Guest post 09: 'Warming up to Autumn' by Piper at 'One Sydney Road'...

Hi everyone! This is Piper from 'One Sydney Road' and I'm thrilled that Charlotta asked me to guest post while she's in Sweden, especially since I absolutely adore her blog!

We're starting to make that transition from summer to Fall here in Cleveland, Ohio - today's a perfect example - beautiful, blue sky day with a cool, crisp breeze.  Most everyone loves autumn - but I have to admit, it's hard for me to make that leap from Summer to Fall.  I'm a Summer-girl at heart (don't ask why we live in Cleveland then!)  But, all of a sudden, usually around October, I start easing into the idea of Fall.

Leaves changing color...

Perfect sleeping weather and lots of warm blankets...

Fun things to do like carve pumpkins & apple picking...

And my personal favorite - curling up with a good book, cozy blanket and lots of candles!

When you look at it that way, Fall suddenly sounds good to me!  

Thank you so much for letting me share with you. Wherever you are, I wish you a wonderful season! xo Piper

Image credits: 1. Etsy, 2.We Heart It, 3 & 4. Pia Ulin, 5. Lypton Village on Flickr, 6. Niki Jones

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THANK YOU Piper for this wonderful post!! I know Autumn is not your favourite season and I so appreciate your list of cozy and yummy pleasures! Also, I have a feeling the freshness of October will be a welcome backdrop to your imminent web shop launch! I just read your latest article over at 'Make Under My Life' and feel all giddy with excitement that you are so close to the launch! Though I know you are breathing deeply into a paper bag at times (joking xx!) I just want to say once more how impressed I am with your journey and what an inspiration you are to me and everyone else!



People, this woman is living her dream. She has skipped off the beaten track to walk the path she passionately has dreamed of for years - she is opening her own store and is only weeks away from the launch!! You simply must click on the picture (sorry I couldn't insert the banner) above to jump across to 'One Sydney Road' and Piper's world of gorgeous posts (she is a natural at writing and coming up with fantastic post topics!) - I know you will love her blog as much as I do!

Next in my little guest post series is the lovely Caroline who blogs over at 'Absolutely Unique'. This gorgeous girl will report on Spring all the way from Patagonia (a place I have dreamed of going for years!!)..! I know that her wonderful post will make you all yearn for Spring and I look forward to seeing you all here again on 11th October..!

I can't believe it is less than a week before we are heading back to Sydney.. Time has flewn so quickly and I must say I am not quite ready to leave yet.. (am I ever..?) Though the rain is pouring down today it is still gorgeous in my eyes - heavy drops showering the explosion of colours in the trees outside my window. I am waiting for my nephew Filip (also my godchild) who is arriving in a couple of hours to have lunch with me before we head off to a Picasso exhibition (a gallery in a large converted barn!) in one of my favourite places, Mariefred.

Big Autumal hugs to you all!

xx Charlotta

Guest post 04: 'Golden Fall' by Monika of the Splendid Willow..

Hello all, Monika from Splendid Willow here. I am truly honored to be guest posting today when my close blog sis Charlotta is enjoying Fall in Sweden with family and friends.

As many of you might already know, I am also a native Swede, but resides on the other side of the planet, in beautiful Seattle, USA.

Fall has arrived here too - and I could not be happier! I love this time of the year! The air is crisp, the leaves are magical with their rich colors and life gets more earthy and cozy.

Fall also means harvest and mushroom season. I am huge mushroom lover - especially chantarelles and "trumpet mushrooms" (horns of plenty).



I have picked basket loads in my days. And let me tell you, that's quite a few days...

And when I come home with my golden friends, this simple, basic mushroom dish is a fall must (try it!):

Monika's Golden Fall Dish:

(Brush off the dirt of the musrooms. Don't clean them with water or they turn into sponges!)

one. Fry up some shallots with butter and add a little crushed garlic

two. Put the fresh chantarelles (tear them into small parts) into the pan together with the onions and garlic

three. Add some fresh parsley

four. Fry for a few minutes

five. Add some salt and pepper according to taste (Mine are more on the salty side)

six. Put a fresh toast (good bread, people!) in the toaster (or heat up in the oven)

seven. Overload the toast with the chantarelles

eight. Enjoy with a glass of wine and a salad. Eat while it is warm and salute fall!

This is also the season to start investing in a few new fashion items to endure the colder weather. A warm, cozy sweather and a nice pair of boots are always a must. These Sam Edelman boots are making me quite happy.



And this sweater from Antropologie.

This is also the season to get really crafty for the upcoming holidays. I like my decor simple. The fewer things, the more you see!



Ultimately, Fall to me is all about cocooning and spending lots of quality time with family, and darker days don't scare me ( I come from Sweden after all!). This is a good time to fill up your heart and soul (and stomach) with goodness for Winter.



Thank you for having me here today, Charlotta! I am sad we are not on the same side of the world, so we could go mushroom picking together! And share that bottle of wine we keep talking about. One of these days...

Fall hugs to you and all of your readers!

Image credits: 1-4) Flickr, 5+6) thegoodmoodfoodblog, 9) Sweet Paul, 10) Unknown (sorry), 11) Homelife


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TUSEN TACK my dear sis for this gorgeous Autumn post, and thank goodness I am in Sweden right now so that I can enjoy chantarelles by the handfull..! They are amongst my favourite things to eat - them, and Swedish crayfish!! And when we finally manage to synchronise our travels, there will be more than just one bottle of wine.. Of that I am sure!  ;) xx

Now for those of you who read my blog regularly, you will be very familiar with Monika's wonderful blog 'Splendid Willow'. For those who are new to the name, please do not wait another minute to click the banner, and know that you will be transported to an amazing world of style and inspiration. Be sure to sign up to the email subscription and look forward to wonderful posts of addictive reading!

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In a few days you will be able to meet another gorgeous Swedish girl here on Space for Inspiration, namely Tina of the lovely blog 'Komma Hem'. Tina is not only adorable & a wonderful friend, but she has also got a fabulous eye for style and design. I hope you will join her here on the 26th September.

xx Charlotta

Guest post 01: 'A Warm Breeze' from Dustjacket Attic

Hello and welcome to Charlotta's place, this is DJ from Dustjacket Attic guest posting for you today while Charlotta is having a wonderful and well deserved break in Sweden.

As we venture into Spring here in Australia one of my favourite things is seeing all the buds and new life spring up from nowhere, not to mention the warm breezes ... what a welcome relief from the bitter cold winds of Winter...can you tell my favourite seasons are Spring and Summer..!?.

No wonder we all feel like spring cleaning and freshening everything up to match the balmy weather....a bit difficult for me at the moment as we are still having our house built and most of our things are packed away, but I'll make up for it when I finally get the keys to the door! Actually one of the things I loved about the timing of the house build was that we get to move in in Spring! What better time.

 

Another thing I love to do as Spring arrives is go outside with plates of food, glass of wine in hand and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the sunshine with friends and family....bliss.

It's been great to be given the opportunity to come over to "Space for Inspiration" and say hi to you all, hope you have enjoyed by little ode to Spring!

xxx DJ

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THANK YOU dearest DJ for this gorgeous 'Spring breeze'! 

Really loved hearing about the fabulous Spring!!
Can't wait to go back to Australia in a few weeks to enjoy this awesome season..! :)

Now, everyone who isn't already a follower of this MUST READ  blog (how is this even possible!!?..) please dive into DJ's inspirational and gorgeous world of fashion and style by clicking the banner above. Thank me later..! :)

And also please come back here in a few days to read about how the amazingly talented  Minna Mercke-Schmidt of 'Blomsterverkstad' prepares for Autumn here in sassy Sweden..!

xx Charlotta

  Image credits: 1, 2, 4 & 6 by Olivia Graham, 3, 5 & 7 via My Tartlette.

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

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