A perfect day at Café Max

Some pics taken at Café Max, where we had the most divine, lazy Sunday brunch. The sun was shining, the food was amazing, a table of close friends, what could be better?!






Café Max, 126 Waterkant Street, Green Point
Tel: +27 21 425 5102

Photography: by me

Design guru

Signature Prints in Sydney, Australia are the proud custodians of the iconic Florence Broadhurst design library, they currently hand-print her customised wallpapers and textiles, here are some of my favourite wallpapers from the range...

 I love the running horses, wow, what I wouldn't give to see some of the original sketches and artworks!

A touch of lilac

Wishing you all a blissful week, I'm looking forward to it after a lovely relaxing weekend. I came across this gorgeous magnolia tree fashion pic and was inspired to put together a little storyboard, it's left me feeling rather peaceful and serene...

Gorgeous room by Lerkendfeldt Photography via Finely Inc.

Magnolia tree fashion photograph by Liz Ham

Scatter cushions by Thomas Paul at Supernice

Teardrop earrings from Charlotte Russe

Wallet from Charlotte Russe

Organza slip dress by Vera Wang at Net-a-porter

Thought I'd add these photos of Vanessa Bruno's apartment because it is just so lovely and it's also filled with touches of lilac.  Photographed by the talented Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer.

Kalk Bay outing

Just a few pics from a day trip to Kalk Bay, so many beautiful quirky shops, so much inspiration! Anthology is one of many.

Photos: Lanak

Dreamy perfection

This beautiful dreamy collection is by Mrs. Press, classic, simple, understated yet totally gorgeous, sigh...

Mrs. Press is designed by Clare Press, the former features director of Vogue Australia, here's a little bit about her...

"She loves a good vintage (that would be wine and women of substance, as well as clothes). She loves 1930s silk chemises, French knickers, fragile kimonos, champagne breakfasts and ancient lace. She loves books and words, and 50s fashion illustrations, and marzipan. She loves scents and sensibility, and dressing tables covered in little glass bottles. And a good chic sleep. Oh, and she loves Mr. Press, of course..."

Doesn't this just explain it perfectly how she manages to come up with these beautiful creations?

Take a look at the stunning Mrs. Press website for more collections.

Rainbow loving

Continuing in the bright colour theme, I spotted these bags over at Anthropologie, aren't they just divine?! A little on the summery side but like I said I'm tired of the winter gloom, I'm definitely a summer girl, give me sunshine and I'm happy!

Colour splash

It's been so wintery and cold here this week, that I'm craving some colour, I found this gorgeous, South American home in Marie Claire Maison and just had to share it. I wouldn't necessarily go this wild with pink in my own home but I love their strong use of bold colours and the slightly kitsch, eccentric feel they have created, such a fun and playful space!

All images Marie Claire Maison

Gorgeous jewels

I've just discovered Marquis & Camus, thanks to Creature Comforts, oh what a find! They are based in New York City and create the most amazing unique pieces of jewellery using vintage treasures combined with lace, ribbon, crystals and the likes. Elegant, glamorous, slightly edgy and yet nostalgic too, aren't these pieces just absolutely beautiful?!

Inspiration boards

So when coco & kelley, one of my favourite blogs, put up a themed tabletop storyboard competition, I couldn't help myself, I had to give it a try! Here's my entry below, which you can vote for (hint hint!) over here.

Amazing photograph by Anders Gramer via Sarah Kaye Representation

Gold plate from Vivre

Unikko runner by Marimekko

Fornasetti teapot and sugar bowl from Couture Lab

Maisy cake slicer from Habitat

Cutlery from Anthropologie

Creamer from Anthropologie

Flamingo plate from Not on the High Street

Set of 4 glasses from Bo Bedre

Cake stand from Amazon

And since we're on the topic of storyboards I had to share these from 100 Layer Cake, which is an amazing blog showcasing all their wedding inspirations from venues to decor ideas to dresses, it is a beautiful and uplifting space. You can browse through all their previous storyboards here.

Color board # 14 - Modern french for Etsy
Color board # 13 - Softly summer

♥ fifi

Happy monday to you all! I have a confession to make, I am totally in love with Fifi Lapin, super stylish and trendy, with the best wardrobe ever, who wouldn't be?!

Fifi happens to be a very lucky bunny, as an only child, she is spoilt to bits by her parents and so the fashionista bunny was created! Fifi has a blog all about what she wears everyday.

Please take a look at her blog, you will be blown away by the amazing illustrations and sheer creativity of Fifi's world. Here are some of her recent outfits...

All images by Fifi Lapin

Retro doodles

I love these illustrations by UK artist Jenny Bowers, so simple and yet so effective, I wish my doodles could look a little more like this! I especially love the first design, it has a somewhat Scandinavian feel to me, which is your favourite?

All images by Jenny Bowers via Lobster and swan

Instant inspiration

For some instant inspiration there's nothing better than an online magazine, I just discovered  Antler thanks to Beatnik Bazaar, which looks super interesting.

And another brand new online mag is Spilled Milk by Marie Lid Aske of Norway, dedicated to fashion, photography, design and interesting people, this one is a must! Take a look at her summer must have items, I just love the mood board style she's used with the pegs, so effective!

Open studio...

Today I was reading stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk's blog, and was so envious of what she got up to last weekend. Amsterdam had an 'open studio' weekend which means that private art sudios were open to the public for two days. Imagine getting a peak into your favourite artist's studio and workspace? 

So of course Pia did some art studio exploring and you can read more here, imagine if we had that here in Cape Town? Anyone feel inspired, please?!

Image via Pia Jane Bijkerk

Colourful blooms

Okasie creates beautiful, unique floral arrangements, always stylish and with a distinctive edge.

I popped into their shop in Hermanus (there is also one in Stellenbosch) and couldn't help but take some pics, just look at all these gorgeous colour loving flowers.

Obviously these are just the flowers in their shop and not their famous floral compositions, take a look at their website portfolio to see what they get up to.

Photos: Lanak

Tapestry revival

I first spotted these fabulous cushions in my June edition of Livingetc, aren't they just so cool? The problem is that they come as a DIY kit, with embroidery template and wools, not so good if you're like me and like instant gratification! Available from Emily Peacock Tapestry.

And then spotted again in Polly Wreford's portfolio! (incidentally Polly's portfolio is absolutely amazing! Just the most stunning photography, take a look.)

Dreaming of Missoni

How stunning is Missoni Home's 2009 collection? Take a look at the pics below and then head on over to Missoni for the full collection, storyboards and details.

Bold, bright colours and retro inspired designs together with luxurious fabrics make this collection a winner for me. Did you notice the shaped rugs? Definitely on my wishlist!

A touch of nostalgia

My very creative, talented sister recently submitted some art for an exhibition at VEO Art Gallery in Cape Town, where proceeds went to P.E.T.S, an animal rescue organization. 

Aren't these the most stunning collages ever?! She did a series of three collages using paper, lace, ribbon and embroidery with vintage bits and pieces. Her detailed 3d artworks are absolutely amazing and so unique. There is so much detail in each piece, I love all the bird stamps she found. So if you love these as much as I do, email me and I'll put you in touch with Julie!

All art by Julie Kenney

Photos: Lanak