Don't Even Look

Instructions to big brother on lizard tank this morning... I love him... he's so spirited and fierce.

It is now a race to get to the stick insect containers first thing in the morning to see if any have hatched. Little one is most indignant if big brother gets there first and "ruins the surprise".... hence the note.

'Frank', the first hatchling, was released 'into the wild' (the herb garden) as his leg was accidentally broken, when it was caught in the rubber band keeping the chux cloth on the top of the container.

Thank goodness 'Steve' hatched almost immediately, to take the focus off the impending death of 'Frank' in the herb garden. Thanks to Deb (sorry Deb, he calls you 'the blog stick insect lady').....we have the gift that keeps on giving..... a few squabbles....and never a dull moment!

Gentle Industrial

Image Courtesy My Ideal Home Via Tumblr

I love the subtle metal accents in this beautiful kitchen..... the stool, handles, rangehood, vase and whatnots on the stovetop.

What would we call this?... 'Gentle Industrial' meets Hamptons? There are no rules... lets make it up!

I reckon the lights could hang lower, do you agree? Ikea has that exact style light in stock at present but in a chrome-ish look.

Love the barn door too and the wooden rolling pin wall display......a bit of 'country' thrown in for good measure. 'Country Hamptons Industrial'? 'Industrial Country'? Whatever you'd call it ....I love it all!

Less Mess

Image Courtesy Coastal Living

I have thoroughly enjoyed following 'The Nester's' 31 days to a less messy nest. She has summarised her 31 posts throughout October HERE. Grab a cuppa, it's a great read....... everything from organising your drawers, the freedom of having nothing on often used tables, 'editing' your stuff, assigning different cups to avoid 15 different cups in the washing up each night ......to not putting stuff where it belongs, but where you actually use it! Great idea!

We all have our protocols for minimising mess... and living in an apartment, with no room for mess, I have been devouring any tips on minimising clutter I can find. The kitchen is a big one for me... it has to be clean and tidy all the time..... and be spotless before I go to bed so I start the next day (in coffee central) with complete order. Beds can be unmade from time to time in rush periods... but the kitchen, for me, always has to be clean. I will share one of my 'keeping an apartment kitchen tidy and functional' tips later on this week.

What are your 'must haves', 'must dos' when it comes to dealing with mess? Any tips for living in a shoebox?.. and keeping that shoebox orderly?

Things I Discovered This Past Week

Amidst the harsh industrial architecture of our inner city apartment complex ..........springs our burgeoning, uncultivated herb garden.

This picture has nothing to do with the contents of this post. 

Just thought I'd show you my never ending source of herbs :)

• After ironing my sons' school shirts for 7 years, I found that there is a spare button sewn on the inside of every one of them. 7 years. I switch off when I iron... that's my excuse.

• 'Run Away' does not effectively remove the stains from whites washed with coloureds.. it just leaves an offensive odour in the sink and burns the skin on one's ungloved hand.

• iPhones don't like being submerged in water.

• iPhones (before being submerged in water) only ring if the mute button is turned off on the side.

• Children grow when you feed them ("when did that happen?"). My eldest son's singlets look like 1980's 'Madonna' midriff tops #plentyofskin.

• 0 and 9, on a sign put up for residents, look very similar when not wearing glasses. The water, in this apartment complex, was turned off on the 29th (for 6 hours), just after I had finished a sweaty boxing session with my trainer #noshower

• While on the subject of #noglasses...  the 'grill' and 'bake' symbols on the oven also look very similar #burntdinner

• I am in denial about needing to wear my glasses.

Please tell me I am not alone in my mishaps. Anyone out there also experiencing early-onset 'senior moments'?

PS Happy November!

Herb garden - 5 months ago. 

Herb garden today. Anyone for pesto? 

That's the old derelict QML building next door avec deteriorating asbestos roof - I close my windows on windy days.

I'm making it all sound so attractive aren't I.