Today...

...want to get into my car and hit the road. Nowhere specific.

(I'm obviously just jealous of 2 great friends who are doing a road trip around Australia in a little van)

One day.

Layering

Li Edelkoort (whom I've mentioned before) has predicted that layering will be one of the trends to watch out for. A blurring of boundaries, sheer fabrics layered over one another. It reminded me of this gorgeous invite I received last year. The silhouette of the couple, watermarks, lace pattern, it's all beautifully intertwined and layered to create one of the most amazingly romantic images!

It's Winter

I love this elegant alternative to a crackling fire, especially considering I have no fireplace!The mirror behind the candles doubles the affect, making it OK to use less candles :)

x amanda

It's like that

Vandag voel ek so. Asof ek iets ontdek het wat ek lankal al van vergeet het. Dis fantasties.

Today I feel like that. Like I've found something that I even forgot I had. It's fantastic.

x amanda :)

Blomme

Ek is gek oor blomme. Dit verander enige vertrek, enige geleentheid in iets spesiaal. Hierdie foto is net briljant, ek dink ek is verlief met alles in hierdie foto. Die ou eetkamer tafel, wat al vele kuiers en familie etes beleef het en sekerlik baie stories gehoor het. Die sonlig wat so liefs in die kamer inspoel. En dit wys jou net, jy hoef nie bosse blomme te hê om 'n indruk te skep nie. Net hier en daar 'n blom in 'n mooi (of net skoon interesant!) houer, en jou hele dag kry sommer 'n glimlag.

toe, gaan pluk 'n blom of steel een van die restaurant se tafel af.
x amanda

Freedom

Of soos die Vodacom ad sê: "Are you 'free' or are you 'dom'?"
Vandag is ek Free.

x amanda

Hello!

What a grand idea for a small entrance hall! It's a little sassy, a little tongue-in-cheek and very cool! I'm dying to do this in my flat.

Easy tea light holder

This beautiful tea light (or bigger candle) holder is so simple to make! And just imagine how divine a cluster of these would look!

Step 1: You need any big glass bottle. You can use your old jam or mayo bottles, any size will do. I reckon you'll end up doing a whole lot of different ones!

Step 2: Paint the outside of the bottle with any Polvin type paint, pick a colour. Craft paint will also work, just be sure that the paint is not applied too thick.

Step 3: Now decide on a pattern or design, and scratch it out using the sharp end of a wooden skewer or even a toothpick. Voila!

I think I'll be trying to do this this weekend!

x amanda

Sommer net

Introduction to Strijdom van der Merwe

I can't remember how and when I first came to know of Strijdom van der Merwe, but I have been a devotee ever since.

Strijdom is a lanscape artist, using what ever he finds on site to create his art. He manipulates the local surroundings, bringing order into something so completely natural.

Becuase of the nature of his work, it is temporary. Fleeting. He captures it on photographs and that is all that remains.

All images www.strijdom.co.za

I will be sharing much more of this great artist's work!

x amanda

I wish....

...we had Ikea in South Africa. Like, really.

Perception

Sonja Wrethman has become one of my favourite photographers to watch. I'm coincidentally great friends with her sister (who is extremely bad with communication and thus I have not heard from dear Little Liedle in a long time, but I believe she still lives in Knysna).

I know I will be sharing many of her great photographs with you, but to start of with here are 3 of my favourites from her book "Bullethole Sunrise".

"Dancing shoes"

"The washing"

"Market square"

In her book Sonja explores the idea that people perceive things differently, also images. And even ourselves, we perceive a memory diffrently today then what we did a year ago. Memories become blurred, an overlapping of images and thoughts in our mind. Every page is beautiful.

All images courtesy Sonja Wrethman Photography http://www.sonjawrethman.co.za/

Blou Maandag

'Swaai-skoppelmaai' deur Jacolene De Haan

Dit was 'n baie, baie lang blou Maandag... ek gaan nou huis toe en gaan vir my 'n glasie rooi skink. Kan nie wag nie.

Design Indaba - overview

The Design Indaba (held in March this year) always goes along with huge fanfare, with everyone excited and waiting for the weekend of the show. And if you couldn't get a ticket to the Li Edelkoort talk {tickets were sold out loooooong before} you turn instantly green when someone rubs your nose in it when they did in fact get the chance to hear the lady share her wisdom. {It's one of my life goals to go to one of her trend talks}

Stoned Cherrie

Known for her afro-fashion over the past couple of years, the gorgeous Nkhensani launched her fabric range at the Design Indaba. I fell in love with the broad stripes, especially the chartreuse colour way (seen on the 2 chairs). http://www.stonecherrie.co.za/

Design Team
I've always loved Design Team's range of fabrics, since seeing it at an expo in Johannesburg about 6 years ago. They've been able to do a range of fabrics showcasing local content, fauna and flora, icons and just damn great design without being kitsch. Bloody marvelous.

Design of the year

I have no recollection of who the designer's was or what the purpose of this combo was, but it was most definitely one of the "best design" finalists. The chair and table look like it has grown out of moss, in a forest - it takes me back to fairies and cupcakes! I get the feeling that if you water it, it will get bigger.

Whimsical stand
Again, I've got bad recollection of who was responsible for this stand, but it was out one of the best on show. Orchids hanging out of silver cocoon-like 'vases', these were simply amazing. The wooden 'latte', painted white, meticulously put together to form a canopy.

I wish I could take the whole thing home!

x amanda

First Blog

There's always a first for everything! Never thought I'd join the blogging world...


I feel obliged to tell you more about myself, but that will come in time.

You remember primary school, the first day. You've got all your stationary, and the most coveted is the 24 pack of Colleen colour pencils! All of them sharp, perfectly long length and in order! I loved it.

To this day I love sharp pencils. I have a 'bouquet' on top of my bookcase. Actually just a bunch of colour pencils, never been used, sitting in a little ceramic pot. It inspires me, I think of the possibilities! New ideas, sketches, drawings, shopping lists....

So to start my blogging days, just a little line drawing of some iconic buildings in my favourite area in my favourite home town... (not Cape Town for those who don't know!)



Die Afrikaans sal ook kom, belowe ;)

x amanda