Pretty pinks & a guest post

Hello lovelies, I feel like a dose of pink is in order today and of course, this lovely Audrey quote helped to inspire the mood!

I'm also guest posting over at a {little dash} of Ash, so do pop on over to find out why I can't resist a beautifully styled workspace.

Only one more day until the weekend! Have a wonderful day lovelies!

Image credits from left to right:

One &  Two - I can't find the source, please let me know! | Three | Four | Five | Six

Wednesday Workspace

Hello lovelies, how has your Wednesday been? I've just been booking our mini getaway to Melbourne over Easter, so I am getting quite excited by the prospect of 4 days of shopping, eating and relaxing!


I spied this gorgeous workspace over at Solid Frog and instantly fell in love. In fact, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the home owned and designed by artist, Tove Mauritzson. 


The inspiration board designed using a picture frame and chicken wire is very clever and effective! I'm also loving the beautiful vintage desk against the modern Eames style chair.

Are you loving this workspace as much as I am?






Image credit: Tove Mauritzson via Solid Frog 

5 lovely things I can't live without {a little dash of ash}

Hello lovelies, how was your weekend? I ended up having a super productive 2 days and made great progress with the IKEA rast draws; they're going to look so great! I've also been planning the decor for our living and dining rooms so I will be able to share these with you soon!

But today, I'm excited to introduce you to Ashley, from a {little} dash of ash. Ashley is new to the blogging world but her fabulous sense of style has already made her gorgeous blog a daily read of mine!

***

Hello! I am Ashley from a {little} dash of ash where I blog about my favorite things including photography and inspirations of home decor and fashion!  I have been a follower of Rachel's blog for awhile now and I was so excited when we became blogger friends! :) Little Bits of Lovely is actually one of the many inspirations I had to start my own blog, so I am so excited to be able to post about my 5 lovely things I could not live without!  Thank you, Rachel! 

{one} the women in my life - I have the most amazing, courageous and inspiring women in my life. I absolutely could not live without my mom, my sister, my mama, my aunts, my cousins and all of my girlfriends! *I also could not live without my dad and some of my great guy friends, but the chances of them seeing this post are slim to none - so I'll stick with the ladies ;) 

{two} technology - Yes, it's true - I could not live without technology!  I have my iPhone in hand at all times and my lap top and Mac are used at all hours of the day! Also, since I love photography, I definitely could not live without my camera!

{three} my little & big louie - The little guy is my life during the week when I don't carry a handbag (gasp!) - I stuff everything I need into the little pouch and attach my keys and run!  But... the big louie is my weekend must have (a classic must have)... it fits everything I need to run my errands, go to the gym, or pack for one night away!

{four} to do lists - love, love, love lists!  I am always writing out lists of things I need to do, want to buy, blog ideas, etc!  They make me really happy -- especially when I get to cross things off complete! 

{five} travel - I absolutely could not live without traveling!  From weekend road trips to flying across the country in a minutes notice - I am up for anything!  I always take at least 2 big trips a year and in the summer I head down to our place on the beach in South Carolina!  My dream is to go to Paris and Australia! 

***

Thank you Ashley!

Have a lovely Monday my dears!

Happy Weekend & Lovely Links!

Thank goodness the weekend is here! I have a busy couple of days ahead seeing family and friends, plus I will be tackling my bedside table project. Have you any plans my dears?


I thought I would revive my weekly links post to share some lovely things with you from around the web so do I hope you enjoy these! 

* Even though we are just coming in to Autumn here, I couldn't resist this lovely Spring moodboard

* I love this stylish rock chic outfit

* This house is so charming

* The iPad2 was just released here and these covers are gorgeous. If you're in the market for an iPad a stylish cover is a must!


* Tim Walker shot Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine for US Vogue and the results are stunning - don't you think?

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!






Images: 
1; 2; 3; 

Wednesday Workspace {Undecorate}

Happy hump day my dears! I stopped dead in my tracks when I spied this fabulous workspace over at DesignSponge* which features in the new book, 'Undecorate', written by Christiane Lemieux.


So many things to love about this space; the black wall (yes please!), the gorgeous inspiration board, the striped chair, the lamp; all of which are complemented by pretty pink carnations.


I must get a copy of this book to see all of the other loveliness that awaits!

Hope you are having a lovely week so far friends.






P.S Rue issue #4 is out today, have you taken a look? If not, head on over here.


Image credit: Undecorate by Christiane Lemiuex, photographed by Melanie Acevedo; via DesignSponge*.

Starting to feel a lot like Autumn

It's starting to feel a lot like Autumn in Sydney which means I'm starting to plan my wardrobe for the season ahead. I can't help but be inspired by Emmanuelle Alt's stylish uniform of skinny jeans, boots and blazer; she always looks so incredibly chic and very French. 

So taking my style cues from Emmanuelle, a few wardrobe staples this season will include:


* A pair of fabulous black boots
* Black skinny jeans 
* Navy blazer
* Leopard print scarf


All mixed in with a few basics and a chic pair of Aviator-style sunglasses...

Click to shop:

1. Joseph Emmanuelle Navy Blazer

2. Leopard Print scarf

3. Plait detail top

4. Gucci Aviator style sunglasses

5. Bettina Liano black skinny jeans

6. Shoulder detail top
7. Lanvin knee-high boots

What's on your must have list for Autumn?








Image credits: The Zush, Jak & Jil

5 lovely things I can't live without {Lemon & Lavender}

Hello lovelies, happy Monday! It has been raining non stop in Sydney, so we spent most of the weekend indoors trying to stay dry. Although we did make a trip to IKEA & Bunnings to get supplies for a little DIY project.

I was completely inspired by the project over at Aubrey and Lindsay's blog to turn an ordinary set of pine draws into a fabulous set of side tables so decided to give it a try.

I even managed to source brass handles that look exactly the same; I can't wait to see how they turn out!


But today, I am very excited to introduce to you Ashley from the lovely Lemon and Lavender. For those who don't know Ashley, she is an extremely talented designer who has recently launched her own design studio, Lemon & Lavender Design, specialising in beautiful custom wedding invitations and paper goods. Ashley always shares her gorgeous designs on her blog and never fails to inspire. Thank you Ashley!

***

{one} Family -  I have been blessed with a pretty amazing family and they truly inspire me.  I couldn't imagine life without them :)

{two} Friends - There isn't anything better than sushi and wine with a girlfriend.  They are always there to make you laugh or be a shoulder to lean on when you need it.

{three} Espresso - My little Delonghi is my best friend when I am trying to meet a deadline or stay up late blogging :)  To say I love espresso is an understatement!  

{four} Macarons - I heart macs.  I have tried many times to make them but failed miserably.  Nothing beats macs + coffee :)

{five} My camera - I have to catch all those fleeting moments in life.

Thanks for having me Rachel!  Have a good Monday!   

***

Thank you Ashley!

Hope your week is off to a good start lovelies!

Images via Aubrey & Lindsay's blog; Pinterest

Loving lately {black glamour}

Loving the glamour of black glossy rooms in the latest issue of Lonny. I don't think I'd be game enough to go full black in our home, but these rooms are very pleasing on the eye. 


What about you, have you experimented with black walls in your home?











Images via Lonny Mag

Wednesday Workspace

Hello my dears, happy hump day!


Today's gorgeous workspace comes from the lovely Ez over at Creature Comforts. I'm loving how she has styled her workspace; the inspiration board and pretty roses complete the look to perfection, don't you agree?


Hope your having a wonderful week lovelies!















Image via Flickr

Thoughts & Prayers

I'd like to take a minute to reflect on the terrible tragedy and horror that is unfolding in Japan right now. One can only imagine what these people are experiencing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families who are going through this awful time. 


Please join me in saying a prayer for our friends in Japan.













Image via Patterson Maker

5 lovely things I can't live without {Natalie Merrillyn}

Hello my dears, welcome to a brand new week! Autumn is definitely in the air here in Sydney; the mornings have a chill in the air and the evenings are getting cooler. Before we know it winter will be here so I'm making the most of the weather while it lasts, taking Charlie for long runs and savouring the last few weeks of day light savings.

Today sharing her five lovely things is Natalie Merrillyn who has the most gorgeous blog where she is sharing the process of decorating her first home. The transformation of these dining chairs is amazing! Natalie recently married her sweetheart and her beautiful wedding featured on Style Me Pretty - definitely worth a peek!

***

{one} Friends - The ones that make you laugh so hard you can't breathe, the ones you can talk for hours on end with and never get bored, the ones that know you inside and out. 

{two} Chocolate - Probably my primary indulgence and the one food I will never get tired of! 

{three} The girliest of accessories - Nothing makes me feel more feminine than when I put on pearls or gold or a scarf. Lately, I'm loving bright bags for spring and shoes with just a hint of metallic.

{four} My perfume collection - I don't think that I will ever be one of those girls who has a signature scent, there are too many that I adore! Miss Dior Cherie is my current favorite.

{five} Creating - A recipe, an outfit, a hairstyle, an herb garden, a room. I feel like my head is constantly swirling with ideas of things I want to create! 

Thank you, Rachel, for having me! 

***

Thank you Natalie!

Apartment 3304 {the kitchen}

Hello lovelies, thank you for your well wishes yesterday, I'm feeling so much better today! 
I thought I would share with you a few inspirations for the kitchen (the first room to tackle) in the apartment that I'm helping to decorate.

{Jen Ramos, Made by Girl}

{Nicole Cohen, via Rue}

{Christopher Peacock, via Traditional Home}

{Caitlin Wilson}

The prerequisites are:

* White timber cabinets (hardware colour still tbc)

* Carrera marble counter tops

* Carrera marble splashback

* Chandelier style lighting 

* An island bench (the apartment is open plan with the kitchen extending to the living area), able to accommodate bar stools

* A standalone stove and oven
* Polished floorboards

These are a couple of lighting styles that I have found at Matt Blatt, but I don't think they're quite right, so still on the hunt. Any suggestions are welcome!

Everything is still very much a work in progress, but wanted to share these inspiration so far.

Hope your having a fabulous day,

A little under the weather

Hello my dears, I have been feeling under the weather of late so please excuse my absence and not visiting your blogs. I hope to shake this bug and be back to normal very soon! Until then, I leave you with some pretties to swoon over.

See you soon,














Images via  The Inside Loop & Gadabout

5 lovely things I can't live without {elle oh}

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? Mine was incredibly busy, but in a good way. One of our family friends has trusted me with decorating their brand new apartment, which is terribly exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time! Much of the weekend was spent taking the brief and researching for the project. 

But today, I'm very excited to introduce you to Leigha, who is sharing her 5 Lovely Things. Leigha writes the blog elle oh (how cool is that name?), which is always filled with a whole lot of inspirational goodness. The way she crafts her posts is so lovely, it's almost poetic. If you haven't visited her blog, I insist you take a peek!

***

Hello lovelies.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Leigha from elle oh {my humble little design blog full of self indulgent glamour and inspiration}.  Without further adieu, here are five lovely things I cannot live without.

{One} Lip Gloss - I love the sweet sheen of gloss on my lips.  I have a bucket {a generous bucket} brimming with gloss and balm of every sheen, color, and flavor.  I feel naked without an unassuming layer of shine coating my pucker.

{two} Ambiguity - I love the palpable allure of ambiguity. I thrive on the idea of a boundless future full of unknown potential and gentle mystery.  I am in love with the notion of living on a whim and the idea of traveling, living, working, laughing, and loving around the world with nothing set in stone - except of course my charming husband.

{three} A Beautiful Mess - It’s true.  I need a mess to feel complete.  I compulsively organize my life into tidy little compartments of precision - but having just one mess seems to offer a delicious balance. Mary Randolph Carter once wrote, “A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life.” I agree.

{four} Micron 05 -  I admit, I am a high maintenance scribbler.  When my fingers are wrapped around the delicate tip of my favorite pen, everything just feels right.  Creativity is endless.  I can sketch with freedom. I can string words together with ease; there’s nothing I savor more than creating a composition of alliteration and adjectives.

{five} Coffee - I prefer my coffee strong, embellished with a generous dribble of cream.  I relish coffee so extensively - my love knows no bounds.  I’ll take a latte, espresso, Americano, or any form of my precious beans. 

Rachel, my dear, thank you for sharing your place of loveliness with me.

***

Thank you Leigha!

I Hope your week is off to a brilliant start lovelies!

Punch of colour {Olivia Style}

It's almost the weekend, and to celebrate I thought a splash of colour from the latest issue of Vogue Living was in order. These gorgeous rooms were designed by Sibella Court in the home originally owned by famed interior designer Marion Hall Best. I really loved this feature and just for fun I mixed them up with the ever-lovely Olivia Palermo.

Eye-catching and stylish, don't you think?

Hope you had a brilliant Thursday!

Images: Sibella Court for Vogue Living Mar/Apr 2011, March/April 2011; Patterson Maker, Zimbio