merry christmas

merry Christmas!!! I hope everyone had a fabulous day, enjoyed large amounts of food (I certainly did!) and shared some quality time with immediate and/or extended family.

Christmas day is such a massive day, that by the end of the day it feels like a bit of a whirlwind. Always thoroughly enjoyable though.

I have only a few days left of annual leave and I'm back at work (quite depressing, but I'm trying to not think about it!) and the weather in Melbourne is improving every day - beautiful clear, blue skies. In light of this wonderful weather and the fact I am on holidays, I thought I would post a few images which, for me, signify summer. Oh, I love summer so much!!

Images courtesy of l'ilot

travelling around the world on a budget

i don't really talk much about travelling on this blog, although maybe I should, being that I love to travel and I adore googling boutique hotels around the world (I have a list of places I want to stay at!).

My sister mentioned a blog that she has started to follow called snap and blabs. This is a blog about a family travelling around the world on a budget (how amazing!) and at the moment, they're 254 days into it!

So many people live their life by what they think is "responsible" or what they "should" do, but I am so inspired by people who follow their dreams, take risks and live the life they dream. We only live once!

The snaps and blabs adventure is incredible and anyone who loves travel and dreams of packing up and travelling for a while (I still tell Richard we'll do this one day!!), then this blog is worth having a look at. Very inspiring - just beautiful!!!!

new york fashion week

wouldn't it be amazing to be in New York right now attending New York Fashion Week? Some pieces are a little on the wild side although many are simply gorgeous (if only I could get my hands on them, but then again, they probably wouldn't have the same effect on me as that on a supermodel. For starters, no bra is a no go for me!!! I'll stop there - you get the picture!).

Below are a few pics I have selected ...... and they're only a few of the many gorgeous frocks I came across whilst browsing the web.

 Anna Sui

 Diane von Furstenberg

 Donna Karan

 Donna Karan

 Donna Karan

 Jason Wu

 Jason Wu

 L.A.M.B

 L.A.M.B

 Vera Wang

 Vera Wang

Vivienne Tam

fabulous children's rooms

what great children's rooms. I particularly love the room with the green carpet - very fun!

images via Remodelista

white & bright

being that we are in the early days of spring (although the weather this weekend feels as though were are in the middle of winter), I'm drawn to summer houses - it's obviously a sign that I'm completely hanging out for summer!

The below house (found via Apartment Therapy) is a single story ranch style home in the hills of Santa Barbara, California. It is so beautifully colourful, crisp and relaxing - I absolutely adore it.

We have recently purchased a house by the beach that we're renovating and this look is exactly what I hope to create. International textiles combined with bright colours, combined with simple, beautiful furniture creates a perfectly relaxing atmosphere. Oh, I'm in love!!

happy friday

happy Friday! It's miserable outside today - I think they are forecasting hail - what happened to our beautiful spring weather we were experiencing earlier this week!? Typical Melbourne weather!

I came across a gorgeous house via Habitus Living which is based in Singapore.

Spilling over two floors, the 526 square metre home finished in 2010 appears to float on the freshwater pond that surrounds it. Built to accommodate the tropical climate and the family’s desire for joint outdoor zones, the L-shape structure is pushed as far back as possible on the 1124 square metre block to create the illusion of space.

I love the wide, open spaces, the large windows, the crisp, white walls, the pool.....everthing! If I ever live in a toprical environment and have bundles of money, this is exactly what I would love to live in.

Have a fabulous weekend!

new market & chan luu

It was my Birthday last week and I caught up with my lovely three sisters last night for dinner. It was a great night.

We ate at Newmarket Hotel in St Kilda (I have been dying to go there for quite sometime). Not only is the food amazingly delicious (shared food - Latin American inspired) the interiors, designed by six degrees architects,  was fabulous - huge concrete arches, tartan carpet and salvaged wallpaper – unusual choices that gives the restaurant/pub an undeniable edge-iness.

Also, I was very lucky to receive a Chan Luu bracelet for my Birthday, which I absolutely adore. I have not heard of Chan Luu before, so this morning (last night I was too tired and needed sleep!) I was straight onto the website to check it out.

Chan Luu's collection comprises jewellery for men and women, accessories and apparel. Boho-luxe, her pieces are inspired by cultures around the world. 

Originally from Vietnam, Chan Luu moved to Boston and later Los Angeles to earn a degree in Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Design in 1975. She opened her own boutique in 1982 and began designing her own accessories in 1996. Her pieces have been featured in Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Harper Bazaar and InStyle and her designs have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Mischa Barton, Sandra Bullock, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Drew Barrymore and Janet Jackson (I can't believe I didn't even realise!!). Using hand cut semi-precious stones, beads, and colored fresh water pearls, Chan's trademark is her artistic skill in combining unusual forms with beautiful colors to create truly striking pieces which set the trend in fashion jewellery.

If you haven't had a look at her pieces, it's definitely worth a peek.

designskool

i love finding a new blog, particularly when it is fabulous!

I came across designskool, via Remodilsta - very cool. Eclectic, inspiring and original - the basis of the blog is "be yourself and the rest will follow".

I love interiors that are not perfect and are not following a trend, but built based on one's personality, life, style and travels - this is what interiors are really about and what makes them so beautiful.

etsy

I love browsing on etsy. I have to admit, there are a few unsual items that are not really to my taste, but often I come across a shop that sells some amazing pieces and I instantly save them under my "Favtourites". Etsy is so big now, once I have come across a great find, I don't won't to lose it!

Whilst browsing on etsy the other day I came across lacasadecoto - handmade crochet cushions, rugs and pouffes. The pouffes and rugs are great - fabulous colours - very fun and bright.

We have a lovely orange mark on our cream carpet (thanks to my boyfriend - his orange sports drink leaked in his bag on the floor!). Oh well, one of these circular rugs will hide the mark - perfect! Great price as well - definitely within my budget.

Lacasadecoto is well worth having a look at if you get the chance.

happy Friday

happy Friday everyone! My favourite day of the week!

I came across Norrgavel, a Swedish furniture company, via Emma's Design Blog. I have to say I was instantly struck by their beautiful, natural furniture and the images of their new catalogue - amazing. I think I spent a few minutes staring at each photo - perfectly styled, perfectly photographed and everthing pictured I would love to get my hands on. 

Have a great weekend!