Countryside and caravans

Hello friends, how has your week treated you? Are you ready to relax and take some time out? I'll definitely be doing exactly that this weekend especially since I've suddenly got a cold out of the blue and am feeling a bit sorry for myself! So far my only plan for the weekend is to go along to the Old Mac Daddy Open Day. 

You're probably wondering what this is... well, its an open day to see the process of ten Airstream trailers being decorated by local designers. Once decorated these caravans will be taken up to a beautiful countryside setting in Elgin and will form a new luxury Trailer Park, called Old Mac Daddy. You can read more about it here and also see the design themes of all the caravans. Sounds like fun, no? If you're in Cape Town be sure to pop in and look out for the caravan my sister is decorating, "For better or for boerewors". 

Have a great weekend, enjoy the sunshine and for some extra inspiration, pop over to decor8 to see Leslie's beautiful Color Me Pretty post or do some retail therapy over at Lauren Moffatt, her new Spring collection is amazing!

Image credits: 1 & 3) Leslie for decor8, 2) J.Crew, 4 & 10) Lauren Moffatt, 5) Grand Daddy, 6, 7 & 8) Jose Villa for Enjoy cupcakes, 9) Debi Treloar Photography, 11) Old Mac Daddy

Winter inspiration

For some Winter inspiration, pop on over to Kim Gray where my guest post is up today!

Image credits: 1) Mikkel Vang, 2) Alexandra Grablewski, 3) Daria Werbowy by Mario Testino @ Fashion Gone Rogue , 4) Morten Holtum

Decorex

I popped into decorex on the weekend which is a yearly design and decor expo held in Durban, Joburg and Cape Town. It was brilliantly organised and put together but I have to admit there were too many products and too few decorators for my liking but that's just me being obsessed with interiors! I enjoyed seeing new tendencies towards green living and a lot of African influences. Here are some photos of stands that appealed to me...

Some of the exhibitors from the above photos are Salomé Gunter, Indaba, Hertex Fabrics, JVB, Ralph Krall and Dominico for Condé Nast House & Garden.

Blogger Wishlist: Rachel & Vicki

Welcome to the Weekly Blogger Wishlist and today we have two extremely creative bloggers, Rachel from Hawaii and Vicki from Cape Town!

Rachel is a graphic and web designer has an amazing blog called Lovely Clusters and I'm almost certain you'll all know this talented lady already! Rachel puts together the most gorgeous storyboards and images and every time I visit her blog I come away feeling dreamy and inspired! Rachel also has a website by the same name where she features handmade and vintage items by creative designers from around the world. All of the designers are approved by Rachel, so whether you search by category, colour or shop, you're sure to find something beautiful.

Over to Rachel and what's on her wishlist...
1. Pearly Glow Tank from Anthropologie
I am a huge ruffle girl. I am always swooning for them and I love this tank in white because it would look great dressed down with jeans or dressed up with pencil skirt.
2. Silver Flower & Diamond Pattern Ring by tinahdee
I am all about simple silver jewelry and I love the vintage feel to this ring.
3. Promegranate Bag in taupe brown by Ira Grant
I am on the hunt for a new gray bag. I hate changing my bags out so I like a neutral bag with style that is casual. This one is perfect!
4. Glamour: Making it Modern Book via amazon
I am always collecting new inspiration books and this one in particular looks fabulous. I love this style!
5. Garden Dream 5x5 Photograph Print by leefee
I have a loft so my living room walls are very tall. I am always looking for new art to fill it up. I especially love the soft greens of this photo. So pretty!
6. Scrabble Shoes  from Need Supply Co.
These shoes have got to be the cutest ever! I am 5'10 so I am not always comfortable in heels. I love my flats especially when they're in green!

Thanks Rachel, you've definitely got me wanting that beautiful bag and the Glamour interiors book too!

Next up is Vicki, a fellow Capetonian with a new but exciting blog and I'm very happy to feature her here today! Vicki is freelance magazine journalist and editor and is always out and about and finding the most incredible things to feature on her blog, iwantthat. From Bargain Betty finds to must visit places in Cape Town to the latest design trends, you'll find it all on iwantthat!

Over to you Vicki...

1. The John Vogel chair is such a beautiful example of contemporary South African design.
2. Vintage-inspired cushions by Lucinda Chambers and Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company.
3. Enamel heart shaped pendants by Marietjie Beeslaar of Skermunkel.
4. The new Narciso Rodriguez fragrance, Essence, which is even more beautiful than his others with musk, rose and amber notes - yum!

5. South African Art Now by Sue Williamson is going to be a collector's piece plus its crammed with every SA art movement mover and shaker there is to know.

6. The Lab Light by Anatomy Design was voted The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa at this year's Design Indaba Expo - and I really, really want one.

I absolutely love Skermunkil jewellery and have been wanting a necklace forever, perhaps it's time?! Thanks for sharing your latest must haves with us Vicki!

Next week we'll have wishlists from another Cape Town blogger and from Italy, so be sure to visit!

Tangerine twist

Coco & kelley is definitely one of my favourite blogs, so when Cassandra put up a post asking for new contributors to her blog, I knew I had to give it a try! All this week she will be featuring submissions from various bloggers hoping to become weekly contributors to her blog. Cassandra will choose the final contributors depending on the response from her readers. My post is up today so please pop over to coco & kelley and leave a comment if you find it inspiring!

Image credits: 1)  Chris Everard, 2) Vanessa Briggs

Photography by Kimberly Chorney

I recently discovered Kimberly Chorney's photography on flickr and was instantly smitten. Kimberly is a mom of four boys and runs her own photography business from her home in Canada. Her photography has a rather whimsical and retro feel to it which really appeals to me. The lighting is amazing and I love her styling, don't you agree?

All photography by Kimberly Chorney

Bright start

So did you have a lovely weekend? I certainly did! In fact I have the day off today and tomorrow is a Public holiday, so the weekend continues! Yes, definitely reason to be in a good mood! I thought I'd post some beautiful brights and florals to start the week off on a happy and positive note. Don't you just love these tulips, absolutely gorgeous!

Image credits: 1 & 8) Elena of inspiration + photography, 2 & 3) Philip Harvey, 4 & 5) Anna Kern, 6 & 11) by me, 7) Chris Everard @ Sarah Kaye, 9) Ulrika Ekblom @ VOL, 10) Toast- Summer 2010

The Sartorialist book review

I managed to get my hands of a copy of The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman from a friend and greedily devoured every single page of it! It really is a must have! The photos are fabulous of course, featuring men and women of all ages and from all other the world. With great commentary too. Here a few sneak peeks but I highly recommend you get your own copy!

Image credits: photography by me of The Sartorialist

Sunshine & blossoms

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day in Cape Town, just perfect. I hope you have a gorgeous Saturday and for some Spring inspiration pop over to Elena's blog to see more of her amazing blossom photos, enjoy!

Image credits: 1 & 6) Elena of inspiration + photography, 2 & 4) Jane Roarty @ 2c Management, 3) Anna Inghardt, 5) Morten Holtum

Nature loving

Ah it's Friday at last, what a welcome relief! I am so looking forward to the weekend after a busy week of running around. I think it's going to be one of the last lovely sunny weekends here, you can already feel there's a chill in the air and Winter is on the way. 

So my plan is to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and nature. I'd love to have a picnic or lunch outside somewhere or even sundowners at the sea. What are you planning? If you're in Cape Town, you might want to check out Decorex which runs until Tuesday 27th, for some decor inspiration. Enjoy, whatever you get up to!

Image credits: 1) Corrie Bond @ 2c Management, 2, 3 & 6) Jamie of From me to you, 4) Barb Fritz, 5) Paul Barbera, 7) via Home Sweet Home, 8) Anna Wolf

Lace beauty

Today's post is inspired by days of old, beautiful nostalgic floaty fabrics and laces. So romantic, pretty and feminine, I'm tempted to haul out my box of antique laces and get creative! Don't you love the two lace curtain panels and lace "headboard" below? And the Eiffel Tower lace embroidery by Susie Cowie is just exquisite! Don't you agree?!

Image credits: 1.) Travis Grace @ 2c Management, 2, 3 & 8) Susie Cowie, 4) Waldemar and Max, 5) White Owl, 6) Bella Notte Linens, 7) Tord Boontje via New York Social Diary

Blogger Wishlist: Federica & Renée

I can't believe it's Wednesday already and time for our Weekly Blogger Wishlist! Today we have Federica from Bologna in Italy and Renée from Michigan.

Federica has a charming blog called sweet as a candy where she blogs about all sorts of beautiful things from fashion and photography to baking, interiors and daily inspirations. Federica herself has such great style and this comes through in everything she posts about. I love seeing her own photos of life in Italy!

Over to Federica...

1. On my wish list is the entire J Crew collection! I love their style and their clothes. Unfortunately they don't ship to Italy... I'm still wondering why not. I could buy all their last spring collection!

2. On my wish list there is also a new lens for my Canon. I really would like a new macro lens. Photography is one of my passions and I would like to improve it. The one I wish I the Canon 50 mm f1.2.

3. I 'm in love with Chanel. There’s something about a Chanel purse that you can't explain. Sophistication and elegance of a very particular kind. Chanel 2.55 is The Bag. An icon. I am now drooling over a Chanel Jumbo 2.55 in Cream...

4. I love flats! There is something so comfortable about wearing flats and I have several pairs of them but they're not too much. Love them in every style and colour. On my wish list there are so many new pairs of them, like these from Porselli.

5. Chanel Le Vernis 505 Particuliere. It's very difficult to find it! The 505 is a limited edition and I can't wait for it. It's the new must have beautifier for this spring! Absolutely.

Next up is Renée who has a beautiful blog called Musings. Renee is an incredibly talented artist and stationery designer and incorporates her own designs and illustrations into her blog which makes for a unique experience. We also often get glimpses into projects she is working on which I always love seeing. Besides this, she has a love for vintage fashion, photography, art, interior design and all things glamorous, so if this sounds like you, her blog is a must visit!

Here are a few things that I am currently lusting after...

1. White Vanity Case from Aspinal of London
2. "The Gospel According to Coco Chanel" available from Anthropologie
3. Macaroons from Laduree in Paris
 4. Kate Spade Purse in Black

5. Flocked Wallpaper from Designers Guild ( bergmasque rose)

Thanks so much Federica and Renée, you've definitely got me craving for some cute ballet flats, macaroons and some serious French style!

Pop back next Wednesday for wishlists from Hawaii and Cape Town!