My Christmas snapshot

Wonderful friends from out of town. Rainy and cool weather. Lego. Naps. Laid back and lazy. Perfect.

A bit of front-door Australiana.

Placecards for the Christmas table.

Shannon Fricke's Sense of style; colour + space, a Christmas present from my wonderful husband - a lovely surprise! Thank you Mr T xxx

Christmas princess-beauty No.1

Christmas princess-beauty No.2

Fresh

During these dry, hot, inland summer days, I'm drawn to a refreshing, soothing palette of white, shades of turquoise and touches of silver such as the one used by Leslie Shewring in her latest Colour Me Pretty posting. I love those ribbons and wrapping paper in the third image down (and, of course, Miss A thinks the birds are just adorable).

I had wanted to use this colour theme in my Christmas decorating this year, but ended up going with naturals, red and silver as this suits my lounge room decor and I could mostly use what I already have. Ok, I did purchase a linen tablecloth and matching serviettes and some silver baubles, but I figure these are a great base, totally practical etc (insert cheeky smile). Hoping that I may get to post some pics of my Christmas efforts....we'll see!

Really liking the sweetness and simplicity of that little paper wrapped vase (above). These blue-turquoise tones were my favourite colours during my mid-late primary school years and seem to be appealing all over again. They made an appearance in a fave skirt, swimmers, jewellry, hairbrushes, dreams and drawings. Perhaps it's the dusty season, where the heat rises in shimmering waves, perhaps it's the influence of Miss A's preference for these cool tones over pinks (check this post for great ideas), or perhaps it's a shifting within....maybe it's all of the above. Whichever...turquoise is my new-again friend.

All images: Leslie Shewring

His 'n Hers

A recent party for twins. Black and white wrapping paired with brown paper. Same basic elements, with a little twist in the details - one for a girl, one for a boy.

images: one small tree

Night course - week three

The theme of last week's session was an introduction to colour and to painting our own colour wheel.

Yep, something similar to the above example (excuse the tiny image). Mine is unfinished - could NOT get my green right - so am giving myself some time to calm down and start over, because I learned SO much in the process.

The really great thing was, as we discussed colours (the associated emotions and their application in small v large spaces or dark v light spaces etc), that I felt really good about the paint colours I've chosen for the walls at home. Now, to paint!

Copy Cat Design at Little Green Notebook

The straightforward breakdown of the elements in this room, pictured below, at Little Green Notebook as a simple how-to guide is really informative. Although based around US products and suppliers, the discussion of each of the elements and the range of price points makes it a great learning tool and starting point for me to think about Miss A and Miss T's bedrooms in a more analytical way.

from Domino's Mini Guide: Twin Beds (June/July 2008 issue), photo by Justin Bernhaut (via Little Green Notebook)

Mmmmm, now that I'm looking at the image (was focussed on the content before), I like the striped rug, the repetition of the rectangles/squares in the pillows, headboards, side table and frames and - even if not in a bedroom - the pairing of red and aqua.

To live simply - a quote

This quote speaks to me today. As I've read it through a number of times, my mind and heart have stilled, I've breathed more deeply, become conscious of this moment and heard the small sounds like the ticking of the clock and footsteps nearby...

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden, and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing 1810-1884

quote found here

Today I love

via Design Style Colour

via Cote de Texas

via Lobster and Swan

via Cote de Texas

via Simply Grove

You Sexy Mother

You sexy mother by Jodie Headly-Ward looks like a thought-provoking read. After hearing an interview with Jodie on the radio, I have shamelessly copied the text below from her site and discovered the following:

"Jodie Hedley-Ward holds a Master of Business degree, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in management. Jodie, [a mother of two], initiated the Motherhood Study in conjunction with the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2009. The research will provide ongoing insights into the reality of the experience of motherhood for women today...The Motherhood Study, [conducted by Hedley-Ward and Dr Angela Huntsman], is an anonymous on-line survey designed to ask the questions that matter most to mothers. The research will provide specific and timely information relevant to policy makers and practitioners. This study has the potential to positively impact the provision of services for mothers internationally."

Jodie Headly-Ward & Dr Angela Huntsman

via yousexymother.com.au

You may be interested in completing the survey here, as I did.

Night course - week two

This week, the focus was on exteriors, including ideas to give our entrances at home a lift.

My inspiration board this week surprised me with its cottagey feel. Different textures that appealed to me are lined up down the right hand side.

Ah, if only my home had the beautiful shadey, greenery surrounding these places.

Gatsby party

Oh my, what fun this looks! Cheers, dahhhhlings!

Swoon

Just.got.to.post.these.pics! It's love...well, certainly my pulse quickened when I spied the gorgeousness of some of the elements in this house on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

All images (and more) from Livingetc.

Inky walls. Check. Tactile, natural, sculptural wall art. Check.

Rustic furniture paired with smooth, clean lines. Check. A restful outdoor spot in which to soak up nature. Check. INCREDIBLE chandelier in the kitchen. CHECK. Definitely the swoon factor for me!

On my doorstep

Today, the first flower on my azalea bush. A beautiful gift on a rainy day.

Next to the azalea, Miss A and Miss T's painted pots waiting for seedlings...

Night course - week one

First night of weekly night course running for eight weeks at local college;

8-10 women round the table, most with young children;

Experienced and down-to-earth tutor;

Interior decorating mags;

= Fun + Inspiration..and my first-ever inspiration board.

Children's bedrooms

Such lovely kids's bedroom inspiration over at Swish and Swanky where a delicious collection of images and a growing number of bedroom tours are keeping me coming back for more...

Op-shopping

Today, a tiny purchase for Miss A's room from the local Salvos which fits in beautifully with the bird theme she has chosen (it's horses all the way for Miss T). Once I replace the green ribbon with blue, it will be hung on her wall along with a (slowly) growing collection of bird and blue-coloured images.



Excuse the pun, but the best thing is that I picked it up for a song! Tweet tweet.

Faces of Sydney

For all you Sydneysiders - past and present - out there, enjoy this insight into the (Sydney) road less travelled at 52 Suburbs. Louise Hawson's search for beauty in the Sydney 'burbs is a journey into the textures, flavour, architecture and stories of the many "faces" of this country's largest city.

All images Louise Hawson

Lamp love

Am loving this metal lamp base - okay, yes..and the side tables and the Albrecht Durer image enlarged onto a linen wallhanging in the background! - from the home of Lauren Liess at Pure Style Home.

I first saw the photo below on the Skirted Round Table and got a little curious about Pure Style Home. Love the enthusiastic, practical, welcoming "voice" of the blog and appreciate the real, approachable and fun way Lauren communicates her loves, ideas and thoughts.

image: Lauren Liess

Elizabeth Gilbert on TED

Having been a reader who found that many parts of Eat Pray Love resonated deeply with me, I found Elizabeth Gilbert's TED talk on nurturing creativity fascinating.

Black+White+Yellow

I have never really been drawn to yellow, but I like, like, like it with black (or charcoal) and white (or grey):

Steve Gambrel

via Oliveaux

via Cote de Texas

MerMag

I think I first realised this fact nearly a year ago when I purchased the November/December 2008 issue of InsideOut Magazine; the colours on the cover say it all. Around this time, I had the opportunity to do an introductory screenprinting course at CMAG, during which I had fun printing this from a polystyrene tray...

Lots more Black+White+Yellow at Black White Yellow.

Today I love

via Amazing-Kitchen.com

via Oliveaux

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Darryl Carter via Cote de Texas

via Cote de Texas

It's a small world {family life}

Don't you love the world of a four year old? There is so much living and playing and laughing to be had! Even (should that be especially?) in the mundane. Adult perspective: everyday object, destined for recycling. Child perspective: play potential in everday object = hours of fun. Thanks for sharing your four year old world with me, Miss T.

(Yes Mum, the ponies DO have to be in the picture.)

Father's Day was sundrenched South Coast goodness at its best, including impromptu whale and calf watching at North Broulee.

Miss T: "I take my shovel and I dig, dig, dig"

Miss A trying to avoid being photographed


Putting our best feet forward

Doing life with Miss A and Miss T has been particularly heart-filling of late. Am humbled to have a hand in the process of my two graceful pillars being shaped to beautify a palace.

Sølve Sundsbø

My curiosity peaked by Parroquet, I decided to have a bit of a look at the fashion work of Sølve Sundsbø. My, oh my, am I glad I did!

According to the art+commerce website, Sølve Sundsbø, who was born and raised in Norway, is "one of the great innovators in contemporary image-making."

His work is ethereal & sensual...

...compelling, bold, striking.

I love the way he has captured these two very different moods of Kate Moss, below.

All images Sølve Sundsbø via art+commerce