Vintage flair

 

My very talented and gorgeous niece India Hartford-Davis has started an interesting blog on vintage fashion finds in Sydney.

Not only does she have a good eye for fashion and photography but her sassy style makes for some fun reading.

You can follow her on backstreetblog.tumblr.com

 

 

On a recent trip to Sydney, I visited my favourite garden design store Parterre Garden in Woollahra. For those who love sculpture, there are some amazing pieces in the new European shipment.

I also found a new gem (well new to me)

The Society Inc in Paddington. Such a clever concept, vintage homeware pieces mixed with everyday collectable objects to create an amazing array of haberdashery meets hardware.

 

Andrina x

 

 

 

Chalet girl...

It's that time of year when I dream of being in the snow. The temperature here has been around 35 for days and yet across the world it has been sub-zero so... I'm thinking leather gloves, fur lined coats, warm winter boots and ski chalets.
 I thought I'd share some amazing chalets with you, so we can dream of the snow together.

 

 

Images via Google

 

 

Imagine curling up on these couches exhilarated from a hard days skiing.Warming cold limbs by the fire.

Red wine in hand, friends and family mooching around.... my idea of heaven.

Oh well, maybe next year!

Andrina x

 

 

J'adore La Belle

I have found a way to make the La Belle roses go that extra mile.Cut off their heads, carefully tear away the bruised petals and pop into a lovely crystal bowl of water.
 Voila, they are still fabulous and will maybe give me another week.

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend full of happiness and joy.

Celebrate how lucky we are to live in this amazing country.

Happy Australia Day. Andrina x

 

 

Summer loving....

Since Christmas day the temperature in Perth has barely dropped below 35 degrees, it's been hot hot hot!
Summer in Perth is accentuated by colours, especially blues, mauves and white.
Agapanthus, Lavender, Hydrangea, Jacaranda, Iceberg roses and sweet Gardenia.

 

 

 

I've spent lots of time in the garden this weekend, even in the heat and the house is full of fragrant blooms.

So now it's time for a glass of wine and a dip in the pool!

Have a lovely weekend. Andrina x



 

 

 

 

 

 

New beginnings....

This week has been an interesting one, quite emotional.Excitement and joy at new beginnings mixed with sadness at the prospect of a different vibe and quieter household.The new year is all about new beginnings but we were rather surprised when our eldest son announced that he had finally found a house with mates and was moving out.

It's definately the right time, that's not the issue, it's that my life is now going to be different, and that is going to be the adjustment.

So it got me thinking what is important to me and I kept coming up with various combinations of family, friendships and the beauty of good design.
Family is what grounds and sustains me, I have also been blessed with a wonderful girlfriends who inspire me with their knowledge and passion for life, and thanks to my father, I find beauty in interiors, gardens and architecture, the world over.

So where am I going with all this.... not sure really, but instead of spending time cooking and washing for my gorgeous boy, I'll continue with my photography courses, I'll get back into French lessons and I will find time to look at beautiful books full of wonderful interiors and gardens. It will be me time... a long time coming but hopefully deserved.

Andrina x

Goodbye 2012

What a fabulous year it was, lots of travel and new adventures, great times with lovely friends and discovering some wonderful interiors and gardens via some amazing blog sites. Thank you for sharing and reading along with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year, may it be filled with happiness and joy.

Andrina x

 

 

 

 

 

 

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