Kitchen perfection..

I love these wooden bench seats and table teamed with

those industrial lamps.. What a fantastic kitchen!!

via 

Elle Decor

xCharlotta

Fabulous floor!

I can not get this floor out of my head!

Reclaimed antique French Oak... BIG sigh!

Also love the sofa but would have it upholstered in a darker

shade of grey - like the sofa we have at the moment.

I love the mix of grey, with white and natural wood,

and the odd splash of subtle colour. Ja!

The image is via one of my new favourite blogs

'Chic Provence'. So full of inspiration this one!!

xCharlotta

Sruli Recht

How amazing isn't this ring series by

Icelandic based designer Sruli Recht!?

Each piece is made of a 10 carat white gold

band with an internal thread to recieve three

uncut rough diamonds set individually into a

screw-in device - choose from three colours.

Black, yellow or pink... pick your favourite..

...or go for all three.. ;)

Very tempting indeed..

More from HERE.

xCharlotta

Stuffing the boot

This will be the sight in our home if Santa doesn't bring

some snow & frosty bliss for Sweden this Christmas..

xCharlotta

La Tropézienne bag

I know it is not new but I just have to declare my

love for 'La Tropézienne bag' by Clare Vivier.

Dear Santa.. 

(you reading darling!?)

xCharlotta

Rodney Smith's 'The End'

Rodney Smith - where to begin!?

I am such a big fan of this creative genius who

has the ability to make the ordinary beyond

extraordinary through his photographic magic.

Actually, it doesn't stop there because he is good

with words too, and when reading his blog posts

I feel I am taken on a pilgrimage through amazing

insightful tunnels of honesty and refection. He is

so clearly connected to that greater source of life

where perspective and insight come easily.

Perhaps it is the fact that he studied theology
and received a degree in Divinity from Yale,
or simply because he walks this world wide
awake, his mind open and his eyes peeled.

I completely 'get' his creative expression and

so enjoy the fact that his fantastic images are shot

using a regular SLR camera onto Kodak film

- i.e. not the result of digital photography.

These photographs are the true reflection

of a person who is one with his instrument.

Someone who is open to the possibility

that life's magic is present everywhere

if only you allow yourself to see it.

Rodney has won 75 awards, however

I have a feeling he doesn't actually care

all that much about these proofs of his skill.

You see, even as a young man, he turned down

a few seriously impressive offers to lecture

at some of the world's best universities in favour

for riding slow trains in India, bicycling through

the Camarque, and strolling the streets of Paris..

It seems very clear to me that he is more interested in

life, the world and the people in it, than in the recognition.

But don't get me wrong though, he is all but arrogant or ignorant!
Instead he is so genuinely sweet when given a compliment.

I have written to him twice in starry eyed admiration of his work

and have received the loveliest replies within a day of doing so.
I think that says a lot about him - that he takes time to

respond in a genuinely friendly and interested manner.

Before this post becomes an essay..

I really just wanted to say two three a few things here..

1. encourage you to jump onto Rodney's website,

see his pictures & take time to read his blog, and

2. announce the launch of his latest book

'The End'.

The book is extremely limited edition - a must have!

From the idea behind it, the creative concept, through to

the images, layout & typography - it is pure brilliance.

I am happy to relay your interest in buying

the book - please just leave a comment below

or drop me an email on charlottaward@y7mail.com.

Hopefully this post marks the beginning of your own

journey into the photographic world of Rodney Smith.

xCharlotta

My Christmas Wish List

Dear Santa,
I woke up on time today and didn't have to
rush my son to get ready for school.
I washed two machines of clothes
and hung them to dry in the garden.
I packed a picnic and took my daughter to the beach.
We laughed and fed the seagulls together.
I did face paintings on both my children whilst in the bath.
I made organic mini-pancakes with fresh strawberries for their dinner
and read a nice story book to them in bed.
I spoke friendly words to a lovely old lady in the park
and I thought happy & positive thoughts about the world all day!

Please can you add this beautiful
Swarovski crystal-adorned
ring to my Christmas wish list?!
The green one...

(source)

Thank you!

.. and oh, I love you work!!

xCharlotta