So Inspired

Starting again

I have thought very seriously about not posting again, as my life is very busy at the moment and i am really terrible at updating regularly. However, I have decided to give it another go. I really enjoy blogging when i have the time and energy and motivation, i just get disappointed with myself when time runs away and i have these huge long gaps in between posts. I don't know why i feel pressure to  post every 2nd day, but i am going to try to ignore it and let this blog fit in with my lifestyle and family. I wont ever choose to blog instead of spending time with my kids or husband, but if things work out and i can jot down a quick thought or share a moment, then i will be happy with that. I think the key is to keep it short and sweet - for me anyway. I certainly don't need another 'task' to add to the end of my day, but i'd like to keep posting if i can. We'll see how we go... Will just start with some photos shortly i think. So sick of looking at those old ones on my blog! Looking forward to catching up with my blog friends again!

Renee x

Checking in

Hi all (or few),

I haven't dropped off the earth, just haven't had a second to pop my little head up to say hello. I've seriously got so much to tell you and show you, its ridiculous. It feels like i should start a brand new blog and introduce myself again, its been so long. Anyway, will try to pick up where i left off. Firstly, amongst everything else, these kids of mine are growing way too fast. I am enjoying them though, we spend a lot of time together and have a heap of fun. Thats a little more important than regularly updating my blog. So here we are:

Spending lots of time in the garden, i love Spring! So does Ruby, she's such an outdoors girl.

Charlie in his Safari hat, gosh i love this little boy! I am so enjoying him. He has a lovely gentle spirit about him.

Its hard to get a shot of them thats not blurry... Ruby is usually running somewhere and Charlie is always waving his arms around. Dolly had to get in the photo too.

Well Charlie is 4 months now and Ruby will be 2 next month. Fun times!
Apart from being busy with kids, orders have been streaming in, each time i sit at the computer (usually breastfeeding Charlie and singing or reading to Ruby), i only get a chance to send another invoice out or print a postage label... just no time for anything else. Its wonderful really.
These are brand new in, and selling quicker than i can get them in...

Aren't they cute?! Little paper patty cases for cupcakes or desserts, in these pretty shades. There are 50 in each pack, and they have been so popular. They are available through my ebay store. If you decide you would like some, just let me know when you purchase them that you found me through my blog and i'll send you something extra. Postage is $7 for up to 3 packs Australia-wide, or $10 international post for 1-2 packs. Each pack is only $6.95. These are also walking out the door:

Its all so lovely at the moment,  so nice to wrap all these pretty things like presents and send them around the world.
I just got these in the other day and they reminded me of Amy's Club Little House...

I don't have a doll house, but these little cakes make me want one! They are so tiny, and the detail on each is amazing! I am selling sets of these, each little set is different, but all have a whole cake, round cake slice, wedge cake slice, cupcake, and ice cream sundae. Theres a few different styles to choose from. The sundae is my favourite here, it even has tiny sprinkles and candles. Delicious! I am yet to update my website with all these goodies, most of these are on ebay at the moment, should be on the shop by the end of the week.
Anyway, theres so much more to show you, but its getting late here and i am so sleep deprived. I hope you have enjoyed these little photos, and i'll stop by some of your blogs tomorrow.
Hugs, xo

Family Weekend

I have had the lovliest weekend with my family - it feels like we are on a mini holiday! David has been home more than usual, and it feels like we have had a good couple of days together. Ruby has loved it too, and i'm sure Charlie appreciates having some more attention too. So much has happened since my last post, there's lots to say but not enough time right now. I have a new exciting venture thats just started, and i also have some beautiful new things arriving here on Tuesday. I will post the photos as soon as i can. Gosh, its so exciting when lots is going on. It really feels like Spring is just beginning here, beautiful weather recently and my garden is just starting to look half decent. Slowly, we'll get there. Anyway, here are some quick photos of the weekend, a lovely little shop i visited - real French antiques (extremely rare over here) - Mum, we have to go on your next available Friday! Its so much better than the photos show. Anyway, Ruby enjoyed eating some scones, i loved my little poke around this shop, Charlie enjoyed the fresh air, and David loved that we were all happy! A great weekend had by all!

Pretty Paint

Those who have read my blog for a little while now or know me, will know that i love painted things, or i love to paint them myself. I love colour in my house - either old chippy painted things, or i love to paint them fresh and give them a new life. I'm very inspired by painted stuff at the moment. I especially love 'jewel' colours - pinks, blues, aquas, soft greens, reds etc. And i'm not afraid to use a bit of colour either - i used to prefer softer, pale tones, but know i'd much rather something a bit definite. 

I've been doing a lot of painting recently - and i love each piece so much, i find it hard to let them go. Probably because i make each piece just exactly as if i was keeping it for myself - so i get a little attached to them. So silly, but i want to keep it all. I only have a little townhouse, so theres not a lot of spare room around here.

Anyway, these chandeliers came up beautifully when i painted them. These look stunning in real life, the crystals are amazing. Something old, that looks fresh and ready to be the feature of any room.

I also painted up this pretty mannequin. This one is a great size, and i think the scrolly detail is very pretty. This one just sold on ebay today to someone in Italy... i love my international buyers! I'm loving all this colour. Renee x
Oh, i got some great new 'old' things today, i cant wait to show you. I will try to photograph a bit tomorrow, i get so excited about new things - i wont sleep tonight (mum, you know what i mean). Don't you love good buying days? xx

A quick hello

Just a quick hello to anyone out there who actually still reads my blog - i realise my posts are ridiculously infrequent, so i don't blame those who have lost interest. There are so many lovely blogs out there now - i love to have a little spare time to check out my favourites, but i don't get enough time to do that. I always have grand plans to post all the time, i certainly think about it all the time, but it takes me 2 weeks to get here each time. Well, my new plan is to make my posts short and quick - but regular. So please, don't give up on me completely - keep visiting and i promise i will have some lovely things to show you. These vintage hats arrived the other day, i love them altogether! Can i wear them all at once? Haha. Don't they look fresh and summery? We are just getting the little hints of Spring in the air - its a lovely time of the year. These hats certainly make me want to host a huge tea party with lots of vintage china in a spectacular garden, wearing these garden party hats, and spring dresses, eating tiny sandwiches, surrounded by masses of beautiful smelling flowers... oh that does sound nice. Maybe this summer.
I am selling lots of my things at the moment - just decided to share some of the things i have collected. Theres not a great deal of vintage stuff here in Australia - we are so young, and so far away from everyone else, not a lot gets this far. Nothing like i see on the blogs of all you lovely ladies... it makes our stuff look like junk really. These vintage French postcards are always a hit here, so i have a few for sale on ebay. They are so pretty, the photos and colours of each are truly beautiful. Ok, many more lovely things to show you soon - i promise more posts, if you promise to come back and visit ok? Ok, its a deal. And please leave me a comment, so i know you're out there. I'd love to meet you, really.  Renee x

Cutie Pies

In response to your requests - here are some new photos of the kids. Charlie is doing very well, only one night feed now, and he is loads of fun during the day. Ruby is really starting to get used to him being around, and she is very good with him. She is such a little mother. While Ruby slept, Charlie and I had a little photo session today, and here are the latest Ruby photos... funny family. Thats all for now - I'm off to fold my washing.

I love Greengate

Hello again friends, sorry for not replying to my comments from last post - i had no time, and then i still had no time, and now it would be just ridiculous because you would all be wondering what i was talking about - it was 3 weeks ago now. I do appreciate each and every comment, so thank you so very much. And thank you to those who stopped by my new online boutique. I am so excited about the sales I have had.
Its a lot of the same here at the moment - I wont bore you with the details. We are surviving the cold, and i am quite enjoying being home with the two little ones. It has its moments, but generally the moments are good. I'll look back on these times with fond memories.
All I really want to say today is, I love Greengate. They don't sell it over here (although i believe they are starting to), its not been available here up till now anyway. I managed to get a few little things on my trip to London last year. It was very expensive - especially converting to Aussie dollars, but I absolutely love what I have. These is my little selection. I love these colours. I love these prints. I love the feel of the melamine. I love that it reminds me of my trip. I love everything about it. I use the bowl (I only have one) each morning to have my porridge. David and I use the cups to have our orange juice, cause Ruby cant see through them, so she cant see we are drinking juice! Sad but true. Otherwise she would want it all the time, and I don't want to argue all the time. I use the jug for everything I can. Its normally used for every afternoon tea I have here, and anything else I can think of. And the tea towel and place mat are always being moved around the house. They bring colour and brightness to this house - especially lovely to have around in Winter.
Anyway, these things make me happy, and I just wanted to share them with you. Hope you all have a lovely week.
Renee x

The shop & stuff

What a lovely couple of weeks we have had - enjoying time together and with our two kids. Charlie is doing very well, a little unsettled during the night sometimes, but getting a little better each night. Its great having David home, to share the load - and great for him to spend time with Ruby and the first few weeks of Charlie's life.

We have been at home mostly - its soooo cold and been quite wet, so lots of hot chocolates and cups of tea have been consumed. And lots of Wiggles dvds. And lots of cuddles and playing. All the good stuff.

 

We have also been busy finishing off the website. Actually, the more we do on it, the more we realise how much work there is to do. Its mainly product listing we are still wading through. I didn't realise i had so many products here, i've got about another hundred or so to get on there eventually. I have collected so many things over the years, lots of vintage stuff.

Anyway i have been busy taking photos of all the lovely things. I love doing the photos - its just hard to get started in a good light somewhere, with all my props etc around me, but once I'm all set up its quite fun. They all look so colourful and pretty - like lollies, or fairy floss, or jewels... just beautiful. So fun. My favourite photos are the most colourful ones - dont know what it is about them exactly, but they make me excited.

 

The website can be viewed at www.soinspired.com.au and there are new products being listed daily - and lots of things still to do there, but its functional at least. We will continue building it gradually - a little bit each night. There is a place on the site to register - then you can receive updates and you will be sent something special for joining the 'So Inspired' family. Its all very exciting. So please go and join so i can send you a treat! It will be worth it, i promise. It would make my day...

 

Ok i hope you enjoy these pretty photos, and of course i had to include some of my favourite little boy! (So in love with him!) And my Dad.

As always, thank you for reading...
Renee xo

Welcome Little Prince!

Hello ladies! Sorry for another long absence - although this time i promise there is a good reason. Our little family has a precious new member, our little son and brother, Charlie. We are so delighted with this little boy, David and I cant believe how blessed we are to have a little girl, and now a little boy. Charlie is just 3 days old, and is perfectly healthy and gorgeous. We only spent a day in hospital and are now enjoying being home together and spending time getting to know this little baby boy. There are a LOT of girls in my family, in fact on my dads side of the family, no boys have been born for 54 years, and there have been 15 girls born since the last boy - my Dad. This is also the first grandson on both sides of the family, so you can see we are so delighted with this little man. He weighs only 3.1kgs, which is much smaller than Ruby was, and the delivery was much easier and quicker - another nice natural birth which i quickly recovered from. I am obviously very tired, so am taking it nice and easy, and our families and friends have been wonderfully supportive and helpful. He really is just about the cutest thing hanging around here (as well as Ruby Star doing all her funny things), so you are sure to see plenty of photos and hear lots of little stories. I am off to bed now - as i do need as much sleep as i can get, and i will be back to share more with you soon. Love Renee (proud mother of two) xx

A slight change of pace

Sorry i have been away from blogging for a little while. I have been dealing with a few personal issues, and just having a think about the reasons for my blog and what i hope it brings those who are kind enough to check in. I love inspiring people, and bringing something fresh to people - thats why i called it So Inspired. I myself am a very excitable person, and can get quite enthusiastic about the little things that bring joy - and i hope some of that shines through my words on this blog. I love to be passionate about things that matter to me - the important people in my life, my purpose in life, and the little things that bring joy to each day. The special moments. I have met such wonderful people through my blog, and have had unexpected encouragement and support. Its such a lovely gift to receive, and makes blogging such a pleasure. Also, i love what i have seen from the blogging community, and i love the thought that I'm a little part of that community. I think we are a great bunch of people. Mostly.

This week i learned of a couple of girls who i know personally, and who are readers of my blog, who have set up a business and decided to sell the same products as me, through the same avenue as me, eBay. I don't see them often, but we have been friends since school days, and they came to visit me at my recent shop set up at our local shopping centre. I am not sure why, but i feel betrayed by their choice to compete with me - mostly because i felt they had supported my business and they had access to product information through this blog and through my conversations with them, and it seems this has been taken advantage of. Although i understand that anyone can chose to sell these things, i guess i felt hurt by the way it was done, and the fact that i know them personally, and i had thought they were just encouraging of my business and ideas when they came along to my stall. Since approaching them about my concerns this week, we have not been able to resolve the issue, and unfortunately i have been told that we weren't friends anyway, just acquaintances, so they feel its ok to stock the same things. The whole experience has left a bad taste in my mouth and has caused me to question the content of my blog and to achieve the balance between protecting my business and keeping my blog real and open. So you may see some little changes around here - such as less information about products i am stocking, and more photos of Ruby and my family! I am trying not to let it get me down (professionally or personally), i need to focus on my little family now and put this down to experience. So moving on...

We have 5 weeks now until we meet the next member of our family, and i just cant wait to see its little face! And to find out if its a boy or girl! I am preparing the house for the baby now, and getting all the little things in order. I feel so blessed to be having another baby, and Ruby is at such an adorable age - actually today for the first time she said Mummy! (or Mommy for my US readers!) She has said Mum, and Mumma a lot before, but today we got the full Mummy, and its the cutest thing in the world. She is a lot of work, being 18mths old, but she is also a good helper. My tummy gets lots of kisses, and she thinks all women have a baby in there! (Not good for your self esteem if a child comes up and says 'Baby?' pointing to your tummy!). So while we finish the last touches of the web store, i will be slowing down the business a few notches and you will hear about my family more. Look forward to seeing lots more photos of us at the park, rolling in the grass, having picnics, playing around the house, and having lots of fun doing silly things.
Thank you to those who offer support and encouragement, and for just visiting my site, even though my posts are sporadic and all over the shop at the moment! Blame it on the pregnancy hormones...

Take care, Renee x