Decluttering the store room...

Remember my 4th new year resolution which I jot down a while back? I've decided this is the best time to declutter my store room, although still not really a thing of beauty. This is something I wanted to do ever since i started the business.

I went to IKEA last week. I was going there to buy a shelf unit. I found this EXPEDIT bookcase which i think could help me resolve the problem.


The white bookcase was for my new stash organization system. I was really, really tired of ugly plastic boxes piled up against the wall. It just wasn’t PRETTY enough. Its not all there yet but I couldn't wait to show pictures of improvements so far. So here are the before pictures:


Trust me, you don't want to know what it looked like - I couldn't find anything!


Lots of shipping supplies = lots of boxes, obviously... piles of new stocks, papers, and art supplies.


This is what we called a totally "disaster"...


My room looks even more small and crowded..

Here are the after pictures:



If you’ll take a second to look at the old photos, you’ll appreciate how much stuff I got rid of. Lots and lots of stuff.


I took a pretty ruthless look around the room and sorted out things to keep, things to give away, and things to finish immediately so they’re not just sitting around.


Sigh. Its not pretty at all but at least everything is easy to find. Bye bye to the ugly plastic boxes...



My fabric collection is now greatly organized.



I folded the quilts until I had it all properly organized again.


The view corner is what makes me much, much happier. My store room looks more spacious now :)

In the end, de-cluttering was totally worth it. I still wish I had the time to make the place look more inviting. My fourth new year resolution is now SUCCESS!!

Prize Giving...

Last Saturday, SK Seri Bintang Selatan held its annual prize giving ceremony to celebrate the achievements of outstanding student. We were invited as my eldest son Aiman Harith was one of the receiver.


Although he was just in Standard 1 and in the 8th place, he made us proud..


My dear son,
Whether you get no 1 or 8, it doesn’t matter. You still have a very long way to go. A journey to complete a cycle of being a school students (primary - secondary).


For some people it might be a great achievement, but for those who really understand what a quality of high achiever should own, they know very well that it is only the beginning..YOU CAN DO IT!

Thrifting!

I get a lot of enjoyment out of thrifting. I love finding something cool buried at the bottom of a bin or behind shelf at the second hand stores, or a really awesome item that is right out in plain sight but no one has grabbed it yet for themselves. It’s fun for me to find things, buy them, bring them home, photograph them, and then send them off to new shelfs.

I finally went thrifting yesterday for the first time in this year, and I found some good stuff!


Those valuable junkies were dirty when i discovered at the thrift store. I have to clean them up before display.


These is highly collectable J & G Meakin Rosa items. A lady at the Amcorp Mall Flea Market was selling full set of this pink Rosa at about RM700!



I thought my faux cupcake collection were cute, so i decorate them inside the cup. I just wish there had been matching saucers..



I found this teapot without the lid..so, i use the teapot to put flowers in, and have them beautifully in my display armoire.


I was happy to find this cream and green enamel deep saucepot/steamer with lid for a few dollars.


This pink china set of serving bowl made my heart sing..


When they say “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” they mean women, mostly.


Everybody needs home decoration, and I’ve found that no matter what styles you need or favor, you can always get good quality at a low price if you choose your outlets carefully.


So...start your engines and let's go thrifting.

Notes: Thrift is something previously owned, second-hand, used or vintage. Thrifting also means shopping at secondhand stores and garage sales for bargains.

A Thoughtful Present

I just LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
This is a wonderful present from a dear friend I met on wanitamelayu.com.
Her nickname is mylilcottage and a Singaporean.

"Thank you so very much for this awesome present Kak Ana"
Love this so much and I am so blessed to have such a friend like you..

Happy New Year !

Happy New Year to all...2009, here i come! I think 2009 holds great promise to be a very good year. I can feel it.. besides the economic stresses that we’re currently facing, I am ready for New Year 2009 and I am ready to make it bigger and better and awesome!

So today, i am not ashamed to shout my New Year Resolution list out loud to everyone in this blog land. So here it is:-


1. I have to reveal that I'm about 6-8 months behind on my book keeping which leads me to my business New Year's Resolution #1...Tini, please complete your book keeping MONTHLY!

2. To be more organized. I'm kinda a list person. I write a list for everything as if by writing it down on paper will magically get it done. The problem is the lists are normally half or never done at all..


3. To blog every day. I want to be a better blogger and post more often. I want to make the time to read the blogs that I enjoy visiting. ALSO, I want to not only read, but respond to each and all of the emails in my inbox.

4. To declutter my store room. Please don't tell me that I am not the only one who throws the mess into a cupboard when friends are coming over!

5. To begin an art journal. I want to put all the pieces together in an altered notebook that I'll create for myself. I may keep the magazine clippings in the folder, these are mainly decorating ideas for my home and for my online shop. I have to start this in practice as it helps me in thinking creatively and helping to get ideas flowing.

6. To snapped all the online shop inventory and get listed as I gather inventory faster than I can get my shop updated...huhu..terrible woman!

7. To do more research on the Net. Now is the time to get a head start with home decorating ideas for the new year, by looking at potential 2009 home decorating trends! It’s never too early to plan for the future.


8. To lose weight. I think that this is one that most people put on their list isn't it? The problem is the weight situation is starting to get out of control and since my fifth son is coming 1 year old this year and is looking good maybe I had better do something about my weight.

9. I want to start collecting new things I would have never considered collecting before...huhu.. that sounds dangerous!


10. I want to stop writing now so that I can begin my journey. 2009 has just arrived, and I've got quite a list of things to accomplish. I don't want to waste any more time...What runs through of my thoughts today is that I want to achieve a feeling of accomplishment and peace of mind in each day.

So tell me, what are your New Year's resolutions? I'd also like to give thanks to all my loyal customers for your continued support throughout the year. Couldn't do it without you!

I wish you a Happy New Year!