Blog On

I am very excited to tell you about a blog I found whilst visiting the lovely Grace at Sense and Simplicity. Colour Me Happy belongs to Maria Killam, a Colour Designer in Canada. What caught my attention initially was this quote from Maria, "Painting a dark room in pale colours simply accentuates the shadows in a space.  Therefore, pale colours (or whites) can really only be enjoyed with a lot of natural light".

A few posts ago, I mentioned that I was considering painting my master bedroom a shade of taupe when all these gorgeous white rooms I saw started to change my mind. My bedroom does not have a lot of natural light. It is one of those rooms where every time you walk in you feel the need to turn the light on. Maria's post here has me back on the taupe track.

If you haven't found Maria yet, she has post after post of fabulous colour and design advice, written in a very friendly, engaging manner. Enjoy..xx

Easter Sweetness

Some fun things to make with the kids for Easter..If you'd like instructions, you can find them here at Country Living..xx

Powder Room

On our list of projects to complete is our powder room. It has been sitting unpainted for a couple of months because I can't decide whether to paint or wallpaper the walls. My original inspiration came from Sarah Richardson..Sarah used a chair rail to divide the wall, using a grey blue on the bottom and gorgeous wallpaper on the top. She created a beautiful mosaic 'carpet' with stone on the floor.

It's a stunning room, however, I'm now leaning towards something a little simpler. I chose a shimmering, tiny waffle white tile for the floor, so I think perhaps some white walls and a pretty mirror will be perfect. While I work on this (and simultaneously the kitchen, main bathroom, playroom, etc,.), here's some powder room inspiration..xx

Images 1, 2, 3 & 7 - Sarah Richardson Design, Image 5 - Living etc, Images 6, 8, 9 & 10 - kitchenbathideas.com, Images 4, 11 & 13 - Decor Pad

Beautiful Garden

A garden chateau in France? No, a Paul Bangay designed garden on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula called Bagnols..Have a lovely Sunday xx

All images - House & Garden, Photography - Simon Griffiths

Beautiful Shop

If you're having a celebration, dinner or just love pretty little baking accessories and gifts, Pink Frosting is a wonderful place to find everything you need. They have an online store here http://www.pinkfrosting.com.au/shop/ . If you need some inspiraton for your event, visit their beautiful blog here http://www.australiaentertains.com.au/ Happy Saturday everyone..xx

Beautiful Home

Staying with my white mood, here is a lovely home in London, filled with light thanks to a clever extension..xx

All images - House & Garden, Photography - Andreas Von Einsiedel

Beautiful Blogs

Thank you so much for two lovely awards from Amanda at Homely One and Silvia at Casa Bella. It really is wonderful to know that my blog makes you happy. Forgive me for only half following the rules, as I know that some are uncomfortable with receiving awards. So I'll just mention them here..

The House That A-M Built for her aforementioned style and wit
Brabourne Farm for her elegance and beauty
The Laurel Hedge for her (and his) brilliant, funny writing
Driftwood Interiors for her talented artistry
Fabulously French for the clever, witty insight into French life
Dreamy Whites for not only her dreamy blog and talent using white, but her encouragement and introduction of other blogs
A Country Farmhouse for allowing us inside her beautiful country life
My Yellow House for more country life
Pretties and Posies for her sweetness and creativity
Homely One for allowing us a look into her daily life and lovely finds
Two Little Dicky Birds for her gorgeous and original inspiration pics
Mostly Older Than Me for making me laugh with her evening thoughts
Mimi Charmante for such a wonderfully varied and beautiful blog
Willow Decor for lots of incredible style
Casa Bella for her friendly fabulousness
Little Maison for her sweet children's goodies
A Page of Inspiration for her stunning images
Susan on Design for allowing me a look at an interior designer at work on the magnificent Prince Edward Island
A Tranquil Townhouse for the very funny way she writes about her projects
My Sweet Prints for showing us her graphic design skills and interesting daily life
The Diversion Project for some very unique images
Porchlight Interiors for showing us the way to great style
My French Country Home for a look into life in rural France
Dusty Lu for utter gorgeousness (check out her kitchen)

And, sincerely, there are a few more that I just can't find at the moment that I look at on a regular basis. And more I come across every day.. Have a happy day in Blogland xx

Treasured possessions

Amongst my most treasured possessions are little notes and drawings from our girls. I came across these yesterday whilst reframing some bits and pieces (you may need to click the images to be able to read them)..

From my niece, Jasmine, written when she was in Grade 5 (she is now 15). My nieces have had a very difficult time growing up and yet they are beautiful, intelligent, creative, loving girls. They are very special and, happily, great friends with my stepdaughters.

These notes were given to me by my youngest stepdaughter soon after becoming part of my husband's family. To know that she felt so happy and comfortable with her new 'blended' family was wonderful. Suzz (Sarah) is an amazing girl - very loving, smart, interesting and beautiful and a wonderful big sister. 

And this is a lovely school project Sarah wrote about her dad when she was about 7 years old.

My beautiful, sweet Charlotte wrote her name for the first time today (she turned 4 in January and suddenly took an interest in letters). She is very proud and I almost cried..

I am so ridiculously sentimental, but is there anything else like the love you feel for a child or the love that they give to you? I don't think so..xx