Inspiration Monday #3: Pineapples?

 

Hello Everyone!

I've really been enjoying creating posts for the 'Inspiration Monday' series- In fact, I've even found myself excited to write this post! I've had great responses from you all in the past as well so I thought I'd go ahead and write a new instalment in the series today.

So lets talk about Pineapples.

No you didn't read that wrong, yes I did say pineapples. Are you as confused as I was when I saw this becoming a trend? It's almost as if a group of people sat in a board room naming completely random inanimate objects to slap all over accessories! My curiosity got the better of me and I decided to do a little bit of research on the subject.

 

It seems the pineapple has had a long and rich history dating back to colonial times.  It was seen as the fruit of the wealthy and dinner guests were delighted to discover their host had spared no expense to ensure they were satisfied. It was also bought as a gift to the hostess when entertaining guests. Since then, the pineapple has been known as an icon associated with hospitality.
 

Perhaps this is why the tropical fruit made its way onto our pillows and tea towels?

 

 http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2014/05/09/pineapple-decor-trend/?soc=pinterest

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/30/07/18/300718f7398feec473fafadd6845bf4f.jpg

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/pdp/detail.jsp?&navAction=jump&id=32480352#/

 http://www.nousdecor.com/blog/say-aloha-pineapple-trend-tropical-rooms

 http://www.nousdecor.com/blog/say-aloha-pineapple-trend-tropical-rooms

 

http://decor8blog.com/category/trends/

I personally like this trend. The treat reminds me of hot summer days days and beach parties.. doesn't it just make you wish you were sipping cocktails somewhere warm?! I think adding a few pineapples is a fantastic way to add character to your space. The bright colours and quirky shape will also add a retro vibe. Its definitely a hot pick for this summer!

 

So what about you, Is this a trend you'll be trying? Let me know in the comments your thoughts as well as suggestions for upcoming 'Inspiration Monday' posts. Also, don't forget to check out my 'Pineapple trend' Pinterest board I've created for you all!

You may also like to check out past 'Inspiration Monday' posts:
Geometric love & Pretty pastels

Have a wonderful week!

Love Megan xo

D.I.Y Hanging Phone Holder

 

Hello everyone!

Today I'm sharing with you all this adorable solution for keeping your charging phone protected.. 
 

I saw this DIY on Pinterest and just fell in love with the concept.. unfortunately I don't speak German so interpreting the tutorial proved to be a little difficult. I spent a fair bit of time looking for a similar tutorial and didn't have much luck. The ones I found had unclear instructions or they didn't look as good. I finally found this tutorial and thought it seemed easy enough and was absolutely adorable! So here we go!

For this project, you'll need:

Fabric (I recommend 1 print and 1 plain fabric)
Batting/ Fusible interfacing
Sewing Machine or needle and thread
Scissors & a seam ripper
A pencil

Step 1: Cut out a rectangle from your two fabrics and your wadding. The original tutorial used 12" x 6" but I found it was too small to fit my iPhone 5. I adapted it to 16" x 6" but you can use any size you'd like to fit your devices.

If I were to do it again, I would probably make it 14" x 6" because I found mine to be slightly too big.

 

Step 2: Lay your batting flat and place one of the fabric pieces on top with the right side up. Then place the second piece of fabric faced down on the top so the right sides are together. Pin them so they stay in place.

 

Step 3: Sew around the edges with a 1/4" seam allowance. Remember to leave a few inches unsewn for turning.

 

Step 4: Turn the piece right side out and iron it flat. Then, top stich around the sides to close the gap and give a finished look to the edges.

 

 

Step 5: Fold up the bottom to create a pocket. Make sure your phone will fit nicely before pinning the pocket into place.

 

Step 6: Sew over the top stitching on each side to secure your pocket.

Step 7: To make the hole for your charger plug, you must first measure to ensure you make a hole large enough. Trace around the four sides of your plug using a pencil. 

 

Step 8: Use a tight zig-zag stitch to sew around your traced shape.

 

Step 9: Use a seam ripper to start a hole in the centre of your traced shape, then cut around the centre of the square getting as close to the stitching as you can.

 

Ta da!

 

 

 

I absolutely adore this project and found it sew easy! Let me know if you make this DIY... As always, i'd love to see your pictures!

Happy sewing!

Love Megan xo

The Blogger Tag!

Hello!

I was surprised to find out that Em from Sunbran had tagged me to take part in the blogger tag! I always love taking part in these fun little posts. They're a great way to find out more about the person behind the blog!

The rules are simple: Answer the questions and tag your friends!

Lets jump right in!

1) Why did you start blogging?

 

'Room With a Bloom' was a way for me to follow my dreams. I always wanted to be an interior designer but hated the idea of telling people how their house should look. Instead, I wanted to inspire readers to create the home they've always wanted. Hopefully, I have already inspired some of you to do this!

2) Who's your idol?

As far as blogging goes, I idolize Martha Stuart. She's an incredible woman and deserves all of her success that she's had! She has often been a source of inspiration for my blog and I aim for a similar success!

 

3) If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I get asked this question all the time and if I were completely honest, I would still be living in Melbourne. I absolutely love Melbourne and its lifestyle.. It wasn't voted most liveable city for nothing! 

 

 

4) What's your signature scent?

I'm not really sure that I've got one. I tend to mix up my perfumes pretty regularly. I'd say the one I've been reaching for lately has been 'la vie est belle' from Lancôme. A friend of mine bought it back from Europe as a gift and I just love the scent!

5) What's your favourite makeup brand?

I've said this in the past but my favourite brand is Nars. I just find myself reaching for those products the most! The cult favourites 'Laguna' Bronzer and 'Orgasm' blush have found their way into my everyday makeup bag and I don't see them moving anytime soon!

6) Would you choose high street or high end fashion?

Not going to lie, I had to Google this one...
High street fashion! I like to think I'm not a brand snob! If I can find an adorable dress that's great quality for a cheap price, I'm sold!

7) What's your favourite song?

Oh gosh, This answer is forever changing! In fact, I don't think I can give you a straight answer, so here are just a couple of my current favourites:

'Paradise' by Coldplay
'Clocks' by Coldplay
'Treacherous' by Taylor Swift
'Don't dream it's over' by Crowded House
'Love runs out' by One Republic

8) What's your favourite album?

My favourite album is definitely 'Red' by Taylor Swift. These songs were what comforted me during a difficult time early last year. Even now, I get goose bumps listening to the songs!

9) Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?

Well I don't currently have an Instagram account so I guess that rules that one out.. As for the other two, I like them both for different reasons. My personal Facebook account allows me to connect with family and friends while Twitter lets me connect with people from around the world and to promote this blog. I'd say Twitter is the site I spend more time on though!

10) Which celebrity styles inspires you?

Since I'm not a fashion blogger, I cant say that I keep up with celebrity styles. However, If I were to be inspired by someone's particular style, I'd say Louise's from 'Sprinkle of Glitter'. Just like me, Louise is a plus size lady and she's always wearing the most beautiful outfits! Here's a link to her Summer Lookbook where you can see her elegant style in action!

11) What's your best holiday?

 

Just like Em, My favourite holiday is definitely Christmas! I love spending time with my family and eating the most amazing food. I think you'll agree that there's always a little magic in the air around this time of year!

Tag, You're it!

Life with Rossye
Yari's Adventures
Laydey katabella

Thankyou so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post! If you wanted to check out Ems Answers, you can here

I hope see you back here on Monday for a new post!

Love Megan xo

 

One Lovely Blog Award!

Hey Everyone!

I was so excited to see that I had been nominated for another blogger award. They are just so much fun to participate in! This time it was by Ayesha from Thoughts of Glitter for the One Lovely Blog Award! You can check out her post here!

So, what are the rules of the award?

1. You must thank the person nominating you and have a link back to their post

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Nominate up to 15 bloggers that you admire

4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know they've been nominated

Lets Get Started!

1. I'm a really organized person, but I cannot for the life of me keep a schedule/Planner. Do people really write in it everyday?

 

2. I did little athletics for 7 years when I was younger. I don't think I was really good at anything but it was pretty fun. My favourite events were Shot Put and Discus! 

 

3. I was also an Air Force Cadet for about 4 1/2 years and I loved it, I always had so much fun! Even though it really was just a small fraction of my life, it has been the most influential thing I've ever done. 

 

4. I'm obsessed with horses but I have no idea why.. I've never even ridden one! (except for one at a farm when I was 4 years old) Perhaps I watched too many episodes of 'The saddle club'?

 

5.  I don't have any special talents. I can bend my thumb back all the way to touch my wrist... does that count?

 

6. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, It would be Spaghetti Bolognese- I love anything with Tomatoes really. Yum!

 

7. I'm a sucker for pretty things. There have been times I've bought things based purely on how much glitter is on it. Is that a bad thing?

My Nominations:

1. Be and love you beauty

2. Latest Trend Fashion

3. DorkFace

4. Pop Couture

5. A bubbly lady

6. Made Up About Curls

7. Hannah Bakes Things

8. Little Rose Cave

9. Sunbran

10. Lenniebie

If you weren't nominated but still would like to take part, feel free to do so. Please link me to your post if you do take part, I'd love to read your responses!

I hope you enjoyed this post, Bye for now!

Love Megan xo
 



Welcome Back!

 

Well hello there!

First things first, (I'm the realest) Welcome back to Room With a Bloom! Although I did miss writing during my trip away, I'm so glad I decided to step back and have a break. I've been able to clear my head and create some new goals and expectations for the blog. I'm very excited to be back and creating new and improved content!

 

So how was my trip? Absolutely fantastic!
 

For those of you who don't know, I attended the 'Grampians Brushes' Painting workshop last week in Halls Gap. The workshop had a variety of different courses listed based on different media and subject. My class was titled 'Interpreting the landscape' and it taught acrylic landscape painting. For four days, I got to study and paint with Australian artist Richard Rogers. 

The class was so much fun and I've learnt so much from Richard. 

A point he made that really stuck with me was that he paints without getting attached to his work. Right after I took the picture above, he began painting over it. I really couldn't understand why because I thought it looked amazing! I guess he believes that there are always other scenes to paint, and that there's no need to hold on to the pieces.

He taught me that the colours you paint with don't matter. You could paint an orange sea and the painting will still work out as long as you've correctly placed the tones in the painting. It's something I'm definitely going to remember!

If you're interested, I believe Richard has already agreed to mentor again at next years Grampians brushes workshop. You can keep updated via the website here.

Here are two paintings about a scene in Switzerland I did while away! ideally, I would do a third painting using the tones of the top painting and incorporating the clouds from the second. I'm so happy with my progress!

 

While taking the workshop, we stayed at the Halls Gap Log Cabins which was a wonderful experience in itself! Just look at that incredible view!

The wood heater was surely put to use every night. Isn't there just something so pleasant about snuggling up on the couch watching a fire? It seemed almost hypnotic!
 

The land surrounding the cabins were home to about a hundred wild Kangaroos. I just loved being so close to nature and they seemed happy enough to interact with us as well! 

 

I can now say that I've woken up in the morning to see a kangaroo and her joey eating grass straight outside the front door- such an unbelievable experience!

If you're ever in the area, I would definitely recommend Bard and Rosie at the log cabins for accommodation!

During the week that was, I also got my very first DSLR Camera!

 

 

I chose the Canon EOS 600D based off the many fantastic reviews I've read. So far I've loved using it! All of todays pictures have been taken using it (except this one of course!)

Here are a couple of extra snaps I've taken:

 

 

One of the new additions to our garden! 

 

My baby boy, Maxi!

I'm so excited to see what else the new camera is capable of.

So that's what I've been up to. I look forward to uploading some new craft posts very soon! If you're new here, I upload every Monday and Thursday!

See you next time!

Love Megan xo

10 Things I Love About Me

 

Hey Everyone!

My life seems like a bit of a mess these days. In fact, I was starting to feel like the world was against me. A couple of days ago I had a really long think about my life and where I was going. I remember thinking to myself "well, at least I'm happy with who I am." I thought that this was a really strong message and it was one I wanted to share with you all. Although things seem pretty crappy, I chose to focus on being happy and confident with who I am.

 

I decided to make a list of the things I love about myself. You'd be surprised how wonderful it feels to see look at your list and see all of the amazing qualities about yourself. Today I'm sharing my list with you all in the hopes that you'll take the time to discover things that you love about yourself.

 

My list:
 

1. I'm a really good friend. I try to always listen and support my friends, or even tell them when they're being stupid. That's just what friends do!

 

2. I love that I'm so creative! There's nothing else I'd rather do then paint a landscape or create new quilt blocks!

 

3. I have amazing hair: It grows fast, it holds a curl and it doesn't get to oily. I always get compliments on my hair smelling really good too! 

 

4. I love to laugh! I used to get teased for laughing at everything but I think its a wonderful quality to have! 

 

5. My eyes are beautiful. I love how they sparkle when the light hits them!

 

6. I'm a 'glass half full' person, I try to always stay optimistic!

 

7. I always see the best in others. Even when someone has been really horrible to me, I cant help but see the best in them. Its just part of who I am!

 

8. I'm a dreamer! I have big goals and I am always striving to achieve them.

 

9. I'm an empathetic person. When someone cries, I just want to cry with them! I think its a wonderful gift to be able to relate to others on an emotional level.

 

10. I take the time to appreciate everything. If you’ve ever sent me a message or left a comment, believe me when I say that I honestly appreciated it.  I always try to acknowledge every little bit of kindness in the world.

 

 

I've also made a list of what I love about YOU!

1. You support me and my blog. The support I've received has been overwhelming, and I love you all for it!

 

2. You don't ever judge me, and you only leave me kind words.

 

3. You continue to read this blog even though you know I'm a complete weirdo!

 

4. Your blogs make me laugh and they make me cry. You inspire me everyday to work harder on my blog

 

5. You always have interesting things to say!

 

6. You are all so talented! The knowledge you all have is just amazing, and I'm thankful that you choose to share your ideas and thoughts with me!

 

7. You are open with your own struggles and I'm glad I have found others who I can relate to. Its always nice to know you're never alone.

 

8. I love that you always update me on what's happening in your part of the world!

 

9. You're courage. It takes a certain kind of person to put yourself out there and become vulnerable to negativity.

 

10.  You always bring a smile to my face with your lovely comments and messages. To see that you all love what I do just makes my day!

 

I hope you enjoyed this post, I loved making it! So now I encourage you all to make a list too.. Go on, tell me what you love about you! 

 



Quick little note: Next week I'll be heading off to the Grampians to take a painting class. I'm so excited and yes, I'll be sure to update you all on my trip! Unfortunately I'll be taking the week off from blogging, so you wont be able to expect a new post from me until Monday 22nd of September. Of course, you can follow me on my social media accounts where I'll still be available!

 

I'll talk to you soon

 

Love Megan xo

D.I.Y Yarn Tassel Garland

Hello craft bugs!

 Since starting this blog back in June and making all of these DIY projects, I’ve become a much happier person. I'm so proud of this blog and all of the posts I've created. Craft posts are by far my favourite ones to make, They are just so much fun! This one in particular has got to my best so far. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I loved creating it!

Whist searching for new craft projects, I found some tutorials on constructing a yarn garland. They all looked so cute and seemed simple enough to make. So I’m going to show you today how you can make one of your very own!

Garlands are more commonly made from paper, but I thought yarn was a fantastic alternative since they are less likely to become damaged! Purchasing these garlands can also be quite costly, but with more creative freedom and less money spent, why wouldn't you just make them yourself? In total, this garland cost me about $14 for all of the materials (and there was plenty of yarn leftover afterwards too!)

Ready to learn how you can make one?

For this project you'll need:

• Yarn in assorted colours

• A piece of cardboard cut to the desired length of the tassels (Mine was 10")

• Scissors

• Twine/ plain coloured yarn

• A needle (optional, but recommended!)

 

Lets get started!

The first step is to wrap the yarn around the cardboard until you have the desired thickness for your tassels. I wrapped mine around the cardboard 30 times per tassel.

Carefully slide the ring off the cardboard and secure it with a piece of the same coloured yarn. you may need to double knot this to keep it from coming undone.
 Make sure where you tie it is opposite from where you started wrapping.

Take your scissors and cut the yarn opposite of where you just tied. At this point you can also trim the excess yarn from your knot. Be careful that your knot doesn't come undone when doing this.

Fold your tassel backwards so that you cover the knot you tied. The top of your tassel should look like this.

Then take another piece of the yarn and tie it around the tassel to secure the shape. Again, you'll want to create a double knot before trimming the excess yarn!

Ta da!
Now just repeat the same simple steps to create as many tassels as you want!

Once you've got all of your tassels ready, its time to thread them onto some twine to hang. You can do this freehanded if you're patient enough, or you can use a needle like I did. Make sure you thread the twine through the back of your tassels (where the knot is)- you don't want the knots to be visible from the front!

That's it!

I absolutely LOVE this DIY. It was so easy, cheap and fun to make.. and it just looks so pretty!
As always, please let me know what you thought of this craft idea and send me your photos if you try it!
Happy Crafting!

Love Megan xo

Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self

Growing up is one of the most painfully horrifying and unbearably exciting things any of us will ever do. Like anyone else, I’ve made many mistakes; some are ones I wish I could erase from history. If I could do it again, I’d come equipped with more self-respect and a lot more confidence... Maybe even a better sense of fashion too!

Here are some things I'd tell my younger self..

 

• Don't give up on your hobbies. If you love to draw and paint, then do it! You'll have an easier time figuring out who you are by doing what you love than being someone you're not.

 

• Don't worry so much about popularity and being 'cool', You'll never see these people again anyway.

 

• Listen to your friends and family when they say a guy isn't good for you. They know you better than you think they do. 

 

• Just know that you're going to make mistakes. Remember to consider them lessons, and don't be so hard on yourself.

 

• Just say yes. Its okay to do things that seem a little scary, that's how you'll grow.

 

• Don't wear those ugly brown pants that you thought were so cool... Ever!

 

• Make a better effort to keep connected to old friends. You'll regret it if you let those wonderful people walk out of your life.

 

• What other people do and say about you has very little to do with you. It's just a reflection of them.

 

• Don't change who you are to suit others. It doesn't matter so much what others think of you. It only matters what you think of yourself.

 

• No matter what, everything is going to be alright. :)

 

 

What would you say to your younger self if given the chance?

Have a wonderful weekend

 

Love Megan xo

Inspiration Monday #2: Pretty Pastels

Hello again friends!

Well, Spring has finally sprung and I couldn't be more excited! Its time to bring out the sundresses, get the barbecues ready and enjoy the lovely, warm sunshine. To welcome this beautiful season, I thought it was only fitting to make pastels the theme for todays 'Inspiration Monday' post!

Oh Pastels..

  This ever so feminine and beautifully classic colour palette has made a huge comeback in the past few years with the contemporary interpretation of this 1950's phenomenon. These soft colours are high in intensity but low in saturation which means they are bright colours but appear quite pale.

Tip: Its a good idea to consider pastels when decorating your home or when creating outfits as its an easy way to introduce colour without having to be bold.

 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/luciaandmapp/5495993109/in/photostream/

 http://dessertlovernote.com/oreo-chocolate-brownie/

http://syllovesshabby.blogspot.de/p/syls-happy-vintage-shop.html

 http://www.sunnydaystarrynight.com/2014_02_01_archive.html

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/97957107/watertown-lifetime-melmac-cups-in-mint?

ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=mint+green&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_original_query=2&ga

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/5c/d6/e2/5cd6e2570ef7ecd19e8467f83201ee82.jpg

I just adore this timeless trend. There's something about it that makes me want to reminisce over lemonade, ice cream and running through lawn sprinklers in the summers. It reminds me of innocence and laughter. I cant even glance at these soft, milky hues without them leaving a smile on my face.

So what do you think of this candy coloured trend? As always, you can check out my pastels Pinterest board for more ideas and inspiration!

Be sure to check out last months post for my thoughts on the geometric trend too!

Have a wonderful week
Love Megan xo