borneo aglow

a little corner of the world that holds memories 

of treasured moments

of carefree and idyllic days...

of the happiest of times

I spent a large part of my childhood growing up in Brunei, Borneo...and it was magical.  When I came across Philippa's gorgeous vintage map lamps I was smitten and wondered if one of Borneo was even a slight possibility.  It was!  On days like today, with the rain outside, it casts the warmest of glows about my little creative space.  Perhaps the glow is in part due to the memories I hold and in part due to the delicate nature of the 1904 map so lovingly given new life by Philippa.  Regardless, I adore it.

You may remember when it arrived...

dew drops

glistening in the early morning light

such quiet beauty

a spoon full of sugar...

helps the medicine go down.

After a rather rough start to the week which saw me bed-ridden for three days, the weekend has been the perfect tonic indeed. There were wonderful celebrations with friends, fabulous times (there is really only one word to describe Mary Poppins... supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!), a little creativity and quiet times at home...quite possibly the perfect weekend.

after the storms...

the skies have been spectacular.  Doesn't this look like the prettiest of watercolours? 

And there has been storms of other kinds that have delayed my little 'launch'...but soon, I promise.  Things are getting back on track and I'm heading in the right direction (now if only I could master this new apple mac of mine).

remembering home...

Christchurch Cathedral 2009

Today will be an emotion filled day as Christchurch remembers the deepest loss - the 185 lives lost, most of them one year ago today.  The loss of loved ones cuts deeper than all the other losses.  Today, we remember them.

We acknowledge the loss of homes, livelihoods, communities that have been disbanded and buildings and places that hold memories.  

Today, we remember all those losses.  

Kia Kaha Christchurch.

open {soon}

I like that it's 1.2.12 today...

I like that today is the beginning (dare I say, 'launch') of something super special to me and a very long time in the creating.

My little 'paperie' is being built behind the scenes...I'm dressing and decorating the virtual walls and hope that by the end of the month there will be a few treats on the shelves to purchase!  Slowly, slowly mind as the perfectionist in me embraces the loveliness that imperfection can be!

Oh my...how wonderfully exciting and somewhat daunting all at once!

pinwheels pinstripes & polka dots

One

Already

How can that be?

Sweet Zoraya turned one last Friday and there was a party to celebrate on Saturday...oh what fun we had!  There was one very tired little lady Saturday evening but she was so, so good...only smiles and giggles all day through.

Miss Z I love you to the stars and back more times than you can count.

x

a whispering heart

'it's impossible' said pride

'it's risky' said experience

'it's pointless' said reason

'give it a try' whispered the heart...

this year I'm following my heart

christmas moments...

there was...

baking and making,

ribbons and bows,

stars and snowflakes,

sunshine and seafood,

but mostly there was

love and laughter with my dear family

Christmas was truly wonderful
x

5ftinf table

Sometimes you stumble across the loveliest of people with the most wonderful sense of style...that something that is just 'there'...something that makes your heart sing whenever you encounter their work and words.  Philippa Stanton is one of those gorgeous people.  I first came across her table on instagram...and yes, it makes me smile (and my heart sing!) every time she shares a picture of it and the daily treasures it holds.  There are of course, other fabulous and equally captivating pictures too, but her table...it has a beautiful spirit that I simply adore.

Philippa also has a penchant for vintage maps...oh to imagine wandering the streets of London in times gone by!  Philippa uses these maps to create unique and individual lamps...and so I commissioned one.  My request...well, let me show you in time...there's a story of course and it's quite possibly one of my most treasured possessions now!

The little brown box that carried my lamp across the seas came with a calendar featuring her lovely table and a sweet note, all tied with vintage map bunting...an early Christmas present indeed!