Our Home- An Organised Space #1 Entrance/Organisation Station

Image credit- Pinterest 

I'll be bringing you a series of blog posts this year about each of the organised spaces I do throughout our home, starting today, with our entrance/organisation station.

Here is the before photo:

It's in a good location for us to grab what we need before heading out the door, making sure that (hopefully) we don't forget any essentials. But I wanted to make it a little more functional & add some more storage.

Starting with the wall, I purchased this filing system from ikea & have labelled each pocket with our names so any correspondence from Ben's work, mail & newsletters for the kids can be stored in here & dealt with. This will be super handy when the kids start school too. 

I've included a magnetic board for any notes or reminders that I need to give myself or the rest of the family as they head out. I also display the kids preschool calendar up here. 

This space wouldn't be complete without the boy's latest preschool photo (aren't they cute!) and it will be good to update this each year.

In the cupboard, I have 6 baskets. The top three (purchased from Kmart) are for the boys shoes- one basket each & the middle basket holds all of their socks. Having socks & shoes in the one place makes it so much easier for us to get out the door on time without having to go searching for that missing shoe or a pair of socks. BIG TIME SAVER! 

 Bottom baskets:

1. Boy's swimming gear- swimmers, goggles & towels. I will change this one to scarves & beanies for the winter months. 

2. Sports- this basket is mostly for Ben & I at the moment with gym essentials & braces. William will start junior football this year so anything for that will be stored in this basket also

3. Pets- this one holds Buster's collars, lead & grooming essentials

Ben's work bag, work shoes & my gym shoes sit in the corner for easy access.

My brand new Kikki K planner sits on top for me to add any important dates & grab as I walk out the door. I've also added some pencils & note paper, spare change & a vase for fresh flowers just to add a pop of prettiness.

I finished the whole look off with some editable labels from Etsy & it's done!

This space will be perfect to see us stay organised for the whole year & beyond! 

What do you think of this space?

I'd love to see your organised space if you have one so leave me a pic in the comments section! 

Til next time,

Mel xx

Health & Fitness in 2015

I've always liked physical activity. I started riding horses at the age of seven. At high school, I chose Aerobics for sport EVERY. SINGLE. TERM & in May 2013 I started a relationship with the local gym.

I've never been excessively overweight. I've had my own weight issues of course (what woman hasn't?) but my main reason for hitting the gym was to relieve STRESS. I was a stay at home mum, stuck at home ALL day with two young boys & it was starting to drive me nuts. Plus, I was taking everything out on the boys & Ben. I needed something to do for myself that gave me a bit of 'time out'. And the great thing was that the kids could come with me & have fun in the crèche while I was working out so I didn't feel guilty doing it!

I was never too worried about losing weight and I didn't for a long time. I got toned, strong, and my clothes definately fitted better but I still weighed the same. And I felt great!

About 3 months ago I decided to start looking at my diet & the things I could change that would help me to lose a bit of weight. I started to eat more healthily and the weight has slowly started to go. 

I now try & get to the gym 3 times a week & the kids are still loving the crèche. It's just all part of our daily routine now.

So, in 2015 I'm planning to work a little harder on my health & fitness. I want to eat better, be fitter, leaner & stay stress free. I know it's going to take hard work & dedication to reach my goal but I'm ready for the challenge. And maybe I'll rock a really hot frock one day! 

Do you work out?

Have any health or fitness goals for 2015?

Til next time,

Mel xx

Happy New Year!

Well here we are again. The start of another new year. They seem to go quicker & quicker the older I get I'm sure!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & enjoyed seeing in the new year. We had a lovely night out at the Golf Club but I was in bed well before midnight last night!

So, you may have noticed another change with the blog. I haven't been all that happy with my blogging for a while now & have been trying to work out where I want to go with it & all the things I want to share.

But I can assure you that I am back on track now. I have a name that I'm finally happy with & am ready to blog away til my heart's content. I have lots of things to share with you already. 

A big thank you to all of my followers & family & friends who have supported my little blogging adventure!!

I hope 2015 is a fabulous year for you & all your loved ones. I'm not one for new year's resolutions but my main focus this year will be on my health & fitness. Something I look forward to sharing with you all. 

So here's cheers to a new year. 

BRING IT ON!!

Til next time,

Mel xx

Yellow

I've really fallen for the colour yellow lately. It's such a fun, bright & happy colour.

I decided to add some yellow to the boy's room over the weekend by paintig these little side tables

And I love how they look in the room!

Also picked up these cute yellow earrings at the markets.

And a couple of other DIY projects I completed on the weekend

 

 

Happy Hump day!!

 

Til next time,

Mel xx

10 Minute Bathroom Makeover

Underneath the vanity in the bathroom that my husband & I share has always been a bit of a disaster zone.

So I decided to fix that issue today.

Here is the (embarrassing) before photo:

As you can see there was really no order to it at all!

After about 10 minutes work, here is the after photo:

Using another basket will hep to keep everything together & in the right place and I've put all the cleaning supplies together & seperate from everything else. This also saves for any mishaps while getting ready for work in a hurry!

The basket down the bottom holds my hair dryer, straightener & hubby's clippers & accessories.

So there it is, a very quick & easy bathroom vanity makeover to make the morning rush time just a little but easier.

How's your bathroom vanity looking these days? 

Til next time,

Mel xx

Everything is Awesome

If you follow me on Instagram, you would know that we have a big Lego fan in the family.

As much as I despise the TINY pieces of building equipment, I do love seeing what William can create with his little imagination. 

And of course we have had the Lego Movie going non stop, only giving way occasionally to the musical sounds of Frozen.

I purchased this lightbox from Typo last week & it seemed only fitting to fill it with words from these two wonderful movies, seeing as most of the time my husband and I head off to work with a movie-inspired tune in our heads.

If you've watched the Lego Movie, you will know that this main theme song is irritatingly catchy. One of those ones that you just can't shake from your head.

And any parent who's watched Frozen (probably at LEAST 1346 times) will know these three words well.

Two great movies with two great songs. 

But they are also words that I think should be used more in everyday life. 

How many times have you stewed for days over something someone said to you, or been stressed over the tiniest thing?

Sometimes you just need to Let it Go.

And how often have you been so caught up in your daily tasks or work schedule that you haven't had time to look around you, at your family & friends & all the things you've done & think to yourself...

Everything is Awesome!

Excuse me while I go & channel my inner master builder...

Til next time,

Mel xx

Organisation Station

The other day I created an organised space for all of our daily happenings.

I like to have a designated area for all of our calendars, to-do lists, shopping lists & anything regarding the boys preschool.

I'd already created a space for our bags & shoes so this cupboard & accessories provided the finishing touch I was after.

Our weekly menu sits here too. You can find the template here. 

On the wall is our yearly calendar that I created online at Harvey Norman photo centre, our shopping list, daily planner, cleaning schedule & monthly calendar for preschool.

On the top shelf, the three baskets hold nappies & wipes, cloths for easy & quick clean ups, & the dog's lead & accessories.

The bottom shelf holds some insulated bags for an easy grab if we are heading to the park, some of my work bags & a basket to hold scarves & beanies.

I feel like this space is complete now & is  perfect to help us stay organised from day to day.

Do you have an organised space like ours? Please share! 

Til next time,

Mel xx