Thursday 30 April 2009

Orange is for The Netherlands


Queen's Day, April 30, is a national holiday for the Dutch. There are several Dutch people in my blogroll, so I want to wish you all the very best.
Dutch people seem to be taking the lead in affordable, clever, everyday design ideas these days. It probably has to do with the color orange. Don't you feel your creative juices flowing when you see it?Read this article on the Dutch big day. Map: BeppeMartha on Etsy.

Update: The world is getting crazy and out of hand. Who would ever think someone would do this? Deepest sympathy to the victims.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Plans of a garden

One of the things I brought back from Munich is seeds and bulbs. it's not that there was nothing interesting to see or buy. But I miss flowers! having spent my taste-shaping teens in the South of England, I am addicted to beautiful gardens, tiny yet manicured, big yet informal. I shall always love England for her gardens, if not for anything else.

Anyway, when I was preparing for our trip I read about a big shop selling alpine seeds, and all sorts of flower related stuff. C agreed on my visiting for seeds only. No bulbs, he stressed. There are two places you can lose sight of me: flower markets and bookshops. lines and lines of seeds in little envelopes, showcasing the beautiful flowers to expect, all sorts of kitchy little things that my kids loved and begged me to buy (no-no-no!), magazines in German-I can't read German but that wouldn't stop me, and I sneaked in one. And a couple of bulbs. I still miss that box of 110 assorted bulbs, though, so anyone traveling to Munich?


This is our back garden. It has been raining this week, and the grass has grown knee high. I am thinking of spending time in the garden before the days become burning hot. April is the month to do most of the planting. I can read that much in German and the depths and heights to allow and expect. My hands are trembling in the thought of giving a certain intimacy to our postage stamp of a back garden!

I have two sets of Cath Kidston loungers that I had bought before the house was finished (clever me; i couldn't have sneaked that stuff in, now, lol!). Two years ago, that was! C wants some more formal furniture, like a bench and armchairs. No arguing. Give me a cold glass of tea, a book I like and a lounger and you have in front of you a satisfied woman.


Some pictures of gardens from Cote Maison and Country Living.



A swing, perhaps? we don't have a porch, but it will be great on the veranda.


The girls would love a dolls house shed.


A place to draw, play board games and eat al fresco, and nooks to read and meditate. That's is what I'm looking for. What are you looking for in your garden?

Monday 27 April 2009

After the raving success of Mamma Mia! last year, the time has come for stylists to rediscover Greece and the potential for lovely styling and incredible light.





Not to mention delicious Greek food such as chocolate, loukoumi and honey (all of said style props can be send to you by contacting yours trully!)

Also, don't forget to check the cushions we make at the shop, in a variety of fabrics, seen here and here. Let's Greek it!

All pictures from the gorgeous Toast catalogue and website.

Sharing


{ SHARING }

If every life learned to share
A happier world we would have
We could share our lives
And share our thoughts
Without any kind of recrimination
We could share our love
With all the strangers
That may come our way
Around the world
Making new friends wherever we go
If sharing was not just a dream
Paradise at our feet
Would unfold
There would be no more poverty
For every crust of bread, we’d share
We can only dream that one day
Many hearts will beat as one
Many minds will think alike
No more terrors will strike discord

And sharing will become the word

David Harris

I found this poem at Mandarine via Hidden in France. With thanks. Brought to me a certain peace. So I thought I'd share it here. Very tired, sleeping whenever I can. Schools start tomorrow after the Easter brake. Looking forward to spending some time with my chickenpox bound lad. Lovely images flooding my mind: Florence, Tuscany, Emilia Romana, Munich, South Tyrol...I hope to show and tell more soon...

Be Happy.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Ines de la Fressange-Her Paris apartment

Happy Turtle



Hello, and welcome to Love Domino Style Tuesday.

I believe Ines de la Fressange to be the epitome of timeless yet contemporary style of our times. She is my favorite person in the fashion world, as you know, since I have posted about her before.

In my Love Domino Style post last Tuesday, I was asking if anyone could publish pictures of Domino's last issue. It apparently featured Ines' home in hot pink colours.
As Sparrows and Sparkles reports, the post includes four of her amazing living spaces (and her insider tips on Paris!).


Well, I managed to get the info on Mme de la Fressange's apartment featured here on Elle Decoration. It is so different from her previous residence, seen here, another proof that she has the power, intelligence and stamina to renew and adapt herself to the times and the circumstances. She has style, class and this je ne sais quoi of life's taste makers.

Picture above from Elle Decoration UK via Apartment Therapy, here.

Monday 13 April 2009

Holy Week-Biblical Stories

What does it take to be an artist? Sensitive spirit, sensitive eyes, faith, patience, labor.I was amazed today by the work of, hold on to your seat, a Chinese man who carves these beautiful pictures inspired by Biblical stories. Isn't it amazing how he manages to show the expressions on the faces with his medium?





Visit Mr. Lee here.

Saturday 11 April 2009

Riverside home: A piece of heaven

Do places like this really exist? Oh, so it's not a film setting, then!


People, whoever you are, have a lovely, blessed time.
The riverside house of a young family on the banks of the Skidaway River. Seen here.

Home to a Bee

Hello dear creative, crafting, beautiful people,
It's Easter tomorrow for most of the Western World. It's Palm Sunday for us Greek Orthodox Christians. I wish you all the joy, renewal and freedom that Christ brings us every Spring.

Today I want to show you another find of mine, the real life home of a blogger (and shop owner, as I found out). Her blog is one of the most useful, generous and user friendly blogs I've ever visited, which leads me to believe that there is a good person behind it. If you've ever been to her shop, you may confirm my suspicion.
That's what her Brooklyn, New York apartment says to me: sunny, bright, light, warm, feminine, practical.





And here is the facade of one of her shops.


The blog is The Purl Bee, the shop is Purl Soho, and you may view the entire hometour at Martha Stewart.

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy Life.

Thursday 9 April 2009

Lobster and Swan love

I am so glad one of my favorite Flickr people was picked today by Blogger for the blog of note. Lobster and swan is a lovely, original, romantic place to enjoy beauty in all that surrounds us. Congratulations, Jeska. I look forward to receiving my banner, too! Here is a taste of her blog photography.





You may find Lobster and Swan the blog here, flickr here and etsy shop (to re-open soon) here.

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Hungarian architecture


kids at the gate
Originally uploaded by xtremepeaks
Architecture. So many kinds of it. I was impressed by those wooden structures in Hungary. The stone work, so similar to that in Greece. But the woodwork is so special to me. Look at the children. They are so relaxed in their environment. Oh to keep our eyes open for beauty!..

Love Domino Style-Last issue

Happy Turtle


Hello,
I hope everyone had a lovely week.
Have you seen any interesting posts about Domino lately?
I have found three Flickr pools to indulge myself in the beauty od fresh, spring fragranced interiors.

Today i'd like to ask you whether you got to leaf through the closing, March 2009 issue of Domino. If you did, why don't you post some pictures on your blog or photostream? Let me know if you do! I'd love to see what they made of the last issue. Apparently they had a feature telling the stories behind the homes of people during different decades of their life. A very American Vogue concept.




Photo credits: With thanks to: curlyjazz, onbradstreet, kimhas6cats, and annieloveschris.
Also read this article from Apartment Therapy.

Have a bright week ahead!

Friday 3 April 2009

Drawer lining

I read today at Anna-Maria's about her lining the drawers of an old chest, accompanied by her sweet photography.


Then later today I found this video showing step by step how to line a drawer.



Now I am inspired!

New look and a free gift

Wow! The Happy Turtle got a makeover! It's everything I wanted it to be.
Thanks to the very talented and inspirational Tara, I can now live in the blog of my dreams. Do stop by Tara's and see her exciting makeovers. Bonus: she is a delight to work with.

To celebrate my makeover, here is my FREE GIFT to you:

Download a FREE copy of the Artella eBook, Peace by Piece: Collage Your Way to Inner Peace and Harmony. This workbook guides you through several collage projects, each one designed to bring you closer to your true self and your powerful ability for manifesting your dreams and desires. Download your copy here!


Thank you for stopping by, commenting, following and otherwise supporting The Happy Turtle. There is lots more in store, original, not found anywhere else, or seen through another lens to see and read.

Enjoy your visit here, and God bless.

Best buys