creative gift wrapping

if you're stuck for ideas on making your gift wrapping stand out from the 'crowd' here's an idea i tried a few months back for my friends' (Amy and Toby) engagement gift...old school pipe cleaners shaped into the recipients' initials (can you make out the pink A and blue T amongst all the yellow raffia in the pic?). i was so happy with how it turned out!

I also used lettered beads on their other gift which my friend Mel help put together.

if you have any original gift wrapping ideas to share drop me a note, i need to start planning my christmas gift wrapping theme for 2012 (see my 2011 christmas wrapping theme here).

diy upholstered bed head

so, not that long ago i promised a diy post on how to make an upholstered bed head. finally, here it is.

what you'll need:
1. bed head frame (mine was a metal frame) - i.e. this won't work for an ensemble
2. staple gun & staples
3. a piece of thin MDF (as wide and high as the existing frame - your local hardware store should cut to size if you ask)
4. foam, approx. 5-10mm thick, enough to cover 3 sides of the MDF (i bought mine in a pack from spotlight)
5. fabric (enough to cover the MDF)
6. sewing pins

steps
1. staple the foam, piece-by-piece, around 3 edges (or just the top edge and approx.  30cm on each side as i did - see below) of the MDF
2. place MDF board between mattress and bed head
3. wrap your fabric around the MDF & bed posts of existing frame, folding corners neatly and pinning so you have one side of the MDF presenting with a flat neat finish and all pins & folds on the reverse side - voila!


here's some step-by-step pics...

sew away

i recently acquired my step-mother's old janome sewing machine as she scored a new one for her birthday (happy birthday Tracy!). i'm yet to put it to use yet as i've been busy with home renovations, yes they're still happening... the drought will soon be over though as i've just found my next diy project. check out this neon ruffle cardi. it's from GAP but is no longer available so i think i'll source a cardi of my own and attempt a DIY.

pic via Sincerely Jules
cardigan from GAP

cushion heaven

here's some more cushion love...
Sophie's and Dale's master bedroom was revealed on "the block" recently and i'm in heaven.
i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the mason chair light fittings hanging above the bedsides and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the cushions

check out "the block" here
see cushion stockist here

pillow talk

so you all know i love cushions (see here). well, today i'm kind of regretting how many i've stockpiled (only a little) after having seen these cute diy pillow slips on a beautiful mess. i  soooooooooooo want to make these and display on my bed but the heart would be covered by all my pretty scatter cushions. its just such a cute idea. maybe i'll make them anyway and just switch. it'll give Wilbur a break from throwing all the cushions in a pile on the floor every night anyway (he does so well not to complain about that).

 picture via a beautiful mess

shoe love

for those that know me well, you know that i L O V E shoes. what you may not know is that i've been super good and not purchased a new pair of shoes since july 2011. i'm not sure how i managed this but i did. for this winter i've been on the look out for a pair of leopard print loafers. comfy enough for everyday wear and stylish enough to add pop to an outfit. well, i think the hunt is over. i found this beautiful pair from RMK. i think i might just have to buy them.

oh, and while i was looking i also found these beautiful feet covers.

and my all time fav lust-haves for winter 2012....

all pictures via RMK

excited for essie

just got these five new nail polishes. can't wait to try them out. which one should i paint first?

pictures via http://www.essie.com/