Season's greetings

I didn't mean to disappear, it's just been so busy that I haven't had time to stop by and say hi...
I guess that is Xmas time for you, isn't it? I hope that all is well in your world and that things are not too crazy...(is it possible?) With only four days to go things seem to have settled down a bit here...phew! It's such a relief when you can actually stop and take a breath! I'm going to be away for a little while and really wanted to stop by and wish you all a safe and magical Xmas before I go.
Thanks for all your support in 2011, I really look forward to a fantastic and inspirational New Year together :)

pinterest

See you in 2012 ;)


Love


Claudia xo 

more Xmas inspired

sources
1,2,3,5 pinterest
4, anthropologie US Xmas display 2008
6, martha stewart

Claudia xo

Still confused...

I've spent most of my weekend planning our Xmas drinks (on the 10th) and decorating. I've organised the menus, got our xmas decorations out...I am still confused though about what to do with those decorations. I was thinking of steering away from tradition this year and trade our xmas tree for something a bit different, perhaps a bit more modern...Children though have a mind of their own, don't they? My son's idea of tree is big, green and traditional with lots and lots of fairy lights (it has to light up the whole house, he says) I decided to listen to the children and put our (traditional) tree up. We decorated it and it was...well, too big, I felt like I couldn't breath...so I decided to put it out on the deck. You might think I am mad (and maybe I am) but I need order and neatness at home (!!!) I know, I know...please have mercy!!! After all I am a decorator! If it doesn't look right and doesn't feel right well it's a no, no unfortunately! 

I would love something very simple, white (and silver) and glass is probably the way to go, I'm going to have lots of tea lights and scented candles everywhere, fresh flowers and a few real, small trees scattered around in pots..I would love that

So far I've got some branches with fairy lights in a glass vase 

I think they look lovely next to my white collection below (which I will be rearranging many more times I'm sure)

I've put some baubles at the bottom of the vase so that it looks a bit more Christmassy 

and hung a couple of glass birds...they look sweet

our nativity set is on display too - I bought this one years ago, I still love its simplicity.

Well this is it for me my friends. My week is looking a little bit crazy but...well, isn't everyone's?

Oh and if you have any ideas or suggestions (for decorations, new age tree, canapes and so on) please leave a comment below. 

I look forward to hearing from you :)

Claudia xo 

What inspires you?

An inspirational quartet...

1,2 the glow (via the always inspiring Sanctuary )
3, toast
4, carla coulson photography

Have a wonderful weekend:)

Claudia ox

Some xmas inspiration...

I cannot believe that December is here and that Xmas is just around the corner! All of a sudden I find myself buried in xmas cards, wrapping paper, xmas decorations and a huge to do list!
The kids are really excited, we are finally going to decorate the house this weekend. I've decided to rearrange furniture, well I have to really as I need to find a spot for our xmas tree...as the kids grow older, we seem to  accumulate a lot of"junk"- I'm not sure if that is the right word but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, games, toys and so on. When everything begins to feel a bit too tight then I say it's time to "de-clutter" and I'm incredibly good at it! And also now that they are not so small anymore they are great helpers, Lucas for instance looks after the tree (bought from DJ's a couple of years ago) and he does a great job of it! I still love the idea of a real tree of course and I tend to make arrangements out of branches in pots or vases which last for two or three weeks and make the house smell lovely and festive.
The girls look after the decorations and other bits and pieces, I look after the lights...it's such a happy time!
Somehow though that word "happy" doesn't sound right...I am thinking of all those children that sadly are not going to have a special time this xmas. I think that the best thing I can do as a parent is to make my children aware of what goes on around us and to teach them to give back to the community especially at a special time like this.


On a completely different note I would like to add a "Happy first day of summer" to everyone in Oz...it's finally here and hopefully it will be an enjoyable and happy one for everyone :)

all images pinterest

Wish you all a wonderful day

Claudia xo

A day in the life...

First of all I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who stopped by yesterday and left comments wishing Izzy and myself a great night, they were very much appreciated. Izzy had a lovely night and I just wanted to show you how she looked so here we go...

There she is (in white) with her best friend Evie. Izzy is wearing mucci & me, necklace mum's own, make-up by mum and hair by Izzy, clutch by ruby & kit, shoes (not shown) by catwalk. I thought she looked lovely. It was a beautiful and warm day in Sydney,  perfect weather for a formal...
Meanwhile her baby sister Georgia (who loves animals and her dollies) took her favourite soft toy (a doggie) outside and had fun splashing and dancing around for a short while. The garden is so green and lush at the moment, it's just an explosion of colours and wonderful sounds... 

I was thinking that in ten years time little Georgia will be getting ready for her year 10 formal...scary, isn't it? I don't want my children to grow, I just want to cuddle them forever...well I can't really do much about the growing up bit unfortunately, can I?
Next up will be Lucas and his dinner dance, we are looking forward to that and luckily he is a boy...at least we won't have to worry about hair and make up this time! 


Take care,

Claudia xo

Inspire me Monday / Couture days

Good morning and happy Monday everyone. Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.
It's my daughter's year 10 formal today and she's been frantic preparing...We have had a lot of dramas and tears over the past 24 hours...it's funny how as parents we always think that we can resolve anything until we stumble (quite badly) across the next hurdle and learn our next lesson...And most of the time the reason of the disagreement is silly, futile. For instance after buying Izzy's dress, shoes and accessories for her formal I was quite determined not to hire a make up artist and a hairdresser to do her hair and make-up. Of course she had a different opinion about it. Now tell me, do you think I'm being unreasonable? I understand that it is an important day for her and that is why I've done my best to make her happy but the real issue is precisely that: happiness, and that is why I've decided that really what she needed was to comprehend that firstly money doesn't grow on trees and secondly it cannot buy happiness. At the end of the day it's all about having fun and enjoying the moment, isn't it? I think she can finally see my point (it only took me two days to convince her!)
Let me tell you it is not easy to amuse a teenage girl and extremely difficult when it's your own child and the last thing you want is to hurt her...Hardest job int the world being a parent, isn't it? I always thought  it's all about finding the right balance between gentleness and firmness...easier said than done of course. Well it's been a bumpy ride and I think we've learnt more about each other this past weekend than we have in the past year but our love for each other has definitely come out stronger than ever.
It's been a lot of fun too, we have enjoyed going through sites and magazines together and tested each other's knowledge for fashion and good taste (!!!)
The world of haute couture is fascinating...I love the glamour, the gowns, the hair, the brilliance...I mean who doesn't? So I thought why not having a bit of fun? Here are some gorgeous haute couture finds...enjoy!

 Alexander Mcqueen heels...divine!

 Chanel gorgeousness

Spectacular gowns at Dior haute couture fashion show

Why not accessorise with a messy bun? (it always looks stylish for some reason, don't you think?)

Givenchy haute couture...just stunning

images pinterest

And if you are hosting "pre drinks" then there's nothing more appropriate than haute couture cup cakes...yum!


Have a fantastic week :)

Claudia xo

Sail away with me...

 ...We will go somewhere quiet, warm and sunny, somewhere we can relax and enjoy the sweet melody of the ocean...

What do you say? Wouldn't it be lovely? (and just in time for the weekend!)

le journal de la maison

This looks like a very cozy and stylish temporary residence to me, do you agree?
I can definitely see myself sunbathing on the deck during the day and sitting pretty at night sipping a cool drink and enjoying dinner while chatting to a couple of friends and admiring the amazing surroundings...perfect!

Wish you all a perfect weekend :)

Claudia xo

Inspiration for a rainy day

It's been raining non stop in Sydney since yesterday...The rain makes me feel kind of strange and happy at the same time, it's always been this way since I was I little girl
There's something quite powerful about the unpredictability of the weather, don't you think? I find myself staring at the window (constantly) with a mixture of voracity (that of a lion) and incredibility (that of a child) if possible at all...I can't seem to get enough of it.
I find it difficult to concentrate and I get hardly any work done...

It's difficult to find pictures to match that feeling of strange liberation, of freedom that the rain generates  in me...

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This is pretty close to it though...

What's the weather doing in your corner of the world today?

Hope you are enjoying it wherever you are :)

Claudia xo

A bohemian dream in Paris

via here

Free spirit, informal, avant-garde, charming...this Paris loft/apartment is my inspiration for today :)



Claudia xo

Sculptures by the sea

It's a fabulous event that us Sydney siders love and enjoy every year...it's a great showcase for new and (not so new) talented artists out there. Here's a peek of their creations.
Hope you enjoy :)

images my own

Claudia xo