Embracing Change!

Friday 31 August 2012

I had something totally different planned for my post today… it may or may not have had something to do with summer! But then I came across this picture on Pinterest and it changed everything. It had me thinking of wool coats, knitted jumpers, snuggly scarves, cinnamon coffee, burnt orange leaves and spectacular hats. Autumn, I’m ready for you.

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A restaurant legacy…

Thursday 30 August 2012

I am not really sure how I came across the Chicago Pump Room, all I know is that I saw those incredible glowing resin orbs suspended above restaurant tables and chairs and I stopped dead in my tracks. A little further research revealed that the once legendary Pump Room (frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart) fell somewhat off the radar until being given a dramatic makeover by hotelier Ian Schrager. Although Ian had extensive help from his in-house architect Anda Andrei, he actually came up with the design ideas himself! Apart from the spectacular light fittings which initially caught my eye, there are so many elements to love – the simple yet beautiful chairs, the small intimate booth areas and the curved gold walls above the bar. 

What a truly special place to sit down and enjoy a meal. 

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Photography by Michelle Litvin, article via

Kitchen Day Dreams!

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Generally, one of the first things I do when I walk in the front door in the evening is head to the kitchen to start dinner. It’s a team effort and Jordan usually does the chopping (while I do the supervising), we chat about our day and unwind with a beer or three. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the favourite part of my day but our severe lack of space often has us tripping over each other’s feet and elbowing each other in the ribs. On top of this, we also have next to no storage space so pots and pans are often stacked on top of each other or stuffed into the deepest darkest recesses of the cupboards – removing one pan usually results on the whole pile falling out… usually on someone’s toe. Sounds stressful? It certainly can be! It’s no wonder that I spend a lot of these evenings chatting to Jordan about the layout of my dream kitchen. One thing I know for certain is that it will have SPACE! LOTS OF SPACE AND STORAGE!

I’m thinking something like this might work…

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Click on the image to go to its source.

My Fair London – Richmond Park

Tuesday 28 August 2012

On Sunday afternoon (after a bout of serious cabin fever), we hopped in the car and found an oasis of calm and green in the middle of the city. Wide open spaces as far as the eye can see, cyclists, horse riders, hikers and runners… all the things that make you feel guilty (yet smug) for mooching around with an ice-cream and enjoying the last of the summer days. Maybe next time we’ll pack our running shoes!

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All images via Wishful Thinking

What brightened my mood…

Monday 27 August 2012

It’s Monday and it’s a bank holiday here in the UK!! I plan to spend the day lounging in my pjs, eating leftover roast chicken, watching movies and catching up on blogs. I might even have time for a nap or 2! As you can hear, my mood has improved considerably and so in keeping with this, I wanted to post something bright and vibrant. I tend to gravitate towards more neutral pallets but every now and then I find a bright gem that I fall in love with… enter beautiful and eclectic Victorian North London flat! The navy and white colour scheme in the living room sort of follows on from my post on Friday and I love it more than ever after seeing this. And as ever, the kitchen stole the show – I love the unconventional wooden butcher block/shelving unit!

Thoughts?

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Images via

Navy and white

Friday 24 August 2012

It’s been a little stressful round these parts of late so apologies if it feels like I have been neglecting the wee blog (and yours) over the past week. My excuse is my crappy mood and I just can’t seem to lift it! I am pretty sure I am in some sort of post-wedding/honeymoon-bliss-funk. Is anyone else familiar with this syndrome? Can it be cured with chocolate and vast quantities of wine and reruns of New Girl? It couldn’t hurt though? So in an effort to lift my own mood (and perhaps yours if you happen to be feeling the same), I went searching for one of my favourite fashion colour combinations: navy and white. Could it be any more perfect?

Have a wonderful weekend all!

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Acrylic here there and everywhere!

Thursday 23 August 2012

I realise that I am a little late to the party but if I am honest, I wasn’t even sure where I stood with the whole ‘acrylic furniture: cheap or chic debate’. After months of deliberation and seeing it used in a few of my favourite rooms, I am now a firm fan. I know this is nothing new and you have probably seen some of these oldies but goodies but I couldn’t resist putting this post together.

Need I ask whether you are a fan or not? 

Acrylic Chairs copy1, 2, 3, 4

Acrylic Shelves copy1, 2, 3, 4

Acrylic copy1, 2, 3, 4

A spot of punting in Canterbury…

Wednesday 22 August 2012

It’s very rare that I can say this but the weather was spectacular over the weekend. Hot, sticky and very un-English. Rather than waste it by sitting and melting to death in the city with the sound of sirens wailing in the background, we hopped in Delilah and headed out to one of my favourite places on the planet, the English countryside. We met up with some family from home in Canterbury, picked up some ice-cream and did something I have been dying to do since we first came to England – punting! The river was so cool and calming and I could have happily spent the day lazing in the boat, listening to the soothing voice of our punter as he gave us a history lesson on Canterbury.
 
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All images via Wishful Thinking