Marigold

When I first  heard about Marigold over on the lovely iwantthat, I almost jumped up and down with glee. A colourful haven of beautiful finds, this is just my kind of place I thought. So I popped in the other day and was just as excited, Marigold certainly doesn't disappoint. This little "Neighbourhood Gift Shop" is crammed full of gorgeous, fun goodies from ceramics to stationery to artworks, body products, plants and more. An added attraction is that a lot of the stock is made by local artists. It's the perfect place to find a gift or treat whether it's for a friend or just yourself!

Marigold, 21 de Lorentz Street, Oranjezicht, Cape Town

Tel: +27 21 422 5451

Photography: by me

Wallpaper spotlight: Elli Popp

Happy Monday to you! How's your week going so far? I'm back at work today after a fantastic week off. What did I get up to? Well, lots of reading (I finished The girl with the dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson, it was a really brilliant read!), walks, coffee with friends, a trip to Darling for some wine tasting, lots of photo taking and even some sewing!

Today's post is another Wallpaper Spotlight feature, this time beautiful designs by Katja Behre for her company, Elli Popp. Katja's designs are inspired by nature and all have a lovely playful element to them and yet are still quite elegant and classic. I love her colour combinations and sense of whimsy, this is definitely a designer to keep an eye on!

All images via Elli Popp

Kirra Jamison

More art for you today! Thanks to design*sponge I heard about Kirra Jamison, an artist from Australia. Her work is just amazing and instantly draws you in. I absolutely love her use of colour and fine detail. Imagine waking up to one of these pieces each morning... I'd almost certainly be up and about with a smile on my face and be in a good mood. There's a great interview over on The Design Files if you want to find out more about Kirra.

All images via Kirra Jamison

Sweet illustrations

Loving these sweet illustrations by hillary bird, a designer living in the San Francisco Bay area. They're all available to buy, some are prints and others are cards, I'm totally in love with the heart & horseshoe print below!

All images via hillary bird

Cakebread- sweet treats

It's Friday again and this week has just flown by! I thought I'd share some beautiful eye candy to put you in a sweet mood for the weekend. Yesterday I featured siblings in the fashion world and today we have two more talented siblings, this time from the foodie world. Callie Maritz and Mari-Louis Guy are well known cake makers and stylists and have just opened up a little shop on Roeland Street.

I popped in yesterday while they were setting up for their launch and took a few pics to share with you. This little space was filled to the brim with gorgeous savoury and sweet treats and baking accessories plus their cake recipe books. If their delicious, cute heart shaped biscuits are anything to go by I'm sure this is going to become a Cape Town favorite! Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

Cakebread, Roeland Street, Cape Town (next to The Book Lounge on corner of Buitenkant St)

Tel: +27 21 461 9719

UPDATE: Unfortunately this shop has since closed down.

Photography: by me

GOOD Clothing

Have you heard of the South African label, GOOD Clothing, designed by Marian Park-Ross? I went to a friend's farewell party on the weekend and one of our friends was wearing one of their dresses, a simple black sheath dress with a lace trim across the neckline (It's the dress in the last photo). She looked absolutely gorgeous in it.

Since seeing more of their clothing which was shown recently at Cape Town Fashion Week, plus all the stunning hair pieces by Hello Sailor, I'm definitely hooked. I can see myself wearing every one of these pieces, the question is what to choose! The clothing will be available at Mungo & Jemima, The Space in Cavendish and Rosebank and White Summer in Balito. The Hello Sailor hair pieces are all made by Louise Park-Ross who also helped co-design this latest range plus did the styling, yes two talented sisters indeed!

All photos via Hello Sailor

Blogger Wishlist: Dawn & Elissa

I have another two fantastic bloggers sharing what's on their wishlists today and both are extremely creative girls! We have Dawn and Elissa...

Dawn is an American who is currently living in the Austrian countryside with her husband and her blog may all seasons be sweet to thee is literally like a breath of fresh air! Dawn's blog is filled with snippets of her life, from adventures in the countryside, to delicious recipes she's made and of course her two cute dogs. All captured with beautiful photographs, Dawn's blog definitely makes me want to escape to a life in the country! Dawn also has the cutest shop called Kiki La Ru where she sells cake bunting. Not sure what that is? Well, pop over and a take a look, it's absolutely adorable!

Over to you Dawn...
1. You Are My Sunshine rustic wooden sign from Go Jump In The Lake:
We are moving into a new home soon and I would love this to brighten up the bathroom. It's so sunny and positive. A daily declaration of love!
2. Tweed Jacket from EmersonMade:
This tweed jacket would make me feel splendidly bookish and smart.
3. Pumpkins
There is something magical and very charming about pumpkins. I fill my home with them in the fall. When they start appearing on shelves and table tops, my husband says, "Oh, it's THAT time again."
4. Perpetual Wooden Block Calendar from Queen Vanna Creations:
My inner child still loves wooden blocks, and the adult me (is there one??) loves calendars, so this is a wonderful combination. I always love turning a page (or in this case, block) to the next month, and being reminded that time is going by, and I should live life to the fullest.
5. Hand-coloured 1865 Map of Boston from Bananastrudel:
We fell in love with the city of Boston, Massachusetts, on a visit last year, and named our new puppy Boston. I love this vintage map, so intricately hand-painted and beautiful. Now I'm just waiting for my bank account to give me the go-ahead!
6. Popular Pencil embroidery hoop by MoxiDoll:
Just looking at this gives me that 'back-to-school' feeling, which I love. Hair neatly braided, fresh pencils and paper; we lived on a dirt road and I loved it when the puddles froze over so I could crack them with my foot while waiting for the bus to come.

Thanks Dawn, your list is fabulous, the jacket from Emersonmade has to be my favourite!

Elissa is a graphic designer living just outside Chicago and her blog, ebb & flow, is one of regular visits. Elissa has a great sense of design and taste, her blog is filled with beautiful and interesting design finds, interior features, fashion snippets and more. I love that Elissa always finds a slightly different angle or piece to blog about so it doesn't feel like you've seen it all over the blogland. Pop over and say hi!

Over to you Elissa...

1. A black Barcelona chair. Or two or three…
2. A new bike. The only requirement for this dream bicycle is a basket. I'm easy to please.
3. The perfect Fall boots, especially if they're the Loeffler Randall Riley flat zip boot. You can't go wrong with timeless boots that make your legs look a mile long.

4. An airy, downtown Chicago home filled with accents of beautiful wallpaper.
5. Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. I think it's time I upgrade the $8 shades I bought two years ago.
6. A trip to the Olympics. I would love to win a medal, but spectating will work as well, I suppose.

Thanks Elissa, your choices are classics, I'm sure everyone will agree! I'd never have included a trip to the Olympics on my list but it would be pretty amazing! You'll have to start training or maybe just saving for the summer Olympics in London 2012!

A little bit of aqua

I absolutely love this first photograph taken by Steven Meisel, the colouring, the beautiful grecian style dress, the girl, the handstand, everything! I spotted it over on Haute Design a while ago and have been saving it for an inspired post.

It was one of those chilly days yesterday, in places the sky was dark with the promise of rain and slowly the sunlight was trying to shine through. My parents and I went for a lovely walk along the seaside cliff path looking out a deep turquoise coloured sea. We spotted two whales having fun in the swell and flicking their tales out from time to time! And think all this fresh sea air clearly got me inspired because before I knew it I'd subconsciously put together a very sea inspired palette! Ok enough talking, I hope you enjoy and I hope you entered my giveaway yesterday!

I must say these soft hints of aqua and sea inspired hues are enough to send me into a beautiful blissed out state. Having these colours in your home whether you live by the sea or not will definitely keep you subtly reminded of happy, lazy days at the seaside. So peaceful and calming.

One last thing, I did a guest post for the creative Rachel from Lovely Clusters yesterday, it's all about moody fall and winter colours and a hint of blue, take a look here!

Image credits: 1) Steven Meisel via Haute Design, Collage: Row by row from left to right- 1, 3 & 4) Ditte Isager, 2) Lerkenfeldt Photography, 5) Nicolette Camille, 6) Paul Joseph Hopper, last image- Lerkenfeldt Photography

Giveaway from Henry Road

Hi there friends! How's your Monday been so far, hopefully it's off to a good start but if not... I have a lovely giveaway to cheer you up! Paula from Henry Road is giving away a lovely goodie bag to one lucky winner. Up for grabs is a large multi-purpose cosmetic bag and a small bag too, plus a small bundle of fabric pieces plus a set of three tea towels. How generous is that?!

Paula is the owner and designer behind Henry Road, a Los Angeles based design studio and shop. The shop is a fun mix of home decor and gifts including lots of cushions, bags and furniture made up in Paula's gorgeous fabrics. Being a lover of bold colour and fabrics myself, Paula's designs really appeal to me! Paula actually grew up in South Africa but has settled in Los Angeles after travelling the world. Let's find out a little more about Paula...

Please describe yourself in 3 words
Creative. Friendly. Procrastinator.

City or country, where would you rather live?
I Have lived in cities for most of my life but increasingly find myself drawn to country.

Please name one of your design heroes?
Tricia Guild

How would describe your personal decor style? Does your home look anything like your shop?
My decor style is a reflection of things collected along the way with a strong dose of color and contrast in terms of eras, styles, ethnicity, and textures.  I very much view my home as my personal scrap book and travelogue with a healthy blend of editing and whimsy.  My shop is stocked with my own fabric line as well as things I like and has very much the same sensibility and style as my shop.

Image credits: Miriam Makeba, espresso, jasmine by me, Livingetc

How/why did you start your shop?
I decided to open a shop after a couple of years of selling my pillows and other stuff online and wholesale.  The primary reason was that I strongly felt that my design aesthetic and style was only partially represented by the fabric I design so I wanted to create a space that celebrated all the things I liked.  It also made business sense and very importantly for me, took me out of the isolation of working in my studio on my own all the time.

Do you have any tips for readers wanting to start their own business?
I love what I do so I would say go for it with your eyes wide open about the potential and opportunity as well as the downsides.  Nothing beats being your own boss and being able to make decisions without consulting a committee.  On the other hand, with that comes all the responsibility, very little brainstorming with other smart, creative people, and never enough money -- whenever there is a little bit extra, I add something new to the mix.  My biggest tip is that you have to have absolute blind faith that what you are doing will work and is right for you as more often than not that is the only thing that you will have.

Where do you go to feel inspired?
Everywhere and anywhere!  I can be inspired by bag someone is carrying, a flower, a photograph.

What is your favourite thing to do on a weekend?
I work on weekends so my favorite thing is the same as every day and that is walking my dog in the morning and using the time to just enjoy my surroundings.

What makes you happy?
Lots of little things: a smile and a hello, an affectionate dog, Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata, a double espresso, a sale to a customer who is excited about what they bought, the smell of Jasmine.

What is your dream holiday destination?
Anywhere where I can explore new things, see great merchandising or design, sit and do absolutely nothing, eat good food.

Can you tell us some favourite blogs or online shops/websites where you find inspiration?
I am a fan of your site as well as a whole heap of other blogs -- don't have any that I visit every day.  I tend to sit down and explore following my whims and preoccupations of the day.  Other sites I visit regularly include Livingetc and cotemaison.fr as they both have great interior design galleries. I remain a big fan and hoarder of design magazines from all over.

Thanks so much Paula, it's been great getting to know you a bit better and to get some insider tips. I definitely agree with you on Tricia Guild and the scent of jasmine, it's my absolute favourite!

Now for the GIVEAWAY, here's how to enter:
1. You need to be a follower of my blog and then need to leave a comment on this post, telling me which is your favourite item from Henry Road.
2. For extra entries, you can blog or tweet about it but please leave your link here so I know!

This giveaway is open to all readers in all countries and will end on the 5th of September. The winner will be announced on Monday 6th of September! Wishing you all luck!

P.S. You can also read the Henry Road blog to keep up with Paula and see what's inspiring her.

Creation wine farm

Last weekend we spent a perfect afternoon out at Creation wine estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. Just 18km into the valley, you'll find Creation, endless vineyards, majestic mountains and a beautiful dam all add to it's beauty. We tasted all their wines, sipping and savouring each mouthful as they were all delicious, we shared some tasty food platters and soaked up the sun on the deck. Later we had a quick tour of their cellars, learning some interesting facts about wine making. We of course finished off the afternoon with cappuccinos and chocolate cake, all in all a ten out of ten experience!

Creation Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde Rd, Hermanus

Tel: +27 28 212 1107

Photography: by me

Vintage film

These photos by Abby really appeal to me, I love her choice of subject matter,  love the colours and of course the vintage feel of them. What makes them even more special is that they are all taken with vintage film cameras that Abby finds at thrift stores. When last did you use an old camera that takes film, it almost seems like a thing from the past. I think it's great that photographers like Abby are still keeping the art alive. You can see more of her work over on her blog too, abby try again or buy prints from her shop.

All photography by abby try again

Simply chic

Hello friends! Aren't you happy it's Friday? I definitely am even though I still have loads of work to do before I can relax. I'm taking next week off work so I have a lot of things to get done before then. I'm so looking forward to having a bit of a break and doing some exploring and photo taking. I'll still be blogging though as I can't stay away from all of you! I also have a great new giveaway that will be up on Monday.

Today's post is a short one, inspired by Nicole of Gary Pepper Vintage. She is one talented girl! Nicole has a gorgeous blog and an online boutique specialising in exquisite vintage pieces. The photos below are of her in some of her vintage clothing, sigh, it makes me want to disappear right back to the countryside! I can't remember when I last saw a maxi skirt looking so pretty. Her look is just so simple and yet perfectly elegant...

Image credits: fashion pics via Gary Pepper Vintage,  Sheer top, Michael Kors maxi skirt, Marrakech earrings, Chloé sandals, Stella McCartney scarf

Image credit: Chris Court

Today you can also find me over at From the right bank where I'm doing a guest post while Ally's away, if you love ikat fabrics then this one's for you! I'm also featured over at Jessie's blog, Submersive whimsies, where she's asked me a few questions as part of her Fridays with Bloggers series. And I'm also over at lovely Monika's blog, Splendid Willow while she's on holiday. Three guest posts in one day, it's definitely a busy day for me! Pop over and visit to find out some more about me! Hope you all have a great weekend, I've got to rush and get some more work done now!

Image credits: first two photos by me, ikat credits: 3. tessera 4. Luxist 5. Epitome of Chic 6. Material Recovery 7. 2modern, last photo by me

Wallpaper spotlight: Mimou & Wendren

Lately I've been spotting so many incredibly beautiful wallpapers, there seems to be an increasing amount of interest and use of wallpaper. So I thought I definitely need to highlight a few of my favourites and I'll be featuring these wallpaper spotlights probably once a week or so! I hope you all share my love of wallpaper!

First up is a range designed by Amelie Hergardt for Swedish company Mimou. The Poinsettia design is my favourite, closely followed by Toile mesdames. I love the watercolour, painterly effect that they're done in. So soft and delicate. The colours are stunning too.

The next wallpaper is a really fun, truly South African design by Wendren. Her Darling Toile du Jouy was inspired by a trip up the West Coast to the small town of Darling. Wendren's design captures all the elements of a typical old South African town; windmills, rusty cars parked under the shade of a tree and old corrugated roof homes. I think you need to have visited SA to really appreciate this design! I love it. I'd like to see this in other colourways too.

Wrendren has designed a gorgeous pink toile too, both of these designs are available as free downloads from VISI, how exciting! (you need to select the wrapping paper option to see the designs)
So what do you think of all these designs, any favourites? I'm curious to know what type of wallpaper appeals to you?

Image credits: Mimou, Wren

Blogger Wishlist: Shannon & Zeanne

Hello friends! I'm sharing two more Blogger wislists with you from two lovely bloggers, Shannon from Oregan, USA and Zeanne, a fellow Capetonian! I know you'll enjoy...

Shannon is a freelance writer and high school English teacher and has a truly fantastic blog called The Simply Luxurious Life. Her blog is all about luxurious things of course but more importantly it's about how you can create luxury and well being in your own life, for yourself. Her blog is beautifully written with inspiring quotes and plenty of tips and inspiration to create a better lifestyle. Shannon also sends out a weekly newsletter, I signed up recently and was blown away by it! Full of extra snippets and reader spotlights and insider news, it is a must! Pop over and visit to bring some extra positive energy into your life!

Over to you Shannon, what's on your wishlist...
1. Fresh White Hydrangeas: As a child, I would flip through Martha Stewart Living magazine and remember dreaming about having a bouquet of monochromatic hydrangeas as she did throughout many of her interior photos.  There is a regal and classic quality to a hydrangea and with just three mopheads, you have an outstanding finishing touch to any room.
2. A Burberry Trench: Having a quality trench coat, a la Burberry's, would be a wonderful fit with my wardrobe. I am always about cost per wear (i.e. if something costs $900 but you wear it 450 different occasions, it really is a $2 item) and if I can justify that I can use a particular item quite a bit, as I would a trench, I feel the price is worth it. If I can afford it, quality is always my choice.
3. Julia Child's Chocolate Souffle: To successfully make such an intimidating dessert is something I'm dying to attempt.  However, if in fact, I am successful, I may never want to eat it due to the beauty of the finish product. 
4. Nina Garcia's Look Book: I can never have enough ideas for putting together outfits and especially with the fall season arriving, I can't wait to pick up Nina Garcia's Look Book and drink up everything she has to teach me.  Besides the content, the illustrations by Ruben Toledo are amazingly beautiful.
5. Vera Wang ballet flats: If I didn't appreciate the way heels made a woman's silhouette look, I would wear flats every day.  So in the event that I choose to stay closer to the ground, I would love to slip on a pair of Vera Wang's nude ballet flats as they are simple, yet well made.
6. A cooking class at Sur La Table: I am constantly seeking avenues to gain new knowledge and what better arena to learn than in the kitchen - very hands on and applicable to life.  I recently was shopping in Sur La Table and the class participants were eating their finished product. What a reward. I can't wait to sign up!

Thanks so much Shannon, your list is as gorgeous as I expected it would be! Love the ballet flats, they are the perfect colour and Nina Garcia's book sounds amazing!

I always love reading fellow Capetonians blogs and so Zeanne's blog, Coffee rings and other Things, is definitely on my list! Zeanne is an architect and so obviously has an eye for design and detail. Her blog is full of interesting, inspiring finds from travel to interiors to photography as well as snippets of her life. Pop over and visit, and read her lovely 'List of loves' on the side of her blog to get to know her a bit better!

Let's see what Zeanne is dreaming of...

1. The Caviar Collection of La Prairie’s skin care products to indulge in. I wish for huge jars of their decedent, extravagant creams that have magical bottomless pits!
2. As well as a another jar of my absolute favorite, Smith’s Rosebud Salve. I have just run out, and this is a staple that remains in my bag and is honestly a small jar of magic!
3. I am a hopeless Zara fan! If I had to wish for something frivolous on the spot, it would be the Zara Summer collection wardrobe. I absolutely love the beautiful safari inspired colours, taupe, chocolate browns and neutrals as well as the, nautical inspired navy theme with stripes and blazers. If I could step out every day in these comfortable and chic ensembles I would honestly have a huge wish fulfilled!
4. On the Extravagant “over the top side”... A little Clifton bungalow on Third Beach with a beautiful view. I want it filled with crisp white linen, crisp white wine and crisp white couches that can be sunk into and curled up in. I want ample space for visitors, long lunches, summer braais and a huge Pierre Cronje timber sleeper table that will be stamped with the patina of times red wine ring stains and soak up many a laughter (image via here)
5. And to start my collection of beautiful chairs, I would like the Eames Lounge chair and Ottoman, in taupe, to lie in, read my magazines in, sip coffee in and swivel in!
6. A Gabby Raaff painting, I find her soft watercolor images beautiful and calming. I love that she is from Cape Town. Her works are still priced attainably and her brush seems magic, as it’s able to gently touch her paper and leave a mark that resembles perfectly her subject! Beautiful!
7. A beautiful white orchid that doesn’t die, but just blooms, mine just died and I nurtured her for five months! I was honestly sad, I find them so elegant and almost architectural in their poise.

Thanks for a fab list Zeanne, I'm with you on the Zara collection and the Clifton beach house! We can certainly dream, can't we?!

Giveaway winner and farm life

Today I'm happy to announce the winner of my Bella Card Company giveaway and the winner is Erin, congrats lady! I'll be in touch with you soon! Thanks again to Alicia for sponsoring this lovely giveaway.

Since I've been going on about country life lately, I thought I'd feature a bit of country inspired fashion today. Well, this clothing is not exactly practical for farm life but it's just oh so pretty and captivating. This editorial conjures up thoughts of days of old, milkmaids and romantic dreams! 

Image credits: fashion pics from Vogue Novias via Studded Hearts, all other photos by me