Weekly Inspiration - Recipes, DIY Homeware and Black and White Kitchens

1. Izy's Swedish Chocolate Cake from the Vanilla Bean Blog...Recipe here

A collection of inspiration: recipes, DIY homeware and some black and white kitchens. You will find a quick link to the recipes and tutorials at the end of this post.

Hamptons Style & an Australasian Hamptons Style Store

I realise it wasn't long ago I posted, 'Hooked on Hamptons' and how to achieve this style. However, when I discovered a little Hamptons in my quarter of the world I couldn't resist writing another post. I mean, who could get bored with such a restful look. Designers each have their own unique way of interpreting this style so it is always nice to see fresh ideas.

A Spanish holiday casa in Costa del Sol

I was browsing ideas for a friend who is renovating a casa in Spain and spotted this lovely home on the Costa del Sol. The owners have added sisal rugs and patterned kilims, at the same time allowing the beautiful patina of the terracotta floors to shine. The gentle blue tones remind me of the nearby sea and the mix of patterns and textiles add lots of interest. Most of the rooms have an ethnic quality about them, however the dining area is a tad English don't you think? The linen headboard in the bedroom is something I have been dreaming of for some time now and I am excited to say I have finally made one from scratch for my guest bedroom. I will be sharing the step by step, 'easy' instructions when I reveal the complete makeover at the end of next week.

Wander through this wonderful casa at your own pace and enjoy the tour...

Images/via

I hope you have had a great weekend and have enjoyed the tour.

Sharing this post with the following blogs:

I should be Mopping the Floor

Savvy Southern Style

Not Just A Housewife

No Minimalist Here

My Romantic Home

15 Reasons To Clear Out Clutter

Last week I was asked to share an info-graphic with my readers, I often receive such requests and usually they are a little off topic, however, this one is definitely relevant. Josh from SpareFoot sent the info-graphic which refers to 15 reasons why you should clear out clutter. Reasons 2 and 3 are literally screaming at me as my mothers estate clutters my home and fills my 'soon to be office', from floor to ceiling. I am dealing with items one by one which is obviously takes time, I can hardly believe it's already been a year. I have given a lot to hospice, family and friends, some things have been sold and of course the majority I want to keep. Nevertheless I realise I have to be strong and actively sort things out, even if it means moving some to storage which I have avoided so far.

Point No. 3 "I can clear my mind", Gosh!, I can definitely identify with this feeling. I don't seem to be able to focus properly and constantly flit from one thing to another, even my friends have noticed this, not to mention, I haven't painted the past year and I still don't have an office organised. I have almost finished my guest room (still waiting for the blinds, long story!), hopefully I can post the 'reveal' next week. I feel great about clearing this room, I now have a lovely bedroom for friends and family to stay and already feeling 'lighter'. One more room to sort, my 'soon to be' office, I am sure, as soon as I clear this room and start decorating I will feel like a weight has been removed.  No longer will I have to perch my computer precariously on my lap, I will have a 'working office' and be inspired not only to write more posts, but to actually put brush to canvas and hopefully complete my huge painting, 'Rhapsody in Spring'.

Produced by SpareFoot. Copyright 2013.

If your mind is foggy and you feel a little stressed, maybe you could launch yourself into an early Spring clean or a late Summer clear out, believe me you will feel so much better.

Colourful Patio/outdoor entertaining inspiration

If you live in the Northern hemisphere, it's not too late to put some thought into your patio or deck area this Summer and there is nothing like a little colour to brighten an outdoor spot. Maybe colourful furniture is not quite your taste, however, bright coloured cushions are a simple way to jazz it up. Your outdoor living should be an extension of your indoors, think carefully about furniture layout, colours and accessorise, creating an inviting area where you can relax alone or with friends. All these gorgeous images make me excited about upcoming Summer in New Zealand.

Nothing like a pop of pink to brighten up the deck

Snuggle down on those cool evenings with a beautiful  faux fur throw

Literally an outdoor room...Love it!

Recycling old pallets and drums to create an outdoor setting

A touch of Asia, lanterns are interesting accessories and fit perfectly in an outdoor setting

Laze away those balmy days in a fabulous hammock and a pretty striped light weight comforter to keep you cosy when the sun goes down.

Some vintage love

A touch of the Hamptons - black and white, always smart

A colourful umberella sets the scene

Image sources: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9 

It is hard to choose which one is my favourite outdoor setting, however if I have to narrow it down,  it would be image 3, which is your favourite?

I will be linking this post with the following blogs:

I should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
 Stroll Thru Life

Inspiration No. 6, 2013 - Neon Love, Easter Ideas, Interiors & More

Hi everyone, after a few weeks of loving pastel and stumbling across these pretty neon, glittered eggs from Tori Jayne, I started to look around for some more neon inspiration. I'm not particularly a fan of neon, however, I am only one opinion and it does have its place even in interiors. I have found some free printable gift wrap, interior, DIY Easter ideas and a recipe I thought fitting as neon...

Quick links to recipes, craft instructions and image sources can be found at the end of this post.

Quick links:

• Neon glittered eggs from Tori Jayne....Instructions here 
• Neon puffy decorated eggs from Make and Takes...Instructions here
• Neon dyed eggs from The Winthrop Chronicles...Instructions here
• Neon Printable wrapping paper from Funky Time...click here to read more and download paper
• Tablescape via Pinterest
• Neon Pink Doily and tye dye table setting via Pinterest
• Neon interior via House Beautiful
• Four Poster Neon Bed image via Decoist...photo by Nicolas Matheus
• Yellow desk image via...Pinterest
• Interior image Pink diamonds and yellow sofa, via Pinterest
• Collection of neon art, Image via Pinterest via The Design Files... photo Brooke  Holm
• Julia's Cinnamon Toast flan from Kitchen Confidante....Recipe here

Hope you have enjoyed this weeks inspiration. If you missed last weeks post, you can catch up... "here" or if you want some more Easter Inspiration... read here.

Sharing this weekly inspiration post with:
The Dedicated House

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Show and Tell Friday on My Romantic Home

Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy Little Lady
What to do Weekends at Crafts A La Mode

At the Picket Fence

Christmas Mantelpiece - Simple - Elegant

On a dull, wet, Auckland Spring day I tried to get some photos of my Christmas mantelpiece.  I'm not so happy with the image results, still waiting for that elusive upgrade camera, "I know, ya..ya.. you have heard this before". However, yet another Christmas I have had to make do with my point and shoot, so please excuse the fact that I don't have a wide angle lens, and I had to work in poor light.  I am a perfectionist at heart and would rather wait until I have that perfect camera, but I realise, if I wait for perfection, my readers would too. I am thankful for photo enhancement to add some light to the images, although I may have over done it slightly.

I wanted this years mantel to reflect nature and elegance, and to include items of mine and my mothers. For nature, I chose Orchids, I adore them and they flower for such a long time, I knew they would see Christmas and New Year too. My pair of porcelain Cheetahs complimented the white orchids and their black pots and added to the symmetry.  I then  up cycled a vintage fruit salad glass that belonged to my mum. I had lots of old broken pearl necklaces of my mothers and placed these in the bottom of the glass, adding a simple white candle. I finished off with a delicate garland of tiny silver stars to swag across the mantel and voila!... Simple but definitely elegant, don't you think?

Poppy was totally miffed yet again at being dressed up, she is giving me her, "sad dog" look.

If you want to see my mantelpiece from last year, please visit "here" or if you still haven't planned your own mantelpiece and want more inspiration see my previous post "Christmas Mantelpiece Decorations".

Later this week I'll be sharing more images of my living room makeover decorated for Christmas and next week my Christmas tablescape which this year is a touch of "vintage". I'll  be using all the beautiful vintage items I have inherited from my mother to create a pretty vintage Christmas tablescape.

Last years tablescape of mauve and silver can be seen "here"

Have a wonderful week, start to plan your Christmas day meal now so you won't stress.  If you haven't thought about gifts yet, you might want to check out some of my  gift ideas "here", its still not too late to order on line.

Sharing this post with...

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage

Show and tell Friday at My Romantic Home
The Shabby Creek Cottage

At The Picket Fence

I Did Tell You

Inspiration From The Blogasphere Week 9 - Interiors, DIY, Recipes & More

Sorry I didn't get around to posting any Inspiration last week, I've been hectically trying to re-decorate my mums house. It's been extremely difficult as I first had to pack up all mums belongings and now there are dozens of boxes scattered around her house (just not ready to part with them all yet), and were having to work around them which isn't easy.  One bedroom is finished now, it's amazing how a small dark room is now full of light and sunshine. Dark heavy curtains removed, sheer nets removed, flowered wallpaper painted over with two undercoats of white and two top coats of Resene Ricecake has made it a perfect blank canvas for a bit of styling when it comes to putting the house on the market.  I do hope to take some photos to share but still waiting for that elusive DSLR camera, ever hopeful that this Christmas I might be unwrapping one. I'll stop ranting on now and share this weeks discoveries with you.....

This beautiful interior started out an empty space with heavy dark curtains, however, with the talent of Tobi Fairley who is known as one of the top 20 young designers in the USA, this room has been completely transformed into the stunning interior below.  I love the sunburst mirror, what a fabulous focal point. I also love the way Tobi has created a layering effect by using different patterns. This living area would feel like summer all year round, don't you think!

You can visit the makeover on Tobi's blog and visit Tobi's interior design website "here". Definitely you won't want to miss Tobi's  portfolio is amazing, truly Tobi deserves accolade.

Another beautiful Spring day today, (ha, ha, those of you heading for winter..."no I didn't really mean that).. I'm full of the joys of Spring and sharing more fresh interiors...

Tobi's fabulous living room, see the before and after over at Tobi's blog.

  

Now for a little DIY...

DIY gilded frames from Jenny Steffen Hobick....full instructions can be found "here"

Create this lovely sweet dish...The Creativity Exchange give easy step by step instructions how to cover a tin bucket using Mod Podge.  A great idea to fill a big bucket for Halloween. I particularly love the fabric used on the bucket below, obviously you can choose any fabric that fits in with your decor.

 How about decorating some Spring cupcakes....

These cupcakes were designed by Peggy Porschen

Love this simple idea, bake your cakes in miniature terracotta pots, add a straw and a chrysanthemum and voila! Little white pots would look gorgeous, or add a white ribbon around your terracotta pot.

and for those of you who are now in Fall, I couldn't resist these cute little guys...

If you feel like making some cupcakes you can find a recipe for vanilla cupcakes at Cake Spy.

Ending with a couple of lovely recipes, a Spring and a Fall from Liren at Kitchen Confidante, one of my favourite food bloggers.

Raspberry Salad Dressing, recipe "here"

and...

 Savoury Fig and Grape Tart, beautifully photographed step by step instructions can be found "here"

Images sources:

Image 2 

Image 3

Image 4 

Image 7
Image 8
Image 9 

If you missed Inspiration Wk 8 you can catch up "here"

We hope you've enjoyed this weeks inspiration

Sharing this week with :

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Ivy and Elephants

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage

Show and tell Friday at My Romantic Home

At The Picket Fence