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Writing goals and planning your future is an important part of staying focused and knowing the direction you would like to head in life. Having a clear idea of your goals helps to keep you on track and motivated.

I'm a visual person so I found that creating a vision board was a great way to stay focused on my goals and where I want to be, it also keeps me motivated especially through those long hard days. I also find that I make better decisions with my vision in mind.

A vision board is a fun, visual reminder of all your dreams and goals and becomes your driving focus to achieve these passions and dreams.

This is a fun project to do. I would recommend that you set 2 hours aside, perhaps after the kids are in bed, that way you can focus and enjoy the process.

You'll need: a cork board or sheet of cardboard, magazines for inspirations, scissors, pen, note paper, post-its, thumb tacks or glue

1. Before you get started on your vision board, the first step is think about the different areas of your life. This is a good time to go through or take the time to jot down some short-term and long-term goals that you would like to reach across the year and into the future. Remebring this is about you, think about your

• Work
• Friendships
• Marriage
• Motherhood
• Spirituality

2. Flick through your magazines for pictures that represent your dreams. You may even use Pinterest to find images that match your dreams. You might be drawn to a picture of a kitchen you'd love to have, a clutter-free family room, a family photo with lots of children that you'd one day like to have, or a beautiful holiday destination. The images you choose will have meaning to you, and the images will somehow come together, so dont worry about matching or fiding the perfect one, find the one that speaks to you.

3. If you can't find images that match your dreams, use your post-it notes and note paper to write down inspiring quotes, words and phrases that will drive you. Words can be so powerful when used is a positve way.

4. Now you have your images, take the time to plan how to lay them out on your cork board or poster. Remember, you want your vision board to be inspiring and motivating. It is a constant visual reminder of where you want to take your life. Take the time to creatively piece your vision board together. You might like to leave some spaces to add more inspirations that you come across throughout the year.

5. Hang your vision board somewhere you can see it each day. This may be in your home office, your family room or kitchen, or even at work. Take a photo of it with your phone and make it your screen saver.

6. With your vision board adorned with goals and inspirations, it's time to break these long-term dreams into achievable goals. You can do this by coming up with weekly actions that will get your closer to reaching your goals. Jot down your weekly focus in your Inner-B Mum Organiser in the 'focus for the week' column. Taking the time to plan this way will help you to actualise the vision board you created. To help you get started if you do not have a Mum Organiser then were going to offer you a special dcisount code. Simply enter VBMO at the checkout and recieve 30% off your total order. Click to view our Mum Organiser.

Image source: www.lexieskitchen.com

It’s not always easy to head out for a romantic dinner with your beloved. Life, family, time and finances can easily get in the way. And on Valentine’s Day this is no exception. But that’s not to say that you don’t want to make the effort to do something extra special for V-Day. Romance is important in a relationship, especially after years of companionship and that initial chemical attraction has worn off.

So if a romantic candle-lit dinner in a cute, cosy café this Valentine’s Day is off the cards, then it’s time you bring the cosiness and the candle-light to you.

Here’s a simple and affordable way to add some ambience for your home-made Valentine’s dinner.

You’ll need: small glass jars (baby food jars are perfect) or you can even use plain drinking glasses, tea lights, tissue paper (pinks and reds are great), clag glue and a paint brush

1. Fold the tissue paper over itself to create several layers. Cut out a handful of love hearts in a range of sizes and shapes.
2. Mix glue and water together to create a thin, milky consistency. Paint the mixture onto the surface of the glass jars.
3. Carefully arrange the paper hearts around the outside of the jars. Be as creative as you like.
4. Paint a final layer of the glue mixture over the top of the love hearts. Be mindful not to tear the fragile tissue paper as you brush. Allow the paper and glue to dry.
5. Add some tea lights to the bottom of the glasses ready for some mood lighting.

For a more daintie look, you'll need: small glass jars (baby food jars are perfect) or you can even use plain drinking glasses, tea light, paper doilies, twine and hand cut paper hearts.

1.Fold the paper over itself to create several layers. Cut out a handful of love hearts

2. Mix glue and water together to create a thin, milky consistency. Paint the mixture onto the surface of the glass jars. You can also use double sided clear tape. 

3. Place the paper doilie around the jar and press down firmly.

4. Glue or tape the heart on the doilie. 

5. Tie the twine around the jar with and tie a bow in the centre of the herta shape.

This year add a little fun and sparkle to your photo taking and create your very own photo booth. You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you like. All you need to do is allocate a spot at your party, grab some decorations and create your very own backdrop. You can even supply some props for your paty goers to decorate themselves with. Tinsle, Santa, hats, Reindeer ears are all great but I also found some Etsy stores that offer Photo booth Christmas printables’’ - how fun, click HERE to view or for more choices click HERE.

Make sure you set up your photo booth in a well lit position. You will find party guests will take photos throughout the party. I am off to spotlight today get some creative inspiration for our photo booth. I have a very large piece of wood that I intent to cover and decorate - will post a photo when done. Enjoy!

It’s fun at this festive time of year to get creative and to decorate our houses to help celebrate Christmas and to ring in the New Year.

Here’s a really simple and affordable way to add some pretty, party style to your Christmas and New Year’s Eve functions.

These floaty, tissue paper pom poms radiate cheer and merriment as they hang from your ceiling.

You’ll need: 8x sheets of coloured tissue paper, a wire twist-tie, string or fishing line and scissors.

1. Fold all pieces of tissue paper together like an accordion, with 3cm between each crease, until the stack of paper is folded into one thin length.
2. Fold the wire in half, and then position it in the centre of the folded tissue paper. Twist to secure the wire in place.
3. Cut both ends of the folded tissue length. Either cut the ends to form a semi-circle or a triangular tip.
4. One at a time, separate the layers of tissue paper by pulling them away from the centre, and spreading them into the pom pom shape.
5. Bend the wire into a loop and attach your string or fishing line to secure to your ceiling or from some paper chains.

In just a few quick minutes you’ll have some beautiful decorations to add colour and a party vibe to your house.

TIP: Visit your lcoal party shop or $2 shop foraffordable tissue paper. I managed to get some for only $1 per pack.

Image Source: The Celebration Shoppe

Do you accumulate odds and ends that create clutter and disorder? Do they take up space and get shifted into the mysterious, haphazard, ‘third drawer’.

Things like hair clips, the elastic bands around your newspapers, the wire ties around your loaves of bread, used paper clips, or loose buttons that need to be re-sewn onto shirts all need to be kept tidy while they await their next use.

But it’s often hard to come up with an organised system to store such bits and pieces to make sure they get kept neat and accessible.

This simple and inexpensive solution might just be the answer for you.

All you need is some used tuna tins.

1. Remove the label from the tuna tins, and soak them or wash them in a the dishwasher to ensure any unpleasant fish odour is removed. Consider usingbaking soda to soak - this always works a treat.

2. File aroung the lip of the tuna to nsure there's no sharp edges

3. Separate your odds and ends into the tuna tins for organised, easy access.

If youu'd like some extra colour and fun, you could choose to decorate the tins in coordinated papers ot contact. 

Children love being creative and getting their hands into a fun craft. But mums can be reluctant to encourage craft activities for their kids because of the ensuing mess and disorder. Maintaining an organised system to store craft supplies can help to prevent a chaotic mess of pipe cleaners, crayons and stickers.

This simple, magnetic muffin pan system will help to keep your craft supplies and stationery in order to take the stress out of craft and cleaning-up for both you and your children.

You’ll need: a jumbo stainless-steel muffin pan, self-adhesive magnetic sheets, 6 plastic disposable cups, a pencil & scissors

1. Place one of the plastic cups on the magnetic sheeting and trace a circle around the base of the cup. Repeat this until you have drawn 6 circles.
2. Cut out each of the circles. Peel off the plastic backing and stick onto the bottom of the plastic cups. The cups will now magnetise to the muffin pan and won’t spill or tip if they’re knocked.
3. Arrange your craft and stationery supplies amongst the cups. If you have lots of different supplies you might need to make another muffin pan.

Image source: Letters to my daughters

If you’re feeling a bit crafty this week and are looking for an afternoon activity for your kids here’s a simple craft that’s not too messy and has a practical edge. Your little cherubs will make handy tote bags by recycling used cereal boxes. They can decorate them with whatever coloured scrap paper you have around the house and will love storing their precious toys in their new bag and toting them around with them.

You’ll need: an empty cereal box (any size), a pencil, scissors, decorative paper, a paintbrush and clag glue.

1. Cut the top flaps off the cereal box.
2. Draw an oval 2cm below the top of the box on each side. The ovals must be big enough to fit your child’s hand to grip through.
3. Cut out the ovals and discard. These oval holes form the handles of the tote bag.
4. Tear your chosen papers into pieces – not too small though unless you want to be gluing all day. You can also use previous artwork.
5. Paint the back of the pieces of paper with glue and stick them on the cereal box until it is completely covered with paper. Then brush over the box with glue to seal all the paper in place. Allow to dry for about 20 minutes. 

As an alternative instead of cutting oval shapes for handles, cut two small holes on each side, thread some ribbon through and tie a knot on the inside to make handles.

This also works well as a gift bag – perfect timing for Father’s Day. 

When setting up your child’s bedroom it’s easy to focus on finding the ideal bed, the perfect tallboy and coordinating the colour scheme, but less attention can be given to the storage solutions. Considerations like the most functional book shelves or the storage unit that will give you the longest lifespan can be left aside.

Here’s a functional way you can organise your child’s bookshelves.

The use of a notice board helps your child to keep track of their school notes, tasks and events. By also installing a spring-tension curtain rod their books and artworks can be neatly kept in place. Compartmentalised containers work as an ordered system to keep all their school supplies in one organised place. This can also work well as a craft station for keeping craft supplies ordered and accessible for pre-schoolers - a great ay to encourage them to be creative.

You’ll need: a basic bookcase, cork tiles, 1 -2 metres plain fabric (optional), bulldog clips & thumb tacks, spring-tension curtain rod & fastening hooks, and compartmentalised containers (a cutlery basket could work well for this).

1. Remove the upper shelves of the book case. Cut the cork tiles to size and secure onto the backboard of the shelves. For a coordinated look wrap the cork in your chosen room fabric before installing. Clip or pin any notes or schedules to the board. A calendar here would be a great organiser depending on the age of your child.
2. Cut the spring-tension curtain rod to size, allowing room to stretch the width of the shelf. Screw in the fastening hooks at an appropriate height for your child and connect the rod. Position your child’s artworks, favourite photographs and books neatly behind the fastened rod.
3. Organise your child’s different school and craft supplies in your compartmentalised trays to keep them neatly grouped. Store them on an appropriate shelf for your child’s height so that they can be readily accessible.

Keep in mind that a thought-out a book shelf can be utilised from birth through to your child’s teenage years. See below an example of the transformation over the years.

Image Source: extract from BHG article July 2011

It doesn’t take much to accumulate a drawer or cabinet full of make-up products and before long that drawer erupts it’s contents into a disorganised, haphazard mess.

The once simple task of grabbing a make-up brush now begins with a frantic search to find the right one. And who has time for that when you’re already running late to dash out the door? This is a clever and simple way to keep your brushes clean and organised in one spot.

All you need is a glass vase or perspex container – the size depends on the number of your brushes, and fresh coffee beans or sea salt – whichever you prefer.

By keeping your brushes upright they will be able to air-dry after using them and make keeping them clean easier. The aroma of the coffee beans will neautralise the distinctive make-up smell and will add a pleasant perfume to your vanity.

Image source: http://jengrantmorris.blogspot.com and lizmarieblog.com

When thinking which brush to buy, here's a great snippet of the tools of the make brush trade. With so many choices between face, eye and cheek brushes no wonder it can get a little confusing. The guide below courtesy of www.the beautydepartment.com

Father’s Day is still many weeks away, but you can start planning now and take the opportunity to make some of these endearing gift bags as this week’s craft activity with the kids.

The shirt and tie theme typifies the corporate or business dad. You can personalise your dad ‘look’ by playing with different coloured and patterned papers and card, adding real shirt buttons, or other light-weight textured materials. You can even get the kids to create their own style tie. 

We created these simple gift bags but Kristen Magee from PaperCrave posted this wonderful craft idea on her website, and thoughtfully provided a template to help you replicate her smartly-dressed gift bags.

 You’ll need: the PaperCrave template, light-weight card, a printer, scissors, glue or double-sided sticky tape

1. Using your chosen coloured card, print and cut out the template.
2. Fold and assemble the bag template, securing with glue or double-sided sticky tape (don’t seal the collar until your gift is inside).
3. Print the tie template onto your chosen card. Cut out the tie and secure onto the bag with glue or double-sided sticky tape.
4. Finally, cut out small circles of card and secure onto the bag as shirt buttons.

I don’t think it matters how old your child is, at some point during your week (maybe multiple times) you’ll hear that whining tone and those grating words that follow, “Mum, I’m bored.”

My kids haven’t yet learned that phrase, but they still find themselves at a loose end from time-to-time, and need to be given some direction for their play time. If I don’t engage them in an activity that entertains or stimulates them, before I know it, I’m in the midst of chaos. Bullying between siblings often ensues, and mischievous and destructive behaviours are generally the result of their boredom.

A simple solution to this common dilemma is the ‘I’m Bored Jar’ or 'Fun Jar' which ever you prefer.

1. Purchase or recycle a plain, clear jar. Make sure the neck is large enough for hands to easily reach through. Your local supermarket would have a selection of jars and containers in their food storage section.
2. Fill the jar with coloured squares of card, each with printed ‘anti-boredom’ activities on them.
3. Personalise the jar with a flash of colour. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar or design a label for your jar.
4. Place the jar in an accessible location for your kids to readily use when they hit their next ‘I’m bored’ moment.

Needing inspiration? CICK HERE to download a list of activities. Add or remove activities depending on the age and capabilities of your kids. We got inspiration from myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com - see below

Someone once said that you can never have too many books, and perhaps the same could be said for bookmarks.

It always seems the case that whenever you need to mark a page a bookmark is nowhere to be found. Sadly, a happened-upon napkin or a used coaster just doesn’t make for a glamorous page marker. And neither does dog-earring the page preserve your precious and cherished books the way they deserve.

This simple idea allows you to recycle your discarded envelopes while creating a handy bookmark for the next time you need one at hand.

You’ll need: a recycled envelope, decorative paper or scrap fabric and glue

1. Measure 5.5 cm from the corner tip on each side and cut a triangular piece off the bottom corner of the envelope. It should fit snugly onto the corner of the page of your book without easily falling off and losing your page.

2. Cut your decorative paper or fabric to the same size as your envelope corner, and secure in place with glue and presto your done!

 You could choose to personalise your new bookmark with ribbon, a favourite quote, or anything else you fancy. Below is a small collection i whipped up in 15 minutes. I even managed to make an Inner-B bookmark.

It’s great to come across a cheap and easy idea that helps you to stay organised and recycles at the same time.

This simple project will allow you to repurpose your empty tomato and soup tins whilst giving you a new way to organise your craft tools or display a freshly-picked posy of flowers. You might find it a perfect school holiday activity too.

You’ll need: empty & washed food tins, decorative paper, scissors, glue or double-sided sticky tape. 

1. Wrap your paper around the tin (or use a tape measure) to measure the circumference and mark with a pencil where you need to cut.
2. Cut your paper to size. You may need to measure the tin again to find the correct height for the paper.
3. Using glue or double-sided tape, secure your paper to the tin.

You can be as creative as you like with the paper you use. Scrapbooking paper, old maps, music sheets, newspaper and wrapping paper all can add colour or personality to your space. Th one below is of my favourite songs.

If you like to keep your surfaces stream-lined and clutter-free it can be hard to limit what you store on your dressing table and bedroom cabinets. That overflowing jewellery box doesn’t help your cause either.

But how else can you store your gorgeous jewellery pieces?

Here’s a cute way you can maximise your bedroom real estate and gain a functional piece of wall art while you’re at it. 

All you need is a few empty picture frames, some small hooks and length of wire.

1. Recycle a set of disused picture frames or purchase new ones from a $2 shop. A show frame also works well.

2. Remove the glass and backboard, and give a fresh coat of paint if necessary. Alternatively you can also glue some lovely printed paper to give the frame a bit of colour. 

3. On one of the picture frames, screw the hooks evenly-spaced along the top panel of the frame. These are perfect for hanging your necklaces.

4. Using another picture frame, or adding to the one you’ve just created, secure lengths of wire between the two vertical panels of the frame. This creates an ideal hanging space for your hook earrings.

I personally have these displayed on the inside of my wardrobe. I love the way my jewellery looks and because it's displayed I find I wear them more often.

It’s always the inexpensive, thoughtful, and surprise gifts that are treasured most and are both precious to give and receive. A simple way to do this is through taking the time to create envelope surprises. You could create them to be opened for an end of week treat, for your date night, after school reward or for birthdays, Mothers Day and Fathers Day:

1. Purchase a set of coloured envelopes of your choosing and plain card to fit into each envelope, alternatively you can simply cut up an A4 sheet of paper. The amount of envelopes is up to you, but if it’s for an end of week treat, you could buy ten and create enough for one school term.

2. On the plain card create a series of vouchers to be enclosed in each envelope. One might contain a voucher to go out for ice cream, another might be a night at the movies, a candle-lit dinner at home, or a foot rub. You can be as creative as you like and tailor the vouchers according to who will be receiving them.

3. Using double-sided sticky tape, stick the envelopes up somewhere that the recipient will see it everyday - perhaps next to the family computer or on the fridge. Then surprise them with it on the first day and show them how it works. The rules are up to you - have fun!

Image and concept from Oh happy day - I fell in love love love with this blog site on my first visit,  make sure you visit them. Enjoy

Are your different store reward cards taking over your wallet? Do you find it difficult to keep track of them? Can you relate to that pressured moment when you clumsily fumble through your handbag to retrieve your coffee card for hole-punching? You might have turned a shade of crimson as you heard that collective sigh from the impatient faces in the growing line behind you.

Here’s a couple of quick and easy solutions for you that can be easily adapted to suit any female style:

Option 1: Keep them separate from your wallet by purchasing and storing your cards in a small business card holder. A square flat coin purse also works well.  

Option 2: Hole-punch the top corner of your cards and slide them onto a silver ring to keep in your handbag. I got this tip last week from a lovely lady at spotlight, I then found that Tara Dennis designer/decorator extraordinaire had also done this. I did need my partners muscles to help with the hole punching.

I love how they are all in one spot now - very happy about that! 

Photo by Tara Dennis, presenter, Better Homes and Gardens

I think we all probably feel the pinch as we turn on our heaters, electric blankets and slow cookers as the winter chill creeps up on us. Unfortunately, the more we use our lighting and electrical appliances through the long winter nights, there is a direct correlation with the price of our energy bills. Some quick tips to save on your power and heating bills are simple and easy to adopt. You may know these but they are always great as a refresher, I need to focus on doing number 2. 

1. Install compact fluorescent lights, as they use 75% less energy than equivalent incandescent bulbs.

2. Appliances on ‘standby’ consume up to 10% of your electricity bill. This includes your television, microwave, game consoles and stereos. Turn them off at the power-point when they are not in use.

3. When sunlight enters a room it delivers an enormous amount of heat - it’s like having a two bar radiator hanging on the wall. Open your curtains or blinds each morning to allow this natural heating into your home. But remember to close them well before bedtime to retain the heat.

4. Check that the door seal on your oven and fridge are in good condition and that the doors seals tightly.

5. Boiling water in an electric kettle is 50% more efficient than using the stove. For additional savings, fill only to the level you need.

Share your tips here...