pretty near perfection

I came across this image today on one of my favourite blogs decor8 and the decorating style has completely captivated me. It is the work of the talented interior designer Jan Eleni, and you can click over to decor8 to see a larger size version of it there. I'm always looking for inspiration and filing away interiors inspiration ready for the day when this little family will have a home to call our very own. (We do of course have a home now, but it's just a rented one so it doesn't ever really feel like ours).

This image encapsulates all the elements of rooms that I love; high ceilings, lots of windows to bring light in, white walls to provide a blank canvas, a wooden floor, flashes of colour and print- here the door and curtain, an eclectic mix of furniture and objects- how brilliant is that pink chair! The wooden table is also beautiful and almost brings the outside in. Hanging an empty ornate frame on the wall is another simple but striking idea. Oh and one last thing, the display of circular wire objects on the far wall is genius.

Right, I think I can call it a day with all the waxing lyrical about it now. Just needed to get that out of my system.

jewels

I've seen the jaw droppingly beautiful necklaces by the US based jewellery label Elva Fields pop up in a few places lately (one of them being Oh Joy), and I just had to investigate further. They are all one of a kind designs, created using vintage and antique pieces that the owner/designer Emily Wheat Maynard hunts down from local and far flung market, auctions and shops.

The ones pictured here are all from the Spring 2010 range and most of them are unfortunately already sold out. Though I'll admit that at around $100-200 they are out of my price range, I just can't get over their unique, timeless elegance. One of these beauties would do wonders for rejuvenating my spring/summer wardrobe!

Another jewellery designer whose work is on my wish list is the British based Alex Monroe. His gold and silver designs are based on nature and the delicate, fragile pieces are so beautifully crafted and whimsical with amazing attention to detail.

the perfect messy up 'do

I am on a eternal quest to master the effortless messy up 'do for days when my hair just won't co-operate, and when I came across these photographs by holliefernando on flickr, I had an 'ahhh...this is perfection' moment. Love it.

planet awesome kid

When I first discovered this blog featuring adorable kids snapped in trendy outfits, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it. As much as I enjoy dressing Lila in cute clothes at the moment, surely one of the most wonderful things about childhood (well as soon as children are able to dress themselves), is being able to throw on the most weird and wonderful outfit combinations and go out to the shops in a Spiderman outfit or a tutu worn over a swimming costume and teamed with wellies. Trying to look cool should surely not even be on a young childs radar, as there's enough of that pressure that soon comes along a few years down the line!

Then I quickly realised that the Planet Awesome Kid is all about celebrating children for their uniqueness, character and spirit. Which is surely a good thing, right. These images brilliantly capture the spark, personality and individuality of each child. The site also links up with local and global childrens charities to host kid-centric events and raise funds to help under privileged kids and their families.

a love story

Happy Valentines Day. I thought I may as well take advantage of the love theme and grasp the opportunity to finally share some of the official photographs from mine and Curt's wedding day which took place on the 30th August last year. I posted some snapshots taken by friends and family when we got back from our honeymoon but I've been waiting a while before sharing these as I didn't want to go too overboard.

Here are some of my personal favourites...

All images by our wedding photographer David Murray.

julia pott

Here's a look at some of the brilliant artwork of London based illustrator Julia Pott. I love her humorous, endearing images featuring a whole host of different creatures and often with quirky captions and clever titles. All the ones pictured here are available to purchase as prints in her

Etsy shop.

I think the ones below would make pretty amazing Valentines presents...

hair decorations for dreamers

Here's a sneak preview of some new headbands I am planning to add to my Etsy shop next week. A big shout out goes to my friend and model Louise for insisting that it was fine to take the pictures outside even though it was about minus five degrees!

show me show me

SHOW ME SHOW ME – FISHFINGERS

Click on the link above to see the cutest little animation made by the UK company Trunk. It is from Lila's favourite childrens TV show which is called Show Me Show Me. She gets so excited whenever she sees it. Check out the Trunk Animation website to see a few more similar ones, all equally sweet and whimsical. I especially love the music that accompanies it.

just a minute in...january

Ooops... I just realised that we are actually already in February so this is now a day overdue. But better late than never, so here's what rocked my world during the past month. The pics above are of our little lady Lila out and about during January.

Reading...I have been reading the wonderful novel 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows. I had seen rave reviews about it everywhere but that weirdly had the adverse effect of making me not really want to pick it up. Just because sometimes it's more gratifying to unearth something that isn't in all the bestseller lists but is more of an undiscovered treasure and when you find it and love it so much it's like a secret you want to keep all to your self.

But this really is worth all the hype, I have fallen for it in a big way and can literally not put in down. I have even been wandering around the kitchen with my head buried in it while I cook dinner.

Listening...I went to a gig to see these guys with a couple of my friends. I'd never heard their music before (my friend Jenny's cousin is their Manager) but I was really impressed. Very atmospheric, very different and altogether captivating.

Watching...Seeing as the X Factor is now over, I needed to find a new guilty pleasure, viewing wise and thankfully the second series of the new 90210 series stepped in the fill the void. So trashy, so bitchy, so glamorous and so messed up. Total escapism. Just what I was after!

Buying... A couple of things in the sales. Namely a pretty rose print cardigan from Topshop and a tight floral print dress from Zara. It would seem that 2010 is already shaping up to be a flowery year for me!

Loving...Kiehls Creme de Corps body lotion. This stuff is amazing! This is another instance where I should have taken heed of the hype sooner. I knew it was a cult beauty item but had never actually tried it for myself (probably something to do it being quite pricey) until my friend Steph bought me some as a gift. It makes skin so soft and is not even the tiniest bit greasy. Just what my poor dry body has been crying out for in these harsh winter months.

Wanting...The Spring to hurry up and arrive! Admittedly one of my resolutions for the year has been to be more present. To enjoy every day for itself and not wish time away, but I just cannot help being so over this freezing, dreary weather. I miss the sunshine! I am simply not a winter person and that is just a fact of life :)