Le tour de France

This weekend my favourite sporting event is about to begin. For many years now, I have been an avid supporter of Le Tour de France. My boys are all enthusiastic cyclists and we have been watching the beautiful spectacle that is the tour on SBS television since they were babes. Watching this event was in fact how I fell so totally in love with the French countryside and many places that we have since visited have been "marked" on the map due to watching The Tour.

The Tour began in 1903 when it was a five stage race organised by editor Henri Desgrange to lift circulation of his newpaper L'Auto. It was a gruelling event with each stage being raced through the night.The format has changed over the years, but the race is still a huge physical endeavour now lasting twenty-one stages, criss-crossing the magnificent french countryside.The finish though has always been in Paris.

My map and french dictionary will be beside me over the next few weeks as I watch the drama of this event unfold each evening.

Have a lovely weekend. Andrina x

Friday flowers

There is nothing nicer than having fresh flowers for the weekend.They add ambience to the room, they make me smile and they greet my visitors.

Today I'm thinking some iris twisted into a tall vase and a bouquet of soft pink roses with cream hyacinths.

A bouquet of flowers is like a good friend....they always have something new to share, even though you've seen them often.

Have a lovely weekend. Andrina x

Il pleuvait beaucoup...

The temperature has dropped and its raining, it's actually pouring, good old fashioned drenching rain, like we remember. There was an expression we said as kids, "It's raining cats and dogs," well that's whats happening in Perth today.
 So clearly my washing will be going into the dryer, unlike in Rome, where it is a beautiful sunny day. Their washing is happily flapping in the breeze for all the world to see.

I hope its not raining les chats et les chiens in your neighbourhood.If it is remember your umbrella.  Have a lovely day. Andrina x

Weekend reading...

With cold winter weather in store this weekend I thought I'd share with you my weekend reading selection. I'm on the hunt to find the perfect accessories to add warmth to the living room, a couple of throws, some great hurricane lamps and maybe some textured cushions to give the room that lux winter ambience.

Flamant Style, Ralph Lauren and Inspired Interiors by Suzanne Kasler. Three fabulous books with great interiors, concepts and designs that build on the classical approach with a modern twist to give you the essence of a very special environment.



And for a little french magic to remember Paris, My French Life by Vicki Archer.
All fabulous reads, while curled up in front of a fire.
Have a lovely weekend. Andrina x

Wild weather...

On Sunday, Perth had one of those once in a decade wild storms, trees down in all the parks, boats torn off their moorings, localised flooding and power cuts to many suburbs.
So it was with great sadness, that we discovered the Morten Bay Fig that has been in our park for a least fifty years was one of the many trees that succumbed to the storm.For many years, I have watched my boys climb, swing and play hide and seek around that particular tree.

No time to chat today, apparently another storm is due this evening, so I'm off to check the garden and batten down the hatches. Andrina x

Treasure found...

My lovely sister-in-law is currently in London revelling in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, loving all the crowds, pomp and ceremony that go with such an occasion.She sent me this picture of the Selfridges window. Don't you just love it!

Sometimes you find things in the most unexpected places. I've recently been on the hunt for silver treasure (those who follow me, know the story) scouring the antique stores of Paris and Rome to no avail.

So when I saw this Silver Jubilee tray in a local antique store it was a sign, it had to be bought! It might not be the treasure that I had imagined, but it was too much of a serendipity moment to be ignored.

Pop in and check out these fabulous British design inspired cushions at Veranda Home and Garden in Claremont WA.

Have a lovely weekend. Andrina x

Washing day...

The Hills Hoist was invented by Lance Hill in 1945. It was a staple piece of backyard furniture in the 60's and 70's. Today they are considered one of Australias most recognisable icons and even featured in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. 

             

Today however, our washing lines are hidden away on south facing walls, away from the glamour of modern day garden design.I loved rounding a corner in many Italian towns to be greeted by the washing, happily flapping in the breeze.How can someone elses washing make you smile? I guess that's why we love to visit far away lands, their customs and quirkiness for the everyday is such a delight.

 

 

Today was fine and sunny in Perth so my washing

dried...I hope that yours did too.

Talk to you soon. Andrina x

Italian dreaming...

The last few nights as I toss and turn, trying desperately to slot back into an Aussie sleeping pattern, I have been lying awake day dreaming of Italy.
Streets, cafes, piazzas and monuments flash into my mind, then bang, I'm wide awake reliving the wonderful experience that we had at that particular spot.
I've tried lots of remedies but to no avail.... if all else fails there is always Stilnox... but for now, I'll just enjoy the journey and delight in the beauty of Italian dreaming.

Have a lovely restful weekend, sweet dreams.

Andrina x