Decorating inspiration for my new home!

This is such an exciting post for me to write for two reasons:

1. Jake agreed on the unit and we gave a deposit yesterday while we wait for the lease to get drawn up, so the little beachside Lennox Head unit is ours! Yeeeeee! I can officially start happy dancing! and...
2. I'm introducing you all to a brand new collaborative blog today which is SUPER exciting and pretty much supplying endless amounts of happiness to me right now, so that's brilliant, hey?

Now, a few of my favourite bloggy pals and I have gotten together and look what we made! A brand new collaborative blog called Fellowship of the Bloggers which is open for guest posters now! There are five of us on the admin list and we have been working very hard on getting this blog up and running! It's a labour of love, so I'm so excited to be introducing it to you all today! It's still beginning stages, and we haven't yet got our pretty, new layout installed but it's been such a great thing to be a part of and I'm so excited to see where it might take us and where it might fit into the blogging community. 

The best part of blogging is the friendly, supportive community and we wanted to create a place where we can all come together, share posts and encourage each other to try new things and be the best that we can be! One of the things that makes us unique is that we are an international blog, with bloggers from four different countries. We have monthly themes hashed out for all of 2014 and if you'd like to contribute, please shoot me an email on my personal address or on the collaborative blog email (fellowshipofthebloggers@gmail.com) and one of the admins will get back to you as quickly as possible!

Now, onto the juicy of this post! My first FOTB post went live today and it's my decorating inspiration for my new home! Here is a preview and a link if you fancy popping over and checking it out:

Pastel Decorating Inspiration on FOTB

My favourite cake in the world!

I shared my favourite cake recipe in the world on Laura's blog on Monday. Click here to catch it! Hint: it contains a whole block of chocolate!

Guest Post and GIVEAWAY with Mamma Nene from Serger Pepper

Today I'm handing over the reigns of my blog to Mamma Nene of Serger Pepper to share her first ever guest post with you all! I'll be posting over at The Dusty Attic today, if you fancy a little more reading, but until then I hope you enjoy this wonderful tutorial which Mamma Nene has put together for you all! 

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Hi everybody!

I'm MammaNene from Italy and I'm writing my first Guest Post (exciting, uh?)

 First of all I'd really like to let you know me a little bit: I'm a 30-something working Mom (who in a little will be a 40 something, but: who cares?) of a 4yo little girl (LilPotato) who is my first fan :-)

I love to sew and, starting from this, I decided to start a bilingual blog sharing my passion, writing tutorials and giving away free patterns, always looking to sustainability and refashioning every time I can.

And that's what I'm doing now: I know that Sunae's blog is not a sewing blog, and I've been thinking a lot if it was the right post to share here ... then I decided to do that... basically, if you don't like the topic you can simply skip it and, if you like it, maybe you can discover something new!!!



By the way, this is my tutorial for you:

What you need: 

• old bed sheets... or fabric, obviously! Two pieces about 60 cm x 120 cm
• a little piece of elastic of about 15 cm
• scissors, pins, sewing machine, thread, ruler, a pen, iron and iron board
• my measure scheme:

Let's start:

Take your old bed sheets (already cut with measures above) and fold them in half and then in half again, like this:

You now have a 30 cm x 60 cm rectangle!

Cut out two fabric squares (ehm, rectangles, in fact) like on the scheme and, unfolding, you'll obtain a strange shape, like this:

 

Repeat on the other bed sheet scrap (outer)

Now put the two pieces (main and lining) right sides facing and sew around the center hole, like I did (you can leave 1 cm of seam allowances, or sew leaving the feet edge as a seam allowance, like I did: it's not rocket science, you don't have to get mad about measurements!) including on the seam near one of the corners a piece of elastic you'll use to keep folded your market bag:

When all sewn, on corners, clip fabric until you reach the seam, BUT without cutting it!!Then turn inside out and press with an hot iron all around the seam.

Now the fun part:

We have to roll one side of the market bag inside one of the handles, in order to sew together the main and the lining fabrics, ride sides facing, like this:

Let's sew, starting from one side seam, finishing to the other side seam (two 90∞ angles to sew and clip on corners, like we did on the center hole), then turn inside out, taking fabrics out with your hand: ta-daaa:

Press everything nicely and repeat on the other side (rolling, sewing, turning and pressing, do everything twice!)

Let's close side and bottom seams of both outside fabric and lining in one seam, right sides facing (remember, you have to leave a gap on the lining bottom, so we can reverse everything inside-out).

You can stop here or, if you like some boxy shape, proceed squaring corners on each one of the 4 angles, like this:

When you've turned inside out your bag, you can stitch the gap by hand or, like I did, with a straight machine stitch (lazy girl, I didn't change the thread color, but it's on the lining, who cares?)

Your Lined Foldable Market Bag is done.

You can change measures if you like it higher and thinner,  you choose, this tutorial is ok with any measure!



If you're still reading this: Wow, thank you!

If you're sewing one or one hundred of these, please share them on my flickr group

If you want some more tutorial: please come to visit Serger Pepper and, maybe, let me know you discovered me thanks to Sunae from Little Foal!

Hugs 

MammaNene

SergerPepper.blogspot.it

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Thank you so much Mamma Nene for sharing this tutorial on my blog! Bet you didn't know that Little Foal actually started out as Because I Said Sew and used to be a sewing blog ;) 

I Really hope you all enjoyed this post! Be sure to pop over and check out the other awesome tutorials that Mamma Nene posts on Serger Pepper. She is one very clever and thrifty lady!

Mamma Nene is kindly offering on lucky Little Foal reader the chance to win 2 months 250x250 ad space on her fantastic blog! I have thrown in one month's space on Little Foal as a little bonus, as well and you can enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. 

Best of luck! xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

House Tour!

Hi guys, today I am guest posting over at The Dusty Attic for Anna's "Other People's Houses" themed month. I'm sharing a complete tour of my little unit over there, so if you fancy a sticky beak (which I know you all do) head on over and check it out! This post does come with a warning, however. I am a REAL PERSON with real messes and real downfalls. What you will see on Anna's blog would never grace the pages of Better Homes And Gardens. I'm too busy to scrub the floors with a toothbrush! Saying that, I am rather proud of the way my first place outside my parents' is coming together and I'm excited to really start decorating soon!

Here is a sneak peak to pique your interest:

I really hope you click on over to see the rest of my unit! That's one of the fundamental perks of blogging, right? Getting to have a good nosy at other people's lives :)

Guest Post: Abbigayle From True Blue Abbi Shares A bit About Her Style

Hello Little foal. readers! Sunae was kind enough to swap buttons with me, and let me guest post in her beautiful little space! I think I'll go ahead and introduce myself now.

My name is Abbigayle Rashae and I'm fifteen years old and I live on a small farm in Iowa. I love reading, writing, fashion, photography, and a bit more. I started my lifestyle blog True Blue Abbi nearly three years ago! It's become so much more than I ever thought it'd turn into. Mainly I post my personal fashion, life snapshots, inspiration, and product reviews! I love that I've made so many friends through blogging. I plan to continue to grow my blog and meet new people through blogging in the coming years.

Make sure you stop by my blog if you'd like to get to know me a little better! I'd love a comment from you guys saying that you've visited. I always take a point to check out new readers. Thank you for letting me stop by!

Today I thought I'd go ahead and share a 'Fashion Survey' so you could get a little better idea of my style. 

Describe your style: 

 I consider my style 85% Minimalistic and 15% Maverik. That means that I love basic pieces that can function as nearly anything in my wardrobe; but, then I enjoy branching out a bit with accessories and such. My blog has actually helped me to take more risks with fashion, and develop a better fashion sense. I also layer more and take more risks overall, and I really enjoy that!

What is your favorite accessory?:

I really love rings, necklaces, and hair accessories! Bracelets are gorgeous, but they always seem to get in my way. My mom actually has two online shops, and I get a lot of my pieces from there.

Do you feel comfortable in the clothes you wear, if not what would you change?:

I do feel comfortable in the clothes I wear. Sometimes when I try something new it can be a little awkward and I feel self-conscious, but it's worth it.

Describe your body shape: 

Right now I would describe my shape as pear. I wear a small on top and size 4 for dresses and jeans. I'm 5ft 8in and weigh around 112lbs. 

Do you wear clothes to emphasize/accentuate/change your body shape in any way?: 

I love wearing skinny jeans! It helps show that I DO have a shape, aha. 

What stores do you shop at, usually?:

I shop a lot of different places, but something I've done for the past few years now is thrifting and garage saling. You can find so many lovely pieces for literally pennies! You just need to search a little bit. I promise you won't be disappointed! I've found some of my favorite items in my closet from thrift stores or picking them up at garage sales.

Who is your fashion inspiration?: 

I love taking inspiration from everywhere. So, it's not fair to just pull out one person. I do love those people that look gorgeous no matter what though! They can literally throw on anything and make it look amazing. I wish I could do that.

Do you ever dress formally?:

Every Sunday when I go to church I dress up; meaning, a dress or skirt, and usually heels. I like dressing up for church, but not for everyday. 

How has your size impacted your style, both in the past and present?:

I've actually been accused of having eating disorders before. I am naturally skinny, but I've gotten a little bigger over the past couple of years. It always hurts when people assume that I'm anorexic just because I'm 5'8 and weigh just over 110lbs. Especially when I was younger (think back to around twelve) and I weighed 100lbs and was a size 0. I do have modeling going for me, and I would like to try that out.

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Thank you so much, Abbi, for sharing a bit about your style with us all! You are absolutely gorgeous and I always enjoy hearing about different people's style choices or seeing outfit posts! 

I was so glad when Abbi contacted me about writing this post - I love making new friends in this little blog world! If you would like to get involved in Little Foal and share a bit about yourself, just shoot me an email at little-foal@hotmail.com

Don't forget to give Abbigayle some love and check out her blog! Seriously amazing stuff which makes me wish I discovered blogging at the age of 15!

Guest Post: A Few Of My Favourite Things (Vintage Bird Girl)

 

 

 

 

It's an honour to be posting here at Little Foal. Sunae has come a long way in a short period of time, & I for one am looking forward to following her blogging journey.


It's no secret that I love all things vintage....from clothing & accessories, to linen, home wares & furniture. Anything & everything really. I'm not too sure how it all started, but I love the designs & styles of older things. I've been collecting for at least 5 years. I find most things at op shops, & occasionally at vintage stores, & some gets passed onto me too. It's so hard to narrow down my favourite vintage finds as my house is filled with old treasures, but here are some pieces that hold a special place in my heart.

New Zealand deer antlers

My husband & I have always loved deer antlers, but we could never justify spending $200 or more on a set. On a holiday to New Zealand in 2011 we stayed on a farm, & the farmer had a wonderful collection of antlers in his shed. I was admiring his antlers when he asked if I wanted to take some home with me. So we chose two sets of antlers, as I had planned to give one set to my best friend at home. I was so nervous bringing them back to Australia & wondering if customs would allow them through. They gave the all clear to one set, but the other one wasn't as clean, so we had to leave it behind at the airport, much to my friends disappointment! I found a wooden board at an op shop to mount the antlers on, & just needed my Dad's help with his drill. I think this is one of my favourite things because of the happy memories of our time on the farm in our favourite country, as well as the kindness of the farmer. And I feel secretly pleased when I see how much they go for now, knowing I got these for free. You can read more about the antler adventure here.

 

Starburst Clock

 

I'd been searching for an affordable starburst clock for what felt like years. Always checking Ebay & the vintage stores. I discovered this Metamec clock under a pile of other stuff at the Woolloongabba Antique Centre. It was only $40 because the clock mechanism wasn't working, but I knew that could easily be replaced. It felt so good to find something on my vintage wish list, especially when they usually sell for hundreds of dollars.

China Cabinets



These two pieces are very special to me because the large one belonged to my Nana (I remember being fascinated by it as a little girl), & the smaller one was passed onto me by one of my dear friends who is 80 years old & was moving into a nursing home. They hold many precious pieces & they remind me of two lovely women who have a special place in my heart.

 

Tooled bag collection
 

Anyone who reads my blog knows I LOVE accessories. Most of my bags have been found at op shops or occasionally on Ebay. I am especially fond of tooled leather bags. I love the worn leather & the unique designs. They are so sturdy & last forever. These were all purchased at op shops, with the most expensive costing $10.

Mid Century Shelves
 

 

Living in an apartment means I don't have a lot of space for furniture, so when I came across this compact shelving unit at Lifeline I knew it would be the right fit for our home. It cost $25, which is definitely at the higher end of my op shop spending, but these can sell for hundreds of dollars at the vintage stores, so it was a pretty good find.

 

My Jewellery Collection




I've been collecting jewellery since I was a little girl & my collection just keeps on growing. Most of it is found at op shops or gifted to me. The only problem with such a large collection is how to best display it. I use a thrifted spoon rack for long necklaces, a $2 shadow box for special brooches, lots of dishes & containers on my tall boy, & a set of vintage sewing drawers for my beads & bangles.



Vintage Frocks
 

And finally to my beloved frock collection. I've been wearing vintage pretty much all of the time for the last couple of years, & my frock collection has steadily grown over that time. I gravitate towards dresses as I feel most comfortable in them. The majority are op shop finds, & the other great source is Ebay. I think I have somewhere over 50 by now. It's funny though, no matter how many I have I still have days when I feel like I have nothing to wear!


Thanks so much for checking out some of my favourite things. Once you have a passion for vintage the biggest issue is having enough space for your collections. It certainly is addictive, but it's a lot of fun too.

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Thank you so much, Leisa, for guest posting here today - it means so much to me to have such a wonderful blogger as my first guest post!

If you would like to see more of Leisa's wonderful vintage collection, check out her blog at Vintage Bird Girl. Leisa's posts are always so well put together and you will be amazed by all the gorgeous vintage treasures she finds!