Carte Blanche

I've started to gather my where-to-go wishlist for Paris and Cité de l’architecture & du patrimoine has just been added. They invited ELLE décoration to revive the former apartment of Jacques Carlu (architect of the palais Chaillot in the 1930s) and they gave carte blanche to maison martin margiela to do the interiors. The apartment is 220 m2, overlooks all of Paris from the terrace and is situated opposite the Eiffel Tower. It's available for private functions too - how amazing would that be?

De Wizy : Handmade Jewellery

You may have noticed the bejewelled little birdie perched in the top left corner. It belongs to Sandy Huang. I found it flying about in Taiwan and I asked if she would mind if it landed on my blog for a little while so she could share her beautiful handmade jewellery with you. You can visit her shop or browse her blog, where she collages her inspirational finds. This little birdie loves glittery, pretty things and her favourite materials are swarovski crystal, gemstones, glass beads and copper wire and she fashions them into necklaces, bangles, earrings and bracelets. So dainty and delicate - I want, I want!

Behind the Scenes

I spent all day Saturday shooting these magnificent artisanal gelatos in the beautiful weekend light. The flavours here are Thai mango & coconut, Chinese lychee & coconut and Caribbean papaya and passionfruit. What struck me when I tasted (all, oink) of them, was the texture (as smooth as silk) and the flavours (they tasted exactly like their namesake - such clean, pure flavours). Gelato with integrity.

More to-die-for flavours on urban nectar. These limited edition '12 Flavours of the World' are available for a few weeks only, so don't miss the opportunity to taste Paris (French creme brulee), Italy (limoncello), Brazil (coffee), the US (chocolate fudge brownie) or .... the list goes on. Pop into Gelatissimo to decide where in the world to take your tastebuds. Yum!

A Tiny Girl

My amazing older sister brought this precious little doll into the world at 4am on Sunday morning (just 7 days after this photo was taken). I am so in love with her.

The Sunday Papers

Oh how I love the weekend papers, especially Sunday's, I read them cover to cover and start all my conversations for the rest of the day with "I was reading in the paper that..."

The top image is the scrunched up wrapping the papers are delivered in. I love the squeaky, gripping ripping sound it makes as you peel the plastic away from the paper and how when it's all bunched up it looks pink...not unlike the perfect rose from mum's garden.

Bits of Beauty

Ms. Jenn started bits of beauty as a way of sharing the things that make life beautiful, including appreciating the common and uncommon beauty in our lives. So when she invited me to contribute to her Everyday Beautiful Life series {EBL}, I jumped at the chance. It's not easy to narrow down just 5-10 things that make your life beautiful, but here is my attempt.

Giveaway Winners

Thank you so much to the giveaway entrants for leaving comments - I love to hear what your favourite pics are and why. I also love to know who's visiting so I can return the favour and discover your blogs too. I used the very technical system of asking my mum to pick two numbers between 1 & 34 and the winners are: Chelsea & Mary. Please email me your address details and I will post them out to you right away.

The Boys' Side of the Bed

Yes, a boy does live here too...I love what his books tell us about him...teacher, sports fanatic, dad-to-be. He also spends a bit of time in the kitchen fuelling his appetite.

The Girl's Side of The Bed

Giveaway

I'm giving away some of my postcards!! I'll be giving away a pair of softly softly cards and a mixed pack of 4, just leave me a comment letting me know your fave post and I'll announce winners on Friday...Good Luck!

Brie's House - Part II

living room / spare bedroom / nursery

More Pics of Brie's House

When I go to Brie's house I walk the perimeter of the rooms and appreciate all her amazing little things. When she comes to my house she does exactly the same thing. She can spot any new little edition and she picks it up and puts it back, just as I do at hers, and we talk about what we've seen and where we saw it and what we love. The lastest purchases I loved were her winged candles, a branch vase and a butterfly shaped saucer.

I adore the tiny pair of ducks in the first image and her igloo tealight, not the mention the rubber doily and the Balinese unbrella in the reflection. I love her bamboo ladder of books and this tiny birdie perched on the cup's side. The last pic is taken in her kitchen: a string of garlic, a tiny French sign and a photo she took in her favourite street in the Aeolian Islands. Plenty more to come.

Brie's Beauitiful House

Miss Brie has done some rearranging - I'll take you on a tour...

A New House For A New Baby

My older sis, with a baby in her belly and two boys makes three. Sunday. A day full of sun. Mum makes tea for all in her brand new kitchen. Papa digs ditches. My younger sister returns from her babymoon and makes us lunch. We hang clothes in her new wardrobe. Just waiting on the carpenters then the she can move in. She will bring her baby home to her beautifully renovated house and I can't wait to see the finished product.

Signs

Woke at noon, wandered around Darlinghurst and found myself at Merci. Not the real thing but a joyous reminder of what's to come. A Toby's Estate coffee and dense fruit toast with organic butter then to the bookstore.

I love Ariel Bookstore. Their shelves are beautifully layed out, never too crowded, full of fabulous design and photography books, staff reviewed novels and lots of stools and objects to perch on to pour through the pages. They stock hard to find magazines like Lula and Dumbo Feather and from their ceilings hang stacks of gorgeous Chinese lanterns.

Across the road I discovered the Artisan Guild & Curiosity Shop pop up store (here til 31 July only!). I think it's Sydney's most fascinating and original shop. A gorgeous men's brand and vintage broaches, ties, headpieces and luggage. Artisans offerings of silver rings and tiny bird skulls & feathers. There are plants attached to the wall as well as deer heads and bird cages.

Then homeward bound with my booty of books and some dish washing and laundry, then off to catch Coco Avant Chanel.