The Cilantropist

Yup, as of today I can officially no longer call myself mid-twenties.

Normally I love any excuse for a party, but this year I really didn’t feel like it. Not because getting older bothers me, but everything has been so go-go-go lately that I am really looking forward to celebrating in a more relaxing way. I might treat myself to an early minute today and fit in some me-time before going out for Indian with the family tonight.

Have a super weekend, lovelies!

I have not one but three super easy wedding projects using ribbons over on Polka Dot Bride today. Check it out!

A little while back I bumped into a girl and we had this ‘waaaait… I know you don’t I?’ moments and we worked out that we went to primary school together. While we were catching up on the last 15 years, it came out what I do for a living and in a crazy coincidence it turns out she was already planning to contact the person behind Akimbo!

You see, Stacey was in the process of getting ready to open a new shop Mockingbird Lounge: a second-hand bookstore and cafe also selling gifts and stationery. She even has a board game night and several book clubs on the go.

With its pre-loved furniture and books, mismatching vintage teacups and an abundance of homemade slices and biccies, it’s as cosy and familiar as your nanna’s house. A refreshingly genuine change to those hipster hangouts, if you ask me.

Mockingbird Lounge is located at 63a Broadway, Glenelg South in Adelaide.

Do you have a decorating project that has you completely stumped? You’ve saved up a bit of money for new furniture but are finding yourself overwhelmed at where to start?

Out of Milk Design Studio wants to help you!

Up and coming interior designer Meg Wilson is launching her business Out of Milk andwants to bulid her portfolio with real-world projects. She’s looking to work with Adelaide-based clients who want a single room makeover and have an appreciation for the re-use of materials.

Keen? Get in touch with Meg… and if you’re one of the lucky ones to be chosen you’ll have to promise to drop us some before & after photos!

I haven’t been paid to write this post – nor any other post you see on Atypial Type A. I came across Out of Milk the other day and genuinely love what Meg is doing and wanted to do what I can do support other local indie creative businesses.

Think you can’t afford original art? Think again! This fun handpainted gem is yours for $25 from Twamies. It’s limited edition, though, so be quick.

I think you’ll all agree when I say that paperwork is one of the biggest clutter culprits in most homes. ‘Going paperless’ is a semi-regular series on eliminating paper from your home in order to save time, reduce clutter and benefit the environment.

Step 1: Prevention

Last time we talked about junk mail, which is really easy to eliminate. But what about that personally addressed mail? Bills and statements may seem like a necessary evil but there are still some ways to reduce it.

Eliminate unnecessary accounts
A few months ago The Man and I switched banks but the old account is still sitting there, so we get sent a pointless zero dollar statement every month. Time to close that account! There might also be accounts you can consolidate, for example bundling your landline, mobile phone and internet so you only receive one bill, saving you time and money.

Auto-pay bills
Many of our regular payments (mortgage, insurance, phone and internet bills) are paid automatically out of our account which is not only time- and hassle-saving, but it also prevents the influx of bills every month.

Get bills and statements online
Most billers and financial institutions these days offer online statements so take advantage of that and instantly reduce the amount of paperwork coming in. Some companies, like our electricity supplier, will even give you a discount for going digital.

Now, happy mail (that is, invitations, cards and letters from loved ones) on the other hand, falls firmly in the category of ‘More, please!’.

Next time: dealing with subscriptions

Our tea and coffee making things were shoved in various cupboards wherever they would fit – plunger in the crockery cupboard, sugar in the servingware cupboard, tea bags shoved at the back of the pantry. You don’t have to be a storage junkie to realise this was clearly not the most efficient setup.

I recently bought this shelf (actually a dish drainer from Ikea) and The Man installed it in the dead space next to the microwave. It now houses the plunger, sugar , tea leaves, instant coffee and plunger coffee. I had been saving up old coffee jars in preparation (yes, I am the only one who drinks instant coffee at home so it took me a long time to empty those three jars!) but I did buy the cute tin new from Brown Button Trading.

It’s so handy having everything right there above the kettle and I love how it creates useful space from previously wasted space. Yes, I still have to wait around while the kettle boils, but now instead of having to spend the time putting everything back in the various cupboards, I can do something useful like take out the recycling or put away some dishes.

Handle the Heat

Today marks Anzac Day here, so it’s a day for rememberance and all things Australian.

You might even like to make these scrummy Anzac biccies.

Freckle Ottoman from Lark

I had great fun finding 20 ottomans and footstools for this month’s Houzz Guest Pick.

Take a look and tell me what you think!

The Luckier I Get limited edition print

I concur, Lilco Letterpress!