A big birthday and then some bugs!

Our little man turned one a couple of weeks back – I was ridiculously excited, almost like Christmas Eve excitement! Not sure whether this is normal but it was pretty cool! We had a fabulous day with family celebrating this milestone and then partied with Axel’s friends on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I went to a party shop here in Christchurch where I was in and out in 20 minutes, leaving with a plethora of Beatrix Potter themed party wares – easiest party planning ever!

And then I came down with a virus – ugh! I haven’t been struck down with anything this bad since I got swine flu while living in London. While it was nothing nearly as bad swine flu, I have been feeling average to say the least for the last two weeks. Finally today, the fog seems to have cleared and I am beginning to feel a little more like my energetic old self. Thank god for that!

Here are some photos of the birthday boy, including a couple with his friends in his new Mocka teepee (thanks to his Granny and Grandad!). Will do a separate post on the teepee and what I found to make it extra cosy later this week.

Thanks for sticking with me while I’ve had a loooong absence! X

Fancy Finds

After a power outage which meant a stay at my parents house last night we are back up and running and thus I’m back online!

Hope everyone enjoys a lovely weekend x

I have been internet searching for a few items recently and while on my travels stumbled across these fancy finds…

1. Gold Geo Sphere – How gorgeous would this look adorning some surface in your home? I think I need this in my life!!

2. Leden Golden Concrete Pots – concrete and gold the best combination for showcasing some form of greenery.

3. ARRO Pastel Kilim Rug – pretty pastel colours.

4. Ghost Acrylic Tray – comes with 4 different patterned papers or add your own design. Perfect for keeping bits and pieces together in one place (I have a similar one that I use on our dresser for all my lotions and potions).

5. Elle Rectangle Eiffel Coffee Table – Just beautiful – Enough said!

Bathroom Door Decorating

When Axel went down for his afternoon sleep on Tuesday and I had an itch to do something creative. Our main bathroom is awaiting renovation; there isn’t actually too much wrong with it as such, but the old claw foot bath is leaking so time to upgrade the character features unfortunately. Until we get stuck in, the white on white colour scheme was starting to get a little boring and I had a roll of unused washi tape; here is the results of my little burst of creative energy…

From this:

 

To this:

 

Not the best photos as the natural light in there isn’t great but I’m sure you get the idea.

Washi tape probably wouldn’t do so great in a bathroom that wasn’t well ventilated, but as it is soooo cheap, super easy to apply (and removes without marking the surface) and comes in such an amazing range of colours and patterns, I think it’s ideal to use as a decorative element in your home.

Washi tape is readily available from a huge number of online stores, check out the range here and here for a start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Hunting…

via Fantastic Frank. Such GOOD styling! And how beautiful are those white glossy floors? See below for products to help get the look at your place.

 

1. GE Rustic Bar Stool in Mint – Good Regards

2. Splay Table – Paper Plane Store

3. Oelwein Buffalo Print – Norsu

4. Tall Copper and Marble Canister – SE3

5. Ursa The Bear – Paper Plane Store

6. Kauniste Tea Towel – Mint Six

 

Birds Eye View

Los Angeles based photographer, Gray Malin, travels the globe taking beautifully composed aerial photographs of some of the worlds best beaches (he also takes photos of lots of other amazing landscapes, but the beach series is by far the most recognised). Recently he has turned his photographs into something of empire; his birds-eye view beach images now also grace iPhone cases, surfboards, swimwear, umbrellas, wallpaper and ceramics, but for me a framed, large scale photograph is still the most coveted.

Shooting from doorless helicopters, his A La Plage series has been photographed around the world from the U.S. to Brazil, to Australia. The vibrancy of the colours he captures, along with the sense of pattern and form from the people crowding these popular beaches, make me think that these photographs are a special version of a Where’s Wally picture. I could definitely get lost looking at one of these images if it graced a wall in our home.

Have a fab weekend everyone xx

 

 

All photos Gray Malin

 

The Blacklist

Store.. not television programme (although I have to say that we are glued to the TV to watch the programme version each week!)

Blacklist is a Sydney-based graphic design studio that launched in 2008. Blacklist Studio is the work of art director Nathan Johnson, and together with his wife Jaynie, they run the homewares & interiors product side of the company – Blacklist Store. 
Blacklist Store designs and releases two collections a year, including limited edition prints, cushions, throws, wall flags, towels and wall banners. 

I am in love with the flags and am dreaming of Axel’s bedroom in a few years time flying the Adventure Giant Wall Flag pictured below (I am trying hard not to buy things with the idea of him using / wearing them in 5 + years time!).

 

Head over to the Blacklist Store to check out all their other amazing homeware products that just ooze cool – a bit like that French Bulldog!

Have a fab weekend everyone x

My Dream Apartment

Black, white, gold and marble… in Paris… need I say more?!

images Ando Studio via Home Adore

Hermès Lighting

Luxury French brand Hermès has a limited homewares range that they have extended for the first time this year to include lighting. Released in Milan at the gorgeous 18th-century Palazzo Serbelloni, the installation, which took 10 days to build, occupied several rooms of the palazzo. The small collection demonstrates Hermès signature style, using high end materials like leather and silk, and taking inspiration from traditional and historical elements like the brands equestrian heritage, sailing and architectural drawing implements.

An impressive entry into lighting – but you wouldn’t expect anything less from Hermès!

images via

Open Home

Kicking the week off with some beautiful images of a refurbished Auckland villa from this month’s Urbis Magazine. I’m totally digging that kitchen (especially the black tapware) and the gorgeous wall finishes throughout the house. Get your hands on a copy of the mag to check out the whole feature.

Photos taken by Simon Devitt for Urbis Magazine

Look Up

The colour of a ceiling is traditionally white however experimenting with metallic finishes, stripes or stars is becoming increasingly popular. Painting the ceiling is an inexpensive way to change the feel of a room; you can trick the eye into making a room feel larger or smaller (a dark colour on the ceiling will make a room feel smaller and cozier by lowering the walls),  longer or wider (by using vertical or horizontal stripes), and the use of stars or spots in a kids room adds a sense of fun and whimsy.

A less permanent option could be achieved by using washi tape or decals, I have to admit it would be a brave move to go the stripe option and one that would require a lot or preparation and planning.

Here are some examples of how being brave with your ceiling paint can really give a room wow factor…

image via The Decorista

image via The Decorista

image via k kerr design

image via 6th Street Design School

image via Homedit

image via Design Sponge

image via amalgama

image via Style Me Pretty Living

image via Decor Pad