A girl can dream...

In my dream life, this is how I decorate for Christmas...

...something delightful in every room...

...little, thoughtful touches...

...gifts (carefully chosen and meaningful of course) beautifully wrapped to the sound of carols playing...

...homebaked goodies artfully displayed (no hungry hoards trying to get to them before they're on the plate)...

...and waking up here (with no dark circles under my eyes - that wouldn't match the decor)

A girl can dream, can't she?

x

pics via Country Living

This could be dangerous...

Am I the last person in the world to find Bird? Probably. But in case you haven't had the pleasure, take a look...

Bird's fabrics are handprinted using water based dyes, and the company is Australia's first climate neutral business. Very impressive...

...but potentially dangerous for those of us trying to stick to a budget.

Budget? What budget?

Looks like a few more items to add to the Christmas List.

x

pics and shop via here

Some Thursday Cheer

Too far from the weekend to be feeling it just yet, these flowers gave me a little Thursday morning cheer this morning...

...and breakfast with my girl. Always love that.

Hope there is some cheer in your day today.

x

Green Update...

gorgeous tote by piecesofkandee via etsy

Still quietly working away at becoming a little greener. I thought it was time to let you know of my progress.

I am now (plastic) bagless. The first thing I did was to buy myself a nifty little roll-up bag that fits into my everyday bag. The second thing I did was remember to use it. I have knocked back offers of plastic all over the city and am feeling a little virtuous.

I also bought the supermarket green bags - a good investment. I am a little bit in love with them as they stack brilliantly in the trolley and don't break between the car boot and the kitchen.

more lovely Envirosax

In my search for Earth Friendly and stylish products, I haven't had to look too far...

greys and greens found here

Bauwerk, the coolest paint store around, just happens to be in my neighbourhood. Check them out  for environmentally friendly paints.

I discovered these organic dresses at Loomstate, where I arrived via Pure Green, a gorgeously stylish and Earth Friendly Blog. Check it out.

So, some progress, as I travel along the road toward Green (on my bike of course). Stay tuned for more updates on some of my opshop and flea market finds.

x

Proceed with caution...

via here

I'm still thinking about a Springtime Face Lift. And, yes, I do know that Summer is a-coming, so not a lot of time left to achieve it. I got to thinking about spots - could spots be used to add a Springtime touch? Now, before you run a mile, I realise that it could all go horribly wrong. Aren't polka dots for little girls' bedrooms and bikinis?

via here

via here

Proceed with caution...

...let the great polka dot experiment begin.

x

via here

Pumpkin Orange

In honour of all things Halloween...

...pumpkin orange images.

If you are celebrating...enjoy!

x

pics from here,here,here and here

Monday Morning...

Monday morning...and what I really want to do is stay in bed. If only real life would take a backseat for a while...

Have a delightful Monday, and, if you're lucky enough to have had a sleep-in, I hope it was wonderful.

x

pics via Country Living

100 steps... and the first of the Springtime Face Lift

Every weekend begins for us at our local patisserie. It is a ritual that has become part of the fabric of our life. Our patisserie is simple in its magnificence. No pretension, no fuss, just pastries that speak for themselves. Yesterday, when I walked there to buy this Frangipani Tart for afternoon tea, I happily discovered it is 100 steps from my front porch to the local patisserie. (And no, I am not suffering from a compulsion to count my steps, I was just curious...truly)

The Springtime Face Lift has begun. Now I know that it is almost cheating to start with the dining table, but I'm easing myself into it (i.e. being lazy).

Lemons via my sister's tree (they make fantastic lemonade).

My own candlesticks (via Freedom a few years ago)

Vase via Trilogy, one of my favourite places. It was a housewarming gift that has been tucked away in a cupboard for a while.

Funny how old things can seem new again simply by dusting them off and using them in a different way.

x

pics my own, but find Freedom here and Trilogy here.

A Face Lift (no botox required)

via here

I can't believe it's taken me this long to find Hooked on Houses. It was one of those happy accidents - from one blog to the next and then...voila. If you haven't already been there (and you probably have - I'm possibly the last person to discover it), it's written by Julia, who clearly loves all things home.

Julia's most recent post talks about decorating her home for the change of season. She has some really simple suggestions and lovely pics of her latest Autumnal additions.

Julia...you have inspired me. I feel a project coming on (insert eye-rolls and groans from my family here). I'm wondering if it's possible to give my home a Springtime face lift, southern hemisphere style. And the challenge, with sustainability and my budget in mind, will be to give this little house a lift using what I already have, or what I can pick-up second hand. Now I haven't really got a plan, and there are certain constraints with the colour scheme (for example I don't think the obvious Springtime pink-and-green combination will work with my red and white striped wing-back chair), but I'm prepared to give it a go. Some inspiration above and below...

via here

via here

via here

via here

via here