Signed, stamped, delivered

Nothing brightens my day like opening the post box to find a beautiful, hand written note inside. 'Real' mail seems to be highly underrated these days and has faded into such a rarity that each letter becomes a valued treasure. Sharing something hand written is just so much more personal and thoughful than generetic characters typed on a luminous screen. Letter writing really is an art and shares a small insight into the sender. 

While many of us have the best of intentions for beautifully scripted letters and envelopes, many times these plans fall aside in the busy flurry. What better then than a customized stamp in beautiful personalized script to add a little thoughtful detail to the little notes you send (perhaps it will even encourage you to do it a little more frequently). I love her classic script with a bit of a whimsical twist.

{Photos: Primele via Oh Joy!}

Space for inspiration

I love the clean lines and crisp contrast of black and white in this space. Flooded with natural light and quite dramatic in its simplicity, it leaves space for inspiration. A perfect space for a creative mind to unwind and ponder the possibilities for every shade in between.

{Photos: Prue Roscoe}

Rainbow tinted light...

I've been so enjoying the light as it dances around in these lingering summer evenings, with sun's rays filling the sky with colour long into the evening hours. I was instantly captivated by the play of light and colour in these images by photographer Johnny Miller. Translucent vases in soft shades that bleed into each other, illuminated by the warm light, creating a beautiful chorus of rainbow tinted light.

{All photos: Johnny Miller}

Good morning...

Just a thought as you set out into a new week...

xo

{Photo: Maisons Cote Sud via linen and lavender}

Wanderlust: Barcelona

Enduring some serious pangs of wanderlust at the moment, after spending an afternoon with my sister, who's just returned from Athens. I've been daydreaming about hopping on a plane and wandering around Europe exploring all the romantic architecture. One of my first stops would definitely have to be Barcelona with it's elaborate Gothic architecture and sculptural iron balconies, exciting night life and

With a destination in mind, I've found the perfect place to stay - El Palauet provides the luxury of a hotel stay with all the comforts of home with their exclusive apartments available for stays longer than two days. Combining elaborate classical architecture with mid-century furniture classics such as Eames, van der Rohe and Saarinen and upholstered pieces by Citterio. The two blend beautifully in soft neutral tones and all white that allow the fantastic architecture and sculptural lines of the furniture to be showcased without being too busy or distracting from each other. The result - absolutely spectacular.

{All photos: El Palauet, Barcelona}

Visit this weekend: Coriander Girl

A lovely little myrtle topiary is the new resident of my kitchen thanks to a visit to the most charming flower shop in the city - Coriander Girl. Right in the middle of Parkdale, it feels as if you've stumbled across a quaint little shop in the country. Filled with rustic shabby chic furniture pieces, old mason jars to use as vases, bunches of dried lavender, beeswax candles and little bouquets and posies that look as if they were gathered on a lovely long walk in a country field. If the stale and predictable bouquets from large commercial shops aren't your thing, then this is the place for you!

Stop by and meet the lovely shop owner, Allison and pick up a little piece of summertime in the country to enjoy at home. Not in the area? Visit her blog and take a peak inside her charming space.

{All photos: Coriander Girl}

In the bedroom (with Gwyneth)

A soft neutral palette with punches of cool blue and gold. I've found myself repeated drawn to this combination lately in my quest for the perfect blue sofa. I think the blue and gold balance each other out perfectly and the blue is a fresh alternative to the sea of grey that surrounds us lately. The quad of soft toned photographs in crisp white frames inject just the right amount colour.

{Photo: via Goop newsletter}

Vintage modern: Elva Fields

Since I first discovered Elva Fields, I've been a little obsessed with their beautiful vintage retro-fitted pieces. Combining old vintage jewellery to make pieces that are fresh and playful but still tell an old story of classic, timeless style. While I'm not really opposed to jewellery of any sort, I love that these pieces are using old or reclaimed jewellery pieces, not only adding to their uniqueness but making them a greener choice too.

My two favourite pieces -"As Sweet" - two vintage chains combined with a vintage Monet rose brooch and "Hat Trick" - two beautiful vintage hat pins from the 1920s combined with a thick swag of vintage Vogue chains for a look that's thoroughly modern.

"As Sweet"

"Strike it Rich"

"Hat Trick"

"Tangled up in Gold"

"Token Talismans"



While the beauty of vintage one-of-a-kind pieces is that they are absolutely unique, the down-side is that you need to act quickly, as in my case, both pieces were quickly snatched up before I had a chance. Elva Fields has new pieces arriving June 30th, so be sure to visit their site and claim your treasure.  

{Photos: Elva Fields}

A crown affair

In the spirit of the recent Royal wedding - a bed fit for a princess.

I love how simple, yet regal this is. No peas under this mattress...

{Photos: Martha Stewart Living via dress, design, decor}

Give-away: Bonheur dress from Shabby Apple

At last, the first day of summer has arrived! What better way to kick off the season than with one very chic give-away - the Bonheur dress from Shabby Apple. A classic piece that's guaranteed to carry you through sunny days for many summers to come.

( Even Audrey is wearing one (below).)

To enter, visit the Shabby Apple website, then leave a comment below and let us know which dress on the site is your favourite. Be sure to visit their blog and become a follower then leave another comment to let me know you did for an additional entry.

The winner will be drawn at random and notified after Tuesday, June 28th. If you don't have a blog, or contact email on your blog, please be sure to include an email address for notification.  For an additional entry, share this give-away on your blog, Facebook or Twitter, then leave an another comment below to let me know you did.  'Like' us at our brand new Facebook page or become a follower of the Shabby Apple blog for an additional entry. This give-away is open to all readers, however, Shabby Apple only offers free shipping to US residents, international readers would be responsible for their own shipping costs.

{Good luck everyone + here's to the chic-est summer yet!}

{All images: Bonheur by Shabby Apple}

** Update: the winner was Tiffany from Dancing Branflakes - congratulations!! 

Hope you enjoy this lovely classic!

Jump into Monday!

Hope your week's off to a great start - just remember, it's not all so serious anyway!

Stay tuned for a fantastic new give-away...

{All photos: Philippe Halsman's "Jump" series }

Happy weekend!

Hazy skies, warm breezes, a moment to take a walk along the shore and take it all in...

Some lovely links to visit:

- A J Crew wedding boutique

- Evolution of the World Cup ball

- A dreamy summer attic and wine barrel lamp shades

- Amazing design - the Polish Design Expo Pavilion

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

xo

{All photos: L. Grainne on Flickr}

Relaxed elegance: at home with Claire Forlani

Ally from From the Right Bank is once again holding the 'What's your style in one picture?' challenge, so I've been pondering a few old favourites and hoping for something to really catch my eye. While browsing for sofa inspiration, I came back to Claire Forlani's living room from Domino magazine and instantly I knew I'd found my entry.

With a look that is comfortable yet elegant with spots for personal objects and art that tell your own story. I'm always drawn to beautiful blues and this one adds just the right punch of colour while still being soothing and relaxed. Each piece carefully curated and displayed, each a treasure or a work of art in itself.

This open, airy space seems like the perfect place to relax with friends - deep sofas and a plush rug invite you get comfortable and pull your feet up.

I love the drama in the contrast between black and white, smooth glossy surfaces against rugged unfinished wood. Deep black floors and bright light flooding through.

The rich yellow gold is such a beautiful constrast to the deep grey/blue/green wall - what a gorgeous colour!

(would love to know if someone know's the paint colour)

Absolutely in love with the piece of glossy (acrylic?) art - I'm saving this piece for art inspiration later.

I love the gold accents used throughout the home - while cool silvers and chromes seem so popular now- warm golds always have such a luxurious appeal.

The bedroom seems like a peaceful oasis covered in Osborne & Litttle's Asuka wallpaper. The look is very luxurious but not garish at all. Often I find wallpaper a little to busy or 'noisy' but this beautiful cherry blossom pattern always has a feeling of calm and zen.

Down to the last detail - this bedside vignette is styled perfectly with a single Protea - a Southern African favourite.
(and South Africa's national flower)

{All images: Domino Magazine via Mimi&Meg}

Pretty pieces in white + gold

I'm still in love with these simple, elegant by Jonathan Adler from his Fontana series. Classically clean lines but still an organic shape, and a touch of luxe gold. I'd love with of these by my bedside. So pretty all on their own, with or without a simple bloom.

{All images: Jonathan Adler}

Scandinavian summers

Not a week passes that I haven't fallen in love with another beautiful Scandinavian space (in all white, of course). This would be a lovely place to spend the summer - light, bright and airy - with big windows to let all the fresh air in. The photo chandelier would be the perfect way to display all your photos of happy summer memories...

{All photos: Torben Petersen for Bolig}