Bathroom Declutter

More dirty laundry to be aired, more dusty, toothpaste covered bits and pieces to share. Lucky you. 

This is my bathroom, containing a stack of towels that just never fits in the cuppboard (even though you can clearly see a space that would fit them perfectly), an upside down baby bath that hasn't been used in over 10 months (we shower 'round here. The bath is just obviously there so visitors will think we're real parents who bath our children). Toilet paper in a basket on the floor and a tonne of products on the counter. 

Ack.

Out goes the bath (now stored under the cot - it'll come in handy.. one day. It will.) and in comes another shelving unit. Toilet paper in the bottom, flannels hand towels and Camillas moisturiser in the top. Inside the green draw is stuff we use, but not every day. Likkkeee razor blades, different moisturisers, samples of things.. other stuff.

Under the counter more space has been made by throwing out products we never use, getting rid of the flannels and handtowels (into the shelving unit, you follow?), and exporting the medicines and first aid kit to the laundry. 

That made room for all the stuff on the top counter to go back into the orange baskets, one for me and one for MrMoo.

Thats the last of my Organising Declutter series, lets all keep our fingers and toes crossed that I win the awesome Tupperware set from Simone at Greatfun4kids

READ MORE:
Decluttering my Laundry

Meet The Sisterhood: Amanda

The Sisterhood is made up of so many beautiful women, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning. I wanted to introduce them to you as they mostly stay under the radar and behind the scenes but they are so very important to me!

I've asked them all a few questions, and they replied! I hope you enjoy getting to know a few more Sisters! (I'll be posting these interviews each week. Make sure you leave a comment and some love for them!)

Introducing Amanda!

I first met Amanda at our Plunket's Pepe mornings. We live in the same area and were lucky enough to be in the same group with other lovely mums. Over the last two years of knowing her she has been an incredibly honest, kind and generous part of my life. She's been to my place for play dates, Sisterhood meetings, and even the home birth of my most recent daughter! 

I have huge respect for Amanda, and that's why its my pleasure to introduce her to you today!

How did you first hear about The Sisterhood

I am lucky enough to have a daughter the same age as Sophie's eldest so we met through our local Plunket group. Sophie and I quickly became friends (as did our wee girls) and so when the Sisterhood was 'born' I was excited to jump on board straight away!

What initially made you get involved? How did you get involved?

I'm sitting here trying to think what the first 'moment' was. Maybe it was a family in need of clothing after a house fire??? I honestly can't remember and I think that is what the Sisterhood means to me. It's hearing the 'call' from Sophie and finding a way to help...whether it is donation of items, money, thoughts, messages.... It's actually really nice to find a practical way to help others in need.

How did that make you feel?

I am lucky enough to have nominated two beautiful women ... both mothers who despite what they face on a daily basis are so awe inspiring! Being a mother is the hardest job even when things are going ok... I feel so privileged to be part of a community of sisters who are able to show women just how special they are. It sends me warm fuzzies to bless and support complete strangers.

What is your favourite part of The Sisterhood?

I  love knowing that what I gift is getting to the women, mothers, families who need it. I love the secrecy of it all. I love the excitement of being blessed and the love that comes pouring out of each and every love bomb. I love knowing that there is a little 'wow' moment for the person receiving it, to know that they are being thought of. I love that I know Sophie... the kindest most warm hearted person I know!!!! Basically I just loveThe Sisterhood!!!!

What would you like to see us do in the future?

I love the blessings that I can involve my daughter in.... we enjoyed the Kindness Day where together we wrote letters to our special friends in our lives and did baking for our doctors and plunket nurses. I'd love to see more ways in which we can empower our tamariki to think outside of themselves.

But in saying that... everything that The Sisterhood is amazing. I can not believe that from a small idea grew something this outstanding!! Big ups to you Sophie and all the Sisters out there xx

If you want to make friends with Amanda, you can leave a comment for her here:

Want to meet more?
Angela's Interview
Hazel's Interview

Gina's Interview

Deb's Interview
Treena's Interview

Little Friends Coat

I made another little Pea Coat for one of Camillas bestest friends after her Mama admired the first kelly green coat. 

Camilla helped me sew this one throughout a week of working around Katie's naps, we used the time to talk a lot about her friends, giving and making things. She really did learn so much in that time and learnt so many new words. It was a great time to spend together even though it frustrated the heck out of me having tiny fingers trying to get where they ought not be!

Details: Navy corduroy with a red strawberry and flower lining using the Big Little classic pea coat pattern (only 7 bucks!)

Cute brooch made using the lining for the front and corduroy for the backing and hand quilted with embroidery floss.

Made with Love metal tags sent from London by my big Sis! My first real opportunity to use them! (I wonder if the owner even realises its there??)

READ MORE:
The Big Little Blog
Millas green pea coat
More sewing on Sophie Slim
Linking in with Show n Tell

I've finally sent my ol' girl in for a machine service, I can't wait to get her back, hopefully running smoothly! Next on my to make list are some quilt style cushions for Millas bedroom - lovely fabric c/- Deb (a lady who really needs no more description than her first name)

If you have heard of Deb and want to donate to her new quilting machine you still can! A woman worthy of blessing.

Organising My Space - Laundry

Er. Hi. I can't believe I'm posting this, but you know, I'm always learning new things about myself. So here I am, showing you my dirty laundry in the hopes of winning some Tupperware from Simone at Great Fun 4 Kids.

She's hired a professional organiser recently and blogged about it, and well, I got the guilts.

We live in an apartment, and we've never really invested in storage solutions. We're still starting out, ya know. Also, storage seems like a weird thing to spend our limited money on.

But. It's been driving me insane recently. With all the stuff that toddlers and babies collect, i'm just about doing my head in. I kind of pride myself on limiting the clutter, its just the storing of stuff we do need that I'm not so good at.

So the day after reading Simone's post I found myself at the Warehouse, buying shelving units and draws for a bargain price. I can't believe it's taken this many years to get my cr*p off the floor.

Let me start by saying, even though we don't have a tub or a dryer, I consider myself very blessed to have this laundry. It's behind a door which is most uncommon for apartment living. Everyone else in our block has their washing machine in their bathroom. We are lucky to be able to hide away our piles of dirty clothes!

Most of the stuff in my laundry I don't actually use. It's just there. 

So out with the nappy bucket we don't need for a while (Millas in big girl knickers now!), it's been sanitised and is now in my office area. Out with the cleaning products I don't use and out with the woollens waiting to be handwashed. The buckets were removed, but have since come back to fit between the basket and shelves.

In comes a shelving unit for first aid and medicines (imported from the bathroom to make more space there)(below), a fabric draw to store the woollens for washing (yes mum, I'm getting to them!)(middle) and up top, laundry powder, vaccum bags and polishers (imported from the kitchen to make more space there).

Thanks so much Simone for that kick in the back side! Coming up later in the week, my bathroom! (no pressure to read these, seriously. Oh the shame!)