Colour coding

Colour coding the books in your shelf is not something to be afraid of. And don't you dare think it's silly! Putting books in order of colour seems completely irrational, especially if you know the Dewey System. But I'm a very visual person, and tend to remember the picture on the cover of the book or the typography on the spine before the author or title jumps to mind. But maybe that's just me.

Plus, it looks great! Especially if your bookshelf is in the lounge or family room of your home, where you see it all the time, you need to spend a little extra time in 'dressing' your bookshelf. Now not everyone has the skill, insight, patience or time to place memorabilia, books, flowers or trinkets in clever configurations to make the bookshelf look good. But as long as you are not colour blind, this is a neat trick that will make your shelves look instantly 'arty'.

I've done it a couple of times, and love it. You won't be disappointed!

Bookshelf inspiration

Now this is a very clever way of using every nook and cranny at your disposal! Bookshelves all the way up the stairs.

My dream bookshelf! Or rather, work space. Great double volume, lots of light and I love the angled sections that break the vertical lines of this amazing bookshelf.

A classic, for a reason. White, structured, practical. The books become the focus rather than an elaborate bookcase design. If you're living in a rented space (like moi) and can not build in anything like this, you can achieve the same look by using white cubes, stacked as high (or wide)as you can go.

Image 1. Via Adaptive Reuse
Image 2. Via Apartment Therapy

Image 3. unknown

Not enough Audrey's in the world.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had rediscovered books. More precisely reading of books.

You see, books are a thing in our family. My mom's side of the family are all book worms. Holidays in Port Alfred with my grandparent's mostly revolved around swapping books, lying around reading books, standing in the hall with Granny looking at the books and checking if there was anything new, or missioning down to the local library (where my dear Granny Audrey was a librarian for I don't know how many years). The library in Port Alfred was always much better than the one I visited in Port Elizabeth.

For various reasons. One, the librarians in Port Elizabeth were scary. They were all in their mid 30's or 40's, stern, and always glared over their glasses. ( I suspected all of them to be lonely spinsters). As a 8 year old I was not impressed. I had to be quiet. Walking around on tip toes and whispering. Carefully looking at the shelves and never quite sure if I could actually take a book home. I dare not ask. That would mean having to go to the counter and talking to one of the spinsters.

Port Alfred library on the other hand - well, my Granny was there and all the other Audrey's. I think they were a total of 3 Audrey's that worked there. All with grey curly hair, round tummies and lots to laugh about. Whenever my mom and I walked in, there would be laughter in the air. Maybe it's because we always visited the library during December holidays, so obviously a more festive mood hung around. But still. The Audrey's at Port Alfred Municipal Library always chuckled, asked the book lenders about their families or latest baking feat and above all, loved books. They were eager to make sure that you took the right book home. They would ask if you needed help, "Have you read the latest Dick Francis? Here you go, we just got it in!".

I visited a municipal library in Cape Town today. There was a chubby coloured lady behind the counter, and although never having met me, still smiled and helped all she could. I saw how she chatted to the regulars, asking about the holidays and really enjoying her day.

Sadly my Granny Audrey passed away this last July, but her love of books lives on in all of her family. I can not walk past an Exclusive Books store without remembering how she would dart in and devour everything, stocking up for the library back in Port Alfred. We would hang around for at least an hour before she came out, piles of books in hand!

I think the lady I saw today must have been an Audrey.

Words to inspire

It's the 3rd of January and maybe you've made New Year's resolutions. Maybe you've already broken them by now. I sure as hell have. (OK, so Christmas is over, but the mince pies looked so good and they were on sale! What's a girl to do?)

But even if you're not one to make resolutions, these words by Ghandi ring true any time of the year. The poster is by talented Francesca and she's even made it free to download. Go to her blog, follow the link and have it printed out to any size you want. I'm thinking of having it done on block mounted canvas, so perfect!

Goodbye 2010, a big 'Hello' to 2011!

Hello everyone!

I've been quite a lousy blogger the last couple of weeks. My posts have been infrequent and I've barely checked in on the other sites I so love to visit.

It's been an insanely busy downward spiral towards the end if this year for me, with trips to George for a wedding and a recent small holiday to Pretoria and Johannesburg. Work has not been without it's ups and downs, and in the interior design business things are always chaotic at the end of the year. (Why oh why does everyone want everything done by Christmas but only realise this at the end of October?)

But now I'm at home and loving the lazy days of summer. It's also been great showing the parents around town this past week. I've come to realise that there are teeny little towns all over the Western Cape (and probably also across the country) that have wonderfully creative spirits selling the most beautiful and unique products. Oh yes, and I really want to live in pretty small town like Riebeek Kasteel.

As is the custom with The Holidays, over indulging has been a big problem for me in the last 2 weeks. Firstly, I always receive either chocolates or cookies or nougat as pressies, then there is not only the Christmas lunch, but also all the left overs! Days of eating gammon and turkey and potato salad really does take it's toll on the waistline. Not to mention the trifle - and my trifle really was a winner this year! I'll share the recipe in a follow up post, you will not be disappointed! I believe that Christmas is not truly Christmas without a good trifle, and (sadly)therefore only make it for Christmas, once a year.

As the final hours of 2010 are ticking away, let's bid farewell to a year that has had it's Good, Bad and Ugly bits. A New Year always has the promise of great things ahead, and I for one am planning lots of changes, new adventures and fun times. Above all, let's make it a creative and inspiring year!

Enjoy the celebrations, don't drink and drive and travel safely!

Thought for today...

Random Prettiness

I bought a new dress on Saturday. It's blue and pink and has flowers and a bit of lace and even a bit of roughing. When I asked the fiance what he thought of said new dress he had 2 responses: "It looks like everything else in your cupboard" and "You seem to be going for all this cute housewife with frills stuff".

Huh?

Firstly, it's nothing like anything in my cupboard thank you very much. And secondly, it's romantic! I admit, I am drawn to anything in soft hues with lace and buttons and frills. Dresses are my current weakness. And pretty sandals and flowers in my hair and pink cheeks.

Currently, I love being a girl, that's all!

Love your planet

I'm not sure if you can see the trailer clearly - but it's helluva cute. I took this pic on my brief visit to Rocking the Daisies. The dude was trying to reverse the cute trailer into the camp, and I have to say that is the only way I would ever attempt camping ever again. I've had my fair share of tents, uneven ground, blow up matresses that always lose their air, icy cold evenings and the sleeping bag that just doesn't cut it. Ablution blocks are the worst - if there are any I might add.

But it was all in the name of fun and at least now I can laugh about those experiences (altough I was ready to do something seriously illegal back then because it meant I would al least have a jail cell to sleep in that night and not a crappy tent - yes, I am that against it).


Wouldn't you go camping if you had a funky trailer like this one?

Eight at Spier

I've lived in Cape Town now just short of 4 years. And - shockingly yes - I have never been to Spier Estate outside Stellenbosch. I've heard great things about Moyo, with the face painting and African drums and pots full of food. I've been told about the rolling hills and impeccable lawns and deli food and picnics and pond and ducks.

But, still I had not been. I've always had this feeling that Spier was a very commercial estate. tour buses and African crafts. No thanks.

Until a few weeks ago that is.

I am part of a monthly wine club, a very informal affair. We visit a different wine farm every month, and some time ago it was Mr M's chance to organise. And so we ended up at Spier.

Very briefly: the Barrel Thief wine tasting is worth it. Our host, Jacqui, taught as many new things about the tasting and preserving of wine, and was a hoot to boot.

Then on to the new restaurant of the estate: Eight. A purely organic, recycled restaurant with the concept of "from the farm to the table". But there is nothing 'platvloers' about this place!


We started with *heart* shaped boards filled with freshly baked bread, salted butter, olive oil and Balsamic vinegar. Then, even before really taking in the menu, espresso cups filled with butternut, honey and ginger soup for everyone. And it was a chilly morning, so it was perfect!


The glasses at Eight are made from recycled glass (that's my ice tea there - so delicious!). So are the light fittings, made from plastic bottles by the incredible Heath Nash.

Ladies and Gentleman, above you see the piece de resistance: Hot chocolate. A steaming cup of full cream milk, with a whole heap of Lindt chocolate shavings for you to stir in and make the perfect cup of heaven.

Sorry - the food was so good I forgot to take a pic. I had roasted pork belly on braised veggies and roast potatoes. Yum. There is no menu - only a travelling black board. See, depending on what they can source from the farm, it all dictates the menu. Everyone at the table raved about their options (from fish cakes to pork belly to chicken pie and more) and everything was reasonably priced. The average lunch was about R65 each.

I *loved loved loved* the interiors. Open, welcoming, innovative and damn beautiful. The interiors are a great blend of rustic and sleek, recycled and new.

Well worth a visit. Even 2.

Latest, and best to date, Visi issue

The latest issue of Visi is out, and you really should get your hands on it. Really.
The cover alone is simply amazing, with gloss detail and bumpy stuff over the statue. You'll have to see and feel it to see what the hell I'm talking about.

The last couple of issues were disappointing. I know I shouldn't say this out loud, but it was. I think there was a new editor, and they tried new things. Which didn't work. The collector's edition (50th issue) was trying to hard to be something special, it fell flat on it's face.

But now with number 51 Visi have redeemed themselves. Fully! Every single page is beautiful, filled with relevant info, pretty pics and GREAT locations.

The cover shot is by the utterly brilliant Dook, and can you believe is in Johannesburg? I won't say anymore, just that the building is filled with fantastic art, the structure itself is gorgeous and on my next visit to Johannesburg I most certainly want to get in there!

Get hold of your own Visi number 51 and enjoy. Promise you will not be disappointed.

Calendar from Visi

I love free stuff. Especially when it's from Visi, because it's bound to be good!

This clever *free* calendar pulls in your friend's birthdays from Facebook and adds them all in. Then, voila, the pretty calendar is emailed to your inbox. Print it out (A3) or just set to your desktop like me.

Go on, what are you waiting for? Go to the Visi site here and have some fun.

Thought for the day

Like sand in the hourglass...

Nope, it's not the Days of Our Lives! :) I've been spotting these gorgeous hourglasses in some shops, but really I'm looking for these with coloured sand in them. Anyone spotted them somewhere? The Space in Cavendish has white ones, these sexy black ones are from Cecile and Boyds.

I spotted lime green ones in a pic the other day, would love to own a set!

Right now, the week's time has run out (yippee!) and it's the weekend. I hope it's a relaxing one for everyone!

Overwhelmed

I have been slightly overwhelmed with work for the last 2 weeks or so - thus taking an unexpected (and not voluntary) vacation from blogging. It always gets extremely busy this time of the year, with clients wanting to get everything ready before the end of the year.

I have also been keeping myself very busy with some wedding planning and making of invites (not my wedding though) and hope to share these with you soon.

Some other things I have been up to that are worth mentioning:

• Sitting and sleeping (bliss!) on my sexy new couch
• Wondering about a paint colour for my bedroom - I am tempted to make it a DIY long weekend and start by painting the bedroom. It's long overdue
• Sleeping under my handmade quilt. Yes, moi can stitch! It's not finished (I still need to tidy the edge) but I love it already
• Been on the lookout for a nice shaggy silver rug. Why are they so expensive? :(
• Enjoyed a wonderful Sunday at Spier and lunched at the new Eight restaurant - so worth a visit!
• Mastered the art of hand embossing envelopes - It's not that difficult and the end result is worth it.

It's going to be rollercoaster ride until the end of the year, but then it's holiday! Yippee! I'm already counting the days...

Have to share

I love this collection of pretty fabrics displayed in embroidery hoops. Notice the way the fabrics are grouped together by colour and fade from blue to green to yellow to red and pinks? Beautiful!

I remember my mom doing cross stitch and using one of these hoops - I thought it was the best invention ever!

Image via The Purl Bee

Best of the Catalogues

New Season = new catalogues! With Spring officially here (although I'm not sure if Mother Nature got the memo - Cape Town is a little chilly this morning), I for one love to add a bit of colour in my apartment and accesorise with fun things. Perfect to chase away the winter blues.

I'm sad to say that the various catalogues are not all the exciting, except for @home. Woolies and Mr Price have loads of lovely glasses, plates, linen and that sort of thing. For vases I always head to Woolies first though.

Here are just a few of my favourites from the @home catalogue...

Maybe because my big brother is a pilot, but I love these bookends for R250.

This screen is perfect for hiding my desk inthe lounge, which is always overflowing with bits of paper and ribbon and odds and ends. At R1100, not badly priced either.

The yellow coat rack would look perfect in my entrance against the grey blue walls!

The sun is coming up earlier, setting later. The days are warmer and the birds are singing. Summer is on it's way darlings!