getting the washing on while you text a friend and hoover the lounge. Multitasking at it's best I like to think!

Anyway here is my list of achievements from the last few days and a few choice pictures to celebrate.

• Pick & Order bathroom floor - We used the final bit of cash we got for our wedding to purchase the floor, 3 packs of this beautiful vinyl floor (manufactured by Polyflor in the UK) The sample is gorgeous. (I'll report later on how easy it is to lay.) I originally wanted to pay £10 SqM but this has worked out at around £15 which I am stonkingly impressed with seeing as, in my opinion, it's the same quality as my original dream floor (Harvey Maria).

• Find and buy bathroom light - This has been one seriously EPIC battle to actually decide on something, I was debating posting a few of the ones we *almost* went for but I don't want no disagreement so this is what we FINALLY went for.

Ok, tiny I know, M&S arent keen on letting me show you the full thing - it's here 

I originally wanted to get a chandelier but I haven't really found one (anywhere in my price range) that really floated my boat. And although I was trying to ignore the issue, all the taps in our bathroom are brass so anything really modern is not going to look great! I'm hoping this will give our room a classy yet perhaps a little industrial feel which will be contrasted with some coloured accessories.  BTW the lights £28 in the sale (Huzzah) and free for us as we purchased it with some wedding gift vouchers. 

• BOILER repair - OK, this isn't totally solved but we have moved 90% towards the finishing line, I've booked a repair man to come round on Monday at 7.30am.

• Choose and order nursery stencil - Done and done! Many thanks to groupon, it's the first voucher I've bought. So I got the stencil for £9.99.  Will look gorgeous over our little mans cot me thinks :)

Tree & Swing Wall Decal 

Big love, now back to the cleaning!  Did I mention we're off for the weekend with Neil's family who have booked a lovely murder mystery weekend away for us.  Cannot wait to see them and show off my ever increasing baby boy bump.