It's almost 2012!

Image credits : 1) Photo by Golden Section, 2 & 3) Hans Blomquist via Agent Bauer

Softly drawn

I came across these amazing illustrations by Cecilia Carlstedt. I love the delicate lines and soft colours, so very beautiful, don't you agree?

All illustrations by Cecilia Carlstedt via Agent Bauer

Christmas snaps

Just a few pics from our Christmas dinner, what a lovely evening we had! Thank you for all your Christmas wishes, I hope you had a wonderful time too.

Dreamy days

Just a few soft and dreamy pics today, enjoy the holiday!

All photos by Anna Inghardt

{Words to live by}

Merry Christmas lovely friends, wishing you a special day with family and loved ones.

Photo by Golden Section

Christmas table settings

I adore both of these table settings, they're totally different and yet both are so appealing. Since I normally take the colour route, I think I'd pick the white and silver setting for a special Christmas dinner but then again I do love that striking chevron table cloth! Which look would you pick? And how are you decorating your table? I'll be sure to share pics on Monday of our Christmas table setting and decorations.

Image credits: 1 & 2) Hans Blomquist via Agent Bauer, 3) Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Festive touches

I can't believe it's Friday already, this week has flown by and that means it's Christmas eve tomorrow already. We are celebrating with my family on Christmas eve and then with my boyfriend's family on Christmas day. I'm so looking forward to it! I found these adorable reindeer paper serviettes (from Pick 'n Pay, would you believe it?!) which I think I'll take along for a fun touch.

I just love this cute wintery outfit and these Christmas inspired gift tags which you can download for free from Eat drink Chic.

A beautifully decorated home, with just a few hints of Christmas and not too over the top.

You can pop over to HOME by linn to learn how to create these paper star decorations, they could be a fun touch for your table setting. I think I'm going to give them a try, perhaps I'll make some star bunting? Have a wonderful weekend friends!
 

Image credits: 1) photo by me, 2) Vanessa Jackman, 3) Eat drink Chic, 4) Hus & Hem, 5) HOME by linn, 6) photo by Felix Lammers for Quality magazine via Fashion Gone Rogue

Colour loving festive style

I came across this colourful home at Hus & Hem and thought I'd feature it just to show you that Christmas doesn't have to be red, white and traditional! Not sure I'd go this far but it certainly is fun! What do you think?

Image credits: interior photo via Hus & Hem, pantone ball ornaments

DIY Christmas wreath

A while ago, I told you my grand plan for making a Christmas wreath out of some dried penny gum, so I thought I'd share some pics of how it turned out. For a fun touch, I added some reindeers that I made out paper serviettes as well as paper star rosettes made out of magazines. The rosettes took forever to make but I'm happy with the overall look so think it was worth it. My wreath is now hanging on our front balcony keeping my pot plants company welcoming all guests! How have you decorated your home for Christmas?

All photography: by me

Christmas Gift Guide: Local Lovelies

I know it's rather late to still be getting ideas and looking at gift guides but I bet there are still quite a few of you who are needing to do some last minute shopping! I wanted to do a local gift guide, showcasing some fab SA talent and thought who best to ask but Janine of Being Brazen. Janine constantly sources cool SA design and features it in her 'Lovely and local' posts, so hop over for more ideas. I love the Aloe earrings that Janine picked out and of course Honest chocolate is one of my faves too.

Janine's picks:
Missibaba peacock fan clutch  |  Steenberg Brut 1682 Chardonnay
Shelley & Harry Aloe Earrings  |  Situ charm bracelet  |  Thula Monogram name necklace
Marion & Lindie Draped midi dress  |  Soy Lites candle  |  Dear Rae gold gem ring
Tsonga Gold 'Umgilo' sandals  |  Honest chocolate

Janine's blog: Being Brazen

Christmas at Caramel & Co

If you're still on the hunt for gifts and decorations, pop into Caramel & Co at Palmyra Junction. The shop is jam packed full of goodies and you're sure to find something there. I love the combo of cane and red berries for a traditional Christmas look and aren't those little paper roses too sweet? I think any gift wrapped beautifully and decorated with a paper rose and a gorgeous ribbon would look so special. So how is all of your Christmas wrapping going?

All photography: by me

Poetry gift guides

So today's gift guide is a round up of gorgeous goodies from Poetry, one of my favourite local shops. I popped in the other day to do some gift shopping and I think I was in the store for over an hour! Purely because there were just so many perfect gift solutions and I had a serious case of indecision! I landed up getting some lovely gifts and couldn't help treating myself to this pretty dress which I've already worn and it's been declared a winner by all my friends! Here's a peak of what I bought...

Apart from lovely clothing, Poetry stocks plenty of homeware, body products, bags, jewellery and more. I know their cute cupcake set would go down so well with my sisters and that beautiful tan and blue bag would be a hit with any girlfriend!

Poetry also has so many gorgeous goodies for the foodies in your life from amazing ceramic platters and dishes to fun, colourful glassware and more. Everything is flying out of stores so I recommend you get down to your closest Poetry store as soon as possible!

Image credits: first photo by me, all other images via Poetry

Giveaway winner!

Morning friends, how was your weekend? We had a long weekend here in SA and I'm sure most of us took full advantage of it! The weather was incredible which certainly helped! Well, Christmas is almost around the corner and I have still have a few fantastic gift guides to share for those last minute shoppers but first I need to announce the lucky winner of the Coco li clutch giveaway. I used random.org to pick the winner and it happens to be my sister, Megan! Congrats and thanks again to Coco li for sponsoring the giveaway!

{Words to live by}

Perfect thought to keep in mind at this time of year...

Image via Anthology 2011 Winter Gift Guide, quote by Peg Bracken

Nelle Cakes

I absolutely love baking and jump at the chance to create any kind of pretty treats. It's always good when there's a birthday or celebration up ahead though so that I don't end up eating all the treats by myself! I'd love to try and make some beautifully decorated biscuits like these by Nelle Cakes. Aren't they just incredible?

All images via Nelle Cakes

The Fringe Arts

Another great shop in Cape Town that is perfect for gift buying and is full of gorgeous goodies is The Fringe Arts in Kloof Street. The shop is refreshingly 'un-Christmassy' for this time of year, I find some shops are just too over the top and bombed out with gaudy, glitzy Christmas decor. Sometimes less really is more, don't you agree? The only Christmas feature they have is a beautiful branch decorated with jewellery and ceramic decorations that acts as a lovely natural and simple 'Christmas tree'. The shop windows currently feature beautiful hand sawn brass koi fish by Anna of Smith Jewellery. Anna has also created some Japanese inspired necklaces and cuffs which are available at shop too, so definitely make a note to pop in.

All photography: by me

Christmas Gift Guide: Scandi loving

I wanted to put put together a Scandinavian gift guide and I thought who best to ask but my design savvy Swedish friend, Charlotta from Space for Inspiration. Charlotta has picked out some amazing gift ideas that will appeal to all Scandi lovers, enjoy!

Charlotta's picks:
* I love the jewelry by Norwegian designer Bjørg Nordli-Mathisen - the label is simply 'Bjørg'. I own a couple of lovely pieces by her, but wish to add two new necklaces to my collection - 1. the 'Feather Necklace' and 2. the 'Acorn pendant'. I would hang the 'Acorn' on the chain of the 'Feather Necklace' as I prefer Bjørg's pieces grouped together. Yum!
* Handmade 'Sami' bracelet from Lapland. Reindeer skin leather, silver thread and antler button.
* Aurora Dress by Swedish 'Odd Molly'
* I adore the ceramic works of Kerstin Tillberg. This charming and charismatic woman - who I have had the pleasure to meet - works from her studio in picturesque Mölle (where she also lives) in the South of Sweden. My mother is a friend of Kerstin's and met her when she was an anonymous independent artist - today she is very sought after and her works are collector's pieces. I would love to add to my collection of cups .
* Tall black (or orange.. yum!) lace-up rain boots by Danish designer 'Ilse Jacobsen'
* Hammered antique silver-plated or brass pots from Swedish 'Affari'.
* 'Lilla Mhy' lamp by Finnish company 'Muuto'. I adore that the design for this pendant lamp was inspired by the 'Lilla My' character in Tova Jansson's 'Moomin Troll' books. I love the books and I love the lamp!
* Dala horses - I am a collector of these hand carved and hand painted horses from the North of Sweden. I prefer the red ones, but have ones in other colours too. They look best in a cluster and my collection is growing steadily.
* Ever since I learned about Swedish Lars Bolander via Eleish Van Breems I have been wanting his book 'Scandinavian Design'

Thanks so much Charlotta for taking part in this series!
Charlotta's blog: Space for Inspiration

Lovely Lila Rose

I recently discovered Lila Rose, a local Cape Town company that designs the most beautiful sleepwear. Nicola Ralph creates luxurious sleepwear aimed to compliment and flatter. The designs are so pretty and feminine and I just love all the trims and details. You can buy their sleepwear online here or see their list of stockists. I can't wait to treat myself to a Lila Rose chemise, now to decide on which design!

All images via Lila Rose