champagne & elderflower cocktails

Can someone please explain how it has come to be only six days until Christmas? 2011 has flown by at an alarming pace, I must say. I think it would be best if we all make ourselves one of these delicious-looking champagne and elderflower cocktails, and press pause for a little while...

Recipe here. Photo by Island Menu.

a swedish home for christmas

Danielle at The Style Files always posts the loveliest, most envy-inducing homes, and this beautiful Swedish house is no exception. Snuggled into the snow, it's so pretty with all the white-painted wood, and the simple but beautiful Christmas decorations. I particularly like the tree (the look I was aiming for with ours, but sadly did not quuiiite achieve... ours has a severe case of the droops and looks like it may possibly be dead by Christmas - how festive!)

Found via The Style Files. Images by Lantliv.

bill cunningham new york

Have you seen this doco yet? I've been hearing so much on the blogosphere about Bill Cunningham New York, and finally saw it last night. It's wonderful... even a certain reluctant husband enjoyed it. You don't have to be interested in fashion at all - it is simply a fascinating portrait of a man who truly loves what he does, so much so that he is still going strong at over 80 years of age. Full of energy, endless smiles and an unbridled passion for what he does, Bill Cunningham is one amazing man.

 

Highly recommend... and despite their initial protests, boyfriends and husbands will enjoy this too, so drag 'em along!

Images by Zeitgeist Films.

welcome fête

We are so excited about the launch of Fête, a brand new magazine dedicated to simple, stylish parties and celebrations. It's online, free and simply gorgeous. The first edition hit the virtual newsstands today, and we are so impressed.

Isn't it lovely? Congratulations Jane and Annabelle - you have outdone yourselves!

Click below to view Fête in all of its online glory.

p.s. Those of you with keen eyes may notice our little ad in the last image above. We are so proud to be part of Fête, and to celebrate the launch we are offering a special 15% off when you mention our Fête ad upon booking. Valid until 31.03.12.

effortless

Aren't these dresses by French designer Laure de Sagazan nothing short of lovely? They look so comfortable, and effortlessly elegant at the same time.

 

 

Found via Pinterest. Images by Laure de Sagazan.

island menu

Recently stumbled upon Island Menu, a lovely food/photography blog featuring Tasmanian produce and some of the loveliest photography. Their recipes look and sound amazing too, like this 'Duck Egg Sponge with Homemade Strawberry Jam, Fresh Strawberries and Sweet Mascarpone Cream'. Mmm. They had me at 'duck'.

 

 

Images by Island Menu.

four years, no coffee

I haven't had coffee in almost four years... I know, what have I been thinking?! I quit right before we went on a trip to India, as I had my first ever migraine after I missed my morning latte one day. It was enough to make me nervous about the prospect of not being able to get coffee while we were travelling, so I quit. Not that I should have worried, since turns out there was coffee and chai and all manner of caffeinated beverages on every corner, but still.

Since the day I turned my back on coffee, I have instead become a lover of all things tea (make that an addict, actually). I drink it all day long. Black with lemon is my favourite (definitely no milk!), and green is a close second. I find that tea gives me the caffeine hit but in a gentle way - I don't get the same headaches and tension in the forehead that coffee used to give me. I do still love the smell of freshly ground coffee though... but now, I am completely a tea girl.

Anyway, what was my point? Oh yes... this photo, which for some reason makes me want to reconsider the lack of lovely, milky coffees in my life.

Happy weekend everyone.

Photo from honeypielivingetc.

another lovely wedding...

...photographed by the supremely talented folks at Bushturkey Studio. The location is 'allegedly' the Byron Bay hinterland... and I say allegedly because you would swear it looks like something straight out of Tuscany. How amazing is that long table and the chandelier?! The flaming bombe alaska is pretty special too. Such simple, rustic elegance is so lovely I think.

 

 

 

 

See more here. Photography by Bushturkey Studio.

have to love...

...a good inspiration board. They're always so interesting to look at. This one belongs to publishing queen Martine Assouline.

Via Pinterest, image from B is for Bonnie.

new york state of mind

Love this photo collage... can you tell yet that I am somewhat fixated on the idea of New York right now? Want to go. Really bad.

Photo from here.

lauren bush's wedding dress

I guess it is to be expected when you are marrying Ralph Lauren's son (and your dress is being designed by Ralph Lauren himself), but it still has to be said that Lauren Bush's wedding dress is utterly gorgeous. The top layer is antique tulle hand-embroidered with Swarovski Elements, beads and pearls, and apparently took a mere 100 craftspeople more than 3,000 hours to finish.

That open back with the long sleeves... wow. And the Rocky Mountains setting looks rather gorgeous as well. Images from Vogue.

a glimpse inside an interesting life

I really enjoyed this lovely short film by The Selby, about New York gallery director Lucy Chadwick's life. Created for Zara apparently (I think she may be wearing Zara clothing in the film). The only questions remaining now are how can I find myself: a) an apartment like that, b) a barn in upstate New York, and c) the coffee pot? I will take one of each, thank you.

Stills from the film, by The Selby. View the whole thing here. Found via Simple Lovely.