A Flush of Spring Time Inspiration | They Call Me Mellow Yellow | Quite Rightly

A much needed colourful dose of inspiration for you lovelies! If you read my post during the week about feeling so disorganized you will know how I am feeling. My wonderful bf bought me some bright yellow polka dot bed clothes from Ikea the other day and holy smokes am I feeling inspired now! Not to any work really, properly on my room but some little changes and moving things around the house. First off I have to buy some yellow prints off etsy for my photo wall. I am very tempted to treat myself to a larger mirror for my bedroom as it's very small but I might have to do some more thinking!

 How delicious does that lemon cupcake look? The images are all available on my pinterest board ^_^ That middle image is from the wonderful Leslie Shrewing and her Color posts through Decor8 Blog.

These images are so bright. They look even better when there's sunshine around!

 I need to actively start using my pinboard - actual pinboard - and stop leaving things pinned and not looking at them!

As I am looking around my little office space I am actually seeing some yellow boxes I could definitely swap out for my bedroom. oOo Nothing is more exciting than refreshing your four walls! Its very hard to be wakened up by the glaring yellow in the morning. Going to have to wear a better mask I think. 

I love these stairs!! 

Lots of love Claire xo

The Creative To Do List!

This post/picture is for all my fellow friends who live their lives by lists!! After yesterdays post about being disorganized and feeling a little scatty; I've been finding lots of helpful resources and links to inspire but I am by no means anywhere near a starting point! The contents of this post made me smile! I dont have a creative to do list like this but a series of small things... I have a big ideas list and then a more manageable - 1 thing a day thing. My 1 thing for today is to buy a kitchen timer ^_^


Adam Bailey and Irene Pau are two creatives at Rethink Toronto. They wanted to make sure that they followed through with their resolutions for 2011. The two collaborated to create their 2011 creative to-do list in a visual and interactive form that they could share online. Here’s what Adam had to say about the piece:

“The inspiration for our Creative Resolutions piece came during a conversation the two of us had about the goals we’ve set for this year. Since we both recently made the jump to Rethink Toronto from big agencies, we really focused on living up to the Rethink philosophy of encouraging creativity beyond our agency work,” explains Bailey. “We realized that if we shared our list with as many people as possible, we’d be much more dedicated to following it through. So we decided the Rethink Opinion column was a perfect outlet.”

A better view of the whole list in its entirety and downloadable wallpapers are available through -

Rethink Opinion column

Lots of love Claire xo

Stuck In a Disorganised Rut | What Do You Do For Motivation?

That is most definitely what I want to know! Since suffering a little injury at the end of last month and then a subsequent dose of 'man flu' (i definitely adopted it - a cold turned into a chest infection and lingered) I haven't recovered at all and have spent most of my time in bed. 

My spare room was painted and it looks excellent, despite that and then yesterdays good news about the Cellar Door magazine Im still stuck. I want to thank Beka - Ginger*Urchin for her advice in my previous post on white spaces, on the mirror and rug idea. I had thought of the mirror but I want to find one big enough ^_^ Maybe even two! Since it was painted though and the contents of my previously organised bookshelves ended up all over the place; I have absolutely no motivation or energy (much less energy than Im used to) to get anything done! If I'm honest it's a struggle to get my blog organised and I am usually very good at that! 

I have started watching hoarders.. Thank god I'm not like that, I'd say my parents have a touch of hoarding in them which is possibly why I hate clutter so much. I am disorganised now though and unmotivated. 


My usual pit stops of Chez Larsson, Martha Stewart, Deliciously Organized and Apartment Therapy tips aren't cutting it at the minute! I will be adapting Michael Nobbs 'Little and Often' mantra and using a kitchen timer when i have enough energy to achieve something in 10 minutes (he uses 20 minutes but I think that's too generous for my current energy levels). I will get there eventually! *I think I can, I think I can, I think I can* 

Until then I shall dream of a clutter free space!

Lots of love Claire xo

Heart Handmade UK | My Home Featured in Cellar Door Spring Fling Magazine

How pleased am I? Such an honour to be featured in the Spring Fling 2011 issue of CellarDoor magazine. There are lots of great features in this seasons magazine and the illustrations are absolutely adorable! I love the feel of this magazine and it's fabulous that it's based here in the UK. View here!

ooOo theres my name under contributors ^-^

My hallway!

My bedroom, thanks to Leslie Shrewings styling lessons on Blogging Your Way!

I love how they displayed my Ikea Curtain Inspiration Wire!

and my other bedroom! I love my ikea Malm bed. Another little suprise coming up with magazines. I cant wait!

Lots of love Claire xo

Shopping Delights | A Fabulous Range from Not on the High Street

I love Not on the High Street, eventhough a lot of the items can be bought in little boutiques on high streets all over the country!


Despite this there is a fantastic and diverse range of products available. I have chosen a few of my favourites to share with you today. 

These Patchwork tiles are pretty special ^-^ Such an eclectic mix of colours that I completely adore. Complimented extremely well by that rather strange coloured sink, but of course it works so well!

Who isn't enamoured by Dumpling Dynasty and their 'Kawaii Chic' designs?! All of those tins are available here. Specifically for Coffee, Tea and Sugar but I doubt anyone would tell on you if you decided to store threads or bobbins in there instead ^-*.

How fabulous is the Knitters notebook?!

 You can squeal ladies! You know you want too! 


Those Alphabet letter blocks (or Alphablocks) are a really unique take on the Word Art we have all gone crazy for in recent  years. Made with wooden blocks, nails and coloured thread. I think they look fantastic and very unique.

The sandcastle bowl is just very very cute. Is it part of getting older when you get so excited about bowls and crockery? My boyfriend thinks I'm just mental. 


I don't even know where to begin with the 'Vintage Tea Party' range. Reminds of an American designer of tea sets that I cant even remember now! It will come back to me... Rosanna! Yes!

If you read this blog regularly you will know i am a giant fan of stationery; especially notebooks or anything that can be used as an art journal! I love the art work and paper cuttings of Rob Ryan, I love that they're also now in Notebook and tote bag form!
 

Lots of love Claire xo

The Home Office In Love With White Bright and Spacious

Unfortunately... my spare room is not spacious! I'm wondering how my landlord would feel if i ripped up the carpet?! I frickin hate that carpet! I want white floor boards. As you know.. or may not new readers! I have been trying to redecorate my spare room since um.... last year lets say. The end of the year. It got moving more in february as we were having house guests.. and then tailed off! But this post shows you my expedit then and more inspiration. My original inspiration came from here.

Im still really tempted to create an armoire that I recently posted about here.

 I finally got the walls painted white! It's amazing what a fresh lick of paint can do! The room has brightened but because  of the small room and the fact we are on the dark side of the house - its still quite dark. I will need a very very big mirror.  Or several!

 The middle image in that is from Indie Moon blog ^-^ all these photos were on my laptop as I printed them all for my design moodboard. So if you know original links let me know and i can edit the post!

I love that frame wallpaper! Its from b&q and i nabbed a very large sample for crafting purposes! 

 I think i just need better light. I don't know how else to add more light to this room of mine! I will share photos of how it looked before when i get my old harddrive fixed. *fingers crossed*

 

Lots of love Claire xo

Happy Easter! Some Flowers & Chocolate Mini Eggs to Brighten Your Day

Happy Easter everyone ^-^ stuffing your faces with chocolate I hope!

These photos are a bid to show off my brand new Cath Kidston mug ^-^ I absolutely adore it! It's also huge and perfect for a giant comforting cupa. Despite how warm the weather is! I'm awaiting the arrival of some Clipper Fruit teas but because of the crazy easter holidays it will be a few days yet. Can you believe that an entire bag of chocolate mini eggs could fit in one cupcake case?! That's not all of them... some of them ended up in my mouth... I needed the energy! Swear!

 These tulips and decor are part of an Easter Floral arrangement my aunty did for me for Easter. It was lovely ^_^ I have taken some wide shots of it too.

 I am totally in love with all of these colours. That mercury tea light holder is from Lombok that I got at Christmas. 

The coffee pot is from An Angel at my table - I got that for christmas! And the hanging swallow was from Urban Outfitters I think. Another christmas gift. 

 They were delicious! And yes I am a chocolate monster. I got the little cupcake case idea from Coco Rose textiles - my new favourite blog and flickr!

Have a great holiday!

Lots of love Claire xo

Better Blogging ebook | Making Motion: 7 Steps for Doing More with Your Creative Life EBook Review

 Top of the morning to all my beautiful readers! Todaaaay I am going to be quite boring and actually talk blogging business! 

Since I recently met a whole lot of you through Blogging your way with Holly Becker I thought i would share my recent finds!

I discovered the fabulous Laura Roeder, Jordan from Handmade Success and of course.. my now new best friend Tara Gentile!!

Tara Gentile is always chock full of helpful information for creative living and entrepreneurship. She’s bundled her best posts of the year 2010 into a free-e-book, this should give you a taster to her styles and story!

Im going to get purchasing her 52 weeks of blogging course very soon but today I'm all about her 'Making Motion' ebook! 

Ok so... I usually loathe paying money for ebay books, but it when it comes to someone like Tara Gentile, who has achieved a ridiculous amount in such a short time (if you read her free ebook linked above) Im pretty prepared to pay $8 for some insider information. I'd be a fool not to right? 

The following quote is from Tara about the book ^-^

"Making Motion: 7 Steps for Doing More with Your Creative Life is my digital kick in the pants. It’s a short but power-packed ebook for helping you find your “first steps” & the momentum you’ll need to reach your objectives.

This is the strategy, mechanics, and philosophy I’ve used to build a thriving creative business & pursue my hobbies at the same time. It’s helped me to become an unconventional role model and sole provider for my family of 3. I may not have it all – but I have more than I dreamed was possible.

This kind of life isn’t a lazy one and it’s not for the faint of heart (that’s not you, anyhow!). It’s one filled with deliberate action, continual steps forward, and thoughtful rest. I love this life and I’m happy to share it with you."

I signed up to Tara Gentiles newsletter and I love getting the little pops of information coming through when I'm at my lowest eb sometimes. The free ebook was a great boost for me. You can also download a free ebook and spacious goals guide through this link!

Now.. the making motion book :) 

At the beginning of this book Tara will help you assess your needs and desires as a creative entrepreneur.  Then the ebook gives you 7 steps to try and help you achieve what you want to achieve with your blog or your etsy business or both! Tara Gentile is very goal and task orientated and I find this a dream for me to easily get organised and focused (the most important one and focus is also not my strong point haha!) I don't want to write too much in this review as I might giveaway half the book haha! The steps that are written about are to help you focus on creating goals, doing them, achieving them, being consistent, what to do to destress, more tips for sustainability and an experiment! With 3 more sections on top of these tips.

You all know I am a scrimper... when it comes to business books and all this information I will pay... $8 was a bargain for this. 

I'll also write up another post about a book I recently bought relating to crafty business but I have some crafty pictures to take! I will share soon. Pinky promise ^-^

Let me know what you think of Taras site. I was amazed by her story, im willing to accept help from anyone dishing it out!! oo another free link - i just found her Tools of the Trade post!

 

Lots of love Claire xo

Etsy | Printable Goals and Intentions Planner

I freakin love etsy! I also love that I found the wonderful Jessica Swift!

If you click that link you get taken directly to her free downloads on her blog ^-^

I love this kit! I printed it out before I read it - which was a mistake lol. I need to print them out again separately after I have figured out what size I wanted my planner!

This was a free download from her blog! I think you will need to search for it though because I cant find the link. Its hi-res so you should be able to nab it off here!

Lots of love Claire xo