On My Night Stand

I love my night stand. It is simple and slick. It looks great with the light on and fits all the things I might need at night. This Ikea Rexbo shelving unit is ideal when you have very little space for a bedside table.

I fell in love with it the very first time I laid eyes on it. But as cautious as I am with infatuations, I took my time to decide whether I really needed it. Finally, when I could no longer keep away from it I found they had stopped shipping these units to Singapore. Imagine my disappointment. Fortunately, as luck would have it I had to go to Germany to visit a friend and what do I find at Ikea in Munich? Well, my friend gifted it to me and I was more than thrilled to have it even if it meant lugging it through airports till I got home!

Here I keep my books on the top shelf {1}, I have photos of loved ones, my Ikea Knubbig table lamp, water, my reading glasses, a moisturizer and others. 

Flowers are a must for a flower lover like me. I like waking up and looking at flowers and greenery. Here I used a baby food jar {3} which looks adorable with these little ball flowers. Does anyone know what these flowers are called {5}? 

Something I find very useful is reusing the bottles of Esprit drink as water bottles for the night {4}. They hold the equivalent of a glass of water. They are compact and look nice (just remember to remove the label). I usually keep a bottle on each side of the bed and for each overnight staying guest.

And finally, for someone with a baby like me, I keep a box with a thermometer, extra batteries for the thermometer, baby paracetamol and a couple of syringes to administer the medicine.

What do you keep on your night stand?

Shobha.

References:

Esprit Drink

Rexbo shelving unit

Knubbig table lamp with cherry blossoms in frosted white glass

May Day Flowers

I just saw an article on Apartment Therapy about May Day gift baskets in the US. I know May Day is over but flowers are perennial in the magic they bring to a home or to oneself. So why not gift your neighbours, your friends and your family with beautiful and simple flower arrangements. Using your old jars of jam and recycling those ribbons that came with gifts you received is a also a good way to clear the clutter, clean up your space and recycle your goods. And you get to see a smile on someone you love. 

What do you think of bringing May Day celebrations to the rest of the world? Picnics, gifts baskets, floral-themed decor...

Shobha. 

{1} How simple and pretty, from 24.media.tumblr.com 

{2} Originally from Artsy Craft Projects by Val Pederson via Martha Armitstead

{3} From callmehats.tumblr.com

{4} Why not use a can as a vase! From skiptomylou.org

{5} From decor8.com

{6} You can find instructions on how to make this paper cone at lillyella.blogspot.sg

{7} How about making use of that ice cream container to reproduce this arrangement from flowers-online.com.au?

My Linen Closet

I have read so many times that 2 sets of linen are enough for each bed you own. However, in my case, accidents happen, especially when you have a baby (L) sharing the bed with you. Also now that I can afford to have my linen ironed, and the service offered by my laundry (Renee Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Services) happens on a weekly basis, I have to make sure I have spare sets that will get me through the week. So here {2} you will find 4 sets of linen for my bed. Each set comprises of 4 pillow cases, 1 bolster cover, 1 duvet cover, 1 fitted sheet and 1 flat sheet which lies between me and the duvet. They are arranged in the closet as sets so that next time I need to change my bed sheets in the middle of the night I don’t have to fish for all the different parts. I also use a full mattress protector that I wash every month and a baby mattress protector where L sleeps so nothing goes further than that.

Now if you have no preference for ironed bed sheets or have enough time to do the ironing yourself it might be wise to stick to 2 sets. Although I would still keep 3 sets… just in case.

As for my towel sets {4}, one set would have 2 large bath towels, 2 hand towels and 1 bath math. If you use face towels, please add those to your list. Again I would keep 3 sets as a minimum, for those days when I don’t want to have to do the laundry. I do have a pool towel for each of us too.

In my closet {3}, you will also find 3 sets of linen for the guest room and 3 sets of towels for 2 guests. My parents or my in-laws come and stay with us for weeks at a time so the same rule applies here. There are also some house slippers for guests (those slippers you bring home from the hotels where you’ve stayed in your travels). And for those days when there are more people crashing in than beds available, I have 3 sets of single bed sheets, pillowcase and thick blanket. The latter can be used if I’m just lounging on the sofa while watching a movie.

Beyond these, you will find cushion covers {2} for the cushions in my bedroom, the guest room and the living room. These are indulgences of mine and I change them with the seasons or the occasion (parties, festivals, X’mas, Chinese New Year). Extra pillows are found in the top shelf {5}.

Come to think of it, I have quite a collection going. Maybe I should consider pairing down. Hmmmm...

I also have a shelf {5} where all my arts & crafts stuff reside such as gift wrapping, bead work, sewing material, painting tools. I keep them in boxes for each type of craft so I know where to find what I need.

How does your linen closet look?

Shobha.

References:

-Renee Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Services Pte. Ltd.

3 Simon Rd Singapore 545892

Contact: 6459 8231

Recreating a Spa at Home

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I thought I would start this blog with a little rare indulgence. The home spa. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a retreat you can rely on anytime you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders? All you would have to do is close your bathroom door, slide into some warm water and listen to music that will soothe and calm your senses by the light of flickering candles.

Different people require different ingredients to relax. You can set up the place with a little tray of goodies such as scented candles, a flower, a body scrub and maybe some chocolates? Start with an aromatic oil massage before you get into your bath (Flower by Kenzo bath oil - I love the fragrances and skin care products by Kenzo). Bath salts and creams are great for reinvigorating and nourishing the skin. Check out the floral collection of Marks & Spencers. You might want to use a scrub for your tired feet, and one for your body. A bubbly and a good book are two things I highly recommend too. I’ve been reading Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton. I am a big fan of his. The way he sees our daily existence and finds beauty and meaning and sometimes the funny side in the things we do. This book reminds us of the beauty of architecture and how it influences our lives, our very well being.

Enjoy yourself and let me know what makes you relax. 

Shobha.

References:

Kenzo

Marks & Spencers Floral Collection
Alain de Botton