{Happy Weekend}

I've had such a lovely week with you guys; I've been lucky enough to welcome new followers and to keep seeing some super friendly regular faces, for which I am very grateful. If you're new to this little blog, then you can find out more about me and 'My Stuff' in my guest post on A Diary of Lovely earlier in the week. Whatever you get up to this weekend, friends, I hope it's full of fun and bursting with happiness for you. x

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{Colour Cocktail: Multi Coloured}

After all the lovely comments about my multi coloured striped armchair earlier in the week, I thought it would be fun to finish the week off with a multi coloured cocktail extravaganza! Not only have we seen Miss. Bradshaw embrace the style in her old apartment, but also this has to be one of the easiest ways to add a confident punch of colour to a scheme. There's no need to paint or wallpaper, rather, pick up a statement accessory in your favourite multi colourway and you've got yourself a fun and playful space in an instant. Just check this look out in action below; the upholstered sofa and rug complete each space without anything extraordinary going in the rest of the room's decor. I'd like to add some more of this style to my apartment with that Jonathan Alder 'Ties' cushion. Do you have any multi coloured accessories? How would you use this colour cocktail in a decor scheme?

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{Exposed Brick Walls}

I love me a good loft. Remember this? Yeah, I'm still dreaming of it on average 3 hours per day. So, I thought I'd try and get my loft-like, exposed brick walls crush outta my system with a nice round up of them working their rustic charm. First up, there's this amazing loft entrance (1) where the deliciously masculine garage-style doors are framed by battered bricks. Onto bedroom spaces (2, 4) where I think the look kinda works, but not as well as it does in open plan living/dining areas. If I had to pick my favourites, I'd clearly go for that entryway, and if I was being greedy I might have to bag the home office (6) and the kitchen (11) looks, too! That kitchen shot, by the way, is from the Clinton Street Bakery in NYC - isn't it a treat? It's on my places to visit next time I'm in town, and not just for the decor - The New York Times Magazine voted their blueberry pancakes the best in the city...twice! So, do you like exposed brick walls? And do you have a favourite way to decorate with them?

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{If I'm gonna go to a party...}

I first discovered Sitting In A Tree events through the Oh Joy! blog (definition of an a-mazing blog) and I'm so pleased I did because these ladies know how to throw one heck of a decent party. Their latest bash - summertime & the living is easy - is my idea of party perfection. With a gastrotruck courtesy of MIHO providing delicious eats by day, colourful decor arranged under the shade of exotic palm trees and then live music and string lighting by night, I'm all over this super fun, sociable event. So, if you're in San Diego, California or San Francisco and would like Tori and Myka to work their event magic for you, you'll find them on facebook and on their beautiful blog.

Oh Joy! | Oh Joy! Eats | Sitting In A Tree

{10 Things I Learned This Weekend...}

1. I can be sensible on a walk through the park for about five minutes...

2. ...before I start fooling around...

3. ...and jumping!

4. With great difficulty I managed to get past the molten chocolate stage of baking brownies without eating it all there and then.

5. It took a couple of blackouts before getting the new bedroom light fitted successfully.

6. Most.Inviting.Bed.Ever.Seen

7. Looking for secondhand bargains in France? Look here.

8. Yes, fall I am ready for you. Especially if you come in nice J Crew shaped parcels.

9. Favourite image from a lovely new blog discovery.

10. Grey jumper and grey tie? Preptastic and I love it!

{Happy Weekend}

I just thought I'd check in to wish you all a lovely weekend. I'm planning on a quiet one this weekend (the last couple have been busier than my week days)! I'm looking forward to catching up on some new books that arrived recently and hopefully going to the movies. Talking of quiet weekends, wouldn't it be a delight to gather your friends for an evening by the lake? It's those storm lamps, they get me every time!

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{Colour Cocktail: Turquoise and Orange}

Last week's cocktail was all about soft, understated and delicate hues. This week's is bright, bold and confident and was inspired by Nancy. This is kinda like Carrie and co's Cosmopolitan - it's always gonna be a solid favourite, even if everyone starts decorating with the hot duo. Although there's a big splash of playfulness to this week's colour cocktail, it can work in sophisticated, regal schemes. Below shows a space with glam high ceilings and formal draped window dressings, which is brought to life with a strong base of Turquoise and a patterned window feature in vibrant Orange. The result? A super slick, super sun and prep-tastic space. Full marks!

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{Office Inspiration: A Stationery Studio}

What do Kate Spade, Linda and Harriet, Jonathan Adler and ABCD Designs all have in common? They each design awesome stationery that's what! I admire each and every part of their creative paper work because fine stationery is so lovely, and for me I treasure a card much more than a present. So why am I banging on about stationery? Well, Mr. Boddington is another fine stationery designer working out of New York City and his studio is enough to make the coolest card in the pack weak at the knees. Guys, check this place OUT! Such a delight from whatever angle you look at it. First up there's the desk, a lovely bureau-style piece (find similar at Three Potato Four and The Peanut Vendor) with a vintage typewriter and globe to complete the look. Plus, look closely and you'll spy copies of our favourite shelter mag. Anyone who drinks tea out of a bright orange tea cup and reads Domino is a dude! Later on there's more warm wood vintage finds, typewriters and a Keep Calm Gallery print that works well in this unusual space. Finally, that view? Yeah, I died a little bit too.

Brooklyn Bride | Mr. Boddington

{Guest Post: The Shiny Pebble}

I was lucky enough to take part in Catherine's Living Room Designer Challenge today, and as you can imagine I went for colourful scheme using a blue and pink theme inspired by that super fun bouquet rug from Mini Moderns. If you fancy reading a bit more about my inspirations, and to see more of my idea boards for Catherine's living room, then you can click right here. Thanks for having me, Catherine! Also, a big thank you to Lana, Lanalou Style and Jane, The Girl in the Brick House for the blog awards they have given me recently. You ladies rock!

{Bathroom Bliss: A Refreshing Retreat}

Back to business as usual this arvo with this wonderful bathroom escape, isn't it divine? I saw it over on Arren Williams' blog yesterday and instantly fell for it's refreshing and clean design. I have designer Patricia Urquiola to thank for that and what a talent she is! I'm loving the fusion of dotted and striped glass panels, mix and match black furniture, warm wooden surfaces and the simple, effortlessly chic suite. That pop of purple in the rug can do no wrong either.

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{I Heart NY: The High Line}

We all have those places that feel magical, right? Well, The High Line in New York City is one of those places to me. I discovered it first in 2009 and still remember the excitement as we walked up 10th getting closer with each step like it was only yesterday. A mile and a half long, the park stretches along an old elevated railway line, which had been disused since 1980. Walking through the park provides stunning views and a small space of calm from the buzz below; for me this simple experience was such a delight. Yesterday the Guardian posted a fascinating history gallery of The High Line railway through the ages, more of which you can find out about here, and for total High Line geeks, there is a book as well! Here are my favourites, plus a sneaky photo of me visiting the park in the summer of 2009, which was taken where the park passes West 17th Street. Have you been to The High Line? What places feel magical to you?

Top right, first panel: Joel Sternfield; middle left, second panel: me; all others: Paul Owen

{Elle Decoration August 2010}

The August issue of Elle Decoration is all about escape and has numerous spreads on exotic home tours, so, given it's no secret that the Greek islands are a some of my favourite places on Earth, it will come as no surprise that I'm crazy about this issue. I mean, tell me it's not love at first sight with those shutters and ocean blue pool (1) on the cover?! Then, a few pages in my current Jonathan Adler fave appeared (3), followed by an ever-welcome dash of yellow (4). Next up was a mirror so OTT I had to share it (5); me thinks this would look great in Vegas! In your average home? Not so much. Still, utterly fabulous! Still dying from that cover image? No fear, there's a full home tour two-thirds into the mag (6, 7), from which point onwards we're treated to the best in exotic escapes. First up there's fashion designer Viviane Vidal de la Bavhe's Saint Tropez home (8); a garden room to really escape to (9) and the best is saved until the end - namely, Paola Navone's summer refuge on the Green island of Serifos (10, 11). As the cover says 'Dive in', guys, this issue will charm you something silly.

Elle Decoration

{10 Things I Learned This Weekend...}

1. My favourite style in one outfit: quirky, preppy and laid back smart

2. This vase stole my heart...

3. ...then the Zara sale almost won it back with some seriously stylish bargains!

4. Art studio at the end of the garden? Errrm, yeah go on then.

5. The dress! The location! The colours! The font! Too much awesome for one album cover.

6. GaGa over this creative photography.

7. More shopping! This time a graphic print tee featuring a fun, bright blue car.

8. Observer Food Monthly magazine is still on top form.

9. Peacock motifs are the new owls for homeware prints.

10. Totally Team Jen.

{Happy Weekend}

The weekend is here and I couldn't be happier for it! After the crazy busy week I'm looking forward to some time to relax, cook some lovely food and catch up with friends. What are your plans? I hope you have something lovely planned. I'm not gonna lie to you, I'd be pretty happy to throw on my favourite pair of shorts, crack open those patio doors, fire up the barbie on the patio and cook up a feast (in between swooning over that yellow vase, obvs.) Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

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{Colour Cocktail: Sage and Mauve}

There's a definite old fashioned feel to this colour cocktail, and because of that it kinda makes you feel instantly cosy. I can picture myself whipping up a warming breakfast with fresh coffee on a chilly winter's morning in that kitchen! However, just because it can feel old fashioned, this combo doesn't have to feel dated. Quite the reserve, I mean just check out that living room - bright, airy, modern and refreshingly stylish, yet all the while still cosy and welcoming. I'd be happy to move right on in...

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