DIY Doily Light Shade

How cute is this light shade! And it's quite simple to make...



1. First you have to have a selection of doilies, I think the round ones would work best;
2. Blow up a large balloon and hang it from a piece of string;
3. Paint the doilies with wallpaper glue;
4. Place the doilies on the balloon making sure you overlap them;
5. Leave overnight to dry;
6. Pop the balloon and cut a small opening in the top for light fitting.

Go here for more detail.

The Home of 'Salvation Jane'

I was thrilled to find an article on The Design Files (ridiculously great blog) about actress, designer, and blogger Jane Hall - AKA Salvation Jane. I am inspired by her home and her style, and couldn't agree more with her wise words about making your home look the best it possibly can... "not by ditching your old stuff and starting again, but by reinterpreting what is already there and adding bits and pieces until the balance is right and your personality is everywhere."

See and read more about Jane and her home here.

Colour Your World

Only a few more days of the school holidays left. I've had a lovely time with my girls, not having to rush off to school & work in the mornings, but I have to say it has been hard to get any work done. It is for this reason that I have to push back the opening of the Cush & Nooks online store. I wanted to have it open by the end of July but it will have to be early August now. 'Bare with' (does anyone else love "Miranda - the sitcom"), it's not long now!


Anyway, I was at the park this morning with my girlfriend. While our kids played, we sat in the glorious winter sun, drinking coffee and chatting. When we looked around at all the other Mums in the playground it was a sea of black. I think it's a New Zealand thing - women afraid of colour. I live in jeans, and am a big fan of black & white stripes, but love wearing colour - even if it's just a splash of colour in a scarf or necklace. If you're not sure what colours suit you, you can get a professional to do your colours and carry a little swatch in your handbag for when you're shopping. So go on girls, embrace some colour!


Here is one of my fav blogger girls, Sydney, showing you how to be casual and colourful...

Alfresco

It was a beautiful winter's day here in Hawke's Bay today, nice enough to sit outside with friends while we watched the kids having fun in the pool - luckily for them it was a hot pool! 
It got me looking forward to Spring, and one of my favourite parts - alfresco dining.

yummy food and rustic table settings

beer bottle vases & bottle cap candles

brilliant idea - table with in-built wine cooler

relax and take in the view

a bit of a sing-a-long

fairy lights and good company - what more do you need!

Norway Love

Sorry guys, I've been M.I.A! One of New Zealand's coldest weekends, and we happened to be at our family bach in Kuratau, Taupo, with the beautiful Mount Ruapehu at our back door. Because of snow & ice on the roads we couldn't get home, so had to hunker down in front of the fire with a bottle of wine and the Scrabble board. The road opened today, but still plenty of snow around. We pulled over half way home so the twins and Mark could have a snowball fight - great fun!


To some sad news now... I have been devastated to watch Norway in mourning after the mass killings there. A beautiful part of the world that we always think of being so safe & peaceful. I post a lot about Norwegian design, as I love their sense of style and colour. Here are just a few more photos to illustrate this. Our thoughts are with you. xxx

Norwegian kitchen

The home of Rikke Bye Andersen

Norwegian cardigan

Summer house in Norway

Norwegian breakfast

Earthy Tones

It's bleak and rainy, and I'm feeling like earthy tones today...

I love the tux-shirt tunic & boots | leather satchel - yes please

So simple, so beautiful - furniture by Another Country

Looks like my famous Kahlua & chocolate cheesecake - yum!

Stunningly rustic home

Come and live with me x

Bicycle Jewellery

Ok, so you know how much I love my Electra bike, right?! Well, imagine how excited I was when I discovered Simeli bicycle jewellery! These gorg hand crocheted pieces are 'dress guards', which are traditionally used to prevent a coat or skirt getting caught in the spokes. But why have one made from oilcloth or plastic when you could have one of these beauties!

Thanks to Fancy for alerting me.

Sweet Sofia

Some really exciting news today... our friends, who have two gorgeous boys, had a wee baby girl this morning - Sofia. I can't wait to meet her. It's been a while since I looked at baby things, but I had so much fun this afternoon finding all these gloriously girly-babe things...

How divine! I love this cute little lace ruffle romper - buy yours at Etsy

Cuddly Birdie Pillows for the nursery made from vintage, new and upcycled fabrics

Ruffled Chemise made by a very clever Mum

Teeney sandals and beautiful shoes for tiny toes

I'm in love with this nursery!

Rustic Beauty

In a recent post I featured a house that had this amazing rustic coffee table made from an old crate with castor wheels screwed on. I love the contradiction of the worn timber with the delicate china and luxurious rug and sofa.

There are lots of ways you can recycle old timber. Here are just a couple of cool examples...

Old wood pallets turned into character benches

Old fence posts make an amazing sliding door in this bedroom