Monday, February 21, 2011

Inspiration Overload

Update below...
I get so much inspiration from visiting beautiful blogs - there are so many out there, but there is nothing quite like sitting down with a cup of tea, and flicking through the pages of a book or a magazine...over the years, I have wasted spent a lot of pennies on magazines. I never tire of revisiting my favourites, but the collection was growing alarmingly big, so a couple of years back, I bit the bullet and began to tear out my favourite pages and glued them into some visual diaries.  Oh yes, my friends, there were some that I could not bear to tear up, but I managed to cull quite a few mags.  The following pics are taken from my little books of inspiration...they are just some of the things that make me smile, or speak to me deeply. I hope you enjoy them as much as I.
These pics are actually from a cookbook - aren't they lovely? It is the gorgeous Miss Victoria Springs, who lives in Byron Bay, one of my very favourite places to stay in Australia. (My darling friend Wendy is moving there later in the year, so I am hoping to visit).  She makes the most beautiful jewellery, and below you will find some more photos of her gorgeous home...Victoria, not Wendy...but do go visit Wendy's new blog and read about her adventures touring America.

I also can't resist some good foodie shots, for afterall, cooking is another passion of mine...
"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all" - Harriet Van Horne
This home is owned by a lovely lady who has a gorgeous shop called 'Harem'  here in Melbourne - it truly is a delight for the senses. I actually used to work with her sister in a gorgeous little shop that sits on a river near here...I think I have shown you before. It was called Riverclay in Warrandyte, but is no longer there. I don't think I saved any of the money I earned - I always spent it in the shop!

I just adore this embroidered tapestry chair...it is so whimsical.

Here are some more pics of the lovely Victoria Spring's home...just look at that raspberry sofa! Did I tell you that Abby and my husband saw a red velvet couch on the side of the road recently, and they DIDN'T PICK IT UP! I wished they had never told me...I jumped straight in my car, but alas, some other lucky soul had beat me to it...sniff....



I still do adore a bit of vintage white...
Why would you put these dishes away when they are oh so pretty? I love collecting old china...

These pages are over the top - but in a good way!
I just love this idea of the painted laundry basket for the pooch...I'm pretty sure Pippi would have that chewed up in no time at my house though!
Always fleurs! Either picked from the garden or bought from the markets...they make me happy. And I love the sentiment that is written here about imperfection - chippy, peely furniture is yum!
I love this idea of everything on display...hmmmm - not sure hubby would agree though!

So my lovely friends, I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into what floats my boat...I have another inspiration book filled with garden goodness, but I shall save that for another day, for I fear this post has been awfully long.
May I just leave you with another little quote (for you just know I collect those too!)
"A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul" - Phillip Moffit

...Update...

I couldn't pass this opportunity to tell you guys about a most beautiful kindred fairy. You simply must go and check out her amazing blog: Tricia Fountaine Design - she is an enchantress who designs the most beautiful weddings. But when I visited her yesterday, she has opened her home for everyone to enjoy. If you are like me (and I suspect that many of you are), then this is a real treat for your eyes. Tricia, I still haven't worked out how to leave a comment on your blog - frustrating - but may I just say you are indeed blessed, and I am seriously coveting your beautiful collection of bracelets! Oh my goodness - swoon!

17 comments:

  1. this is gorgeous! not too long at all:)
    was quite a treat.
    thanks for sharing.

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  2. Oh look at all those beautiful things....Shall I wave my wand?

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  3. Such an inspirational post. So many fabulous and fun ideas
    Alison

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  4. So inspiring and beautiful....thankyou Tina..so lovely to gaze through pages of a magazine with you my friend..so many dazzling photos. I love it all..adore the embroidered chair too..and i love that blue room! and wowsers..a red velvet couch..nothing could hold me back fomr it ha ha!!

    yay..that was such fun..thanks for sparkling my world today with such beuaty and enchantment..
    hugs
    Victoria~
    PS; lovely to hear about your creative friends..i love Wendy's music and I'll have to check out your other freind! yaya!

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  5. Swoonalicious, all of them!!! What a happy beginning to a most happy day ♥♥♥ **blows kisses** Deb

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  6. Wow! You have so nice taste my friend! And i really enjoyed that post from the beginning till the end! The blue room is super beautiful and i also like some white vintage and flowers and vintage hippie or bohemian style! I loove it! Thank you for sharing your wonderful world!
    Kisseeeeees! :)

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  7. OMG!! I too have done the exact same thing!!! However, I have not as neatly affixed them to a tome. Mine are all in various file-folders marked according to relevance. I still have several Victoria and Romantic Homes magazines that I cannot bare the thought of tearing .... for I have fallen in love with the entire periodical. However, I LOVE your idea ... I just might have to get busy on the next rainy day and make my own book! By the way, I recognize the 13th picture, the stacked plates ... I too have culled that image! Ahh, great minds do think alike! :)

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  8. I love your inspiration books... I had to do the same thing some years back and now I've got an enormous Library of inspiration books, but its the very best images from the many magazines I've enjoyed over the years. I loved the over the top pixs best! *naturally... winks*

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  9. Oh my friend...I am like you..I can not bare to let go of any of my old magazines...I am now at the point where I am starting to file the pages I want to remember.

    All these images are so lovely.

    Hugs for a great day my sweet friend. And by the way I adore that shoe image....if ONLY!

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  10. Hi Tina
    Thank you so much for mentioning my blog and all the lovely things you said! What a fun surprise. I just LOVE all the images you have collected. I especially love the blue room. It would go great next to my red office! I too collect magazines and have managed the courage to rip out images from some of them, though it is hard to do. It just feels wrong to tear them apart but alas... too many stacks of magazines means one has to from time to time. Thanks again Tina and as always I adore your blog! Have a great day!
    Tricia

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  11. SO much wonderful eye candy here! What a treat this post was. Thanks for introducing Tricia to us all! I will have to go and pay her a visit. :) Hope you have a wonderful week!!!! Theresa

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  12. Eye Candy Eye Candy Eye Candy! From beginning to end!! It was like looking through a magazine that I never wanted to finish!!!

    YAY Tina!

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  13. I wanted to see more!!!Thank you for sharing these photos! You just feel like diving in the photos and want to live there forever!
    XO

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  14. aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh my head is going to asplode! no more beautifullies! can't.take.the.gorgeousness.

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  15. all those pages make my heart sing....

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  16. I agree so many inspirational pictures. Thank you for sharing.

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  17. So much inspiration has left my head reeling. Thank you dear Tina for always bringing sunshine into my world. Hugs and wishes for a super weekend XO

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