Happy happy..!

I must say, that despite the obvious pain of having Tonsillitis (like a hand-full of razor blades down my throat..) spending a couple of days in bed without anyone questioning why, has its advantages...

Rock'n'Roll Bride via Luna and Chloe Weddings

 This wonderful typographical 'moustache poster' seen over at Luna and Chloe Weddings

I am roaming around the blog world enjoying some fabulous posts. I just dumped a whole seven comments in a row over at 'Desde Mi Ventana'.. She'll think I've lost the plot.. :) Apart from rediscovering some of my old time favourites, I am also so enjoying the wedding and event bloggers right now..

by Jamie Delaine via Erin Ever After

I mean, what a fabulous & uplifting bunch they are! Always full of romantic & colourful shots, girly energy, and contagious inspiration, don't you think!?! It's an instant 'pick-me-up' browsing their happy little corner of the blog world today!

Just look at the gorgeous Sarah Yates shoot above (seen via my friend Megan's wonderful 'Beach Bungalow 8')..! After I saw it last week I went ran (I consider my enthusiasm one of my virtues..!) straight into my kids' playroom to dig through their plastic animals (you think I am kidding..!?) to see which ones I could spray gold for Christmas.. I think it would be a fabulous idea, don't you?!? But horror (!), when I had dug through several crates I remembered that we'd given them away to my god daughter earlier this year.. Oh bother!

by Jessica Zais

Holly Heider Chapple Flowers via Style me Pretty

And how divine to stage a little 'forest fiesta' like the one I saw over at 'Style Me Pretty' (above)! Can you imagine being invited to a gorgeous lunch feast at a secret location like this?! Heaven!

And speaking of wonderful.. These delightful blogs are always full of colour, which is a sure mood booster for me! Rich gorgeous dollops of the spectrum in a never ending parade of vibrant inspiration!

This turquoise dream above actually reminded me a little of Eddie and Jaithan's amazing creations. I think it is the confident use of colours, fabulous detail, and gorgeous table wear. They are so clever those boys! BTW: Did you guys see their latest post 'Center of Attention'?. Gorgeous holiday decor inspiration in yummy colours!

This one (above) by Follow Studio, reminds me of Sweden. All that light-filled goodness. Though I am not typically 'the girl with the flowery napkins', I quite like the one above in combination with the stunning Dutch Poppies and all that white. The pattern reminds me of the hankies I used to always buy at Liberty's in London (also, they do a blog that you might enjoy..).

 via Luna and Chloe Weddings

How many doilies did it not take to make this beautiful dress..!?! It's gorgeous isn't it!? Especially with the green lining. So unusual.
And aren't marshmallows always a great idea when you are feeling a little under the weather.!!? Especially when toasted over a candle on a skewer, until they nearly drip, then squeezed between two Marie crackers! YUM!  :)

The amazing Jessica Claire via 100 Layer Cake

Chic and morbid at the same time - hanging one's wedding dress on a dead animal..
On a lighter note, can one ever get tired with rice lamps..? Especially when they are used out of context like in the picture above..!

1. Kate Webber 2. Jose Villa

Style me Pretty

 Jessica Claire

Style me Pretty

How can Hibiscus Iced Tea not draw a smile!? I feel better already and am sure I'll wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow after all this indi love..! :)

Jimena Roquero Weddings via Once Wed

It's night time here in Sydney and it's time to sign off.
Sweet dreams my darlings!

xx Charlotta

Happy Halloween..!!

Halloween is not an obvious holiday for us Swedes.. Though it has made its way into our culture it doesn't come naturally to us to carve pumpkins, slip into a catsuit and throw a party. Really most of my country men would probably rather slip on their bathers at some tropical destination in total denial of the seemingly everlasting darkness and forthcoming Winter.. :)

I am saying all this with a pinch of sarcasm, because of course the Swedes (like everyone else) know Halloween very well and some actually do celebrate. But it isn't all that common to make a fuss about it and I must admit it has taken me several years (22..!) to actually pull myself together and make a ghostly effort..! Having said that, I am not the kind to decline an opportunity for some fun and what a brilliant idea it really is to spice up the 'home run' of the year with a party!

1/4/5. Martha Stewart, 2. unknown, 3. Country Living

Unlike the Northern half of the world, Australia is all but dark and gloomy this time of the year (!!) and it is actually quite hard for me to work up a real feeling of Halloween. It absolutely works so much better at the height of Autumn as opposed to smack in the middle of Spring-time Sydney...!

These three via Twigs & Thistle

I am a little ashamed to say that this year was the very first I actually decorated the house since the kids were born.. Though it was not the stylish design statement that some of my dear friends achieved, we had fun doing it and the kids were so excited! And as I sit here at the end of this years celebrations  (three days in a row!!) feeling relieved that the immense 'sugar shock' my children inflicted upon themselves has now worn off, (OMG..!) I am glad I made the effort..

I attempted and succeeded in carving a pumpkin for the very first time ever this year.. As a total beginner I am very proud that a) I still have all fingers and b) my pumpkin isn't a total slaughter...! Though it may look very elementary to you, I am mighty proud to have done this without any kind of guidance or instructions.. :)

P.S. That is Oscar's PJs.. he actually doesn't leave the house with pants like that.. :)

For the inside I opted for black/white and spiders. I was very happy with the idea until our dinner guests arrived on Saturday night and it turned out that the husband of my friend suffered arachnophobia..! It took a swift and stiff (!) Gin & Tonic to get him to relax, and as they left many hours later they happily accepted a little favour bag full of spiders (and lollies..) for their kids..! Phew!!

I bought little plastic spider rings from the local $2-shop and used them as wine glass charms.  Other spiders were fastened to the wall with blue-tac making them look scaringly like the real thing... And let me just say that they are not a rare sight here in Sydney.. Eeek! 

The tomb stone was a favourite with the kids and they really can't understand why I don't want to keep it in the dining room permanently... Hmmm...

Sadly I will disappoint them and head over to my florist and pick up a nice big bunch of brightly coloured flowers tomorrow. It is high Spring here in Sydney after all..! :)

*********** * ***********

Before I bid farewell to all the ghostly fun for this year.. Here are a few Halloween ideas from around the cyber world that I enjoyed..

Martha Stewart and Country Living

Aren't the stemmed 'claw bowls' fantastic..!?!

I love the black bottles that Purple Area shared with her readers.  So easy to make! And the smokey glasses are so yummy don't you think?! As are the black pumpkins with golden spiders.

And how easy and fun wouldn't it be to print some wine labels to spice up the drinks table..!?!

I can hear the late Diana Vreeland whisper from her grave: 'Why don't you park the car for the weekend and make it around town on a plumed black stallion like the Spanish...." Wouldn't it be fabulous..!?! :)

Gorgeous earthy colours via Twig & Thistle

via Martha Stewart

Did you dress up for this Halloween weekend? I actually didn't, but next year I am planning to scare the life out of my Swedish neighbours and make a real effort..! I am joking of course..! :)

Hope you all had a fun weekend!

xx Charlotta

 P.S. The state my kids were at the end of this candy-clad weekend... !

Going away for a few days..

Ok my lovelies. I and my little family are off on a mini-break

to a fantastic place called Shoal Bay 3 hours North of Sydney.

We're leaving tomorrow and will spend the rest of the week in

or on the water, including a dolphin cruise, a camel ride (yes!),

long beach walks and lots of quality time with the children.

The reason we are going is to celebrate my birthday on Thursday

and also Mother's Day on Sunday. Marshall & the kids have been

giggly and secretive all week, and can barely contain themselves.

I can't wait to see what they have in store but know I am going

to love what ever it is because they are the most wonderful little

trio a girl can possibly dream of, and I am so lucky to have them!

I hope all of you mothers out there have plans for Mother's Day

and that you will be celebrated with love & joy by your children.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'll see you when I get back on Sunday night and can't

wait to catch up on your lovely blogs, emails and news!

I'll miss you.

xx Charlotta

Kids art as jewelery by Mia van Beek

What a cute idea for Mother's Day..

Having had such wonderful feedback, including a comment by
Mia van Beek the designer herself, who happens to be a good
friend and nearby neighbour of my lovely friend Lotta in the US,
I am updating this post with some more details of these pieces.

Mia, like Lotta and I, is Swedish and is a trained goldsmith
with focus on unique one-of-a-kind pieces with a contemporary
flair. Her bio is impressive as is her extensive range of pieces.

 I can see a drawing like this for Father's Day. Perhaps as a key chain or money clip!?


Mia ships her work all over the world (including Australia. Yay!)
and you can browse her gorgeous gallery of both 'children's art'
jewellery and key chains, and fantastic adult pieces in her
Etsy shop, via her website 'Formia' or via her Facebook page.

Mia, thank you / tack for leaving a comment so that I could
find out more about you. I am definitely placing an order in
the not too far future. I hope that many others do too!

via

Formia Design

xx Charlotta