Turning Over A New Leaf

We've decided we have to read more at home this year. We all love books but after a long day at school followed by a substantial amount of homework in Savannah's case, it's often so easy to succumb to the TV, tablet, phone, etc, especially in Winter. I hate that. I'm quite old-fashioned sometimes. I always had my head in a book when I was younger, before I came online even, before blogging, tumbling, pinning...

So, today's Wednesday and my two youngest finish school at 12. We have a couple of new books to enjoy  and we will be spending a good part of the afternoon on the balcony ( in the sun !) reading. Then it'll be time for dance class.

What are you or your kids reading right now? I'd love to know.

Images: Nieves 9-Piece Wooden Puzzle. Silkscreened Birch - limited-edition of 100

Simply Projekt-I

 

 

 I have very simple tastes,

no fuss, no frills, no excess.

As the years go by, I'm happy to live with less,

It's liberating, 

free space, 

a free mind.

ahh - peace at last!

I love living with a minimal palette of whites, greys, blacks and wood - lots of it, and the older and more distressed the better.

 

  

Textiles are important for me too.

Nothing beats a vintage French linen sheet thrown over a sofa, apart from a hand-made, hand-dyed, hand-plaited bedhead perhaps?

I'm pretty certain that I would feel at home in this amazing space renovated by the talented Polish design team over at Projekt-I. I'm convinced we'd get on well, full stop, in fact. Do you remember my first  post on Taftyli a couple of years ago? I fell in love with the original textile creations of these two sisters when they were just setting up their etsy business. I adore their sense of colour and experiments with texture.

There's SO much more to Sylwia and Dorota though! I'd love to be able to share pictures of all their interior design projects but, hopefully after seeing these few images from a recent renovation you'll go off and explore their projekt-i blog or Facebook page on your own. The two Polish sisters run projekt-i with Sywia's husband Andrzej. They have a Polish shop called FreeDOM, as well as making and selling their fabulous wares on etsy.

What did I say back in 2013, one to watch? Make that three...

Inspiration: A-New

 

Can we just start a-new?

I need to, 

 I'm sure

 You do too.

After a week of silence, disbelief, anger and reflection

Bonjour !

Thank you for the inspiration:

Fine Little Day (I can't wait for this new collection!)

Beautifully simple WOO Toys from Vrtíška Žák

Nodi - I love Alessandra Taccia's new dolls in the making

Take a peek inside Pipsawa's delightfully illustrated popup housebook

Hard to resist this fine china bunny collar / necklace by Lucile Michieli

Have a great day - it's here and now, remember!

Toy Crush: Sarmiento

Sarmiento, music to my ears, or should I say, a treat for my eyes.

Anybody whose been following Kickcan & Conkers for a while will know how much I appreciate wooden toys. Whether vintage or modern, picked up at a flea market, crudely crafted by my own children or the work of a leading designer, wooden playthings are always, always a favourite.

I am also an advocate of recycling, or as I often say the 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Sarmiento is a new brand of natural, recycled wooden toys made from the Argentinian company NET Muebles' surplus offcuts. Simple, safe and completely natural - I love the aesthetic of these toys.

Sarmiento are on Facebook, so if you are interested in buying or stocking their car set (18 EUR), house set (18 EUR) and / or bag of 20 wooden building blocks ( 35 EUR - all excl. tax and shipping), please leave them a message.

Another inspiring name to watch in 2015 me thinks - Love!

Unmasked!

Yes, I'll admit it, I have a thing about masks.

Hardly surprising I guess, as I originally studied at university in London to work in the theatre. Years later, I'm still fascinated by stage make-up, masks, costumes - any form of theatrical disguise.

Marseille-based NinnApouladaki's animal designs are delightful, eye-catching and eco-friendly - perfect for little and big ones alike. Made from recycled paper and organic cotton, their debut menagerie (owl, cat, fox, deer, rabbit...) looks very promising, and I for one will be following their etsy store, facebook page, instagram and pinterest feed this year.

Looking for something for Carnival time or a simple gift for a child? NinnApouadaki's animal masks would also add an interesting decorative touch to a little one's room. 

I love the spotted mouse, et vous ?

I

Inspiration: A Little Simplicity

 

 

 

 

A little simplicity

Goes a long, long way.

I think so,

Anyway.

Bonjour !

I'm not going to bore you with my new year's resolutions as I'm sure we're pretty much on the same wavelength, but I am determined to live a simpler, healthier life in 2015, particularly enjoying and appreciating small everyday pleasures.

The Christmas tree and decorations will be coming down this weekend, and I have to admit I'm looking forward to seeing bare walls and empty spaces again.

Time to pare down.

I love that!

A Little Simplicity - Thanks for the inspiration:

 (Top to bottom)

1) - Homemade finger puppets by Ukkonooa

2) - Forest educational platform by Audrone Drungilaite

3) - Vintage barber shop building - Bellalulu, etsy

4) - Man and Woman art object - CourtneyKnightDraws, etsy

5) - CARton cardboard and wood cars by Floris Hovers

6) - Little woodland animal - Nicetinymint, etsy

7) - Handpainted deer pillow - MosMea, etsy

8)  - Where We Live art object - CourtneyKnightDraws, etsy

9) - Vintage New York Central toy train - Bellalulu, etsy

10 - Simple white décor with the added sparkle of fairylights

 

It's Here and Now, Remember!

Happy New Year to my all readers, customers, followers, fans and friends,

 near and far!

Thank you for your loyalty and support over the years, you are my inspiration!

I wish you all a wonderful, magical new year, full of laughter, surprises and challenges.

Stay healthy, happy and positive - it's here and now, remember!

January 1st 2015

A new page in a new, blank book.

Oh Happy Day!