Beautiful blogs..

Hello all. Thanks for all your interest in the 'detox programme' I am in the midst of. It's going well, though having hit week two I must say that most of my waking hours are spent dreaming of yummy but forbidden foods... I am totally drawn to all foodie and wedding blogs at the moment because of the yummy treats they feature.. and I feel an almost aggressive craving for anything sweet...  (no not really, but you get the picture..) And OMG, what wouldn't I give for a really good Chai-Latte right now!!... (mother of sighs!!) But I know that these cravings are a good tell tale that I really need this detox and that I must be strong and soldier on... Actually I am already enjoying more energy, clearer skin/eyes, and a feeling of lightness. And I also know that there will be bigger and more long-term rewards to reap at the end of it all. So two more weeks to go... and counting.. Counting hard!...  :)

Photograph by Karen Mordechai via Sunday Suppers

Whilst I am working on the 'detox post' (as promised) I have put together a nice little buffet of beautiful blogs that I think you will love. They may or may not be new to you. In fact not all of them are entirely new to me either, however I have not posted any 'blog intros' for a while now and thought it was about time.. First up is the lovely Tina, who blogs over at 'Komma Hem' in Sweden. Tina's blog is reasonably new but I so enjoy her gorgeous and varied posts on life, design, and of course also the exciting renovation of their house. Can't wait to see the final reveal Tina! Så spännande! x

  All three images via Komma Hem

Though she blogs in Swedish, the pictures she shares speak a universal language hence anyone can enjoy her clean, preppy, timeless posts that to me have such a wonderful Swedish air. No wonder I feel that the name 'Komma Hem' (Coming Home) is the perfect title for this warm and friendly blog!

Both images via 'Komma Hem'

 The amazing 'Tree Hotel' in Sweden - Design Boom via Design Addict Mom

Next up is the gorgeous and totally inspiring Stacey-Anne of 'Design Addict Mom' - and here is another blog title that perfectly reflects the author!!  Though not a trained designer Stacey-Anne certainly has a fantastic eye for style and decor inspiration and serves up post after post with delicious treats! She clearly loves design & blogging and always leaves the friendliest comments! xx

 All images via Design Addict Mom

Born in Jamaica, having lived in Italy and now in North Carolina, Stacey-Anne has a global and refreshing perspective on eye candy that I love! I am so enjoying getting to know this fun and energetic girl who also runs a fab 'tumblr roll' with amazing images to drool over. So please do your lovely selves a favour and hop across to 'Design Addict Mom' and click 'follow'. You won't be sorry!

This image is from Stacey-Anne's most recent post

 These last two images via Everything Fabulous

My third blog addiction is Sasha's 'Everything Fabulous' - and let me tell you, everything here definitely is fabulous! Be it yummy food, fashion features, brilliant web links or delicious decor, this girl knows how to please a crowd. Every post is great (really! )and there is a real 'girly flair' to them which is so yum!

All images via Sahsa's gorgeous blog!

Contrary to the other introductions so far, I don't know Sasha. In fact I don't think she even knows I exist. I do however look forward to developing a friendship with the girl behind the fabulous blog!

via Everything Fabulous

Bardot In Blue via Everything Fabulous

 So there you go - three amazing blogs for you to drool over and be inspired by. These girls blog with style and with integrity, and as sad as it is not everyone out there does the same...This week I had a real shock coming across a post done by someone who ruthlessly and without conscience copied a large section of text from my blog right off! She stole my words, verbatim, and posted them as her own... I have confronted her and she owned up, removed the post and apologized in writing - both via email and via a post on her blog. As tempted as I was to post her name and URL loud and clear, I am a believer in giving people a second chance, and will do so for this girl hoping she has learned from the experience.. Thanks for taking responsibility for what you did...

Hermes ad via Everything Fabulous

How cute is this baby turtle?!! via Pink Preppy Lily Lover

Have a great rest of the week all and thanks to all my friends for the outpour of thoughtful and kind comments and emails! Also, congratulations to Kimberlee again on winning the give-away!

xx Charlotta

Give-away winner and a clean slate..

The days that have passed since Marija's tragic accident have been hard for me and for so many others. I have found it really difficult to blog and feel a little lost for what to post about. I want to continue staying in touch with this wonderful world of blogs and know that eventually the flow and inspiration will come back. I also know I am very late in announcing the winner of the 'High Tea at the Victoria Room' give-away. So sorry for this. I just needed a little break to clear my head. Thanks for waiting. xx

Left to Right from top: 1 & 2 the Victoria Room, 3 Yum & Sugar, and 4 the Dorchester Hotel London

Before I reveal the winner, I'd like to say 'thank you' to all of you who entered and to everyone who has given me such fantastic feedback. As always, it means the world to me when I hear back, and that you take time to read and leave comments on my posts! And now, without further ado, I am very excited to announce that Kimberlee, who blogs over at the wonderful 'Brown Button' has won!

Congratulations! I hope you will have fun with the book and that it will give your the inspiration to host fabulous 'high tea parties' down in Adelaide. You must try the 'white chocolate scones' - they are so amazing!

 Recipe and image via 'High Tea at the Victoria Room'

And as much as I'd love to have tea and scones right now. I can't have any... Not for a whole month,  because I have just embarked on another round of detoxing. Yep, four whole weeks of restraint and an array of herbal supplements to allow all my internal organs to detox and take a load off. It may sound like I am some sort of junkie here. I am not, don't worry. My husband and I do this detox thing a few times a year in order to give our bodies a good 'rest' before the change of season. An early 'Spring clean' if you want. As promised last time I did this, I will do a separate post about the process soon..

via Miss Wallflower

And as you can see, I am not posting pictures of the 'pure' and healthy foods am eating at the moment. Instead I am loading this post with all the nurturing and comforting delights I can possibly find. I am determined to at least let my eyes enjoy what the rest of my body can't! :) In fact, I need a lot of 'happy stuff' right now and as part of that I have booked tickets to Sweden! Yay! Well, I say 'I' have booked, when in actual fact it is my super sweet and supportive husband who has treated me and the kids to a trip home to see my family and friends. Isn't that just the kindest and most generous thing!?! xxx

via We Heart It

We'll be there from mid September till mid October and hope that Sweden will serve up some divine Autumn weather for us. It is a bit hit'n'miss at that time of the year and it can just as well be cold, wet and miserable. Not that the weather will stop us from having a great time and I can't wait to see everyone back home!

Google image

So that's it for now my friends - my news for this week in a stumbling attempt to get back into the blog groove again. Congratulations once again to Kimberlee. Please email me your address so that I can organise for the book to be sent to you very soon. x 

Also thank you all for your wonderful support, emails, comment and general kindness over the past couple of weeks. You are the best!! xx

xx Charlotta

P.S. More give-aways coming up very soon. The next one is open to all corners of the world. x

Celebrating a beautiful life..

It is 01.29am here in Sydney as I start this post. In just one minute the service in Marija's name commences at St Jerome Croatian Catholic Church, in Chicago. By the time the post is finished, so will the service be..

The house is asleep but I have stayed awake specially to honour Marija's memory and to send loving thoughts to her family and friends. I have no doubt the church will be full of love and beautiful memories, that the service will be worthy, serene and peaceful. There will be tears no doubt, lots of tears falling because we have lost a beautiful person who touched so many people in the world.

My children were home when I read Cory's remarkable and sad tribute to his wife, and they rushed to my side when they heard me get so upset. Oscar, my sweet and wise 7 year old, said 'Mamma, when people die they don't disappear. Marija will be by your side for ever because she is your friend!'. And tonight when I tucked him in and sat on his bedside he looked all cheeky and said 'Mamma, I hope Marija isn't sitting on top of me now because you are sitting on the edge of my bed and there is no room for her there!'. It made me smile and think that children have the best way of viewing life!

Oscar is so right. Of course Marija is still with us. She has merely transformed into a boundless spirit that will for ever stay close to those she loved. Her warm, witty, caring and insightful personality has left a strong impression that for me will remain in my heart always. To have been Marija's friend makes me feel proud and honoured, and I will be forever grateful for the time we had.

More than anything right now, I picture Marija with her father Joseph. A man whom she spoke so tenderly & beautifully about, and whom she loved and missed very much! I picture her now with his arm around her shoulders watching over her beloved family and friends, making sure everyone is and will be ok. Reassuring us that all will be well and that life must continue despite our sadness & pain.

Though the week has passed in numbing shock and sadness, it has also been a time that has strengthened the wonderful friendships that have been built here in the 'blog world'. Countless tributes to our beautiful Marija have united us in our grief. Emails with love and support have been exchanged between us, her friends who are scattered all over the world, and I for one have once again come to realise just how much you guys mean to me and how important you all are! So for that I want this post to be not only a final tribute to our dear friend Marija, but also celebration of the friendships that have sprung in this virtual world that is both tangible and very real.

To be honest I have had no inspiration or energy to blog this week, and this post is not easy for me to write. I have had to stop and breathe deeply a few times, but am determined to push through and keep on writing. I owe it to Marija to embrace the good she brought to my life and to continue blogging & building the friendships that make it so worthwhile. So this here is my first very small step into a future that now feels new and fragile, but at the same time also full of powerful realisations and gratefulness.  I count my blessings and know I how very fortunate I am to have so much and so many in my life!

Tomorrow marks the day I will draw a name out of a hat to reveal the winner of my 'High Tea book give-away' and it feels good to know that such a small gesture will make someone happy. That reading my blog makes someone happy. All of that means the world to me, and as I say in my introduction at the top left of this blog: "I live my life with the aim to generate and pass on as much positive energy as I possibly can". I do it for me, for you, for my family and for our dear Marija. May she rest in peace..

Biggest hugs and love to you all.

xx Charlotta

I will never forget you Marija!

image via Marija's beloved Holding Court

Dearest Marija,

I can't believe you are gone. How can this be!?

I wrote to you only yesterday, after having received a wonderful long email only days

before. You were a dear and close friend, and the pain I feel right now is testament to my

love and respect for you. That you are gone is impossible to grasp. My tears just don't seem

to stop pouring down my face. It hurts so much! Marija, somehow I know you are reading this

and that you can feel how much I and all your friends will miss you. My thoughts go out to

Cory, Nigel, Olivija, Mary, Phil, your grandmother and allyour friends and extended family.

They will be in my prayers and thoughts, and know that we are all looking out for them.

I know you loved them with your heart and soul, so much that your love will last for the rest

of their lives. No doubt you are sitting in the warm embrace of your beloved father (Joseph)

right now - I know how much you missed him. The world was a better place with you in it my

friend, and will for sure be a duller place without you and I will carry you in my heart, until we

meet again. I feel blessed to have known you and to be able to call you my friend.

Volim te. I love you Marija.

Always.

xx Charlotta

Please read Marija's Obituary in the Chicago Tribune - HERE

Love in a teacup and give-away...

Hello my lovelies! I am so excited about today's post because I am going to share a

really fun project I worked on about a year ago - 'High Tea at the Victoria Room'!

'High Tea at the Victoria Room'

Ironically, it all started over a cup of coffee.. over at one of my best friends' place where I
found out about a new and inspiring book project for one of my favouirte restaurants here in
Sydney, namely the 'Victoria Room' (which I wrote about a little while ago HERE & HERE.)

High Tea kids' party at the Victoria Room

You know how I love The Victoria Room (!) and in my humble opinion it is the place to have
'High Tea' when in Sydney. So you can imagine my delight (and slight awe-struck shock) when
I was asked to write part of the original manuscript for what was to become a delicious success!

Crème brûlée in a tea cup - loving the styling here!!
Image from 'High Tea at the Victoria Room' - please make clear reference to the Victoria Room if using it.

I was handed a very (!) rough draft of the content for the book's historical and etiquette section
as well as a large dose of friendly encouragement and off I went. The deadline was tight and I
had only a few days to turn a stack of notes into a comprehensive and entertaining something.

Suffice to say, I started not only researching & writing about tea, but also drinking a whole lot

of it in order to stay awake during what turned into a marathon of work in order to pull it all
together in time. Two days (+ 2 long nights!) later I handed over the the first incarnation of text.

Google image

Though the book makes reference to 'High Tea', some prefer to call it 'Afternoon Tea'. There are
real and tangible differences between 'High' vs 'Afternoon' tea, however today the two terms are
often fused together into one happy brew and the book was to refer to the ritual as 'High Tea'. But
for the record, and simply put, 'Afternoon Tea' was what the fine ladies of aristocracy enjoyed
some time around mid-afternoon. It was served in a salon with a buffet of sweets and treats.
And of course a good cup of gossip!

Image courtesy of the Dorchester, London

'High Tea' on the other hand was not at all high brow, and was what the working class enjoyed
at night after they got back from a long and hard day at work. It was eaten at a high table, hence
the name. It comprised of a pot of hot tea, cold cut meats and bread - a substitute for dinner, and
in some parts of the English speaking world, dinner is still sometimes referred to as 'tea'.

Salmon Cakes with Sour Cream and Dill 
Image from 'High Tea at the Victoria Room' - please make clear reference to the Victoria Room if using it.

Though this book is not mine, but rather that of the fabulous and so very very creative and
clever Jill Jones-Evans (co-owner of the Victoria Room) and the head chef Joe Gambacorta,
I am very proud to have contributed. Not only did it give me the chance to dive deeper into
the rich brew that offers the backdrop for the classic ritual of High Tea, but also gave me
a real appetite for book writing again. Something that had been dormant for a little while.

  White chocolate cup cakes with white chocolate ganache
Image from 'High Tea at the Victoria Room' - please make clear reference to the Victoria Room if using it.

 

I love hosting afternoon tea parties not only because of the ritual, but because of the fun one
can have with the buffet and table setting. I love the idea of fresh flowers, cute serviettes and
pretty tea sets mixed with freshly made scones, sandwiches, tarts and other treats. Perhaps even
even some Champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries may find their way onto the table! :)

Classic scones.

From  'High Tea at the Victoria Room' - please make clear reference to the Victoria Room if using it.

They can be as causal or formal as one whats, and are as perfect for a birthday or baby shower,
as they are for a girl's afternoon out, mother's day or even a kids party. Always chic and so right!

 Pink cup cake
Image from 'High Tea at the Victoria Room' - please make clear reference to the Victoria Room if using it.

Unable to invite you all to a fabulous big tea party (oh how fun that would be though!) I am
offering a copy of 'High Tea at the Victoria Room' to one of my dear followers. All you need
to do is leave a comment below. Please make sure that your icon has a live link to your blog.
Entries will be accepted until midnight (Sydney time) Sunday, 18th July 2010.

Good luck to all and sorry for not opening this give-away outside Australia.
There will be more give-aways for the rest of the world very soon!!

xx Charlotta

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