Would it be wrong to add another pair of animal print flats to my wardrobe? These classy little numbers (a bow and metallic finish!) are calling my name – am hoping to find them in Oz so I can try them on!
Words of Wisdom Wednesday
Keeping it Cosy (and an Instagram change)
I wanted to make the interior of Axel’s teepee a place where he could relax and play quietly (ha! For those of you who know my child I’m sure you are laughing out loud at the ridiculousness of that statement!) but any-who a girl can dream and he has actually managed to do so for maybe 2 minutes max – a work in progress…
I didn’t want to spend heaps of money but wanted to give him the cosy feeling on mass straight away so Kmart and Cotton On Kids were on my hit list at the mall.
The faux sheep skin rug was $35 from Kmart and the cushions from Cotton On Kids were great value for money and tied in well with the Wild Thing-esque theme I’ve got going on in there (monster cushion available but the little triangular cushion is sold out online). I already had the Wild Thing cushion (from Society 6) so added that in there too.
Axel loves to run head first in there and throw himself down on the cushions so it must be pretty comfortable (I actually know it’s pretty comfortable as have had a wee rest in there myself on occasion!) and I can easily add new cushions and blankets.
Also thought I show you a pic of what we got the cheeky monkey for his first birthday present – this awesome Blacklist Studio print which we got via PaperPlaneStore as they have them already framed. I love it! For the moment it is sitting up on the windowsill but when he changes rooms (maybe / eventually / one day) it’ll go up on the wall as there isn’t quite the right spot for it in his current room.
On a side note I was so useless at logging in and out of my personal account on Instagram to post images on the blog account that I’m going to flag the blog account and just link it to my personal account. Hmmm hope that makes sense! Follow me at @claredoornenbal.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone xx
Words of Wisdom Wednesday
Winter Boots – Bringing the Sexy Back
I have been searching for a pair of black over the knee winter boots for a couple of seasons now but nothing was really tickling my fancy in terms of the price I was going to have to pay for no real point of difference. I am certainly not shy when it comes to shelling out the cash for a good pair of shoes, however I like them to be a little bit special.
Yet again I’m a little disappointed with what is out there so I’m thinking flag the over the knee flat variety and go for a sexy, stiletto heeled black ankle boot. I plan on wearing these to do the groceries as well as out for a night on the town (these days whipping to the supermarket for another box of nappies is a far more frequent occurrence than sipping cocktails in a classy bar!) so they will still need to be (somewhat) comfortable.
We head to Australia in a couple of weeks so I’m going to refrain from purchasing online until I’ve had a good look through David Jones (and many other stores!), but here is what is catching my eye on the internet so far, as well as some images to show you the look I’m channeling.
1. Ginger & Smart Obsession Ankle Boots
4. Pulp Hollie
5. Sam Edelman Sandy Suede and Calf Hair Ankle Boots
all images via my Fashion Pinterest board
Words of Wisdom Wednesday
A big birthday and then some bugs!
Our little man turned one a couple of weeks back – I was ridiculously excited, almost like Christmas Eve excitement! Not sure whether this is normal but it was pretty cool! We had a fabulous day with family celebrating this milestone and then partied with Axel’s friends on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I went to a party shop here in Christchurch where I was in and out in 20 minutes, leaving with a plethora of Beatrix Potter themed party wares – easiest party planning ever!
And then I came down with a virus – ugh! I haven’t been struck down with anything this bad since I got swine flu while living in London. While it was nothing nearly as bad swine flu, I have been feeling average to say the least for the last two weeks. Finally today, the fog seems to have cleared and I am beginning to feel a little more like my energetic old self. Thank god for that!
Here are some photos of the birthday boy, including a couple with his friends in his new Mocka teepee (thanks to his Granny and Grandad!). Will do a separate post on the teepee and what I found to make it extra cosy later this week.
Thanks for sticking with me while I’ve had a loooong absence! X
A Cooler Climate…
calls for knitwear and I can’t wait! I love the changing of the seasons and am getting itchy feet to start wearing some cozy knits, in particular a long, snuggly cardigan.
I’m on the hunt for a grey or khaki green one (or maybe both – lets be honest!) as these colours look fab against black / blue / white denim (my winter staples) and I already nabbed this black cable jumper when in Hanmer Springs a couple of weeks back.
Apparently khaki coloured cardigans aren’t so popular though as I could only find the ONE below that was the style I’m after. It is a mighty fine one though thanks to NZ label Moochi – I may have to make the investment…. Seed Heritage does have this khaki coloured jumper that might curb my craving at about a third of the price (and is probably much more likely haha!)
1. Clara Long Line Cardigan – Forever New 2. Cushy Cardi Coat – Moochi 3. Sleeveless Longline Gilet – Witchery 4. Slug Mixed Yarn Cardi by MNG Online – The Iconic 5. Cameo Right On Cardigan – Fashion Bunker
Wallpaper Love
I LOVE, love, lurrrrveee the half moon Ferm Living wallpaper we used on a section in Axel’s room!
I think it really adds a wow factor and pulls everything together. I love how it sneaks around the corner so that you get a peak of what awaits you from the hallway. Clashing prints in the same accent colour allows for cohesion but a sense of fun – what a boys room should be!
I ordered the wallpaper through the Paper Room – they have an amazing range and provide great advice on what products to use to help ensure you get a perfect result.
It was a little tricky to hang due to wonky walls (the joys of living in Earthquake prone Christchurch in a 1930’s bungalow) and my idea to bring it round the corner, but my Dad and brother did a fab job and probably saved my marriage haha! I have slowly been piecing together my ideas for this space.
You can see that I have ticked off the rug from my wish list on this previous post and swapped out the orange curtains for some neutral ones that Mum had in their place and was replacing. I love it when I find cool boy things to add character and a little design to the room – there are so many girly things out there or things that are brightly coloured which don’t really fit with the style of the room so you can imagine my delight when I found this super cool bat hanger online – cheap, cheerful and monochrome!
See below the photos for links to products I have used so far – mind you the Mocka chair is about to be replaced next week (Axel turns one on Wednesday! Where did that year go?!) by something much more whimsical and a whole lot safer; our crazy child scales the chair, props his feet on the heater then boosts onto the windowsill! Not so safe anymore!
Chair – Mocka (similar here)
Rug – Letliv
Moroccan Pouf – Letliv
Animal Artwork – Bird in a Bunny Suit
Wild Thing Cushion – Society Six
Alphabet Cards – Tanya Wolfkamp
mrsadorable 