from somewhere in my imagination

A Homemade Christmas With Real Living Magazine

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang Australia, but I can't help adding that I was sent the brief the same day I had been looking for a copy of Real Living Magazine in the newsagent.  It was kind of freaky, made me wonder whether there really is some big brother keeping an eye on me. Unfortunately, it was mid-month between issues and I was told I needed to wait a couple of weeks. I was searching for the magazine for a few reasons.  First of all, I need to convince Steven that wallpaper really is okay and it won’t make our bedroom in our new house look like a reject from the 70’s.  I am also on the hunt for our perfect dining chairs and, to be honest, when it comes to finding inspiration for furnishing and decorating our house, Home Improvement Magazines are still my first port of call. A few weeks later I returned for my copy of Real Living and came home with an issue bursting with ideas for a homemade Christmas.  Right up my alley. After flicking through it over a quiet coffee (while hiding out in my bedroom) one afternoon at home, I took it with me to Adelaide over the weekend for closer read in the car.  I ended up with a list of ideas for homemade decorations and gifts, plenty of extra gift ideas for friends and family, plus I have suggested to my sister that we give the bacon, sage and almond turkey stuffing a whirl for our Christmas lunch. My favourite thing about every issue of Real Living is the way it gives an insight into real homes.  I am a bit voyeuristic in that respect.  I love pouring over house layouts and design ideas in every single issue. Unfortunately there was no compelling argument for the use of wallpaper in our bedroom this time around, leaving me with a perfect reason to buy myself a subscription for Christmas, I'll convince him yet!  A couple of things that I especially love about magazine subscriptions are… No more aimless wandering in the newsagent looking for the issue followed by a round-up of the children from the toy area and quick departure. The dollars you save. Who doesn't love saving money, and at a 46% saving on the cover price of Real Living...well, that's pretty much free by my calculations. Right now there is a third great reason for subscribing...you will be eligible to win one of 10 fabulous Hawaiian holiday packages valued at over $12,000 each with Magshop’s Christmas competition. Simply subscribe, renew or treat family and friends to any of the 35 participating titles including The Australian Women’s Weekly, Top Gear Australia, Australian House & Garden, Shop Til You Drop, UFC, Money, and many more.

Read - The Secret Life of Dresses

It's been a while sice I posted about a book that I have just finished reading, but I just finished the first one I felt was worthy of writing about for a while.  Last night I hopped into bed a touch before 11, grabbed my kindle and started reading for a bit, just like I do pretty much every night.  Reading is my sleep tonic.  I turned off the light around 1.15 am, whoops.

Usually I read a chapter or two, sometimes less, sometimes more.  One of the things I especially love about the kindle is I can stop reading mid page and I don't loose my spot.

I first spotted this book when I was in the USA...in a dress shop.  There is a yellow dress on the cover it is a total no brainer that I was drawn to the cover.

So, last night I pulled it out with at least 30% of the book still to go, I had no plans of finishing it but I was at the summit of the book.  The place where you start reading and cannot put it down until you reach the very end.  Sometimes that happens a few chapters in and in some it unfortunately never happens and you just slog away to the end. 

I digress, I'm rambling a bit...it is a lovely book.  If you enjoy reading Elsie Larson's blog then chances are you are going to love this book because it is set around a vintage dress shop where the dresses have stories.  It has (very) sad bits (I almost cried), funny bits and a even a spot of romance.  The words are beautifully illustrative, I could picture things in my head.  I definitely wanted to go and look in the store and try on a dress or three.  If you like vintage fashion then you will most likely love this book too.

I can imagine the book as a movie.  It would make an excellent chick flick....the sort of thing you would love if you enjoyed Steel Magnolias, Mona Lisa Smile and How to Make an American Quilt...and that goes for the book too.

It comes with reading group questions (at least it does on my kindle) so it would be a good one to consider for your book club (if you are in one).

The author, Erin McKean, actually has a blog where she writes secret lives and talks about vintage fashion.  She writes some very funny dialogues between the characters on the fronts of vintage pattern packs.  I'm pretty excited that not only did I find a lovely read but I also found a new vintage style blog to read, bonus!

I found myself a few thift store vintage pieces when I was in the USA.  Do you like vintage fashion or do you prefer to stick with new clothes?  I know it's not for everyone and whilst I can imagine wearing vintage more or less fulltime I do like having a few pieces in my wardrobe that I can throw in the mix.  Have you read the book?  What do you think?

Happy Tuesday!

Tatum xx

Planning With Kids

On Friday I was lucky enough to win a copy of Nicole Avery's book Planning With Kids.

Nicole is a Mum of Five and her blog, Planning with Kids, offers lots of great ideas for organisation, play and a wide variety of other things.  Given I have four kids of my own I'd (not surprisingly) preordered a copy and whilst I haven't quite read it cover to cover yet I have read enough to know that it is an invaluable resource for parents.

Many of Nicole's parenting philosophies and takes on things resonate stringly with me and my own parenting style and I will absolutely be adopting some of her ideas into our home.  Starting with a return to weekly menu planning!

Nicole was also one of the speakers at Blogopolis on Saturday and she was one of my favourites.  She presented a whole bunch of tech geek blogging stuff in a way that I could understand it and I have already made a few changes to my blog after listening (and taking notes) to what she had to share.

I have one signed copy of Nicole's book, Planning with Kids to giveaway to a reader.  To enter leave me a comment with your best planning tip either for managing your kidlets or your life in general.  For extra entries pop over and like the From Somewhere In My Imagination facebook page and/or Tweet the post.

***NOW CLOSED***

I'll draw the winner next Wednesday night (10th August) around 10pm CST.  It's Charlotte's birthday so I'll be in a present giving mood!  In case you just can't wait or want to buy one for yourself (or a friend) you can order the book here.

Happy Tuesday, I'm off to the library with Miss J for toddler story time!

Tatum xx