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