Blog hop

I was asked by the deeply lovely Maria of Dinki Dots to partake in a blog hop, as the young people like to call it these days. I’ve never taken part in one before, so I figured why not. It sounds like a good opportunity for a chillaxed blog post and something a little less ordinary to write about. You can check out Maria’s post here [I’m afraid mine will be nowhere as colourful or interesting]. So here goes … 

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?

At the moment things aren’t as hectic as they were before our holidays, so I’m finding it weird to actually be able to work on stuff around our apartment again. It seems like forever since I had a project to work on at home. For the moment I’m hoping to work on … 
  • A number of DIYs that I have in mind for around our home, but the majority of them are in the beginning limbo stages where aspects of my ideas are still a bit shit. But I’m getting there.
  • Our bedroom is in a serious need of shzushzing. Which is probably why you don’t see many pictures of it. The lighting will play a key part and I have a pretty schnazzy DIY in store, so keep your eyes peeled.
  • A couple of weeks ago I picked up a BEKVAM step stool in IKEA [below]. As it happens, it pairs quite well with our salvaged bar stool so I’m thinking they might make quite the kick-ass statement duo. I just have to think of how to co-ordinate and fancy them up … Any ideas? UPDATE: you can check out their mini makeover here
  • There are a couple of small things still to do for #PicadoMexican, but I’m not complaining [totally not yet ready to cut the cord]. 

HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

I actually resorted to asking my husband this question because I don’t think my work differs from others at all. So I asked him the above, and he replied with – 

Your website is sassy“, he said. “It’s got balls.” 

WHY DO YOU CREATE WHAT YOU DO?

For the most part, I create things out of necessity. I know, groundbreaking stuff. A huge amount of my projects stem from me needing something, so I decide to create my own version of it or just upcycle something to fit what I need. An example would be my fancy footstool; I have quite short legs and I’ve noticed in recent years that because my legs don’t touch the ground when I sit on regular chairs, I get quite bad pains in my legs. I needed a stool for when I work at home so I kept my eyes [and my options] open, and I found an old, unloved stool in a charity shop and made it my own.

HOW DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?

My creative process can be unpredictable which is something I really enjoy. I’ve been inspired by the most random of things – cheeseboards, leaves on a sidewalk, my husband snoring, putting away laundry, an episode of Murder She Wrote – you name it, it will trigger an idea. After that I’ll make note of my idea, usually just on a post-it in my agenda, I’ll think about it for a couple of days and after that if I’m still smitten with it, I’ll start a project. 

So that’s enough about me. Onto my nominated blogettes! …

Pat of In My Wheele House

I actually can’t remember how Pat and I crossed digital paths, but it was about 3 years ago. She’s Canadian, creative, not afraid to call it as it is and has a penchant for upcycling therefore we got along like a house on fire. Pat has a keen eye for design and is currently on her way to motherhood for the first time and I personally cannot wait to [vicariously live through her and] see what baby designs she has up her sleeve …

Janine of Steeped in Beautea 

I remember the first time Janine commented on my blog. She was the first person to have heard of me before from an IKEA hack I had blogged about years before, and for me that was a surreal experience considering she was on the other side of the world. Janine and I had a lot in common [dainty stuff + crazy cat ladies]. She was such a thoughtful person from the start. Even sending me messages full of tips and tricks on getting through the pain when I got my wisdom teeth out …  
Pat posted her blog hop blog post here! And Janine will be sharing her blog hop soon so be sure to check back laters  xx

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10 Comments

  1. July 22, 2014 / 17:07

    Great post! I'm sure when I had a quick skim of this on my phone at work earlier, it said "deceptively lovely" – rather than "deeply"! I wondered whether I seem evil and cold-hearted at first, but am actually lovely after all – ha! 😉
    I do love that footstool – such a great transformation – and cool photo!
    We nearly bought one of those Bekvam stools last time we were in Ikea, but I wasn't sure what to do with it and whether we really needed it – I'm interested to see what you do with it! I like this Bekvam hack: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/ikea-bekvam-stool-hack.html… just an idea…
    Happy hopping!
    Maria xx

    • July 22, 2014 / 17:31

      Nothing escapes your gaze, Maria! I did in fact have 'deceptively lovely' originally, but I thought it may give the impression / I was implying that you weren't actually totally and utterly lovely, so I scrapped it. Sometimes I'm not a very good lyrical genius. Unlike Kanye.

    • July 22, 2014 / 21:29

      You are always a good lyrical genius. But I'm glad I spotted your veiled insult before it was removed! 😉 Hehehehe xx

  2. July 24, 2014 / 07:04

    Alex I heart you so much! Gosh I have missed stalking you – you say creep I say stalk lol. I need to pull finger and get back into stalking ya, xoxo (said in a non creepy voice). Thanks for featuring me I will blog something in the next few days. By the way we still have no Ikea in New Zealand – seriously you would think we are a third world country.

    Those stools are crying out for the Hydrangea touch! And wow I remember that gorgeous stool. I am off to go find out what you have been up too.

    By the way if you ever have gall bladder problems I can give you tips on that lol….btw did I tell you Mike and I are off on our first real trip in September to Disneyland and a few other places which means we end up flying home from San Francisco.

    • August 7, 2014 / 16:19

      Yes! I cannot wait to creep you and your adventure State-side. It's going to be awesome and you two will have a blast. Can't wait to hear how Steeped in BeauTea HQ is.

      xx

  3. August 6, 2014 / 18:07

    Phew!
    I finally managed to post my blog hop! I am super flattered that you nominated me. I am also, finally on mat leave, so i am finding a bit more time to get some projects completed. This is a weird time – getting the house ready for both guests and the new addition to the family. Certainly helps motivate!!

    As for your post, thank you for teaching me how to spell the word "shzushzing". I have struggled with it for years!! *wink*. Damn you Carson Kressley for ever uttering the word.

    Thanks for having the "balls" to say that some of your ideas are still in the shit phase. I feel that way about mine for a long time too, then one day the ideas come together – making them go from shit to shenshashional!

    • August 7, 2014 / 16:35

      I read the email notification of your comment last night while I was in IKEA, by myself, and I broke into hysterics at your shenshashional comment. By myself. I got looks.

      Also, I have a question for you – you wrote on your blog that you don't have any nesting urges, what about IKEA urges? The Dublin IKEA always has hundreds of pregnant women. Second to maternity wards. I am curious to see if it's a gestational thing. Having said that, I naturally gravitate towards it anyways. It's like my Mecca.

    • August 8, 2014 / 15:31

      I'd be lying if I said no. I mean, clearly, the crib is Ikea all the way. It worked well with the Canadian cabin theme – unfinished wood, and of course I like the price as well. I am starting to feel more 'nesty' this week. I think it is because I am starting to see the nursery come together.

      Also, with collecting more must-have items, I am realizing I need a place to put them. I feel like I have a million cloth diapers now, so the hutch definitely needs to go in. Apparently I am supposed to wash all of the baby clothes, but then i need a place to hang them… you see where this is going.

      Yesterday, I spent the morning out at a friend's farm and picked up some birch branches for the nursery too – but I suppose that project is less necessity and more aesthetics.

    • August 9, 2014 / 09:05

      Picking birch branches? You are literally nesting (sorry, couldn't help myself). But in all seriousness, I would not have thought your crib was from IKEA! Maybe because I didn't know there was a baby section in IKEA. Probably because it's located just before the canteen and I usually head straight for the canteen. Gravidlax!

      And you have cloth diapers? YES! I've seen so many of my friends using them and I love how eco-friendly they are. Cannot wait to hear of bump and nesting progress xxxxxxxx