Something's Gotta Give ...

My apologies for not being "online" yesterday. Obviously at this point in time life just seems to be extremely stressful. Obviously your all aware of my issues with my current job .... I am also struggling with all the little day to day things that I usually have no problems getting done.

Its funny because it seems to be one never ending circle of stress, like the house, usually my house is immaculate however I just can't seem to keep up with keeping it clean, then I see it messy and get even more stressed because its not clean .... obviously the circle keeps going and going and its a bit like a broken record where I just can't quite reach the switch.

I should also warn you I am now on the search for an alternative paving option. The once we chose and love is actually extremely slippery at the best of times so installing it around a pool is not a wise choice.

Obviously nothing is easy and since I have already brought the waterline tile and step tread I'm working backwards .... however I have a few options to show you tomorrow .... bring on the weekend.

Pretty Things - Vintage Chandeliers

The weekend just gone seemed to be a mecca for all things pretty. I have been searching for light fixtures, paving and curtains for months to no avail but this weekend I find all three.

Here are the light fixtures I am thinking about for the master bedroom .... one to the right of the bath tub and one over the bed. They are sweet, a little bit eclectic and totally drool worthy!

Do either of these take your fantasy .... do they 

Gilt Frame Photo Wall - Its Up

I have been going on and on about my lovely gilt frames and finally I am happy to say - they are up!

Now I love having them on the wall - they are so pretty, crazy busy but pretty however I'm starting to think the patterned wall paper in side is just that step too far?

Maybe I need to make them all black - maybe I need the insides to be the same colour as the walls.

To be honest I just don't know but I'm going to have plenty of fun making it work!

Change!

Firstly I want to apologies for not being all "there" lately and as a blog is supposed to be used in order to capture my thoughts and feelings, (as well as my fabulous house) after much soul searching I have decided to share my latest angst.

Now from reading my blog you will all know that I am a big one for planning. My life is planned and orderly and easy for me to live by. Stressful changes make my head hurt and to be honest, I am happy with the way my life is mapped out, I plan my holidays a year in advance, I have held the same job for 5 years now and I lovee how safe and orderly my life seems to be.

Recently changes in my work life have made me seriously consider my future and obviously for me this is one of those stomach turning moments I would really love to just hide under the covers from. For the past two weeks when I haven't really been "all there" there is a good possibility I was hiding under the covers .... virtual covers that is!  .... I hid from the fact that something's gotta give.

I would also very much like to think I'm a fairly level headed person, although I like things just so I'm not particularly flighty and I'm certainly not overly dramatic however changes within my new working team have made my work life less than pleasant. Its like being back in school only now I have choices. I don't have to put up with bullying or nastiness .... I can leave. 

Here is the thing .... leaving means a new job which means change ..... and for me that is scary. Not just normal scary but sick to my stomach, dizzy and light headed and having trouble breathing type of scary.

I know I can do it I just don't want to ... however I am a big girl and I need to put my big girl knickers on. So decision is made! I am going to make a change .... I am going to get a new job.

I will try to keep you updated on the trials and tribulations that will no doubt accompany these changes and hopefully with you listening it may make things not quite so difficult for me ...

As my husband kindly tells me .... Deep Breaths honey .... In and Out!

Entry Rug - Take Two

So my new entry rug has arrived. Actually that's a lie .... My new entry rug was dragged kicking and screaming into my car - squished into a space way to small only to be re-dragged into my house by little old me .... I will admit I almost died trying to get it into and then out of the car.....

But now its here and I have to admit I love it. The proportions are right, the colouring is perfect and to walk on it barefoot is almost heavenly.

I suppose if I was in the mood I could go on about sometimes having to admit failure and try something different but to be honest I'm just happy its here, it fits and I no longer have to obsess over the damn thing!

Finishing Touches

Its so very nice to start focusing on the finishing touches of a few rooms.

Don't get me wrong the rest of the house is an empty shell but three rooms are finishing. One of these is the downstairs powder room and on the weekend I dressed it. 

I am going for mint greens and lovely pastel purples.

What do you think? Pretty Right?

The Importance of Proportions!

You know that moment when you realise something you thought you really really wanted just isn't going to work?

Well I have hit that moment - the rug I desperately wanted just doesn't look right in the space .... Its too small and just looks .... silly?

What do you think - are the proportions off or is it just me?

Outdoor Levels

Getting the levels right outside is hard. It has actually taken hours of debate and discussion on just what we are going to do with the backyard.

At the moment the agreement is to raise the alfresco up on both sides by one step. Saying that is easy .... actually doing it ... not so much ... here is the progress so far!

My Little Piece of Heaven

Today I thought to show you my little piece of heaven.

A couple of steps down a bath leads to a lovely little bit of beach we took advantage of for the first time on Sunday.

So ... without further ado ... my little bit of heaven!

When it Works .... It Really Works

Heaven is knowing your awesome! Ok well not awesome but knowing your right .... oh yeah. 

The new black frames fit into my guest bedroom oh so perfectly it almost looks like they were black the whole time.

So completely happy I am able to reuse them I can't get over it. 

Happiness is .... Crisp Black Frames on a Thursday!

Getting Rid of The Pine

So I found these images in one of my mum's "don't know what to do with" boxes. Apparently an old high school friend of hers was an artist and he gave them to her. I remember these on the wall when I was very very little so obviously between throwing them out or using them I picked option number two.

Here is my problem, they are framed in lovely 80's style pine frames and the prints are actually stapled to the frames so I cant just replace the frames.

Im thinking of painting them ... something matt black perhaps?

What do you think?

Modifying a Dining Room Table

Funny story .... I may have brought dining chairs that don't actually fit under my dining room table.

See they almost fit but they don't. Did I buy them knowing they wouldn't fit .... yes .... however in my defence they do fit under the table they just don't fit in between all of the legs. 

He he he - Dad's response, "we can make it fit this time possum but in future ... go into my shed and put one of the pretty coloured tape measures in your purse!"

Thank you daddy .....

Pool .... Hand Dug .... Check

Oh trust me - I was really not looking forward to this particular job and in terms of torture this one takes the cake. Imagine hand digging out a pool. Well after a couple of weeks of absolute torture I can safely say I have done this. 

Not only have I done this but there isnt too much resentment towards the pool now that its over.

So excitement plus - the pool is ready to roll -  next time Hubby is home its all go!