happy monday

happy Monday!

Unfortunately, I'm home sick today - it seems I have come down with a cold. However, I thought I would boost my spirits by posting a few beautiful images.

The weather this weekend was amazing - it's really beginning to feel like we're finally at the end of winter and quickly approaching summer. I am so looking forward to some warm, sunny weather.

Based on that, I thought I would post some images of a stylish retreat in Spain. The crisp white interiors  exude calmness and simplicity. Oh, if only Spain was a few hours away!

Images via Tasty Hotels

hello!

Apologies for not blogging for awhile - as you can imagine, life has been a little hectic. However, I have really missed blogging and sharing with others what I love.

I was thinking....... although life is busy, it is not an excuse to put what one enjoys on the bottom of their "to do list". In doing this, I think you unconciously lose a little of yourself and who you are. We all have lives that are demanding, whether that is caring for children, working full-time , maintaining a house or catching up with friends and family, but regardless, it is so important to set aside some time for you and what you enjoy.

This blog is a forum to share my finds and to do something that I enjoy - some time for me. I can't wait to get back into it again!

See you soon!

a lazy summer day

Winter has definitely settled in for a little while and I am already looking forward to some beautiful, warm sunshine. On these cold days, I regularly day dream that I am lying by a luxurious pool with a good book, falling in and out of sleep (my ideal holiday). Oh, how I love those lazy summer days.

Count down to summer!!

Images via Cote Maison and French By Design. 

coloured antlers

i came across Cassandra Smith on etsy and her designs, while a little different, are appealing and fun.

Cassandra hand paints naturally shed Sika Deer antlers using acrylic paint. Sika Deer are native to East Asia and unfortunately, this deer is now almost extinct everywhere but Japan.

Cassandra also sells other unique items, but I have to say, the painted deer antler is my favourite. A painted antler to hang on a wall, or simply to use as display piece, would look great in any room.

fun furniture from anthropologie

undecorate

i came across a new design book called "Undecorate" this morning whilst reading the newspaper and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

"Undecorate", produced by Christiane Lemieux, founder of DwellStudio, discusses how the best interiors are those that exhibit a no rules approach to interior design.

For many years, people looked to fashion and design experts to learn how to style their home and what items and colours they should or should not have, but really, with the explosion of design blogs and online magazines over recent years, many people are now looking at what real people, like us, are doing. We are reality - seeking to create a home that is comforting, stylish and appealing coupled with an environment where we can relax after a long day at work, that is child friendly, that you're proud to invite friends over to see and that, most importantly (unfortunately!) is budget friendly.

Interior design is exciting and this books illustrates what fabulous creations "real" people can achieve - the non fashion and design experts!

hollywood house

there is something about Tori Spelling that interests me.

Last year I watched (or I could possibly have been addicted!) to her "Home Sweet Hollywood" reality show - there was somthing about Tori that hooked me in. Whilst she was born in one of the most famous and wealthiest families in Hollywood, she has developed into a down-to-earth (as much as you can living in Holloywood) person who experiences the same struggles (eg: being a mum and working) as others in modern society.

Tori displays incredible style. Personally and in the home, her style is relaxed, simple and beautifully constructed.

I noticed her and her husband's (Dean McDermott) house in Hollywood is for sale (approx. $3.2 million US) and it looks stunning. Whilst it is a typical Hollywood mansion, the interior creates a stylish and homely feel. If only I had  a spare $3.2 million!

Hooked on Houses