Happy New Year everyone! So here we are in 2013 and I find it kind of exciting having a symbol to represent new beginnings and opportunities.
It was nice taking some time off with my family; we didn’t do a huge amount other than having friends from Australia come visit us for a few days, which was great fun.
Next week, Guillaume’s mother from France will be coming to stay with us for a while which we’re all really looking forward to. I’ve got a few projects that I’d like to work on with her while she’s here if she’s game! The first one is a major one of relining a huge armoire that we have in the spare room that was inherited from her parents. It’s a lovely big old thing and I use it mainly as an office storage, full of lever arch folders for filing, stationery supplies and a place to store photography equipment. It’s lined with an out-dated tired looking fabric and I thought that it would be nice to keep a fabric there but with a modern twist. I’m searching for something with a strong simple design in a floral or geometric that’s not too expensive. I’m still looking but have shortlisted the four above with the top one my favourite. Do you like any of these designs? Any suggestions?
Once the armoire is done, I’ll revamp what’s inside, the first being getting some gorgeous looking new files, a little wire basket or two or something to hold twines, ribbons, tapes and other bits and bobs – some of these are ideas that I got from you in the comments section of when I spoke about getting organised a couple of months ago, thank you everyone! If you are after some great organisation ideas, you should check out everyone’s comments and links they left. If you do have more suggestions for attractive storage solutions, I’d love to read more!
I’ve also got a vintage tallboy that I have in the boy’s room that I store the board games and kids craft supplies in that’s in desperate need of paint. I actually bought all of the paint last week with great ambitions to get to it but alas, I got a little hooked on Pinterest! Oh yes, something that I’ve been long ignoring or should I say avoiding… So one the things on the to do list during this time off was to get my head around it and get boards going which was a load of fun. You can check my work in progress here.
I also had a bit more time on my hands to delve into the blogosphere and start following a few more blogs. I have to say that there’s a bunch of talented people out there so I thought in future I’ll round up my favourite posts that I read for each month and share with you. I’ll start at the end of this month but until then, there has been one that put a big smile on my face, a post by Dani from andcute.com about the traits of the modern bloggerette – oh my it was hilarious and for you bloggers out there reading this, you must check it out if you haven’t already and for those of you who wish to get to know the depths of us crazy bloggers, go over and have a laugh!
I can’t finish this post without telling you my New Year goals for the blog can I?
1) Discover and write about new emerging designers and artisans and businesses – they really need the support from us bloggers
2) Have more giveaways for you lovely people
3) To continue to grow my unique monthly readership
4) Reach a minimum of 1200 fans on Facebook by my one year anniversary the end of June – 100 likes for each month!
5) Have sponsors come on board
6) Listen to what you want to see on the blog
So what have you been up to? Any major goals for the year ahead?
Ahh it feels good to be back, I missed you!
Mel x
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Oh I love all your goals, Mel. It is so healthy to start up the new year with a clear mind! And I am pretty sure you will get there easily. And I am happy to follow along your process!
Thanks Gudy! Thanks for following, I appreciate your support so much:) M x
Welcome back Mel and happy New Year!!! the armoire is just stunning – lucky you to have it in your home! I cant wait to have a peek inside once you’ve organised it and sorted everything in its place, perfect storage solution! I love seeing images of fabrics & linens stacked neatly in beautiful vintage cupboards!
Here’s to a great year ahead in 2013!!
Hey Anastasia! I can’t wait to get to it, I’m dreaming of some organization! It’s funny, I’m the same about seeing linens and fabrics stacked, I paid way to much for a cupboard on ebay once because I liked the styling! Great things for 2013 to you too:) Mel x
Thanks again for the great time we had in Auckland.
You are a very inspiring lady. I am confident you will achieve your goals for 2013.
Thanks so much Julia! It was so lovely to have you guys stay with us, we all really enjoyed it. Look forward to catching up again soon:) Mel x
Welcome back lovely! What a gorgeous armoire! I love the idea of combining fabrics no 1and 3!?! Kids go back to school tomorrow, so I need to get back into the swing of it!! Light is too bad to shoot after 1pm at the moment, so not much time in the day for my favourite things. Happy 2013 xx
Thanks Caroline. Great idea about combining the two, I’m a fan of that, I wonder if I could pull it off? Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I remember short days of the UK in the wintertime… Happy 2013 too! M x
Hi Mel, Happy New Year. Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year! Love all the linings, the last one stands out for me. How lovely to have your Mother In Law visiting from France (I’m sure she’ll appreciate escaping the cold). The Armoire is beautiful and so special that it’s a family piece. It’s great to catch up again. Wishing you every success with your blog this year and on achieving your goals. Catherine xxx
Thanks Catherine! Yes, she’s from the middle of France so it can get super cold there, fingers crossed that the weather is good for her here, it’s the best time of year. x
Welcome back Mel and Happy New Year! I love your choices of linings and I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished! You have a fantastic collection of Pinterest boards – now following them all – addictive isn’t it?! Thanks for sharing the brilliant ‘bloggerette’ post – so funny and can totally relate! Good luck with your goals – you are sure to succeed!! x
Thanks Michelle. Yes Pinterest is completely addictive, I dabbled in it when I first started blogging and thought no, better put this aside for now! I would have loved for it to exist when we renovated in Sydney, so many fabulous ideas. Mel x