This week's love...

Two loves this week...

First up my copy of Grace Bonney's 'Design Sponge at Home' arrived on my doorstep. Gorgeous, glossy pages filled with great homes and plenty of practical advice, much like her lovely blog :)

And secondly, been meaning to share this one for awhile, my neon love heart cushion from Anna Spiro's winter vignette. It was definitely love at first site, a must-have! Not quite sure where it will ultimately live yet. Anyone else ever do that - buy something just because you love it even though you're not sure where it will go?? I'm a big one for that...but I figure if you love it, you'll make it work :)

Have a fabulous Friday and thanks for stopping by G&G this week :)

Abbey x

Images by Abbey @ Gild & Grace

A real life doll's house...

The other day I was helping a friend pick out a doll's house for her daughter. You wouldn't have thought it would require much thought or debate but you see she was pondering whether or not to get her the Stockholm dolls house - you know the one - mosaic tiled swimming pool, barbeque, fancy Swedish furniture - the bees knees of dolls houses (well as far as I know anyway!). The problem with the Stockholm was that she didn't want her 3 year old, who is already developing a taste for the finer things in life, having a warped and inflated sense of what a house - or life for that matter - should be all about. I could see where she was coming from.....however I still voted for the Stockholm...it's the pool, it's glorious!

If there were to be a real life dolls house, I'm thinking it would look a lot like this...

Have a great day :)

Abbey x

Image via meggielynne tumblr

Wednesday's white kitchen

This one's pretty dreamy...look at all that bench space. And those lights. And the glossy dark floors. And the cupboards! I don't think I'd have to stack a single frying pan, cake tin or oven tray on top or inside of one another ever again. Everything would have it's very own square meterage. It's funny how creative you can get at packing things into cupboards when you have a small kitchen. The only problem is getting something out again that's buried down the back in the corner under twelve other things! And the clanging and crashing that follows...does your head in! Ahh to have all that space :)

Have a fab Wednesday all :)

Abbey x

Image via Book of Secrets

Cupcakes and things...

Thought I'd share some photos I did a little while ago of some of my cupcakes and dessert styling project-y bits and pieces. I used to do a bit more of this sort of thing but now I only do the occasional event or party for friends. I do love baking and styling food, it's really just a time issue that I don't do more. Baking is in the blood I suppose. I learnt from Mum who learnt from my grandma who used to run a tearooms in a little town in New Zealand - 'The Singing Kettle'. Pretty cool name don't you think?!

A couple (2 & 3) of these were taken by a very clever friend out at Campaspe House which is a divine little homestead in Woodend, country Victoria. The restaurant is definitely worth a visit if you're ever in the area. And the others were taken by me at my house!

Abbey x

All images for Gild & Grace

Look who's coming to my arm party...

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was pretty fantastic, largely because hubby got me this lovely gift for my birthday! Really softened the blow of getting another year older :) Also spent some time with the family which was fab too. Having a bit of time off this week getting some much needed R & R but will try and keep up with my daily posts so stay tuned :)

Have to admit, almost didn't want to open it because the orange Hermes bag and box with the special ribbon was a delightful little gift in itself. And a couple of free perfume samples too!

Have a great Monday everyone :)

Abbey x

Weekend inspiration...

So this weekend I turn another year older...not sure where the last 5 years have gone. They have literally whizzed by and though I am older, I don't feel it at all! Anyway, trying not to worry about it, embrace it, all that jazz. So going out for a nice dinner...might wear something like this...cowboy boots and tulle are bound to make me feel young at heart!

Have a great weekend all. Hope you are up to something fun and that there's a bit of sunshine heading your way :)

Abbey x

This week's love...

...are these amazing views of NYC. This time two years ago we were there and amongst the many amazing things we did was check out the views from the Empire State, Rockefeller and also the Met sculpture garden. It really is a breathtakingly wonderful city...

This is one of my pics of the Met sculpture garden..

Have a fabulous weekend and many thanks for popping by this week :)

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2 & 3

Gorgeous gingham!

There are things that featured heavily in my childhood, that once I got a bit older just reminded me of being a kid. And then once I got way even older again, like now, have taken on a renewed sense of being very stylish - like gingham. No longer only associated with my kindergarten paint smock or the apron I sewed (badly) in  Year 7 Needlework, gingham is a classic staple versatile enough to transcend across fashion, interiors and styling generally...

And for the record my gingham apron was a complete disaster! My teacher made me unpick the hem that many times it ended up having gaping holes in it. Now of course I'd love to be able to sew and wish I'd taken the whole thing far more seriously!

Until tomorrow...

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2, 3 & 4

Wednesday's white kitchen...

Ok so there's a dash of mint green...but how pretty is this (largely) green kitchen?! That shade of green works so well in a white country style kitchen. The addition of grey in the walls and those great pendant lights also adds some warmth and depth to the whole space. I also love the idea of storing things on exposed shelves. Looks fab but I think I'm too messy for it at heart. Our place always appears pretty neat but open a cupboard....can be a completely different story. I always envy those people who have taken to their cupboards and drawers with the organising prowess of Kikki K. Labels, pictures of their shoes on the outside of the box...never mind...I'm afraid it will just never be!

Have a fab Wednesday :)

Abbey x

Image via Book of Secrets Tumblr

Decorating for the indecisive...

At first blush I'd describe this room as bold and colourful. However, if you take the accessories out of the space it is actually very plain. Classic cream pieces against classic cream walls. Whilst I'm more a fan of cool whites than warm creams, I think there are so many advantages to keeping your backdrop and key pieces neutral. I tend to change my mind about things a lot. Therefore, I prefer to keep the canvas white and add colour, pattern and texture through accessories and one off occasional pieces (a lot of them). That way if I get a bit over a particular shade or find a fabric I must incorporate, I can easily change things around. As much as I do try and fight it, it's my risk averse, sensible side taking over...

Loving Mr Zebra on the wall there :)

Abbey x

Image via everythingleb

Spring in the step...

What a great weekend we had here in Melbourne! The weather was fabulous, especially yesterday. We spent the afternoon at a great local pub having a very long lunch with friends. I don't think there is a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon :) Hubby and I were discussing how much happier we are when the weather is nice. We're not winter people so we get on a bit of a spring high as the warmer weather rolls in. It's just so much easier to get out and about. I even got the energy up to visit the new Zara on Saturday afternoon. I've avoided it as the crowds have been out of control since it opened a month or two ago. And whilst I still waited about 15 in the queue to try some stuff on, it wasn't too bad and I did score some very cute spring tops in bright colours :)

So I'll continue my spring high with some lovely complementary images...

Mind you, it's not all fun and games...am waiting for my first bout of hayfever and crazy swooping magpies...

Have a great Monday all :)

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2, 3 & 4

Weekend inspiration...

This weekend if a very lovely friend hadn't organised a very lovely lunch for Sunday, I wouldn't mind getting around Paris in a Vogue Mini Cooper...

Ha! Have a great weekend everyone whatever your plans :)

Abbey x

Image via Vogue & Coffee Tumblr

This week's love...

...is this new 'arm party' trend I am seeing all over the place. I love the jingle jangle of multiple bracelets and bangles so the 'arm party' is right up my alley. Such a great way to add some colour and texture to an outfit too. A chunky man style watch and some seriously colourful nails also seem to be essential elements!

And this below is your high end arm party - giant Hermes bangles on a Sydney beach. Hermes once again showing they are the coolest!

Have a great Friday all. Thanks for stopping by this week. I hope you've seen some things that have added some colour and sparkle to your day :)

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Great expectations for a Great Gatsby...

So Baz's adaptation of The Great Gatsby has begun shooting in Sydney and the first shots of the stars out and about are hitting the press. Leo's happy enough with our diet cola and Tobey has jetted the wife and kids into town. In my camp there are already some mixed feelings about all this. Some of my pals don't like remakes of old classics full stop. After all, can it really get any better than Robert and Mia? Others aren't so concerned about the fact of the remake but are more concerned with the 3D element. I have to admit, I had mild palpitations when I got word that it was going to be made in 3D. A little too modern for a great classic....Anyhow, as Gatsby is one of my all time favourite books and I am an optimist when it comes to things I'm passionate about, I have decided to embrace Baz's modern spirit and am growing more excited as the weeks go by. I expect by the time opening night rolls around I'll have my tickets booked and 3D glasses at the ready. Anyone else with me??

One thing's for sure - the sets are bound to be awesome, particularly if one Catherine Martin's involved :)

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Wednesday white kitchen...

I'll take the lot thanks - the great cabinets, the dark raw wood flooring, that collection of blue and white china, the great pendant light...and of course a piece of that chocolate cake and the French bulldog!

Have a great Wednesday :)

Abbey x

Image via Habitually Chic

Convertible colour

Coming into spring I'm loving all the great melon shades that are everywhere right now. And all the better teamed with pink!

From Tabletop....

To Catwalk... 

To Interior...

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2 & 3

The outdoors in style...

I learnt a new word on the weekend courtesy of a lovely friend - 'glamping'. The art of glamorous camping.  Now call me precious but I hate camping of any kind. Not afraid to admit it. However, glamping might be a different story (provided there's some air con and fly wire). I suspect these digs would be appropriate vessels in which to 'glamp'!

Abbey x

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

This week's love...

...is the very pretty new Harlequin Butterfly Bloom collection of teaware from Waterford Wedgwood. The divine floral patterns and fab colours makes it perfect for a springtime high tea!

Have a great Friday and thanks for stopping by G&G this week :)

Abbey x