child

DIY Lampshade for the Bedroom Makeover

by Chavah Kinloch on May 26, 2011

So in 2008, yes 2008… I bought this:

I only know I bought it in 2008 because of this blog haha. I posted here the weekend I got it.

Anyway, Miss V’s room needs a new lighting fixture. All it has is a light bulb because the boys one day threw something in the air and managed to smash their bedroom light shade. Can you see me shaking my head? I am. I have a million stories like this lol.

What I want for her bedroom is this:

I saw one for $99 last year and knew I should have scooped it up. It’s pretty affordable anyway but right now my budget is close to non existent so for now I have to make it work with what I got. Challenge accepted.

The lampshade I bought in 2008, I originally intended to spray paint orange. Never quite got there though because I fell pregnant that month with Boston and the exhaustion from the pregnancy kicked my butt.

So here we are years later and a few months back I found this. Pretty sure it’s from one of my favourite blogs because I recognise the room it’s in. It just happens to be one of my favourite kids rooms ever. EVER. Eh-Verrr.

Don’t you love that huge bulb? I die. I’m going to find one. As for the lampshade I figured, I can do that! I had a lampshade just sitting there waiting and I knew I could find the fabric to cover it so off I went and pulled my gear out of the studio to get to work.

Big thanks to Karley Feaver who sent me some fabric last year. I finally got to use some of it! I’ve been wanting an excuse to use that fabric.

I rummaged through my fabrics and pulled out four samples. Here’s what I was inspired to do:

Steps one and two.

Steps three and four.

Hopefully I can get my hands on one of those large bulbs and I can get Miss V’s room looking half as good as the one above. I’m still considering maybe adding some flowers or beads to the shade. If I do I’ll update you.

Total cost = Free (maybe $1 for everything)

{ 9 comments }

Positive Affirmations

by Chavah Kinloch on May 31, 2010

I was walking around my home Saturday morning and stumbled across this:

It’s written by my almost 8 year old daughter. Well, I assume it’s written by her because she leaves notes all over the show and this is exactly her personality. Plus, my son that can write isn’t big on lover-hearts as he calls them hehe.

I think it’s gorgeous! As a Mum it makes me feel as though something I’m doing, is working. If you read my post 101 Things I Want My Children to Learn, I think this one quote can cover a few things written on the list about understanding differences and each person’s potential.

I hope she carries on life with these positive affirmations. I think I could learn a thing or two from her.

I’m not the sporty kind, ball handling skills and team competitions are not my thing but I do have a little bit of knowledge on how to work my muscle groups and the biochemistry behind weight loss. So following my daughters lead, I said yes to myself because I want my most amazing self. I finally got a new gym membership! I’m SO excited. It wasn’t planned, my husband just knew I needed some time for myself and knows how much I love the gym. It costs a lot to pay upfront for a years membership, which is why I haven’t insisted we do this. I’ve just secretly (or not-so-secretly) wished it would happen. I didn’t fight the offer when it presented itself today. .  The gym is my escape, my one hour (sometimes two when they all have somewhere else to be hehe) away from work, children, housework… responsibilities in general. I start tonight. I met one of the new owners today and I meet my new trainer this evening.

So yay! No more taking over the living room and moving babies and children out of the way so I don’t trip over them. Just some me time. All alone. Headphones on. Watching my body change it’s shape and creating curves I actually like. I can’t think of anything better.

Dear Perky Bum,

I have missed you, let’s meet again soon.

Love always,
Chavah xx

{ 11 comments }

101 Things I Want My Children to Learn

by Chavah Kinloch on May 27, 2010


  1. Don’t forget to say thank you. To everyone, including the bus driver and girl at the drive through window.
  2. Smile. It makes your heart full.
  3. Tell people you love them.
  4. Just relax. There’s rarely any need to stress.
  5. When you yell, you lose.
  6. Choose your words wisely.
  7. You don’t have to.
  8. If there’s an opportunity to travel, take it.
  9. Speak up. Don’t be scared to share your opinion, even if you know others will disagree.
  10. Listen. You don’t always have to be the one talking.
  11. Sometimes trying something a new way is a good thing.
  12. Girls like guys that cook.
  13. Don’t rush into marriage.
  14. Get life experience before you have children. Set yourself up in every way to be ready. Once you have them, everything changes. For the better but you need to know it will be harder than you could ever imagine. I promise you it’s worth it though.
  15. There is no such thing as girls/boys colours.
  16. Nor are there girls/boys toys.
  17. Don’t pick on other children. Everyone is different and that’s ok.
  18. Celebrate everything. Life is worth celebrating.
  19. Help your Mother carry things. You boys will probably be stronger than me by the time you’re 11.
  20. Don’t let anyone hurt your sister.
  21. Love each other because at the end of the day, as adults, your siblings will be your best friends.
  22. Live your dreams. If you want it, go get it. Don’t wait, no one’s going to give it to you.
  23. Take care of your body. You will feel a sense of pride.
  24. Visit your Mum. She will miss you when you leave.
  25. Competition is healthy. Obsessing over failure is not.
  26. Hold the door open for people.
  27. Give up your seat on the bus for the elderly and pregnant women.
  28. Praise a job well done.
  29. You don’t have to be the best at everything, so long as you always do your best. In my experience, that usually leads to great results.
  30. Go swimming. There’s something freeing about it.
  31. Laugh. Nobody likes a tight@$$.
  32. Be honest. A life lived with integrity will make you happier than lying or cheating to get ahead.
  33. Take calculated risks. Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
  34. Learn. Always. From school, through books, through life and from people who have been there.
  35. Teach. This is the best way to learn.
  36. Boys – The pretty girls will like you. Ask them out. Popular doesn’t = pretty.
  37. Girl- Find a man like your Father. If he doesn’t treat you the way you’ve seen your father treat me, he’s not the one.
  38. Boys – Be like your father. He’s a great man.
  39. Let your personality shine. You’re all so different, it makes me proud.
  40. When it’s time, have children. As many as you want! Don’t worry about the comments people will give you.
  41. Make memories.
  42. Don’t feel the need to spend money constantly. Use it wisely.
  43. Follow your gut, trust your instinct.
  44. Always be grateful. There’s never going to be a time where you don’t have something to be thankful for.
  45. I love you. So very much.
  46. Respect women. Don’t let me catch you treating any female badly, you will be sorry. :)
  47. Let the boys down easy my darling daughter. We’ve already had this discussion, (I can’t believe I’ve had to!) but remember what I told you. No need to be mean about it.
  48. You are meant to be here. There is purpose to your life.
  49. If you want a good friend, be a good friend. These people will stick with you through anything.
  50. Everything in life is made up from choices. Choose wisely. If you mess up, as you will, choose better next time.
  51. Intelligence is sexy.
  52. Respect your surroundings. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
  53. Don’t try to buy people. You will not be cooler because you can afford something. It’s all an illusion.
  54. Defend yourself. I raise you to be tolerant. Don’t feel you need to tolerate people that treat you badly.
  55. Look people in the eye.
  56. Sing and sing loudly. It’s ok if you’re off key, just do it. Enjoy yourself.
  57. Live within your means. In this day and age it’s a hard lesson to learn when you don’t.
  58. Wear your seatbelt!
  59. Real women don’t look like the one’s in magazines. That’s called lighting and photoshop.
  60. Don’t whine. Even I won’t love a whiney mcwhinepants.
  61. Set goals. Reach them. Set new ones.
  62. Push yourself!
  63. Do not live on handouts. You have skills, use them. Earning something will give you a greater sense of accomplishment and respect than anything you are ever handed.
  64. Sometimes Mum knows what she’s talking about. Remind yourself and your Father.
  65. I’ll say it again, I love you. No matter what.
  66. Sex isn’t taboo.
  67. Don’t change yourself for anyone. If you do, I will hunt them down and punch them. You are great as you are.
  68. Never use your cellphone while driving. It’s just not worth the risk.
  69. Don’t ever let anyone lay a hand on you. Man or woman. That is not how you communicate in a relationship.
  70. Give. Of yourself and your belongings you no longer need or have extra of.
  71. If someone makes you feel bad about yourself, they’re not your friend.
  72. NEVER get in the car with someone who has been drinking. NEVER.
  73. Talk to your parents. We’re pretty good listeners.
  74. Own your mistakes. Don’t pretend you’re perfect.
  75. Find a way to make it happen.
  76. Don’t settle for stereotypes. Exceed everyones expectations, including your own. All you have to do is try.
  77. Keep your eyes open. Observe the good and the bad.
  78. Always vote. There is too much history to take this privilege for granted. What you have to say can make a difference.
  79. It’s ok to say No. Mean it when you say it.
  80. Have some humility. There is a fine line between confidence and just being a prick.
  81. Be healthy. I’ve tried to lay the foundation so you don’t go through the issues I’ve had to. Real food tastes so much better anyway.
  82. You don’t have to expose body parts to attract people. A modestly dressed person is so much hotter than an overexposed body.
  83. Be patient. As they say “Good things take time”.
  84. You have more than enough. Everything you have is more than some and less than others. Don’t make a big deal about it.
  85. Think logically, be practical. Your Dad can teach you this. I’m the creative one, take some tips from me on how to be logical and fun.
  86. Don’t panic! Come to me for this lesson. Your Dad’s brain stops working if something doesn’t go according to plan. I, on the other hand couldn’t care less. It just makes life more interesting. If there is a fire, call 111 because your Dad won’t.
  87. Lead by example.
  88. Clean up after yourself. When you leave home people will say “I’m not your Mother”. Well, I am your Mother and I’m not cleaning up your unnecessary mess. Do it yourself, you have arms and storage boxes.
  89. Grocery shop with a list and a budget. Plan your meals in advance. You’ll save tonnes of money and never go hungry.
  90. Take pride in your appearance. It’s not shallow, it’s caring.
  91. We’ll teach you how to budget and understand money and invstments to the best of our capabilities. You need to be armed for the world.
  92. Boys can do laundry too. You will learn before you leave my home and some girl will love you (and me) for this.
  93. “When you know better, you do better.”
  94. Don’t steal from people. It shows cowardly tendencies.
  95. Being married doesn’t mean you can’t hang out with friends anymore.
  96. Don’t let others tell you what to do. You decide your future. Think for yourself!
  97. Notorious B.I.G was the greatest rapper ever.
  98. Nothing I do in my life will ever compare to being your Mother.
  99. Have a hobby. It will keep you sane.
  100. Nothing bad has happened tomorrow. It’s a new day, fresh for the taking.
  101. Understand priorities. Sometimes money, family, health, the needy,work, school… whatever, can get overwhelming. Remember to put yourself first sometimes. It’s easy to forget.

{ 99 comments }

Genius vs Criminal Genius

by Chavah Kinloch on March 22, 2010

Let me just start by saying how glad I am to be back on my blog. A place where I can talk about my children and not get told that’s all there is to me or abused for ruining the country and labelled as ‘All that is wrong with society”.

This evening we had Parent/Teacher meetings. I wonder if I’m the only one that despises having to leave my house at dinner time to get them done. I’m such a homebody.

I have to give the teachers credit though, my kids have definitely hit the jackpot this year with teachers that are very passionate about what they do. I love those kind of teachers! If you’re one of them, props to you. You help us parents build up our next generations and I wish there were more of you out there. For that I give you the utmost respect.

So here’s the gist of the evening. We started with my 6 year old sons teacher. We’re told he’s a great kid, very sweet, kind, quiet, good ideas and well behaved in class but get this… she pulls out his spelling book and I’m like “Ummm what’s that?” We chat about how it’s his homework book and she shows me the pages where his spelling words are written and all the little boxes on the page are ticked. I stopped her to point out we had NO idea he had a spelling book. There was also a reading log we had never seen. We have 2 weeks left in the term and tonight is the first I’d heard of them. Now, I have asked, over and over again if there was any spelling or a reading log. I have read his books with him, gone through his bag and I have looked him straight in the eye to ask if that was seriously all the homework he had…and he always told me yes. Turns out the little punk has been marking his own work and handing it in pretending he’d brought it home! It’s so naughty we could only laugh. Seriously, we all knew just how cheeky the move was but there’s a stroke of genius in it too. We dealt with it when we got home and his teacher will be speaking to him tomorrow, which should be interesting. I wonder if he’ll confess.

Other than that though he’s right on target for where he should be. As someone who has lived that ‘gifted child’ life, I’m happy with that. If he’s enjoying himself and doing his best I’m good to go.

Next up we had the meeting with my 7 year old daughters teacher. Completely different. Her teacher couldn’t praise her enough; turns out there’s nothing she’s not good at. It’s totally her personality. Sometimes I have to really talk her through things so she doesn’t get so worked up. Let her know it’s ok to make mistakes and that no one expects perfection. Yes, I’ve really had conversations like that with my little girl.

We’re told she loves maths, art and writing. She’s quick as a fox and just competed at the zones in athletics. She reads at the same level as a 13 year old which puts her off the charts. She’s meant to be year 3 at school but is kicking some serious butt all on her own in her year 4 & 5 class.

Her teacher will be referring to a gifted childrens program that runs down here. I remember doing these when I was a kid, they were a lot of fun! They let you unleash your inner geek. I hope she enjoys it. It’s not like work at all. You play games and get into all sorts of physical and scientific activities. I was obsessed with dinosaurs, astronomy, rocks and mammals. My hubby was the same, I don’t know what his ‘must know everything about this’ things were though. There really must be some sort of gene that get’s passed on because at home we don’t push anything, the kids are free to use their time however they want. We don’t even do homework everyday, basically because I don’t want to (oops).

There is one big thing I insist on though. They must learn to read. It breaks my heart when I see other parents ignoring this one thing. It only takes a few minutes a day and the rewards are endless. You don’t have to start them early or anything, just let them go at their own pace. In my house once they’re comfortable with the idea of reading, they’re encouraged to try to read daily and when they come across a word they don’t quite understand, they’re to ask what it means. All questions are welcome and man, we’ve had some doozies but they don’t faze me! Whether a child’s being read to or reading alone in their room, it doesn’t matter. It all helps. I know that involving them in a reading culture will help them so much and their lives will be a whole lot easier because of it.

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