A safe, dry and imperfect home.

 

Hello, 
It's been raining allot here in Brisvegas, so I have been entertaining myself by moving a few things around and zooshing up my home a little. I do enjoy fussing about with my latest most favourite decor items! None of it looks quite perfect just yet but hopefully it will soon. I love it when you have finally found the exact look you were after and it is only a matter of time before you find a way to make it completely work. It's a process! Right now, I love these vintage books that were a recent purchase from the "Life line book festival". It was their beach-y blue and green shades that I was initially most attracted to however I love their subjects too. One book is named "Good Behaviour", it is all about the importance of good manners, old fashioned style manners... I am raising two little men so I am thinking maybe this book could come in handy or NOT we shall see. 

 

Is it raining where you are too? I do feel very sad for all of those people affected by floods yet again; it must be very heart breaking to walk in their shoes. I feel very lucky and blessed to be fussing around my safe, dry and imperfect home. xx

Up-cycled kitchen basket- organiser

Hello,

I know, it has been like forever. I really didn't mean to stay away from my blog for so long, it just kind of happened. Are you surviving the holiday season?? I hope so! I know that I am going to miss my boys when Kindy and School starts; this is a given. I already have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it... but truthfully speaking, I am still working at enjoying the "school mum" thing. I have just never felt a natural at it, if that makes any sense. I am very thankful that I have a business to distract me from it when I need to. Anyhoo I am doing my best to stay in the moment and enjoy this holiday time! I have found five minutes here and there to be a little busy and creative. I've mostly been in the painting zone but here is a quick kitchen project that I thought I would share with you.

 

I stencilled two green lines and number 4 on this tin basket, I wanted it to have a slight "vintage look". It is no major work of art however from a styling and organisational perspective it looks quite effective. I bought it from overflow for a wee bargain of $8 and it really is a helpful storage solution. There were just a few items on my bench-tops that I use often like salt, oil, cooking salt that didn't necessarily look messy but they didn't look particularly organised either. What are on your kitchen benches? Are they spotless? Or like me, do you just have a few things you need lying around??

I have a few new ideas of where I would like to direct my business this coming year which I am really excited about. Is there anything important that you too would you like to achieve this year? Oh and a half marathon, how on earth could I forget that??. Strangely I haven't any official new years resolution to speak of, I guess I work best when I am not under any sort pressure. Denial works best, every single time!!! xx

Popping over to Saturdays Style at Scandi Coast Home... c'mon you coming with??

#makedoandstyle Giveaway

Hello, Happy Sunday to you!

What have you been up to and how was your weekend?? I have had a super lovely weekend! I enjoyed a little family birthday- celebration dinner on Friday evening and on Saturday had a lovely Xmas catch-up with some girlfriends. It was so much fun to see friends having a great time and even enjoy a little disco dance on the dance floor. Do you like the occasional disco dance? I do, I think it's very good food for the soul.

Hip Brown- Chevron Sign Give Away

Its time for the winner of the Make do and style give away. As I mentioned last week, I have been so grateful to all the very talented people who have embraced this styling tag and just wanted to say thank you, somehow. The draw included anyone who has ever tagged #makedoandstyle or ever commented on any #makedoandstyle roundups. The winner of the draw is Melissa from Misssewnso.  Melissa, could you please drop me an email so we can arrange delivery? Thanks again everyone!

Rachael xx

Make do and Style this Chrissy

Make do and Style this Christmas with lovely homemade decor

 Have you made a merry lil something this silly season? Why buy new when you can hand make something that is one of a kind, beautiful and has your own creative stamp, value and worth? For me, that is a much nicer and meaningful aesthetic! I know creative perfection is something to aim for and I understand it can also be a deterrent for many. I believe more so in having a go, at trying something new and I think that perfection will follow if you love it, enjoy it and believe in yourself enough. Go on, unleash your merry "make do and style" creative spirit this Xmas!

Love the playful-chic mood-styling that this rustic Christmas tree (made from a white washed palette with paint-chip bauble decorations) brings by Juz Savage. "Big Fat Albert cheers" for this marvellous styling and photography also by Juz Savage, follow on Instagram @ juzsavage

It's hard to not like a rustic twig Christmas tree, would you agree? Chinese doily decorations handmade for Advent twig tree by Heather from Ollie and Ruby. Styling and photography also by Heather, follow on Instagram @ ollieandruby

Very-fancy refashioned baubles on rustic twig/cross mobile with fairy lights by Sonia at Life Love and Hiccups. Super- fancy (I do love that word! ;-)) styling and photography also by Sonia, follow on Instagram @ lifelovehiccups

How stunningly beautiful is this Xmas wreath made from twigs with a touch of sparkly glamour?? by Melissa from Miss Sew and So. Beautiful styling and photography also by Melissa, follow on  Instagram @ misssewnso
* This #makedoandstyle snap chosen by me 
 

Do you think the humble pine-cone is the most fabulous symbol for an Australian Christmas? I do! Love this simple pine-cone ribbon decoration hung from a candle chandelier; it adds so much charm with its mix of natural and romantic-industrial. The view is also quite amaze too! Glamour styling and photography by Hayley, follow on Instagram @ mumlittle

This will be the last Make do and Style round up for this year; I simply must do a lil "give away" as a token of appreciation for everyone who has embraced it. I will do the draw this coming Sunday 09/12/12. It will include anyone that has submitted a snap with #makedoandstyle, commented on any make do and style round ups or is a follower of this blog. Have a lovely Xmas and if you do get the urge tag #makedoandstyle. Merry Xmas!
 Rach xx

Are you feeling Merry Hairy yet??

Things have been a lil quite around here, I know... have certainly missed you all :-). Lately an annoying run of poorly children has definitely thrown a spanner into the Hip Brown works. Think they are all on the mend now, bless them ;-)! On a much more chipper and merry note, we finally have our Xmas on now... do you too?

Here is our front door. I made this wreath last year, just out of a few bits and bobs I found from home. I added some feathers just to be a tad more wild and crazy this year ;-).

My favorite Xmas colour palette is red, silver, white and natural. What are your merry hairy colours? 

Loving playing with washi tape at the moment, watch out it's kind of addictive.

Here is our Xmas wall- vignette, it turned out a tad more loud than I had actually planned. I was totally aiming for a natural soft palette, but sometime I think... whatever! I truthfully found it tricky to pass on a bright red feather purchase; tis the season for a lil glitter and silly-ness after all!  This feather Xmas wreath was soooooo easy to make. A lil wire, feathers and a glue gun, I think it cost me about $3 so very budget friendly too.  I would really love to be able to tell you who inspired me to make it, I just cant remember who?? I know, forgive me if I am sounding like some kind of vacant vessel...It may have been a magazine or someone on Instagram. All I know is that it wasn't me therefore a massive creative thankyou their way, to whoever it was! 

Are you feeling very Merry yet?? You know, I think I am!

I will be back on Thursday to do the final round up for this year of "Make do and Style- Xmas style". Think it will be time for a giveaway too, have so appreciated everyone that has tagged #makedoandstyle; from the bottom of my heart, can I just say that "you guys rock"! Have you checked out all of the photo's tagged #makedoandstyle on Instagram?? Oh you must, they are completely rad, beautifully styled and all round just great snippy snaps.

Rach xx

Coffee-sack Deckchair Revamp

Hello, 

How was your weekend? For me, a "fun weekend" is being able to fit everything in whilst still being able to relax and enjoy doing a little of nothing.  I love doing nothing even if it is only for just 10 minutes. Do you too?  A "great weekend" is still being able to fit everything in, getting to enjoy some family time and completing a craft or decor project. It is the small things in life that make me very happy ;-). I like to remind myself of that this time of year because it can get a little crazy busy, wouldn't you agree?

I loved this deckchair from the moment I saw it.

It had such a strong frame and was beautifully made.

It was rather unloved and faded when I found it; nothing a sand, white wash and coffee- sack revamp couldn't fix though.

I particularly love the red- pink colour of its branding stamp.
Loving doing deck-chair revamps right now! So tell me, what have you been up to? Popping over to Tanya's, come check out her rad vintage ladder.

Rachael xx

Make Do and Style for the Senses

Pictures that speak a thousand words, amplify beauty and transport you to another time and place.

I adore the sense of memory, love and history found through simple vintage-styling. Do you have a favorite vintage piece that reminds you of another moment in time?

This palette of white, charcoal, cream and red layered on a distressed mantle whispers dreamy elegance! Do you too swoon over those vintage books? They are simply divine. Where could you place some cute vintage books in your house? Styling and photography by Leah. Follow on Instagram @ leah_theinsidestory2
*Hand picked

 Sea green vintage bottles with shell and palm decoration. I do love vintage bottle styling. This vignette is so coastal-cool, with a hint of fifties styling! Photography and Styling by Cheryl from Beachcomber26

Follow on Instagram at beachcomber26
*Hand picked

A beautiful vintage pot jammed packed full of lavender. There is something so stylish about lavender in a vase; it can transform a room particularly it's smell ;-). Photography and styling by Jo from Coastal Home Love. Follow on Instagram @ coastalhomelove. This blue daisy-trio design actually brings back sweet memories from my child hood; I remember my mum had this exact design on a casserole dish... aw bless her!

Eyes of God, Photography and styling by Mia. Follow on Instagram @ Mrsmiagoding. Do you heart native American crafts? Love this gorgeous wall-vignette, especially the sweet feathered one! Also such a sweet coastal pallet of blues, green and white. So simple and inexpensive to do!
*Hand picked

Vintage lace rosette made from the lace of my mother's wedding dress. Yes, it is a tad Sibella Court inspired, I am quite the fan. The number 7 is also a very lucky number for our family. Styling and photography by Rach. You can follow me on Instagram @ hipbrown.

Such talented lovelies, thanks to all for taking part! Do you too have a Make do and style snap to share? Than please tag #makedoandstyle on Instagram or Twitter, feel free to share @ hipbrown. Popping over to Chic on a Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday.
Rach xx