Our Deck Plans

When I posted our parent retreat progress I briefly mentioned our plans for under our new pergola. Julian is now home for his 4 weeks off and we plan to get the deck part complete. Work starts today! Julian builds pretty much everything in our gardens and I have no doubt the deck is going to be great.

Here is how the area currently looks - the deck itself will be 6 x 4.1m plus the walkways. We plan to use this space for outdoor lounges and will look into adding a ceiling fan also.

There will be a decked walkway from the limestone in the alfresco which will be the same level then you'll step up onto the main deck. There will then be another decked walkway from the deck to the grass. Along the grass side and alfresco side will be a rocky dry creek with river stones and likely some plants. Along the fence line and the back planter box wall will be lots of lush green plants. We are thinking about tiger grass, bamboo, bromeliads, rheoos, cycads, parlour palms and so on.

Also up on the planter box wall (area if half cut off) will be a tall water feature with water flowing down the tiles and then the plan is to have it over flow over the limestone wall also. Hard to picture but I know Julian has great plans. We have chosen a nice metallic tile for the water feature (where the grey space below is).

Here is a VERY rough drawing to give you a general visual (haha it's so bad I know just go with it). Then picture some sort of modular lounges in L shape in corner near the plants and a coffee table. Probably add some hanging plants or pot plants etc to the space also.

Hopefully within few weeks I will have deck photos to share with you!

Recipe: 10 Peanut Butter Recipes

Peanut butter is one of those tastes you either like or you don't. I however love it! Peanut butter recipes mostly contain banana and/or chocolate. This combination of flavours is delicious! Here are 10 sweet peanut butter recipes to try.

Click on the images to be taken to the recipe

1. Skinny Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake

 2. Fudge Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butting Frosting

 3. Peanut Butter Banana Choc Chip Oatmeal Bars

 4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

 5. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pudding Pots

 6. Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

 7. Peanut Butter Fudge

 8. Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

 9. Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

 10. Peanut Butter & Choc Chip Cookies

My 7 Vignettes - January to April

You have probably seen me mention 7 Vignettes are few times usually on my FMS photo a day posts. I have really love this photo challenge and looking at everyone elses stunning creations. 7 Vignettes happens from the 1st-7th of each month. A few days prior to 1st of each month Interiors Addict will post the new list on instagram along with the month's judge. There are prizes to be won each month. The prizes don't concern me I just really enjoy the photo challenge.

You can read more here: 7 Vignettes by Interiors Addict

So far I have completed 3 months and would like to share them with you. I take all my photos using my iphone 6 plus and only edit through the instagram app.

I will start with my most recent which I just completed. This month I kept the same background and one of my marble coasters. I LOVE this month's grid and think I will do something similar next month (depends on the list). I think I prefer flat lays also as most my favourite photos from these challenges have been flat lays.

1.Blush - the only thing I owned in blush was actual blush (which is around 10 years old hehe)

 2. Bloom - these gorgeous flower photos were a gift from Jess from A Little Part of the World. I 'borrowed' the flowers from my neighbours.

 3. Light - This one was difficult...

 4. Soft - I adore this one and it was very popular with others. Soft marshmallows, cotton & knit

 5. Easter - chocolate eggs, hot cross bun and a bunny... everything Easter!

 6. Weave - Another more difficult when it comes to flat lay. I used some hessian and a the lid from my laundry basket.

 7. Gold - all things golden

This next one was from March. I chose to do a stationery theme as it's one thing I own a large variety in. This one was fun!

 1. Metallic - I chose gold with a few touches of silver. I like the light in this one

 2. Shelfie - my most favourite shelf in my study. Full of colour and goodies!

3. Bedroom - Keeping with my stationery theme you can see my planner on my bed. One of the quietest and comfiest spots in my home to plan.

 4. Freestyle - of course I had to use pineapples. This is scatter love card which I cannot part with. This photo was featured as favourite by March's judge Keeki.

 5. Shiny - I had just switched my ECLP cover to the silver foil one which was great timing

 6. Blue - I didn't have as much blue stuff for a flat lay so I went with a blue vignette

 7. Floral - limited floral stationery, this is all the floral stuff I own

I missed February, I must have been swamped with Master T starting school full time etc. January was my first ever attempt at 7 Vignette's. I can see an improvement each month with my photos so far. I look forward to see what I can come up with in May.

This is January's grid

Colour Pop: Copper & Black

Copper... it is everywhere right now! Kmart most recent range (not online yet) includes a geometric copper candle holder and copper clock. The more I looked at shops online the more im seeing copper. I don't really have a space I think copper would work in my house but I think it looks great with black. Perfect for a study or a moody lounge room or bedroom.

a) Beacon - Elliot Pendant
b) Adairs - Copper Aztec Cross
c) Adairs - Copper Aztec Geo
d) Kmart - Ampersand LED Light
e) Matt Blatt - Odessa Pendant
f) Matt Blatt - Elements Copper Vase
g) Beacon - Hex Table Lamp
h) Kmart - Matt Black Metal Chair
i) Matt Blatt - Watch Wall Clock
j) Vast Interiors - Hammered Stool
k) Adairs - Luxor Copper Wire Basket
l) Kmart - Little Things Sign
m) Freedom - Midnight Dreams Cushion
n) Adairs - Pima Textured Towels
o) Target - Lisa T Wire Basket
p) Kmart - Candle Hurricane
q) Adairs - Orissa Planter

Kitchen Eye Candy!

With kitchen week starting on The Block this week I thought it would be a great time so go back to all the gorgeous kitchens I have featured on my blog so far. They are all so different, so many options when it comes to planning and designing kitchens.

Click the image to be taken to the full post with more details and photos to enjoy.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I hope you are all having a lovely time with your families and enjoying the kids excitement! I love how into Easter my kids are this year.... oh and the endless supply of chocolate & hot cross buns. Julian is away this year but he gets home Tuesday which is great time as school holidays have just started here in WA.

FMS Photo-a-Day: March Week 10-13

Another month of FMS Photo-a-Day complete. This month went well. It's not start of  April so im also taking part in #7vignettes. If you have never heard of this read HERE for more information. It happens first 7 days of every month. So many gorgeous photos!

We are half way through week 14... come join in!

Colour Pop: Pink, Gold & Black

This week started with 1 patterned cushion (h). I find this is a great way to style, start with one piece and go from there. This combination of pink, gold & black is soft yet bold. I think would be lovely in a lounge room or master bedroom. Once again all items are from only 3 stores making it easy to shop the look!

a) Adairs - Blush Towel Range
b) Adairs - Precious Metal Gold Cushion
c) Adairs - Metal Clock
d) Freedom - Ici Tealight Holder
e) Freedom - Accordion Table Lamp
f) Adairs - Amber Velvet Cushion
g) Freedom - Deco Chair
h) Adairs - Nomad Geo Pink Foil Cushion
i) Adairs - Wool Throw
j) Freedom - Brio Shower Caddy
k) Freedom - Dynasty Side Table
l) Freedom - Haus Deco Statue
m) Target - Glass Cloche
n) Target - Abby Photo Frame
o) Freedom - Marnie Cushion
p) Freedom - Woodstock Side Table
q) Adairs - Andorra Pink Throw