Bedroom Make Over Plans 2016

Earlier in the year I surprised Midge with a bedroom make over. We got rid of a little damp, she got new curtains and fresh paint plus some lovely bits and bobs from a local home decor shop; she loved it. Next year I need to focus on Little A's room and our room.

Little A has kindly drawn over a few walls, so a fresh lick of paint is desperately needed. He'll be getting funky curtains and some posters for his walls, probably Marvel or whatever he's into next year! I really want to do our room too. It doesn't need much, okay it needs more than I think..

Our current set up is a blanket for a blind! It's pretty chilly in here!

A new bed, because ours is broken! (You can't tell because Mr B is such a good bodge jobber but this bed is on its last legs, I'm terrified it'll crush the Christmas presents!) At least this will be cheap because we have a new mattress. I want to add some more photos to the room, I do like a bright room, it's a bit girly bit Mr B is fine with that. Because it's an attic room it's really cold so I'm hoping to look into VELUX Blinds which will help to keep us warmer, I'll see if I can get pink but that might be too far...I suppose black would be better but it's worth a try! New bedding will be needed too, we've had the same duvet sets for years!

I'm going to be on a mission next year with our house, I know it's rented but we should be able to stay here quite some time. We've made the lounge look lovely and downstairs only needs a few canvas pictures to complete it. Upstairs is where it's at and I'm itching to get going, Christmas and a few birthdays first though!

Do any of you have any plans for the home in 2016? Whether it's renovations or a touch of paint, I want to know!

Cupcake Mumma

Addis Sit and Store! Fab Storage Solution!

Do you know what I think is really cool? Having a product that doesn't just do one thing but does two things! It doesn't matter how simple these two things are, if a product can provide me with two functions I'm usually sold. Easy to please me!

For a while I've been hunting for storage for Little A's (very) many toy cars. He has hundreds and that's no joke. I have been using a basic, plastic see through box but recently Little A leaned on it and snapped a bit of the corner off leaving a very sharp edge that I had to tape up to make sure no one got hurt. Since then I've been looking for something small, toddler proof and something that will fit a small space. That's when I was contacted and asked if I would like to review an Addis Sit and Store storage unit.

My Addis sit and store arrived quickly and I love it! Available in red and blue it is cylinder shaped and a lot bigger than I imagined. As soon as it arrived we tipped all of A's cars into it. As you can see the sit and store is now full to the brim! However, it is still really light and easy to move and the lid fits on perfectly despite the cars filling right up to the top.

Both Little A and myself have had a sit on the storage box and I think it's really comfortable for a plastic object! The lid is shaped for your bottom and I like that! It could have been made to be a standard flat lid but the shape just screams 'you can sit on me too!' (Told you I really get into this stuff!)

So, we love the look, the colour, it's a really useful product and it's currently £12.79 online. It doesn't look cheap and horrible and fits in perfectly owing to it's cylinder shape. I could re locate it to many areas of my house without finding it a nuisance. The one and only criticism I have is although light, there isn't anything to grab hold of to move the sit and store. I'm not saying you need to pop handles on its sides (that may actually ruin the look) but I can't even get a grip underneath the lid, so if I lift it up with the cars, one slip and I could have a lot of cars noisily falling to the floor complete with storage unit! If I want to pick it up properly I have to remove the lid otherwise the lifting hurts my back. Other than that I would recommend the Sit and Store by Addis to anyone needing storage.

 I was sent the Addis sit and store free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Cupcake Mumma

It'll be Quiet Around Here...

Cupcake Towers are in the process of moving so this here blog is going to be a little quiet for a while! We're all really excited to move out of our small but cosy house into a nice, spacious new house. This is a new and fresh start for us as a family and we're really looking forward to it! 

The new house is so much bigger. The front room is a decent size and is going to look great at Christmas. We have an actual dining area which will also be a great space for Midge and A to play. This home will be a 'free flow' home. I've really missed the ability to just let my children have run of the house and garden. My back door can be open virtually all the time with Midge and A choosing what they wish to do and when. I'm really looking forward to this as I know we all feel better when we feel we have some freedom.

Midge and Little A will finally have their own bedrooms which I can't wait to decorate. Jason and I have an attic bedroom which is going to be so cosy and warm. Can you tell how excited I am!! We've met one of our neighbours and he is lovely, the other neighbours aren't moving in for a while because the house isn't ready until September. Fingers crossed for nice neighbours!!

Anyway, I look forward to catching up with blogs and comments when my Internet is back and my house is unpacked. Look after yourselves!!

CupcakeMumma

Sunday Stroll

I know it's two days late but I've come down with a stomach bug and have two bickering children trying their best to ruin this summer holiday! Still, they're starting to get used to each other which is a good thing and all I can do is hope we can get out and about again soon!

Last Sunday we rather spontaneously stepped out the house for some fresh air and a treat for breakfast. We went to Wetherspoons for a large English breakfast before deciding to explore our town a bit. There is a slightly hidden path beside the local park that we'd never bothered with before but hubby thought it would be a nice idea if we took a stroll and find out where we end up.

Well, I'm so glad he suggested it because it was really lovely. I felt like I was going through a bit of the country again with the loose stone path, the over grown bushes and the fresh air.

We ended up in such a pretty little village called Penponds. It really is beautiful, one of those quiet, quaint villages. We found a pink painted house!

We also found a house which looked so pretty and had huge fields attached to it complete with a stable for two horses. This horse was so big and handsome, Midge and Little A were a little taken a back by how big she was!

We walked under Pebponds bridge where shortly after we saw two trains zoom over us. Little A was so excited, every train is Thomas to him you see. We then walked up a little more and came to the villages local church. Such a lovely little church.

We spent a lovely afternoon just the four of us out and about getting some fresh air and discovering new places. I wish I could live in that village! It was a bit rubbish though coming back to my home on the bus station road and right around the corner from town. Ill never be a town kind of girl. Ill always dream of my lovely little house in a quiet and quaint village.

CupcakeMumma

My Week That Was Instagramed 3

So, the first week of the summer holidays has just passed us by. We haven't got up to much because we've been surviving the first week and nothing else in all honesty! Both of the children are now, thankfully, getting used to each others company during the day (everyday) again so next week should be a lot more fun!

Saturday:

I accidentally missed last Saturday out of my post so I'm making up for that here. We went over to my Mum and Dad's and were treated to a yummy BBQ by my sister. I got to have Hake which was really nice. It was nice to have something different at a BBQ I must say! We went for a walk and the children had great fun in their mini paddling pool.

Porthleven Harbor is beautiful

 Sunday:

On Sunday I hosted my own BBQ at hubby's Sister's house. We all had so much food and fun it was a great day. My sister-in-law is laid up with a broken ankle so we thought it may cheer her up a bit. It seemed to when Hubby entered into a rather messy water fight! Before we went over I took a snap of Midge and I in the car. I love to make sure there are photos with me and the children, it's so important.

Monday

We didn't do much on Monday (or any of the week for that matter!) I booked my first Holistic Therapy course which I'm looking forward to and just chilled with Midge and Little A. I turned my TV on around 8pm to find out the wonderful news that Prince George had been born so I set about baking a cake. At 11 pm it was all ready. 

Tuesday

We all plodded about on Tuesday and enjoyed relaxing. Midge had a friend from school over for a few hours and then we did some film watching whilst Little A had a (very) long nap. We watched Cheaper By The Dozen which had us both in stitches. Little A woke a few hours later and we had some lovey snuggles.

Wednesday

Today we had a massive clear out of 'stuff.' The local charity shop really did benefit, they couldn't believe how many bags Hubby was bringing in with him! I didn't count how many we gave away but it still doesn't feel enough! Still, I guess I have to have something in the house huh? I set about picking a few favourite postcards and framing them in my bedroom. This space has needed filling for a while.

Thursday

I wasn't feeling up to doing much on Thursday (cheers anxiety..) so we stayed home. Hubby left for work early and Midge had her friend over again. This time though she went to the park and had some dinner out when her Mum came to relieve me of them both! She came back home in time for bed and I had some lovely quality time with Little A. In the evening I snuggled with my letters and a hot chocolate.

Friday

We did lots of crafts and drawings today and discovered some old kids TV programmes on Netflix which was so great to watch. I love the original Paddington for example! Midge really wanted to play dress up so I thought I'd treat her. I pulled out my wedding dress and she felt like a right princess walking (sort of) around the house in it. I loved taking some photos of her and I shared them here.

Saturday

No missing out Saturday this week! Sadly I wasn't feeling very well so, yet again, I had to let the babies down about not going to Heartlands. I've promised we'll go next week instead. I did help Midge  make clay pots when Little A was napping and they both painted pictures once I had cleared my letters from the table.

I hope next week will be more eventful! 

Today we had a lovely day out walking which I'll definitely be blogging about, so keep your eyes peeled!

CupcakeMumma

Ballet and Birthday Parties

Saturday was a busy day for those of us in the Cupcake House. I usually grab a good lay in on a Saturday, being that it's the day where Husband gets to play his football and then go to the pub until the evening, but this time I didn't have much luck! I may* have woken up in a bit of a panic remembering that Midge had her first ballet lesson today and I had to compete with the 'ballet mums,' who in my mind were going to be looking oh so wonderful...I had greasy hair and had fallen asleep in my slippers- i needed a shower!

*I definitely did

Midge and I had a mad rush to get to ballet on time. I had agreed to meet a Mum friend whose daughter has joined the same ballet class in the hope we wouldn't be late due to my bad geography. As it was she was running late so we both turned up just in time, ushered our girls into the hall whilst being gawped at by the awaiting mums (who turned out on the most part to be completely normal and not so well groomed as I had initially assumed) phew.

Midge cried for the first 10 minutes then spent 5 minutes clinging on to me with her thumb in her mouth as I attempted to balance on one foot and demonstrate how to jump gracefully on tiptoes. I wasn't the only Mum subjected to looking like a prat so I didn't feel too stupid and besides, I always wanted to be a ballerina and the teacher was suitably happy with me (insert big grin).

By the end of the lesson Midge was pretty happy and had enjoyed herself. I'll keep up the lessons for now to see if she can settle better. At the moment she's just shy but as time goes on she won't be such a new face and will hopefully feel able to let me put my feet up and sleep watch. 

The second half of our day was spent at a little boys birthday party. All the Mums from reception invite the whole class so now Midge wants a nice big party just like all the other children. It's great to see them all running around but as a Mum who doesn't get welcomed into the folds I'm always dreading these parties slightly.

This party was actually pretty comfortable. I was spoken to by several different Mums and ignored by the usual. I befriended the children's entertainer who was a lovely lady and Little Man cracked me up with his groovy moves (which I videoed for future bribery) I always secretly enjoy watching the children of the mums who ignore have to deal with a hyped up child screaming because they didn't win pass the bloody parcel when my daughter is over the moon with a Starburst sweet. (Insert another big grin- I'll get wrinkles at this rate)

Saturday was a good day. I even got to scold Husband for turning up nearly 2 hours later than usual. Turned out he had got carried away planning this weekends drinking session whilst watching the football. It was okay, I was cranky because I was worried when he didn't phone or text back. I'm an awful worrier! We made up and had a nice relaxing evening together.

Mum and Dad had the children on Sunday which was a day of house clearing for the Husband and I. I'm going to do a separate blog post on that to show off some of our homely finishing touches which have cheered me up no end! I hope you all had a lovely weekend too!

CupcakeMumma

Chalkboard Cupboard

I've been making little touch ups to some of my rooms in the house lately and my highest priority has been my kitchen. I've added some new bunting and ornaments and now I've come up with an idea that is really quite popular at the moment. I have created a little chalkboard cupboard for the children to draw on!

As I live in rented accommodation black board paint (and painting the cupboards) are out of the question. So I donned my thinking cap and had a walk around town. I was in my local bargain store when I saw some stick on paper. As luck would have it, it was black board paper! I never even knew it existed so I bought the last roll and headed home.

I placed the roll on the side of my most hideous cupboard (old tenants have done some questionable damage to this house in some places) even having a little spare for the very bottom which just finishes it off I think.

I got out some scraps of felt and some embellishments left over from my wedding, drew around a butterfly biscuit cutter and stuck it all together to make these lovely, colourful butterflies. I think they give the whole design a prettier look!

I'm actually really pleased with the results of this idea. I'm hoping the shop gets some more in stock so I can add to another, smaller cupboard to write the weekly menu on. The children love their new creative space (and Little Man has stopped drawing with crayon on my kitchen floor!) so I'm happy.
What do you think?

CupcakeMumma

52 Weeks To An Organised Home-Phase One

Right, time to get my shame on. I have decided to post a series of photos that will show you my fellow readers how disorganised I have become (who knows, maybe i'll make someone feel good about themselves?) So here's to my weekly challenge that I will probably start tomorrow evening as I had a bad sleep the other night which seems to still catching up with me!

This here is the cupboard for glasses, bowls, cups and plates. It's all a bit mismatched which I dislike. Baby milk is there for convenience, bottles don't stay in there long enough to annoy me too much but what I do dislike are all my mugs. There is more than this some don't even have all 4 to a set anymore..Much the same for my glasses...Look at those wine glasses! They're huge. My father-in-law to be gave them to us 2 Christmas's ago but we're not big wine drinkers..still just in case!

The under sink cupboard of embarrassment! I have had my stuff in that bag since I moved here a year ago....Lazy. As you can imagine it drives me nuts, I don't really find anything quickly and my daughter's paints are hiding..somewhere there anyway! This should probably be priority number one!

Here we have a junk cupboard, not intentionally but a junk cupboard none the less. There are several pots that don't belong to me, there is a coffee maker that isn't mine, a spare toaster 'just in case' and some cake decorating supplies all of which have been shoved together with little care or thought.

Top draw in my opinion could be worse (you should see my Mums'-sorry Mum) I think it needs a clean and a little tidying up. How many people can keep it perfectly tidy? Answers on a postcard please.

2nd drawer I have no excuses for. Buried under there are tea towels I got for my birthday from Other Half as yet unused, purses, pens, batteries and various other amounts of rubbish which all needs to be removed asap.

I have no words for the baking cupboard other than..What the hell is going on in there? Nah I haven't baked in a while!

Caught Little Man red handed raiding the saucepan 'drawer' (remember the loose term?)

See..not a drawer at all! Ideas welcome!!!

So that's what i'll be doing this weekend, please wish me luck and if you have any ideas feel free to mail me or leave a comment!

Hannah

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52 Weeks To An Organised Home

Week 2
I didn't participate in Week 1 of this challenge to organise my home because I kind of had the whole organisation of my kitchen counter tops and sinks pretty much in the bag.

 The award for the most forgotten about cupboard goes to 'The one under the sink'.
This needs a good sort. The one next to it needs a coffee maker re homed (or returning depending on previous owners preferences) then the one I really don't want to do would be the cupboard 'of crap' also known as the 'chuck it in there dear and I'll sort it out later' cupboard...

I have too many cups to count and need to replenish my glasses as one by one they met a very nasty end during 2011. I am now left with a of set 4 down to 2 and another set down to 3...

The second draw in my kitchen is full of rubbish, if it doesn't have a home then it's shoved in to the darkness of this draw and won't see daylight until I get fed up of items falling down the back of it *bad housewife*.

The 'draw' i struggle with the most is my saucepan one. I use the word draw loosely as the previous tenants seemed to have taken 'chuck it all in the van and go' a little too literally as I don't have a draw more a massive gap where my saucepans sit and get pulled out by my adorable Little Man. Who can blame him? It is fun banging a pan.
So, if anyone has any ideas about making a massive gap look a bit nicer I would be greatly appreciative! I'm hoping I can relocate my pans but I'm not confident! Still, I will try and blog my results by the end of the week. Watch this space!

Till then- Good luck!

Hannah

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