A place to love..

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day yesterday. Though many don't embrace the commercial aspects of the day itself, I think the symbolism and spirit are wonderful. And don't you just think people generally tend to be that little bit nicer and more loving on Valentine's?!

Our celebrations included handing out little 'love gifts' at school (Monika, I used your 'match box idea' and people LOVED them!! Thank you for the inspiration! xx), cooking a nice dinner, and baking my husband's favourite cake.. Which of course I couldn't eat since I am still on the detox.. though I have to admit that I licked the bowl after making a wonderful authentic chocolate sauce from scratch.. Doing that is of course also totally forbidden when detoxing, but in a moment of weakness I gave in to my chocolate drooling.. (Hey, I am only human!) 
The punishment came about half an hour later I felt sincerely sick.. I haven't had any sugar or dairy  (amongst lots of other yummy things..) for 4 weeks now and the 'sugar-hit' was immense!!  In the end I had to go to bed (un-romantically early) due to the headache and nausea.. Truly punished indeed!

But speaking of treats. Here's one that is totally allowed and sweet enough to thrill each and all of us without any side-effects what so ever..! It's a series of wonderful pictures of a former fisherman's cottage turned seaside escape..

The house-tour was originally posted by my dear friend Lene who runs the beautiful 'The Essence of the Good Life'. If you are not familiar with this blog you are in for hours of enjoyment and inspiration. Lene truly knows how to serve up a buffet of eye candy and you will currently find several amazing house tours there..! In fact I take my former comment about 'no side-effects' back, because you may in fact become addicted..! :)

I particularly loved this happy cottage with all it's good energy and natural light. An unpretentious, relaxing and harmonious seaside hide-away. A perfect place to spend time with family and friends!

You can just feel the good memories that these rooms hold. Laughter around this lovely reclaimed breakfast table.. Salty tanned people walking barefoot in and out of that blue door, onto the divine veranda. Easy breezy living and pure Summer bliss..!

Maps! Maps everywhere. And for someone like me, who can spend hours flicking through an Atlas in pure bliss, maps are the perfect wall adornment.

You don't need much when on holiday and I find it incredibly relaxing to stay in a scaled back and simple place like this. Simplicity means easier decisions, fewer things to keep track of, less mess, and more time for fun & laughter.
Just look at this kitchen and tell me what else you need when on vacation..!?! Though the stove is just  to the left in this picture, I imagine most meals being cooked on a BBQ out in the open. The smell of garlic marinated prawns on the grill mixes with the salt saturated air.. Close your eyes..can you smell it?! Aaaaahhh!

Smack me in the head and call me 'Gustavian'' (ha!) but I never tire of the blue/white combination when it comes to decor. There is something timeless and fresh about it and my mind instantly feels peaceful in rooms like these. In saying that I must admit that I am not a huge fan of 'Nautical themes' in big doses. This here is quite enough in my taste.

As many of you know, I find great relaxation in 'picking things''. Our home is full of little 'beach discoveries' just like these ones. A bowl of shells, an interesting piece of driftwood, a beautiful rock..  I even tried to bring home a fish skeleton once but was stopped right there.. (Hmm..)

The fish aside, all these things make a home more personal don't you think?! Happy little snippets of life and good times together..!

Am loving this bedroom with it's elevated ceiling, stunning wardrobe and simple four poster bed. What a wonderful place to sleep! Also those masks/sculptures next to the bed intrigue me..

Original source: Kilde: le journal de la Maison via The Essence of the Good Life

Warm Summery hugs to all!

xx Charlotta