Red stripes

I was browsing through Carl Bengtsson's photography and couldn't keep my eye off this image.

Image left Carl Bengtsson.

The stripes reminded me of the wallpaper Catherine Martin used in her child's bedroom so I dusted off my old issue of Home Beautiful and browsed through Catherine's beautiful home again.

Image Home Beautiful October 2008

This is the bedroom I am referring to which also inspired me to use her circus wallpaper in Robert's room. It was nice to see it again.

While I'm seeing red stripes, here are a few other ways of using them in your home aside from walls:

Image found here

Image via Apartment Therapy

Image via Patricia Gray

Image Coastal Living

Image Coastal Living

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the last few days of October.

Alex Perry for Designer Rugs

Anthi

Baso

Bibelo

Ipografi

Nisaki

Palati

Psaraki

Rhodes

Oh how exciting! The designs are beautiful and I like that the rugs have been given Greek names paying homage to Alex Perry's Greek heritage. If only I could make room in my house for the Palati rug. I would need the dress to go with it as well of course.

(Images Designer Rugs)

The circus party

Thank you everyone for enduring my talk about the party. It all turned out well despite the rainy weather. I'm so grateful for everyone who came and for braving the weather for us! Here are some photos.

The setup

The circus is (almost) coming to town

The party is this weekend. Forecast = rain periods. Boo.

We still have food to buy and a couple of things to organise. Most importantly though, I can't wait to spend the day with my little man.

I'm heading off a little early this week. Have a fun weekend and see you next week!

(Photography by Laspata DeCaro. Models Jessica Stam & Gabriel Aubrey. Images found here)

Kids series

Love love love (yep, that much) the children's series Amanda of Swish & Swanky has put together. These are some of the images Amanda has posted that have made their way into my inspiration folder. Which is your favourite?

LOVE: The lanterns

LOVE: Framing children's artwork

LOVE: Hand painted murals

LOVE: A stylish place to do homework

LOVE: Large blackboard and ABC cut-outs

Amanda has also posted some beautiful nursery tours which I'm really enjoying and today she posted Robert's room which you can see here. I'm so honoured Amanda asked me to be involved. From both Robert and I - thank you!!

(Images Real Living, Home Beautiful, Real Living, Desire to Inspire, Living Etc via Swish and Swanky)

Prizes

Hi there! Did you have a fun weekend? I spent it with the family as well as making a total mess in the studio in preparation for the party. Lots of fun.

Hope you had a fun one!

Apartment Therapy feature

Did I say I was leaving for the week? I'm back for just a tick.

Beth Zeigler of Apartment Therapy asked if she could write about my use of decorative paper in my home and I gladly accepted! I didn't realise how much wallpaper and paper I have used in areas around my home until saw the images together in one post. Click on over and have a read.

Thanks Beth!

Birthday cake

Looks like I will indeed be making Robert's first birthday cake. My mum found an old Woman's Weekly recipe book full of birthday cakes and she gave it to me to flip through to see if there is anything in it that I like.

I'm thinking of making the number '1'. I know it's not circus-themed but it looks easier to make than the clown recipes and I would hate to ruin the cake by being over ambitious.

Oh and guess what! In the comments of this post I mentioned that my mum once made me an amazing piano cake for my birthday which I still remember to this day.


I found the recipe in the book! I remember being so proud of it and gathered all my friends around the table to see it. I had just started piano lessons so this was a very fitting cake. I hope one day Robert is proud of what I make for him too.

Have a great weekend and see you next week! But before you go, please share, is there a birthday cake or a birthday party that sticks in your mind? What made it memorable for you?

Pretty papers

I was walking past Ruby Star Traders the other day and like a magnet I was drawn in. I was like a kid in a candy store. I walked out with a collection of pretty papers - each on sale at $2 or $3 a roll. I wish I had walked out of the store with one of their inlaid bone furniture or the lounge covered in the same fabric as the bird print pillow I own. Next time, maybe?

I'm thinking of using the tiger print paper to fix up this old desk for Robert to use one day. Perhaps to cover the top of the desk or the drawers. If I don't do anything with the desk soon I fear my husband will put it out for the next council pick-up.

Do you collect pretty papers? What do you use yours for?

Guest spot at Simply Grove

Hi guys! I'm over at Simply Grove today. Kirsten asked me to fill in while she is away (thanks!). The mood board I created above will make more sense if you pop on over to Simply Grove and read the post.

See you there!

Shop update: New designs

I've been a busy girl. Available here.

Jumpsuits

This lady here has discovered that, despite all of the clothes that are taking up space in her wardrobe, she has no clothes to wear. None.

We spent the weekend out and about and I just could not be bothered dressing in anything other than jeans and a daggy jumper. I would swap my clothes for my son's in a heartbeat if, you know, I could fit into a size 0 and I was male. He's been given some really trendy outfits.

I'm thinking if my clothes were practical and comfortable and perhaps even stylish then I might make more of an effort.

I found myself looking at jumpsuits because they look comfortable. The ones I'm looking at have no belts, buttons, sparkles, ties, fan-dangled thingies that my son can get his hands on and try to rip off. But I just don't know how I feel about wearing jumpsuits. Would you? Wouldn't you?


(Image found here)

Today I bookmarked...

...these coffee tables for my dream home - the Hollywood regency style one.

What have you bookmarked?

See you next week!


(Images Tonic Home, 1st Dibs)

Birthday party planning

Just dropping in quickly to let you know I've been busy planning my son's circus party today. I tried to order a birthday cake for him and the cake people told me they couldn't do it because they are all booked up with wedding orders. Hmm, maybe I should make one myself. Above are the party plans so far.

Speaking of weddings, the lovely Bonnie has featured my big fat wedding over at Amour Amour. Pop by and have a look if you get a chance. Thanks Bonnie!

Images found (clockwise): Baby's Got Style, Giggleberry, here, Party Lily, Tankom

Wallpapered furniture

I have been chatting with a reader who found me via the Real Living feature and sent me a link to Bryonie Porter wallpapered furniture - thank you! I'm loving the eye candy. More here.

Also, big thanks to Handmade News for featuring my studio on their site last week!