Havana Green...

Happy Weekend all...

pics from taschen

My Heart's All A Flutter...

How could it not be - when I'm gazing at such beauty. Home's that are all in white with a splatter of pale blue or mint green are just the most beautiful of all. They have a lightness of being - a joyful spirit. They're easy going, no fuss, go-with-the-flow kinds of spaces. Just the kind that I love living in.

The clock has been ticking for me lately! In a decorating kind of way, of course... You see, my first 'How To Decorate' Workshop is almost upon us. On 12th March, I have 20 lovely ladies descending on my hometown of Bangalow for a day of decorating and creativity. The workshops are being held at The Little Cottage - my studio workshop right in the middle of town. And so, Nicky (my trusty offsider) and I have been working furiously to make the cottage as pretty as it can be for our guests. And a palette of blue and mint green - just like the colours in these pics - is exactly what I've been using to infuse the cottage with a sense of light heartedness and joy. We've been having a ball, Nicky and I. Painting furniture, hanging fabrics, stringing bunting, devising menus for our lovely ploughman's lunch. Ah, such fun! Now, don't think that you guys are going to miss out - there'll be pics on the way. In fact, you'll be shocked by the transformation! But those will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, there's flowers to be potted and prettiness to be hung...

pics from Country Living

Pretty Gardens All In A Row...

beautiful gardens from light locations

A Spoonful Of Sugar...

Are you fond of a little sugar like I am? Lovely, jubbly, sugary, sweetness? This sweet shop, Hope and Greenwood (with two stores in London) looks like my idea of heaven! Bountiful sweeties in a never ending palette of scrumptious colours... Ah, what delightful photographs to take us into the weekend... I hope yours is the sugary kind!

Pics from Light Locations

Ginger With Heart...

I do love those talented girls, sisters Alex and Genevieve, over at Ginger and Smart - they never fail to inspire me with their bold and bright fashions and quirky store interiors. On occasion I do find myself swanning around the farm in a Ginger and Smart creation (paired with black rubber gumboots, of course!) just because... well, a girl's gotta feel glamorous sometimes don't you think?
I love these pics of their new store in Sydney's Avalon - particularly that sublime peacock. Beauty with heart is what I call it. Love you girls! x

The Circus...

Even since I was a child, and particularly since the beautiful scenes in Big Fish - that delightful film by my favourite director Tim Burton - I have been fascinated by the circus. Such magic. Such colour. Such energy. Such joy is to be found at the circus. Rooms like these remind me of the circus and bring a smile to my face at first glance and beyond...

pic via White and Wander

Rainy Day Rummaging...

Look at the wonderful things you find when rummaging on rainy days through the land of blog...
I was very excited when, on closer inspection of my followers list, I came across Heath from Heath's Old Wares in Bangalow - my home town no less! Although Heath and I have never met - I often find myself down at his old shed in Bangalow having a little rummage through the beautiful things that he has on display there. I'm particularly excited at the moment because he has many beautiful things in the colour cobalt - my new favourite colour since my post 'Zippity Doo Da' on a delightful cobalt kitchen located somewhere else in the world. In fact, I do have my eye on a couple of bits and bobs in these pictures - so I'd better be quick and get down there before you all do!

Brighten Your Day...

There's nothing quite like a hit of colour to brighten your day. And what a kaleidoscope of luscious colour we have here. These divinely beautiful vessels were created by the clever team at Dinosaur. Clustered together they this they make for an eclectic display - or on their own with a simple flower, they make for a heavenly colour gesture.

All Fired Up...

I do love a wall all awash with paint - particularly when that paint comes in bright, unbashful colours like this one. There was a time, in my old life in Sydney, where I lived with vibrant colours such as these. In fact, my daughter Inez's bedroom was painted in something similar - although I only painted half the wall (horizontally) leaving the other half in a soothing creamy off white to ensure she (and I) did in fact get some rest. As you know, these days I tend to stick to a cooler palette of greens, blues and whites - however I can't help but stand up and notice when I see such boldness. This pic is from the website of Murobond - who are sponsors of the blog right now. Love you Murobond and love this beautiful bright!

Through The Green Door...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if one could step through the green door only to find yourself in magical places that are far, far away and filled with surprises and treats? Like Alice! If I could step through the green door today then I'd love to be transported to Petersham Nurseries in London - that magical place filled with floral delights and indulgent treats!  I've never been to Petersham Nurseries but I just from the pics I know that I would love it. All that green grass and dirt! Now that's my kind of heaven...

What Goes On Behind The Green Door?

pic from Country Style

Now For Something A Little Warmer...

After yesterdays icy theme, it's time to thaw yourself out and get ready to daydream about lazy hot days and long languid nights. These pics from Toast should put you in the mood! Enjoy...

Snow White...

Whilst on the theme of all things snowy - I thought that I would end the day with a little table top beauty... All dressed in the snowiest of white...

pic from Martha

Ice House Detroit...

I've had so many emails lately from my blogging friends in America who are freezing under a mound of snow right now and so this post is for you!

Have you heard of the Ice House in Detroit - an architectural ice installation and social change project created in an abandoned house in Detroit by architect Matthew Radune and photographer Gregory Holm? I was sent a link to their blog from a friend (who is living in the UAE desert!) and was immediately mesmerized. It reminds me that, with love and constant tending, beauty can be created against a backdrop of abandonment. What a project huh! 

Gone Potty...

I just can't help myself! After this mornings post on all things garden I just had to get outside into my own for a while, for a bit of dirt digging and petunia potting. And to check on what lovely new crops have sprung up in the vege patch - loads of rocket (arugula, chillies, pumpkin (which is going crazy!) and corn. The farm is loving all of this rain we've having and so everything is nice and green. Even Isobel the Spoodle is getting in on the action!

Bloomin' Gorgeous...

I just love these pics from the site of Bloomingville that I found through Holly over at Decor8. Give me a luscious green houseplant, set up against a timber lined room and a tin bucket - and I swoon! I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's a little nostalgia - as it reminds me of my rural roots and long, hot holidays spent at my grandparents house in country Australia. Or perhaps it's the colour palette - beautiful greens set against crisp whites can do that to you. Whatever the reason, I know one thing for sure - that checking out these pics is simply a lovely way to begin a Wednesday! Enjoy my friends...