I heart : Twin beds

When Anna from ABT and I started planning our home 18 months ago, one of the first things she suggested was placing two beds in my daugther's room. She said it looks beautiful and she was spot on. I am so glad I took her advice.

I don't have a photo of Olivia's room to share with you today, but I will soon I promise. Instead, here are eight rooms I think are just perfect. The twin beds just balance the room perfectly.

Whilst it's not a cheap exercise having to purchase two of everything, it certainly does give impact to a room.

So if you have the space and budget I think twin beds are the way to go. Great for sleep overs or the ever fun game of musical beds at 2am.

Can imagine this one at the Lake House

Boys heaven

I could move right in and stay for a month

Brooke's magical touch. I love her work.

Guest room perfection, I adore the bedheads

Image 1 unknown Image 2 Unknown Image 3 Unknown Image 4 Kristen Buckingham Image 5 Better Homes & Gardens via This is Glamorous via Apartment Therapy Image 6 Giannetti Interiors Image 7 Unknown Image 8 Unknown Image 9 James Michael Howard

Note: Please, if you know where any of the above images originated, please let me know so i can credit them. Many thanks.

Kitchen bench seat built-ins

I have a thing for bench seating in kitchens at the moment. It makes me feel all homely and safe. Makes me want to sit and chat with family and friends all day. If you have some more "bench seat love", can you send the link my way?

Image 1 via The Estate of Things Image 2 SR Gambrel Image 3 via Domino Image 4 Elle Decor via Brown Button Image 5 via gpschafer Image 6 Markham Roberts Interior Design

Warm welcome

I love this image by stylist Lucyina Moodie. It has such a relaxed elegance feel to it.

Gorgeous

I've purchased quite a few of Jen's prints in the past, so to say I'm a fan is a given. But if I wasn't, I would be now. Take a look at these gorgeous chevron note cards that will be available soon from madebygirl.

Just in case you were wondering, I have this print hung above our WC in our ensuite.

Olivia has this in lavender hanging in her room. It's just gorgeous.

And this little cutie is in our scullery.

More paper cut love

Following on from my post about the gorgeous Paris Map paper cut, here is another beautify from Famille Summerbelle. This paper cut was created for a french fashion magazine to illustrate an article about who owns all the big fashion houses. Tres chic I say!

Images via Famille Summebelle

Coming home

Yesterday we held Terry's funeral at the Sunshine Coast. It was exactly what Terry wanted. He was such a fine gentleman and we will dearly miss him. But he is now with his dear Bing (his wife). They still held each other's hand. He still opened up every door for her (and me!) and pulled out our chair when we sat down. He was a true gentleman. We drove away knowing that he was at peace. It was perfect.

While we are away, Anna Spiro was busy adding her trademark beautiful finishing touches to our home for a photo shoot (more to come on this later). When I walked through the front door this is what I was greeted with. It was like the flower fairy had visited!

Coming home to this was the perfect end to a difficult day. Thank you Anna. I know they are only flowers, but they helped cheer us up a little.

Wonder filled weekend

I'll leave you with some sweet cupcake images this weekend.  I made these during a midnight creative fest during the week.  Sometimes you just get the urge to make something purty!

Whatever you are doing this weekend, ENJOY IT!

Images are mine

It's a Beautiful Life

Life can feel like a roundabout at times, but it's up to us to make that roundabout ride, fun, meaningful, beautiful and full of love.

And when that ride ends, you can look back and think ... now that was the best ride EVER!

I know that my husband's grandfather will be doing this today.  He certainly can look back at his life and feel a sense of pride.  His chest will be full of love and wonderful memories.

We love you Terry and will miss you dearly.  

Image via vi.sualize.us

Party planning

While we are on the topic of Olivia, I'm right in the thick of organising her 5th Birthday Party.  I cannot even start to explain how much I love throwing kids parties.  I live for it.  

So here is the inspiration board for her party.  The theme is based around a colour palette of pinks, raspberry red and white.  Spots also play a strong feature.

Decorations - tissue paper pom poms from Martha Stewart (FYI she's my sister from another mother).

Invitations - pink spotted gift cards from Specklefarm with white grosgrain bow on front.

Table cloths - electic mix of spotted fabrics from eBay.  I'm in the throws of sewing these as I type.

Cake Topper - custom topper being handcrafted by lollipop workshop.

Party Favours - i'm making little fabric bags and filling them with a pink spotted notebook, pencils and eraser all from Specklefarm.

Entertainment - Princess Shahara.  She's teaching the girls arabian princess dancing, should be cute to watch!
Candy Buffet - i'm hoping to create something remotely similar to the images below.  Amy Atlas is amazing!

Image 2 via Amy Atlas

Going once, going twice

Yay for me!  Well, yay for Olivia's room!

Drum roll please ..................

Thank you to everyone that entered my first little giveaway here on My Life, My Loves.  Elissa please send me an email with your address and I'll post off your little bundle asap.

This giveaway was such fun I'm planning on having many more in the near future.

Paris in Pink

I've been a fan of husband and wife team Simon and Julie of Famille Summerbelle for a while now and their newest addition doesn't disappoint.

I can see this stunning Paris Paper Cut Map Print in Olivia's room. 

Here is close up - it shows all of the arrondissements and attractions of Paris, as well as some of the quirky side of Parisian life.

If I did frame it for her room I would hope it would inspire her to dream of far off places and encourage her to explore the world as a young woman.

They also produce a funky aqua London map too!  It's as equally gorgeous.

All images via Famille Summerbelle

The great outdoors

Giveaway

To celebrate all things sweet and scrumptious, I've decided to giveaway the new cookbook by Allyson Gofton entitled Bake.  I've teamed it with a cute little Jessie Steele oven mit in brown and pink polka!  If you would like a chance at winning these tasty treats, drop me a comment on this post.  Winner will be randomly drawn Monday 15th June 2009.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Jessie Steele and her gorgeous aprons, pop over to the The Cupcake Courier online store for plenty of baking related goodies to keep you in the kitchen all weekend!

I'll post internationally too!

Picnic goodies

Too much Greengate simply does my head in, but Kimberlee from Brown Button Trading has hit the nail on the head with a gorgeous range of disposable cups and napkins just perfect for a pretty picnic.

Morning walk

One of the things I love about where we live is that we feel isolated, but we really aren't. We live on 2.5 acres with bushland all around.

Just 15 mins down the road you hit Manly. It's a lovely suburb by the water and one of our favourite places to go walking with the kids. Last weekend I bumped into Judy from Lily-G with her family taking an evening stroll. It really is a lovely little getaway, even if it is for just an hour.

This morning Gogo (Grandma) and I took the children for a bike ride and breakfast by the water. Here are some happy snaps from our morning out and about.