HK LIVING CROSS CHOPPING BOARDS

Beautiful mango wood chopping boards from HK Living  Oh so lush, and perfect for my dream kitchen.  I love the curved edges and the ' x ' adds that fun element!  The size is perfect too, and can be used to serve some cheese and crackers on, or some crusty bread sandwiches.... 

Speaking of which I think its roundabout lunchtime for me! 

They are available online via zus en zo wonen and also from lil woonwebwinkel as a set of three

Images via HK Living, zus en zo wonen and lil woonwebwinkel

Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 performed by Isang Enders in Peter Zumpthor's Bruder Claus Field Chapel

COTTESLOE - BARWON HEADS RESIDENCE BY ALTERECO DESIGN

Spacious with lots of natural light, this Barwon Heads home, designed by Melbourne based studio Altereco Design - is inviting and stylishly furnished throughout. The open plan living area spreads out onto the outdoor terrace and pool area with ease.  A neutral and natural palette - I love how the black elements on the facade has been drawn into the interior as well; the bathroom with its dark tiles adds drama and the use of wood adds a bit of warmth and calm.  

I would love to get my hands on one of those black lampshades over the dining room table.  I wonder if anyone knows where its from?

Oh and did I mention that perfectly polished concrete floor - j'adore!

Images via Altereco Design
First spotted via desire to inspire http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2014/6/23/altereco-encore.html

HELLO NOVEMBER

Photo + Design:  Lindé Davies

So the first of November has arrived, it's autumn in London and yet we're not quite yet in our wintry scarves and boots.  The weather is balmy and warm... strange but lovely all the same and making the most of embracing the last of the sunny rays.  Cause we know this ain't gonna last!

I read a lovely quote from Paolo Cohelo just today, taken from his new book Adultery

I am feeling it totally, the words in this quote rings so true especially for me right now .... I have recently made some changes and let go of some things and emotions and relationships that were no longer good for me.  Sometimes we know, its something we can just feel -  and yet we're unable to put it fully into words;  that something is not right, we can't put our finger quite on it, but we know.  That something can be nothing, but more often than not that something, is really something - and the fact that we had an uneasy feeling about it; says all the more.  I started feeling more and more restless and distracted, it was only a couple of months into a new relationship and I couldn't focus clearly on anything.  And I knew it wasn't because I was in love.... but because I was falling out of love!

I became somewhat a stranger to my usual self - that's always in control, and in control of my emotions,  I actively participate in life - and fully appreciate the broad spectrum of emotions and feelings that we encounter along the way.  But certain feelings and emotions are not conducive to our wellbeing and we need to learn to listen so we can make the right decisions.  

I made a decision to end what could've possibly been quite a happy relationship - had we both been equally invested in it.  I guess for me it was the potential I could see of a relationship, more than the person - and perhaps that was my first mistake....  But we all make mistakes and we need to recognise that, realise that making a mistake is not the end of the world and then we move on. My second mistake was that perhaps I was yet again a bad judge of character - I always see the best in people, believe that people are all good and have good intentions, that they mean what they say and they will never let you down.  

But no - people aren't all that transparent, and I guess that's what makes life interesting - to have this melting pot of very different creatures all trying to co-habit in this world that can often be a very cold and difficult place to feel settled and content in.   Taking control of a situation that was not good for me anymore - has been the most liberating experience I've had in a very very long time.  As soon as I've decided what I was to do - I could almost instantly feel a shift - emotionally, I felt calm and content and I could focus again - and that's when I knew I was doing the right thing.

Before I make any major decision in life - I always try and place myself in that future position after I have acted on the decision I made - I try and feel the emotions, I ask myself   "how do you feel now"  I try and really fully focus on being in that future place, and focusing on what I am feeling - and more often than not that has lead me to some good decisions with some very good outcomes.  On this occasion it felt like I had been under water for a very long time, and suddenly I burst to the surface - taking that first deep breath of fresh air - the oxygen filling my lungs and suddenly I could feel the sun shining on my face again.  I felt light and weightless, the heaviness of the water-mass that had been weighing me down had suddenly disappeared

I guess the past couple of years I have become a bit complacent in some areas of my life, and I have lost a bit of the fight I used to have - the good fight that is, for the life that I knew I was supposed to lead.  There were some things that happened and I guess I didn't realise until now - how it had affected me.  It is only now - that I am feeling this immense clarity and focus and a new excitement  for the future brimming from within - I know that by taking control of one small area of my life, it has set me free in very unexpected ways.  It has allowed me to reclaim myself - not myself prior to the relationship - but a prior self - I had not even realised I had lost along the way.

I am grateful for the experience I have had and that I could allow someone new into my life, but I am even more grateful that from this experience I have gained so much more than I would've ever imagined.  I have a focus,  and I am working on finding my purpose again, I am paying more attention to personal development, I am feeling more creative, I have a lot more time and I am more productive - and my thoughts are a lot less self focussed and a lot more externally focused.

I am quite sensitive and I tend to over-think and over analyse every single thing. I have realised that there is no point in over-thinking, that there is a whole lot of fun and life to be lived and that life is too short to spending it pondering the what ifs the maybes the should haves and the would haves.  If something or someone does not serve you well anymore in your life, it is up to you to make a decision and reclaim yourself.  Sometimes it is not about letting go of something or someone, but it is more about reclaiming yourself.  And by doing that - you are taking a step up and a step over something or someone that may have been standing in your way - don't push them aside, use them - use the experience - learn from it - imagine each experience as a stepping stone to the next phase, the next place we need to be...

A much longer post than planned, and I want to get this published while its still November the 1st!

A last thought and I'm off to bed.  Thanks for reading all the way - and thanks for being on this journey with me... xx

Photo + Design:  Lindé Davies

THE ROOM - 3D RENDERS BY MARIA GLUZDAKOVA

Beautiful master suite - perfect, romantic yet a tad masculine! Amazing 3D renders by Maria Gluzdakova.  The polished cement finish in the en suite bathroom is superb!  A very well executed project!

Via behance

WHAT A PERFECT DAY....

To be celebrating a birthday!!

39 years ago, it was a Tuesday morning around 6:30 am, my parents were expecting a baby boy's arrival - but to their surprise it was a baby girl that came into this world with a very big voice as I took my first breath.  My dad just told me this morning he could hardly believe the cry that came out of my tiny body that day!

Now 39 years on, who would've thought I would be here on the other side of the world, living a very different life to what it would've been had I stayed put in that tiny little Southern tip of the African continent.  Africa.... its in my blood and in my bones and yet I feel so very un-African even as I'm writing this.  A country that leaves its mark on all who visit, on all who's ever been and each and every one of us who had left.

Today I am so very grateful for the experiences that have brought me here,  for some good decisions and for the not so good ones I have taken along the way.  For my parents always supporting me, whatever it is I may decide to take on board - they would always say.... 
darling if it will make you happy, do it - and we'll be happy with you!  They've set me free, and yet I always feel this pull towards them no matter where I am.

Today I'm grateful for a bright and sunny and very mild autumn day, blue skies and lots of sunshine - to wake up to such a pleasant site is a blessing in its own full right.  And I'm grateful for my friends and family who showered me with so much love and kindness over the past few days. To feel loved like this is a wonderful feeling indeed!

And on that note I want to always hear the music, I want to always be dancing and I want to always be sharing all the wonder and beauty that is around

Have a beautiful day, and if you feel like celebrating today - do it, don't wait for a special occasion, each day in its own right is special and a special day because its a gift.  None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, yet we live our lives for the tomorrows and the next years and the Christmas's and New Years.  Lets rather live today fully and celebrate the moment and if someday that tomorrow never arrives, we'll have no regrets as we would've celebrated life and living it fully all the days of our lives

xx

WEEKENDS ARE FOR....

Oh how I would love to sleep in on the weekends; but like a flash of lightning come 7am and I'm wide awake and sometimes have to force myself that extra hour in bed.

That extra hour can be bliss,  coffee in bed and a bit of blogging or pinning or just a bit of reading.  And then the day begins....

Today I've been up and out the door by 7 - hosting a little soiree this evening and had a couple of last minute bits to get;  and now before I start I am going to have a coffee, some breakfast - take a deep breath and start baking!  Most of the prepping is already done, and I have some lovely friends who are heading over early to help setting up and getting ready...

I hope you can have a little sleep in this week-end, rest and relax and recuperate - because before you know it Monday will be upon us like a raging bull!!  And we must be ready to take that bull by the horns and show him what we're made of!  

Have a super week-end you all, and remember its ok to sometimes take things a bit slow - take in all the beauty around you without having to rush around to fill up the hours.  Its nice to be busy,  but remember what socrates had to say.... 

On that note... coffee is calling and I must not delay answering!

Enjoy each moment, and savour the enjoyment of the moment

xx

HELLO BEAUTIFUL!

'hello beautiful' .... we all know these 2 little words can just about brighten anyone's day.  Especially coming from that someone special in our lives.  Yet some of us have days when we never hear these 2 little words that can put a spring in your step, and brighten your smile.  Maybe some of us haven't yet met that someone special yet.

So today I'm sending you all a 'hello beautiful' from the bottom of my heart.  You are beautiful and lovely and you deserve to be told not only today, but every single special day of your life.  Because each and every day is special.  Lets all reach out and share a little bit of loveliness and make someone's day, lets start a ripple effect and share some love.

Sometimes when we're feeling unloved - those are the times we need to share the love even more, even if we feel empty to the core of our beings.  Keep sharing it, and you'll soon start to feel it again, little by little day by day...  And to think, it all started by opening up your heart just a little bit and by sharing these two little words

'hello beautiful'

xx

Image via Pinterest

CARLO BAGLIANI - NEUTRAL FARMSTEAD REFURBISHMENT

Beautiful farmstead refurbishment - neutral tones and minimal decor - almost monastic interior.
I love the hydrated lime finish on the interior and exterior walls, and the use of concrete for flooring throughout.  

carlo bagliani

Photo's - Anna Positano/ Carola Merello
Via - Archidaily read more here

YOU WILL FIND ME HERE NO MORE

Some thoughts on moving on

x