Gone Fishing

I've been a bit quiet the past week because I have some guests. My mom and my 87-year old grandmother made the long trip to come and visit. We are having a lovely time... we've hit the high spots in Boston, caught up with old friends and new friends. Yesterday we took a little drive up to Rockport, too.





So if you don't mind, I will be spending some quality time with them for the next few weeks. I will miss you but will be back, recharged and happy after time with family... don't tell Gran but on our trip to New York next week we're surprising her with an outing to watch Mary Poppins on Broadway! She's going to love it!

And while I am gone, if you are so inclined, please nominate my little blog for the South African blog awards. I thank you.

Walking the Road

The Little Girl is walking with her arms stretched out, dreaming that she could fly.


Looking up into the sky she stretches her arms out even wider, knowing that there must be a way to realize a dream as clear as this.


And then! A Dragonfly flying high above, truly soaring... he is able to walk on air, to floar effortlessly. He represents all that she has been dreaming.


The Little Girl stops, and gazes up into the sky and follows his every movement in amazement. Her fingertips seem to tingle as she imagines being able to do the same.


But wait! The Dragonfly swoops down to her, hovering in front of her... could he be asking her to fly with him? Could she have wings like he does?


Oh, she must be able to do this! She must see this dream become a reality! Without asking, she leaps into the air and tries to catch the Dragonfly, to grab him right out of his sky.

Read the rest of this lovely story here, or see it in person on the Promenade in Cape Town. Sculpture by Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe.

Woohoooo!

Yes, yes, much excitement! One of my favourite, favourite South African magazines is now available for digital download! House & Leisure, thank you! The $3.25 is worth every penny... click here.



Some of my favourite spreads and shots from the magazine...













Thank you, too, Ask Ashe.

On Pins and Needles

In the tradition of my animal skin decorating posts, here is a new one... proteas (including the little pin cushion proteas) used around and about the house. I do love collecting these images, I'm amazed at how people use similar things to different effects, and how each home (or hote - 3rd pic- or restaurant -last pic) is so unique.



















As found in Elle Decor, House and Leisure, House Beautiful, LivingEtc, and Weylandts, a hertex fabrics ad, and freshly found. This last one is my own pic, from a beautiful wedding I recently attended in New York. The reception was at the Boat House... it was magical.

Vote for Me!

I've always been too... shy to participate in the South African Blog Awards. But with three years under my belt, I think its time... please nominate me! At the end of the month, the final nominees will be up for votes but I need your help to get on the list.

Just. Click... HERE!




And thank you!

Now I just need to find a baby to kiss...

Save Your Hide!

So its Friday afternoon, and I'm home early. Its been a busy, social week, so I've been quiet on the blog front. To make up for that I've collected some more of those ever-popular hides used in decorating. I've come across a few more since my last post... these are a bit more varied in use (although lots of zebra!), but just as much fun.









As found in Australia Vogue Living, Elle Decor (South Africa): with Jenni Button in the pic, Dwell magazine, and a Weylandts brochure...

Dichotomies and Surprises

So yesterday I was telling you how I spotted a book on South African jewellry design at a bookbinding tour I did here in Boston. Small world! I did some googling when I got home and discovered that the work is represented by Velvet Da Vinci in California (so if you're there, you can see the work in person!). If you click on the image, you can see the file name which is also the name of the artisan.

Enjoy.

ACME

So I spent some of my mispent youth watching Tiny Toons Adventures. Sad, yes. Perhaps you watched them too. Did you ever notice that the water tower in the opening sequence (or closing? I can't remember now) had the words ACME on it? I think all the hammers and stuff the characters used for their ridiculous acts of violence usually came out of an ACME box, too. Well, that's actually a word. I had no idea until last month when I went to the Acme Bookbindery, here in Boston. It means pinnacle, as in, you've reached the pinnacle, the best of.

Amce definitely is the pinnacle of bookbinding. They do everything from those amazing, hand bound leather books that you can't make a mistake while binding or you have to start from scratch. They also print things like ordinary books, or student year books. It was fascinating (please ignore me as my inner graphic design nerd has her moment) and I learned a lot. A soaked up the colors and textures...





I also had a great time because I was there with my friend Andrea. In fact, some of these photos are hers, so just giving credit where credit is due. We totally enjoyed the old-school signage, and the vintage paperwork. Even the logos on the printing presses were divine.







And along the way I noticed this lusciously coloured book cover. Gorgeous! I went over to photograph...



... and discovered it was a book on South African jewellry! Of course I would spot that! But that's for another post... today is for dreaming of books...