Happy Weekend and THANKS!

 Ok, so I realize that 3 posts in a row about 'weekends' may not be all that imaginative,
but with how little time I have had during the past few weeks  this is what I am
reduced to.. (hear me sob.. :) Sooo, I wanted to pop in to say 'have a fab weekend!'

and also share a bunch of pretty pictures that I hope will bring smiles to your gorgeous
faces and remind you of how happy you all make me! Really, truly and honestly!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to say (a belated) 'thank you' to the so very sweet &
fab Simone of 'The Bottom of the Ironing Basket' blog, who pulled my name out of her
hat ironing basket in a recent give-away, and sent me two adorable pillow cases from UK
online store Cox & Cox. These pretty pink/white creations arrived and were (because we are
on the topic already..) washed immediately and put on the pillows in the master bed. With
Marshall being away all week on a business trip in Singapore (hear me sob again..), Oscar,
Isabella and I have been (soundly) sleeping on them all of this week. We have snuggled up

in a big happy pile in our massive king size bed and put our happy faces down on 'love'.. :)

This is what Simone sent me. (Image via Cox & Cox)

More thanks, and hugs! This one to my dear and lovely Monika of the 'Splendid Willow'

who not only has become a close and much valued friend, but is also incredibly generous!
(..and sweet, smart, inspiring, resourceful, gorgeous, creative, impressive and insightful many more things!!)

Because Mon is beautiful inside out she took it upon herself to go out and shop, not one or

two things, but a whole three amazing presents for me and then sent them across the globe

all the way from Seattle to Sydney - with love! A 'belated birthday present' she said, but

I know that she is probably like this all the time with her loved ones. A truly genuine and 

rare being who really cares and pulls out all stops to show that loud and clear. Monika I

love you sis and thank you again for what you did! It was Santa disguised as a postman

who delivered the enormous parcel (!) with much too expensive gifts for me. I look at my

beautiful coral pillow every day and think of you. The gorgeous book-marks are safely

sitting in my office waiting for a book worthy of their beautiful selves, and as you know

I couldn't agree more with you (and President B Obama) that Frans Chocolates are the

single most fantastic, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates in the world! As I told Monika, I

guarded my box of hand made milk chocolate caramels with fierce and near aggressive 

protectiveness and only shared a 1/2 (yes, half a piece..) with Isabella simply because she's

so darn cute and a persistent negotiator.. she happened to be home when I opened the box..

I received a box of hand-made milk chocolate caramels with smoked salt and this stunning pillow from Pottery Barn! 

TUSEN TACK IGEN MONIKA!! xx

My next 'thank you' is to all my new followers. Wow, you guys make me feel so great and your
pretty faces over there in the left column is like looking at a fabulous tray of precious chocolates!!
Not because I want to eat you, but because chocolate makes me very very happy! Just like you do!

 Check out Cox & Cox weddings and parties section.. you'll love it! x

To think that my petite blog is nearing 200 followers friends is incredible and so much fun!

via ffffound

I have visited some of you during course of the week (at least those of you who have left a

link to your little cyber corners) and I will continue to pop in to leave more personal notes.

For now, just know that you being here, reading this, means the world to me! Thanks!

 A little something I made for you specially. You are all of this and more! xx

But really and actually. Thanks to all who come here! As I near my first complete year here
at Space for Inspiration, I am overwhelmed with the amount of lovely friends I have made.

The world is better for you being in it, and my blog is certainly better for you reading it!

by Elisabeth Halnes

So back to the imminent weekend (it's Friday night here in Sydney now..) . Needless to 

say it is a very special one for my dear American friends and I hope that you have a grand

celebration on Sunday! Some of you have already shared your plans and I am sure that we

will be able to read more fabulous posts come next week! May the weather be brilliant, the

fireworks bright & sparkly, and the food & company divine everywhere in all corners of the

great and beautiful US this weekend! Here's to a Happy 4th of July & to your independence!

via Design Addict Mom - a blog that is fantastic and that should have a following of thousands.

Do visit gorgeous Stacey and say 'hi' from me! xx and the gorgeous cup cake tower by Martha Stewart.

For the rest of us (apart from some of my sweet friends in Canada who may still be celebrating

their special day) let's just enjoy some great time this weekend. Be it Summer, like in the North

of the world, or Winter like here in Sydney (and oh man is it cold!!), I hope you like I will have

a chance to relax, kick back and have some fun with family & friends. Or work for that matter!

Because I can totally understand the deep love for a great job and how sometimes the weekend
is an opportune time to really get on top of things and dream up new strategies & career moves!

 via Lovely Clusters

 via Qomas Peak Up

Though I love my job(s) I can't wait to have some time off come tomorrow! Marshall is back
then too, and the kids & I look forward to completing our little quartet with his presence.

We'll also celebrate the luxury of having no plans what so ever for this weekend! A rare treat!

Grazia magazine

 In fact, if it was warm enough I might just do what Amanda Kerr is doing in the above picture,

I mean how fabulous wouldn't it be to float around the pool on a swan in those heels! However

the reality is that it's bitterly cold and I will more likely be focusing on cozy and warm indoor 

things like cooking up a gorgeous dinner for the huz, embarking on some new artsy craft project

with the kidlets, or pulling on more sensible shoes and venture outdoors to breath the Winter air.

I'd love to cook a nice stew like this (via Le Creuset seen on CSN) in a cozy & warm Wintery kitchen like no 2 (via Desire to Inspire). 
Just take a moment to look at the gorgeous trays and cute cups on the shelf! Also think that Hanna of cute blog Sjarmerende Jul,  
has the right idea here with tea light in hanging soup ladles like this, as well as the attitude of Miss Dior Model shot by Asha Fuller.

And this..! I love (!) taking long warm baths in Winter. Not necessarily with a bathroom full of

candles (though I am a candle addict!) but always with good oils, salts or a good layer of bubbles!

via Cig Harvey via dear Anna's fabulous blog Absolutely Beautiful Things

 1. Tim Walker, 2. Carter Smith, 3. Unknown

For us here in Australia (at least in NSW) this week was the last before what we call the 'schoolies'.

A (much deserved!) two week Winter break for all school kids, meaning I will have the pleasure

of Oscar's company until the 19th July! We have nothing major planned other than weaving work

with some quality 'son-and-mamma' time. Oscar is divine to be around and it will be so much fun!

I LOVE the spirit of this playful fox that I saw over at my friend Sansku's blog Lintu Sininen. Reminds me of my kids! :)

So that's all for now my dear friends... (almost..you know me..)

I will now love and leave you with a gorgeous quote by the splendid & breathtakingly beautiful

Audrey Hepburn. Much more than a pretty face for sure! (just like other lovely Belgian women I know!)

Couldn't agree more!

Enormous hugs to all and à tout à l'heure!

xx Charlotta