Renovation Photos - The Formal Living Area

Finally!

These are just a few quick photos to let you see the final result of the reno! 

Here is the rundown of our renovation.

House purchased in October 2010.

We decided that it needed complete gutting and removal of some walls and almost all fixtures.

Renovations began in December 2010. I have lost count how many tradesmen have been through my house but to give you an idea I've a draftsman, builder, apprentice builder, plumber, landscaper, tiler, painter, floor specialist and more!

Almost everything in the house is brand new. New garage doors, carpet, bamboo floors, kitchen, bathrooms, some new walls, all new LED lights, new fans, new doors and handles, new blinds and new windows.

Here is the formal living area before and after. The before shots were taken just after we made an offer on the house. I was 5 months pregnant in the photo. And my hair looks crap. My inlaws are also in the photos below. It's quite hard to see what we did here. We knocked out walls to open the area up. It was a formal living/dining area but it was very narrow and a wasted space in our opinion. Now it's a formal living area. With no furniture yet!

Before:

 Formal living area

 Looking at onto the porch

 This photo gives you an idea how UGLY everything was. The old bar was the 1st thing to be ripped out.

 This room was dark and cold. You can make out in the photo, but the carpets were soaked and stained with cat urine.

 Through those doors, lead into the old kitchen and hallway. It was pokey and narrow. 

Formal dining room

After:

 New windows and shutters. New lights. Air conditioning added. New front door. New floors.

We knocked out the old windows and added new stacker sliding doors that open onto the undercover pergola. 

 This is the view from the front door. Now the house is long and open instead of little rooms and narrow halls.

New front door. I chose this. Everyone loves it. It weighs a tonne though! 

New plantation shutters, I love them.

Currently - The June '11 Edition

Current Book: When I have the chance, I am off to purchase the new Charlaine Harris book, the latest release in the Sookie Stackhouse collection.




Current Playlist:

• Bon Iver - Perth (Paper Tigers Remix). Amazing. Bon Iver is a musical genius.
• Editors - No Sound But The Wind. Off the New Moon soundtrack. I can listen to the Editors all day.
• LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem. There is no escaping this song. Abi and I love dancing to it.
• Lupe Fiasco - Out Of My Head ft. Trey Songz. This song is f-u-n-k-y! I turn it up and roll my shoulders and get jiggy.
• The Potbelleez - From The Music. This makes me want to dance. Sure, it's loaded with cheesy riffs but it makes me want to run, dance and jump!
• Bon Iver - Calgary. I couldn't resist adding this to my playlist. This song is devine. 

Current Shame - Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Showering for a few minutes longer than usual. Baby it's cold outside!

Current Colour: Green grass in the yard. Grey skies.

Current Drink: Water. Fresh orange juice.

Current Food: Yoghurt and museli, weetbix, salads, salmon patties, lamb meatballs, pasta, ragu, pork stirfry.

Current Favourite Show: True Blood has started again. Parks and Recreation and Arrested Development for a good laugh.

Current Wishlist: For my random junk on ebay to sell!

Current Needs: The usual. More time for me, to sleep and exercise.

Current Triumphs: Abi has been wearing undies for 2 weeks now, with only 2 accidents. She has really grasped toilet training quickly and I hope it's all upwards from here. I bought her some cute Rio undies from Big W on the weekend which she chose. And Edward rolled over too! What a champ!

Current Bane of my Existence: Trying to get to the bottom of the washing basket. It may never happen. Also, having tradespeople at my house nearly every day for the past month. Last week involved a plumber, builder, landscaper, pool man, installation of blinds and shutters and deliveries from Matt Blatt and Domayne. 

Current Celebrity Crush: Pink. I've always liked her. Yes, her music is mainstream but I like her attitude to many things. Including motherhood. She has stepped out in the spotlight with 1 month old daughter Willow and shock horror, has a normal post baby body. It feels satisfying to finally see a celebrity mother looking like the rest of us look after giving birth. Go girl!

Current Indulgence: I've cut the iced coffee from my diet but allowed myself to have one on the weekend as a treat. And a lamington too!

Current #1 Blessing: The house. It really has come together well. We love being here, living here. 

Current Slang or Saying: Where's my boofy - To Edward... Do you need to use the loo - To Abi... 

Current Outfit: Bonds Trackies, ASOS jeans, Toms shoes, Vans, Nikes, ASOS cardigan, 

Current Excitement: We are having a Mickey+Minnie Mouse themed party for Abigail in 3 weeks, she is so excited. I'm pretty chuffed to be pulling out my Mickey ears for a good cause.

Current Mood: Happy. Super happy.

Current Link: 

• Babyology - for the best updates and baby related news
• asos.com - for great ideas for spring fashion
• ebay.com.au - I've just started selling some stuff here and while I'm still new to it, it's pretty fun!

Current App: OzWeather - to know what the elements will be like before I leave the house!

Baby Jogger

Look what arrived at my house this week, my new Baby Jogger City Elite Double pram.

Even though Abi is nearly 3, and never uses a pram anymore, she surprisingly LOVES it. I wanted a double pram to start exercising and going on daily walks and so far, she loves sitting for 45 minutes on the walk as we stroll the streets.

This pram is amazing. It weighs a whopping 16kgs though, which means when I add both the kids in the pram, I'll be pushing some heavy resistance around my local streets. I'm hoping to transform my "tuckshop lady" arms into toned, buff arms.

I look forward to long walks in the fresh air, getting fit, exploring our local area and most of all, the kids to get out and about and see new things along the walk.

Currently - The May '11 Edition

This is my 1st post in what seems forever! Will get my act together and post about the house / move shortly.


Current Book: No time for books this month. Just manuals and warranty cards for all our new household appliances. Boring!


Current Playlist:

• Kylie - Beautiful. This song slid under the radar on her latest album but for me, it's a standout. I'm seeing her in concert next week and cannot wait. Her shows are always fantastic.
• Robyn - Hang With Me. I love Robyn. I saw her live in Singapore in 2008 and she blew me away. Love how this song makes me feel. Reminds me of my girlfriends.
• Jack Johnson - Never Know. Cruisey tune to unpack boxes and do mundane tasks like fold mounds of washing.
• The Prodigy - No Good (Start The Dance). Absolutely wicked song. I have a huge desire to go dancing and hear this. Played loudly. 
• Friendly Fires - Live Those Days Tonight. One of my favourite bands from 2009 have just released their second album and this is the 1st single off it. I love their new sound. They are super good live too!
• Beyonce - Run The World. Turn it up. End of story. Who run this mother, GIRLS!!
• Bon Iver & St Vincent - Roslyn. This song featured on the Twilight New Moon soundtrack. One of Bon Iver's best tracks for sure.

Current Shame - Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Using the dryer every day. I know, I'm terrible Muriel, but the path to my clothes line is covered in overgrown weeds and it looks like Jumanji out there. 

Current Colour: White. I'm loving white right now.

Current Drink: Water. Iced Coffee. Green tea. Peppermint tea. Nursing tea.

Current Food: Stir fry, salmon, lasagne, meatloaf, pasta dishes, chinese takeaway, porridge, wraps, yoghurt.

Current Favourite Show: Masterchef!! Yes, I have jumped on the Masterchef bandwagon. On behalf of Abi, we are loving Cat in the Hat on Disney Junior too. 

Current Wishlist: A holiday. A real holiday with no laptops and iphones. Just my loves and me. And some sunshine too. 

Current Needs: A cleaner who likes to get her hands dirty cleaning my house. A landscaper to build the retainer wall along our front yard. The obvious needs too: more sleep, and more time to exercise.

Current Triumphs: 12 weeks on and breastfeeding is still going strong with Edward. I feel more confident and comfortable breastfeeding the 2nd time around and hope to nurse him as long as possible. I love the bond we share and the beautiful smiles I get from him during the feeds. Abi is sleeping in her new room, in her big girl bed with no dummy. 

Current Bane of my Existence: Washing clothes. Drying. Folding. Sorting. Repeat. Also, my hair is FALLING OUT! I remember I had this when I was breastfeeding Abi too. But this time it's much worse. I have bald spots all over my head and the bathroom floor looks a fright! Like we have a pet cat. 

Current Celebrity Crush: Johnny Depp. No words necessary.

Current Indulgence: Chocolate sundaes. Iced Coffee. Super hot showers on a cold morning. Wearing tracksuit pants all day and night. 

Current #1 Blessing: Having James work from home as often as he does. I've been able to duck up to the shops and do things while leaving the kids with him. It's not that I don't love my kids, but heading to the Country Road or David Jones sales with 2 smalls is quite hard. I need both hands to carry all those red ticketed items!

Current slang or saying: Has Edward done another poo? Can you change his nappy? Giggle and hoot, HOOOOOOOOT.

Current outfit: My daily attire consists of jeans, nike trainers, Bonds hoodies and tracksuit pants, Zara scarf, new RayBan specs.

Current Excitement: Edward is smiling and laughing and growing right before my eyes. I love him to bits. He is my little prince. The house is finally starting to look like a normal home, not that "we just moved in" phase. James bought a new car yesterday and expected delivery is in 2 weeks, what a bonus! No 3-4 month wait like most other cars right now. Also, we just bought a new imac and it's amazing. I'm still adjusting to the magic trackpad but the computer is so easy to use. Abi loves using the photobooth application.

Current Mood: Stressed to be still living with all the boxes and mess. Frustrated living without so much necessary furniture. We have no dining table, no sofa, no blinds or shutters and no garage. My car is too big to fit in the current garage, so we are having the whole triple garaged widened with new doors. This is happening next week, until then, I am parked outside on the driveway and have to run with the kids in the rain to get them in the car. Major boo boo.

Current Link: 

• Ebay - for great bargains.
• David Jones - best range of cookware and homewares at the moment. Especially with the sales on.

Current App:

• Twitter - I have been using Twitter more recently than Facebook. I have started following some of my favourite celebs and they write some WEIRD updates. Steve Martin is pretty funny. Sarah Silverman too.

I will miss the city

Currently - The April '11 Edition

Current Book(s): No new books this month. I am hoping for a new book for Mother's Day. My picks would be:

Current Playlist:

• Gypsy And The Cat - Sight Of A Tear
• Rockabye Lullaby: Coldplay - The Scientist. This goes down perfectly when Edward is crying in the car after a long day. He falls asleep immediately!
• Foo Fighters - Rope. The Foos are back and I likes it!
• Rockabye Lullaby: Kanye West - Stronger. This lullaby is awesome. Time to get my groove on in the nursery.
• The String Quartet (Tribute to Moby) - God Moving Over The Face Of The Waters. This song featured in the Big Love finale and I bawled!

Current Shame - Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Easter Eggs and hot cross buns. I'm actually glad Easter is over. I indulged but now it's time to curb all that surgery goodness from my diet.

Current Colour: We are choosing colours for the house. Grey for the sofa. Taupe for the walls. White for the shutters.


Current Drink: Water, Vitamin Water, Coke Zero and milk.


Current Food: Yoghurts, Up n Go's, Spinach wraps for lunch, avocado, iceblocks.


Current Favourite Show: United States of Tara is back and it's brilliant. Toni Collette is amazing. But the supporting cast is just as good. John Corbett is seriously hot.

Current Wishlist: A holiday. We *almost* booked a holiday to Hawaii in September but decided not to. I mean a real holiday too. Where I turn off my iphone, and James leaves his laptop at home... I wish!

Current Needs: Sleep. Clean sheets. A Woolworths gift card. A housekeeper to clean my forgotten floors.


Current Triumphs: I feel like I've overcome the big hurdle with breastfeeding. 8 weeks on and still going strong. Abigail is receiving lots of attention and special 1on1 time with me so I feel pretty happy about that.


Current Bane(s) of my Existence: Washing tiny swaddles and wondersuits and singlets. It's not a chore, but all I do is wash, wash, wash!


Current Celebrity Crush: David Beckham. He looked insanely hot at the Royal Wedding, he's a family man and an unreal athlete. S.E.X.Y

Current Indulgence: It was iced coffee and Starburst lollies but I just said goodbye to sugar yesterday. I will try and last a whole month without them. Fingers crossed!


Current #1 Blessing: A good friend. She knows who she is. I haven't had much help from family since Edward was born. James has been fantastic but apart from that, I've had little visitors or help. This special friend has been fantastic. Lots of support and an ear to listen.


Current Slang or Saying: I'm going to pump. Has he done a poo? What time is it? Where did I put my phone? (As you can see, I have MAJOR baby brain still!)


Current Outfit: Maternity singlets, Bonds tracksuit pants, Asos jeans, Le Sportsac Baby Bag

Current Excitement: One word. HOUSE. Ready this week. Cannot believe it.


Current Mood: Exhausted. Excited. Anxious. Short tempered. Overwhelmed. Underwhelmed.


Current Link:

• Freedom - for home accessories
• Domayne - for furniture
• Ikea - for bits and pieces
• Kidspot - recipes and articles

Current App:

• Baby Connect - great for counting diapers, milestones, health checks, vaccines.

• Oz Weather - I like to know my forecasts!
• Angry Birds Easter - lots of fun as always.
• Shopping List - great for writing and saving lists to do the groceries
• LineUp2 - great for when I'm feeding Edward at 4am and need to stay awake!

90 Years Young

Today we are off to Port Hacking in southern Sydney to celebrate James's paternal grandmother's 90th Birthday. What a milestone. Her name is Mary. She is the sweetest old thing. And such a trooper. She's had many ailing health issues lately but surprisingly continues to surge on. She will meet Edward for the 1st time today. Her party is being held at the local Yacht Club near the retirement home which she resides in.

I hope when I turn 90, I look like this... I can only hope I'm still rocking out in 2071.

Wedding Flashback

Today is a big day. Some people care, others don't. Me? I'm excited. I can't believe Prince William is getting married. Because he is a prince of my generation, I've always followed stories about him in the media. Heck, I've even wondered what it would be like to be a real bonafide princess. Well Kate Middleton will find out today. I'm happy for them both and hope their marriage is full of love and honesty and most of all, privacy!


Telle, over at FMS has inspired me to flashback to my own wedding, 4 years ago. I'd love to go back to my wedding day, I'd do a few things differently. I wish I took more photos and spent more time talking with everyone. The day whizzed past so quickly.


Here is my wedding:


Date: 2nd June 2007
Location: Hayman Island, The Whitsundays
Guests: 50
Weather: Tropical! Humid, overcast, rainy, sunny, windy, etc.
Wedding Dress: Designed by Karen Willis Holmes

About to walk down the aisle!

The vows

"We do"

My favourite photo from the wedding

The outdoor reception

Cutting of the cake. I didn't even get a slice, I was too busy running around. Dammit.