Tuesday 30 December 2008

My Idaho

I have always dreamt of a chalet. Roaring log fire, hot beverages, board games, beautiful books, walking with family and friends, marvelling at the beauty around me. I like two different kinds of decorations. One is the European school, with the mushroom colored interiors, with reds, naturals and embroideries. The second is the American school with the native patterns and colors of which Ralph Lauren's Colorado ranch is the typical example.
What I discovered in my January/February issue of Veranda is so cheerful and bright. A functional, beautiful, family holiday home to feast my eyes on and dream about. Nice dreams may well come true!









Interior Design by William Diamond and Anthony Baratta of Diamond Baratta Design (DBD). All pictures Veranda magazine.

Monday 29 December 2008

Corporate gifts

Corporate gifts...the eco way. At least our bosses do not lack imagination. That's something in the tough world of business...
A potted olive trea,


a lavender bag,



two 2009 diaries and two books : How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: 365 Simple Ways to Save Energy, Resources, and Money and The Little Earth Book, two little treasures that all in the family enjoyed leafing through.



Here is to a Happy and Prosperous 2009!

Wednesday 24 December 2008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all fruitful and creative souls.
May Jesus' blessings bejewel our hands, our minds and our souls.

(Photo by Soulemama)

Monday 22 December 2008

Christmas sneak peek-Alicia Paulson@Posie

Sneak peeking...that's one of the things I like about blogging. Travelling from home (or work for that matter) to the ends of the world. My favorite bloggers posted some interesting, beautiful and inspiring pictures of their homes at Christmas. And I was there to sneak peek!

Pictures from 2005-2008 Christmas posts by Posie Gets Cozy. That girl deserves to be named the Queen of whimsical Christmas.












Sunday 21 December 2008

Christmas sneak peek-SouleMama

Sneak peeking...that's one of the things I like about blogging. Travelling from home (or work for that matter) to the ends of the world. My favorite bloggers posted some interesting, beautiful and inspiring pictures of their homes at Christmas. And I was there to sneak peek!

I don't like her; I looove her. It's the homey, motherly, magic Amanda Soule-Mama.





Friday 19 December 2008

Christmas Sneak Peek-Sweet Paul

Sneak peeking...that's one of the things I like about blogging. Travelling from home (or work for that matter) to the ends of the world. My favorite bloggers posted some interesting, beautiful and inspiring pictures of their homes at Christmas. And I was there to sneak peek!

This form Sweet Paul. Makes you love Christmas, styling and photography.

The classic, in the great American tradition...


...the muted and modern...


...and the feerique...


Knit a Christmas tree decoration

The kit you'll need
One pair of 4mm knitting needles
Two colours of double-knitting wool (we used green for the tree and brown for the trunk)
A few sequins
Handful of wadding to stuff the finished decoration
A piece of narrow ribbon

Step-by-step instructions
Make two tree shapes:
With trunk colour wool cast on 6 stitches and knit 8 rows.
Using tree colour wool cast on 9 stitches at beginning of 9th row.
Knit across these and trunk stitches and cast on another 9 stitches at end of this row. There is now a total of 24 stitches. Make ends secure.
Knit 5 rows. 6th row knit 2 together at beginning and end of this and every following 5th row until 12 stitches remain.
Knit 3 rows then knit 2 together at each end of next row. 10 stitches.
Knit 3 rows then knit 2 together at each end of next row. 8 stitches.
Knit 2 rows then knit 2 together at each end of next row. 6 stitches.
Knit 1 row then knit 2 together at end of next row. 4 stitches.
Knit 2 together twice, knit 2 together and finish off.

TO MAKE UP: Put the two tree shapes right sides together and sew around trunk and tree leaving a gap. Turn the right way out, fill with wadding, and sew the remaining gap.
Decorate with sequins and attach ribbon loop to top for hanging on the tree.

TIP: A row counter makes it easier to be sure you're shaping your trees on the right rows.
(From the December issue of Good Housekeeping).

Thursday 18 December 2008

Christmas sneak peek-Yvestown

Sneak peeking...that's one of the things I like about blogging. Travelling from home (or work for that matter) to the ends of the world. My favorite bloggers posted some interesting, beautiful and inspiring pictures of their homes at Christmas. And I was there to sneak peek!

Yvonne hasn't posted any pictures yet this year, but these ones from last year show off her fresh and colorful style that has become a trend among fellow bloggers.



Wednesday 17 December 2008

Christmas sneak peek-AnnaMaria Horner

Sneak peeking...that's one of the things I like about blogging. Travelling from home (or work for that matter) to the ends of the world. My favorite bloggers posted some interesting, beautiful and inspiring pictures of their homes at Christmas. And I was there to sneak peek!

For any of you who've missed it, this from Anna-Maria Horner.






Tuesday 16 December 2008

Christmas fairyland

This year's fairyland by Country Living, UK. That cover is very Cath, doggy and all.





And this is last year's wonderland, again by Country Living. I like my being consistent in my tastes and inspiration!

Saturday 13 December 2008

Pink Christmas Deco

I have a dream...I want to decorate an all girly Christmas tree. I want antique glass baubles, pink and fake fur dressed Barbies, glitz, crystal and sparkle.










Last year I began collecting some Lilly Pulitzer decorations in the Sales, and I want to build into it. That's this year's crop. It's probably a thing of reaching the '40' milestone...getting in touch with my feminine side!..


N.B. ' H ' for 'Hidden in France '. Joyeux Noel, Corinne!


(All pictures BHG)

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