| Wishful Thinking

The Surf Lodge…

Thursday, 22 November 2012

It’s that time of the year when the sight of my bare pale legs frightens the daylights out of me. I’m estimating that it’s been about 3 months since I saw the sun or felt genuine heat and it’s only just beginning. I’m missing the sun, icy cold drinks, short sleeves and most importantly, impromptu trips to sunny beaches. Yes, I know, I can sense you groaning out loud but it has to be done – I just have to show you The Surf Lodge in Montauk, NY. It’s both relaxed and luxurious with bold coastal colours and furniture I would happily trade my car for.

I can practically smell and hear the sea looking at these pictures!

All images via the Surf Lodge

Stacked…

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

I’ve hankered after a fireplace for as long as I can remember (huddling around a radiator that has an airlock more often than not just does not have the same effect), and consequently spend far too much time picturing perfect nights around a roaring fireplace that I don’t have… yet! After seeing some of the fabulous living rooms created by M Elle Design that I posted on Monday, I have become enamoured with the log walls or stacked fire wood placed on either side of the fireplace. The neat freak in me would be worried about spiders and other creepy crawlies taking refuge but visually, it definitely makes my heart beat a little faster!

Thoughts?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness…

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

After 8 years of living in this country, I haven’t quite adapted to the weather conditions and seasonal changes in comparison to Africa. My usual stance is just to assume that it is going to rain every day, and that way I am seldom disappointed. The reprieve from the wet weather usually comes in the drier months of autumn but be warned, if you blink you will miss it. One day the trees are lush and green, then the next week they turn golden and the week after that… BAM - they are totally bare and it’s freezing cold! Just like that winter begins. So when autumn comes around these parts, we grasp it with both hands and hang on to it for as long as possible!

a stroll in the park; savoury muffins from Southbank food market; new mocs; autumnal trees; sunset from my bathroom window

Serious Swoonage…

Monday, 19 November 2012

I’ve been doing some serious Pinteresting lately. I have even started to pin before I check my emails in the morning [gasp]. I’m not worried about this excess browsing though as I have made some amazing discoveries. One of which is the breath-taking portfolio of M Elle Design. I’d come across one or two of the images below before (you might recognise that dark and moody living room with the iconic orange Hermes throw) – but I had never had the privilege of experiencing the impact of seeing all these beautiful spaces together. I was shocked to realise that there was not one room in their portfolio that I didn’t fall head-over-heels for. Based in both Santa Monica and Newport CA, M Elle Design is “a mother-daughter team that strives to combine understated elegance and comfort, while staying mindful of patina, provenance, and texture of all the materials involved”.

Want to swoon along?

All images via M Elle Design

It's all about the flares...

Friday, 16 November 2012

Ok, so I know this is slightly unusual…. (hardcore eclectics might be scratching their head at this but it’s progressive for me)! The jeans, top and accessories are my wardrobe staples but the glasses might be a little out there. I’m starting to realise that the older I get, the more eclectic my fashion taste is becoming. I think it’s good to take yourself out of your comfort zone once in a while [note to self: take this advice more often], if only to have your children laugh at the pictures one day!

Have a lovely weekend all!