{colour inspiration : head in the clouds}

by roséline





"I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart."

—Vincent Van Gogh

. . . and after the rain, blue skies forever, and there are lists and lists and emails from five months ago still unanswered, and coffee and more coffee, a lunch date and waiting, and happy reunions to come, and so many lovely things to look forward to, that it's all one can do to keep thoughts from drifting to the clouds . . .



[images : one // two // three // four // quote via musings]

{travel inspiration | photography : europe by iphone by natasha}

by roséline

. . . have been storing up quite a collection of photographs on the phone of the past three amazing and whirlwind weeks, and have been meaning to post a few shots, but time seems to be whirling past at perplexing speeds and tomorrow is already the beginning of a new month, and so, while stopping to catch a breath and catch up, a few beautiful photographs of a few beautiful places, by natasha, whose work has been featured here many times before, only this time, these were all also taken by phone . . .


hofgarten, munich


florence


isola della giudecca, venice


brugge


nymphenburg palace, munich

{take me away № 21 | city guides № 1 : paris}

At the very centre—the heart, soul and jewel of France, we find Paris . . . Paris in all of its overwhelming magic and allure. Paris that, perhaps of all places around the globe, of all the islands and coasts, extraordinary mountains, cities, and countrysides, might just be the most dreamed about of them all. And is it with any wonder? Enveloping the experience of l'art de vivre is a rosy hue, a hue only seen while you are there [long remembered and forever held in the heart], swept up in the magic of the city of lights. Here, for hundreds of years, thousands and thousands of visitors near and far have traveled to visit, to live, [even if just for the day] amongst all that is Paris.



Here we find perfectly imperfect cobblestone streets, many offset by poetically tilted and beautifully aged architecture, and as we walk, we quietly take in the unabashed beauty and élan, as elegant & effortlessly stylish women pass by; an older man, pedaling along on his bicyclette, en route to the barber may bring on a smile—indeed, a postcard sight; ladies immersed in each other's company, tucked in bold red chairs at a quaint café, back and forth they speak, in reverent conversation; or peek into the windows of elegantly merchandised shop windows, seductively showcasing handmade merchandise, created with skills perfected centuries ago. A host of streets may call you to stroll, looking up as you go, at the decorated facades, noticing a tiny pot with a cheerful blossom tucked into the tiniest of nooks. Not so unlike Paris, where charm abounds—charm and quality, hand in hand—be it fine foods or perfumes, fundamental manners & etiquette, or tying a scarf with flair.



Perhaps it's passion? Perhaps it's Paris. A city unlike any other, Paris calls creatives to create, lovers in love, and explores to explore . . . for those with an appetite to discover and to learn may discover a convergence of past and present, and may lose themselves forever, never to be the same. And so, today we warmly invite you to join us as we visit some of the most memorable places, and share some of best kept secrets in our address book of Paris . . .

{take me away № 12 | Venice, Italy}

The day’s itinerary may have held a leisurely stroll along the canal and a lovely visit to the Basilica di San Marco, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Gallerie dell’Accademia, and perhaps even the Ca’ Pesaro; a stop or two for long lunch and a little shopping. But as the day of discoveries and sites comes to a close, the sun begins to set in the sky, casting an indescribable golden glow over the beautiful buildings and canals of this magical city.



There are gondolas with enchanted passengers return for the evening -- there are no cars, but vaporetti. Traditional melodies trail through the waterside streets, through the buildings, and over the rooftop terraces, creating such an impossibly beautiful mix of sights and sounds, and the night has just begun . . .

{travel inspiration: prague, czech republic}

. . . it has been said that the rooftops of prague are lined in gold, causing them to emit the most astonishing glow in the dusky light just before nightfall . . . perhaps soon, one of our adventures will lead us along the river, past castles and old stone bridges, swept away by years of history and the romance of those golden rooftops . . .


{images: photography by natasha on flickr}

{two lovely things: mirrors & chandeliers}

. . . there is nothing quite like a glittering chandelier or sparkling mirrors to add luxe and glamour to any space, and always a fondness for mirrored vanities in particular and have fallen for this incredible dressing table {wouldn't it also be lovely as a desk?} and the beautiful way it is paired with a charmingly rustic mirror for a wonderfully informal, yet stunningly elegant place for favourite photographs, pearls and perfume and, of course, to prepare for a new day . . .

{p.s.} more mirrors:
* warm & romantic
* cool & modern

{images: natasha & country living via decorololgy}

{colour inspiration: dusky taupe}

. . . afternoons are still wonderfully bright, but evenings are beginning to arrive earlier, and with them, a surprising briskness to unaccustomed summer skin, and already this past weekend, faux fur stoles and soft cashmere scarves and the longing for luxuriously warm textures, velvet and tweed and satin-trimmed coverlets -- and even warmer hues and tones, featherstone and champagne and deliriously lovely shades of dusky taupe . . .

{images: 1 - photography by nastasha; 2 - elle decor via mochatini; 3 - lonny magazine; 4 - simply seductive; 5 - country style magazine (australian) via daily imprint; 6 - a glamorous little side project}

{travel inspiration: paris, london, italy, new york}

orvieto

"the world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page"

~ saint augustine

. . . a wonderful wednesday afternoon and thoughts are drifting, drifting to far off places -- to romantic canals and glass museums, tiny boulangeries and grand archways, a sweet nostalgia for all the places we have been, and all of the places still in our dreams . . .

{p.s.} unbelievably, all of these beautiful photographs were taken by natasha, a lawyer from sydney, australia







paris



london







new york





florence



assisi







rome











venice

{all photography by .natasha. on flickr, quote via destined to design; special thanks to felicity for always sending along the most lovely things}