Wishful Thinking...

It's Friday and it's been a big week.  Let's not get into anything too serious today, let me just leave you with a few images that I'm loving right now, some of them give me something to think about (nothing too brain-draining of course) and some of them simply make me smile.  I hope they make you smile too.

 Wow, what a bathroom! I like the juxtaposition of classic and modern, the stone bath and the gilt mirror.

I'm working on finding a look for our bedroom (this is a project that has been on-going for some time) and I like the simplicity of this room, but enjoy the light splashes of colour from the linen and texture from the furniture.

This style of French upholstered bed is my dream.  I love the idea of this style of bed, but the reality is that my husband's feet would be forced to hang over the side to accommodate his height.  Maybe I could get one for the guest bedroom?  Of course there would have to be a guest bedroom in our house first though. 

 Colour!  Neon!  Length, pleats and shape!  This skirt has it all. Except I'm not in it.  

I love the open-plan of this room.  One large space shared for a variety of family oriented purposes.  It is definitely nice to watch the children while preparing dinner and to then be able to eat together while enjoying a lovely view.   

I would love a chair like this in my bedroom, or in a reading nook. Just for me, for no one else. Thank you.

A chaise lounge would be good too, yes one of those too please.

 Woolen Chuck Taylor's, so cute!  Love these.

 A day bed like this is a necessity when living on the coast.  It's on the list.

 The original Smart car in my opinion.  Not electric, no, but just as tiny!

 Lots of light, bench space and storage.  

No bench space, not much storage, not much light, but character and lots of it.  I have had many kitchens just like this one and it is amazing how I managed to cook huge family meals in such a small space.  

The Leica Hèrmes M7 limited edition camera.  This will forever remain on my wish list, and that's ok because some things are just not meant to be.


Enjoy your weekend!

H


Sources: The Paris Apartment, Jak&Jil.com/blog, Marie Claire Maison. 

Colour Blocking: Green

Green has got to be my all-time favourite colours.  It compliments my skin and my hair colour, it makes me feel relaxed and gorgeous whenever I wear it.  

Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. 

Green has great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope. 

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. 
Grass green is the most restful color. Green symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth and harmony. Green is a safe color, if you don't know what color to use anywhere use green.

Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green.

Put some green in your life when you want:

• a new state of balance
• feel a need for change or growth
• freedom to pursue new ideas
• protection from fears and anxieties connected with the demands of others

Green gemstones are used to attract money, prosperity and wealth. They are balancing stones that promote growth and fertility. Carry, wear or place green gemstones such as Peridot, Malachite, Jade, or Emerald, around your home or office to promote balance, change and growth.

Wear green when you want to overcome a sense of thwarted ambition. 
Green says growth - balance - harmony. It is a color of healthy relationships.

Green is the color associated with the Heart Chakra. This chakra deals with higher consciousness and love.

Green is not just for St Patricks Day everyone, it's for all day, everyday!

Ciao for now,



Hx




Sources: crystal-cure.com, garancedorè.com, thesartorialist.blogspot.com, style.com, vogue.com, jakandjil.com/blog.com

Colour Blocking: Orange

Orange has always been a favourite colour.  When I was growing up I had a gorgeous pair of orange linen shorts which I wore to death.  It is a colour that reminds me of the hot summer sun, Fanta and Frosty Fruits iceblocks.  It also reminds me of autumn because of the colour of the falling leaves and the shades of the afternoon sky when the sun is setting.

Orange comes in many different shades.  While red is associated with fiery heat, orange is associated with the benign warmth of the sun. Even Vivienne Westwood loves orange as her signature shade hair colour is testament to its versatility, don't you think?

Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.

A dynamic color, orange offers a more thoughtful control than explosive red. Curiosity is a driving characteristic of orange, and with it comes exploration of new things.
Put some orange in your life when you want:

• to spice things up when you feel time is dragging
• to become more involved in something
• to increase creativity
• relief from things becoming too serious

Take a look below at the lovely model on the catwalk here - her hair is such a gorgeous auburn and in no way does it clash with the fiery red of her gown or her red lipstick, which by the way is perfection.

Of course, like any colour, some people simply refuse to indulge or don't have the confidence to wear such a bold colour.  But as I have said before, anyone can wear any colour, it is just a matter of finding the right shade!  

Orange is the signature colour of the house of Hermès of course and if I had the choice, my first Hermès bag would be in burnt orange.

Orange makes a statement at Michael Kors, and when used as a contrasting colour it adds vavoom!  

Mrs Beckham has never been one to shy away from making a statement.  She stands out here among a sea of at this fashion show.

Wearing orange during times of stress, or shock can help to balance your emotions. It can bring about the willingness to embrace new ideas with enjoyment and a sense of exploration and creative play.  Orange is also the color associated with the Sacral Hara Chakra (sexuality and reproduction), so if you need some help in that area, put some orange sheets on your bed or buy some sleepwear in a similar shade.  You never know, it might just work!

As an accessory or a major fashion piece, orange is undoubtedly a bold colour choice, and one which you shouldn't shy away from just because it is so. 

If you have been too serious lately and you need to lighten up and have a good belly laugh - then spread a little orange around your life. Remember this is the colour of the the Buddha Belly. Who can resist smiling back at a laughing or smiling Buddha statue?  As a blend of the raw energy and physicality of red, and the sheer happiness of yellow, ORANGE is truly the colour of joy, interaction, creativity and playfulness.

Hx




Sources: dominomag.com, style.com, garancedorè.com, thesartorialist.blogspot.com, jakandjil.com/blog, crystal-cure.com, paintcafè.com

Colour Blocking: Yellow

Photograph by Garance Dorè.

I see yellow everywhere right now.   I feel like everyone is wearing it and I can no longer deny it's appeal.

Stella McCartney 2010 Spring/Summer.

Yellow is a colour that a lot of people shy away from, but for me, I have always worn it.  I think it started out because when I was a little girl, my dance teacher always had my costumes made in either bright sunny yellow or emerald green.  It used to annoy me that my blonde friends would get to dress in pink and blue and purple.  Back then I would have loved another colour choice.  


But now I don't mind so much.  

Bottega Veneta

Designers Spring/Summer 2010 runways of Milan and Paris featured many yellow hues.   

Dries Van Noten

Did you know that people who are blind to other colours can usually see yellow?  Yellow is full of creative and intellectual energy, it symbolises wisdom and means joy and happiness.  

Sonia Rykiel

YSL

Like the energy of a bright sunny day, yellow brings clarity and awareness.


Put some yellow in your life when you want clarity for decision-making, or when you need relief from burn-out, panic, nervousness or exhaustion.  It can help sharpen your memory and concentration skills as well as offer protection from lethargy and depression during dull weather.

Easton Pearson

Bottega Veneta

Some people might not like wearing yellow, but if you find the right shade, it can look amazing.  Think Renee Zellwegger in that gorgeous vintage dress she wore to the Academy Awards and the yellow Nina Ricci gown that Reese Witherspoon wore to the awards (not the same year of course).

And who could forget the stunning Vera Wang mustard yellow gown worn by Michelle Williams to the Oscars.  Such a transformation for her, wasn't it?

And then there's this gorgeous buttercup number on the equally gorgeous Miss Kate Moss. 

The point is that whether you are blonde, brunette, auburn or raven-haired, I promise you can wear yellow.  The trick is to find the shade that is right for you, that's all!  

While I am not really feeling Ms Minogue's high-waisters here, I am loving her peacoat!  

Angelina looks effortlessly chic in this bright and breezy dress paired with black ballet slippers.

I think that yellow is going to continue to be pretty easy to find on the racks of your favourite stores this summer because it has been a popular colour for designers for the past three years.

I just know that there are some of you out there that are reading this, still unconvinced, but I say to you - don't worry if you feel that you just can't bring yourself to wear yellow, because there is always that old standby - accessories!

Gotta love Marc Jacobs, am I right?

Ciao for now,

Hx

P.S. Very soon I am launching my first clothing label!  Hubby and I are hard at work and all will be revealed soon!  



Sources: crystal-cure.com, fashionnation.wordpress.com, people.com, garancedorè.com.