Another great colour combo...

Now ordinarily orange is not on my list of favourite colours, however when combined with the blues - be it turquoise or indigo - I really like it. Mixed about with some smoky greys and clean whites for contrast - an all round lovely palette...

Am also loving the combo of orange and pink at the moment...but will leave that for another day!

Abbey x

Images via Decorpad

Luxe to the max...

So these pics are not hot off the press, most being from the 2010 campaign, however I think they are special enough to get another airing! My clear favourite of the luxury brands -  these ads just capture everything I love about Hermes so perfectly...

Heaven is snoozing on a pile of Hermes silk scarves...

On my Hermes wishlist at the moment are these lovelies...Whilst the bangle is a possibility, the bag sadly is not (unless I win lotto!)...

Have a great week :)

Abbey x

Return to the tropics...

After spending the most part of the week in tropical conditions, this wintery Melbourne weather is a bit glum. Need something to prolong my bright summery mood a little longer...I'm thinking this picturesque Serena & Lily catalogue cover is just the ticket. The perfect mix of palm trees, sunshine and bright gorgeous prints...

Hope you have a fab weekend :)

Abbey x

This week's love...

What else is a girl to do when left to her own devices in a VERY large Asian shopping mall but get amongst it and spend up?! I didn't have very much free time at all on my work trip this week as it was busy busy, but an hour was all I needed to find these little lovelies...

It didn't strike me until I got home that this Kate Spade purchase is in exactly the same colours as my last Kate Spade purchase - that gorgeous little posie vase - clearly I'm more partial to a hot pink/gold combo than I realised...

And I couldn't leave without one of the divine silk scarves on offer. Who could pass up these delightful elephants?!

Hope everyone had a great week :)

Abbey x

Images by Abbey for Gild & Grace

Give me that Givenchy...

I first saw this Givenchy tote over at Louise Bell's packed-to-the-rim-with-good-stuff blog Table Tonic last week and frankly I haven't stopped thinking about it since! Shot here on stylish Vogue US staffer Sylvana Ward Durrett as part of Vogue's 5 days, 5 looks, 1 girl series. That engagement ring looks pretty divine too...

Have a fabulous Thursday!

Abbey x

Images from Vogue.com

Nice jewels...

The only time I find jewellery lying around my house is when I misplace my wedding rings and send myself into an out and out tizz! However these lovely snaps are making me think a little jewellery around the place might not go astray....Except am thinking these things work best in clusters...for impact...and I don't own nearly enough jewels! Will need to work on that ;)

Abbey x

Images via - 1, 2, 3

Who said coloured eye shadow was for the 80's??

Whilst I most certainly cannot pull off brightly coloured eye shadow, German model Toni Garrn definitely can! These gorgeous photos were taken by David Slijper for Elle France. They really are breathtakingly beautiful...

Enjoy :)

Abbey x

Images via Fashion gone rouge

Great space

There are so many different elements that come together and make this space work so well - the contrast of the cool grey walls and the stark white mantle with the glossy black lamp and mirror - all anchored by that divine blue Madeline Weinrib rug and velvet cushion.  These bolder elements really pop against the muted natural tones found across the of the middle of the photo.  What I love most though is the crooked elements found down the centre of the photo - the swaying books in the fireplace, the loop sided tree and the scattered photos around the mirror. So imperfect, it's perfect! And of course, pink peonies always finish the job :)

Abbey x


Image from House to Home

Off we go...

In what is a pretty unusual coincidence, this weekend myself and a lot of my friends are all packed up and heading off in different directions overseas. Me, just for a short work trip but my friends to all sorts of lovely locations - Santorini, Paris, Fiji....

Safe travels gang :)

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2, 3

This week's love...

My lounge room is starting to resemble this picture...

I'm terrible - cannot.stop.buying.books....It's a serious affliction. Husband has placed a 1 month ban on me but I fear I just won't be able to comply :( If you too are cursed with this affliction you need to check out the book depository UK. A friend got me onto it awhile back and ever since, barely a week passes where a perfectly bound little bundle doesn't arrive in the post. It's just too good. Has everything super cheap and free shipping.

Enjoy :)

Abbey x

Image from here

Fave colour combo

If I had to choose a favourite colour combination it would probably be this - crisp white, candy pink and bright apple green. Have always loved it. Nowhere have I seen it captured better than in these pics from Lonny. The repetition of the cross-hatching pattern in the wallpaper, dividing wall and cushion is so clever and ties everything together so nicely don't you think?...

Enjoy :)

Abbey x

Images via Lonny

Rainbow cake

My friend emailed me the other day asking for some tips on making a rainbow cake for her niece's birthday. What is it about a rainbow cake that makes it just that bit more special than an ordinary cake?! The colours? The delight when that first piece is cut and all is revealed? The icing all around? All of the above...

Now this is a special looking rainbow cake. Almost too gorgeous to eat! You can find the recipe here at Callmecupcake - in Swedish and luckily, English too :) It's a lovely site and well worth a visit for any bakers out there...

Delish!

Abbey x

Images from Callmecupcake

A sunny disposition...

Growing up, I recall for the longest time we had bright yellow walls in our kitchen. It was the 80's and I remember a lot of beige and brown going on in the kitchens of friends. My Mum was always pretty vibrant though and loves colour...perhaps where I get it from :) Whenever I walk into an interiors store that is completely full of plain whites and neutrals, I think to myself - 'Mum wouldn't like this place at all!'.

I suspect she would however, very much rate this fabulous kitchen. A bit of an updated, slightly more styled take on our yellow-walled kitchen back in the day - minus the kids, pets and accompanying dishes and mess!

Hope you have a sunny Tuesday :)

Abbey x

Image from Kelly Green via Decorpad

Boutiques around the globe

What a delightful treasure trove of goodness Elizabeth Bauer's New York store appears to be. Filled with gorgeous one-off antiques sourced from all over the world and vibrant colours and patterns in every nook. Definitely my kind of place :) Once a Vogue Staffer, Elizabeth started her own interior design store in Soho in 2008 and I suspect, has never looked back! On the (growing) list of 'must sees' for my next NY trip...  

Enjoy your Monday :)

Abbey x

All images via Elizabeth Bauer Design

This weekend I'm hoping for...

...some sunshine through the windows. It has been really, really chilly in Melbourne this week. Was soooo not ready to be plunged into the depths of wintery weather. Enjoy your weekend and I hope you get some sunshine :)

Abbey x

Image via dustjacket attic

Wondering whether...

...I'd ever get any work done if this were my office? Or would I merely spend my days looking around at my glorious surrounds?! Possibly the latter... The new edition of online mag fave Lonny is live and features a look at their new headquarters in Chelsea - LOVE!

And my other favourite room in this issue put together by decorator Lisa Sherry..

There is also a little video blog towards the front of the mag with editor Michelle Adams. She's so very cool, and consequently I have an unwavering style crush on her :) Check out the new Lonny here.

Abbey x