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10 Fun & Thrifty Interior Decorating Tips

1 – Brighten up unloved walls.

Brighten up your unused blank walls with fun and thrifty DIY ideas. Try putting together a collection of hang plates sourced from your local opportunity shop, or weed out some odds and ends from the back of your cupboard. 

To hang, simply attach wire plate hangers to the back of each plate and suspend on a picture nail. Opt for unexpected colours, textures and designs, and place the most dramatic-looking designs within the centre of the arrangement.

Another option is to create a unique photo wall. Pick a theme such as a wedding, birthday party or holiday pics, then find an outlet (such as ikea) that sells a large collection of frames in bulk. Organise them in a straight row along your wall (it’s worth measuring them out with a ruler and grey lead pencil), or measure out an uneven design to create more contrast. Photos are often stored for long periods of time in albums and photo books – this is a great way to use and enjoy them in your daily life.

2- Lighten up your house

This might sound basic, but when was the last time you gave your light-fittings a good clean? With time, dirt can build up in glass light fittings, which creates a cloudy, grey colour throughout your room. A quick spritz and rubdown with some soapy water will do wonders for your light fitting – and subsequently brighten up your home.

3- Freshen up your couch and lounge chairs.

You may not have the funds for a new lounge suite, but you can brighten up your old one by giving your cushions a good clean and investing in a new throw for your couch. Good quality fabric is often sold in sample size on websites such as eBay or etsy. It doesn’t need to cover your entire couch or chair; it simply creates a feature and a distraction for the eye.

4. Add colour and spark with fresh flowers

Fresh flowers create a sense of brightness and positivity throughout the home. Stock yourself up with some quirky vases; they could be old pouring jugs, glass jars or any type of recycled objects. Next, find an interesting local florist, or even consider buying yourself a tough-growing rose-bush so that you have a constant supply.

5. Set the mood

Candles – look best when massed, particularly on a spacious surface

Look for soy-based or beeswax varieties as they work to clean the air as they burn. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for an added aroma throughout your home.

Candles create a sense of calmness and serenity throughout the home. They are best used in large quantities; a stacked array on a spacious surface, which creates a warm sense of light and space throughout the room.

Look for soy-based or beeswax candles as they contain minimal chemicals and also work to clean the air as they burn. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for an added aroma.

6. Give your surface areas a new look

A fresh new tablecloth can brighten up the surface area of your table or work space. Look for interesting textures and designs that compliment the feeling throughout your home. Good quality fabrics in small sizes can often be found as sample seconds on eBay and etsy.com. Also have a look in your local thrift shop and see what they have available.

7. Create a feature wall

The feeling throughout a room can be lifted with a splash of colour or brightness. Try painting a feature wall a warm, deep colour such as dark red or deep blue. You can also use wallpaper to create an interesting feature.

8. Create a sense of space

A sense of space broadens our creative thinking and creates a calming ambience throughout a room. To make the most of the space that you have available, start by clearing clutter throughout your home. It might seem tiring at first, but the clearing and organization of objects throughout your home will create a calming effect throughout the house.

Finally, you can also make your room seem larger by adding a mirror against a wall. Choose a size that is roughly ¾ the size of the wall and place it opposite a window so that it will reflect the light from the exterior.

9. Try a thrifty kitchen re-vamp

You might not have the time or resources to do a complete kitchen makeover. But you can create an entire new look throughout your kitchen by simply re-painting your cupboards.

Any hardware store or paint outlet will sell with the correct paint and finish. Simply choose a colour and ask them for their recommendations. You will need to remove each cupboard door from it’s frame, label it with masking tape and give it a thorough clean with soap and water before you start. Paint on several coats and allow them to air-dry before returning them back to their frames.

10. Create a rosy, romantic glow in different rooms

Are you keen to create a warm and rosy glow throughout your bedroom or living room, but not exactly sure how? One of the most famous tricks done by Woody Allen in his hit movie, Annie Hall was placing a pink light bulb on his bedroom lamp to create a warm, pink ambience throughout the room. A pink lampshade or light-fitting can also create the same effect.

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Travelling With Your Pets!

Prior to departure, check that your pet’s microchip details are up to date and they are wearing an ID tag with a contact number that works where you are staying. This is the quickest way to ensure you will be reunited with your pet, should they get lost.

Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations and worming are up to date. If you have an older dog, I recommend a full vet check before you leave. Always assume that your new environment may harbour fleas, so apply a flea preventative before you leave and I recommend that you take your pet’s own clean bedding for them to sleep on.

Pack your pet’s regular food as you can never rely on being able to buy it at your holiday destination and a sudden change of diet can cause tummy upsets.

If you are travelling to a coastal destination, phone ahead to the local vet at your destination and ask if paralysis ticks are prevalent in the area. Paralysis ticks are deadly and you need to start preventative treatment prior to departing for your holiday.

When travelling in a car, be sure to have cats and small dogs confined in a crate and large dogs harnessed. This prevents them from becoming flying missiles, should you have an accident.

Have regular toilet and water breaks. With cats, it is best to offer them a litter tray inside the car unless they are trained to a lead or harness. Cats are far more likely to bolt off in strange territory. 

When you arrive at your destination keep your pet confined indoors. Many pets get lost on holidays and you can’t be too careful. With dogs, be sure to keep them on a leash for the first couple of days whenever you are outdoors and cats should remain indoors at all times, unless they are used to walking on a lead.

Be sensible and safe and I hope you all have a wonderful summer break!

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Guide To Freezing Fruit & Vegetables

Freezing food is a great way to save time and energy in the kitchen – keeping you super organised. It also reduces food costs as food that is in seasonal abundance is generally cheaper.

What you will need:

Storage containers: Zip locked bags or vacuum sealed bags are ideal as they can minimize the fruit and vegetables’ contact with air. They are also very space efficient in most freezers.

Fresh produce: Select fruits and vegetables at the peak of their season when they are the ripest.  Avoid produce that has been damaged or bruised.  

Blanching equipment: Most vegetables need to be blanched briefly prior to freezing. This helps them to retain more of their nutrition and flavour during the freezing period. To blanch vegetables, you only need a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and a large bowl that you can fill with iced-water.

How to freeze fruit:

Fruit doesn’t require pre-cooking, so it is relatively easy to prepare for freezer storage.

Simply remove any stems or pips, slice into bite-size pieces and place on a flat tray in the freezer.
Freeze until firm, and then transfer fruit to a zip-locked or vacuum-seeled bag. If possible, remove as much air from the bag as possible. Contact with air will cause the fruit to go off more quickly in the freezer.

Ideal freezing time is 1-2 months.

A few tips for freezing fruits:

Avocadoes, kiwi fruits and other soft fruits don’t freeze well.
Tomatoes are best pre-cooked and mixed in a blender to form a smooth paste (also known as ‘passata’) prior to freezing.
Grapes and berries can be frozen whole (hence don’t require any pre-chopping or preparation).

How to freeze vegetables:

Prepare vegetables by removing any dirt and slicing them into bite-size pieces.
Blanch the vegetables by cooking in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then transferring to a bowl of iced water.
Place vegetables in a zip-locked or vacuum-sealable bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.

Store for up to 3 months in the freezer.

A few tips for freezing vegetables:

Garlic, black pepper or other ‘seed spices’ don’t freeze well. Their flavours become bitter-tasting after freezing.
Onions benefit from long, slow cooking prior to freezing. This is a great addition soups, stews and omelettes when you are in a hurry.
Cabbage leaves can be blanched and frozen flat (useful for making cabbage rolls in winter).
Peppers (including capsican) don’t require blanching. Prepare them as you would fruits.

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Jake Hunter – Youth Olympic Bronze Medalist

My name is Jake Hunter and I thought i would share with you what I love about show jumping, and my experiences with this sport that’s a passion of mine.

Show Jumping has been a way of life for me since I was born. Traveling from show to show with my mother Gail Hunter right from the start. I fell in love with the sport from a very young age and knew that it would always be a passion to me. Show Jumping in particular is a very special sport. Being a team with an animal over 500kg is something really special to me. I am lucky enough to have been taken some amazing places throughout my career. In 2008 I traveled to Colombia South America to compete in the FEI world children’s jumping final in which I placed 9th.

Since then I have completed school and continued with the sport I love. Recently this year, I was lucky enough to have been selected as the only Australian Athlete to compete at the youth Olympic Games in Nanjing China. It was a competition on borrowed horses with riders from around the world. I was lucky enough to get and individual Bronze medal which undoubtedly is the highlight of my career so far. At China I met an Irish Rider Micheal Duffy, who offered me a position to ride and train in his yard in Knockmore Ireland. This is the beginning of my European career and am incredibly lucky to have been offered the position here. They have a big training program and have people continuously coming to train from all over the world. The horses are all fantastic and I am very excited with what the future will hold. At this stage I am aiming for the next world equestrian games and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Until then, I just have to be patient, learn and wait for the right horse to come into my hands.

Jake Hunter – 2014 Youth Olympic Games Bronze Medalist.

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5 Ways to Waste Less & Save Money – Christmas

While this season it might be considered the ‘silly season’, Australians are predicted to spend up to $10 billion on food during December and January, with up to 35% going to waste. Read More Here…

Much of this food ends up in landfill, where it will decompose over time. But during this process, it releases a potent greenhouse gas known as methane. Methane is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide and has major implications for global warming and climate change.

The good news is that there are many, basic things that we can do to reduce food waste during the festive season. Here are some tips:

TIP# 1 – Plan ahead.

People tend to over-cater for events during the festive season. They often buy food in a mad rush and take extra measures to ensure that there is an abundance of food available for everyone.

Instead, try making a list, calculate portion sizes and plan ahead for the use of leftovers. By making a list and following a basic plan, there will be less excess food purchased, and minimal food waste.

TIP# 2 – Store food correctly.

Food will last much longer if it is properly stored. Make sure your fridge is set between 3-4 degrees and invest in some good quality storage containers. You can label food items clearly with masking tape and a pen so you know how long it will last. 

TIP# 3 – Celebrate leftovers.

Our parents and grandparents knew how to make good food stretch further and last longer; they transformed it into delicious leftover dishes. At Christmas time, it’s really easy to do this.

Leftover tips:

Plan ahead by considering how you will use food to make leftover dishes.
Use the celebration days following Christmas to use up your leftover Christmas meals.

Leftover dishes:

Use your turkey carcass and leftover meat to make stock and soup. 

Use leftover ham and turkey meat for sandwiches, curries or stir-fries.
Leftover vegetables go brilliantly well in omelettes, sandwiches and cold-roast salads.
Christmas pudding is delicious layered with cream, yoghurt and fruit in a Boxing Day trifle.

TIP#4 – Reduce food packaging.

Rubbish volumes spike by up to 30% over Christmas. Choose items with less packaging and try wrapping your Christmas presents in re-useable material such as fabric. You can also re-use and recycle old paper wrapping if you store it correctly, or use butcher’s paper and get your kids to do some drawings on it. 

TIP#5 – Make 2015 the year of the compost bin.

For every person that gets a compost bin and stops throwing food waste in the trash, it reduces the burden on landfill by 1 tonne, per person, per year. A simple compost bin, worm farm, bokashi bucket or any other food waste recycling system (chickens are my mother’s favourite) will significantly reduce your yearly waste output.

Ask at your local council for any composting systems that they might sell. They often offer incentives for people to start recycling their food waste.

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Alane Moore & Polocrosse

I first started riding at the station my family used to live at. Most of my days at home involved helping Dad mustering and droving with him during the school holidays when we were in drought. When I was old enough my parents joined me up to the local pony club, which for us was Wee Waa Pony Club. I absolutely loved pony club when I was younger, I especially loved the sporting events and cross country jumping. When I was in year 2 we moved to the Horse Capital of Australia, Scone. My parents then joined my brother, sister and myself to Merriwa Pony Club. Some of my best childhood memories were created doing pony club events and camps. Pony club was definitely an important foundation for my riding, it allowed me to learn lots of different riding disciplines which has helped me out today when riding different horses. In addtion, my experiences in joining and riding at pony club has provided me the opportunity to compete successfully at a state level twice for my zone on my trusty horses, named Silhouette and Scooter!

During my early years my next door neighbours at the time were keen polocrosse players and we ended up becoming very close friends with them. We would go over to their house and practice polocrosse with them and it was through gaining this experience that I started playing polocrosse for my local club, Bunnan. At this stage I was only 9, so I played a pony to begin with. As I got better and bigger I was given a very good mare off them. She helped me improve my game and allowed me to be chosen for the Hunter Valley zone team twice in my sub junior years. When I was in my last year of juniors I was given the opportunity to represent NSW in America. This was one of the best experiences of my life. Our team was very blessed to be housed at some amazing places. We spent most of our time in Colorado where we got to play the American junior, women’s and men’s team they had put together and to top it off we won all our games!

One of the best things about polocrosse is the lifelong friends you make along the way. Some of my best friends are from polocrosse, not only from Australia but from all over the world! Luckily for me, my family are a great support and help work the horses during the week so I can still compete at polocrosse and campdrafts on the weekends.

Well, that’s a little bit about me and my passion for horses and competing in the polocrosse sport. So, if you interested to find out more about Polocrosse and would like to learn more, you can find some more helpful information here: http://www.polocrosse.org.au/

Alane Moore – Polocrosse Enthusiast

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Top Puppy Training Tips

#1 Socialise your puppy –

Up until about 18 weeks of age is the most important developmental period in your dog’s life.  During this time it is crucial to socialise your puppy by exposing them to as many people, places and ‘things’ as possible – other animals, children, trucks, skateboards, veterinarians, slippery floors, loud noises etc.

#2 Handle your puppy –

Teaching your puppy to enjoy being handled and touched everywhere on their body is very important.  Begin by rewarding your puppy with their favourite treats every time you touch/handle them in different areas. This will also assist in building trust between each other.

#3 Teach your puppy to enjoy time alone –

New puppies need lots of companionship and playtime with you, but it’s also very important for them to enjoy spending time on their own. Preparing your puppy for inevitable periods of time being left by themselves is important; puppies need to learn how to occupy their time when home alone right from the start.

#4 Safe chew toys for your puppy –

Puppies like to chew and if you don’t provide them with chew toys they are more likely to chew inappropriate items, like your furniture. Chew toys need to be made of materials that your puppy is unable to bite off or destroy easily, as these can pose a choking hazard.
Ensure all toys are of suitable strength/size for your puppy and rotate the chew toys regularly to maintain your puppy’s interest.

# 5 Continue training–

Problems often arise when puppies become adolescents from 6 – 18 months of age. Common problems include jumping up, pulling on the lead, barking, food bowl aggression, chewing and digging.  It’s important for you to continue training your puppy after the completion of puppy classes.  Five to ten minutes can make a huge difference to your dog’s behavior and help prevent problems.

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Teaching Your Puppy To Enjoy Grooming

As well as being touched, your puppy must learn to enjoy being brushed.  Adult dogs will need to be brushed regularly–it cleans the coat, removes loose hair and stimulates the oil glands of the skin for a shiny and glossy coat.

Brushing allows you to become familiar with all the parts of your dog’s body and you’ll notice early on anything unusual that may require veterinary attention. Your pup will see brushing as just another form of petting and it is important to make this experience enjoyable.

Use a soft bristle brush or similar and gently massage your puppy by brushing in the direction of hair growth. Brushing against the hair pattern may be uncomfortable for your puppy. Begin to brush at the head, and work towards the tail and down the legs.

Make sure you reward your puppy with treats for a job well done and to associate your grooming sessions with pleasant outcomes.

Puppy handling check list

Pick 3 or 4 of these  each day and work on for 1 – 2 minutes until your puppy is mature. Work through the list and then start again. Remember, to give lots of yummy treats for good behaviour – this is the key.

Check list 

  • Touch your puppy’s tail
  • Touch your puppies ears
  • Touch the top of your puppy’s feet
  • Touch around your puppy’s lips
  • Gently hold your puppy’s muzzle
  • Gentle grab your puppy’s collar
  • Lift your puppy’s tail up
  • Lift your puppy’s lips up to look at their teeth
  • Run soft brush from head to tail
  • Run a brush over belly
  • Pick up your puppy’s feet
  • Brush around feet
  • Touch your puppy’s nails
  • Run a brush over your puppy’s back
  • Get your puppy to lay on his side
  • Look in your puppy’s ears

Just a few minutes a day of time focused on touching your puppy all over can make a huge difference to the behaviour of your dog as an adult. I promise you it will be time very well spent and will reward you with a dog that is comfortable being patted and groomed as an adult.

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Tips For Washing Your Cat

Unfortunately for the most part neither cats nor their owners seem to gain much pleasure from the bathing process. However, with some preparation and care you can make the experience a whole lot easier.

What you need: 

  • A sink, basin or bath to wash cat in, preferably with a non-slip base or a rubber mat in the bottom.
  • A jug for pouring water over the cat.
  • A bucket of luke warm water.  Cats dislike water that is too hot or too cold.
  • Shampoo pre mixed with a little warm water. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo formulated  for cats such as Oakwood Puppy and Kitten Shampoo or Oakwood Oatmeal and Aloe Vera. Don’t use human shampoo; it’s unsuitable for cat hair and skin due to the difference in pH levels.
  • A helper can be useful, particularly the first time you wash you cat.

What to do: 

  • Be aware of your actions throughout the process. Have everything ready and handy before you start. Move calmly and slowly. Don’t attempt to submerse the cat in water and don’t turn on taps close to the cat. Block any exits and shut the door to the room you’re in. Groom your cat before washing to remove loose hair and any tangles.
  • Stand your cat in the bath or basin, give them time to settle and then gently pour water over them with a jug or cup that you fill from the bucket.
  • Wet the cat right through to the skin, except for their face.
  • Once the cat is soaked, start applying pre-mixed shampoo and gently massage from the back of the neck, down the body until you’ve made a nice lather.
  • Follow the instructions for the shampoo
  • Rinse thoroughly using a cup or jug, again working from the neck down.
  • Use your hand to slick water away from short haired coats. For long haired coats squeeze excess water from their coat using your hand like a squeegee.
  • It’s best not to attempt to wash your cat’s face; simply use a damp sponge or face cloth. Wipe gently around the eyes and ears.
  • After the bath, wrap your cat in a towel and take them to a nice warm area to dry off. Use the towel to soak up as much water as possible.
  • It is possible use a hair dryer on low heat to dry long haired cats, provided the cat is co-operative. But for the most part, cats other than show cats are likely to be frightened by this process.
  • Be patient…some cats are a lot more tolerant than others. Your helper may need to distract the cat; food treats can be useful for this.  If your cat is really uncooperative your helper may need to hold them by the scruff so the cat can’t scratch or bite you. And if all else fails, there are plenty of veterinary practices and grooming salons with lots of experience in washing fractious cats that can do the task for you!
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Spring Cleaning in The Kitchen

How to spring clean your kitchen: 

Remove clutter:

Studies have shown that clutter can distract people from everyday tasks and create feelings of chaos in household environments. To effectively clear clutter you need to do it regularly. Set yourself a time limit and give yourself a reward once the task is complete.

Add some fresh flowers:

Re-use glass storage jars and fill them with lustrous bouquets of flowers from your garden or florist. Fresh flowers have been found to lift the mood and create a warm ambience in kitchen environments. They also provide a beautiful springtime scent.

Create a fresh feel with old or new kitchen linen:

Kitchen linen can be so much more than chicken-prints on tea towels. Invest in some good quality linen tablecloths, napkins and tea towels that add a rich source of colour and flair to your kitchen.  Look for good quality fabrics that will wear well over time. A soft cotton, or thickly-woven linen should last for several years. If you don’t wish to buy them new, look for handmade or vintage sales at op-shops or visit etsy.com. Kitchen linen can also be made from old pieces of vintage fabrics. Simply cut to size and hem using iron-on hemming tape.

Kitchen cleaning tip: How to clean a wooden benchtop

Start with Oakwood orange oil wood polish (this product is perfect for creating a non-toxic cleaning environment in the kitchen) and spray directly onto wooden surfaces. Leave for 1 minute. With a soft, clean cloth, rub over surface to remove any wax build-up, dirt or grime. Then buff off excess and polish with a soft cloth to leave a lasting shine.

Next, condition with an Oakwood Wood Preserver and Polisher to nourish and protect for future spills. Apply a reasonable amount onto a soft cloth or pad and wipe onto surface of wood. Allow product to penetrate for 20 minutes. Polish excess off with clean, soft cloth. Repeat application as required.

Keep your benchtop clean with Oakwood everyday wood wipes. This works to preserve your wood over time and is great for last-minute spills.