Pale & Interesting

I have thoroughly enjoyed my computer free time over the Easter break and am slowly getting back into the swing of things. We had a fantastic time with family and friends - went for long walks in the sun, watched the kids squeal with delight during their easter egg hunt and sat outside on the balmy evenings with a nice glass of wine and even better conversation...

I have also had some time to really dive into my latest book purchase: Pale and Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote.

This book is not only a visual delight but it is well written and encourages a more simple approach to decorating. Their design ethos to keep it simple, keep it real  and keep it relaxed is carried through the book.

It features interiors that range from very rustic, country, shabby chic inspired to more modern paired down spaces. All with the common elements of using predominantly white, pastels and neutrals.

If you're a fan of pale interiors and love mixing old with new this book will not disappoint.

For more images please visit Atlanta Bartlett's website and her online store: Pale & Interesting.

Tschüss...

(images: Nina Lamb)

Easter Table Setting

Holidays like Easter have become so much more fun since being a mum. I want my children to feel the same excitement about family traditions that I did as a child. 

This year we will celebrate Easter with my family, which I am very much looking forward to knowing that next year we will be back in New Zealand. My sister is arriving with her family from England tomorrow and the house will be filled to the brim with people - just as I love it.

We usually go for a long walk on Easter Sunday and my grandfather, who is 87, walks ahead of us all and casually drops easter eggs along the path. He did it for me and my siblings and now he does it for my children and their cousins. I know they'll have a great time.

On Saturday everyone is coming to our house for a big midday meal and I've been planning a table setting for the occasion. Below are some photos I took this afternoon - just to see what it might look like.

I thought the plain glass candle holders looked a bit boring so I wrapped some paper doily (is that what they are called?) around them. 

I hope you have a great Easter break and I will see you back next week with a review of my latest book purchase: Pale and Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett. 

Tschüss...

Weekend Trip to Bruges

Isn't it amazing what a short weekend trip away can do to recharge your batteries? As mentioned on Friday, we went to Belgium to visit some close friends of ours. They live in beautiful Ghent.

On Saturday we drove over to Bruges, which is less than an hour from Ghent. It's a place I've been wanting to see for a long time. Bruges is buzzing with tourists but that's no surprise as most of the city centers spectacular medieval architecture is still intact. Bruges is often referred to as the Venice of the North - mainly for the many bridges and canals but perhaps also because it feels like a giant open air museum. 

(images: Nina Lamb)

We had 4 kids in tow and lots to catch up on so although I was able to soak up the atmosphere of the place I will definitely want to visit again at some point. Maybe for a romantic escape with my husband.

Tschüss...

Easter Egg Decoration

I should be packing for our weekend trip away but I thought I'd quickly post these photos of some more easter decoration around the house. I bought these black & white easter eggs at ALDI. I know- not the kind of place I would really think to get decorations from but I really liked the rabbit silhouettes on plain white eggs. You could easily make them yourself with a fine black marker or ink.

I made the egg below using some of the leftover pink cushion fabric (here). It was really quick and easy. I used wallpaper glue which I always have a glass made up for the kids when they do some crafts.

(images: Nina Lamb)

Ok, I better run now. We are off to Ghent (Belgium) for the weekend to spend some time with friends. I love how here in Europe you can hop over to another country in less than three hours.

Have a great weekend everyone, and thank you so much for your sweet comments throughout the week. They really make my day. 

Tschüss...

Cox & Cox

I've come across a wonderful (new to me) online shop that I simply had to share with you. Have you heard of British company Cox & Cox?

Set up by Fiona Cox and Lizzie Thornton-Allan in 2001, the company has since grown into a brand known to provide customers with unique and individual products that have a nostalgic and retro feel.

I absolutely adore their styling and product shoots for their Spring 2011 catalogue. 

Their philosophy of "having nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful" really resonates with me (though in reality I am having some troubles with that being married to a bit of a magpie).

Well, let's look at some of their useful AND beautiful products...

• I like the idea of displaying precious things under a glass bell jar - and how lovely is that white butterfly sitting on the shells?
• Scented candles - one can never have enough of those.

• Those travel gift tags are beautiful and a great addition to any gift
• Keep your ribbons and string under this glass jar as a nice display
• Most people have a collection of odd buttons, why not keep them all in a nice container
• Stamps provide such a quick and simple way to make a unique card 

P.S. Cox & Cox ship internationally in case you were thinking of moving to the UK :)

Tschüss...

(images: Cox & Cox)

Swedish Home

Today I want to share with you a lovely swedish family home recently featured in one of my favourite home magazines: Hus & Hem.

This house dates from 1901 and the owners have done extensive renovations to bring it back to it's former glory. They've kept most of the original features but have added an extension to increase the floor size.

I really like the pale blue walls as a neutral background with the added pops of colour throughout the house to make it feel alive and give it plenty of personality.

(images: Hus&Hem)

Happy Weekend!

I made you a little something... can you smell the fresh waffles and coffee coming your way?

I have moments when I wonder if blogging is really me and whether anything I post is of interest to anyone, but as soon as I read lovely comments from you my dear readers, I feel very motivated. 

It's sometimes a bit tricky juggling everything but you will all understand that no doubt. I have been reading blogs a long time before I started my own and I now have a much bigger appreciation on how much work people are putting in to share their thoughts, ideas and life. 

I am still experimenting a little with what works for me and in exactly what "category" this blog falls, but in the meantime I am enjoying it very much. I'm currently trying to work out how to add some pages and tabs along the top, so stay tuned for that...

Until then, I hope you have a fantastic weekend with your loved ones. 

We'll be packing the boys into our bike trailer and taking them on a trip along the Rhine.

Tschüss...

Bold & Noble New Zealand Map

It was my husbands Birthday last week and I always struggle to think of something original to buy him - well this year I found something pretty special - if I may say so myself :-)

I've always loved screen printed type posters but my husband is not too keen on the likes of "keep calm and carry on" or "for like ever". So while searching for some new blog topic ideas I came across British company Bold & Noble. Their New Zealand type map was the perfect gift for my husband who's really missing his home country after two years here in Germany.

I ordered the dark gray version and am really pleased with it. The quality is fantastic. The picture below doesn't really do it justice - I just propped it up on our bedroom dresser until it is hung in the lounge above the TV cabinet. I used a 50x70cm IKEA RIBBA frame.

Below is a close-up of the print: all the city/town names make up the map - love it!

(image: Bold&Noble)

You must check out their other prints as well, particularly if you are an expat feeling a little homesick at times. They also have a nice range of posters for kids rooms.

(images: Bold&Noble)

Tschüss...

Simply Loving EmmersonMade

Over the weekend I stumbled across an American fashion label I had not heard of before: EmmersonMade. I literally want to buy every single item - their style is 100% my taste.

According to their website: "EmersonMade is a company that believes in celebrating the uniqueness of the individual, the joy of being alive and all the smallness that makes up the Big Beautiful." 

Let's take a look at their current collection shall we?

In case you were wondering how people live that design amazing clothes like these, take a peek at Sweet Paul's blog here. He was responsible for styling Emmerson and Ryan's New Hampshire home for The Nest Magazine.

Tschüss...

(Images: EmmersonMade)

Easter Egg vases

Happy Friday Everyone, I hope you had a great week and are looking forward to an even better weekend. I went for a nice long walk this morning with my youngest boy and was amazed at how warm it was. Blossoms are out everywhere and I came across these beautiful grape hyacinths just growing along the path. I made some little easter egg vases for them to sit in. 

Do you like decorating for the different seasons? 

I am planning some easter egg painting with the boys this weekend and I am going to work on getting my sewing area finished, posted here.

Tschüss...

(images: Nina Lamb)