Easter Bunny Chocolate Hutch

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February 19, 2016

Easter is a special time of year for me spiritually and personally. I love the traditions that surround Easter, despite them often overshadowing the reason Easter is celebrated. With the popularity of my Chocolate Nativity Scene, I thought about creating something for Easter. This is not the first time I’ve attempted a chocolate Easter recipe. Last year I shared my chocolate mousse, served in a copper plumbing fitting.

It’s the chocolate season of the year so I decided to make these Easter Bunny Chocolate Hutches which make a great Easter gift for family and friends. It’s a lot less difficult than the nativity scene, but does require to be made on a coolish day to avoid your fingers melting the chocolate as your put the hutch together.

What you will need:

1 Pack of Changs Noodles

1 Mini Lindt Chocolate Egg ( I bought two in case one of my girl’s decided to steal one)

2 Packs of Lindt Block Chocolate

1 Pack of chocolate melts

1 Chocolate Flake

Instructions

Break the two blocks of chocolate so you have 2 squares in length and width to create the base and roof. Melt half of the chocolate melts in the microwave. (I do 20 second bursts to avoid burning the chocolate)

Use a knife to spread melted chocolate across each side and create a triangle shape. Place this in the freezer to set.

Once the chocolate hutch is set, place your mini bunny in the hutch and decorate with noodles (for straw) and flake for decoration.

You can wrap the hutch up in cellophane and tie a ribbon so it can be given as a gift.

Do you know anyone who’d love to receive one of these for Easter?

I’m linking up with With Some Grace for FYBF.

A Coffee Catch Up and a Competition

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 18, 2016

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One of the best ways to converse with someone you’d like to know better is over a cup of coffee. And I’m excited to announce Nicole (The Builder’s Wife) and I are going to make ourselves available to meet you for coffee on Tuesday 1st March 10am at Hedge Espresso, 94 Lillian Avenue, Salisbury.

We have been collaborating on ways to work together this year and Nicole suggested hosting a coffee catch up with readers, and I was in because CAKE! I suggested a venue and Nicole went all builders wife on me and booked a table. Mums with kids are most welcome to come along. I will have my youngest two with me and we will have a table set up with activities for the kids so you can at least have a conversation with us.

Together, Nicole and I have a wealth of trade knowledge that can be tapped into for your benefit. Nicole is experienced in running a building company with her husband as well as understanding the building process should you have questions about a renovation.

For me, I’m happy to give plumbing advice when it comes to plumbing issues around the home and/or if you wish to pursue a trade career. If you just want to come along to chat about life, that’s totally ok too.

Nicole and I want to make ourselves available to talk in person so you can meet the faces behind the blogs. Your questions will also give us great ideas for future content for our blogs. We’d love to hear why you read our blogs and what we can write to help and benefit you.

It would be great if you could RSVP (leave an rsvp in the comments below or via the contact form) to let us know if you’d like to come so we can look out for you and ensure we book enough seats.

If you’re a blogger who wants to come out and catch up or give advice, you’re most welcome to come along too.

Another exciting project Nicole and I have put together is an Instagram completion where you can win a $100 Coles Myer gift card. All you need to do is post a photo to Instagram of a home improvement project you have done around your home. It could be a renovation, newly styled room or a vignette. When sharing your photo be sure to tag The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette and add #HITmystyle so we can see your entry. Entries close on the 29th of February. We haven’t got too many entries, so the chances of winning are quite high.

Terms and Conditions

1.This is a game of skill. Each valid entry to be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.

2. There is one prize: 1 x $100 Coles Myer Voucher.

3. Entries open from 5am Brisbane time Monday 1st of February 2016 to Monday 29th of February 2016 9pm Brisbane Time.

4.Prize is not transferable or changeable.

5. Prize sent out by The Builder’s Wife will not be replaced in the event it is stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.

6.Entry is via sharing a picture on your own Instagram account of your home improvement, tagging The Plumbette and The Builder’s Wife as mentioned above. Hashtag is #HITmystyle

7.Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions

8.Entrants must be Australian residents and aged 18 or over

9. The winner will be notified by Instagram private message and has 3 days to reply and claim the prize. The winner will also be announced on Facebook. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook or Instagram.

10. The decision on the winner is final and no dialogue will be entered into otherwise.

11. These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

We would love for you to show us your style.
So tell me, if you met me for coffee would your order a piece of cake or a piece of raisin toast?

Last week on Home Improvement Thursday Charlene from Teacher by Trade, Mother by Nature shared how she used the Konmari method of organizing her paperwork. If you’re office is drowning in paper, this post will motivate you to get organized.

Erin from Seven Little Australians shared an update on the outerior of their home. I just love that Erin’s daughters got in on the building side of things to help as can be seen from the pictures Erin shares.

Nicole and I look forward to seeing your linked posts for this week.

An InLinkz Link-up

How to React to a No

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 16, 2016

28

I find it hard to say no to a lot of the opportunities in my life. The big opportunities that are life changing, I pray about and give some thought to before saying yes. But the little decisions here and there of being asked to do this and whether I’d like to do that, I often say yes to them. The reasons I don’t hesitate in my yes is because I’m curious and like to see where it will take me. The second reason is because I sometimes don’t want to let that person down by saying no.

And this had me thinking. In the last couple of years, I have read posts and heard sermons on the need to say no for health and lifestyle reasons and allowing space for something better to proceed.

But saying no doesn’t always get a positive reaction hence my need to write how to react to no.

How do you react when someone says no to you? You ask them to help out as a volunteer at an event and they say no? Do you respond in frustration, disappointment or do you accept it with a smile and inwardly direct curses at them for being a selfish so and so?

I believe that while it’s important for us to know when to say no, it’s also important to accept a no from someone else, and to receive it positively. Easy said than done when you ask people to help, but they will give opinions on how something should be done.

No is never easy to accept.

The quickest way to learn how to react positively to a no is to have children because ‘no’ is often the first word uttered from their mouth.

Of course there are serious situations where a no is not accepted and that’s a tragedy because if you can’t accept a no when endangering someone’s life, your moral compass needs redirection and you’re isolating yourself from the awesome person you could be.

Saying no and accepting no are difficult, but in order to grow and to allow space for new things, they are essential to life.

How we react to a no can leave a lasting memory on another person, so make it a good one by accepting it (even if it doesn’t help you) and don’t allow it to burn a bridge.

It may be a no now, but in a couple of months or the next year, it may turn into a yes, but there is no hope of that happening if you react negatively to the first no or worse still don’t accept it.

I think we’d all say no a lot more if we weren’t afraid of the people pleasing aspect which allows us to say yes to the right opportunities.

Do you find it hard to accept a no when you’ve asked someone to help you? Have you ever reflected on your own response to when someone has let you down?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Dealing With Doubt When You’re in the Minority

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 15, 2016

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dealing with doubt when you're in the minority

There are any number of reasons a woman will choose to work in construction and trades. It could be a burning desire to build something she can be proud of or to meet her need of being physical in her job.

It could be because she is looking beyond the tools and wants to have her own building company or wants to project manage home renovations or get an appreciation of what happens onsite to understand the paperwork when back in the office.

No matter the reason, women have a place in construction, no matter what has been the norm in the past.

Despite the change in the last 10 years or so as more women have embraced a career in the trades, they are still in the minority. We will always be in the minority.

It’s hard being in the minority. By nature, we yearn to be part of the majority, but women in trades will rarely make a majority unless more women choose to pursue a career in construction. And that can only happen through education and making trade companies aware how valuable an asset a female tradie can be for their business.

But being in the minority does not mean we need to be in isolation. It means we have to strengthen those heart muscles to believe in ourselves when there is no one physically around to cheer us on.

Dealing with doubt when you’re in the minority is hard. I doubted myself plenty of times while I was doing my apprenticeship. It was the focus of many of my prayers in 2008 and 2009. More courage. More wisdom and most of all more strength. (let’s be honest, I still pray these prayers now that I’m a mother!)

The only way to kill doubt is to use our mind to tell ourselves to keep going. There is a lot of truth in the saying mind over matter because it was a principal I lived during those early years as an apprentice. If my mind didn’t control my thoughts and feelings, I would have quit after my first day at TAFE.

I know that there are women around Australia who are still doing their apprenticeship or have come out of their time and are anxious about going out on their own. The antidote to doubt is confidence and the only way we can build it is by taking one step at a time and facing each hurdle head on.

We build confidence through experience. And when we are confident, it leaves little room for doubt.

So if you find yourself doubting your skills, your ability or questioning whether you’ve made the right career choice, recall why you decided to pursue a career as a tradie in the first place and remember the most valuable things in life are never easy to achieve.

What you are doing is incredible and whatever resistance you are pushing through right now, is making a safe way for other women to pursue a similar career path.

How have you overcome doubt in your career? What resistance have you had to face in your job?

Cheap and Chic Bathroom Accessories and Storage from Kmart

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 11, 2016

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Before Kmart delved into the Homeware market, bathroom accessories were often purchased from the cleaning aisle of the local grocery store, bought at the local hardware store OR bought from a plumbing retailer.

I remember buying a new toilet brush from our local Reece store years ago and ordered it through our plumbing account. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the price of the toilet brush being $70!! It was a white ceramic, fully enclosed stainless steel toilet brush which I thought would look much better than our skanky, white plastic toilet brush that had seen better days. And it certainly did look good. But it was a toilet brush. Who would spend $70 on a toilet brush? I did. Well the company did.

Bathrooms have become the new room to style and so stylish storage accessories are a great way to kill two birds with one stone. I was really impressed with the offerings from the recent Kmart catalogue and I thought I’d share my 12 top picks that are available online.

The important thing to remember when buying these cheap and chic bathroom accessories from Kmart is to only buy what you will genuinely use.

We are in need of more towel storage so the towel rails definitely got my attention and will be bought at some stage.

1. Marble and Copper Soap Dispenser $5 – I reckon this soap dispenser would jazz up any bathroom and it’s so on trend with it’s marble effect and copper pump.

2. Bamboo Three Tier Bathroom Caddy $19 – Extra bathroom storage can look stylish with this caddy. Love the bamboo accents and it’s narrow enough to fit into a small bathroom.

3. Decorative Bamboo Ladder $25 – I’ve seen this ladder made from steel and copper. I like the bamboo version and it’s much more affordable. The ladder can only hold 3kg and is for decorative purposes only. If you have kids that like to climb, this ladder won’t be for you.

4. 4-rail Towel Rack $19 – I’ve also seen stand alone towel racks like these sell for $100’s of dollars. This is a cheap buy for under $20. Also saves having to drill holes in the wall to hang up more rails.

5. Over the door towel rack $15 – Such a smart way to use space to hang up towels. This is definitely on my to buy list.

6. Woven Bath Mat $9. Remember when I shared how mats and rugs were a bathroom trend? Well Kmart cottoned onto that idea and has offered these woven bath mats that can add interest to a bland bathroom.

7. Turkish Beach Towels in Light Sea Green $12. Turkish towels were often classed as a luxury bathroom linen, but now, they are super affordable at Kmart. While they make great beach towels, they can also be used in the bathroom.

8. Black Toilet Brush Set $12 – A very stylish toilet brush that is concealed in it’s canister, with a lid.

9. Black Toilet Roll Holder with lid $9 – A great way to store toilet paper – although being hidden, you could be left short if no one replaces the rolls in the holder. Still a bargain price and matches with the toilet brush to make a complete set.

10. Geo Bath Towel $9 – Geo towels have been a big trend in bathroom linen and Kmart has offered their version of the Geo pattern. There are 3 colours to choose from online. This is the berry colour.

11. Bathroom Mirror with Shelf $15 – This would make a great hand towel storage solution in a compact powder room. Most powder rooms have a wall basin, so this mirror with shelf will offer storage above the basin.

12. Single Cube Organiser $5 – Love the look of this cube organizer. Stylish enough to be left on the vanity.

Were there any key product standouts that you liked from the recent Kmart catalogue?

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below. Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.
Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance. You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party. Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy! Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others. Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

The Best Thing You Can Do for Somebody Else

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 9, 2016

21

the best thing you can do for somebody else

Since the start of the year, I have made time to sit and reflect on why I do what I do. I think it’s a good thing to do from time to time because I have a habit of getting distracted and busy. Do you?

After some time of reflection, I think about the type of person I want to be.

I came across this quote that helped me in my thinking.

I’ve seen this quote shared a few times on social media and I really like it because it focuses on how I treat other people.

Because let’s be honest, people can treat each other as if they’re sh*t. And while I don’t like to swear on this blog (go figure being a plumbing blog and all!) there are some people who think they’re crap smells better than someone else’s – meaning they think they are better than others.

And that’s a crap way to live.

No matter what we do in life – whether we choose to live a small existence where we are only known by those closest to us, or if we are known by a large majority of people, we all have a responsibility to treat others with respect even if we don’t agree with what they do.

I want to definitely be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. Whether it’s a simple smile as I walk Esther to school or a simple ‘hello, how are you?’ to a random stranger. If we looked at other people and saw them as important as ourselves, wouldn’t the world be a different place?

So while I think it’s definitely great to be somebody that makes everybody feel somebody, I think it’s important to bring out the best in everybody too.

Because some people don’t know how to be kind or how to treat others right. But if we do it by example and live in a way that brings out a positive response from others, isn’t that a powerful way to live?

We all have a purpose and our callings are varied, but at the crux of it all, the purpose is often for the good of humankind.

I believe the best thing you can do for somebody else is to bring out their best, even when they don’t know how to find it themselves.

How do we go about it? It starts with reading this post. And first and foremost it’s seeing everybody as a somebody, rather than a nobody. I believe the two quotes above go hand in hand.

How have you handled people who are difficult to get along with? Can you share a time when you brought out the best in somebody?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

5 Things You Need to Succeed as a Female Plumber

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 8, 2016

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5 Things you need to succeed as a female plumber

Every Monday, I’ve had this idea floating in my head of starting a Motivation Monday series dedicated just to the female plumbers and tradies that are working hard in their trade. The series will draw on my experience working as an apprentice and plumber as well as stories of women around the world working in their trade. We can learn a lot from each other.

One of the many reasons I started my blog was to be a voice – an example if you will – of a girly female plumber who successfully finished her apprenticeship, worked in a family business and juggled babies while helping run a plumbing business.

Of course these days, my life is dramatically different and turned in a direction that I completely unexpected. I often think how did I get here? It’s a career that’s never been thought of for plumbers before, and I have no doubt there are many more jobs that can be carved from a plumbing career that we haven’t even thought about yet. That excites me and it should excite you too.

As I was thinking about my early years, doing my apprenticeship, it got me thinking about what helped me complete my apprenticeship. There were 5 key things that helped and I believe they can help you too as you do your apprenticeship or handle the challenges of working onsite being the only girl.

1. Stable Support Crew – When you start you apprenticeship you are going to need a support crew who will motivate you, listen to you, be enraged on your behalf, validate your feelings of discrimination. Your support crew needs to have people who believe in you 100%, can mentor you and motivate you when you want to quit. For me, my parents and my husband were part of my support crew. They believed I could do it, helped me visualize the bigger picture and got angry on my behalf when I wasn’t treated right. Your support crew is so important when you start your apprenticeship and you will find the group gets added to over time when you start working as a licensed tradie.

2. Motivational Book. Each day, before when I’d get up or before I’d jump out of the car to work, I’d read 1 page from a motivational book to get me in the right frame of mind before showing up onsite. My devotional book was specifically for working women, and I would read a page each morning, in my car, before I headed to the TAFE classroom. There was one particular page I read a lot because it was all about believing you could do the impossible, despite thinking you couldn’t. This devotional was a great support to me. To find your own book you could use your bible, a devotional for working women or a book with a compilation of motivational quotes. You could also read blogs like Steel Heels and She’s Empowered to build yourself up for a great day. Books that are available are The Joy of Plumbing and Women in Workboots (Note, I’m giving one of these books away at the end of this month – but if you can’t wait, you can buy here).

3. Prayer. Whether you believe or not, for me prayer was a powerful way to focus on God and not on my limitations. I prayed for strength, for wisdom when working with men, for the ability to do my work well. Sometimes I’d bring the needs of any blokes I worked with onsite to God because I know that when we pray for others to have their needs met, our work situations can change because we become less focused on our needs, and more focused on others.

4. Mental strength. I often get emails from women who wish to work as a tradie, worried they don’t have the physical strength to do the job – or tradesmen have told them they don’t have the physical strength to do the job. I can’t deny you need some strength to do the job – but funnily enough I’ve seen overweight tradesmen get the work done. It’s all in the way you contort your body and if a woman can give birth to a child, she can certainly handle the strength required on the jobsite. I believe mental strength is the most important strength you will need to succeed as a female plumber. There will be days that you doubt yourself, and those doubts will be given more ammunition when you come up against a tradesman that tells you to your face you’re a crap tradie. Don’t entertain the doubts or fester on what has been said. Focus on your goal and when you need help believing in yourself go back to points 1, 2 and 3.

5. Perseverance. Mental strength and perseverance work hand in hand, but both are necessary if you want to succeed as a female plumber. Persevering through discrimination, old thinking, tough jobs and tough people who like to give you a hard time. Perseverance builds mental strength and the stronger you are, the more you are able to weather. Things that used to upset you will run like water off a duck’s back. Your time as an apprentice is hard because you can be tested for endurance as well as learning new skills, but the moment you get your license, it becomes slightly easier because your ticket proves you are capable of your job.

If you’re a female tradie, I’d love to hear what helped you succeed in your career? What advice can you give to other female tradies? If you’re not a tradie, what has helped you work through obstacles in your profession?

We Just Want to Belong

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 5, 2016

14

When it comes to friendships I tend to be a drifter.

I don’t actually have a best friend. My best friend is Jacob.

I do have close relationships with friends that if there was ever a family emergency or a Birthday celebration, they would be there in a heartbeat. We meet every month or so and sometimes less depending on how busy family life is.

But I also like to drift around different friendship groups.

It took me my whole entire school life to work out that that’s how I liked to roll. I not only enjoy my own company, but I like to get to know many and varied people, while having one or two close friendships to know where I belong. I don’t like to stick to one group or get stuck in a click. I like to be inclusive, not exclusive when it comes to friends.

My Esther is exactly the same. At Kindy she would happily play by herself, oblivious to what was happening around her, or she’d play with the boys (not sure if that’s preparing her to be a future tradie?). When it came to morning tea and lunch time, Esther would really come out of her shell and talk to everyone.

At kids church, I’ve had leaders tell me how inclusive Esther is as she will always look out for the new kids.

That made my heart sing because that’s who I like to be and it’s a trait I’m proud of Esther inheriting.

But despite having a great first week at school and having the best day of her life, she told me no one wanted to play with her and she didn’t have any friends.
Of course as a mum that pulled at my heart because we all want out kids to belong and having friends is important.

I also know Esther is a drifter too. Always inclusive, never exclusive.

Every day last week and part of this week Esther told me she didn’t have friends yet and no one wanted to play tag with her.
I told her it would take many months to build up friendships, but in the meantime find the kids that were by themselves, wandering the playground alone.

It seems Esther hasn’t been the only one worried about finding friends at school. Fat Mum Slim shared this post yesterday which resonated with me, as did Mummy Wife Me on Facebook about her Preppie.

Immediately as a mum, we want to step in to help our child by talking to the teacher, but our kids need to learn how to make friendships on their own and the best way to do that is by example.

When I picked Esther up from school last Wednesday, she greeted me by telling me she had the best day of her life, followed by not having anyone to play with. I laughed because I know friends take time to flourish, but I silently prayed for Esther to make lasting friendships at her school.

That afternoon, while walking back home, I told the girls they could play in the playground near our house.

There was another little girl from Esther’s school with her Nanna doing the same thing. We worked out this school girl was in the grade above Esther, but they got along so well in the playground. (I also talked to the Nanna and found out her children went to the same school I did, and she attended the same church as my uncle and auntie. Small world!)

Since that chance encounter at the playground, this particular girl has found Esther at lunchtime to say hi or invite her to play with her friends.
Yesterday afternoon as I was pushing the semi-trailer pram to Esther’s classroom, the girl came up to me with a big smile and asked if she could walk with me to pick up Esther to say hi.

My heart sang. Another grade one boy came along to meet Esther and when we picked Esther up, she was a bit oblivious she had a welcoming party.
Earlier this week, when walking to school, one mum saw me and waited because her daughter was in Esther’s class and she asked her mum if they could stop and wait so she could walk with her friend from class.

Friendships and getting to know new people takes time and its little instances like these that help those friendships to form.

I have no doubt Esther will make great friends. She has my DNA, but it will take time to develop the friendships and I’m happy to sit by the sidelines, and offer advice when needed.

Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. I bring all my concerns to God. It was God’s intention for us to have friends and to develop relationships so we can belong and feel supported in this crazy life.

If you’re a mum, with a child who is struggling to find where they fit in at school, or trying to make friends, you’re not alone. Pray for your children. Pray for future friendships. Encourage your children to find the kids that are alone in the playground, as often they are wishing for someone to strike a friendship with too.

How are your kids at making friends? What do you do as a parent when your child tells you they have no friends?

I’m linking up with With Some Grace for FYBF.

7 Things You Should Know About Copper Baths – Home Improvement Thursday

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 4, 2016

0

Copper baths became a sought after item when copper became the it trend in home interiors. A copper bath definitely makes a statement in a bathroom, but is it the right choice for you?

Here are 7 things you should know about copper baths.

1. Copper baths are expensive. If you’re looking to install one of these beauties in your bathroom, expect to pay big bucks for one. The average price of a copper bath is around $4,500 – $6,000 +.

2. Copper baths are usually a free standing type bath. The good thing about this is that the bath doesn’t require being built in, but a negative is that this doesn’t offer shelf space, but that is just part of having a free-standing bath.

Country Bathroom by South West Home Builders Hart Design And Construction

3. Copper offers anti-bacterial properties so it requires little in the way of being disinfected and cleaned. Use a light soap to clean, or a microfiber cloth and wipe away dots of moisture to prevent marks on the copper.

4. Copper scratches heal over time. Enamel baths can scratch easily and once they are scratched, the only way to disguise it is to try and buff it or re-enamel the bath. Scratches made on a copper bath will disappear over time as copper has a living finish.

Country Bathroom by London Real Estate Agents Domus Nova

5. Copper baths age well. Unlike some bathroom trends – eg coloured tapware, copper baths will always stand the test of time and look good, even if they do darken over time.

Traditional Bathroom by Scotland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers BAGNODESIGN Glasgow

6. Some copper baths are made from recycled copper which will have other materials mixed with the copper that may not last as long as a pure copper bath. Ask your retailer what type of copper has been used to make your bath. Check the guage too, to ensure you’re getting a quality product.

Contemporary Bathroom by London Architects CUBIC Studios Limited

7. Copper baths are deeper rather than longer. Some baths can be custom made to suit, but often, most models have tall sides, but their length is shorter. It’s something to bear in mind if you are a tall person and like to extend your legs in the bath.

I think copper baths make a stunning statement in the bathroom. Do you?

If you liked this post, you might like to check out my post about copper sinks and basins.

Last week on Home Improvement Thursday, The Builder’s Wife and I launched our #HITmystyle competition. We’d love to see your pictures on Instagram of a room that you have renovated or updated. Follow The Builders Wife and The Plumbette on Instagram and use the hashtag so we can see your entries. You have the whole month of February to get your entries in.

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below. Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.
Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance. You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party. Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy! Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others. Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

I’m Officially a School Mum

By

Rebecca Senyard

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February 2, 2016

40

I’m now officially a school mum since my little Esther started school last week.

It doesn’t feel so long ago she was a babe in my arms. Back then, school was the furtherest thought from my mind. I was consumed with when she would sleep through the night, when would she crawl? When would she walk? It felt so long before the time for kindy and school would arrive.

And then I blinked and suddenly we were getting ready for school.

reading — Reading to Esther when she turned 1.

I’ve been excited for a while with this new season. Esther has been more than ready for school and the anticipation of starting school built as we went to buy her books, backpack, lunchbox, school uniform and shoes. I’ve found the whole preparation part fun, even if it has drained my bank account. Thank goodness the uniforms will get multiple use from her younger sisters.

Last Wednesday morning we went as a family to see Esther off to her first day of school. Esther’s school is literally around the corner from our house, so I am guaranteed exercise twice a day, 5 days a week. With the heat, I’ve been a sweaty mess by the time I’ve arrived at school, and when I’ve pushed the pram home. The days have gone fast and I’ve been exhausted at night. It will be interesting to see how I go with a full week of school. I’m just glad I don’t have to fight for a car space or wait in the drop off zone.

Walking to school, Jacob took this photo without us knowing.

Esther’s up for the challenge for a full 5 day week. School is the best thing that has ever happened to her and her first day was the best day of her life. Even better than Christmas.

When we took Esther to her classroom, there were no tears, just a lot of smiles. After we left, I realized I don’t get teary about new beginnings, but I definitely get sad and sentimental with goodbyes. And even though I was saying goodbye to my little girl as I left her in the classroom, the excitement of the new season pulled stronger and I didn’t feel sad at all. Maybe it will change when Phoebe goes to school.

By 2pm, we’re raring to go pick her up. It’s exciting to find out how her day has gone and to hear what she has learned. This new season is a happy one for all of us.

After her first day, she told me she hadn’t made any friends yet and I explained it would take time to get to know all the kids and there would be plenty of time to make friends.

It’s also been funny to hear her talk and explain different things at school.

On Friday she told me she made her first friend at school. It was a boy and she couldn’t remember his name but he had spiky hair. And then when we went past the school principal she nodded her head and said ‘he’s the big boss of the school’.

The transition to school has been a smooth one for Esther.

As a new school mum, I’ve been a bit too eager with her lunchbox. I’m not sure if I will be able to maintain the high standard I started with. Jacob’s work colleague got a glimpse of the photo I took of Esther’s packed lunch (of course I took a picture, but have chosen not to share it) and she joked that will change by the time all three of my girls go to school.

These two have each other to play with while their older sister is at school.

I can’t even imagine that far into the future yet. Best to keep my eyes open and make the most of the days before Magdalene goes to Kindy next year. This year is going to fly fast.

Have you joined the school mum status yet? How did your kids enjoy their first week back at school?

I’m linking with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

When an Easy Plumbing Job Turns Into a Nightmare Situation

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 29, 2016

13

This post has been written in collaboration with Plumbing Detectives

This week has been a busy plumbing week for me. While I haven’t been on the tools, I’ve had emails from interstate and local, requesting plumbing advice. I love it. I love being able to share my knowledge to help these friends out.

Except in most of these circumstances I had to tell them to get a plumber in to fix the problem. There was no magic solution I could offer to fix their plumbing problem.

Plumbing problems can’t always be fixed from getting advice from a plumber off the phone or on the internet. Sometimes, the advice can be right on the money, and the problem can be fixed.
But not all plumbing problems are the same and the labour time can differ on two plumbing problems that require the same solution.

For some reason, I always remember the bad jobs. Or the jobs that challenged my patience and plumbing ability. One example of an easy plumbing job turning into a nightmare was when Dad and I replaced all the washers in a house, only to be rung up the next day and told the new washers were causing dreadful water hammer in the ceiling of the client’s house. The worst part was the water hammer happened at night over the master bedroom when the client would go to sleep and their teenage son would rock home and have a shower.

We bought some water hammer arrestors and tried to work out how to fix the water hammer. We tried changing the tap washers, installing two water hammer arrestors, and the water hammer STILL wasn’t fixed.

We were dubious that the tap washers caused the water hammer at all and that it must have been a problem before we touched the washers, but the client was adamant the water hammer only started after we changed all the washers.

When dad and I were about to lose hope with the situation and call it a day by offering a reduction on their invoice (because we couldn’t prove one way or another if we caused the water hammer), dad asked if there was a tap outside. The washer was replaced in the hose tap and would you believe the water hammer stopped.

That job is a great example of how a simple fix created another problem without us realising it. The routine job turned into a longer exercise than expected. This is why asking a plumber how long they will be should be regarded as an estimate and can’t be banked on for accuracy, because who knows what type of plumbing has been plumbed into your property. No job is the same when it comes to plumbing.

In a way, plumbers need to be detectives because it can take time to find a solution for a simple maintenance issue.

Plumbing Detectives in Sydney know a thing or two about investigating plumbing issues and providing an economical solution to fix the problem.
They are even experienced in using a new product called ROOTX, which can eradicate tree roots growing in your sewer by the tree the council refuses to remove, and you have to foot the plumbing bill over.

The best advice I can offer when you have a plumber come to your property is to be mindful that not all plumbing issues can be fixed instantly and sometimes fixing one problem can reveal or cause another issue later.

Ever fixed a problem only to find it caused another problem to fix?

I’m linking with With Some Grace for FYBF.

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

What to Consider When Choosing Copper Basins and Sinks

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 28, 2016

6

A month before Christmas, I headed to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre to meet up with my mum. We passed by the new Earthborn shop and I spotted a copper sink which I loved the look of immediately. Of course, I shared it on social media. I received a few enquiries on where to purchase such a sink, so I’ve done a bit of research to find where you can order a copper basin and/or sink should you wish to add this rose gold hue to your home renovation.

There are some things you should know before you decide on installing a copper basin or sink in your home. There are a mix of pros and cons that make this material one to seriously consider installing in your bathroom or kitchen.

Firstly the pros. Copper fixtures look grand and luxurious which make them appealing if you are creating a high end space. They definitely make a lasting impression if that is your goal when designing your wet room. A copper fixture will lift a space and add value to your home. It’s high end appeal will draw an emotional response from a buyer should you decide to sell the property at a later date.

Contemporary Bathroom by London Interior Designers & Decorators DS Interior Design

Copper has antimicrobial properties which means it’s great for high use areas where bacteria can be present. The bacteria that lands on copper sinks and basins tend to die within a couple of hours. Nevertheless, they still need to be cleaned and can be cleaned with most common cleaning agents – although not all.

Another reason copper is a good choice for fixtures is because it doesn’t corrode or rust. Copper has anti-rust mechanism which means no matter how often it is used, it won’t corrode.

Eclectic Kitchen by Austin Kitchen & Bathroom Designers UB Kitchens

Copper sinks can come in different sizes, shapes and different finishes to suit your space. For a contemporary look you may choose a copper sink with clean lines, but in a shaker style or farmhouse setting, you may choose a sink with filigree patterns.

Mediterranean Powder Room

The cons to using copper is it is expensive. You’re looking at a minimum of $400 for the purchase of one copper basin and $1000 for a copper sink. Copper fixtures look expensive because they are expensive.

Another issue with copper is that although it won’t rust, it will darken over time as it reacts to the oxygen in the air. The copper can also stain easily from acids like orange juice. Toothpaste can also change the look of the copper. Many consider this wear and tear a way for the copper to age well over use, but it is something to consider if you didn’t know about it before. It’s highly unlikely your copper fixture will remain the same colour from the day of installation.

One factor that can make or break the decision to use copper fixtures is it’s ability to warp and dent if you choose a low-gauge copper. Copper fixtures can also be time-consuming to maintain. After each use, you will need to dry the water so it doesn’t leave marks on the copper. This con alone is the deciding factor on whether a copper fixture is the right choice for your home. Alternatively, you can accept that less maintenance will see the copper tarnish over time.

Contemporary Bathroom by Ponderay Building Project Managers Selle Valley Construction, Inc.

Copper fixtures have definitely surged since copper became a trend a couple of years ago. Not many business’s manufacture copper fixtures, but there are some companies that specialize in their production.

Copper Aztec Basin from The Copper Sink Company (on sale) $850
Copper Half Moon Basin from Copper Bath Australia $440
Copper Double Butler Sink from The Copper Sink Company (on sale) $1250
Oliveri Copper Spectra Sink from The Good Guys $1159
Copper Butler Sink from The Copper Sink Company $1250
Copper Bathroom Basin from The Copper Sink Company (on sale) $850
Aurora Copper Basin from The Stone Super Store $699

If you are going to choose to install a copper fixture, make sure the space is neutral to ensure the copper stands out and doesn’t compete with anything else in the room. Less is definitely more when using copper. Also ensure you get the matching copper plug and waste from these stores as chrome won’t be suitable for these vessels.

What do you think about copper fixtures? Something you’d consider for your own home or not at all?

Last week on Home Improvement Thursday, Ashlea from Glamour Coastal Living shared her laundry make-over. You should definitely check out the before and after shots. Ashlea also shows how the laundry fits well with the bathroom and kitchen renovations.

Aaron from Mayfair Plumbing explained why it’s good practice to get routine maintenance checks done on appliances and plumbing to a property.

In exciting news, Nicole and I are launching an Instagram competition where you have the chance to win a $100 Coles Myer Voucher. All you need to do to enter is share a picture of an area of your home that has been renovated, styled or improved from what it was before and tag it with #HITmystyle. Follow The Builders Wife and The Plumbette on Instagram and the winner will be announced early March. The competition doesn’t start until the 1st February and will end on the 29th February 2016 and Australian entries only. Announcing the competition early gives you time to think about what photos you can share to enter our competition.

In the meantime, we look forward to reading your Home Improvement Thursday posts this week.

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below. Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.
Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance. You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party. Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy! Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others. Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

Room Review: Making The Best of a Difficult Situation

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 26, 2016

7

Trigger Warning: There are emotional and horrific crimes written in this post – based on a movie, but still require a warning all the same.

Last Tuesday night, I headed to the movies with Nicole from The Builder’s Wife to see Room.

I had little idea of what the storyline was about. I won tickets by entering a competition, expecting the showing to be on a Saturday night for Jacob and I to have a rare date night out. But I stuffed up the dates and realised it was to be last Tuesday night instead. I stood Jacob up and asked if Nicole would like to join me.

We had a bite to eat for dinner before the movie preview and we touched on the busyness of being working mothers. I reflected on the busyness of being a mum to toddlers that weren’t independent, and Nicole reflected on the busyness of running her teenagers around to this that and the other. It wasn’t a competition on who was the busiest, but simply a reflection on the different stages of life we were at.

Nicole warned me to bring some tissues before the movie because she read reviews that it would be a tear jerker. I warned Nicole not to judge me for being a guts and eating my staple movie meal of popcorn and Maltesers, matched with a diet coke.

Anyway, the movie started and I had tears and uttered a few ‘OMG’s’ and gripped the seat as the storyline unfolded.

The movie is based on the bestselling novel written by Emma Donoghue. The story is a gripping tale of how a young woman (Joy) was kidnapped as a teenager and locked in a shed (the Room) where she is kept captive and raped by her kidnapper for 7 years. Joy gives birth to a son Jack and the story is narrated from Jack’s point of view. We only understand the full horrific events of the story by placing the pieces together through Jack’s eyes.

Despite the despicable crime unfolding before our eyes, the movie is a story of freedom and Jack’s understanding of what is real beyond the room that he has always known as his home. Joy purposefully made the best out of the four walls they were prisoned in for the first 5 years of Jack’s life. Their plan of escape was nail biting.

There were so many take home messages from the movie. I loved Nicole’s post about Making your House a Home. I definitely got the same message after viewing the movie.

Another message that I took away from the movie was this: We can all make the best out of a difficult situation.
Joy had tried to escape, but she got hurt and her wrist became injured when she tried to break away. A key coded door was the only escape to the outside world – the only way out to freedom.

Who knows how many tears she cried and how many times she wished she could have escaped but realized she was unable to do so. So she made the best of the four walls she was prisoned in.

What went through her mind when she became pregnant with her kidnapper’s child, to then make a decision to bring her son up, in that room – I couldn’t comprehend it. She did what she could to protect her son from fully understanding what would happen to her at night by placing him in the closet to sleep.

Us mums (and dads) will do what needs to be done to protect our babies and we are good at hiding our worries and terrible events they are too little to understand.

The movie was also a good reminder to be vigilant with my girls about safety around strangers. We live in a world where missing persons and missing children are becoming more of a common occurrence. I couldn’t shake off the dreaded feeling of how many children or teenagers are living this story for real in their own lives and we have no idea of their whereabouts.

As school starts for a new year, I’m determined to be vigilant about safety for our children. We need to make note of anything unusual and to listen to our gut if something doesn’t look or seem right. I much prefer to be proven wrong, than to be proven right when it’s too late.

The movie definitely moved me and made me thankful for the simple life we often take for granted.

If you’re keen to see Room, it will be released in theatres on 28th January.

Have you seen a movie recently that moved you? How do you tackle stranger awareness and safety with your children?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Tips for Transitioning Your Toddler to a Big Bed

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 22, 2016

7

tips for transitioning your toddler to a big bed

This post has been written in collaboration with Sleepmaker

This year, Phoebe will out of a cot and into a bed and I’m not sure how I feel about it because, being my last baby, this will mean this is the last time the cot will be used. Having transitioned two toddlers into king single beds, I have a few tips for transitioning your toddler to a big bed. As I do with most child-related challenges, I go with the flow and follow my kid’s lead. There are a myriad of tips on how to make the transition easier, but these are the tips that worked for us.

1. Remove one side of the cot so your toddler can learn to sleep in a bed. Have a few nights or weeks to get used to sleeping with an open side.

2. Set up your child’s new room. For our previous girls, the cot stayed in the one room and has remained in the nursery for all three of my daughters. Setting up a new room for Esther and Maggie meant a new room to explore and play in. Decorate it with colours and motifs they are attracted to. For fabulous girl room inspiration, check out Petite Vintage Interiors on Instagram.

There were some nights when the girls headed to the nursery for bed time, but with coaxing they remembered their new bedroom and were eager to sleep in their new bed. Make sure all their toys and comforters are with them in their new bed.

comforter toys for toddler bed transition — Maggie’s favourite toys that she likes to sleep with.

3. Choose a comfortable mattress for your child’s new bed. This not the time to skimp on a mattress. To get an idea on what type of mattress to buy for your child, head to Sleepmaker where they have a Mattress Selector that can help you choose the right mattress for your child.

4. Choose the size of your kids bed wisely. We opted to buy king single beds, but this will mean all our kids will have king single beds as I don’t want to have to decipher through the linen cupboard on which sheets are single or king single. Often king single sheets, quilt covers and quilts are hard to find or sell out quite quickly. Double bed linen will fit a king single bed. I’ve often found a double bed quilt is the right length on a king single bed.

toddler bed transition — Maggie in her King Single Bed – mind the mess!

5. Add some new, fun items in their room that is just for them to play with. Adairs, Target, Little Me Little You, Baby Donkie and Lark have some fabulous kids bedroom décor items that can add fun to your child’s room.

toddler bed transition bed linen — Choose fun bedlinen and cushions to jazz up their room.

6. If you’re worried your child will fall out of bed, insert a pool noodle under the fitted sheet as a barrier to stop your little one from falling out. Alternatively you can use a barrier which isn’t used for very long, but if there are younger siblings, you will get your money’s worth out of it.

7. Keep the bed away from any blind chords. We have placed our girl’s beds near the window, but not on the end where the blind chords are. Keep the chords well out of reach from the kids by installing Dreambaby® cord wind-ups.

8. Install a night light, or some sort of light that the kids can read to understand when it’s the right time to get out of bed. The clock often get’s ignored, but the night light offers reassurance to them as they sleep at night.

night lights for toddler bedroom — From right to left: Little Blue Pear Light $19.95 from Lark Store, *Dog Night Light (on sale) $4.95 from Adairs, *Starry Night Bright Light $24.95 from Typo

9. Restrain all book shelves and chests of drawers, especially if they are next to the bed. Your little one may use their bed as a platform to climb their furniture, so ensure these bigger furniture items are attached to the wall to avoid any nasty accidents.

10. Be patient. Some kids will take to their new bed like a duck to water, while others will take time to get used to their new sleep surroundings. If you’re worried about them kicking off their covers and getting cold in the night, I usually still put them in a sleep suit that has legs which can be bought from Best and Less.

What helped transition your little one to a toddler bed? Can you share any tips to help other mums?

*Affiliate links – should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This post has been writing in accordance to my disclosure policy.

6 Ways to Style Fresh Herbs in Your Kitchen

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 21, 2016

4

When we bought our current house, Jacob went straight to work to build an outdoor vegetable garden, next to our kitchen. Despite it being close by, I often forget about using the herbs that we grow there to add extra flavour to our meals. Having fresh herbs on hand in the kitchen is not only a great way to ensure you have the flavours on hand to season a meal, they can also add an instant style update to your kitchen. I’ve found 6 ways to style fresh herbs in your kitchen, to give you some inspiration on how you can incorporate this trend in your own cooking space.

1. Vertical wall garden planter

A vertical wall garden is an easy, unobtrusive way to grown herbs in the kitchen. Of course you’ll need a spare wall to hang the garden, but this idea is great if you have limited bench space and adds a fresh look to your kitchen interior.

Contemporary Kitchen by Hartland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Bright Green

2. Mason jars

Mason jar wall planters are a different take on the vertical wall garden. Use timber slats to fasten each jar, and label each jar, so you know which herb you’re adding. Not only does it look fabulous, it’s within arm’s reach from the kitchen bench.

Contemporary Kitchen by Richmond Interior Designers & Decorators Portico Design Group

3. Vertical shelf

A vertical shelf garden is an unobtrusive, cleverly designed space to grow herbs. This is a custom made feature in the kitchen, so won’t work for all kitchen spaces, but it’s still very cool and again, within reach while cooking.

Contemporary Kitchen by Montreal Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Tendances Concept

4. Planted in the kitchen bench

This idea is another custom made project, which we’ve seen on The Block. While it looks fabulous, this idea won’t suit a lot of kitchen spaces, especially if bench space is limited.

Transitional Kitchen by London Interior Designers & Decorators Blakes London

5. On the windowsill

This is the perfect location for your herbs, as they do still need some light for growth. Use simple terracotta pots or fabric planters to suit the style of your kitchen.

Traditional Kitchen by Santa Fe Interior Designers & Decorators Jennifer Ashton, Allied ASID

6. In pots, on the bench

It’s simple and no fuss, but adds instant colour and interest to a small, white kitchen. To maximize bench space, use smaller plant pots.

Modern Kitchen by London Architects TLA Studio aka Trevor Lahiff Architects

To ensure your herbs thrive and grow, you need to make sure your kitchen is bright and has good air circulation. In spring and summer, the herbs will need a liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks. Check the state of the soil to know when to water your herbs. We typically water our herbs every couple of days and rotate them from the cooking bench to the sink bench so they can receive light for growth.

The best herbs to grow indoors are Basil, Bay Leaves, Chives, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemay, Sage and Thyme. There may be other herbs that can grow indoors, just check their light requirements before purchasing.

Do you grow herbs? How do you style fresh herbs in your kitchen?

My Most Embarrassing Toilet Experience EVER

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 19, 2016

29

We all have embarrassing stories we’d rather not re-live? I’ve got one or two … okay maybe half a dozen embarrassing moments that I’ve burned my cheeks from. And yesterday, Esther decided to add one more incident to the list.

We headed to Garden City Shopping Centre first thing in the morning to get Esther’s feet fitted for school shoes. She heads to Prep this year and this whole going to school experience of buying all her school needs has been new to me. It’s been expensive and I’m thankful I won a Mathers gift voucher so I could buy some good quality school shoes. I ended up buying two pairs of school shoes for $4.92 outlay which was awesome.

Anyway, after a play in the indoor playground, a browse in the ABC shop and morning tea at Mrs Fields, it was time to take the troops to the toilet.

I headed to the parents room as Maggie is toilet training at the moment. I knew there would be a parents cubicle with an adult toilet and junior toilet suite that the two girls could use. Once the girls had finished, flushed and were washing their hands I told them not to open the door because mummy was going to go to the toilet.

So I hover over the adult toilet, and Esther slammed her hand on the green button to immediately open the automatic door. There I was, hovering midstream, with the door open to one mum and a new dad who got a wonderful view of my public toilet etiquette.

I screamed at Esther to push the button to close the door, but she kept pressing the green button to keep the door open. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even speak straight to tell her to press the bottom silver button to shut the door.

She realized her mistake and pressed the right button and the door s-l-o-w-l-y closed, just as I was finished.

After a few stern words in the bathroom about listening, we all walked out as if nothing had happened. Phoebe needed her nappy changed so I couldn’t walk straight out of the parent room. The cheek burn was imminent.

Needless to say, I might think twice before using the parent room toilets again and take the girls with me into the female toilets. Latches tend to require more skills to unlock.

After the incident I decided to share my status on Facebook. And it didn’t publish, so I decided to write it as a blog post, but somehow the status published this morning! It got deleted, because who wants to re-read an embarrassing tale twice?

Have you got an embarrassing toilet tale to share? Have your kids ever opened up a toilet door on you in a public space?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

When Your Rivals Prosper From Your Prayers

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 15, 2016

21

when your rivals prosper from your prayers

I’m a big believer in prayer. I pray every day and through out the day. I think you have to when you’re a mum. Actually, I think you have to no matter who you are because life doesn’t always go how we want it to.

As you know, last year was a difficult year for me and after some thoughtful reflection, I was able to belt out this post which seemed to resonate with many of you.

Funnily enough, the day that I published the post, I was tested (and I failed) when a good friend made a delivery to me of a book that I could have been a part of (if I’d known about it). But my rival was published in it instead.

I honestly felt disappointed. I tried to be the better person and not be envious but I failed. I tried to understand why I was feeling the way I did. I knuckled it down to the unfairness of them being included when they had done wrong to me in the past.

After a walk and a good night’s sleep, I didn’t think too much more about it. Instead, it gave me motivation to edit my book, which is the whole reason I started this blog.

I also prayed for my bad reaction to the book and asked that God would bless my rival – which I have been doing since my ordeal happened last year.

So I get over last week, and on Monday I receive a work order… for my rival. I couldn’t believe it. Two weeks of being nudged with my rival’s successes. I emailed the company promptly to let them know they’d sent the email to the wrong person and gave them the correct details of my rival.

After receiving the work order email, I had a less than ordinary couple of days dealing with kids and late payments for work I’d done over Christmas and New Years. I was a bit over everything and everyone. I just wanted to get away from it all.

Except I couldn’t. So I rang my mum instead and downloaded everything I was trying to manage.

As I talked to my mum about my frustration and disappointment with the book and work, my mum encouraged me to pray that my rival would be blessed.
I told her I had. And then I realized, my prayers were being answered.

From the moment I had my issues in 2015, I prayed for blessing on my rival. I don’t know why I did it. I think the prayer was more for my benefit than my rival’s. I want us both to make it in our industry. I don’t take joy in watching someone fail. I feel sad when I read the news of yet another business closing it’s doors. I don’t like to see people be unsuccessful.

These last two weeks, I believe I was meant to receive the book and get the work order as a way to not only test me, but remind me that God has been answering my prayers and He totally understands the situation. And just because my rival is getting their blessing, doesn’t mean I won’t miss out on mine. Both of our futures are bright, especially if I’m praying for both of us.

So I will continue to pray, as I do, and not be surprised of the answers.

And my encouragement is to always pray for people who do wrong towards you or are rivalling you in your industry. While you have no clue of what the prayers are doing for your rivals (in my case I do), you can feel the prayer work inside you as it releases the negative energy you can pontentially store towards them.

How do you react when a rival reaches a success before you? Do you believe in the power of prayer?

I’m linking up with With Some Grace for FYBF.

How to Store Your Tools When You’re an Apprentice – Tool Box Review & Giveaway

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 12, 2016

22

Congratulations Rachael Abbott on winning the prize.

When you become an apprentice, you don’t anticipate all the costs of setting yourself up. First up is the clothing. Some companies will offer you a uniform or a shirt with the company’s logo, but it’s up to you to purchase the right shorts, pants, steel cap boots and safety gear that will be needed for your first day on the tools. A few months into your apprenticeship, it will be expected that you have a few basic tools. Some companies expect you to have some tools on the first day of work – even if you have no idea how to use them or what they’re called.

You’ll need a vehicle to get to each job site. Your current car might eventually need to be upgraded to a ute, so you can assist with deliveries and cart your tools around.

The list of expenses can go on and be overwhelming, especially when you’re earning an apprentice wage. Finding ways to get by with what you can afford is paramount in the early days to avoid getting into debt.

When you start to accumulate tools and fittings, you will need somewhere to store these pieces in your car or ute. Most tools boxes can start from min $200 and offer little space and not much organization. As with all tool boxes and tools you pay for quality, so it pays to spend more to get longevity out of the item.
But you can’t always do that when you’re a new apprentice.

You have to think outside the box and settle with what you can afford and upgrade to what you require when you have more dough. This little tool box from Crazy Sales is the perfect solution for when you’re starting out.

The Shogun 8 Drawer Trolley Tool Box from Crazy Sales is a two piece tool box that is shown as the perfect tool box that can be wheeled in the garage or in a mechanic workshop.

For plumbers and other trade apprentices that work from site to site, this two piece tool box set can be used in the back of your car or ute for an instant storage solution. You’ll of course need to take off the castor wheels for this purpose which is easy to do.

The tool box is just under $185 and is a two piece set on wheels. The top tool box can fit in the big compartment in the bottom tool box for a compact fit.

When I set up our tool box, two of the washers on the castors broke when they were pushed into the bottom of the tool box. As a result, while it wheels ok, it’s rocks – a bit like a wobbly table. But if you take the wheels off, which is how I intend to use the tool box, this won’t be a problem. I’m sure I can fiddle around to make the wheels sit flush.

When I explained this to Crazy Sales, they assured me it was rare for the wheels to do this and would send replacement parts to fix the issue.
Overall, it’s a good little tool box to start with when you’re an apprentice and need something affordable to store your tools in.

It is lockable which is a must for any type of tool storage because tool theft is a big problem onsite and on vehicles.

Crazy Sales sent me this tool box to get an honest review, and while there is the wheel issue and some of the inside drawers aren’t evenly coated, the tool box is a great unit for an apprentice to start out with.

Even if you’re not an apprentice, but require a small tool box set up as you have limited space in your garage, this tool box trolley would be suitable. Many of the trolleys I’ve seen are quite wide. This tool box is great for tight spaces.

The Shogun 8 Drawer Tolley Tool Box is $184.96 plus shipping.

The team at Crazy Sales have been generous enough to offer one of these Shogun 8 Drawer Trolley Tool Boxes to one of The Plumbette readers.
In order to enter the giveaway, you need to follow Crazy Sales and The Plumbette on Facebook (do so via the form below). Then leave a comment explaining why you need this tool box. The most interesting and creative response will win. The winner will need to send a photo of their prize once received so that it can be shared online by Crazy Sales and The Plumbette.

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 one prize: 1 Shogun 8 Drawer Trolley Tool Box worth $184.96. (tools in photos are not included with the prize.)

Entries open from 6am Brisbane time Tuesday 12th January 2016 to Friday 22nd January 2016 12pm Brisbane Time.

Prize is not transferable or changeable

Prize sent out by Crazy Sales will not be replaced in the event it is stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.

Entry is leaving an answer to the question and liking the Facebook pages.

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.

The decision on the winner is final and no dialogue will be entered into otherwise.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

Disclaimer: I was gifted a Shogun 8 Drawer Trolley Toolbox for the purpose of this review.

Who is Liable if a Worker Hurts Themselves on Your Property?

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 8, 2016

7

who is liable if a worker hurst themselves on your property

This post has been written in collaboration with Firths The Compensation Lawyers

If you engage people to work at your home, have you ever thought about who is liable if that person is hurt on your property?
It’s a question I thought about last year when I first hired my babysitter and when I considered hiring a cleaner this year. If you ask someone to work at your property, who is liable if a worker hurts themselves on your property?

And when I mean work – I don’t mean an employee working in a home based business. I mean services like gardeners, lawn mowers, cleaners, babysitters, etc.
The question concerned me enough to ask my current insurer, and I was told most house insurance policies include liability for third party injuries or loss up to $20,000,000. Of course, while it’s a standard part of house and building insurance polices, it’s important to check that it’s definitely included in your policy.

So the next question that should be asked is who is liable if a tradie injures themself at your property?
You only engage their services once to do a maintenance job, and you don’t have them come regularly like a cleaner or gardener.

Generally, all tradespeople should have their own insurance and if they are hurt on the job, they will make a claim through worker’s compensation. Where the waters go a little grey is who was at fault for the injury and if it’s found that you didn’t provide a safe work environment for the tradie to work in, their insurer may sue you for the claim – which is where your $20,000,000 cover as part of your house policy comes into pay.

Of course, you can’t worry about what could go wrong when someone comes to work at your home, but as a property owner, it’s important to ensure you have the right insurance policy so you are covered should the inevitable happen.

Unfortunately, if someone is hurt or inconvenienced, there will be a claim.

If you are the one that is hurt and you end up getting nowhere with your claim, you will need to engage a lawyer like Firths the Compensation Lawyers who are experienced in workplace rights and as their name suggests, compensation.

In the end, no one wants to get hurt when at work, but accidents happen and the inconvenience is unavoidable.

I’m just thankful we have insurance to compensate if needed.

Have you ever had a service person hurt themselves at your property? Have you ever thought about this type of scenario?

Disclaimer: This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy. I am also not an insurance expert, but I’m simply sharing what I have been told. Please check with your current insurer for advice and policy requirements.

Colour Decor Homewares & Home Improvement Thursday

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 7, 2016

4

I love homewares shops. Candles, vases and cushions are my favourite décor pieces to buy when I walk into a homewares store. I’m always on the hunt for new haunts to drool over, and my new role as Editor at Stylehunter Collective brought a new homewares store to my attention.

Colour Decor, as the name suggests, offers colourful homewares that are sourced from local designers that fuse on trend global influences to provide an exclusive range of décor for your home and garden. When you enter their online store, you feel like you’re in a boutique. I love the colour, bold patterns and eclectic design in their homewares range. I love that you can browse their store by brand, collection or by colour.

Despite being a bricks and mortar store in WA, they ship their homewares Australia wide.

I was sent some monochrome pieces, with a hint of yellow, to add some modern edge to the interior of my home. I chose to style the pieces in my kitchen, which gave me a good reason to declutter the benches and give the splashback a thorough clean.

I was sent a Small Tally Washpaper Bag and Medium Grid Washpaper Bag which are great for covering potted plants or as storage. I chose to put herbs in them, as plant life in the kitchen is a big trend for 2016 (but even if it’s not a trend, I love the look). I put basil and parsley in the bags and I loved the result. I styled the bags near my kitchen cooktop, and then towards the sink, so the herbs could get some sunlight. You can keep the bags tall or fold the ends. I wanted to keep the yellow to a minimum so I kept the edges up.

I was also sent an Arrow Head Board, Mini Cross Mug and Matching Mini Cross Bowls which have been on my want list for a while. I love the practicality of a wooden board and the arrow head is a cool feature and provides an easy grip for the board. I’ve been wanting to get some patterned bowls to serve snacks to guests when hosting a dinner party. as well I know these bowls will be very useful. Even when they aren’t used to serve food, they look so good styled together in a vignette.

Colour Decor is definitely a shop to keep on your go-to list when buying gifts or homewares. There is so much to love in their store.
We’re running a competition on the Stylehunter Collective site where you can win a $150 voucher, so if you love what you see and love homewares like I do, you need to .

Disclaimer: I was sent $150 worth of products from Colour Décor for the purpose of this review.

This is the first week for our Home Improvement Thursday Link up.

As always, Nicole and I love seeing you link up. Here’s to a very stylish 2016.

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below. Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.
Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance.

You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party.

Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy!

Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others.

Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

Six Things to do Less of in 2016

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

January 5, 2016

45

At the start of the year I make resolutions, goals, intentions – whatever you want to call them. Many of them I hit on the head throughout the year and others are ones that I progress slowly on year after year (weight and finances).

I love reading other people’s resolutions. I find the posts motivating. But amongst the “I wills and I wont’s”, there isn’t a lot of internal reflection on having a healthier inner world. A healthy thought life is important when life becomes busy and we are bombarded with media in all shapes and forms.

After spectating many comments on blogs and reactions to different stories throughout last year, I‘ve come up with a list of things we can work on to try and not do or atleast do less of. These are attributes we do at one point or another in our life and they just need to stop. Anything that holds a negative vibe, takes root in our spirit and if we want to see our lives and businesses soar to great heights, we can’t be held down by bad roots. They hold us back from going higher to where we need to be.

Here are six things to do less of in 2016 to make it a great year in all aspects of our life.

1. Stop worrying. I’m a tragic worrier, so this one will be difficult for me to do. However, the older I get, the more I realize how burdensome worry can be and it gets me NOWHERE. As a Christian, I will be laying my burdens at the foot of the cross each day because my days are going to be busy yet again this year. If you are a chronic worrier why not pray about your worries, or write them down and then fold them away. Come back in a month to see if your worry is still valid.

2. Stop getting offended. Being offended is nearly as bad as litigation in Australia. We’re offended over everything. Hashtag Get over it. We are getting offended over the minute of details. Get offended by causes that matter. The best way to stop being offended is to understand the heart of where a statement has come from and the direction of its intent. We need to stop being offended for the sake of being offended.

3. Stop making assumptions. We make too many assumptions about people and the way they live. I remember once being told by a wise friend that you can never assume anything because it makes an ‘ass out of you and me’. I’ve never forgotten that and funnily enough when I assume something, I remember that quote. Most assumptions are incorrect. It takes wisdom to dig a little deeper and read/understand a statement in the right context.

4. Judgement. This one is hard to do because we do it all the time. It takes practice and some wisdom to get out of the habit of judging others.
Judgement on a third party basis needs to stop too. Everyone is on a journey to accept different situations and scenarios in the world. If someone posts something without completely thinking it through, be compassionate and don’t judge. Last year a blogger posted a photo with a caption that sparked outrage on social media. The blogger mistakenly misunderstood the need for a sharps box in their local library bathroom. Unfortunately the blogger was not only judged for being ‘narrow minded’ but also told an array of nasty names and accusations of hate. Be the better person and if you see someone posting something intending one thing, but they’ve either been misunderstood or don’t realise their mistake, be gracious to explain it to them. A person’s mistake is not your opportunity to spout hate. We all have baby brain moments on the internet.

5. Comparison. Stop comparing yourself to others. You can’t run a good race if your eyes are on the person next to you. Run your own race and be the competitor in your own life. Whenever I’ve compared myself to someone else, I don’t feel so great. I’m sure you feel the same? Instead of comparing, why not be inspired by those that do better? I’ve learned there will always be someone better than me (and that is ok) and there will always be someone not as good as me (and that is ok too). Look at rivals as life coaches, spurring you on to do better. And you can spurr on those behind you to keep going. We’re all in this together. We’ve all be called to do different things in life and so long as we are living (and doing) our purpose, who cares on the progress?

6. Envy. I sometimes find myself turning a shade of green if someone receives something I’ve been wanting. Envy eats at you and causew you to see that person in a different light. Especially when they receive something you want. Being envious of others limits your capacity and shrinks your vision. Be happy for others when they receive what you’ve been wanting. Just because they received their blessing sooner doesn’t mean you won’t receive yours. All of us need to be content living our own lives. There are more than enough blessings to go around, so be happy for those that are blessed and stir up anticipation of one day receiving that same blessing.

If all of us worked on one or two (or even all these areas), our lives and mindsets will flourish.

Which of these points will you work on this year? Can you add something to the list?

Wishing you all a very prosperous and Happy New Year.

Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

The Battle of 2015

By

Rebecca Senyard

-

December 31, 2015

27

At the beginning of the year my word was notice. 2015 was the year that I was going to notice more around me and see things with new eyes. If I’m honest, a better fitting word to describe this year would have been battle.

I’ve battled to spend quiet time with God.

I’ve battled to keep up with learning new things.

I’ve battled to make time for Jacob as I work at night and mother during the day.

I’ve battled to make healthy food choices. I’m addicted to sugar or anything quick that I can eat on the run.

I’ve had a few battles going on behind the scenes of this blog. There are always the battles of time and wondering if your blog really makes a difference to others, but then there have been the battles of ownership and this year I had to be honest about whether I could let my blog go if a particular situation couldn’t be resolved. It’s been a year of questioning my intentions and wondering whether my heart has been in the right place.

And I believe it has, but the battle also showed me my weaknesses. And although it was hard to go through, I also know I’m better for having gone through it. I’m hoping 2016 will be smoother sailing. I’m not a fan of confrontation, unless it has to be done, and this year, it had to be done. And I’m glad it’s done.

So 2015 had a battle going on that many of you didn’t realise was happening. And it’s nearly resolved. I wish my opponent all the best in their endeavours for 2016. My intention was never to stop their progress, but simply protect what I’ve built here and to ensure it can keep growing.

Other battles that I faced throughout the year were time. Never having enough time to do all the things I needed to do to keep the blogs going and to ensure my family was well looked after. But I somehow managed and I’m hoping I remember this for next year when I feel stressed for lack of time. It all gets done in the end.

There were financial battles due to a mix of unfortunate events and unexpected surprises.

But the year was also littered with rewards and happy moments.

After the wins at Kidspot last year, The Plumbette was named as part of the Alumni – featured alongside some of the best bloggers in Australia. I probably have the smallest readership out of all the Alumni, but The Plumbette earned a place and for that I was grateful. It also became my encouragement when I felt down about my battles.

Another surprise during the year was being asked if The Plumbette could be archived by the National Library of Australia on their Pandora Web Archive, which means all posts by The Plumbette are archived in the present and the future.

Despite not being on the tools much this year – unless it was reviewing a product or doing some sort of maintenance at home or Esther’s kindy, I was featured in the Sydney Morning Herald at the beginning of the year and various other online blogs including Be a Fun Mum, Outstanding Women in traditionally masculine fields with Choices Flooring and on Steel Heels on being a pregnant plumber. I also did my first podcast with Tradies Business Show.

In September Nicole (The Builder’s Wife) and I started Home Improvement Thursdays (#HIT) which hasn’t gone as well as we’d hoped but we will continue to hold the link up in the New Year and see what happens. The blogging sphere is about to be infiltrated with building and renovation style blogs. 2016 is going to be the year of the Trade and Building Blogs. I’m excited to see what and who will emerge and for this reason #HIT will continue to give these blogs a chance to build their profile and readership.

Last month I had the honour of sharing my journey to being a plumber and why I started The Plumbette, at Parliament House. That morning would have to be a highlight of my year because I realized, if I hadn’t become a plumber, I wouldn’t have the blog or the amazing opportunities that have come my way. It’s truly amazing where a trade career can take you.

What you may not have known is I also write for other websites. A good blogging friend of mine put my name forward to do some freelance writing work. I got the work and it’s been a blessing to have a small income each week while I build The Plumbette and my other blog, Styled by Bec. It hasn’t been easy keeping all my ships afloat, but I’ve managed. Doing this work for the last 9 months has been rewarding and I have now been asked to be the editor of two of the sites next year which is exciting and daunting. I hope I will be able to manage it all.

In amongst the work was family life. Esther started Kindy which was new and exciting, and unusual having two little ones at home. A highlight for Esther was not only going to Kindy, but also turning 5 and going to see the Mister Maker show where she was picked out from the audience to be part of the show. It took all my willpower to stop Maggie from joining her up on stage.

Jacob and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. We headed away… with the kids to Byron Bay and had the best time. It’s amazing how much life can be lived in 10 years. Bring on the next 10, 20, 30 years plus.

At the beginning of the year Phoebe was only 6 months old and could only sit and then she learned to crawl and now at the end of 2015 she runs. Fast. It’s crazy that Phoebe has grown from a baby into a toddler in less than a year. We celebrated her 1st Birthday in style with a Tiffany and Co party. She was also dedicated at church in October.

The days seem to be busy and exhausting looking after two toddlers and a 5 year old. I will admit there are days that I wish my younger two were more independent, but then I have moments where I don’t want them to grow at all because of their cuteness and their ability to make me stop and reassess my priorities.

I haven’t quite thought about my goals for the New Year. I suspect just to survive each challenge as it’s thrown at me will be an achievement. I do want to relax a little more and be less highly strung.

I’m so very grateful for what this year has brought me – even the battles. I’m grateful for my thorn because it gave me new perspective on what I value in life and I wish them the best for 2016.

Of course, I have to thank you all for coming to read my blog each week. I love writing and being able to encourage or share my different views on things, and I love that even if you don’t agree with me, you respond with love. Which is how it should be.

Next year the blog will still be very similar to what it is now, but more of a focus on faith and encouragement for female plumbers and tradies. I hope I can share wisdom from what I learned as an apprentice and plumber and share different perspectives to assist tradies in thinking differently when it comes to work and working alongside female tradespeople. I hope what I share can be reflected in all industries that are male dominated. I will always share my family life and personal reflections because they are some of my favourite posts to write.

If you’re interested in reading my Top 5 posts for the year, here they are. Chocolate, blogging and house finance were the main contenders.

Open Home

Why you’re crazy not to nominate yourself for Kidspot Voices of 2015

The day I rang a hater

6 Ways your home can pay itself off

How to make a Chocolate Nativity Scene

Overall 2015 has been a good year. It didn’t trump 2014, but I don’t think each year is meant to trump the last, only spur us onward to be better and do better with the lot we’ve been given.

How was your 2015? What are you looking forward to in 2016?

Easter Bunny Chocolate Hutch

What you will need:

Instructions

A Coffee Catch Up and a Competition

How to React to a No

Dealing With Doubt When You’re in the Minority

Cheap and Chic Bathroom Accessories and Storage from Kmart

The Best Thing You Can Do for Somebody Else

5 Things You Need to Succeed as a Female Plumber

We Just Want to Belong

7 Things You Should Know About Copper Baths – Home Improvement Thursday

Here are 7 things you should know about copper baths.

I’m Officially a School Mum

When an Easy Plumbing Job Turns Into a Nightmare Situation

What to Consider When Choosing Copper Basins and Sinks

Room Review: Making The Best of a Difficult Situation

Tips for Transitioning Your Toddler to a Big Bed

6 Ways to Style Fresh Herbs in Your Kitchen

1. Vertical wall garden planter

2. Mason jars

3. Vertical shelf

4. Planted in the kitchen bench

5. On the windowsill

6. In pots, on the bench

Do you grow herbs? How do you style fresh herbs in your kitchen?

My Most Embarrassing Toilet Experience EVER

When Your Rivals Prosper From Your Prayers

How to Store Your Tools When You’re an Apprentice – Tool Box Review & Giveaway

Who is Liable if a Worker Hurts Themselves on Your Property?

Colour Decor Homewares & Home Improvement Thursday

Six Things to do Less of in 2016

The Battle of 2015

Rebecca Senyard

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