LIfestyle Category

Since the first stint in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has bloomed and has now become a well-known event amongst Queenslanders. Created to promote economic activity and tourism, this not so little 10-day festival has provided so much more for the “Garden City”. After smashing attendance records last year, this year’s event is back bigger and better than ever! Here is a breakdown of the events on offer, from wine and cheese appreciated, to garden light shows, there is something for everyone! FOR THE KIDS The Cubby House – With a mega sandpit, DIY workshops, free face painting, cooking activities and gardening tips, the little ones are guaranteed to have a blast while you are enjoying the live music and food of the Heritage Bank Festival of Food& Wine…. Read More »

It is officially Block season, and if you are a fellow Blockhead like everyone else in our office you are probably itching to start your own reno. If you are thinking about giving your property a makeover, or a home renovation has been on the cards for a while, here are a few things you will want to know before you dust off the tools and start demolition. WHERE TO START 1.    Designing and Planning: Keep it simple and try to set your budget from the beginning. Also, try to be firm and final with your decisions within this planning phase. If you decide on these things early, you can avoid unexpected costs that may arise. 2.    DIY or Hire The Pros: Discuss whether you are going to do the majority of… Read More »

About to move into a new place, or are you moving out for the first time? Here is a comprehensive list of everything to need to know to make the move a little more bearable. Forget the moving horror stories, by implementing a plan and utilising these tips and tricks, you can make moving house a piece of cake! BEFORE THE MOVE Utility Connection: The last thing you want is to move into a house that doesn’t have any electricity and you are unpacking in the dark. Make sure you call your energy provider and give them your details and connection dates before you move into the property. The connection process may take a couple of business days, so make sure you have given the provider ample notice. While you… Read More »

Want to get a head start on your spring cleaning? Here are our top tips and tricks on how to get your home looking sparkling clean going into the warmer months.   So let’s start at the top:   KITCHEN     Stovetop and Stainless Steel – Opt for organic cleaning produces and microfibre cloths when cleaning these surfaces. Products with citruses will have the ability to breakdown grease and grime, while the microfibre clothes will help buff out marks and leave a streak-free shine. Sink – Quickly eliminate bacteria and get your sink sparkling with this hack. Sprinkle bicarb soda in the sink and scrub with warm water. After some scrubbing and a bit of elbow grease, you will start to see your sink sparkle. Wooden Bench Tops –… Read More »

It is not always fun and games living with a group of friends. Weekly games night can soon turn sour if someone has disobeyed the household rules. Here are some ideas you can implement to ensure things run smoothly in your share house.   Firstly, it is super important to establish a set of ground rules early on. It is also important to have open communication with your housemates on a daily basis. This will ensure there are no awkward run-ins or any bottled up feelings. TOP TIPS TO KEEP THE PEACE     MAKE A ROSTER   Cleaning, cooking, whatever it may be, make a roster and take turns sharing the load. Write it up and stick on the fridge for everyone to refer back to. This will help… Read More »

School holidays are fast approaching, and we all know what that means….MESSY BEDROOMS! In order to try and keep things tidy and keep them entertained these holidays, how about making styling their bedrooms into a fun little project. Not only will they love getting involved, but it may also make them a little more house proud, benefitting you in the long run!   It is important to remember that kids bedrooms don’t have to mean bright pinks and blues, with rainbows, butterflies or cars. You don’t have to skimp on style when creating these amazing spaces for your children. Here are some trend you can easily incorporate that won’t compromise your home aesthetic.   TOP TRENDS FOR KIDS BEDROOMS IN 2019 Vintage Touches: Try upcycling and sourcing cute little trinkets… Read More »

Colour has the power to transform a space, it can reflect personality, change the mood and help liven up living spaces. Sometimes adding colour can get quite tricky or seem somewhat daunting, but don’t be scared! A lot of homeowners tend to shy away from colour due to the fact that they simply don’t know how to style it properly. Here are some ways you can stylishly inject colour into your home without the lifelong commitment or hefty price tags.   COLOURED TILES, FLOORS & CEILINGS   Don’t just reserve colour for the walls. With the right impact, coloured floors or ceilings can be an out-of-the-box way to spice up a room. Take design cues from the streets of Morocco where muted pinks, oranges and terracotta’s line each and every… Read More »

Over the last few years, we have heard the word sustainability thrown around quite often. But what does it mean? And how can we introduce it into our lifestyles and households?   Sustainability means meeting your needs without negatively impacting the needs of future generations. This also means becoming more environmentally aware and conscious of how your actions may affect the world around you. Implementing this mentality does not mean you have to skimp on style. In fact, many companies and start-ups have used the sustainability trend to their advantage and are creating amazing and environmentally-friendly products perfectly suitable for even the most stylish eco-warriors.   Here are some things you can implement to embrace sustainability in your home, without sacrificing your creativity or lifestyle.   THE SIX R’S  … Read More »

Winter has officially arrived, and although you may have dusted off your winter woollies inside, it is important to remember that your outdoor spaces need love during the cooler months as well. Here is our guide to winter-proofing your garden so you can enjoy the outdoors all year round.   BRAVE THE COLD   Don’t let the cooler temps stop you from entertaining outdoors this winter! Although the sun sets earlier and a day’s become shorter, it is still easy to alter your alfresco and garden to suit the season.   When it comes to cosying up to your backyards, remember blankets, throws and cushions aren’t reserved for indoor spaces only. Bring the indoors outdoors by adding soft furnishing to our outdoor seating areas. Opt for more durable and long-lasting… Read More »