Christmas Lights
Mary Angelou said, 'You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas lights'.
Christmas Lights!
It is Narnia again and I am five years old when the Christmas lights go up in the winter darkness. I wish they kept them up for the whole of winter to make some sense of the cold and to offer a hint of magic. I am still searching in the back of old wardrobes!
Gold Water
I sat on a bench on a French beach and watched an autumn sun rise. As it met the horizon, the sea turned in to liquid gold. It is a peaceful sensation where you are warm enough but recognise the soft melancholy cold of winter around the corner. But at that moment, all was right with the world.
A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for – Grace Hopper
Ports and marinas are wonderful in any weather and have a magnetic attraction of water, sails, travel and adventure. It is all about the destination of leaving and arriving. The glamorous activity of summer with sleek machines gliding in alongside vintage boats announcing style and class. But my favourite time is winter with the melancholy stillness and boats saying, buy me.
Remembrance for All
This photo was taken in Belgium on the side of road with poppies growing out of rubble. With this last week focusing on remembrance for many nations, faiths and people, it is a symbol of sorrow and a reminder of the need for kindness, compassion and peace.
Champagne & Cocktails!
“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.” ― Bette Davis Champagne cocktails, gin gimlets, expresso martinis, I love a really good cocktail. Yes, I measure the ingredients and taste with a swivel stick. None of these tumblers of soda water, smidgeon of gin with half a garden's worth of mint! Give me 2 shot/oz of gin, 1 shot/oz of St Germain over fresh ice, add the tonic, spritz of lime and top with a great tonic water. An Espresso Martini? 2 shot/oz of vodka, 1/2 shot oz
Happy Halloween!
The old Celtic tradition where the veil between the 2 realms is supposed to meet.
Autumn
Autumn offers a strange melancholy as leaves drop and the sun weakens as if apologising for losing interest.
Staircases
Staircases are often part of the entrance to your place or at least to your building. When buying or renting a space, feel what the entrance says to you. Is there light, is it dowdy, clean and has fresh air. Ideally, it should not be placed at the front door or in the middle of the house. If right at the front door, the energy rushes up and back down constantly. Feng Shui says to avoid it but this is often a characteristic in European homes. Place small items or lamps on the stairs which ensures people take their
Meet Me in Miami!
Different cities and places are great inspiration for interior decorating and design. Miami offers a sharp, brilliant blue with Art Deco flair throwing gelato colours on walls. It is perfect for anyone with flair. You will see gold staircases mixed with black and white faux fur, azure blue opposite ice pink and always that twist of being in a dance with a cocktail in your hand.