Amanda Brooke

Hallway organisation

I can be impatient. Once I get going on an idea I just have get stuck into there and then...well...not always, but most of the time! In the very wee hours of the yesterday morning I came across a 'command centre' in a hallway where everything had it's place and it was conveniently located close to an entrance. I wanted one. I almost started clearing space then and there! I measured, listed pieces I might need to create one and when daylight broke today I got started.

This is what was here before. A part of our home I enjoyed, but it wasn't functional.

This is how it looks now.

I wanted to buy an Ikea Expedit piece, baskets to fit etc, but I managed to use items from around the house to make it work. It doesn't look as pretty as my old sewing display, but it feels like it will be very functional and I really like the idea of having everything in one convenient place. The baskets at the top hold my handbag, shopping bags and one for Little Eco parcels to be sent to customers. There is a shelf for shoes (mostly school shoes) and underneath is space for the nappy bag and the kids school bags. I hung a noticeboard above it and plan to only attach school and kids things that need attention.

This is set up at our front entrance which we rarely use, but as there was no space to create something similar at the back door it had to be the front. I imagine I will change this around a bit as time passes and commitments change, but for now it is just good having everything in one space.

Do you have a similar space dedicated to keeping your family organised?

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

 

 

Buddhism for Mothers

A few years ago a book changed my life. Simple Abundance. I wrote about it here. A few weeks ago another book came into my life in much the same way and I am embracing and reading it with passion.

 

The Complete Buddhism for Mothers. It is 3 books in one volume - Buddhism for Mothers, Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children and Buddhism for Mothers of Schoolchildren. It kind of follows me around the house...yes...it is one of 'those' books! I hadn't heard of it before, read a recommendation or a review...but I was destined to pick it up, buy it, start reading, start practicing and begin some shifting and changing. I am living more patiently, more aware, more mindful...and I am only part way in.

This book is for every mother and you don't need to follow or even understand Buddhism to practice the advice and embrace the authors own journey. I love it. In as many as a few weeks I feel more in tune with me, more aware of my children, and less angry.

I am uncomfortable to admit it, but I think that most of my anger and frustration as a parent comes from when my children interrupt my thoughts or interrupt my the simplest tasks. By being more aware and living in that moment I am able to tune out of my thoughts (and I am learning to minimise the thoughts also) and into them. I am able to carry on a task without the mindful chatter and take notice of them and their needs. I am enjoying my children more and feel like I am slowly becoming happier to be around too.

I didn't purposely seek this book out, but I have been searching for something and I think this might be it. Are you searching for something to guide you as a parent?

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

P.S I haven't been asked to review this book. These are my own words and I just wanted to share as this book as it is making a positive difference to my life.

 

Green Cleaning Winner!

As chosen by the random number generator the lucky reader that has won the Full Circle cleaning package is comment number 4!

Congratulations to Jode!

Thanks to all who left a comment and for sharing some great green cleaning tips. It has been great to read through the list of methods and combinations of cleansers that you trust. It was refreshing to read a few different ideas that I haven't tried too. Do take the time to read through some of the tips in the previous post if you would like some green cleaning inspiration.

I have been using the Full Circle freezer compost bin and I LOVE IT!!! I like having the free bench space and the scraps are smell free and easy to remove.

Thanks for visiting and contributing to the giveaway,

Amanda x

Green Cleaning Giveaway

I have introduced a new range to my online store, Little Eco that I want to share with my readers...and there is a little green cleaning giveaway to share with one lucky reader!

Full Circle is a range of cleaning and sustainable living products made from recycled and natural materials.

The range comes from the USA and the company prides itself on:

• Sourcing raw materials close to where all of the processes and packaging is done to minimize transportation.

• Ensuring scraps and waste materials are recycled.

• Using recycled and FSC certified paper for their marketing materials and packaging

• Auditing their factories according to the following: fair labor practices, health & safety, compensation & work hours, environmental conditions including air and water, as well as waste disposal.

Included in the range that we currently stock are compost bins that you can keep in the freezer until ready to empty (we LOVE this bin!!!), various brushes for the hardest jobs, a fruit and veggie cleaning brush and tea towels made from bamboo and organic cotton. Full Circle is affordable and a great alternative to mainstream products if you want to support sustainable manufacturing and recycling! You can view the range in my store here.

For your chance to win the little package I have put together, which includes a Scrap Happy Compost bin, a natural colour tea towel, a Be Good dish brush and The Ring fruit and veggie brush, leave a comment below and mention your favourite green cleaning tip or product. It can be a homemade item or product...anything that you love to use in your home that you think is good for our environment and your family!

This package is valued at $35.35 and sorry to our overseas visitors as the giveaway is open to Australian residents only. Please leave your comment by midnight, Sunday 22nd April 2012!

I am excited about offering green cleaning products to our store as I believe that a healthy home supports a healthy family and that is what Little Eco is all about..caring for your kids and family. I will also be introducing more products for parents and pregnancy related goodies in the near future too. If you have  suggestions for products you think are unique and fit our eco-conscious values please let me know.

Bets of luck in the draw and I am looking forward to reading your suggestions and tips that come through!

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

P.S The giveaway is only open to Australian residents due to the size of the parcel. My lovely overseas readers are still welcome to comment as it is great to read your tips!

PLEASE NOTE THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THE WINNER OF THE PACK WILL BE ANNOUNCED TODAY, 23RD APRIL.

Smelly cloth nappies!

The title of this post doesn't refer to a nappy that's been used! I am referring to modern cloth nappies that smell after washing!

A great tip to give your cloth nappies a thorough clean is to give them a 'strip wash' or a 'double wash'. This is really simple to do and can help in removing smells, assist in better absorption (if there is a detergent build up) and can help prevent nappy rash.

This is what to do:

1. Run clean (not soiled) nappies through a full hot wash without detergent.

2. Then run a second wash with a very small amount of non-moisturising dish washing liquid.

3. Rinse and line dry.

If you can do your double wash on a windy day it's even better as it gives your nappies a good airing out. If you don't have access to a line, air dry indoors if possible and finish off in the tumble dryer.

Some preventative methods for avoiding smelly modern cloth nappies:

• Ensure you are washing you nappies regularly enough (every second day as a guide)
• Rinse each nappy before placing in nappy bucket
• Make sure you are doing a pre-rinse and final rinse when you wash your nappies in the machine
• If you live in a hard water area you may need to use a little more detergent if your nappies still smell after a double wash.

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x