A Shabby Chic Kind of Sunday...

Oh, I do love Rachel Ashwell and her Shabby Chic kind of life...
It's so real, so natural and oh, so, so pretty!
I find that looking at Rachel's books is an opportunity to access the girly side of life - that which is pretty, playful and pink! I particularly love her latest book - Shabby Chic Interiors - My Rooms, Treasures and Trinkets and have spent this weekend absorbed in it's lovely pages... Have you seen it? It showcases her new home - complete with outdoor barn - and the home's of some of her gorgeously, creative friends. Like that of Amy Neunsinger - the talented gal behind the pics you see in all of Rachel's books. Amy's home is a lovely link between clean lines and Shabby Chic prettiness and is just the kind of place that I could see myself living in. Here's some pics from the book to inspire you on Sunday...

I Can't Help Myself...

I know it's the weekend and al but I can't stop myself from indulging in a day of decorating research! What with the workshops coming up in a few weeks - I've spent the day rummaging through my office, my files, my drawers, my everything in search of inspirational decorating bits and bobs to include in the day. In fact, this morning I've been cutting up a mound of fabric into mood board size pieces for my workshop friends to experiment and play with. It's going to be fun! On my travels, I've come across my lovely Cloth Fabric samples - the ones designed by Julie Paterson with sustainability and beauty in mind - and this has lead me to their website... again! And look at the beauty that I found there. Don't you just love Cloth's muted tones and textured fabrics? They are earthly beauty, that's for sure - just the kind that I love....

Come Fly With Me....

Let's fly - let's fly away...
Yes, it's the weekend - that wonderful time of the week when you can escape the mundane and fly away for a while...
Hope you have a lovely weekend everyone...
See you next week.
sx

pic from Toast

Magic Shoes...

Tea parties, cakes and presents tied with pretty pink ribbons.... These are a few of my favourite things! And just as a delicate china teacup can transport you to another world - so can a pretty pair of shoes. Magic shoes... the kind that make you feel as though you are living a different life for a while. These days, my shoe attire mostly consists of Indian flip flops or Wellington boots (what with being a farm/beach girl and al!) - but occasionally, there's nothing more lovely than popping on a pretty pair  of shoes like these and to fly off to a land filled with princesses, cups of tea and pretty tuille dresses... Ah Magic Shoes... take me there a while...




Pic from Anthropolgie (that magical place...)

Ooooh... I almost forgot!!!!

That it's my wedding anniversary today!!! Well, 16 years of marriage can do that to a person, you know - and hubby's even away for the event! But, there'll be celebrations to come...

 Yes, it's been 16 years to the day since hubby and I tied the knot - and what a journey it has been... Two kids, a dog, a couple of horses and a herd of cattle later - we're still together. Yes, there's been a few tears - but most of the time, it's been a barrel of laughs and a lot of fun... Why? Well, he's my best friend and soul mate - and a very funny guy at that! So, Happy Anniversary my darling... I hope we're still looking as good sixteen years on from now!!!

This pic is from style me pretty - a plethora of wedding heaven....

Hangin' Ten...

Wow, it's hot up here at the farm today...
Sweltering heat - the kind that only a quick dip will abate! As you know, we are sans piscine up here at the farm (!!!!) however the beach has been doing the trick just fine for us girls...
Yep, it's just us girls right now - because the boys are away on a 'boys only' holiday. Not that we're complaining - we've been busying ourselves senseless! A day of shopping and the movies yesterday, girly play dates and surfing at the beach. Inez has been loving spending the days with her surfie mates, getting out into the waves and hanging ten - Gidget style. So much so, that it's about time to invest in a surfboard. And so, I'm on the hunt for a pink mini mal with hibiscus flowers! Then, all she'll need is a yellow frilled bikini and she'll really look the part!!

An Anthropological Day....

I thought that I'd kick off Wednesday with a little Anthropological splendour...
 Prepare yourself to be inspired!!!

Floral Heaven...

Sometimes it is but a simple bunch of colourful blooms that add life and oomph to an otherwise plain and unadorned space. Like here, in the kitchen of this gorgeous cottage in Bangalow that Prue and I photographed for the latest issue of Country Style magazine. What beauty! These stems of open pink peonies, purple lilac and others, create a lovely colour boost to the otherwise grey and white palette. Such prettiness! And such a symphony of scent! Pure heaven...

Zippity Doo Da

Zippity Doo Da alright! How bout a kitchen painted in blue just like this one to add a little zip into your day! And the tilework? Simply Wow! The wonderful thing about colour is that you can use anywhere to your advantage. If it's a little oomph that you need first thing in the morning - then blue in the kitchen could be the thing to get your fired up for the day. It's certainly a departure to the minimalist design we've been living with over the past 10 years. Break out I say. And live a little. Perhaps 2010 is the year to bring a little bit of colour into your life....

In Full Colour...

It's crazy, I know, but I like to begin each year thinking about my life, my hopes and desires, in the way one would decide on a  colour palette for their home. How do I want to feel in my life in 2010? What would I like to achieve? Is the year to be filled with adventures and travels (in which case a palette of red (energy) and orange (creativity) could be the go), would I like to begin a new business (purple for intuition) or maybe a palette of blues and greens (to promote calm and clarity) is exactly what I need. As many of you will have read in my last post - this year for me is all about trying to instill a sense of peace within, with the hope of fortifying my spirit, concentrating on the things that are most important and moving ahead with focus. And so, my palette of blues of greens (those which I am already living with) are just perfect for me right now.

However, as you know, I'm in the process of getting The Little Cottage, my studio workshop primed and organised for my upcoming 2010 workshops - and so I'll be extending the colour palette that I have used up in the farm to the workshop as well. Although, perhaps a little more mint and a little less teal to ensure that the space is perky enough to see us through the day. I hope to have some pics to post you soon. Watch this space...

pic from homelife

Blessings for 2010...

Happy 2010 Everyone...

Hi all,
Well, we're back on board and all systems go for 2010 after a lovely two week break with the family, spent in beautiful Bali - the land of luscious green rice paddies, dainty offerings and much, much more.
It was wonderful to be back in Bali again. The last time I was there was about nine years ago when the children were only small and we spent much of our time confined to the pool.
This time, we hopped on our vespas, kids on the back, and really got into the life that is Bali. We spent most of our time up in beautiful Ubud - the land of yoga, health, rainy afternoons and Eat, Pray, Love (of course!). Ubud is such a lovely tranquil place to be - the people are still very traditional and the pace is much slower than the usual tourist haunts of Kuta and Legian. Most of all, I loved that Ubud and the happy and so, so beautiful Balinese people reminded me of the virtues of simplicity - of how peace and quiet can help you feel whole and how at the end of the day, we really don't require very much to feel satisfied.
This year, I'm hoping to keep the Balinese spirit alive within - where I am grateful for the smallest things and find peace in the moment rather than wondering what is around ever corner. It's not going to be easy (!)  - I am a planner to a fault - but I love a challenge.
And so, welcome 2010 - a year filled with peace and tranquility. And decorating workshops (I hope you guys can make it to beautiful Bangalow to share a day of decorating fun with me), expanding the vegetable garden and planting more trees! Oh, and tinkering with my new product range! Oh, and getting fit and healthy! Oh, and maybe doing some more writing (I feel that there's a another book hiding away inside me somewhere)! And, well - a little renovating and redecorating! Oh goodness - I told you it wasn't going to be easy!!! Om....