Happy Monday

Happy Monday to you all! Did you have a great weekend? I hope so! I had a very relaxing weekend which was very much in need. Well, I have to report that Soccer fever is running high and the excitement is building, just 11 days to go until the World Cup Soccer begins here in SA! There are soccer adverts on TV non-stop and on billboards everywhere, fans are wearing Soccer shirts, plus local supporters have started adorning their cars with South African flags. Just take a look at my sister's car below! In fact I even spotted a Swiss and Italian flagged car this morning. It's awesome to see everyone getting into the spirit.

To get us all in the mood, I'm going to be having a special South African week next week on my blog, featuring all things South African and a fabulous giveaway too, so be sure to stay tuned!

Queen of Tarts

Tina Bester is the owner of the fabulous Queen of Tarts, who I've mentioned before here and is also the author of two stunning cookbooks, bake and comfort. I popped in recently and of course couldn't resist taking some photos to share with you.

Apart from the delicious food and friendly service, the decor is what appeals to me most. It has a lovely retro feel with all sorts of amazing, vintage kitchen paraphernalia from cookbooks to enamelware to cutlery. I just love the checkerboard floor, the striped tables and the heart detail on the windows. Perfectly styled and put together, this is must for any foodie or vintage lover!

Queen of Tarts,  213 Lower Main Road, Observatory
Tel: +21 448 2420

Photography: by me

Seasons needlework

So today I thought I'd share some beautiful photography with you by Alena all the way from Russia. Not only is she great at styling and taking photos but she also makes all the embroidered pieces seen in her photos! So talented! You can see more of her photos over on her blog, Seasons needlework or on her flickr photostream. Hope this inspires you to have a lovely, creative Sunday!

All photos from Seasons needlework

Mika Organic

Just had to share this lovely clothing range I discovered yesterday. Apart from the sweet designs, it's totally organic and made from sustainable materials. To see more or just do some shopping visit Mika Organic. Love the first two designs, what do you think, which are your faves?

All images via Mika Organic

In search of warmth!

After yesterday's bright and sunny Trina Turk post it seems a bit strange to suddenly have an Autumn palette today... but remember that's actually the season here in Cape Town! Today it's suddenly got super chilly, rainy and the feeling is very far from Summer! I think this weekend we'll need some warm cosy blankets, comfort food and possibly have to do a bit of hibernating, that's ok though, for me that means a bit of time out and relaxing, sounds good! What are your plans? Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Image credits from left to right, row by row: 1) Miha Matei, 2) from T Style via dustjacket attic, 3) trampoline, 4) Stella Nicolaisen via Agent Bauer, 5) Trampoline, 6) Lori H, 7 & 8) Toast

Landscape beauty

Just a few gorgeous, dramatic photos by the talented Kalle Gustafsson, very fitting for the weather and mood here today!

All images by Kalle Gustafsson

Trina Turk

I'm absolutely loving Trina Turk's vibrant and bold designs in both her fashion and homeware ranges, perfect for giving your style a colour boost! Let's see, I could definitely do with that pretty pastel rug, the blazer and skirt combo and that bikini... and that's just a start! What do you think, are you needing a bit more colour in your wardrobe or home?

All images via Trina Turk

Blogger Wishlist: Monika & Alaina

It's Wednesday again... I'm always amazed at how quickly Wednesday arrives and before I know it I have to get another Blogger Wishlist post together! Today we another two fabulous Blogger Wishlists, one from Alaina in Chicago and one from Monika in Seattle.

First up is Monika, a self confessed design junkie originally from Sweden and now living in Seattle. Monika is one of the warmest, sweetest bloggers you'll meet, she's a proud mom of three and an interior decorator too. Her blog, Splendid Willow, is a lovely mix of contemporary design with a Swedish twist. Monika has such great style and I love visiting her blog for a daily dose of inspiration.

Over to you Monika, what are you wishing for?
1. A Saarinen table (first introduced in the 50's). It is such a classic. And it is so flexible. Dining table, cocktail table, bedside table. The kids will fight over the ownership when I am really old and decrepit.
2. A second home in my old  home country, Sweden. Preferably an apartment downtown with white walls, white hardwood floors and everything Swedish! I dream about it every, single day.
3. A large antique marble bust. I have been wanting one for years. It works in any setting and I just love the mix of really old and new objects.
4. It is time for a bedroom makeover at my house. An extra tall, tufted headboard is so on my wish list! For comfort and to add some drama to the room.
5. Every Spring I splurge on a pair of quality sun glasses. I have not started to shop for a pair yet - but these full metal Aviators by Marc Jacobs look lovely.
6. A  year supply of bottled Kombucha. I drink one bottle a day of this fermented tea. My energy is up, the immune system is great and I swear that my hair and my skin is healthier than ever! (Horrible tasting (like Vinegar) in the beginning, but you get used to it).

Thanks Monika, your choices are so stylish as usual, I absolutely love that headboard and of course a holiday home in Sweden would be absolutely incredible!

Our second blogger today is the lovely Alaina from Live creating yourself. Alaina is a graphic designer based in Chicago and has just moved into a vintage apartment with her boyfriend. Her blog is full of daily musings on interiors, fashion, design, Chicago and her home as well. It's always fun seeing snippets of her life and what she gets up to. I love the way Alaina writes, she has a great sense of humour too, visit once and I promise you, you'll be back for more!

Over to you Alaina, what's on your wishlist?...

1. A Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair, ideally I'd have six of this iconic chair around a dining table. But for now, I'll settle on one in my living room. Please, pretty please?

2. WS Home hand-woven Ikat rug. O. M. G. Ikat. This rug is all that is right with the world. It's stunning. Bold. Unique. What's not to love?

3. A Crate and Barrel Petrie Sofa, as soon as I can afford to purchase my first real sofa (aka not something used off of CraigsList or a family hand-me-down), this will be the one I buy. You might remember it from The Break Up. I love the structured shape and vintage style. Still undecided as to what color I'd get. I'd love the white, but my pups would destroy it.

4. A Restoration Hardware Brickmaker's Table, if I could have one coffee table for the rest of my life, this would be it. Hands down.

5. DVF shoulder bag, obsessed with the bright colors of this bag. So fun for spring and summer, and I love the shape.

6. Tabitha Simmons Bailee suede sandals, just saw these last week when Gwyneth Paltrow was on The Marriage Ref. She wore them with a red dress by Victoria Beckham, and I could not take my eyes off of them. I had never even heard of Tabitha Simmons, and I won't be owning these any time soon seeing as they are over $1000. That's why they are on my wishlist!

7. RayBan Clubmaster II, I'm obsessed with 80's and early 90's style glasses coming back - think HUGE round frames or SMALL round frames. These remind me of the small rounded glasses stars like Johnny Depp and Meg Ryan wore back in the day.

Thanks Alaina, I love your choices, especially that beautiful DVF bag! You see friends... bloggers have such style, don't they?! Be back next week for Wishlists from  Stockholm and Toronto!

Weekend snippet

I wanted to share a few photos from my weekend... beautiful Irises given to me from my mom, delicious Malva pudding made by a friend and then a serious case of herb and vintage crockery envy! Now you know what to get me for my birthday, don't you?!

All photography: by me

Jewellery by Vanya

Today I'm in the mood for some sweet temptations like these from Vanya. Any of these will do, please!

All images via Jewellery by Vanya.

Winter glam

Welcome to the last week of May, can you believe how this year is flying by? Before we know it Winter will be over (yay!) and the Soccer World Cup will have come and gone. That by the way is almost the only thing on South Africans minds at the moments, bring on June 11! 

Anyway back to today which is rather chilly here in Cape Town, so I thought I'd share some cosy Winter inspiration for you. I'm absolutely loving Karin Elson's look in this shoot and her gorgeous hair. And I think I could quite happily spend the entire day in either of these bedrooms... catching up on reading and drinking lots of tasty warm beverages, wouldn't that be a treat!

Image credits: 1 & 5) Karin Elson by Simon Burstall via Fashion gone rogue, 2) Camille Soulayrol, 3) Alexandra Grablewski, 4) Stella Nicolaisen @ Agent Bauer, 6) Graham and Green tea light holders, 7) Cedric Bihr

Tara Donne Photography

Have you heard of Tara Donne? I recently discovered her online portfolio and enjoyed endless inspiration going through all her beautiful photography. From still life to food to travel, lifestyle and kids, you can it all here.

All images via Tara Donne

ban.do beauty

Loving all these beautiful pieces from ban.do, whether it's to add a bit of glamour or just for fun, how can you resist?!

All images via ban.do

Shades of purple and lilac

Ah it's Friday once again, how lovely! Today I wanted to share an amazing wedding shoot that I came across over on Once Wed and instantly loved. The incredible photography, the styling, the subtle purple palette, the blossoms, the chickens and goats, the dappled sunlight... sigh, everything is totally perfect. You can see the whole shoot over on photographer Tec Petaja's blog, believe me you will swoon and perhaps if you're like me, a bit of a country girl at heart, you'll start thinking... Why am I living in the city when I could be living here! Please take a look, you won't be disappointed!

 This weekend I definitely want to get outdoors while the sun is still shining, among other things of course, what are your plans? Have fun whatever you get up to!

Image credits: First five photos by Tec Petaja via Once Wed, Collage: (from left to right, row by row) Tec Petaja, Claudia Bryant, Toast, Anna Williams, Pia Ulin, Pia Ulin, Stella Nicolaisen, Zach deSart, Susie Cowie