Satisfying upcycling

We’ve just returned from a lovely long weekend in the Hunter Valley, spent wine-tasting with a bunch of favourite people.

Shauna, who’s an auctioneer at Lawson’s Auction House (for her insider tips on bidding, click here) brought this picnic basket away with us, which she won in a job lot last Friday. When I commented on it she insisted I keep it, generous lady that she is.

My old/new basket’s missing its original glasses, plates and cutlery, but came with matching napkins and a tablecloth. I’ve added my own hardy plastic cups, but will be on the lookout for the right bits and pieces to store inside when on my travels.

Another recycled find is this $2 skirt from a flea market – Olive loves to twirl in it, and had a bit of a dance to the bands put on by the vineyards on Sunday.

As is this oil painting, which I bought for $5 at a charity store and liberated from its ugly frame. It now lives in our teeny tiny bathroom, simply attached to the wall by a 3M hook. Staring at a peaceful scene like this from the bathtub is definitely the way to start a day off on the right foot.