Monday Moodboard - Look!

Look,

Life is far more interesting when it's slightly askew

When you open your eyes, 

Tilt your head slightly,

And savour  the beauty of imperfection.

I'm in the mood for

blues, browns and greys today.

It's cold and wet outside you see.

All images taken from my tumblr

Plumes & Feathers

(top left to bottom right)

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Noji Mayu and the Art of Display

Well Hello There Monday!

Yes, that's right, despite the rain and dull, grey skies, I'm in a great mood today!

The school holidays are over, we're all rested and refreshed, and I have lots and lots of work to do.

As busy as a bee, that's me!

I'd like to start this final week in April (already? How an earth did that happen??) with a new favourite instagram feed of mine. You may have noticed that I've become something of an IG addict lately.  I took six months off at the end of last year so I guess I'm making up for lost time...

Noji Mayu is a beautifully curated Japanese shop. I have been following their Instagram gallery for a while and really love their linen clothes,wooden objects, minimalist artwork and styling. It's simple, raw, natural and calming - exactly the kind of look we are trying to achieve in our home. 

Noji Mayu runs a small e-store but it appears to sell out very quickly. It's a shame because Tanaka Rabotamo's silk-screened black and white calendar would have looked perfect in my work space! 

If only Japan wasn't so faraway...

But thank goodness for Instagram, hey?

Holiday Rental Inspiration - Rue de la Clastre, Provence

I think I may have found one of my dream holiday homes ( yes, I know, I have several on my wishlist, and this one is very hard to beat!), and it's right here on our doorstep in Provence!

I discovered the Rue de la Clastre Residence via the excellent child-friendly holiday rental site

Kid & Coe

which offers a truly fabulous selection of family properties all over the world

This particular home sleeps 9+1, and is situated in a charming Medieval village one hour from Marseille and 15 mins from Avignon. It's actually two houses in one, joined together by a central lounge, so it's perfect for two famillies travelling together ( I am looking for something special for my 50th birthday treat next year, so this would be ideal for sharing with my sister...)

I know I live in the South of France and I am lucky to own a very big house and garden  but I love the mix of old and new in this simple, eclectic home and can already see myself relaxing by that pool!

What do you think? Is this the kind of property you dream of staying in on holiday? If it isn't, Kid & Coe have an extensive list of beautiful homes and apartments ( I actually fancy staying in those yurts!), and all have been hand-picked for their child-friendliness.

Well worth a visit if your stuck for ideas this Summer or are making family travel plans in the near future.

 Dream On...

 

Shop Watch: Coil4

Bonjour !

Rusty nails, well-worn linen and distressed wood with a long, long story to tell...

If you've been following me here or on pinterest for a while, you will know how much I love simple, soulful finds. Our own home is full of them, collected over the almost thirty years I have lived in France. I have always loved vintage items, and I enjoy giving them a new life or juxtaposing them with something modern or unexpected to bring out and enhance their  simplicity. We try to go the local flea markets regularly and although we've already accumulated so many things, I usually bring something new home every time...no self-control in the vintage department you see!

I often dream of having my own little bricks-and-mortar shop to share my love of vintage and handmade objects. I wouldn't need a big space, small and intimate would be fine.  I would invite guest exhibitors - artists, artisans, makers of magic - to share my humble commercial abode. Creativity would reign, coffee would be served and cakes eaten too!

If I close my eyes, I can see it all quite clearly...

I think my ideal shop would look like 

Coil4

I am so happy that I have found this Japanese store!

all images taken from coil4's blog  - un régal !

High Five #89

 

  

 

  

 

  

Bonjour !

 

I know, I know, I'm supposed to be taking some time off to enjoy the Easter vacation with my family, and I am, but... I have so many beautiful things to share with you right now, so I'm popping in quickly to wish you well and point you in the direction of five very inspiring people /links...

Elena Dawson

 Lidia Boševski

Tintabernacle

The Denizen co

Noah & Daniel's Bunny Hop photographs

Have fun browsing, exploring and perhaps shopping...

I can't wait for The Croatian Design Superstore to open, can you? 

Inspiration: Let There Be Light

 

 

 

La Bambouserie

a pleasure for the senses

an invitation to enjoy the simple spectacle of shadow and light.

Stand still, listen to the bamboo swaying in the breeze, can you hear the trickle of water in the stream nearby? Open your eyes wide, look up high, admire the ancient, majestic trees. Walk through the dark, dense forests, then step into a pool of golden light. Cheeky rays of sunshine darting, playing, illuminating, for a few seconds at least.

We love this place and never tire of spending an afternoon in Anduze.

I hope you get the chance to go there one day - this Summer perhaps, if you find yourself down south?

Mercredi Moodboard - Hello You!

 Hello Wednesday,

Oh Hello You!

We are enjoying a two-week Easter school break here in the South of France and loving every minute of it!

I made a decision to spend more time with my kids this year as my eldest is now in higher education and very rarely here. What, almost 19? How did that happen? 
It's a cliché, I know, but they grow up so quickly - you'll see.

We've been busy at home and in our beautiful garden (are you following me on instagram yet?). I have lots to share with you over the next couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to getting back into blogging more.

Do you still read blogs, I wonder? I do, a few anyway.

The online world is changing all the time and if you've been following me on Kickcan and Conkers for a while, I'm sure you can sense a change in style and approach. I like that. I'm not the same person I was when I started my blog almost 6 years ago and I have always tried to really be "myself" in this online space. Change is good, right?

Bref, I'm working on some new projects, more in line with the person I am now.

I hope to be able to share more with you this Summer.

 All images taken from my tumblr

Plumes and Feathers

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à bientôt ! 

No Hanging Around

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

Oh my,

No time these days...

Can you believe it's almost Easter?

 

Faithful followers please forgive me,

I am seldom here, 'tis true.

But life, real life, is busy.

And I am enjoying working on new projects

for me and you.

Offline is the new luxury - I like that...

I have been spending more time on instagram lately and have to say that I really love sharing snippets of my life in the South of France. 

I do hope you'll join me as I'm much more prolific over there!

Have a wonderful Bank Holiday, and go easy on the chocolate!

Thank you for the inspiration:

1) " Encre" - handmade paper lampshade by Myriam Balay

2) Miss Jade by Hilde Mork - the next print I'm going to buy!

3) Caught By The Tide series - Debbie Lyddon

4) Gold Bow Earrings by Amy Tavern Jewelry, etsy

5) Patches by Enhabiten, etsy

6) Sylvaine Louradour / Galerie Objet D'Hier via Christophe Lebourg

7) Marking Time Series by Debbie Lyddon

8) Paper bowls by Cocci di Carta, etsy

9) Studio by Claire Wellesley Smith

10)  French By Design