If you are looking for a quick
decor fix, you have limited funds and you want something that will last forever
then hand prints or foot prints of your children is the answer.
Nearly 18 years ago I wanted
just that. I had some paper left
over from making our wedding invitations, an old ink pad (yes just like the
ones we used at school many years ago with real ink stamps), some old
picture frames and my two year old twin daughters Aaliyah and Jayden.
The process was pretty easy and
best of all my daughters had lots of fun doing them. I think the funniest part was managing them so they didn’t run all over the wooden floor boards with ink on their feet. :-) Thinking back now, our old Navy house would've looked amazing had the floor boards been whitewashed with their ink footprints on the floor.
These pieces have travelled
with us through every home we have lived in and although the girls have changed
them slightly by painting the frames, they sit pride of place in both their
rooms. The date on the prints represents the date the prints were captured.
At first the prints were meant as a quick decor fix, but nearly 18 years later I find myself reflecting on my decision to do these pieces and how they represent so much more now. They represent my legacy. My past, present and future. Those people who have influenced me throughout my life, especially those who have left this life but continue to guide me and my family. They are a reminder of my daughters achievements and the journey they have travelled. More importantly and what's more exciting, they ask what successes await my daughters and how as a whanau we will enjoy them somehow, somewhere, and always together.
Happy living peeps!
I generally get accused of holding onto something for nothing on a regular basis - trust me, I hear it all the time from my sister Deanne. Why do you have that? What will you use that for? Get rid of it! It's just clutter! Or as my cousin Marian says "it's mish mash". BUT, if ever I had a reason to hold onto something for nothing, this idea has definitely paid off and I'm getting praises from the haters out there (in my family that is!!)
I had these old louver sliding doors which were used on an old built in cupboard in our laundry. They weren't very effective and I thought they were hideous! My husband took them off the cupboard, and in his quest to clean up was going to throw them away until he heard one of my frequent sayings "STOP!!! I want to keep those". He probably rolled his eyes and thought "WTF would she want to keep them for" .. but graciously set them aside.
Fast forward 12 months ... we were redecorating Aaliyah's room and I wanted to use them as a feature behind her side drawers. Only problem was, Aaliyah only wanted one side drawer and her awesome revamped headboard became to main feature in her room.
Roll on Jayden's room. Yip, two side drawers and a feature wall at that. Perfect!! These hideous brown doors were given a new coat of paint and now sit proudly behind her side drawers. What do you think?
Jayden has a quite a few photo's she wants to display, so I purchased some small pegs that she can hang them on the shutters. Maybe when that is finished, I'll put up another post.
Happy living peeps!!!
This is another quick, easy and healthy dish to whip up for a meal. It has some strong flavours so this dish goes really well with salmon, steak or lamb, or simply by itself with a nice chilled glass of white wine.
I like to lay the sliced tomatoes on a platter, then layer the rest of the ingredients, but if you prefer to place this in a bowl, then I recommend using sweet cherry tomatoes. Simply half them and gently toss with the rest of the ingredients.
Ingredients
3-4 tomatoes - sliced
2 garlic cloves - thinly sliced
A handful of roughly chopped fresh basil
Olive oil
Sea salt
Cracked pepper
Method
Get out a nice flat platter and lay the tomatoes in a single layer.
Sprinkle the garlic over the tomatoes and sprinkle with of olive oil over the top.
Season with salt and pepper and then finish by sprinkling the basil all over the tomatoes.
Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
Happy living peeps!!
