An Aquarium In The Decor...

 Have you ever considered incorporating an aquarium in your home decor?

I have discovered the PERFECT small aquarium set up,

 and the PERFECT pet fish to share with you.

Yes you read correctly - Fish.

As in one.

The male Betta which is also known as a Siamese fighting fish is an interesting wee fish with huge personality.

Not only that  - he is BEAUTIFUL!

So while 'Lewis' is having a rest on his leaf bed,

let's talk decor.

This home is a first do upper on a budget. 

The walls which have the original gorgeous textured wallpaper from the 1940s was in superb condition apart from being time yellowed,

 it has been over painted white to freshen. 

The fire brick was grey but for a dramatic touch has been repainted black in semigloss. 

All woodwork in the original rimu simply revarnished.

Carpet black with a dark grey fleck.

Drapes are floor length in grey.

The side door has a simple patterned panel curtain in grey floral.

 The coffee table is wood to compliment the skirtings.

The side board cabinet was a $60 Trade Me purchase,

 which was repainted in Annie Sloan Chalk paint.
The colour is called 'Duck Egg Blue'.

New crystal knobs replaced the originals as several were lost and broken.

Accessories in the decor are pieces the owner loves and has collected over time.  

The artwork was a big influence on colours in this room.

Art print and products with this image is available HERE

Be a mermaid in a sea full of fish!

 Now back to 'Lewis' the Betta fish.

Betta are extremely characterful.

They know their owners!!!!

 This is Lewis's house.

His aquarium is just the perfect size.

Small!

Which means he's an easy to maintain pet.

His decor accessories include his night bed - the inside of the helicopter ornament.

His day bed - the plastic leaf on the upper side of the aquarium.

And some fake coral for exploration games.

Sometimes he has bubbles switched on for a little excitement!

So do consider including a small aquarium 

into the home decor.

I am certain once you have a Betta fish as a pet, 

you will be in LOVE!

But here are a few facts to start with:

They prefer to be solitary.

They come in many shapes and colours.

They breathe oxygen from water and air.

The males blow air bubble nests.

All you need to know about the beautiful quirky betta fish,

like how to care for one 

is over at 

bettafish.org 

and also at

https://www.tankarium.com/betta-fish-facts-care-diet-and-species-guide/

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#betta #siamesefightingfish #smallaquarium #fishindecor #upcycling #chalkpaint

Upcycled Necklace And New Shoes...

This upcycle began with a new pair of shoes...

Try with all my 'shopping' might,

I simply could not find a chunky necklace in a similar colour.

So what does a DIY & UPCYCLE gal do?

DIY & UPCYCLE your own of course!!

Take one old not so pretty chunky chain with heart necklace.

 And one can of bronze tone metallic paint...

Did I mention I LOVE SPRAY PAINT?

And spray - spray - spray!

Voila - one upcycled diy metallic necklace...

to compliment those gorgeous sparkly bronze sneaker shoes!

 I am so happy with my 'NEW' necklace.

Wouldn't one be a fabulous Mother's Day gift idea?

Use a necklace no longer worn from your jewellery box, or source one from the goodwill or dollar store.

The new sneakers now have a matching necklace!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#DIYjewellery #upcycled #mothersdaygiftidea

Waffle Cone S'mores...

This brings back many a campfire memory...

marshmallows toasted over the fire...

and s'mores camp style.

 For those who don't know what a s'more is - 

it is a toasted marshmallow squished between graham crackers with chocolate.

The earliest reference to s'mores is 1927 in USA,

 when they are referred to as 'Some Mores' in a book called 'Tramping and Trailing With the Girl Scouts'.

This modern indoor kitchen version of s'mores uses waffle cones and is oven-baked.

You'll need marshmallows, waffle cones and chocolate melts in dark or milk.

Banana slices and tinned mango have also been added for a fruity twist.

Once you stuff the cone with all the goodies, you simply wrap each in tinfoil and place on a baking tray into a hot oven.

They are SWEET...

Marshmallow GOOEY...

and CHOCOLATEY.

(Not for the faint-hearted, because they are a total sugar overload.)

The kids (big & small) will love them.

So next time you pitch a tent for the kids in the backyard for camp play or an overnight sleepover.

Whip up some Waffle Cone S'mores for all to enjoy.

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#Smores #kidsparty #marshmallow #chocolate #sweets

A Floral Mood Board Thought For You...

#flower #quote #lifequote 

PAPERCRAFT: Let's Create A Pretty Bedroom Banner...

 There's nothing prettier than a paper flag banner,

 to pop a whole lot of wow on a wall.

And a banner was the perfect wall decor needed for this bedroom.

Using a basic flag banner template...

The papers were cut to shape.

 The top edge was folded over.

A raw string was cut to required length.

Then using a craft glue the banners were glued at the top fold onto the string.

Then left overnight to dry.

 It was quite hard to choose the papers...

 These are scrapbooking papers.

The final touch was a string of fairy lights added for a little bling.

 The duvet cover and pillow were found at Adairs.

 Don't you just love the huge pom poms on this throw?

(pink throw via Farmers)

You'll find the template for this flag Here.

#banner #papercraft #fairylights

#papercraftideas

Robin Egg Blue Outdoor Furniture Upcycle...

The outdoor furniture upcycle was on the 'to do' list for a long time.

And finally it happened!

It is Autumn now, but the little side patio was looking oh so sad.

Plus this wee spot is a perfect coffee hideaway even in winter.  

(Coastal lifestyle means no snow here!)

The old rusty 'past the use by date' table and two chairs were scrubbed down with a wire brush.
Then washed and left to dry.
The paint I used is called 'Rust-oleum'.
A paint and primer in one easy to use sprayer.
The colour I used is called 'Robins Egg' in matt.

 I'm loving this can design in spray paint. 
Trigger mechanism that's easy to use.
Fab coverage.  
(It took one and a half cans to cover the table and two chairs, so that means extra is available for patch ups in the Spring).

 I painted some old pots white,
 and potted some vibrant shocking pink cyclamen.

What I'd like to make are some round cushions for on the chair seats  - that's next on the list!

 Another cyclamen potted in another painted pot.

 In a white bucket on the step.
A beautiful shocking pink cosmos.

And sweet pink snapdragons.

 I am totally crushing on the Robin Egg colour!!!

 In the larger pots stock, impatiens, cosmos and snapdragons were planted.

What an amazing transformation of a table set I had all but given up on.

I love you, spray paint!

 And the addition of cream and white pots of pink and white flowers just adds to a relaxing beautiful space.
I'm hoping the cosmos has time to seed down before winter arrives.

And the rain overnight left sweet water droplets on my newly planted flowers.

A reminder to stop and enjoy the little things.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#upcycling #pink #duckeggblue #patio
#outdoorliving 

Imagination is...

#inspirational #quote #photographicquote #imaginationquote #positivethinking