Paris In Springtime...

Hello again,
A Paris highlight would have to be the beautiful spring flowers - out in full in every garden, large and small. The combination of flowers and their colours are just so beautiful and have been providing a plethora of inspiration. All of these photographs have been taken in the Jardin du Luxembourg - which I think has to be my favourite garden of all. I remember when I lived in Paris, nearly 20 years ago, I spent all of my spare time hanging around in this beautiful garden. It never fails to inspire me - bringing a smile to my face every time.
I hope you like these pics from spring in Paris!
sx

What a Whirlwind....

Hi Everyone!

My goodness, it feels like forever since I've posted but life has just been such a whirlwind over the past few weeks. But, here I am, writing to you from Paris no less! I've just been having the most wonderful time over here. The spring weather has been beautiful and I've been enjoying the Paris life to the full.
Where do I begin?
Well, I've rented some lovely digs on the Rue du Bac in the 6th which has played host to five girlfriends who have flown in from Australia and around the world to celebrate my birthday. How lovely to have my girlfriends here in Paris. The last two weeks have felt like one continuous episode of 'Sex and the City'! Every morning we'd all start the day at the wonderful Cafe de Flore on Blvd St Germain to enjoy the world as it hurried by on its way to work.
From there we'd hit the shops - in the little streets around St Germain and the Marais mostly. Favourites have been the Merci store (see pic!), the gorgeous Bonpoint store at Saint Sulpice, Mariage Frere for old world afternoon tea, Le Bon Marche for everything under the sun, Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, the Bensimon store for casual bits and bobs and everything in between.
We've seen exhibitions - Calder at the Pompidou, Andy Warhol at the Grand Palais, David La Chappelle at the Mint and some old favourites - the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin permanent exhibition and gardens. What heaven.
We've eaten our way around Paris - with my 40th birthday dinner at La Societe (the new restaurant from the brothers Costes), traditional French brasserie food at the Lipp, lunch at Ma Bourgogne in Place des Vosges and a lovely rustic dinner at the Alain Ducasse restaurant Aux Lyonnais which was a highlight.
Now the girls have gone and my mother has arrived and with that the pace is a little slower which I'm enjoying!
Tomorrow it's Giverny to see Monet's Garden.
I feel so lucky to be in Paris - it feels so exciting and indulgent at the same time. But I know that I'll treasure my time here as one of the most incredible experiences of my life so far.
sx

Those Great Danes...

Well, I'm just so excited to see that my book, sense of style: colour + space has been translated into Danish and has finally hit the shelves - and with me on the cover no less! Now I just need to brush up on my Danish language skills so that I can read what it says!

The Post....

Hi there everyone....
Well, I survived the plane trip (35 hours from Byron Bay to Geneva!), have brushed off my jet lag - and I live to tell the tale as my journey begins. I love that I'm kicking off my time in Europe sharing a week in Switzerland with my true love... hubby! Hubby suggested that we meet in Geneva - as he was already traveling for work and I'd never been to Switzerland before. How lovely to be collected from the airport on the other side of the world - by my lovely man. So we've spent the last few days just kicking around the place, generally enjoying the beauty and the joie de vivre. Although we didn't have any particular agenda - we decided that a few days in Zermatt might be fun - and so we bought a ticket - hopped a train and found ourselves here - at the Hotel Post. This is the room that I'm writing from now - decorated in a modern chalet style with views over the town square. The weather is so gorgeous - with the sun peeping over the Matterhorn and the temperature warm and cosy. What a lovely way to begin my 40s....

Magic Shoes....

She wore her magic shoes as she journeyed to new lands;
and with them her eyes were opened to a life that she'd never seen before.

pic by toast

Southern Belle...

Well, I'm almost out the door everyone and onto the plane! But before I go I just had to have a good squizz through the latest issue of Inside Out and look what I found! I just love this gorgeous country home located in the Southern Highlands - isn't the palette so soft and soothing. The owners, Michele and Jasper Foggo own antiques store and design business Crystal Palace - and love soft hues and period pieces. Just sublime!
Well - au revoir mes amis - next time we meet - I'll be in gay Paris!
Sx

Rug Heaven...

Well, I'm just in rug heaven right now! I just had to show you these divine pics sent to me from Designer Rugs, of their new range by fashionistas Easton Pearson. Aren't they simply sublime. I particularly love that these pics have been taken in the apartment of Pamela Easton - it's always such an inspiration to get a sneaky peek into our own style makers homes. Gorgeous...