Needs. Wants. A fine line.

Well, I've been trying to walk that thin line for a few months and, oops!

  I kinda crossed it a few times....

I've pre-ordered three of these stools (not available till Nov / Dec unfortunately) for the lower deck area to sit up against the bar. Whilst they're not modern nor made for outside, they are the right height, are pretty 'classic' style wise, will be undercover and should add some textural warmth to the pool area. I've been looking for the 'perfect' stool for this spot for two years and I loved these as soon as I saw them. The rattan will hopefully withstand wet-tog-bottoms too!

This large Juju purchase was definitely a wee bit naughty. I have a white one that I was planning to hang in the lounge but this rare-coloured black / blue had me smitten. Not sure where I'll hang her, I've definitely got multiple spots it would look stunning

I've just collected my Ian Baguskas print 'Waiting', from the framers. I love its subtle colours but am kicking myself that I hesitated and missed out on one of the larger-sized releases.

Added a 'Botanical' motif plate to my Spode Blue Room collection of dinner plates. So pretty!

This Springbok cushion belongs with me. I know, we are going to be very happy together.
It arrived so beautifully wrapped that I felt like I'd received a present. (Don't think hubby will feel the same way when he sees the bank statement though) LOL!

HAD to buy these nifty wire baskets in Rose Gold and Black. At $12 each from Kmart you better get your skates on! Have you seen the rest of Kmart's newest homewares range? I wanted just about one of everything!

Can't wait to get more of the house finished so I can actually start decorating with some of my goodies!

x KL

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New Season Homewares

I love the changes that a new season brings, especially those affecting the home in autumn and spring. Freshly into Autumn, my fave stores are restocking their wares in tempting new designs that reflect now, global trends.

Here's some of my latest faves:

1. The ombre trend is fading (LOL) but this snugly throw in blue still looks the business to Moi! Ombre Throw in Blue $59.95 $44.95 Bed Bath 'n Table

2. Love the Scandi look but find the Pia Cross blankey a bit exy? Try this look-a-like; Portland Onyx Throw $99.99 from Adairs

3. Addicted to linen sheeting? Warm up the palette for autumn with colour-of-the-moment, Indigo from $75 (pair of pillowcases) In Bed Store

4. 5. & 6. I love beautiful towels and the Vue Spa range are sumptuous. Love the velvet banding and jewel like colours!(emerging trend?) There are multitudes of mix 'n match items too! Pictured are turquoise, chevron silver and charcoal from $9.95 (face washer) exclusive to Myer

7. 8. & 9. No autumn update is complete without some new cushions. I'm crushing the velvet options this season in brights and patterns. Emerald Velvet $120 from Harold's Finishing Touches. Silvan silk velvet $130 and Mavi silk velvet  from $100 Cultiver

And of course, all these items can be purchased online! Yippee!

What's on your wish list for autumn?

x KL

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I spy

Top to bottom, Left to right:
 

A Father's Day gift idea? Blueprint Print $24.95 from The Home

My latest love: Iron & Glass display boxes by House Doctor. Royal Designs

Online buy: Adia Kibur Crystal Earings from Shopbop. $22 USD with free delivery to Oz!

Faux Plant. All the good ones are exy. But unkillable; a worthwhile investment? Image: Pinterest.
 

EF-S-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Perfect wide angle lense for entry level DSLR users. $449 Canon.

I still get frustrated that West Elm Australia doesn't stock all the seriously swishy goodies of its US counterpart. Small marble based Pillar Table Lamp from West Elm USA.
 

Chinoiserie perfection! Did you know bed sizes are different all over the world? Makes international purchase impossible except for pillows! Sheridan Eastcott Euro. House of Frazer UK.

x KL

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Bits 'n Bobs

Davey has just informed me that as a result of my recent illness, he will need to 'catch-up' the time he lost on client projects, by working Saturdays. 

Fair enough. 

Then, I thought about it...

He is currently employed in Sydney (90 minutes south of Copacabana), and his 5:30 am start and 6:30 - 7 pm arrival home make Saturday his only day to tackle building work here at La Hacienda.

3 weeks = 21 days. 

Twenty-one Saturdays from now takes us into January 2015!!!!

I heard a casual statement ... but it was actually a loaded bomb!

There goes my fantasy of 'moving' upstairs by Christmas.

 *sob*

Anyhow,  s l o w  progress aside (nothing new really....) here are some pics of what has been happening about these parts ....

The two upstairs bathrooms are approved by council and ready for underfloor heating installation. After much debate and soul searching, I decided to purchase Carrara Marble tiles in the same size (400 mm x 400 mm) as the downstairs bathrooms for our ensuite. I just couldn't justify spending three times more for Calcutta or mosaics when we still have so much more to do. The marble is Italian and the white is really crisp though, which helped clinch the deal!

David decided that it was high time we bought a new mattress too. I wasn't much help as I was just out of hospital so couldn't lay on the display beds. He chose a Tempur one (without the folding base, which J loved!). It was a big investment so I hope it's comfortable! Our last bed was a top-of-the-line disaster because of the too soft pillow top.

 Been 'playing' with some decor pieces, motivated by a Country Road competition. If you want to enter too, click HERE.

Had a day of shopping with a girlfriend in Sydney last week. We popped into the newest Matt Blatt store in Castle Hill. I've seen their wares online but never in person. Most pieces were disappointing... but I liked this replica daybed and dining table.

We then headed to a Freedom outlet store my friend knew about. I snapped up this Freedom console which was a quarter of it's retail price!  Not sure where it will 'live' but there are a few suitable alcoves upstairs!

Newham Console from Freedom

Spotted these gorgeous external lights at Beacon Lighting. L.O.V.E. ! 

David liked them too, but we can't have them here. The finish is unsuitable for our seaside location, nor are they IP rated ie; they'll rust. Fast. 

Frustrating. Why manufacture an outside light that isn't durable?

South Hampton light fixtures

Have you started thinking about Father's Day?

I think this Bunning's Tool Chest is on David's 'wish' list. It comes complete with bar fridge, LCD TV and stereo. I think it would be too much of a distraction to work....

Keep dreaming darling....

x KL

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3 weeks lost

 Losing three weeks of my life to sickness has been frustrating...most of all the inability to 'do' anything, go anywhere and feeling confined. I was pretty zonked on painkillers and one can only peruse so many magazines! Headaches made any indulgence in real literature impossible.

So, I shopped. 

Online of course...

....just a little....

Here's the deets....

My love of Camilla saw this long kaftan (which was on sale!) pop into my cart. Even though I'm a curvy girl, the style swamps me so I'm going to get it reworked into a sleeved dress.

New season Country Road tempted...and fed my continuing pastel pink obsession with these summer jeans and vase. 

The shoe height on these CR mules are just right for this ol' gal but I think I'll return them for the white colourway which is everywhere this season!

Ordered two of these light fixtures from Beacon Lighting for over the dining table. David picked them up and HATES them. . . Beacon have a great return policy but I'm going to try to 'sell' them to hubby first!

J is growing like no tomorrow. At 12, he is now as tall as me. He seems to have outgrown every wardrobe item in the past three weeks! New CR jeans (he hates the button fly) and a new Tee are a stop-gap till I can take him shopping. 

Whilst I was buying from CR I also grabbed this black smock which will hide my puffed up belly. I think it will look sweet over the pink jeans. The detailing is gorgeous!

My hospital admission was so hurried that I was admitted with only the clothes I was wearing! Mum grabbed these men's flannies for me from Lowes. Super sloppy, soft and warm. Perfect post surgery. Thanks Mummy!!!!

Harold's always has something I 'need'. Cough. A handful of porcupine quills and an emu egg have now been added to my collection of curiosities!

 There is one more thing that I bought from my hospital bed...

It's a biggie and I am very excited about it! I think it deserves its own post though, so stay tuned!

Here's a teaser...

x KL

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You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

baby blue

After my post HERE showcasing my favourite online finds for little girls, I had a pang of remorse. Little boys are equally fun to buy for!

So here's my current faves for little boys blue...

1. Ubabub Pod Cot from BabyRoo. This converts to a junior bed too!

 2. More Sheridan Baby goodness.

3. Hard to Find has some perfect gift items, like these suede Louie boots.
4. Frank cushion from Country Road
5. Cheeky Little Soles cowboy boots from Hard To Find. Yee Har!
6. Castle velvet pom pom cushion. A perfect piece of sunshine.

x KL

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My Luxe Lust List.... # 4 : Fur Throws

Well this one's guaranteed to divide the masses!

But it's definitely on my Luxe wish-list whether real or good quality faux.

And there is no better time to drool over the decorating possibilities of these scrumptious throws than now as we head into cooler weather.

 

 

Opinion?

x KL

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Cute

Now that my two daughters have flown the nest, our predominately female home has become principally male. Having been raised with two sisters, this is a first-time experience for me. And, boy is it taking some getting used to!

My decorating style is quite masculine in many ways but I'm currently being drawn to pastel pink. 

I wonder if it's a subconscious reaction? 

Like-wise, my lack of ankle biters have me pondering all the cute stuff that pops into my inbox. 

Go figure.

Here's the best stuff I've found for those still with pink little cherubs...

 1. Rose gold finish Ellie Cot and pink child's egg chair. Both Incy Interiors. 

a. Cheeky Little Soles soft soled leather cowgirl boots and

b. 'Tip Toey' Joey pre-walker Gold 100% leather booties. Both from Hard to Find.

c. Pink and white spliced Hosk cushion (wonder if my boys could tolerate these?) Country Road.

d. Sheridan's new baby range. All of it. Gorgeous.

2. Boys welcome with this one! Little Green Room. Cubby house / caravan. I want!!!

a.  Hanneke cushion and single blanket, Mikki bedcover. All Country Road.

b. Lucy change table also from Incy Interiors

c. Sequin coat hangers. Etsy

d.  Pink velvet lumbar cushion. Adairs.

And in case you're wondering, yes, of course all items can be bought online!

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

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Shopping, House Progress and other important thoughts...

 A few weekends ago, David completed the construction of a small deck on the middle level at our place. It provides a link between the large entertaining space and stairs, to a wee rear courtyard and a clothes drying area. It also allows access to the external pool W.C and a secondary access to the laundry / lower kitchenette. The Merbau timber still needs to be sealed, the stairs stained to match and a privacy screen added but its another thing to cross off that list! Yay!

In MAJOR NEWS...the lounge room is ready for sanding! We had a professional plasterer here last week and once we trim the windows (goodbye weekend) we'll be all systems go for sealant and paint! The main bedroom en suite ceilings still need a top coat and then they'll be ready to paint too, after which waterproofing can begin! Hallelujah!!!

Post Christmas, my love of Gold has continued unabated...this sweet gold cushion from Castle adds a dash of glitz and comfort to the dining chair I use at the laptop. Whilst I was shopping there (online of course!) I added these pillowslips to my cart for J's bed.

Styled bed (Left) via The Design Files

The bench I ordered has arrived; it's the perfect length for the end of our King sized bed. It will remain in the guest room when we move into the main bedroom though for seating and as a luggage drop zone for guests. It's white linen so until the plaster dust is finito it's staying under packaging wraps!

 Today I bought this cute hand made silver ring by Von Treskow. I have several pieces of their exquisite jewelry and love that this 6 pence ring mixes rose-gold and silver together! I was extra lucky to find it heavily discounted in a one-day sale at a local store.

 I finally tracked down (yes; like a super sleuth! Ha ha!) a gorgeous, leather wrapped round mirror as lusted after HERE. This pic is of it in brown but mine is black. And I got is below cost! 

*happy, happy, happy dance*

I'm thinking of featuring it either in the entry or above the fireplace. ?

I pinned the below, left image, when I first laid eyes on it. It is Olivia Palermo's living room and I coveted both the Hermes tray and the mirror encrusted cushions. I've pinned many more images featuring these two items on my Pinterest boards but now happily own them too. Mine are those pictured below, right!

After my long winded post HERE regarding my newly completed shoe cupboard, I found some US sourced plastic boxes on eBay that fitted all the requirements I needed. I made an initial purchase of ten and am happy with them so have ordered twenty more. Will show you the cupboard again when sorted! I think the Ikea office boxes would have worked equally well but I was swayed by the convenience of online shopping / home delivery again! (I was house-bound with the plasterer all week and awfully impatient, LOL!) Would LOVE Ikea to sell online! *sigh*

Have you noticed the new-season ranges are being released ATM? I'm thrilled to see that leather pants / jeggings are still fashionable (I invested in a pair two winters ago) but would like a new feminine tunic or shirt to go with them. All the items below are from Country Road. I bought this dress and blazer but the blazer was tiny...so unfortunately, back it went. Looking forward to seeing these tops when they're available!

 Country Road has one of their eagerly awaited spend-n'-save promotions on currently too. I made use of it to buy the dress above, the pretty pink tea towel (Yup, a concurring colour addiction as posted HERE) and the beige / black pillowcases seen below, for J. They haven't been delivered yet, (there is no local CR Homewares store so I'm buying online again) but I'm hoping they will go with J's Pony Rider quilt which I bought eons ago (read about it HERE) which needs some pillowcases to go with it. Fingers crossed that at 30 % off, these work!

And I'm toying with this little fox pillow for him too. It's sooo god-damn cute!

Loving the idea of leopard / ocelot print slip-ons for winter. They look super comfy and casual. Now I just need to narrow down the choice!

Just like the decision to buy a new wallet. I'm definitely heading into the need rather than want category for this. A good wallet is usually a long term commitment for me. Any recommendations?

Ceasarstone will soon be releasing their latest range of composite stone surfaces. I am very excited about the Calacatta Classic due for release in July. There could be a new contender for the kitchen island!

 Decisions! Decisions!

Stayed tuned! Exciting times ahead!

x KL

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