Spring "Clean"

Well it is finally spring - YAY!!!!! I love spring - best time of year - quite ironically the first day of spring was freezing cold but it has definately warmed up - average temperatures over the last few days are 25 degrees (mid day) - its lovely as it is not too hot that you are uncomfortable.

Spring always makes me want to re-assess my home and bring in something bright and cheery.. Out with the winter colours in with the bold colours - I am thinking of changing the look of my bedroom - I have warm winter colours at the moment - need a bit of sparkle and shine... Great time to try a new paint colour or add new artwork and photos - have fresh flowers in your room - roses or lavender next to ones bed is always nice!!!

Whilst browsing the net I came across this wonderful "Fresh Air Room" - what a wonderful idea for ones garden - it has all the comforts of an indoor room. Crisp white lattice walls pair with the wicker furniture to create a light and airy atmosphere. A whimsical sconce, an antique platter and a floral-theme print give the room a truly lived-in look!!

Vintage!!!

I just love Vintage... the word "Vintage" allows thoughts of whimsical, pretty, old fashioned, lovely, antiquey - I could go on and on....

I must mention my friend Denise - her blog site is absolutely outstanding - in a class of its own. Denise displayed a few days ago her "Vintage" Scarf Cushions - see below:

Denise has stocked her little Etsy Shop with scarf cushion covers and blouse cushion covers. What an amazing idea. Have a look at her fabulous site "Freshly Found!".

Another Wedding...

I have another wedding coming up - just been to my brothers wedding which was absolutely stunning. In three weeks time my cousin is getting married - now you know what that means - I need to buy an outfit AGAIN. It is an evening wedding and because she is getting married to a celebrity the TV (a program in South Africa called Top Billing) is going to be there as well as a few magazine journalists. NO PRESSURE - Oh my hat what to wear, what to wear....

I went to the Glam Guide to have a lookie see and I found the cutest outfit with shoes that I think would be puuuurfect for the wedding - what a pity you can only buy it in the USA... See what you think - I definately would fit right in with lifestyles of the rich and famous....

Lovely beautiful things....

I just love looking in the little Etsy Shop - I found the cutest wreaths to go onto your front door - they are spun cotton beauties perched on a mossy twig in their big fluffy yarn nest. What a clever idea... The homespun yarn includes lots of soft stripes and a little metallic bling! Bling a girls best friend.... It measures 20" x 3" x 20"! And it is ready to hang!! Interested?? Go to the site mentioned above and have a lookie see....


I went exploring further in the "Etsy Shop" and found these - they are so different and original - wow you get such clever people out there...

It is a canvas entitled "you are loved" - it's fun hand painted wall art. Wish I could paint such fun things for my walls.... Look at the different ones by the same artist below...

Fragrantly Beautiful...

Spring is just around the corner and what better time than to review the winter perfumes on my dressing table.... (any excuse really to buy another 1 or 2 perfumes) - below are a few that I found searching the net - I think I might just try one for a total change this spring. I am so used to my favourites that I have become quite a closed book when it comes to trying something new and fresh.Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean - this fragrance reminds me of holidays in the Mediterranean... or at least I can imagine... right? The fabulous blue of the bottle, with it's sensual floral scents combined with creamy woods make it perfect for sunny carefree days.

Lacoste Touch of Spring Eau de toilette - another refreshing fragrance, the creators of this limited edition perfume say it'll make you think of the seashore in spring. The main notes contain amazon water lily, osmanthus, hosta, sandalwood, musk. Absolutely marvelous....

Isse Miyake L'eau d'Issey Summer Eau de toilette - initially inspired by water, Japanese designer Issey Miyake has again produced a fragrance that combines rose-water with dewy peonies, tuberose and violet for a light and refreshing mood.

Darling by Kylie Minogue - Darling remains a sensual, floral bouquet with a sparkling yet sweet top note of passion fruit, freesia and lychee. Delightful on a cool summer's evening.

Clock Watching!!

Why do we always have to run our lives around the TIME??? How does that saying go??? "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man happy, wealthy and wise" - now who on earth made that up??? Obviously somebody who didn't lead a busy life - is being busy a bad thing??? I think it can be if it robs you of spending quality time with loved ones and quality time with the Lord!! I can kick myself sometimes if the only time I have for our dear Lord each day is in the car on the way to work...

The day just runs away with one - I get up normally around about 4:15am - shower, get ready, make coffee, lunch for the day, iron my clothes for work (which I should actually do the night before), make lunch and wizz off at 5:45am to beat the traffic. I get to work at about 6:20am - download emails, make more coffee (note to self - "cut down on the coffee"), go through work calender, do reports, go to meetings, rush, rush, rush - drive home - more rushing to the shops to get something for supper or just bread and milk. Get home, try and make a creative dinner - put a load of washing in, tidy up, eat dinner, tidy kitchen, shower, possibly have time to make one or two personal telephone calls - the next minute it is 9pm - WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE??? I can't believe that it is nearly September already - Ok so I am looking forward to the beginning of Spring but before we know it December is upon us and another new year begins.

I trust that during your day today you will have enough time to slow down - take a good look around you, take a deep breath and just remember that every day is as important as the next - we will never get another day like this day - make the most of each day and the opportunities that arise - tell your loved ones you LOVE them, wake up earlier to see the sunrise, let your hair down for five minutes - my favourite saying is "laughter is the best medicine" and you know what it truly is - 'cause when I have had a good old chuckle I just feel that much better... Have a great day!!!

Weddings

Don't you just looove weddings - I do!!! You can always count me in to attend a wedding. I love the dressing up, the anticipation in seeing the bride, the speeches, the joy, the merriment - the whole experience is something to be enjoyed.

I have just come back from a wonderful weekend away in the Midlands. My brother got married and what a joy it was!! The weather was awfully cold in the morning so we all prayed and God was faithful (as always) and it turned out to be the most beautiful day.

I cried the whole way through the service and when my brother spoke later that day during the speeches (well that was me - I was completely finished) - bring out the makeup bag cause boy oh boy did I have a lot to touch up....

Seeing two people start their lives off together is the most amazing and wonderful thing. Memories came flooding back to my big day nearly 9 years ago - it was truly the best day of my life - I loved every minute of being a bride. I wish I could get married all over again for the mere sensation of being that special bride on that ever so special day!! I have attached two or three pictures of my brother and his wife - what a beautiful couple they make!!

New find

I stumbled across a stunning little find after browsing through ONE of my favourite blog sites "My Crazy Lekker Life" - Michelle from this blog site mentioned a little Etsy Shop where she has purchased her very first prints from - well curiosity got the better of me and I ventured over to this site and had a look - sooo sweet - precious pie - have a look at these cute little mirrors that are individually made:

They are hand pressed 3inch (7,5cm) pocket mirrors with a reproduction of her illustration "Les Papillons". Each mirror is unique! Just like a beautiful little piece of Art with you every day.

The mirror comes in a little colorful and delicate organza pouch and will fit in your favorite handbag, purse, or pocket.





Go and have a look at her site and see what other little treasures she has - so many cutsie things to chose from....

OK so I have been pretty pretty bad in typing on my blog - I could have a million and one excuses but the real reason is I am sooo hooked on reading the "Karen Kingsbury" novels. What a story - she has written a whole series and I am only on the second one (pic above) but boy oh boy you can't put it down. Shame my poor hubby has had to take a bit of a back seat as I have been in hiding in my room devouring the story line based on the "Baxter Family".

If you haven't read any of them then do yourself a favour and try and get your hands on them. Just a lovely story line with lovely Christian Values and real issues that arise in everyday life. Oh dear it looks like I am going to have to put match sticks in my eyes tonight as I can't put the second book down!!

ENJOY!!!

Winter....

There is nothing better than being warm and snug in winter - but somehow the romance and "prettiness" seems to fall away and the heaters and electric blankets call your name.

I love pretty things - actually come to think of it I love a lot of things..... Why not spice your homes with some pretty roses or light a few candles at night (I know Eskom would be proud) and bring the romance back into your home - refer below for a few ideas!!

Shoes - a girls best friend!!

Well I am back in full force - what a lovely weekend I had - I would have posted earlier but it has been one of those weeks - I didn't know if I was Arthur or Martha....

I think the good Lord has definately made us girls to be girly girls!! Have you seen the shoes lately - if I could I think I would have a room in my house as a walk in shoe cupboard - cause believe you me I am a shoe-a-holic... My husband can testify to that.... I have for the last couple of years been a "flat shoe or pump" girl but since moving to Joburg I have gone all out and bought high heels... My oh my - I now tend to stop at every shoe shop and have a looky see what is new (which between you and me is quite dangerous - especially if my purse is in my bag...). The shoe shops in Joburg are amazing!!!

I was looking on the Glam Guide blog site and found these two interesting pairs of shoes - what do you think??? Wow what occasion can I wear these to??? I think they are STUNNING - I probably would need help in putting them on and probably would also need a walking stick to keep my balance but I think they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL...

Holiday Time

Don't you love holidays - whether it be a week off or a weekend away - the thought of it always excites me. I am off to Durban for the weekend. I miss my home town a lot!! My mom owns a wonderful little shop in the heart of Hillcrest and her new stock for her shop has arrived. I am being wisked off to help sort, label and tag her ever so divine things. Not that I mind....

My brother is also getting married in a couple of weeks time so we will be running around Durban like busy little bees trying to find something "just right" for my mom to wear to the wedding. Any excuse to do a bit of retail therapy....

I will be back to "blog" on Monday - have a super weekend!!

Little roses

People in general amaze me - don't you think it astounding how God has blessed us with such different giftings??? Just searching on the internet you come across such talented people. There is such creativity out there - if only I could do all those things - now don't get me wrong I am not unhappy about who I am or what I am blessed with - my heart merely longs to be able to do all my eyes can see - painting, building, writing, sewing, cooking... the list goes on and on....

Talking of cooking look at these beautiful plum and rosemary sugar tarteletts - they are so wonderfully and intricately made - they remind me of little roses - you can find the ever so clever recipe at the Tartlette blog site.

So many books so little time...

Have you ever had so many things to do but just not enough hours in the day to do them all??? I am sure you can relate. Well I am in that place!! So many books to read and so little time... Oh the joys of having a ensemble of books and not being able to devour them all at once. I am reading such a wonderful book that is the first in the series - yes oh my that word "SERIES" - that can only mean one thing - there are more than two or three to read.... what is a girl to do.... With that thought in mind glance your eye over the photo above - image from Stephen Shubel Design. What an ideal place to keep ones books - not only does it create that ever needed table but it also keeps your books close at hand.....

Love..

I came across this blog site that caught my attention - the blog site is called "poppytalk" (you can find it at: http//poppytalk.blogspot.com/) - it is a canadian design blog collecting inspiration and promoting emerging design talent. The thing that struck me most was this photo above - I can imagine it being at my front door hanging all my winter coats, scarves and jackets on and secondly it simply reminded me of this verse:
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" - Romans 5:8

I loooove that verse - what an awesome God we serve - a God who loves us with an unfailing LOVE!!

I found this card while looking for a verse in my bible - funny how we tend to keep things that are sentimental to us.... these sentimental goodies always pop up just at the right time to put a smile on our face. This card was given to me by a very special family. I always love it when something is handmade - gives it that special touch!! It makes me want to pick up my "tools" and start being creative again - let me think who needs a special card to brighten their day????

Peace & Quiet

I don't know if you are like me - you just need some time out to recharge, unwind and get refreshed. There is no better place than my favourite chair in my bedroom. It's comfy, right by the window where the sun streams in and close enough to put my cup of coffee down. All the right ingredients to spend good quality time with the Lord......

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest".