DESIGN & LIFESTYLE FRIDAY

BEACH COTTAGE LIFESTYLE


I am addicted to cottages and beachy ones at that.

(image from www.coastalliving.com)


(image from www.visi.co.za)


(image from www.visi.co.za)



(image from Southern Accents via www.beachcottagelove.blogspot.com)


I do have many tastes from stark white and clean lines to colorful and traditional. To marry the two can be overboard but I think with moderation you can find the happy medium. To be just focus on one genre can be at times boring.

But what excites me the most is the fabric choices you can make in decorating a beach house! Some of my favorites:




















All fabric is designed by SEACLOTH



After coveting Cottage Living magazine for many years, I needed to fulfill the void once it went under. Now I get Coastal Living which doesn't quite hold a candle to Cottage Living or Domino for that matter, but I did find the following and think I might enjoy anticipating it's arrival every month in my mailbox...I found this adorable hotel in their July/August issue:

The Surf Lodge

(image from www.thehotelchatter.com)


(image from www.nicoletteandthecity.com)

I think this hotel is pretty fantastic. What makes me excited about going to stay, is it has a bit California surfer style meets Morocco . You don't quite realize your are in Montauk NY (except maybe for the striped chairs). The hotel is owned and designed by Robert McKinley.


Have a lovely weekend!

DESIGN & LIFESTYLE FRIDAY

ZENSA LODGE SOUTH AFRICA

(Images from Elle Decoration South Africa)

I came across this gorgeous lodge located in South Africa over at the Elle Decoration South Africa blog. This is one stunning place. I like the openness and laid back appeal. Yet, it still has a keen eye for great design. However, I would be slightly nervous about bringing my two year old there...a lot of white. Next time in SA, must go and have a look. It would be a great location to have a retreat. Hmm, maybe a Pilates/yoga retreat? Zensa Lodge is near Capetown and close to the water. I love how there is a huge open grassy area (place for future yoga and Pilates classes, hehe). Any who, check out the ZENSA LODGE, they have many great design pics on their site.

As for my work, my proposal has been sent! It's off and now I must wait.....so must you! Will keep you all posted as the time draws near!

DESIGN & LIFESTYLE FRIDAY!

It's OUT OF AFRICA, again! So I am addicted to South African designers. Today, I was perusing some of my fave blogs. One of them, Skinny laMinx, of South Africa, showcased some local Cape Townians goods...Ninon. The Neighbourgoods Market in Cape Town is a gourment foods delight with tradesmen selling all sorts of delights; from the local famer's and wine estates to artisans. Ninon produces handmade delicious SHOES. They are adorable. And I NEED at least 3 pairs of them. I am lamenting a bit at the moment because they seem affordable, but once I would actually ship them to the states, they will cost an arm and a leg and two, I can't be so sure they will ever make it here. Their post system is well....S L O W and you can't be too sure if your mail will ever make it states side. I've learned that when shipping things from SA, if you aren't going through DHL, you MUST ship them through the Royal mail system (which basically means it goes by way of the UK and from there it ships). It is slightly more expensive but you are pretty much guaranteed a quicker delivery. For now, I will just drool, wish and dream wearing them! Any how, see below how yummy they really are!

Oxford Brogue

Morris

Morocco

Bokkie

Looking forward to the weekend. Hanging here in town. Tonight, we go to friends for dinner, shall be fun with all the kiddos together and tomorrow am it's off to the farmers market! Hope you all have a fun weekend!

DESIGN& LIFESTYLE FRIDAY!

Where did the week go? Yikes! I am getting us all packed and ready for our weekend up at the RANCH! Oh I can't wait to be there, now, please! An hour 45 min drive won't be bad. Looking forward to R&R!

Today I am posting some fab interiors pics! Enjoy! Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Weekend!

image from Elle Decor

image is from Living Etc Magazine


this images is from Elle Decoration South Africa

DESIGN & LIFESTYLE FRIDAY: South Africa's The Grand Cafe and Rooms

(this photo is from www.thegrand.co.za)

This is one of the most beautiful little boutique hotels I have ever stayed. It is located in Plettenberg Bay, in South Africa. I love it not only for it's gorgeous location to the water, but the decor and food was divine!

(www.thegrand.co.za)

(www.thegrand.co.za)

(Delicious array of antipasti's...bellissimi)
This pic was taken from our trip. We sat by the pool and ate to our hearts delite. Mmmm!

They opened a cafe in Camps Bay in Cape Town recently. Will have to post some images of that soon too! Just really gorgeous.
I will post more design/lifestyle goodies on Friday's as it is a nice way to end the week.
Upcoming post is on silly Henry antic's ...can't wait for you to see these hilarious photos of him and his 'nay nay.'

8 x 8 x 8

Kirsty over at The Weaver's Nest graciously noted me and my blog for the "Sista-hood Award." Thanks Kirsty for being a great blog-bud!
I've been tagged to participate in the 8x8x8 game...so here goes!

8 Things I am looking forward to
1. Going to this evenings Farmer's market with Henry, the hubby and friends.
2. Get my hair cut and colored (desperately needed)!
3. Paying all my bills.
4. Going to San Diego to see my sister and my niece Norah.
5. Teaching my workshops (two are at the end of this month).
6. Going to South Africa for Christmas.
7. Cozying up my family every morning.
8. Going up to the ranch for some R & R over memorial weekend!

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Worked on business.
2. Walked with Henry to the park. We picked flowers and stones and threw them into the creek!
3. Had a picnic.
4. Went on a hike with our friends Helen and Klara. We saw a snake and we soaked our feet into the stream.
5. Worked on the computer while Henry napped.
6. Thought about a nap while Henry napped (of course I didn't).
7. Decided that i need to do more journal writing.
8. Planted Asian blue grass seedlings.

8 Things I Wish I could do
1. Go to bed earlier (too much to do)!
2. Take yoga everyday (yes, I love yoga just as much as Pilates. Yoga is for ME)
3. Be an interior designer
4. Travel more often
5. get my certification in IMT
6. Redo my house
7. Be a professional dancer (did it for most of my life, but quit when it really mattered)
8. write a book (not sure on the exact topic just yet).





Those reading...consider yourself 'tagged!'

South Africa CALLS!

Definitely a traveler transient type and definitely love traveling to SA! SO very very excited as my sis in law Judy is getting married in December!!! YAY! Congrats to you little sis! She and her hubby to be, Neil, make a very adorable couple. This means that we will be going to South Africa for Christmas this year. Can't can't wait! We try to get to SA every year but it always manages to set us back financially as it is not only such a far place to travel to but costly tickets! This past year we skipped out on a trip to Africa as we moved from San Diego to Boulder Colorado. Which was an adventure in itself. Now that we are settled back in good ol Boulder, I am looking forward to getting back to the motherland (I like to think it is my motherland). There is such a vibe in that country, it is very difficult to describe, but bottom line, my heart is there in that country. Not just for it's land, people, cultures, food and the like, but for something more internal or maternal. It stumps me. For all the crime, social and economic issues SA has and had over the many years, in my mind this country has a lot going for itself (some may disagree with me on this, but I am an optimist). Opportunities do knock in this country. I have a huge interest in art and design. And as I see it, the art culture in this country is so strong and progressive. People don't have to be safe here when it comes to art. It's cutting edge (all forms, dance, film, design etc). Take the interior design field (which is an addiction of mine), I read all the South African interior design mags and think how broad and open it is. There is a sense of opportunity and freedom in its execution and perhaps this is because SA had been held and stifled and cut off from the rest of the world during apartheid. now its skies the limit and less controlled? very ahead yet very organic. Ahh, I could on and on and .....more on that in another post. Any who, I am excited now that we have something as wonderful as a wedding to look forward to as well as to see all our family and friends! Now I better get back to the chain gang so we can actually afford our tickets (no credit card debt accumulation this go around).