Inspiration 5, 2013 - Pastel Inspiration, Food, Interiors and Crafts

I'm still in love with pastels after my Easter Inspiration post and consequently this week found myself drawn to all things pastel, food, interiors and crafts. On the yummy side of things this weeks discoveries, include, Banana Gelato  icecream, pastel swirl cake and a simple Rice Krispie recipe,  I've also found some pretty pastel interiors. Plenty to peruse, so take your time to browse through. You will find "quick links" to instructions and recipes, at the end of this post.

And now for some pretty pastel interiors...

Interior image sources:   

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Quick Links:

• Banana Gelato Ice cream from Dine & Dish...recipe instructions
• Pastel Swirl Cake by Sweetapolita - How to ice, plus Rosie's chocolate cake recipe... here
• Rice Krispies and mini marshmallows at Pocket Full of Dreams...Recipe here
• Ribbon spool - secret treasure box from clever craft blogger Mel Stampz... Step by step instructions
• Pastel Bread boards an idea from Norwegian blogger Maya, read about it over at her blog
• Tori Jayne upcycled these gorgeous drink bottles, see her colours and how to over at her blog

We hope you had a lovely weekend, we had the prettiest blue sky today, not a cloud to be seen. I spent the morning walking round the bays but not actually entering the "Round the Bays" run. I returned home and had a big clean out of my studio and a bit of a re-shuffle. Poppy is paddling around waiting for her dinner so I better get this post published quickly before she starts to get annoyed with me ☺

If you love pastels and missed last weeks Easter inspiration post, you can catch up...here



I will be sharing this post this week with:

  NIB

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Show and Tell Friday on My Romantic Home

Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy Little Lady
What to do Weekends at Crafts A La Mode

At the Picket Fence

Inspiration Week 1, 2013 - Interior Ideas/DIY, Recipes & More

Christmas and New Year is finally over and it's back to the drawing board, so to speak. Currently I'm spending time working between the blog and preparing my mothers house for sale. I can't start my art again until I have sold my mothers house, there is just too much going on, although I have lots of beautiful Peony Images, and itching to get started. I haven't featured my regular weekly inspiration post since Christmas, so I have spent time the past few days looking for fabulous ideas to share with you and really pleased with the ones I've found. 

Once you have finished reading, you will find the links for the featured recipes and DIY instructions at the end of the post.

Ideas with wallpaper from Farrow and Ball, see   see instructions plus more ideas 

Fabulous stencilled curtains by Rhoda from Southern Hospitality. Simple step by step tutorial ...  read more.

An ingenious idea for creating some light reflecting beauty by using mirror tiles...see this amazing bedroom makeover at Bella Tucker ..... read more

Cranberry & Pistachio Nougat from Cooking Melangery my latest food blog discovery with the most delightful recipes and images... see recipe & read more

and for those of us sweltering in the Southern hemisphere and currently experiencing excessive heat ...

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice cream from Simply Reem...recipe here

A few simple styling ideas for Spring/Summer entertaining ...

I don't know about you, but my mouth is watering right now, It'  just so hot here in Auckland and I'm definitely in need of an ice cream. Maybe I will cheat a little and head down to our Movenpick store by the beach. However, I most definitely will be making some strawberry cheesecake ice cream to try out on my boys over the weekend, (My big boys who have left home, often drop in when they are hungry).

We hope you've enjoyed this weeks inspiration.

Quick links:

1.  Farrow & Ball wallpaper inspiration

2. Stencilled curtains

3. Ceiling mirror tiles and room makeover

4. Cranberry & Pistachio Nougat
5.Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream 
6. Image source
7. Image source
8. Image source

Sharing this post with:

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage

Show and tell Friday at My Romantic Home

At The Picket Fence

A snowflake for Sandy Hook Elementary

image via

This is a great way for families and their children to give something and show support to Sandy Hook Elementary:

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook:
Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! No two snowflakes are alike. Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.

Some great links to snowflake patters, how-to's, and fun info: 

All Season Snowflakes

Martha Stewart

Angel Street Mom 

Deviant Art  

Tree Hugger

 

Get Ready for the Holidays with 6 Easy DIY Gift Ideas!

As the holiday season really get on a roll, it's time to start thinking hard about what you'll be giving (time flies when you're thinking about what you might be receiving!). If you're on a tight budget this year, at a lost for gift ideas, or just like to give a little personal touch, we have just the projects for you! Get ready to get crafty (click photos for detailed instructions)!



This one,

Trashy Class in Neon & Brights

YOGA BRA &SHIRT Forever 21 (here and similar here) | SKIRT JCrew (similar here | SANDALS Free People (here) | SEED NECKLACE traditional Guaraní |
LEATHER ARM CUFF street fair in Argentina |
MOUSTACHE NECKLACE made by moi!


First, let me say that when I saw that these basic shoes had dropped to a mere $19.95 (plus shipping and handling), I knew I had to have them. And they've since become

Inspiration Week 11 - Interiors, Recipes & DIY/Crafts

This week's been ultra busy, in between long walks with Poppy, rushing around pricing blinds versus curtains and getting the best prices on paint, I've been working hard on mums house and have now painted walls, ceilings, doors and windows in  three bedrooms and the living room, and currently working on the dining room and kitchen. I hope to be share the makeover with you in December. 

Getting back on track, this weeks inspiration, I've lots to share including a competition, some fabulous recipes and beautiful interiors. 

First this wonderful competition especially for those of you that are looking forward to creating fabulous holiday decor. I discovered designer Scot Meacham Wood, Scot is a creative and talented interior designer whose style I love. Scot's running a competition on his blog, "The Adventures of Tartanscot", to select the best of three following categories for the fast coming up holiday/Christmas period. 

1. Dining Table

2. Christmas Tree

3. Front Door/Exterior.

What a fabulous chance to showcase your skills and create something beautiful for this competition. The competition runs over the next three to four weeks whereby you need to get your photo/photos emailed to Scot for entry. Scot plans to showcase the entries on his blog and once they have enough, the judges will select their favourite from each category...so don't dilly dally, head on over after this post to find out full details. I have added a direct link to his post below.  I might even enter myself, last year I created a silver and lavender coloured table-scape, this year, who knows ??

Where better to get that creative mind ticking than, "Style Me Pretty", ok so they are weddingscape's (is there such a word?),  a great place for inspiration nevertheless. Remember not to copy anything you see on the Internet, use images to give you ideas and get your creative juices flowing then turn those ideas into your own style.

Visit "The Adventures of Tartanscot" to check the criteria for this competition which is open to Interior Designers and Design enthusiasts. Then pop over to Scot's Interior website to see some of the fabulous residences he's created such as this stylish interior in East Hampton. Gosh! I want some black and white photos of my boys.  Isn't this room fabulous!

view this residence and more at Scots website, "here"

I shared a gorgeous Swedish apartment earlier this week (below), if you missed this post you can view the images "here"

Create these lovely sheet music coasters, instructions over at "An Oregon Cottage". You could even use  them in your Christmas tablescape.

Create some some instant wall art... discovered at Beach Vintage, please visit  for instructions. Beach Vintage stock fabulous fabrics and also have lots of other creative ideas with fabric. I'm thinking of using this idea myself.

Now to ignite your taste buds, a couple of yummy recipes...

Spelt Apple pie (or just good apple pie). This recipe is from a Polish blog so remember to press "translate" at the top of the page. This recipe uses "spelt" and potato flour instead of ordinary flour, although you can use wheat flour. See "here" for recipe. I like the idea of these "bite" size portions.

I am definitely making this for my lunch this week...Red Lentil Coconut Soup, recipe found at "Scaling Back" 

                                                                                         

We hope you enjoyed this week's inspiration. If you missed last weeks you can catch up "here".

Sharing this week with:

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage

Show and tell Friday at My Romantic Home

At The Picket Fence

Inspiration From The Blogasphere Wk 10 - Interiors, Upcycling, Recipes

This week has been a long week of back and forth to mums, still sorting out but also sanding and painting. The house is really starting to look refreshed, I'm replacing old floral wallpapers with a fresh, clean neutral paint, Resene Ricecake, and painting mouldings, skirting and ceilings in alabaster. I used these colours for my own home too. These neutral whites with a touch of warmth help create a sense of  light and space and are perfect background for hanging artworks.  I'm still struggling parting with a lot of mums possessions but this week made a break through sending 5 more huge bags of clothing to the Mercy Hospice shop as Mercy were so wonderful to both of us the past few years, without their help I don't know what I would have done. I also have two bags for the SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Mum loved animals and I know she will have felt good about contributing to this worthy cause too.

Consequently this week to prepare this post I've had to rush around the web gathering  inspiration to share, a little rushed but found some great ideas, I hope you'll enjoy today's picks....

Free printables from Graphic Designer and fellow blogger Kristi at, "I Should Be Mopping the Floor". Hop over to Kristi's blog to download a sheet of various size labels in your choice of colour. Click "here" for her link to download. Print them out on self adhesive label sheets for your kitchen storage jars or on a slightly thicker paper as gift tags. Thanks Kristi for sharing such pretty designs...

How about a little "upcycling" with vintage china. Ideas from stylist Paul Lowe at country Living, step by step directions to the Lamp can be found at the link below.  PS...If an annoying advert pops up when you land on this page just hit the "x" on the ad, I found it a little intrusive, however, certainly worth hanging around to read the full instructions if you can dodge this ad which was a bit of a cat and mouse game for me :)....

 

 find out how to turn this box of old china into a unique lamp, step by step directions at Country Living

More ideas with old china, aren't these sweet, also Paul Lowe at Country Living...

I just LOVE blue and white,  if you'd like some more blue and white inspiration, check out my Pinterest  Blue & White Board, lots of fabulous images to be found. You can also see some of my own home blue and white collection in a previous post "here".

Oh...and a great idea of transferring plate designs onto fabric....

Iron on technique found "here"

And now for a little sweetness...

I love coffee and cake and my favourite Saturday morning indulgence is said coffee and cake usually at La Cigale market but this week I decided to DIY (saving pennies), and I've found a couple of special recipes to share. First an Apple Walnut Delight cake, and secondly Meyer Lemon Coffee Cake with Apple Streusel,  both from Liren at Kitchen Confidante. You'll find the recipe links below the images. The first one is "easy peasy", the second one takes a little more time but well worth it...

Apple Walnut Delight Cake

Meyer Lemon Coffee Cake with Apple Streusel, 

Ending this week with a sneak peek at this gorgeous apartment in Sweden, all the remaining beautiful images can be seen at Inspiring Interiors 

This week I was excited to introduce my first guest blogger, Sierra, who from time to time will be posting  fresh ideas on interiors and fashion. I would love for you to support her first post  here Nursery  Inspiration by leaving a comment. Sierra is a writer and blogger who I know will bring some fresh young inspiration to Lee Caroline - A World of Inspiration.

We hope you had a fabulous week, we are well into Spring now in New Zealand, the Peonies are in bloom and I hope to take some great shots over the next few weeks for future paintings.

Oh....and Poppy wanted to say hi today so will leave you with a parting farewell photo from her, she is one year old now but I still think the cutest little thing ever!

Sharing this week with:

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage

Show and tell Friday at My Romantic Home

At The Picket Fence

Inspiration From The Blogasphere Week 9 - Interiors, DIY, Recipes & More

Sorry I didn't get around to posting any Inspiration last week, I've been hectically trying to re-decorate my mums house. It's been extremely difficult as I first had to pack up all mums belongings and now there are dozens of boxes scattered around her house (just not ready to part with them all yet), and were having to work around them which isn't easy.  One bedroom is finished now, it's amazing how a small dark room is now full of light and sunshine. Dark heavy curtains removed, sheer nets removed, flowered wallpaper painted over with two undercoats of white and two top coats of Resene Ricecake has made it a perfect blank canvas for a bit of styling when it comes to putting the house on the market.  I do hope to take some photos to share but still waiting for that elusive DSLR camera, ever hopeful that this Christmas I might be unwrapping one.  I'll stop ranting on now and share this weeks discoveries with you.....

This beautiful interior started out an empty space with heavy dark curtains, however, with the talent of Tobi Fairley who is known as one of the top 20 young designers in the USA, this room has been completely transformed into the stunning interior below.  I love the sunburst mirror, what a fabulous focal point. I also love the way Tobi has created a layering effect by using different patterns. This living area would feel like summer all year round, don't you think!

You can visit the makeover on Tobi's blog and visit Tobi's interior design website "here". Definitely you won't want to miss Tobi's  website  her portfolio is amazing, truly Tobi deserves accolade.

Another beautiful Spring day today, (ha, ha, those of you heading for winter..."no I didn't really mean that).. I'm full of the joys of Spring and sharing more fresh interiors...

  

Now for a little DIY...

DIY gilded frames from Jenny Steffen Hobick....full instructions can be found "here"

Create this lovely sweet dish...The Creativity Exchange give easy step by step instructions how to cover a tin bucket using Mod Podge.  A great idea to fill a big bucket for Halloween. I particularly love the fabric used on the bucket below, obviously you can choose any fabric that fits in with your decor.

 How about decorating some Spring cupcakes....

These cupcakes were designed by Peggy Porschen

Love this simple idea, bake your cakes in miniature terracotta pots, add a straw and a chrysanthemum and voila! Little white pots would look gorgeous, or add a white ribbon around your terracotta pot.

and for those of you who are now in Fall, I couldn't resist these cute little guys...

If you feel like making some cupcakes you can find a recipe for vanilla cupcakes at Cake Spy.

Ending with a couple of lovely recipes, a Spring and a Fall from Liren at Kitchen Confidante, one of my favourite food bloggers.

Raspberry Salad Dressing, recipe "here"

and...

 Savoury Fig and Grape Tart, beautifully photographed step by step instructions can be found "here"

Images sources:

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Image 3

Image 4 

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Image 8
Image 9 

If you missed Inspiration Wk 8 you can catch up "here"

We hope you've enjoyed this weeks inspiration

Sharing this week with :

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Ivy and Elephants

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage

Show and tell Friday at My Romantic Home

At The Picket Fence