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Rooms full of prezzies

April 4, 2012 in Living Comments { 0 }

Each year my sister and I waddle off to the annual Kammers Vol Geskenke and come back laden with bags full of potential Christmas presents. The market is usually very festive and there is always oodles of terrific stuff to feast your eyes on.
Well the smart folks from Kamers have just opened an online shop. So you better get out your purses right away as their current collection of charming goodies will only be available to order till the 3 May.

Here are just four of my favorites. How cute is that bunny, and yes he is pink under his back paws!!

Kammers Vol Geskenke

1 – Paper bird house – R60.00
2 – Bambi Brooch – R50.00
3 – Grey bicycle pillowcase – R120.00
4 – White Ceramic Bunny – R360.00

All photos from Kammers Vol Geskenke

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Fairlady April 2012 Blogger of the Month

March 30, 2012 in Living Comments { 6 }

Huge big thanks to the lovely people over at Fairlady Magazine for featuring me as their April Blogger Of The Month. What a fabulous delight to be asked to be a part of this awesome nod to the digital world.

I had a tricky time answering all their questions and certainly battled to limit my list of current “must haves” to only 10. Needless to say, it was a fun exersize and the final article looks fabulous. So go out and buy the magazine now. Also check out the online Q&A for more.

Thanks once again to my awesome photographer neighbors for taking my photo. Desmond and Toni, you guys rock!

Fairlady 2012
Fairlady April 2012

Comments { 6 }

Ikea Summer 2012 Collection

March 28, 2012 in Living Comments { 4 }

I just stumbled upon the Ikea Summer 2012 outdoor collection – it’s so bright and cheery, even those of us enduring winter at the time will appreciate it’s hot and summery palette.

Ikea Summer 2012

With the likes of Zara and Gap making their way to our sunny shores, I am still very sad that Ikea has chosen not to open a store in our fair country. I do not know a single soul who wouldn’t spend a couple of Rands in one of their iconic yellow and blue stores. Hearing people overseas moan about how mundane Ikea is, and how the quality isn’t that good and the meatballs are boring, makes me so jealous.

Us poor Saffers are dying for a (half decent) mass produced furniture store, where we can pick out our off the shelf kitchen from a hefty catalogue – then spend all Saturday morning following the directional maze through one of their stores – only to end it all stuffing our faces with Swedish Meatballs and cups of tea.

Please Ikea, come to SA. We need your default flat pack loveliness!

You can see the Ikea Summer 2012 collection here (not in English though)
Found via Ideas To Steal

Comments { 4 }

Meet Murphy

March 6, 2012 in Design, Living Comments { 4 }

Meet Murphy

A dear friend of ours is out here from the UK at the moment. He is one of those nutters that has travelled half way across the globe to participate in next Sunday’s Argus Cycle Race. While he has been languishing on our sunny shores his family back home have been madly house training their newest family member – Murphy. Murphy is a white miniature schnauzer and I have it on good authority that she is possibly the cutest puppy in the world. Take a look for your self… isnt she adorable!

Sharing our house with a cat has meant that having a dog is not a possibility (Stripey Cat is NOT a dog friendly cat) But I do dream of going for long walks, hanging out in the park (without looking like a wierdo) and buying loads of awesome doggie accessories.
Make no mistake, I am not one of those “dog in a handbag” types and I certainly don’t approve of dogs wearing outfits but if you have the pooch you may as well make sure it has all the proper goodies that any self respecting dog would need.

I have hand picked some cute things I think would suite Murphy perfectly. Cavanagh family – start saving your pennies!

1. Red Honey Comb Bow Tie from Silly Buddy
2. Dog Toy Tomato from Wags and Wiggles
3. Handmade Felt Tote Bag from Wags and Wiggles
4. pEI Pod for Doggy
5. Dog cushions from Better Homes & Gardens
The photo of Murphy was taken by Jo-Anne Cavanagh.

22 March 2012 Update: Murphy has been featured on Pretty Fluffy as today’s Daily Fluff. Go Murphy!

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Dear Santa (part 1)

December 14, 2011 in Design, Fashion, Jewelry, Living Comments { 1 }

Dear Santa

Dear Father Christmas,

I have been a relatively good girl this year.

Please can I have the following essential items for Christmas:

1. Kitty Bag

2. en&is Megaphone (in black please)

3. Flock & Herds Napkin Rings (all of them please)

4. Baby Kitten Ring

Taa muchly

Comments { 1 }

I love gifts

September 27, 2011 in Living, Toys Comments { 4 }

Jo, an old friend of mine who now lives in the UK sent me a surprise gift last week. How exciting! It was completely out of the blue and for no special occasion (don’t I have the loveliest friends?)

Needless to say, on fetching the parcel, I could hardly wait to get home and rip it open. I was not disappointed – Jo had picked out all the perfect bits and bobs and put them together in a really beautifully co-ordinated gift.

My parcel contained a sweet little sparkly bird ring, a gorgeous multi-colored bird garland, the perfect size tea mug and a matching little gardening bag, and then, best of all, 2 handmade decorations for my Christmas tree. Jo had gone to such trouble to create the sweetest dainty clothes peg lady and an adorable wooly owl. They are devine!

I absolutely love my gift and knowing someone so far away went to so much trouble to put together such an exciting gift really is very special.
Thank you Jo, you are an angel!

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Spring has sprung

September 1, 2011 in Living, Photography Comments { 0 }

Today is the beginning of a new season and a new start for all. Here is hoping your spring is filled with the warmth of the rediscovered sunshine, the freshness of distant breezes, the indulgence of intoxicating flowers and the dreams of long forgotten afternoon naps.

Pictured here is a Hummingbird moth, Macroglossum stellatarum, enjoying a snack on a sprig of lavender.

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Le Petit Atelier de Paris

August 23, 2011 in Living, Toys Comments { 2 }

Its terribly exciting – my sister is expecting twins! Finally I can legitimately look at cute baby things without worry that my Mum may think I am getting broody. Hopefully with the prospect of not one but two first grand children, Mum will lighten the pressure on me.

Naturally decorating thoughts have turned to all things pretty for a nursery. I must admit that I am not terribly fond of overly “baby” like nurseries with Barney or Barbie plastered over every wall. After all Mum and Dad are going to have to spend a lot of time in there and until the baby is old enough to insist on cerise pink walls and Tinkerbell everywhere, I feel the space should be fresh and calming but none the less interesting for little growing eyes.

On my new quest to find unusual but gorgeous nursery decor items I stumbled across this amazing ceramicist studio in Paris “LE PETIT ATELIER DE PARIS”. I love the detailed and delicate porcelain work. You can see more of their fine collection on their website and blog

Photos from LE PETIT ATELIER DE PARIS

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Pets on Furniture

August 22, 2011 in Design, Living Comments { 0 }

My latest addiction is drooling over fabulous websites that showcase inspiring interiors, and amongst my favorites is Desire To Inspire. It’s full of really amazing interiors, with plenty before and after shots to keep the aspiring home DIY enthusiast quite satisfied. I have often had to stop myself from spending “just 10 more minutes” paging through their delicious website.

Well I am now VERY proud to announce that our super amazing house mate, Stripey Cat has been selected to appear in their weekly Pets on Furniture feature.
Pictured below Stripey Cat are two other furry featured friends, Daisy sleeping on the gorgeous printed duvet and Elvis at home on the studded chair.

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Fine Feathers

November 9, 2008 in Living Comments { 0 }

What a magnificent Sunday! Although working I was lucky enough to be able to take my laptop outside and enjoy the glorious sunshine, the birds, the butterflies and the odd bumble bee. I am so happy spring is here.
Thanks to one of my new favorite blogs (yes, I know I should have been working) Creature Comforts, I discovered these delicate porcelain feathers. These are so going on my Christmas list. You can check them and lots of other lovely stuff at Velocity.

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This is Glamorous

June 12, 2008 in Living Comments { 0 }

isn’t this the most gorgeous chandelier? I found this thing of beauty at “This is Glamorous“, this is such a pretty website, with the most elegant snippets.

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Floral Design

May 22, 2008 in Design, Living Comments { 0 }

I simply love this little vase cover and I am quite proud to say I have one gracing my chest of drawers in my bedroom. Tord Boontje designs exquisitely intricate pieces. Have a look at Artecnica for this and other gorgeous peices