Make mine neon!

 { i have no idea who these lips belong to... } 

{ a whole lot of neon in the courtesy of Jason Wu } 

{ i seem to rccall this as being Rita Konig's apartment... yes? }

{ cool art.... can't remember where I found this.... sorry }

I was too young to appreciate the power of neon the first time around so I'm really giving it a whirl this time.... it's so nice to see colour that packs a serious punch in all the shops at the min. So bright, so colourful, so much fun! If fashions not your thing don't despair, why not paint a door in neon! Yeah baby!!!

Florals & Stripes & everything else.....

{ found this little piece of decorating inspiration via the latest issue of ivy & piper }

When coming up with my business name {florals & stripes} I really had to narrow all the things I love right down and florals & stripes seemed to have a nice ring to it. Really, I could have called it florals & stripes & spots & checks & leopard print & geometric because I love the whole damn lot.... and I love them all mixed together - see brilliant example above.  Love, love, love, love, love.... you get the picture.

Besties x

 { i need this top }

{ and this one too. and I wouldn't mind going to her hairdresser either }

{ I can see myself here..... definately }

After much consideration and analysis I've come to the conclusion that Gwyneth P and I would make highly compatible besties. The hair, the clothes, the new house in the LA, the existing house in the Hamptons, the blog... I mean really, I could go on all day. Apart from the names of her children there's really nothing not to love about the girl. 

Coke addict....

{ you can find the original source here }

I recently had to confess to my dentist that I was something of a coke addict... could explain why I need some fillings..... anyhoo, nothing serious, I'm not like a can a day (but I would if I could). I just love the stuff.... and when I came across the floral variety I couldn't resist outing myself again!

Tulip time...

{ I got this image from this blog..... a very long time ago }

Of course there's Floriade in Canberra but a little closer to home we have our own tulip celebration. The Highlands are high on tulip love at the min.... I'm planning to go to "the dig" at the end of the flourish and get some for our garden so this time next year I will only have to walk out the back door to experience a tulip frenzy of my very own... well that's the plan.

We're more relaxed here...

{ this picture is no indication whatsover of what our path will look like but I have always loved this }

We're re-doing our path that leads from the front gate to the verandah... the main entrance into our house. Now usually I have a set idea of "the look" I'm trying to achieve (generally found via pinterest) and it's just a matter of executing... but not this time. I have really struggled. Do we want it paved or pebbled? Should we do pavers AND pebbles?..... and what is the best colour. It needs to look good but not stand out... it's not really a feature path more  one that should blend..... you can see my dilemma!! For the last few days I have visited every paver place and sand & gravel pit in the Southern Highlands to get lots of samples to help me make my mind up. Now, this is not a big $$ job (from their perspective), but the thing that has struck me is how helpful everyone has been. We're talking guys who work in gravel pits who probably don't care whether my path blends into the landscape. However, they have all been so pleasant and helpful. And today when I rang to {finally} order the pavers the guy on the other end of the phone couldn't have been nicer. I got their bank details so I could pay my deposit and politely asked if he needed me to email a receipt through so they knew for sure that I'd made the deposit prior to them placing the order. Do you know what he said?  "No love, that's fine, we're more relaxed down here"...... I apologised, explaining I was new to country life and was used to having to jump through all kinds of hoops in the city before an order was placed. Wow, it feels good to be more relaxed...

My Top 3

 { I'm not usually one for food but who could resist a tuna nicoise baguette so perfectly styled! }

 { a beautiful hallway complete with sconces leading to a focal point of a fireplace. Nice... }

 { Adorable.... matching prints on dress and go-cart.... ridiculously cute }

Thought I'd share a Top 3 of what I've recently pinned on Pinterest. After at least 6 months of Pinterest I'm still totally addicted and it doesn't look like waning anytime soon. Such a visual feast and keeps me inspired on a daily (ok hourly), basis. To check out more of what I've pinned of late, click here.....

Looking good....

We got our new caesarstone benchtops installed yesterday and might I just say that I'm pretty damn impressed. After lots of umming and arrring over the colour I'm really happy with the one we chose and the kitchen just looks soooooo good (and clean)! I definately need to get something up on that back wall...

Seriously cute...

{ image from my mini cute board on pinterest... find it here }

I really don't think I need to write anything today (kind of good because I've got nothin!)..... And in any case this pic speaks for itself.... soooooooo adorable!

The most classic

{ 1. from Oscar de La Renta's Spring 2013 collection 2. via One Kings Lane 3. via desiretoinspire.net }

Don't get me wrong, I love my pinks & greens as much as the next prep but for an all time classic you really can't go past navy. Or some navy & white perhaps? Such a chic, classic combo. I've recently painted our floor to ceiling wardrobes a crisp white but I'm seriously considering changing to navy. I think it might just add a little sophistication to the room and will go perfectly with our navy checked doona.

Good idea!

{ there's an interview with the sisters that make this cool stuff here }

A simple idea for improving your relationships... with your husband, your bestie's or your clients even. I'm going to give it a go.... must tell everyone that they need to be excellent back!

It's a fine line....

 

{ top image from here and 2nd image from the new witchery blog  }

I hear that Pyjama dressing is a 'key trend' at the minute. Now normally I'd be the first to jump on the bandwagon. In theory it's right up my alley..... however, having done a little more investigating online something tells me that they're taking it a little too literally. Which might be well and good if I was strolling the streets of Paris or New York but in downtown Bundanoon wearing what looks like PJ's could get me locked up - even if they are Ralph Lauren!!

So doing this....

{ image came from here }

The weather well and truly took a turn for summer today.... and so did my thoughts of balmy evenings with friends gathered for some casual backyard barbies... candles lit, fresh flowers on the table, drinks in hand and the sounds of nature gently humming in the background.... The nights are still pretty chilly here so we're a little way off but it can't hurt to dream..... This picture looks beautiful in a relaxed and easy way - I will definately be re-creating something similar in a couple of months time.

Sunny Disposition....

{ found this cuteness here }

The sun is shining, it's Saturday and I'm feeling pretty happy and content with my lot in life. Cruising around blog world this morning I came across this image and it made me smile. I think Gus and I could be added to this pic without any problems! 

Happy Friday x

{ find it here }

It's windy enough to blow a dog off a chain here today (now I live in the country I can say things like that!), but it's Friday and that makes me VERY happy! Looking forward to a weekend of relaxation and some quality time with JT and Mila Kunis - just bought the 'Friends with Benefits' DVD... better book me in some couch time. Happy Friday friends xox

Kitchen Art

As our kitchen renovation comes to a close (finally!) it's time to think about what to put up on the walls. I came across this pic in my files today (i didn't even remember having it) and it does seem kind of perfect. I love old-fashioned botanical prints - this one came from Anthropolgie (not here in Australia and they probably don't have it anymore anyway). Will have to keep my eyes open for something similar locally.

City v. Country

{ my very own happy snaps }

Country hospitality is something you read about and having lived in the city for most of my life I didn't really ever experience first hand... until yesterday... (well, that's not exactly true, the last few months have seen quite a lot of it). 

However, yesterday I was first greeted at the door by my Mum who had picked me a beautiful bunch of flowers from her garden. Then, later that day a friend of my Mum's arrived with a freshly baked apple pie (she was trying to use up some apples before she went away this weekend!) and another beautiful bunch of flowers fresh from her garden! For no reason, just because. I have mentally filed this experience as yet another reason why  the country wins hands down over the city and why I don't believe I will ever go back.

Spring!!

{ image from here }

Spring is finally here (yay!).... it's been a loooong winter for us having moved to sub-zero temperatures so I'm up for a Spring celebration. We've already had a couple of sunny days and it really does put a spring in one's step!! I'm ready to celebrate.

Feeling Crafty?

{ check out some crafty ideas here }

Just had afternoon with a friend of my Mum's today who is a mad (good mad) quilter. She has some beautiful quilts and my Mum and I have decided to make a joint quilt. I'll pick the fabric (fun), I'll cut the squares (sort of fun) and Mum will hand sew all the squares together (not so fun!). I've been thinking a lot lately about craft ideas. Christmas is fast approaching (i know it's still ages away) but if I'm to make some handmade gifts (like I promise myself I'm going to do every year and don't!) then I've got to get my thinking cap on..... watch this space...

My new bestie xox

{ pic's taken by moi }

Introducing our new member of the family, the beautiful (and extremely photogenic) Gus. We've had him for 1 month today and as far as I'm concerned he's the most adorable creature to have ever walked the planet - along with Arthur (our cat) of course. He has already brought so much joy to our little world and I can't wait for the adventures that lie ahead. Isn't he sooooooo cute!?!!!!

Outdoor Perfection

I have soooooo many ideas when it comes to interior decorating my home and for the most part it comes pretty naturally and I LOVE doing it.... however, when it comes to the garden I'm stumped! No pun intended. So I've been collecting some inspiration of late and getting heaps of ideas. Now it's nearly time to put inspiration into action. I'm thinking I can (easily!!) create something similar to this image... Isn't it just divine? The formal hedges, with a touch of colour, height and scale. And then of course there's the outdoor entertaining area. How I wish this picture showed us a little more... but I get the drift... just make it fabulous!! Do you think if I show this picture to my hubby he'll be as inspired as me and will just make it happen!?!! Mmmmm, me neither..... 

Impossibly Jealous!

{ I could very happily holiday here..... }

{ or here..... }

{ or here..... actually, I think this might be SJP's house. Perfect! }

I stalk many blogs and I even live vicariously through some of the them. The world seems so much shiner in blogland and when sometimes real life can be 'messy' and not as dreamlike as it is in my head the world of blogs, pinterest and tumblr capture it all so perfectly - you know, the way 'it's MEANT to be'.

Earlier this week I found myself checking in to 'the house that a-m built' blog. As with most (ok, all) the blogs I follow I've never met this woman but I feel like I know her. She's an interior decorator and has been featured in some Australian home magazines for her classic Hamptons decorating style. You can see why we're kindered spirits!  Well, this week she is in the states and not only has she attended a blogging conference in NYC (yep, she's pretty much made a career out of blogging!) but she's in THE HAMPTONS....... my favourite place in the entire universe. ever. The pang of jealously I felt did not go unnoticed and it really made me realise that I need to get my a*$se into gear if I want to bring to (real) life some of my long held dreams. I have been to The Hamptons once (but didn't have nearly enough time there) and am  D E S P E R A T E  to go back. Along with Boston where another of my all time favourite blogging "friends" lives.

On a less jealous note it's nice to see people living their dreams and positive things happening in their lives when they follow their hearts. NYC & The Hamptons... here I come!

Real Style

{ found here }

I don't even know what to write. Just came across this quote whilst trawling my favourite tumblr pages and this one "spoke to me"...... It's nice to not have to "try" every now and then...

Pretty on the inside....

{ if you really want to get depressed by other people's perfect interiors, click here }

Having been in my house a few months now things are coming together but there's still a long way to go until the interior is EXACTLY how I want it.... somedays I wonder if I'll ever get there! If only money were no object.... or I could just win lotto! In the meantime I continue to build my 'inspiration' file and wonder if my house will ever be photoshoot ready?!

Productivity

{ found here }

Well, how about that for an idea.... being happy is productive!! Yes, it is..... As I move towards stripping out of my life the stuff that doesn't make me happy I realise how true this is... if only we could really truly take out all the bullshit and just be left with the nice stuff. Who cares about goals and objectives and productivity.... not me - i'm far more productive without them!

Get it Bright...

{ images from my fashion love pinterest page }

After a few dreary days we're finally seeing some sunshine again and i'm looking forward to spring and the wardrobe possibilities!!!! So much brightness. Loving J Crews pink neon pants. I must have them... not to mention some printed floral pants. Hello? They've got my name ALL OVER THEM.

A new member of the family

{ image from here }

Today we are getting a dog.  Another little step in our country experience! We have a (rescue) cat that we love dearly and now that we have a backyard it's time to add to the family. We're resucing a dog from the local animal shelter. He's a black labrador and he's gorgeous. We're naming him Gus. Can't wait for him to arrive this afternoon. I've never owned a dog of my own before so this is a big day. Will post some piccies of our new addition very soon. The one above is just a placeholder for now!! Hope our new addition likes being photographed because I intend to recreate the above with Gus as soon as our jasmine is out in flower!!!

Up the Garden Path

{ lots of inspiring gardens to be found here }

With so much work to do inside our new house we've neglected the garden although winter in the Southern Highlands does not a garden make. Had a day outside last week but I must say you can't even see where we've been! Soooo much inspiration on Pinterest though. See above. Enchanted garden here I come.

A day late....

{ image via pinterest }

Thought I'd better celebrate my imaginary American heritage by wishing everyone "Happy 4 July". Aaaand, I'm a bit of a sucker for stars and stripes (see pretty picture above!). Now, I must go, I've got to watch the latest episode of my favourite American TV series (Revenge), set in my favourite American location (The Hamptons). God Bless America!!!

So ordering....

{ for more jcrew love click here }

J Crew has offered shipping to Australia for ages and I've exercised some serious restraint. But when this puppy turned up on pinterest a few days ago it just had my name on it..... haven't ordered yet but it's only a matter of time... happy monday xox