more Wreaths....

Image:French Larkspur

I am so inspired by this fabulous wreath found on French Larkspur, such a different twist to the original concept.What sort of wreath have you displayed this year?

Happy Saturday shopping.
Andrina x

Peace on Earth

 

Only a few more sleeps and carols will be sung across the globe, people of all colour and creed, celebrating the joy of Christmas and praying for peace on Earth.

Relax and enjoy the last few days preparation and remember how fortunate we actually are.

Andrina x

Images: Ann Treadgold

Christmas wreaths

 

The Christmas or advent wreath has its origins from the Lutherans in Germany in the 16th Century.

It was used to celebrate the beginning of advent and the birth of Christ.It was usually made of evergreens to symbolise strength.

 

 

My dream to have a fresh evergreen wreath sadly cannot be realised in Australia....it would be dead in the first week, so we have to make do with faux wreaths that adorn our doors, but here is the fun part, we can play dressups adorning our doors with all manner of wreaths.

The style often reflects the house style or the owners particular theme for the Christmas season.

 

 

At the moment I'm loving the snowy branches of this wreath, but I may also use it as a table display.

What do you think? What sort of wreath do you have on your front door?

Andrina x

 

 

 

 

 

London lights

 

Christmas in a foreign city is always rather exotic, the traditions are slightly different the food is new and usually delicious, and unless your in the southern hemisphere it's COLD, the way Christmas should be.

 

 

 

My gorgeous sister in law is currently in London catching up with family and friends before heading home for Christmas. I thought I'd share her photos of London lights. I dream of having a cold, icy, snowy Christmas, do you? Where would your choice of a cold Christmas be?

 

 

Mine of course would be Paris then running a very close second would have to be New York! A girl who doesn't want for much ... but then, you have to be able to dream.

Andrina x



 

 

 



Tinsel and Tulle

The Nutcracker.

 

The Nutcracker, New York ballet.

It's that time of year, we are all beginning to think Christmas and decorating. Whenever the ballet comes to Perth at Christmas, I love to go and see The Nutcracker Suite, it takes me back to childhood memories with my Great Aunt.

 

 

 

As the temperature rises, and I dream about snow,

I begin to sort and bring out the various Christmas decorations and think about theme and placement.

How is your decorating going?

Andrina x

 

 

 

The Louvre & Louis Vuitton

One of my favourite buildings in Paris is of course Musee du Louvre. The majesty of this building is quite breathtaking. I love the symmetry, the sense of calm that emerges from its design.

 

The way the light plays on the various grey colouring of the building is magical. So I was thrilled to come across the latest Louis Vuitton add campaign featuring the Louvre. Take a look, it's fabulous.

 

Sunday is a great day for visiting museums, I hope you can find the time.

Have a lovely weekend.

Andrina x

 

 

 

 

Remembrance day..

Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the armitice which ended the First World War.In small country towns and our cities many people mark the occasion with a service, a visit to a loved ones grave site, or like me just a special thought to all those who died to make our world a better place full of hope and freedom.


image:myfrenchcountryhome

Image:army.gov.au

The poppy has become the icon of Remembrance Day. A flower so sublime yet evoking such emotion.

Its beauty is in the very essence of its simplicity.

I thought that I would leave you with these images.

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

between the crosses row by row...

We will not forget.

Andrina x

 

 

 

 

 



First past the post....

All the talk in the West Australian news this week has been centered around winning. The "race that stops a nation" was on Tuesday, The Melbourne Cup. There were some lucky winners, those clever enough to back Irish horses. Then there was the "hundred million lotto draw", again only a few lucky winners, four to be exact, each taking home about 27 million.
And finally the American Presidential election race, not too sure if there were any winners there. The ecomomy is in rapid decline unless the parties can come together and bring about real change.
You're probably wondering where is she going with all this? Well, if I won the big jackpot, as some did this week, I'd spend my money on a little bit of paradise in the Hamptons (houses are rather cheap at present) and fly all my friends over to vacation with me each year.

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend, dream big and maybe you'll be a winner!
Andrina x

Happiness within us...

Happiness cannot be bought. It is a state of being.Yes, we can lavish ourselves with all sorts of goodies to make us look and feel fabulous, but like bedding, pull back all the elaborate covers and there's just the basics.

 

 

 

 

Last week while in Bali I saw lots of the basics, but the thing that struck me was how incredibly happy all the people were.They were proud of their family and place in life, they were extremely proud of their culture and sharing it with us and they showed happines and pride in their jobs....something that is often lacking in Australia.

 

 

 

Maybe we need to assess our lives, throw out some of the clutter and baggage? Find happiness in the things that really matter, not just the material lifestyle that is thrust in our faces daily via print and electronic media? Food for thought.

Have a lovely Sunday. Andrina x

 

 

 

 

Ubud Bali ...

Staying at  Amori Villa in Ubud was an amazing experience.Beautiful and attentive staff, magical setting, perfect weather and fabulous friends, what more could a girl want.... except maybe a cocktail or two!!

www.amorivilla.com

email:info@amorivilla.com

 

 

the Bookclub...

 

Once upon a time a group of young girls got together to broaden their minds and enjoy each others friendship...the Bookclub was formed.

Over the years the friendships were strengthened by their common bond of motherhood, a fabulous social life and love of reading.

Some of the girls have moved on, some lovely young women have joined and the friendships have blossomed and flourished over the years.

This year the Bookclub girls are celebrating 25 years of fabulous friendship and reading by attending the Ubud writers festival.

 

 

 

 

I've always tossed about the idea of having a dedicated reading room. There are so many wonderful library styles and designs ...which one to choose? Do you have a well stocked library?

I've got stacks and stacks of beautiful books but choosing the correct format to display them, that's the tricky part. At the moment, I'm loving this Hamptons living room incorporating the library.

 

 

Have a fabulous weekend. I surely will.

Andrina x

 



 

 

 

 

 



Olive oil...

 

 

Spring is in the air and the garden in flourishing with the smattering of rain that has been blessed upon us.
My olives are in full flower which can only mean one thing, lots of lovely olives to harvest.
I have been carefully tending to these mini topiary olives trees since last summer and they are finally thriving.

 

 

Talk to you soon.

Andrina x

 

Italian men....

While travelling in Italy last May, I was struck by the raw beauty of Italian men. Men of all ages and walks of life, had a certain subtle sophisticated style that I have finally come to accept as quintessentially Italian.They just ooze style whether in jeans or a suit they are so.... admirable.
With that in mind, I was thrilled to see that Tods (of Italian Tods shoes) has bought out a book about men aptly called, "Italian Portraits".

Photo courtesy of Style Intel via Italian Portraits.

The photography is superb and the fashion/interior visual is thrilling. Well worth a look.

Photo courtesy of Style Intel via Italian Portraits.

That got me thinking about a fabulous youtube video that I saw recently on The Sartorialist blog. Scott had a dinner party in Florence for some very stylish Italian men. It is facinating to watch, so I've put the link here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3h3U-O6avsE

Enjoy! Andrina x


 

 

A little whisper.....

 

Last weekend had those glorious spring days where the heat seaps into your body and your skin has that tight sun kissed feeling..... the beginning of summer yeh!

Mon mari and I spent some time wondering the streets of Fremantle on Sunday and thanks to a great tip, had lunch at a delightful place on Essex Street,

Whispers Wine Bar.

Helene and Thierry moved from Paris a few years ago and have opened this vibrant small wine bar.

It stocks a comprehensive list of Australian and New Zealand wines. The food is simple but delicious with baguettes to die for, dipping plates and shared farmer style plates all served in the French tradition.

Sitting there watching the world go by, we had a little bit of Paris, in Fremantle.

 

 

 

 

 

Have a fabulous week.

Andrina x