Happy Birthday Dennis the Menace

My son turned three today.   I've seen some subtle changes in him over the past few days.  A little more sure of himself.  He has also decided that hopping is the only way to move around the house.  Super cute if you ask me.  But hey, I have to think he's cute don't I?

Hope you had a wonderful day my little man.  Love you to the moon and back.

xox

Image -Sharnel Dollar 2009

Marvelous Martha

All images Martha Stewart via Frolic.

I'm loving these images from the latest Martha Stewart Weddings mag via Frolic.

Wouldn't a strawberry themed wedding be the sweetest thing?  My fave would have to be the takeaway table centrepieces.

Preppy Pop

Image via Domino

For those of you that know me, you will understand how excited I was when I saw this FABULOUS lounge room from Mary McDonald's Hollywood guesthouse.  Yes, you heard me correctly, her guesthouse!

I have a slight grosgrain ribbon co-dependency you see.  And if I ever wanted to live in a house made of grosgrain, and seriously the thought has crossed my mind, this is what it would look like.

Her inspiration perhaps?

Image via Specklefarm

Do yourself a favour and pop on over to Domino and indulge in one of the most clever interiors I've seen.

My other fave rooms include:

Front entry - lovin' that portico

I'm a sucker for seersucker - drooling over deep buttoned sofa

Traditional cabinetry with geometric walls - pure genius!

I *heart* letterpress

I just received a proof of my new calling cards from the uber creative Sarah from thingsrbetterwithaparrott.  I'm so thrilled with them, I just had to share.  Four of my favourite things all rolled into one - paper+letterpress+pink+peonies = HEAVEN.

I'll be standing by the postbox waiting for these pretties with baited breath.

Info blanked out so I don't get some nutter calling me at midnight.

Outdoor room

Image courtesy of Velvet and Linen

Ever since I saw this stunning design from the oh so talented Brooke Giannetti, I knew that I wanted a similar look for our back verandah.

A little online research and a few months later, I now have in my possession this table and six of these little cane babies.

Images courtesy of La Maison

Now all I need is for Anna to find me the perfect fabric for the cushions, and a little antique shop hopping to find some bits and bobs to finish the look off.

Face plant

Image Sharnel Dollar

This is sure sign that you've had a great day. My son did his first mud face plant. Only one tear too! You can see my priority - photo first, bath second!
Hope you had a great day too!

Our Christmas

I know it's a little late, but here is a peek into our first Christmas in our new home.  We had the most relaxing two weeks together, too lovely for words really.  Not a contractor in sight (I think that was the best part).  Just lots of swimming, reading, DVD's and quality family time.  

Our Christmas tree with multi-coloured trim inspired by the Martha Stewart Living magazine cover from Dec 2006.

Our vintage ornament wreath hanging proudly on the front door - a collection that I plan to add to each year. All ornaments where purchased from USA eBay.

Gifts we gave to family and friends.  Cookie Jars complete with mix, recipe card and cookie cutter.

Each Christmas I like to wrap our gifts in a different colour theme.  I managed to use existing supplies this year and found a use for some lonely scrapbooking bit and pieces that have been sitting around for far too many years.  I love the mercury glass hearts and the quilted paper the most.

All images Sharnel Dollar

Jumping in the deep end

I've been procrastinating about starting a personal blog for too long now. So here I am. I've done it. Finally.

My Life - My Loves is a journal about my everyday life, my passions and my family. Down the track, I plan to print my ramblings into book form, via Blurb. I could never quite get my head around scrapbooking, so blogging will be my way of scrapbooking. A more chic way too, I feel.

My latest obsession is artist Kaffe Fassett. I can't get enough of his paintings. His use of colour is what I love most. Here are a few of my favourites.

All images courtesy Kaffe Fassett

Fingers crossed that one day I will own a piece of his art. With the dollar the way it is at the moment, it's not looking too promising. Anyway, I can dream can't I?