And The Stains Vanish..................

I love my light cream carpets, unfortunately they don't like dirt!

When it was just me there was an occasional spillage but nothing like the punishment they have taken in the last 13 months!  Sophie was until recently prone to puking all over the show at every opportunity a bit of a weak stomach!

I have always cleaned up straight away but its never been the same! My dad shampooed the carpets for me and they did get better but it was short lived and I think it lasted 2 days!  There was the added downside that the carpet was damp afterwards (not great with a little one!) ! 

I needed something that I can use regularly and is quick and easy.  I wasn't sure when I picked this up but used it once and am converted!

Sprinkle it on and brush in with a clean soft broom, leave for 20 mins (or longer) and hoover up thoroughly.  It actually works and smells lovely!

Whats your top tip for cleaning spillages on carpet?

Lots of Love xxxx

Sophies Bedroom.....Done at Last!

A few weeks ago I showed you the progress we had made in reorganising Sophie's bedroom and mentioned re using some units from the office room to store her toys.  I finally got round to moving the last unit in and thought I'd share the finished room with you all.

The units are plain white Ikea staples, which I think are great for storage and, being white, fitted into Sophie's room perfectly.  We bought some purple, fabric, organiser boxes( from Ikea too!) which fit in the spaces perfectly!

Alternating open shelves with boxes gives me flexibility meaning I can store her books and larger toys on individual shelves and group smaller toys of similar types in the boxes. 

The boxes exactly match the curtains too!

There is still loads of room and some empty boxes, which I'm sure will get filled in time!

I'm really pleased and feel that I have now given Sophie a bedroom that has space for her to grow (and more importantly space for all her things!) she is really enjoying exploring and learning where her treasures are!

Her favourite thing at the moment (and a source of entertainment for us!) is a cute little rocking chair that my Nan's cousin made for her at his hospital group, she sits in it and rocks happily with her little Cath Kidston blanket over her legs!

Here are a few more photos of Sophie's 'Pretties'

The best thing about the makeover is that, apart from the new wardrobe, the boxes and the rose tins on the drawers, we already owned everything we used!

Getting Sophie's room done has really spurred me on and the office room is gradually getting there, I may even be ready to share some progress soon!

Lots of Love xxxx

And the Winner Is.................

Callie @ Callies Cottage

Well done Callie!  

E mail me your address and your book will be on its way to you ASAP!

Lots of Love xxxx

Happy Valentines Day!

Eat your chocolates, drink your champagne and enjoy your flowers!

Keep the memories but not the clutter!!!

Have a lovely day!!!

Lots of Love xxxx

Clean Sweep.......

Do you worry about the effects of chemical cleaners, paints, mould spores and gasses in your home? 

If so this is the book for you!

It's a little involved for me, not that I don't crack open the bicarbonate of soda now and again and think white vinegar and water can't be beaten when it comes to cleaning glass, but I'm just not in that place where I'm going to make my own laundry detergent yet!

If you are, or if you are just interested in learning a bit more about the 'healthy home' then today is your lucky day!  Leave a comment below and, on Friday, I'll pick a winner who will receive a copy in the post shortly after!

Good Luck!

Lots of Love xxxx

What's the cause of your clutter?

For me, I think its that I like stuff and I really am an 'all or nothing girl'.  If I like something I want it in every variation/colour so when I invariably loose interest I have lots of things I don't use as opposed to just one!

Since becoming a mum I think I have changed a lot, I no longer need stuff and am actually quite shocked at what I have managed to accumulated I can't even remember why!

One thing I have noticed is that a substantial chunk of the clutter in our house is other peoples!

 This pile of stuff belongs to a friend of mine, she lent me a bouncing toy for Sophie when she was about 3 months old, it was fabulous and saved us £100 (currently in the boot of my car as it huge!) but then I inherited more bits and bobs from her, They were lent to be helpful and because she thought Sophie would benefit from them and we were grateful and did use some of them.  Sophie has now outgrown them and they are sitting waiting for a convenient time to drop them back, Its a long wait!!!

Make sure you don't clutter other peoples environments by passing your clutter on by following a few decluttering 'rules'

 1. Unless you think someone has a need/genuine use for something you want rid of don't offer. Passing on your clutter because you can't bear to 'waste' it is just encouraging someone else to continue with a habit you are trying to break yourself!

2. If you think there is someone that would benefit from owning what you are giving away, ask them first!

3. If you lend something to someone (lending meaning you are expecting it back!) always be accommodating at taking the item/s back.  If you aren't in a rush to get it back, consider whether you really need it at all!

I think there is a lot of guilt associated with decluttering 'its such a shame, its never been used' or 'it was so expensive', are often things that cross my mind.  That is why I have every item of clothing that Sophie has grown out of in storage.  James thinks we will use them again if we have another girl (as if!!!) and I just feel sentimental towards them!
No more!!!
I have begun to separate 'special' clothes, which I will keep and list others on eBay, I wince every time I press that list item button but its getting easier and I know they will look almost just as great on another baby somewhere!

Lots of Love xxxx

Little Changes.....And Another Challenge!

The thing about decluttering is that once you start, you see clutter everywhere!  

This isn't a bad thing if you can deal with the issue in a few minutes but has the danger of sidetracking you and taking your concentration away from your current project!

One of the things that drives me nuts is the multiple bottles of shampoo I seem to accumulate.  I like for my shampoo and conditioner to match but always use the conditioner quicker than the shampoo, then change brands and refuse to 'mix' products

This usually means I have this situation in my bathroom!

At Christmas James treated me to some of my favourite Aveda hair products!

Once I started to use them I remembered why I liked them, my hair looked better and is more manageable!

I know at £32 and £36 they seem a bit steep, but when I consider that I would normally use a bottle of Shampoo and 2 bottles of conditioner a month (at least!) is it really any different cost wise than using the stuff I don't enjoy?

Sound's like a Challenge!  

So far I've been using these bottles for 4 weeks so I'm going to see how long they last and compare the cost  to the equivalent that I would use in high street brands, I'll let you know!!

What's your favourite cosmetic brand?  Do you have any indulgences, that in the long term you consider to be worth the extra expense?