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A House Full of Sunshine

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How I beat my Facebook addiction

Friday

How I beat my Facebook addiction

  A few years ago, I lay on the couch, trying to read a book. Strangely enough, it felt… hard. My attention kept wandering away from the page, and I had to force it back to the words. I read the same paragraph several times without taking it in. My brain flitted like a butterfly,… Read more

That time I took a year off blogging…

Friday

I’m going to talk a little bit about why I took a year off blogging last year.⁠ ⁠ It’s actually quite a long story… so buckle up. ? The thing is, there is so much more to a person that the little bit they show online. And to understand my decisions now, I need to… Read more

Boho beachy bedroom

Boho beachy bedroom

Wednesday

In my last post I promised an update about our master bedroom refresh! If you missed it, we’ve just upgraded to a new King-sized bed and new mattress. So I thought it was high time to do a bit of re-styling in this space! Last you saw, it looked like this: As you can tell,… Read more

Ecosa mattress

Our Master bedroom refresh with Ecosa mattress

Thursday

Thank you to Ecosa for partnering with me on this post. All opinions are my own. You can read my full Disclosure Policy here. If you follow me on Instagram, you’d know that we’ve been wanting to upgrade to a King sized bed for some time now. My husband is a tall man. I’m fairly… Read more

How to organise kids paperwork

How to organise kids paperwork in ten minutes

Tuesday

What a week! When life gets crazy-busy, a good system keeps me from going under. Today I’ll be sharing the simple ten-minute system I set up to organise the paperwork the kids bring home from school, sports clubs, daycare… and everywhere else. Yep, that’s right – it will only take you ten minutes to set… Read more

FREE 2019 Vision board printables!

Friday

Happy New Year, friends! I hope your year is off to a flying start. When I first created my original vision board printables three years ago, I did it because I wanted to create something pretty and inspiring as a gift to you to start your year. I had no idea they would be so… Read more

Need a quick and delicious dessert for the holiday? These Christmas Marshmallow Treats are made with browned butter, vanilla, and sea salt. The perfect sweet and salty snack!

Christmas Marshmallow Treats

Tuesday

Hi friends! Elise here from Polka Dotted Blue Jay with another yummy holiday treat for you to make: Christmas Marshmallow Treats. I don’t know about you, but I always have the best intentions going into the last three months of the year. I will bake cookies, decorate the house, wrap beautiful presents, and drink hot… Read more

Entertaining platter

The ultimate entertaining platter

Monday

It’s the festive season, and that means lots of entertaining! I’ve never been the most creative when it comes to cheese platters – they’re usually an afterthought that I throw onto a board when I begin to panic that I’m not going to have a meal ready in time for guests. A couple of types… Read more

White Christmas tree

Our new white Christmas tree…

Thursday

This post was sponsored by Balsam Hill. You can see my disclosure policy here. A new Christmas tree has been on my wish list for a long time now. Preferably a white Christmas tree. I always think the scale of a tree is so important if you want to make an impact. My motto is “go… Read more

Free printable 2019 calendar

Free printable 2019 Calendar

Thursday

It’s the time of year when we all start talking about how we can’t believe it’s this time of year. The older I get, the more clichéd I become. It’s true though – where DID that year go?! As we head into the last month of 2018, many of us have already started looking ahead… Read more

Teacher appreciation gift

DIY Teacher’s Diary with Rose Gold Lettering

Wednesday

Hi friends! Elise here from Polka Dotted Blue Jay. With the calendar and school year coming to an end, I always make sure to have a fun DIY teacher’s gift ready to go and thought this year I would make a DIY teacher’s diary with an inspiring teacher quote and some beautiful rose gold adhesive… Read more

Christmas treat bag topper

Snowballs from the North Pole – FREE printable Christmas treat bag topper

Friday

Confession time: I have never, ever sent my kids to school with Christmas cards for all their classmates. I think Christmas is busy enough as it is without taking on extra tasks. We don’t send family Christmas cards either. And honestly, the idea of bulk-buy Christmas cards with a generic “To/From” greeting and a candy… Read more

Hamptons living

{Video Reveal!} The Hamptons living room is live!

Wednesday

Welcome back to the Hamptons House! Today we’ll be touring our final space (for now), the living room… PLUS we have an incredible VIDEO REVEAL for your viewing pleasure!! In this video I’ll take you on a walk through the entire Hamptons House open plan living area – the kitchen, dining, deck, and today’s living room… Read more

Hamptons outdoor living

Hamptons Outdoor Living reveal

Monday

When Mum and Dad built their beach house, one thing they knew they wanted right from the start was a big deck to take in their glorious sea views. The deck spans the entire width of the living area + kitchen, so there is room for a huge table for family gatherings, a BBQ, AND… Read more

Hamptons dining room reveal

Hamptons Dining room reveal!

Thursday

Hello friends! If you’re after more decorating eye candy of the Hamptons-style variety, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. It’s the day of our Hamptons dining room reveal! I couple of weeks back I shared the living and dining room mood board for this space. If you’re curious to see the design plan before… Read more

Hamptons kitchen reveal

Hamptons Kitchen reveal!

Wednesday

Well helloooooo Hamptons House reveal!! If you’ve been following along with my parents’ beach house build, you will know I’ve been teasing you with this for the longest time. TODAY IS THE DAY. All will be revealed. Well, not quite all. I had ten thousand photos and couldn’t fit them all into one post, so… Read more

Cleaning cupboard makeover

Tuesday

It’s time for a quick and simple little makeover. You know that one area of your house that is your bug bear? The one that annoys you on pretty much a daily basis, and yet somehow you never seem to get around to fixing it? That was my cleaning cupboard. We’ve been in our current… Read more

Your ultimate guide to Hamptons style

Your Ultimate Guide to Hamptons style Furniture and Décor

Friday

If you’ve been following the series on my parents’ beach house build (which I’ve fancily dubbed the “Hamptons House”) you’ll know I have a thing for Hamptons style. It’s always been timeless, but over the last few years it’s experienced an even bigger resurgence in popularity. I wanted to pull together some sourcing ideas so… Read more

Hamptons living and dining mood board

Friday

You guys!!! Remember my parents’ beach house? I have SO MUCH to catch you up on. So far, the only finished room from this house that we’ve revealed on the blog is the ensuite bathroom. (Which, by the way, was a stunner! If I do say so myself. ?) It’s taken us most of this… Read more

40 ideas for decorating around the TV

40 Ideas for Decorating Around the TV

Friday

Do I have a doozy for you today. It’s the ultimate guide to decorating around the TV. I’ve been asked about this a few times now, and after spending an inordinate number of hours scouring Pinterest in search of the most perfect living rooms containing a television set… I feel I’m finally ready to tackle… Read more

Big girl bedroom makeover

Big girl bedroom makeover (with VIDEO!)

Wednesday

I’ve been so excited about sharing this big girl bedroom makeover with you! This was no ordinary makeover. During the school holidays, I completed a total transformation of my daughter’s room in just four hours – and filmed the whole thing on camera! It was a pretty tight deadline because the kids were only out… Read more

Keep a small pantry organized with these DIY Pantry Labels for all your baking ingredients. Click here to see how easy they are to make!

DIY Vinyl Pantry Labels

Friday

Hi friends – let’s welcome back the lovely Elise from Polka Dotted Blue Jay. She’s sharing a fantastic before-and-after project today featuring a fun little labelling DIY, because who loves labels?? WE DO!! And there is nothing that gets me more excited than cluttered “before” pics that get turned into amazing, streamlined “afters”! Because we… Read more

Toy basket labels

Pretty in Pink ? DIY Toy basket labels

Wednesday

My daughter’s bedroom makeover is FINISHED!! And oh my goodness… it looks SO pretty!! I can’t wait to share it with you, but I’m gonna have to keep you in suspense just a little bit longer while I wait for the video edits to come back. (In case you missed the news in my last post,… Read more

Big girl bedroom

The big girl bedroom mood board… take two!

Monday

Many thanks to The Wall Sticker Company for providing product for this big girl bedroom makeover. All opinions are my own. You can view my full Disclosure statement here.  If you have a REALLY good memory, you may recall me sharing my initial concept for my daughter’s bedroom makeover last year. The original mood board I came… Read more

Toy Rotation System

Our toy rotation system

Tuesday

Ahhh, toys. How do you stop them from taking over your entire home and turning it into a cross between Toyworld and a natural disaster recovery zone? I wouldn’t have a clue, but if you have any idea, please let me know. ‘Kay, thanks. KIDDING… kind of. The truth is that in a house of… Read more

I've rounded up my favourite baby gear. Click here to see my must-haves!

My favourite baby gear

Friday

My youngest just turned two. TWO!! I officially have no babies left in my house. He’s a toddler now, and I am NOT happy about the way he insists on continuing to grow up. I think it’s very inconsiderate of him, really. This is why we carried through with our… let’s say… long-term-no-more-babies solution (which… Read more

Décor trend: Buffalo Check

Wednesday

The buffalo check trend has been around for a while in the decorating world, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Also known as buffalo plaid, this classic pattern has always been a staple of farmhouse-style design. I’m not particularly into farmhouse style myself (just personal taste) – I prefer my decorating to have a… Read more

My son’s autism diagnosis

Tuesday

This year my son Aran was diagnosed with autism at the age of seven. We were surprised, too. This is not something we ever would have predicted. It’s been one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced… and to watch our son struggle in so many ways has been even harder. And yet, our son… Read more

Easter egg cake hack

Thursday

I am no baker, so I do love me a good easy cake hack. If you’re not familiar with the term, a cake hack is when you buy a cake readymade and then decorate it yourself – typically, as simply as possible! I was inspired by the pretty colours of the Cadbury mini Easter eggs,… Read more

Tattooed floral Easter eggs

Wednesday

I’ve always been of the opinion that the best DIYs are the simple ones. That’s why I love the idea of decorating Easter eggs using temporary tattoos. Yep, that’s right – that’s all it takes to transform a humble egg into a miniature work of art. I found these pretty little floral and butterfly tatts… Read more

Rose Gold Office Supplies

Rose gold office supplies

Thursday

I’m popping in with a quick little happy post today. I don’t know about you, but I need a bit of a pick-me-up. I’ve had what I suspect is the flu, which meant I couldn’t even get out of bed for the majority of last week (I was just too weak and got very dizzy… Read more

Lunchbox love notes

Lunchbox love notes {FREE printable!}

Friday

This post has been created in partnership with Penny Scallan Design, makers of the cutest lunchboxes and school bags that you will ever see. All opinions expressed are my own. I love making cute free printables for my readers, and these lunchbox love notes have got to be my favourite that I’ve created yet. Sometimes… Read more

Powdered Sugar Shamrock Cupcakes are easy to make with these simple instructions. Click here to read more.

How to Make Powdered Sugar Shamrock Cupcakes

Wednesday

Hi friends! Elise here from Polka Dotted Blue Jay with another easy holiday treat – Shamrock Cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day! One of my favorite ways to dress up a cupcake is to use powdered sugar on top instead of frosting. It gives a cupcake a whole new look and with this easy to create… Read more

Lunchbox planner printable

Your FREE printable lunchbox planner

Wednesday

Lunchboxes. The struggle is real. No matter how many times I swear I’m going to get more organised, I seem to default so easily to the standard sandwich, piece of fruit and packet snack. We’ve talked about this before, and I know many of you are much better at this than me. If you bake… Read more

25 Gorgeous bathrooms with patterned tile

Tuesday

  If you saw the recent reveal of my parents’ bathroom that I decorated for them, you may have noticed that I’m on a bit of a patterned tile kick. Patterned tiles for the floor of a bathroom have been trending for a while now, and it’s not hard to see why. I mean, they… Read more

Sticky date cheesecake with hot fudge sauce

Tuesday

I love sticky date pudding, and I love cheesecake. So what could be better than a combination of the two? Trust me – it’s a match made in heaven. I first tried this sticky date cheesecake when a friend of mine brought it along to an event. It was love at first taste. Creamy, silky… Read more

Modern Hamptons bathroom

Modern Hamptons bathroom reveal

Tuesday

I’m so excited to finally show you the full reveal of my parents’ Modern Hamptons-style ensuite bathroom! If you’ve been following the journey on the blog, you would probably remember the in-progress construction snaps of this ensuite that I shared last year. A lot has changed since then – so come on in and let me show… Read more

Valentine's Day White Chocolate Bark

Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Bark

Friday

I have such a treat for you today, my lovelies. My sweet friend Elise from Polka Dotted Blue Jay has been a long time reader at A house full of sunshine, and this year you’ll be seeing more of her around here as she will be contributing some of her utterly adorable recipes and DIYs on a… Read more

Lunchbox prep

The lunchbox prep that will makeover your mornings

Thursday

The kids are back at school and I’m welcoming the return of some routine to our lives. It’s so much more peaceful at home with one instead of all four. But gosh, those school mornings can be a killer, can’t they?! Without some sort of a system, it’s always a scramble. Three lunchboxes to pack,… Read more

Setting up a homework station

Friday

It’s back to school season in Australia – how did those holidays go so fast??! So I’ve been thinking about what I can share to help you get on top of school organisation. Once school starts, it seems to hit like a whirlwind, doesn’t it? Early mornings, making lunches, homework, school paperwork, extracurricular activities that… Read more

FREE 2018 Vision Board printables!

Saturday

UPDATE: Brand new vision board printables just released for 2019 with all-new designs! Grab yours here! Have you ever made a vision board? It’s a great way to keep inspiration right in front of your eyes in a really visual form. I’ve updated these popular vision board printables for 2018, so make sure you grab your copy… Read more

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A blog by

Karen Schravemade

welcome!

Hi friends! So glad you're here! I'm Karen, Aussie stay-home Mum to four littlies, former teacher of Creative Arts, agented writer and interior decorator. I'm on a journey to bring beauty to my home and enjoy a more creative life with my kids - I'd love for you to join us. (Curious? Read more here!)

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5 years ago, I was struggling with social media ad 5 years ago, I was struggling with social media addiction.⁠⠀
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My compulsion to scroll on my phone was making me deeply unhappy, but I couldn't seem to stop. ⁠⠀
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It feels incredibly vulnerable, but for the first time, I'm sharing my raw and honest story about how I became addicted to social media, and the exact steps I took to break free. ⁠⠀
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I've gone from wasting hours on a mindless distraction that only ever made me feel worse about myself, to falling in love with God's Word and finding true rest + peace in his presence.⁠⠀
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I'm a speaker at the 2020 Christian Women's Self Care Conference, and the topic of my session is "Stop the Scroll and Feed your Soul - how to break social media addiction and find rest in God's presence."⁠⠀
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There are 55+ speakers in total, speaking on a wide range of topics relating to self care. Registration is FREE, but only for a couple more days until conference starts on November 9th! ⁠⠀
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If you want to hold your seat, just tap the link in my bio and select "Self Care Conference", which will take you to the registration page.⁠⠀
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I hope you'll be blessed!⁠⠀
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Meanwhile, please tell me I'm not alone - has anyone else ever struggled with this?? Do share. ⁠⠀
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PS... You can read more of my story in my latest blog post! (Link in bio -> Visit the blog). ⁠⠀
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I also shared this super cute DIY phone box to help you interrupt the pattern of mindlessly picking up your phone!⁠⠀
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xo Karen⁠⠀
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#selfcare #christianwomen #christianlife #socialmediaaddiction #phoneaddiction #selfcaresistersociety
If there's one word to describe how many women hav If there's one word to describe how many women have been feeling this year... it would be "depleted."⁠⠀
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I mean, for real. Who would've guessed back at the start of this year that we'd be dealing with a global pandemic, homeschooling our kids, financial uncertainty, and a total lockdown on many of our most comforting routines?⁠⠀
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Ladies, it's time to refill those emptied-out tanks before this year is out. I'm so excited to share that I'll be speaking at the 2020 Christian Women's Self-Care Conference, alongside 55 other bloggers, authors and speakers. ⁠⠀
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It's totally online, and our aim is to bless you with help and encouragement for your 2020-wearied soul! ⁠⠀
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Even better, registration is FREE until the conference begins on November 7th, so make sure you hold your seat today! Just click the link in my bio and choose "SELF CARE CONFERENCE".⁠⠀
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Hope to see you there!⁠⠀
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xo Karen⁠⠀
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P.S. Swipe - do you recognise one of those Day One speakers...? More on what I'll be speaking about, very soon! It's a goody!! 😉 😍⁠⠀
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#selfcare #selfcaresistersociety #2020⁠⠀
It’s Reconciliation Week in Australia and right It’s Reconciliation Week in Australia and right now my heart is so heavy with the injustice in the world that I’m struggling to even find the words.

Knowing that I’m inherently complicit in that injustice because of my privilege is sobering. At times I’ve been silent when I should have spoken and at other times I've spoken when I should’ve shut up and listened to the only voices in this narrative that really matter - the voices of those who’ve experienced this sort of prejudice from inside their own skin.

Racial injustice has always grieved my heart, but there’s a difference between empathy and kindness. Having empathy is important, but it’s not enough. Kindness speaks and acts. And right now I don’t really know what to say but somehow I feel it’s important to say something anyway, however imperfectly. Because there is nothing as deafening as silence in the face of systemic suffering.

I don’t know a lot. But I do know that Jesus was always on the side of the oppressed and marginalised. And the Bible tells us that one day, the last will be first and the first will be last. To me that means that in God’s new restored kingdom, these corrupt systems of the world will be turned on their head. In that day, those who’ve benefited from a system of white supremacy (myself included) will be the least. Those who’ve been oppressed and mistreated in this life will be honoured and elevated with the nobility they deserve. What a day that will be!! 🙌

But it’s not enough to know that someday it will all be made right. I hope to see heaven come to earth. I hope to see more black leaders, politicians, policy makers, authors, artists, influencers, CEO’s, entrepreneurs, bank managers, lawyers, judges, scientists and professors. The system is unfairly stacked and our privilege is self-perpetuating. I pray for it all to be turned upside down within our lifetime.

In the (paraphrased) words of MLK, let’s not prefer a negative peace which is an absence of tension (aka passivity, complacency, complicity, silence), over a positive peace, which is the presence of justice. “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬
We’re in week one of homeschooling over here. Sc We’re in week one of homeschooling over here. School closures will last at least five weeks. I will not lie, I was anxious about how I would cope. But we are slowly finding our rhythm and perhaps one day in the distant future I’ll even have time to start scheduling posts to Instagram again. For now, this is a random mid week check-in to say, how are you surviving, friends? I’m thinking of you! Wishing you an oasis of calm in the midst of everything, whether it means getting up half an hour earlier than the kids for a morning walk alone, or locking yourself in the bedroom at night with a good book while hubby puts the kids to bed. #doneboth #wewillsurvive 💗
Easter iso style - camping on our land! When so ma Easter iso style - camping on our land!
When so many are feeling hopeless right now, we are thankful for the hope Jesus brings. 💚🧡 Happy Easter, friends!
There is no right or wrong way to be right now.⁠ There is no right or wrong way to be right now.⁠
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I've felt led to share some hope and peace with you this week. That doesn't mean you need to put any extra pressure on yourself if you are struggling to tap into peacefulness right now.⁠
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I'm an Enneagram 4, so I am well accustomed to getting trapped inside my own feelings. For the feelers, the weight of the world's problems can sometimes feel intense and overwhelming.⁠
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I was on the beach the other day, praying for a "4" friend who is struggling with this exact thing. And all of a sudden, all of these butterflies started flying from the sand dunes toward the sea, and out over the waves.⁠
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It was a windy day and they were being buffeted around. But I was so intrigued that despite their fragility, they stayed on course, flying directly into that strong wind to get to where they were headed. It started with one, then two, then dozens upon dozens of them. None of them were blown into the water or whipped out of sight. They just flew straight on, above the waves.⁠
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And it made me think of the sensitive souls of this world. Our "butterflies", who bring so much beauty with their creativity, perception, and deep compassion for others. ⁠
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Our butterflies are being extra buffeted right now by the winds of change and pain. That doesn't make them weak. In fact they have within them a surprising strength, to stay the course and to fly above the waves.⁠
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The thing is, you don't have to change who you are to be strong. You don't have to be something you're not. Your sensitivity is not a weakness - it's designed into your DNA by God. With so many people hurting and afraid at the moment, we need your compassion more than ever.⁠
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If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to not be okay. Just trust that even if you feel buffeted by the winds, you are lifted by his grace above the waves, and you will not be drowned.⁠
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And even if you feel like you're flailing around out there, you never know, someone else might just be watching you, admiring your beauty and your grace. 🦋
I was reading a random little story the other day I was reading a random little story the other day from the book of Numbers, in the Bible. ⁠
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A king was scared of the Israelites and so he paid a prophet to curse them. Except every time they tried it, the guy spoke blessings instead. This is what he said:⁠
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"God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it! No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the LORD their God is with them; he has been proclaimed their king." (Numbers 23:20-21)⁠
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Even the curses of the enemy will be turned into blessings for the people of God. ⁠
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He has given us an inheritance that cannot be shaken. ⁠
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💜 What blessing are you thankful for today? ⁠
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I'm thankful for the leadership of my local church, who continue to minister to peoples' needs both spiritual and physical. Our pastors have their own families and needs, yet they consistently look outward to care for their flock. ⁠
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Let me know yours below! Let's name as many BLESSINGS as we can!⁠
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xo Karen
Thank you God, for your goodness.⁠ ⁠ For famil Thank you God, for your goodness.⁠
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For family and a home and a table to gather around with our loved ones.⁠
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Thank you that when so much else is changing, you remain the same.⁠
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Thank you that you are for us and not against us. That your heart is toward us. That in you is all we need, now and always.⁠
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We pray for those who are lonely and isolated and anxious and unwell. For those whose jobs and livelihoods are lost or threatened. Give us creative ways to reach out with kindness, that we can be salt and light in a dark world. ⁠
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Let kindness for others not feel like a drain on our limited resources, but a natural outflowing of your continuous, abundant supply. ⁠
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Shelves may be bare, but you always have more than enough.⁠
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Every blessing comes from your hand and we are grateful.⁠
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Amen
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind an “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27⁠
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There is truly nothing like God's peace.⁠
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The world can offer mindfulness and yoga and candles and calming diffused oils and self-help. Nothing wrong with any of those things, in fact they can be beautiful tools - I use all of them. ⁠
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But I can say from genuine experience that the peace God gives is not like the peace the world gives. It's on a whole new level. ⁠
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It's the peace that he gives when you're in the middle of a storm and the world is turning to crap all around you and you're at the very end of yourself and self-help has begun feeling like trying to drag yourself from a pit via a rope around your waist that you're tugging on with your own two hands. ⁠
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We can't always lift ourselves out of anxiety or fear. So drop the rope. Stop striving. And ask God for HIS peace. He has an abundant well of supply for you to draw from. ⁠
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Fear is trying to hold tight to control in a situation we can't control. ⁠
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Faith asks us to let go, to repent of our fearfulness and surrender it all to God.⁠
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How do you find this miracle of peace? In the letting go.⁠
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We were never meant to carry this burden anyway. ⁠
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How are you doing today? Let me know how I can pray for you. ⁠
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xo Karen
I was praying yesterday and felt God telling me th I was praying yesterday and felt God telling me that it's time to make a transition. Instead of being a person who looks for support from others in times of stress or uncertainty, he wants me to offer support TO others. ⁠
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I've often felt like I don't quite have it together. I'm sensitive, I feel things deeply, I tend to get trapped in my own head and in negative thought spirals.⁠
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But I felt like he was saying that I have something to offer, anyway. Just because I've always been a person who views myself as needy or weak does not mean God views me that way. He can see the strength that is in all of us and he delights in calling it forth. I love how when Gideon was hiding in fear in a winepress, God's angel greeted him by saying "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."⁠
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He was the furthest thing from a mighty warrior at that point. But God knew the battles he WOULD win in his future. He saw what did not yet exist and spoke about it as if it was already a reality. He saw Gideon's true identity and spoke directly to that buried and hidden place within him.⁠
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So. Maybe all I need is a shift in perspective. From looking inward at my own lack, to looking up at him. HE is the source of any hope and help I can offer. And if he wants me to share that, it would be my privilege to obey.⁠
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So let me know... is there anything you're particularly struggling with right now? If you're feeling anxious or burdened, I would love to support you in prayer. 🙏⁠
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xo Karen
We haven't been quarantined yet in Australia, but We haven't been quarantined yet in Australia, but I know many of my American friends are stuck at home right now. Either way - sounds like a good chance to do "one thing for the home."⠀
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If you're feeling anxious, it can really help to get out of your head for a little while and do something practical. We can't control anything in the outside world right now, but we CAN complete one concrete task to make our immediate environment feel calmer and function better. And sometimes just having that one little win is all we need to break us out of a negative thought-spiral and restore some equilibrium. ⠀
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If you're feeling a bit helpless and panicky, I hope this helps. It's one thing you CAN control. And doing something with your hands will give your mind a much-needed break. ⠀
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🌟THIS MONTH'S PRIZE: A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD! 🌟⠀
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Here's a reminder of how to play:⠀
⠀
1. Decorate, declutter or organise one thing in your home, this weekend. No task is too small! One shelf or one drawer is all you need to tackle to be eligible!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
2. Post your "after" photo on the Facebook thread (click through via my link in bio). Pics DON'T have to be spectacular - they're simply proof that you did it.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
3. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. (Click through to my Facebook page via my link in bio)⁠⠀
⁠⠀
4. Tag some friends either on THIS post or on the Facebook thread to play along! If you complete the challenge, you will get a bonus entry for EVERY person you tag.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
5. Entries will be given for every challenge completed this month. We play four times in March - once every weekend! You can participate once or all four times, it's up to you!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. The winner will be randomly drawn at 8pm AEST Monday, following the last Sunday of the month. Giveaway is open internationally.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I'll be going live on Facebook today at 2.30pm AEST to kick off this week's challenge and show you the space I'll be tackling today. International timezones are on the third slide - swipe right to see! Or click through my link in bio at any time to see the video saved on my feed.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I hope you join us! This will be fun!
I’ve been quiet this week. In situations of flux I’ve been quiet this week. In situations of flux or stress my tendency is to withdraw and process. (I’ve learned this is very Enneagram 4 of me.) I also feel major reticence about adding to the current noise. I feel there are enough voices talking loudly all at once about the same thing and you don’t need one more.
So I give you instead a prayer for peace. If you are feeling anxious, let this be your exhale today. 💙
Weekend feels courtesy of the "Hamptons House"... Weekend feels courtesy of the "Hamptons House"... 😉⁠
⁠
What are you up to this weekend, friends?⁠
⁠
xo Karen
It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for th It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for the Home" challenge! ⁠This month I'm gonna raise the stakes and give away a $50 Amazon Gift Card. 🎉🎉WOOHOO!!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
You can win just by getting something done that you've been meaning to get to around your home! ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Here's how to play.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
1. Decorate, declutter or organise one thing in your home, this weekend. No task is too small! One shelf or one drawer is all you need to tackle to be eligible!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
2. Post your "after" photo on the Facebook thread (click through via my link in bio). Pics DON'T have to be spectacular - they're simply proof that you did it.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
3. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. (Click through to my Facebook page via my link in bio)⁠⠀
⁠⠀
4. Tag some friends either on THIS post or on the Facebook thread to play along! If you complete the challenge, you will get a bonus entry for EVERY person you tag.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
5. Entries will be given for every challenge completed this month. We play four times in March - once every weekend! You can participate once or all four times, it's up to you!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. The winner will be randomly drawn at 8pm AEST Monday, following the last Sunday of the month. Giveaway is open internationally.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I'll be going live on Facebook today at 2.30pm AEST to kick off this week's challenge and show you the space I'll be tackling today. International timezones are on the third slide - swipe right to see! Or click through my link in bio at any time to see the video saved on my feed.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I hope you join us! This will be fun! 🤩⁠⠀
⁠⠀
May the odds be ever in your favour! 😉⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Let's get this accountability ball rolling - let me know below what you're thinking of tackling this month!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
xo Karen⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
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#onethingforthehome #organized #organising #organisedhome #organisedlife #organisedmum #homeorganising #tidyhome #organization #organizedhome #aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace
We are getting closer on the home build front... a We are getting closer on the home build front... after two years of sketching dozens upon dozens of floor layout ideas and ultimately trashing all of them, I finally have a plan I LOVE!! ⁠
⁠
It ended up being a highly collaborative effort between our architect and myself - he came up with a general concept and gave me external parameters to suit the contours of the block, and I then designed the internal layouts to fit. ⁠
⁠
Turns out that is exactly what I needed - some guidelines! Amazing how much better our creativity flourishes within constraints. It was way too open-ended before our architect came on board, and I was flailing around in all that freedom like a tadpole in the ocean. Within a day or two of having a blank footprint to work within, I actually had a decent plan. We've tweaked it a little since then, but it's virtually the same.⁠
⁠
I love it when something you've struggled with for the longest time suddenly just clicks. Has this ever happened for you?⁠
⁠
Now we just need to draft it up properly and then see if we can actually afford to build it. Lol. ⁠
⁠
One step at a time... 😆Celebrating progress today!⁠
⁠
xo Karen⁠
⁠
P.S. Let me know if you'd like to see a sneak peek of our plan in stories!!
So here's a little Enneagram primer to follow on f So here's a little Enneagram primer to follow on from yesterday's chat! This is just off the top of my head, so please take it with a grain of salt - there is SO MUCH more to each type than what I can sum up in a sentence.⁠
⁠
Here are the 9 types:⁠
⁠
1 - The Moral Perfectionist: self-critical, organised, driven by the desire to make things right and good⁠
2 - The Helper: relationally driven, people focussed, places others' needs ahead of their own⁠
3 - The Achiever: success driven and ambitious, gets things done, image conscious⁠
4 - The Romantic Individualist: creative, driven by the desire for uniqueness, feels things deeply⁠
5 - The Investigative Thinker: introverted and analytical,  detached from emotion⁠
6 - The Loyalist: community minded, a team player, driven by the need for security and anxiety about the future⁠
7 - The Entertaining Optimist: positive, energetic and playful, driven to squeeze as much fun out of life as possible⁠
8 - The Protective Challenger: a natural leader, confrontational, confident and determined⁠
9 - The Peaceful Mediator: conflict-avoidant, gentle and steady, driven to seek inner peace⁠
⁠
I'm a 4 wing 5, married to an 8 wing 7. They do say opposites attract 😆⁠
⁠
Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? ⁠
⁠
xo Karen
ENNEAGRAM⁠ ⁠ Where are my fellow Enneagram fan ENNEAGRAM⁠
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Where are my fellow Enneagram fanatics??!⁠
⁠
I've only recently "discovered" the Enneagram, and OH. MY. GOODNESS. What a game changer. ⁠
⁠
If you're not familiar with it, it's a personality typing system.  I've always been interested in personality differences and human behaviour - that's probably the novelist in me. But none of the other systems I've come across have resonated with me as deeply as the Enneagram.⁠
⁠
It is so accurate, it's almost uncanny.⁠
⁠
Basically, there are 9 types, representing 9 different ways of looking at the world, each with different motivations, behaviour traits, strengths and flaws.⁠
⁠
I'm an Enneagram 4. That's the "Romantic Individualist". It's an artistic temperament driven by creativity, love of beauty, a desire for uniqueness, introspection, and authenticity.⁠
⁠
I guess it's no surprise that when I had to ask my friends and readers to sum up my strengths for an assignment I was given, the two words that came up most frequently were "creativity" and "honesty".⁠
⁠
Enneagram 4's feel deeply and are very connected to our emotions. We'd  much rather have a meaningful conversation about deep feelings than make small talk about trivial things. ⁠
⁠
Each type can pull a little more to one or other of the numbers beside them, giving a different flavour. I'm a wing 5 (the "Investigative Thinker") which means I tend to be less temperamental/ moody, and more steady, reserved and analytical. ⁠
⁠
I'm also daydreamy, a big-picture thinker, and despise administrative details. My "fatal flaw" (each type has one) is comparison and envy. Ohhhhh yep, that certainly rings true. Because while we want to stand out and be special, which can be prideful, we also struggle hard with insecurity and feeling like we never quite measure up.⁠
⁠
Yes, yes and YES.⁠
⁠
If you haven't done the Enneagram test, do a search online - it's honestly so interesting and self-revealing.⁠
⁠
If you know your type, what number are you? xo
So I found out I have bronchitis. 🙄At least I f So I found out I have bronchitis. 🙄At least I feel less like a whiner - if I get sick I usually shake it within a couple of days, so I was starting to feel irritated with myself for still being crook after three weeks!⁠
⁠
Anyhow, could be worse, and I do feel like I'm starting to pick up again now. ⁠
⁠
This buffet in our living room holds a changing arrangement of mostly-white vases, with a bit of blue glass and green foliage thrown in for good measure. ⁠
⁠
Are you a chronic re-arranger, or do you prefer to leave things as-is? ⁠
⁠
To be honest, I've always been a "get it exactly how I want it then leave it like that forever" type of girl, but I've been loosening up and playing around more with my décor this past year, and it struck me that my buffet has gone through several style shifts now. I actually like it a little bit better every time I make a change! ⁠
⁠
Hope this new week will be an awesome one for you, friends!⁠
⁠
xo Karen⁠
BLACK vs WHITE⁠ ⁠ Let's talk kitchens! Our hou BLACK vs WHITE⁠
⁠
Let's talk kitchens! Our house build is on my mind, and even though we're only at the plan stage, I'm trying to nail down my ideas in a general creative direction. ⁠
⁠
The last three kitchens I've designed have been all white, with accents of grey. I really want to use black in my next kitchen. I love the drama of it (as we already established, I like a bit of drama. Ha.) I keep veering back and forth between all black, or some combination of black and white. ⁠
⁠
I'm interested to know... what would you choose? My guess is that white-on-white is still gonna be the most popular choice, and black will probably be controversial, but I could be wrong! ⁠
⁠
So let me know - I'm keen to hear your opinion!⁠
⁠
1. All white⁠
2. All black⁠
3. Black + white⁠
⁠
🖤♡🖤♡🖤⁠
Karen
It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for th It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for the Home" challenge! ⁠This month I'm gonna raise the stakes and give away a $50 Amazon Gift Card. 🎉🎉WOOHOO!!⠀
⠀
You can win just by getting something done that you've been meaning to get to around your home! ⠀
⁠⠀
Here's how to play.⠀
⁠⠀
1. Decorate, declutter or organise one thing in your home, this weekend. No task is too small! One shelf or one drawer is all you need to tackle to be eligible!⠀
⁠⠀
2. Post your "after" photo on the Facebook thread (click through via my link in bio). Pics DON'T have to be spectacular - they're simply proof that you did it.⁠⠀
⠀
3. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.⠀
⁠⠀
4. Tag some friends either on THIS post or on the Facebook thread to play along! If you complete the challenge, you will get a bonus entry for EVERY person you tag.⠀
⠀
5. Entries will be given for every challenge completed this month. We play four times in March - once every weekend! You can participate once or all four times, it's up to you!⠀
⁠⠀
Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. The winner will be randomly drawn at 8pm AEST Monday, following the last Sunday of the month. Giveaway is open internationally.⠀
⠀
I'll be going live on Facebook today at 2.30pm AEST to kick off this week's challenge and show you the space I'll be tackling today. International timezones are on the third slide - swipe right to see! Or click through my link in bio at any time to see the video saved on my feed.⠀
⠀
I hope you join us! This will be fun! 🤩⠀
⠀
May the odds be ever in your favour! 😉⠀
⠀
Let's get this accountability ball rolling - let me know below what you're thinking of tackling this month!⠀
⠀
xo Karen⠀
⠀
P.S. You can decorate, declutter or organise anything you like. No task is too small! Tackle a drawer, a shelf, or a storage tub. Do that niggly little job you've been meaning to get to. Hang that picture. Paint that stool. Sort through the kids clothes. We’ve all got that “one thing” - let us know yours! xo⠀
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#onethingforthehome #organized #organising #organisedhome #organisedlife #organisedmum #homeorganising #tidyhome #organization #organizedhome #aplaceforeverythinga
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