2 Introductions - 1 new, 1 old...ish!

Finally! Our newest addition to the family arrived today.

3 weeks after my Sister went into labour, little Alex was born. Loads of complications, but both Mum and bub are doing well.
The next introduction is someone who has been doing beautiful things for a while, but I just wanted to jog your memories to the amazing Christine Bauer, photographer extraordinaire. All of the images in this post are by Christine and every time I visit her site I am truly inspired to do something to our home.
Some favourite things of mine have been captured here - ladder stitch linen, Toile and tan and red French florals, oh and white chippy wood.
This shot is just perfect for a holiday scene I think. Simple wreath on the window, loads of white and green.

A dressing area to die for!

I have still to track down an old dress form, and seeing that they have really become popular over the last year, it is getting more and more difficult.

But, I am just loving this one and think this photo will be the inspiration I will take for tomorrows decorating...our bedroom has been unloved for a few months and now I have my best friend Dyson (yep, my vacuum cleaner) back from the repair shop, I will give it a good go.
Now to get some sleep.
Stop by Christine's site for a look...and a drool!
Ness xx

Pale And Pretty

I found this gorgeous image on Atlanta Bartlett's site 'Pale and Interesting' and wondered where one would find old tea advertisements like the ones above her dining table? I love the big barn style doors too. After leaving her website I realised I have loads of pale and pretty images in my files - here are some...
Sharon Montrose
This photo is just soooo cute!
Who wouldn't love a little waddling white feathered friend around the place to eat the snails??

New England Home
This window seat is so inviting. I would have to add some vintage grain sacks into the mix of cushions though for texture...the ones with the thin red stripes - lovely!

Nancy Fishelson via Country Living
Gorgeous tones of white here. Beaded board walls, faded white wicker rocker, old milky farm sign, well worn cream bench and the little house...sigh!

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Ness xx

What Do You Do???

Warm Whispers
...when you have the flu? I was hoping to re do our medical cupboard I spoke about yesterday and show you today...but I am too sick. So, I am going to show you instead some lovely favourites I have found recently.
This photo above is one of about 12 prints from the renown Sadie Olive that I would love to have gracing our walls. They all have that vintage feel to them which I adore.
Roll And Tumble Press
I need a little reminder- I really do feel terrible!! This has been hand fed into an old letterpress machine and the colours are so calming.
Two Inspire You
This Wedding Boxwood Wreath would look lovely on our front door right now. We are heading into 22 weekends of rain!!? I crave real Spring days.

Red Wren Designs
This little sweetie is made here in Tasmania in Frankford. I love the fact the tea towels are on 100% linen and all hand made.
Eva Julie
What a wonderfully pretty print. It says "Choose Joy" in French and the fact that there are little birds in the tree appeal to me even more.

Well, I am sorry that I couldn't bring you the cupboard post today. I hope to be able to do it over the weekend seeing there is more rain coming. I will see how I am feeling.

I do hope you all have a beautiful weekend.

Ness xx

...and the WINNER is...

...according to random.org, #14- VART LIV I NORR!!!! which is a wonderful blog from lappland and features photos from home shots right through to beautiful scenes of Husky dogs towing sled (yeah like a mush! mush! thing). It is well worth the visit to see extreme weather and beautiful things.

Congratulations!! you have won any 2 prints from Opart courtesy of the lovely Tim Irving.

To all of you who entered, I thank you for visiting me each day and leaving your always lovely comments..it means alot to me.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend,

Ness xx

Note - I did try to copy the actual draw, but couldn't figure out how to do it, but trust me it said #14 =0)

LAST CHANCE GIVEAWAY POST

"First Arrival"

"Devotion To The Ocean"

OK. Today is the last chance you have to WIN ANY TWO PRINTS from Tim Irving's range at opart.etsy.com

All you have to do is leave a comment and you will go into tonight's draw. I will let you all know who random.org has chosen after boot camp tonight.

Good Luck,

Ness xx

images thanks to Tim Irving

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

Wednesday Wantings & GIVEAWAY!!

bh&g
Today I am wanting a beautiful Kitchen, just like this because I am sick of looking at our 70's wooden doors in the one we have now.

via the vintage rose
somewhere I could have my lovely white ironstone pieces out with pride, and possibly with a work wooden counter like this table top...

Tim Irving
...somewhere I could hang prints like these in...

This one of a Metro sign in Paris.
Tim Irving
...or this one called "Ripe Red", which would amazing with a huge white mount board around it...

Tim Irving

...or this one called "View Of Paris". All of these prints are from the very talented Tim Irving, and have been shot with an antique camera lens to give the appearance of an old photo. I love them and their ageless appeal...and by leaving a comment this week, you can WIN TWO OF TIM'S PRINTS!!! and he will ship to any where in the world...yay!

I hope you all have fun working out what two you will pick if you win. It will be drawn on Friday.

Good luck,

Ness xx

Wedding Ideas and GIVEAWAY!

Tim Irving

I have found some of Tim's images that relate to today's post (don't forget to win 2 of his prints, leave a comment) about Wedding table layouts. As some of you know I am styling a Wedding in Spring, the brief being 'simple and stylish'. I am very excited about it and this print of Tim's, "The Embrace- French Cherry Tree" gives me inspiration to cut beautiful branches to put in glass fish bowl type vases as center pieces...very chic and Spring!
Tim Irving
This one called "White Tea Pot On Cotton Lace", is such a beautiful print and reminds me of a Brides delicate detailing on her dress...the fact that I LOVE white Ironstone probably helps.

Martha Stewart
I love this idea. If you are on a tight flower budget, you can use real leaves and fake flowers, and considering some of the faux varieties give the real deal a run for their money, I think if you select your faux flowers carefully you can pull it off.

Martha Stewart
It looks stunning all together and if I hadn't have told you the flowers were fake, would you have guessed??

Martha Stewart

...but this has to be my absolute favourite idea. Little birds nests holding gorgeous Peony Roses and for the place holder, a mini version nesting one bloom.
I am going to try and replicate this and see what it turns out like with my Twisted Willow tree to show the client. I think I will add a candle somewhere though as it is indoors and what is a wedding without candles?

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter into the draw to win 2 prints from Tim Irving...there are 100+ of his vintage looking prints to choose from!!! It will be drawn on Friday.

Ness xx

GIVEAWAY WEEK!!!

all images - Tim Irving
OK. Today is the beginning of a new giveaway here at M&L.

The lovely Tim from Opart is kindly offering the winner of this giveaway ANY 2 of his prints and as there are 100 or so to choose from it will be difficult to pick. Today I am showing you 3 of my favourite picks from Tim's range. Each day I will be adding a new one to the end of my post.

So, all you have to do is leave a comment and I will pick the winner out via random.org on Friday...simple!!!

If you comment each day...the more chances you have to win.

Good luck!

Ness xx

Wednesday Wantings...Barbara Carter

all images - Barbara Carter
Today I am loving these gorgeous prints from Etsy artist, Barbara Carter. Her images evoke visions of warm days in Provence and a serious need to check out Lavender fields!!

To see more stunning prints, click HERE

Ness xx

10% off for M&L readers!!!

The lovely Kelly from Kelly Ann Studio has emailed me after seeing her work on my Friday post to let me know that she will give all M&L readers a 10% discount off any of her photos in the gallery on her website....hows that??? This one above would have to be my favourite.

Just visit Kelly Ann Studio for more of her wonderful work..and your discount!!

Ness xx

Buggy Birthday Wish & a typo!!

Kari Herer

I love these new Magnolia Bug photos by one of my favourite photographers, Kari Herer. I am thinking of some for our living room wall...I just can't commit to which ones!

A short post today to say sorry for the typo yesterday, which I have fixed (sorry Charlotte). I think I had my Sister, Caroline on my mind as it is her Birthday today...Happy Birthday Aunty!

Also Happy Birthday to my FIL (father in law), David. I hope you both have had a wonderful day.

Love you both,

Ness xx

Just Wonderful...

A Bartlett

I am sorry for my lack of post on Friday, I was elbow deep in paint, trying to get the living room/ Kitchen /dining and hall done before picking up my Mum from the airport. I also was out that night for dinner with friends and by the time it was all done I had no time to do the post..sorry!

I did how ever have a lovely weekend. The weather was lovely. I bought an old Chaise Longue and a gilt mirror at the markets (from the same seller that my office table came from) for a song. I planted out the start of our HUGE garden project, finished the painting...and got the cold!!!

Emma Lynne

I did stumble across these lovely old, nostalgic looking photos which I am thinking about for our living room wall. My Vicki photos aren't working, which I am a bit sad about, so I thought these lovelies would do well in our old home.

Emma Lynne
This photo of washing is beautiful. I do love to see our white sheets on the line when the grass is all mowed and the sun shines through them...it is simple things like this that make me so happy to be where I am right now.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I will post some photos of the paint, mirror and Chaise as soon as I get started on them.....the list grows!!!
Ness xx

Coveting...

I have loved reading about all of your takes on your 'style' and the elements you love that make it work for you. I am still really trying to define my own style and thought I would show you some beautiful things I am coveting for our home (these are Birthday hints Mic!!).

The top 2 photos are by a wonderful Etsy Photographer Kariherer, who's images of Paris and France are amazing. Little snippets of life I like to call them. I especially love the flower range.

Another Etsy (actually all of this post is from Etsy Shops) Photographer I am loving is Snappy Chic. Her images of France, Eiffel Tower etc are mostly black and white and have that timeless quality to them that it seems we are all coveting.

As some of you know I have a thing for rings, the bigger and chunkier the better. This one from MS Pottery is a divine example. Made of ceramic, gorgeous colour and adjustable too. This is high on my list.
This photo is so pretty. It is by Peonies and Polaroids. There are many more with the same sort of beautiful feel to them...I want them all!! I can imagine this...HUGE as a focal on a wall. It would be lovely in a bathroom, over looking a white claw foot, surrounded by white fluffy towels in big weathered grey trough-style urns. =)

I have had these saved for ages. Recycled glass is Yava Glass' main thing. They have all sorts of funky and stylish glass ware, like old soda bottles and lots of famous brand pieces...all flame cut and polished. What a beautiful set these are.

Now, I am LOVING this range of antique, hand woven hemp linen, feather/down filled cushions from Ludwigaslinen. All of the linen featured on this shop is between 80 and 130 years old. You even get a little bit of history about this linen in each listing. Did you know it would take a weaver 4 to 6 hours to weave just 60 cm!! and by candlelight!!!! The rest of the range is just a stunning and the little monogram pillow is a fave too.

This is so cool. A plaid laptop bag that is padded and lined and with a zip from Track and Field Designs. I adore the bike image on the front. This would be great for a guy or a girl. If they don't have the size you need...they will make it for you at no extra charge!!

These little 4 x 4 inch wood mounted photo collages by Stiletto Heights are beautiful. They come ready to hang and have a lovely patina to them. They have been made using pastels, photos, acrylic paints and ephemera. They are listed as being "Perfect for any Paris Apartment themed room, bedroom, office or studio".

You would definitely have to have a few to get a wonderful effect like this.

So, I have decided that I don't want to be pigeon-holed into a particular style. I want it to be something that evolves around our family, our home, our life, our loves...and a little of that Modern Rustic thing. If you love it, it'll work!

Ness xx

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the draw for my Giveaway!!! Ends Friday night Aussie time.