Hola Spain...

Well it's au revoir Paris and hola Spain! I've been inspired by Spanish colour, design and architecture for many years now - particularly the Moorish kind that you find in southern Spain. And so, I was over the moon to make it there on this trip. Even more special was to be there with my mum - who shares by love of the aesthetic. Neither of us had visited before and so every day was a special treat filled with new discoveries. We started our journey in Madrid, then made our way to Seville by train. Oh what a beautiful city is Seville - it's windy cobbled alleys, colourful streetscapes and beautiful gardens were just a feast for the eye - and the heart and soul. Mum loved it so much - she even wept with joy! We spent our days exploring the town and the nights eating great food and watching flamenco. Ah, Seville - you are a magical town....

Blue Rhythm....

She abandoned her defenses and began to move with the rhythm of life. And with that, a whole new world of colour and fun opened up before her very eyes....

Garden Heaven....

I know that I've mentioned before how beautiful the flowers are in Paris in the springtime - but I just have to post about it again! However, this time, it's the flowers at Monet's Garden in Giverny. Visiting Giverny has been on my mother's wish list of things to do for many years now - and so I was over the moon that we managed to get there to witness Monet's extraordinary creativity in garden form, for ourselves. Even the one hour wait to get in (!) was worth it with what lay inside. Splendorous flowers in a multitude of beautiful colours and arrangements line the garden. What an inspiration. And of course, Monet's cottage was no disappointment either. I'm so glad we made it out to Giverny - it was everything I thought it would be....

A Pure Style Quickie Post....

I just have to post these (new) pics of Jane Cumberbatch's (pure style fame) gorgeous house in London. They remind me of all the things I love about life and living. Thanks Jane, as always, your style is an inspiration.
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Could This Be Home....

Oh I do love the Petit Trianon at Versaille - built for Madame Pompodour and used by Marie Antoinette as her place of retreat and fun and games. From a decorating perspective, it's just such a luscious, girly house - filled with beautiful rose pink silks and beautiful floral patterns. I think I could move in and live a little of Marie Antoinette's life for a while - minus the ending of course!

Blowin In The Breeze....

from TOAST with thanks...

A Bric-a-Brac Day....

One rainy Sunday in Paris, a group of girls on holiday headed out to the markets at Vanves - the Puces aux Vanves - in search of fun and adventure. They started off with a quick pit stop at a local cafe for a cafe creme to get themselves revved up for what lay ahead. The market was busy even though it was a grey old day - filled to the brim with collectors looking for some treasure. And oh, what treasure was to be found. Beautiful silver cutlery, lacy linens, vintage buttons, lamps, chairs and bits and bobs of varying size, colour and shape. They stopped for a crepe with sucre and citron (or two or three!!!) as they weaved their way around the stalls. One avid collector amongst them filled their very deep bag full of gorgeous finds to be shipped back to Australia. Happy and shopped out, they headed home - satisfied to have seen some living Paris culture in action...

Paris Inspiration...

I love the blue accented colour on this bookshop in the 5th right near the Jardin du Luxembourg. It makes for a bright and sunny scene against the grey of the buildings.