Guest Blogger, Cristina Strutt...and a GIVEAWAY!

Today I have something special to share with you all. The amazing Christina Strutt from Cabbages & Roses has been kind enough to do a guest post on my blog, share some tips on decorating and also sponsor a beautiful GIVEAWAY for you all!!!

Take it away Christina!

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DEAR NESS,
I WAS THRILLED THAT YOU ASKED CABBAGES & ROSES TO MAKE
AN ENTRY FOR YOUR BLOG. HERE ARE 10 SMALL TIPS THAT WILL
HOPEFULLY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE:
1. FAIL TO PLAN IS TO PLAN TO FAIL. DO WHAT PROFESSIONAL
DECORATORS DO AND MAKE A BOARD WITH PAINT COLOURS,
FABRICS, FLOOR COVERINGS AND FURNITURE PLAN.

2. GET SAMPLE POTS OF PAINT COLOURS AND PAINT AREAS IN
THE DARKEST PART OF THE ROOM AND IN THE LIGHTEST THE
COLOUR WILL VARY GREATLY, SO MAKE SURE IT WORKS
EVERYWHERE NOT JUST BY THE WINDOW.

3. IF YOU DON'T ABSOLUTELY ADORE THE PAINT COLOUR -
CHANGE IT - YOU WILL NOT LEARN TO LOVE IT/LIVE WITH IT - IT
WILL ANNOY YOU UNTIL IT IS CHANGED, AND BETTER TO
CHANGE IT WHILST THE FURNITURE IS OUT OF THE WAY RATHER
THAN WHEN YOU HAVE PUT THE ROOM BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

4. PERIODICALLY RE ARRANGE YOUR TREASURES - PUT THEM IN
DIFFERENT ROOMS OR SETTINGS - I FIND THIS INSPIRES ME AND IS
A CHEAP WAY TO GET A NEW ROOM.

5. FLEA MARKETS AND ANTIQUES FAIRS ARE HEAVEN FOR
ANYONE DECORATING A HOME. ONE MANS TREASURE IS
ANOTHER MANS JUNK SO THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM TO
MANOEUVRE ON THE PRICE.

6. WHEN LOOKING FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PIECE OF FURNITURE AT
A FLEA MARKET, IMAGINE IT PAINTED WHITE - THIS WILL BRING A
PIECE FROM HEAVY 1940'S TO 21ST CENTURY SHABBY CHIC IN AN
INSTANT.

7. FLOORING SHOULD BE A NEUTRAL AND AS NATURAL AS YOU
CAN AFFORD. ALTHOUGH A LAMINATE WOOD FLOORING IS
CHEAPER THAN THE REAL THING, IT WONT LAST OR AGE AS WELL
AS REAL WOODEN FLOORBOARDS.

8. IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO RE DECORATE A ROOM AS WELL
AS YOU WOULD LIKE, PAINT IT WHITE. A CLEAN WHITE ROOM IS
A BLANK CANVAS WHICH CAN BE LEFT STARK AND MODERN
AND MINIMALIST, OR COSIED UP WITH FURNITURE, RUGS AND
PAINTINGS.

9. WHEN INVESTING IN ANYTHING FOR THE HOME BE IT FABRIC
FOR DRAPES, OR A PIECE OF FURNITURE ASK YOURSELF WILL I
LOVE THIS UNTIL I DIE CAN I HAVE IT IN FRONT OF MY EYES FOR
THE REST OF MY LIFE AND STILL LOVE IT IF THE ANSWER IS YES THEN
GO FOR IT.

10. HAVE FUN

XXC

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Thank you so much Christina for guest blogging for me. Your images are gorgeous and your advice priceless!

GIVEAWAY TIME =0)

Christina has been kind enough to offer one reader a gorgeous scented Cabbages & Roses candle, which comes in a beautifully labeled glass jar and box, and also a lovely shopper tote in the beautiful Cabbages & Roses fabric, Hatley in Cherise.

All you have to do is leave a comment and if you would like another entry head over to the lovely Cabbages & Roses blog and leave a comment there - simple!...just let me know in your comment.

The giveaway will be drawn on Monday 5th July, Australian time.
Ness xx

Thanks to Kathrine and Suzie to for all of your help, and of course Christina xx

Launching M&L's new Australian Store!!!!

Today is the official launch of my Australian based store. Same name, same products as my Etsy store, but basically this one is in Australian dollars instead of US dollars...so much better for all you Aussies out there who have been paying American dollars to have my products in your homes.

The new shop is open through Madeit.com.au, and is just as great as Etsy for buying all handmade products from allsorts of wonderful makers here in Australia. If you are an overseas buyer, you can still purchase through this site...just in our money =0)

I have also been interviewed by the madeit blog, which you can read by clicking HERE. The interview is on today's post and I am so happy to have a store here in such a fantastic forum. I would love for you to have a look and leave a comment for me and tell me what you think about my new venture.

Also, I am about to add this new cover, above to the store. I have loads of new designs coming, but be patient as I am still meant to be taking it easy!!!

All of my products from Etsy will be on this made it store, as well as items which are too costly to send via US dollars...these ones I am talking about won't be available on Etsy, so you will have to check out the Madeit shop to see what new items I am listing =0)


I would love for you to leave a comment and let me know what you think about this. I did think long and hard about how I would manage with two stores, and I am glad that I can choose what to list between them to keep it interesting. I will be able to offer a lot more this way....stay tuned!!!
To have a look and leave a comment about the interview click HERE
To visit my new Madeit store, click HERE
To visit my Etsy store, click HERE
Ness xx