SUMMER DAYS

How delightful these summer days; filled with the opportunity to explore the unfamiliar and rest from scheduled days.

  

Reading wonderful written works, or listening to inspiring music. Taking a trip back in history, or letting the salt of the ocean clear your skin. Exploring ways to surprise the palate, and hunting for lovely little finds; these are the summer days...

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Mornings by the window

Bright and serene surroundings

The marvelous ocean

The siren's song

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LOVELY CELEBRATIONS

The time of year for holiday celebrations has swiftly arrived, and while the lists might get a bit long, we mainly wish to be present to others.

Simple and well executed details add a beautiful touch to each occasion and leave plenty of room for chatter, toasting and dessert.

No.1 | No.2 | No.3 | No.4

GIVE & TAKE № 02

A wonderful opportunity to give and take, all at the same time. These give either to people or the environment, allowing for a deeper meaning on each purchase/investment.

~ GIVE: Feed Projects scarf via Target

~ TAKE: Coloured gemstomes via Gemfields

Gemfields is the world's leading producer of ethically-sourced rare coloured gemstones. To find out more, visit their beautiful page and campaign video.

"It is a true luxury to own fine jewelry and gemstones. If you're in a position to do so, it's important to pay attention to where it came from and how it was produced" Mila Kunis Zambia 2013
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FEED is dedicated to creating beautiful products to help feed the world. For more information and updates, visit their twitter page.

LOVELY SUMMER TREATS

As the summer days envelop our lives, it is nice to enjoy lovely frozen treats that are both beautiful and delicious. Here are some of the ones I would like to try:

The lovely recipe sources can be found below:

No.01  Elderflower Sorbet: The original source for this recipe is in Danish; however, you may
            follow a similar one through this other source.

No.02  Honeydew Mint Iced Pops: A simple and fresh recipe with little variations available.

No.03  Gin and Tonic Sorbet: For a more sophisticated summer gathering, this lovely sorbet is the
            perfect alternative to classic cocktails.

LOVELY LITTLE FIND: CASA DEL AGUA

It is not a strange occurrence to find yourself surrounded by water; after all, our bodies are composed of 70% of this very lovely substance. Water plays such a major role in our everyday lives, that we run into it as soon as we begin the day. I was fascinated though, when I ran into the beautiful project of Casa del Agua. Located in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood.

This delightful water dwelling offers sophisticated filtration technology that brings forth artisan water that is pure, fresh and beautiful. Each lovely glass bottle is produced with great care, using the standards of Casa Del Agua, whose goal is to evoke and appeal to all which is well-made, and represents all that which is valued for what it is, and not for what it pretends to be.

lovely images via Casa del Agua

CURRENT INSPIRATION: CARAMEL

I am inspired by the simple and classic wrapping of these delightful little caramels. Something timeless about the sweets themselves; especially the ones immediately below, which are made within a small shop named Parlans, in Stockholm.

images via this lovely packaging board and martha stewart

BEAUTIFUL INTERIORS

I hope you are having a lovely start of the year. A new beginning seems to many of us, as the perfect opportunity for transformation. Whether we decide to go for a brand new look or make changes around the house; every bit of it brings about, the possibility for beauty.

USING DARKER TONES, CONTRASTED WITH LIGHTER DETAILS:
 
I find darker interiors elegant and mysterious; yet, they would be rather dull and somber without touches of light and brightness. A touch of white, gold and lighter wood tones bring the perfect balance and harmony to any room. Also worthy of mention, is the amount of light that pours in through each window during the day, as well as the right lighting fixtures to create the proper effect during night hours.

BRINGING MORE LIGHT INTO OUR OWN LIVES:

The above theory can be applied all the same with our interior life. We can add positive light to who we are and who we become, in order to bring harmony to ourselves and others around us. For a little reflection on this, you can stop by right here.

Have a lovely week!

No.01 bathroom via Steven Gambrel 
No.02 light wood and crystal via Marybloom
No.03 dark tones living space via Pinterest

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Hello lovely friends! I have missed you terribly and I would like to write a few lines letting you know that while I have not posted much lately, inspiration has not stopped flowing (it is just being used in other lovely projects), so please keep in touch! You can follow along on these other little places:

NO.1   TWITTER
NO. 2  INSTAGRAM
NO. 3  PINTEREST

I hope you have a minute to stop by.
xoxo!

LOVELY LITTLE FIND: CARTA INC

Recently I came across the delightful items featured in Carta, Inc. Owner Angela Liguori has curates beautiful ribbon, and vintage postage stamps and glassine envelopes. I fell in love with the Italian tight weave spools and I can't wait to place an order. Interestingly enough, I bought a bag of vintage stamps a while ago through a stationary purveyor, but I never visited the actual source, so I was delighted by this little find.

all images via angela liguori

THE FINE PRINT

Fall inevitably calls for richer textures and I am pleased by the sight of beautiful print flats such as the ones here and here. Animal print is widely seen, both in fashion and interiors; however, it can fall between classic and extravagant and indeed I always strive for the first.

From top to left | Joseph Noble croc leather | CH bedroom print canopy

Joseph Noble carpet | animal print detail via High Street Market

LOVELY LITTLE FIND: KONTOR KONTUR

Not too long ago while organizing a closet, I found a little pouch with random items of a single color, and I was taken back to my adolescent years, when I would collect and group objects with similar hues. For some reason I found this very delightful, and running into the color grouping project by Kontor Kontur reminds me very much of this old practice of mine.

I love all of the color groupings as they each evoke a different mood and inspiration; however, I find myself drawn to the beige and brown hues; which translates very well into my current style/preference.

I found a similar color coding project done for Warby Parker and their summer crystal collection.

lovely images by Kontor Kontur

CURRENT INSPIRATION: NYFW

Somehow, this image transports me to an iconic New York City and the sophistication of Fashion Week. I find the color combination currently inspiring....

lovely image via fivestory new york

REFRESHED

I have missed this little space, but I am glad to be back just in time to wave summer days goodbye and welcome a new season. I am deeply grateful for the last couple of months as I had the opportunity to spend time with wonderful and inspiring people, as well as visiting places that have brought a new sense of self, and a good dose of femininity and creativity.

I hope your summer was just as beautiful!

lovely image via williams sonoma, for a recipe of this wonderful rose champagne granita, visit here.

SOMETHING GILDED

rock: kelly wearstler trinket box /// paper: brown paper notebook set /// scissors: gold dragon shears

FREEDOM TO LOVE

photography by Luis Monteiro for Tatler UK

A lovely pause in the middle of the week to reflect on the gift of freedom and its many forms within our lives.

Throughout time we have fought for the freedom to live in a way that reflects dignity and respect, and there will be times during which this may change or be transformed; yet, there is a form of freedom that remains completely up to us...... the freedom to love. The freewill we have been given to choose, whether or not we love each person and moment of our lives. It is that love after all, that fuels us into the daily fight for what is right and just, so......

cheers to that!

THOUGHTS ON LIVING

After the suggestion of the lovely Colleen Ludovice (Inspired to Share), I became aware of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I have read the introduction and first chapter and I can already think of a series of resolutions to incorporate for myself.

I am very grateful on a daily basis for my life as a whole. Faith plays a tremendous role on this conviction; yet, it is our human frailty that often gets in the way of our loafty goals and good intentions. This is why I love the methodical and concrete approach that Gretchen uses, as we all have choices to make on a daily basis in order to contribute to our overall well-being (happiness) and therefore, that of others.

I have so many beautiful things I would like to do and share with my family, friends and my lovely blog readers. I began blogging with the idea to document and share all that which inspires me, and I have to remember that keeping things balanced will always be important in maintaining the original purpose of all projects.

I will look for more ways to enhance my level of happiness and joy (true joy), and this entails more sleep, better eating habits, and balancing many other aspects of life so that I am able to give more and better. This includes my time spent in prayer and in the presence of God, my family, friends and every person to whom I may be able to contribute to.

I hope that this little space reflects that love and dedication, so that you in turn, may be constantly inspired......

lovely image via weheartit (original source unknown)

GIVE & TAKE № 01

There is absolutely so much more joy in giving (at least a longer lasting one), 

but it is fine to take every once in a while, so here you have it; a little give & take:

stylish scarf [always a classic]: alexander mcqueen via net-a-porter

beautiful scented candle [can be repurposed]: cire trudon vianet-a-porter

COLLECTION № 18: LUMINOUS LACE

01. rose gold lace earrings via netaporter / 02. chanel lace cuff in gold via thesunsetpalette

03. white lace chair via property  / 04. valentino white lace pumps via lyst

05. porcelain lace vase via madebyhand  / 06. a. mcqueen knuckle box clutch via zappos
07. lace bowl by hideminyceramics / 08.  fringe alchemy soap via anthro

CURRENT INSPIRATION: LACE

As summer days make their presence, I could not help referring back to Neda's post (Peony Park) from a few weeks ago on beautiful lace.  I was really inspired by this elegant and airy wardrobe choice and I look forward to finding at least one great piece that would suit me for the season. Have a beautiful day!

lovely lace skirt found via pinterest | lace cuff available via etsy

LOVELY LITTLE FIND: GLEENA CERAMICS

I first came across Gleena Ceramics when looking at a set of beautiful pink summer bowls custom-made for Sunday Suppers and numbered 1-18 for their eighteen guests that evening.

Asya Palatova is behind these beautiful creations and she shares that her inspirations come from childhood summers spent at her grandmother's dacha, a Russian country house. Her designs are simple and organic, with a very classic touch.

I am in love with these beauties and would love to have some made with No.1524 perhaps, what do you think?

all lovely images from gleena