interior inspiration : the book lovers.

Few things make me feel more at ease than being surrounded by shelves and piles of books. I adore getting peeks into the homes of fellow book collectors- it feels almost voyeuristic.

Sources (from top to bottom): Chris Chen, Jim Franco, The Selby: George Lois, house to home, LivingEtc, The Selby: Lanvin, James Merrell, LivingEtc, Design*Sponge: Tad & Jessica Carpenter, Delson or Sherman Architects, and house to home.

interior inspiration : the book lovers.

Few things make me feel more at ease than being surrounded by shelves and piles of books. I adore getting peeks into the homes of fellow book collectors- it feels almost voyeuristic.

Sources (from top to bottom): Chris Chen, Jim Franco, The Selby: George Lois, house to home, LivingEtc, The Selby: Lanvin, James Merrell, LivingEtc, Design*Sponge: Tad & Jessica Carpenter, Delson or Sherman Architects, and house to home.

The Allure of Women by Francois Baudot

If you're in the lookout for inspirations to help you conceptualize your personal style then The Allure of Women may be the book to have. "This book showcases our era's most well-known icons, women recognized all over the world for their style and elegance." editorial review

Chanel by Jean Leymarie

image from Chanel apartment

I'm a lover of biographies and it's a double interest when the story is about someone who also happens to be one of my idols. We all love Chanel for her creativity and undeniable influence in the Haute Couture world, but in the new reissue of Jean Leymarie's 1987 Chanel book we can get to know about how Chanel contributed to the international arts scene by creating costumes for actual production and how sometimes she was a patron to not-so-fortunate directors. It was quite difficult to get a hand on the first edition, but now it’s available again, published by "Abrams" in the US. I already bought my copy and I can't wait to read about how and by whom Chanel was influenced and how she mingled with some of the greatest artists of her time. You can purchase the book here.

“I always felt a solid sense of friendship toward Picasso. I believe that he felt the same way.” Chanel

Also, A Stylish Blogger Award thank you

Also, I want to thank the stylish and talented Kristy and Beth at Design Chic and to Maureen at Ecletic Revisited for awarding me with Stylish Blogger Award. It's an honor and a satisfaction to always receive such a chic award. In the past I had posted 7 things about me, to see them you can click here and here. Without further adieu I now pass along this award to:

Teresa at Splendid Sass, Alcira at Nero Chronicles, Tabitha at Bourbon & Pearls, Pretty Prowler, A Casa da Va, Roost.

After receiving this award you have to pay it forward and follow the rules:

1) Thank & link back to the person who awarded you.
2) Share 7 things about yourself.
3) Award 10 great bloggers that you recently discovered#4) Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award

A Charmed Life & A New Book

Australian born Author and fellow blogger Vicki Archer seems to live a charmed life in the South of France, the place she has found and now calls home. Like many, I adored her first book "My French Life" and her new book "French Essence", continues to drag me into her dreamy world. The photography by Carla Coulson is divine and Vicki's styling is second-to-none. I have posted my absolute favourite page in her new book above. I decided on this one page as I don't want to spoil it for you. This book is definitely one to add to the Christmas wish list! Congratulations Vicki on another huge success!!

Nb. French Essence is available now in Australia & New Zealand and will be sold on Amazon later this year.

Easy Elegance

I just purchased a copy of Atlanta Bartlett's book, Easy Elegance. It is full of ideas on mixing the old with the new and celebrates something I am passionate about - individuality!! The top image I have posted is my favourite picture in the book. I love the layering of flowers on flowers...so beautiful!

Pia's New Book

I have been meaning to congratulate Pia Jane Bijkerk on her new book, Paris: Made by Hand. I enjoyed seeing a little sneak peek of it over at Desire to Inspire last week. I must say I absolutely adore the cover!! Congrats Pia. I can't wait to get a copy!!

Please click HERE for more details on Pia's new book...

Stumbling Across Kim Parker

On Saturday night after dinner at our local Thai restaurant, Harry and I walked into Riverbend Bookshop on the way back to the car.

Whilst Harry headed for his section I plonked myself in front of my favourite section. I was scouring through the interiors books when I stumbled across a book by US artist Kim Parker.

I actually ended up purchasing a different book. However, it didn't stop me googling Kim Parker when we got home.

I must be a little behind the times as I didn't realize she was the artist behind one of my favourite rugs at The Rug Company!

She has also created some beautiful floral embroidered cushions which I think would be a beautiful addition to any cushion collection.

I think I might head back to Riverbend Books to pick myself up a copy of her book this week to flick through over Easter.

Gage d'amour

Image - Anna Spiro

Here's a little Valentines tablescape I created today. Gage d'amour {meaning pledge of love}.

Today

Today I scurried around picking up a few last minute bits and pieces for Harry's Birthday and who should I run into in one of my favourite little gift stores just down the road from where I live???.....Hayley from Porchlight Interiors. She too was running around picking up some Christmas presents for her children. It was so lovely to see her and because of our Blogs be able to say hi. I think it is so fantastic that Blogland has brought a few of us Brisbane Decorating girls closer and who knows maybe sometime in the future we might even organise a Bloggers morning tea. What do you think Brisbane girls...should we organise a morning tea in the New Year?? Here's another little snippet of my house above {my new Domino book taking pride of place} and yes I promise I will post lots more pictures of the house at the end of this week for you all to see!!

Passionate About Blue & White?

Well then you must get your hands on a copy of Carolyne Roehm's new book - A Passion for Blue & White. Look at this dreamy image from the book! I think my mother will flip out when she sees this post! I think this book would make for a wonderful Christmas gift! Jennifer over at The Peak of Chic has done a great post on the book today and Lily-G also posted about the book earlier this week too! Can't wait to get my copy!!

things i'm loving : monday morning edition.

Above: 1. Colour Stripe 50's style Refrigerator (price unknown), 2. cheery trio of PYREX mixing bowls with friendship design ($36), and 3. Wrist Worms, Thick Green ($45)
Below: 4. Baked Cookbook ($29.95), 5. case coffee table ($179), and 6. Woodsy Collection Large Sketchbook ($12)

collections : address books.

1. Bird Address Book (£8.00), 2. Thomas Paul Address Book ($15), 3. Who I Know Address Book ($8), 4. Address Book, Lotta Jansdotter ($16.95), 5. Nancy Drew Address Book ($14.95), 6. Address Book LZC (€19,50), 7. Wanderlust Address Book ($13.95), 8. Sukie Buildings Address Book ($14.95), and 9. I Know All The Best People Address Book (£16.00)

bunny figures.

Sorry everyone for the delay! As you can guess, I am pretty busy here, so updates won't be as frequent. But I wanted to share these adorable bunny figures from A+R Store. They come in a set of two with a book by the designer, Mr. Clement. Quite wonderful. ($98)

beautiful bits of inspired fashion.

1. 100 Years of Fashion Illustration ($40), 2. "gold" (au $100.00), 3. no. 205 Fifi wears Proenza Schouler ($45), 4. Hemline Stationery Set ($9.95), 5. Shoe Money Coin Purse ($3.99), 6. Dress Form Letterpress Card ($5), 7. Prince Print ($26), 8. Fashion Plate #2 ($9), 9. Mor Imperia Eau de Parfum ($58), and 10. Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures ($40)

the color pink.

Inspired by my new hair color choice and my continuous love of all things pink.


1. Pink Lace Print Linen Cushion (£24.95), 2. Dream of Flight - Agnes ($20), 3. On-A-Whim Flats ($88), 4. Cup Cake (£39.00), 5. Development Flutter Sleeve Pink Blouse ($269), 6. Lipstick Button Dress (£38.00), 7. Artecnica Fairy Tale Greeting Card ($7.50), 8. Princess & Kitten Earrings ($48), 9. Rose Make-Up Case (£10.00), 10. Birdcage Chandelier ($625), and 11. Proust Questionnaire - Pink ($34.95)

beautiful journals.

1. Red Spokes Notebook ($8.50), 2. Papierkunst Scrapbook ($32), 3. Herbivores Notebook ($8.95), 4. Sunblooms Bound Journal ($9.95), 5. multi-stem small journal ($25), 6. "Things To Note" Dot Notebook ($13.50), 7. Secret Gardens Flexible Journal (£5.00), and 8. alphabet notebook ($12)

things i'm loving : monday afternoon edition.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments regarding the new blog. I am so glad everyone likes it. I hope your weekend was full and lovely.


1. Vetements Polka Dot Bow Necklace ($22), 2. TokyoMilk Parfumarie Curiosites ($28), and 3. July No. 11 ($44)


4. the wooden houses archival print ($200), 5. Recycled Metal Letters ($8), and 6. Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris ($12.21)