Amanda Brooke

A few blog design changes

Hi! I have been working really hard this last week to create a new place to call my home. In coming weeks there will be several design changes, so I ask my lovely readers to be patient as my blog goes through a little face lift! I also can't wait to start the blogging course next month...there may be more changes to come after that!!!!

The main thing you will notice is that my blog has a new name, 'Live Life Simply'...more about the name change later, but for now you will still arrive here via any original links to Amanda Brooke.

Thanks for stopping by and again please bear with me as I implement and tweak the changes!

Finding my voice

I have been blogging since 2007, when I started a blog to share my creativity as a pattern designer. My blog name changed and what I share has changed over the years too. I no longer design as a business and I mainly enjoy writing about our home, my passion for crafts, natural and eco-friendly living and whatever is on my mind.

Lately...

• I have felt that my posts lack 'something' and I haven't been enjoying the blogging process the way that I used to.
• I have been struggling to put my heart into my posts and to share what is really going on here and in my mind.
• I am struggling with the idea of sharing my business in this space, but I am so passionate about this BIG part of my life.
• My family says I do too many things and I think this clutter in my life is being reflected here, too.      

I also feel as though I have lost my voice, so to speak.

My passion for blogging hasn't vanished and I am not going to stop blogging, I just feel like some changes need to take place here. I feel this will take some time and some effort and so I am not going to post here for a while. I am going to take a wee blogging break to connect and focus on my purpose for this blog and re-create this space into something that inspires me and my readers. Whilst I am on this break I will be undertaking an online blogging course by Holly Becker of Decor8, so I'm confident this will assist in nutting out the direction I am seeking.

Please feel welcome to stop by and watch the changes develop and I hope it won't be for more than a month and you will still be able to find me once a fortnight over at the Simple, Green Frugal Co-op blog.

Watch this space!

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

 

Upcycling ideas and giveaway winner

Firstly the winners of the Healthy & Green Giveaway, as chosen by the Random Number Generator, are:

The Lunchbox Revolution Book goes to: Comment number 6!

Congratulations Gisele!

3 pack of Tumblemonkey Dryer Balls goes to: Comment number 2!

Congratulations Bianca!

Thanks to those who left some great tips for lunchbox snacks and I think that the dryer balls would have been appreciated by many of you.

I have a couple of upcycling ideas to share here today. First is a neat idea for laddered or unused pantyhose that I discovered on the Homestead Survival blog. Tie your onions in them individually and cut away each onion as you need them! Love it!

As much as I don't want pesky plastic bags entering our home, they somehow always manage to slip in somehow...so this idea is great! You will need two bags for this. Slide each foot inside a bag and then pop your gumboots on! Your foot will go into your boot super easy, your pants won't ride up and if you have a crack in your boot, your feet won't get wet! Just change the bags as needed and upcycle further if possible!

Loving this idea from my husbands mum!

I am heading off to Melbourne tomorrow for a special meeting that will result in something very special and important beginning in Australia. I can't disclose what it is about just yet, but I am thrilled to be a part of something that will create more awareness, make an ongoing difference to our environment and unite many. The following day I am heading into the BNK Show (Baby and Kids trade show for retailers) and I am a little excited about this little visit to the city! I plan to take most of my food with me so I don't have to buy many meals and some knitting for the evening.

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

 

Healthy & Green | Little Eco Giveaway

I know I have just recently run a giveaway...but here is another as I have some great new products in the Little Eco store which I would love to share with a couple of lucky readers.

GIVEAWAY ONE

Firstly is a book, the Lunchbox Revolution, that I have become rather fond of after borrowing it from a friend. After tracking down the publisher, Mona Hecke a Naturopath and Aussie mum,  I am proud to say she agreed to Little Eco becoming a stockist and I am giving away one copy of this great book to one lucky reader!

The Lunchbox Revolution is packed with lots of healthy and nutritious recipes, lunchbox tips, helpful information and all in a colourful and easy to read format. I am particularly obsessed with the recipes for snack balls that satisfy sweet tooths and contain no sugar. I had to track down some ingredients from health food suppliers, but most can be found in your local supermarket/greengrocer or home pantry.

Protein Blast Balls

Sweet Balls

The kids love them...but my favourites at the moment though are Chocolate Balls made from raw cacao and dates!

This 64 page book is valued at $9.95 and to enter tell me your best lunchbox tip in the comments if you wish to win a copy!

GIVEAWAY 2

The second giveaway is a 3 Pack of Tumblemonkey Dryer Balls.

Made from 100% pure Australian felted wool, these balls are for your tumbledryer and they will SAVE your family money.

Just throw in your dryer and leave them there! They will absorb moisture from your dryer load and separate the clothes allowing more air to pass between the clothing. They are fantastic for cloth nappy users and very helpful through the cooler months even if you only use your dryer to 'finish' off a load of clothes. The balls will dry naturally inside the dryer after a load is complete.You can read more about these balls here.

We carry Natural and Cookies and Cream colours in packs of 3 for $12.00 and a two pack of 3 for $23.50. If you would like to win a 3 pack of Tumblemonkey balls please leave a comment below explaining why you'd like to win!

Winners for both prizes will be chosen AT RANDOM by a random number generator.

Please feel welcome to enter a comment for both giveaways, but please leave a separate comment for each. Good luck in the draw and as always I look forward to reading your comments and tips.

Comments will close at midnight AEST on Sunday 6th of May.

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

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