Monday, January 17, 2011

Rain.. Reward.. Return..

Hello my darlings and sorry for my extended absence this week..! 
I have almost finished the work I was assigned to do for a website that will be launching shortly (I'll share later) and all the post-holiday chores are tackled. Now I am lulling around in some sort of 'Summery haze' where I find it hard to get just anything constructive done.. It's actually quite lovely! :)

Oscar hanging out at the beach. Photo: Marshall Ward

Before I reveal the winners of my 'pre-Christmas give away' I want to say that my heart is aching for all and everyone who is affected by the insane floods that are tearing through the world at the moment. Though the ones we are witnessing here in Australia right now are especially hard for me to watch they are less severe than the ones in Brazil and also Sri Lanka.. They do however affect a much larger area and continue to spread which needless to say is terrifying!


The loss, pain and tragedy is impossible to grasp, and they affect the victims on so many levels.  So many are in dire need of help and support. My thoughts travel to those who need hope and strength right now, and my prayers are aimed at those who have lost so much.. May the sun shine on you again..!

Sunrises are such a symbol of 'hope' to me... Photo: Marshall Ward

Without the intent of seeming flippant.. I am deliberately leaving the sublect of floods now and shifting to the much delayed announcement of the two winners of my pre-Christmas give-away. Both Marshall and I were thrilled to see so many entries (both from Australia and the World) and all your enthusiastic and kind comments truly made us happy! Thank you all for entering and for being so sweet!! xx

As promised, we have drawn two winners - one from Australia and one from the 'World' .. Without further ado... CONGRATULATIONS Cath (Tea with Mary) and Vicki (Vicki the Viking)!! xx



Cath & Vicki, please email me to confirm which photo you want us to send, and also your postal addresses. Thank you dear friends on entering and congratulations again!

 Photo:  Mikkel Vang

And speaking of 'dear friends'.. Whilst I have been skipping around barefoot in the Australian Summer so many new and lovely people have found their way to my little blog corner. I am so thrilled to welcome you here and I can't wait to get to know you all..! xx


In fact I have chosen 9 of my newest followers (+ 1 of my favourite blogs) as the receivers of an award I was recently rewarded by no less than three lovely blog friends;

1) My dear and talented friend Mariska who blogs over at 'I used to be Snow White but I drifted'. This gorgeous woman is a celebrated professional artist whose work hangs in many corners of the world. Please do pop across to her brilliant blog to see her latest works and news for 2011. Hugs to you Mariska! xx



2) Swedish sweetheart Jill who blogs over at 'Live Like You'. I 'met' Jill not long ago but felt an instant affinity with her. Not only because we are both from Sweden but because of the way she looks at life. Please pop over to her lovely blog and read her introduction and you'll know why I find this lady so special. Kramar till dig Jill! xx



3) The lovely Anita over at 'A Dreamer's Den' who I feel so close with. This girl is also something special. Not only does she share name with my mother and daughter (Isabella's second name is Anita), but she has such a sweet personality. Her blog started of as an attempt to document the making of her home but has grown to be so much more. This girl has a deeper conscience and wonderful sense of style. Do visit her beautiful blog and fall in love. Hugs to you dear Anita! xx



THANK YOU so much again for this very kind and flattering nomination!


This 'Stylish Blogger Award' calls for the receiver to:
1. Link back to the person/people who gave the award
2. List seven things that you may not know about me, and
3. Pass on the award to ten others... 


I dare to share and hope that you will do the same..! x

 I cry if tickled.. I actually panic to the point of trears.. (exception feet!)


..in fact, I adore pedicures and reflexology. In my book there are no better spa treatments!

 I dislike wearing a lot of make-up and feel awkward and claustrophobic when doing so..


I love camels, quirky dogs and birds.. Actually I adore most animals full stop!


I am an obsessive 'list maker'. Love the ritual and the way they clear my head..!


I can't sleep without the window in my bedroom open. Winter or Summer it's always ajar!


I am very intuitive and often get strong signals regarding people I care about..
It's not always a blessing..

***

So there it is.. Seven things that you probably didn't know about me. Now over to you my dears..!

First of all I want the wonderful and always brilliant Louise of 'Lou Boos and Shoes' to receive this award. Her blog is one of my favourite out there and it is beyond stylish in every sense. Lou, I adore every visit. Thank you! xx


As for the remaining nine people I award the 'Stylish Blogger'.. These are some of my latest friends, picked at random and in no particular order from my left hand side column. Thank you all for joining my little blog circle - I love that you are here! xx Just click on the banners to be transported..!













 


Ok girls. I hope you embrace the award and that you will share openly your 7 things. I can't wait to read so please pop in and let me know when your posts are up.  xx




source unknown for these two

That is all for today my dears. It's good to be back but please forgive me if I am a bit random in my visits for a little while longer. I am suffering total 'Summer-itis'..!  :)

From our holiday at Shoal Bay. Photos by Charlotta Ward.


Big sunny hugs with ice cream on top!

xx Charlotta

32 comments:

Cassie said...

A beautiful catch-up post with real warming pictures.

Congratulations to the winners and congratulations to you on the award.
xx

Julie at Belle Vivir said...

Charlotta,

Thank you so much for the award. I'm so flattered! I can't believe that you cry if tickled.

P.S. Gorgeous pictures.

Glamour Drops said...

Oh Charlotta I am humbled to be included in your list of stylish bloggers! What a treat! I love your confessions of 7 - you cry when you are tickled? I bet your children love that one! Keep enjoying your summeriness - the lazy vibes of summer are so good for the soul.

Virginia - blue fruit

anita said...

So good to read the 7 things, and get to know you a little better; we'll have to get pedicures if/when we ever meet up!
On that note; I too gave you the award! xo

Ashley said...

Thank you so much Charlotta for this wonderful award! I am so flattered! I love the seven tidbits that you shared and I will definitely be doing the same!

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

thank you so much Charlotta, honored!

Stacey said...

Congrats on the award darling! Your blog is the epitome of style! Also, congrats to the winners of the giveaway! Your hubby is such a talented photographer-i love the pics of your family. I can't wait to hear more about the project you referred to!! XX

Stacey said...

Oh and i love the new shade of blue of your header(forgot to mention that last time:-)). XX

Anna @ IHOD said...

I loved reading 7 new things about you! Thank you so much for the award. So very sweet of you! I am honored!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Charlotta
So much beauty in the post.. a little sadness too.. We are all so shocked by the floods and I know I have lost my rhythm this week...

Congrats on your award dear friend. I too suffer from the intuitive spell.. sometimes a blessing and sometimes not... And congrats to all those lovely blogs you have awarded...

As always I love Marshall's photography and you have also show some favourites of mine by Mikkel Vang.. I love your shots too Charlotta.. the little sail boat in that huge sea of blue is darling..

Have a great week... I'm still in no man's land also.. ciao xxx Julie

OOH..almost forgot. .. congrats to the winners.. lucky indeed!!!

Cath said...

Oh my darling Charlotta, you've made my day, week, month! I'll shoot you a wee email shortly :)

Lovely blog finds as per usual, I hav a lovely evening ahead exploring them all.

Xxx Cath

Lou said...

Hi Cahrlotta - ahh thank you so much for the kind words and the award! I am honoured - as I consider your blog to be rather special. Mutual appreciation society?! Lou xx

F.L.A. said...

Congrats for the award!!!!!
So sorry for what happened and for what all those poor people lost.
big hug from Italy

LiveLikeYou said...

What a beautiful post!! Welcome back. It looks so amazing to be at the beach...

Vicki said...

Oh Charlotta...I am over the moon to be the recipient of one of Marshall's images...thank you both sooo much. I will email you in a couple of days with all the details. I love the fact that one of Marshall's photographs will find its way to Iceland...perhaps paving the way for a future visit. I never win anything...but there is definitely a change in the air for me in 2011, thank you again and by the way I always knew you were intuitive.
lots of love XXX Vicki.

Splendid Willow said...

Welcome back for real!

Congratulations on the winners.

And congratulations on all the awards. Well deserved!

Sleeping with a window open (even when it is very 25 below zero!) must be a very Swedish thing!

Warm hugs,

ox, Mon

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

hi Charlotta, your pics are amazing. glad you're having a beautiful summer time. we are not having floods where I live and I don't have friends in Brazil, but it's so so desperate to see all these suffering souls with flooded homes... warm hugs darling. xo

Cornflakes and Honey said...

Thanks so much Charlotta for your sweet comments on my blog!

You thoroughly deserve such a great award and it's great to learn more about you (I'm the same with the make up - if only I looked great without it though, lol). Hope you're having a great week. xx

Unknown said...

oh Charlotta what a beautiful post! as usual of course :) I loved the holidays images of your darling kids and the beautiful blue sea. I am too praying for the flood victims and hope things get better real soon... Have a wonderful week girlfriend!!

Lana {lanalou style} said...

Hi Charlotta! Lovely to find out more about you, it's also super hot here so I totally understand about your 'Summer-itis'!x

Unknown said...

Sunrises truly are so hopeful...and I am so glad to see that you are all well and happy and healthy! Congrats on the award Charlotta!
xx
Sue

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

What a wonderful post, Charlotta! Chock full of goodies! Congrats on the award and I so wish that I was in the middle of a summer haze. Enjoy every second, honey!

xoxo

Leigha said...

Fun post and full of blog inspirations to go explore (most of the blogs you named are new to me...off to investigate them!).

Have a great week C!

Leigha

shopgirl said...

Congratulations Charlotta! You deserve it! I love all the holiday photos you posted. You guys look so relaxed and having so much.

p.s. I loved getting to know more about you.

Have a wonderful day sweetie!

Ashley said...

Just posted my stylish blog award post. Thanks again!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post with wonderful pictures!
Happy January to you!
Xo,
E&J

Tina said...

Hi Sweetie!
Congrats to the Award, you totally deserve every one of them! Also great to get to know you even better!
Lovely photos from your familyvacation!

Blev så glad för din fina kommentar(alltid)! Lovar att skirva några rader till dig imorgon!
Ta nu väl hand om dig!!!

Många kramar från mig!

Julie at Belle Vivir said...

Hi Charlotta,

I'm giving you thanks for the award in my blog today. Because I've listed things about me before I didn't do it this time. But if you want to see them here is the link. Again thank you.

http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/2009/11/10-things-about-me.html

kostas said...

Great blue!

Acanthus and Acorn said...

This was great fun reading your 7 things! I met Jill last year when we worked on a project together...she is fun and warm and so creative! Now I need to "meet" some of these other bloggers..

Welcome home and enjoy your summer days!!!

Tuuli - Lumo Lifestyle said...

What a gorgeous holiday for you and your family. Charlotta, enjoy every minute of the tropics before returning to the North... It's been rainy and slushy the past days, now it's colder andsnowing again, like we needed any more snow for this winter!

Fantastic new blogs! Thank you for sharing.

Our relatives in Gold Coast weren't fortunately damaged by the flood. A friend's house in Brisbane was literally saved by few centimeters, but her neigborhood is badly damaged... So I guess I shouldn't be complaining about a little snowfall...

Design Elements said...

congrats for the ward! wonderful post! have a great weekend!

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