Winter Glitch...

here

Hi everyone!

I have been having LOADS of trouble uploading photos to my blog this week, which is why I haven't posted anything....very frustrating.

I have been busy though, preparing for a new Design Market coming to Hobart on August 28th.

(see the side bar for more details)

as well as making new items for my Etsy Shop.

 (I'm quite excited about this Market)

here

Even thought it is Winter here in Australia, the last few days have felt more like early Spring, and I am loving it. It has made me want to sit outside in the sunshine on the porch with my coffee.

I spotted this image and realised that we really need a little space like this were I can watch the boys on the trampoline and ride their bikes about when Spring really does show it's lovely face.

Spring and Summer just make you come alive in so many ways.

I hope all of you who are in Summer right now are having a ball outside in the warm weather

...we are in for cold rain all weekend =0(

Have a lovely weekend wont you?

Green Clean...

The great outdoors had beckoned me.

The weather has returned to sunshine here in Australia and as the north of our great land down under starts its major clean up after the floods, I have started a little one here in our own yard.

Planting trees and tidying up I am starting to get some of the things done that we didn't get to last Summer.

The aim is to have a leafy outlook like this image =0)

Seeing green from each doorway is Heaven to me.

Lots of box hedges have been planted with loads more needed.

and an oasis to watch the swaying trees and soak up all the hard work would be lovely too.

To all of our friends involved in the flood clean ups..hang in there =0)

Ness xx

Progress...

lantlif

Yesterday and today I have been basking in the warm Spring sunshine and preparing our home for the season. Mowed lawns, a clean back deck(wish it looked as pretty as this) and a start on the garden beds was made today. I even got a little too much sunshine!

There has also been some progress made on the 2010 Christmas range for the Store =0)

Ness xx

It's almost here....

par courrier

It's almost here....

...Spring I mean!
I can see it.
The view from our hall this morning =0)

Oh, I survived the Aerobathon. Seven classes and only a half hour break to get something to eat. I am a little sore today, but nothing major. thanks to all of you who sent me good luck wishes. You are all so sweet.

Ness xx

A Gorgeous picnic...

If you have been celebrating Australia Day, I hoped you enjoyed it...if not, I hope you enjoy these images of a beautiful picnic.

Ours was no where as stunning as this one, but just imagine for a second - packing up your vintage china and glasses, French linen napkins and a soft herringbone blanket in your vintage suitcase to head on out by the water for a feast with family and friends to celebrate what it is to be Australian.
When you arrive at your destination, you find the most beautiful shade tree, the type you would hang a tyre swing from, layout your blanket, turn on the soundtrack to Somethings Gotta Give and brake out your old Grans wooden board. Some fresh bread from that wood fire oven bakery you passed along the way and the most delightful cheese from the twilight farmers market gets the day off to a start while the B-B-Q is fired up, and not with the usual fare of steak, sausages etc, but marinated chicken, stuffed zucchini, eggplant and the like.
You watch the men and the kids play cricket and swim in the water.

While all this is happening you set up a zone with linen pillows, and an impromptu flower arrangement from daisies and lawn chamomile that were growing by your feet.
A table that was found by the water, left by others you cover in a spare blanket you have in the boot of the car...oh and you just happened to have some spare Tolix stools!!
This becomes your outdoor dining room ready for the feast.

I know it would never happen...but just play along OK?!
As the day wears on and full stomachs take hold, a afternoon nap is in order. You set up some little hurricanes from vintage mercury glass ready for the evening.
After the long day, the kids flake out under the umbrella, covered in the softest pashminas, a little sun kissed from all of the cricket and the swimming, and the grownups have a well deserved cup of coffee and a huge chunk of Pavlova while the sun dims...how Australian is that!!!?
Well, I hope you all liked my fanciful take on an Australian picnic - well it is what I would love anyway.
I love being Australian!
Ness xx
images- Aust Country Style

Preparing For Tomorrow...

house beautiful

Today was one of those relaxing, sunny days - you know the type where you have every intention of doing something grand, but the warm Summer sun just beckons you outside?

Well that was today. Tomorrow we celebrate Australia Day and just about everyone I know does this with a good 'ol Aussie barbie, or B-B-Q. We are having one here with our family, so today I spent some time sorting out where we will be eating and celebrating what it is to be Australian...it doesn't look as good as the image above, but it will do.

Eva Lindh

I did come to the realisation while I was out there, that we have to get started on the gardens. We started, then we were held up inside again fitting French doors and the like.

Oh well.

I had planned to bring you some more of the 'No cost bathroom makeover' today, but I didn't do a thing in there, but I will show you some images soon.

Have a wonderful day, wont you?

Ness xx

A Hot One...

via Lily-G

We are in for a really hot one today, so I am packing the boys up and we are off to the pool for a swim. I am also having problems with my USB drive and can't upload any of the images I have stored which is a real pain. This also means I can't show you the new covers I have made for the store, and it also means I cant put them onto the shop either...not happy. I really need a new laptop. Oh well, there is swimming to be done. I hope you stay cool if you are in the Southern part of the world, and if you are North...stay toasty warm.

Have a great day.

P.S - Does anyone know what to do if your USB drive wont recognise anything...not even my Ipod!

Ness xx

THANKS!!...back tomorrow

Christine Bauer

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for sending my family and I holiday and new year wishes. I contacted most of you, but for those of you I couldn't contact personally I just wanted to say thanks for your support and for being with me on this journey, for your wonderful friendship and all of the lovely comments and emails you send. It really makes my day.

I wish you all the very best of luck, love, health and wealth for the new year.

Hope you are all enjoying your holidays...I know I have and I will be back tomorrow to show you some of the new range for The Shop (you can go there now and have a little look), my new living room light (yep, it finally turned up =0) and of course get back into the swing of things for 2010.

See you tomorrow petals!

Ness xx

Gorgeous Weekend

image - KAA Design Group

I hope you all enjoy your weekend. Apparently we are in for a gorgeous one in Tasmania and I plan to use it outside...I wish it was sitting in an outdoor space like this, but never mind -I will be in the weeds!

I feel a little guilty for having neglected my blog of late with the chaos that I have going on at the moment. This is also evident by my lack of comments on my favourite blogs. I hope to remedy this soon. Please forgive me.

Ness xx

Restful Spaces

image- Architectural Digest

This month has been pretty crazy for me and I am really needing to do some things around the house and yard soon as I have neglected our Old Lady for a while. I thought that since warmer weather is on it's way, I would share some very restful spaces that I would love to curl up in.
image - Bountiful Home
This one is just so pretty. I imagine it is a guest quarters outside.

image - Home Beautiful
I love this room. The stripe awning, and all the white and silver...even the pooch matches!

image - notebook magazine
If I could take a little of each and add it here it would be perfect. I have always wanted a full size lap pool...I miss swimming laps!

Next week my head should be in some sort of normal paced space - I hope!

Thank you for all of the lovely emails and messages that you have sent me this week. It has really boosted my confidence to go for what I want...so thank you all.

Have a great day,

Ness xx

Crazy Week...

image- Thomas Pheasant via Architectural Digest

....I need a Monday dip in this pool...and a Nana nap on one of those steamer lounges...and some of whatever is going on in that Pool House!!

Welcome to "Crazy Week"! - bear with me as I am sure nothing will make sense until this week is over.

I hope your Monday is/ was glorious.

Ness xx

The Hen's Tea at our house

BEFORE
Last week I mentioned I was having a get together at our house but I couldn't mention what as the guest of honour reads my blog...well, I thought I would show you what went on...
This is our covered area outside, which needs a lot of work and one day will be my office/guest house, which had to be prettied up in a small amount of time. I wish I had time to drape the ceiling in white and fairy lights as well...never mind.
AFTER
This is what I ended up with after hanging loads of ruffled curtains from the roof. The wreath is a fresh willow wreath I made and wrapped white fairy lights through it. It is not wired which is why it's not a perfect circle...but I like that.
Loads of food and lovely friends attended Bernadette's 'Hen's Tea'. Not a hens night and not a kitchen tea, more like a get together (girl style) to celebrate Bernadette's upcoming Wedding.

Here are some of the girls that attended. Sorry about my head looking so large at the front of the photo, but I had to set the timer (we just figured out how to do it!!) and try and squat down without sitting on feet before the shot was taken!!!
From left; Bernadette, Krista, Alex and baby Isabell, Narelle, Jolee, Deb and me at front.

We gave her a big basket of goodies for her home and played games, one of which was to 'design' a wedding gown out of toilet paper...very funny. The 'bride'~in the middle, Narelle and her team mate, Leonie, won this one. Even the baby was dressed as a flower girl...so sweet!
After a lovely day, too much food and lovely company all I wanted to do was lie down and nap on the chaise!!

Ness xx

Inspired by this...

via Lily-G

This image is wonderful! The get together I a have mentioned this week is happening tomorrow and I have been head down preparing for it. We are hoping to have the main part outside...weather prevailing! I don't have anywhere as gorgeous as this as a backdrop because the leaves on our old Sycamore are just starting to unfurl. I do have something pretty in mind though.
via Brabourne Farm
Both of these images have me in the mood for styling the area I have planned for this event and I promise you I will show photos and tell you all how it went on Monday.
Oh, and thanks to Atlanta Bartlett for contacting me about the mention I made about her stunning site on yesterdays post...made my day!
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend,
Ness xx

A beautiful, busy day...

from my dream house file - unknown
My Lavender has finally 'woke up'!!

We have had the most beautiful, busy day today. A workout in the morning, mowing lawns, a trip to the beach to chase the boys along the sand and look for crabs and shells, a quick post, make dinner then off to Bootcamp!!! I feel tired just reading it.

I hope this is the start of some lovely weather over the weekend...we deserve it after all the rain.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend too,

Ness xx

Happy Weekend

From My Dream Home File - unknown source

I hope your weekend is full of happy times, creative endeavours or DIY masterpieces. I hope to show you all some of my own next week...as long as they work!

What ever you are up to - have a peaceful one.

Ness xx

Where Ever You Are

skona hem

An early post for me today as I have a date with a stack of material to re fill the store and catch up on some orders over the weekend. So, I hope where ever you are, your weekend is filled with inspiration. See you on Monday!

Ness xx

Packed and ready to go!

via oliveaux
I know it is only Tuesday, but I am signing off early this week because tomorrow the boys and I head off to Sydney to see my Parents, Sisters and Brother. There is lots in store, a Family outdoor soiree, visiting the Zoo, and....
alfresco emporium

lots of shopping! I have a list of the top things I am after. One of them being some more blue and white jars, preferably Ginger Jars, but something like these lovelies will do. As soon as we touch down I am off to Ikea (we don't have one in Tassie...I know!) for some bits and pieces. Also on the agenda is visiting some of the most beautiful stores I regularly haunted when we lived here...there will be lots of photos.

abdyantiques.co.uk

Another item I will be looking out for is a black Bakelite phone. I know it is something I probably won't find, but I will keep my eyes peeled as Mum is a fiend for spotting an elusive item..and always for a tremendous bargain.

flickr
Anyway, we are packed and ready to go, with alot more luggage than Ms Hepburn here!

Have a great week and weekend ans I will be back here on Monday with loads to tell.

Ness xx

Outdoor wishes...

via velvet & linen (I think)
I am loving this porch with its white and fresh hits of navy blue and seeing I am over being indoors, my thoughts have turned to what need to be done outside once the warmer days arrive.Tim Irving
..which is why today's pick from Tim's range in "The Yellow Jersey". Not only because I am on a serious health kick (2 dress sizes, 8kgs and 8.5" of my waist so far), and would like to get back on the bike in the sun, but Mic (Husband) was a serious cyclist for a long time and the recent Le Tour de France has reignited a fire in him to get peddling again...so this is my pick today.
Don't forget to leave a comment as tomorrow night the winner will be drawn to win 2 of Tim's beautiful prints!!!
Ness xx

I am changing...

home beautiful
...decorating style I mean! Don't get me wrong, I love French style still but I am after a cleaner, much more unfussy style and have been drawn to the coastal homes more and more of late. Mic also likes this look so I am planning to introduce some elements throughout our home.
This photo above is just gorgeous and a huge contender for my new mood board. Lots of white, natural textures, ticking, and hints of red, navy and black...nice!
pottery barn
I love this sofa and want our own to be covered in something like this. Maybe a white denim for now while the boys are still small. The navy blue and white floral with the ticking is what I am after.

home beautiful
I know this is outdoors, but the relaxed feeling has me in totally. Natural finishes, greenery against the white and hints of Summer days is in my head for our veranda which will be back on track soon.

unknown
Even the bathroom makeover hasn't escaped this thought process. Beaded walls in white, white floors and simple, beautiful features and fixtures will be going in here.

home beautiful
Maybe it is because we have had such a drab Winter here in Tasmania and I am craving Spring that this style is overcoming me...who knows? All I know is that I am loving it and am going to enjoy sharing with you all what I make of it all.

Ness xx

Fountains from my files...

From the depths of my ideas file I found these three beautiful fountains which all feature one of the lion heads that I have always wanted. We have actually had a lovely sunny day in Tasmania today and I was out cutting the lawn, longing to get my hands in the dirt again. This lead me to 'The File' and the following beauties...You can see the little lion in the background...I love it, especially paired with the urn, covered in moss, and to have a stone table on square pavers with a decorative grass between them would just set it all off.
It is beautiful here with these glassy green mosaics, cute white Impatient's and the stone (or concrete) surrounds.

...but here is my favourite! We wouldn't be able to replicate this at our space...because we have so much space, but I do love the idea of having such a gorgeous view from our french doors. The fountain for me is perfect and the set of 3 little tiles either side of it is just stunning. I have had this photo in my file for about 8 years, and I have just noticed the curtains! I do love the pom pom trim in neutrals.

I hope your weekend outlook is just as stunning.

Ness xx

I am sorry, I don't know where the photos are from because I have had them SO long.