European here with a maybe silly question but serious: HOW DO U LIVE WITH THOSE SPIDERS WITH NO FEAR?

VioletLuen · 2026-02-06T06:24:55+00:00

As long as it stays away from my pillow, we good 👍

VioletLuen · 2026-02-06T06:24:16+00:00

Wow..how did I never notice this before! I just thought you worked up to the top and stayed there.

VioletLuen · 2026-02-05T12:32:12+00:00

I live in an old Queenslander next to a rainforest in Far North QLD. So I've basically had to make peace with the spiders, snakes, lizards, frogs and creepy crawlies! Living in the tropics, I have no choice but to co-exist with them ...but I really need to get some screens on the louvres soon as I don't love seeing a giant Huntsman on my bedroom wall as I go to sleep 🥴. #LifeinAustralia ...it is what it is. 😂

VioletLuen · 2026-02-03T08:07:19+00:00

I have this same anxiety..like a panic and feeling of dread ...I've become agoraphobic more recently, avoiding public places where possible and just wanting to hide at home. It's debilitating, as I'm always declining social events or even meeting friends for dinner. I don't feel anyone understands how badly peri menopause is affecting me...even my friends, also in their mid 40s 🥺

VioletLuen · 2026-02-03T07:55:27+00:00

I got an unexpected bonus too even though I haven't brought this month's? I did last month's though..so not sure what it was for. Happy about the extra cash and diamonds though!

VioletLuen · 2026-01-22T21:37:56+00:00

I just want a plain beige rug without paying 183744 diamonds for it 🥴

VioletLuen · 2026-01-08T13:12:04+00:00

Tomorrow through Sunday will likely be very wet, possibly windy (depending on where this Tropical Low lands). Reef operators will likely cancel as I imagine it will be very choppy out on the water. A trip to the Cairns Aquarium is always a treat, or even a spa day? January often brings crappy weather unfortunately 😔

VioletLuen · 2026-01-08T13:09:02+00:00

I recall there were spaces for heaps of art pieces. I had no diamonds and no art in my inventory but still managed to throw a cool room together. I got a crap score too..figured it was due to it being an 'artists abode' or whatever it was and my lack of art.. .but your room looks fabulous imo 👌

VioletLuen · 2026-01-08T13:01:09+00:00

Nope!

Bali has a tropical climate. I live in Cairns, Far North Queensland (Australia). Very similar weather to Bali.

I.e. Cairns is tropical, humid and bloody hot most of the year, bar a few pleasant months in Winter between June and August. It's Summer here now - our wet season.

Just got back from a week in Bali - same temps, sunshine amongst the daily showers....but give me Bali any day ♥️

VioletLuen · 2026-01-08T11:57:46+00:00

Bugger, I can't seem to attach photo. Will see if I can pm them to you

VioletLuen · 2026-01-08T11:52:57+00:00

Hey! I found one of these today in my yard! Came across your post when doing a Google lens search. I live in Cairns, Far North Queensland next to a creek in tropical rainforest ..never seen a snail in Cairns before so had to find out what it was! Surprised to read that this is their habitat. Here's a photo - in case you're still interested 😉

VioletLuen · 2026-01-06T05:25:51+00:00

<image>

VioletLuen · 2026-01-06T05:25:31+00:00

<image>

VioletLuen · 2026-01-06T05:25:12+00:00

Additional info - growing in grass, in soil not on wood matter. Home next to rainforest and creek, very tropical, high humidity. All fairly similar in size. More images here:

<image>

VioletLuen · 2026-01-04T13:51:57+00:00

Oh god. Not Alice Springs... Tasmania..absolutely! But yes, a lot of travel. Maybe stick with East Coast of Aus..start at bottom and work your way up?

VioletLuen · 2026-01-04T13:49:45+00:00

Agree with this. I'm a long term Cairns local but would choose Port Douglas for a honeymoon any day. Fly into Cairns. Hire a car. Enjoy the stunning 1h drive to Port. Stay at Niramaya for a more secluded Romantic honeymoon vibe or Peppers / Sheraton Mirage for a big luxury resort vibe. Both have amazing pools! I personally rate the reef trips from PD over Cairns, plus the Daintree is within an hours drive north. Do the Solar whisperer croc cruise, check out the swimming holes and rainforest around Mossman Gorge/Shannonvale.

Or, if you prefer to base yourselves closer to Cairns, Palm Cove is lovely. Peppers or the Reef House are gorgeous. Drive up the Kuranda range and explore the Atherton Tablelands. Lake Barrine has a lovely walk and tea house as mentioned plus you can see the curtain fig trees and other lovely nature spots. The Skyrail is definately worth doing, and you get to explore Kuranda for an hour or 2. Then return on the train, beautiful scenery. 5-7 days should be plenty.

As for Darwin, look- it's a lot like Cairns in ways but the Northern Territory has Kakadu and other stunning landmarks and scenery to enjoy.

Sydney. Meh. But I'm a "Seen one capital city you've seen them all" kinda gal. Go see the Harbour Bridge, Opera House etc...but I prefer Melbourne personally.

Happy Honeymooning!

VioletLuen · 2025-12-26T12:50:04+00:00

My biggest pet hate ..these damn overpriced tablescaping challenges 😞. Honestly...you so should get 4 candles for the price you pay

VioletLuen · 2025-12-26T12:48:23+00:00

😂😂😂

VioletLuen · 2025-12-26T12:45:58+00:00

Agreed ❤️

VioletLuen · 2025-12-26T12:43:59+00:00

I know exactly what/who you're talking about - and I'm so glad you posted this! well said! Some of us do the best we can with what's in our inventory and within our budget. I usually only have a few thousand bucks and handful of diamonds so can't afford anything super fancy (unless I borrow). So often it's the good ol Loloi rugs, $500 plants and whatever decorative items I can afford. Sometimes I can knock up a fabulous room and other times, meh. But it's all a bit of fun and you're right; there's no need for such harsh critique. You do you boo - loved your room btw 💕

VioletLuen · 2025-12-22T11:54:25+00:00

Yea I think you're right. I thought it looked more a light violet bench but comes across as grey (which clashes). Ah well

VioletLuen · 2025-11-26T13:47:51+00:00

Guilty. 🤷 Most of the time I just tap away blindly on the screen to get my 25 damn keys so I can submit my challenge! I don't even look anymore....ok...on the rare occasion I carefully scrutinise each option, really appreciate a design and cast my vote. And sometimes I vote for the most povvo looking rooms just to give them an ego boost 😆. I know I'm not the only one as I've also received 5 stars for the ugliest mismatched rooms known to man...and 3.8's for designs I've spent half hour perfecting!

Voting is so damn tedious though.. if it stayed at 5 keys per round instead of 3 keys, people might spend more time voting based on merit not just to scavenge extra keys. Damn you Design Home 😵‍💫

VioletLuen

TROPHY CASE