In my inspiration files

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This is what's getting me inspired as autumn draws to a close here in Australia and we start making preparations for winter. Fairy lights, chunky knits, candles, early sunsets, warm fluffy blankets...

Particularly loving the jumper knitted chair, I can really see myself curling up in it right now with a good book and a glass of wine and a cheese smorgasbord....and that deck area just looks so cosy!

What dreams are made of

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Here's something a little different. When I saw this picture I just knew I had to post about it. This photo is transporting me to a world I constantly visited when I was little - a world of fairytales and magic!

I hope I dream about something like this tonight. :-)

Fast (floral) food

Just recently I've been hooked on Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals programme (love fast cooking) and I got all inspired to be a bit more experimental in the kitchen (have to work harder on point 2 of my '2011 to do' list folks).

I have a similar style to Jamie when it comes to cooking which involves making it up as I go along, not measuring ingredients (a pinch here, a splash there...) and generally flying by the seat of my pants to produce something that tastes (hopefully) great based purely on concept and instinct.

I just don’t have as much motivation though which is very sad. However I’m feeling a surge of interest (again) to make a more concerted effort in the kitchen and I think salads are the way forward - to go with my carrot and ginger soups (yes, I have a really expansive repertoire).

Love the flowers in the beetroot and cottage cheese salad he put together which aired Monday night here in Oz. If it looks pretty and is simple and quick enough... ;-)

Another one...

Another perfect day.

I definitely feel I have my fill of sunshine reserves for going into winter this year. That is, if we have a conventional winter...my fingers are crossed it's just as sunny throughout!

Off to the kitchen now to bake and prepare some carrot and ginger soup for dinner, yum yum. Hope you're having as much sun and fun!

Muted colours

Our little place,  normally a riot of colour, is a blaze with sunshine at the moment. Almost a fortnight of non stop sunny, cloudless days. Such a joy.

Loving my new natives that 'you know who' bought me when he got back from his trip earlier this week :-) I think I'm going to let them dry out and keep them as dried flowers for that winter feel (as we approach the cold front) - what do you think? To dry or not to dry?

New Adventures

New places to see, new people to meet, new food to try, new experiences to have, new 'thank you's' and 'hellos' to learn, new smiles to give and receive. These are the things I'm thinking about this morning as we ponder where in the world to go next!

Perhaps Mexico...

Eye Candy

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Some beautiful brights to start the day.

Now to my real life eye candy (hehe), Mr Cornflake has just come back from a business trip so we're planning a quiet one (in our PJs!) tonight with a good pinot noir, a movie and some yummy anti-pasto, can't wait!

Cottage love

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Today I'm dreaming of a land far away with lots of gorgeous cottages and lush green lawns. Any clues? ;-)

In bloom

My hyacinth has come into bloom and it's such a pretty shade of purply blue. I have now moved it to my dressing table to brighten each morning. I don't know how long it will last but I hope it's a while as I'm really quite taken with it!

That plate of sponge fingers you see is a childhood favourite. My brother and I used to have them as a friendly companion to our ice cream and maple syrup. Last night I had some with a cup of tea and they are now a staple in the biscuit tin! Speaking of my brother, it's his birthday today, happy birthday little bro! :-)

One fine day

Well, it's actually been more than one fine day, wow what a weekend! Such wonderful weather and we are truly lucky as I know it's not been like this across the whole of the country (continent - easy to forget sometimes!).

So our decision has been made and not without heartbreak. We are going to stay in Australia for the time being because of the work and opportunities. Looking at these photos I took today you wouldn't think it should be a hard decision to make but I do really miss my family, friends and all the good old English things!

Nothing is permanent however and I fully intend to make the most of wherever we live and whatever we do and there will be lots of travel and visits inbetween :-)

A bit of this and that

Such a gorgeous day today in Sydney, not a cloud in the sky. I hope you're all having a lovely weekend! :-)

Smitten Kitten

I've mentioned Lobster & Swan before but I just wanted to post some pictures of the author, Jeska's beautiful home and bits and pieces.

I'm still in quiet disbelief that she isn't an interior designer, stylist or have her own beautiful book of photos published but there you go. I think it might be a case of watch this space!

For the love of flowers

Isn't it funny how a beautifully styled room is just not complete without a beautiful stem or bunch of flowers? Whether freshly picked, scooped up from the local florist, quickly snatched while on the food run at the supermarket or carefully selected fakes (like my cream and plum coloured hydrangeas), I don’t think any part of my home would look quite as good without.

The colour purple

I never showed you my Easter table or how I would have styled it had we been at home this year. In the end I didn't do one (despite all my ideas!) but I did find some fallen flowers to float in a bowls when we were up at North Stradroke island. I have become quite smitten with purple since discovering these little beauties.

Here is my purple hyacinth below which I bought from my florist today, I can't wait to see it grow and open up. It's lovely to be able to buy the same flowers which are out in bloom right now back home in England. And my lavendar is going strong over there on the wooden chest - which I am quite obsessed with at the moment, I just think the wood is so beautiful!

Hope you're all having a great weekend, mine seems to have been packed but I'm having a lovely restful evening now with Mr Cornflake :-)

Oriental Excess

I just love this photo shoot by Australian Vogue in last month's issue, I just had to share. Hasn't the stylist done a wonderful job?

Silver trays and grey linings

Well I've felt like the sky above me just wants to burst it's cotton wool like grey clouds all over my new trench coat today but I have my large old fashioned umbrella at the standby. I wonder if we'll have a storm tonight...

Must get around to cleaning my silver tray which sits on our wooden chest and keeps staring at me every time I curl up on the sofa. A flea market vintage find,  can you believe my silver tray was once a wedding present...?

Hello Autumn

From sunny Stradbroke island to the much cooler Blue Mountains which is where we spent this weekend. It's so nice having these little adventures away from the hum drum of everyday living, commuting and work.

While we were there I was able to really take in how much Autumn is well and truely upon us now. The trees looked amazing, on fire, with their red, orange and vivid brown leaves. These colours remind me of my vintage (faux I must add - good imitation huh?) earrings from Sports Girl which I bought a few weeks ago.

Did you enjoy the Royal Wedding on Friday? I was beside myself with excitement (I think I had my mouth open during the entire procession and ceremony) and have now bought all the magazine's covering the grand event! :-)