thrifted trays and packing

I've mentioned we're moving, yes?

Downsizing.. that's another post :) Not sure where exactly all of our "stuff" is going to fit into this new home.. yet even surrounded by boxes I brought home four trays from the thrift shop today, bought while feeling very justified after dropping of about fifteen boxes of purged treasures...

the delicated gold-rimmed milk glass version - could work on a vanity, side table or dressing table...

the small but weighty hand made artisanal, has an iridescent glaze that the photo does not do justice...

the classic, for serving drinks during boys nights, brings me back to my cocktailing days....

the rustic refined, reminds me of Italian tolework, would add a bit of luxe to a coffee or console table...

I admit it. I have a problem :) but they are each so darling in their own way, right? How could I just leave them there? Their potential untapped, so sad...

Will post pics of them in their new home once we've settled in and the cardboard is eradicated.. we generally unpack over wine! Styling up the bookshelf can be a very creative process that way, lol.  I've got a few girlfriends coming over, it will be interesting to see what the house looks like afterwards..


**Must apologize to several people who have written to me to inquire about online consults in the last few weeks, just received all of the forms at once in my inbox. So sorry! Just another reason the website must be re-vamped, and a proper form put into place. Thank you for your patience. Will reply to each and every one of you next week after the move, and hope that I can offer you a discount, my most since apologies for the tardiness, and make it up to you.**

Hope you all are enjoying the last glimmers of summer, I know we are soaking up every possible sunbeam over here - x am

yay or nay: the floral rug

um... 

sorry it's been a while since I've posted, lovelies, but promise that I have turned a corner and will be back by a little more! 

We are moving again (deadly-long-story-that's-another-post) and have been caught up in the madness that goes along with that...

In any case, my favorite print of the moment is anything floral (here comes the huge return to "pretty" rooms) and floral rugs in particular have got my heart doing little pitter-patters...a little pile of these images has been gathering on my home screen, and so I thought I'd see if any of you are feeling the love with me...

Yummy. So. Although I'm technically not supposed to buy anything for the new place until after we've moved, something along these lines may arrive a wee bit early - can't blame a girl for being organized, can you?!

image sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

see anything that tickles your fancy? Too granny or are floral rugs poised far a huge comeback? 

Please share a yay or a nay...

sunburst gallery wall

If one is good, then eleven is perfection, no?







Had a crazy, busy weekend, and now a crazy, busy week - when it rains it pours... hope you are all having as great a spring season as I am :) The posts may be a bit sparse in the upcoming weeks as blogging slide further down the priority list, sorry.... I miss you!! am x

exotic tribal + the amazing home of Diane von Furstenberg

The last post was about tribal elements and tribal inspired pieces primarily form Native Americans and the southwest, but today I am sharing a more exotic type of tribal influence. One the brings to mind images of far-off vistas and once-in-a-lifetime-dream-destinations like Africa....

I think the only mistake you can make with these is to try an "theme" your space - we aren't trying to reimagine a safari, just bringing in a few select pieces and accessories that make your heart skip a beat. I'm doing this in my own home - I just ordered this vintage mud cloth from an ebay seller.

Can't wait to see this beauty up close!! It will be mounted to a wooden frame and hung over my family room fireplace - there are eighteen foot ceilings in this room, and after debating a gallery wall I decided to go with one large scale piece. I'll happily take pics to share in the next weeks as this room is finally coming together :)


Here are some bits and pieces I think we will be seeing pop up more and more in the coming months...


luscious walls, and ideas for even more luscious walls :)

 art, with a super easy DIY idea for block printing with string and paint -- this would work with fabric paint for pillows, etc, as well, yes?

the horn - thinking this could be the next antler...

and I really couldn't do this post without including the AH-MAZING apt of DVF - have you seen this?!!

My absolute favourite right now. I love it all. Exactly the right mix of clean lines, pattern, glam and authenticity.

Ready to move in? Me too. Hope you have a lovely weekend planned, we are having round two of the family celebrations for Miss N's birthday. I am officially Mum to a teen. Scary :) x am



photo links: breastplate shorts woman woman 2 Tiébélé dwellings bag walls 1 wallpaper horn 3 horns batik pillows Wllpaper carpet kuma pillow console+horn Anne-Marie Ezeard / Pinterest( elephant blanket (yarn block print Tribal inspired print DVF apartment

minty is open

The online Minty shop is open! You might want to head over there, they've got things like this....

I would like one of everything! You? Happy Shopping :)

am x

a day in the life: thrifting, styling and photo editing

What you choose to do with your precious days off really reflect the person you are, don't they? Yesterday, I went out thrifting. There is nothing like poking around in a dusty shop full of vintage loveliness to make my heart sing! I haven't been out in ages, and I found a bunch of small things for the house as well as some pieces for a friend who is moving and needs a bit of staging done prior to listing her home.

Our bedroom is in flux mode right now - on the weekend we moved our bed frame to the guest room, because I am going to make a new upholstered version - pics will follow :) I'm planning a to incorperate "dressing cabinet", to store and display my favourite accessories, and so need a few bits for jewelry display. Enter this charming little tiered - tray brass and laquer number - perfect for the jewelry I'm wearing everyday. As you can see, it's already settled into it's new home...

I bought it, brought it home, and immediately cleaned it, styled up this little display and took photos!
Please tell me I'm not the only one :)  x am

kantha quilt madness

I'm all for items that are repurposed and the proceeds of which go to a good cause. I'm also a big fan of one-of-a-kind. This is one of the reasons I've been trying to convince the mister that a kantha quilt, although begin technically "used" could live at the end of our bed as a throw. Kantha quilts are made from several layers of sari's, usually as a cottage industry by women who are not allowed to work, and so providing means to an income. There's heaps of them on ebay....

They are usually under a hundred dollars on ebay, which I think is very reasonable for all the work involved. SO, what's the madness? Urban Outfitters has begun offering these on their site for $279.00 !!!

What is up with that? I know these guys have to cover retail costs, but still, seems bit excessive, no? I know where I'll be shopping... x am

(don't forget to enter the giveaway for the tribal cuff bracelet - it's only open til thursday - x )

yay or nay: hang a hammock...inside!

 Do any of you watch Survivor? It's a guilty pleasure 'round here, with D., I  and the kids plopping ourselves down in front of the idiot box every week to watch as people proclaim their values morally superior and then scheme the demise of every ally they have :) Why am I mentioning this? This season there is a character this season named "Tarzan" (yup, he really calls himself that), who refuses to discuss his strategy each week, saying cryptically, "the game is afoot". He's a bit of an odd duck, but the phrase has stuck with me.

Spring is afoot here. The air smells differently then it did a week ago. I'm dreaming of sunshine, and lemonade, and starry evenings with friends. And hammocks. Reading books, snuggles with the darlings and afternoon  naps in hammocks.... But really, why only enjoy this a few months of the year? These people bucked tradition and installed hammocks in their homes - SO wish I had the space for this!

SO wish I had the space to do this! I especially like the black hammock hung in that nook off the room containing nothing but a piano. That room lives in my dream home, lol.  What do you think of this? Is it something you would ever do?




photo links rainbow hammock  persimmon + white  black and white  piano + hammock rustic ceiling + hammock orange yellow hammock