by Candice DeVille | Jan 15, 2015 | Home & Garden, sponsors
This post is brought to you by Nuffnang and Zodiac Australia
The decision to build a pool at home was a big one, and one that has been a long time coming. When Zodiac contacted me a couple of weeks ago to see if we’d like to trial and review their MagnaPool mineral salts pool system, I laughed, as this is exactly what we’d already installed so I knew I’d be happy to write about it. I’m already sold.
When we first bought this property over seven years ago, one of the key reasons we chose it was for the space it had to put in a fantastic pool area to our own design. I love looking at water, I love its calming sounds and rippled surface, but I’m really not much of a swimmer.
My swimming experiences all make it somewhat of a hassle for me. Firstly I have coloured hair and I hate the damage lots of chlorine does to it. I also hate the damage it does to my swimsuits and my skin. I have very sensitive eyes and even sitting by indoor chlorinated pools causes my eyes to become so red it makes it hard to see. Choosing the right pool set up became a big research project for us.
Putting in a pool is a huge investment and one we really wanted to get right, so when we heard about MagnaPool from our builder, it was something I consulted both online reviews and my resident chemist (Dad), about.
In a nutshell, a MagnaPool uses magnesium (a natural mineral) to detoxify and balance the water. Magnesium is what you find in all those amazing mineral baths and spas around the world; know for their ability to sooth aches and pains, relieving stress and anxiety. I’ve had arthritis in my legs for years and years, sometimes to the point where I just can’t be on my legs, so this idea that as a non-swimmer, I can just rest, relax and float in a pool that is going to help relieve this is amazing!
Magnesium and potassium (the two minerals found in the MagnaPool system), are also credited with relieving skin ailments, helping with sensitivity issues and also being far safer for my coloured hair, (superficial I know).
As far as the filter system goes, MagnaPool uses a glass filter system instead of sand or other media. These Zodiac Glass beads are made from recycled glass and discourage bacteria from attaching to them, which is a known issue with sand filters. So the overall water quality is cleaner, more sanitary and also due to the minerals, much better to use on the garden when it is changed over!
Making the decision on this one was really important, but we also found out that pools that were currently using a chlorination system could be changed over to MagnaPool. We vacillated a bit in making the decision due to the initial extra set up cost and our tightly stretched budget, but when all the chips were down, there was no second guessing just how good a decision this would be. It is one of the best things we’ve done with this whole renovation.
Not only is the water absolutely stunning to look at, but it leaves my skin actually feeling better than when I got in; smooth and silky, not stinging or stinking of heavy chlorination.
Pools are such a big part of the Australian backyard lifestyle, and finding ways to make our experiences with them even better is something I see advertised all the time. Fancy sofas and lovely accessories, all wonderful of course, but if I can suggest one thing to start with; it would be converting to a MagnaPool.
I’d like you to experience of what it is like to bathe in this type of water, so Zodiac have provided me with 50 sachets (2 per winner) of their MagnaPool mineral bath salts to help you create your own mini experience.
Given, it isn’t the same as floating around under the sunset, but add these to a bath soak and see just how it feels. Let your entire body relax, aches and pains drift away, while your skin soaks up the detoxifying minerals.
All you need to do is be one of the first 25 to leave me a comment about why you think MagnaPool mineral salts would be right for you.
Terms and conditions apply
The competition is open until 5:00 pm AEDST on 6th February 2015
by Candice DeVille | Jan 5, 2015 | Home & Garden, Self
As I stood looking at it all prior to Christmas, I realised something, that light bulb went off. I don’t actually need to declutter. Clearly, the “definition of insanity is doing the same things time and time again and expecting a different result”. What I actually needed was drastic action, an apocalypse of the domestic kind. The kind that can only happen when something monumental shifts in your mind and in your heart. Perhaps following a comprehensive room by room de-cluttering, the type you do when you are moving houses would come in handy.
Either that or you get completely jack of the crap.
While I am only in the first throws of this process, it is moving along at a screaming pace, with the intent to be complete by the end of January when school goes back. All the thoughts and ideas that have come to mind while my hands are at work, are things I want to share with you. Some of these tips you may have read before, others may be totally new to you. Either way, if this helps you on your own personal journey to clear out the crap, I want to know!
The First Step
Know why you want to declutter or minimise.
- Is your stuff stressing you out? Is it causing arguments, yelling, tension, wasted time?
- How often can’t you find things?
- How much money are you wasting on things you don’t need or looking after all the excess you have?
Really, ask yourself these questions because when you get tired or your resolves starts to break, you only need to be reminded of the truth here.
My personal answers are ‘yes’ to all of the above. The biggest factor is the amount of time I spend looking after stuff, both mine and the rest of the family’s. And it drives me fricken nuts! Collecting vintage has been a wonderful pastime, but when you consider how much time it takes to restore, clean, mend etc.. Then add two primary school kids into the mix, everything becomes a burden and the beauty fades.
by Candice DeVille | Oct 8, 2014 | daily outfit, Home & Garden, pin up
Pin Up Girl Clothing Tropical Dress
The first stage of our big renovations are almost coming to a close. That is, that outside stage. I’m at the point of beginning to put in all the new plants for our tropical garden to give it a truly resort style feel. It’s been an interesting organic process, without planning things in minute detail but rather having a big picture and going with the flow. I’m so glad I didn’t get too carried away and try and tackle everything at once. We’ve broken up this project into both indoor and outdoor stages, the indoor stage to come a bit later. Lucky for me as the whole idea I have for my kitchen has changed dramatically in the space of the last three months.
Where I always imagined I’d create some sort of very vintage looking kitchen, in pastels with kitsch trimmings, I’m now lusting after something entirely different.
Visiting the Porter Davis World of Style the first time, I quickly fell in love with this space, my favourite of the lot. A tasty tropical kitchen. Standing behind the counter with the huge glass splash back window, I knew this is what I want my kitchen to be; a tropical feeling, high tech oasis. Imagine the Jetsons built their home on a Thai island and you’ll know exactly what I’m aiming for.
Everything is crisp and bright giving it a kind of tangy feeling, just like a lime. The openness of that window behind the stove is achingly gorgeous, and even if it means I somehow need to install a small fake garden cavity behind my stove area, I WANT THIS! The benches and cabinetry is streamlined and simple, with my favourite silent, smooth glide fittings. And the appliances are all sleek stainless steal with modern lines. I’m no minimalist, and I don’t like the cold, harsh look that often comes with too much modernism; but paired with the beautiful bamboo flooring and wood panel detail, (not to mention my green window obsession), this kitchen is to die for!
I’m guessing that like me, you are looking at the detail in these shots like the incredible carved wooden stools and stone bowls, wondering where you can buy that? Coco Republic provided most of the pieces for World of Style, and when my next pay cheque comes around I’m making a beeline for the store!
This outdoor entertaining area solved one of my design problems. I adore these bird of paradise plants, but I wanted even more greenery. Then I saw they had installed planter boxes up high as well, so the greenery becomes almost a boarder through which you view everything else! Very clever.
The geometric design of the accessories against the rattan style of furnishing, pulls the whole thing together with the blend of tropical and modernism. I’m now entirely rethinking my accessory plan for the sunroom, and having a lot of fun making up new inspiration boards.
Having the chance to create a space that truly reflects your personality and lifestyle is such a luxury, even the process itself can be delightful (if you don’t have any melt down moments). Even though I’m not the world’s greatest cook, I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so I’d like it to match my style!
Outfit Details
Tropical faux sarong dress with matching bolero – at Pin Up Girl Clothing the Malibu Tiki dress by Deadly Dames
Leopard print heels with carved Tiki heel (!) – The Wooden Tiki Platform by Pin Up Couture
Red floral piece word at hip – made by me
Nail colour- “Coral Me Wild” by Revlon
Lips – MAC “Russian Red”
by Candice DeVille | Sep 10, 2014 | Home & Garden, sponsors
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*Brought to you by Nuffnang and World of Style*
World of Style is a love story. The love story we have with our spaces, how they reflect who we are, who we aspire to be and the dreams they create in us.
Now into the fourth month of my major outdoor space renovations here at home, I’ve never been more aware of just how much power our space exercises over us. While my life and space has never been more chaotic, the vision plays a crucial role in keeping my sanity amongst it all. Even as a highly creative type with the ability to dream up almost anything, there are times when that well runs dry or the choices available overwhelm me.
The Tiki Bar is well under way
The pool build is nearly there, but wow, there is a lot of landscaping to do!
Thankfully, Porter Davis has created an ingenious new system and space that takes the heavy lifting out of the creative process for you. This is World of Style.
World of Style is both a concept and space. This hub, now based in South Melbourne, is a destination that energises and inspires. Not at all what I expected when this idea first came across my desk. I’ve seen far too many “showrooms” and home building spaces over the years. In an industry where beige and ‘safe choices’ seem to have ruled supreme for the last decade or more, I could not have been more excited to be introduced to World of Style.
Using incredible smarts and a passion for beautiful homes that truly reflect the individuality of their owners; the Porter Davis team developed the concept of the World of Style quiz that uses key questions and emotional responses to imagery to pinpoint (with amazing clarity) your unique design style.
Now, instead of wasting countless hours wandering showrooms trying to decipher if that tap is truly you, this system has it nailed. Don’t believe me? Take the quiz!
For someone with such eclectic taste and diverse style influences as myself, I honestly did not expect a simple quiz would be able to “get” me. How can my preference for one picture of a puppy over another lead this tool to decipher that my style is not only “Designer”, but that the “Las Vegas” meets “Miami” look is exactly the space I’m longing to create? And yet it did.
Subsequently I spent a number of hours at the World of Style space, wandering lustfully through the rooms, feeling my incredulity growing. From the kitchen with a lush tropical aspect, perfectly hewn wooden bar stools and wallpaper options which blew my mind; I came away with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. (I see some glitter dragon wallpaper in the future of my retro-tastic powder room)
So often I have people ask me where they should start when considering renovations or building something amazing. It seems like an insurmountable task on a road filled with too many choices and risks of making huge mistakes. Having seen the elegant and inspiring solution that is World of Style, I now know the answer.
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by Candice DeVille | Aug 15, 2014 | daily outfit, Home & Garden, Pets
I’m about to hit you up with a whole bunch of photos today because, well, puppies!
Actually there are a few things that I really want to show you today, including Loki, but the first is this wonderful vintage dressing gown. You may not know but I have a thing for vintage dressing gowns; they are a collection within my collection. Not being a fan of track suits for down time, I prefer to have the comfort of lounging pyjamas or beautiful robes that still look good enough for a school run or just hanging about after a long day. They aren’t something that I’ve invested much cash in, but the benefits are priceless.
Today’s robe is one I picked up last week at an Op Shop for $15. It is a gorgeous emerald green velveteen with a gathered detail under the bust, and a rear zip so you don’t need to mess up your hair when you’re getting dressed and ready.
The 3/4 length sleeves are also handy so they don’t get in the way of hair styling or even wet doing the morning dishes. Yes, this bright, bright sunshine is the actual morning light that comes streaming into my bedroom on a sunny winter morning. I was tempted to tone it down a bit for the pics, but I wanted you to be able to see the richness of colour in these shots exactly the way it is. Yes, my bedroom is an intense peacock blue and my favourite chair is that red!
Since we are turning over a new leaf on the blog, I’m working on all kinds of new things that you’ve asked for over the years, one of them being more pictures around my house. This morning, playing with Loki in the sunshine, was the perfect chance to show you my favourite corner of the bedroom. It’s a place to sit and read, to put on tricky shoes, or sometimes (let’s be honest) a secondary chair-drobe space. (I do try and keep it tidy!) Nearly everything in my house has been put together as an eclectic mix of pieces that I’ve bought second hand online, found at Op Shops or even rescued from hard rubbish. My decorating style is “organic” in that it develops along the way when inspiration strikes, and I’m always moving things around.
The little foot stool has become Loki’s throne, the place where he sleeps in that morning sun soaking up the rays. And yes, he is just as mischievous as he looks and as his name suggests!
Are you a fan of vintage dressing gowns? If you haven’t tried out these sorts of styles with their fabulous names, (house coats, hostess gowns, honeymoon gowns, dressing gowns etc…) I suggest you start having a bit of a look around as there are still easy to find at most op shops. Make sure to tell me if you try it out too!
