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Thanks Dad For Being my Most Engaged Fan on Social Media

By
Rebecca Senyard
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14
thanks dad for being my facebook fan

I used to joke that my dad was a dinosaur when it came to using new technology. He often admitted it himself.

When we ran our family plumbing business, he loved his fax and would often fax through quotes and invoices, despite the email being a cheaper and quicker option. And often more preferred.

But when the iPhone came out, he was the first to embrace the new phone. Not because of the apps or features, but simply because it had a bigger number dialing pad than his previous Nokias.

It wasn’t until he started going to a new church and volunteering, he started to get onto Facebook and Instagram. Being on social media was not necessarily expected, but made it easier to connect with people.

When my dad started using Facebook and Instagram, he of course started following my pages for The Plumbette and Styled by Bec.

My dad is one of my most engaged social media fans. He will comment on most of my posts and pictures.

And being the dad he is, he will comment with brute honesty.

I’ve often had blogging friends tell me my dad is a crack up because of his comments under my blogs.

So I thought I’d share some of the funny comments my dad has left on The Plumbette. Maybe you will get a laugh too.

dad doesn't like ripped jeans engaged facebook fan

My dad doesn’t like ripped jeans. Or anything distressed.  And he will ALWAYS leave a comment saying ‘those jeans again’ with a fire icon which I believe means they should be burned or tossed away. He once admitted they did look good on me. I’ve kept that comment close to my heart and will never give up wearing distressed jeans. Well unless they go out of fashion.

He’s not a fan of green nails. I decided to try something new with my nail colour and to be honest, even I wasn’t convinced if it was the right colour for me. A few weeks later I got pink nails and showed them on Instagram. Dad was quick to approve. So much better than the snot green nails I had previously. Thanks dad.

maternity spew

He will bring up memories I’d much rather forget (he probably wishes he could forget them too)… like the time I was pregnant and suffered from terrible morning sickness. I threw up on the way to a job on the Gold Coast when I was suffering from morning sickness. I do remember getting to the job location and I needed to wash out my bowl, but the hose tap had an anti-vandal handle. I was frustrated, until dad reminded me we were plumbers and we would be able to use our tools to get the hose tap to work. Problem solved! Clearly he’s never forgotten my spews as he recently shared valuable information on what else is needed if you have a pregnant tradie working for you.

messed up styling

He’s not into boho styling or anything alternate. I know this already and reply to his comment saying I knew he wouldn’t like it and his  usual typical dad response? ‘I’m glad I didn’t disappoint’.

bathroom dangle comment

Some designs he doesn’t mind and will joke about – like the bathroom with a wall window. If you can’t read what my dad wrote, he said ‘No tinted glass let it all hang out and dangle beautiful.’ When I read this comment I laughed out loud.

slow cooked food comment

He doesn’t like slow cooker food – ie – sloppy food like curries and casseroles. As he explained on my slow cooker post which features my favourite online recipes, it looks like ‘dog poo’.

There have been countless more comments that have been pure gold from my dad, but these are the recent ones.

He also likes to follow bloggers I follow. He may even follow your blog and leave a comment under your posts.

The best comments of all are the ones that affirm his love for me and how proud he is of me.

There are days where I doubt the journey I’ve taken with the blog and writing online. But he always reassures me and tells me the world needs to read what I write and where I am is where I am meant to be. But it takes time to grow and build a blog just like a business.

I recently made a call out on Facebook for friends to vote for me in the Amara Interior Blog Awards. (You can still vote)

The Facebook algorithm meant dad saw my post twice. So he voted for me again.
And here’s what he had to say,

votes twice for his daughter

Thanks Dad for always reading what I write and encouraging me when I doubt what I do. Your ‘likes’ and your comments make me smile, cringe or laugh. Sometimes all three at the same time.

Thanks for being my most engaged fan on social media.

You’ll get an autographed card on Sunday. 😉

Does your dad follow you on Social Media? Ever had a funny comment from a dad or a male on your social media pages?

Breakfast at Parliament House for Female Plumbers and Apprentices in QLD

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
parliament house female plumbers breakfast

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Female Plumbers and Apprentices Breakfast at Parliament House in Brisbane.

The event was organised by the Honourable Mick de Brenni, Minister for Housing and Public Works, the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

This was the second time I had been invited to Parliament House for breakfast, but this time the setting was on Level 7 on the Green Deck.

The deck has been beautifully renovated and it provided the perfect backdrop for the breakfast to take place.

parliament house deck for female plumbers breakfast

 

parliament house female plumbers breakfast

 

parliament house female plumbers breakfast

If you’re going to organise an event for female tradies so they can network and be encouraged by their place within the construction industry, the MPAQ do a fine job – if not the best job of doing so.

parliament house female plumbers breakfast

 

parliament house female plumbers breakfast

With the background noise of jackhammers from a nearby building site, it was great to catch up with female plumbers and key representatives within the construction industry.

Bec the plumbette with carlie low

 

parliament house female plumbers breakfast

 

parliament house female plumbers breakfast
Obligatory meal photo

During the breakfast, Penny Cornah, the head of MPAQ shared their achievements and goals over the last year. Mick de Brenni shared about a new bill that has been put forward to parliament to ensure payments are made on time to plumbers and other sub-contractors when their invoices are due.

Mick de Brenni minister for housing and public works female plumbers

This problem of head contractors not passing on payments to subbies when they have the money (or spending the cashflow on their own personal needs, rather than to their subbies) needs to stop. This bill will ensure that.

Esther Blest spoke about the role QBCC play in licensing.

We then had Carlie Low share a bit about what she has done as the QLD Ambassador for Women in Plumbing.

female plumbers and apprentices

 

Helen Yost, the Project Manager for Tradettes, one of Australia’s first all-female plumbing services, shared her vision of getting more women into plumbing – and seeing an increase to the current figure of 49 female plumbers to 1000 female tradies by 2024.

Tradettes Helen Yost

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Rachael Keiley, who is a licensed plumber and has started the QLD division of SALT – Support and Linking Tradeswomen. She also shared her plans for the future which were exciting and inspiring.

female plumbers brisbane
Just a handful of the female plumbers present at the breakfast

I never take for granted the amazing opportunities that have come my way because of my trade. And I love hearing stories of women who are out there working hard to promote women in trades.

While I love the ambitions and goals of our lady tradies, I also know the obstacles that need to be overcome.

While we need to encourage more women into construction, we also need to encourage male tradies to support these women as they enter a trade. I understand the hesitation of employing women in a trade role. But if I was a male tradie in 2017, I’d be backing a female tradie 100% and be a testament to her success rather than a blockage (pun intended).

13 female plumbers in QLD
13 Female Plumbers & Apprentices in QLD attended the event

When I reflect on my own journey as a plumber and now blogger and writer, there were key men who played a vital role in my career. And those key men – their influence didn’t diminish, it increased.

parliament house female plumbers breakfast

I don’t know how many plumbers can say they have dined at Parliament House for breakfast twice, but these opportunities would not be made possible without key people making an amazing effort to acknowledge the female plumbers working in the industry.

Thank you to Mick de Brenni, MPAQ and the QBCC for organising the breakfast. It was a privilege to be invited, and I look forward to seeing more female plumbers at the next event.

Rain Shower Heads – What You Need to Know Before You Buy This Luxurious Fixture

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
rains shower heads, what you need to know

With bathrooms becoming a place of retreat, than a place to ‘wash and leave’, taps and fixtures that offer a ‘spa’ like experience are highly sought. One luxurious fixture is the ceiling mounted rain shower head. What’s not to love about a shower head that simulates rain? It sounds relaxing and extravagant. But more and more designers and home owners are enticed by this shower head style for their bathrooms. Here are some things to consider about the installation of this type of shower head.

1. You need to have the right amount of space for a ceiling mounted rain shower head.

Rain shower heads have a larger diameter and are much wider than a standard, all-directional shower head. This means, you need to ensure your shower space is wide enough to allow the spray of water.

If you are opting for a shower head above a freestanding bath, consider design options on keeping the water from being sprayed throughout the bathroom. A smaller rain shower head may need to be considered, instead of a larger rainhead.

2. Be wise about the placement of your rain shower head.

This comes down to personal preference, but a rain shower head tends to be ceiling mounted and the direction of spray can cover a large area. This means, a person standing in the shower will be directly under the flow of water, the whole time they shower.

Unlike an all-directional shower rose, a person can move out of the stream of water to wash their hair or even be able to keep their head from getting wet, yet still remain under the flow . When using only a rain shower head, one has to move out of the flow of water to wash. This all comes down to preference. I recommend a hand shower is installed as well for more choice.

3. Rain shower heads are expensive.

Rain shower heads are an extravagant purchase. Some heads retail from $500. You will want to make sure you are happy with your shower head to invest the money for the purchase and installation.

4. Different shapes and colours can be installed.

Rain shower heads can come in different sizes and shapes. They can also come as matte black or chrome. You want your rain shower head to work with the existing shapes in your bathroom, so if you’ve chosen angular fittings, choose a square or rectangle rainhead and vice versa for circular shapes.

5. Rain shower heads won’t give as good water pressure as a standard shower head.

I’ve used a few rain shower heads in hotels and they do offer good pressure, but not as good as a standard shower head. The benefit of a rain shower head is more water flows over the body as it has a wider area of flow. That alone offers enough water to remove soap suds and feel clean. Some models have jets that can direct the flow. Each model of rain shower head will be different. Talk to your supplier to ensure you get the flow you want.

6. Check what fittings it comes with.

When you buy your ceiling mounted rain shower head, ensure you purchase the ceiling dropper as they don’t always come with the shower head. Check with your plumbing supplier on what your shower head comes with.

Here are some quality rain shower heads to consider if you are wanting this type of shower to be installed.

Hahnsgrohe rainmaker roger seller
Hansgrohe Rainmaker from Roger Seller 

 

Grohe Square rain shower head
Grohe 230mm Square Rain Shower Head from Reece Plumbing

 

rain shower head by dorf
Dorf Jovian Overhead  Rain Shower 

 

Grohe round overhead shower
Grohe Round Overhead Shower 400mm from Reece Plumbing

 

Fienza Starry Dropper shower head
Fienza Starry Matte Black Shower Head (ceiling dropper comes separately)

 

Fienza Rain shower head
Fienza Modena Matte Black Square Rain Shower Head

 

What do you think about a ceiling mounted rain shower head? Something you’d consider for your next bathroom?

Lip Balms for Tradies

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
lip balms for tradies

When I worked on the tools, I used to have 5 items in my pockets. I would have my Oroton coin purse with my essential blue card, licenses and credit cards, my mobile phone, a pen, notepad and lip balm.

Lip balm was essential on the construction site as I can not stand dry lips, no matter the season.

For the last couple of months I have been road testing lip balms to put together a post of the best lip balms for tradies.

This post was meant to be for winter, but winter is pretty much nearly over in QLD.

Despite the change in season, I hope this post will give all the tradies or those that work with their hands a resource to come back to when looking for a lip balm that will protect and condition their lips.

For the purpose of this review, I only used lip balm sticks as opposed to pots of lip balm where you need to use your finger to apply. When you work as a plumber, having your fingers near your mouth is the last thing you want. So a wind up lip balm is the best type, plus it’s easy to store in your pocket.

I also went with a neutral or no colour shade. I didn’t like to wear colour on the construction site, but if you do like to wear a bit of colour, some of the lip balms may offer different shades.

Lip Balms for Tradies

lip balms for tradies

Blistex Ultra Lip Balm with SPF 30+

Blistex was always my go-to lip balm when I was on the tools. It always protected and moisturized my lips. This lip balm tingles when I put it on, yet it realy protected my lips and kept them from drying out in the wind when we had a few windy days. I’ve used this on my girls’ lips when they’ve constantly licked them and within a day and a bit, the redness is gone. This is a great all round lip balm for tradies as it can protect lips from all the elements of sun, wind and cold – just as the packet says. It’s also a great price for $3.95.

blistex lip balms for tradies

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

This lip balm winds up and down and has vitamin E and peppermint. Loved the smell, but my lips did tingle when it was on and I did find I had to reapply it more during the day. I had to glide it over my lips a few times to keep the product on my lips. It is 100% natural, but there is no sun protection with this product. This lip balm costs $6.95

burt's bees lip balm for tradies

Carmex Squeeze Tube

I have childhood memories of the lip balms you could squeeze to make worms, so I enjoyed using this lip balm because it reminded me of my childhood. I find this brand of lip balm does tingle on my lips and it can sting if you have really sore lips. My girls didn’t like wearing this one when they had a lip rash. It does protect my lips from drying and its easy to glide on. A tube of this lip balm is $5.95.

carmex lip balm for tradies

Chap Stick Lip Conditioner

I could never wear Chap Stick lip balms as a kid as they would dry my lips and I would be forever applying the lip balm to keep them moisturized. Unfortunately this lip balm is no different. I found it was easy to glide on and kept my lips moisturized for a little while and then it would need to be reapplied. This particular lip balm has aloe vera and vitamin e to increase moisture. It has a pleasant smell and taste and has the added protection of SPF 15+. It’s another cheaper lip balm coming in at $3.99. I won’t buy this brand again.

chapstick lip balm for tradies

QV Lip Balm with SPF 30+

This lip balm is another squeeze bottle, but the applicator has a slant which makes it easier to glide on the lips than the Carmex one. It definitely moisturizes and doesn’t sting or tingle when on normal or dry, cracked lips. It has sun protection and is a quality buy as it’s a larger tube and only costs $5.00.

QV lip balm for tradies

Moo Goo All Natural Lip Balm with SPF 15+

One of my favourite lip balms to put on. It is a little harder to glide on, but it kept my lips moisturized and protected from the sun. Love that it has edible ingredients so there are no nasties in this lip balm. This lip balm comes priced at $5.50.

moo goo lip balm for tradies

Dermal Therapy Lip Balm SPF 50+

This lip balm has a creamier texture and comes out in a squeeze tube. It has the slanted applicator so the lip balm can glide on easily. It does tingle when on the lips, and will need to be reapplied during the day, but my lips were soft and moisturized. This is a great lip balm if you don’t like to have moist lips or if you don’t want to notice you have lip balm on. The product soaks into the lips and doesn’t dry them out like other products that need continual reapplying. This is a great lip balm for really cracked or sore lips. This lip balm costs $4.95.

dermal therapy lip balm for tradies

Natio Lip Balm SPF 30

We went through this lip balm fairly quickly. It’s got a pleasant taste and smell and glides on really well. I enjoyed using this lip balm but felt we went through it a bit fast. Love that it also has an SPF 30. Costs $4.95

natio lip balm for tradies

doTERRA Spa Herbal Lip Balm – Comes in Pack of 3 for $12.95

These lip balms glide easily on the lips and keep lips well moisturized. Didn’t find I had to reapply this lip balm much. Has a lovely scent and comes in a pack of 3 different flavours/scents. Can only be purchased with a doTERRA account or through a doTERRA wellness advocate. Doesn’t have sun protection, but does protect your lips and keeps them from getting dry.

doTERRA lip balm for tradies

Out of all the lip balms I tested, the Blistex lip balm was the best in terms of value for money, protection and application.

If you suffer from really dry or cracked lips, the Carmex, Dermal Therapy, QV or MooGoo are the best lip balms to use.

I purchased all these lip balms (except the doTERRA) from Malouf Pharmacy. Most of these lip balms are available at your local grocery store or chemist.

If you’re looking for other lip balm recommendations, Be a Fun Mum shared their review on a few lip balms Kelly has been road testing.

What is your favourite neutral, lip balm brand? If you’re a tradie, what lip balm do you usually use?

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

I love a clever DIY project and when my friend Yolandi shared what she and her husband were creating for their third daughter as a Birthday gift, I wanted to share it with you. This removable timber sandbox with a deck lid is a unique play item for kids, that can be taken away if the family ever have to move from their home (they are currently renting).

This timber sandbox has been cleverly created so it can not only be removed, but the lid deck can provide another space for their daughter’s to have their own stage for imaginative play.

timber sandbox with deck lid

The timber sandbox is a joint gift for their third daughter who has sensory issues. Yolandi knew a sandbox would be the perfect outdoor play equipment for her third daughter, while also giving the rest of her children a reason to play outside.

Yolandi used Ana White’s Timber Sandbox Design as inspiration. They changed the design for the top cover as it wasn’t going to hold the girl’s weight without bowing over time when used as a stage. They also didn’t want it to become too heavy to lift out later on if they used hinges on the existing deck lids they made, so they made lift off panels and log line boxes.

The sandbox has been created with depth in mind as kids like to dig deep holes, not necessarily wide ones. Of course the set up had to fit into the existing space next to the fence.

timber sandpit with deck lid

Pine sleepers were used on the box sides and pine decking boards on top.

There is 5-7mm roadbase on the weedmat for drainage at the base of the sandpit.

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

 

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

 

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

 

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

 

timber sandpit and deck lid

The project took a couple of weekends to complete, with thanks to a chippie friend who chipped in to help.

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

 

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

sandpit with deck

 

deck sand

 

timber sandpit and deck lid

 

sandpit and timber deck lid

 

timber sandpit and decking

It ended up costing around $800, but it will provide a lifetime of play and memories for the girls.

It was a huge hit when it was unveiled for the Birthday girl.

Removable Timber Sandbox With a Deck Lid

 

sandpit deck

 

kids playing in removable timber sandpit and deck lid

All the sisters are loving their new play area.

I can’t wait to see it in person this weekend and I have no doubt my girls will enjoy playing in it too.

Thank you Yolandi for sharing this fabulous project with us.

Did you have a sandpit in your backyard growing up? Do your kids enjoy playing in a sandpit?

If you want your DIY project or before and after renovation project featured on the blog, please feel free to send me your details via my contact form.

I’d Much Rather be Busy Than Bored

By
Rebecca Senyard
-
16
rather be busy than bored

After a few big weekends of parties and going out with friends, Jacob and I decided to have a slower Sunday (with a much needed sleep in) and head to church on Sunday night. After spending two nights watching the last few episodes of Season Two of Outlander (OMG how GOOD was the last episode on Season 2?!) We needed a slower morning to recharge.

Our Sunday night service included an interview with an interior designer which inspired me greatly. I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely lady in Sydney at Colour Conference earlier this year.

I don’t know about you, but I get inspired by successful business owners who are mums. Being a mum myself, I understand the time and dedication needed to juggle the role of being a mother and a business owner. Family should come first, but often, a business will demand time and energy that can see a family being placed down the priority list. Yet, this business woman and her partner (her sister) made a pact that they would put their children first, no matter what. I loved that! (If you want to follow this interior designer, check out @porchlightgirl and @porchlight_interiors)

What was really attractive about this mother’s testimony was she was never afraid to pursue her passions, even as a mother. I think as mothers, we can feel guilty about pursing our passions or our careers. And yet, I think showing our children we have an alternate life from looking after them is important. And for stay-at-home mums, it’s not about pursuing work outside the home. It could be a hobby or writing a blog or volunteering at school or even studying. You should have something for you that stirs your heart and renews your energy.

Our pastor then shared a message about busyness and what society sees it as. I had heard the message before, but it was one I needed to hear again because lately I have felt life has been demanding a lot from me lately and this year I have felt really stretched.

But I’d much rather be busy than bored.

Being bored and having nothing to do and no one to care for sounds… well boring.

I’m blessed to have a husband to love, children to love and raise up, parents and grandparents alive to converse with, a house to maintain and clean, a job where no day is ever the same because I write so many varied stories. I’m part of a dynamic church where I volunteer my time to ensure new attenders don’t feel one of the crowd, and I enjoy being part of the committee at Maggie’s Kindy where I’m the Workplace Health and Safety Officer. It’s been hectic this year. Yet what a blessing it has been to have these amazing things in my life to be a part of.

blessed family grandma

I do think it’s important to have a margin or white space in one’s life. Overdoing it can be very easy and it can lead to a breakdown, which is not healthy. It’s actually biblical to rest. But often we do put a negative spin on being busy. But if we had the opposite – with no one to care for, no work to get on top of, nothing to get involved in and no passions to pursue, life would be a massive white space of BOREDOMVILLE.

pa and grandchildren
Checking out Pa’s planes at the Stafford Model Train Show

Are you ever thankful for the events you or your children get invited to? Sometimes I think they can be a pain in the butt, yet, what a blessing it is to have friends and family that value our presence in their lives.

If you run a business and you feel like you’re constantly chasing your tail, what if you had the opposite where you were chasing business instead?

I can’t actually claim this new way of thinking about busyness as my own as it’s something my pastor shared on Sunday night.

But I thought I’d share it with you because I’ve seen plenty of posts saying busyness is wrong, or we’re all too busy and we need to ‘stop glorifying busyness’. I do think if you are overloading your schedule with events, you may need to say no to some things so you can say yes to others and ensure you have that necessary white space.

But our busyness can actually be an indicator of a blessed life.

rather be busy than bored

A full life is not something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. It’s something to be thankful for.

What do you think about this new way of looking at busyness? Do you agree with it? How has the first half of the year treated you?

The Block Guest Bedroom Ensuite Reveals 2017

By
Rebecca Senyard
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4
The Block 2017 Guest Bedroom Ensuite

Last night on the The Block were the guest bedroom reveals. I usually share the bathrooms and kitchens from The Block on the blog, but three of the teams last night added a guest bedroom ensuite as part of the unveiling of their room. I think it was a clever addition that will make a difference at auction time, however, last night, it held no weight with the scoring, with Ronnie and Georgia producing the winning guest room, without an ensuite.

ronnie and georgie guest bedroom

The Block guest bedroom ensuite reveals were well executed and their use of space can give inspiration on planning an ensuite in a small space.

Here are what three of the teams produced for their guest bedroom ensuite reveals.

Sarah and Jason

Sarah and Jason created an ensuite that is a two way bathroom. I think it’s clever and I liked how they tied this ensuite in with their main bathroom. They also sectioned the vanity and shower and toilet. Not sure I’d put the toilet next to the shower, but still this ensuite will add value to the home. Hopefully it will reflect in the auction price.

Jason and sarah ensuite

jason and sarah ensuite vanity

 

jason and sarah ensuite

Jason and sarah ensuite

sarah and jason guest bedroom ensuite

Sticks and Wombat

Sticks and Wombat decided to create a modern ensuite that would contrast with their guest bedroom. The ensuite was stunning, but it didn’t correlate with the style in the guest bedroom. Despite that, it’s a gorgeous ensuite showing how a simple marble tile and chrome tapware can work well together.

Sticks and Womba guest bedroom ensuite

sticks and wombat guest bedroom ensuite reveal

sticks and wombat guest bedroom ensuite reveal

Sticks and wombat guest bedroom ensuite reveal

Josh and Elyse

Josh and Elyse’s ensuite was practical and stylish, however, Shaynna did point out one flaw with the positioning of the shower shelf. Whenever you drill into tiles, you need to get the right height for your shelves and accessories. But that was just a minor flaw.

josh and elyse guest bedroom ensuite

josh and elyse guest bedroom ensuite reveal

Josh and elyse guest bedroom reveal

Josh and Elyse guest bedroom ensuite reveal

For the rest of the guest bedroom reveals, head here.

What did you think of the guest bedroom ensuites? Do you think the winning team should have also produced an ensuite?

 

 

 

Tradie’s Lunchbox – Roast Pumpkin, Feta and Beetroot Quinoa Salad

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
tradie's lunchbox roast pumpkin, feta and beetroot quinoa salad

If you’re looking for a healthy, hearty salad, this Roast Pumpkin, Feta and Beetroot Quinoa Salad will not disappoint.

tradie's lunchbox roast pumpkin, feta and beetroot quinoa salad

I had a similar salad at Shingle Inn, which I shared with my mum, and it was delicious. It was very filling as well. The Shingle Inn version used sweet potato, but I tend to like pumpkin more when making a roast veggie salad. I much prefer the taste of pumpkin over sweet potato. But you can change this accordingly, depending on your taste preference.

tradie's lunchbox roast pumpkin, feta and beetroot quinoa salad

I’m a bit unusual in that I love eating salads in winter. Usually the Brisbane winter days are mild  – by midday at least, so a salad doesn’t seem too ridiculous to eat on a mild winter’s day. I’ve been craving salads of late because they are another way for me to up my vegetable intake for the day. I’ve had a few problems with my skin lately and I’ve wondered if the lack of fresh produce has been to blame? Who knows.

tradie's lunchbox roast pumpkin, feta and beetroot quinoa salad

Quinoa is often my go to grain when I have to cook a gluten free meal. The only set back is the cost, but half a cup can go a long way. I love using it in salads and replacing it for rice with a stewed dish.

My favourite part of this dish is the mix of beetroot and feta. It’s one of my favourite toppings on crackers. Beetroot and feta go deliciously together. It’s another one of those sweet and savoury type tastes that I can’t get enough of.

tradie's lunchbox roast pumpkin, feta and beetroot quinoa salad

I bought a tin of cubed beetroot to make it easier to put in the salad. I also bought the rocket, because the rocket in our garden has finally gone too bitter to eat.

Having said that, this Roast Pumpkin, Feta and Beetroot Quinoa Salad is one I will have on high rotation when summer does come around.

[mpprecipe-recipe:18]

Are you a fan of Quinoa? What’s your favourite roast veggie salad recipe?

What’s the Scent of Your Home? Plus a Diffuser and Essential Oil Giveaway

By
Rebecca Senyard
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41
scent of your home

I’ve been using doTERRA essential oils for nearly two years now and I’m only discovering some of the benefits of using these oils.

One of the main reasons I love my essential oils is how they make my house smell all kinds of wonderful. I also find that whatever I diffuse, can have an effect on how I’m feeling.

If I’m feeling a little frazzled because of the kids, I diffuse Peace or Lavender Peace.

If I feel overwhelmed, I diffuse Basil.

If I feel wired up when I should be more relaxed, I will diffuse Balance.

Diffusing my oils is one of my favourite ways to enhance my mood and control how my home smells.

Smells get me all the time. I have to love the smell before I diffuse an oil. And lately I have LOVED diffusing a few combinations of oils to get a gorgeous fragrance throughout our home.

Whenever I have friends and family drop by, they will ask what I’m diffusing.

I thought I’d share 4 of my favourite diffusing blends at the moment.

White Fir and Petitgrain

white fir and petitgrain

White Fir assists in the feelings of being burdened by the issues of others and Petitgrain is known as the oil of ancestry which helps an individual break away from the thought patterns and decisions that have been inherited through the family generations. I love this combination when diffused together. I generally do 2 drops of each oil in a diffuser and it gives a magnificent scent. It reminds me of walking through a pine forest, early in the morning.

Geranium and Patchouli

geranium and patchouli

Geranium is the oil of love and trust. It’s said to heal a broken heart and allows grief and/or pain to be let out. Patchouli is the oil of physicality. This oil allows individuals to feel more grounded and at peace with their body. This is another one of my favourite combinations which is both floral and herbal. The geranium can overtake the patchouli so I add 1-2 drops of geranium and 3 drops of patchouli for a delicious, more floral scent.

Lavender and Vetiver

lavender and vetiver

Lavender is the oil of communication. Lavender allows one to share their true selves through self-expression. It can release tension and constriction. Vetiver is a grounding oil and helps one become more centered and grounded. Vetiver can help an individual to focus on themselves, rather than have their mind scattered on all the things that can often distract. This combination is what I diffuse when I go to sleep. Vetiver has an earthy scent and reminds me of dirt whenever I smell it. Yet, the more I use it, the more I love this grounding oil. If I can’t get to sleep in the middle of the night, a drop of this oil on my big toe helps me drift back to sleep.

Lavender Peace and Balance

lavender peace and balance

These two oils are blends which I love diffusing together. Lavender Peace, as it’s name suggests, has lavender in it and this blend is known as the oil that can promote calm in a household. This oil is known as the restful blend. It can calm children and may assist in helping them drift to sleep. Balance is a grounding blend and has an earthy smell as well, but many people find it more pleasing to smell than Vetiver. It’s another one of my favourite blends. I will diffuse this combination when tension is high in our household or just before bed to get everyone a bit more relaxed before going to sleep.

Favourite Places to Diffuse Oils

I have a diffuser in all four bedrooms of our home. We did have a diffuser on our kitchen bench, but Jacob took this to work. I also have a diffuser in my office, which I turn on while I work.

diffuser at my desk

We use the diffusers for our girls at night. They love their diffusers and take comfort from the night light when the oils are on.

diffuser on at night at desk

When their rooms smell particularly funky, I will diffuse lemon. If we are going through their toys and culling stuff, I will diffuse lemongrass as this helps with the emotion of holding on and allows one to let go of possessions.

I can’t imagine my life without essential oils now. I use them as part of my health management. I’m also now using them on my skin, which I will share in another blog post.

If you’ve never tried essential oils, or have never owned a diffuser, I’m running a giveaway where one lucky reader will win an Aroma-Lily Diffuser (in pink) and two of my favourite doTERRA essential oils.

The Giveaway

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is enter the rafflecopter and then in the comments, tell me where you’d use this diffuser, and which oils would you diffuse together and why? The most interesting answer will win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Prize

Aromalily diffuser in pink

The Aroma-Lily Diffuser is RRP $75.95. It can operate 3.5 hours continuous or 6 hours intermittent. Uses Ultrasonic Cool Mist Technology. I’m giving away the pink toned diffuser. Product size 9 x 25 cm
Mist dispersion covers 15-20 sq/m, Voltage 24V, power 12W, operates 2.4 million Htz/sec Also has a colour changing LED light.
1 doTTERRA Restful Blend Lavender Peace 15ml RRP$54.00
1 doTTERRA Grounding Blend Balance 15ml RRP $36.00
Total Prize Pack Value $165.95

Terms and Conditions

This is a game of skill. Each valid entry to be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.
There is 1 prize as detailed above with a RRP $165.95.
Entries open from 12am Brisbane time Tuesday 8th August 2017 to Tuesday 30th August 2017 12am Brisbane Time.
Prizes are not transferable or changeable.
Prize sent out by third parties will not be replaced in the event they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.
Entry is leaving an answer to the question and entering the Rafflecopter widget.
A valid email address must be included in your entry. This email will be added to my newsletter, but will never be spammed or sent to third parties.
Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions
Entrants must be Australian residents and aged 18 or over.
The winner will be notified by email and has 3 days to reply and claim the prize. The winner may be announced on Facebook. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook.

If you enjoyed this post, why not check out ways to store and display your essential oils.

keep mice out of air conditioner

I’m also trialing an essential oil to keep mice out of my air conditioning unit. You can check out that post here.

 

amara nominated blog

Also, The Plumbette has been nominated in the Amara Interior Blog Awards. The blog has been Nominated in the Best Interior Lifestyle Blog Category. If you love the content I share here on The Plumbette, I’d love for you to vote for me for this amazing award. And thank you to whoever nominated me. It was a surprise to receive a nomination email. Good luck to all who are nominated. You can head here to vote. Thank you. x

The Block Bathroom Reveals 2017 – It Was All About Circles & Face Level Storage

By
Rebecca Senyard
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2
The Block Bathroom Reveals 2017 - It Was All About Circles & Face Level Storage

The Block bathroom reveals were shown last night and the bathrooms did not disappoint. It seems circles and architectural design were the winning features in this week’s bathrooms. Face level storage was also another hot topic brought up. Here was went on last night at the reveals.

The Block Bathroom Reveals 2017

Sarah and Jason

Sarah and Jason seemed to have a slow start to the week when doing their bathroom. I was unsure if Jason’s lax attitude was arrogance or his experience of having done a few bathrooms because he was a plumber. Anyway, the bathroom by Sarah and Jason last night was a solid start to the season of reveals.

Sarah and Jason The Block 2017 Bathroom reveals

Darren and Shaynna brought up the need for face level storage when you have a vanity that doesn’t include drawers. Storage has always been a big key note on previous seasons. It seems a long double vanity and shelving underneath no longer cuts it. Either way, there wasn’t a lot to fault with the bathroom. I loved the moroccan tiles on the floor and the hydronic heating  and towel rails were a luxury touch that a new home owner will love. Not sure on the placement of the pendant behind the door and the judges weren’t keen on it anyway.  The styling was a little too much, but that can always be stripped back later on. I didn’t mind this bathroom and thought it was one of the better thought out bathrooms because of the double vanity.

Sarah and Jason Bathroom Reveals The Block 2017

 

Sarah and Jason's Bathroom

Hannah and Clint

It was such a shame this team didn’t get to finish, but they were let down by their tradies. With the level of the flooring and the way the tiles were laid, I actually felt sorry for this couple. I reckon we are going to see great things from them and they seem so down-to-earth. I just hope they can pick themselves up from a shocker of a week.

Clint and hannah bathroom the block 2017

This team really understood bathroom design and were one of the only teams that include face level storage behind the mirrors which also included power points. Not sure on the practicality of the power points behind the mirror because if you’re straightening your hair or shaving, you want the mirror to be closed so you can see what you’re doing. I guess the mirror can be closed on the cord.

Clint and hannah the block 2017

I loved the black framing of the glass shower screens and giving the toilet it’s own room, even if it styling didn’t appeal to the judges. I don’t think the splashback would looks so sad if it had been grouted. Anyway, I thought it was a great effort, despite the muck around with their tradies.

Clint and Hannah Toilet

Georgia and Ronnie

I like an experienced couple coming on The Block, but the attitude from this couple annoyed me. There were a few misses for me in this bathroom and they all relate to the plumbing and electrical which need to be nailed in a bathroom to make it practical. Storage isn’t the only thing that should be considered.

Ronnie and Georgia bathroom reveal

Firstly the placement of the floor mounted bath mixer was totally wrong. Placing it in the corner behind the bath is not hiding it, it’s ensuring it’s not an obstacle in the bathroom. If kids use this bathroom, having the mixer in that position is a pole dance waiting to happen.

This couple also covered their electrical outlets in the vanity drawer, but placed it down the bottom. I love the idea of having an electrical outlet in the drawer, but it needs to be up higher, not on the bottom drawer. You reach high to use personal appliances so having the electrical outlets up high is a practicality and almost a necessity. Whoever buys this house will have to use an extension cord to reach the outlet.

Ronnie and Georgia Bathroom reveals

I did like the look of the bathroom, but the vanity should have been a double basin and that dinky sound system looked like an urn. I guess they can trade it in later when they run out of money.

Ronnie and Georgia The Block 2017

Sticks and Wombat

These guys surprise me with their style. I love this team. I loved their bathroom because it was different and a lot of effort went into the tiles and the copper towel rails. I wasn’t a huge fan of the copper rails as it reminded me of the steampunk bathroom I’ve written about here before. But I appreciated the work that went into creating them.

Sticks and Wombat bathroom The Block 2017

The judges weren’t a fan of the mixed metals using the copper towel rails, chrome tapware and brass vanity handles. The metals should have been more uniform. There could have been room for a double vanity too.  I still really liked this bathroom and thought it was a solid effort from the boys.

Sticks and Wombat bathroom The Block 2017

Elyse and Joshua

Elyse and Joshua produced a stunning bathroom, but I felt the concrete tiling had been shared a lot before. The new feature was the circular bath, which looked gorgeous and will definitely win favour with potential buyers.

Joshua and Elyse bathroom

The timber vanity was lovely, but too small for a main bathroom. A double basin vanity could have been installed. The judges also picked up on the lack of face level storage, yet they loved the architectural details of the ceiling with the skylight. But there was a consistent fluency of circles in this bathroom. Sounds like the trending shape for bathrooms this season on The Block.

Joshua and elyse bathroom

This was the winning bathroom in the end. I think the round bath won the judges over.

Joshua and Elyse bathroom the Block 2017

 

What did you think of The Block 2017 Bathroom reveals? Who is your favourite team? Did you think Elyse and Joshua’s bathroom should have won?

For more photos of the reveals, check out the rest of the gallery here.

amara nominated blog

In exciting news, The Plumbette has been nominated in the Amara Interior Blog Awards. The Blog has been Nominated in the Best Interior Lifestyle Blog Category. If you love the content I share here on The Plumbette, I’d love for you to vote for me for this amazing award. And thank you to whoever nominated me. It was a surprise to receive a nomination email. Good luck to all who are nominated.

Voting opens Monday 7th August from 8am onwards. You can vote here.

 

It’s Not What You Have, But Who You Have

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
it's not what you have but who you have

Every Sunday I take my day of rest very seriously.

Each Sunday afternoon, it’s my time to have a nap to catch up on sleep.

After the last few full weekends, I’ve needed my naps to recuperate.

July and August are always busy months for us because we have three Birthdays to celebrate.

But this year, they seemed to be ultra busy with events and celebrating friends’ Birthdays as well. And August isn’t even finished yet!

When life is busy with work, volunteer commitments and raising a young family, it can be easy to let Birthdays slide as just another day.

But gathering friends and family over to celebrate makes the best memories for our children and will often outlast any present they receive on the day.

And so in writing this post, I’m reminding myself once again that the effort to celebrate is always worth it. Even when I feel tired and would very much love to curl on the couch and watch Netflix. Spending time with those dear and near to us (is that from a Christmas carol?!) makes life fun and full.

Last weekend, I headed out with my school mum friends to see The Bodyguard. I’ve never seen the movie, but love going to the theatre. The show was fantastic. And we dressed up for the occasion. Look at us.

friends seeing The Bodyguard

I’m glad we decided to go. After the show, we headed to the Treasury Casino to see my friend’s husband’s band play a gig. The last time I went to the Treasury Casino was with my dad and it was during the day when they were tendering for the renovation of their bathrooms. I’d never been there at night. But the band was awesome and my friends and I were the first on the dance floor to support the band. Before long there were all sorts of randoms on the dancefloor. It was an interesting mix of people. But we had loads of fun and ended up getting home at midnight. Cause kids the next day (and church for me!).

Because we can’t get enough of each other, we celebrated teppanyaki style at my friend’s house on Friday for her Birthday. It was such a fabulous night and I got to meet mums who live on my street who I never realised lived close by. And their son is in Esther’s class. I’m so thankful where we live and the friendships that are being made in our suburb because we attend the local school.

tepenyaki at home

On Wednesday we celebrated Esther’s Birthday. I still can’t believe she’s 7. Every parent must wonder where the years go as their eldest child clocks another Birthday.

sisterly cuddles Esther turns 7
Sisterly cuddles before opening the presents

 

easy birthday cake

We put on a Birthday party for Esther last night. I went really simple with a handmade cake – which Jacob decorated superbly, and pizza and garlic bread for dinner.

Lego Friends Cake
Lego Friends Seaside/Pool Cake

 

family picture for Esther's Birthday

I somehow over-catered with the pizza and garlic bread and we now have two pizzas in the freezer for dinner this week.

The overindulgence over the past couple of weekends have hit me as I’ve been fighting a cold and my jeans are feeling a little firmer. Hence the need for my afternoon of rest on a Sunday!

But reflecting on these full weekends has me thankful for the amazing friendships I knew I needed but wasn’t sure how they’d come to be.

I often write about renovating your home or keeping the plumbing in your home well maintained, but a house and it’s interior are just things. What makes a home are the people that live in it and a full life is made even more brighter by the people that walk through the front door.

If we’re going to renovate or style our home, the end goal shouldn’t just be about how it looks, but how it serves the purpose of bringing those closest to us, together.

A life well lived isn’t about what we have in life, it’s the experiences and memories we make with those we have in our life.

what we have quote

And so I remind myself once again, that the effort it takes in building friendships and maintaining them is worth it. In fact, the parties and organising nights out with my friends are much needed. They are a welcome interruption to the monotony of life.

How has life been for you lately? When was the last time you had a girl’s night out? Invited friends over for dinner to catch up?

10 Ways to Protect Your Home From Water Damage Caused By Internal Flooding

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
10 Ways to Protect Your Home From Water Damage Caused By Internal Flooding

We can often take for granted the convenience of plumbing in our homes. The handiness of water, run through pipes in our home, is something we don’t think about until we don’t have water or too much water comes out, causing an internal flood. Water damage caused by internal flooding in your home is not a fun situation to be faced with as it’s not just the damage that can be disheartening to deal with, but it’s the inconvenience of dealing with insurance companies and tradies to rectify the damage. If you own a home or live in one (which I’d hope is pretty much everyone who reads this blog) there are things you can do to protect your home from water damage caused by internal flooding. Some of these tips may need to be considered when planning a new build or renovation.

10 Ways to Protect Your Home From Water Damage Caused By Internal Flooding

10 Ways to Protect Your Home From Water Damage Caused by Internal Flooding

1. Hot water units should be installed outside.

If you’re building or renovating a home, it’s important to consider what type of hot water unit you are going to use. It’s mandatory for instantaneous gas hot water units to be installed outside, for the emission of gases through the flue. But if you opt for a storage tank like an electrical hot water unit or heat pump, consider installing this outside. Hot water units will usually last between 10 to 15 years and one of the most common problems on older units is the inner tank rusts and the water disperses though the outer tank of the hot water unit. All internal hot water units should be installed with a safe tray and tundish to allow for the overflows – these are typical in commercial buildings and apartments. Most internal hot water units in older homes don’t have these safeguards and it can be a flood waiting to happen when the tank decides to leak.

So if you’re renovating or building, remove your hot water unit from the ceiling or downstairs in the garage and relocate it outside.

2. Internal hot water units should be fitted with a Plumbspec® Mildred Valve.

If you can’t relocate your indoor hot water unit, consider the Plumbspec® Mildred Valve.  The Plumbspec® Mildred Valve is an electronic automated shut off valve for the mains water supply to your hot water service in the event of a leak. It’s the device all home owners with internal hot water units should have installed. It has a smart sensor which detects water pooling and will immediately shut off the water supply, while also alerting the home owner with an audible alarm. The alarm has been made in Australia and meets requirements of AS/NZS3500.4:2003 and ATS5200.476.user. All it needs is a battery to operate. Plumbers should offer the installation of this device if they are installing a hot water unit internally.

Mildred flood stop valve for internal hot water units
Plumbspec® Mildred Valve

3. Whisper Flood Stop Valve on all flex hose connections.

The Whisper Flood Stop Valve should be a mandatory valve on all flexible hose connections. The internal flooding caused by water flexible hoses can be disastrous and it’s fast becoming one of the biggest insurance claims for plumbing damage to a home. This valve will shut off the water supply to the flexible hose if it breaks off or bursts. You can read my review on the Whisper Flood Valve here.

whisper flood stop isolating valve by Con-Serv
Whisper flood Stop Isolating Valve by Con-Serv

4. Install a floor waste in all your bathrooms.

If you live in a detached house, a floor waste is not compulsary (although check with your local council as they have the ultimate say on this) in bathrooms. I recommend to always have a floor waste in your bathrooms. It’s another overflow access should a tap be left on and a flood situation occurs. Floor wastes are mandatory in bathrooms in apartments and townhouses to prevent water damage to other units.

5. Ensure your home has an Overflow Relief Gully (ORG)

Many homes pre-1990’s didn’t have an overflow relief gully. An ORG is mandatory on all dwellings to ensure a backed up sewer doesn’t spew it’s contents back into your home. It’s the worst type of flood to deal with because it’s waste water and we’re talking about not just your poop, but the poop from down the street, floating in your home. Make sure you home has an ORG, and if it doesn’t , get a plumber to install one for you. It will prevent a nasty sewer flood in your home.

6. Install basins with an overflow.

Have you ever wondered what the hole at the front or back of your basin is? That’s the overflow, so if you accidentally leave the water on and the plug was down, the water would never overflow over the top of the basin, it would run out of that hole. This feature is good to keep in mind for when you’re choosing your basins for a new build or renovation – especially for bathrooms the kids will use.

overflow on basin

7. Install Flood Stop Valves on dishwashers and washing machines.

It’s always good to check the hoses on your dishwasher and washing machine and look for damage from wear and tear. All dishwashers and washing machines should be fitted to flood stop taps that will immediately shut off the water supply if the hose bursts. Some dishwashers will have this valve integrated as part of the hose. Washing machines will often be hooked up to water valves with this feature. Always check the manual to see what is recommended for your device. Your plumber can install the appropriate valves for your appliances.

8. Be mindful of your water use.

Forgetfulness is part of human nature. It happens to all of us and it often occurs when we multi-task or have our mind on something else.

If you’re filling a bath, sink or basin, don’t walk away. It can be easy to forget a running tap and get distracted by something else. Always watch little kids in the bath for both safety and ensuring they don’t turn the water on without you knowing.

overflow from bath internal flooding

I had a horrible drive home when I had thought I’d left our laundry tap running to fill our laundry tub to soak some clothes. I couldn’t remember if I had turned the tap off. When I got home, I was expecting to have water lap my feet. Turns out I forgot to even put the clothes in the tub to soak in the first place, so I never turned the tap on.

While basins will have the overflow mechanism, laundry tubs, sinks and bath tubs do not. So always stand by the fixture you intend on filling with water, and turn off the tap.

9. Identify leaks as soon as possible.

Check your water meter and any leaps in water use on your water bill. These can be a sure sign of a water leak in your house. Internal water leaks, where they are concealed in the walls, can be difficult to identify. Check for water damage outside walls and see if there is any warping behind a vanity unit. The sooner the leaks are found, the less damage can occur from the water.

10. Don’t DIY any plumbing.

Many catastrophic leaks can occur in homes caused by DIY installations on taps and plumbing fixtures. Not only is this work illegal, it can void your home insurance and cause detrimental damage to your home. Use a licensed plumber. If you can’t afford to pay for the installation, you can’t afford to install it.

These tips can ensure your home is protected from water damage caused by internal flooding. No one wants to open their front door and have water lapping at their feet. These tips should help prevent that.

Next week I will share how to protect your home from outdoor flooding.

Have you ever experienced an internal flood inside your home? Which of these tips have you got installed in your home to prevent internal flooding?

Tradie Maternity Pants: Work Pants for Pregnant Tradeswomen

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
Tradie Maternity Pants: Work Pants for Pregnant Tradeswomen

Tradie maternity pants for pregnant tradeswomen can be difficult to find. 7 years ago when I was needing maternity pants while on the tools, I had to source pants from maternity fashion shops, and hope that I could find pants that were easy to bend down in and would support my growing bump.

Back then, I wore slim fit cargo or utility pants in khaki, black and beige. I would also wear my skinny maternity jeans. There were no hi vis maternity shirts, so I made do with XXXL King Gee shirts. If the wind caught under my shirt I’m sure I could have turned into a hot air balloon. Ha!

The brand of pants I wore was Szabo. The pants lasted for two of my pregnancies. By the end of my pregnancy with Maggie, the pants ripped right at the crotch when turning off water meters. I got good cost per wear out of my pants and although they weren’t hi vis, they worked well with my King Gee shirts and I wasn’t going on sites where Hi Vis pants were required.

Tradie Maternity Pants Considerations

In the early days of my pregnancy, I could get away with wearing a pants extender so I could wear my existing cargo pants. But after 12 weeks, the extender felt uncomfortable as the waist band of my pants would dig in to create a lovely muffin top. I invested in my maternity utility pants from then on.

maternity pants extender for pregnant tradeswomen
Tummy Tie Pants Extender $19.95

She’s Empowered are bringing out Margaret Maternity Cargos for pregnant tradeswomen, but they won’t be available until the end of September.

she's empowered tradeswomen maternity pants

If you’re requiring pants now, I have found some online options that will wear well on site. Whenever I bought my pants, I’d buy one size larger than I was to allow for my bump to grow. This also made it easy for movement on site too.

These shorts are a great option, if you like wearing shorts on site and if your site will allow it. I tended to wear pants for extra protection and to cover my legs, which suffered from fluid retention. Not many sizes of these are left, but if you are due early next year, new summer stock should arrive online soon.

maternity shorts for pregnant tradeswomen
Queen Mum Cotton Maternity Shorts in Taupe (size 8 left) $69.95

 

maternity shorts for pregnant tradeswomen
Queen Mum Cotton Maternity Shorts in Black (size 8 and 10 left) $69.95

A boyfriend jean, jegging or tencel style pant are the way to go if you do a lot of bending up and down or climbing up ladders. You don’t want anything too billowy that will make you trip.  The constant standing turned my ankles into cankles. I was grateful to wear pants rather than shorts onsite.

maternity boyfriend jean
Maternity boyfriend jean $99.95 (comes in navy and light blue)

 

maternity pants for tradeswomen
Ripe Maternity Tencel Utility Pant $109.95

 

Maternity utility pant
ASOS Washed Utility Maternity Pant $44.50 (on sale)

 

esprit denim maternity jeggings
Esprit Denim Maternity Jeggings $99.95

Maternity Pants for Pregnant Tradeswomen

Maternity pants for pregnant tradeswomen is still a new concept, but hopefully as more women enter the trades, these pants will become available.

What kind of pants did you wear during pregnancy? What maternity pants are you wearing if you’re a pregnant tradie?

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Don’t Read to Reply: A Lesson About Empathy

By
Rebecca Senyard
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16
Don't Read to Reply: A Lesson About Empathy

One of our biggest communication problems is we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply.

I found that nugget of wisdom on Pinterest via LifeHack.Org.

And I think this quote can relate to how we consume stories online. Many people read to reply.

If there is one quality that is in dire supply on the internet, it would have to be empathy.

I believe empathy is one of the greatest gifts we can give anyone. But sadly, it’s a quality that lacks miserably on the internet.

empathy definition
Image via The Minds Journal

I’ve been writing on the internet for over 2 years (over 5 years if you count my blog) for a large media company and I’ve recently started to dabble in managing a large social media page. I enjoy the work. But every week I’m often taken aback by the rudeness and lack of empathy by people on the internet.

Being the curious person I am, I always click through to the profile of the person who’s left a crappy comment, to get an understanding of who they are and whether they are a random troll who has nothing better to do.

Unfortunately, many look to be normal people who are active on Facebook, sharing happy snaps of their family and friends.

I expect bitter comments to come from people who have been hard done by in life. (Maybe I’m wrong to assume this). I don’t expect happy people to spew negativity on a page or story.

And yet they do. They read a story and offer an opinion on why a tragedy happened and victim blame the parents or whoever the story is about, with the connotation the victim brought the tragedy on themselves.

Accidents happen every day. People make mistakes every day.

People do stupid stuff everyday, without meaning to.

I’ve done stupid stuff and have lived to tell the tale.

I’ll tell you one of the most stupidest things I’ve ever done, that could have cost me my life.

When I was 16, I had a fabulous desk set up in my room for study. I had a computer and a cd player which required electricity to run. I only had a 2 socket power point and required more, so I used a powerboard to feed my computer and cd player.

I can’t remember what new appliance I plugged into my powerboard, but when I unplugged it out, the metal prongs/plugs got stuck in the powerboard. I was shocked I had accidentally broken whatever appliance I had unplugged. But the worst shock of all happened when I didn’t think and I went to try and remove the prongs from the powerboard WITH THE ELECTRICITY STILL ON.

I got an almighty hand-tingling zap and didn’t realise how stupid my mistake was until after I touched it.

Usually people don’t live to tell tales like that. Maybe the loading from the powerboard meant I didn’t get the full current of electricity. Who knows. Maybe I had a guardian angel.

I never told my parents because I was more worried about breaking the appliance than my scare.

But how awful would it have been for my parents to have walked into my room, and seen me electrocuted because I’d done a very silly thing? Thank God that didn’t happen.

But accidents like that can happen in the blink of an eye. My brain told me I needed to get those plugs out, but I didn’t think about the danger of what I was doing. We can momentarily not think in a moment and not realise our mistake until it’s fatal.

That’s why I try to empathise with people who get caught up in horrific situations. Even ones that could have been easily avoided. We just don’t know what a person was thinking in that moment. They may not have been thinking at all. (Ever driven home and wondered if you stopped at all the red lights? Or have you ever left home and wondered if you turned your hair straightener off? Put the garage door down?)

Last week, I wrote about a teenager who got electrocuted in the bath because she accidentally dropped her iPhone in the water while it was charging. She was 16. She was a normal teen, doing something she’d loved. I was horrified at the comments blaming the parents. Yeah, it was a silly thing to do, to take a charging phone into the bath to listen to music, but it was also a tragedy. And a little empathy for the family would have been a better response. But we don’t empathise, we victim criticise.

We do it with every tragedy that could have been avoided.

lack of empathy quote

For many of us that work on the internet, this sort of thing is nothing new. But what have we turned into? For every tragedy that is written on the internet, there are so many comments that lack empathy. Too many people read to reply on a post, rather than read and think about the gravity of the tragedy. A life was lost. A precious life that meant so much to someone WAS LOST.

Unfortunately it’s the same in the construction industry. No one can make a mistake without a new safe work method statement being drawn up so workers can avoid it happening again. No one wants to get hurt on a job site. And I understand we need procedures in place to prevent workers from getting hurt. What safe work method statements don’t take into account is human nature. People aren’t perfect. Accidents will happen. You can write as many ways to avoid an accident, but you can not predict human nature. Our human nature will find a way to add another update to the work method statement.

Because no one is perfect.

My heart can get so heavy from hearing about unfortunate accidents, or writing about the warnings from families who want their stories to be known so other families don’t experience a similar loss. And the best response we can give is empathy and to learn from their tragedy.

I don’t care how avoidable the tragedy could have been. Respect the grieving family. We can never be too sensitive to a family who has lost someone precious in the blink of an eye.

Do you get sad about the tragedies you read online? Do you get sick of the victim blaming and lack of empathy? Why is it so easy to criticise than empathise?

The Art of Facade – 6 Lavish Ways to Make Your Home Look More Expensive

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
The Art of Facade - 6 Lavish Ways to Make Your Home Look More Expensive

Guest Post

In a perfect world, we would all live in lavish houses, decorated with the most eclectic and spectacular furnishings and finishings. However, that simply isn’t the world we live in. Is it possible to reflect a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget? We show you how in the six step helpful guide below.

1. Go minimal

The easiest way to make your space look expensive and lavish is if you pare down on your furnishings and accessories. Think minimal! Try and get rid of any clutter that will make your space look messy, disorganised and heap. A minimal approach, if arranged well, is far easier to make your home look chic and sophisticated.

2. Use textiles

Give your room a custom look by using vintage or antique textiles to make throw pillows, small pieces like seat cushions, upholstered stools or even use interesting textures for awnings for your home. Using fun and unusual textiles will make your room come alive, adding an extra element and personalising the space.

3. Incorporate sculptural shapes

When picking out furniture, opt for interesting shapes and unique silhouettes. This will give off an artistic air, making the rooms in your home appear far more lavish, eclectic and expensive than they really are! For example, think about purchasing a tree root coffee table or a vintage arm chair, to add an unexpected component to your home.

4. Add some art

Adding some art to your home is a surefire way to bring that “wow” factor.

Try incorporating an oversized piece of art into a plain room to liven things up. This look is cheap, easy to achieve and has a high impact outcome with very little hassle involved! Look for second hand art at flea markets and op shops to come by a stellar piece at a reasonable price. Or, if you’re feeling creative, why not try painting your own?

5. Use a mix of textures

Another great way to mimic opulence is to use a wide mix of materials, textures and textiles to give your space an eclectic feel. Inject some personality into your home by mixing metal, glass, wood, leather, velvet, jacquard and other patterns to create a dynamic and exciting space.

6. Choose pieces with history behind them

There’s no doubt about it, antique furniture, or even pieces with a little history or sentimentality about them, incorporate a rustic and authoritarian vibe into your home. Give your space a sense of wisdom and elegance by including pieces with some age to them. Think about buying a small side table or accessory that has a story to it.

Of course, everyone wants to make their home look as lavish and fashionable as possible. However, we do not all have the funds available to us that can make this possible. There are a few things that you can do that can make your house look as if it is a royal palace to whoever walks into it.

From scouring op shops to mixing textures, there are tricks of the trade that can make your home look far more expensive than it really is. If you stick to these six helpful tips, you will have the house of your dreams in no time – without having to spend a pretty penny, too!

Disclosure: This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy. 

 

What a $1000 Bathroom Renovation Looks Like

By
Rebecca Senyard
-
1
$1000 bathroom renovation

I have a really awesome before and after renovation to share with you today. It’s what I call a successful cosmetic makeover and it’s amazing what a $1000 bathroom renovation can look like. No matter your budget, you can achieve so much by being creative and thrifty. It helps having friends and family who are willing to help out as well.

When my friend, Alana, told me they were doing a budget makeover on their bathroom, I was intrigued to know what their budget was and what their bathroom would look like afterwards. As soon as she showed the results on Instagram I was like WHAT?! That can’t be the same bathroom!! But it is. Alana was gracious enough to share with me what her $1000 bathroom renovation looks like and how she, her hubby and her dad were able to transform this family bathroom on a tight budget.

Before

old 80's bathroom
Before

So before was a simple white, brown and beige bathroom which was popular during the 80’s and possible early 90’s (I’m guessing).

80's shower before
Shower before

After, is well, pretty freaking awesome.

$1000 bathroom makeover renovation
After

 

shower after on $1000 bathroom makeover
Shower after

How to Achieve a $1000 Bathroom Makeover

Here is how the bathroom budget was met:

1. Layout was left the same.

All fixtures were left in the same position which meant there was no need for labour fees to move the services for each fixture and tap.

2. Do as much as you can (legally) yourself.

Since everything was left in the same position, money was saved on trades. Removal of old tiles, painting and new tiling was done by Alana’s husband and dad.

3. Be thrifty with your purchases.

Sometimes it’s what and who you know, which can help you save money on the products needed to complete your renovation. Here are Alana’s thrifty tips.

  • Their next door neighbour was a plumber and had spare taps that weren’t used on another job that he wanted to give away. If you have friends that are tradies, sometimes they may offer to offload product so they don’t have to store it. Dad and I have done the same with friends who were getting their kitchen renovated and they weren’t fussed on the type of sink mixer they were after, but don’t expect all tradies to offer this. Often they will use it on another job where they can.
  • The tiles were bought off Gumtree. Alana explained, there are a lot of tradies who sell boxes of excess tiles from their jobs at really great prices. Ensure you measure the area that needs tiling twice and buy from a tradie that can supply more than what you need. You need to allow for breaks when cutting the tiles. A tile cutter was hired from Bunnings. They ask that you buy a new blade before hiring it. The old tiles were removed easily and a water proof membrane paint was bought from Crystal Paints.
  • The tiled floor was sanded with 240 sandpaper and painted over with good quality tile paint from Crystal Paints. It came up looking spectacular.
  • The vanity was also sourced from Gumtree and fit the dimensions needed for the allocated space and services from the wall.
  • A new adjustable shower screen was purchased from Bunnings to replace the old one.
  • The wall paint was also purchased from Bunnings. The tin of neutral paint was found on the mistint trolley. This saved $50 a can. The paint was then tinted the colour they wanted.
  • There are no towel rails in the bathroom as these can be expensive. Instead a hand towel hook was installed and the kids have a hook in their rooms where their towel can be hung.

As you can see the bathroom has been transformed into a fabulous space.

before and after bathroom renovation $1000

Alana knows it won’t last forever, but the mini renovation has given them an additional couple of years before they fully renovate the bathroom.

This type of cosmetic renovation works well for houses put on the market where the bathroom needs a pick-me up, or for families like Alana’s, where the transformation will buy them time before they have to spend many more thousands of dollars to renovate.

This project shows what a $1000 bathroom makeover looks like, and I think you can agree with me, they’ve updated the space superbly.

Thank you Alana for sharing your renovation with us (and good work to your hubby and dad with the tiling!)

Want more budget bathroom renovating tips?

Check out this post, if you’re looking for more budget bathroom renovating tips.

I also share some ways to add storage to your bathroom without renovating.

What do you think of this $1000 bathroom renovation ? Have you ever made a cosmetic renovation to your bathroom? How did it turn out? Got any tips to share?

8 Ways to Display and Store Essential Oils at Home

By
Rebecca Senyard
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11
8 Ways to Display and Store Essential Oils at Home

We have been using dōTERRA essential oils for over a year now and we can’t get enough of them. Of course, since our new found love with the oils, we’ve been researching ways to display and store essential oils at home.

The reality is, we have oils in our bedroom, in the kitchen and in my office. The bulk of our oils are kept in the office, in the top drawer of the filing cabinet.

essential oil display and storage
Top of our filing cabinet

We keep them away from the kids as Phoebe has been known to unscrew the cap of an oil and anoint herself with it’s contents. The evidence is from the waft that drifts when she walks by or from the cries of rubbing it in her eyes. We learned quick smart not to leave oils on our bedside tables or my office desk where little hands could reach them.

I was blown away by my mum’s set up of oils. She has one dedicated drawer in her kitchen and all her oils are in alphabetical order, segregated using an organiser she bought on eBay.

kitchen drawer storage for essential oils

I love Beth’s storage display of her craft supplies, which would work superbly for essential oils.

essential oil storage and display
Image via Unskinny Boppy

You can display and store essential oils at home in a variety of different ways. I thought I’d share some ways and offer some suggestions if you’re looking for some inspiration.

Before you go down the track of buying storage holders, think about where you use the oils most often and whether you want them displayed or kept out of reach of children. This will determine the right storage and display solution for you.

8 Ways to Display and Store Essential Oils at Home

1. Use a Spice Rack.

I love what Flo and Grace have done with an old spice rack. They’ve upcycled it and given it a new lease of life.

Essential oil storage spice rack
Image via Flo and Grace

Spice racks like these are hard to find. I suggest looking on eBay or Gumtree to find one that can be upcycled. Alternatively you could install a white shelf to get the same result.

white storage shelf for essential oils
White Storage Shelf $101.10 (on sale)

 

2. Use a wooden carry case.

This carry case can hold all your essential oils, which can be carted from room to room. The case itself is gorgeous and would look lovely displayed on a shelf or counter.

Thermoart Case for essential oils
Thermoart Case $129.00

3. On counter storage display tray

Love the look of this timber display. This would work well on a bathroom vanity counter or in the kitchen where certain oils are used for personal use and/or cooking.

essential oil display and storage ideas at home
Essential Oil Tray by Thermoart $80.00

4. Use a tray with handle

This luxe tray is a great way to display your essential oils, while the handle allows for easy transportation.

essential oil luxe tray storage and display
Luxe Storage Tray $59.95

5. Makeup case

Makeup cases offer the perfect size compartments for essential oil storage.

essential oil makeup case for storage
Crocodile Makeup Case $49.95

6. Ice cube trays

Ice cube trays can offer the right sized hole for an essential oil bottle to sit in, so your essential oils can be organized in a drawer. Just check the diameter of the holes to ensure the bottles will sit flush. I bought some from Kmart and it could only sit the 5ml bottles.

ice cube trays for essential oils storage
Urban Kitchen Easy Pop Ice Cube Trays $20 for set of 3

If you prefer not to use plastic, this storage tray can work well in a drawer.

essential oil tray
Thermoart Essential Oil Tray $49.95

7. Jewellery storage bags

Have a hook on the back of a door and use this jewellery bag to display your essential oils. This helps you to see at a glance the oils you have.

essential oil storage bag
Jewellery storage bag $20.90

8. Tea storage box

A tea tray box offers segregate storage for your oils. This can then be displayed on a bench or put away in a drawer.

tea storage box for essential oils
Maxwell and Williams Tea Storage Box $24.95

We are currently using one of the boxes we received a large shipment of oils in and we have our bottles sitting in alphabetical order.

essential oil storage

Places like Etsy and eBay have great display and storage solutions for essential oils. It’s just a matter of working out what will fit or work with the space you have.

How do you display and store your essential oils?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

 

 

What You Need to Know About Matte Grey Stone Bathroom Fixtures

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
Matte Grey Stone Bathroom Fixtures

If you’re looking for a high-end statement piece to put in your bathroom, you should consider matte grey stone bathroom fixtures.

I became aware of these matte grey cast stone baths and basins after checking out the Fienza range and oh my word, they are stunning. These baths and basins are a striking take on the neutral black and beige stone fixtures I’ve seen in many luxurious bathrooms.

The matte grey stone range is definitely a fixture material to consider if you’re looking for something a little different and new. The matte grey works so well with the popular neutral and natural bathroom colour schemes we’ve seen become popular in the last couple of years or so.

Before you decide on whether these are the fixtures you’d like in your bathroom, here is what you need to know about matte grey stone bathroom fixtures.

Matte Grey Stone Baths

Matte grey cast stone baths are stunning and certainly will be a standout feature in your bathroom if you are wanting something distinctively uncommon. This luxurious fixture is best suited for high-end bathroom designs, intended for the adults only.

matte grey bath
Bahama Matte Grey Stone Bath by Fienza

Generally these baths are deep and are difficult to bathe children in. We have used a cast stone bath with our girls and one of us had to be in the bath due to the depth. If you’re considering this type of bath for a family bathroom, I’d personally reconsider. However, don’t let this deter you if you love the colour and design of the bath.

These baths can be really heavy, which means they are more durable, but will require planning for installation. The floor will need to be able to withstand the load, and depending on where the bath is situated, you will have to consider if it can be carried to the installation location. If it has to be taken up stairs, you may need to have a few hands on deck to carry it up. Other manufacturers of cast stone baths do suggest installing these on a ground level.

What You Need to Know About Matte Grey Cast Stone Baths and Basins

The cast stone fixtures can change over time from constant use. The colour can alter over time, and the surface can get scratched and dented. However, Fienza offer a structural integrity warranty of 25 years on their matte grey cast stone fixtures and a 5 year warranty on the finish. They can also be sanded and refinished as new as it is the same solid material all the way through. You can use most household cleaners to clean your cast stone fixtures, however, always check with the manufacturer on what they recommend. Natural cleaners are usually the safest.

Matte Grey bathroom fixtures
Bahama Matte Grey Stone Basin by Fienza

If you’re on a tight budget, these fixtures may not necessarily be for you, however, if you love the look, consider installing a matte grey basin instead. They can come in square, circular and oval shapes. Matte grey pop up wastes can also be installed to create a cohesive look.

The matte grey range is definitely different, and may not be for everyone, but it’s a sophisticated alternative to the black and white fixtures we are used to seeing in bathrooms.

matte grey basin square
Classique Matte Grey Stone Basin Square by Fienza

What do you think of the matte grey stone bathroom fixtures? Do you like the look? Is it something you’d consider in your bathroom if money was no object?

If you enjoyed this post, why not check out this one about what you need to know before you buy matte black tapware? There’s a giveaway involved in this post too.

Fienza Koko Sink Mixer
Koko Sink Mixer

 

Tradie’s Lunchbox – Zucchini Noodle Pesto Salad With Capsicum And Pine Nuts

By
Rebecca Senyard
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0
zucchini noodle pesto salad with capsicum and pine nuts

If you crave carbs during winter and love nothing more than eating a hearty pasta dish, you will enjoy this Zucchini Noodle Pesto Salad with Capsicum and Pine Nuts. This salad is the perfect winter salad for a tradie’s lunchbox.

zucchini noodle pesto salad with capsicum and pine nuts
My mum bought me a Veggetti (which is a vegetable spiral slicer) months ago. I’ve had this device in my pantry for ages (could be close to a year) and hadn’t taken it out of it’s packet to give it a whirl. So to speak.

I don’t know why I haven’t used is sooner! Probably because I thought it would be harder than it was!

The reason for my conversion was because I had a Zucchini Noodle Salad at the Royal Pines resort a few weeks ago and it was so filling and delicious. Anything that tastes like carbs but isn’t carbs must be a good thing?!

To try out my first ‘zoodle’ recipe, I decided to make a simple sauce using ingredients I already had.

We have so much basil growing on the side of our house, so I decided to use this to make the pesto.

I added some capsicum and pine nuts to my zoodles to add a bit of sweetness and protein to the dish. I like having something sweet and nutty in my salads. That extra crunch gives the salad something I reckon.

zucchini noodle pesto salad with capsicum and pine nuts

I think zoodles are now going to be my ‘sphagetti’ of the future when I do spaghetti Bolognese and all the other pasta dishes I do for the kids.

Technically, you could call this a summer dish, but you can cook the zoodles if you want the dish to be warm. Obviously you can’t do that if you’re on a work site, but if you’re preparing this at home, you can cook the zucchini noodles in boiled water.

zucchini noodle pesto salad with capsicum and pine nuts

I know this dish will be on high rotation for lunches. I love that it’s carb free but still tastes like carbs. I’d say that’s a winning dish!

[mpprecipe-recipe:17]

Have you had zucchini noodles before? What other vegetables do you spiral?

DIY Kids Makeup Vanity Transformation Using Chalk Paint

By
Rebecca Senyard
-
2
DIY Makeup Vanity Transformation Using Chalk Paint

If you love a DIY project, you will love this makeup vanity transformation we did using chalk paint.

kids vanity transformation

When Jacob had two weeks off work in July, I had a list of projects to get done around the house.

One of those projects was cleaning up this makeup vanity unit that Esther had in her room. She had been using it as a desk and it was covered in stickers and had non-removable pen marks on top. I envisioned in my head giving it a makeover with some chalk paint and putting it in Maggie’s room. Esther needed room for a proper desk. She was happy with this arrangement.

kids vanity unit
Before

We removed the mirror, which has been permanently marked and dented, but will do for the purpose of imaginative play.

I got to work scrubbing the vanity with eucalyptus oil to remove the stickers and whatever pen and nail polish marks I could get off. I had to use the end of a spoon to scrap off the sticky residue from the around the vanity mirror. This was necessary to ensure a smooth surface for the paint.

When we went to our local paint shop to buy paint supplies for Esther’s room, I saw a display for chalk paint and bought the Black Ash and Linen colours.

chalk paint kids vanity transformation

In my mind, I envisioned a black and white vanity which would work perfectly against Maggie’s hot pink pretend hair and makeup accessories. Jacob doubted the colours because Maggie’s room is quite colourful. But I told him to trust me. All would work out in the end.

And it did.

Three coats of paint were needed to ensure an opaque finish. I forgot to buy a wax to coat the vanity after it was painted. I remembered I had a pot of Annie Sloan wax left, so we used this to finish off the vanity.

DIY kids vanity transformation using chalk paint

I think it came up really well and Maggie loves her new makeup vanity. The new vanity encourages the girls to imaginative play. The makeup and hair care accessories were gifts and aren’t actually real.

DIY kids vanity transformation

But they look real to the girls and that’s all that matters.

DIY kids vanity imaginative play

 

DIY Makeup Vanity Transformation Using Chalk Paint

 

DIY Makeup Vanity Transformation Using Chalk Paint

 

DIY Makeup Vanity Transformation Using Chalk Paint

I’m so glad it turned out as I imagined it.

Jacob admitted he shouldn’t have doubted me!

I can’t actually locate a place that sells these kids vanity sets. I won it in a competition when Maggie was a baby and I can’t remember what the brand was called.

Nevertheless, when kids decide to put their own touch on furniture, chalk paint makes it easy to transform it into something new.

DIY Makeup Vanity Transformation Using Chalk Paint

The girls have been told under no circumstances should stickers or paint or REAL MAKEUP be used on the vanity.

Let’s see if they will listen to me. 

Have you ever used chalk paint to transform a piece of furniture? What do you think of my DIY kids makeup vanity transformation?

A Septic Safe Bathroom Cleaner That Works PLUS Win a Dominant Bathroom Cleaning Pack

By
Rebecca Senyard
-
76
A Septic Safe Bathroom Cleaner That Works PLUS Win a Dominant Bathroom Cleaning Pack

If you’re looking for a septic safe bathroom cleaner that works, you need to know about Dominant cleaning products.

Around a month ago, I was sent a pack of Dominant cleaning products to trial and review. I’d never heard of the brand before because it’s based in South Australia and I generally source my cleaning products from the supermarket.

I used to make my own cleaners, but got out of the habit of making them so I kept purchasing cleaners from the supermarket.

I noticed the increase in my grocery bill and wondered whether what I was using was beneficial for my health.

I have used bicarb soda, vinegar and lemon juice in the past, but found in order for them to work, they would need a lot of elbow grease, and the house would smell like vinegar, and I’m not really a fan of the smell.

When I started using the products from Dominant, the smell was the first thing I noticed. It was pleasant, and not overpowering. Cleaning became something I enjoyed, rather than a chore.

I really love the scent of the All Purpose Cleaner. I use this in the kitchen on the benchtops, on my stainless steel stove top, the kitchen sink and in the bathroom on the vanity.

bathroom cleaning products septic safe

The Glass and Chrome Cleaner works a dream on mirrors, windows, shower doors and chrome taps. It doesn’t leave streak marks and easily removes soap spatter and whatever else gets splashed on the mirrors. (Usually it’s toothpaste from the kids!)

cominant glass cleaner septic safe

The toilet cleaner makes my toilet bowl sparkling clean. This cleaner can also be used to make up a bathroom spray as well.

dominant toilet cleaner septic safe

Dominant Offers Septic Safe Bathroom Cleaner

While I don’t live on a property with a septic tank, I know many people who read this blog do and they must be careful on which types of cleaners they use in their home to prevent disrupting the good bacteria in the septic system. A large percentage of Dominant cleaning products are septic safe so you can use them to clean your kitchen and bathroom with no worries about causing issues with your septic system.

The products that are septic safe in the Dominant range will have a little swirly logo on the bottle. These are suitable for aerated Envirocycle ® and Biocycle® septic systems.

When you’re looking for a septic safe bathroom cleaner you need to look for low alkalinity/mild acidity, non poisonous, no toxic chlorine and is readily biodegradable.

Recycling grey water is another way people are trying to be more efficient with their water supplies, but again, you must check if your laundry product can be dispersed in the garden. Dominant laundry products can be dispersed on the garden via grey water.

There are so many reasons why I like Dominant cleaning products, but one of the things I like most is how many trigger spray bottles can be made from one bottle of concentrate. This is a game changer for me because the products last a long time and will save me money at the supermarket. Plus it’s good for the environment, preventing unnecessary waste from going through all those bottles. I find I go through a trigger spray of supermarket cleaner quite quickly and it wouldn’t be long before I’d have to get to the shops to get another spray.

Dominant cleaning products can be purchased online. The best way to purchase the products is in a bulk deal. Currently the Cleaning Homecare Pack and Earth Care Pack are 20% off.

Dominant cleaning pack
Dominant Cleaning Homecare Pack $139.30

 

Dominant Cleaning pack
Dominant Earth Care Pack $94.30

These packs will last you a while and you can see the savings you can make compared to the supermarket branded cleaners. Plus being eco-friendly, you’re using cleaners that are better for your health and the environment.

dominant cost of cleaners

If you’re looking for a septic safe bathroom cleaner that works, Dominant cleaning products should definitely be your go to cleaning product.

GIVEAWAY

Dominant are generously offering one reader of The Plumbette to win an amazing Bathroom Mega Prize Pack. This amazing pack includes everything you need to keep your bathroom sparkling clean and your septic tank will love you for it!

Dominant prize pack

Included in this pack is

– Bathroom & Toilet Cleaner 500ml x 3
– Shower Clean 1L
– Shower Cleaner 500ml trigger spray bottle
– Crème Cleanser 375ml
– Mandarin & Orchid Linen & Room Spray 200ml
– Glass & Chrome Cleaner 1L
– Glass & Chrome 500ml trigger spray bottle
– Disinfectant 1L
– Disinfectant 500ml trigger spray bottle
– Sensitive Hands & Shower 1L with pump
– Frangipani & Grapefruit Hands & Shower 500ml
– Everyday Shampoo 500ml
– Everyday Conditioner 500ml
– 4 x Happi Microfibre Cloths

Valued at $220.60 RRP

In order to be in the running for the giveaway, please fill in the rafflecopter and then answer the following question,

Why is eco-friendly cleaning important to you and if you won this pack, how would you spend the money saved from these cleaners?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions

This is a game of skill. Each valid entry to be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.
There is 1 prize as detailed above with a RRP $220.60.
Entries open from 12am Brisbane time Tuesday 18 July 2017 to Tuesday 1st August 2017 12am Brisbane Time.
Prizes are not transferable or changeable.
Prize sent out by third parties will not be replaced in the event they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.
Entry is leaving an answer to the question and entering the Rafflecopter widget.
A valid email address must be included in your entry. This email will be added to my newsletter, but will never be spammed or sent to third parties.
Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions
Entrants must be Australian residents and aged 18 or over.
The winner will be notified by email and has 3 days to reply and claim the prize. The winner may be announced on Facebook. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook.

Disclosure: I was gifted a pack of Dominant cleaning products to review. All opinions are my own. This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy.

What I’m Trialing to Keep Mice Out of my Air Conditioning Unit

By
Rebecca Senyard
-
2
Keep Mice Out of my Air Conditioning Unit

If there is one annoyance I have had since living in our current home, it’s the attraction of mice to our outdoor air conditioning unit.

We have a reverse cycle ducted air conditioning which gets used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during summer and then is sporadically used on cold mornings in winter.

We have had two incidences where rats have found a home in our air conditioning unit. One got knocked out by the fan and our neighbour advised us of the constant thud noise he heard whenever we put our system on. Our ac maintenance guy found the dead rat and disposed of it accordingly.

The second incident was a bit more expensive when the rat decided to fry itself on the motherboard. The repair job on that was in the thousands.

Last year we had to get our ducted air conditioning replaced and it was a fairly expensive exercise.

Due to the expense and my disdain at having to pay for the damage caused by these little critters, I have been researching for ways to prevent another fry up.

And the research came in handy because we recently discovered a mouse in our house.

After cleaning the mouse poo, we placed cotton balls soaked with doTerra Purify oil in every wardrobe, linen cupboard and space where a mouse would likely go to hide. We’ve not had any sightings of the mouse or poo in the house since the placement of the cotton balls.

purify essential oil keeps mice out of air conditioning unit

The reason I came across this tip was because I was doing a bit of research on natural ways to prevent a mouse and rodent infestation. doTerra’s Peppermint and Purify oils came up in my search.

With this new found knowledge in mind, I decided to use the Purify oil to hopefully keep mice out of my air conditioning unit.

purify oil keeps mice out of air conditioning unit

I got Jacob to use a rag to wipe all the outside grills of our air conditioning unit with Purify. I gave the grills another coating around a month later.

Purify air conditioner

I wiped the sides of the unit where it’s an easy access point for mice or rats to enter into the unit.

keep mice out of air conditiner unit

I also added a cotton ball underneath the unit, in the hope it repels and keeps mice out.

keep mice away from ac unit

 

keep mice out of air conditioner

We will have our regular service in September, so I will be able to tell you then if it’s worked or not. I’m hoping, if it works inside the house, it can work outside the house too. And our unit is still working so fingers crossed it does work. And if it does work, this could be something all electricians and air conditioning companies could be recommending. I will keep you posted.

If you ask most air conditioning maintenance companies, geckos and mice are a big problem making a home in ac units. They are attracted to the unit because of the warmth and the insulation inside which makes for a comfy nest. Unfortunately, they don’t get to live long in their home because they are notorious for chewing through wires and frying themselves on motherboards which incurs an unexpected bill for the owner.

So far the Purify cotton balls in the house have kept away the mice in our house. And there have been other success stories with this particular oil as well in preventing mice infestations.

My parents air conditioning maintenance company recommended placing these Hovex Camphor Moth and Silverfish repellants on the outside of the air conditioning unit to prevent the entry of geckos. (can be bought from Bunnings)

camphor repellant on air conditioning unit

I’ve got these on my unit as well. One can never be too prepared.

protecting air conditioning unit from geckos and mice

Of course, if you have little kids that can access the outdoor unit, you might not want to use these as they do say keep out of reach of children.

My girls know not to touch them as they know it will make them sick if they do.

I’m hoping what I’ve done will keep mice out of my air conditioning unit.

I thought I’d share this information with you if it might help you. The south east of Australia is expected to have plummeting temperatures next week, so guess where mice will be looking to make a warm home?!

If you’d like to order some Purify Essential oil, feel free to contact me on the comments below or via my contacts page for more info.

How have you prevented mice in your house? Ever had a mouse or gecko in your air conditioning unit? Do you use doTerra essential oils?

Don’t forget I’m running some giveaways on the blog. You can win a one of a kind Vanessa Bean Vase.

Vanessa Bean vase giveaway

And a Matte Black Tapware Vanity Transformation pack from Fienza.

Fienza After
After

 

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